View allAll Photos Tagged points
A-10 (79-0188). This image illustrates the 11 hard points available on an A-10. There are 4 on each wing and 3 under the fuselage.
Davis-Monthan AFB.
2-9-10.
Photo By: Ned Harris
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Spanish: The Glaciers) is a national park in the Santa Cruz Province, in Argentine Patagonia. It comprises an area of 4459 km². In 1981 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The national park, created in 1937, is the second largest in Argentina. Its name refers to the giant ice cap in the Andes range that feeds 47 large glaciers, of which only 13 flow towards the Atlantic Ocean. The ice cap is the largest outside of Antarctica and Greenland. In other parts of the world, glaciers start at a height of at least 2,500 meters above mean sea level, but due to the size of the ice cap, these glaciers begin at only 1,500m, sliding down to 200m AMSL, eroding the surface of the mountains that support them.
Los Glaciares, of which 30% is covered by ice, can be divided in two parts, each corresponding with one of the two elongated big lakes partially contained by the Park. Lake Argentino, 1,466 km² and the largest in Argentina, is in the south, while Lake Viedma, 1,100 km², is in the north. Both lakes feed the Santa Cruz River that flows down to Puerto Santa Cruz on the Atlantic. Between the two halves is a non-touristic zone without lakes called Zona Centro.
The northern half consists of part of Viedma Lake, the Viedma Glacier and a few minor glaciers, and a number of mountains very popular among fans of climbing and trekking, including Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
The southern part has, as well as a number of smaller ones, the major glaciers which flow into Lake Argentino: Perito Moreno Glacier, Upsala Glacier, and Spegazzini Glacier. Typical excursion boats travel between icebergs to visit Bahía Onelli, and the otherwise inaccessible Spegazzini and Upsala. The Perito Moreno is reachable by land.
The mountains hold most of the humidity from the Pacific Ocean, letting through only the ice coldness (annual average of 7.5 °C) and creating an arid steppe on the Argentine side of the range. This area is habitat for ñandúes, guanacos, cougars, and gray foxes, who have suffered from the invasion of the cattle industry and are currently endangered, but find shelter inside the national park. There are over 1,000 species of birds in the area (condors, eagles, and others), but only 100 have been registered. Between the ice and the Patagonian steppe there is a fertile area of forests composed mainly of lengas and guindos, but also ñires. Within these more hospitable areas also live huemul deers and Torrent Ducks.
Los Glaciares is a major attraction for international tourists, and has an annual budget of one million dollars (1994). Starting points of tours are the village of El Calafate at the shore of Lake Argentino but outside the park, where the park's administration has its headquarters, and El Chaltén village in the northern part of the park, at the foot of the Fitz Roy. Other touristic points in the park include Lago del Desierto and Lago Roca. - Wikipedia
We scrambled to the top of Camel's Hump near sunset (we drove most of the way there). The natural granite is beautiful!
Taken during the dying throws of sunset at Castelo, Albufeira, Portugal on 3/4/10.
Until the last seconds of sunset the light here is so bright I could have really done with another 3stop Hard grad.
Castelo is positioned westerly of Laurenco (see my previous posts) and again is a very beautiful bay full of interesting cliff structures, seastacks and sump holes.
There had been people coasteering here earlier. Brave or stupid, probably the latter!
Hampshire County. Photo by J Emerson, May 2015.
Part of the Post Mark Collectors Club (PMCC) and auvet collections.
Track Cycling, Finnish Championships Team and mass start events, Helsinki velodrome, August 1, 2009.
Four Points Sheraton, Ventura, CA a Place for the Gordon Research Conference, November 2022. Вентура, Калифорния, 2022
The Baptistery stands as one of the cardinal points of the idea of the square that was coming of age in Pisa in the XII century. The reason for building such a fascinating as well as a mysterious building was certainly the will to provide the Cathedral with a worthy addition: a Baptistry that, because of its location, size, materials and style, would be in tune with the impressive and typical building that existed before it.
In 1163, it was ordered that on the first day of the month every family of Pisa should pay 1 denaro to continue the building of the monument. This is evidence of the city’s contribution to the monument, as is also proven by the fact that the installation of the columns was organised and contributed to by the city neighbourhoods.
It is the largest Baptistery in Italy: 107.24 m in circumference, while the wall at the bottom is 2 m 63 cm wide, its height 54 m 86 cm. The dome is covered in red tiles on the west side and in lead slabs on the east side.
The big cylinder is surrounded by arcades on pillars and it is made of white marble edged with grey. The covering is composed of a double dome, the inner one shaped like a dodecagonal truncated pyramid, the outer one in the shape of a hemispherical vault, with a smaller dome on top. It is precisely the unique architectural design of the covering that gives the Baptistery of Pisa exceptional acoustics.
ReUse Action did the renovation of this commercial/industrial building as the new home of Five Points Bakery on Buffalo's West Side. We selectively demolished part of the building complex and used the resulting lumber to make sheathing for the front and side of the building.
A sign points the way to the public toilets, or restroom, at Inch Strand, Co. Kerry.
This sign can be a much sought after sight on a long journey!
"Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"
"Mom! I need to go!"
"I can't hold it any more!"
Everyone rushes to the public convenience when they hit the beach.
Sadly not a live set but a dj-thingie from this huge talent from the UK: Floating Points.
Taken during the opening night of 5 Days Off. Here's my review.
5 Days Off is an anual festival that takes place in both Paradiso and Melkweg, Amsterdam.
It showcases the current trends in dance music and clubbing.
Photos from my holiday in France: The strange rock formation as observed on the north side of the Tignes slopes as I was going up on the ski lift to a slope that turned out to have a fundamental lack of snow on it...
Vajra is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond. Additionally, it is a weapon which is used as a ritual object to symbolize both the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force).
It is also known as Bajra/बज्र (Nepali), vajram (Tamil), bojro (Bengali), bajra (Malay), dorje (Tibetan), dorji (Dzongkha), wajra (Indonesian), jīngāng, 金刚 (Chinese), geumgangjeo (Korean), kongōsho (Japanese) and Очир ochir / Базар Bazar (Mongolian).
The vajra is essentially a type of club with a ribbed spherical head. The ribs may meet in a ball-shaped top, or they may be separate and end in sharp points with which to stab. The vajra is used symbolically by the dharma traditions of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, often to represent firmness of spirit and spiritual power. The use of the vajra as a symbolic and ritual tool spread from India along with Indian religion and culture to other parts of Asia.
EARLY DESCRIPTIONS
IN THE RIGVEDA
The earliest mention of the vajra is in the Rigveda, a part of four Vedas. It is described as the weapon of Indra, the god of heaven and the chief deity of the Rigvedic pantheon. Indra is described as using the vajra to kill sinners and ignorant persons. The Rigveda states that the weapon was made for Indra by Tvastar, the maker of divine instruments. The associated story describes Indra using the vajra, which he held in his hand, to slay the asura Vritra, who took the form of a serpent.
On account of his skill in wielding the vajra, some epithets used for Indra in the Rigveda were Vajrabhrit (bearing the vajra), Vajrivat or Vajrin (armed with the vajra), Vajradaksina (holding the vajra in his right hand), and Vajrabahu or Vajrahasta (holding the vajra in his hand). The association of the Vajra with Indra was continued with some modifications in the later Puranic literature, and in Buddhist works. Buddhaghosa, a major figure of Theravada Buddhism in the 5th century, identified the Bodhisattva Vajrapani with Indra.
IN THE PURANAS
Many later Puranas describe the vajra, with the story modified from the Rigvedic original. One major addition involves the role of the Sage Dadhichi. According to one account, Indra, the king of the deva was once driven out of devaloka by an asura named Vritra. The asura was the recipient of a boon whereby he could not be killed by any weapon that was known till the date of his receiving the boon and additionally that no weapon made of wood or metal could harm him. Indra, who had lost all hope of recovering his kingdom was said to have approached Shiva who could not help him. Indra along with Shiva and Brahma went to seek the aid of Vishnu. Vishnu revealed to Indra that only the weapon made from the bones of the sage Dadhichi would defeat Vritra. Indra and the other deva therefore approached the sage, whom Indra had once beheaded, and asked him for his aid in defeating Vritra. Dadhichi acceded to the deva's request but said that he wished that he had time to go on a pilgrimage to all the holy rivers before he gave up his life for them. Indra then brought together all the waters of the holy rivers to Naimisharanya, thereby allowing the sage to have his wish fulfilled without a further loss of time. Dadhichi is then said to have given up his life by the art of yoga after which the gods fashioned the vajrayudha from his spine. This weapon was then used to defeat the asura, allowing Indra to reclaim his place as the king of devaloka.
Another version of the story exists where Dadhichi was asked to safeguard the weapons of the gods as they were unable to match the arcane arts being employed by the asura to obtain them. Dadhichi is said to have kept at the task for a very long time and finally tiring of the job, he is said to have dissolved the weapons in sacred water which he drank. The deva returned a long time later and asked him to return their weapons so that they might defeat the asura, headed by Vritra, once in for all. Dadhichi however told them of what he had done and informed them that their weapons were now a part of his bones. However, Dadhichi, realising that his bones were the only way by which the deva could defeat the asura willingly gave his life in a pit of mystical flames he summoned with the power of his austerities. Brahma is then said to have fashioned a large number of weapons from Dadhichi's bones, including the vajrayudha, which was fashioned from his spine. The deva are then said to have defeated the asura using the weapons thus created.
There have also been instances where the war god Skanda (Murugan) is described as holding a vajra. Skanda is also the name of a Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism who wields a vajra.
IN VAJRAYANA BUDDHISM
In Buddhism the vajra is the symbol of Vajrayana, one of the three major branches of Buddhism. Vajrayana is translated as "Thunderbolt Way" or "Diamond Way" and can imply the thunderbolt experience of Buddhist enlightenment or bodhi. It also implies indestructibility, just as diamonds are harder than other gemstones.
In Tantric Buddhism (Vajrayana) the vajra and ghanta (bell) are used in many rites by a lama or any Vajrayana practitioner of sadhana. The vajra is a male polysemic symbol that represents many things for the tantrika. The vajra is representative of upaya (skilful means) whereas its companion tool, the bell which is a female symbol, denotes prajna (wisdom). Some deities are shown holding each the vajra and bell in separate hands, symbolizing the union of the forces of compassion and wisdom, respectively.
In the tantric traditions of Buddhism, the vajra is a symbol for the nature of reality, or sunyata, indicating endless creativity, potency, and skillful activity. The term is employed extensively in tantric literature: the term for the spiritual teacher is the vajracharya; one of the five dhyani buddhas is vajrasattva, and so on. The practice of prefixing terms, names, places, and so on by vajra represents the conscious attempt to recognize the transcendental aspect of all phenomena; it became part of the process of "sacramentalizing" the activities of the spiritual practitioner and encouraged him to engage all his psychophysical energies in the spiritual life.
An instrument symbolizing vajra is also extensively used in the rituals of the tantra. It consists of a spherical central section, with two symmetrical sets of five prongs, which arc out from lotus blooms on either side of the sphere and come to a point at two points equidistant from the centre, thus giving it the appearance of a "diamond sceptre", which is how the term is sometimes translated.
Various figures in Tantric iconography are represented holding or wielding the vajra. Three of the most famous of these are Vajrasattva, Vajrapani, and Padmasambhava. Vajrasattva (lit. vajra-being) holds the vajra, in his right hand, to his heart. The figure of the Wrathful Vajrapani (lit. vajra in the hand) brandishes the vajra, in his right hand, above his head. Padmasambhava holds the vajra above his right knee in his right hand.
SYMBOLISM
The vajra is made up of several parts. In the center is a sphere which represents Sunyata, the primordial nature of the universe, the underlying unity of all things. Emerging from the sphere are two eight petaled lotus flowers. One represents the phenomenal world (or in Buddhist terms Samsara), the other represents the noumenal world (Nirvana). This is one of the fundamental dichotomies which are perceived by the unenlightened. The physical manifestation of the vajra, also called dorje in this context, is the male organ.
Arranged equally around the mouth of the lotus are two, four, or eight creatures which are called makara. These are mythological half-fish, half-crocodile creatures made up of two or more animals, often representing the union of opposites, (or a harmonisation of qualities that transcend our usual experience). From the mouths of the makara come tongues which come together in a point.
The five-pronged vajra (with four makara, plus a central prong) is the most commonly seen vajra. There is an elaborate system of correspondences between the five elements of the noumenal side of the vajra, and the phenomenal side. One important correspondence is between the five "poisons" with the five wisdoms. The five poisons are the mental states that obscure the original purity of a being's mind, while the five wisdoms are the five most important aspects of the enlightened mind. Each of the five wisdoms is also associated with a Buddha figure. (see also Five Wisdom Buddhas)
The following are the five poisons and the analogous five wisdoms with their associated Buddha figures:
IN POPULAR CULTURE
Param Vir Chakra, India's highest war time military decoration has a motif of Vajra, the mythic weapon of Indra created by the bones donated by sage Dadhichi, as tribute to his sacrifice.
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation Volvo B7RLE services are called as vajra.
In the fictional Hachibushū Legend of Heavenly Sphere Shurato, Shurato has a black vajra as his main weapon.
The word vajra is given to a fictional species of alien insects that serve as the main antagonists in the anime Macross Frontier.
In Soul Eater, Vajra is Asura's weapon.
Dorje is the name of a Brighton area rock band.
It is the nickname of the Indian Air Force aircraft Mirage 2000.
WIKIPEDIA
Ivatt 2-6-2T waits for the points to be changed at Oxenhope station on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway while running round its train
The University of Washington College of Education explored efforts to advance educational opportunity during its EduTalk event "Tipping Points: Leveraging Change in Education," February 27, 2020, at Burke Museum. Learn more about EduTalks at education.uw.edu/edutalks.
Mooresville, NC - The Goodguys 23rd Lone Star Nationals went off without a hitch this past weekend. Three days of beautiful weather made it the perfect weekend for autocrossing, a cruise along the high banks of Texas Motor Speedway and much more.
Autocrossing started early Friday morning with some cooler temps for early fall in Texas. Kyle and the DSE 1970 Camaro Test Car came out firing and by lunchtime had the top Pro Class time with a 52.513. When not autocrossing, Kyle was keeping the BFGoodrich Rival S tires nice and warm underneath come custom tire warmers that were made specifically for the DSE 1970 Camaro Test Car. The PRO class and Street Machine classes saw fierce and close competition all weekend. Kyle lead all day on Friday until Robbie Unser put down a great lap near the end of the day and took over the lead. Saturday morning Kyle regained the lead and held on to it until mid-day on Saturday when Mike Dusold ran a lap that no one else could catch. With Kyle's 2nd place finish he kept a hold of his overall Pro Class points lead. The Street Machine class was also highly competitive and in the end Derrick Torres was the winner with his DSE Equipped, Dusold built 1968 Camaro and punched his ticket to the Goodguys Autocross Finals in Scottsdale in November. Jakey Sampson was there on Sunday representing DSE with her 5th Gen DSE "Equipped" Camaro.
This was another great event for the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association. The Detroit Speed Team will now shift gears as Kyle prepares for the Optima "Search for the Ultimate Street Car" event in Fontana. This is the last event before the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational in Las Vegas Nov. 7th - 8th.
Goodguys Fort Worth Highlights:
• Kyle finished in 2nd place in the Pro Class and added to his overall Pro Class points lead
• Mike Dusold won the Pro Class in his 1967 Camaro
• Derrick Torres won the Street Machine Class in his DSE "Equipped" 1968 Camaro and qualified for the finals