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This piece comes as an acknowledgement to the difficulties the young generations are going through but it is also a reminder to keep calm and optimistic and a celebration of youth and its energy and willpower.
"Better Homes and Gardens Handyman’s Book" printed with classic mid-century “optimistic style” illustrations.This wonderful vintage handyman's book is is filled with "Shag"-style kitsch illustrations of 1950's families doing work around the house. The copy is loaded with everything you need to know for remodeling and/or maintaining a mid-century modern home. This appears to be a “man’s” companion volume to the ubiquitous, red gingham motif, ring-bound "Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook".
Details:
Better Homes & Gardens Handyman's Book. 1951, 1957. 8th printing.
Hardcover, Ring Binder Style Book. 8.25x10". 400 Pgs.
Chapter 1: How To Use Hand Tools
Chapter 2: Power Tools
Chapter 3: Building Materials - Wood, Lumber, Moldings
Chapter 4: Fastening Techniques
Chapter 5: Finishing Techniques - Wood Finishes, How To Remove Old Finish, How To Paint Inside And Outside,
Chapter 6: Plumbing And Wiring
Chapter 7: Walls And Floors - How To Remove Old Wallpaper, Repair Plaster, How To Tile A Wall, How To Panel With Plywood, How To Refinish Hardwood Floors, How To Lay Wood Flooring, Lay A Tile Floor, How To Color Concrete Floors
Chapter 8: Windows And Doors - How To Replace Broken Windows, How To Cut Glass
Chapter 9: Exterior Repairs And Yardwork - How To Replace Siding, How To Build With Concrete Blocks, Lay Bricks, Use Concrete, How To Build A Fence, Post And Rail Fence With Many Variations Including Panel Fence
Chapter 10: Storage And Furniture - Built-ins, Cabinets, Furniture Measurements, Desk Chair, Lounge Chair, Loveseat, Sofa, Coffee Tables, Dining Table, Beds, Bookshelves
Chapter 11: Miscellaneous
Notes: This book is in wonderful condition considering its age. Pages are yellowed but clean and crisp with no marks, tears, dog ears or folds. Some slight water damage on pages 2-4 and 213-236 (this is the plumbing section so perhaps previous owner was fixing a project? :)
"Better Homes and Gardens Handyman’s Book" printed with classic mid-century “optimistic style” illustrations.This wonderful vintage handyman's book is is filled with "Shag"-style kitsch illustrations of 1950's families doing work around the house. The copy is loaded with everything you need to know for remodeling and/or maintaining a mid-century modern home. This appears to be a “man’s” companion volume to the ubiquitous, red gingham motif, ring-bound "Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook".
Details:
Better Homes & Gardens Handyman's Book. 1951, 1957. 8th printing.
Hardcover, Ring Binder Style Book. 8.25x10". 400 Pgs.
Chapter 1: How To Use Hand Tools
Chapter 2: Power Tools
Chapter 3: Building Materials - Wood, Lumber, Moldings
Chapter 4: Fastening Techniques
Chapter 5: Finishing Techniques - Wood Finishes, How To Remove Old Finish, How To Paint Inside And Outside,
Chapter 6: Plumbing And Wiring
Chapter 7: Walls And Floors - How To Remove Old Wallpaper, Repair Plaster, How To Tile A Wall, How To Panel With Plywood, How To Refinish Hardwood Floors, How To Lay Wood Flooring, Lay A Tile Floor, How To Color Concrete Floors
Chapter 8: Windows And Doors - How To Replace Broken Windows, How To Cut Glass
Chapter 9: Exterior Repairs And Yardwork - How To Replace Siding, How To Build With Concrete Blocks, Lay Bricks, Use Concrete, How To Build A Fence, Post And Rail Fence With Many Variations Including Panel Fence
Chapter 10: Storage And Furniture - Built-ins, Cabinets, Furniture Measurements, Desk Chair, Lounge Chair, Loveseat, Sofa, Coffee Tables, Dining Table, Beds, Bookshelves
Chapter 11: Miscellaneous
Notes: This book is in wonderful condition considering its age. Pages are yellowed but clean and crisp with no marks, tears, dog ears or folds. Some slight water damage on pages 2-4 and 213-236 (this is the plumbing section so perhaps previous owner was fixing a project? :)
Model: Cynthia
this was a very optimistic photo shoot because looking at those smiley faces I couldn't help but smile myself.
Hey, howdy, and many many thanks to the Flickr friends who've offered their kindness and support through the past few months of my sister's illness. She has turned another corner (fingers crossed) and is back on her treatment program... and so far, is managing to get the care she needs as an outpatient. (No more visits to the hospital for me... at least for a while. Whew. I am hospitalphobic so this is a great relief on a selfish level, as well as on my sister's behalf.)
Still many metaphorical rivers to cross. But. So far so good.
Rwanda’s private sector players are optimistic of business and investment opportunities that will come with Rwanda hosting the upcoming Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) that will take place during this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM 2020).
This was revealed today in a breakfast meeting organized by RDB (Rwanda Development Board) and the Private Sector Federation (PSF) to engage members of the private sector on the opportunities that they stand to take advantage of by participating at the CBF.
CBF will bring together between 1,000 to 1,200 business and government leaders from all Commonwealth countries for a dialogue on practical ways to enhance trade and investment.
The forum will be structured around plenary sessions and interactive workshops over three days, and will also facilitate B2G and B2B discussions at the very highest levels, addressing key themes that affect the 54 diverse Commonwealth member nations.
Speaking while making her remarks, Clare Akamanzi, the RDB Chief Executive Officer said:
“I have every confidence that you agree with me that CBF 2020 presents a unique platform for us to market Rwanda as the best destination for investments. Indeed, we look forward to the private sector signing deals and partnerships on projects that will contribute to the sustainable economic growth of our country through profits, jobs, and increasing Rwanda’s exports. Just to give you some context, over 2.4 billion people live within the Commonwealth Marketplace, and this year will see US$ 1 trillion worth of trade realised within the Commonwealth for the very first time. This means that we have a limitless market for our Made in Rwanda products and services and there shouldn’t be reason not to export more quantities to these countries.”
Robert Bapfakulera, the PSF Chairman said:
“It is important for us to ensure that the CBF leaves a lasting and positive legacy, with Rwanda at the centre of Commonwealth trade for its two years as Chair-in Office. To achieve this, the private sector must be fully prepared to optimise the Commonwealth trade opportunity-for business, investment and trade. CBF is an extremely unique platform for us to meet strategic partners and do great business.”
CHOGM 2020 will take place in Kigali from 22nd to 28thJune and will have four main forums which are Commonwealth Business, People’s, Women and Youth forums.
Rwanda’s private sector players are optimistic of business and investment opportunities that will come with Rwanda hosting the upcoming Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) that will take place during this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM 2020).
This was revealed today in a breakfast meeting organized by RDB (Rwanda Development Board) and the Private Sector Federation (PSF) to engage members of the private sector on the opportunities that they stand to take advantage of by participating at the CBF.
CBF will bring together between 1,000 to 1,200 business and government leaders from all Commonwealth countries for a dialogue on practical ways to enhance trade and investment.
The forum will be structured around plenary sessions and interactive workshops over three days, and will also facilitate B2G and B2B discussions at the very highest levels, addressing key themes that affect the 54 diverse Commonwealth member nations.
Speaking while making her remarks, Clare Akamanzi, the RDB Chief Executive Officer said:
“I have every confidence that you agree with me that CBF 2020 presents a unique platform for us to market Rwanda as the best destination for investments. Indeed, we look forward to the private sector signing deals and partnerships on projects that will contribute to the sustainable economic growth of our country through profits, jobs, and increasing Rwanda’s exports. Just to give you some context, over 2.4 billion people live within the Commonwealth Marketplace, and this year will see US$ 1 trillion worth of trade realised within the Commonwealth for the very first time. This means that we have a limitless market for our Made in Rwanda products and services and there shouldn’t be reason not to export more quantities to these countries.”
Robert Bapfakulera, the PSF Chairman said:
“It is important for us to ensure that the CBF leaves a lasting and positive legacy, with Rwanda at the centre of Commonwealth trade for its two years as Chair-in Office. To achieve this, the private sector must be fully prepared to optimise the Commonwealth trade opportunity-for business, investment and trade. CBF is an extremely unique platform for us to meet strategic partners and do great business.”
CHOGM 2020 will take place in Kigali from 22nd to 28thJune and will have four main forums which are Commonwealth Business, People’s, Women and Youth forums.
Birthday drinks await, tonight. Hopefully the dress will be venue-appropriate. Kind of excited to finally be wearing it :)
Some blackberries/brambles are still flowering for the third time; this one has set fruit but very little prospect of them ripening! I awoke to the lightest dusting of snow and a hoar frost on a misty morning. I headed to the North Downs Way in Chantry Wood but there wasn’t enough snow on the track or the trees. I walked to the River Wey and came back via Racks Close, an old chalk quarry almost opposite our house.
So, I was feeling optimistic earlier, that I'd be able to catch up a bit more on contacts (my start was weak at best), but it's that time of the session already. The last week. I need to present my 6 weeks of work next Wednesday, and I have a lot of work to accomplish in that time. All in all, though, I really can't complain. It's been a good week, and a pretty good day so far. I'm starting to regain a bit of enthusiasm again (possibly even mojo?), as I've had a few days of sps that I've liked and put at least a bit of time into. I'm starting slowly to get a handle on the "ghetto lighting" setup that I have. And of course it's Half Nekkid Thursday yet again!
Oh, and I still haven't gotten anything in the mail for my sister Phoebe, and her birthday is Saturday! (Sorry Phoebe!) I'm going to try some new paper that I got today, but I'm still a bit intimidated by her birthday request: a photo of mine, printed large, that is art. Of course it's that last word that I find somewhat paralyzing. Of course I try to put an artistic eye into nearly every shot, but taking that step to being able to say: "this is art" is an intimidating one. Alas...
Update: I spent some time printing this evening (one of the perks of being an architecture student is a sweet printer: Epson Stylus 7800), tried out some new paper, and printed off a photo for my sister (hope she likes it!). Innova FibraPrint White Gloss (300gsm) (F type gloss). Generally I'm pleased - unlike a lot of the glossy papers it actually feels like paper (like traditional fiber paper - pretty much anyways), but unlike a lot of the matte and fine art papers it seems to capture a full range of tones - up to a good black. It ain't cheap (13x19 is about $5/sheet and I wasted one with a stupid mistake) I thought about getting a roll (24 in x 15 m) but that is bloody expensive ($240). ... fun stuff...
Well what a wet day!
But no matter how much rain him above throws at us, the boys and lasses from Bristol still know how to have a great day out. The Bristol Harbourside Rally & Running Day 2009 was what one would deem as a “Wash Out”, with high winds and torrential heavy showers for much of the day, some vehicle owners, stall holders and the general public decided to stay at home (Unfortunately), which was a bit disappointing, but the SWPG was still there in force (4 Vehicles), and still managed to operate in service all day.
Well done to the lads at the BVOC (John Hitchings & his crew), who despite the torrid conditions still managed to put on a great day, and us Bristolians can be proud off!
There were only about 60 or so vehicles which turned up, even though they were turning away entries last week when numbers reached the 100 mark. What amazed me is the amount of vehicle owners, who decided to disappeared halfway through the day and go home??
Anyway I did manage to get some half decent pictures (and not one of my Tiger ;-), in between all the rain. Let’s just hope we get better weather for Cheltenham next week ;-), and it would be nice to see some of the “Lads” (You know who you are ;-) from the Potteries down for what should be a belting one off occasion.
We do like to be optimistic in the South West, but not many takers for these buses today.
Rwanda’s private sector players are optimistic of business and investment opportunities that will come with Rwanda hosting the upcoming Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) that will take place during this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM 2020).
This was revealed today in a breakfast meeting organized by RDB (Rwanda Development Board) and the Private Sector Federation (PSF) to engage members of the private sector on the opportunities that they stand to take advantage of by participating at the CBF.
CBF will bring together between 1,000 to 1,200 business and government leaders from all Commonwealth countries for a dialogue on practical ways to enhance trade and investment.
The forum will be structured around plenary sessions and interactive workshops over three days, and will also facilitate B2G and B2B discussions at the very highest levels, addressing key themes that affect the 54 diverse Commonwealth member nations.
Speaking while making her remarks, Clare Akamanzi, the RDB Chief Executive Officer said:
“I have every confidence that you agree with me that CBF 2020 presents a unique platform for us to market Rwanda as the best destination for investments. Indeed, we look forward to the private sector signing deals and partnerships on projects that will contribute to the sustainable economic growth of our country through profits, jobs, and increasing Rwanda’s exports. Just to give you some context, over 2.4 billion people live within the Commonwealth Marketplace, and this year will see US$ 1 trillion worth of trade realised within the Commonwealth for the very first time. This means that we have a limitless market for our Made in Rwanda products and services and there shouldn’t be reason not to export more quantities to these countries.”
Robert Bapfakulera, the PSF Chairman said:
“It is important for us to ensure that the CBF leaves a lasting and positive legacy, with Rwanda at the centre of Commonwealth trade for its two years as Chair-in Office. To achieve this, the private sector must be fully prepared to optimise the Commonwealth trade opportunity-for business, investment and trade. CBF is an extremely unique platform for us to meet strategic partners and do great business.”
CHOGM 2020 will take place in Kigali from 22nd to 28thJune and will have four main forums which are Commonwealth Business, People’s, Women and Youth forums.
The Rongai Route is one of the easiest routes and the success rate is very high.
The route starts on the north side of the mountain just south of the Kenyan border, and is one of the least traveled routes. The descent is down the Marangu Route on the south side of the mountain, so climbers see the mountain from many view points.
The drive to the trail head takes about 2.5 hours from Moshi through many villages and coffee plantations, including a stop to register climbing permits at Marangu.
The Rongai Route can also be accessed from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Allow 2 hours including border crossing. We will need copies of passports ahead of time.
Day 1 : Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Rongai Gate (Nale Moru), Hike to Simba Camp
Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.
· Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft
· Distance: 6km/4mi
· Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
· Habitat: Montane Forest
· Meals: LD
· Budget Lodging: Simba Camp
Day 2 : Hike Simba Camp to Second Cave
The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.
· Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
· Distance: 6km/4mi
· Walking Time: 3-4 hours
· Habitat: Moorland
· Meals: BLD
· Budget Lodging: Second Cave Camp
Day 3 : Hike Second Cave to Kikelewa Camp
Head out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios nearby.
· Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3600m/11,800ft
· Distance: 9km/5mi
· Walking Time: 2-3 hours
· Habitat: Semi-desert
· Meals: BLD
· Budget Lodging: Kikelewa Camp
Day 4 : Hike Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb views. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization.
If you are spending an extra day on the mountain, you will camp for two nights here. You can hike up and around Mawenzi for your acclimatization hike.
· Elevation: 3600m/11,800ft to 4330m/14,200ft
· Distance: 6km/4mi
· Walking Time: 3-4 hours
· Habitat: Semi-desert
· Meals: BLD
· Budget Lodging: Mawenzi Tarn Camp
Day 5 : Hike Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent very early.
· Elevation: 4330m/14,200ft to 4750m/15,600ft
· Distance: 9km/5mi
· Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
· Habitat: Alpine Desert
· Meals: BLD
· Budget Lodging: Kibo Hut Camp
Day 6 : Kibo Camp to Summit and Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
· Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
· Down to 3700m/12,200ft
· Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
· Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
· Habitat: Alpine Desert
· Meals: BLD
· Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut Camp
Day 7 : Hike Horombo Hut to trail head, drive to Moshi
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Moonlight Tours Expedition vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).
· Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
· Distance: 20km/12.5mi
· Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
· Habitat: Forest
· Meals: B
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Optimism is in the DNA of my culture. It is how we are raised. Albeit, we might be anything but how our Parents raised us in the end, but the fact remains that Momma cultivated what was inherently laced at the core of our Souls. There were always themes to the backdrop of our struggles: “you can be whatever you imagine”, “you are NOT a statistic”, “you don’t belong on the streets and I didn’t raise you that way” and “the odds are never against you, they are always in your favor”. This is what she taught me and it has forged my outlook even to this day.
But (and I was just telling mySulma this the other day), Momma did something [indirectly] that has crystalized my persistent, determined Optimism. As a little kid, just learning how to read, she purchased for me a boxed-set of Dr. Seuss books (I’m smiling as I write this sentence). These books were my TREASURE. I loved that set of books. I learned how to read from my set of Dr. Seuss books and this statement has been true in my life: "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go". ! This dude, was not just Genius, he was Magical.
I learned how to believe from my boxed set of Dr. Seuss books. I believed that “I can”; I believed that People are essentially good; I learned that “I am the best me that there can be”. I’m forced to have faith that things can and will be better. People hurt can heal. The glass is always half full. And you, you reading this, you will smile again.
Mother-of-two Mwanasha is optimistic about her family's future thanks to a UK aid supported programme. Mwanasha, and thousands of other women like her living in remote areas are able to access contraceptives, giving some of the world's poorest women the power to decide if and when to have a child.
MDG Countdown 2012 will showcase innovative projects and programmes to highlighting how coordinated development work is making a real difference. Visit: www.dfid.gov.uk/mdgcountdown2012 for more information.
Former Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova is expecting a baby.
Former world number one Maria Sharapova announced her retirement in February 2020 and was engaged to a British businessman in December of that year. Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova announced on social media that she was optimistic about her 35th birthday.
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” - Winston Churchill
It's always better to seek an optimistic view on life!
Call me Snake offers an optimistic provocation – ‘imagine what could be here’ by Judy Millar. On a walk into the city October 3, 2015 Christchurch New Zealand.
The work is comprised of vibrant graphics of Millar’s looped paintings, which are adhered to five intersecting flat planes, and draws inspiration from the forms found in pop-up books. The colourful piece will add a dramatic and rhythmic counterpoint to the city’s current urban landscape — a mix of flattened sites, construction zones and defiant buildings that have stood through the quakes. The work employs theatricality, playfulness and visual trickery, whereby the viewer is unsure about the work’s flatness or three-dimensionality; and it has been designed to offer a different perspective from each angle. The bright colours interrupt the grey of the work’s surrounds, and as buildings pop up around it,
SCAPE 8, New Intimacies curated by Rob Garrett was a contemporary art event which mixed new artworks with existing legacy pieces, an education programme, and a public programme of events. The SCAPE 8 artworks were located around central Christchurch and linked via a public art walkway. All aspects of SCAPE 8 were free-to-view.
The title for the 2015 Biennial – New Intimacies – came from the idea that visually striking and emotionally engaging public art works can create new connections between people and places. Under the main theme of New Intimacies there are three other themes that artists responded to: Sight-Lines, Inner Depths and Shared Strengths.
For more Info: www.scapepublicart.org.nz/scape-8-judy-millar
This is pretty terrible and was taken relatively late at night, but I had to somehow capture the happy epiphany I had on Tuesday this week.
I went out to dinner and saw the Vow with a couple girlfriends on Valentine's Day, and it was so incredibly great. I haven't had that much silly fun in a long time. I got home and started jumping around my room and taking pictures to express this burst of happiness before going to sleep (way too late).
On Wednesday I woke up with a newly optimistic view about my current life and what I think the future will hold. I haven't felt this free and genuinely good in what feels like a really long time.
The past is the past. All I want now is to move forward with peace of mind and high, happy hopes.
Paul Rohrlich, the Science Attache at the Embassy and several Embassy staff members visited two schools, at the invitation of Mr. Farid Hamdan, National Coordinator for GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) program in Israel. The schools, Al-Biader elementary School, in Hure Village, and Ramon Elementary School, in Mitzpe Ramon were chosen due to their continued excellence in providing consistent meteorological, ecological data to the GLOBE program. The official guests received a warm welcome by the mayors of both towns, the principals, teachers and students. They were then shown how the GLOBE program impacts the schools and the communities as a whole.
The GLOBE program is a worldwide hands-on school science and education program sponsored by the U.S. Government in partnership with NASA and the National Science Foundation. It supports student, teacher, and scientist collaborative "Earth System Science Projects" that study and record geophysical indicators in their country. The students’ results are uploaded into a NASA-operated database available to the global science research community.
In support of the program, the Embassy recently provided a small grant for schools to acquire data-collecting equipment. Upon visiting, both schools had the forward vision of making environmental stewardship a multi-disciplinary, affective objective. The visit left Embassy staff optimistic that future generations will make the necessary lifestyle changes to keep our planet healthy.
(History.com) Sept. 20, 1963 - An optimistic and upbeat President John F. Kennedy suggests that the Soviet Union and the United States cooperate on a mission to mount an expedition to the moon. The proposal caught both the Soviets and many Americans off guard.
In 1961, shortly after his election as president, John F. Kennedy announced that he was determined to win the "space race" with the Soviets. Since 1957, when the Soviet Union sent a small satellite--Sputnik--into orbit around the earth, Russian and American scientists had been competing to see who could make the next breakthrough in space travel. Outer space became another frontier in the Cold War. Kennedy upped the ante in 1961 when he announced that the United States would put a man on the moon before the end of the decade. Much had changed by 1963, however. Relations with the Soviet Union had improved measurably. The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 had been settled peacefully. A "hot line" had been established between Washington and Moscow to help avert conflict and misunderstandings. A treaty banning the open air testing of nuclear weapons had been signed in 1963. On the other hand, U.S. fascination with the space program was waning. Opponents of the program cited the high cost of the proposed trip to the moon, estimated at more than $20 billion. In the midst of all of this, Kennedy, in a speech at the United Nations, proposed that the Soviet Union and United States cooperate in mounting a mission to the moon. "Why," he asked the audience, "therefore, should man's first flight to the moon be a matter of national competition?" Kennedy noted, "the clouds have lifted a little" in terms of U.S.-Soviet relations, and declared "The Soviet Union and the United States, together with their allies, can achieve further agreements--agreements which spring from our mutual interest in avoiding mutual destruction."
Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko applauded Kennedy's speech and called it a "good sign," but refused to comment on the proposal for a joint trip to the moon. In Washington, there was a good bit of surprise--and some skepticism--about Kennedy's proposal. The "space race" had been one of the focal points of the Kennedy administration when it came to office, and the idea that America would cooperate with the Soviets in sending a man to the moon seemed unbelievable. Other commentators saw economics, not politics, behind the proposal. With the soaring price tag for the lunar mission, perhaps a joint effort with the Soviets was the only way to save the costly program. What might have come of Kennedy's idea is unknown--just two months later, he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. His successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, abandoned the idea of cooperating with the Soviets but pushed ahead with the lunar program. In 1969, the United States landed a man on the moon, thus winning a significant victory the "space race."
Improved Civilian Education System offers Army employees new opportunities for professional development
By Amanda Rodriquez, U.S. Army Installation Management Command
SAN ANTONIO – Thirty-four Army civilians from Joint Base San Antonio’s Fort Sam Houston graduate Feb. 15 from the first U.S. Army Civilian Education Course offered by the Army Management Staff College at the U.S. Army Installation Management Academy.
The course marks the initial venture of AMSC’s year-old mobile training team away from its Fort Leavenworth, Kan., headquarters.
“Our first class offered at IMCOM is the Intermediate course,” Mark Smith, a human resources specialist and IMCOM’s CES registrar, said. “A team of instructors from Fort Leavenworth is here now and will return again to offer the CES Basic course in June and September. It’s a great opportunity for our local Army civilians and with classes quickly filling, we’re optimistic about hosting more in 2014.”
The three-week course, which began Jan. 28, is full. In fact, the June Basic course is nearly full as well, thanks to IMCOM’s effort to promote seats, seeking students from other commands. According to Army training staff, strong partnerships among the JBSA Army commands and U.S. Army Management Staff College, which oversees CES, benefit all involved. CES plays a critical role in career development at every level. All eight courses are in demand because they are prerequisites for admission into other military schools and directly impact a civilian employee’s career progression.
“The Civilian Education System is increasingly important to employees for career progression and entrance into senior leader schools,” said Smith. “It’s also a chance to work cooperatively with people from a variety of backgrounds, meeting people you might rarely have the chance to and applying team building skills to multiple scenarios.”
CES courses include online modules followed by classroom instruction. Until establishing the new mobile training teams, classroom time meant temporary duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Each course, ranging from foundation level to advanced, is tailored to specific pay grades. Central funding and flexible course delivery methods, like the mobile training team, makes CES more accessible to local Army civilians, according to developers.
While IMCOM invited AMSC and offered to host the course, Smith included all Army commands here in the request for slots. U.S. Army Medical Command headquarters Workforce Development Specialist, Ray Mendoza stressed that a mobile training team teaching the course on-site saves money and increases the number of available training slots.
“By partnering with IMCOM, all local commands and Army civilians benefit,” Mendoza said. “This is a great opportunity for development and networking for civilians. It’s also a less expensive way to get 34 people trained all at once. MEDCOM is sending 16 people over for training – it would take several years to train 16 people, from the same installation, by sending them individually to Leavenworth.”
For employees like Anthony Riddick of IMCOM G-6, participation in training is possible because travel is no longer necessary.
“This works out really well for me,” Riddick said. “My wife is away right now and I’ve got two teenagers at home. I jumped at this opportunity.”
Other recent changes in the program pertain to equivalency credits and transferrable credit for graduate and undergraduate students. “Previously, students who had taken equivalent training had to navigate through Army Training Requirements and Resources System or the Civilian Human Resource Training Application System and request a review in order to receive credit for similar training and development,” said Smith.
The new equivalency process takes place automatically when students register, avoiding redundancy and ensuring each employee’s Army professional development growth is accurately documented. The credit is granted regardless of when the equivalent course was completed. The previous ten-year cap on equivalency training is now obsolete, Smith added.
For employees enrolled in accredited graduate and undergraduate programs, some colleges and universities accept CES courses as transfer credits, depending on school and program of study. Webster, Phoenix and DeVry universities are among those that award credit for CES, according Smith.
For more information about the latest CES courses, visit the course catalog on the Army Training Requirements and Resource system at www.atrrs.army.mil. Civilians wishing to register for courses or request more detailed information about credit equivalency and transfers should contact their local training representative.
We were having lunch in a Scottish pub and the well-behaved pub dog came over to our table, kept a respectable distance, but looked very hopeful that we'd spare him a morsel or two. He was clearly well-nourished and crafty with it, because he went round each table in turn trying the same trick.
He stayed there long enough for me to get out my Therm-App camera and take his thermal portrait. You can clearly see how the tip of his nose is cold.
Comments are warmly welcomed.
For more thermal images covering a diverse range of subjects please visit (and join!) the Therm-App (and others) thermal imaging group at www.flickr.com/groups/therm-app-users/
This design I created was inspired by a fortune I found in my cookie. "Today is a lucky day for those who remain cheerful and optimistic." I just love this fortune!!
A very optimistic bit of street art. On this bicycle counter somebody added a 'fixie counter' at the bottom.
Extremely well made. Nice one. The numbers are ridiculously overdone, however.
From the top in Danish:
You are cyclist number xxx
today.
Of xxxxxxxx since 15 June 2009
You are fixie number
xxxx
today
Sweet little Orphan girl is feeling more optimistic about her future this morning :)
Melacacia Custom Blythe Doll #135
Hat by Tutubella
The Optimistic Suburbia Workshop took place at ISCTE-IUL from may 18th to may 22nd 2015. Fotografia de Hugo Alexandre Cruz.
For the last few days I have been on "Music Man" picture overload, so todays Picture of the Day is a simple bush, hanging out over one of the channels at Big Lagoon State Park. This image is very calming to me.
Please note that all the contents in this photostream is copyrighted and protected under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the Copyright Act of Singapore, any usage of the images without permission will face liability for the infringement.
For enquiry, please mail to albertat@singnet.com.sg
I woke when the alarm went off at five.
Early.
Not even the trains seemed to be running, though in a few minutes one did pass below my window. But by then I was dressed and packed, taking one last check around the room before walking to the lift, and then out into the early morning air.
I crossed Waterloo Road, up to the concourse above, then out to the taxi rank. The front cab’s driver was asleep. I didn’t want to wake him, but the driver in the cab behind said I had to. I tapped on the window and he woke with a start.
Just resting my eyes, he said.
I climbed in, told him to take me to Paddington, so he did.
We drove over Westminster Bridge, around Parliament Square, up Great Gorge Street, along Birdcage Walk, past Buckingham palace where all windows were dark, meaning Her Maj was still akip, up Constitution Hill, between two Royal parks, up Park Lane past all the expensive and exclusive hotels, round Marble Arch and finally up Edgeware Road to the station.
Sixteen pounds.
I give him twenty.
A station before rush hour, at half five in the morning, is quiet. Too quiet. I walk to the platform where no trains were waiting.
But I needed to get a ticket, which I do: £37 for a return. I go on the platform to wait, standing among but not too near other early morning passengers.
The train comes in, a version of the Electrostars we have in Kent, but with larger luggage racks, and TV screens to show advertising on mile for mile, the most expensive train journey in the UK. Again, its still dark, so don’t see much of the journey to the airport, the tunnels being as dark as the early morning air.
I make my way to terminal 3, then have to find the KLM desks, wait in line to check my case in and get my boarding passes.
Are you vaccinated?
Yes.
Do you have proof?
Yes. Here is the documents I was given at the time?
I shows the guy the two credit card pieces of evidence.
No, certificate passport?
I don’t need one.
But, he starts to say.
I checked on our corporate information site, I don’t need one.
He holds up his hand.
Checks with a colleague who points out his mistake. I issues me with boarding passes but no apology.
I go through security, all the time a large Jamaican is complaining something about cheese in a heavy accent, I don’t turn round to see if he’s talking to me.
I get though with no issues, and look for something to eat and drink. Instead of getting something cooked, I get a sandwich, some crisps and a bottle of water, so sit in the departure hall to eat and wait.
After which I walk round the hall, look in the World of Whisky shop and carry on before returning to sit down.
I manage to use my phone to log onto Twitter, so catch up on the news, but had no lunch with Facebook.
Time passes.
The gate is announced, and I go down to find lots of people already sitting near the gate. As I approach, all are ordered out of the gate waiting area, a queue forms, and I am in the first ten, somehow.
We were checked in, one by one, and allowed to board, I find an old guy in my seat, so have an aisle seat, which would mean I would be quicker to jump up to get my bag from the overhead locker.
We were all aboard, the plane backs out and we trundle to the end of the runway, and I’m sure Big Jet TV was watching as we roared off down the runway. In our forty year old 737.
In the 55 minutes we were in the air, the crew managed to serve a drink and snack, and collect the waste before we landed in sunny Holland.
Since travel started again, I was dreading the connection here, knowing how large the queues at immigration were. So I thought the 90 minutes given me for transit was optimistic to say the least. I walked all the way down the G gates, followed the signs for connecting flights to the border where no more than six were waiting.
I wait at the back, but a kind lady said I should go forward to the desk.
Why are you going to Denmark?
Work
OK, have a nice day.
Passport stamped.
The next gate had been announced, B4, so I amble down there, and on the way I get a text from KLM stating the flight had been delayed 15 minutes, meaning I had over an hour to kill. Shows how wrong even I can be…..
I sit near the gate, there’s a lot of people, but the gate is used for departures from the pan, and passengers are bussed to the plane. A flight to Munich went first, then us, I get a window seat, settle in.
The plane was full, and in a flight ten minutes shorter, the crew manage to serve drink and a snack and collect the rubbish before landing, although they were hassling people to drink up on final approach.
“Future Homes will be able to face in any direction – turned from hour to hour or season to season by your electricity. Electrically operated climate-conditioned extensions will permit ‘spring and summer terraces’ all year round – enjoy swimming, winter fun and gardening all at once, if you wish.” [Image caption]
[Note: In the 1950s, there was a belief in the potential of nuclear power to provide an abundant source of cheap electricity. American power companies and the general public were optimistic about it, and the era was marked by a "nuclear craze," where nuclear technology was seen as a symbol of progress and modernity. That was decades before Chernobyl, Three Mile Island and Fukushima, at a time when few nuclear reactors operated anywhere in the world. It took major disasters to educate the public about the dangers that accompany the benefits of nuclear energy. Now, it seems we're on the brink of an even greater, irreversible disaster with the continued use of fossil fuels.]