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This is the vege plot I passed by in upper part of Valencia .
Here's a little description of Valencia :
"Valencia is a ... municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. It is located 9.4 kilometre west of Dumaguete...."
"Valencia was originally named Ermita, which means "a secluded place", due to its being a refuge from marauding Muslim pirates. In 1856 it was renamed to Nueva Valencia by Spanish colonizers, in honor of its parish priest Fr. Matias Villamayor from Valencia, Spain.
In 1920 it was renamed Luzuriaga in behalf of Don Carlos Luzuriaga, a delegate from Negros island to the Philippine Legislature who promised town officials he would work hard to help improve the town. The town was renamed Valencia in 1948, by virtue of Republic Act No. 252. "
Source : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valencia,_Negros_Oriental
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I love gardening ,and find Valencia area good for this sort of interests . It's easy to grow patchoi or Petchay, brocolli ,cabbages , brussel sprouts, cauliflower ,carrots and many types of veges and flowers here . The temp is a little cooler from lowland .
If only peace would stretch another hundred years ,yet with the current crisis looming :population explosion the inevitable food shortage ,animals dying for some unknown reasons ,Our population has gone past the 7 billion mark ,you see the middleast conflict escalating /world terrorism , upheaval ,social moral decay ,spritual confusion and deception , the rise of occult teachings and growing tolerance towards darkness ; evil perceive as good ,abortions in millions -- can you ever think of a bright safe future ahead. Perhaps I'm only pessimistic ,but I like to look at real trends / knock on effects and what we see everywhere are tell tale signs of what's in store for the future ... the future doesn't look bright .
Thinking of retirement - I have to be honest , right now my gut feelings seem strongly on a negative line .
Before I'll reach The point of retirement big global changes could happen and this isn't for the better , 20 yrs seem too long .Big changes could happen anytime soon ,the markers are right at the door ,you can see them in God's manual ,the Bible. .I strongly feel there's no retirement for me here . I wish not to say this in the open ,because I knew many of you are kind and polite and not to say the word "crazy" to me projecting doom and gloom - if you know that feeling. I'm in a battle of denial sometimes .But I find ihard to deny it and shut myself to silence .If you hate doomsday topics ,please avoid reading my posts . You can look at the photo but don't read it :) It does't contribute any good if you feel depressed .I will understand ,no offense . But I do encourage you to be aware of the possibilities .Update yourself ,not just the mainstream news but from the alternative sources ,as many events happening that were not reported or has only very little coverage. Regardless of these doon and gloom events,I am not depressed .I am not sad , I am not scared ,because the true peace of God is keeping me assured. It's so hard to explain it. The truth is I'm awestruck ! I'm part of the generation to see these things and the wonders of God to be seen in these last days as we know it .
As a christian , there's no place of depression in ones life ,that's true for me . If you you are away from faith ,then then can be so scary ! I always trust God for everything . My husband is hopeful thinking to retire someday- living in the Philippines .Most of us have dreams ,it nice to dream on . I don't want to spoil his hopes this time and the future .But I always try my best to make him aware of what is to come . However big the scale is , even when I am gone ( in case I might go ahead of him )he should be prepared and never loose hope ,to trust in Jesus in everything ,even to the last breathe .We bought adjacent plots here in 2004 and 2005, so we could be closely living near the city of Dumaguete, thinking of a future someday after retirement .However ,this seem blurry to me . I always hope I'm wrong with my projections . But I also think we should be prepared mentally and also our emotions as we are seeing the future unfold . It's likely a different kind of scary movie .
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Just for correction , am not ill , but you never know of life . I always think what the next day is ,will I still be here nxt day ,nxt week ,nxt month ?
I have seen people go - which gave me some perspective how precious life is , as life is like a bubble . I'm trying my best to have my day less complicated and relaxed as I can make it ,just in case it's my last day.
I have an accident in the past that could have cost my life and don't have any idea it could happen to me .I could have died on the spot . It changed my attitude and perspectives since that . I count everyday as blessing , another day might be different . Not the least to say ,I like to leave the day with a clean heart and conscience with God . I'm not perfect .I do make mistakes though how much I tried not to .But one thing, I don't stay / waddle with the same mistakes over and over again. I always pursue spiritual cleanliness through Christ ,and there is no room of guilt and self condemnation ,a room for secret sin to dwell in me . The love and salvation through Christs is a redeeming grace takes it all , we have to give our burdens to Jesus by simply repenting ,letting it all go and let Jesus' love and peace change our hearts to purity .Without the saving grace of Jesus ,we can't do nothing ,we are still same ol' filthy rags even though how good we think we are .
11:00:01 up 17:47, 0 users, load average: 0.35, 0.75, 0.78 | temp=48.2'C | Start
11:00:09 up 17:48, 0 users, load average: 0.48, 0.77, 0.79 | temp=48.7'C | SID plot Finished
This is part of my project on the culture of Prestbury a village on the outskirts of Cheltenham, UK.
Shot on Kodak Portra 400 120
Mamiya M645 1000S 80mm Sekkor
Part of www.flickr.com/photos/danwye_photography/sets/72157630731...
Title: The Megstone Plot.
Author: Andrew Garve.
Publisher: Fontana Books.
Date: 1964.
Artist: Renato Fratini.
The Grade I Listed Lyveden New Bield, (sometimes called New Build), an unfinished Elizabethan summer house, which is now owned by the National Trust. It is located close to the village of Aldwincle in Northamptonshire owned by the National Trust.
It was constructed for Sir Thomas Tresham, the fervent Roman Catholic of Rushton Hall, and is thought to have been designed by Robert Stickells. The New Bield was on the estate of Tresham's second home, Lyveden Manor House, also known as Lyveden Old Bield.
New Bield has a religious design full of symbolism. Designed on a plan reminiscent of a Greek cross, the facades have a strict symmetry. The building has two floors above a raised basement, with mullioned and transomed windows. Each floor had three rooms with a staircase in the south projection of the cross. The exterior of the building is decorated by friezes of a religious nature. The metopes contain the emblems and motifs found also at the triangular lodge, such as the "IHS" christogram.
The house had a great hall and parlour on the first floor, kitchen and buttery in the basement, and a bedroom on the upper floor. However, it was probably never intended for full-time occupation. Too close to the main house for use as a hunting lodge, it may have been intended for use as a "Secret House"—keeping a secret house was a custom of the 16th century. Often within a mile of the main house, the secret house was a place where the head of the household would retire for a few days with a minimum of servants, while the principal house was thoroughly cleaned and, bearing in mind the sanitation of the time, fumigated.
Sir Thomas Tresham died in 1605 following decades of religious persecution, his once vast wealth having been severely depleted. His son Francis Tresham inherited the estate, but within the same year, along with his cousins Catesby and Wintour, he became involved in the Gunpowder Plot. Thus, within a year the estate had a third owner, Francis's son Lewis Tresham. The estate was managed by Lewis's mother until her death in 1615. After this, Lewis Tresham, a spendthrift, lost the remaining family wealth. The estate was eventually sold following the death of his son in 1643.
Information Source:
Nelder plot experiment.
Photo by Fiston Wasanga/CIFOR
If you use one of our photos, please credit it accordingly and let us know. You can reach us through our Flickr account or at: cifor-mediainfo@cgiar.org and m.edliadi@cgiar.org
17:00:02 up 22:19, 0 users, load average: 1.17, 0.84, 0.77 | temp=42.2'C | Start
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"Lincoln League of Tennessee" Church Family Papers
The Lincoln League was the name taken by a number of Republican Party-affiliated clubs in the United States, named for President Abraham Lincoln. Among the most famous of the leagues was one organized in 1916 by Robert Church Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee.
Tennessee Lincoln League
The Tennessee Lincoln League was established by Robert Church Jr. in 1916 and advocated for African American interests in the Republican Party. Church recruited various business leaders to join the group including T. H. Hayes, J. B. Martin, Levoy McCoy, Bert M. Roddy, and Josiah T. Settle. The Lincoln League worked to secure patronage (government jobs doled out by party leaders) and advocated for policies against lynching, fire protection, police services, parks, and schools. The group also raised money to pay poll taxes so African Americans could vote and supported voter education at night schools, promoted candidates, and held fundraisers. The group leveraged African American voters and solidarity to deliver political involvement, influence, and government funding to benefit the African American community. The group also advocated for representation, rights, safety, and recognition for African Americans in the Republican Party.
Organized in Memphis, the group held meetings in Church Park Auditorium on Beale Street, an African American-owned venue. The group's success expanded to various cities and towns in Tennessee as well as to cities in other states. The Lincoln League took to the national stage with the development of the Lincoln League of America and a national meeting was held in Chicago in February, 1920. According to the Tennessee Encyclopedia, the Lincoln League contributed to later Civil Rights movements by promoting African American racial solidarity.
In Robert R. Church Jr.’s time, black vote winning was a grass-roots grind. Church never held public office. His power and prestige grew from the Lincoln League, founded to educate and register African-American voters. He had started off locally, with headquarters on Memphis' legendary Beale Street. During the same years that blues composer W.C. Handy led a black takeover of American popular music from Beale, Church plotted a similar revolution in politics. In Memphis elections, Church developed a tiebreaker strategy. His coalition lacked the numbers to win an office outright, but city mayoral races typically came down to the open Democratic primary. In a toss-up between white Democrats, Church’s 10,000 black voters could tip the balance of power and decide an election. Look familiar?
In a smoky room, Church dealt his support in exchange for black community upgrades. A compromise, but in Southern-style realpolitik, a preferable alternative to African-Americans' having no influence at all. Church would leverage a black presence on the police force, improved parks, playgrounds and streets in black neighborhoods, and newly built schools and healthcare facilities for African-American citizens of Memphis.
The Lincoln League enlisted women to teach voting classes in every black church or fellowship hall in every black neighborhood in Memphis. Voting school instructors made weekly reports to headquarters, specifying the number of new voters trained. Weekly rallies attracted thousands. The League grew statewide and expanded into New Orleans and Chicago branches, site of the League’s 1920 national convention, when Church invited white GOP figures to attend and witness the power.
As of that year’s election, no former Confederate state had gone for the party of Lincoln since 1876 — 11 states, 10 elections. Church’s home state of Tennessee had gone conservative in every election since 1868.
Church sent campaigners door-to-door like salesmen to register African-American voters and get them to the polls. A League speakers’ bureau dispersed loquacious volunteers at the neighborhood level to invigorate voters. “Now there were some groups that if you sent a man there with too much polish he couldn’t get away with it,” recalled Lincoln Leaguer Herbert Brewster. “They wanted you to come down to earth and talk street talk.”
They adapted, and made sure to send out the right orator to suit the climate. Lincoln League electioneers went out in loudspeaker-equipped automobiles to set up outside factories at lunch hour.
Taken during a drive up on Langjökull earlier this year, a foreign couple hired me to be their wedding photographer for the day. The weather was not great, as you can see, was mostly a blizzard the whole time but we eventually got there, mostly thanx to Siggi Stefnis, a great driver, also a photographer. We hit a chapter in the ice where it was pretty wet underneath the snow, so Siggi got out to plot the way so we wouldn´t get stuck, that´s him walking in the distance.
Charlotte, staring at freedom...
Looks good against a black background... 'Plotting her escape...' On Black
This is part of my project on the culture of Prestbury a village on the outskirts of Cheltenham, UK.
Shot on Kodak Portra 400 120
Mamiya M645 1000S 80mm Sekkor
Part of www.flickr.com/photos/danwye_photography/sets/72157630731...
Even in winter, the east wind gusting, I like to be on the plot, thinking about the ground and what it will grow.
The plot in summer flic.kr/p/L5X9xY
Empty plots like the one in this shot are somewhat abundant in the 'old town', right at the centre of Valencia. This is the other face of the city, hidden in the official propaganda brochures, a face, however, the startled tourist takes no time at all to discover.
(Incidentally, the graffiti artwork is splendid; best seen large)
It once dawned on me (a few years back) that the only way to keep the mind going more or less fine in this particular place I happen to live is not to take the place seriously. The only way to get along and not to lose one's marbles is to realize and to firmly believe that nothing ever happening here matters. How could one otherwise avoid going mental in a place where people drive as if playing a video game, cars are raucous, four-wheeled loudspeakers (and a few are periodically burned every weekend just for the fun of it), traffic-lights are useless, colourful street ornaments (some people flippantly claim there's a hidden code associated with the colours though its meaning remains utterly unknown), zebra-crossings are parking places (a property also shared by bike trails and wheelchair ramps formerly designed to ease the handicapped daily struggle around the city), lifts are smoking rooms, litter bins are largely neglected (and the few days they receive attention, which accurately match traditional festivities, it is to be either detached from the locations they hang on - traffic-lights, walls or lamp-posts; as part of their ornamental accessories, so to speak - burned, or both), youngsters are more and more aggressive each day - and at increasingly earlier ages - smoking pot is the number one activity among teenagers to the point that its massive use seems to them absolutely essential to make the world go round, football matches (everything football in fact) are TV screen savers, good manners and education are utopias, noise is our everyday's companion (and taken for granted), rubbish carpets the pavement, local television is disgusting - to say the least (reality shows and sensationalist journalism devoted to air all sort of pathetic gossip columns play the role of educational programs whose aim is to enhance dormant feelings such as self-confidence, solidarity or freedom while achieving in the process a non-negligible standardization of the language skills and cultural level), politicians don't often measure up, and the identity of the native language seems condemned to be a recurrent issue forever and ever, to give but a few examples?
This is the McCarthy family plot at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Leytonstone.
John McCarthy was the landlord of Mary Kelly, who was also buried here, & is not too far away from the McCarthy plot.
Nikon F4. AF Nikkor 24mm F2.8D lens. Kodak Tri-X 400 35mm B&W film.
There was no food in the squirrels paws, but he was rubbing them together in a manner that suggested he was plotting something. I think he's planning a mutiny of my feeding station.
A candidate plots points on a map he must find at a night land navigation course during the Expert Field Medical Badge competition in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Sept. 8. Before the EFMB candidates take the actual testing they all must go through the standardization phase. During this portion the service members are taught what they must do at each of the different lanes so they understand what to expect before the actual testing phase. Passing rates for the badge range from 5-25 percent of candidates, making the EFMB a distinctive mark in a Soldier's records. About us: U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned to advance American strategic interests across Eurasia and has unparalleled capability to prevent conflict, shape the environment and, if necessary, win decisively. The relationships we build during 1000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships, and enhance global security. (photo by Sgt. Michael Reinsch, U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs)
St Marys Collegiate Church, Warwick, Warwickshire
The monument to Robert Dudley and Lettice Knollys, the favourite Courtier and the favourite Lady-in-waiting, who defied Elizabeth I to marry, and were banished from Court forever.
Robert Dudley was born 24 June 1532 the fifth son of John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland and Jane Guildford. At a young age he was tutored by, among others, Dr. John Dee. He had a talent for languages, writing and maths.
He learnt the Courtiers craft at the court of Henry VIII.
1549 he was involved in crushing the Kett's Rebellion.
4 June 1550 he married Amy Robsart, the daughter of a Norfolk farmer, in the presence of King Edward. It would seem that the marriage was a love match and the young couple were dependent on John Dudley financially.
In 1553 Edward died and the plot to put Lady Jane of the throne was put into action. Robert led a force of 300 against Mary, taking various towns in Norfolk in the name of Queen Jane.
By the 19th July the reign was over and all parties involved were tried, condemned to death and placed in the Tower of London. At the same time the Princess Elizabeth was also imprisoned in the Tower and it would seem that it was during this time that the two childhood friends became close. By the autumn he and Ambrose had been released and joined the army of Phillip II of Spain.
1557 he was at the Battle of St Quentin, his bravery allowing him to return to Court, at least whilst Phillip was present.
On 18 November 1558 he witnessed the surrender of the Great Seal to Elizabeth on her accession to the throne at Hatfield. He was entrusted with the duty of organising the coronation festivities. As soon as Elizabeth was Queen, Robert was made Master of the Horse.
By April 1559 he was made a Knight of the Garter and several Ambassadors were noting that the Queen and Dudley had become so close that it was widely acknowledged that the Queen would marry no-one except Dudley. For this he attracted many enemies and the assassination plots were so rife he started wearing light chain mail under his clothes.
He was not allowed to leave the Queen's side for any length of time and was only allowed to spend four days with his wife, Amy, at Easter in 1559. She was also allowed to come to London for a month in the summer, but that was the last time he would see her. She was found at the bottom of the stairs at Cumnor place on 8 September 1560. He was with the Queen at Windsor Castle. The rumours were immediate, mainly that either Robert or the Queen had Amy murdered so they could marry. It had the opposite affect. To limit the damage and he was removed from Court for two years.
1562 he was made a Privy Councillor. He was infact to be made Protector or the Realm that year if the Queen had died from the Smallpox she had caught.
1563 Elizabeth suggested that Dudley should marry Mary Queen of Scots. If the match had gone ahead, Elizabeth was willing to proclaim Mary her heir. However, Dudley refused, and supported Mary's cause until the 1580s. He was present at her execution at Fotheringhay castle.
1564 he was created Earl of Leicester. By 1566 Dudley had given up hope he could ever marry Elizabeth, however, her hold was strong. His apartments were next to hers, and he had overwhelming influence over each other. There was long periods of time that he could not leave the Queen and at ceremonial occassions he acted as an unofficial consort or ambassador.
1587 he was made Steward of the Royal Household, and involved with the needs and running of the entire court.
He proved to be an adventurous businessman, financing many ventures including privateers such as Drake.
He also had strong religious views, trying to mediate between the non-conforming puritans and the Bishops of the church.
1575 he held a three weeks festivity at Kenilworth Castle for the visit of the Queen. It was a spectacular event.
1569-1574 he was involved in affair with Lady Douglas Sheffield. Although he claimed to love her, he was honest and stated that he could never marry the lady or he would be ruined. They had a son, Robert, in 1574, and Dudley found her a suitable husband. The boy was much loved and given an excellent education.
21 September 1578 he secretly married Lettice Knollys. He did not tell the Queen, but his enemies did and the outburst was tremendous and they were both sent from court.
They had a son, the noble imp, in 1581 but he died in 1584.
After that Robert turned heavily to God and religion.
In July 1588 at the eve of the Spanish Armada, he was created Lieutenant and Captain-General of the Queen's Armies and Companies. It was he that set up camp in Tilbury and invited the Queen to be with her troops. After the battle was one he basked in his older spledour, even dining with the Queen, for a few precious weeks.
4 September 1588, on his way to Buxton to take the baths, he died at Combury Park, having been suffering from both malaria and stomach cancer.
The Queen locked herself away for a week, refusing to be comforted, and only emerged when Lord Burghley had the door broken down. She kept his last letter by her bedside until she died 15 years later.
Lettice Knollys was born 8 November 1543 to Sir Francis Knollys and Catherine Carey at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
She was introduced early to Court life and had known the Princess Elizabeth since childhood as they were cousins.
In 1560 at the age of 17 she married Walter Devereux, Viscount Hereford, with whom she had her two daughters, Penelope and Dorothy.
By 1565, pregnant with her first son, she was at court and as a result of flirting with Dudley was sent away again in a fit of rage from the Queen.
1572 her husband was created Earl of Essex and sent to Ulster for two years. During that time it is rumoured that she actually started an affair with Dudley. In 1573 he sent her a present of venison from the Kenilworth estate, and in 1574 and 1576 she made hunting trips to the estate.
1575 she was present as one of the Queens ladies at the three week festivities at Kenilworth, the party then progressed to her home of Chartley where the Queen stayed next.
The Earl died in Dublin in September 1576. Under her husbands will, she was left little and was forced to return to fathers house at Rotherfield Greys. After much legal wrangling she obtained some of the estates back.
21 September 1578 she married Dudley at 7 in the morning. Only six people were present. When the Queen was told the following year, she banished her cousin from court forever. She refused to forgive her and refused to accept the marriage. She was forced to live discreetly, as her every movement was resented, and she continued to go by the title of the Countess of Essex and not Leicester.
1581 she had a son, the noble imp, but he died in 1584. Although she had other pregnancies, the results are not known.
She continued to remained excluded from social life, and paid for her own household out of her dowar money and not from Dudley's venue.
When Dudley died in 1588, he left her a wealthy woman at £3000 a year and moveables worth £6000, although she had his debts to settle.
In 1589 she married Sir Christopher Blount, a soldier 12 years her junior who had been a gentleman to Dudley. Her son, now the Earl of Essex, was not happy with the match, which seems to have been a genuinely happy one.
1593 she sold Leicester House to her son Essex and moved to Drayton Bassett near Chartley. She stayed their for the rest of her life, seeing no point in returning to London as she was still banished from court.
In 1599, Essex, her son and now the Queens great favourite, was imprisoned for returning from Ireland without permission. Lettice only made matters worse by trying to send the Queen gifts and speak with her, all of which failed. He was spared but was again arrested in 1601 for rising against the Queen. He was executed that year with Christopher Blount.Lettice having lost both husband and son to the executioners block now found herself in legal disputed over her remaining properties. Only the death of the Queen in 1603 saved her from complete ruin.
James I was kinder and restored her grandson as the 3rd Earl of Essex but also cancelled the remainder of her debts to the crown - some £4000.
The same year, Dudley's illegitimate son, Robert tried to lay claim to his fathers estates, mostly Kenilworth. The Countess took him to Star Chamber over the matter and managed to produce 56 witnesses who all confirmed Dudley had never considered his son legitimate. The chamber found un favour of the Countess.
She spent the rest of days looking after siblings, children and grandchildren. The young Earl spent much time living with his grandmother.
She was still walking a mile a day at the age of 90, and peacefully passed away in her chair on the 25 December 1634 aged 91.
Her will stated that she wished to be buried "at Warwick by my lord and husband the Earl of Leicester with whom I desire to be entombed."
archive.org/search.php?query=subject:%22%20Undersea%20Kin...
Starring Ray “Crash” Corrigan, Lee Van Atta, C. Montague Shaw, Monte Blue, Lois Wilde, John Merton, William Farnum.
Undersea Kingdom begins with a protracted introduction to our hero, US Navy lieutenant “Crash” Corrigan (Ray Corrigan), in a series of sequences that establish his athletic prowess. After Crash has excelled at football, wrestling, and other strenuous sports, the main plot gets underway when Corrigan is assigned to accompany scientist Professor Norton (C. Montague Shaw) on a submarine expedition to the bottom of the ocean. Norton is convinced that a recent series of earthquakes are emanating from the lost land of Atlantis–which, according to his theory, was not destroyed when it sank to the ocean floor but instead preserved by a protective dome. Norton, Corrigan, newspaper reporter Diana Compton (Lois Wilde), and Norton’s young son Billy (Lee Van Atta) discover the truth of Norton’s theory when their undersea journey brings them to Atlantis–a country that culturally and sartorially resembles Ancient Greece, but possesses technology never seen in the ancient or modern world. There, they find that the Atlantean tyrant Unga Khan (Monte Blue) has been causing the earthquakes, which are mere test runs for his planned conquest of the “surface world” with his arsenal of destructive weapons. Norton is taken prisoner by Khan, who makes the professor his scientific lackey after after technologically brainwashing him, while Crash is captured by Sharad (William Farnum), the high priest of Poseidon and the leader of an Atlantean faction that opposes Unga Khan. Eventually, Crash convinces Sharad that they share a common enemy, and is given command of the high priest’s “White Robe” army. He takes command of Sharad’s campaign against Unga Khan’s “Black Robes,” while Khan assiduously prepares for an invasion of the unsuspecting surface world.
Undersea Kingdom is invariably compared to Universal’s Flash Gordon, which was released two months earlier in 1936; in fact, it’s often cited as a direct imitation of the Universal chapterplay. Given the closeness of the two serials’ release dates, this is unlikely–although Republic did begin producing Kingdom when Universal announced Gordon, no doubt hoping to steal a little of Gordon’s thunder with a sci-fi adventure of their own. Thematically, however, Undersea Kingdom owes more to Phantom Empire, released two years earlier by Republic’s predecessor Mascot, than it does to Flash Gordon. Among the two serials’ points in common are an alien kingdom that is still part of the good old Earth, a child co-hero, and a villainous robot corps. Also like Empire, Kingdom lacks any of the otherworldly atmosphere of Flash Gordon; Atlantis’ locales and inhabitants never come alive the way Mongo’s do. The troubles of Atlantis never becomes involving in their own right; the struggle between Unga Khan and Sharad is a mere backdrop to Khan’s plan to conquer the surface world; (in fact, the final destruction of Sharad’s city is only a side effect of Khan’s attempt to recapture Professor Norton).
However, while Undersea Kingdom is no Flash Gordon, it has much to recommend it. As already mentioned, the writers (John Rathmell, Oliver Drake, Maurice Geraghty, and Tracy Knight) don’t succeed in making Atlantis seem very colorful (although they give the supposedly Greek Atlanteans a wild potpourri of names that hail from Mongolia, ancient Persia, Phoenicia, and many other places), but they keep their plot moving swiftly. The final chapter is unusually exciting, with Unga Khan confidently preparing to blast opposing Navy ships from the ocean as Crash and Norton work frantically to cripple his defenses from within his impregnable tower.
While the serial’s principal outdoor location (Iverson’s Movie Ranch) doesn’t look very otherworldly, both Sharad’s Sacred City (a disguised version of Republic’s Spanish fort, enlarged by some excellent matte work) and Unga Khan’s laboratory are decorated in properly peculiar style, while the serial’s various miniatures (the Atlantean “Volplane,” Norton’s submarine, Khan’s rocket-powered tower) are very well-designed by Howard and Theodore Lydecker. The Juggernaut, a tank-like vehicle that anticipates the Jungle Cruiser in Tim Tyler’s Luck, is similarly impressive, while a squad of robots (called “Volkites” here) will only impress those (like myself) who don’t object to the water- heater-like appearance of the robot in the later Mysterious Doctor Satan; the Volkites are near-duplicates of that automaton.
The serial features few of the fistfights common to Republic’s later serials, but compensates by including some truly unique action sequences, chief among them the large-scale attacks on Sharad’s Sacred City by the Black Robes; these battle scenes are beautifully staged by directors Joseph Kane and B. Reeves Eason (Eason directed many similar sequences in silent and sound “spectacles” like 1925’s Ben-Hur and 1936’s Charge of the Light Brigade). The serial’s smaller-scaled swordfights are also well-handled, as are several chariot chases, Crash’s tightrope-walking escape from Khan’s tower, and the wrestling matches between Crash and various opponents (although his repeated success in overpowering two villains at once somewhat stretches credibility). The serial’s chapter endings are interesting (particularly the ones involving Crash’s fall down an elevator shaft, his apparent crushing by the Juggernaut, and the good guys’ failed escape in the Volplane that ends in their being shot down), but too many of them–including the famed Juggernaut cliffhanger–are resolved by blatant “cheats” in the following chapter.
The serial’s cast is uneven in terms of acting. Ray Corrigan, excellent as a laid-back but determined cowboy hero in Republic’s Three Mesquiteers films, seems slightly uncomfortable as a swashbuckling near-superhero (with a rather embarrassing outfit); he delivers most of his lines hurriedly in rather stone-faced fashion and lacks the dash that helped Buster Crabbe put across the similarly difficult role of Flash Gordon. Monte Blue is also a bit miscast as the warlord Unga Khan. While Blue was good as more prosaic villains like the evil Yellow Weasel in Hawk of the Wilderness, his appearance and voice aren’t “bravura” enough for such a larger-than-life part. He voices Khan’s megalomaniacal ravings in a harsh monotone, with none of the measured staginess someone like Charles Middleton or Bela Lugosi would have given them.
The lovely Lois Wilde has very little to do as the leading lady, but delivers her lines with a breathless enthusiasm almost unparalleled among serial actresses. Lee Van Atta is good as the capable, if somewhat cocky, Billy Norton, in effect the serial’s co-hero. John Merton features prominently as a tough Black Robe soldier named Moloch who switches over to the good guys’ side and provides Crash with loyal support; Merton handles this change-of-pace part with plenty of vigor and conviction. Lon Chaney Jr. is properly snarling and aggressive as Captain Hakur, the leader of Unga Khan’s Black Robe army, while Raymond Hatton–surprisingly cast as a villain–is his second-in-command. Boothe Howard makes a slick aide-de-camp for Monte Blue, and Lane Chandler is William Farnum’s stalwart lieutenant. Farnum himself handles the role of Sharad with his customary dignity and theatricality, glowering angrily over Unga Khan’s aggression and ringingly declaring his faith in Poseidon. The most refined and assured performance in the serial, however, comes from C. Montague Shaw as Professor Norton. Shaw is calm, dignified, and authoritative as the pre-transformation Norton and whining, crafty, and obsequious as the transformed Professor. His evil chuckling when he’s decoyed Crash into a trap is memorable, and his simple but startling transition back to his previous manner when his mind is restored is excellent.
Smiley Burnette and Frankie Marvin, accompanied by a parrot named Sinbad, are the serial’s designated comic relief, but aren’t given anything amusing in the way of material. Fortunately, they make only a few token appearances throughout the serial. A scrutiny of their scenes shows that their characters were inserted in post-production, apparently to pad out a few chapters’ running time; they never interact with any of the other principals and are never referred to by them (except in one obviously-looped scene). Jack Mulhall and Lloyd Whitlock play naval officers in the first and final chapters, and John Bradford overacts wildly as Joe, Norton’s hysterical assistant who goes berserk at the prospect of descending to the ocean depths. George DeNormand doubles for Ray Corrigan in the action scenes and plays various Atlantean guards, along with fellow stuntmen Eddie Parker, Tom Steele, and Bill Yrigoyen.
Undersea Kingdom, while not as slick as later Republics or as colorful as its contemporary Flash Gordon, is a definite step up from Mascot predecessors like Phantom Empire when it comes to production values and smoothness of plotting. The serial belongs to a developmental stage in Republic Pictures’ history, but is no less appealing because of that; while few fans or critics (this author among them) would rate it as one of Republic’s best serials, it usually holds a warm spot in their esteem.
Above: Crash, Billy, and Norton make an escape in the Volplane.
Earth Designs Garden Design and Build were asked to created a landscape and propose garden design in Acton, London*. Here are the details of the project
Brief: The plot for this design was a mid-size family garden, which had recently benefited from the addition of a large sunroom on the back of the property. It was a fairly blank canvas, with nothing of note to be retained in the re-design. The garden had side access and worn boundary fences which required replacing. There was no clear brief other than that the design include a seating area and some lawn, and that the transition from sunroom to garden be fairly seamless.
Solution: The focus of this design was to create an exterior space that serves as an extension to the interior, featuring several distinct and versatile areas that can be adapted to a variety of uses.
The garden's boundaries were replaced with new fencing to provide a uniform and attractive backdrop to the transformation within, while the long sideway down the right of the house was renovated with the addition of attractive 'bamboo' slate tile flooring in a random lay pattern.
The first section of the space comprises a large area of Western Red Cedar decking adjoining the house, and offers ample room for entertaining, with a long L-shaped fixed-bench seat stretching width-ways across the space from the left-hand side to the centre. This was backed with a rendered block raised bed, planted with fragrant lavender and capped with 'bamboo' slate tile, to provide a sense of enclosure and separation from the rest of the garden.
A decked walkway running down the right hand side of the space provides access to a 'spa' area, featuring a large square hot tub housed upon a reinforced paved hard-standing and nestled between existing and additional trees, shrubs and foliage to provide a secluded and intimate area for bathing throughout the seasons. Hidden behind mature and new planting in the bottom left corner, a large shed provides ample storage for the client's garden accessories. The middle of the space has been given over to a large lawn edges with slate.
A purple and yellow planting scheme of soft, cottage-style evergreen shrubs and flowering perennials will help to bring year round lightness and subtle colouring to the space.
After-dark hot tub bathing is enhanced by several strings of pea-lights woven through the existing shrubbery. Deck lights demark the main area of decking and guide one's journey along the decked walkway. Finally, spot lights in the beds highlight certain area while providing a gentle wash throughout the space.
Testimonial: "After months of planning and a full year of having builders everywhere, we had finally got the house into good shape but the garden was a nightmare. It had been somewhat overgrown before the builders moved in, but after a year of being used as a builders yard, it needed shock treatment.
We needed help fast so we searched the web. We were looking for garden designers with creative ideas for smaller London gardens. We didn't want anything too traditional but at the same time, nothing too extreme.
Earth Designs fitted the bill and after a design session with Katrina, we engaged them for the project. They had offered us a design service only, but as we only had a 4 week window in which to complete the job, we gave them the whole project.
We had built a new extension with wide glass doors that opened out into the garden, so the brief to Earth Designs was to "bring the outside, inside" and create a strong link between the new room and the garden beyond. The actual garden space was not large so we wanted to use the space as an extension of the living space - to be an "outside room".
Monday 18th April and three very charming men arrived on our doorstep at 8.0am sharp. Arlo was the project manager, ably aided and abetted by Paul and Phillip. They worked brilliantly as a team and always hit all the deadlines. In particular they did a great job in working with our neighbours to ensure the whole project ran smoothly.
The first week involved clearing the site - no mean feat with 30-year-old ivy stems that looked more like tree trunks.
The second week involved levelling the garden, putting up new fencing, building the corner seating base and planters, plus marking out the garden shape. It was good to be able to make minor changes to the design on the ground at this stage. The hot tub arrived too and was winched into place for connection later.
Week 3 saw the decking and seating built.
Then in week four the turf arrived, the lawn went down and on the last day, Katrina arrived with a truckload of wonderful specimens (and Matt) and we had a wonderful time planting. Ground Force Mk II - a complete garden from start to finish in just 4 weeks!
There were a few things that needed to be sorted out after the main work was complete. Earth Designs were great about coming back until all was complete and finished.
Our thanks to Katrina, Matt, Arlo, Paul and Phillip for a great job, completed on time and on budget with a great looking result."
If you dig this and would like to find out more about this or any of other of our designs, please stop by our web-site and have a look at our work.
Earth Designs is a bespoke London Garden Design and build company specialising in classic, funky and urban contemporary garden design.
Our Landscape and Garden build teams cover London, Essex and parts of South East England, while garden designs are available nationwide.
Please visit www.earthdesigns.co.uk to see our full portfolio. If you would like a garden designer in London or have an idea of what you want and are looking for a landscaper London to come and visit your garden, please get in touch.
Follow our Bespoke Garden Design and Build and Blog to see what we get up to week by week, our free design clinic as well as tips and products we recommend for your garden projects www.earthdesigns.co.uk/blog/.
Earth Designs is located in East London, but has built gardens in Essex , gardens in Hertfordshire Hertfordshire and all over the South East. Earth Designs was formed by Katrina Wells in Spring 2003 and has since gone from strength to strength to develop a considerable portfolio of garden projects. Katrina, who is our Senior Garden Designer, has travelled all over the UK designing gardens. However we can design worldwide either through our postal garden design service or by consultation with our senior garden designer. Recent worldwide projects have included garden designs in Romania. Katrina’s husband. Matt, heads up the build side of the company, creating a unique service for all our clients.
If you a not a UK resident, but would like an Earth Designs garden, Earth Designs has a worldwide design service through our Garden Design Postal Design Vouchers. If you are looking for an unique birthday present or original anniversary present and would like to buy one of our Garden Design Gift Vouchers for yourself or as a present please our sister site www.gardenpresents.co.uk. We do also design outside of the UK, please contact us for details.
Plotter sketches for a new series. Studio Mode graciously let me use their CNC cutter to do these.
These particular ones are a revisit of the Ornament pieces I did for Darkness Descends. They're not intended for final production since I already have a good format for that series.
11:00:02 up 4 days, 16:19, 0 users, load average: 0.52, 0.61, 0.66 | temp=41.2'C | Start
11:00:10 up 4 days, 16:19, 0 users, load average: 0.74, 0.66, 0.68 | temp=42.2'C | SID plot Finished
"There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.”
THERE IS A LONG PIECE TO READ--There is a sad and a funny story about this stone. The first-born son of my Great Grandfather Chares Hedinger was named Charles. He was born in 1867 and died 1870 was buried in the Lewisville, KS Cemetery. A second child, Mary was also buried in the Lewisville Cemetery. That's the Sad part.
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Now the funny part. -- My parents knew that the 2 children were buried in that cemetery but couldn't find the graves. Then in about the mid-1980s, my dad got a phone call from a farmer who lives close to Lewisville. The farmer told dad that he found something in the foundation of a chicken coop that he was tearing down and thought maybe dad might like to have it. It was a child's gravestone marker with the name of Charles Hedinger (my dad's name was Charles as well). Since dad didn't know where the grave was in the Lewisville Cemetery, he took it to the family plot in the Canton, KS Cemetery and just laid there on the ground. Family in Canton didn't know this story until I told them last year when I was asked if I knew anything about the child's stone. The stone marker had broken off at the ground (some time--when?) and someone picked it up and used in part of the foundation of the chicken coop.
the life of an indoor cat
always wanting to get out
but when she gets out?
many times
she gets scared and runs back in
where she knows it's safe
Made by Katherine Huang, Chisholm Lab, MIT.
The Chisholm Lab gives you permission to use this image. This is the highest resolution image available.
Sgt. Jeffrey Szelewicki, assigned to 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), plots points on a map during the Close Combat Attack lane portion of U.S. Army Europe's Best Warrior Competition in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Aug. 21. The competition is a weeklong event that tests Soldiers’ physical stamina, leadership and technical knowledge and skill. Winners in the Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer categories of the USAREUR competition will go on to compete at the Department of the Army level. (U.S. Army photo by Gertrud Zach)