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Lobo and his band on their usual route back to the hills.

And I would like to thank the driver of the red Subaru for driving into my frame... thank you :)

Raccoon ~ Wingham Wildlife Park ~ Wingham ~ Kent ~ England ~ Friday January 2nd 2015.

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Though previously thought to be solitary, there is now evidence that raccoons engage in gender-specific social behavior. Related females often share a common area, while unrelated males live together in groups of up to four animals to maintain their positions against foreign males during the mating season, and other potential invaders. Home range sizes vary anywhere from 3 hectares (7 acres) for females in cities to 50 km2 (20 sq mi) for males in prairies. After a gestation period of about 65 days, two to five young, known as "kits", are born in spring. The kits are subsequently raised by their mother until dispersal in late fall. Although captive raccoons have been known to live over 20 years, their average life expectancy in the wild is only 1.8 to 3.1 years. In many areas, hunting and vehicular injury are the two most common causes of death.

Large View

From September 1939 to the Summer of 1944 a total of 11,537 Vultees were built to meet the needs

of the US Army Air Corps and the US Navy, making the plane one of the most important American trainer aircraft of World War II. The BT-13 production run outnumbered all other Basic Trainer (BT) types produced.

The BT-13 was an important step in the training syllabus of combat pilots-to-be of WW II. The Vultee Valiant was the next aircraft cadet pilots flew after learning to fly in primary trainers such as the PT-17 Stearman, Fairchild PT-19 or the Ryan PT-22. Unlike the primary trainers that were fitted with fixed pitch propellers, the BT-13 was somewhat less forgiving than the primary trainers which introduce the feel of a more powerful and complex aircraft having a controllable two-position variable pitch propeller with an electrical system, flight instruments and two-way radio communications. Training included formation flight, instrument flying and aerobatics.

After mastering the BT-13, pilots would then advance to the North American AT-6/SNJ Texan for fighter pilot training and then to twin engine advance training for bombers or transport type aircraft.

G

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Phalaenopsis es un género de las comunmente llamadas "Orquídea alevilla", "Orquídea mariposa" y también "Orquídeas boca" de aproximadamente 60 especies de orquídeas de la subfamilia Epidendroideae de la familia Orchidaceae

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From My Blog

I have only a couple of weeks left here in Japan and kept realizing that there were quite a few shots that I did not have due to my short notice move to Turkey before last summer. Now that I am back, I now have only a few weekends left before leaving Japan for good. We basically only had this last weekend as our only time when we don’t have something planned and getting a good shot of Fuji was one of “those shots” I was missing out on. So we threw our sleeping bags into our small little Toyota Starlet to camp out on Friday night for a 4am viewing of Fuji across Lake Motosu as long as our luck way for clear viewing conditions.

Two people sleeping in a Toyota Starlet goes against the grain of the universe and I would never recommend anyone ever try that. On top of not being able to sleep in 3 cubic feet worth of space, I also omitted my allergy meds, and allergies in Japan kick my ass. Luckily the weather cooperated and we had our first clear skies in what seemed like weeks. Not only did we get an awesome viewing at Lake Motosu, but we were also able to get some nice warm light paint on Fuji across nearby Lake Saiko.

7XP DRI

Exposure: 0.6

Aperture: f/11.0

ISO Speed: 200

Focal Length: 24 mm

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Explored Feburary 23, 2009 Highest # 125

W is for Working to make my whacked out back better....

Guess who just ordered a Macbook???? That'd be me!!!!

Ok guys. I'm sorta back. Sorta. I have a extruded L5 disc in my lower back. I went and had an MRI and is seems that the disc has leaked a bit of 'goo' and that 'goo' is sitting on top of the nerve that runs down my lower back and all the way down my right leg. So, my whole right leg is in hella pain and I have to take it easy the next week so that the inflammation will go down and the pain will stop. SOOO, another week off work laying around this house and doing nothing. I'm still a bit bummed cause the Dr. said that my disc will be like this the rest of my life. I won't be in pain all the time...but, there is risk that the inflammation will come back over and over again. I will NOT have surgery on my back unless there is nothing else that can be done. I have lots of work to do to make this thing get better and I am determined to do it. I will not let this beat me.

Thank you all for the well wishes and love that you have sent my way this past week! I love and miss you all so much!! I'll be back on the regular soon, I promise. I'll also do my best to catch up on everyone's streams this week! I can't wait to see what you've all been up to!!

xoxo

Please View Large On Black

*

© All rights are reserved, please do not use my photos without my permission. Thanks !

Genuss und Geselligkeit treffen sich an Bord

des Fahrgastmotorschiff „DEUTSCHLAND“. Unter-

nehmen, Vereine oder Privatpersonen können ihre

persönliche Charterfahrt planen und sich an Bord ver-

wöhnen lassen. Bis zu 50 Passagiere können auf den

Fahrten die Geeste aus einer ganz neuen Perspektive

kennenlernen und die Reize der Uferlandschaft genießen.

Schwerpunkt sind die Fahrten von Bremerhaven nach

Bederkesa, oder Flußfahrten von Bederkesa nach

Bremerhaven mit kleinen Zwischenstopps unter anderem

am Anleger Kührstedt und der Lintiger Stauschleuse. Die „DEUTSCHLAND“ bietet eine Auswahl an

verschiedenen Rahmenprogrammen während der

kleinen Zwischenstopps oder in Bederkesa.

Zusätzlich haben die Gäste die Möglichkeit, unter einem

großen kulinarischen Angebot während der Charter-

fahrten zu wählen.

Weiterhin besteht die Möglichkeit, mit der

„DEUTSCHLAND“ eine Hafenrundfahrt im Bremer-

havener Fischereihafen mit Schleusung in der

Doppelschleuse zu erleben. Die Geestefahrt dauert

ca. 3,5-4 Std. und die Hafenrundfahrt ca. 2 Std. An- und

Ablegestelle ist in Bremerhaven der Ponton am

Morgenstern-Museum und in Bederkesa der Anleger

am Kanal. Shuttle-Service wird angeboten.

Fahrtzeit: Mai bis Oktober und ausserhalb der

Saison nach Wunsch des Kunden.

www.unsere-flotte.de/deutschland.html

Best big.

My return home from Pennsylvania required a stopover in Phoenix, Arizona. Remind me to never fly so far south when flying across the country -- going from Pittsburgh to San Francisco by way of a city near the Mexican border doesn't do anything to shorten your travel time.

On the flight from Phoenix to the Bay Area, I sat next to the most nervous flyer I've ever encountered. On the ground, she was friendly, conversational, ordinary. In the air, she was wild-eyed and terrified. When the plane hit turbulence, she'd cower into the wall next to her window seat. Sometimes she'd flail her arms or cover her face. Her hands shook. I'd never been around someone who was feeling such primal terror.

The weather was stormy in the Bay Area, and the landing approach was rough. Her convulsions reached a frenzy, and she turned to me and apologized. I put my hand on her arm. "It's okay. Just remember: this is safer than the car you're getting into when you land. It's the safest way to travel."

"I know. I'm trying." Then she looked at me. "My sister and her husband were killed in a plane crash."

Oh.

Nothing refutes statistics like experience. All I could do was sympathize and share a similar story. I'm not sure it helped, but at least we were on the ground by the time I was done.

Incredibly, my fearful flyer has to face her terror every two weeks. She likes to sit in the front of the plane, where she can watch the flight attendants when they're strapped into their takeoff and landing seats. "If they look nervous, then I know something's really wrong."

Every two weeks she faces the worst demons in her world. She stares down the scars of the past in order to make her way. I guess you can't ask more than that of anyone.

It's good to be home.

Hilo de la Fotohistoria en Pullip .es:

LENN AND SAWL SNEEK OUT(1 of 1) /

LA ESCAPADA DE LENN Y SAWL (1 de 1)

(Read in order, this is: SHOT/FOTO 48 of 49) PAG: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49.

FOTOSTORY: In English / En Español

Sawl: YOU ALMOST DIED ASSHOLE??? YOU ALMOST KILLED ME!!!! Ò_Óuuuuuu Shit!!!!!

/

Sawl: QUE CASI TE MATAS CAPULLO???? CASI ME MATAS A MI!!!!! Ò_Óuuuuuu Joder!!!!!

LINKS:

- Las FOTOHISTORIAS de Sheryl en el Foro de Pullips: Pullip .es

- Sheryl Photostories at Flickr

Hilo de la Fotohistoria en Pullip .es: AFTER THE CONCERT (4 of 9): Lenn meets Nana /

DESPUÉS DEL CONCIERTO (4 de 9): Lenn conoce a Nana

(Read in order, this is: SHOT/FOTO 41 of 184) PAG: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107,108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184.

FOTOSTORY: In English / En Español

Lenn: Hey what's up with this people!! You see... everybody here lied down on you own while I work like a nigger...

/

Lenn: Que passa con esta peña!! Aquí todos tiraos a vuestra bola mientras yo curro como un negro...

LINKS:

- Las FOTOHISTORIAS de Sheryl en el Foro de Pullips: Pullip .es

- Sheryl Photostories at Flickr

- Minao's Akari Collaboration

Color 1st comment | large on black | Link to prints available on my profile page

Trying to chose between the black & white and the color on this one nearly killed me (see first comment for the color image). You really can't imagine how much time I spent flipping back and forth and agonizing and changing my mind. At last I made the decision to post the black & white because I noticed I had a pattern going with my last few shots: color, b/w, color, b/w, color ... well, it was b/w's turn I guess.

I really do love both versions, and both types of presentation in general. For my recent work, the b/w I feel can present a stronger overall composition and image - without the "distraction" of color. However, the color often seems more beautiful, and more reminiscent of the scene itself.

When I was a painter (and still, as a designer) I am very colorful and think of my strength in the use of color to be among my greatest talents as an artist. So, it's not so easy for me to leave the beauty of color behind. But, the strength and impact of b/w, well ... ahhhh! I just go back and forth a million times.

I know that whichever I choose there will be many who will prefer the other (but also many who will be quite happy with the choice). I value critique and the opinions of others, but ultimately it is my own opinion that I need to find each time. Usually I can find it. With this photo, I could not.

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How you see yourself will determine what kind of life you live. If you’re going to be successful in life and in your Christian walk, you have to have a vision of victory and see yourself the way God sees you: as the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, a victor and not a victim. You will move toward the image that’s in your mind and eventually produce what you keep in front of you.

- Joel Osteen

Huling Photowalk Ng Taon (Dec 26, 2009)

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Quiapo Church, officially known as Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, is a Roman Catholic church located in the District of Quiapo, Manila, in the Philippines. The church is one of the most popular churches in the country. It is home to the Black Nazarene, a much venerated statue of Jesus Christ which many people believe has miraculous attributes. The church was painted cream after the original Mexican Baroque edifice was burned down in 1928. Also known as St. John the Baptist Parish, the church at present belongs to the Archdiocese of Manila. The current rector is Rev. Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio, who succeeded Msgr. Josefino Ramirez (the Vicar General of the archdiocese) upon the latter's appointment as rector of the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Maysilo, Mandaluyong City.

The Quiapo Church holds a weekly novena every Friday and a procession every year on January 9 devoted to the Black Nazarene. Both are attended by thousands of devotees. Many sick people come to see the Black Nazarene, hoping that getting a chance to pray in front of its miraculous image would heal their sicknesses.

(From Wikipedia)

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'155. Middle Room Confessions.' On Black: See your photos in a new light

This is the room I've been dreading. Not because I have a deep, dark secret, but because it's just a hodge-podge room. It's our computer/craft room. Can't provocatively say "Computer/Craft Room Confessions." Sounds lame. I was tempted to keep this room for last, but my natural order (read: "Anal retentive nature") won't allow it.

~

Quick background: Last July my husband and I bought this house from my parents. I grew up in this house.

~

Middle Room Confessions:

- This room was once my bedroom. My Nana lived with us when she had cancer. This was her room.

- I was sleeping in this room on June 25, 1986. My mom came in my room ridiculously early with laundry. Nana was dead. She died in the hospital.

- Very unlike my mother, she hugged me and cried and told me, "we'll all be together some day." I hated when she said that. I was almost 10 years old. I didn't want to think of the day I would die.

- I cried, but I don't know why. I don't think I could comprehend the situation.

- I didn't go to her funeral; not because I had never been to one, I was curious to see a dead person, I just didn't want to see anyone cry.

- On the morning she died, I didn't come out of my room, even when I heard my grandfather (her husband), my uncle, and the rest of the family come over. I didn't want to see anyone cry.

- Based on an episode of "Growing Pains" I made a pro/con list of why I should go to the funeral. Like I said, I didn't go.

- Shortly after she died, this became my room fulltime. I didn't have to share the backroom with my two younger sisters. One night, I was in bed and I looked at the rocking chair at the base of my bed. I swear I saw her sitting there. She looked transparent. It scared the fucking shit out of me. I covered my head with the blankets.

- Ever since that incident, I was afraid to walk past that room. I don't know why. If it was her, she wouldn't hurt me.

- Whenever a grandparent dies, I'm petrified that they will "appear" to me like she did.

- I don't even remember her. Sure, I remember her as a person, but not her personality. I don't remember her voice. I guess that should make me sad. She no longer seems real to me, just a faded memory, which really sucks because she was my mom's mom.

Piornedo, Lugo (Spain).

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ENGLISH

A palloza is a traditional thatched house as found in the Sierra de Ancares in Galicia. They are circular or oval, and about ten or twenty metres in diameter. These houses are built to withstand severe winter weather at a typical altitude of 1,200 metres.

The main structure is stone, and is divided internally into separate areas for the family and their animals, with separate entrances. The roof is conical, made from rye straw on a wooden frame. There is no chimney, the smoke from the kitchen fire seeps out through the thatch.

As well as living space for humans and animals, the palloza has its own bread oven, workshops for wood, metal and leather work, and a loom. In this way, the family could be completely self-sufficient.

Only the eldest couple of an extended family had their own bedroom, which they shared with the youngest children. The rest of the family slept in the hay loft, in the roof space.

These buildings have been described as "pre-Roman", and are similar to Iron Age roundhouse dwellings in Britain and Ireland. They were used in remote parts of the Ancares mountains until the second half of the 20th century, when roads were built that enabled modern construction materials to be brought into the region. Thatched roundhouses and dwellings could also be found in other parts of Galicia up to the 18th century, according the Ensenada Census (catastro de Ensenada) from 1749.

More info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palloza

-------------------------

CASTELLANO

Una palloza (también conocida como pallouza y pallaza) es una construcción tradicional de la Sierra de los Ancares.

De planta circular u oval, de entre diez y veinte metros de diámetro. Con paredes de piedra y cubierta por un tejado cónico, formado por tallos de centeno.

Destinada en parte a vivienda y en parte a cuadra para el ganado vacuno. Su estructura era ideal para resistir los crudos inviernos.

Su origen es prerromano, presumiblemente celta. La pallozas tienen similitudes con las casas redondas de la Edad del Hierro de Gran Bretaña o con las edificaciones del Castro de Chano en el municipio de Peranzanes, El Bierzo). Como nota anecdótica cabe indicar que el poblado de Astérix, el galo, está compuesto, en parte, por pallozas.

El nombre de palloza es en realidad una deformación del término gallego "pallaza", recogido por primera vez a fines del siglo XIX por etnógrafos como el alemán Fritz Krüger, refiriéndose al material con que se realizaba la techumbre de la edificación. La denominación tradicional de estas construcciones es en realidad casa de teito o casa de teitu.

Más info: es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palloza

Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavik, Iceland. Large On Black

Our hotel (Leifur Eiriksson) was just opposite. I took this in the early evening on the day we arrived. For much of the trip the skies were dull and overcast, but at this time the sky was amazing. Unfortunately, the church is undergoing renovations and has scaffolding up the tower.

The Lutheran church is the largest in Iceland and one of the tallest architectural structures in the country. Construction began in 1945 and was completed in 1986. Want to know more?.

The statue is of Leif Ericson -- an explorer and the first European to land in North America around 500 years prior to Columbus.

Explored - Highest Position: #213

Hilo de la Fotohistoria en Pullip .es: INVISIBLE FRIEND 2011 (1 of 1): Nublanca's presents /

AMIGO INVISIBLE 2011 (1 de 1): Los regalos de Nublanca

(Read in order, this is: SHOT/FOTO 05 of 26) PAG: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

FOTOSTORY: In English / En Español

- Inside the envelope there was a letter with several photos.

LINKS:

- Las FOTOHISTORIAS de Sheryl en el Foro de Pullips: Pullip .es

- Sheryl Photostories at Flickr

View On Black

The fish market used to be one of the many places, where certain products where sold, in this case: Fish. Other markets are: the Butter market, the grain market and the turf market. On the fish market are small galleries, Safe for wind and rain, the sailsmen could lay their goods on the stone fish banks.

The fish market in Alkmaar, goes back to the 16th century. The wooden columns where replaced for stone pillars in 1755. Those where replaced for cast iron columns. The fish markets where held every Friday, up until 1998.

On the galleries roof, along the water, are a wooden and a natural stone statue, a fisher and a fish woman. The pump on the fish market dates from 1785, and was renewed in 1882. The grating of the waste pits, ar not made of iron, as usual, bus made of cupper. This was done, because of the biting effect from the fish waste on the grating.

Old bills proof, there already was a fishing bank in the 16th century. Trough the backdoors , the sweet waterfish, hanging in baskets, where kept fresh in the water behind the galleries. Ofcourse many things changed in the course of years. In 1755, the original wooden columns, where replaced for cast iron columns, during a renewal of de banks.

In Alkmaar staat een galerij waar vroeger vis verkocht werd. Hieronder konden de visverkopers beschut tegen weer en wind hun waren op stenen visbanken uitstallen.

Op het dak van de galerij langs het water staan een houten en een natuurstenen beeld; een visser en een visvrouw.

Uit oude rekeningen blijkt dat Alkmaar al in de 16e eeuw visbanken had. Via de deuren in de muur achter de visbanken werd de zoetwatervis, hangend in gevlochten korven, in het Verdronkenoord vers gehouden. Natuurlijk is er in de loop der eeuwen wel wat gewijzigd. Tijdens de vernieuwing van de banken in de 17de eeuw werden in 1755 de oorspronkelijk houten kolommen vervangen door stenen zuilen. De houten galerijen rusten nu op 19de-eeuwse gietijzeren kolommen. Op de kap van de gaanderij langs het water staan een houten en een natuurstenen beeld, die een visvrouw en een visser voorstellen.

De pomp, die blijkens de jaartalsteen uit 1785 dateert, werd in 1882 vernieuwd. Let u op de putroosters: in verband met het 'bijtende' visafval zijn in plaats van ijzeren roosters koperen exemplaren aangebracht. Tot in 1998 vond op de visbanken nog elke vrijdag de vismarkt plaats.

Visit my blog for advice on how on how to take photographs of your children or submit a photo for inclusion in "Ken's Tips On Your Pics": www.kensharp.com/blog/category/kens-tips-on-your-pics-2/

© Ken Sharp. Please do not use or download without permission. If you have any queries please contact me: www.kensharp.com

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I met my dad for bagels this morning. He and my mom have made some rather major decisions without even mentioning them to me.....I hate that. I don't need to be consulted, but it's weird to be out of the loop entirely.

He and I got into an intense discussion, no win really. ....He was asking me to bear the burden of my mother's anxiety. I can't do it. Right now I am hunting for a job, searching for an apartment despite my lack of income, trying to make some very major decisions about where my life is heading and with whom, and grappling with some pretty heavy heartache.

My mother is inventing reasons to be concerned and to lecture me, and then getting hurt when I can't handle it and choose to avoid her. At this point, I don't even consider avoidance immature - it's a lifesaving measure that I need to take on my own behalf.

I can't focus on my own needs, my own, job, apartment, choices and heartaches, if I'm weighed down by her constant worries. I can't carry my mother's burdens on top of my own. I just can't.

I've talked to her time and again about how damaging our relationship has become to my well-being. I've told her outright that if our relationship can't improve I have to walk away.

I know my dad means well. But he's asking something of me that I honestly can't give.

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Remember my previous picture of the little ECC88 Valve?

Well here's the wee beastie that it belongs to and she's a beauty :-)

This is a 1969/1970 Telequipment S51 Oscilloscope proudly bearing a small metal plate simply stating, "Made In England". Most of the components in there bear similar motifs as well as 'Made in Great Britain' and fair old chokes me up that we used to build such marvels. Not anymore....

This example I bought as a non-worker and after some scrounging about, (without paying through the nose!), I obtained some replacement valves for her and spent some time tidying up historic fiddles, (others previous attempts at repair!)

After a bit of a clean up and final checks I hooked her up to the mains and she finally sprung to life. I stood there with the biggest grin on my face ever :-)

Total cost of purchase and replacment parts - a massive £12:50, very nice.

(Considering there's 5 Mullard valves and a couple of Brimars I did rather well as most 'audiophiles' pay more than that for a single valve!!! Doesn't bear thinking about?!)

Will she languish on a shelf as a 'collectable'? Of course not, she's a good old workhorse and I'll soon be cracking that whip. An addition of a component tester I've already started to build, (makes my DIY electronics from scrap parts much simpler - the amount of times I've scrounged a part from a broken piece of equipment to find the scrounged component was one of the faulty ones!!), and plans for a curve tracer she'll be pressed into hard service. Of course an infra red interface will come in damn handy for checking and adjusting the shutter speeds on my old cameras too.

Much like those valves I get a warm fuzzy feeling that she's working. Unfortunately I'm as old as this piece of equipment and probably smell just as musty, (Ha, ha!)

สอนเพาะเห็ดฟางด้วยทะลายปาล์ม ฟางข้าว เปลือกมัน โดยไอฟาร์ม เสียค่าลงทะเบียนครั้งเดียว กลับมาเรียนทบทวนได้ฟรีจนกว่าจะทำเป็น สอนการเพาะเห็ดฟางด้วยทะลายปาล์ม / ฟางช้าว เรียนตั้งแต่การทำแม่เชื้อเห็ดฟาง ก้อนเชื้อเห็ดฟาง การหมักอาหารเพาะเห็ดฟาง การทำอาหารเสริมเห็ดฟางที่ใช้ในทะลายปาล์ม/ฟาง การนำอาหารเพาะเห็ดฟางขึ้นชั้น การอบไอน้ำโรงเรือน การโรยเชื้อ การเลี้ยงเชื้อ การตัดใยเห็ดฟาง การดูแลสภาพแวดล้อมในโรงเรือนเห็ดฟาง การสร้างโรงเรือน การเก็บเห็ดฟางที่ถูกต้อง

เรียน 2 วันเต็ม ลงทะเบียนครั้งเดียว กลับมาเรียนทบทวนได้จนกว่าจะเป็น

ค่าลงทะเบียน : 3,000- / คน

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Weltkrieg 1914-1918

Frauenkirchen- serbenfriedhof (cemetery)

www.frauenkirchen.net/webapp/post.php?post=118210

goo.gl/maps/vY8is

goo.gl/maps/KIYga

Serben lager 1914-1918

derstandard.at/2000007511539/Allerheiligen-am-pannonische...

На плочи пише :

"На овом и околним пољима леже посмртни остаци хиљада српских интернираца заточених у аустрија за време првог светског рата "

"Од заборава их чува српски народ"

Auf der Speicherkarte geschrieben wird :

"Für diese und Umgebung liegen die Überreste von Tausenden von serbischen Internierten in Österreich festgenommen während des Ersten Weltkriegs"

"Vergessen sie hält serbische Volk"

On the memory boards is written :

"For this and surrounding areas lie the remains of thousands of Serbian internees detained in Austria during the First World War"

"Of forgetting them keeps Serbian people"

www.frauenkirchen.net/Spiritualit%C3%A4t+%7C+F%C3%BChlen/...

www.brettl.at/brettl/homepage/frame_buecher.htm

" Sie leben nicht mehr der Gegenwart, sondern der Zukunft zuliebe."

Das Kriegsgefangenenlager in Frauenkirchen ist eines der ältesten Lager der Monarchie, das bereits im September 1914 aufgebaut wurde. Waren zunächst russische Gefangene darin inhaftiert, so wurde das Lager zunehmend zu einem sog. "Serbenlager". Neben Kriegsgefangenen, ab 1916 waren auch italienische Offiziere untergebracht, hielt man von Beginn an auch verschleppte Zivilinternierte aus Serbien und Montenegro im Lager fest. Im Jänner 1915 befanden sich bereits 12.905 Gefangene im Lager Boldogasszony. Wegen des massiven Zustromes an Kriegsgefangenen musste das Lager zweimal erweitert werden und hatte ab 1916 einen Lagerstand von rund 30.000 Gefangenen, wobei sich rund 2/3 der Gefangenen außerhalb des Lagers auf Arbeitseinsatz befanden.

Die Errichtung der Lager erfolgte unter massivem Zeitdruck und finanziellen Einschränkungen, sodass es zu erheblichen Missständen kam. Mangelhafte hygienische Vorkehrungen und die massive Konzentration von Personen auf engstem Raum führten im Winter 1914/15 dazu, dass sich eine Flecktyphusepidemie rasch ausbreiten konnte, die in Frauenkirchen rund 4.000 Personen, beinahe 40% der Inhaftierten, das Leben kostete. Der Friedhof in Frauenkirchen ist bis heute erhalten geblieben und ist das letzte sichtbare Zeichen des Kriegsgefangenlagers

www.brettl.at/brettl/homepage/frame_buecher.htm

"They no longer live the present, but for the sake of the future."

The prisoner of war camp in churches woman is one of the oldest stock of the monarchy, which was already established in September 1914. While at first Russian prisoners detained therein, as the camp "Serbs camp" was increasingly called to a.. In addition to prisoners of war in 1916 Italian officers were housed, was held from the beginning also displaced civilian internees from Serbia and Montenegro in the camp established. In January 1915, there were already 12,905 prisoners in the camp Boldogasszony. Due to the massive influx of prisoners of war, the camp had to be extended twice and had since 1916 a stock level of around 30,000 prisoners, with about 2/3 of the prisoners were to work outside the camp.

The establishment of the camp took place under massive pressure of time and financial constraints, so that there was substantial adversities. Poor hygiene measures and the massive concentration of people in a confined space in the winter of 1914-15 led to the fact that a typhus epidemic could spread rapidly to around 4,000 people, nearly 40% of the prison, cost the lives of women in churches. The cemetery in women's churches is still preserved and is the last visible sign of the PoW camp

More NYC by night Shots Here

LARGER Better

day 68

View On Black

you know him...

this greedy bastard :D

i used to watch spongebob all the time before... but not so much lately... the work time really not freindly with it...

but neverless i still love them...

but i dont know why, i never become a fan of the spongebob it self

i love patrick the most

and mr Krabs after that...

this a quick shot

i tweak at picasa to pump the shadow as ussual... i wish i can get it right on the first time without post processing

but yeahhh as long as i'm happy with the result i'm okay :D

and the tilt is on purpose...

i got another pic on the comment

SET UP

-D700 + 24-70mm

-sb900 as a master only for trigger

-sb600 behind mr.krabs at 1/8

Bucci

Facebook:

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Entrevista no Digiforum:

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Portfólio:

issuu.com/bucci10/docs/2_mini_portfoleo_fotos_bucci_10x15

GoPro - Dia de foto, bike e Jardim Botânico:

Vídeos Making Off:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=45NGHZIk2YQ&feature=g-upl&amp....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPuPpsW78Ww&feature=g-upl&amp....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lblneevaOdA&feature=g-upl&amp....

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BUCCI - 50mm Quantaray Macro Tech 10 MX AF + Sistema de Flash D.I.Y FLASH DIFFUSER

www.flickr.com/photos/bucci10/8191598385/in/photostream/

Bucci

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/robson.bucci

Entrevista no Digiforum:

www.digiforum.com.br/viewtopic.php?t=78078

Portfólio:

issuu.com/bucci10/docs/2_mini_portfoleo_fotos_bucci_10x15

GoPro - Dia de foto, bike e Jardim Botânico:

Vídeos Making Off:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=45NGHZIk2YQ&feature=g-upl&amp....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPuPpsW78Ww&feature=g-upl&amp....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lblneevaOdA&feature=g-upl&amp....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qowp0oSfos&feature=g-upl&amp....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf8VSAJv_os&feature=g-upl&amp....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSHa73QrIxQ&feature=g-upl&amp....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBs9XjA0dT8&feature=g-upl&amp....

BUCCI - 50mm Quantaray Macro Tech 10 MX AF + Sistema de Flash D.I.Y FLASH DIFFUSER

www.flickr.com/photos/bucci10/8191598385/in/photostream/

www.darckr.com/username.php?username=9099757@N05 --- Turkey, Antalya, Amarok Adventure World, Safari Tour ---- www.vianobilis.com/amarok-adventure-world-7e5 ---- Amarok Adventure World ---- Selge (griechisch Σέλγη) war eine antike Stadt in der kleinasiatischen Landschaft Pisidien beim heutigen Altınkayaköy (früher Zerk) (Türkei). Er lag 56 km nordwestlich von Side auf ca. 1000 m. ü. M. im oberen Tal des Eurymedon (heute: Köprüçay) am westlichen Ende des Taurusgebirges.Der Überlieferung nach soll Selge nach dem Krieg um Troja durch den Seher Kalchas gegründet und durch Griechen aus Sparta besiedelt worden sein. Auf Münzen ist der Ort seit dem 5. Jahrhundert v. Chr. nachweisbar. Wirtschaftliche Grundlage war der Anbau von Wein und Oliven auf der umgebenden fruchtbaren Hochebene. Politisch bestanden zu Aspendos gute Beziehungen, ansonsten war die Stadt kriegerisch gegen ihre Nachbarn ausgerichtet. Als Alexander der Große durch Kleinasien zog, verbündete sich die Stadt mit ihm, um, allerdings erfolglos, die nahe Stadt Termessos zu belagern. Polybios beschreibt einen Krieg zwischen Selge und Pednelissos 220 v. Chr., in dem Pednellissos Achaios, den Statthalter von Side, zu Hilfe rief. 25 v. Chr. verlor Selge die Selbstständigkeit und wurde in die römische Provinz Galatien eingegliedert. Laut Strabon soll die Stadt zu dieser Zeit etwa 20.000 Einwohner gehabt haben. Seine größte Blüte erreichte Selge zur Zeit des römischen Kaiserreiches. Im Jahr 339 kam es zu einer erfolglosen Belagerung durch die Goten. In byzantinischer Zeit war Selge Bischofssitz. Die Stadt wurde später in seldschukischer Zeit aufgegeben.Es sind die Reste der Stadtmauer, eines Theaters, eines Stadions, der Agora mit Säulenhallen, eines Gymnasions und einer Basilika erhalten. Das Theater wurde im 3. Jahrhundert n. Chr. neu gebaut. Außerhalb der Stadtmauer lagen ein Aquädukt und einige Kammergräber. ---- Selge (in Greek Σελγη) was an important city in Pisidia, on the southern slope of Mount Taurus, modern Antalya Province, Turkey, at the part where the river Eurymedon River (Turkish: Köprüçay)forces its way through the mountains towards the south.

The town was believed to be a Greek colony, for Strabo[1] states that it was founded by Spartans, but adds the somewhat unintelligible remark that previously it had been founded by Calchas. The acropolis of Selge bore the name of Kesbedion.[2] The district in which the town was situated was extremely fertile, producing abundance of oil and wine, but the town itself was difficult of access, being surrounded by precipices and beds of torrents flowing towards the Eurymedon and Cestrus (today Aksu), and requiring bridges to make them passable. In consequence of its excellent laws and political constitution, Selge rose to the rank of the most powerful and populous city of Pisidia, and at one time was able to send an army of 20,000 men into the field. Owing to these circumstances, and the valour of its inhabitants, for which they were regarded as worthy kinsmen of the Spartans, the Selgians were never subject to any foreign power, but remained in the enjoyment of their own freedom and independence. When Alexander the Great passed through Pisidia (333 BC), Selge sent an embassy to him and gained his favour and friendship.[3] At that time they were at war with Termessos.

At the period when Achaeus had made himself master of Western Asia, Selge were at war with Pednelissus, which was besieged by them; and Achaeus, on the invitation of Pednelissus, sent a large force against Selge (218 BC). After a long and vigorous siege, the Selgians, being betrayed and despairing of resisting Achaeus any longer, sent deputies to sue for peace, which was granted to them on the following terms: they agreed to pay immediately 400 talents, to restore the prisoners of Pednelissus, and after a time to pay 300 talents in addition.[4] We now have for a long time no particulars about the history of Selge; in the 5th century AD Zosimus[5] calls it indeed a little town, but it was still strong enough to repel a body of Goths. It is strange that Pliny does not notice Selge, for we know from its coins that it was still a flourishing town in the time of Hadrian; and it is also mentioned in Ptolemy[6] and Hierocles. Independently of wine and oil, the country about Selge was rich in timber, and a variety of trees, among which the storax was much valued from its yielding a strong perfume. Selge was also celebrated for an ointment prepared from the iris root.[7]

The remains of the city consist mainly of parts of the encircling wall and of the acropolis. A few traces have survived of the gymnasium, the stoa, the stadium and the basilica. There are also the outlines of two temples, but the best conserved monument is the theater, restored in the 3rd century AD.

Halfway on the road to Selge from the Pamphylian coastal plain, a well-preserved Roman Bridge crosses the deep Eurymedon valley

Ce texte de présentation est écrit à partir du catalogue du Musée Egizio (musée d’égyptologie de Turin), en vente sur le site de la boutique (Museo Egizio [Français]) :

shop.museoegizio.it/index.php/libri-e-cataloghi/libri-in-...

Le site du musée montre quelques photos :

dominiqueartis.fr/le-musee-egyptologique-de-turin/

Mon album Flickr sur la collection Égypte du Musée du Louvre est ici :

www.flickr.com/photos/cvalette/albums/72157627371742222

Photos 1_ : Histoire du Musée, Galerie des Rois (salles 1 et 14)

L’histoire du Musée Egizio à Turin commence par l’achat par l’Italie, en 1823 pour la somme exorbitante de 400 000 livres piémontaises, de la collection Drovetti. La France avait renoncé. L’italien Drovetti, d’abord au service de Bonaparte lors de l’expédition d’Egypte en 1718, entre en contact avec Méhémet Ali et rassemble une très riche et scientifiquement très intéressante collection de grandes statues, de sarcophages, de stèles, de papyrus etc. L’intérêt pour ce sujet s’est considérablement renforcé avec la publication de la “Description de l’Égypte” par l’équipe scientifique de Bonaparte. Champollion, qui vient de déchiffrer les hiéroglyphes de la Pierre de Rosette, rejoint Turin en 1824 pour étudier et traduire les nombreuses inscriptions réunies au musée. Il déchiffre le Canon Royal, papyrus qui établit dans l'ordre chronologique la liste des souverains égyptiens (photos 1_45 à 1_48). Il restaure une magnifique statue de Ramsès II (photos 1_07 à 1_14) et prend la défense de la qualité artistique de cet art face aux canons culturels dominants, qui ne jurent que par les statues grecques. Champollion souligne la virtuosité du rendu fluide du tissu (photo 1_07), et explique que l’aspect statique et conventionnel des attitudes tient à une méprise sur la fonction de cet art, qui doit se comprendre comme un discours, et non pas comme une représentation. La stylisation qui fonde le discours peut distordre la représentation, comme le montre cette statue du dieu Ptah dont la position assise conduit à plier le sceptre en trois (photo 1_35, comparée à 1_34). Le martelage, assez souvent pratiqué, se remarque sur la grande statue de Séthi II (5m de haut) : l'inscription est martelée (photo 1_19) pour effacer le hiéroglyphe du Dieu Seth, souvent considéré comme hostile (1er caractère du cartouche de droite, lecture de gauche à droite). Le Livre des Morts d’Iuefankh (photos 1_27 à 1_29), paryrus de l’Époque Ptolémaïque retrouvé complet, permet de découvrir la quasi-totalité des rites de sépulture. Y sont illustrées la scène de la pesée du cœur, qui se doit d’être plus léger que la plume de Maat (photo 1_27) et les scènes des travaux des champs (registre médian de droite à gauche : labourage, semailles, moisson des épis, fabrication des pains, photo 1_28). Le musée grossit avec une seconde collection Drovetti, encore plus intéressante que la première, puis avec les remarquables apports de Schiaparelli à partir de 1894 : fouilles d’Héliopolis (entre1903 et 1906), de Giza (1903), d’Assiout (entre 1906 et 1913), de la Vallée des Reines (entre 1903 et 1905), de Deir el-Médina (entre 1905 et 1908), de Gebelein (entre 1910 et 1920), d’Assouan (1914). Deux tombes inviolées sont découvertes à Gebelein, celle d’Iti et Neferu comprenant une chapelle décorée de fresques en bon état. Le ratissage méthodique des restes du village des artisans à Deir el-Médina conduit finalement à la découverte de la tombe inviolé de Kha et Merit : la profusion de leurs objets familiers, dont certains intimes comme le linge de corps (photo 4_12) ou une perruque (photo 4_06) nous permet d’entrer dans la vie des Égyptiens.

Photos 2_ : de la Période Prédynastique au Moyen Empire, tombe d’Iti et Néférou (salles 2 à 5)

De l’époque Nagada date le corps d’un homme adulte momifié de façon naturelle dans le sable (photo 2_01 de la reconstitution de sa tombe), ainsi qu’un morceau de toile trouvé à Gebelein montrant une procession de barques (2_10). Une houe et une faucille datent de l’Ancien Empire (photos 2_11 et 2_12), l’Égypte du sud et celle du nord étant désormais réunies sous la direction d’un seul souverain. La Princesse Redji (photos 2_18 à 2_20) est la fille d’un roi de la IIIe dynastie. Une autre statue montre le Surintendant des travaux royaux Iteti (photos 2_28 à 2_30). On remarque deux tuniques plissées (très rares, photos 2_23 et 2_24). Passant de la salle 2 à la salle 3 on découvre la Tombe des inconnus à Gebelein : une momie dans une tombe inviolée (photo 2_31) et la reconstitution de la tombe (photos 2_32 à 2_39). On admire ensuite les peintures a tempera (fresques utilisant du jaune d’œuf comme liant) de la tombe d’Iti (“Chef des troupes” et “Trésorier du roi”) et de son épouse Néférou (squelette d’une femme, probablement Néférou, photo 2_40). Ces fresques ornaient une série de salles semi-rupestres et un couloir. On voit charger un bateau (photo 2_41), remplir des silos pendant que des gazelles mangent dans des bacs (photo 6470), abattre un bovidé (photos 2_43 à 2_45). Dans la salle 4, les fouilles livrent un abondant mobilier (photos 2_32 à 2_57), notamment des barques funéraires miniatures (photos 2_37 et 2_56) et des petits personnages préparant des pains (photos 2_53 à 2_55). Il faut noter que l’œil oudjat sur la paroi extérieure de la cuve (photo 2_50) est toujours situé du côté tête de la momie (photos 2_49 et 2_35 à 2_36). La stèle funéraire d’Iti a été retrouvée lors des fouilles (photo 2_59). L’hippopotame, animal dangereux, est neutralisé au moyen de figurines en faïence bleue (photo 2_65). Dans la salle 5, le vizir Iymérou (XIIIe dynastie) est représenté (photo 2_67) les bras en attitude de prière, avec le collier shenpou emblématique de sa fonction. Il semble que sa tête, ici, aurait été rajoutée sur une statue empruntée. La statue colossale du Gouverneur Ouahka (photo 2_68) a été retrouvée au fond d’un puits.

Photos 3_ : Nouvel Empire, Deir el-Médina (salles 5 et 6)

Toujours salle 5, Âanen, deuxième Prêtre d’Amon, beau-frère d’Amenotep III, est représenté, selon la coutume, par cette statue légèrement moins grande que la taille réelle. Il porte une peau de léopard décorée d’étoiles, tête de la bête en évidence : c’est le signe d’appartenance à un haut rang (photo 3_01). Hapou était 3e Prêtre Lecteur d’Amon sous Thoutmosis II. Sa statue (photo 3_02) est ici adossée à une stèle. La statue de la Dame Hel (dame littéralement “femme de maison”, photo 3_04), collection Drovetti, illustre bien ce qu’est une statue de chapelle d’une tombe de dignitaire. La coutume était d’enfouir le corps et d’ériger en surface une chapelle destinée à recueillir les offrandes faites au défunt. On admire le cercueil de Pouia (Thèbes, XVIIIe dynastie, photo 3_10), on note un oushebti (serviteur miniature à l’effigie du défunt) de Usehat, scribe d’Amon (photo 3_11), des pots à onguent en albâtre de Djehouti (règne de Toutmosis III, photo 3_12), la couverture du sarcophage de Djehoutym et une vasque votive à têtes d’Hathor (photos 3_14 et 3_15).

Salle 6, on remarque une statue en bois d’un Porte-étendard provenant de Deir el-Médina (photo 3_16), et le naos de l’artisan Kasa (photo 3_17), trouvé dans sa tombe : au premier registre, Kasa et son épouse apportent des offrandes à Khnoum, Satet et Ânouqet (triade d’Éléphantine), au second registre, Kasa et son épouse reçoivent des offrandes, chaque pilier porte une tête d’Hathor. Pour mémoire, le naos d’un temple est la pièce ultime, au fond du temple, qui contient la statue du dieu. Les artisans du village de Deir el-Médina, réalisateurs des tombes royales de la Vallée des Rois et de la Vallée des Reines, nous ont laissé d’abondants témoignages de leur travail : des papyrus (Plan de la Tombe de Ramsès IV, Papyrus de la Mine, Papyrus satyrico-érotique, photos 3_21 à 3_25) des ostraca (photos 3_36 à 3_41). Ils nous ont aussi laissé leurs tombes (Pyramidion du scribe Ramosé à l’entrée de la chapelle de sa sépulture, photos 3_26 à 3_29) et leurs objets de culte (Déesse Metseger photos 3_32 à 3_36). La sculpture d’Amenhotep Ier divinisé (photos 3_54 et 3_55) est reconnue comme un chef-d’œuvre du musée. La statue théophore de Penmernabou dédiée au culte d’Amon-Rê (bélier, photos 3_50 à 3_53) est également remarquable. Après avoir laissé la Chapelle de Maia et de son épouse (photos 3_60 à 3_63) et quitté la salle 6, on arrive dans la salle 7 consacrée à la tombe de Kha et Merit.

Photos 4_ : Nouvel Empire, tombe de Kha et Merit (salle 7)

On a retrouvé dans une jarre (photo 4_09) le papyrus du Livre des morts de Kha, en parfait état, avec une superbe image de couverture (photo 4_07), et une touchante image du ba de Kha (la partie mobile de son être, capable de franchir les murs après la mort, photo 4_08). Les fouilles de la tombe de Kha et Merit ont livré la stèle funéraire de Kha (photo 4_01), les cercueils emboîtés de Kha (photos 4_02 à 4_04) et le masque funéraire de Merit (photo 4_05), complétés par le lit de Kha (photo 4_14) et celui de Merit, un siège pliant de Kha (photo 4_15, modèle très apprécié pour la facilité de son transport), une chaise avec une statuette de Kha (photos 4_16 et 4_17), des bâtons de marche (photo 4_19), des vases de Merit (photos 4_20 à 4_24), deux coudées royales données à Kha par Amenhotep II (photos 4_24 et 4_26). Deux coffres en bois magnifiquement peints ont livré du linge de corps et une tunique (photos 4_10 à 4_13). Ces traces très personnelles sont complétées par la perruque de Merit (photo 4_06).

Photos 5_ : Sarcophages de la 3e Période Intermédiaire, de la Période Ptolémaïque à la Période Romaine (salles 8 à 13)

Les cercueils du musée Egizio, trouvés dans deux cachettes de Deir el-Bahari, datent principalement de la 3e Période Intermédiaire. L’agencement comprend (photo 5_01) la cuve, qui accueille la momie, le couvercle interne, recouvert lui-même par le couvercle externe. Rappelons que l’art égyptien, selon Champollion, est un récit et remarquons que, sur le couvercle du cercueil selon la convention du récit, les hommes ont les mains fermées et les oreilles apparentes (photos 5_02 et 5_05 à 5_08), alors que les femmes ont les mains ouvertes posées à plat et les oreilles cachées (photos 5_03 et 5_04). Sur les couvercles, la déesse Nout déploie ses ailes protectrices (photos 5_02 à 5_04). Nout, déesse du ciel, est présente sur les flancs de la cuve (photos 5_10 et 5_11) ou sur la face interne du couvercle (photo 5_08). La momie regarde parfois une évocation du ciel étoilé (cercueil de Méréou avec une horloge stellaire en texte, photo 2_64, Moyen Empire). La déesse du Sycomore, vénérée à Thèbe, nourrit et désaltère le défunt (photo 5_12).

Une bande centrale de texte caractérise les cercueils de la Basse Époque (photo 5_16, photos 5_23 et 5_24). Un papyrus illustre de façon précise l’emploi de la houe de labourage à la Basse Époque (photo 5_30), outil que l’on a vu dès l’Ancien Empire (photo 2_11).

De l’Époque Ptolémaïque date un cartonnage de cercueil représentant la scène de la momification (photo 5_34). Plusieurs Livres des Morts (photos 5_35 à 5_39) datent aussi de cette époque. Le thème d’Isis tenant l’enfant Horus (photo 5_44) semble avoir été largement repris dans la culture chrétienne (thème de la Vierge et l’enfant). Isis, à l’Époque Ptolémaïque, devient Aphrodite (photos 5_45 à 5_48).

À l’Époque Romaine peu de choses subsistent de la culture de l’Égypte antique, hormis quelques momies de chat (photos 5_59 et 5_60). Un pied votif (photo 5_52) est dédié à Isis et Sérapis serpentiformes et à Harpocrate enfant.

Boîtier EOS 7D MarkII (ou EOS 7D), zoom Sigma 17-70mm stabilisé. Travail sous Gimp.

Short Circuit I am a geek because I took my Sansa apart to fix the headphone jack.

I'm a dork because I thought that I should take a picture of it disassembled

I'm a looser because I posted a picture of it on Flickr.

20100313s90_0670

View On Black

Op dit schitterende "terras" met prachtig uitzicht over de stad kwam ik min of meer al dwalend en onoplettend terecht. Het was er heerlijk rustig, lekkere koffie tegen een spotprijsje en toen ik deze plek opnieuw wilde bezoeken om wat bij te komen van alle stedelijke hectiek duurde het wel héél lang voordat ik het weer gevonden had.

Tip: hij ligt boven het oude station in Moorse stijl, waar alleen de treinen naar Sintra vertrekken.

Thuis op internet gevonden wat en waar het was: Fontein Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

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This Tuesday we had a beautiful day. -10 degrees C, clouds but no snow, and no wind. I decided to head outside the city for some serious winter photography. Just before my bus stop I spotted this beautiful deer stag standing in the snow! Well, when I got off the bus I stalked around a hill and mounted my long lens to try and capture it, thinking I had the chance for my photo of the year. But as soon as I spotted it, it spotted me. Darn! I stood still for a few minutes but it wouldn't leave me with its eyes. As soon as I took a step it ran away. And yeah, by then the other stag and the two does had become visible too. So I had to settle for a few shots of them flying away. It's not great, not well focused, but I had to upload it anyway. Also, I'm running away to Stockholm now! Will be back before New Year.

ps. The rest of the day resulted in some amazing winter scenics, which I will share with you next year. So it wasn't a total bust after all, far from it!

Take care for now! :)

Click here to view larger size file with more details

On this day of 8 May 2010 it has been 65 years since the end of world war II. It is celebrated every year in Ukraine with major dances, songs and military parade in Maydan Square in the center of the City. My eye was caught by this beautiful art work made with flowers.

Nikon D700 and lens Carl Zeiss Distagon 21mm f/2.8 ZF. Taken at ISO 640, f/11 and 1/1250s

Check it out on black or at 1280 x 850 pixel if you... dare! ;-)

About this shot

So here I am. This was a split second mugshot taken by excellent photographer and genuinely nice guy Scott Wilson at London Underground (Tube station 'Angel' IIRC) travelling from Thames path west to the British Museum. We teamed-up for a 24 hour photowalk in the capital, visiting and shooting quite nifty locations. More to come!

I'm pretty pleased with the result, and I'm updating all my avatars and buddy icons with it. It's far less fear inducing than the old one (hehe) which is - of course, being the nice chap that I actually am - much better. (*cough*) Thx Scott! Btw, is that lens working again? ;-)

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Date: Taken on March 10, 2012 at 10.51pm CET

Exif data

Camera Nikon D700

Exposure 0.004 sec (1/250)

Aperture f/1.8

Focal Length 50 mm (Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G)

ISO Speed 800

Exposure Bias -5/3 EV

Single RAW shot processed in Lightroom, dunno how - I wasn't there. ;-)

ID by Lou Jost

from the Sumaco Volcano expedition with herpetologists Alejandro Arteaga, Konrad Mebert, Darwin Nuñez and Abel Batista, with support from Juan Manuel Guayasamin, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, and the guides from Pacto Sumaco: Jhoseph Andi, Germanico Ruiz, Oscar Trujillo

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In Wiki

Rattlesnake Ridge (sometimes called Rattlesnake Ledge or Rattlesnake Mountain) is a mountain ridge located south of North Bend, Washington. It rises from the intersection of State Route 18 and I-90 and runs southeast about seven air miles (11 km) or eleven trail miles (18 km). It is the highest and easternmost of the Issaquah Alps (although Cedar Butte in the gap between Rattlesnake Ledge and the Cascade front at Mount Washington is considered by Harvey Manning to be a quasi-Alp). A complicated maze of abandoned logging roads and constructed trails have been strung together to provide a 13-mile (21 km) foot path from the Snoqualmie Point Trailhead at Exit 27 on I-90 all the way to the Rattlesnake Lake trailhead near Exit 32.

IMG_4822 copy

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at some point I will get back here with the proper lens and capture the glory of this valley

From my notes:

7 Nov 2010

Day 1, following Night 1 on the Laurel Highlands Trail

Chris and I saw the most beautiful place in its most beautiful moment this morning. We had hiked for only about half an hour from our makeshift camp, set up by headlamp the night before. Two and a half miles from the Ohiopyle trailhead, we happened upon a rock promontory. Looking over the precipice, we were confronted by a seriously aggressive S-turn in a seemingly calm Youghiogheny River.

The railroad line, frequented by CSX, responded accordingly, but took a far more leisurely path, giving a wide berth to the forceful waterway. From our slate vantage, we saw the sun play tricks with the water's surface. At the far turn, seemingly static caps of whitewater; at the close, sterling ripples scattered across the surface. The whole scene was framed by a section of the gorge that seemed to form a great bowl. To our left, the southeast, a huge bite had been taken out of the ridgeline and was catching the sun as it peeked over the rim. It reminded me of a blanket pressed into a space too small for it to lay flat. Turning clockwise, facing directly south, the ridgeline became exposed with some vegetation on top. I saw exposed slate cliff, Chris perhaps some streaks of snow. Regardless, its regularity, contrast and beauty were stunning. Continuing right, the distance treated us to a view of three geometrically exact furrows running cross-ways down the slope. More near, the ridge took a leisurely course down to terminate in the river bed.

On that close hill, the trees were subjected to the full mid-morning sun. Their tops stood in perfect bareness, contrasting against the brown earth behind them. Their detail was breathtaking. On a farther hill, the bare trees were interrupted by islands of burgundy Christmas ornaments - trees reluctant to lose their splendor from earlier in the season. Following our gaze down to the valley floor, the trees became the carpet for a perfectly flat floodplain, interrupted only by CSX's steel.

Too late, we must mention our observation deck. It was perfectly formed to a variety of dispositions - the more adventurous (me) could dangle their legs off of a sixty foot drop, while the more cautious, or intelligent, depending upon perspective, could use a small bench - a higher portion of the slate previously shattered on the outer edge, leaving a ledge two feet higher than the rest. The violence of the fracture was recorded diligently in the exposed face. Each layer of sediment was clearly separated with a crack. Per Chris's observation (I was too fixated out), we had wood fungus shelves and a tree whose life had ended in a blaze of electrical glory peeking over our shoulders.

The sky was blue beyond blue. Several cottonballs waved hello as they drifted past.

The most thrilling moment came upon looking down. Immediately in front of us, three eighty year old oak trees shot upward in their circuitous oak-y fashion. Of course, they had clutched their leaves into November, causing us great annoyance for the obstruction at first. Later, we realized we had been rude. The three sisters, each obviously unique in her experience, were also quite apparently from the same stock. Their resemblance was stunning, their proximity even more so.

Sitting and reflecting, conversation moved and shook and halted for long periods of consideration. Eventually, our talk lead to these three stately oaks. This sight which had changed us over the course of an hour, they had stood witness to this same sight for almost a century. And this moment in time, when the sun just began to peek over the eastern rim? They see it every day. To be an oak.

And what of the river below? This bed, these rocks had seen tens of hundreds of generations of this family of oaks. These rocks began their shaping to their current state before humans could realize what seeing something like this was. The river, in fact, was the dynamic force that functioned as prime mover in each of the valley's many facets. Down to the smallest detail, each element paid homage to this grueling, tireless force. And we paid homage as well, for our one hour.

On black, if you dare...

I realized I hadn't done anything cool with photoshop in a while, so I figured what better time to get my 'shop on than with the release of Left 4 Dead 2!

Out of all the photoshop projects I've done lately, I think this one was the most fun. It looks like I actually put some effort into it and is probably the coolest looking one so far. I decided on an original color scheme of purplish-blueish, rather than the official green/yellow. Except for the ripped thumb part (taken straight from the actual box art ._. ) everything is my own work. (But even that took a while to make it look right.)

The alternate (a.k.a. The one that's blatant advertising for the game) is in the comments. I was thinking about uploading it instead of the one here, but I had to go with the simplicity of this one. (Not the mention the word "dEAD" looks kinda funky)

P.S. I find it funny that I spent my night working on a Left 4 Dead pic, rather than actually playing it. Hmmmm... Well, that's what tonight is for. :D

OK-PHP Embraer 505 Phenom 300 at Manchester 13/12/25

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In Buddhism, the fish symbolizes happiness and freedom. Also the fish makes an appearance as one of the eight sacred symbols of the Buddha: 1) Conch, 2) Lotus, 3) Parasol, 4) Wheel, 5) Knot, 6) Pair of Golden Fish, 7) Banner of Victory, 8) Vase.

In Norse and ancient European cultures, the fish had symbolic meanings of adaptability, determination, and the flow of life.

The fish was sacred to the Greco-Roman mythology, where it held symbolic meaning of change and transformation.

In Christianity, the fish is a symbol of abundance and faith as observed in the Biblical story of fishes and loaves.

In ancient Eastern Indian mythology, the fish is a symbol of transformation and creation. This is observed in the ancient flood myth in which Vishnu transformed himself into a fish (Matsya) to save the world from a great flood.

Acciones QPM: Establecer como borrador | Mover a la papelera | Forzar el borrado | Editar | Gestionar | Configuraciones QPM

Ya os lo comenté el otro día con la llegada (de nuevo) de las bombers a nuestra vida: en el mundo de la moda todo acaba volviendo. Las tendencias son como ex mal curados que cuando mejor te lo pasas ¡zas! aparecen otra vez en tu vida y la ponen patas arriba. Y tú ya no guardas ni un recuerdo de él, pero de repente y sin saber cómo lo necesitas en tu día a día.

Pues bien, he aquí un nuevo ex que aparecerá esta temporada Otoño-Invierno 2014/2015: las zapatillas blancas. Estilo las Stan Smith de adidas Originals (que levante la mano quien no tuvo un par en su armario y las tiró hace unos años), el año pasado ya empezamos a ver como se ponían de moda (de nuevo). Y Saint Laurent Paris así lo confirmó al crear una nueva versión.

Para todos los gustos y bolsillos

Ahora son muchas las firmas que presentan su particular versión, añadiendo toques de color o pespuntes para hacerlas distintas al resto. Y los precios también varían mucho. ¿Vas a terminar por darle una segunda tercera oportunidad?

Con detalle de velcro de Bimba y Lola, 115 euros. Con la talonera de color negro de Saint Laurent Paris, 395 euros. Con franja roja en los laterales de Pony, 55 dólares. Blancas con detalles troquelados y piel camel en el talón de Stradivarius, 29,95 euros. Con la talonera en rojo brillante de Étoile Isabel Marant, 280 euros. Totalmente lisas de Mango, 39,99 euros. Zapatilla deportiva blanca de piel troquelada de Zara, 45,95 euros. Con detalles en coral de Bershka, 39,99 euros. Zapatillas de deporte de cuero blanco de Lacoste, 92,86 euros. Con la talonera verde de adidas Originals, 95 euros. Zapatillas deportivas con elástico en la parte delantera de H&M, 59,99 euros. Con piel grabada de Topshop, 88 euros.

Fotos | We wore what, Collage Vintage

Más calzado en Trendencias Tus botas subirán hasta el infinito y más allá ¡Señor, sí señor! Nuestros pies mandarán esta temporada con botas militares ¿Se sumarán tus pies a la moda bling bling? Ojo en Otoño, nuestros pies vestirán en blanco y negro Las sandalias si se presentan en flatform… Son mejores Dulceida x Krack: la historia continúa ¿Te animas a lucir zapatos en color nude? Quiero unas zapatillas, aunque no sean de Alta Costura [Los 50 flechazos del verano] Sorprende a tus pies y a tus looks con las Elenovari La colorida colaboración de Orla Kiely para Clarks: pies modernos

– La noticia No me pises que llevo zapatillas… Blancas fue publicada originalmente en Trendencias por Charlie.

Acciones QPM: Establecer como borrador | Mover a la papelera | Forzar el borrado | Editar | Gestionar | Configuraciones QPM - www.diariototal.com/2014/09/25/no-me-pises-que-llevo-zapa...

http://www.diariototal.com/2014/09/25/no-me-pises-que-llevo-zapatillas-blancas/

tendencia

#tendencia

Abraham Abraham

Birth: 12 Jul 1812 Denmark Court, The Strand, London

Died: 04 Dec 1895 Cincinnati, Ohio

Photograph of Abraham Abraham

The first Jewish child born in Cincinnati was a boy in 1821; apparently Selina was the first Jewish girl born in Cincinnati, in 1823.

The history of the Jews in Cincinnati occupies a prominent place in the development of Jewish secular and religious life in the United States. Cincinnati is not only the oldest Jewish community west of the Allegheny Mountains but has also been an institutional center of American Reform Judaism for more than a century. The American Israelite, the longest-running Jewish weekly still published in the country, opened for business in the city in 1854.

Castelló d'Empúries, Girona (Spain).

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ENGLISH

The post-processing of this photo has been enough elaborated. From a single shot I do a HDR with Lock06 tone mapping to smooth shades and emphasize the texture of the stone. Then I have turned it to B&W with green filter. Next I have trimmed the sky of the original and I have stuck it in the B&W. I have intensified blue touching the curves, and I have turned the sky to B&W with red filter… and this is what it has left.

***

The gothic parochial cathedral of Santa Maria has the structure and dimensions of a cathedral, a status which it did not achieve despite various attempts made by the earls of Empuries to have it named as such.

It is one of the most interesting examples of Catalan religious gothic architecture.

The construction, which began in the thirteenth century and continued throughout the entire fourteenth century, was completed at the beginning of the fifteenth century when the façade, with its beautiful marble entrance, was finished. The interior, representative of the Mediterranean gothic style, contains: unique roman baptism fonts, an exceptional 15th century alabaster altar piece, two sarcophagus belonging to earls, and a gothic stained glass window, the alter piece “dels Dolors” from the 18th century, an organ from the 19th century and many other items of interest.

The bell tower, with gothic decorations, follows the architectural design of the 13 century roman Lombard influence.

Source: www.castello.cat/interior/en/223-61/basilica-of-santa-mar...

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CASTELLANO

El post-proceso de esta foto ha sido bastante elaborado. A partir de una sola toma he hecho un HDR con mapeo de tonos Lock06 para suavizar sombras y resaltar la textura de la piedra. Luego lo he convertido a B/N con filtro verde. Seguidamente he recortado el cielo de la original y lo he pegado en la B/N. He intensificado el azul tocando curvas, y he convertido el cielo a B/N con filtro rojo... y esto es lo que ha salido.

***

La iglesia parroquial gótica de Santa María tiene una estructura y unas dimensiones propias de una catedral, una dignidad que no consiguió a pesar de los varios intentos realizados por los condes de Empúries.

Es uno de los ejemplos más interesantes de la arquitectura religiosa gótica de Cataluña.

La obra, empezada en el siglo XIII, prosiguió durante todo el siglo XIV i finalizó a principios del XV, cuando se construyó la fachada con el bello portal de mármol. El espacio interior, paradigma del gótico mediterráneo, contiene las singulares fuentes bautismales románicas, el muy notable retablo mayor de alabastro del siglo XV, dos sarcófagos condales y un vitral góticos, el retablo de los Dolores del siglo XVIII, el órgano del siglo XIX y muchos otros elementos de interés.

El campanario, con decoración gótica, sigue todavía la composición arquitectónica de los campanarios románicos de influencia lombarda. Pertenece seguramente al siglo XIII.

Fuente: www.castello.cat/interior/es/223-61/basilica-de-santa-mar...

This Belongs On Black

I found this Rolls Royce Phantom, in the pouring rain in the city of Arnhem, at a few meters of my house. It stood gracefully together with a Aston Martin DB9, Audi S8, Audi Q7 V12 TDI, Bentley Continental Flying Spur, BMW M5 and a Porsche Panamera Turbo.

I was in a hurry to get to a store before closing time and it kept raining but still I managed to get some shots of all the cars there. I liked this shot for the contrast and DoF and I think the B-W conversion really ads to the texture of the raindrops on this amazing vehicle.

For more shots of these cars, take a look at my stream at Autogespot.com.

Blue Devils:

www.diablosfestivos.org/diablos/index.php/diablosprofiles...; rel="nofollow">www.diablosfestivos.org/diablos/index.php/diablosprofiles

Though in the 1930s Paramin Blue Devils are reported to have used instruments carved from bamboo, known as tamboo bamboo, for their percussive accompaniment, they now ordinarily move to rhythms established by beating biscuit tins, which have sometimes been given a higher pitch by tempering them with fire. According to Ashton Fournillier, a Paramin King Devil, you identify the Blue Devil by the colored paint, generally blue; the pitchfork; and the blood and guts on the tongue. There is a dance that involves hooking the foot to walk together with movements of the head and shoulders simultaneously while thrusting the pitchfork forward and screaming to the beat of the biscuit tin. Blue devils also sometimes carry painted replicas of cutlasses (machetes). Whereas once they dressed only in cutoff shorts without masks, they now often sport wings, sometimes decorated with swastikas, wear other kinds of clothes, increasingly use animal masks, and until they were recently outlawed at times carried snakes. They sometimes uproot small trees, have been seen to eat small raw sharks snatched from fish vendors, or dismember live chickens. Like some other aggressive traditional characters, they scamper up hills, climb poles and occasionally buildings. In addition to the popular blue, they sometimes paint themselves red, green, black, or white. The staccato beat of their biscuit tins, their glistening body colors, combined with their traditional dance step and skillful maneuvers identify them at once. You distinctly hear them comin' down de road. One of their most popular antics is to blow large gusts of fire, either on the ground or in the air, by spitting kerosene into the flames of their flambeaux (torches made out of bottles of kerosene).

Among the devils there is a King Devil, who leads the sometimes aggressively threatening demands for "titi"; (Trinidad dollars). The King Devil is usually on a leash controlled by another jab, sometimes called an imp, who restrains the King, whether as an emblem of enslavement or a figure of authoritative restraint in the festive context. Though the role of King Devil is an honorific that is usually held for some time by one band member, and then sometimes passed to his son, other devils can exchange roles. The usual move is from percussion to performance, so that a person that this year provides the all-important percussive rhythm, next year might become a bulging eyed, drooling monster who moves and writhes with dexterity as he pleads for and plays with the dollars thrown or dangled in front of him. Despite the fact that for the most part they keep within their own boundaries, the ferocity of their demeanor and their elemental, transgressive threats are often frightening.

See the article at www.eriegaynews.com/news/article.php?recordid=201110pride...

Erie Pride Parade & Rally a Great Time!

by Michael Mahler

On Saturday, August 27, about 230 people participated in the Erie Pride Parade & Rally. This year’s Pride events were organized by the Pride Planning committee, which is an informal coalition of groups and individuals.

Parade

About 100 people marched in the parade from the Zone Dance Club to Perry Square. John Daly King was the Grand Marshal for the parade, in a convertible driven by Caitlyn. Also in the parade were beloved local gay icons Jesse and Ricardo, who rode their tandem bike.

Parade units included

Lake Erie Belly Dance

Doctor Who contingent

PFLAG Erie/Crawford County

Erie Gay News

Lake Erie Derby Dames

LBT Women

Latonia Theatre

PFLAG Butler

Erie Sisters

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie

Community United Church

OUT (Pittsburgh newspaper)

There were also many people marching as individuals, as well as a float carrying current and former Miss Eries.

Rally

The rally in Perry Square begins at 2 PM and will include speakers and performers. Please check in at the registration table when you arrive in Perry Square. The rally will include a variety of vendors and information booths.

Speakers and performers included:

Greg Rabb, Openly gay Jamestown City Council President and Councilman at Large

Misty Kall, Miss Erie 2011

Rich McCarty of Equality PA, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality and Community United Church

Chris Wolfe, Erie Idol finalist 2011

Tammie Johnson, 2 term President of ACLU-NWPA

Brian T, singer, also with Pittsburgh Out TV

Jason Landau Goodman, founding Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition. The first and only youth-led statewide LGBTQ organization in the nation

Michelle Michaels, Former Miss Erie and Coordinator for FACE Show at Zone

Fiona Hensley, Chair of the Student Network Across Pennsylvania, SNAP, Regional Chair of the Erie-West region for SNAP and President of Queers and Allies at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA.

Diva D’Vyne

Games

The Dunk a Drag Queen game was very popular! We look forward to making this an annual tradition

Donors

Many businesses and organizations gave generously to help support Pride this year. These included

AdultMart

Allegheny College Bookstore

BeautiControl

Blue Heron Inn

Body Language

Chicory Hill Herbs

Coca-Cola/Erie

Country Fair

Craze Night Club

Crime Victim Center of Erie County

Douglas Kolcun

Drenched Fur

Earthshine Company

Eerie Horror Film Festival

emma's revolution

Erie Book Store

Erie County Democratic Party

Erie County Department of Health

Erie Playhouse

Erie Seawolves

Erie Sisters

Erie Spine and Wellness

Family United Counseling

Gaudenzia / SHOUT Outreach

Giant Eagle - Buffalo Road

Glass Growers

Good Health Rejuvenation

Greater Erie Alliance for Equality, Inc.

Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group

Hollywood Stories

Horomanski's DJ'ing Services

JR's Last Laugh

Kensington Books

La bella

Larese Floral Design

LBT Women

Lion's Den Adult Super Store

MLR Books

Pennsylvania Coaltion to End Homelessness

Pie in the Sky Cafe

Presque Isle Gallery Coffeehouse

Sam's Club

Shakira Nakelle's Mementos, Gifts & More

Silk Screen Unlimited

Smith's Hot Dogs

State Farm Insurance Agent Natalie Braddock

Tanglez Hair and Nail Studio

The Ringbearer

Tops Friendly Markets - W 38th St

Wegman's- Peach St

Wendy's of Erie

Zone Dance Club

Committee Members & Volunteers

Many people from the committee worked hard to make the day enjoyable for everyone! Committee members included

Season

Chris

Preston

Mark H

Erin Moll

Amy

Sue McCabe

Alex

Jeff H

John Daly King

Kerry

In addition to the committee members, volunteers included:

Kevin Schultz

Dok

Johauna

Wanda

Bob H

Eric Rogers

Maria S.

Deb Spilko

Brian

Info Tables & Vendors

Info tables included:

Adagio Health

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), NWPA Chapter

Community United Church

Crime Victim Center of Erie County

Equality Pennsylvania

Erie County Democratic Party

Erie County Human Relations Commission

Erie Gay News

Erie Sisters

Lake Erie Derby Dames

LBT Women

Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition

PFLAG Erie/Crawford County

SafeNet Center

United Way of Erie County

Voices for Independence

Vendors included

BeautiControl

Book Merchant

Christopher's Novelty Gifts

Shakira Nakelle's Mementos, Gifts & More

Collecting Food

We collected 23 pounds of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank of NW PA.

As discovered via Fatwallet, BestBuy has interesting "Back to School" coupon booklets at their stores. It's interesting because they appear to give you random sets of discounts. Someone found a way to identify the one that give you the 30% off coupon.

Basically, I've confirmed two ways to quickly spot the ones that have the bigger discounts:

1. As you'll see in the photos, the 30% off ones have slightly different copyright text than the lower (10% 5% 15%) booklets. If you get one with a 29528_1 to the left of the copyright symbol on the back cover, you have a lower one. If there's no text to the left of the the copyright symbol, you've got the 30% off!

2. I found the "Back-to-School" booklets next to the customer service counters. Since there were sales people there, I couldn't afford to stand around and sort through stacks of booklets. A quick way to find the ones with the bigger discounts is to look from the top side of the stack (i.e. spine of the booklet fold). The 30% off ones will be less yellowish in print, probably because of a difference in printing or folding batch.

Read more here or join FlickrDeals to be in the know.

Beautiful Somaliland.http://www.afrodigg.com/news.php

July 31, 2008

Tourists in Somaliland

Last week we went to Somalia as American tourists. We stayed only a night, but that was plenty of time to wander unescorted through the local market, explore town in a battered Toyota station wagon, and even head out into the desert to admire some ancient cave paintings.

It might seem an odd choice of vacation spot, given that Somalia, so long synonymous with "failed state," appears to be growing ever more dangerous. The insurgency against the American-backed Ethiopian occupation persists, and just last week it was reported that a particularly radical group has launched a campaign to murder relief workers, who are there trying desperately to avert an oncoming famine.

Indeed, we were able to travel safely to Somalia only because of a peculiar but important technicality: The world makes no distinction between the Republic of Somaliland, the autonomous and self-governing territory that we visited, and the rest of Somalia to its south.

Since declaring independence in 1991, Somaliland has achieved a level of peace and stability beyond the wildest dreams of the quasi-government in Mogadishu. Yet remarkably, throughout the many years the international community has funded, fed and sought vainly to stabilize Somalia, it has studiously ignored the peaceful and democratic polity to Somalia’s north.

This is not an oversight but a conscious policy decision: No country on earth will recognize Somaliland as a peer. The African Union has occasionally "studied" the issue, but its members are loath to endorse what would amount to secession from one of their own.

The United States and many European states have said they will defer to the African Union’s policy - despite their willingness last year to proactively promote the controversial independence of Kosovo.

With the world averting its eyes, the remarkable achievements of Somaliland have gone unnoticed. In one of the world’s most dangerous and unstable areas, it has managed to establish peace and stability, and gone on to develop a unique democratic regime that incorporates both direct elections and formal roles for traditional clan elders. It has established a legal system that carefully balances local tribal custom, Islamic jurisprudence, and Western constitutional tradition. While democracy’s reputation is precarious throughout much of the Muslim world, this devout country has held elections on its own initiative and at considerable cost to its national reserves.

The international community’s approach to Somaliland not only ignores these accomplishments; it might actually destroy them.

Without formal recognition, Somaliland cannot enter into trade agreements with other countries, and is unable to exploit the natural resources under its earth and its Red Sea port of Berbera. It struggles to attract foreign investors willing to operate in an "ungoverned" area. It can’t even receive normal development aid from donor countries and agencies, because they cannot channel aid through an unrecognized government. Instead, the people of Somaliland receive only a portion of the aid designated for "Somalia."

The situation has left Somaliland underdeveloped and desperately poor, with the government often unable to provide even the most basic public services. Of no less concern, the durability of its democracy has recently come into question, with scheduled presidential elections delayed until next March. (The official explanation was that the authorities in this nation of nomadic goat herders needed more time to register voters.)

It’s hard to know which is more improbable: that an impoverished country in a chaotic but strategically important region would develop its own fragile democracy, or that the United States would deliberately ignore its requests for assistance.

In the absence of Western political and economic engagement, Somaliland is pursuing investment and support from China and Gulf countries. Such support might be enough to ensure Somaliland’s survival and eventual growth, but it will crowd out America’s chance to win the gratitude of a potentially valuable ally in a very troubled area.

From the journalist who took us to lunch to the guide who took us to the cave paintings, the people we met in Somaliland were welcoming, hopeful and bewildered by the absence of recognition from the West. They were frustrated to still be overlooked out of respect for the sovereignty of the failed state to their south.

"Every member of Parliament in Mogadishu gets a salary paid mostly by U.S. and EU funds," one Somaliland official told us. "And every one of them is a killer. If you kill enough people, you are called a warlord and you get invited to conferences. Meanwhile, I was elected by thousands of votes in a free election, but the international community does not consider us a country. They should be rewarding democracy, not killing."

Peter Buttigieg is a management consultant in Chicago and a fellow at the Truman National Security Project. Nathaniel Myers is a political analyst in Ethiopia.

International Herald Tribune

Copyright © 2008 the International Herald Tribune

View On Black

My roommate was leaving to head out to Old Town bars so I pulled her into the garage (my studio) for a quick shot.

Thank you to my roommate for looking beautiful and letting me take the photo.

Strobist: AB800 into 64" PLM silver umbrella with white diffuser to act as a softbox @ camera left as key light. AB800 into PLM shoot-through white 64" umbrella @ camera right facing the wall for bounce effect. It was quick so I don't remember the power on each light. Key light was probably about 1-1.5 stops higher than the fill.