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I took this last Thursday at the end of a 19 mile walk starting and finishing at the Hardy Monument. With limited daylight hours and the soft ground, it was a hard walk but great as well! I got back to the car and was stood looking at this scene whilst I drank the last of my luke warm Bovril that I had taken in my flask .

 

I had my tripod in the car so took a couple of pictures while I was drinking. It was a bit of a pain actually because I was parked by the road and although it is a very quiet country lane, it is amazing how many cars come along when you don't want them to!! The headlights kept spoiling the picture!! I couldn't decide on a vertical or a square crop so I have posted both! Will be interested to hear your comments!

 

Zeiss 35-70 f/3.4 lens at 35mm - 155 sec @ f/8 and iso 800

At Verkamps Visitor Center (1906) it is possible to see the actual pen that was used by President Woodrow Wilson to sign the legislation that made Grand Canyon a national park on February 26, 1919.

Verkamp's Visitor Center is a short walk east of the El Tovar Hotel and Hopi House, the canyon's newest visitor contact station in one of its oldest buildings. At the information desk, National Park Service rangers and Grand Canyon Association staff will answer any questions you may have.

 

The Exhibit Area: The exhibits focus on the Grand Canyon Community - what it was like to live and work here on the brink of one of the seven natural wonders of the world. A walking history timeline on the floor leads visitors through the exhibits on a tour of the important moments in local, national and international history.

 

From the Verkamp's Visitor Center, the Rim Trail leads to other businesses and viewpoints along the rim. Open daily 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. during the summer months.

 

The Verkamp's home and business was constructed in 1906, and it was open as a gift shop (that featured Grand Canyon souvenirs and Native American arts and crafts) through September 17, 2008. Verkamp's re-opened as a visitor center on November 26, 2008. The National Park Service now owns the building and it hosts a bookstore and exhibits about the pioneer history of Grand Canyon Village. Several ranger-conducted activities start here. NPS photo by Michael Quinn.

 

Read more: www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/verkamps.htm

 

Tee pee pole barn on the left with a fire bucket station on the right side of the photograph.

(for further pictures or information please go to the end of page and by clicking on the link you will get them as soon as possible!)

The Vienna Prater

Lieblingsnahausflugsziel (favourite nearby excursion destination) in Biedermeier Vienna is the Prater. The season opens with the race of "noble runners" on May 1. The usually before the carriages of the nobility running lackeys on that day line up under high bets to public competition. The main avenue along to the pleasure house (Lusthaus) and back drag the racers to the cheers of the audience. Trumpet-blasts, flags and cash prizes await the winner. Military music they escorts into the first Prater coffee house where them a splendid breakfast is arranged, while the ones having fallen by the wayside are collected. This race is banned in 1848 because of inhumanity. In the afternoon swayed - as from now on every Sunday - people and cars down the hunter line (Jägerzeile - since 1862 Prater Road). The state-carriages of the Court, the nobility and the wealthy bourgeoisie to evening make in a continuous parade the main street with its lofty Prater coffee houses to a "Nobel Prater".

"Bey the public-houses (Inns)" in the Prater.

Coloured engraving, T. Mollo. 1825

The people has fun in the Wurstelprater (Hanswurst, clowning on Vienna stages) in a tangle of guest houses and Prater lodges, puppet booths, calendula games and swings between the Prater harpists, salami sellers and spectacle. Here is the stronghold of the showmen with their ​​monkey theater and flea circus, jugglers and fire-eaters, giants and dwarfs, menageries, panoramas, wax figures and ghostly apparitions. On the "Zirkuswiese" in Circus gymnasticus the popular equestrian companies by Christoph de Bach (? 1808) and Alexander Guerra perform. One camps in the Prater floodplains and waits until at nightfall on the "fireworks meadow" Stuwer (? 1802) lets shoot up his sparkling rockets.

City Chronicle Vienna

Dr. Christian Brandstätter, Dr. Günter Treffer

2000 years in data, documents and images

From the beginnings to the present

Courtesy

Christian Brandstätter Verlag mbH

The publishing service for museums, businesses and public authorities

www.brandstaetter - verlag.at

The historically grown amusement park looks back to a rich history. First documentary references of that area, which originally had jungle-like character, go back to the 12th Century. The former imperial hunting ground in 1766 under the "popular" Austrian Emperor Joseph II was made accessible to the public. Soon after, a number of small entertainment venues (carousels, shooting galleries, food stalls, ...) arrived, entertaining the people and also providing for the physical well-being.

The inhabitants of Vienna enjoyed themselves by riding artfully designed Hutschpferden (swing horses) and by swinging into lofty altitudes. In the process you could with long poles jab into rings. Hence the name carousel. It had been created recreational devices for the general public.

The fireworks of Stuwer and the balloon ascents end of the 18th Century dragged the Viennese from the city to the fairgrounds in the Prater. Following the trend of the times were national artistic institutions (theaters, waxworks museum and people museum - "Präuschers panopticon" with 2,000 objects, Vivarium, Planetarium, ... ) built and connected to the hustle and bustle. Sensations in the old Prater were the Abnormitätenshows (abnormalities) in which Lilliputian, Hirsute men, Siamese twins including "Freaks" (monster, abnormal shape) were to see. The thick Prater-Mitzi or the Russian-born trunk man Kobelkoff, as well as the ghostly magic theater of Kratky Baschik enriched the morphology of the bizarre Prater landscape. With the development of technology and electricity, the entertainment in the Prater was becoming more and more diverse.

In the emerging age of railways, the in Trieste born Basilio Calafati founded the first railway carousel in 1844. In this hut in 1854 the figure of the "big Chinesers" was set up as a mast. Many showmen and technicians from all over the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy, but also from the rest of Europe in the illustrious Viennese amusement park their ideas put into practice.

The Englishman Basset succeeded in 1897 to set up the still existing Ferris wheel in the Prater. This vehicle with a diameter of 61 meters originally had 30 cars. When the first "living pictures", the Cinematography, were born, 1896 the first cinema was opened in the Prater. Electricity in 1898 the first electrically operated Grottenbahn brought in the Prater. This fairytale train was also the first in Europe. On the occasion of the popularity of the airplane in 1911 the first "Aeroplan Carousel" was established. Followed in 1926 the first "Autodrome" and in 1933 the first "ghost train". In 1928, the still running "Liliputbahn", a reduced form of the great steam locomotives was placed in the Prater. 1935 brought a Prater entrepreneur from Chicago the rapid "flight path" in the Prater, a system not running on rails.

The Prater always changed its face, modernized and adapted itself to the trend of times. One attraction always replaced the other. Only few historical venues have been able to transport themselves into the present. Tradition-conscious companies such as the "Pony Carousel" from the year 1887 or the nostalgic slide tower "switchback (Tobogan)" from the 50s fight against the taste of the times and the needs of the visitors. In popularity but the historic Ferris wheel, the "Miniature Train" and of course the restaurant "Swiss House" (specialty: stilt and beer) will never lose.

Rickety ghost trains and sparkling grotto railways, although dusty, will not allow to be pushed out of the Prater. Between the historical venues flash the new, modern, hydraulically operated high-tech fairground rides. 1909-1944 the enormous dimensioned "roller coaster" always was a magnet for the Prater trippers. A reduced form is the after the war built "Neue Wiener roller coaster". Was swallowed entirely by history the magnificent "Venice in Vienna". On the site of the present Emperor's Meadow (Kaiserwiese) was located around the turn of the century the illusory world of the artificially recreated lagoon city. The initiator Gabor Steiner created in 1895 a world in the Prater, in which not only the high society, but also the Bohemian maids and the soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian multinational state amused themselves. In the era of the fin de siècle (= the decadent over-refinement of feeling and taste at the end of the 19th century), in which the Prater flourished, performed the most famous conductors of the time (Strauss, Lanner, Ziehrer).

Characteristic for the Wiener Prater today is also the adjacent green, left in its naturale state Praterau (Prater floodplain). An engaging recreational landscape with trees, meadows and ponds. Through this welcoming and quiet part of the Prater leads the 4.5 km long main avenue, which is lined with old chestnut trees. At the time, colorful flower parades were held there where, inter alia, even the Emperor and Empress and Mayor Lueger showed up. Along the main avenue were situated the now defunct, three famous coffee houses. The1783 built by Canevale "pleasure house" (Lusthaus) at the end of the main avenue, however, is still to be found. Past is the "Vaudeville Light", where for a long time popular movie stars and artists of yesteryear (Aslan, Jeritza, Moser, ... ) entertained the Prater audience.

To the Prater belongs also the fairgrounds. There in 1873 took place the world exhibition. The Rotunda, those proud crowned by a cupola central building in 1937 became a prey to the flames. What in the course of time of historic buildings of facilities in the Prater not had outlived itself, was destroyed in World War II. The most severely battered amusement park but was rebuilt. It established itself again as an integral part of the cultural entertainment of the city of Vienna. The force measuring machine "Watschenmann" is part of the local history of this unique institution, but also the cheeky and defiant "Prater Puppet" characterizes the color of the Vienna Prater.

A Report to the Michigan Bird Records Committee

 

1. Species.

 

Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus

 

2. Number of individuals.

 

One

 

3. Date and time of sighting. (Please be sure to indicate how long your observations lasted.)

 

On 2 November 2018, discovered at 4:20 PM (DST) and last observed at 5:00 PM (DST), within this time span observed and photographed for at least 23 minutes

 

4. County.

 

Washtenaw County

 

5. Exact location. (Please be as specific as possible, including nearest crossroads; include GPS coordinates if known, as well as coordinate system and receiver type.)

 

Southeast of Scio Church Road and Parker Road intersection in Section 6, Lodi Township and northeast of this intersection in Section 31, Scio Township.

 

6. Detailed description of appearance. (Please be as specific as you can, and include if possible: size; shape; bill, eye and leg characteristics; color and pattern of plumage; and any other features that you observed. This is the most important part of your submission.)

 

A dusky, smoky-brown shorebird with long orange-red legs caught Margaret Jewett's eyes. It was on a mud flat in a marshy pond located about 150 feet to the east of Parker Road in Section 6 of Lodi Township. It had a typical Tringa shape and a long, fine straight bill; its size appeared somewhat smaller than that of an accompanying Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca. With effort Margaret called my attention to this bird; at the time I was contemplating taking photos of a Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos. As soon as I had focused my binoculars on Margaret's bird, it took flight, revealing an oval white back patch that clearly contrasted with the dusky mantle, dusky wings and gray tail. These characteristics plus the orange-red tarsi clinched its immediate identification. Nevertheless I found it hard to believe what I had just seen. With binoculars I followed its flight to where it landed beyond a curtain of cattails and brush at the extreme north end of the marsh in Section 31 of Scio Township. Once relocated, I observed and photographed it at distances of 60 to 100 feet as it foraged, preened and dozed.

 

By direct comparison with eight Greater Yellowlegs, its overall form appeared more delicate and its movements more elegant than that of the yellowlegs. It frequently waded up to its belly, sometimes even swimming for several feet. Ongoing photographs viewed through my camera's LCD and later through Margaret's scope revealed the so-called kink or droop near the tip of the upper mandible. The bill was between 1.25 times to 1.3 times the length of the head in lateral profile. The basal one-third to almost one-half of the lower mandible was orange-red, but the hue was less intense than the orange-red of the tarsi. The rest of the bill was almost black. Also, photos revealed the hind toe and the small web between the outer two toes.

 

The Spotted Redshank was a hatch-year bird for the most part in first-basic plumage and it was in preformative molt: some of the scapulars of the bird's left and right side, as well as some of the mantle feathers, exhibited the plain-gray feathers of fresh formative plumage.

 

The white super-loral stripe was a notable facial feature, separating the dark brown lores from the gray-brown forehead. Above the postocular line was a patch of white post-ocular spots. A white upper and lower eye arc framed the dark eye. The ear coverts were marbled light gray.

 

The cream-white vent, flanks and under tail-coverts were closely barred with gray, whereas the cream-white belly had sparse gray barring. The throat, neck and breast were streaked gray and white. The forehead, crown and nape were gray-brown with delicate white streaks or tiny spots. The mantle was gray-brown with small white spots. The darker margins of the gray-brown scapulars, tertials and greater coverts had white notches. Likewise, the upper wing coverts were gray-brown with white marginal notches or spots.

 

Three primary tips extended beyond the tertials and fell short of the tail tip. Rectrix one and two (the top of the tail) were gray; their margins had white notches, between which black blobs extended as faded dark-gray bars toward the shaft. The margins of the closed lower rectrices appeared as a pattern of black and white spots.

 

7. Description of voice.

 

Sometimes, when taking flight across a stretch of water to rejoin the Greater Yellowlegs, the Spotted Redshank called with a brief series of disyllabic notes of changing tone, the rising inflection of which was utterly different than that of the single monotonic “teu” notes of the yellowlegs.

 

8. Behaviors observed.

 

My patience, a necessity for photography, coupled with six-and-a-half decades of bird observation, transformed this encounter into an experience of sheer pleasure, the kind that only an unimaginable surprise gives—almost nothing went unnoticed as a bit of the Palaearctic world unfolded before my eyes. During my slow, extremely cautious approach of stop and go, the Spotted Redshank stood stark still and alert with head held high, giving the occasional characteristic head-nod of the Tringa genus. I stood behind my tripod with mounted camera and lens in order to partially shield from view my upright stance. Except for slight movements of my head and hands for photography, I remained motionless throughout my observation. After accepting my presence, the bird foraged actively where patches of muddy shoreline protruded into open water, often wading up to its belly, even swimming across narrow stretches of deeper water. Foraging was by bill-probing into water or mud. Small prey items, usually pea size or smaller, were extracted with the bill and immediately swallowed. Two prey items were identified, each being a leech Hirudinea, one of which upon being snatched coiled itself around the bird's bill only to be swallowed whole.

 

Sometimes the Spotted Redshank foraged in loose association with one of eight Greater Yellowlegs. It seemed to have a subordinate position, for its tendency was to give way to the direct advances of any of the Greater Yellowlegs. After actively foraging, the Spotted Redshank became stationary, preening its body plumage, then dozing intermittently with eyes closed and head pulled in. Upon becoming active again, it foraged on a mud flat among the prostrate branches of a long-dead, fallen tree. As a result I could no longer take unobstructed photos nor continuously view it. Therefore I returned to Parker Road and rejoined Margaret Jewett. Together we relocated the bird from Scio Church Road and through her scope watched it forage, rest and preen.

 

9. Habitat

 

Habitat is a small wetland surrounded by agrarian fields and partitioned by two paved highways. A portion of the wetland is a pond at very low-water stage having broken stretches of mud flat. The marshy portions have patches of Typha and some shrubbery such as Salix, Cornus and Cephalanthus, as well as collapsed dead trees and standing stubs. A thick growth of Calamagrostis, Phalaris and Bidens partially covers the soggy outer edges of the marsh.

 

10. Similar Species and how eliminated

 

The possibility of the observed bird being an aberrant yellowlegs with orange tarsi was ruled out. Yellowlegs lack the following three characteristics which this Spotted Redshank had.

 

First, the bill structure did not conform to that of a Lesser Yellowlegs, being far too long in comparison to that of the head length. Nor did the bill conform to that of the Greater Yellowlegs, being far too thin and terminating into that peculiar droop which the Spotted Redshank is noted for. Furthermore, the basal portion of the lower mandible was notably orange-red and extended for a little over one-third the bill length, a colorful feature that yellowlegs lack.

 

Second, the oval white patch reaching up the back as revealed in flight is something that yellowlegs lack.

 

Third, the vent and belly of yellowlegs lack the gray barring that this juvenile Spotted Redshank had.

 

Last but not least, the Spotted Redshank lacked the stunning white secondaries of the Common Redshank Tringa totanus.

 

11. Previous experience with this species and similar species.

 

I’ve studied Spotted Redshanks as wintering birds in Morocco and as spring arrivals in Finland. I’ve observed Common Redshanks within a span of 27 years in Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Morocco and Japan. My experience with both species of yellowlegs reaches back to 1960 in North America.

 

12. Distance from bird(s) and how measured or estimated (indicate which).

 

Observation distances ranged from 60 to 100 feet. A Google Earth map at a 50-foot scale was used to approximate these distances.

 

13. Optical equipment used.

 

Swarovski EL 10X42 binoculars; Canon Lens EF 500mm with Extender 1.4x and Canon camera EOS 5D Mark IV; Margaret Jewett’s Leica 10X42 binoculars and her Swarovski 25X-60X 85mm spotting scope.

 

14. Light (sunny versus cloudy, position of sun in relation to bird[s] and you).

 

The entire sky was low with clouds.

 

As I faced the bird, its position in the marsh ranged from due east to north by northeast from me. As Margaret Jewett and I faced the bird, its position from us on Scio Church road was north by northwest. Therefore, the sun’s position would have been on the right side of my back in the marsh and on the left side of our backs while on the road (considering the Sun’s southward position on that date and time).

 

15. Other observers:

 

Margaret Jewett.

 

Subsequently, there were hundreds of other observers from around the country.

 

16. Did the others agree with your identification? (Please give contact information)

 

Margaret Jewett agreed with my identification. Her description of field marks as seen through her scope was submitted to eBird and included: Shorebird smaller than greater yellowlegs with striking red legs and lower mandible; long, thin bill with a slight droop at tip of bill(seen in photographs); brownish gray tertials with white margins interrupted by black notches looking like stitching; white fore-supercilium and red lower mandible highlighting pre-ocular black line connecting the eye to the black upper mandible; in combination with the red legs, the diagnostic white elliptical patch on the back observed when preening; first calendar year bird showing several all gray formative feathers on the upper scapulars and juvenile barring along the flanks.

 

Subsequently, hundreds of other observers from around the country agreed with this identification.

 

17. When did you first write down notes describing the bird(s) in question? (If you have field notes or notes written within a few days after returning from the field, then please include scans or photocopies of them with your submission.)

 

I did not take field notes. I have 177 photos ranging from very good to excellent showing all aspects of the bird in detail. Margaret took note of the field characteristics as I outlined them to her in the field. She submitted her description (above) to eBird within 24 hours of the sighting.

 

18. Books and other references consulted.

 

I did not need to consult books and references. The primary reference was the photos of the bird. Margaret Jewett referred to her Sibley’s and National Geographic Field Guides as well as Shorebirds: an identification guide by Peter Hayman, John Marchant, and Tony Prater.

 

19. Were the references consulted before or after you first wrote down a description?

 

Margaret looked at the field guides in her car for a general description after first spotting the shorebird with the red legs. The guides were not in hand when she viewed the bird and observed its characteristics.

 

20. How did the references influence the description?

 

The references did not influence the description. The references, in conjunction with the photographs, corroborated the identification.

 

21. Were photographs obtained?

 

One hundred seventy-seven photographs were obtained

 

22. Your name.

 

Alan J Ryff

 

Date you filled out this form.

 

10 November 2018

  

Is an oil free future possible? That was the question that brought together leading MEPs, businessmen and Nobel Prize winners on Tuesday 7 December for the STOA science lecture. The Parliament's "Science and Technology Options Assessment" panel consider ways in which Europe could wean itself off oil and whether it would indeed be possible to have a future without it. Climate engineering, electric cars, particles of sulphur and methanol were all mentioned as ways of tackling climate change.

 

The keynote speakers were Shai Agassi, CEO of the company Better Place and two Nobel Prize laureates in chemistry: Dr Paul Crutzen from Max-Planck-Institute and Prof George Oláh from the University of Southern California. Participants discussed keynote speakers' presentations in a panel discussion and a workshop. The lecture have been moderated by BBC journalist Shirin Wheeler.

 

Before the event, Vice-President responsible for STOA Silvana Koch-Mehrin (ALDE, DE), STOA Chairman Paul Rübig (EPP, AT), and STOA Vice-chairman Malcolm Harbour (ECR, UK), holded a press conference with invited guests. Press conference and the lecture will be web-streamed.

 

Throughout the day, a demonstration of electric and hybrid cars, with the possibility of test drives, took place in the Esplanade area in front of Parliament's Altiero Spinelli building (entrance from Place du Luxembourg).

 

www.europarl.europa.eu/news/public/story_page/051-106208-...

 

©European Parliament/Pietro Naj-Oleari

brick brown deer skin, antler tip closure. 8x8

I took a large ornament outside while it was snowing in an effort to get some card-worthy shots. I got a few shots I'm considering for using as holiday cards next year. And the birdhouse photos are just for fun because I liked how they looked.

Is it possible to fall in love with a virtual mate? In Second Life, couples prove that theory on a regular basis. They do fall in love. Sometimes, it lasts and sometimes it doesn't.

 

Those that last are a remarkable group of couples. They are remarkable both in SL and RL where the divorce rate matches the break-ups in SL!

 

My partner, Xavier and I enjoy SL very much. We dance, we explore, we network, we chill, we love and we have a blast doing silly things.

 

So many places offer romantic areas such as ballrooms, chill zones and explorations. Here are some of our favorites...

 

Avilion Ballroom is a special favorite of mine. It's where I first danced with my first crush... and now I dance here with my partner. Recently, renovated, the Avilion offers a beautiful place to romance each other.

 

Phatland is another. More jazz music than Avilion, Phat's is a sophisticated club for couples. Beautifully built, we seem to frequent this place a lot.

 

Another great ballroom venue is Frank's Place. A lot of avies hang out here, so do prepare for a bit of lag. I suggest that you arrive early so that you can grab a spot on the dance floor.

 

A smaller club that we frequent regularly is the MMAC Jazz Link. Every week, DJ VJ Shojo spins an eclectic set of jazz and indie tunes. Very chill and very romantic little jazz club. Dash Renoir is the perfect host there.

 

Then there's the beautiful Ballroom">Palace, where grand is an understatement. We usually arrive to a nearly empty place dancing alone in our own world. Very romantic.

 

But, the most grand of all is a recent discovery. Tempura Island and Ballroom is the epitome of a lover's paradise. Grand and magnificent, the ballroom is done in gold gilt, with a beautiful ceiling and wall textures. The stairs leading to the ballroom and castle are simple but ever so opulent. This is an LM that I have sent to all my friends! LOL!

 

And we still frequent the clubs that offer a place for us. A place where we can be a couple without the drama that other places bring...

 

We hit Dorian Gray for DJ Barbs set and Xavier set off his JMD particle hud for a romantic interlude on the dance floor. So fun!

 

A big thanks to DJ Dint Talon for an awesome night over at IPR365 Milky Way Entertainment complex's K-Lounge. OMG, we had a blast! DJ Dint was spinning an incredible set of jungle, tribal, trance... you name it, he was spinning it! We stayed until the end!

 

We also went to Bogart's Cafe which is kinda a ballroom and kinda a lounge setting. You can dress in ballroom or cocktail dress there. We often go in between clubbing for a quick ballroom dance to lovely jazz music.

 

We usually stop off at Spanish DJ Sonar Halsey's Future Club. It is always psy heaven there! And BassLine Island for some hardcore tunes to get the blood pumping. Both are fun clubs for couples to hang at and dance.

 

And when we explore, we always seem to find the cutest places such as Midnight City for NBC's romantic dinner club, Rainbow Room Dining and the Italian pizza place that reminds me of North Beach in San Francisco!

 

The other night, Xavi took me to NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's build featuring an interactive floor of of the entire world's atmosphere! Wow! This from the US Department of Commerce!

 

And, when we chill at home we can be silly and set off our particles and dance or pull all our emotes and gestures for hours of silliness.

 

Couples in Second Life are just like couples in real life. They play, they love, they emote real emotions towards each other... and as best friends, they share the best of Second Life together.

  

We asked ourselves; is it possible to swap the chassis of a Series 2 Land Rover in one day? We started at 9:00 am in the morning and finished at 01:00 am, 16 hours of work with two men at the job did the trick. The car is a 1958 model 88" Series 2 Land Rover. The location is outside our (too) small storage-building in Kristiansand, Norway. Enjoy!

 

Music:

Bonobo - Scuba [Amon Tobin Mix]

...and the sound of a 2,25 ltr Land Rover petrol engine, which some people may call music.

The Albertina

The architectural history of the Palais

(Pictures you can see by clicking on the link at the end of page!)

Image: The oldest photographic view of the newly designed Palais Archduke Albrecht, 1869

"It is my will that ​​the expansion of the inner city of Vienna with regard to a suitable connection of the same with the suburbs as soon as possible is tackled and at this on Regulirung (regulation) and beautifying of my Residence and Imperial Capital is taken into account. To this end I grant the withdrawal of the ramparts and fortifications of the inner city and the trenches around the same".

This decree of Emperor Franz Joseph I, published on 25 December 1857 in the Wiener Zeitung, formed the basis for the largest the surface concerning and architecturally most significant transformation of the Viennese cityscape. Involving several renowned domestic and foreign architects a "master plan" took form, which included the construction of a boulevard instead of the ramparts between the inner city and its radially upstream suburbs. In the 50-years during implementation phase, an impressive architectural ensemble developed, consisting of imperial and private representational buildings, public administration and cultural buildings, churches and barracks, marking the era under the term "ring-street style". Already in the first year tithe decided a senior member of the Austrian imperial family to decorate the facades of his palace according to the new design principles, and thus certified the aristocratic claim that this also "historicism" said style on the part of the imperial house was attributed.

Image: The Old Albertina after 1920

It was the palace of Archduke Albrecht (1817-1895), the Senior of the Habsburg Family Council, who as Field Marshal held the overall command over the Austro-Hungarian army. The building was incorporated into the imperial residence of the Hofburg complex, forming the south-west corner and extending eleven meters above street level on the so-called Augustinerbastei.

The close proximity of the palace to the imperial residence corresponded not only with Emperor Franz Joseph I and Archduke Albert with a close familial relationship between the owner of the palace and the monarch. Even the former inhabitants were always in close relationship to the imperial family, whether by birth or marriage. An exception here again proves the rule: Don Emanuel Teles da Silva Conde Tarouca (1696-1771), for which Maria Theresa in 1744 the palace had built, was just a close friend and advisor of the monarch. Silva Tarouca underpins the rule with a second exception, because he belonged to the administrative services as Generalhofbaudirektor (general court architect) and President of the Austrian-Dutch administration, while all other him subsequent owners were highest ranking military.

In the annals of Austrian history, especially those of military history, they either went into as commander of the Imperial Army, or the Austrian, later kk Army. In chronological order, this applies to Duke Carl Alexander of Lorraine, the brother-of-law of Maria Theresa, as Imperial Marshal, her son-in-law Duke Albert of Saxe-Teschen, also field marshal, whos adopted son, Archduke Charles of Austria, the last imperial field marshal and only Generalissimo of Austria, his son Archduke Albrecht of Austria as Feldmarschalil and army Supreme commander, and most recently his nephew Archduke Friedrich of Austria, who held as field marshal from 1914 to 1916 the command of the Austro-Hungarian troops. Despite their military profession, all five generals conceived themselves as patrons of the arts and promoted large sums of money to build large collections, the construction of magnificent buildings and cultural life. Charles Alexander of Lorraine promoted as governor of the Austrian Netherlands from 1741 to 1780 the Academy of Fine Arts, the Théâtre de Ja Monnaie and the companies Bourgeois Concert and Concert Noble, he founded the Academie royale et imperial des Sciences et des Lettres, opened the Bibliotheque Royal for the population and supported artistic talents with high scholarships. World fame got his porcelain collection, which however had to be sold by Emperor Joseph II to pay off his debts. Duke Albert began in 1776 according to the concept of conte Durazzo to set up an encyclopedic collection of prints, which forms the core of the world-famous "Albertina" today.

Image : Duke Albert and Archduchess Marie Christine show in family cercle the from Italy brought along art, 1776. Frederick Henry Füger.

1816 declared to Fideikommiss and thus in future indivisible, inalienable and inseparable, the collection 1822 passed into the possession of Archduke Carl, who, like his descendants, it broadened. Under him, the collection was introduced together with the sumptuously equipped palace on the Augustinerbastei in the so-called "Carl Ludwig'schen fideicommissum in 1826, by which the building and the in it kept collection fused into an indissoluble unity. At this time had from the Palais Tarouca by structural expansion or acquisition a veritable Residenz palace evolved. Duke Albert of Saxe-Teschen was first in 1800 the third floor of the adjacent Augustinian convent wing adapted to house his collection and he had after 1802 by his Belgian architect Louis de Montoyer at the suburban side built a magnificent extension, called the wing of staterooms, it was equipped in the style of Louis XVI. Only two decades later, Archduke Carl the entire palace newly set up. According to scetches of the architect Joseph Kornhäusel the 1822-1825 retreaded premises presented themselves in the Empire style. The interior of the palace testified from now in an impressive way the high rank and the prominent position of its owner. Under Archduke Albrecht the outer appearance also should meet the requirements. He had the facade of the palace in the style of historicism orchestrated and added to the Palais front against the suburbs an offshore covered access. Inside, he limited himself, apart from the redesign of the Rococo room in the manner of the second Blondel style, to the retention of the paternal stock. Archduke Friedrich's plans for an expansion of the palace were omitted, however, because of the outbreak of the First World War so that his contribution to the state rooms, especially, consists in the layout of the Spanish apartment, which he in 1895 for his sister, the Queen of Spain Maria Christina, had set up as a permanent residence.

Picture: The "audience room" after the restoration: Picture: The "balcony room" around 1990

The era of stately representation with handing down their cultural values ​​found its most obvious visualization inside the palace through the design and features of the staterooms. On one hand, by the use of the finest materials and the purchase of masterfully manufactured pieces of equipment, such as on the other hand by the permanent reuse of older equipment parts. This period lasted until 1919, when Archduke Friedrich was expropriated by the newly founded Republic of Austria. With the republicanization of the collection and the building first of all finished the tradition that the owner's name was synonymous with the building name:

After Palais Tarouca or tarokkisches house it was called Lorraine House, afterwards Duke Albert Palais and Palais Archduke Carl. Due to the new construction of an adjacently located administration building it received in 1865 the prefix "Upper" and was referred to as Upper Palais Archduke Albrecht and Upper Palais Archduke Frederick. For the state a special reference to the Habsburg past was certainly politically no longer opportune, which is why was decided to name the building according to the in it kept collection "Albertina".

Picture: The "Wedgwood Cabinet" after the restoration: Picture: the "Wedgwood Cabinet" in the Palais Archduke Friedrich, 1905

This name derives from the term "La Collection Albertina" which had been used by the gallery Inspector Maurice von Thausing in 1870 in the Gazette des Beaux-Arts for the former graphics collection of Duke Albert. For this reason, it was the first time since the foundation of the palace that the name of the collection had become synonymous with the room shell. Room shell, hence, because the Republic of Austria Archduke Friedrich had allowed to take along all the movable goods from the palace in his Hungarian exile: crystal chandeliers, curtains and carpets as well as sculptures, vases and clocks. Particularly stressed should be the exquisite furniture, which stems of three facilities phases: the Louis XVI furnitures of Duke Albert, which had been manufactured on the basis of fraternal relations between his wife Archduchess Marie Christine and the French Queen Marie Antoinette after 1780 in the French Hofmanufakturen, also the on behalf of Archduke Charles 1822-1825 in the Vienna Porcelain Manufactory by Joseph Danhauser produced Empire furnitures and thirdly additions of the same style of Archduke Friedrich, which this about 1900 at Portois & Ffix as well as at Friedrich Otto Schmidt had commissioned.

The "swept clean" building got due to the strained financial situation after the First World War initially only a makeshift facility. However, since until 1999 no revision of the emergency equipment took place, but differently designed, primarily the utilitarianism committed office furnitures complementarily had been added, the equipment of the former state rooms presented itself at the end of the 20th century as an inhomogeneous administrative mingle-mangle of insignificant parts, where, however, dwelt a certain quaint charm. From the magnificent state rooms had evolved depots, storage rooms, a library, a study hall and several officed.

Image: The Albertina Graphic Arts Collection and the Philipphof after the American bombing of 12 März 1945.

Image: The palace after the demolition of the entrance facade, 1948-52

Worse it hit the outer appearance of the palace, because in times of continued anti-Habsburg sentiment after the Second World War and inspired by an intolerant destruction will, it came by pickaxe to a ministerial erasure of history. In contrast to the graphic collection possessed the richly decorated facades with the conspicuous insignia of the former owner an object-immanent reference to the Habsburg past and thus exhibited the monarchial traditions and values ​​of the era of Francis Joseph significantly. As part of the remedial measures after a bomb damage, in 1948 the aristocratic, by Archduke Albert initiated, historicist facade structuring along with all decorations was cut off, many facade figures demolished and the Hapsburg crest emblems plunged to the ground. Since in addition the old ramp also had been cancelled and the main entrance of the bastion level had been moved down to the second basement storey at street level, ended the presence of the old Archduke's palace after more than 200 years. At the reopening of the "Albertina Graphic Collection" in 1952, the former Hapsburg Palais of splendour presented itself as one of his identity robbed, formally trivial, soulless room shell, whose successful republicanization an oversized and also unproportional eagle above the new main entrance to the Augustinian road symbolized. The emocratic throw of monuments had wiped out the Hapsburg palace from the urban appeareance, whereby in the perception only existed a nondescript, nameless and ahistorical building that henceforth served the lodging and presentation of world-famous graphic collection of the Albertina. The condition was not changed by the decision to the refurbishment because there were only planned collection specific extensions, but no restoration of the palace.

Image: The palace after the Second World War with simplified facades, the rudiment of the Danubiusbrunnens (well) and the new staircase up to the Augustinerbastei

This paradigm shift corresponded to a blatant reversal of the historical circumstances, as the travel guides and travel books for kk Residence and imperial capital of Vienna dedicated itself primarily with the magnificent, aristocratic palace on the Augustinerbastei with the sumptuously fitted out reception rooms and mentioned the collection kept there - if at all - only in passing. Only with the repositioning of the Albertina in 2000 under the direction of Klaus Albrecht Schröder, the palace was within the meaning and in fulfillment of the Fideikommiss of Archduke Charles in 1826 again met with the high regard, from which could result a further inseparable bond between the magnificent mansions and the world-famous collection. In view of the knowing about politically motivated errors and omissions of the past, the facades should get back their noble, historicist designing, the staterooms regain their glamorous, prestigious appearance and culturally unique equippment be repurchased. From this presumption, eventually grew the full commitment to revise the history of redemption and the return of the stately palace in the public consciousness.

Image: The restored suburb facade of the Palais Albertina suburb

The smoothed palace facades were returned to their original condition and present themselves today - with the exception of the not anymore reconstructed Attica figures - again with the historicist decoration and layout elements that Archduke Albrecht had given after the razing of the Augustinerbastei in 1865 in order. The neoclassical interiors, today called after the former inhabitants "Habsburg Staterooms", receiving a meticulous and detailed restoration taking place at the premises of originality and authenticity, got back their venerable and sumptuous appearance. From the world wide scattered historical pieces of equipment have been bought back 70 properties or could be returned through permanent loan to its original location, by which to the visitors is made experiencable again that atmosphere in 1919 the state rooms of the last Habsburg owner Archduke Frederick had owned. The for the first time in 80 years public accessible "Habsburg State Rooms" at the Palais Albertina enable now again as eloquent testimony to our Habsburg past and as a unique cultural heritage fundamental and essential insights into the Austrian cultural history. With the relocation of the main entrance to the level of the Augustinerbastei the recollection to this so valuable Austrian Cultural Heritage formally and functionally came to completion. The vision of the restoration and recovery of the grand palace was a pillar on which the new Albertina should arise again, the other embody the four large newly built exhibition halls, which allow for the first time in the history of the Albertina, to exhibit the collection throughout its encyclopedic breadh under optimal conservation conditions.

Image: The new entrance area of the Albertina

64 meter long shed roof. Hans Hollein.

The palace presents itself now in its appearance in the historicist style of the Ringstrassenära, almost as if nothing had happened in the meantime. But will the wheel of time should not, cannot and must not be turned back, so that the double standards of the "Albertina Palace" said museum - on the one hand Habsburg grandeur palaces and other modern museum for the arts of graphics - should be symbolized by a modern character: The in 2003 by Hans Hollein designed far into the Albertina square cantilevering, elegant floating flying roof. 64 meters long, it symbolizes in the form of a dynamic wedge the accelerated urban spatial connectivity and public access to the palace. It advertises the major changes in the interior as well as the huge underground extensions of the repositioned "Albertina".

 

Christian Benedictine

Art historian with research interests History of Architecture, building industry of the Hapsburgs, Hofburg and Zeremonialwissenschaft (ceremonial sciences). Since 1990 he works in the architecture collection of the Albertina. Since 2000 he supervises as director of the newly founded department "Staterooms" the restoration and furnishing of the state rooms and the restoration of the facades and explores the history of the palace and its inhabitants.

www.wien-vienna.at/albertinabaugeschichte.php

Possible former Kroger grocery store.

Great Eastern Shopping Center - 2584 Woodville Road in Northwood, Ohio

The first season of RoosterTeeth's new series RWBY came to a close. I found a rather interesting story line leading me into liking the series. Besides all the cool weapons and such. Should I make some of these characters is lego Minifigures form?

PictionID:47060490 - Catalog:14_024703 - Title:GD/Astronautics Details: Pneumatic Booster Engine Disconnect Panel Date: 03/11/1966 - Filename:14_024703.TIF - - Images from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum

Mordicus x Yara

12.7 grams

Possible male? Not guaranteed

FAST UX DESIGN PROCESS

For an enterprise-level music supervision company that licenses, collects and distributes public performance royalties for songwriters and publishers I'm designing an international rights management/royalty payments Web application.

 

For songwriters, lyrists, composers, performers, & producers it will handle music publishing rights & royalty administration, stream licensing, YouTube ad revenue, & payments distribution worldwide from different music societies (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, etc.) to bank accounts, checks, PayPal, direct deposits, etc.

 

We began by creating personas, including details of the user's journey maps, & some system requirements (programming already underway). I reviewed 2 personas and we combed through my questions and notes about the requirements for 1 persona, documenting future specs,

 

Meeting via Skype, in a single 3.5-hour session, the product manager and backend/frontend devs discussed in detail the functionality, & interaction relationships calling out users needs with me.

 

Next step? the PM documents main persona's journey map to use for further visualization of users needs and for scenario-based user testing for the most common realistic situations. Teaching the team as we go.

big rock(about 7lbs) from lake superior last summer; definately not agate material; has a flat matte finish; any ideas?

Sat in the car for half an hour before the rain stopped, it started to get brighter from the west.

It continued to rain lightly as the air rises over the Quantock Hills.

HDR to get more detail in the clouds.

"Because you're a miserable bastard obviously"

View Large: farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4366639559_1c455a7eb7_b.jpg

 

Looks like I've been tagged by my Flickr buddy, Dr. Cuervo www.flickr.com/photos/drcuervo/

 

So here are 10 Random Things About Me:

1- My dad's Glaswegian and a distant relative of Robert The Bruce

2- I studied and eventually graduated from Marine Biology at UNSW but became disillusioned with it and am now 2 years into a law degree. Graduating at 30. WOO!

3- I have a bunch of creative projects in the works and am hoping that eventually i'll be able to work part time in law and supplement my income through creative endeavors.

4- I play guitar reasonably well

5- I was brought up Catholic but am now an Agnostic (Really an atheist who is too scared to give up the god of the gaps entirely)

6- I roleplay (Dungeons and Dragons etc) (Please don't give me a wedgie). In fact i love most types of escapism :p

7- I trained in Angola Capoeira for 6 years but left due to the organizational politics

8- I sometimes suffer from major self doubt and depression (But i'm getting on top of this)

9- I'm torn between taxi driver and donnie darko. Either way i'm gods lonely confused man.

10- I'm working towards going on a tour of all the weirdest parts of America. Winchester Mystery House etc

 

If you have any other random questions that you would like to ask feel free to do so in the comments and I'll respond. BTW,

 

Oh and obviously if you've been tagged it's now your turn

 

Title / Titre :

Officer of the Royal Navy (possibly H.R.H. the Prince of Wales) standing on an iceberg /

 

Officier de la Marine royale (possiblement Son Altesse Royale le prince de Galles) debout sur un iceberg

 

Creator(s) / Créateur(s) : Unknown / Inconnu

 

Date(s) : August 12, 1919 / 12 août, 1919

 

Reference No. / Numéro de référence : ITEM 3194395, 3624611

 

central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=fonandcol&id=3194...

central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=fonandcol&id=3624...

 

Location / Lieu : Conception Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada / baie de la Conception, Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, Canada

 

Credit / Mention de source :

Arthur George Doughty fonds. Library and Archives Canada, PA-022323 /

 

Fonds Arthur George Doughty. Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, PA-022323

Is it possible to fall in love with a virtual mate? In Second Life, couples prove that theory on a regular basis. They do fall in love. Sometimes, it lasts and sometimes it doesn't.

 

Those that last are a remarkable group of couples. They are remarkable both in SL and RL where the divorce rate matches the break-ups in SL!

 

My partner, Xavier and I enjoy SL very much. We dance, we explore, we network, we chill, we love and we have a blast doing silly things.

 

So many places offer romantic areas such as ballrooms, chill zones and explorations. Here are some of our favorites...

 

Avilion Ballroom is a special favorite of mine. It's where I first danced with my first crush... and now I dance here with my partner. Recently, renovated, the Avilion offers a beautiful place to romance each other.

 

Phatland is another. More jazz music than Avilion, Phat's is a sophisticated club for couples. Beautifully built, we seem to frequent this place a lot.

 

Another great ballroom venue is Frank's Place. A lot of avies hang out here, so do prepare for a bit of lag. I suggest that you arrive early so that you can grab a spot on the dance floor.

 

A smaller club that we frequent regularly is the MMAC Jazz Link. Every week, DJ VJ Shojo spins an eclectic set of jazz and indie tunes. Very chill and very romantic little jazz club. Dash Renoir is the perfect host there.

 

Then there's the beautiful Ballroom">Palace, where grand is an understatement. We usually arrive to a nearly empty place dancing alone in our own world. Very romantic.

 

But, the most grand of all is a recent discovery. Tempura Island and Ballroom is the epitome of a lover's paradise. Grand and magnificent, the ballroom is done in gold gilt, with a beautiful ceiling and wall textures. The stairs leading to the ballroom and castle are simple but ever so opulent. This is an LM that I have sent to all my friends! LOL!

 

And we still frequent the clubs that offer a place for us. A place where we can be a couple without the drama that other places bring...

 

We hit Dorian Gray for DJ Barbs set and Xavier set off his JMD particle hud for a romantic interlude on the dance floor. So fun!

 

A big thanks to DJ Dint Talon for an awesome night over at IPR365 Milky Way Entertainment complex's K-Lounge. OMG, we had a blast! DJ Dint was spinning an incredible set of jungle, tribal, trance... you name it, he was spinning it! We stayed until the end!

 

We also went to Bogart's Cafe which is kinda a ballroom and kinda a lounge setting. You can dress in ballroom or cocktail dress there. We often go in between clubbing for a quick ballroom dance to lovely jazz music.

 

We usually stop off at Spanish DJ Sonar Halsey's Future Club. It is always psy heaven there! And BassLine Island for some hardcore tunes to get the blood pumping. Both are fun clubs for couples to hang at and dance.

 

And when we explore, we always seem to find the cutest places such as Midnight City for NBC's romantic dinner club, Rainbow Room Dining and the Italian pizza place that reminds me of North Beach in San Francisco!

 

The other night, Xavi took me to NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's build featuring an interactive floor of of the entire world's atmosphere! Wow! This from the US Department of Commerce!

 

And, when we chill at home we can be silly and set off our particles and dance or pull all our emotes and gestures for hours of silliness.

 

Couples in Second Life are just like couples in real life. They play, they love, they emote real emotions towards each other... and as best friends, they share the best of Second Life together.

  

This was built a while ago. I thought it looked cool enough to post.

This cat had been draped around Julies shoulders and after purring contentedly for a while we had to move on. She put it down on the wall and almost immediately the skunk checked it out, followed by the meerkats. lol

"If they say it's impossible, it's impossible for them, not for you." -Unknown

 

Start small but achieve big things! Call 1(213)4198914 ☎️ for #businesssuccess!

THE AFGHAN CONFLICT - A MAP OF POSSIBLE SCENARIOS is a poster displaying possible future scenarios around the afghan conflict that might take place in order to give an better overview on this very complex problem.

 

view the whole thing via:

www.theafghanconflict.de and get your own copy of it.

 

this is my first work in collaboration with Karen Hentschel and Pierre la Baume, and more will follow!

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, visited the U.S.-Mexico border this week, ahead of possible Congressional action this year on border security.

 

McCaskill’s trip included:

 

Walking tour and Field Operations briefing at the Hidalgo Port of Entry

Air and marine operations overview followed by aerial and boat tour of border

Tour of the McAllen, Texas Centralized Processing Center

Tour of the McAllen, Texas Border Patrol Station

Briefings from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Border Patrol, and other officials on border security and counter narcotics operations

Nighttime border observation with the U.S. Border Patrol

Meeting with refugees and community leaders including McAllen Mayor Jim Darling

“Touring the border gave me a firsthand look at what’s really needed to further secure our border and keep our nation safe,” said McCaskill. “This is a complex issue and I look forward to working with Congress and the Department of Homeland Security to address the challenges we face. We know that whenever we have people illegally crossing our border, it’s a security threat. So we need to make sure our border patrol has the technology they need to target all undocumented immigration. Given that many of the people crossing our border are women and children fleeing violence in Central America, we’ve also got to go after the drug cartels and gang violence in their home countries so that these families and unaccompanied children are not making the dangerous journey to our southern border.”

 

McCaskill is a longtime advocate for strengthening border security. Her efforts in 2010 led to the placement of 1,000 new border patrol agents, new unmanned aerial vehicles, improved communication equipment and more to monitor the border without adding to the deficit. In 2012, her bipartisan bill to combat illegal underground border tunnels—cosponsored by Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona—passed unanimously in the Senate and was signed into law.

 

And bipartisan, comprehensive legislation to address the country’s broken system in 2013 that McCaskill supported passed the Senate with the support of conservative Republican Senators including Marco Rubio of Florida, John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona, and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. The bill was strongly supported by groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Missouri Farm Bureau. The bill's border security provisions would have added 20,000 enforcement agents to the U.S.-Mexico border, while financing the construction of 700 miles of border fence and aerial drones to monitor the border. Republican Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, who helped draft the border security provisions and who supported the overall bill, described the measures as “almost overkill.”

Based on work done in Alberta, at i150.ca hundreds of world cafe style events have been harvesting the values and connections to civic engagement. Today we worked with graduate students and faculty in higher education to distill how they envision their future. There is a second version of this one with everyone's individual vision statement.

“It's Possible” has an inspiring and powerful influence on people of all ages across the globe, like one of Michael Jackson’s masterpieces, but it’s a unique new-generation classic.

 

Written by Nelsy Akomor aka Fléxy in 2013, in a very dark moment of his life, immediately he relocated to Milan from Nigeria, to further his musical career.

Being faced with such terrible period, Fléxy survived the trying times and wrote “It’s Possible”, as an instrument to also inspire and motivate others to strive, be better, aim higher, achieve greater and succeed at anything in life no matter what, without limitations.

 

The video of this song was shot in “Milan” and at one of the most famous rock climbing areas of the Alps in Italy, called “5 Torri” in the Dolomites, located at the centre of Cortina d’Ampezzo. A six hour drive location, from the Centre of Milan.

 

LOVE IS THE GREATEST! The message of this song instigates love, will, strength, aspiration, goals, positivity and success. And the power of this song lies within it’s powerful story.

 

“It’s Possible” is dedicated to every DREAMER, STRUGGLE & SUCCESS!

Dream! Get up and get to work.

“Don't be scared to sacrifice it all for what you believe in"

-Fléxy

 

We dedicate the video of #ItsPossible to our beautiful and beloved children and to the works and amazing legacies of the great men and women, whose photos graced this music video. Humanity is forever grateful to them, for their extraordinary roles and positive impacts.

 

Below are the names of the icons, represented by 44 amazing children in the video:

Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, Abraham Lincoln, Oprah Winfrey, William Henry Gates III (Bill Gates), Michael Joseph Jackson (Michael Jackson), Audrey Hepburn, Princess Diana (Princess of Wales), Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Mark Elliot Zuckerberg, Ma Yun (Jack ma), Eva Peron (Evita), John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK), Galileo Galilei, Maya Angelou, Martin Luther king Jr., Rita Levi Montalcini, Anna May Wong, Diego Maradona, Kedson Arantes do Nascimento (Pelé), Marie Skłodowska Curie, Albert Einstein, Maria Tecla Artemisia Montessori, Mahātmā Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Muhammad Ali, Fe Villanueva del Mundo, Valentina Tereshkova, Nikola Tesla, Augusta Ada King-Noel (Ada Lovelace), Susan Brownell Anthony, Neil Alden Armstrong, Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson, Andrew Carnegie, Leonardo di ser Piero Da Vinci (Da Vinci), Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel (Coco Channel), Michelangelo Di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (Michelangelo), Hattie McDaniel, Helen Adams Keller, Mother Teresa (Saint Teresa of Calcutta)

  

"A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO SOME OF THE GREATEST MEN AND WOMEN, AS BLESSINGS TO HUMANITY"

 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/meflexy

 

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/meflexy

 

Twitter: twitter.com/meflexy

 

Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/2vuMTz...

 

SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/meflexy

 

Official VEVO Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UC4cj...

 

Website: www.kipitsexy.com

  

Thanks for watching! :)

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING FLÉXY!

Kim Possible @fluffmunkeycosplay

This photo was taken last year on New Year's Eve.

"Cet exemple de l'oeuvre fameuse de l'architecte français Hector Guimard fut offert aux Montréalais par la ville de Paris en 1967 pour commémorer la collaboration entre le génie français et canadien qui servit à réaliser le métro. Notre Guimard est le seul authentique au monde sur une station de métro hors Paris."

    

Deviné par Martin Ujlaki

 

possible shooting options east of meetup area - flickr meetup 02/18/07 (11:00am) BYOL in front of zoo

 

queen's beach - waikiki

taken: lunch 01/12/2007

 

The Finale to the BARC Club Car Championships Weekender at Brands Hatch and after a Very Thrilling set of both Qualifying Sessions and Races which took place on the Saturday it was Time once again for each Driver to strap in and get ready for some high speed Racing Action thought the Sunday.

 

In Tribute to the Marshall who was Tragically Killed on the Saturday Some Car and Driver Pairings were Racing with Orange Hearts on their Cars as a Tribute to all of Motorsports Family of Marshalls for who without Racing would not be possible. Thank You!

 

So Lets get started and see what the days events Haver to Offer and who can Push their Machinery to the Limits and beyond for a Victory.

 

Britcar Endurance Championship - Trophy Category (Race 1 Results FINAL)

 

The Britcar Endurance Trophy was the First up and it was time to see who could claim that elusive Pole Position and to see if anyone else could challenge the Top Three Drivers Lets see how things turned out.

 

In First Place was the Pairing Of (Datum Motorsport's Axel Van Nederveen and Adriano Medeiros) in their Ginetta G55A with a Best Lap Time of 52:193 and an Average Speed of 64.75mph. Congratulations Axel and Adriano a Really Fantastic Drive and A Super Victory.

 

In Second Place was (SVG's Mark Lee) in his Ginetta G56A with a Best Lap Time of 52.086 and an Average Speed of 64.70mph. Amazing Drive Mark Keeping that Ginetta on the Track and Taking Second Place while Nearly Matching the Speed of Axel and Adriano. Well Done.

 

In Third Place was (Terry Stephens) in his Peugeot 308 with a Best Lap Time of 53.421 and an Average Speed of 64.50mph. Well Fought Terry a Fantastic Finish in Third Place and Staying Ahead by just over 11 seconds to the Pair of Jasver and Bryan in 4th. Amazing Job.

 

A Really Enjoyable and Exciting First Race of the Sunday with High Speed Action and Incredible Victories on Track. Congratulations Axel Adriano Mark and Terry. Lets see what Race 2 Brings in terms of the Action.

  

Britcar Endurance Championship - Trophy Category (Race 2 Results FINAL)

 

Race 2 For Britcar Next and after a Very Fast and Action Packed First Race Will we see a New Face on the Top Step of the Podium? Lets find out.

 

In First Place was the Pairing of (Woodrow Motorsport's Simon Baker and Kevin Clarke) in their BMW 1 Series with a Best Lap Time of 51.837 and an Average Speed of 78.22mph. Amazing work Simon and Kevin who have Beaten the Pairing Of (Datum Motorsport's Axel Van Nederveen and Adriano Medeiros) to Victory. An Incredible Drive by Both of them Well Done.

 

In Second Place was (SVG Mark Lee) in his Ginetta G56A with a Best Lap Time of 52.281 and an Average Speed of 76.89mph. Again a Huge Congratulations to Mark Lee for hanging onto that Second Place Despite Fierce Competition during The Race. Amazing Drive.

 

In Third Place was (Simon Green Motorsport's Pairing of Jasver Sapra and Brian Branson) in their BMW M3 E46 with a Best Lap Time of 52.718 and an Average Speed of 76.88mph. Congratulations Jasver and Brain Brilliant Drive and well Defended to keep that Third Place in Tact.

 

Two Incredible Races with Two Very Different Outcomes of Race Winners and Runners Up The Britcar Endurance Trophy is Proving to be Very Competitive this Year.

 

A Huge Congratulations to Simon Kevin Mark Jasver and Brain for some Amazing Racing and Victories and Good Luck to All Other Drivers. Keep working Hard and Pushing for that All Important Victory.

 

CTCRC Edmundson Electrical Classic / Historic Thunder Saloons (Race 1 Result FINAL)

 

Next Up was the CTCRC Electrical and Historic Thunder Saloons and After a Thrilling Qualifying Session Yesterday Lets see what Each Driver has got and who can Push to the Limits for that All Important Victory.

 

In First Place was (Jason West) in his BMW E46 M3 3200 with a Best Lap Time of 51.907 and an Average Speed of 59.84mph. Congratulations Jason for Another Incredible Drive for First Place and a well Deserved Victory Amongst some Stiff Competition.

 

In Second Place was (Andrew Wilson) in his Holden Monaro 7000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.418 and an Average Speed of 59.96mph. Well Done Andrew Fantastic Driving and a Super Defensive Drive for Second Place.

 

In Third Place was (Samuel Wilson) in his Aston Martin V8 Vantage with a Best Lap Time of 52.699 and an Average Speed of 59.50mph. Amazing Work Samuel and a Beautiful Example of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage on Display Showing its Raw Power and Racing Pedigree to Finish in Third Place.

 

A Fantastic Finish to The Historic and Electrical Thunder Saloons Racing at The Weekend. A Huge Congratulations to Our Top Three Finishers Jason Andrew and Samuel. Fantastic Racing from all Three of you and Good Luck to all other Drivers Keep Tuning and Working Hard and I'm sure Victory Will not be too Far Away from you.

 

CTCRC JEC Saloon & GT Championship & Burton Power BOSS (Race 2 Results FINAL)

 

Next Up CTCRC Saloon and GT Championships and with some Fierce Competition on Display during not only Qualifying but also Their First Race on the Saturday Which saw Malcom Harding Storm to an Insane Victory who Will be able to Take him on and Potentially Steal his Crown during the Next Race Today? Lets See.

 

In First Place was (Malcom Harding) in his Ford Escort MK2 Zakspeed 2500 with a Best Lap Time of 53.888 and an Average Speed of 78.49mph. Another Incredible Victory for Malcom that Highly Modified Zakspeed Escort Really Shows off the Power and Performance of a True Champion and a Fantastic Driver. Congratulations Malcom.

 

In Second Place was (Steven Goldsmith) in his Ford Anglia 105e 260 with a Best Lap Time of 54.335 and an Average Speed of 78.21mph. Another Storming Drive to Achieve Second Place for Steven. Fantastic Driving and Amazing Car Control through Every Corner. Congratulations Steven.

 

In Third Place was (Tom Robinson) in his Jaguar XJ6 4000 with a Best Lap Time of 55.481 and an Average Speed of 55.481mph. Congratulations Tom Superb Display of Driving Ability behind the Jag and a Well Deserved Third Place for Him.

 

Another Incredible Weekend of Racing for the CTCRC Saloon and GT Championships with Some New and Some Old Drivers Stepping onto the Podium. Massive Congratulations to Malcolm Steven and Tom for their First Second And Third Place Finishes. Keep Up the Good Work and Never Stop Trying.

 

CTCRC Laser Tools Pre 93 & Simply Serviced Pre 03 Touring Cars (Race 1 Results FINAL)

 

Now Its Time for The Laser Tools Pre 93 and Simply Serviced Pre 03 Touring Cars to make their way back onto The Track for what Looked to be a Spectacular Race. A Whole Range of Different Cars to Race Against and Stiff Competition after Qualifying Proves that This Race will be One not to be Missed. Lets See what Unfolded.

 

In First Place was (Gary Prebble) in his Honda Civic EG 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 54.100mph and an Average Speed of 78.60mph. Well Done Gary a Really Well Deserved First Place Victory and an Amazing Drive to the Flag.

 

In Second Place was (David Griffith) in his BMW E36 M3 3058 with a Best Lap Time of 54.558 and an Average of 78.42mph. Incredible Drive their David Pushing that BMW For Everything that it Has got to Achieve Second Place.

 

In Third Place was (Kam Tunio) in his Honda Civic EK9 1595 with a Best Lap Time of 55.347 and an Average Speed of 77.05mph. Well Driven Kam Super Driving on Display and a Well Deserved Third Place Finish.

 

Another Amazing Race for The Pre 93 and Pre 03 Touring Cars and a Huge Congratulations to Gary David and Kam for their First Second and Third Place Victories. Keep up the Hard Work and Good Luck to everyone Else wherever your Next Races take you.

 

CTCRC Poultec Classic Race Engines Pre 66 Touring Cars (Race 1 Results)

 

Now it was Time for the Fan Favourite to Enter onto the Brands Hatch Circuit with the Pre 66 Touring Cars Championship. With Mini's Lotus Cortina's and Ford Falcons. This was One Race that No One Wanted to Miss. After a Very Fast Paced Qualifying Session on the Saturday Which saw (Alan Greenhalgh) take Pole Position who Will be able to Challenge Him During the Race and Snatch Victory Away from Him.

 

In First Place was (Alan Greenhalgh) in his Ford Falcon with A Best Lap Time of 58.707 and an Average Speed of 72.63mph. Congratulations Alan A Beautiful Example of the Ford Falcon and Certainly a Very Fast One too. Congratulations on Your Victory.

 

In Second Place was (Robyn Slater) in his Ford Anglia 1550 with a Best Lap Time of 58.992 and an Average Speed of 72.06mph. Very Good Drive their From Robyn to Secure Second Place in The First Race of the Day for the Pre 66 Touring Cars.

 

In Third Place was (Barry Sime) in his Morris Mini Cooper S 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 59.116 and an Average Speed of 71.95mph. Fantastic Work their Barry Keeping that Little Rocket on The Track looked to be Very Challenging but A Very Well Deserved Third Place.

 

What A First Race for The Historic Pre 66 Touring Cars showing The Power and Pride Each Driver takes in Both Racing and Preservation on Their Beloved Racing Machines. Congratulations to Alan Robyn and Barry on their First Second and Third Place Finishes. Lets See what New Challenges Await Them in Race 2 The Final Race of The Day for Them.

 

CTCRC Poultec Classic Race Engines Pre 66 Touring Cars (Race 2 Results FINAL)

 

The Epic FINALE To The Pre 66 Touring Cars Race was A Race in Wet Conditions Making it even more Challenging for The Top Three Drivers. Who would Win and be able to Retain if not Take on thease Three Giants of Touring Car Racing in thease Conditions. Lets See How Things Concluded.

 

In First Place was (Barry Sime) in his Morris Mini Cooper S 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 1:11.482 and an Average Speed of 58.62mph. Amazing Work Barry to take Home a Superb Victory and a Brilliant Bit of Wet Weather Driving in The Mini Well Done.

 

In Second Place was (John Davies) in his Austin Mini Cooper S 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 1:11.416 and an Average Speed of 58.38mph. Amazing Work John Racing A Mini in thease Conditions is Very Tricky and Yet both You and Barry made it look Easy.

 

In Third Place was (James Ibbotson) in his Hillman Imp Super 998 with a Best Lap Time of 1:11.518 and an Average Speed of 58.12mph. Well Done James Sliding that Imp around in the Wet for a Magnificent Third Place was Well Deserved.

 

What A Race to End the Day for the Pre 66 Touring Cars and with So many Old and New Winners Lets Hope we Get to see More Races like This One Thought the Rest of the 2021 Season. A Big Congratulations to Barry John and James on their Respective Victories and Keep Trying Everyone Else The Hard Work will Pay off.

 

CTCRC Shell Oils Pre 83 Touring Cars (Race 1 FINAL)

 

Up Next The Pre 83 Touring Cars took to the Track for Their Only Race of The Day and from what We Have Seen Already This Race also looks like its going to be a Very Strong Battle for First Second and Third Place. Lets See who Came First and Took that All Important Victory.

 

In First Place was (Mark Lucock) in his Ford Escort MK1 RS2000 2040 with a Best Lap Time of 57.687 and an Average Speed of 74.53mph. Amazing work there Mark Pushing All the Power the RS2000 Engine Has and Keeping it on Track to Score an Amazing Victory.

 

In Second Place was (Stephen Primett) in his Ford Escort MK1 2037 with a Best Lap Time of 57.503 and an Average Speed of 74.52mph. Another Brilliant Drive from the Likes of Stephen Keep the Pace with Mark and Making for some Fierce Competition Thought the Race.

 

In Third Place was (Mike Luck in his BMW E21 320 1998 with a Best Lap Time of 57.236 and an Average Speed of 74.46mph. Super Driving there Mike to take Third Place and a Very Classic Looking BMW Indeed.

 

What A Race from the Pre 83 Touring Cars showcasing Speed Power and What a Touring Car was Made to do around a Race Track. A Big Congratulations to Mark Stephen and Mike on their First Second and Third Place Finishes. Keep Racing and Keep Having Fun Out There.

 

Junior Saloon Car Championship (Race 1 Result FINAL)

 

The Junior Saloon Car Championship was Up Next and Even Though the Age Range of thease Next Drivers Taking to the Circuit Might Shock you at The Fact that Many of them are as Young as 15 Years of age don't be Fooled Because thease Guys Know how to Race Having been brought up from Carting since the age of 4. They are always a Fan Favourite and After Qualifying on the Saturday its Anyone's Game as to Who Wins and Who Losses in Thease Races.

 

In First Place was (Ruben Hage) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 59.967 and an Average Speed of 65.65mph. Congratulations Ruben What A Drive and an Incredible Run for First Place Fending off the Other On Coming Drivers. Truly a Championship Winning Drive.

 

In Second Place was (Harvey Caton) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 59.629 and an Average Speed of 65.64mph. Very Well Driven there Harvey Staying very Close to Ruben in First Place and Keeping Him on His Toes Thought the Entire Race.

 

In Third Place was (Charlie Hand) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Lap Time of 1:00.006 and an Average Speed of 65.57mph. Solid Third Place there Charlie Keep Up the Momentum and Never Give Up Chasing Your Dreams.

 

What a Fantastic Race from the Junior Saloon Car Championship with New Winners on the Podium and Some Close Wheel to Wheel Action Thought the Race Thease Guys will be Fantastic To see in Future Racing Series All Over The World. Congratulations to Ruben Harvey and Charlie for First Second and Third Place and Good Luck to All Other Aspiring Young Drivers Following in the Footsteps of Your Greatest Racing Heroes.

 

Kumho BMW Championship (Race 1 Results)

 

Finally it was Time for the Last Two Races of the Day the Kumo BMW Championship. Featuring The Makes and Models of Many BMW'S taking to the Circuit for Race 1. After a Busy Day Qualifying on Saturday Lets See what Each Driver Cando in The Frist of Two Races for their Championship.

 

In First Place was (Niall Bradley) in his BMW E46 M3 with a Best Lap Time of 50.920 and an Average Speed of 83.60mph. Brilliant Driving There Niall Pushing the Power of the BMW Engine to Max and Putting the Pedal to the Metal the Whole Race. A Superb Victory.

 

In Second Place was (Michael Vitulli) in his BMW E36 M3 3200 with a Best Lap Time of 51.158 and an Average Speed of 83.45mph. Another Incredible Driver Pushing Hard and Taking Second Place. Well Done Michael.

 

In Third Place was (James Card) in his BMW E46 M3 3200 with a Best Lap Time of 51.154 and an Average Speed of 83.42mph. Very Well Done their James Keep Pushing.

 

Three Fantastic Drivers in Niall Michael and James all Fighting for that Victory and Showing The Racer Inside each and Everyone of them. Lets see what Their Final Race of the Day Brings Them.

  

Kumho BMW Championship (Race 2 Results FINAL)

 

In First Place was (Niall Bradley) in his BMW E46 M3 with a Best Lap Time of 53.581 and an Average Speed of 77.79mph. Another Well Deserved First Place Finish to Round of The Days Racing. Congratulations Niall Go and Celebrate with The Team In Style.

 

In Second Place was (Darren Morgan Owen) in his BMW E46 M3 3200 with a Best Lap Time of 53.200 and an Average Speed of 77.43mph. Super Drive There Darren for Second Place and a New Winner onto The Podium.

 

In Third Place was (Brad Sheean) in his BMW E46 M3 3200 with a Best Lap Time of 53.227 and an Average Speed of 77.13mph. Fantastic Drive there Brad and Some Incredible Car Control thought the Entire Race to Finish Third.

 

And That Concludes Racing for the Kumho BMW Championship with 4 Different Winners Across two Races and A lot of Really Fast Action you could not Have Asked for a better Finish to The End of The Days Racing. Massive Congratulations to Niall Darren and Brad and Good Luck to all Other Competing Drivers who are still Looking for that almighty Victory.

 

That Concludes Racing for The BARC Club Car Championships Weekend A Big Congratulations to All of the Drivers of Every Team and a Huge Thank You to Marshalls Far and Wide as Without Your Support Events like This and Champion Drivers May Never Get to Achieve Their Dreams.

 

See You All At The Next One!

             

66008, heads south from Neath & Brecon Junction signal box, working the Onllwyn to Aberthaw 6O32 loaded coal service. The bridge over the line carries the South Wales main line.

Passing thru northern Kentucky recently and stopped in Henderson to see a friend of mine there. Enjoy! Really stormy most of my recent visit to northwestern Kentucky. This was just outside Henderson when I encountered a violent storm.

Sedona area, Coconino County, Arizona

Is it possible to fall in love with a virtual mate? In Second Life, couples prove that theory on a regular basis. They do fall in love. Sometimes, it lasts and sometimes it doesn't.

 

Those that last are a remarkable group of couples. They are remarkable both in SL and RL where the divorce rate matches the break-ups in SL!

 

My partner, Xavier and I enjoy SL very much. We dance, we explore, we network, we chill, we love and we have a blast doing silly things.

 

So many places offer romantic areas such as ballrooms, chill zones and explorations. Here are some of our favorites...

 

Avilion Ballroom is a special favorite of mine. It's where I first danced with my first crush... and now I dance here with my partner. Recently, renovated, the Avilion offers a beautiful place to romance each other.

 

Phatland is another. More jazz music than Avilion, Phat's is a sophisticated club for couples. Beautifully built, we seem to frequent this place a lot.

 

Another great ballroom venue is Frank's Place. A lot of avies hang out here, so do prepare for a bit of lag. I suggest that you arrive early so that you can grab a spot on the dance floor.

 

A smaller club that we frequent regularly is the MMAC Jazz Link. Every week, DJ VJ Shojo spins an eclectic set of jazz and indie tunes. Very chill and very romantic little jazz club. Dash Renoir is the perfect host there.

 

Then there's the beautiful Ballroom">Palace, where grand is an understatement. We usually arrive to a nearly empty place dancing alone in our own world. Very romantic.

 

But, the most grand of all is a recent discovery. Tempura Island and Ballroom is the epitome of a lover's paradise. Grand and magnificent, the ballroom is done in gold gilt, with a beautiful ceiling and wall textures. The stairs leading to the ballroom and castle are simple but ever so opulent. This is an LM that I have sent to all my friends! LOL!

 

And we still frequent the clubs that offer a place for us. A place where we can be a couple without the drama that other places bring...

 

We hit Dorian Gray for DJ Barbs set and Xavier set off his JMD particle hud for a romantic interlude on the dance floor. So fun!

 

A big thanks to DJ Dint Talon for an awesome night over at IPR365 Milky Way Entertainment complex's K-Lounge. OMG, we had a blast! DJ Dint was spinning an incredible set of jungle, tribal, trance... you name it, he was spinning it! We stayed until the end!

 

We also went to Bogart's Cafe which is kinda a ballroom and kinda a lounge setting. You can dress in ballroom or cocktail dress there. We often go in between clubbing for a quick ballroom dance to lovely jazz music.

 

We usually stop off at Spanish DJ Sonar Halsey's Future Club. It is always psy heaven there! And BassLine Island for some hardcore tunes to get the blood pumping. Both are fun clubs for couples to hang at and dance.

 

And when we explore, we always seem to find the cutest places such as Midnight City for NBC's romantic dinner club, Rainbow Room Dining and the Italian pizza place that reminds me of North Beach in San Francisco!

 

The other night, Xavi took me to NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's build featuring an interactive floor of of the entire world's atmosphere! Wow! This from the US Department of Commerce!

 

And, when we chill at home we can be silly and set off our particles and dance or pull all our emotes and gestures for hours of silliness.

 

Couples in Second Life are just like couples in real life. They play, they love, they emote real emotions towards each other... and as best friends, they share the best of Second Life together.

  

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