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It is difficult to get into the habit of good sun protection as inevitably as soon as one has done it the sun sinks behind the cloud and one has toi go back indoors. But even when it is a bit cloudy there are dangerous UV rays sneaking through so it's always best to have something on the face at least. I wear a sun hat too as I have to be paricularly careful having had to have a cancerous sun-spot removed. Thankfully it doesn't stop me from wearing my bikinis like this a favourite from River Island.
Its difficult to pull myself out of the comfort of a cozy bed and reach Old Delhi in the wee hours. But my enthusiasm was such that I reached at least an hour before sunrise. Amazing, the city was alive and thriving. People were busy in various activities. But it was dark.
I could catch these people warming up themselves and sharing a chat.
EXIF :
ISO - 100
Shutter - 1/20 sec
Aperture - f/5
Focal length - 35 mm
EV : -1.67
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Here are some more pictures from my Archives :
Elsa is now freed from the backing, but is still attached to the plastic spacer on her back, and the doll stand. She is stood up, and we start to undo the various fasteners attaching her to the spacer. The most difficult to remove are the T-Tabs tacking the back of her head to the spacer. First we remove the tape over the ends of the T-Tabs on the inside of the spacer. Then we cut the T-Tabs. Then the rubber bands around her arms are removed, and the spacer can be removed from her back. The remaining posts of the T-Tabs in her head are cut, and the adhesive cap on her head carefully peeled off. There is still a wire wrapped around her waist, which is removed after opening up the back of her dress. We take the opportunity to look at the stamping of the edition number and size in her lower back: #102 of 2500, which matches the numbers of the Certificate of Authenticity. With the wire removed, the dress can now be closed back up. We then start removing the remaining T-Tabs that are keeping the dress from being fully opened up to its full extent.
Deboxing my LE 2500 Elsa 17'' Doll. First the front cardboard box lid is removed, revealing the doll behind a clear plastic cover. Next the bottom box lid is removed, then the plastic cover removed, leaving the doll in the open, but still attached to the cardboard backing. Now she can be photographed without the glare from the plastic cover. Between the plastic cover and the bottom of the cardboard backing is the Certificate of Authenticity. My doll is #102 of 2500. Then the plastic T-Tabs tacking the dress to the bottom of the backing are cut, freeing the dress, and allowing the bottom flap to be folded down. We can now see the clear base of the doll stand, and Elsa's shoes. Raising her skirt shows that there is a wire tying her legs to the doll stand. Her shoes are same snowflake design as the Harrods, except that the color is a plainer blue, without the iridescence or silver paint making it look metallic. Like the Harrods Elsa, she has fixed angled feet, so she looks elegant in her high heels. We take a look at her eyelashes, which are slightly messy, especially on her left (our right).
Notes on the back of the LE Elsa's box:
From the Movie Disney Frozen
Disney Store proudly presents the worldwide Limited Edition Elsa doll. With its intricate details, this beautifully designed doll magically captures the beauty and spirit of Elsa, from Disney's newest feature film Frozen. Inspired by the movie, Elsa's side-swept braid is adorned with intricate snowflake jewels. Sheer organza sleeves lead to a sweetheart bodice and an elongated sheer dress overlay. Shimmery ice-blue snowflake embroidery and rhinestones embellish her gorgeous gown. Designed and carefully crafted by Disney Store artists, this limited edition doll is a must-have for Disney fans and collectors alike.
Certificate of Authenticity and Display Stand included.
First look at the Limited Edition Anna and Elsa 17'' Dolls, that I purchased from the Disney Store on the release day, November 20, 2013. The dolls are LE 2500, and cost $99.95 each. They will be photographed boxed, during deboxing, and fully deboxed. They will also be posed with other comparable dolls, especially the Harrods LE 100 Anna and Elsa dolls.
Product information from the US Disney Store website:
Elsa Limited Edition Doll - 17'' - Frozen
Released online and in store on November 20, 2013
SOLD OUT online in 12 minutes
$99.95
Item No. 6070040900950P
Ice dream
Elsa will provide chills of excitement with this spectacular limited edition doll. Designed and crafted by Disney Store artists, and inspired by Disney's Frozen, Elsa's side-swept blonde braid cascades over her finely detailed gown.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of one of this item per order.
• Limited Edition of 2500
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Sheer organza sleeves
• Sweetheart bodice detailed with reflective ''icicles''
• Elongated sheer dress overlay
• Gown detailed with shimmery ice-blue snowflake embroidery, and rhinestones
• Braided blonde hair is adorned with intricate snowflake jewels
• Rooted eyelashes
• Fully poseable
• Display stand included
• Comes in elegant window display packaging
• Inspired by Disney's Frozen
The bare necessities
• Ages 6+
• Plastic /polyester
• 17'' H
• Imported
The KOM League
Flash Report
For
Week of January 27, 2020
This report was very difficult to start and finish. Thus, if you have trouble in the reading of it toss the unread portion and demand a refund of your subscription.
www.flickr.com/photos/60428361@N07/49444185167/
With the onset of 2020 the writer of these reports can now claim to have lived in parts or all of ten decades. That was said in attempt to excuse the inauspicious debut of the reports for this decade.
As all of you know, since the last report was shared college football has a new champion, the President has been impeached and baseball players “cheat.” So, what else is new? Saying that baseball teams steal signs is akin to Mrs. Noah telling her husband “It looks like it is going to rain.”
With regard to impeachment I regret to report that the editor of the Flash Report series has fallen upon the same fate of another John, Donald John Trump. For high crimes and misdemeanors, Yours truly now faces the “Senate of the KOM League readers” for their determination as to whether I should be removed from the office of purveyor of KOM League news. There are two articles for which John G. Hall now stands accused.
Impeachment Article #1
It was reported that a Christmas card was received from Kenny Bennett a pitcher for the 1949 Independence Yankees. That part of the article was correct. However, the statement he was a resident of a nursing home was in error. He wrote back this note....” Hi John. This is Ken Bennett. I am not in a nursing home. That was my wife who has since passed. I am at an independent living community, Friendship Village of Sunset Hills. I still play golf two times a week although I only play 9 holes. I am now 91 and in good health. Have a happy New Year.”
Impeachment Article #2
An apology was issued immediately to Bennett. Then, I got into some serious "digging" on a person who reportedly passed away this past year, George Edward Seeley. I was incorrect and the KOM League House of Representatives has accused me of malfeasance.
George Seeley or George Seeley
For over 25 years I have been conflicted by Mr. Seeley's place of birth and year of same. Upon initial research the Ponca City News stated that he was from Pueblo, Colorado. For the quarter of a century searching for this fellow nothing definitive could be found on until recently. That is when I learned of the death of a George Seeley in Colorado Springs this year.
In looking more closely at the death of the Seeley from Colorado it was evident he wasn't ever a professional baseball player, let alone a Ponca City Dodger.
For as long as the research has been conducted, regarding the KOM league, I have been aware of George Edward Seeley born May 23, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan. His life took many twists and turns. His father, Fayette, was an automobile transport sales manager who moved to Cincinnati, Ohio by the early 1940's. His son, George was sent to the Virginia Episcopal Preparatory School in Lynchburg, Virginia where in 1941 pitched on a state championship team.
After his time at Lynchburg young George returned to Cincinnati where he attended and graduated from Withrow High School. During the summer months he played American Legion baseball.
On February 3, 1944 Seeley entered the U. S. Army and served until March 28, 1946. During service to his country he was assigned to the 1562nd Army Air Force Base Unit Transport Command. He was selected to the all amateur team chosen to play the Manila Dodgers at Rizal Stadium in the Philippines.
General Burton Reynolds had conceived of gathering a team of big league stars, who were in the service, to play games against other military teams for morale boosting. Manila had such big name players as Kirby Higbe, Joe Garagiola, Max Macon, Frank LaManna, Early Wynn, Jim Hearn et. al. This group of fellows was the Philippine and Pacific Olympic champions.
In probably the biggest game of his life, Seeley, and his Air Transport team beat the Manila Dodgers. That may have been the birth of the term "Manila Folders."
Nine months after returning home from the Army, Seeley married Clarisee Marie Chartier three days after Christmas in 1946. He was a living in Dearborn, Michigan at the time he was signed by the Dodgers.
It is now my belief that he was initially assigned to the Pueblo, Colo. roster in 1947 and that is how the Ponca City News reported, he was from that city. Regardless, his time in the KOM league was limited to two games and then he was sent to Zanesville, Ohio. At the end of the 1947 season he was released by the Dodgers and signed by the Chicago White Sox. He played for Superior, Wis. in 1948 and posted an 8-0 record. That was the conclusion of his baseball career.
All that I have been able to learn about Seeley is that he died February 5, 1991 in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
The vote of the Senate
Whether John G. Hall remains in the position of editor of this publication rests in the vote of the full Senate of readers. I have assembled the best attorney’s that can be secured with the funds available. Those funds are derived from subscribers of the Flash Reports. At last count the Flash Reports didn’t have a single subscriber, only a few casual readers. So, if I’m to remain in office some of you need to cast your vote for acquittal.
In the meantime I’ll attempt to continue in my current position and uphold the low standards that have become synonymous with this publication. The rest of this report addresses them.
______________________________________________________________________________
Joseph Walter Turek Sr.
www.ziegenheinfuneralhome.com/notices/Joseph-TurekSr
The following is the content of the obituary cited in the link contained above.
Joseph W. Turek, Sr., 97 of Ste. Genevieve, Mo. Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on December 29, 2019.
Loving husband of the late Jean (nee Jordan) Turek; Beloved father of Joseph (Dianne) Turek, Jr., Daniel (Debbie) Turek, Donna (James) Van Dillen, Sr., Christopher (Andrea) Turek, Sr., Matthew Turek, Mary (Thomas) Schanuel, Patricia A. Turek and John (Joelle) Turek; Loving grandfather of 24, great-grandfather of 19, Dear brother, uncle & friend.
Joseph Walter Turek informed this source of his Father’s passing on January 1, 2020. This was his message: “Hi John: Wanted you to know my father, Joe Turek,Sr., passed away Sunday, December 29, 2019 from natural causes. He was 97. Decorated Combat Medic, veteran of the Battle of Bulge, and The Ardennes. His wife of 48 years, Jean, preceded him in death in 1998. They had 8 children, 23 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Joe retired was a union carpenter.
Ed comment:
Joe Turek Sr. was a 3rd baseman for the 1947 Bartlesville, Okla. Oilers, having been sent there by the Keokuk ball club. He hadn’t been in the oil city of Bartlesville very long until he headed off to the train station and went back to St. Louis. He didn’t announce his departure but after spending time in some of the great battles of WWII he wasn’t that fond of being shuffled around minor league outposts of the Pittsburgh Pirates and thus he departed for home sweet home.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Richard Weissman
_____________________________________________________________________________
Paul Herman Hoffmeister
A note to Mary Lou Hoffmeister
Noel and I send along our thoughts to you on the first anniversary of Paul's passing. Thank you so much on remembering. That meant a lot to me. Paul and I sure loved those reunions and always looked forward to them! Great times and people.
Mary Lou’s reply:
You and Noel were sooo special to organize them. I still like the pictures that you send but, I know that there are not many players left and that is sad but, I just try to remember the good times and there were many. The reunions were certainly an important part of them!
Please keep in touch, stay well, here’s wishing you a blessed New Year!
Love to you both. Mary Lou
Regular message from legacy.com about anniversary dates of deceased
_____________________________________________________________________________
Mark Santo-- Tue, Dec 31, 2019, 4:30
Hi John, Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Thank you for all your work in putting together these reports. Even though I am a newcomer to your work I would still be sorry to see your reports stop. But please don't feel compelled to keep doing this unless you get some measure of pleasure or satisfaction out of it and there isn't something else you could be doing that would bring greater pleasure or satisfaction. It's probably safe to say that you've greatly exceeded all reasonable expectations related to these reports and that no one would want the continuation of this publication to be a burden on you. If you stopped today I am sure you would receive nothing less than the equivalent of a standing ovation from a roaring crowd.
Best Regards, Santo
Reply:
A standing "O" would be something totally foreign to me. If I ever came close to something like that it was probably due to my departure from a job or gathering of folks who didn't care very much of my presence
I was thinking about sending you a note earlier this week. The report that I shared with the 1951 Ponca City Dodgers as the featured photo has had nearly 11,000 views.
____________________________________________________________________________
Gene Castiglione—
www.legacy.com/obituaries/thetelegraph/obituary.aspx?n=eu... Photo included
BENLD (Ill.) — Gene (Deke) Castiglione was born June 30th, 1928 to Guy Castiglione and Adella (Soda) Castiglione in Chicago, Illinois. He passed away at 12:10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7th, 2020 at Saint John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, surrounded by his family.
He was a talented four sport athlete at Benld High School, where he graduated in 1946. He played football, track and basketball, but his best sport was baseball. In 1947 Hall of Famer, George Sisler, signed Gene to the Dodgers Minor League System, with whom he had a contract for six years. During that time frame, he played for the Dodger Minor League Teams, Ponca City, Oklahoma; Greenville, South Carolina; Ashville, North Carolina; Great Falls, Montana; and Knoxville, Tennessee.
Each year Gene played in the minors, he was chosen for the All Star Team. In 1949, while in the KOM League, he played alongside baseball great Mickey Mantle on the All-Star Team. That year Mickey Mantle had 13 home runs and Gene had six homeruns, for which he was extremely proud.
Gene was rated the best defensive 2nd baseman in the Dodger Minor League System that year. Every year when baseball season ended, Gene was honored, along with two high school classmates who were also in the minor league, Cubby Contratto and Emil Borgini, at their hometown of Benld, Illinois, where these athletes were celebrated with a parade and a big baseball game. Gene served in the U.S. Army from 1951 – 1952. While serving in the Philippines as a surveyor, he played baseball on the weekends with the Philippines Semi-Pro Team. In 1951, he was chosen to play baseball with the U.S. 10th Airforce Pacific Tournament Team.
After his military service and baseball, Gene was a successful businessman at IBM in St. Louis, Missouri, for 10 years, working his way up from typewriter repair to supervisor. While working at IBM, he served as a Bird Dog Scout for the Major League Team, the Houston Colts. Gene experienced success at Echlin Manufacturing Plant in Litchfield, Illinois, where he met his wife, Sharon, and served as a foreman until retirement.
Gene was a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He lived a long life, enjoying his retirement and spending time with friends and family.
He is survived by wife, Sharon (Dooley) Castiglione; brother, Frank Castiglione; Stepson, Scott Reynolds; granddaughter, Stephanie Reynolds and her spouse, Kyle Ruppert; great-granddaughters, Krysten and Abby Ruppert, and their soon to be born brother or sister.
Published in The Telegraph from Jan. 15 to Jan. 21, 2020
Ed comment:
Gene and his wife, Sharon, were regular attendees at KOM league events. He attended the very first function ever held in reuniting KOM leaguers. It was an event at the Columbia, Mo. Public Library with a whole hog roast later that day at a local park. What should have been a mild spring evening turned out to resemble cold winter’s night. Most of the attendees weren’t prepared for the bad weather and a few expressed the desire to change places with the hog.
Many memories of Gene came to mind upon learning of his death. The last time we met was at the funeral of Bernie Tye, in 1997, where we both served as pallbearers for the KOM league funny man.
______________________________________________________________________________
Joe B. Elble
www.kiblerbradyruestman.com/obituaries/Joseph-Elble/#!/Ob...
Bloomington (Ill.) - Joseph B. Elble, Sr., 87, of Bloomington, passed away at 1:35 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Heritage Health in Bloomington.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2020, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 801 S. Madison, Bloomington, with Pastor Chuck Bahn officiating. Military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard. A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2020, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the church and also one hour prior to the service on Friday. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home is assisting with arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Cornerstone Building Fund or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Joe was born on April 16, 1932, in Alton, IL, son of Leonard and LaVerne (Tuscher) Elble. He married Shirley Duelm on September 11, 1955, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Alton.
Surviving are his wife, Shirley of Bloomington; children, Joseph (Shann) Elble, Jr. of Normal, Jeffrey (Lisa) Elble of Grand Rapids, MI, Michael (Kelly Norwood) Elble of San Antonio, TX, Mark (GiGi) Elble of Tampa, FL; grandchildren Joseph Benjamin III, Addison, Sarah, Ryan, Leila, Nicholas, and Alexander; great-grandchildren, Joseph Benjamin IV, Logan, Charles and Liam.
After completing high school, Joe was drafted by the Giants and played professional baseball before beginning his service to his country in the United States Army. Returning to Alton, Joe began his career as a homebuilder and married the love of his life, Shirley. Joe's career later brought him to Bloomington where he worked as a builder and contractor before culminating his building career at Baumgart Building Center.
Joe began his second career managing 4-Seasons Health Club, a perfect position for his outgoing, friendly, personality.
Joe was a member and former Elder at Trinity Lutheran Church. He was an avid woodworker and fisherman, loved puzzles and bingo and most importantly he loved spending time with his boys, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe's primary goal in life was to make someone smile every day.
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Reader comments regarding previous issue
•
I don’t know if you realize it but your reports have meant a lot to so many. I know you aren’t looking for a pat on the back but it is people like you that keep our treasured history alive.
Keep it up and have a wonderful and healthy new year. R. Jason Wallace—Grandson of Robert Leroy Matthew Saban former KOM leaguer and longtime minor league hurler.
•
A 1952 Iola player makes request--Norm Travis
John, I would like the whereabouts of the following fellows, if possible. 1952 Iola team.
Jim Maxwell (catcher), Dick Masley (left handed pitcher), Joe Vilk (pitcher), Slick Shryer (Ed note: Bill Schrier ( first base), Roy Coulter (2nd base) and Paul Weeks (short stop).
Travis was aware that Floyd Temple, Chuck Sisson, Jerry Gleason, Tom Guinn and .Gasper Del Toro, outfielder, had passed away.
Sisson, Gleason, Vic Damon & Myself were sent to Iola in 52 by Bob Housam. of Denver Bears with the promise to reimburse me if I made the team, which I did, but asked Temple for my release as I satisfied myself I could play pro ball, but could not make a living at it. (I) was missing too much money at home selling farm machinery. (I) moved back to Burlington, Colo. That is where I still live. I am now 88 years old. Played semi pro ball till age 40. The highlight was making all-state team in 1956, then played fast pitch soft ball.
I am still active as a RE (real estate) Broker and good health. Keep up the good work with the reports as I really enjoy them. Sincerely, Norm Travis
Ed note:
With regrets, Travis was informed only he and Vic Damon are survivors of that list of 1952 Iola Indians.
•
Happy New Year! 27 years, dad enjoyed 16 of those years, thank you. Cheers to a happy healthy 2020. Karla (Weber) Weible
Ed note:
Karla is the daughter of the late Charlie Weber who was a member of the famed double-play combination of the 1949 Independence Yankees. That combination was Mickey Mantle to Weber and whoever was playing first base at the time. Mostly, it was Bob Newbill and Nick Ananias.
•
John, t’was the year 1993 you wrote the first FLASH REPORT? My oh my. Tell us, if you know, what’s ‘going on’ with minor league baseball? I hear it’s days are numbered? Bob Schwarz—1950 Iola Indians.
Ed reply:
I think minor league baseball is being played in big league stadiums. I have no idea what is going on in minor league baseball and haven't since about 1952.
•
What goes around comes around! The "Roaring '20's" are about to return! We continue to look for John's wisdom and commentary. So come on y'all, dig in and share your KOM stories for John to share with his following. Tks. John for 26 years of your HALL of FAME enthusiasm. Jim Jay 1956-57 Kansas City A’s batboy.
•
Up to this point the progress of the report was going on pretty well. Then, the “wheels fell off the wagon” and Yours truly came tumbling off of it.” To describe that scenario wouldn’t make nary a bit of difference to 80% of the recipients of this report and the other 20% would be divided among; you got what you deserved, that is too bad and so what else is new. The foregoing comment was precipitated by a note from the son of Stan Santo who was a member of the 1951 Ponca City Dodgers. He wrote; “Hi John. Hope all is well. Just wanted you to know that there is at least one person (me) who has noticed the gap in time since your last report. Please at least let us know your status so that I can stop worrying about you. All the Best, Mark Santo.”
Had this report continued, all the names of people making contact so far in 2020 would have been mentioned along with a great story regarding sign stealing by the Chicago Cubs in the 1960’s. The main culprit in the sign theft in Chicago was none other than a guy who caught for the Carthage, Missouri Cubs in 1950 and 1951. If you want to wait around for a while for that to be posted on this site you can do so. Otherwise, just go on the Internet and insert key words like “Don Biebel,” traveling secretary of the Chicago Cubs and the Wrigley Field scoreboard and you will find some fascinating reading.
Every former player who ever pitched a ball or swung at one has their own stories of sign stealing, doctored infields, high grass on the playing field, steroids and corked bats. Those are only a few of the ways ballplayers have sought to gain an advantage. And, guess what? They always will.
Difficult shot - bad light and full zoom. Sony Nex-5N, Sony E 18-200/3.5-6.3.
© Stefan Blomberg, scb@blombergs.net
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hNO6rJVvmQ
You might find it hard to believe, but I actually get QUITE a lot of offers from Bisexual men.
Unfortunately (I am sad to say) absolutely no ”undercover” or ”in the closet” bisexual guy's for me. I´m only attracted to men with balls AT LEAST the size of my own.
Married guys? = SURE I´m in!
”But.. Lisa (you utter in confusion).. your ethics...”
My ethics are fine! :o)
You see, I tell the married guy's to give me their wifes phone number, so I can call and check that they are meeting me with the wife's ”blessing”.
As it is my oppinion, that what happens within ”the boundaries of marriage” (with the wife's blessing) is actually ”that couples private sexlife” and therefore no one else's business in the whole wide world, but his, the wife and mine.
You see... I believe in love. Adultery (in my humble eyes) is actually a violation of love.
If I say ”yes” to a married guy (or a guy in a relationship) without the knowledge of the wife or girlfriend, I am hurting that womans heart by doing so. EVERY LITTLE TOUCH, is a whip upon her soul that shall burn forever. - Well.. I am no sadist (or domina) so there you have it :o) My conscience clean :o)
Transvestit København Danmark
Very difficult target, small and it was only 34% illuminated, angular diameter 8".
Equipment:
SW 127/1500 MC
Zwo ASI 120MC
TV 2.5x Powermate
North Korean agriculture works under quite difficult conditions. Most of North Korea's territory is occupied by mountains and is thus not arable. The little land that is left faces many problems.
In 1995, 2007 and 2011, floods of unsuspected size washed away rice and corn fields, destroying a good part of the crops. These floods brought the population to famine, a problem which is still lingering within the unwealthy North Koreans. For the past twenty years, North Korea has been relying on international aid such as that of the United Nation, Japan or South Korea to feed its people, and the number of people who died from illness related to hunger or malnutrition is estimated to about two million.
Moreover, was it not for the floods, North Korea still has difficulty producing enough to match its population's nutritional needs.
Most agriculture in North Korea relies on manual work. The government tries to compensate the lack of mechanization by implementing programs that call for the farm workers to get up earlier and be at work in the fields “at the break of dawn”, but the lack of productivity itself is not compensated. The still deep-rooted principle of Juche prohibits buying soil fertilizer from abroad, but the country could not afford a lot in any case due to its lack of foreign currency. In the search for exploitable land, people burn off patches of forest on the mountains. The soil being no longer held by tree roots, it in turn brings floods. Another problem is industrial pollution, which seems to come from coal-burning industries, and some cases of acid rains.
One solution seems to be favored by countryside inhabitants ; they make their own garden and sell the products on local markets or on the street, or raise their own animals, such as goats. Goats produce dairy, not a traditional North Korean food, but to which people are gradually getting used.
© Eric Lafforgue
flickr birthday! (april 1st, 2009)
# 3 on explore! (march 31st, 2009, curious girls)
b&w on explore! (may, 6th, 2008, dummy?!)
solo exhibition on flickr NOW! : www.flickr.com/groups/thejurors/discuss/72157615540492893/
1. curious girls, 2. classic, 3. with architects eyes, 4. finally, the most difficult!, 5. this is real!!!, 6. transient, 7. wild nature, 8. india, 9. 5481
Created with fd's Flickr Toys.
10:47 am. In the Disney Store. The Prince Limited Edition 17 inch doll (LE 3000, $119.95). Available on August 1, 2017. He was on a high shelf, so it was difficult to get good photos of him.
Today was the third and last day of the 2017 D23 Expo. I got to the Anaheim Convention Center today at about 6:45 am, and got to the shopping line in the second floor of Hall A at 7 am. Then the line started moving at about 9:15 am, and I got to the end of the Disney Store line at 9:30. The CM said the estimated wait time was 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The line moved much more quickly than on Friday or Saturday, probably because their was very few high demand items left to purchase. I actually got into the store at 10:24, in less than an hour.
I started to browse the store, to see what they had left. There were no more LE dolls to be had. However, there were still plenty of Designer Collection lithograph, pin and ornament sets on the shelves. I got a spare Designer Lithograph set. The only Designer mug left was for 101 Dalmations. There was also LE pin sets for Minnie Mouse and Art of Snow White in stock. I decided to get one each of the Designer bags and purses (for TLM, Tangled and 101 Dalmations) because they were so pretty, even though I would never use them. They had an LE 300 wooden Anna and Elsa figure set, but I passed on them since they weren't that impressive, and were $60. I got a Rey/Kylo Ren LE action figure set. I got #82 of 1000. I took more photos of the August 1 releases of Rags Snow White and the Prince. I also took a couple of closeups of the Platinum Snow White. At checkout, I got the PWP Snow White and Tsum Tsum Mary Poppins pins (LE 3000, $5 each). I checked out my goods at around 11 am.
Then I took some photos of the women's gowns made for Disney live action films. The exhibit was entitled Fantastical Fashions, presented by Walt Disney Archives. There were six costumes on display, three of heroines on one side of the stage (Giselle, Belle and Cinderella), and three villains on the other side (Red Queen, Maleficent and Cruella De Vil). I was glad that they weren't behind glass, so I could take decent photos of them without glare and reflections.
Next I saw the Star Wars Land exhibit, at the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts booth. It was entitled Galaxy of Stories, and the new land in DLR and WDW is to be called Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The centerpiece of the exhibit was a scale model of the new land. It was hard to take clean photos of the model because of all the people trying to do the same thing.
While I was in line for the Star Wars Land exhibit, a local collector friend of mine met me. He sold me his spare D23 Mulan doll set for a great price, that I had missed getting on Friday. I got #451 of 523. I took a few photos of the set. Because of the orange colored carpet, the photos have an orange tint to them, especially on the reflective surfaces.
After that I browsed some smaller merchandise booths. First was Besame Cosmetics, which showcased their new Disney Snow White: The 1937 Collection. The color palette used for the cosmetics line was based on the actual paint colors used in the original animation cels. The packaging and artwork also reflected the style of the original animation. They gave out a free old style newspaper tabloid sheet promoting the collection.
Next was the Thomas Kinkade Studios. They had lots of their Disney artwork for sale. Also they had two enormous framed reproductions displayed on the side of their booth. One was of Cinderella, the other was of Beauty and the Beast.
Then I met up with another collector friend of mine. I bought the Designer Blue Fairy doll set from him for a great price, that I had missed out of getting on Friday, and some other items.
I left with a big haul of merchandise, which I will post photos of shortly. I had a very successful Expo, obtaining everything I wanted, without having to resort to eBay.
Always difficult after a "productive" day, great light and views yesterday, back to reality today.
Scrabster Harbour, Caithness, Scotland.
This was a difficult day of chaos in Portland. Had to get a hotel room for the night just to cry and let it all go. RIP my sister.
I am thankful for everything I have in my life and what's about to come. It was one of the hardest years in my life in all the sense of the word, but here I am standing stronger than ever with everything I ever wanted. Lots of problems, bumps in the road, sickness, depression, but also had the most amazing moments of my life, my family got closer and my friends too, I have the most amazing boyfriend ever, started my dream business, everything is working out greatly, I guess things happen for a reason, this year was the hard heat before the weather gets cooler.. the storm before the sunshine, I can't wait for what's coming, happy to say it's gonna be a blast!
I haven't done a glass picture for a while, so it seemed like a good idea to try a dark field shot with a twist.
Lighting is from a wide softbox behind, with Canon 540EZ on full power, triggered by radio. The middle part of the softbox, behind the glass, is masked with black, and the exposed parts at the sides covered with coloured cloth (blue/green on the left, red on the right).
The base was black, and the sides also flagged with black cards, but there are still lots of spurious reflections I couldn't control in the limited time I had to set up, shoot and clear away.
Barbie Style wave 3 with all her stock outfit and accesories.
Barbie Style wave 3 con toda la ropa y accesorios originales.
Year/Año: 2015.
Facemold/molde: Millie 2014
I think it is a satin flycatcher as it has the little whiskers. Difficult to tell the difference between the satin and leaden flycatchers.
Description: The Satin Flycatcher is a small blue-black and white bird with a small crest. The sexes are dimorphic (have two forms). Males are glossy blue-black above, with a blue-black chest and white below, while females are duskier blue-black above, with a orange-red chin, throat and breast, and white underparts and pale-edged wing and tail feathers. Young birds are dark brown-grey above, with pale streaks and buff edges to the wing feathers, and a mottled brown-orange throat and chest. It has sometimes been called the Shining Flycatcher, but this is the common name of another species, M. alecto. It is an active, mobile species
Similar species: The Leaden Flycatcher, M. rubecula, is very similar, with males less glossy about the head and throat and the females and juveniles generally lighter blue-grey above. Both sexes of the Broad-billed Flycatcher, M. ruficollis, are also similar, but lighter in colouring, and have a broader, boat-shaped bill; also, this species only overlaps in range with the Satin Flycatcher in far northern Queensland.
Distribution: The Satin Flycatcher is found along the east coast of Australia from far northern Queensland to Tasmania, including south-eastern South Australia. It is also found in New Guinea. The Satin Flycatcher is not a commonly seen species, especially in the far south of its range, where it is a summer breeding migrant.
Habitat: The Satin Flycatcher is found in tall forests, preferring wetter habitats such as heavily forested gullies, but not rainforests.
Seasonal movements: The Satin Flycatcher is a migratory species, moving northwards in winter to northern Queensland and Papua New Guinea, returning south to breed in spring.
Feeding: The Satin Flycatcher takes insects on the wing, foraging actively from perches in the mid to upper canopy. After the breeding season, it may forage in loose groups, usually of adults and their newly-fledged young, in drier, more open forests.
Breeding: The Satin Flycatcher nests in loose colonies of two to five pairs nesting at intervals of about 20 m - 50 m apart. It builds a broad-based, cup-shaped nest of shredded bark and grass, coated with spider webs and decorated with lichen. The nest is placed on a bare, horizontal branch, with overhanging foliage, about 3 m - 25 m above the ground. Both sexes build the nest, incubate the eggs and feed the young. Nests may be parasitised by the Brush Cuckoo and, sometimes, the Pallid Cuckoo, Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo or the Golden Bronze-Cuckoo.
Scientific Name: Myiagra cyanoleuca
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net )
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Difficult Run, located in Great Falls National Park outside of Washington DC in Northern Virginia. Difficult Run, so named because of its obvious challenges for anyone seeking to navigate its waters, flows into the Potomac River (where the parks namesake is located) downstream of the falls.
It is difficult today to imagine the audacity of these posters produced by a handful of visionary artists in imperial Vienna before 1914!
With Kokoschka, Kalwach, Oppenheimer, Schiele, it is an aesthetic avant-garde spitting in the face of an official art pampered by power to confine itself to a backward-looking academicism whose primary function, through the choice of its subjects, was the negation of social reality.
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Il est difficile aujourd'hui d'imaginer l'audace de ces affiches produites par une poignée d'artistes visionnaires dans la Vienne impériale d'avant 1914 !
Avec les Kokoschka, les Kalwach, les Oppenheimer, les Schiele, c'est une avant-garde esthétique crachant au visage d'un art officiel choyé par le pouvoir pour se cantonner dans un académisme passéiste dont la fonction première, par le choix de ses sujets, était la négation de la réalité sociale.
Difficult lighting conditions can occur under a number of situations. In this case, the aurora was just TOO BRIGHT. However, the use of foreground as a nice silhouette saved the moment.
I consider this one of the most difficult of the Herschel 400 objects for small to medium-sized telescopes. Yes, it is a dim and small galaxy, but I believe that its real difficulty rests with it being so thin. In the above drawing I was not able, at first, to see NGC 4845 at the power (84x) used to make the drawing. It was only after I had developed a feeling of what I was looking for, by using a much higher power (232x), and then returning to the lower power was I able to see its tiny sliver-like glow. I found it far harder to see/observe than its 11.2 magnitude implies. I am surprised it made the Herschel 400 list!! On the upside is that if you can locate this galaxy in your telescope, you will likely not have too much difficulty with the other 399 objects on the Herschel list.
What NGC 4845 looks like with my 155mm refractor from my suburban backyard is very misleading. If you have the time, look up how this galaxy appears in the Hubble Space Telescope – it will shock you. This galaxy contains numerous dust lanes and an active core fueled by a 300,000 solar mass black hole. A magnificent Island Universe indeed!!
To see additional astronomy drawings visit: www.orrastrodrawing.com
It's difficult to understand having courage when you feel there is a risk. In the UK there are big arguments about sending children back to school. There is a risk but everyone at work is taking at risk. In the end will parents take the risk? Should we praise those that do as courageous with great strength? Birds take risks when they leave the nest and these plants survive without water!
Recently got these stunning liftarms! Lacquered and chrome parts are always weird because determining authenticity is very difficult, here is where they came from according to the seller:
"[the supplier] said that they were involved with LEGO [Mindstorms] in Denmark for a few years. They did special beams officially for a contest and/or media stunt. These are the extras."
"LEGO was invited to be a founding partner of the Google Science Fair (GSF), an international competition for students to present innovative ideas and win big awards.
Marketing manager Steven Canvin, in charge of the LEGO MINDSTORMS robotics platform, was the point of contact for the GSF, and was tasked with putting a prize package together for the future winners.
All winners would receive a LEGO MINDSTORMS robotics kit, and to make the prizes more exclusive, a limited amount of gold TECHNIC beams were produced, to go with each kit."
This story is pretty detailed, even naming the marketing manager. After some digging, the only thing online I was able to find was some vague details about the prizes:
"The finalist winners (Kohn and Iván Hervías Rodríguez, Marcos Ochoa and Sergio Pascual in the 15 to 16 age group) all receive a $25,000 scholarship, a Google Chromebook kit donated to their classroom, an assortment of Lego-related gifts, a Google goodie bag, a “prize experience,” and one year of digital access to Scientific American archives for their schools. Wenger, the grand-prize winner, gets a 10-day trip to the Galápagos Archipelago, a $50,000 scholarship, a set of Lego Mindstorms signed by the design team and Lego’s CEO and owner, first pick of prize experiences, and everything else that the finalists receive."
[from Fast Company]
The excerpt above is referring to GSF 2012, but similar lines can be found for GSF 2011 and 2013.
Considering the scope of the fair and the other awards being scholarships and opportunities, these parts are the probably the least interesting thing to the finalists, so if they were actually given out, verifying that would be very difficult. I have tried to contact Mr. Canvin, but have been unsuccessful.
Ultimately, I think the authenticity of these parts is likely, the story lines up pretty well, if anyone wants to continue investigating this topic, that would be awesome! And these parts are still available on bricklink if anyone wants to pick some up, the price is a little high, I was able to work out a discount from the seller and maybe you can too :^) The seller did have some other non-production parts, like a Magenta 44728 and some trans-clear slopes, which I think adds some credibility imo.
I do find lacquered liftarms to be a strange idea, they would probably get worn out really fast if you were to actually use them in a build!
[I am not sure if a 1x9 liftarm was also made]
Finally reached the summit of Botnssulur where the wind reigns making it difficult to stand upright. The summit register is frozen solid.
After a difficult but successful searching of cougars in sectors close to the Torres del Paine National Park in the Chilean Patagonia, and fighting against a strong wind and low temperatures with the pioneer in tracking of pumas in Patagonia, biologist and wild photographer, Rodrigo Moraga, we achieved the great reward of finding this mother with her four cubs of no more than three months and feeding on a guanaco recently hunted by her. Finding a family feeding and playing together, forced us to spend long hours contemplating at a discreet and silent distance their games and activities, which invited us to remember when we were cubs too, with those same antics, bothering our mother, and she, with that patience that all mothers have, looked at us with love and patience. A very exciting moments of those that photography will help me to remember forever, and also that helped me to think in moments of my childhood.
Let's show the world we can dance... Bad enough to strut our stuff... The music gives us a chance... We do more out on the floor
Groovin' loose or heart to heart... We put in motion every single part... Funky sounds wall to wall
We're bumpin' booties havin us a ball y'all
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.......***** All images are copyrighted by their respective authors ......
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.....item 1a).... youtube video ... Peaches & Herb - Shake Your Groove Thing(extended version) ...
6:42 minutes ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=45GTRrz2L6s
fab70smusic
Published on Mar 2, 2012
UK hit 1979 peaked at No.26, 10 weeks on chart
Category
Music
License
Standard YouTube License
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.....item 1b)....song lyrics ... LyricsMode.com ... www.lyricsmode.com ...
Peaches And Herb
Shake Your Groove Thing lyrics
www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/p/peaches_and_herb/shake_your_g...
Shake it, shake it
Shake your groove thing
Shake your groove thing, yeah yeah
Show 'em how we do it now
Shake your groove thing
Shake your groove thing, yeah yeah
Show 'em how we do it now
Show 'em how we do it now
Let's show the world we can dance
Bad enough to strut our stuff
The music gives us a chance
We do more out on the floor
Groovin' loose or heart to heart
We put in motion every single part
Funky sounds wall to wall
We're bumpin' booties havin us a ball y'all
Shake your groove thing
Shake your groove thing, yeah yeah
Show 'em how we do it now
(repeat)
We've got the rhythm tonight
All the rest know we're the best
Our shadows flash in moonlight
Twistin', turnin', we keep burnin'
Shake it high or shake it low
We take our bodies where they want to go
Feel that beat, never stop
Or hold me tight, spin me like a top
Shake your groove thing
Shake your groove thing, yeah yeah
Show 'em how we do it now
(repeat)
There's nothing more that I like to do
Than take the floor and dance with you
Keep dancin'
Let's keep dancin'
Shake it, shake it
Shake it, shake it
Groovin' loose or heart to heart
We put in motion every single part
Funky sounds wall to wall
We're bumpin' booties havin us a ball y'all
Shake your groove thing
Shake your groove thing, yeah yeah
Show 'em how we do it now
Shake your groove thing
Shake your groove thing, yeah yeah
Show 'em how we do it now, yeah
Shake it
Show 'em how we do it now, yeah
Shake it, shake it
More lyrics: www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/p/peaches_and_herb/#share
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......item 2).... Snapchat, solipsism and stupid cups
... FSU News ... www.fsunews.com/ ...
Jun. 26, 2013 |
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img code photo ... What’s the better experience
cmsimg.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CD&D...
What’s the better experience: playing with the dog or snapping the dog to share with friends? / Perry Kostidakis / FSView
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FILED UNDER
FSU News
FSU News Views
www.fsunews.com/article/20130627/FSVIEW03/130626021/Snapc...
Phones don’t belong in cups. Tables, desks, car cupholders, possibly pockets (still haven’t figured that one out, have we science?) are all suitable locations for phones. Cups, not so much. However, that is where I discovered mine after a lovely night out in Orlando’s finest establishment. If you desire an image of this bar, think Potbelly’s, but replace the FSU athletes with the broiest of bros and picture it somehow more trashy. It was lovely.
Anyway, the phone in the cup problem is the point here. I’d like to imagine my phone wanted a cozy cover to sleep away the night’s fun dreaming of future Snapchat selfies and inappropriate late-night texting conversations…but no, this is a nightmare where the camera lens is cloudy with moisture and the shutter refuses to open on my iPhone. All is for the worst in the worst of all possible worlds.
The moisture’s bastardly tentacles had only seeped its way to infiltrating my phone and corresponding apps, which meant one thing in particular—no more Snapchat. Okay, full disclosure: I’m sort of a Snapchat whore. I can’t explain its addictive quality, but I now I was like a meth addict on the Heisenberg Blue special the first time I snapped. Okay fuller disclosure: I’m a mass Snapchatter. When I made videos of myself singing Beyonce’s “Ego (Remix) with Kanye West in the mirror without a shirt, sunglasses off, wearing a participation medal from an adventure race like it was my Jesus piece, I felt compelled to share with everyone. I had to give the people what they wanted. They just didn’t know they had wanted that.
But this “no camera” problem posed a particularly difficult situation: I was headed to Itchetucknee Springs with my high school friends. Not to get overly sentimental or anything (a.k.a. that’s exactly what I’m about to do), but, as incoming seniors, this was sort of a last hurrah for us. Of course I wanted some photos to keep (and upload on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and to Snapchat obviously).
While on our car ride to Itchetucknee, a couple of my friends started Snapchatting my caravan, almost as a direct taunt to me. They knew my addiction, they knew my current withdrawals, yet they flashed that wondrous white ghost dancing in front of the kaleidoscope-flashing colors. I missed my ghost friend.
But then my buddy Tom launched an interesting quandary at us: “Speaking as someone looking from the outside on this, isn’t Snapchat kind of strange? Photos are supposed to capture memories, or at least they used to, but Snapchats disappear after like five seconds.”
And he’s right—Snapchat, once you take a step back from the narcissistic, instant gratification of it, is pretty dumb. Some joke Snapchat was created for nude pics sent, but that would entail somebody sending a single Snapchat to a specific person. Unless it’s a response, that never happens. When it comes to sending out those Mission Impossible, self-destructive photos, everyone exists on different tiers, at least that’s how it is for me. It’s Google-Plus circles, except people actually use them.
1) Elite Tier:
Reserved for childhood best friends and possible/current love interests. If we’re dating, you’re receiving every, single Snapchat I send. You will not forget my bushy face.
2) Buddy Tier:
Reserved for people I regularly hang out with and know of my daily adventures (a.k.a. what I read on the Internet that day). These friends receive a large majority of Snapchats, but if things get too personal or emotional, I’m leaving them out of it.
3) Acquaintance Tier:
Reserved for those friends only tolerable for a day or two every three weeks. You’re receiving this Snapchat from me because I need attention and if my buddies or girlfriend don’t respond, you’re my last hope to stroke my ego. Please don’t let me down.
4) D-Tier:
Otherwise known as #drunj tier. If you are in my Snapchat contact list, and I have had a few, I’m sending you some pictures. I don’t care if you respond or not, because we’re not really friends, but it would be a delightful surprise if you did, like discovering an extra jelly bean in what was believed to be an empty bag.
Regardless of where you exist on those planes, each Snapchat isn’t sent to you for memory’s sake. People may have the ability to save by screenshotting, but social media has fundamentally changed our purpose for personal photography (professional photography’s intention has stayed relatively the same). We don’t snapshot our lives to remember later; we snapshot to share with others. Whether this sharing of pictures is more designated so those “friends” who see them will like those pictures on Facebook, or favorite them on Instagram and Twitter, or respond how goofy/attractive/happy/sad you look on Snapchat remains unknown. It seems like social media’s intention is to engage others and include them in our daily lives on a large scale operation. But this may come at the cost of cheapening our own experiences. Instead of simply enjoying a tube ride down the river, or a night at a bar, we’re overly concerned with others knowing we’re doing those things. How many dumb duckface selfies does this world truly need to see?
Maybe this digital era of photography isn’t so different, as we used to share those photo albums the second a relative visited, and maybe I’m just a sad solipsistic bored without Snapchat. Liquid can be a real ponderous bitch like that, sometimes.
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Taken in difficult light.
The Mute swan is a very large white waterbird. It has a long S-shaped neck and an orange bill with a black base and a black knob. It flies with its neck extended and regular, slow wingbeats. The population in the UK has increased recently, perhaps due to better protection of this species.
The mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a species of swan and a member of the waterfowl family Anatidae. It is native to much of Eurosiberia, and (as a rare winter visitor) the far north of Africa. It is an introduced species in North America – home to the largest populations outside of its native range – with additional smaller introductions in Australasia and southern Africa. The name 'mute' derives from it being less vocal than other swan species.[2][3][4] Measuring 125 to 170 cm (49 to 67 in) in length, this large swan is wholly white in plumage with an orange beak bordered with black. It is recognisable by its pronounced knob atop the beak, which is larger in males.