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Used on specific slag ladle duties on tracks with tight radius curves at Anshan steelworks in Liaoning Province, and not easy to catch in action, just sitting around not doing a lot at the blast furnaces for much of the time, 'PL2' Class 2-6-2 'Prairie' No.244 positioning empty slag ladles on 19th March 1997. The 'PL2' Class was closely related to the 'YJ' Class 2-6-2 and shared all the characteristics of Japanese design, and may well have been rebuilds of examples originally built in Japan around 1935, although information is sketchy. This one carried a 1958 builder's plate. It is believed that No.244 continued to work until around February 2000, when its duties were displaced by diesel, and was the last member of the class to remain in service at Anshan. The last active specimen in China was No.232, seen working at Baotou steelworks in 2002.
© Gordon Edgar - All rights reserved. Please do not use my images without my explicit permission
We're at the end of 2024 and the final roll for this year's entry into the Frugal Film Project. So having to do a bit of Christmas Shopping and needing a specific store I took myself to a favourite historic city, that of Galt, Ontario. While most people know it today as Cambridge, Ontario it is one of three (four) colonial settlements and my personal favourite for the amount of historic buildings and architecture left to explore.
Canon EOS 3000 - Canon Lens EF 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 II - Arista EDU.Ultra 200 @ ASA-200
Adox XT-3 (1+1) 9:00 @ 20C
Scanner: Epson V700 + Silverfast 9 SE
Editor: Adobe Photoshop CC
Why are people setting themselves specific goals do not reach them, and not starting? Probably because we are waiting for the right moment and opportunity for the first step, which we believe will give a boost to all this. But you will constantly put it off the next day, week, month, citing the fact that the ideal time has not come yet. So you can wait a lifetime. It is enough to understand that this moment has arrived, right now, that's just it.
My instagram
This specific shot is that of a music store in historic downtown, Chipley, Florida. ...The "older section" of our town is completely decorated with beautiful Christmas decorations.
Lions do not mate at a specific time of year and the females are polyestrous. Like those of other cats, the male lion's penis has spines that point backward. During withdrawal of the penis, the spines rake the walls of the female's vagina, which may cause ovulation. A lioness may mate with more than one male when she is in heat. They normally mate after every 15-20 minutes for 2-3 days whilst on their honeymoon. The average gestation period is around 110 days; the female gives birth to a litter of between one and four cubs in a secluded den, which may be a thicket, a reed-bed, a cave, or some other sheltered area, usually away from the pride.
This shot of two adult males,part of survey area pride, mating with a singel female lioness was captured during my recent visit to Masai Mara ,Oct 2020. Both male took in turn to mate with the lioness though one of the male was more successful than his mate.....
Please left click with your mouse to appreciate the photograph at full resolution.
The killer whale or orca (Orcinus orca) is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Killer whales are found in all oceans, from Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas. Killer whales have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialise in particular types of prey. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as seals and dolphins. They have been known to attack baleen whale calves, and even adult whales. Killer whales are apex predators, as there is no animal which preys on them.
Killer whales are highly social; some populations are composed of matrilineal family groups (pods) which are the most stable of any animal species. Their sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal behaviours, which are often specific to a particular group and passed across generations, have been described as manifestations of animal culture.
The IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) currently assesses the orca's conservation status as data deficient because of the likelihood that two or more killer whale types are separate species. Some local populations are considered threatened or endangered due to prey depletion, habitat loss, pollution (by PCBs), capture for marine mammal parks, and conflicts with human fisheries. In late 2005, the Southern Resident Killer Whales, the population that inhabits British Columbia and Washington state waters, were placed on the U.S. Endangered Species list.
Wild killer whales are not considered a threat to humans, but there have been cases of captive orcas killing or injuring their handlers at marine theme parks. Killer whales feature strongly in the mythologies of indigenous cultures, with their reputation ranging from being the souls of humans to merciless killers.
A typical killer whale distinctively bears a black back, white chest and sides, and a white patch above and behind the eye. Calves are born with a yellowish or orange tint, which fades to white. It has a heavy and robust body with a large dorsal fin up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft) tall. Behind the fin, it has a dark grey "saddle patch" across the back. Antarctic killer whales may have pale grey to nearly white backs. Adult killer whales are very distinctive and are not usually confused with any other sea creature. When seen from a distance, juveniles can be confused with other cetacean species, such as the false killer whale or Risso's dolphin. The killer whale's teeth are very strong and its jaws exert a powerful grip; the upper teeth fall into the gaps between the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. The front teeth are inclined slightly forward and outward, thus allowing the killer whale to withstand powerful jerking movements from its prey while the middle and back teeth hold it firmly in place.
Killer whales are the largest extant members of the dolphin family. Males typically range from 6 to 8 metres (20 to 26 ft) long and weigh in excess of 6 tonnes (5.9 long tons; 6.6 short tons). Females are smaller, generally ranging from 5 to 7 m (16 to 23 ft) and weighing about 3 to 4 tonnes (3.0 to 3.9 long tons; 3.3 to 4.4 short tons). The largest male killer whale on record was 9.8 m (32 ft), weighing 10 tonnes (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons), while the largest female was 8.5 m (28 ft), weighing 7.5 tonnes (7.4 long tons; 8.3 short tons). Calves at birth weigh about 180 kg (400 lb) and are about 2.4 m (7.9 ft) long. The killer whale's large size and strength make it among the fastest marine mammals, able to reach speeds in excess of 56 km/h (30 kn). The skeleton of the killer whale is of the typical delphinid structure, but is more robust. Its integument, unlike that of most other dolphin species, is characterised by a well-developed dermal layer with a dense network of fascicles of collagen fibers.
Killer whale pectoral fins, analogous to forelimbs, are large and rounded, resembling paddles. Males have significantly larger pectoral fins than females. At about 1.8 m (5.9 ft) the male's dorsal fin is more than twice the size of the female's and is more of a triangular shape—a tall, elongated isosceles triangle—whereas hers is shorter and more curved. Males and females also have different patterns of black and white skin in their genital areas. Sexual dimorphism is also apparent in the skull; adult males have longer lower jaws than females, and have larger occipital crests.
An individual killer whale can often be identified from its dorsal fin and saddle patch. Variations such as nicks, scratches, and tears on the dorsal fin and the pattern of white or grey in the saddle patch are unique. Published directories contain identifying photographs and names for hundreds of North Pacific animals. Photographic identification has enabled the local population of killer whales to be counted each year rather than estimated, and has enabled great insight into lifecycles and social structures.
Occasionally a killer whale is white; they have been spotted in the northern Bering Sea and around St. Lawrence Island, and near the Russian coast. In February 2008, a white killer whale was photographed 3.2 km (2.0 mi) off Kanaga Volcano in the Aleutian Islands. In 2010, the Far East Russia Orca Project (FEROP), co-founded and co-directed by Alexander M. Burdin and Erich Hoyt, filmed an adult male nicknamed Iceberg .
Killer whales have good eyesight above and below the water, excellent hearing, and a good sense of touch. They have exceptionally sophisticated echolocation abilities, detecting the location and characteristics of prey and other objects in their environments by emitting clicks and listening for echoes,[78] as do other members of the dolphin family.
The mean body temperature of the orca is 36 to 38 °C (97 to 100 °F). Like most marine mammals, orcas have a layer of insulating blubber ranging from 7.6 to 10 cm (3.0 to 3.9 in) thick beneath its skin.
The heart beats at a rate of about 60 beats/min when the orca is at the surface, dropping to 30 beats/min when submerged.
This image was taken near Icy Strait Point in Alaska
Plonk is a non-specific and derogatory term used primarily in British and Australian English for cheap, low-quality wine.
It is believed to come from Australian slang, in reference to blanc (the French word for "white"), before it became naturalised in Britain.
HOWEVER :
I would prefer to describe this one as "inexpensive and very good for the price" of AUD 5
In specific, Holy Week is the week just before Easter that extends from Palm Sunday until Holy Saturday and marks the last week of Lent. It has earned the name 'Holy', according to the Orthodox Church, due to the significant events that take place for Christianity in regard to the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Saturday evening is filled with the anticipation of celebrating Easter Sunday. In some areas, people begin to gather in the churches and squares in cities, towns and villages by 11pm for the Easter liturgies. A few minutes before midnight, all the lights are turned off and the priest exits the altar holding candles lit by the Holy Light, which is distributed to everyone inside and outside the church. At midnight, the priest exits the church and announces the resurrection of Jesus. Many people carry large white candles called lambada, and the church bells toll as the priests announce “Christ is Risen!” at midnight. Each person in the crowd replies with a similarly joyous response.
One of the advantages of modern phones is the ability to download applications.
One such app is the Stagecoach bus tracker.
This enables one to track specific vehicles via live information, providing the journey details have been entered into the ticket machine.
To this end I determined that 47617, the first Lillyhall based Solo to receive the new livery, was operating the Keswick - Seatoller 78 service.
Lockdown meant that there was no way I could get to phot' it in the fabulous sunlit scenery of The Lakes but I was able to formulate a salvage mission.
With a reduced service meaning that one bus worked the day's entire diagram it was possible to determine what time it would return to the depot at the end of its shift by referencing the duty sheet of the driver who was working its last run. I was able to do this using a second app' rolled out for Stagecoach employees by the company.
Returning to the depot 47617 would pass within a mile or two of my house and so I would be able to plan my daily exercise to allow me to intercept it on the A595 at Winscales.
An extra bonus was that the driver did not sign out of the ticket machine in Keswick, choosing to wait until his return to Lillyhall, meaning that I could actively track it and set off on my bike at exactly the right time.
Bingo!
I understand that the manufacturer who supplies the fleetname transfers is currently closed.
Spain : 1972 - 1973 for this specific model. The L series are the very last 600 made in Spain. Some were exported and rebadged as FIAT.
Total production since 1957 :
815.549 units
4 cylinder 767cc rear engine
32 HP DIN @ 5000 rpm
4 speed manual gearbox
Length : 3,29m
Weight : 615 kg
Speed : 115 km/h
My first attempt at springtail hunting on the top of the icy compost bin in my garden with my MP-E 65mm lens. This is a male Katiannidae (Katiannidae Genus nov.1 sp. nov., to be specific; thank you, Eddie), which I think are just beautiful, descending a macroglacier :D.
I did manage to fashion something Blue Peter-style with kitchen roll tubes, elastic bands, a disposable plate and some tin foil, in an attempt to get my on-camera flash to light these critters. That needs a bit of work, but I am relatively happy with this as a very first attempt.
This is a single shot at about 3x magnification, and I'd ramped the ISO to 1600, used the widest aperture, and underexposed a bit (with the intention of brightening in PS), to get the best shutter speed I could, as these just don't stay still---any thoughts of stacking are a distant dream!
Chapel of the Magi (1459) - Medici Riccardi Palace, Florence - frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli (Benozzo di Lese di Sandro 1411-1488)
Situato al piano nobile del palazzo, rappresenta il capolavoro del pittore fiorentino Benozzo Gozzoli, allievo di Beato Angelico.
Nelle tre pareti maggiori è raffigurata la Cavalcata dei Magi, che fa da pretesto per rappresentare un preciso soggetto politico che diede lustro alla casata dei Medici, cioè il corteo con papa Pio II Piccolomini, e numerose personalità, che arrivò a Firenze nell'aprile del 1458, diretto a Mantova. In tale città il pontefice aveva chiamato principi e autorità ecclesiastiche a partecipare ad un incontro per progettare una crociata in difesa della cristianità contro l'avanzata turca in Europa. Pio II fu preceduto da vari principi italiani che sostarono a Firenze per unirsi al seguito papale: fra gli altri, anche Galeazzo Maria Sforza, il figlio quindicenne di Francesco duca di Milano, e Sigismondo Malatesta, signore di Rimini, alleati dei Medici, che appaiono ritratti all'interno della scena.
Gli affreschi eseguiti nel 1459, si dispiegano scenograficamente attorno allo spettatore e si ha l'impressione di ammirare il corteo senza interruzioni, dall'interno di una curva del suo percorso. L'opulenza e l'esotismo dei dignitari bizantini sono qui ben rappresentati e ci possono dare una misura dell'impatto sorprendente che ebbe sulla popolazione fiorentina, compresi i numerosi artisti attivi in quel periodo a Firenze.
Nella straordinaria complessità delle scene si riconosce la raffinatezza della tecnica esecutiva di Benozzo: la pittura prevalentemente a buon fresco è integrata con alcuni dettagli eseguiti a secco che hanno consentito al pittore di lavorare con cura meticolosa i preziosi gioielli, i sontuosi tessuti, le bardature dei cavalli ma anche gli alberi carichi di frutta, i prati con fiori, il variopinto piumaggio degli uccelli, e le ali multicolori degli angeli. Per produrre tale effetto di magnificenza, l’artista utilizzò materiali rari e costosi, quali il lapislazzuli destinato ai fondali azzurri, le lacche lucenti e le foglie di oro puro che brillavano al buio, nella penombra delle candele.
Located on the main floor of the palace, it represents the masterpiece of the Florentine painter Benozzo Gozzoli, a pupil of Beato Angelico.
On the three main walls is depicted the Cavalcade of the Magi, which is the pretext to represent a specific political subject that gave luster to the Medici family, namely the procession with Pope Pius II Piccolomini, and numerous personalities, who arrived in Florence in April 1458, heading to Mantua. In that city the pontiff had called princes and ecclesiastical authorities to participate in a meeting to plan a crusade in defense of Christianity against the Turkish advance in Europe. Pius II was preceded by several Italian princes who stopped in Florence to join the papal retinue: among others, Galeazzo Maria Sforza, the fifteen-year-old son of Francesco, Duke of Milan, and Sigismondo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini, allies of the Medici, who appear portrayed within the scene.
The frescoes, painted in 1459, unfold scenographically around the viewer and one has the impression of admiring the procession without interruption, from within a curve of its path. The opulence and exoticism of the Byzantine dignitaries are well represented here and can give us a measure of the surprising impact they had on the Florentine population, including the many artists active in Florence at that time.
The extraordinary complexity of the scenes highlights Benozzo's sophisticated technical ability. Indeed, the predominantly wet fresco painting includes various details added after the fresco had dried, allowing the artist to work with meticulous care on the rendering of the precious jewels, sumptuous fabrics, horse trappings, fruit-laden trees, blossoming meadows, vibrant plumage of birds and multicoloured wings of angels. To achieve such magnificent effects, the artist used rare and costly materials such as lapis lazuli for blue deep waters, gleaming lacquers and pure gold leaves that shone in the darkness and candle-lit half-light.
Edited to add an explanation specific to this photo:
SpaceX Crew-7 nebula: After main engine cutoff, the Falcon 9 1st stage booster begins its trip home, while the 2nd stage rocket ignites to get the Crew Dragon to orbit; sometimes this "nebula" happens & it's magical.
What's especially ? There are 4 humans in this picture.
At 3:27 am (EDT) on Saturday, August 26, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending a Crew Dragon spacecraft to space. The spacecraft is named Endurance, and an international crew of four representing four countries was onboard. NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov will dock at the International Space Station after a 22-hour journey.
Eight minutes after the launch, SpaceX returned the Falcon 9 first-stage booster to Cape Canaveral, where it will be readied for reuse and a future flight.
This is the by-product of another attempt to find an image taken a number of years ago (back in 2015, to be specific) but never processed or posted. While stopping into a small Hamilton, Ontario Chinese food restaurant for some late lunch, I was packing up camera gear as we waited for our order to be completed. I looked across the room and noticed the wild combination of colours provided by the restaurant decorating scheme. Given how long ago I took this shot, and given the volatility of the restaurant business, particularly given the past three years, I wondered if it was still there. A dive into Google and the answer was, yes. If you are wondering, it is Mr Dumpling Express over on Dundurn St S. - JW
Date Taken: 2015-03-28
(c) Copyright 2023 JW Vraets
Tech Details:
Taken using a hand-held Nikon D7100 fitted with an AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm 1:3.5-5.6 VR lense set to 45mm, ISO1600 (Auto ISO), Aperture priority mode, f/5.0, 1/80 sec. PP in free Open Source RAWTherapee from a RAW/NEF source file: set final image size to be 9000 px wide, crop a little off the left (preserving the original aspect ration) to get a better symmetry, apply both Tone Mapping and Dynamic Range Compression at default levels, us the Graduated Neutral Density/GND tool rotated to cover the area below the black bench top and then darken slightly, boost both Contrast and Chromaticity in L-A-B mode, slightly boost black level, slight Vibrance increase, apply noise reduction, save, sharpen (edges only). PP in free Open Source GIMP: slightly brighten the upper end of the tone curve by using the Curves tool, slightly boost overall saturation, slightly boost overall contrast, sharpen, save, scale to 6000 px wide, sharpen, save, add fine black and white frame, add bar and text on left, save, scale to 3000 wide for posting, sharpen, save.
Cordyceps is an interesting entomopathogenic fungus (a fancy way of saying a fungus that parasitizes and kills insects/spiders). Each Cordyceps is species specific and is something pretty horrifying. The spores will land on an insect and gradually the fungal mycelia will grow down past the insects exoskeleton and into the body where they will spread like tree roots, invading and replacing host tissue. This kills the insect in a very slow, lengthy process. In the final stages, the fungus takes the neurological reins and modifies the insect’s behaviour so as best to befit itself. In ants it will cause them to climb to a high perch and bite down on a leaf or stem with a death grip. The ant will slowly die, perhaps from starvation, perhaps from the deterioration of its body, but after some time there might be seen movement. To be sure it is extremely slow and small but it is there. If sped up, it would look like a worm wriggling out of the body. And this isn’t far from the truth. It is the fruiting body of the cordyceps fungus. Which grows a stalk several inches long, terminating in asci or sacs containing the spores that will lead to a new round of infectious dissemination. Why go to all this trouble to cause the ant to climb to a high perch? Well, the jungle is very humid with rain falling often and in large quantities. Ants being principally ground dwellers, it wouldn’t do to have the ants and fungus along with them washed away, covered in mud or stuck together. Additionally, just like climbing to the top of a mountain will afford a better view of the surroundings, so too will climbing to the top of a plant or bush in a jungle microenvironment. From here, the fungus is free to be blown in all directions by the slightest current of wind, the spores, like insidious grains of pollen, waiting to be planted in the fertile backs of their hosts.
Photo taken in Danum Valley, Malaysian Borneo.
« Tragge Marte vapor di Val di Magra
ch'è di torbidi nuvoli involuto;
e con tempesta impetüosa e agra »
(Dante Alighieri, Divina Commedia, Inf. XXIV, 144-46)
« Di quella valle fu’ io litorano
tra Ebro e Macra, che per cammin corto
parte lo Genovese dal Toscano. »
(Dante Alighieri, Divina Commedia, Par.IX, 88-90)
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Vista da Monte Marcello, sopra Bocca di Magra.Sullo sfondo le Alpi Apuane.riconoscibili Fiumaretta, Marinella di Sarzana, i paesi della Lunigiana.
Bocca di Magra: dove il fiume Magra sfocia nel mare
La Val di Magra è il lembo di pianura, compreso nelle province della Spezia e di Massa e Carrara, attraverso il quale il fiume Magra confluisce nel Mar Ligure, a poca distanza dal Golfo dei Poeti e che definisce il cuore dell'antica regione della Lunigiana.
Caratterizzata da una ricchezza di paesaggi, che inizia con la costa, con il suo litorale sabbioso, e prosegue verso l'interno attraverso i colli di Luni, sulle cui sommità svettano antichi castelli e borghi arroccati, fino ai grandi contrafforti dell'Appennino Tosco-Emiliano e ai margini delle creste rocciose delle Alpi Apuane.
Nei millenni la vallata ha sempre rappresentato una via di percorrenza strategica, percorso obbligato per accedere dalla costa tirrenica alla pianura Padana, percorsa dall'antica via Aemilia Scauri, grande arteria romana che congiungeva la Lunigiana alla via Aemilia Lepidi e dal VII secolo dalla via degli Abati di Bobbio e dalla medievale Via Francigena, percorsa dai grandi flussi di pellegrini e ricca di ospitali.
La Val di Magra rappresenta una delle quattro partizioni in cui è possibile suddividere la Provincia della Spezia, insieme alla Riviera spezzina con le Cinque Terre, al Golfo dei Poeti e alla Val di Vara, oltre ad essere sotto la tutela dell'Autorità di Bacino del fiume Magra e del Parco naturale regionale di Montemarcello-Magra
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Name: Unknown
Alias: Timepiece
Allegiance: Villain
Powers: Full control of time. Able to speed up and slow down time for specific people, able to travel through time, able to stop time, erase people from time, and exist in all alternate timelines at once.
Backstory: Timepiece is the Celestial of Time. He has existed for several millennia observing the human race. He never interfered with the humans, until one man lived longer that his time allowed. That man was Sir Cumfrence, and he had lived far longer than he was supposed to. To fix the timeline, Timepiece attempted to erase Sir Cumfrence from time, but was unable to due to some kind of magic that was protecting Sir Cumfrence. Since he could not kill him in the past, Timepiece set out to kill him in the future. In 1966, Sir Cumfrence had formed a new team of heroes that fought in WWII and were now fighting crime around the world. He saw this as an opportunity to destroy Sir Cumfrence once and for all. When he made his attempt, Sir Cumfrence’s team stood in his way. Timepiece, reluctantly, killed them all in order to get to Sir Cumfrence. Sir Cumfrence defeated Timepiece, and vowed to avenge his fallen friends. Timepiece still exist to this day and is still looking for a way to correct the timeline.
So what do you guys think? It’s been a while since I’ve posted and OC, so I decided to go big on this one. His story will be more explored in the Saviors Comic Book series.
-Totally Awesome
PORTRAIT / PHOTOSHOOT : Sophie and Rose
That specific shot reminds me of Rose Dewitt Bukater (kate winslet) in James Cameron's TITANIC, and more specificaly, the first time we see her in 1912 (with her hat) ! ... I find it very elegant! :)
More pictures on my Blog! :o)
Sebastien LABAN - Photographe
@algonquinoutfit : @CanoerootsMag We've got a weight loss plan that includes lots of "carbs" (carbon that is) t.co/4R0fHPf8SZ t.co/UiYlyB0aZq (via Twitter twitter.com/algonquinoutfit/status/816682585434849285)
Every year around this time, the so-called "meninas" are placed in specific places in Madrid.
These, let's say, colorful sculptures are dedicated to various themes that change every year.
This year, in addition, a menina has been placed in the Plaza de Colón that is decorated with the official flag of the Valencian region, and that the people of Madrid are dedicating to all the victims of the flood that unfortunately occurred on October 29, 2024, and not only in the Valencian region but in other regions as well.
At the moment, a total of 230 dead and 4 missing have been recorded, as well as tens of thousands of people affected with thousands of ruined houses.
The photo also shows the so-called "Columbus Towers", which have changed their name and exterior design several times since they were built between 1967 and 1976.
Also visible in the photo is the monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus, which was erected between 1881 and 1885, and which gives its name to this square.
And just behind the head of the "Valencian" menina, you can see an angel that is part of the night lighting in Madrid at Christmas time.
Originally, the "meninas" (or meninos) were "young women (or men) from noble families who entered the court to serve the queen or her children."
In fact, "las meninas" is an expression that became famous as a result of the nickname given to a painting by the famous painter Diego de Veázquez, which is actually called: "The Family of Philip IV" in reference to the family of that king of the dynasty of the House of Austria (Habsburg Spain dinasty), which was completed in 1656 and is considered a masterpiece for various reasons. (Source: Wikipedia)
DEDICADO A LAS VICTIMAS DE LA RIADA, 2024
Todos los años por estas fechas, se colocan en lugares determinados de Madrid las llamadas "meninas".
Estas, digamos, coloridas esculturas, están dedicadas a temas variados que van cambiando cada año.
Este año, además, en la plaza de Colón se ha colocado una menina que está adornada con la bandera oficial de la región valenciana, y que los madrileños está dedicamos a todas las víctimas de la riada que desgraciadamente ocurrió el pasado 29 de octubre de 2024, y no sólo en la región valenciana sino en otras regiones también.
De momento se contabilizan un total de 230 fallecidos y 4 desaparecidos, amén de decenas de miles de personas afectadas con miles de casas arruinadas.
En la foto, además, se ven las llamadas "Torres de Colón", que han cambiado de nombre y de diseño exterior varias veces desde que se construyeron entre 1967 y 1976.
También se ve en la foto el monumento dedicado a Cristóbal Colón, que fue erigido entre 1881 y 1885, y que da nombre a esta plaza.
Y asímismo, justo detrás de la cabeza de la menina "valenciana" se ve un ángel que es parte de la iluminación nocturna de Madrid en fechas navideñas.
En origen, las "meninas" (o meninos) eran "jóvenes de familia noble que entraban en la corte para servir a la reina o a sus hijos".
En realidad "las meninas" es una expresión que se hizo famosa a raíz del sobrenombre que se dio a un cuadro del famoso pintor Diego de Veázquez, que en realidad se llama: "La familia de Felipe IV" en referencia a la familia de ese rey de la dinastía de la Casa de Austria, que fue terminada en 1656 y es considerada una obra maestra por diversos motivos. (Fuente: Wikipedia)
Mucubal (also called Mucubai, Mucabale, Mugubale) people are a subgroup of the Herero ethnic group, which means they are bantu speaking, and are supposed to have come from Kenya and to be related with Massais.
They are semi nomadic pastoralists living of cattle raising and agriculture. They live in a large area between the slopes of Chela Mounts in the north, and River Cunene to the south, where they are believed to have stopped during the Herero migration, about 300 years ago.
Mucubal have some very specific customs and traditions. They only are interested in cattle and do not care of the rest of the world outside of the bush. Mucubals are not allowed to mention people’s name in public, except their parent’s one, and children’s name in general. A married couple is not allowed to talk to each other in public, as long as the wife hasn’t had children. They only can speak to each other in private. Girls have their upper teeth sharpened and lower ones removed. In order to convince young girls to have their lower teeth removed, old men make them believe, that their teeth leave their mouth during the night, to go in a hole dug to relieve themselves and return in their mouth covered with excrement. The family structure and organization is also very specific. The father has the authority and is the head of the family, although the matrilineal descent is considered more important, as they inherit throught the mother's family. For example the son of the Soba -chieftain of the village-’s sister is the heir of the Soba. It is possible to be disowned by their father's family but not by their mother's because for them this link is sacred. The maternal uncle has to provide his nephew with an ox, called Remussungo. However a father provides his son with an ox, called Hupa. Mucubal can only get married with an outsider of the clan, although it cannot be with a member of another tribe like a Himba for example. Marriages of convenience are the rule most of the time. The fiancée is presented to her future husband during the Fico ceremony, when she is fourteen or less. This ceremony consists in a party with the two families during which presents are offered. The couple has to wait a few more years before consummating the marriage in the centre of the village. Mucubal men can have several wives and are also allowed to sell their wife, if they don’t get along with her or even if they want to earn money, as a woman can be worth 2 cows, which is about 2000 euros and represents a lot of money. For a first marriage a woman can even be worth 3 or 4 cows.
Their nomadic lifestyle based on cycles, between nomadism and stays in the same places (where they settle their villages), accounts for their religious customs and the funerary rites they follow. Mucubal people believe in a God called Huku, Klaunga, Ndyambi. They also worship their ancestors' spirits called Oyo Handi and Ovi huku, which are considered inferior to their supreme divinity. Divination is very important in their culture. They use talismans and amulets to protect their herds or prevent adultery. Nevertheless Mucubal are not afraid of death. Funerals can last several days or weeks. They decorate their graves with cattle horns. The number of cows sacrificed are in relation with the importance of the deceased. This shows the importance of cattle in their culture. Cattle is only killed on special occasions, as Mucubal usually don’t eat meat but rather corn (when they manage to grow some), eggs, milk and chicken.
They don’t eat any fish because according to the legend, one of their chieftains was brought to the sea by the portuguese and never came back. So they think that fish kills men.
Women use mupeque oil, a yellow dried fruit crushed and boiled from which they just drink juice but do no eat pulp. They also eat small red berries with a pepper taste that they boil. In order to show they are hungry Mucubal mimic the gesture we do when we brush our teeth. Mucubal especially women, are famous for the way they dress. The latter wear an original and unique headdress called the Ompota. It is made of a wicker framework, traditionally filled with a bunch of tied cow tails, decorated with buttons, shells, zippers and beads. But tradition is disappearing as some women use modern stuff to fill their ompota headdress. One was using a Barbie doll box! Women whether they are married or not can wear jewels. Ornaments like iron anklets, called Othivela, and armlets, called Othingo, are worn by girls as well as adult women. Mucubal women are also famous for the string they have around their breast, called oyonduthi, which is used as a bra. Women use to smoke tobacco (that they keep in a snuffbox called boceta) in pipes called opessi. There are several ways of saying hello. "Okamene" means good morning", "Tchou"is what a woman answers to a greeting and "Mba" is the word a man answers back to a woman saying him hello.
© Eric Lafforgue
View On Black. Twistleton. I wanted to grab this moment as the clouds cleared. i've found this "simple" shot much more difficult to deal with than the regular landscapes. i wanted a mood rather than a specific shot of a tree.
Be Specific ship Union Pacific
Built in 1936. Stitched Panorama from 10 original photos.
Located at the Orange Empire Railroad Museum.
Perris, CA
All the parts in this image were not officially released to the public. I have obtained them through other collectors and resellers. From left to right:
• prototype SNOT plates
• a test print
• a Q-Element
• a Grangemouth test brick
• a Satin-Light blue minifigure
These items have been collected because of a genuine hobbyist interest in, and enthusiasm for, LEGO history, production, engineering and quality control. Finding and understanding these items, is like an ongoing treasure hunt that is shared with a community of like-minded LEGO fans.
The items
Prototype parts
Prototype parts, like the prototype SNOT plates in the photo, are "early models" of part designs. The parts never made it into production in this form. They are generally used to evaluate the part design (for example to evaluate the concept, visual appearance, user-experience testing, ...). The parts are usually discarded afterwards.
The parts that I own have been sold in LEGO's internal shop for employees or have been given away in lots that LEGO donated, for example for promotional purposes.
Test bricks
LEGO required that the chemical companies and manufacturers followed a strict quality control programme using test bricks. They often manufactured other plastic products also. The quality control process that was in place for their work for LEGO, was frequently also applied to their other plastic products. As a result, test bricks can be found in a wide range of materials and colours that were never used by LEGO itself.
Initially, old production moulds were used. These bricks have the LEGO logo on all studs. Later specific test brick moulds were made. Initially, those also had the LEGO logo on all studs. After that, bricks with the letters ABCD with varying stud size were used. Later those were replaced by bricks with the letter C on the studs. These days, several other letters are seen.
Nightshift Grangemouth test bricks
In the late 1970s some employees at Borg-Warner wanted to experiment with some of the excess plastic from the regular LEGO production and used the mould to produce bricks with a "granite effect", like the multicoloured brick in the photo. The bricks they produced were given to children. They did not see this as a problem, because the marbled "granite" bricks could be clearly distinguished from real LEGO products. This might have been done with permission within the factory, or they might have been produced during night shifts, but LEGO was not pleased about it. As the story was told on BrickLink, the bricks were eventually spotted by a LEGO representative and the mould was taken away.
It looks like soon after, the test moulds with LEGO logos were replaced with test moulds without LEGO markings. From now on, if any unofficial products that might not meet all quality standards made their way to the general public, it would be clear that these were not official LEGO products.
Test prints
A lot can go wrong while printing on LEGO parts. That is why LEGO has a quality control process for printing. We find both print alignment calibration parts and parts that are printed on the "wrong" base colour, like the minifigure head in the photo.
We assume that these wrong-coloured parts are usually test prints, made on whatever colour was available in the machine at the time but not on the intended colour. This way, the final print design can be evaluated while any test parts can easily be separated from the later actual production parts. That way, there can be no confusion and only the correct parts can be included into sets. Even with all that care, things can still go wrong. Technology can fail, printers can run out of ink, etc. As a result, incomplete prints or misaligned prints are also found.
These parts used to be very rare, but in recent year many have found their way to resellers. They have been included in charity gifts that LEGO made, and some German resellers that seem to have access to LEGO's leftovers get them.
Q-elements
Q-Elements are parts that are made by LEGO for use in model shops. The model shops can request certain parts in unusual colours when they need them. That is how the transparent dark blue brick in this photo was made. They are intended to be used by these model shops only, and as a result they probably do not have to meet all the strict quality requirements that the parts that are released in sets have to meet. That would explain why transparent parts are available to model shops but not in sets. Leftovers from these model shops are sometimes sold or given away.
Mould test runs
Moulds require maintenance. After a mould has been disassembled, maintained and reassembled, a test is needed to ensure that everything works properly. Traditionally, red and transparent material has been used for these tests because some flaws are more visible using these colours.
Few of these parts have shown up, although the number seems to be increasing. These parts used to be rare, but are not hard to find now (finding a random part is easy, finding a specific part is still nearly impossible).
The parts are still often sold as "rare prototypes" by resellers who wish to increase the price.
"Nightshift minifigures"
Before 2020, only very few transparent minifigures were known to exist. They were probably really part of initial mould testing (looking for hidden flaws in the first parts made in a new mould). These were extremely rare. Also, a red Darth Vader helmet was known. That part was probably also made during a first mould test. It sold for such a high value, that later clone brands made "replica prototype helmets" and sold those on Ebay.
In 2020, several transparent minifigures found their way to online sales platforms. The figures were made with genuine LEGO parts, made in unreleased colours. As far as we could tell, the parts originated in the Mexico factory. They were received with enthusiasm by several collectors who were willing to pay serious amounts of money for them. Soon, more minifigures became available. In order to increase collectability and related value, soon accessories like helmets/headgear and weapons were added to the minifigures. Minifigures related to themes like Star Wars and Batman became available in a wide range of colours. When these figures were first made, I expected LEGO to stop them soon. For some reason, LEGO has not done that or has not been able to. By 2022, the range of colours has increased to include 9 or 10 colours with glitter and 11 colours with satin have been made or announced (including the figure in this photo). Many of those colours were never released with those additions in officially released LEGO products.
Because the quality standards that normally apply to LEGO parts did not fully apply to these figures, deviations could occur. Several transparent parts are already known to crack. There is a good reason why LEGO does not release full-transparent minifigures. The available combination of material and design is not suitable for this application. This is an important quality consideration for LEGO products, but it does not appear to be for these unofficial released parts.
I would guess that these parts are made in small quantities during mould testing after maintenance. That would keep them out of the regular LEGO production lines, and possibly out of strict supervision.
Replicas and clones
Finally, there are replica's and clones, which are parts that were "inspired" by actual LEGO bricks. Made with "Is no fake, is copy"-ethics. For example, we have seen
• Replica stickers or replica prints on genuine (unprinted) LEGO parts, especially for expensive collectible sets
• Replica Plant Leaves 6 x 5 (part 2417) that were made "only in colours that LEGO did not make", until LEGO made some of those colours later...
• Replica train wheel rubber, to replace old parts that have deteriorated over time.
• Custom chromed parts, making it difficult to find the parts that were actually chromed by LEGO
• And finally last year there was a story that Chinese clone bricks were found that used the LEGO logo. As far as I know, this is the first time that suspected clone bricks might actually have used the LEGO logo. Usually, people just think that parts made in another mould version must be fake.
These fake parts often violate the intellectual property rights of LEGO (and franchises like Star Wars when those stickers/prints are copied). For collectors, they can make things very difficult. How to separate genuine or even rare valuable items from cheap knock-offs?
I don't have any of these in my collection, but I would probably be interested in a few of those rumoured Chinese Fake-LEGO-2x4-bricks with LEGO logo...
Reasons to collect
Treasure hunt and the community - It's a fun hobby
People still frequently find items that have never been seen by our community before. Finding them, sharing them online, and engaging the community bring both joy and social interaction with fellow collectors. The new items provide an opportunity to everyone to learn something new and to gain new insights or better understanding.
There is also fun in the chase. Figuring out what is out there and where to find it. Gotta catch 'em all!
And, finally.... Ohhh, Look how beautiful this new brick is!
Understanding history and product design
Through collecting these items, we can learn about LEGO's history. By comparing them, or thinking about why things are the way they are, we can learn about the evolution of technology and ideas. Every brick tells a story, about when and how it was made, about the challenges that had to be overcome or about the people that made and used them.
Conservation of knowledge and unique items
By finding, collecting and conserving items that are otherwise unobtainable and that might otherwise be scrapped and destroyed, we preserve tangible items that tell us the stories behind them in a visible way. When we find these items, we are often also finding the stories relating to these items.
Telling a story
Finally, when the items and their information become available, we can use those to tell a story. We can share what we have found in exhibitions or online, like on this Flickr page. Through these items and their stories, we can help people understand their rich history.
Ethical considerations
Collecting unreleased items?
While collecting, a collector should consider the implications of his or her actions.
We could consider several aspects:
1) Why the parts were made;
2) How the parts became available;
3) Who benefits from them;
4) Confidentiality and conflicts of interest.
Most of these parts were made as part of LEGO's design or quality control processes. They were made by LEGO or by their suppliers because they were needed.
Although the parts were not made to be released to the general public, most parts that do find their way out of the factories seem to do so by legitimate routes. They are, for example, included in sales or donations of leftover parts. There are stories where chemical companies have given test parts to their employees.
In most cases the person who made the parts did not personally benefit from them. The parts were often seen as unusable leftovers that could be donated or as interesting gifts to contacts or people who were involved in their development, or simply as toys for children of employees. Only later, often decades later when these children were grown up or when the employees died, did these parts make it to the secondary market. Resellers make some money by finding and selling these items.
As far as I know, confidentiality and conflicts of interest have not caused any issues yet. Considering confidentiality, we might happen to find information that could (still) be confidential. The basic principle should be that we, as fans of LEGO, do not wish to do any harm to LEGO. As a result, intellectual property and proprietary information should remain confidential. We can, however, share all publicly available information (including when it takes some effort of specialist knowledge to get it) about the items we find and our thoughts about them. Collectors might have personal friendships with people in the professional communities. We can ask for information, but we should respect their professional limits in what they can or cannot share and respect confidentiality when they ask us to remain silent about something.
Stimulation of illegitimate behaviour
In the case of the minifigure, a new situation seems to have occurred. It looks like someone, or probably a small group of people, is actively benefiting from an illegitimate activity. They have discovered the LEGO AFOL collectors market, and have found that serious money can be made by selling "unreleased prototypes", especially of minifigures related to collectable themes like Star Wars or Batman.
We cannot be certain as long as no official statements are made by LEGO, but it seems like these parts are made using LEGO moulds and LEGO materials without proper authorisation and without financial benefits for LEGO. This might be a form of theft, by the employee(s) who used the facilities and materials for personal gain. When buying these items, we might support and stimulate this kind of behaviour.
I consider the "nightshift minifigures" an interesting example of how LEGO employees and LEGO collectors deal with these items. Because of that, I do think that some of these parts have a place in my collection. I do however do not wish to stimulate the production of these figures much. That is why I choose to limit myself to a few parts. I will not buy any for resale or trade. That is just my approach though, every collector will have to make his or her own choices here.
Causes of gradual vision loss
1.Painless loss
Refractive error - this is characterised by an improvement of the visual acuity with the use of a pinhole (if you don't have a specific occluder with pinholes, a biro point-sized hole in a stiff piece of cardboard will do). Refer to the optician.
Cataracts - the patient often complains of glare in dark conditions (and so difficulty in driving at night) and may complain that colours appear more dull than they used to. There may be an abnormal red reflex and, in advanced cases, the cataract may be visible to the naked eye (this is increasingly rare these days). Other aspects of the examination should be normal unless there is concurrent pathology. Refer routinely.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - suspect AMD if the patient is aged >50 years and is presenting with either of the following symptoms, usually affecting one eye at a time:
Distortion of vision, where straight lines appear crooked or wavy.
Painless loss or blurring of central or near-central vision. The person may describe a black or grey patch affecting their central field of vision (scotoma).
Various other visual symptoms can occur, or AMD may be an incidental finding by an optometrist. Visual acuity on a Snellen chart may be normal or reduced. When viewing an Amsler chart (or graph paper), patients may see breaks, waviness, or missing portions of the lines. Refer urgently if AMD is suspected.
Chronic (primary) open-angle glaucoma - is most commonly picked up through screening. If it is so advanced that the patient is the first to notice it, very little can be done. It is characterised by a progressive peripheral visual field loss and 'cupping' of the optic discs (the central area of the optic disc enlarges and the peripheral rim thins out). The degree of urgency depends on how advanced the damage is.
Diabetic retinopathy - the problem may be due to the diabetic microvascular problems (ie exudates and haemorrhages), to associated pathology (eg, diabetic cataract) or unrelated pathology (eg, glaucoma). Refer promptly (within a week), as prompt treatment may prevent deterioration.
Compression of optic nerve or optic pathway - rare, but should be considered if there is a history of headaches and if you find any neurological or endocrinological abnormalities (eg, acromegaly) on examination. Look for a relative afferent pupillary defect (not usually present in the above conditions), a pale or swollen optic disc (the margins are not clear) and visual field defects.
Drugs, toxins or nutritional deficiency - eg:
Amiodarone - various effects on the eye
Antituberculous drugs - ethambutol and isoniazid (optic neuritis).
Hydroxychloroquine (maculopathy).
Systemic steroids (cataracts and glaucoma)
Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (eg, sildenafil).
Others drugs - tetracyclines (benign intracranial hypertension), isotretinoin, tamoxifen (various possible effects on vision).
Alcohol, smoking and nutritional deficiency - eg:
Tobacco-alcohol amblyopia.
Methanol poisoning.
Vitamin A deficiency (classically causes night blindness).
Hereditary retinal dystrophies are rare and, depending on the exact problem, present anywhere from early childhood to middle age. Some are rapidly progressing; others are very slow. Typical features particularly include poor night vision and intolerance to light. Poor appreciation of movement in the peripheral visual field may also be a feature. Ask about similar problems in family members (who may not have been diagnosed). Children should be referred more promptly than adults for whom a routine referral is fine. These patients will need genetic counselling as well as support where the prognosis is poor.
Cerebrovascular disease (stroke and TIA) - although these are likely to present acutely. TIA causing visual loss is termed amaurosis fugax.
Papilloedema - eg, from intracranial hypertension.
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2. Painful loss
This is much rarer and tends to suggest a more sinister pathology such as:
A progressive neoplastic (eg, choroidal melanoma) or inflammatory process (eg, chorioretinitis).
A systemic problem (eg, sarcoidosis or collagen vascular disease).
Lesions on the optic nerve (eg, optic neuritis, granuloma or neuroma).
Intracranial pathology or masses (may present with headache, or with endocrine symptoms if a pituitary tumour).
Intracranial hypertension (may have headache).
All these patients should be referred. Referral is more urgent than with painless conditions and patients should really be seen within a few days.
If there is a problem, don't wait seek medical help.
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Candid street shot Bergen, Norway.
others mod on the pic:
Specific perfection ENB www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/62978/?
Verdant www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/60220/?
Site-specific перформанс Ірини Плотнікової "IceDora" на фестивалі сучасного мистецтва Гогольфест 2016, Київ, Україна © repor.to/popenko
Camera: Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta III (531/16)
Lens: Carl Zeiss Tessar f/3.5 75 mm
Film: Fomapan Action 400 @ ISO 200
Exposure: 1/250 sec and f/5.6, hand-held
Film developed and scanned by Foto Brell, Bonn
Edited under Adobe Lightroom
Here, I used Fomapan 400, which has a quite different look and seems to be an alternative for specific intensions and photographic subjects. This classic film emulsion delivers more distinct grain (e.g., compared to HP5), more sooty dark tones and some blooming of the highlights, which can emphasize the mood of a picture favorably. However, the sensitivity of this film emulsion seems to be lower than box speed, because the shadows tend to lose detail. Meanwhile, I expose Fomapan 400 at ISO 200 rather than exposing the film at box speed.
In comparison with Ilford HP5 Plus and Kodak Tri-X, the first scans of Fomapan Action 400 came from the film lab with higher contrast and a more distinct grain. Regarding its contrast, this contradicts with many statements that the film has a comparatively low contrast, with overexposure being even lower. Nevertheless, this film definitely has a unique look, which is appreciated by many photographers. This film and a vintage folding camera seem to be a good combo and I decide to investigate this furthermore.
Fomapan Action 400 has much more sensitivity to the red end of the spectrum than it has in the blue and green region, so to speak a built-in orange or red filter. As a result, blue skies, green leaves and the shadow areas in general come darker in tonality. The darkening of the foliage and the shadows seems to pretend the higher contrast. The softening effect by overexposure is said to result from a poor anti-halation layer. The light bouncing around causes halos and glowing highlights, creeping into the darker areas and tending to wash the highlights out.
The more distinct grain results from the cubic grain structure of the emulsion. In contrast to the softer grain pattern of the tabular grain of modern films like the Ilford Delta or the Kodak TMax film series, cubic grain is more apparent. Together with its deep black and the glowing highlights, Fomapan Action 400 can produce the beautiful and timeless look of classic film emulsions, different from other b&w films and quite different from digital rendering.
The overall contrast and the graininess can both be reduced by overexposure. Rating Fomapan 400 @ ISO 200 seems to be a good idea to open up the shadows for showing more shadow detail.
Many thanks to G. Gallone (www.flickr.com/photos/blacknile/) for his valuable hint regarding the sensitivity of Fomapan 400 to red light!
For more information see the very interesting film reviews of Blue Moon Camera & Machine: bluemooncameracodex.com/film-fridays/fffomapan400
Site-specific перформанс Ірини Плотнікової "IceDora" на фестивалі сучасного мистецтва Гогольфест 2016, Київ, Україна © repor.to/
Highball through Starnes-1974
I'm not sure what specific day this was, but the slide was processed in June 1974. I failed to note the actual date. I do remember being aware Clinchfield No. 1 was leading a southbound excursion that started at Elkhorn City, Ky on that day. I might have called someone with the railroad to get a general idea when the train might pass Starnes, Va.
I arrived in time and waited....and waited...and waited. Did I miss it? Eventually I could hear the distant and distinctive sound of a steam whistle. I had an inexpensive 200mm tele lens on my Yashica camera, which was mounted on a flimsy tripod (so flimsy, in fact, it wasn't much better than a hand-held shot).
A headlight appeared in the distance at the north end of the siding at Starnes, and I rechecked my settings and fiddled with the focus--waiting until the train filled the frame at the desired spot. I then turned around and got the going-away shot.
There's a lot to soak up in these images. For beginners, there's the audacity of a small Ten-Wheeler built in 1882 "pulling" a train of a dozen heavyweight passenger cars (plus two F7B units) at 45 MPH. In reality, No. 1 did well to handle just two cars! I doubt the "One Spot" could have even started this train had it been stopped--on level track.
It was fairly warm that day, so there's just a hint of steam as engineer Ed Hatcher blows No. 1's whistle for the only grade crossing in "downtown" Starnes. Brother George was keeping the steam pressure up basically to blow the whistle and keep enough in the boiler so Ed could work a light throttle to keep lubrication going to the cylinders. No. 1's ancient boiler was only rated for 125 psi, and anything over that would raise the first safety valve.
In the second shot, take a look at all the arms, heads, and other body parts sticking out from the open car windows. These people are having more fun than the proverbial barrel of monkeys---more like a trainload of dogs sticking their heads out to catch the sights and scents of the passing countryside.
The observation deck of the former Wabash parlor car on the rear holds no less than a dozen people, most with cameras poised to photograph anything---other trains, cows, each other, or just the scenery of Scott County, Va. If anyone was interested in getting a shot of me, you can't tell it. The lettering on the drumhead isn't sharp enough to read clearly, but it says "Spring Steam Special" in the middle, while the outside says something like "American Association" of something. Maybe it was Funeral Directors, Proctologists, Butchers, Tattoo Artists, or Animal Control Specialists. Not sure...
I was able to get ahead of the train for a second shot as it roared across the big bridge at Copper Creek. That was it, though, as it then burrowed beneath Clinch Mountain, and was gone. About a week later I had a few Ektachrome slides to account for my day along the Clinchfield. It was worth my time.
Site-specific перформанс Ірини Плотнікової "IceDora" на фестивалі сучасного мистецтва Гогольфест 2016, Київ, Україна © repor.to/
All Rights Reserved ©
Previously Rhacophorus norhayatii, now Rhacophorus norhayatiae.
The specific epithet norhayatiae honours Professor Dr Norhayati Ahmad of the National University of Malaysia (Chan & Grismer, 2010).
Location: Peninsular Malaysia.
Distribution: Across Peninsular Malaysia, it also occurs in the extreme south and a small area of west-central Thailand, near the border with Myanmar (Dring, 1979; Chan-ard, 2003).
Habitat: Lowland pristine rainforest and hill forests up to 550 m elevation (Chan & Grismer, 2010). Basically an arboreal species, living on forest canopy, only descend onto forest floor during breeding season.
Interestingness 242: 2-3-2009
Let's talk about Mr. Brown Pelican's whinges. Let's talk about them in a very specific and personal way. First off, Mr. Pelican claims to be supportive of my plan to fight him hammer and tong. Don't trust him, though; he's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Before you know it, he'll restructure the social, political, and economic relationships that exist throughout our entire society. If that's the case, I recommend that we improve the physical and spiritual quality of life for the population at present and for those yet to come.
Mr. Pelican believes, in his elitist delirium, that he acts in the public interest. I won't dwell on that except to direct your attention to the impulsive manner in which Mr. Pelican has been trying to engage in the trafficking of human beings. You may make the comment, "What does this have to do with pernicious personæ non gratæ?" Well, once you begin to see the light you'll realize that I find it necessary, if I am to meet my reader on something like a common ground of understanding, to point out that he keeps trying to deceive us into thinking that the purpose of life is self-gratification. The purpose of this deception may be to help faddism-prone fugitives evade capture by the authorities. Or maybe the purpose is to replace the search for truth with a situationist relativism based on catty oligarchism. Oh what a tangled web Mr. Pelican weaves when first he practices to deceive.
@algonquinoutfit : Sunrise: November 29, 2016 at 07:33AM AM Rain today! With a high of: 11 and a low of:1 t.co/K3bab3aMI8 (via Twitter twitter.com/algonquinoutfit/status/803554262366228481)
I am not exactly a huge fan of having one day of the year to decide to be a better human. You should strive to do this every day of the year. What is lacking in humans is that we long for specific time demarcations to make major life decisions. Everyone intelligent already knows we're just stuck in 40AD anyway.
I digress, the truth is I make these resolutions every day lately and try to uphold them.
Kindness and All Lives Matter:
How terrible that a bunch of stupid white people had to ruin the Black Lives Matter movement with "All Lives Matter" when it was really just about their own stupid white guilt and all that.
But, to me, the actual concept behind All Lives Matter does make sense. Let me break it down.
The lives of animals who feel pain and emotions, who love their young, who live and breathe our same air and, just like us, don't like to graze on plants filled with chemicals or be pumped with growth hormones matter.
The lives of Native Americans who have had their land taken time and time again and their culture reduced to meaningless symbols by white people matter.
The lives of all women who have to drive several states just to have appropriate medical care or terminate a pregnancy, even if it was a result of an act of rape and/or incest or if their very lives are in jeopardy matter. The lives of women who have not healed after sexual attacks or other attacks of a violent nature matter.
The lives of all people with disabilities who struggle to be accepted and loved, be independent, and find gainful employment matter.
The lives of Jewish people living amongst anti-semites, especially in places like Montana, matter.
The lives of hard working Latinos who provide essential work and are taken for granted, not paid fair wages, and discriminated against matter.
The lives of Asians who are still stereotyped and not treated as true experts, artists, and companions matter.
The lives of people who are transgender or transexual that cannot use the bathroom of their choice in certain states in America and in the world and are not accepted for their true identity matter. The lives of any two people in love, being it two men or two women, who do not feel safe getting married or even holding hands in public matter.
The lives of immigrants living in a country which, at one time, welcomed immigrants as a part of its national identity and has now become hateful and spiteful matter.
The lives of Muslims who are stereotyped every day, who are taunted and whose burkas are literally pulled off by white supremacists and Trump supporters matter.
And yes, of course, the lives of African Americans who have had their lives taken away by police officers who laugh at the idea of justice and who get off without any kind of consequence matter. The government has actively and systematically defunded public schools for poor minorities and profited off of their imprisonment and it is an outrage.
We are at a very crucial time in America's history and, indeed, the world's history. Not enough people realize that "May you live in interesting times" might in fact be the biggest curse. We must work actively to fight even the insidious nonchalant racism. Confront any racism or homophobia within yourself, be a mobile safe space and work to create a safe space in your community. Polite people are boring. Have some integrity and stand up for the oppressed. Even if it kills you and me, your life will have more meaning.
Susan B. Anthony was a racist. She wanted only white women to vote. But, Susan B. Anthony died over 100 years ago. We are better now but let's prove it.
Happy New Year's. You don't need one specific day to have a resolution. You don't need one particular day to start a revolution.
The Disconcerting
Part 1
Midnight Shadows
Maybe is because of the specific role-play games my twin and I grew up playing. Maybe it’s also because of My love of dressing up in elegant attire and the wearing of jewellery. Or just maybe I am one of those mystic magnets of a soul that attracts this sort of thing to happen?
I had actually written this one out a year after it happened because someone suggested to me to do so, but wish now I had done so right after it happened so I would have a more descriptive memory of it.
It’s brief because the actual incident as it played out, happened so fast that it all was such a blur, there are no real recollections as far as detailed descriptions go.
Not even sure if it fits in with this collection of stories based on role play and similar games from youth and young adulthood.
For it may have been a game, but it certainly was not one of ours.
££££££££££
This rather harrowing experience occurred on the evening of a fancy dress Girl’s only party I attended some years ago.
My twin brother I were 22 years old at the time, as was my best friend Ginny.
The party mentioned was a BAFTA themed get together held in the nearby city.
Ginny and I were both attired for the party as though we were attending the real thing, which was the idea. And we were not alone in dressing up like that.
For at this annual party held by a university chum’s older sister, everyone attending was mandated to dress up like an actress attending the awards ceremony.
Ginny, as always when she does fancy proper, was drop-dead gorgeous.
She looked smashing, poured into her shimmering, off one shoulder gown of thin silk, silver with copper threads woven in. The gown really had a nice sexy fluid flow as she moved. Long elbow-length gloves of a dark copper satin, finished the effect.
She was wearing her good earrings. A pierced ear style set with real diamonds(1/2 Carat diamond with a dangling a pear-shaped 1 1/2 carat diamond), a diamond rhinestone choker, a matching rhinestone bracelet, and two cocktail rings. The 2 carat earrings and one of her rings were real, the rest good quality antique rhinestones.
Her silky hair, a darker natural red than mine, was worn up with an elegant bun held with a long silver clip on one side. Several strands purposely fell alongside her freckled face, adding a rather far too cute effect.
Myself, I was wearing a pretty party dress of Mum’s. One that I (and Papa) felt she looked breathtakingly beautiful wearing it on a night out.
It was a solid coloured sky blue taffeta dress that shone with a tight sleekness down along my figure. Maybe a bit too tight for it outlined my every curve, making me look sexier than I knew I was. The skirt was higher in front( touching just below my knees) than in the back where it swished a few inches above my ankles and my deep blue silk stiletto heels. The neckline of the dress was of a long open scoop and had wavy ruffles running along with its opening, the sleeves went to my elbows, ending in ruffles. With it, I was also wearing deep blue 3/4 length satin gloves.
For jewellery, I wore mum’s full set of enticingly sparkling rhinestones. The pricey imitation diamonds that Papa teased he needed sunglasses to look at her whenever Mum wore them out, which was a lot.
The centerpiece of the set was undoubtedly the long glittery necklace that looked like an upside-down,loosely attached, elongated pyramid filled with blazing diamond-like stones.
This eye-catcher hung down low along the open neck of the dress, swaying a few inches up from my (small)cleavage.
The set also had a matching bracelet, long earrings, and a ring. I added two more of my real gemstone rings for effect.
My own freshly washed long, naturally red hair was pulled back in a plait and I had a thin diamond chip encrusted silver Tiara to hold it all in place.
Please get a good mental picture of how Ginny and I were dressed up for the affair before reading on( and I hope you will read on) it should add a little clarity to the story.
Part 2
Midnight Ball (Faux)
To fit in with the party theme my twin brother actually was able to again borrow papa’s friend’s elegant antique car. An old dark purple Rolls Royce.
My brother dressed the part as a chauffeur( at Ginny and my puppy-eyed request), wearing a suit, formal shirt, and bow tie. He refused to wear the white gloves or hat though.
He thoroughly was into playing his role, opening the door for each of us as we were helped into the back, with him sitting alone upfront.
The party was at a house 30 minutes away in the city, with about 25 guests expected to attend.
All of whom had gone wild with their fancy dress ideas.
Gowns and formal dresses, many of which were old bridesmaids affairs, flowed, shined, and shimmered along with our fellow guest's youthful female figures.
Copious amounts of Gemstones, mostly rhinestone with more than a few real ones, were glittering with amazing brilliance from their mistresses.
As you can imagine, I was really into that atmosphere and it was really for me, a quite enjoyable and engaging experience.
The party itself was a lot of fun and very enjoyable for all in attendance. This was the pre-cell phone era, so we all were quite focused on the party.
On and off we watched the awards show, but the main attraction was the drinking and guessing games we played.
We also had a fashion show with a makeshift red carpet that everyone did a catwalk along.
My mum’s rhinestone attracted a lot of notice, they sparkled so much.
And yes, once when mum was wearing them out a lady actually asked if they were real. We all had a good laugh over that.
My brother and even Ginny commented on how they would sparkle in the city street lamps as we drove under them on the way in.
By the time the party was winding down we all
were feeling pretty well lit, and very huggy.
All too soon it was time to go.
After my twin brother had dropped us off, he waiting for us at the riverside pub named Poet and the Peasant.
He told us to call at the pub and then wait inside the house for him to arrive. The neighborhood was nice enough, but still, it was the city, so he felt more comfortable if we were to not be out wandering.
He would honk the Roll’s horn at the curb to let us know when he was there.
We called from the house after midnight when ready and he told us he’d be there in about 15 minutes after leaving the pub where he was playing darts with a few lads.
We had told others about the Rolls Royce, and some had asked to see it. So, ignoring my brother’s request, we all gathered outside to wait.
Twenty minutes later my brother drove up, spying our group he honked the horn as he pulled up curbside.
Playing the part in front of so many well-dressed ladies, my brother was in his glory as helped each of us slip into the back seat of the rolls Royce, closing our doors like a gentleman, before hopping back in the driver's seat to take us home. Honking the horn again to the few remaining jealous admirers who waved us on.
We felt like real movie stars at that.
And like real movie stars, we soon had a following.
Part 3
Midnight Followers
It was after my brother turned off the street where the party house was located, that he first noticed the red auto behind us.
He was not sure where it had come from, but, something he could never put a finger on, made him think that it was a deliberate appearance
The red auto, keeping about two car lengths behind, began to match my brother’s turns as he began to take his usual way home. The car never signaled its turns he noticed.
Not saying anything to us chattering away in the back leather seats, he turned off into a side street at random to see what would happen. The auto turned down the same street following, again no turn signal.
My brother then turned down another street and pulled the Rolls over midway along it, stopping at the curb directly in front of a house, so the auto could pass if he also turned In behind.
It did come around the same corner, but instead of passing the parked Rolls, the red auto ominously pulled to the curb about three houses behind us, leaving its lights on.
Ginny and I had been chatting happily in the back seat, my brother stopping the Rolls Royce first drew our attention that something was up.
When asked what’s going on, he said that he thinks someone in an automobile is following us.
We laughed at him, thinking he was trying to play games with us.
On the way to the party, he kept teasing us on how sparkly our jewels were in the rearview mirror when illuminated by street lights.
I had snickered saying
“it’s a good thing your here to protect us then Luv.”
He had looked back at me with a wicked smile in his eyes. “Ah, true lass, but what if I was a thief in disguise?”
So now we both thought he was just trying to put a scare into us playing off on those remarks.
Not smiling at our taunts, he sternly told us to just turn around and watch the auto parked down the road with the headlights on.
Part 4
Midnight Apprehension
We both turned in our seats, surprised to see that he was right.
“Who do you think it is?” Ginny asked reasonably.
“Really don’t know, Luv?” He answered putting the Rolls in gear.
He pulled away, and after a few seconds so did the auto with the headlights on.
My brother then took two more random turns down roads and we realized he was really telling the bloody truth.
We knew then it wasn’t something my brother had dreamed up as role-play with his lads. He would not stoop this low and besides, to tell the truth, he was not all that good of an actor to pull it off.
The auto kept pace, matching
us turn for turn.
I would think by then whoever was in the red Auto knew that we realized they were tailing us. But they still kept following.
I remember as we watched from the back, Ginny and I turning to look at each other, both of us not really knowing what to do if even there was anything we could have done?
I can also clearly recollect how Ginny’s diamond earrings were glimmering as I looked into her concerned face. But bit my tongue.
I did not want to alarm her with my thoughts. Knowing how expensive her earrings were. That, plus the fact most of the jewellery I was wearing belonged to Mum, really gave me worries. Still, I knew Ginny was also harboring similar unsaid concerns.
Neither of us daring to give voice to those worries, lest it became a reality.
But two elegantly clad young ladies being driven around inside a Rolls Royce with a chauffeur at the wheel could say the least, easily attract notice. Something we had not given any thought to as we planned out this evening.
Inviting attention, both when arriving in the city, and as well as when they were leaving it.
Both of us turned back to look out the window.
Again watching the bright headlights, I shuddered at another thought that popped into my head.
What if the occupants of the red auto had followed us in, and while we were enjoying the party, had been waiting patiently for us to leave it?
That really creeped me out and I shivered.
My brother, silent with unspoken worries of his own, was keeping to the well lit, residential streets while trying to think of how to get out of this if he needed to.
It could be just two joyriders doing this on a lark after all.
A second issue was that the big Rolls Royce was a lumbering beast not made to outspeed pursuit.
Then there was a third issue: He also did not want to lead our shadowers near to where Ginny or we both lived.
We still lived in a rambling country cottage with my parents. Ginny lived a few houses over in the old stone house that had once been a summer home for a large, prewar, estate owner.
Not voicing any of these concerns to his passengers, my brother stayed in the city, which he knew quite well.
Turning up a boulevard he saw a traffic light ahead.
We pulled up to it and the Red Auto stopped about a car length back.
We could make out the shadowy figures of two unmistakable males, talking to each other as they were pointing fingers.
They were not just pointing at us, but past us. That gave me the creeps as I told my brother what the occupants were doing.
The light turned green, and without signaling, he turned the Rolls to the right, entering a Main Street.
The red auto did the same, not signaling either.
Approaching another light as it was turning red, my brother ran it, cutting off a lurching double-decker just coming into the intersection.
As we received a blast of horns for our transgression, my brother shifted into a higher gear and forced the whining old Rolls into its top speed.
All I remember at that point, was thinking we were not going fast enough at all.
But this maneuver held up the red auto only long enough for us to turn down an alley between two businesses about 3/4 of a block past the red light. I was watching our rear and I knew the red auto, just leaving the intersection, had seen us turn.
My brother knew that the alleys on this street all let out onto a road that ran along the grounds of a rugby stadium.
There were street lamps on the opposite side of the road from the stadium. There were no lights on at all on the stadium side, making the area darker at night than India ink.
We pulled out of the alleyway without seeing any following headlights yet coming in behind us.
“There is usually a patrol car parked along the stadium at night, “my brother said.
“Keep an eye out”
But of course, tonight was the exception, no cars were parked there.
I was looking back at the alleyway we had left and I saw headlights casting along the brick walls.
I gave warning, but it came out as a girlish shriek.
“I see it.” My brother said, he had killed the headlights and was already turning into the exit end of the stadium’s long parking lot
My twin pulled the Rolls under the shadows of some trees that lined the inner side of the parking lot, facing the way we had come.
We all scrunched down and waited.
Part 5
Midnight Escape
A few very long seconds later, the red auto, driving slowly, appeared at the end of the alley and stopped.
Then, without signal,
it slowly turned off onto the street and started going in the opposite direction, at a crawl.
Looking For our Rolls Royce we probably rightly suspected.
Our hearts were pounding and I believe we were all holding our breaths with disquieting
trepidation.
The red auto went down past that end of the stadium.
My heart leaped into my throat as I put a hand to my beating breasts, watching it turn up the next street leading back to the intersection with the red light we had blown through.
My brother put in the clutch, keeping the headlamps off, he slowly turned the auto around.
Ginny and I sat up and watched behind us.
We turned off the parking lot went back the opposite of where our pursuers had gone.
Once in the street my brother turned on the headlamps and gave the old engine some gas. We turned up the next street and then some side streets.
Nervously we watched the streets behind us. But only saw a few headlights coming on the road, and they were all false alarms.
Finally circling around we made it back to the Main Street that led to the highway turnoff.
Nervously all three of us scanned the cars parked along both sides of the streets. But no one pulled out behind us that seemingly going on forever stretch of road.
Apparently, we had lost our shadower’s in the red auto.
We made it to the turnoff without further mischief befalling us and went onto the highway and headed back home.
We never saw the red auto again.
Ginny and I were spending the rest of the weekend in her basemen bedroom at her house, her parents bring out of town.
Neither of us was ashamed to admit we accepted my brother’s offer to spend the night upstairs.
When we got to her place, Ginny helped us raid Uncle’s small bar in the basement. We sat up for the rest of the early morning, still fully dressed, talking it over.
We all believed was no lark, hoax, or a joke being played on us. The occupants of that red auto seemed all too intent on something.
To this very day, none of us have any real idea of what that intent may have been, just only our speculation.
I do remember that we had come up with a whole gauntlet of theories before turning in.
But we are all quite ok with not finding out which theory was the correct one that night.
And Like me, I’m sure we all finally drifted off to sleep considering what may have played out if...?
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Would love to hear thoughts on this in the comments below. Especially if anyone has ever had a similar experience.
Red Milkweed Beetles are one of the first insects to appear on Common Milkweed, usually before the plants flower. Unlike nectar eating or pollen gathering insects the Red Milkweed Beetle prefers to munch on the flower buds or leaves to acquire the milky sap that gives this plant its name. Once blooming is complete, rarely do you see these beetles.
The Red Milkweed Beetle is a beetle in the family Cerambycidae that ranges from central and eastern North America north of Florida. As with many long-horned beetles, the antennae are situated very near the eye. In the Red Milkweed Beetle, this adaptation has been carried to an extreme: the antennal base bisects the eye where the antennae actually splits the eye in two.
The Red Milkweed Beetle, a herbivore, is given this name because they are generally host specific to Milkweed plants (genus Asclepias). It is thought the beetle and its early instars derive a measure of protection from predators by incorporating toxins from the plant into their bodies, thereby becoming distasteful. The red and black coloring are aposematic, advertising the beetles' inedibility. There are many milkweed-eating species of insect such as the Large and Small Milkweed bugs, the Milkweed Leaf Beetle, butterfly & moth larvae, etc. that also use the toxins contained in the plant as a chemical defense.
ISO400, aperture f/11, exposure .008 seconds (1/125) focal length 300mm
En 1999, Dani Karavan, sculpteur israélien né en 1930 à Tel Aviv et vivant entre Tel Aviv, Paris et Florence, y termine l’aménagement du Jardin du souvenir, dans la zone du « port intérieur », dans le cadre d’un projet urbain dont l’architecte en chef est Norman Foster. Karavan est connu pour avoir réalisé entre autres le Monument du Negev2 (1963-1968) et l’Axe majeur de Cergy-Pontoise (1980- ). Il a réalisé des sculptures environnementales (site specific) symboliques, dans une démarche et une pensée optimistes quant à leur impact social et politique potentiel.
Certains jardins contemporains sont conçus comme des « jardins philosophiques ». Pour le Jardin du souvenir (1999) à Duisburg, Dani Karavan a ancré son travail sur le thème de la mémoire, comme dans plusieurs de ses projets. Cette signification latente, par les symboles utilisés, s’allie au niveau perceptif, dans le cas de l’une des sculptures, à de multiples cadres sur l’environnement. Le sens de ces cadres peut être rapproché de la philosophie de l’histoire de Walter Benjamin, qui est une référence profonde de Dani Karavan.
Les « ruines » déposées par Karavan recréent un paysage familier de la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, reconstitué « artificiellement », en particulier devant la maison de retraite, dans un geste quelque peu provocateur. Ces restes s’apparentent aux « rebus de l’histoire » dont parle Walter Benjamin. Les ruines sont entreposées dans une des zones cadrées au sol par les chemins et également au fond d’une impasse, celle du Philosophenweg, comme si Karavan avait fait un tri, sur le modèle de la méthode d’historien de Benjamin : « D’un côté se trouve la partie "féconde", "pleine d’avenir", "vivante", "positive", de l’autre la partie inutile, arriérée et morte de cette époque. »
In 1999, Dani Karavan, an Israeli sculptor born in 1930 in Tel Aviv and living between Tel Aviv, Paris and Florence, completed the development of the Garden of Remembrance there, in the "inner port" area, as part of a project urban whose chief architect is Norman Foster. Karavan is known for having produced, among other things, the Negev2 Monument (1963-1968) and the Cergy-Pontoise Major Axis (1980- ). He has produced symbolic environmental sculptures (site specific), with an optimistic approach and thought regarding their potential social and political impact.
Some contemporary gardens are designed as “philosophical gardens”. For the Garden of Remembrance (1999) in Duisburg, Dani Karavan anchored his work on the theme of memory, as in many of his projects. This latent meaning, through the symbols used, is combined at the perceptual level, in the case of one of the sculptures, with multiple frames of the environment. The meaning of these frameworks can be compared to Walter Benjamin's philosophy of history, which is a deep reference of Dani Karavan.
The “ruins” deposited by Karavan recreate a familiar landscape of the end of the Second World War, reconstructed “artificially”, in particular in front of the retirement home, in a somewhat provocative gesture. These remains are similar to the “rebuses of history” of which Walter Benjamin speaks. The ruins are stored in one of the zones framed on the ground by the paths and also at the end of a dead end, that of the Philosophenweg, as if Karavan had made a sorting, on the model of Benjamin's method of historian: "D' one side is the "fruitful", "future", "alive", "positive" part, on the other the useless, backward and dead part of this time. »
@algonquinoutfit : Want to know what's open at @ArroPark check their @OntarioParks website for a Dec 30th update… t.co/d37iw3y0eA (via Twitter twitter.com/algonquinoutfit/status/814865812716683264)
Everyone knows that they have a specific birthstone that is placed in jewelry and trinkets to signify the month they were born in. However, many people don't know that just like the stones, each month has a flower or two as well, which symbolizes birth. Here is the history and meaning behind your birth flower.
September: Morning Glory
Alternate: Aster
As its name insinuates, the Morning Glory is a flower that blooms in the morning hours. However, by the time the sun has fallen, the flower has died. Each morning will give birth to a brand new flower on the plant. Because they bloom in the morning, they are often pollinated by hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other daytime birds and insects.
Many species of Morning Glory have seeds that contain LSA which is a drug that is up to 10% as potent as LSD. To discourage the growing of Morning Glory specifically for drugs, some cultivators are treating the seeds before they sell them with a chemical that can not be washed off and will cause vomiting and sickness if ingested.
In Japan the Morning Glory is known as asagao, asa "morning" and kao "face". In China it has been used for medicinal purposes as a powerful laxative. During the Edo Period it because a popular decorative flower. It is often used next to walls as it will grow as a vine, blocking out some of the heat and lowering air conditioning bills in the summer.