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Around 5 weeks ago I bought this order, and it came today! I ordered a bunch of foliage, and some other useful pieces that will be used in future MOCs. Tell me what you think!
Glitter sticks from a moving camera.
Well this was fun. Having looked at Janet Towbin’s useful examples for the Intentional Blur theme for the Macro Mondays group I decided to try creating the rotational tunnel effect image style. But how do you do it in a moving macro? And so the challenges began! And what fun they were.
The first problem with this sort of image is that I needed to get the subject rotating around the axis of the lens, and with a fair degree (sorry – unintentional pun, lol) of turning. Being confident of a low chance of success I also wanted a process which as repeatable as possible so I could experiment. I decided to use the moving camera approach. But that created its own problems too.
This image was done with Little-Ickle camera on its back in the centre of my HiFi deck. Speed was set to Long Play (aka 33 1/3 rpm for those not currently imbued with ancient wisdom). Singles speed (45 rpm) would have probably been better as you can see from this shot – it would have achieved a more complete arc for the slowest shutter speed that Little-Ickle could cope with under these conditions – around 1 second. (But the camera might have fallen over ;) ). This camera had the advantages that it was light enough not to damage the deck and could focus relatively closely so I didn’t have to stand on a ladder.
How to trigger the shutter on a spinning camera and review the results? Well Little-Ickle solved this too: just connect to Wi-Fi and trigger and review from a tablet app! Woohoo: it worked surprisingly well :)
Next the subject. Something small with highlights and bright colours. So I used cocktail glitter sticks (the ones that look like witch’s broom but with tinsel strips rather than twigs). They came in bright colours – green, blue and magenta are used in this shot. I found it best to hold the sticks horizontally and to keep them still (twizzling them created lots of dots rather than concentric stripes). The total subject size across this image is, I guess, between 2 and 3 inches. I was trying to get it within the guidelines by keeping the sticks close to the lens. Little-Ickle, poor challenged thing, tried manfully with autofocus and did surprisingly well though clearly (sorry again!) there was a lot of focus blur on some parts.
Lighting was solved by using a table lamp with a clear bulb to provide sharp highlights. There was a fair bit of ambient daylight around too so I used a black cloth over everything including me. Just glad the neighbours didn’t look in the window…
In all I took 175 shots and could have happily gone on. About 50% were total rejects and the rest had some merit. About 15% were suitable for straightforward processing. They were very varied and all said something different. This shot is one of the more colourful ones and is in a group which look like alien eyes because they have a sort of shine in them, I know not why. I may publish some of the others if there is any interest.
Processing was straightforward: just emphasised the colours and contrast, reducing the black point to deal with the ambient light (all simple slider stuff in LR). Little-Ickle creates quite a bit of noise at this shutter speed (look at the image enlarged) so I tried to tone it down a little causing some minor softening, but in every other respect the blurring of the image was totally in camera.
Thank you so much for looking and reading (award yourself a Smartie for endurance if you’ve got this far lol).
[Processed in LR with slight colour/contrast boost in Topaz Adjust.]
PS I have published some of the others in the Alien Ocular Set album.
N/NC: Coccoloba Uvifera, Polygonaceae Family
It is sometimes cultivated for its edible fruits and is often grown as an ornamental one, being particularly useful as a hedge in maritime areas. Commonly known as sea-grape and its fruit is delicious and used to prepare juices specially in the beach areas.
Plants can withstand occasional light, short-lived frosts but will be killed if the temperature falls to -1°c or lower for any period of time. Prefers a moist but well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position. Succeeds in poor sandy soils close to the sea. Tolerates a variety of soil conditions, including salinity. Plants are tolerant of maritime exposure. Established plants are drought tolerant.
Best not grown close to buildings since the plant can harbour dry-wood termites which might damage the wood in the building.
Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L., conhecida pelo nome comum de uva-da-praia, é uma espécie de planta com flor da família Polygonaceae, nativa das regiões costeiras da América tropical e das Caraíbas. Forma arbustos lenhosos e pequenas árvores, sendo utilizada como arbusto ornamental, uso que aproveita a sua tendência para crescer na horizontal. O seu habitat natural são as praias da região intertropical das Américas, mas incluindo a Flórida, e as ilhas das Caraíbas. Com o nome de uva-de-playa é considerada uma das árvores emblemáticas da Venezuela.
Coccoloba uvifera (L.), es conocida comúnmente como uva de playa y su fruto es delicioso y se usa para preparar jugos especialmente en las zonas de playa. A veces se cultiva por esos frutos comestibles, pero también se cultiva a menudo como ornamental, siendo particularmente útil como seto en áreas marítimas.
Las plantas pueden soportar heladas ocasionales ligeras y de corta duración, pero morirán si la temperatura cae a -1 °C o menos durante un período de tiempo. Prefiere un suelo fértil húmedo pero bien drenado en una posición soleada. Tiene éxito en suelos arenosos pobres cerca del mar. Tolera una variedad de condiciones del suelo, incluida la salinidad. Las plantas son tolerantes a la exposición marítima. Las plantas establecidas son tolerantes a la sequía.
Coccoloba uvifera (L.), is algemeen bekend als zeedruif en de vrucht is heerlijk en wordt gebruikt om sappen te bereiden, speciaal in de strand gebieden. Het wordt soms gekweekt voor die eet bare vruchten, maar wordt ook vaak gekweekt als sierplant, en is vooral nuttig als haag in maritieme gebieden.
Planten kunnen af en toe lichte, kortstondige vorst verdragen, maar gaan dood als de temperatuur gedurende een bepaalde periode daalt tot -1°c of lager. Houdt van een vochtige maar goed doorlatende vruchtbare grond op een zonnige standplaats. Gedijt goed op arme zandgronden dicht bij zee. Verdraagt een verscheidenheid aan bodemgesteldheid, inclusief zoutgehalte. Planten zijn tolerant ten opzichte van maritieme blootstelling. Gevestigde planten zijn droogte tolerant.
Coccoloba uvifera (L.), est communément appelé raisin de mer et son fruit est délicieux et utilisé pour préparer des jus spécialement dans les zones de plage. Il est parfois cultivé pour ces fruits comestibles mais aussi souvent cultivé comme ornemental, étant particulièrement utile comme haie dans les zones maritimes.
Les plantes peuvent supporter des gelées occasionnelles légères et de courte durée, mais elles seront tuées si la température tombe à -1 °C ou moins pendant une période quelconque. Préfère un sol fertile humide mais bien drainé dans une position ensoleillée. Réussit dans les sols sableux pauvres proches de la mer. Tolère une variété de conditions de sol, y compris la salinité. Les plantes tolèrent l'exposition maritime. Les plantes établies sont tolérantes à la sécheresse.
Coccoloba uvifera (L.) ist allgemein als Seetraube bekannt und ihre Früchte sind köstlich und werden vor allem an den Stränden zur Herstellung von Säften verwendet. Manchmal wird sie wegen ihrer essbaren Früchte angebaut, oft wird sie aber auch als Zierpflanze angebaut und eignet sich besonders gut als Hecke in Meeresgebieten.
Pflanzen können gelegentlichen leichten, kurzzeitigen Frösten standhalten, sterben jedoch ab, wenn die Temperatur über einen längeren Zeitraum auf -1 °C oder weniger fällt. Bevorzugt einen feuchten, aber gut durchlässigen, fruchtbaren Boden an einem sonnigen Standort. Gedeiht auf kargen Sandböden in der Nähe des Meeres. Verträgt eine Vielzahl von Bodenbedingungen, einschließlich Salzgehalt. Pflanzen vertragen die Exposition gegenüber dem Meer. Etablierte Pflanzen sind dürretolerant.
Coccoloba uvifera (L.), è comunemente nota come uva di mare e il suo frutto è delizioso e utilizzato per preparare succhi soprattutto nelle zone balneari. A volte viene coltivato per quei frutti commestibili ma spesso viene coltivato anche come ornamentale, essendo particolarmente utile come siepe nelle zone marittime.
Le piante possono sopportare occasionali gelate leggere e di breve durata, ma moriranno se la temperatura scende a -1°c o meno per un qualsiasi periodo di tempo. Predilige un terreno fertile umido ma ben drenato in posizione soleggiata. Succede in terreni sabbiosi poveri vicino al mare. Tollera una varietà di condizioni del suolo, inclusa la salinità. Le piante tollerano l'esposizione marittima. Le piante stabilite sono resistenti alla siccità.
Coccoloba uvifera (L.) は一般に海ぶどうとして知られており、その果実は美味しく、特にビーチエリアでジュースを作るのに使用されます。 食用の果実を目的として栽培されることもありますが、観賞用として栽培されることも多く、特に沿岸地域の生け垣として役立ちます。
植物は時折起こる短時間の軽い霜には耐えることができますが、気温が一定期間-1°c以下に下がると枯れてしまいます。 日当たりの良い、湿り気のある水はけの良い肥沃な土壌を好みます。 海に近い痩せた砂地でも生育します。 塩分を含むさまざまな土壌条件に耐えます。 植物は海洋暴露に耐性があります。 確立された植物は乾燥に耐えます。
يُعرف Coccoloba uvifera (L.) باسم العنب البحري وثماره لذيذة ويستخدم لتحضير العصائر خاصة في مناطق الشاطئ. يُزرع أحيانًا لتلك الفاكهة الصالحة للأكل ولكن غالبًا ما يُزرع كنوع من الزينة ، وهو مفيد بشكل خاص كتحوط في المناطق البحرية.
يمكن للنباتات أن تتحمل الصقيع الخفيف قصير العمر ، ولكنها ستقتل إذا انخفضت درجة الحرارة إلى -1 درجة مئوية أو أقل في أي فترة زمنية. يفضل تربة خصبة رطبة ولكن جيدة التصريف في وضع مشمس. ينجح في تربة رملية فقيرة قريبة من البحر. يتحمل مجموعة متنوعة من ظروف التربة ، بما في ذلك الملوحة. النباتات تتحمل التعرض البحري. النباتات القائمة تتحمل الجفاف.
Family: Cottidae
When disturbed with light, this cryptic fish partially buried itself in mud on the bottom of a small stream near Bath. At around 8cm, this is a mature fish.
A note on photographing fish from above in shallow water, in low ambient light conditions, for those who are interested: polarising filters are not always useful if you are able to use off camera flash. Here, two of Nikon's R1 units were used, mounted to the end of the lens and angled in towards the animal. The built-in flash (used to trigger the other strobes) was blocked with the IR panel, as this would have caused reflections visible on the surface.
Quality prints, greeting cards, puzzles and many useful products can be purchased at >> kaye-menner.pixels.com/featured/warragamba-dam-2-nsw-aust... OR www.lens2print.co.uk/imageview.asp?imageID=69712
Our beautiful Warragamba Dam, New South Wales, Australia. (Greater Sydney catchment).
I visited the dam just a few days ago. It is set in such a natural and beautiful bush land environment. It was around 1.3 hrs drive from the north of Sydney.
This image is a panorama of three of my photographic images I stitched together in Photoshop to make this Panoramic image. This one shows the rock wall on the side of the dam which show part of the Visitor Center above.
It was a hot day, and as we've had lots of rain recently, the colors or the bush land were magnificent. The greens were very green and even the water was a beautiful blue. Did lots of walking and just enjoyed the views.
The body of water for collection is called Lake Burragorang.
As at Wednesday 13th January 2021, the dam was at 97.2% capacity level.
www.waternsw.com.au/supply/visit/warragamba-dam
Look out at Warragamba Dam and see the past and future of Sydney's water supply. Marvel at this engineering masterpiece as it nestles quietly in native bushland. Delve into the history of the dam builders who laboured to create one of the world's largest domestic water supply dams. Look into the future at the interactive 'Water for Life' exhibition. Just a 30 minute drive from Penrith, or one hour from Sydney's CBD, bring the family and escape the everyday at Warragamba Dam.
View at the Visitor Centre
There are three viewing platforms at the Warragamba Dam Visitor Centre which offer excellent vistas of the upstream dam wall and Lake Burragorang.
Warragamba Dam Wall
Pedestrian access to parts of Warragamba Dam wall is available on weekends and public holidays ONLY between 10am and 4pm , except Christmas Day and Good Friday.
[Wikipedia] Wikipedia] Warragamba Dam is a heritage-listed dam in the outer South Western Sydney suburb of Warragamba, Wollondilly Shire in New South Wales, Australia. It is a concrete gravity dam, which creates Lake Burragorang, the primary reservoir for water supply for the city of Sydney.
Look out at Warragamba Dam and see the past and future of Sydney's water supply. Marvel at this engineering masterpiece as it nestles quietly in native bushland. Delve into the history of the dam builders who laboured to create one of the world's largest domestic water supply dams. Look into the future at the interactive 'Water for Life' exhibition. Just a 30 minute drive from Penrith, or one hour from Sydney's CBD, bring the family and escape the everyday at Warragamba Dam.
Here are some techniques that I've found useful, some of them are my own, some are others. In either case I've tried to add a note with a link to the first use of the technique I could find. Let me know if there's an earlier use or if you find them useful!
Quality prints, greeting cards and many useful products can be purchased at >> kaye-menner.pixels.com/featured/sun-during-australian-fir...
An image of the sun setting that I captured on 4 December 2019 from the front of my house in the north of Sydney during the catastrophic bushfires in Australia in December 2019 and January 2020.
It is only in the past day or so that we have seen a partially normal sun in the sky. Of course, this depends upon the wind direction and where you live.
Some of the fires came close to our house, but we were not effected thank goodness. But very poor air quality with smoke particles has left us with very smokey red skies for a month or more now with the sun most days with an eerie red hue.
The weather has cooled down here today with supposedly similar cooler conditions for the next few days which will give our firefighters a better chance. We were having temperatures up to 45 degrees C (113F) in north western Sydney where I am, and even up to 48.9 degrees C (around 120F) further west.
Sydney, New South Wales and other states have been in severe drought, so until we get some decent rain, these fires may keep on going if we get more very hot temperatures. We have rather severe water restrictions in force at present.
One site just for further info - although there is much news of the Australian Bushfires:
www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/nov/22/australia-...
I’ve had this book for many years. It has all sorts of useful information about food as well as recipes that are assigned to particular months to help with choosing seasonal food. The section about making jam & marmalade is particularly good.
The Cookery Year, produced by Readers Digest
Quality prints, greeting cards and many useful products can be purchased at >> kaye-menner.pixels.com/featured/easter-cactus-autumn-boke... OR www.lens2print.co.uk/imageview.asp?imageID=32472
I just love this pretty and delicate cactus flower and look forward to its beautiful blooms each year. I have several in my garden in Sydney, Australia. They flower in Sydney around Easter or a bit later, hence the common name Easter Cactus and the colorful Autumn or Fall bokeh.
For those in the Northern Hemisphere, I believe some flower also in Easter which of course is Spring up there.
[Some more info from Wikipedia]
Hatiora gaertneri:
Hatiora gaertneri is a species of epiphytic cactus which belongs to the tribe Rhipsalideae within the subfamily Cactoideae of the Cactaceae. Together with the hybrid with H. rosea, Hatiora ×graeseri, it is known as Easter cactus or Whitsun cactus and is a widely cultivated ornamental plant.
Scientific classification:-
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Hatiora
Species: H. gaertneri
Binomial name: Hatiora gaertneri
This is the last photo taken by my Pentax before it gave up the ghost, coughed and spluttered. It was a useful engine.
~ Ivan Panin
...
“If I were asked to give what I consider the single most useful bit of advice for all humanity it would be this: Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it comes, hold you head high, look it squarely in eye and say, 'I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.'”
Ann Landers
Useful Beauty / Castelo Mendo, Portugal.
Una hermosa pieza de metal para sujetar una contraventana.
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A beautiful piece of metal to retain a window shutter.
A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.
George Bernard Shaw & Stephanie Klein
Last August/September we decided to invest in a garden rebuild. The previous garden had looked good when Tim had first laid the decking in the early 2000s, but the wood was starting to rot and became bouncy and it was very slippery when wet. Once the garden was paved and borders and benches were built, it looked very different but much more spacious but we realised we needed two steps. Tim and I agreed a bridge would be useful too, from our dining room door across to the main level, as it's quite a high jump for Lina. So earlier this month Tim gathered all the wood and made one!
The Volvo F-series from the first generation does have a great appeal to me. During my childhood in the 80s I always saw the fleet of a regional hauler which had a couple of those. Also the German series ‘Auf Achse’, in which one of the main vehicles was a flat roofed F12 is still in my mind. Somehow I do feel more about trucks of four decades ago than the latest ones which all look the same to me. During the 70s, 80s and 90s there where more brands on the market and these decades were for the real drivers. Sometimes still with double clutch, no power steering and engines with around 350 hp max. It sounds like the middle age but I guess those trucks might still be useful nowadays. More than 20 years ago they went out of service and found a second life somewhere in southern Europe, Africa or Latin America. A couple of years ago I saw many Volvo F-series drawbar outfits in Peru and Bolivia like I saw in my neighbourhood during my childhood. And they’re still in service. Really fantastic!
It might not be a surprise such a truck was on my list to be build. One of the European transport companies which got a cult status is Stie's from Norway. For decades they ran a fleet of mainly Volvo’s and drove across Europe with refrigerated cargo. I found some useful pictures on a Norwegian forum of early 80s drawbar outfits. Sties used to have all three generations of F-series but the first generation is my favourite with a flat roof cab and vintage lettering on the bodyworks.
Many, many years ago I built a Volvo FH12 in the Nor-Cargo outfit, the predecessor of Sties, also in blue and white livery. But this time I should be a far more accurate model. The basis is 6x2 driven rigid chassis. Other than previous models I definitely wanted to have a factory green engine thus I collected a lot of sand green elements and used old style grey pieces for those who aren’t available in sand green. Of course it has a tilted cab with full interior and opening doors. The gear shifter is fitted on top of the engine. The interior is just like from trucks from the early 80s which lots of brown and medium orange. The finishing touch is with a typical roof rack, ladder etc. A quite common sight then but also on new Dutch trucks to give them and old skool look.
The drawbar trailer is a product of former Norwegian trailer manufacturer Dapa. The bodyworks were built by VBA, a company which also built busses and coaches on chassis delivered from the factory.
Both bodyworks are mainly built of 2x4 tiles and 2x2 inverted tiles on the inside. Yes, I also paid attention to the inner part. Even the cooling engines are having a replica of the engine and inner part inside the bodyworks. Rear end doors and side doors of course can be opened.
One of the benefits of scale 1:13 box outfits is that the smaller scale 1:17 unit do fit in the bodyworks; it saves some space when carrying those to events.
Nice details underneath are the spare wheels and snow chains which are inevitable. And also look at the blue ones on the drawbar; I found some which weren’t that cheap but really add something to the model.
The truck has quite some metal chrome elements like the wheels, front bumper, cooling engines and some parts of the engine. In my opinion it doesn’t look right without. All decals are supplied by JaapTechnic. At LEGO World last year I brought the model without decals and during the event Jaap took care of it. He really did a great job as the model looks far better with than without them!
With scale 1:13 comes quite a large model. This one is about 145 cm in length.
It took a while before I finished it October 2019 while I already started about a year and a half before. I had to put a lot of effort in it like getting the shapes of the cab right and acquiring all pieces need. But it really is a great addition to my vintage fleet!
Starlings seem to have made a home around the lobster pots at Mudeford Quay, with the local cafe providing an easy source of supper.
This is a video that I had forgotten I did that special weekend in 2018. I am wearing this very outfit and, for a change, talk a bit. Now don't get your spirits up because, as has been the case in recent videos, I talk nonsense. Here is the link for those not interested in my thoughts about why I do less videos these days:
I have been asked why I don't do videos anymore. I don't have a clear answer but maybe it has a lot to do with the time involved and that I have ran out of useful things to share. Another thing that comes to mind is that I have become lazy when it comes to dressing, resulting in less opportunities and less time to do vídeo.
It was never an easy thing to do because I had to focus on three things that don't come natural to me, at the same time. First I had to focus on moving in a feminine way, then I had to focus on sounding feminine and finally, and perhaps the hardest, improvise a meaningful message since I never prepared a script. You might have noticed that in recent years, the message is always the same and quite meaningless; generally just a simple greeting. It was different when I had an experience to share like the times I went to the therapist or out with my sister in law, but that was only for a short period of time.
I'd like to think that my videos might have been useful, inspiring and educational in the early years since not too many of us where sharing our experience in motion. Today, the Internet is filled with all sorts of videos sharing tricks of the trade, makeup tutorials and even transition stories that are far more useful and have better quality. Wait, maybe that is the main reason I stopped doing mine! No, seriously, I appreciate all the support and encouragement I have received on my videos over the years. As a matter of fact, every time I meet people for the first time, it is my videos they remember, along with the experiences I shared in them. That alone makes me realize that it was all worth the effort.
You have no idea all the work involved in getting the videos up in those days. The first years I taped them with a digital tape camera and then had to download the movie from tape to the computer in a workable format. After that some clipping, editing and sometimes even some text and then upload them to Youtube. Internet speeds and format quality were not even close to what we have today so you can imagine. Add to that the fact that almost every video was done twice, one in English and the other in Spanish! I have no idea how I found the time to share close to 150 videos in that cumbersome way! What matters is that I enjoyed doing and sharing them and they served a purpose at the time. It am proud for having done my part when I had the chance and, again, for all the amazing people I got to meet because of that.
I am not saying that I will not do videos any more but when I do them they will, most likely, be less meaningful and more along the lines of my most recent mute walks back and forth. I just realized that that is how I started out; with mute videos showing me walk. Well thank you if you read all the way till the end and I am sharing the link here too to save you the effort of scrolling up :)
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Este es un vídeo que no recordaba haber hecho en aquel fin de semana especial de 2018. Llevo puesto este atuendo y, como cosa rara, hablo un poquito. Eso sí, no se emocione porque, como es el caso en mis vídeos reciente, digo puras tonterías. Aquí está el link para quienes no tienen interés en leer mi sentir en cuanto a por qué ya no hago tanto vídeo en estos tiempos:
Me han preguntado muchas veces por qué ya no hago vídeos como antes. No tengo una respuesta clara pero creo que tiene que ver con el tiempo que involucra y que ya no tengo experiencias útiles por compartir. Otro factor es que me he vuelto muy perezosa para propiciar oportunidades para vestirme, lo que resulta en menos oportunidades para hacer vídeo.
Hacer vídeos no era cosa fácil porque me tenía que enfocar en tres cosas que no me son naturales, al mismo tiempo. Primero me tenía que enfocar en moverme de manera femenina, luego enfocarme en producir una voz femenina y finalmente, probablemente lo más difícil, improvisar un mensaje con sentido ya que nunca hice libretos. Se habrán dado cuenta que en los años más recientes el mensaje es generalmente el mismo y carente de significado; por lo general un saludo breve. Era diferente cuando tenía alguna experiencia que compartir como mis visitas al psiquiatra o salidas con mi cuñada pero eso se dio durante un periodo corto de tiempo.
Quisiera pensar que mis vídeo sirvieron de inspiración y ayuda en aquellos tiempos ya que no muchas de nosotras compartíamos nuestras experiencias en movimiento. Hoy día, Internet está repleta de todo tipo de vídeos en los que se comparten trucos, experiencias, instrucciones de maquillaje y hasta historias de transición que son mucho más útiles y están hechos con mejor calidad. ¡Esperen, tal vez es por eso que dejé de hacer los mío! Ya en serio, agradezco el apoyo y ánimo que recibí por mis vídeos a través de los años. De hecho, cada vez que conozco gente por primera vez, mencionan que recuerdan haber visto mis videos y las historias que compartía. Solo con ese hecho, me doy cuenta de que valió la pena el esfuerzo.
No tienen idea de todo el trabajo que implicaba subir los vídeos en aquellos tiempos. Los primeros años los filmaba con una cámara que usaba cinta digital y luego tocaba pasar el vídeo de cinta a un formato que permitiera bajarlo a la computadora. Luego de eso editarlo, a veces ponerle textos y luego subirlo a Youtube. La velocidad de conexión y la calidad de los formatos no eran ni siquiera cercanos a lo que tenemos hoy así que ya se imaginan. Agreguemos a eso el hecho de que hacía casi cada vídeo dos veces, uno en español y el otro en inglés. ¡No tengo idea de dónde saqué el tiempo para compartir casi 150 vídeos de esa manera tan arcaica! Lo importante es que disfruté mucho haciéndolos y compartiéndolos y que tuvieron algún propósito en ese momento. Me siento orgullosa de haber contribuido con mi granito de arena cuando tuve la oportunidad y, de nuevo, por todas lla gente extraordinaria que he conocido a través de esto.
No quiero inferir que no haré más vídeos pero cuando los haga, seguramente serán menos significativos y más como los que he hecho recientemente en donde solo camino de un lado a otro sin decir algo. ¡Acabo de percatarme de que así es como empecé; con videos mudos en los que solo caminaba! Gracias por haber leído hasta aquí y les comparto de nuevo el enlace al vídeo para que no tengan que volver a buscarlo :)
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Another colourful portrait of model Lulu ( www.instagram.com/chashashuli/ ). Here she was positioned in deep shade and then the light was used close to the model so that the light became the primary source of light rather than just a fill-in.
For my birthday back in July, ImageX and Rotolight thoughtfully arranged a photowalk around Oxford. Me and a group of people I'd never met spent a few hours wandering around the city with several models and a load of Rotolight LED lighting kit.
Having tried using some continuous LED lights a few years ago and being less than impressed I can see this new generation of LED lights being very versatile and useful for this kind of photography. Even in daylight the lights were able to produce some beautifully balanced results.
I'll be uploading some of the best shots over the coming few days so hopefully you'll agree......
Click here for more photos from modelshoots I've been involved in : www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/albums/72157648496261420
© D.Godliman
The most useful extraterrestrials in Somewhereville are the Compostoids who hail from the planet Sludgelon-8. They exist completely on organic waste and save the city big bucks on those pesky garbage collection fees. They may look scary but their organic diet makes them quite peaceful creatures.
Image imagined in MidJourney AI and finished with Topaz Studio and Lightroom Classic.
Quality prints and many useful products at >> kaye-menner.pixels.com/featured/red-cabbage-abstract-macr... OR www.lens2print.co.uk/imageview.asp?imageID=61971
Photograph photography macro or close up of a fresh and healthy red cabbage cut in half showing lots of colors, shapes, lines and many abstract patterns.
Red cabbage has a good mix of vitamins and minerals, especially folate, which is essential during pregnancy and also helps the body to produce red blood cells. It also contains vitamin C, which helps protect our cells by acting as an antioxidant, and potassium, which we need for a healthy heart.
The Battle of Durrough: The Black Swan
A story of rebellion against tyranny, from Lands of Roawia Castle Builders Game. Global Challenge 7, Unrestricted Entry.
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Commentary: GC7 was all the reason I needed to build the Black Swan, but what a build it turned into...one of the most challenging and largest of all my builds. The studs-not-on-top half-timber technique alone was a handful, not to mention that gabled roof. It all comes apart in levels too, including the roof.
Please read the story; I know it's long but it's action-packed and my best writing yet, I believe. Cheers!
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The Black Swan Tavern was known for its dark ale brew, catering to sea captains, high prices and outstanding hot food served using fresh ingredients. It benefited from its location next to Angus Square, which hosted an excellent market every weekend, with fresh fish from the Aines River and wares from all over the Provinces. On this day however, reputations would change forever, and what was once a peaceful cobbled square would soon be known by all as The Bloody Market.
Lord Oslet moved his men as silently as possible through the misty morning streets of Durrough, determined to catch his prey, one Baron Munro and his lackey of an archer captain, Tavish. Oslet had ensured everything was ready; he had chosen the best shots in the entire garrison, all armed with deadly crossbows. He carried one himself—except his had a little extra potency to it. His 100 hand-picked troops had soft boots and no armor or shields to cause noise, and they moved carefully in the pre-dawn shadows toward the meeting place, the tavern the traitorous Duke Cartney had referred to as The Black Swan.
Oslet had seen to everything, sending a troop of 50 more men farther east to circle back around and approach Angus Square from the opposite end of the city. He even had his best tactical commander, Captain Bladari, standing by with another 200 men in the Bastion on call in case there was trouble.
There wouldn’t be, of course. The Aines River was flowing swiftly, and no boats were in the immediate vicinity, leaving no avenue of escape for this Caelan Munro. Lord Oslet’s anticipation of ridding himself of a thorn in his side, the leaders of those deadly Scout Snipers, grew with every step, and by the time they reached the Swan he was in high spirits. His men approached cautiously, but all appeared well in the mist as they were well ahead of the reported meeting time between Munro and his disreputable spy-traitor to the Queen.
His vanguard moved silently along the wharf and up to the riverside door of the Swan, trying to open it quietly. It wouldn’t budge, and several of them set about trying to force it while the rest moved past the Swan and peaked around the corner into Angus Square. The mist obscured much, but what they saw made them pause, and then motion for their lord to see.
Oslet came forward and peaked himself. The square was heavily cluttered with barrels, wagons, and stands from the three Factions of Roawia, but no movement. It smelled heavily of fish, but there was nothing strange about that. Oslet looked at his men to see what they meant, and one of them whispered, “Too much here.”
“It’s Market Day, you dolt, what did you exp….” he trailed off, for approaching from the other end of the wharf were two cloaked figures moving cautiously in the shadows. As they drew closer it was clear the two forms had bows strapped over their backs and wore green cloaks.
“Early, are we?” Oslet mumbled, and motioned for his men to spread out in reception, as the two unwary men were headed straight for the Black Swan. Oslet smiled at the sight of his prey, and when the moment was right he called out, “It’s to be the gallows for you, Sir Caelan!”
His two targets froze, but as his mind registered this he heard a calm but firm voice call from only thirty feet to his left, “It’s arrows for you stupid.”
And then all chaos broke out. The fly of arrows filled the air, and all around him his men fell like stalks of wheat before a scythe. Windows opened above him, and he caught sight out of the corner of his eye forms leaning out and raining deadly shots upon his troops from the top floors of the Swan. Oslet felt a pain in his thigh, and instinctively rounded behind one of his men, who immediately caught in the chest an arrow meant for him. He made his way back behind his guards one at a time, and only called for a retreat after he had passed them to ensure he had human shields to absorb the shots meant for him. By the time he rallied what men he had left, well out of arrow range, he had less than half of what he came with to that bloody tavern. Without their armor, they were easy pickings.
“Did you get him?” Sir Caelan looked up at Captain Tavish, perched atop the Angus Fountain to improve his shot advantage.
“Nah, I missed the blighter I think…perhaps grazed him.” Tavish shrugged, “Hard to tell in this mist.”
“Mist?” Munro pretended to object, “You’re slipping.”
Tavish frowned. “He kept duckin’ behind his men, the coward!”
“It’s not manly to complain, you know.” This received Tavish’s most undignified look yet.
Caelan moved forward to see better and to wave congratulations at his 25 men in the Swan. Behind him were 75 more, all having hidden amongst the “clutter” and buildings surrounding Angus Square. The remaining 25 Scout Snipers under his command were farther to the east, serving as rear guard to oppose the encircling Queen’s troops no doubt trying to cut their path of retreat off. They would soon be getting the same brutal treatment Caelan had just given Oslet. Before him lay numerous bodies and wounded crawling away to anywhere they could. Some of his men were sniping those still able to aim their crossbows. They just couldn’t resist one of their primary roles they had been trained for: counter-archer fire.
One hundred yards west, Oslet cursed furiously, mostly for his lost dignity and little for the loss of his men. He had suffered only a flesh wound in his thigh, but had suffered greatly in the eyes of his command. When he learned however that Caelan was neither pursuing nor retreating, he brightened and immediately sent for Bladari and his 200 men, including his best unit, the Silver Spears. They were fully armored, and that alone ensured victory, so long as Caelan stood his ground.
And he did. As Bladari came up and saluted his master, Lord Oslet stated, “I have to admit they surprised us and we lost most of our crossbowmen, but the great fool has decided to stay and fight—pride, no doubt. Now we get them all—how stupid, a major threat in the countryside but now hopelessly outnumbered and outclassed in street fighting. Either way, I must ask the Silver Spears to storm that tavern and square. Kill them all.”
Captain Bladari indeed tried valiantly. His men moved in like a landslide, charging forward into a hail of arrows. The sun had come up, burning the mist off, and now the Spears were charging toward the east with the sun directly in their eyes. Their armor did help tremendously, until close range was reached. Then the Scout Snipers’ accuracy made any opening in their armor fair game.
Much worse waited for them in the square however. The Snipers had stacked the deck, for in the time in between attacks they had slammed open the many barrels they had brought, and out poured fish oil, the stuff of slippery nightmares on cobblestones. Just at the point where the Silver Spears should have made contact with the Snipers, the soldiers slipped perilously instead, and blood now mixed freely with the fish oil.
Up on the fountain, Tavish had a field day. He took particular delight in shooting whoever carried the Silver Spears’ banner, and after four fell in succession as they picked it up to lead forward, the spear-tipped signal remained on the ground for the rest of the fight.
The Snipers inside the Swan however had no such fish oil barrier to help them. Bladari’s men were able to withstand enough shots to approach and break through the windows, and the ones that lived to see the other side made it to the door to move the blockade keeping it closed. In addition, Lord Oslet was carefully taking those Snipers shooting from the windows out with shots from his poisoned quarrel bolts. The ten Snipers who held the bottom floor were overwhelmed as the Queen’s troops poured into the Swan, only happy to avoid the meat grinder in the square. Only two Scouts made it up the stairs before the others blocked it off with tables, but now their attention had to be on survival, and Bladari’s men were able to storm the wharf almost unopposed.
Sir Caelan only had a handful of pikemen to hold the attackers off for the Snipers to have shooting room, and they paid heavily for their bravery. Caelan’s squire, Sholto, was standing off to the side, taking an occasional shot with his short bow when he could, but to him it looked like they would soon be overwhelmed. Then he watched his knight charge forward into the fray in Lenfald armor, fighting two-handed as was his method, and swiftly four more of the attackers fell.
One who caught sight of this action was Captain Bladari, who immediately recognized that he could end this madness if he could down Caelan. He moved carefully forward as to not slip on the oil while relying on his full plate armor to deflect every arrow. The two exchanged quick glances and then went right to work without any words. Bladari’s broadsword made brutal impact with Caelan’s armor, but with such a heavy weapon he couldn’t keep up with his opponent’s longsword with long dagger follow-up. Caelan eventually gave him a deep slash to his right thigh, then his left knee, and Bladari went down fighting. He continued swinging until Caelan slashed his sword hand and that was it. Expecting a death blow, he stared up at the young Baron defiant, but was surprised when Munro charged forward instead, leaving him wounded but alive. What he missed was the arrival of Duke Cartney at the head of his own Durrough men-at-arms, who swept all before them.
Lord Oslet was quite pleased with himself now that he was clearly winning the fight, when a runner arrived and announced that the North Gate of the city had fallen to Sir Haymar Glen, and an armed horde of Lenfel troops was storming down High Street. “Who the deuce is Haymar?!?” he yelled in surprise. “How can this…” and his eyes suddenly set in the distance upon Bladari’s men scrambling in full rout toward him. Right behind them were Lenfels in full charge, and leading them was Duke Cartney himself. All came clear to him; the entire engagement was a trap set by Duke Cartney himself with his lies of an easy ambush on Caelan, and he now knew full well that the entire city was in rebellion against the Queen.
“To the Bastion!” he screamed as loud as possible, holding up his crossbow for all to recognize him, and cries of retreat echoed his command. But he did not turn with the others immediately. Instead he lowered his weapon with poisoned quarrel loaded, and aimed it straight at the approaching Duke Cartney…
…To be continued in the next build, Battle of Durrough: Cobblestone Bridge
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Previous Caelan stories:
A build for Lands of Roawia (LoR) online role-playing game. LoR features motivating contests and character-driven stories.
See if you can spot the easter eggs!
Abner decided to make camp on the mountaintop that night so as not to risk a dark and perilous descent. The marines had gotten used to sleeping in defensive positions by now (like them landlubber rangers!) and set into their patrol base quickly. Abner and Scraff set to work building a large fire to signal the Spirit of Lenfald.
“I’m no woodsman, but this seems rather risky to me,” said Scraff, squatting to place some tinder in their shallow fire pit.
“Possibly,” said Abner. “Though I’d be much more concerned if we had encountered a tribe of people on this island. Most of the things we’ve run into are reptilian. They need the sun to warm them so they can move about, so they won’t be out after nightfall.” He snapped a handful of twigs. “Besides, most animals are very frightened of fire.”
“Most?” queried Scraff.
Abner grinned. “Aye, most.”
“Heaven help us. What about the others, then, ranger?”
“Some are just too curious to help themselves. Mostly little furry critters of some sort. During the winter in Lenfald you will sometimes wake to find that one has crawled into your bedroll with you. It’s only an issue if it’s a snake or something.”
Scraff grimaced. He would never admit it, but he couldn’t stand even the thought of snakes. “Hmmm, little furry critters. I can deal with those,” he said.
“That was the first kind of creature that’s attracted to fire,” continued Abner cheerfully. “The other kind can be a bit more dangerous,” he stacked larger chunks of wood around the center of the fire pit. “They’re the big ones that try to be heroes and stamp out forest fires before they start. Unfortunately they can’t tell the difference between a raging blaze and somebody’s innocent campfire.”
Scraff was astonished. “We have those in Roawia?”
“Aye,” answered Abner. “And quite a few, actually. In Lenfald there’s a certain kind of boar who considers himself the fire warden. In Loreos it’s enormous herds of these gray horned beasts. Rhinoceros I believe they are called. Anyway, they’ve been known to stampede in droves and trample entire camps just trying to put the fires out. They can’t see very well, either, so they sometimes impale men in the process.”
“Charming,” remarked Scraff, “We have so much to look forward to.”
Abner stood and looked proudly at the tower of wood they had just constructed. “Well, she’s ready! Would you like to do the honors, Scraff?”
“Why not?” said Scraff sarcastically. “I’ve always wanted to sign my own death warrant.”
“Oh, don’t be such a canker blossom, Scraff. Here.” Abner held out a small piece of flint.
Scraff chuckled heartily and took the flint from Abner. “You really have some nerve, you know that?”
“And yet you still can’t help but laugh,” Abner joked back. “Now get on with it, unless you don’t know how to light a fire!”
“Easy there, Cap’n,” laughed Scraff. “I’ve been off the ship once or twice.” He took out his knife, stooping low over the wood shavings they had strewn about in the center of the fire pit. He slid his blade quickly and firmly across the flint several times, showering sparks over the kindling until at last it sizzled and burst into flame.
“Not too bad,” said Abner, taking the flint back and placing it in his pocket.
“Hush,” replied Scraff, turning out to face the water. “Let’s just make sure they get the message.
The fire rose quickly, the flames licking hungrily at the dry wood above them, devouring the fuel with its ravenous appetite. Soon the beacon was blazing brightly, shining out like a star resting upon the mountain peak.
“They can’t possibly miss this,” said Abner.
Sure enough, the dim glow of torches began to appear on the deck of the Spirit of Lenfald. Dozens of them sprang to life, filling the fighting deck with light. For good measure, a volley of flaming arrows was fired up into the sky.
Scraff chuckled. “Now they’re just giving us a show.”
“We should return the favor then,” said Abner, wrapping an arrowhead in a small piece of cloth.
“Now you’re really going to set the forest alight,” said Scraff with uncertainty.
“Relax,” reassured Abner, slapping Scraff on the back for once. “This’ll burn out long before it comes down.”
He dipped the arrowhead into the flames, igniting the cloth, and set the arrow to his bowstring. He waited a few moments for the fire to burn, then aimed high into the night and let the missile fly. The flaming projectile climbed high above the mountain, twinkling gloriously as it flew. It slowed and reached the crest of its arc, flickering as the cloth burned away, then turned its head towards the jungle below and plummeted towards the canopy.
“Have you always had this kind of flair for the dramatic, or did it just start when you had your little brush with our big toothy friend a few days ago?” jabbed Scraff.
“Come on now, you know that was fantastic.”
“Maybe that was a little impressive.”
The night passed into morning without any major disturbances. The marines broke camp quickly while Abner scattered the ashes from the fire and covered the area carefully with leaves and twigs.
“What are you doing?” asked Scraff.
“We never leave a trace, Scraff,” replied Abner. “That means fires, too. Your enemy can’t track you if you don’t leave them a trail.”
Scraff looked about and spread his arms. “You realize there is no enemy tracking us?”
Abner slapped Scraff on the back again and started down the mountain. “It’s just a good habit to be in.”
The descent went much faster than the climb into the mountains. The terrain was far less treacherous and the slope much gentler on the western face of the mountains. The party also did not have to pass through thick jungle as they had near the foot of the eastern slopes, hastening their travel significantly. They descended so rapidly, in fact, that they reached the beach by early evening, where they found Scraff’s lieutenant and a large contingent of marines awaiting them with the launch.
Scraff hailed his men. “Oy there, expecting trouble?” he joked.
“With you around, sir, one cannot do much else,” quipped the lieutenant with a smile. He shook his commander’s hand firmly. “Good to have you back, sir.” He looked at Abner. “And it’s good to see you in one piece as well, Cap’n.”
Abner grinned. “Well that’s a much friendlier attitude than you bore a week ago!”
The lieutenant’s face grew beet red and his embarrassment was almost tangible. Scraff roared with laughter. “Come on, son. Let’s get back to the ship. And suffice to say you’ll think twice about mutiny in the future.
Once the launch had ferried everyone back to the Spirit of Lenfald, Abner climbed to the aftcastle to find Toliver. There sat the navigator at the table he had dragged up on deck, intently scribbling notes and sketching the terrain of the island. Abner raised an eyebrow and looked at the helmsman.
“Has he been like this the whole time?” he asked.
Morthgow nodded. “Aye, sah. He’s barely slept or eaten since he came back aboard. I’d be surprised if he hasn’t counted every seabird on this island by now!”
Abner chuckled and moved towards Toliver. “What’s the word, Toliver? Have you found us a route back to Lenfald?”
Toliver continued to scribble on his parchment as if Abner wasn’t there.
Abner furrowed his brow slightly and started again. “Toliver, have-“
He stopped abruptly as the navigator held up a finger for silence. Another man would have been insulting his captain, but Abner knew Toliver meant no offense. He was simply a strange- but very capable- man.
Toliver finally looked up from his parchment. “Cap’n. I believe I have found us a route,” he stated.
“That’s good,” replied Abner. “Then set our course for home.”
Toliver shook his head. “Not quite, Cap’n. You see, we must first sail west.”
“What on earth are you talking about?” demanded Abner.
“We sailed north from here when we first rounded the horn,” answered Toliver. “But we were blocked by an arm of this very same island.”
Abner looked at Toliver blankly. “I don’t follow. What are you talking about?”
Toliver continued impatiently. “This is an island, but it’s twice the island we thought it was. You see, it’s got two arms,” he said, moving his arms in a giant upside-down “U” motion. “Like this. They point to the south and are joined to the north. I highly suspect they do not continue much further north. In their center is a circular island that we saw on our journey northward. Cap’n, I believe that if we sail west and round the horn of the second arm of the island, we can sail north and find a westward wind that will return us to familiar shores. It should carry us somewhere just north of Isil Oro, if I understand correctly.”
Abner was impressed. “That’s quite the deduction,” he said. “But how do you know this land does not continue far to the north of here?”
Toliver hesitated. “Cap’n, I am asking you to trust me. I can’t know this for certain and I don’t pretend to. But with how the clouds and winds form here, it would seem that New Lenfald opens onto the water north of here. And I do believe we will find open water and friendly winds if we sail west and north. Besides,” he added. “Even if we do not, we will still be hugging the coast and we can go ashore for fresh water and food whenever we need it.”
Abner considered his navigator’s words for a moment and then nodded in agreement. “Aye, Toliver. I trust both your judgment and intuition. Lead us home!”
Toliver did just that, proving that his reputation as the best navigator in Roawia was more than justified. In fact, he was right to the smallest detail. New Lenfald was indeed composed of two connected, southward-pointing arms and it did not extend far to the north. Upon rounding the northwestern corner of the island, the Spirit of Lenfald was indeed spurred eastward by a powerful western wind, causing the crew to cheer.
Under Toliver’s careful guidance, the ship plowed steadily eastward. Her sails were never slack and she made great time- the distant coast of Roawia was spotted on the tenth day. Toliver’s predictions were once again incredibly accurate; the Spirit of Lenfald was sailing straight for the fishing pier at the north end of Isil Oro’s harbor. As they approached, Abner addressed the crew.
“Gentlemen, I cannot express my gratitude to you for your incredible efforts on this unexpected adventure. And I would also like to express my profound thanks for not beheading me while we were stuck in the doldrums.”
The crew laughed heartily and somewhat sheepishly.
“Truly men, all is forgiven and I hope that you will forgive your inexperienced captain for getting you into this mess. I am deeply sorry for separating you from your families for such a time. I, too, was separated from mine and I can empathize with you. If your wives try to beat you with their broomsticks, I will be happy to intervene.”
Another laugh from the men.
Abner grew more solemn. “Men, on this joyous occasion we can celebrate the fact that through all of our tribulations, we did not lose a single one of our crew. I consider that miraculous and for that I will always be grateful. However, there is a very serious matter we must discuss before we can go ashore.” Abner cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, it is imperative that you do not share word of our discovery with anyone. I know this will be very difficult, as I myself am brimming with excitement at having found a new land. However, there are spies everywhere in these uncertain times and if news of land to the west fell into their hands… well, it could threaten not only Lenfald’s claims to our island, but the safety of our brothers and sisters who will undoubtedly return there. So I ask you all to please keep your knowledge of New Lenfald to yourselves for the time being. Please, gentlemen, for the sake of our great nation.”
There was a quiet murmur of agreement and a half-hearted chorus of “aye,” from the crew. Abner understood their feelings. He was dying to tell everyone that he had discovered a new land, too. He just hoped the men would be wise enough to keep their mouths shut for the moment.
The Spirit of Lenfald dropped anchor and the launch was lowered into the water. A pair of rowboats came steadily towards the ship from the pier to help carry the crew to shore. Abner boarded one of these boats with Scraff, Toliver, Morthgow, and a couple marines and they started off towards the docks of Isil Oro.
As they neared the shore, Abner turned to look at the city that awaited them. There, standing on the edge of the dock, just as she had promised, was Serena. Abner leapt to his feet, rocking the boat as he did so.
“Easy there, son,” said one of the rowers gruffly.
Abner paid him no mind. He waved frantically, but he needn’t have. Serena had already seen him and her face was filled with emotion. There were tears in her eyes and a huge smile pasted across her face. She was waving to him with both arms as she ran along the dock to where the boat would land.
As soon as the craft came alongside the pier Abner leapt from it, grasping the edge of the dock and springing up onto the planks. He caught Serena as she plowed into his arms, barely preventing them both from going into the water.
Serena grabbed his face and kissed him long and passionately, then pushed him back to arms’ length and looked him in the eye.
“You’re late,” she said.
“I love you too,” replied Abner, embracing her again.
Scraff clambered out of the boat and came over to them smiling.
“Well, it’s good to see you too together again,” he said. “And Serena, remind me to never cross you. You’re a dedicated woman.”
Serena laughed and dried her eyes. “Oh, shut it, Scraff, and go find some wench to flirt with who’ll listen to your exaggerated tales.”
Scraff and Abner exchanged glances.
“What?” asked Serena.
“Nothing,” replied Abner quickly. “I promise I’ll tell you later.”
At that moment a shout came from up the street.
“Oy! Who’s the captain of this vessel that’s just come into port?”
Abner turned to face his addresser. A tall, thin man wearing fine armor and the garments of the Isil Oro Guard was walking towards him, flanked by two of his men.
“That would be me, good sir,” answered Abner, taking a step towards the man.
“Well then, I presume I am addressing Abner, captain of the Spirit of Lenfald,” said the man, smiling broadly and extending his hand. “I am Lorthand, captain of the guard. It is indeed good to see you. We thought you lost at sea!”
Abner shook Lorthand’s hand firmly. “Well met, Lorthand. Indeed we were for a time…” Abner’s voice trailed off.
Lorthand looked curiously at Abner, detecting something in the ranger’s face.
“Perhaps you would like to discuss this matter somewhere more private?” Lorthand asked.
“That would be for the best,” replied Abner.
“Come then, we will go to my office,” said Lorthand, beckoning one of his men. “John, make haste to the city hall and alert the Duke of Captain Abner’s return,” he ordered. “And have one of the messengers prepare for a journey to Stonewald,” he added. “I have a feeling there is some great importance in the story our ranger friend has to tell.
As Lorthand led the others into Isil Oro, a plainly dressed man stepped casually off of the street and started up the road after them.
on US50
Useful, Missouri, USA
I haven't been able to find anything out about the curious name of this town. If anyone knows anything, I'd be happy to hear about it.
UPDATE: janwalkerimages rocks. See her information on the town and its name origin below.
"You have been useful, my apprentice. You were my willing tool, but those days are at an end."
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The Force Unleashed is awesome, enough said ;)
After a while, a new scene of mine. Nothing special, though.
Margherita
Enough with violence against women (1/4)
In an attempt to present something socially useful, Michele & Miriam have chosen to address the theme "Enough with violence against women", sadly a topical topic.
Gender-based violence often occurs close to us, invisible and more frequent than we suppose. It remains silent and persistent, not casual as when it appears on the news or when it is remembered on special occasions.
Psychological and physical violence, condemnation and liberation are featured in this unpublished photographic series, presented at the group exhibition "Coetus: multiplicity" in San Donà di Piave - Venice Italy in the year 2022.
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Basta con la violenza sulle donne (1 di 4)
Nel tentativo di presentare qualcosa di socialmente utile, Michele & Miriam hanno scelto il tema "Basta con la violenza sulle donne", argomento, purtroppo tristemente, di attualità.
La violenza di genere avviene spesso vicino a noi, invisibile e più frequente di quanto percepiamo. Rimane silenziosa e costante, non episodica come quando compare nei telegiornali o viene ricordata nei giorni ad essa dedicati.
Violenza psicologica e fisica, denuncia e liberazione, compaiono in questa serie fotografica inedita, presentata alla mostra collettiva "Coetus: molteplicità" a San Donà di Piave - Venezia Italia nell'anno 2022.
A text In English:
The Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, so called from its forked tail, is one of the largest hummingbirds in cities and gardens, but it also occurs in gallery forests, bushy pastures and edges of woods or coppices. It is green, except for the blue head and upper breast, turning to iridescent purple according to the direction of light; it has dark wings and a heavy black bill. The tail is dark blue with the external feathers longer than central ones. It is very aggressive and attacks other hummingbirds that dare to visit flowers in certain trees. Where the flowers are available for many months, the individual is fiercely territorial, but generally needs to search soon for other flowering plants. It flies to catch small insets on or under leaves in the gallery forests or woodlands. The female builds a small cup-shaped nest saddled on a branch, not far from the main trunk in the shade of leaves. Perched on favorite branches, the male can utter long but low chirps. Once in a while, it interrupts these singing sessions to feed, and flies back for more song or to clean the plumage. They occur from the Guianas and Amazon River to Paraguay and southeastern Peru. They can get along with partially deforested zones, but may disappear with intensive agriculture and with the development of treeless cities.
Um texto em Português:
Beija-flor Tesoura (Eupetomena macroura), fotografado em Brasília-DF, Brasil.
Eupetomena macroura (Gmelin, 1788): tesoura; swallow-tailed hummingbird c.
Destaca-se das espécies estudadas pelo maior porte e pela cauda comprida e bifurcada, o que lhe valeu o nome popular. Como é comum entre os beija-flores, é uma espécie agressiva que disputa com outras o seu território e fontes de alimento.
Nidificação: o ninho, em forma de tigela, é assentado numa forquilha de arbusto ou árvores, a cerca de 2 a 3 m do solo. O material utilizado na construção é composto por fibras vegetais incluindo painas, musgos e liquens, aderidos externamente com teias de aranhas.
Hábitat: capoeiras, cerrados, borda de matas e jardins.
Tamanho: 17,0 cm
A SEGUIR UM TEXTO ENCONTRADO E REPRODUZIDO DO ENDEREÇO nationalgeographic.abril.uol.com.br/ng/edicoes/83/reporta... DA NATIONAL GEOGRAFIC:
Prodígios da micro-engenharia, os beija-flores são os campeões dos pesos-leves entre as aves
Uma faísca safira, um frêmito de asas, e o minúsculo pássaro - ou seria um inseto? - some como miragem fugaz. Reaparece instantes depois, agora num ângulo melhor. É pássaro mesmo, um dervixe do tamanho do meu polegar com asas que batem 80 vertiginosas vezes por segundo, produzindo um zumbido quase inaudível. As penas da cauda, à guisa de leme, delicadamente direcionam o vôo em três direções. Ele fita a trombeta de uma vistosa flor alaranjada e do bico fino como agulha projeta uma língua delgada feito linha. Um raio de Sol ricocheteia de suas penas iridescentes. A cor refletida deslumbra como uma pedra preciosa contra uma janela ensolarada. Não admira que os beija-flores sejam tão queridos e que tanta gente já tenha tropeçado ao tentar descrevê-los. Nem mesmo circunspectos cientistas resistem a termos como "belo", "magnífico", "exótico".
Surpresa maior é o fato de o aparentemente frágil beija-flor ser uma das mais resistentes criaturas do reino animal. Cerca de 330 espécies prosperam em ambientes diversos, muitos deles brutais: do Alasca à Argentina, do deserto do Arizona à costa de Nova Scotia, da Amazônia à linha nevada acima dos 4,5 mil metros nos Andes (misteriosamente, essas aves só são encontradas no Novo Mundo).
"Eles vivem no limite do que é possível aos vertebrados, e com maestria", diz Karl Schuchmann, ornitólogo do Instituto Zoológico Alexander Koenig e do Fundo Brehm, na Alemanha. Schuchmann ouviu falar de um beija-flor que viveu 17 anos em cativeiro. "Imagine a resistência de um organismo de 5 ou 6 gramas para viver tanto tempo!", diz ele espantado. Em média, o minúsculo coração de um beija-flor bate cerca de 500 vezes por minuto (em repouso!). Assim, o desse pequeno cativo teria batido meio bilhão de vezes, quase o dobro do total de uma pessoa de 70 anos.
Mas esses passarinhos são duráveis apenas em vida. Quando morrem, seus ossos delicados e ocos quase nunca se fossilizam. Daí o assombro causado pela recente descoberta de um amontoado de fósseis de aves que talvez inclua um beija-flor ancestral de 30 milhões de anos. Como os beija-flores modernos, os espécimes fósseis tinham o bico longo e fino e os ossos superiores das asas mais curtos, terminando em uma saliência arredondada que talvez lhes permitisse fazer a rotação na articulação do ombro e parar no ar.
A outra surpresa foi o local do achado: no sul da Alemanha, longe do território dos beija-flores atuais. Para alguns cientistas, essa descoberta mostra que já existiram beija-flores fora das Américas, mas se extinguiram. Ou quem sabe os fósseis não fossem de beija-flor. Os céticos, entre eles Schuchmann, afirmam que muitas vezes, ao longo da evolução, outros grupos de aves adquiriram características semelhantes às do beija-flor. Os verdadeiros beija-flores, diz Schuchmann, evoluíram nas florestas do leste do Brasil, onde competiam com insetos pelo néctar das flores.
"O Brasil foi o laboratório do protótipo", diz o ornitólogo. "E o modelo funcionou." O beija-flor tornou-se a obra-prima da microengenharia da natureza. Aperfeiçoou sua habilidade de parar no ar há dezenas de milhões de anos para competir por parte das flores do Novo Mundo.
"Eles são uma ponte entre o mundo das aves e o dos insetos", diz Doug Altshuler, da Universidade da Califórnia em Riverside. Altshuler, que estuda o vôo dos beija-flores, examinou os movimentos das asas do pássaro. Observou que, nele, os impulsos elétricos propulsores dos músculos das asas lembram mais os dos insetos que os das aves. Talvez por isso o beija-flor produza tanta energia por batida de asas: mais, por unidade de massa, que qualquer outro vertebrado. Altshuler também analisou os trajetos neurais do beija-flor, que funcionam com a mesma vertiginosa velocidade encontrada nas aves mais ágeis, como seu primo mais próximo, o andorinhão. "São incríveis; uns pequenos Frankesteins", compara.
Certamente eles sabem intimidar: grama por grama, talvez sejam os maiores confrontadores da natureza. "O vocabulário do beija-flor deve ser 100% composto de palavrões", graceja Sheri Williamson, naturalista do Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory. A agressão do beija-flor nasce de ferozes instintos territoriais moldados à necessidade de sugar néctar a cada poucos minutos. Os beija-flores competem desafiando e ameaçando uns aos outros. Postam-se face a face no ar, rodopiam, mergulham na direção da grama e voam de ré, em danças de dominância que terminam tão subitamente quanto começam.
O melhor lugar para vermos tais batalhas é nas montanhas, especialmente no Equador, em que ricos ecossistemas se apresentam em suas várias altitudes. Sheri supõe que o sentido norte-sul das cordilheiras americanas também crie rotas favoráveis à migração para onde haja constante suprimento de flores. O que contrasta, diz ela, com as barreiras naturais que se estendem de leste a oeste na África, como o Saara e o Mediterrâneo.
Algumas espécies de beija-flor, porém, adaptaram-se a atravessar vastidões planas, onde o alimento é escasso. Antes de sua intrépida migração da primavera para os Estados Unidos e o Canadá, os beija-flores-de-garganta-vermelha reúnem-se no México e empanturram-se de insetos e néctar. Armazenam gordura e duplicam de peso em uma semana. Em seguida, atravessam o golfo do México, voando 800 quilômetros sem escalas por 20 horas, até a costa distante.
A região próxima à linha do equador é um reino de beija-flores. Quem sai do aeroporto de Quito, no Equador, pode ser logo saudado por um cintilante beija-flor-violeta, com pintura de guerra de manchas púrpura iridescentes nos lados da face. A leste da cidade, nas cabeceiras da bacia Amazônica, o beija-flor-bico-de-espada esvoaça na mata portando o bico mais longo de todas as aves em proporção a seu tamanho: mais de metade do comprimento total do animal. Nas encostas do Cotopaxi, um vulcão ao sul de Quito, o beija-flor-do-chimborazo foi avistado acima dos 4,5 mil metros. Ali ele passa a noite entorpecido em cavernas, pois desacelera seu ritmo metabólico o suficiente para não morrer de fome antes de amanhecer. Mais tarde, aquecido pelo Sol, ele recomeça a se alimentar.
"Quem estuda beija-flores fica irremediavelmente enfeitiçado", diz Sheri Williamson. "São criaturinhas sedutoras. Tentei resistir, mas agora tenho sangue de beija-flor correndo nas veias."
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Ipê Amarelo, Tabebuia [chrysotricha or ochracea].
Text, in english, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Trumpet tree" redirects here. This term is occasionally used for the Shield-leaved Pumpwood (Cecropia peltata).
Tabebuia
Flowering Araguaney or ipê-amarelo (Tabebuia chrysantha) in central Brazil
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Bignoniaceae
Tribe: Tecomeae
Genus: Tabebuia
Gomez
Species
Nearly 100.
Tabebuia is a neotropical genus of about 100 species in the tribe Tecomeae of the family Bignoniaceae. The species range from northern Mexico and the Antilles south to northern Argentina and central Venezuela, including the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) and Cuba. Well-known common names include Ipê, Poui, trumpet trees and pau d'arco.
They are large shrubs and trees growing to 5 to 50 m (16 to 160 ft.) tall depending on the species; many species are dry-season deciduous but some are evergreen. The leaves are opposite pairs, complex or palmately compound with 3–7 leaflets.
Tabebuia is a notable flowering tree. The flowers are 3 to 11 cm (1 to 4 in.) wide and are produced in dense clusters. They present a cupular calyx campanulate to tubular, truncate, bilabiate or 5-lobed. Corolla colors vary between species ranging from white, light pink, yellow, lavender, magenta, or red. The outside texture of the flower tube is either glabrous or pubescentThe fruit is a dehiscent pod, 10 to 50 cm (4 to 20 in.) long, containing numerous—in some species winged—seeds. These pods often remain on the tree through dry season until the beginning of the rainy.
Species in this genus are important as timber trees. The wood is used for furniture, decking, and other outdoor uses. It is increasingly popular as a decking material due to its insect resistance and durability. By 2007, FSC-certified ipê wood had become readily available on the market, although certificates are occasionally forged.
Tabebuia is widely used as ornamental tree in the tropics in landscaping gardens, public squares, and boulevards due to its impressive and colorful flowering. Many flowers appear on still leafless stems at the end of the dry season, making the floral display more conspicuous. They are useful as honey plants for bees, and are popular with certain hummingbirds. Naturalist Madhaviah Krishnan on the other hand once famously took offense at ipé grown in India, where it is not native.
Lapacho teaThe bark of several species has medical properties. The bark is dried, shredded, and then boiled making a bitter or sour-tasting brownish-colored tea. Tea from the inner bark of Pink Ipê (T. impetiginosa) is known as Lapacho or Taheebo. Its main active principles are lapachol, quercetin, and other flavonoids. It is also available in pill form. The herbal remedy is typically used during flu and cold season and for easing smoker's cough. It apparently works as expectorant, by promoting the lungs to cough up and free deeply embedded mucus and contaminants. However, lapachol is rather toxic and therefore a more topical use e.g. as antibiotic or pesticide may be advisable. Other species with significant folk medical use are T. alba and Yellow Lapacho (T. serratifolia)
Tabebuia heteropoda, T. incana, and other species are occasionally used as an additive to the entheogenic drink Ayahuasca.
Mycosphaerella tabebuiae, a plant pathogenic sac fungus, was first discovered on an ipê tree.
Tabebuia alba
Tabebuia anafensis
Tabebuia arimaoensis
Tabebuia aurea – Caribbean Trumpet Tree
Tabebuia bilbergii
Tabebuia bibracteolata
Tabebuia cassinoides
Tabebuia chrysantha – Araguaney, Yellow Ipê, tajibo (Bolivia), ipê-amarelo (Brazil), cañaguate (N Colombia)
Tabebuia chrysotricha – Golden Trumpet Tree
Tabebuia donnell-smithii Rose – Gold Tree, "Prima Vera", Cortez blanco (El Salvador), San Juan (Honduras), palo blanco (Guatemala),duranga (Mexico)
A native of Mexico and Central Americas, considered one of the most colorful of all Central American trees. The leaves are deciduous. Masses of golden-yellow flowers cover the crown after the leaves are shed.
Tabebuia dubia
Tabebuia ecuadorensis
Tabebuia elongata
Tabebuia furfuracea
Tabebuia geminiflora Rizz. & Mattos
Tabebuia guayacan (Seem.) Hemsl.
Tabebuia haemantha
Tabebuia heptaphylla (Vell.) Toledo – tajy
Tabebuia heterophylla – roble prieto
Tabebuia heteropoda
Tabebuia hypoleuca
Tabebuia impetiginosa – Pink Ipê, Pink Lapacho, ipê-cavatã, ipê-comum, ipê-reto, ipê-rosa, ipê-roxo-damata, pau d'arco-roxo, peúva, piúva (Brazil), lapacho negro (Spanish); not "brazilwood"
Tabebuia incana
Tabebuia jackiana
Tabebuia lapacho – lapacho amarillo
Tabebuia orinocensis A.H. Gentry[verification needed]
Tabebuia ochracea
Tabebuia oligolepis
Tabebuia pallida – Cuban Pink Trumpet Tree
Tabebuia platyantha
Tabebuia polymorpha
Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) DC.[verification needed] (= T. pentaphylla (L.) Hemsley) – Pink Poui, Pink Tecoma, apama, apamate, matilisguate
A popular street tree in tropical cities because of its multi-annular masses of light pink to purple flowers and modest size. The roots are not especially destructive for roads and sidewalks. It is the national tree of El Salvador and the state tree of Cojedes, Venezuela
Tabebuia roseo-alba – White Ipê, ipê-branco (Brazil), lapacho blanco
Tabebuia serratifolia – Yellow Lapacho, Yellow Poui, ipê-roxo (Brazil)
Tabebuia shaferi
Tabebuia striata
Tabebuia subtilis Sprague & Sandwith
Tabebuia umbellata
Tabebuia vellosoi Toledo
Ipê-do-cerrado
Texto, em português, da Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre.
Ipê-do-cerrado
Classificação científica
Reino: Plantae
Divisão: Magnoliophyta
Classe: Magnoliopsida
Subclasse: Asteridae
Ordem: Lamiales
Família: Bignoniaceae
Género: Tabebuia
Espécie: T. ochracea
Nome binomial
Tabebuia ochracea
(Cham.) Standl. 1832
Sinónimos
Bignonia tomentosa Pav. ex DC.
Handroanthus ochraceus (Cham.) Mattos
Tabebuia chrysantha (Jacq.) G. Nicholson
Tabebuia hypodictyon A. DC.) Standl.
Tabebuia neochrysantha A.H. Gentry
Tabebuia ochracea subsp. heteropoda (A. DC.) A.H. Gentry
Tabebuia ochracea subsp. neochrysantha (A.H. Gentry) A.H. Gentry
Tecoma campinae Kraenzl.
ecoma grandiceps Kraenzl.
Tecoma hassleri Sprague
Tecoma hemmendorffiana Kraenzl.
Tecoma heteropoda A. DC.
Tecoma hypodictyon A. DC.
Tecoma ochracea Cham.
Ipê-do-cerrado é um dos nomes populares da Tabebuia ochracea (Cham.) Standl. 1832, nativa do cerrado brasileiro, no estados de Amazonas, Pará, Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Pernambuco, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo e Paraná.
Está na lista de espécies ameaçadas do estado de São Paulo, onde é encontrda também no domínio da Mata Atlântica[1].
Ocorre também na Argentina, Paraguai, Bolívia, Equador, Peru, Venezuela, Guiana, El Salvador, Guatemala e Panamá[2].
Há uma espécie homônima descrita por A.H. Gentry em 1992.
Outros nomes populares: ipê-amarelo, ipê-cascudo, ipê-do-campo, ipê-pardo, pau-d'arco-do-campo, piúva, tarumã.
Características
Altura de 6 a 14 m. Tronco tortuso com até 50 cm de diâmetro. Folhas pilosas em ambas as faces, mais na inferior, que é mais clara.
Planta decídua, heliófita, xerófita, nativa do cerrado em solos bem drenados.
Floresce de julho a setembro. Os frutos amadurecem de setembro a outubro.
FloresProduz grande quantidade de sementes leves, aladas com pequenas reservas, e que perdem a viabilidade em menos de 90 dias após coleta. A sua conservação vem sendo estudada em termos de determinação da condição ideal de armazenamento, e tem demonstrado a importância de se conhecer o comportamento da espécie quando armazenada com diferentes teores de umidade inicial, e a umidade de equilíbrio crítica para a espécie (KANO; MÁRQUEZ & KAGEYAMA, 1978). As levíssimas sementes aladas da espécie não necessitam de quebra de dormência. Podem apenas ser expostas ao sol por cerca de 6 horas e semeadas diretamente nos saquinhos. A germinação ocorre após 30 dias e de 80%. As sementes são ortodoxas e há aproximadamente 72 000 sementes em cada quilo.
O desenvolvimento da planta é rápido.
Como outros ipês, a madeira é usada em tacos, assoalhos, e em dormentes e postes. Presta-se também para peças torneadas e instrumento musicais.
Tabebuia alba (Ipê-Amarelo)
Texto, em português, produzido pela Acadêmica Giovana Beatriz Theodoro Marto
Supervisão e orientação do Prof. Luiz Ernesto George Barrichelo e do Eng. Paulo Henrique Müller
Atualizado em 10/07/2006
O ipê amarelo é a árvore brasileira mais conhecida, a mais cultivada e, sem dúvida nenhuma, a mais bela. É na verdade um complexo de nove ou dez espécies com características mais ou menos semelhantes, com flores brancas, amarelas ou roxas. Não há região do país onde não exista pelo menos uma espécie dele, porém a existência do ipê em habitat natural nos dias atuais é rara entre a maioria das espécies (LORENZI,2000).
A espécie Tabebuia alba, nativa do Brasil, é uma das espécies do gênero Tabebuia que possui “Ipê Amarelo” como nome popular. O nome alba provém de albus (branco em latim) e é devido ao tomento branco dos ramos e folhas novas.
As árvores desta espécie proporcionam um belo espetáculo com sua bela floração na arborização de ruas em algumas cidades brasileiras. São lindas árvores que embelezam e promovem um colorido no final do inverno. Existe uma crença popular de que quando o ipê-amarelo floresce não vão ocorrer mais geadas. Infelizmente, a espécie é considerada vulnerável quanto à ameaça de extinção.
A Tabebuia alba, natural do semi-árido alagoano está adaptada a todas as regiões fisiográficas, levando o governo, por meio do Decreto nº 6239, a transformar a espécie como a árvore símbolo do estado, estando, pois sob a sua tutela, não mais podendo ser suprimida de seus habitats naturais.
Taxonomia
Família: Bignoniaceae
Espécie: Tabebuia Alba (Chamiso) Sandwith
Sinonímia botânica: Handroanthus albus (Chamiso) Mattos; Tecoma alba Chamisso
Outros nomes vulgares: ipê-amarelo, ipê, aipê, ipê-branco, ipê-mamono, ipê-mandioca, ipê-ouro, ipê-pardo, ipê-vacariano, ipê-tabaco, ipê-do-cerrado, ipê-dourado, ipê-da-serra, ipezeiro, pau-d’arco-amarelo, taipoca.
Aspectos Ecológicos
O ipê-amarelo é uma espécie heliófita (Planta adaptada ao crescimento em ambiente aberto ou exposto à luz direta) e decídua (que perde as folhas em determinada época do ano). Pertence ao grupo das espécies secundárias iniciais (DURIGAN & NOGUEIRA, 1990).
Abrange a Floresta Pluvial da Mata Atlântica e da Floresta Latifoliada Semidecídua, ocorrendo principalmente no interior da Floresta Primária Densa. É característica de sub-bosques dos pinhais, onde há regeneração regular.
Informações Botânicas
Morfologia
As árvores de Tabebuia alba possuem cerca de 30 metros de altura. O tronco é reto ou levemente tortuoso, com fuste de 5 a 8 m de altura. A casca externa é grisáceo-grossa, possuindo fissuras longitudinais esparas e profundas. A coloração desta é cinza-rosa intenso, com camadas fibrosas, muito resistentes e finas, porém bem distintas.
Com ramos grossos, tortuosos e compridos, o ipê-amarelo possui copa alongada e alargada na base. As raízes de sustentação e absorção são vigorosas e profundas.
As folhas, deciduais, são opostas, digitadas e compostas. A face superior destas folhas é verde-escura, e, a face inferior, acinzentada, sendo ambas as faces tomentosas. Os pecíolos das folhas medem de 2,5 a 10 cm de comprimento. Os folíolos, geralmente, apresentam-se em número de 5 a 7, possuindo de 7 a 18 cm de comprimento por 2 a 6 cm de largura. Quando jovem estes folíolos são densamente pilosos em ambas as faces. O ápice destes é pontiagudo, com base arredondada e margem serreada.
As flores, grandes e lanceoladas, são de coloração amarelo-ouro. Possuem em média 8X15 cm.
Quanto aos frutos, estes possuem forma de cápsula bivalvar e são secos e deiscentes. Do tipo síliqua, lembram uma vagem. Medem de 15 a 30 cm de comprimento por 1,5 a 2,5 cm de largura. As valvas são finamente tomentosas com pêlos ramificados. Possuem grande quantidade de sementes.
As sementes são membranáceas brilhantes e esbranquiçadas, de coloração marrom. Possuem de 2 a 3 cm de comprimento por 7 a 9 mm de largura e são aladas.
Reprodução
A espécie é caducifólia e a queda das folhas coincide com o período de floração. A floração inicia-se no final de agosto, podendo ocorrer alguma variação devido a fenômenos climáticos. Como a espécie floresce no final do inverno é influenciada pela intensidade do mesmo. Quanto mais frio e seco for o inverno, maior será a intensidade da florada do ipê amarelo.
As flores por sua exuberância, atraem abelhas e pássaros, principalmente beija-flores que são importantes agentes polinizadores. Segundo CARVALHO (2003), a espécie possui como vetor de polinização a abelha mamangava (Bombus morio).
As sementes são dispersas pelo vento.
A planta é hermafrodita, e frutifica nos meses de setembro, outubro, novembro, dezembro, janeiro e fevereiro, dependendo da sua localização. Em cultivo, a espécie inicia o processo reprodutivo após o terceiro ano.
Ocorrência Natural
Ocorre naturalmente na Floresta Estaciobal Semidecicual, Floresta de Araucária e no Cerrado.
Segundo o IBGE, a Tabebuia alba (Cham.) Sandw. é uma árvore do Cerrado, Cerradão e Mata Seca. Apresentando-se nos campos secos (savana gramíneo-lenhosa), próximo às escarpas.
Clima
Segundo a classificação de Köppen, o ipê-amarelo abrange locais de clima tropical (Aw), subtropical úmido (Cfa), sutropical de altitude (Cwa e Cwb) e temperado.
A T.alba pode tolerar até 81 geadas em um ano. Ocorre em locais onde a temperatura média anual varia de 14,4ºC como mínimo e 22,4ºC como máximo.
Solo
A espécie prefere solos úmidos, com drenagem lenta e geralmente não muito ondulados (LONGHI, 1995).
Aparece em terras de boa à média fertilidade, em solos profundos ou rasos, nas matas e raramente cerradões (NOGUEIRA, 1977).
Pragas e Doenças
De acordo com CARVALHO (2003), possui como praga a espécie de coleópteros Cydianerus bohemani da família Curculionoideae e um outro coleóptero da família Chrysomellidae. Apesar da constatação de elevados índices populacionais do primeiro, os danos ocasionados até o momento são leves. Nas praças e ruas de Curitiba - PR, 31% das árvores foram atacadas pela Cochonilha Ceroplastes grandis.
ZIDKO (2002), ao estudar no município de Piracicaba a associação de coleópteros em espécies arbóreas, verificou a presença de insetos adultos da espécie Sitophilus linearis da família de coleópteros, Curculionidae, em estruturas reprodutivas. Os insetos adultos da espécie emergiram das vagens do ipê, danificando as sementes desta espécie nativa.
ANDRADE (1928) assinalou diversas espécies de Cerambycidae atacando essências florestais vivas, como ingazeiro, cinamomo, cangerana, cedro, caixeta, jacarandá, araribá, jatobá, entre outras como o ipê amarelo.
A Madeira
A Tabebuia alba produz madeira de grande durabilidade e resistência ao apodrecimento (LONGHI,1995).
MANIERI (1970) caracteriza o cerne desta espécie como de cor pardo-havana-claro, pardo-havan-escuro, ou pardo-acastanhado, com reflexos esverdeados. A superfície da madeira é irregularmente lustrosa, lisa ao tato, possuindo textura media e grã-direita.
Com densidade entre 0,90 e 1,15 grama por centímetro cúbico, a madeira é muito dura (LORENZI, 1992), apresentando grande dificuldade ao serrar.
A madeira possui cheiro e gosto distintos. Segundo LORENZI (1992), o cheiro característico é devido à presença da substância lapachol, ou ipeína.
Usos da Madeira
Sendo pesada, com cerne escuro, adquire grande valor comercial na marcenaria e carpintaria. Também é utilizada para fabricação de dormentes, moirões, pontes, postes, eixos de roda, varais de carroça, moendas de cana, etc.
Produtos Não-Madeireiros
A entrecasca do ipê-amarelo possui propriedades terapêuticas como adstringente, usada no tratamento de garganta e estomatites. É também usada como diurético.
O ipê-amarelo possui flores melíferas e que maduras podem ser utilizadas na alimentação humana.
Outros Usos
É comumente utilizada em paisagismo de parques e jardins pela beleza e porte. Além disso, é muito utilizada na arborização urbana.
Segundo MOREIRA & SOUZA (1987), o ipê-amarelo costuma povoar as beiras dos rios sendo, portanto, indicado para recomposição de matas ciliares. MARTINS (1986), também cita a espécie para recomposição de matas ciliares da Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, abrangendo alguns municípios das regiões Norte, Noroeste e parte do Oeste do Estado do Paraná.
Aspectos Silviculturais
Possui a tendência a crescer reto e sem bifurcações quando plantado em reflorestamento misto, pois é espécie monopodial. A desrrama se faz muito bem e a cicatrização é boa. Sendo assim, dificilmente encopa quando nova, a não ser que seja plantado em parques e jardins.
Ao ser utilizada em arborização urbana, o ipê amarelo requer podas de condução com freqüência mediana.
Espécie heliófila apresenta a pleno sol ramificação cimosa, registrando-se assim dicotomia para gema apical. Deve ser preconizada, para seu melhor aproveitamento madeireiro, podas de formação usuais (INQUE et al., 1983).
Produção de Mudas
A propagação deve realizada através de enxertia.
Os frutos devem ser coletados antes da dispersão, para evitar a perda de sementes. Após a coleta as sementes são postas em ambiente ventilado e a extração é feita manualmente. As sementes do ipê amarelo são ortodoxas, mantendo a viabilidade natural por até 3 meses em sala e por até 9 meses em vidro fechado, em câmara fria.
A condução das mudas deve ser feita a pleno sol. A muda atinge cerca de 30 cm em 9 meses, apresentando tolerância ao sol 3 semanas após a germinação.
Sementes
Os ipês, espécies do gênero Tabebuia, produzem uma grande quantidade de sementes leves, aladas com pequenas reservas, e que perdem a viabilidade em poucos dias após a sua coleta. A sua conservação vem sendo estudada em termos de determinação da condição ideal de armazenamento, e tem demonstrado a importância de se conhecer o comportamento da espécie quando armazenada com diferentes teores de umidade inicial, e a umidade de equilíbrio crítica para a espécie (KANO; MÁRQUEZ & KAGEYAMA, 1978).
As levíssimas sementes aladas da espécie não necessitam de quebra de dormência. Podem apenas ser expostas ao sol por cerca de 6 horas e semeadas diretamente nos saquinhos. A quebra natural leva cerca de 3 meses e a quebra na câmara leva 9 meses. A germinação ocorre após 30 dias e de 80%.
As sementes são ortodoxas e há aproximadamente 87000 sementes em cada quilo.
Preço da Madeira no Mercado
O preço médio do metro cúbico de pranchas de ipê no Estado do Pará cotado em Julho e Agosto de 2005 foi de R$1.200,00 o preço mínimo, R$ 1509,35 o médio e R$ 2.000,00 o preço máximo (CEPEA,2005).
Carrbridge's most famous landmark is the old packhorse bridge, from which the village is named. The bridge, built in 1717 is the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands. It was severely damaged in the "muckle spate" of 1829 which left it in the condition seen today. In 1847 someone wrote to the Inverness Courier giving it as an example of one of the "all but deserted [bridges of which] the most useful and picturesque ought to be preserved". It is now unstable and is recommended only to be viewed from afar. Jumping off the bridge into the River Dulnain below had long been a popular pastime for younger locals and the more adventurous tourists.
I would not recommend jumping off the bridge the water is very shallow.
Great location to relax because there is not much traffic from cars in this area.
Previous set from Duga here: www.flickr.com/photos/timster1973/sets/72157643924793935/
Duga-3 (NATO reporting name Steel Yard) was a Soviet over-the-horizon radar system. It was developed for the Soviet ABM early-warning network. The system operated from 1976 to 1989. Its distinctive and mysterious shortwave radio signal came to be known in the west as the Russian Woodpecker.
Two stations of Duga-3 were installed: a western system around Chernobyl and an eastern system in Siberia.
The transmitter for the western Duga-3 was located a few kilometers southwest of Chernobyl (south of Minsk, northwest of Kiev). The receiver was located about 50 km northeast of Chernobyl (just west of Chernihiv, south of Gomel).
The Soviets had been working on early warning radar for their anti-ballistic missile systems through the 1960s, but most of these had been line-of-sight systems that were useful for raid analysis and interception only. None of these systems had the capability to provide early warning of a launch, which would give the defenses time to study the attack and plan a response. At the time the Soviet early-warning satellite network was not well developed, and there were questions about their ability to operate in a hostile environment including anti-satellite efforts. An over-the-horizon radar sited in the USSR would not have any of these problems, and work on such a system for this associated role started in the late 1960s. Duga-3 could detect submarines and missile launches in all of Europe and the Eastern coast of United States.
The first experimental system, Duga-1, was built outside Mykolaiv in Ukraine, successfully detecting rocket launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome at 2,500 kilometers. This was followed by the prototype Duga-2, built on the same site, which was able to track launches from the far east and submarines in the Pacific Ocean as the missiles flew towards Novaya Zemlya. Both of these radar systems were aimed east and were fairly low power, but with the concept proven work began on an operational system. The new Duga-3 systems used a transmitter and receiver separated by about 60 km.
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有段話我覺得不要翻成英文比較好,老美看了大概會不爽,這張圖我弄好後覺的很像黑人牙膏的mark說....TT我應該把它作成貼紙印出來的!以下就轉貼他的生平:
"Barack" and "Obama" redirect here. For other uses, see Barack (disambiguation) and Obama (disambiguation).
Barack Obama
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44th President of the United States
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 20, 2009
Vice President Joe Biden
Preceded by George W. Bush
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States Senator
from Illinois
In office
January 3, 2005 – November 16, 2008
Preceded by Peter Fitzgerald
Succeeded by Roland Burris
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 13th district
In office
January 8, 1997 – November 4, 2004
Preceded by Alice Palmer
Succeeded by Kwame Raoul
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Born August 4, 1961 (1961-08-04) (age 47)[1]
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States[2]
Birth name Barack Hussein Obama II[2]
Nationality American
Political party Democratic
Spouse Michelle Obama (m. 1992)
Children Malia Ann (b. 1998)
Natasha (a.k.a. Sasha) (b. 2001)
Residence Chicago, Illinois (private)
White House, Washington, D.C. (official)
Alma mater Occidental College
Columbia University (B.A.)
Harvard Law School (J.D.)
Profession Community organizer
Attorney
Author
Professor
Politician
Religion Protestant Christian[3]
Signature
Website WhiteHouse.gov
This article is part of a series about
Barack Obama
Background · Illinois Senate · U.S. Senate
Political positions · Public image · Family
2008 primaries · Obama–Biden campaign
Transition · Inauguration · US Presidency
Barack Hussein Obama II (pronounced /bəˈrɑːk hʊˈseɪn oʊˈbɑːmə/; born August 4, 1961) is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama was the junior United States Senator from Illinois from 2005 until he resigned following his 2008 election to the presidency. He was inaugurated as President on January 20, 2009.
Obama is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he was the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review. He worked as a community organizer, and practiced as a civil rights attorney in Chicago before serving three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004. He also taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. Following an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000, Obama was elected to the Senate in November 2004. Obama delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004.
As a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, Obama helped create legislation to control conventional weapons and to promote greater public accountability in the use of federal funds. He also made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. During the 110th Congress, he helped create legislation regarding lobbying and electoral fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism, and care for U.S. military personnel returning from combat assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan
Early life and career
Main article: Early life and career of Barack Obama
Barack Obama was born at the Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children in Honolulu, Hawaii,[4][5] to Stanley Ann Dunham,[6] a White American from Wichita, Kansas,[7][8][9] and Barack Obama, Sr., a Luo from Nyang’oma Kogelo, Nyanza Province, Kenya. Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian language class at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, where his father was a foreign student on scholarship.[10][11] The couple married on February 2, 1961.[12] Obama's parents separated when Obama was two years old, and they divorced in 1964.[11] Obama's father returned to Kenya and saw his son only once more before dying in an automobile accident in 1982.[13]
After her divorce, Dunham married Indonesian student Lolo Soetoro, who was attending college in Hawaii. When Soeharto, a military leader in Soetoro's home country, came to power in 1967, all students studying abroad were recalled and the family moved to Indonesia.[14] There Obama attended local schools in Jakarta, such as Besuki Public School and St. Francis of Assisi School, until he was ten years old.
He then returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents, Madelyn and Stanley Armour Dunham, while attending Punahou School from the fifth grade in 1971 until his graduation from high school in 1979.[15] Obama's mother returned to Hawaii in 1972 for five years, and then in 1977 went back to Indonesia, where she worked as an anthropological field worker. She stayed there most of the rest of her life, returning to Hawaii in 1994. She died of ovarian cancer in 1995.[16]
Right-to-left: Barack Obama and half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng, with their mother Ann Dunham and grandfather Stanley Dunham, in Hawaii (early 1970s).Of his early childhood, Obama has recalled, "That my father looked nothing like the people around me — that he was black as pitch, my mother white as milk — barely registered in my mind."[17] In his 1995 memoir, he described his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage.[18] He wrote that he used alcohol, marijuana and cocaine during his teenage years to "push questions of who I was out of my mind."[19] At the 2008 Civil Forum on the Presidency, Obama identified his high-school drug use as his "greatest moral failure."[20]
Some of his fellow students at Punahou School later told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin that Obama was mature for his age, and that he sometimes attended college parties and other events in order to associate with African American students and military service people. Reflecting later on his formative years in Honolulu, Obama wrote: "The opportunity that Hawaii offered — to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect — became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear."[21]
Following high school, Obama moved to Los Angeles, where he studied at Occidental College for two years.[22] He then transferred to Columbia University in New York City, where he majored in political science with a specialization in international relations.[23] Obama graduated with a B.A. from Columbia in 1983. He worked for a year at the Business International Corporation[24][25] and then at the New York Public Interest Research Group.[26][27]
After four years in New York City, Obama moved to Chicago, where he was hired as director of the Developing Communities Project (DCP), a church-based community organization originally comprising eight Catholic parishes in Greater Roseland (Roseland, West Pullman and Riverdale) on Chicago's far South Side. He worked there for three years from June 1985 to May 1988.[26][28] During his three years as the DCP's director, its staff grew from one to thirteen and its annual budget grew from $70,000 to $400,000. His achievements included helping set up a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants' rights organization in Altgeld Gardens.[29] Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for the Gamaliel Foundation, a community organizing institute.[30] In mid-1988, he traveled for the first time to Europe for three weeks and then for five weeks in Kenya, where he met many of his paternal relatives for the first time.[31]
Obama entered Harvard Law School in late 1988. He was selected as an editor of the Harvard Law Review at the end of his first year,[32] and president of the journal in his second year.[33] During his summers, he returned to Chicago where he worked as a summer associate at the law firms of Sidley & Austin in 1989 and Hopkins & Sutter in 1990.[34] After graduating with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) magna cum laude[35][36] from Harvard in 1991, he returned to Chicago.[32]
Obama's election as the first black president of the Harvard Law Review gained national media attention[33] and led to a publishing contract and advance for a book about race relations.[37] In an effort to recruit him to their faculty, the University of Chicago Law School provided Obama with a fellowship and an office to work on his book.[37] He originally planned to finish the book in one year, but it took much longer as the book evolved into a personal memoir. In order to work without interruptions, Obama and his wife, Michelle, traveled to Bali where he wrote for several months. The manuscript was finally published in mid-1995 as Dreams from My Father.[37]
From April to October 1992, Obama directed Illinois's Project Vote, a voter registration drive with a staff of ten and seven hundred volunteers; it achieved its goal of registering 150,000 of 400,000 unregistered African Americans in the state, and led to Crain's Chicago Business naming Obama to its 1993 list of "40 under Forty" powers to be.[38][39]
For twelve years, Obama served as a professor at the University of Chicago Law School teaching Constitutional Law. He was first classified as a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996 and then as a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004.[40] He also joined Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, a twelve-attorney law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development, where he was an associate for three years from 1993 to 1996, then of counsel from 1996 to 2004, with his law license becoming inactive in 2002.[26][41][42]
Obama was a founding member of the board of directors of Public Allies in 1992, resigning before his wife, Michelle, became the founding executive director of Public Allies Chicago in early 1993.[26][43] He served from 1994 to 2002 on the board of directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago, which in 1985 had been the first foundation to fund the Developing Communities Project, and also from 1994 to 2002 on the board of directors of the Joyce Foundation.[26] Obama served on the board of directors of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge from 1995 to 2002, as founding president and chairman of the board of directors from 1995 to 1999.[26] He also served on the board of directors of the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Center for Neighborhood Technology, and the Lugenia Burns Hope Center.[26]
Political career
State legislator: 1997–2004
Main article: Illinois Senate career of Barack Obama
Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996, succeeding State Senator Alice Palmer as Senator from Illinois's 13th District, which then spanned Chicago South Side neighborhoods from Hyde Park-Kenwood south to South Shore and west to Chicago Lawn.[44] Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation reforming ethics and health care laws.[45] He sponsored a law increasing tax credits for low-income workers, negotiated welfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.[46] In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican Governor Ryan's payday loan regulations and predatory mortgage lending regulations aimed at averting home foreclosures.[47]
Obama was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, defeating Republican Yesse Yehudah in the General Election, and reelected again in 2002.[48] In 2000, he lost a Democratic primary run for the U.S. House of Representatives to four-term incumbent Bobby Rush by a margin of two to one.[49][50]
In January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats, after a decade in the minority, regained a majority.[51] He sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitor racial profiling by requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.[46][52] During his 2004 general election campaign for U.S. Senate, police representatives credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enacting death penalty reforms.[53] Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his election to the U.S. Senate.[54]
2004 U.S. Senate campaign
See also: United States Senate election in Illinois, 2004
In mid-2002, Obama began considering a run for the U.S. Senate; he enlisted political strategist David Axelrod that fall and formally announced his candidacy in January 2003.[55] Decisions by Republican incumbent Peter Fitzgerald and his Democratic predecessor Carol Moseley Braun not to contest the race launched wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving fifteen candidates.[56] Obama's candidacy was boosted by Axelrod's advertising campaign featuring images of the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington and an endorsement by the daughter of the late Paul Simon, former U.S. Senator for Illinois.[57] He received over 52% of the vote in the March 2004 primary, emerging 29% ahead of his nearest Democratic rival.[58]
In July 2004, Obama wrote and delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.[59] After describing his maternal grandfather's experiences as a World War II veteran and a beneficiary of the New Deal's FHA and G.I. Bill programs, Obama spoke about changing the U.S. government's economic and social priorities. He questioned the Bush administration's management of the Iraq War and highlighted America's obligations to its soldiers. Drawing examples from U.S. history, he criticized heavily partisan views of the electorate and asked Americans to find unity in diversity, saying, "There is not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the United States of America."[60] Though it was not televised by the three major broadcast news networks, a combined 9.1 million viewers watching on PBS, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and C-SPAN saw Obama's speech, which was a highlight of the convention and confirmed his status as the Democratic Party's brightest new star.[61]
Obama's expected opponent in the general election, Republican primary winner Jack Ryan, withdrew from the race in June 2004.[62] Two months later and less than three months before Election Day, Alan Keyes accepted the Illinois Republican Party's nomination to replace Ryan.[63] A long-time resident of Maryland, Keyes established legal residency in Illinois with the nomination.[64] In the November 2004 general election, Obama received 70% of the vote to Keyes's 27%, the largest victory margin for a statewide race in Illinois history.[65]
U.S. Senator: 2005–2008
Main article: United States Senate career of Barack Obama
Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 4, 2005.[66] Obama was the fifth African-American Senator in U.S. history, and the third to have been popularly elected.[67] He was the only Senate member of the Congressional Black Caucus.[68] CQ Weekly, a nonpartisan publication, characterized him as a "loyal Democrat" based on analysis of all Senate votes in 2005–2007. The National Journal ranked him as the "most liberal" senator based on an assessment of selected votes during 2007; in 2005 he was ranked sixteenth most liberal, and in 2006 he was ranked tenth.[69][70] In 2008, Congress.org ranked him as the eleventh most powerful Senator.[71] Obama announced on November 13, 2008 that he would resign his senate seat on November 16, 2008, before the start of the lame-duck session, to focus on his transition period for the presidency.[72][73] This enabled him to avoid the conflict of dual roles as President-elect and Senator in the lame duck session of Congress, which no sitting member of Congress had faced since Warren Harding.[74]
Legislation
See also: List of bills sponsored by Barack Obama in the United States Senate
Senate bill sponsors Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Obama discussing the Coburn–Obama Transparency Act.[75]Obama voted in favor of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and cosponsored the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act.[76] In September 2006, Obama supported a related bill, the Secure Fence Act.[77] Obama introduced two initiatives bearing his name: Lugar–Obama, which expanded the Nunn–Lugar cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons,[78] and the Coburn–Obama Transparency Act, which authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov, a web search engine on federal spending.[79] On June 3, 2008, Senator Obama, along with Senators Thomas R. Carper, Tom Coburn, and John McCain, introduced follow-up legislation: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.[80]
Obama sponsored legislation that would have required nuclear plant owners to notify state and local authorities of radioactive leaks, but the bill failed to pass in the full Senate after being heavily modified in committee.[81] Obama is not hostile to Tort reform and voted for the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 and the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 which grants immunity from civil liability to telecommunications companies complicit with NSA warrantless wiretapping operations.[82]
In December 2006, President Bush signed into law the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.[83] In January 2007, Obama and Senator Feingold introduced a corporate jet provision to the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, which was signed into law in September 2007.[84] Obama also introduced Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act, a bill to criminalize deceptive practices in federal elections[85] and the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007,[86] neither of which have been signed into law.
Obama and U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) visit a Russian mobile launch missile dismantling facility in August 2005.[87]Later in 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act adding safeguards for personality disorder military discharges.[88] This amendment passed the full Senate in the spring of 2008.[89] He sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, which has not passed committee, and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.[90][91] Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries.[92]
Committees
Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations, Environment and Public Works and Veterans' Affairs through December 2006.[93] In January 2007, he left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments with Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.[94] He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee on European Affairs.[95] As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. He met with Mahmoud Abbas before he became President of the Palestinian Authority, and gave a speech at the University of Nairobi condemning corruption in the Kenyan government.[96][97][98][99]
2008 Presidential campaign
Main articles: Barack Obama presidential primary campaign, 2008 and Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008
Wikinews has related news: Barack Obama elected 44th President of the United States
On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of the Old State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois.[100][101] The choice of the announcement site was symbolic because it was also where Abraham Lincoln delivered his historic "House Divided" speech in 1858.[102] Throughout the campaign, Obama emphasized the issues of rapidly ending the Iraq War, increasing energy independence, and providing universal health care.[103]
Obama stands on stage with his wife and two daughters just before announcing his presidential candidacy in Springfield, Illinois, Feb. 10, 2007.During both the primary process and the general election, Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records, particularly in the quantity of small donations.[104][105][106] On June 19, Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn down public financing in the general election since the system was created in 1976.[107]
A large number of candidates initially entered the Democratic Party presidential primaries. After a few initial contests, the field narrowed to a contest between Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton, with each winning some states and the race remaining close throughout the primary process.[108][109][110][111] On May 31, the Democratic National Committee agreed to seat all of the disputed Michigan and Florida delegates at the national convention, each with a half-vote, narrowing Obama's delegate lead.[112] On June 3, with all states counted, Obama passed the threshold to become the presumptive nominee.[113][114] On that day, he gave a victory speech in St. Paul, Minnesota. Clinton suspended her campaign and endorsed him on June 7.[115] From that point on, he campaigned for the general election race against Senator John McCain, the Republican nominee.
On August 23, 2008, Obama announced that he had selected Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate.[116]
Obama delivers his presidential election victory speech.At the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, Obama's former rival Hillary Clinton gave a speech in support of Obama's candidacy and later called for Obama to be nominated by acclamation as the Democratic presidential candidate.[117][118] On August 28, Obama delivered a speech to 84,000 supporters in Denver. During the speech, which was viewed by over 38 million people worldwide, he accepted his party's nomination and presented his policy goals.[119][120]
After McCain was nominated as the Republican presidential candidate, there were three presidential debates between Obama and McCain in September and October 2008.[121][122] In November, Obama won the presidency with 53% of the popular vote and a wide electoral college margin. His election sparked street celebrations in numerous cities in the United States[123] and abroad.
Election victory
Main article: Presidential transition of Barack Obama
President-elect Obama meets with President George W. Bush in the Oval Office, November 10, 2008.On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama defeated John McCain in the general election with 365 electoral votes to McCain's 173[124] and became the first African American to be elected President of the United States.[125][126][127][128] In his victory speech, delivered before a crowd of hundreds of thousands of his supporters in Chicago's Grant Park, Obama proclaimed that "change has come to America".[129]
On January 8, 2009, the joint session of the U.S. Congress met to certify the votes of the Electoral College for the 2008 presidential election. Based on the results of the electoral vote count, Barack Obama was declared to have been elected President of the United States and Joseph Biden was declared to have been elected Vice President of the United States.[130]
Presidency
Main article: Presidency of Barack Obama
The inauguration of Barack Obama as the forty-fourth President, and Joe Biden as Vice President, took place on January 20, 2009. The theme of the inauguration was "A New Birth of Freedom," commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.[131]
In his first few days in office, Obama issued executive orders and presidential memoranda reversing President Bush's ban on federal funding to foreign establishments that allow abortions (known as the Global Gag Rule),[132] and changed procedures to promote disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act,[133] directing the U.S. military to develop plans to withdraw troops from Iraq,[134] and reducing the secrecy given to presidential records,[135] and closing Guantanamo Bay detention camp "as soon as practicable and no later than" January 2010, and "Immediate Review of All Guantánamo Detentions".
Political positions
Main article: Political positions of Barack Obama
A method that some political scientists use for gauging ideology is to compare the annual ratings by the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) with the ratings by the American Conservative Union (ACU).[136] Based on his years in Congress, Obama has a lifetime average conservative rating of 7.67% from the ACU,[137] and a lifetime average liberal rating of 90% from the ADA.[138]
Obama campaigning in Abington, Pennsylvania, October 2008.Obama was an early opponent of the Bush administration's policies on Iraq.[139] On October 2, 2002, the day President George W. Bush and Congress agreed on the joint resolution authorizing the Iraq War,[140] Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicago anti-Iraq War rally in Federal Plaza,[141] speaking out against the war.[142][143] On March 16, 2003, the day Bush issued his 48-hour ultimatum to Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq before the U.S. invasion of Iraq,[144] Obama addressed the largest Chicago anti-Iraq War rally to date in Daley Plaza and told the crowd that "it's not too late" to stop the war.[145] Although Obama had previously said he wanted all the U.S. troops out of Iraq within 16 months of becoming President, after he won the primary, he said he might "refine" that promise.[146]
Obama stated that if elected he would enact budget cuts in the range of tens of billions of dollars, stop investing in "unproven" missile defense systems, not "weaponize" space, "slow development of Future Combat Systems," and work towards eliminating all nuclear weapons. Obama favors ending development of new nuclear weapons, reducing the current U.S. nuclear stockpile, enacting a global ban on production of fissile material, and seeking negotiations with Russia in order to take ICBMs off high alert status.[147]
In November 2006, Obama called for a "phased redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq" and an opening of diplomatic dialogue with Syria and Iran.[148] In a March 2007 speech to AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobby, he said that the primary way to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons is through talks and diplomacy, although he did not rule out military action.[149] Obama has indicated that he would engage in "direct presidential diplomacy" with Iran without preconditions.[150][151][152] Detailing his strategy for fighting global terrorism in August 2007, Obama said "it was a terrible mistake to fail to act" against a 2005 meeting of al-Qaeda leaders that U.S. intelligence had confirmed to be taking place in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas. He said that as president he would not miss a similar opportunity, even without the support of the Pakistani government.[153]
In a December 2005, Washington Post opinion column, and at the Save Darfur rally in April 2006, Obama called for more assertive action to oppose genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.[154] He has divested $180,000 in personal holdings of Sudan-related stock, and has urged divestment from companies doing business in Iran.[155] In the July–August 2007 issue of Foreign Affairs, Obama called for an outward looking post-Iraq War foreign policy and the renewal of American military, diplomatic, and moral leadership in the world. Saying that "we can neither retreat from the world nor try to bully it into submission," he called on Americans to "lead the world, by deed and by example."[156]
Obama speaking at a rally at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.In economic affairs, in April 2005, he defended the New Deal social welfare policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt and opposed Republican proposals to establish private accounts for Social Security.[157] In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Obama spoke out against government indifference to growing economic class divisions, calling on both political parties to take action to restore the social safety net for the poor.[158] Shortly before announcing his presidential campaign, Obama said he supports universal health care in the United States.[159] Obama proposes to reward teachers for performance from traditional merit pay systems, assuring unions that changes would be pursued through the collective bargaining process.[160]
In September 2007, he blamed special interests for distorting the U.S. tax code.[161] His plan would eliminate taxes for senior citizens with incomes of less than $50,000 a year, repeal income tax cuts for those making over $250,000 as well as the capital gains and dividends tax cut,[162] close corporate tax loopholes, lift the income cap on Social Security taxes, restrict offshore tax havens, and simplify filing of income tax returns by pre-filling wage and bank information already collected by the IRS.[163] Announcing his presidential campaign's energy plan in October 2007, Obama proposed a cap and trade auction system to restrict carbon emissions and a ten year program of investments in new energy sources to reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil.[164] Obama proposed that all pollution credits must be auctioned, with no grandfathering of credits for oil and gas companies, and the spending of the revenue obtained on energy development and economic transition costs.[165]
Obama has encouraged Democrats to reach out to evangelicals and other religious groups.[166] In December 2006, he joined Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) at the "Global Summit on AIDS and the Church" organized by church leaders Kay and Rick Warren.[167] Together with Warren and Brownback, Obama took an HIV test, as he had done in Kenya less than four months earlier.[168] He encouraged "others in public life to do the same" and not be ashamed of it.[169] Addressing over 8,000 United Church of Christ members in June 2007, Obama challenged "so-called leaders of the Christian Right" for being "all too eager to exploit what divides us."[170]
Family and personal life
Main articles: Early life and career of Barack Obama and Family of Barack Obama
Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama.In June 1989, Obama met Michelle Robinson, who later became his wife, when he was employed as a summer associate at the Chicago law firm of Sidley Austin.[171] Assigned for three months as Obama's adviser at the firm, Robinson joined him at group social functions, but declined his initial requests to date.[172] They began dating later that summer, became engaged in 1991, and were married on October 3, 1992.[173] The couple's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born in 1998,[174] followed by a second daughter, Natasha ("Sasha"), in 2001.[175] Because of Michelle Obama's employment with the University of Chicago, the Obama daughters attended the private University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. When they moved to Washington, D.C., in January 2009, the girls started at the private Sidwell Friends School.[176]
Obama was known as "Barry" in his youth, but asked to be addressed with his given name during his college years.[177]
Applying the proceeds of a book deal, in 2005 the family moved from a Hyde Park, Chicago condominium to their current $1.6 million house in neighboring Kenwood.[178] The purchase of an adjacent lot and sale of part of it to Obama by the wife of developer and friend Tony Rezko attracted media attention because of Rezko's indictment and subsequent conviction on political corruption charges that were unrelated to Obama.[179][180]
In December 2007, Money magazine estimated the Obama family's net worth at $1.3 million.[181] Their 2007 tax return showed a household income of $4.2 million—up from about $1 million in 2006 and $1.6 million in 2005—mostly from sales of his books.[182]
Obama playing basketball with U.S. military at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti in 2006.[183]In a 2006 interview, Obama highlighted the diversity of his extended family. "Michelle will tell you that when we get together for Christmas or Thanksgiving, it's like a little mini-United Nations." he said. "I've got relatives who look like Bernie Mac, and I've got relatives who look like Margaret Thatcher."[184] Obama has seven half-siblings from his Kenyan father's family, six of them living, and a half-sister with whom he was raised, Maya Soetoro-Ng, the daughter of his mother and her Indonesian second husband.[185] Obama's mother was survived by her Kansas-born mother, Madelyn Dunham[186] until her death on November 2, 2008, just before the presidential election.[187] In Dreams from My Father, Obama ties his mother's family history to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives of Jefferson Davis, president of the southern Confederacy during the American Civil War.[188] Obama's maternal and paternal grandfathers fought in World War II. Obama's great-uncle served in the 89th Division that overran Ohrdruf,[189] the first Nazi camp liberated by U.S. troops.[190]
Obama plays basketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team.[191] He is an avid sports fan. Obama follows the Chicago Bears, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls and West Ham United F.C.[192][193][194][195] While he has never been a heavy smoker, Obama has tried to quit smoking several times, including a well-publicized and ongoing effort which he began before launching his presidential campaign.[196] Obama has said he will not smoke in the White House.[197]
Obama is a Protestant Christian whose religious views have evolved in his adult life. In The Audacity of Hope, Obama writes that he "was not raised in a religious household." He describes his mother, raised by non-religious parents (whom Obama has specified elsewhere as "non-practicing Methodists and Baptists") to be detached from religion, yet "in many ways the most spiritually awakened person that I have ever known." He describes his father as "raised a Muslim," but a "confirmed atheist" by the time his parents met, and his stepfather as "a man who saw religion as not particularly useful." In the book, Obama explains how, through working with black churches as a community organizer while in his twenties, he came to understand "the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change."[198][199] He was baptized at the Trinity United Church of Christ in 1988 and was an active member there for two decades.[200][201]
Besides his native English, Obama speaks Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), at least on a colloquial level, which he learned during his four childhood years in Jakarta.[202] After the APEC summit in November 2008, Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono related a telephone conversation with Obama in Indonesian to Indonesian media. Obama had told Yudhoyono that he missed Indonesian food like Nasi Goreng, Bakso or Rambutan.[203]
Cultural and political image
Main article: Public image of Barack Obama
With his black Kenyan father and white American mother, his upbringing in Honolulu and Jakarta, and his Ivy League education, Obama's early life experiences differ markedly from those of African-American politicians who launched their careers in the 1960s through participation in the civil rights movement.[204] Expressing puzzlement over questions about whether he is "black enough", Obama told an August 2007 meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists that the debate is not about his physical appearance or his record on issues of concern to black voters. Obama said that "we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong."[205]
Echoing the inaugural address of John F. Kennedy, Obama acknowledged his youthful image in an October 2007 campaign speech, saying: "I wouldn't be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation."[206] A popular catch phrase distilled the concept: "Rosa sat so Martin could walk; Martin walked so Obama could run; Obama is running so our children can fly."[207]
From left: Presidents George H. W. Bush, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter meet in the Oval Office on January 7, 2009.Obama has been praised as a master of oratory on par with other renowned speakers in the past such as Martin Luther King, Jr.[208][209] His "Yes We Can" speech, which artists independently set to music in a video produced by Will.i.am, was viewed by 10 million people on YouTube in the first month,[210] and received an Emmy Award.[211] University of Virginia professor Jonathan Haidt researched the effectiveness of Obama's public speaking and concluded that part of his excellence is because the politician is adept at inspiring the emotion of elevation, the desire to act morally and do good for others.[212] Obama used these communication skills in a series of weekly internet video addresses during his pre-inauguration transition period;[213] he has suggested he will make a series of broadcast and internet addresses similar to Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous fireside chats throughout his term as president to explain his policies and actions.[214]
Many commentators mentioned Obama's international appeal as a defining factor for his public image.[215] Not only did several polls show strong support for him in other countries,[216] but Obama also established close relationships with prominent foreign politicians and elected officials even before his presidential candidacy, notably with then incumbent British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whom he met in London in 2005,[217] with Italy's Democratic Party leader and then Mayor of Rome Walter Veltroni, who visited Obama's Senate office in 2005,[218] and with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who also visited him in Washington in 2006.[219]
Obama won Best Spoken Word Album Grammy Awards for abridged audiobook versions of both of his books; for Dreams from My Father in February 2006 and for The Audacity of Hope in February 2008.[220]
In December 2008, Time magazine named Barack Obama as its Person of the Year for his historic candidacy and election, which it described as "the steady march of seemingly impossible accomplishments."[221]
Notes
^ "President Barack Obama". www.whitehouse.gov.
^ a b "Birth Certificate of Barack Obama". Department of Health, Hawaii. PolitiFact.com (August 8, 1961). Retrieved on 2008-12-12.
^ "Obama's church choice likely to be scrutinized". Associated Press. msnbc.com (November 17, 2008). Retrieved on 2009-1-20.
^ Maraniss, David (August 24, 2008). "Though Obama Had to Leave to Find Himself, It Is Hawaii That Made His Rise Possible", Politics, Washington Post. Retrieved on 27 October 2008.
^ Serafin, Peter (March 21, 2004). "Punahou grad stirs up Illinois politics" (Article), Special to the Star-Bulletin, Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved on November 30 2008.
^ For Stanley Ann's first name, see Obama (1995, 2004), p. 19
^ "Born in the U.S.A.". FactCheck (August 21, 2008). Retrieved on October 24, 2008.
^ Hutton, Brian (May 3, 2007). "For sure, Obama's South Side Irish", Politics, The Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved on 23 November 2008.
^ "Tiny Irish Village Is Latest Place to Claim Obama as Its Own - washingtonpost.com". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved on 2008-11-08.
^ Obama (1995, 2004), pp. 9–10. For book excerpts, see "Barack Obama: Creation of Tales", East African (2004-11-01). Retrieved on 13 April 2008. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
^ a b Jones, Tim (2007-03-27). "Obama's mom: Not just a girl from Kansas: Strong personalities shaped a future senator", Chicago Tribune, reprinted in The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved on 27 October 2008.
^ Ripley, Amanda (2008-04-09). "The Story of Barack Obama's Mother", Time. Retrieved on 9 April 2007.
^ Merida, Kevin (2007-12-14). "The Ghost of a Father", Washington Post. Retrieved on 24 June 2008. See also: Ochieng, Philip (2004-11-01). "From Home Squared to the US Senate: How Barack Obama Was Lost and Found", East African. Retrieved on 24 June 2008. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. In August 2006, Obama flew his wife and two daughters from Chicago to join him in a visit to his father's birthplace, a village near Kisumu in rural western Kenya. Gnecchi, Nico (2006-02-27). "Obama Receives Hero's Welcome at His Family's Ancestral Village in Kenya", Voice of America. Retrieved on 24 June 2008.
^ Obama (1995, 2004), pp. 44–45.
^ Serafin, Peter (2004-03-21). "Punahou Grad Stirs Up Illinois Politics", Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved on 13 April 2008. See also: Obama (1995, 2004), Chapters 3 and 4.
^ Ripley, Amanda (2008-04-09). "The Story of Barack Obama's Mother", Time. Retrieved on 24 June 2008. See also: Suryakusuma, Julia (2006-11-29). "Obama for President... of Indonesia", Jakarta Post. Retrieved on 24 June 2008.
^ Obama (1995), pp. 9–10.
^ Obama (1995), Chapters 4 and 5. See also: Serrano, Richard A (March 11, 2007). "Obama's Peers Didn't See His Angst" (paid archive), Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 4 January 2008.
^ "Obama Gets Blunt with N.H. Students", Associated Press, Boston Globe (November 21, 2007). Retrieved on 4 January 2008. In Dreams from My Father, Obama writes: "Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it." Obama (1995), pp. 93–94. For analysis of the political impact of the quote and Obama's more recent admission that he smoked marijuana as a teenager ("When I was a kid, I inhaled."), see: Romano, Lois (January 3, 2007). "Effect of Obama's Candor Remains to Be Seen", Washington Post. Retrieved on 4 January 2008. Seelye, Katharine Q (October 24, 2006). "Obama Offers More Variations From the Norm", New York Times. Retrieved on 4 January 2008.
^ Hornick, Ed (August 17, 2008). "Obama, McCain talk issues at pastor's forum", CNN.com. Retrieved on 4 January 2009.
^ Reyes, B. J (February 8, 2007). "Punahou Left Lasting Impression on Obama", Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved on 4 January 2008. "As a teenager, Obama went to parties and sometimes sought out gatherings on military bases or at the University of Hawaii that were mostly attended by blacks."
^ "Oxy Remembers "Barry" Obama '83". Occidental College (2007-01-29). Retrieved on 2008-04-13.
^ Boss-Bicak, Shira (January 2005). "Barack Obama '83", Columbia College Today. Retrieved on 9 June 2008.
^ "Curriculum Vitae". The University of Chicago Law School. Archived from the original on 2001-05-09. Retrieved on 2008-11-03.
^ Issenberg, Sasha (2008-08-06). "Obama shows hints of his year in global finance: Tied markets to social aid", Boston Globe. Retrieved on 13 April 2008.
^ a b c d e f g Chassie, Karen (ed.) (2007). Who's Who in America, 2008. New Providence, NJ: Marquis Who's Who. p. 3468. ISBN 9780837970110. www.marquiswhoswho.com/products/WAprodinfo.asp. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
^ Scott, Janny (2007-10-30). "Obama's Account of New York Years Often Differs from What Others Say", The New York Times. Retrieved on 13 April 2008. Obama (1995, 2004), pp. 133–140; Mendell (2007), pp. 62–63.
^ Secter, Bob; McCormick, John (2007-03-30). "Portrait of a pragmatist", Chicago Tribune, p. 1. Retrieved on 6 June 2008. Archived from the original on 9 February 2008. Lizza, Ryan (2007-03-19). "The Agitator: Barack Obama's Unlikely Political Education" (alternate link), New Republic. Retrieved on 13 April 2008. Obama (1995, 2004), pp. 140–295; Mendell (2007), pp. 63–83.
^ Matchan, Linda (1990-02-15). "A Law Review breakthrough" (paid archive), The Boston Globe, p. 29. Retrieved on 6 June 2008. Corr, John (1990-02-27). "From mean streets to hallowed halls" (paid archive), The Philadelphia Inquirer, p. C01. Retrieved on 6 June 2008.
^ Obama, Barack (August–September 1988). "Why organize? Problems and promise in the inner city". Illinois Issues 14 (8–9): 40–42. reprinted in: Knoepfle, Peg (ed.) (1990). After Alinsky: community organizing in Illinois. Springfield, IL: Sangamon State University. pp. 35–40. ISBN 0962087335. Tayler, Letta; Herbert, Keith (2008-03-02). "Obama forged path as Chicago community organizer", Newsday, p. A06. Retrieved on 6 June 2008.
^ Obama (1995, 2004), pp. 299–437.
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^ Aguilar, Louis (1990-07-11). "Survey: Law firms slow to add minority partners" (paid archive), Chicago Tribune, p. 1 (Business). Retrieved on 15 June 2008. "Barack Obama, a summer associate at Hopkins & Sutter in Chicago"
^ Adams, Richard (2007-05-09). "Barack Obama", The Guardian. Retrieved on 26 October 2008.
^ Mendell, David. "Barack Obama (American politician)". Retrieved on 2008-10-26.
^ a b c Scott, Janny (2008-05-18). "The story of Obama, written by Obama", The New York Times, p. 1. Retrieved on 15 June 2008. Obama (1995, 2004), pp. xiii–xvii.
^ White, Jesse (ed.) (2000). Illinois Blue Book, 2000, Millennium ed.. Springfield, IL: Illinois Secretary of State. p. 83. OCLC 43923973. www.sos.state.il.us/bb/toc.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
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^ University of Chicago Law School (2008-03-27). "Statement regarding Barack Obama". University of Chicago Law School. Retrieved on 2008-06-10. Miller, Joe (2008-03-28). "Was Barack Obama really a constitutional law professor?". FactCheck.org. Retrieved on 2008-06-10. Holan, Angie Drobnic (2008-03-07). "Obama's 20 years of experience". PolitiFact.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-10.<
^ Robinson, Mike (Associated Press) (2007-02-10). "Obama got start in civil rights practice", The Boston Globe. Retrieved on 15 June 2008. Pallasch, Abdon M (2007-12-17). "As lawyer, Obama was strong, silent type; He was 'smart, innovative, relentless,' and he mostly let other lawyers do the talking", Chicago Sun-Times, p. 4. Retrieved on 15 June 2008. "People" (paid archive), Chicago Tribune (1993-06-27), p. 9 (Business). Retrieved on 15 June 2008. "Business appointments" (paid archive), Chicago-Sun-Times (1993-07-05), p. 40. Retrieved on 15 June 2008. Miner, Barnhill & Galland (2008). "About Us". Miner, Barnhill & Galland – Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved on 2008-06-15. Obama (1995, 2004), pp. 438–439, Mendell (2007), pp. 104–106.
^ "ARDC Individual Attorney Record of Public Registration and Public Disciplinary and Disability Information as of October 17, 2008 at 12:52:13 PM". Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois. Retrieved on 2008-10-19.
^ Public Allies (2008). "Fact Sheet on Public Allies' History with Senator Barack and Michelle Obama". Public Allies. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
^ Jackson, David; Ray Long (2007-04-03). "Obama Knows His Way Around a Ballot", Chicago Tribune. Retrieved on 14 January 2008. [dead link] White, Jesse (2001). "Legislative Districts of Cook County, 1991 Reapportionment". Illinois Blue Book 2001–2002. Springfield: Illinois Secretary of State. p. 65. State Sen. District 13 = State Rep. Districts 25 & 26.
^ Slevin, Peter (2007-02-09). "Obama Forged Political Mettle in Illinois Capitol", Washington Post. Retrieved on 20 April 2008. Helman, Scott (2007-09-23). "In Illinois, Obama dealt with Lobbyists", Boston Globe. Retrieved on 20 April 2008. See also: "Obama Record May Be Gold Mine for Critics", Associated Press, CBS News (2007-01-17). Retrieved on 20 April 2008. "In-Depth Look at Obama's Political Career" (video), CLTV, Chicago Tribune (2007-02-09). Retrieved on 20 April 2008.
^ a b Scott, Janny (2007-07-30). "In Illinois, Obama Proved Pragmatic and Shrewd", The New York Times. Retrieved on 20 April 2008. See also: Pearson, Rick; Ray Long (2007-05-03). "Careful Steps, Looking Ahead", Chicago Tribune. Retrieved on 20 April 2008. Archived from the original on 16 February 2008.
^ Allison, Melissa (2000-12-15). "State takes on predatory lending; Rules would halt single-premium life insurance financing", Chicago Tribune, p. 1 (Business). Retrieved on 1 June 2008. Long, Ray; Allison, Melissa (2001-04-18). "Illinois OKs predatory loan curbs; State aims to avert home foreclosures.", Chicago Tribune, p. 1. Retrieved on 1 June 2008.
^ "13th District: Barack Obama" (archive). Illinois State Senate Democrats (2000-08-24). Archived from the original on 2000-04-12. Retrieved on 2008-04-20. "13th District: Barack Obama" (archive). Illinois State Senate Democrats (2004-10-09). Archived from the original on 2004-08-02. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
^ "Federal Elections 2000: U.S. House Results - Illinois". Federal Election Commission. Retrieved on 2008-04-24.. See also: "Obama's Loss May Have Aided White House Bid". and Scott, Janny (2007-09-09). "A Streetwise Veteran Schooled Young Obama", The New York Times. Retrieved on 20 April 2008.
^ McClelland, Edward (2007-02-12). "How Obama Learned to Be a Natural", Salon. Retrieved on 20 April 2008. See also: Wolffe, Richard; Daren Briscoe (2007-07-16). "Across the Divide", Newsweek, MSNBC. Retrieved on 20 April 2008. Helman, Scott (2007-10-12). "Early Defeat Launched a Rapid Political Climb", Boston Globe. Retrieved on 20 April 2008. and Wills, Christopher (2007-10-24). "Obama learned from failed Congress run", USA Today. Retrieved on 20 September 2008.
^ Calmes, Jackie (2007-02-23). "Statehouse Yields Clues to Obama", Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on 20 April 2008.
^ Tavella, Anne Marie (2003-04-14). "Profiling, taping plans pass Senate", Daily Herald, p. 17. Retrieved on 1 June 2008. Haynes, V. Dion (2003-06-29). "Fight racial profiling at local level, lawmaker says; U.S. guidelines get mixed review", Chicago Tribune, p. 8. Retrieved on 1 June 2008. Pearson, Rick (2003-07-17). "Taped confessions to be law; State will be 1st to pass legislation", Chicago Tribune, p. 1 (Metro). Retrieved on 1 June 2008.
^ Youngman, Sam; Aaron Blake (2007-03-14). "Obama's Crime Votes Are Fodder for Rivals", The Hill. Retrieved on 20 April 2008. See also: "US Presidential Candidate Obama Cites Work on State Death Penalty Reforms", Associated Press, International Herald Tribune (2007-11-12). Retrieved on 20 April 2008.
^ Coffee, Melanie (2004-11-06). "Attorney Chosen to Fill Obama's State Senate Seat", Associated Press, HPKCC. Retrieved on 20 April 2008.
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Marah gilensis, or Gila manroot, Santa Catalina mountains, north of Tucson. This remarkable supporting appendage, or tendril, has two useful features. It can act as a spring to cushion the movement of the plant or its support (mesquite in this case), and it can lengthen or shorten, just like a turnbuckle in a screen door or a gate, by rotating the center portion about its axis. Note that the two helical portions have opposite pitch--the left and right ones are left-handed and right-handed (DNA is also right-handed), respectively.
*Find the Fish* - Butterfly Dance Blue
For more useful information click here
A new Store release Unisex tattoo inspired by the butterflies
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