text:
[Personal translations of original documents in the public
(Before 312 AD)
1. {Typical dating of 'Acts of the Martyrs', i.e. usually authentic stenographic reports on trial and execution of various martyrs. Second Century }: "In the fifteenth year of Marcus Aurelius Germanicus Dacicus...Caesar Augustus, in his fifth consulship}...but really in the reign of Christ the King (vero regnante Christo Domino).....
2. Martyrdom of Maximilian in Africa in 298: {Interrogat of Maximilian before the Roman Magistrate: he refuses to serve in the army on the grounds that he is a Christian. He is urged to change his mind, or he will be executed. He answers} " Non facio; non possum militare; Christianus sum." {In the very simple Latin of the African countryside: "I won't do it; I cannot be a soldier; I am a Christian."}
3. The Legend of the Martyrdom of Saint Paul (mid-third century):
{Paul has resurrected Nero's favorite cup-bearer, a young boy called
Patroclus}: "...But Caesar {i.e. Nero} when he heard that Patroclus
was alive was struck dumb with awe and would not at first go into the chamber
{where Patroclus was resting}...But when he saw...Patroclus, he was shocked and
said: 'Patroclus, are you alive?" And the boy said: 'Yes
Caesar, I am alive.' And Caesar asked: 'Who then brought you back
to life?' And Patroclus filled with holy faith answered: 'Jesus
Christ, the King of the Ages {or World} brought me back alive....' Then
Caesar was greatly troubled and said: 'Shall He then be King of the Ages
{World} and overthrow all kingdoms?' Patroclus answered: 'Yes,
Caesar, He overthrows all kingdoms and none shall escape Him.' And Caesar
struck the boy in the face and said: 'Patroclus, are you now also a
soldier of that King?' And the boy answered: 'I am, Lord Caesar,
for He brought me back to life, when I was dead.' And Bar-Shabbas Justus
of the Broad Feet, and Urion the Cappadocian...Caesar's chief men...said:
'We too are soldiers of the Great King.' And Caesar had them tortured and
threw them into prison. But he was greatly troubled for he loved them
dearly. And he commanded that the soldiers of the Great King should be
sought out and he published a decree that...they should all be killed.
And {Saint} Paul was then brought in together with the others, and as all his
fellow-prisoners paid honor to him, Caesar recognized that it was Paul who was
the {general of their armies.} So Caesar said to him: 'You may be
the servant of the Great King, but you are my prisoner. Now did you think
that you could infiltrate into Roman territory with impunity and recruit
soldiers from my Empire?' But Paul filled with the Spirit, said the presence
of all: 'O Caesar, it is not only from your Empire, but from the whole
world, that we recruit soldiers. For we have been commanded that no man
should miss the opportunity of serving in the army of the Great King.'"
II) TERTULLIAN OF CARTHAGE active ca. 190-200
4. Against Heresies: "What is there in common between Athens and Jerusalem? What between the Academy and the Church?....I believe that God became man because it is impossible....I believe that he died for us and rose again because it is absurd....Away therefore will all projects for a Stoic or a Platonic Christianity....We need no subtle...theories after the Gospel...."
5. On Spectacles {Against the circus and its role in Roman life}: "...For what a spectacle is already at hand--I mean the Second Coming of the Lord!...What exultation will be that of the angels, what glory that of the saints, as they shall rise again....What city, the New Jerusalem! Yes, and there are still to come other spectacles, that last, that eternal day of judgment, that day that the Gentiles {i.e. pagans} laugh at...when this decrepit world...shall be consumed...in fire....How vast the spectacle that day, and how great! What a sight shall wake my wonder, my laughter, my joy, my exultation! As I see all those kings, yea! those great kings--to be welcomed, so we are told, in their Olympus--now in fact together with their Jupiter (and along with those who told of their ascent) actually groaning in the depths of darkness! And the magistrates, who persecuted the name of Jesus, slowly liquefying in flames far fiercer than those they had kindled in their hate against the Christians! Those great sages, too, the philosophers--so-called--blushing red before their own disciples as they blaze together in the redness of the same flames, for having demonstrated to us that we have no souls!....And then there will be the tragic actors to be heard, more vocal, surely, in their own tragedy...and the charioteers to watch, red all over in wheels of flame....These, I believe, are things of greater joy than circuses, theaters or amphitheatres...."
6. On Idolatry [At the time of baptism, the Christian gives an oath (in Latin sacramentum) which includes the rejection of "The Devil and all his pomp." This includes, Tertullian argues, a rejection] "of all the 'powers and dignities' of this world, which you know are alien to and enemies of God, since it is through these powers and dignities that the servants of God are persecuted even unto death, while the truly impious are spared....Among these 'powers and dignities' is included the military estate....These days, however, one is asked whether a Christian may not become a soldier--or whether a soldier may not be admitted to the faith--at least a soldier of the booted or inferior sort, upon whom it is not incumbent to make sacrifices or render judgments of blood. The answer however is simple: No, they do not agree the sacramental oath sword to God and the oath [sacramentum] sworn to men; the standards of Christ and the standards of the Devil; the encampments of light and the camps of darkness. The same soul cannot serve two masters, that is both God and Caesar. To be sure, Moses bore a rod and Aaron wore a buckle; John the Baptist was girt with a belt; Jesus-Joshua, the son of Nave, led an army and the People waged war--if one likes to play this sort of game! But how shall one wage war, indeed how shall one serve in the army even in peace-time, without the sword which the Lord has taken away? And though soldiers did go up to John of Baptist and received from a rule of observance (Luke 43:14) and though the centurion did believe (Matthew 8:5), subsequently the Lord by disarming Peter (Matthew 26:52) stripped all soldiers of their military belts: for Christians no form of dress is lawful, which is bound to an unlawful activity."
7. Apology [Against the pagans who oppose to Christianity the authority of tradition and of law]: "It is against all these things that our business lies, against the laws of the so-called masters of the world against all the arguments of the lawyers, against the whole of our past...."
8. Apology [Against the pagans: see how numerous we Christians have become]" "For even the Caesars might have come to believe in Christ had not either the world been in need of Caesars, or had it been at all possible for Christians to be Caesars" [Sed et Caesares credidissent super Christo, si aut Caesares non essent necessarii saeculo aut si et Christiani potuissent esse Caesares.]
9. Apology [The same point]: "We are of yesterday only and yet we already fill the world together with everything that is yours: for we fill the cities and the islands, the villages and the towns, the civic meetings and even the military camps...All that we have left to you are the temples!..."
10. Apology [Against the pagan argument that Christians form a seditious political faction]: "We who freeze at the thought of all worldly glory and dignity have no need for political factions. Nothing is more foreign to us than the state (res publica), for there is only one state that we recognize and that consists of the entire world."
11. Apology [Nevertheless, Christians are good citizens]: "....We constantly pray for every emperor, that they may have a long life, a secure empire, a safe palace, a strong army, a faithful senate, an honest people and peaceful world...." Indeed there is still another reason why we must pray for emperors and thus for the entire world and the state of the Roman commonwealth: this is because we know that the horror which is threatening the world and indeed the very end of the world which is soon to come together with all the terrifying disasters that will accompany that end is being retarded by the presence of the Roman Empire...."
12. To Scapula: "The Christian is the enemy of no one, not even
of the Emperor. He knows that the Emperor has been constituted by God and
that he must therefore love him, revere him, honor him, and wish him all the
best together with the Roman Empire: for the Roman Empire will stand as long
as the world."
III. MINUCIUS FELIX (African? After 200?)
13. Octavius (An Apology): "you {pagans} say that the strength of
Rome lies not so much in brute strength as in its religion and devotion to the
gods. The noble and majestic fabric of Roman justice was, you say,
foreshadowed by the very birth of its infant Empire. Yet, where they {the
Roman} not in origin a collection of criminals? Did their Empire not grow
by the iron terror of their own savagery?....Romulus himself {the legendary
founder of Rome} to secure criminal power murdered his own brother! Such
were the beginnings of our--o so religious!--Empire!....His successor without
leave or law carried off other men's wives....From then on it became the
practice of all succeeding rulers, to dispossess neighbors of their territory,
to overthrow adjoining states with their temples and their altars, to wax fat
on the crimes which they had committed. All in fact that {we} Romans,
hold, occupy and possess, is the spoil of outrage: our temples consist
entirely of loot drawn from the cities of others, the plunder of alien gods,
and the slaughter of their priests...."
IV. HIPPOLYTUS OF ROME (Roman about 220)
14. Apostolic Tradition 2.16: "Inquiry shall be made about the professions of those who seek admission to the faith. If a man is a procurer {of prostitutes}, he must desist or he will be rejected. If a man is a sculptor or a painter, he must desist from making idols. If a man is an actor or a circus-performer, he must desist or he will be rejected. A teacher {of pagan literature} had better desist, but if he has no other occupation he may perhaps be permitted to continue. A charioteer like-wise...must desist...A gladiator or a trainer of gladiators...or anyone who is in any way connected with the spectacles must desist....A soldier of the worldly authority must be taught not to kill and absolutely refuse to do so if he is commanded. He must also be taught to refuse to take the military oath. {Under these conditions he may be permitted to remain in the army.} If he is unwilling to comply, he must be rejected....On the other hand, if a catechumen or a believer seeks to join the army, he must be excluded from communion, for he has despised God. A harlot must be up for examination....A concubine, who is a slave, and has reared {i.e. has not allowed to be killed} her children and has remained faithful to her master may become a catechumen; if not she must be rejected. If a man has a concubine, he must desist or marry her: if he refuses, he must be rejected.
15. Commentary on Daniel: "While Christ was being born in the twelfth year of Augustus (under whom the Empire had its origin) and while the Lord was calling together all nations and all tongues and thus created the Faithful People, the People of the Christians, at the very same time, the kingdoms of this world, which rules through the power of Satan aped this action of the Lord's in exact imitation, and--on its side--gathered together the most famous from all the peoples of the earth, gave them the name of 'Romans' and prepared for war. Indeed this is why the first census of the whole world took place under Augustus, precisely at the time of the birth of Christ, so that the people of this world, who bear the inscription of the earthly king, should be called 'Romans', while those who believe in the King of Heaven and bear upon their foreheads the sign of victory over death might be called 'Christians.'"
16. Commentary on Danie: "Who believes in God...need have no fear from the 'powers that be' {Romans 13:1ff}, unless he has indeed done evil. If, however, for the sake of the faith, he should be forced by that power to do something against conscience, it is sweet for him to resist that command and thus go to his death. When {Saint} Paul writes 'let every soul be subject unto the higher powers', he does not say so that we might carry out without distinction whatever men may order us to do, even to the point of denying the divine commandments...but in order that out of fear of the power we might avoid all evil deeds and so that that power might not have to punish us as criminals. This is precisely why {Saint} Paul calls the power 'the minister of God', i.e. as a 'revenger' against 'those that do evil'....By this the Apostle wants to say: who wants to lead a pure and pious life, while still on earth, must obey the power and always keep in mind the sharpness of its sword...."
V. ORIGEN ALEXANDRIA (active ca. 215-30)
17. Against Celsus: CELSUS THE PAGAN had said: "if everyone
were to do the same as you {Christians and refuse to fight in the Emperor's
wars} there would be nothing to prevent the Emperor from being abandoned,
alone, and deserted, while earthly thing would come into the power of lawless
and savage barbarians: in which case nothing more would be heard either
of your foolish form of worship or of the true wisdom!
All men within the Empire should therefore help the emperor...and fight for him, and be fellow-soldiers with him, if he presses for hits." ORIGEN answers: "The arguments of those who are alien to the faith and demand that Christians fight for the state and kill men can be easily refuted. After all even you {pagans} believe that priests--or at least some categories thereof--should keep their hands undefiled so that they may offer the customary sacrifices with hands unstained by blood. When war comes, such priests are not in fact asked to join in the killing. All of us {Christians}, however, form a priestly people, who as worshippers of the Most High, must keep our hands undefiled, precisely so that our prayers for those who fight in a just war and for the emperor who reigns righteous might be heard in Heaven. It is we who by our prayers are alone able to destroy the demons who stir up war, violate oaths and disturb the peace: we thus do far more than those who seem to be doing the fighting and go out into the lines to kill all the enemies that they can. It is true that we do not become 'fellow-soldiers with the Emperor even when he presses for this', yet we fight for him and compose a special army or religion and piety through our intercession with God."
18. Commentary on Romans 13:1ff: "There is, the Apostle says, no power that does not come from God. Someone might well object: 'What? that power which persecutes the servants of God, fights the faith, and subverts religion, how can that power be said to come from God? To such questions we give a simple answer: for everyone knows that such powers as sight, hearing and taste also come from God. But even though these powers of the body all come from God, it is nevertheless within our own compass to use these powers whether for good or evil....Indeed this is precisely why the {condemnatory} judgment of God is so just, because we use for an impious and unrighteous purpose the very power which he has given us in order to use righteously. The same is true for 'the powers that be'. That power too has been created by God 'for the punishment of evildoers but for the praise of those that do well' {I Peter 2:41} There shall therefore also be a just {condemnatory} judgment of God against those who have exercised that power in accordance with their own impiety and not in accordance with the laws of God....."
Yet I always find it remarkable how Saint Paul calls the worldly power and the ruler of this world "the minister of God' and not only once but two or three times. Now I'd like to address myself a little to the question how a ruler of this world can be a minister of God....{Note, ORIGEN pursues at great length, that neither murder nor theft, nor sodomy are specifically condemned by the Gospels but only by the Old Law}....Does this mean that such things are {now} allowed? God forbid! But see the wise ordination of the Holy Spirit: for these crimes are already avenged sufficiently by the laws of this world. It would therefore have been superfluous to forbid by divine law what is already punished by human law; the law of the Gospel deals only with such matters that are not contained in human law and yet are necessary to religion. From this it is clear how it pertains to the judge of this world to fulfill the larger part of the law of God. For all the crimes which God desires to avenge, he lets be avenged not by the bishops and prelates of the churches but by the judges of this world. This is why Paul is able to call the worldly power the 'minister of God' and 'the avenger of those that do evil'...."
19. Against Celsus: {CELSUS had argued that Christians formed secret conventicles thus breaking the Roman law against illicit associations}: ORIGEN answers: "Suppose, that a man were living among the {savage} Scythians with their laws against nature, and had no opportunity to go elsewhere and were thus compelled to live among them: surely such a man would rightly form associations with like-minded people, even though this would be against the laws of the Scythians. Indeed, just as it would be right for people to form associations to kill a tyrant or usurper who had seized control of their city, so too--since the Devil and Falsehood now reign as tyrants and usurpers--Christians rightly form associations, against the Devil and his laws, in order to save others, whom they might persuade to abandon that law, which is like that of Scythians or a tyrant."
20. Against Celsus: "The prophecy of Psalm 71:7 'in his day shall
righteousness flourish and abundance of peace' had been fulfilled with the
birth of Christ. For at that time, God was preparing the nations for His
teaching by submitting them all to a single Roman Empire, so that the
unfriendly attitude of nations to each other, caused by the existence of a
large number of kingdoms might not make it more difficult for the Apostles to
spread the word of God. This explains why Jesus was born under Augustus,
the Emperor, who reduced as it were to the uniformity of a single Empire most
of the peoples of the earth. The existence of a plurality of kingdoms
would, on the contrary, have hindered the spread of the teaching of Jesus
throughout the inhabited world, not only for the reason just given, but also
because men everywhere would still have been forced to do military service in
defence of their fatherlands. Indeed how could this teaching, which
preaches non-resistance, and does not allow men to take vengeance even on their
enemies have had any chance of success, if the state of the world with the
advent of Jesus had not been changing everywhere to a more peaceful
VI. PSEUDO-CLEMENTINE HOMILIES (Mid third century, Rome and Alexandria
21. ...God Himself...appointed two kingdoms and established two ages [or
worlds = saecula], determining that the present {age or world} would be given
to the Evil One {the Devil}, because it is small and passes away: but he
promised to preserve for Christ the age {world} to come, as it will last
forever. He therefore created man with free will and possessing the
capacity of choosing between these two kingdoms....Wherefore also two ways have
been laid out before man....the one called the Kingdom of Heaven, and the other
the kingdoms of those who are kings upon the earth. And two kings also
have been appointed, of whom one is selected to rule by law over the present
and transitory age {world}, his nature being such that he rejoices in the
destruction of the wicked. But the other, the Good King, the King of the
World {Age} to Come, loves the whole nature of man...."
VII. SAINT CYPRIAN, BISHOP OF CARTHAGE (active 249-257)
22. To Demetrian {A recent convert to Christianity}: "So that the signs of the gift you have just received from God shall be made clear, I shall now put in a clear light the darkness of this world which has been overwhelmed by the ghastly mists of evil....For a little while, you were raised to the Heavens above...: return now and look...at the eddies and billows of this world: the more you weep about this world below, the more you will be grateful to, and joyful in, God.
Look therefore at the roads closed by brigands, look at the seas infested by pirates, look at the constant wars...filled with the bloody horror of the military camps. Indeed the whole world has gone wet with gore! When private individuals commit murder, it is a crime; when it is committed in a public capacity or for the sake of the state, they call it virtue!....
Turn now your eyes upon the cities....You will be offended by public fettivals far sadder than the greatest loneliness: here one prepares the gladitorial games, so that blood should tickle the lust for cruel foot-lights!....The body of the condemned is filled with the sap of strong food...his muscles are made to grow with lard...so that once he has been fattened up, he may die a harder death. That a man is killed is for other men a sexual pleasure. That a man knows how to kill is considered a skill, a profession, a veritable art: as a result, murder is not only committed, it is taught! What can I say that is more inhuman, what can I say that is more bitter? The ability to kill is called 'discipline', the act of killing is called 'glory'....
...And if you can turn your eyes from public spectacles...into consciences...and to the secrets of the bedroom: you will see the lustful commit what decent folk are not even allowed to see, you will be able to see what it is a crime to see....You will see men who are driven by unnatural lusts, men that rape other men: you will see deeds committed that cannot possibly bring pleasure even to those who commit them....
...But perhaps you will consider safe those who are established in honorific decorations and great power, those who keep themselves surrounded by an armed guard, resplendent in the uniform of the royal palace? In fact, their fear is greater than that of others! They are terrorized as much as they inflict terror....To the degree that they do not dare their subjects to be safe, to that degree they too cannot live in security: for the worldly power is necessarily terrorized by those which it forces to become a terror for others....
....There is therefore only one peaceful tranquility, only one solid and
firm security: it consists in being at anchor in the harbor of salvation,
freed from the disquieting billows and eddies of this world; it consists in
withdrawing one's gaze from earth unto heaven....You therefore who have already
been enrolled in the camps of the heavenly army [i.e. Demetrian], keep
undefiled the sober and true discipline of religion and virtue....For whom God
has made rich, none shall make poor...."


text:
Your browser does not support iframes.
Aaron Ortega was a lifelong resident of Las Vegas, a son of Juan and Annabella Ortega, and a victim of a rare enzyme disorder called methylmelonic acidemia. Aaron was a person who loved music and always had the desire to start a heavy metal band called Life & Death. His favorite holiday was Halloween. For those reasons the Aaron Ortega Life & Death Fest has been held on the weekend nearest Halloween.
I invite the city to follow through on its obligation to repaint the white line leading traffic from Interstate 25 into Las Vegas on Exit 343. I am a citizen here in Las Vegas but if I were not familiar with the exits into Las Vegas, there might be confusion and I might actually miss this exit, especially on a dark night. I have heard other comments on this particular exit.
San Miguel County's draft ordinance regarding oil and gas references the "National Environmental Policy Act" and thus rightly includes all aspects of the biotic and abiotic environment, but unlike the law, fails to include "economics." Unfortunately this is consistent with membership of the county's oil and gas committee, which also did not have a specific representative for "economic development."
According to Alan Franken's letter to the editor published Nov. 2, those of us who oppose hydraulic fracturing, AKA fracking, are "envirowackos." San Miguel County must be a haven for "envirowackos," because more than 1,000 San Miguel County residents have already signed a petition demanding a ban on fracking. A recent online petition to ban fracking in San Miguel County has attracted over 1,600 signatures.
In Alan Franken's Nov. 2 letter, he stated he was "scared" — more of the economic devastation than the known realities of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas here. Despite the mounting scientific evidence documenting the toxic effects on livestock, plants and, of course, people in 33 states, some still believe that the boom in the oil-and-gas industry will be a boon for San Miguel County — and, more dangerous, believe there is no down side.
I recently read where Las Vegas has the highest homicide rate in New Mexico. That problem must be addressed immediately.
Local political leaders, religious leaders, and educators must join together with the local police and community members to create and implement a plan that can remove the negative connotation that goes along with the crime problem. Las Vegas can ill afford the title of the "highest crime rate in the state."
I preface this by stating that as the Las Vegas chief of police, as far as I'm concerned, one homicide or one forcible rape in our city is one too many. [Las Vegas police officers] take the safety of our citizens very seriously and that is our priority.
An open letter to Tim Farmer, District VII manager, Office of the State Engineer:
Mr. Farmer, it appears that the legal notice (which ran in the Optic on Oct. 15) relative to digging three wells to dewater the track and athletic fields at the Mora Independent Schools is an exercise in futility, since three wells have already been dug and have been in use since at least June 2010, pumping 600 gallons of water per minute into the Mora River. This "after the fact" notice in the Optic is typical of governmental bureaucratic ineptness at work.
I'm pretty scared. The economy in our city and area is the reason.
Our ranchers have no grass or water. The money is drying up like our river. Our state is 75 percent dependent on federal spending, and Las Vegas is more so. That money is going to be drastically reduced.
We can't control the weather. God has given us brains to fly to the moon, but not make it rain. Maybe we can use our brains a little more and really solve our water problem. We have to find new ways to have jobs and economic life, not dependent on federal spending.
There are complaints that including contraception and abortion services in ObamaCare constitutes a suppression of religious liberties. On the contrary, no one is required to use these services, which are considered necessary and are frequently life-saving for many. If the services are excluded, everyone will be denied. The simple answer is for the disapprovers to avoid using the services they consider objectionable.
Copyright © 2018
The Las Vegas Optic is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in San Miguel County and Las Vegas, NM, and the surrounding area.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
They came, they saw … but did they conquer? The Rolling Stones took to the Pyramid stage yesterday evening for a show destined to be Glastonbury 2013's main talking point, with a chunk of the set broadcast live on the BBC.
So was it any good? A defining Glastonbury moment? Or should the Stones be making way for younger bands to play the most significant live slot in the UK musical calendar?
Whether you were blown away by the show or thought it was a damp squib, let us know why in the comment thread below.


text:
Summer is passing all too quickly and last week, Veeka and I ran off to a place on Mt. Rainier called Sunrise. The walk along a ridge near the visitor center was outstanding, as one is looking directly at this huge mountain right THERE. I'm cramming in trips to this mountain this summer, as the national parks system was handing out free year-long parks passes last year to all fourth graders, so we snapped one up. It runs out at the end of August, though. It was such a clear, beautiful day and the only downside were lots of bugs.
Early the next morning, we got on a plane for Montreal to attend the wedding of Laurie Vuoto, a longtime friend. We also sampled the delights of getting stranded due to United cancelling our flight. About Laurie: she moved to Arizona four years for a new job and also hoping she'd meet The One and last Saturday, she and Richard Horton made it official. It was a pull-out-the-stops affair. The ceremony was at Montreal's oldest Catholic church right on the St. Lawrence River (convenient for the early fur traders). As Laurie pulled up in her limo, the bells started to ring – a lovely custom – and her brother-in-law told me she started to weep at that point with sheer happiness and with the
realization that her dreams were finally coming true. Veeka and I were seated in the second row and while watching the ceremony, got called in to help amuse a very restless flower girl in the first pew. Then another inviteé pulled out an IPad and said flower girl was instantly captivated.
I was introduced to a nice custom with Italian weddings (the bride was the daughter of Italian immigrants and half the folks at the reception were speaking Italian) where there's a 4-hour break in the action between the ceremony and the reception. That allows the bride and groom to take photos and the guests to take an afternoon snooze before a long evening party. We appreciated the break as well, although finding the venue for the reception on Ile Bîzard (Montreal is built on a series of islands) was quite difficult because of all the summertime road repairs. It was one of those sit-down dinners with party favors shaped like Cinderella's carriage and six or seven courses, followed by an open bar and a huge desert table that was wheeled out around 11 pm. By then, I could not shove down one more morsel. There was a lot of dancing, a band, a guest opera singer and slide shows showing highlights from the couple's courtship.
It was a lovely affair, considering the mess we had getting there. Our connecting flight from Seattle to DC was OK until the storms hit on the afternoon of the 28th. We were one of the last planes allowed to touch down before the torrents let loose. Planes after us were told to circle around or return to their origin, as it was impossible to land for the next 1-2 hours. That, unfortunately, affected the plane that was to be our connector to Montreal. It was leaving somewhere in North Carolina and it tried twice to land, could not, so returned back home. Which left us without a plane and thus our flight was cancelled.
We didn't know it was cancelled until mid-evening. Veeka and I had packed lightly, so we had our suitcases with us. We had taken refuge in a United Club, as my credit card gives me 2 free tickets a year. We had just arrived when Veeka remembered she'd forgotten her IPad on the plane from Seattle, so the Club folks called over to the gate to track it down. Our plane had left the gate but a kind person had found and left the IPad at the gate podium, so we got it back. Those clubs are wonderful: Free wine, food, copies of decent newspapers, a bevy of travel agents plus one can just leave one's stuff sitting there and no one will take it. The Houston club was a real lifesaver when V and I had a 7-hour layover on our way back from Minnesota last year.
Anyway, when we returned to our gate for the delayed Montreal flight, the United employee there was totally clueless and didn't know the flight was cancelled until passengers confronted her with texts they were getting from Expedia saying it was no more. The lines in front of the customer service desk (to re-book) were quite long, so we returned to the Club where the agents there found us a way there Friday morning. However, we had to leave out of National and take connecting flights through Newark and Quebec City. There were lots of miserable people in line with us trying to get to Montreal, so we were lucky to get that. United put us up for the night at a Hyatt for a reduced rate (if you can call $105 reduced). I thought of calling (my brother) Rob and Jan, but it was really pouring plus Dulles is quite far from where they live in Maryland. Plus, we had an early flight the next day, or so I thought. So we just took a shuttle to the Hyatt 30 miles away in Crystal City, which was quite lovely.
We had just gotten to our room and I had opened my email when I got a note from United saying the first leg of my flight out of National was cancelled. I nearly hit the ceiling, so got back on the phone. The first agent I got on the line (after 30 minutes of waiting) got disconnected from me. Called again and waited another 30-40 minutes. The new agent then told me a new flight had magically appeared and it left from Dulles at 9:45 a.m. – direct to Montreal. So we got back to Dulles at the crack of dawn, got the flight and everything (the rental car, our hotel) went well. But it reminded me to NOT fly through Washington, DC on a summer afternoon, as thunderstorms are nearly daily there and airports get shut down a lot.
We spent the day after the wedding wandering around Carrefour Laval, a large mall north of Montreal and got enamored with Second Cup, Canada's answer to Starbucks. Then, to Veeka's delight, we spent several hours with Laurie's family, as Laurie's sister and brother-in-law are the godparents to my daughter. The Vuoto family has a house in the Montreal area that the Vuoto sisters have access to and Veeka got to spend the afternoon next to their pool. Then we headed to Quebec City for the night, as I had visited there when I was 8 and I wanted Veeka to see it. It was a 3-hour drive.
On Monday morning, our hotel shuttle deposited us next to the Chateau Frontenac, the iconic landmark that dominates Quebec's Old City. We then took the funicular to the lower city, rode back up, wandered about the terrace in front of the chateau, then walked along the Promenade des Gouverneurs, traipsed about the Plains of Abraham and saw two museums. So we are very much up on the French-British conflicts of 1759-60, the stories of Generals Wolfe and Montcalm and how the British scaled the cliffs to defeat the French. I was constantly pointing out to Veeka the cliffs that the invaders had to climb up, as they are massive. I didn't realize that France was given a choice as to either give up Canada or the French Indies to the UK and they chose to give up Canada. That rates as one of the stupider real estate deals in history comparable to Russia selling off Alaska.
For lunch, we found a cute little place, L'Omelette on 66 Rue St. Louis, where the help gave us a lovely table by the window where we could see everything happening on the street. It's just what we needed after walking on cobblestones all morning. It was killer hot that day, so we came back to hotel and jumped in the hotel pool. (Pools are essentially a non-negotiable in Veeka's mind.) Later that day, we took Boulevard Champlain, which takes one along the Quebec waterfront; a very pretty route that I'd never seen before. We stopped by the Montmorecy falls (lit in bright colors at night), then drove to the Ile d'Orleans, about 10 miles north of Quebec. We went to La Goéliche, a restaurant overlooking the St. Lawrence River on the southern tip of the island. It was quite pretty seeing the night lights of Quebec across the river. So wished we had an extra day to see the Île, as it looked quite lovely. Am not sure when, if ever, I'll be back there. This was my 4th visit, but at least Veeka got to see the place. Tuesday was taken up with driving back to Montreal (note: if you have a rental car, do not count on finding gas stations close to the Pierre Trudeau airport at which you can fill up your gas tank), then flying interminably back to Vancouver, then Seattle. At least I got to watch the movie "The Martian," which I liked a lot!


text: On Sun, 2 Jul 2000, Jonathan Stone wrote: > I appreciate your'e trying to be helpful, but your answer is a bit of > a non-sequitur. Is there some reason _not_ to bump FD_SETSIZE, given > that apps can take advanatge of FD_SETSIE on the order of 1k to 2k? Could there be any danger when mixing old binaries and new libraries or vica versa? David/absolute -- www.netbsd.org: No hype required --


text:
Source: natandgang.blogspot.ca via justByou on Pinterest
Source: additionsstyle.blogspot.com via justByou on Pinterest
Source: yourcharmedlifeblog.com via justByou on Pinterest
Which one do you think you would want to try first?
Feel free to re-pin and follow me on Pinterest! You can also leave your Pinterest URL in a comment, and I'll follow you.
Do you have any popular pins on your boards that you'd like to share? Please do with a comment!
Here's a quick coupon code re-cap from a few Etsy shops that I've featured here on the blog during Earth Month:
Conversation Glass - Coupon Code 2JUSTBYOU for 25% off (expires May 31st)
SmiLeaGainCreations - Coupon Code MORESMILES for 10% off your order
Crimson Hill Soaps & Scents - Coupon Code BLOG10 for 10% off your order


text:
Bangkok train track market. How the railway line is used for a marked and adapts to the change as a train passes through. Brilliant use of space.
from cluster.eu
Thursday, 27 August 2009
2 comments:
- Rakan said...
Very nice video. Reminds me of scenes in the film Sin Nombre about the train "station" area which becomes a campsite/ market area for migrants.
- 5 September 2009 at 23:41
- plumbing said...
Thanks for the great share of video.It's nice to see the technological advancement of travel.
- 12 April 2011 at 13:47
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Home / City Guide / Henan / Luoyang / Attractions /
Shaolin Temple
3-Day Private Luoyang Tour from $349
5-Day Private Xian/ Luoyang Tour from $569
1-Day Tour from Xian to Luoyang from $169
12-Day Shanghai / Luoyang/ Xian/ Pingyao/
Beijing from $1599
Shaolin Temple embraces many exciting attractions, such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings (Tianwangdian), the Mahavira Hall (Daxiongbaodian), the Pagoda Forest, the Dharma Cave and the Martial Art Training Center. Visitors may follow the virtual guide to visit the temple.
First we see the Shanmen Hall. Hung on its top is a tablet reading 'Shaolin Temple'. The tablet was inscribed by the Emperor Kangxi (1622 - 1723) during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). Under the stairs of the hall crouches two stone lions made in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The hall enshrines the Maitreya Buddha. Two sides of the corridor behind the hall's gate are paved with inscriptions on stone steles made during several different dynasties.
Next we arrive at the Hall of Heavenly Kings. The gate of the hall is guarded by two figures depicting Vajra (Buddhist warrior attendants). Inside the hall are figures of the Four Heavenly Kings who are responsible for inspecting peoples' behavior, helping the troubled, and blessing the people.
|Followers of Shaolin Martial Art
Unexpectedly, we come to the Pagoda Forest, a graveyard for Buddhist dignitaries through the ages. On average, the pagodas are less than 15 meters (about 49 feet) high. The layer and the shape of a pagoda depend on many factors, such as one's Buddhist status, attainment and prestige during his lifetime. The Pagoda Forest here is the largest of China's pagoda complexes.
Outside the Shaolin Temple we continue walking to the northwest, and then we will take a look at two monasteries, named the Ancestor's Monastery and the Second Ancestor's Monastery. The first monastery is built by a Dharma's disciple to commemorate Dharma's
|Burn incense and pray
The cave we see next is the Dharma Cave. In this cave Dharma patiently faced the wall and meditated for 9 years. Finally, he reached the immortal spiritual state and created the Buddhist Zen. The cave is seven meters deep (about 23 feet) and three meters high (about 9.8 feet). Many stone inscriptions are carved on both its sides. There is a Meditating Stone in the cave. It is said Dharma's shadow was reflected upon the stone and embedded on it because of the long time of his meditation facing the wall. Unfortunately the stone was ruined during the war.
After passing the Dharma Cave, we come to the Buddhist Living Quarters for transient monks. It is on the south bank of the Shaoxi River opposite the temple. First built in 1512 of the Ming Dynasty, it was repaired in the Qing Dynasty. The quarters are noted for the simple and distinctive design. It collapsed in 1958 and then repaired in 1993.
The Shaolin Temple Wushu (Martial Arts) Training Center comes last. Its perfect scenery makes it an ideal place for practicing the Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu. Shaolin monks have been practicing Kung Fu for over 1,500 years. The system was invented by Dharma who taught the monks basic methods to improve their health and defend themselves. The Martial art performance shows the true Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu. For example, Tong Zi Gong, performed by teenagers, is a kind of martial art to train one's flexibility and strength.
In a word, Shaolin Temple is worthy of a visit. It will give you a better understanding of Chinese Buddhism and the Chinese martial arts.
From Dengfeng:
By Bus:
Take bus no.1 to get off at Xi Shi Li Pu Station and then change frequent bus from Dengfeng to Shaolin.
* Visitors need to wave at the driver to stop.
By Taxi: It costs around CNY30.
From Zhengzhou:
Take regular bus from Zhengzhou Central Bus Station (located on the East Square of Zhengzhou Railway Station) to Dengfeng. It departs every 30 minutes from 06:00 to 20:00. Bus fare is CNY 28. Then take bus or taxi to Shaolin Temple. Bus fare is around CNY 5. Taxi fare is around CNY 30.
* Visitors need to find the bus carefully because there is no bus stop sign.
From Luoyang:
Take regular bus for Xuchang / Xinmi from Luoyang Bus Station located close to Luoyang Railway Station. The bus stops by Shaolin Temple. It departs every 30 minutes from 05:20 to 15:30. Bus fare is CNY 24.
From Xian:
Visitors can take train or long distance bus to reach Luoyang first, and then take regular buses from Luoyang Bus Station to the temple. Please refer to Xian Train Schedule for more train information. Long distance buses from Xian Sanfuwan Bus Station depart from 08:00 to 15:50. Bus fare is CNY 93 to 100. The whole journey is around 5 hours.
|Admission Fee:
|CNY 110 (including CNY 10 for electric bus)
|Opening Hours:
|March 1 to November 30: 07:30 - 18:00
December 1 to end of next February: 08:00 - 17: 30
|Recommended Time for a Visit:
|Two or three Hours


text:
I'm working on my autumn/winter wardrobe, and so far have bought Samsara, Bandit and Shalimar. I'm definitely thinking of gifts already. My mother will get Coco for Christmas this year!
Are you starting to think about holiday gift giving and fragrance shopping accordingly? Or are you taking care of #1 (your own nose)? Whatcha buying?
Last edited by Quarry; 30th September 2007 at 08:07 PM.
"I live in the garden, I just sleep in the house." -- Jim Long
I'm working on my autumn/winter wardrobe, and so far have bought Samsara, Bandit and Shalimar. I'm definitely thinking of gifts already. My mother will get Coco for Christmas this year!
Ormond Jayne sample set from the website. These perfumes got such great reviews here and elsewhere. Just had to see what the fuss was about.
FYI - the sample set is about $56 - $57 US dollars and it seems to include postage. For 10 scents plus a FREE sample plus shipment to the US from London - that sounded reasonable. And the samples appear to be reasonably large.
CAN'T WAIT!!!!!! :bounce:
Yesterday a bottle of Le Baiser du dragon edt arrivedGot it from a basenoterVery happy about not just owning a mini now!
Just received Guerlain Parure extrait from 1975 - yummi and beatiful! http://a677.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...ec24c46884.jpg
Ooohh, mailman was good to me today. Received sealed vintage bottles of Chanel Bois des Iles parfum and Lanvin Scandal extrait (the big 2oz size and it's nearly full ) from the Imports guy.
The Scandal is my backup bottle... now I don't need to use my opened bottle so sparingly. But I so want to open it up now!
No more purchases for me for the month of October.... wait a minute.... I'm also eyeing the new Prada d'infusion Iris.
*sigh* My credit card simply can't take this abuse!
I'm simplifying my life. For Sale Thread (some niche, some designer):
I got a mini of Bvlgari Black today. It makes me feel mysterious in the same way as Omnia and Black Cashmere Aslo got Jovan Sex Appeal ... An awful bottle with a horrible pink parfyme inside. The scent is quite funny - I like it
I bought the new Gucci by Gucci - it's not even in stores yet, but I snagged a bottle from Ebay.
I've had a bad case of Costco fever! I usually only buy one bottle when they put out their fragrances for the holidays. But this year I bought 4! I was like a madwoman rummaging throught their precarious cardboard towers of fragrance. Most were end of September purchases, but anyway:
Agent Provacateur (the original one)
Shalimar edp (in the 80th anniversary Art Deco bottle)
D&G Light Blue (used to hate this, but lately loving it!)
Amarige (have been lemming this one. It's a 100ml bottle - will last me forever)
I wanted AP Maitresse too, but I let that one slip through my fingers. I didn't grab it, and when I returned couldn't find it again. I had to put a stop to the purchases though because even discounted they are still $40 each. But I'm so happy with the ones I bought
I'm really trying to be good. I'm really trying to be good. I'm really trying to be good. I'm really trying to be good. I'm really.............anybody buying this....yeah me neither....
kick rocks
Diva is fartin in your perfume mist before you walk through it!! Walk slow and let it marinate......
Divatologist....Breaking perfume rules since 1969
I smells goooooooooooood! Don't believe me? Come smell me!!
"The Divatologist Perfume Application Method" is now available!!! Learn It, Live It, Love It Click Here! Many Compliments Await You!
www.twitter.com/Divatologist www.divatologist.tumblr.com
After 2 weeks of debating with myself whether I reeeeeally need another bottle of perfume yesterday I went and bought Fracas. I'm in love with it!
Ordered the Ineke sample set from Ineke.com. Can't WAIT to try them. And $12.00 w/ shipping is a STEAL!!!!
Mira Bai and Jolie Madame. Both unsniffed, but I have Casmir and Casmir Blue and love them, and the reviews of Jolie Madame sounded intriguing.... Hopefully I won't think of it as "Angela Jolie Madame."
I got my little bottle of Comptoir Sud Pacifique AMOUR DE CACAO. Nice, but I wouldn't call it parfum
That is good, and no I don't think it will at all make you think of tabloid stories!
I resisted another quick splurge at Marshall's and did not buy the Marc Jacob's Violet. I got home, read the BN reviews and felt relieved that I only walked away with a itty bitty bottle of Anthousa Fig and Vetiver for 14.99.
Still trying hard not to place another big AL order and waiting to treat myself to Holzman and Stephanie's La Parisienne or Mike Storer's Genvieve!
As discussed on my SoTD mention today, I just bought a bottle of YSL's Paris Roses Enchantees in honor of Twolf who allowed me to sample it, and in memory of Sudsy.
I like the idea of thinking of two wonderful BNers when I wear this fragrance, both with joy and a bit of melancholy.
Its thought that people who hope too much will just waste their life away and never get down to doing any real work. Theyre confusing Hope with Wish, its lazy cousin... When Wish whispers, Something is just around the corner, what comes or not is never what was wished for. When Hope whispers Something is just around the corner, something always is. -- Charlie Elberson
2.5oz Creed Aubépine-Acacia. This is a great Unisex citrus folks..Tried a sample and fell in love all over again!
Add Creed Silver Mountain Water, Fendi Uomo, YSL Live Jazz and a backup bottle of Zino Davidoff..What the heck..the mortgage payment can wait.
Last edited by kbe; 6th October 2007 at 12:48 AM.
we have seen the enemy...and he is us.-Pogo
15 mls of Chanel no 5 pure parfum which is sublime and surprisingly musky on my skin
"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189
What I am loving right now: Shalimar vintage extrait, Chanel Bois des Iles, Chanel no. 22, Le Labo Iris 39, Guerlain Iris Ganache
Goddess_Dreams gave me a taste of Le Baiser Du Dragon last year & today I finally bought a bottle My wardrode is finally falling into place!
"I don't know the key to success,
but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."
Bill Cosby
Nothing liquid this time, but instead a book that got some pretty raving reviews: The Scent Trail by Celia Lyttelton. Can't wait to follow her on her journey through the fragrant world.
Infusion d'Iris Prada 100ml 3,4 oz
Wonderful & discreet, a parfum de peau, really!
A, quales ego mane rosas procedere vidi!
Nascebantur adhuc neque erat par omnibus aetas.
In the past couple days i bought Trumper's Sandalwood and Dunhill Edition.
keepin' it musky
Forget buying anything fragrant for a while! I just bought by daughter a $320 dress and $130 shoes and $40 earrings to wear to her homecoming dance.....she does look beautiful though. I am not even going to calculate in my head how many or what bottles of perfume I could have bought ....I refuse to be that selfish. I will have to live vicariously through all of you for a good month or two
Aramis JHL
we have seen the enemy...and he is us.-Pogo
I'm simplifying my life. For Sale Thread (some niche, some designer):
Me? Oh I have been bad. I spent far too much in the BN marketplace and have a parcel of fabulous things waiting for me at my mother's house when I go back to Wales this week. And then today I found possibly the cheapest perfume site on ebay and spend fifty quid. Madame Rochas, Tabu and Raffinee by Dana plus English Leather for my hubby (honest) and then I really got gung ho and chucked Cabotine Bleu and Cabaret by Gres into the basket as well. I am so bad...
And now I have the biggest urge to try Le Baiser du Dragon. You see, it's just dreadful, isn't it? (OK, maybe it's more a case of I'm dreadful.)
Last edited by Wordbird; 7th October 2007 at 09:47 PM.
"A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future." Coco Chanel
I'm streamlining my collection http://community.basenotes.net/showt...29#post1219729
Went on a trip to Amagansett this weekend, came back with Christiane Celle Calypso Gardenia. Simple gardenia/tuberose/jasmine, which reminds me of Fracas in bits but is nowhere near as heavy or long-lasting - which is good, really, because I cannot wear Fracas AT. ALL.
Favorite Notes:
Rose, Apricot, Violet, Leather, Iris, Blackberry, Saffron, Musk, Incense
Fell for Guerlain Vetiver. I really was lacking a vetiver in my collection, and now that I sprayed it on again, I'm convinced that it's an awesome scent.


text:
Available on iTunes: http://bit.ly/KjbnJL
Soon we will shoot the official video!
Artist: Geo Da Silva & Saftik
Title: Hey Mr. Dj Get Up
Music and Text: Gheorghe Constantin Cristinel
Orchestration and Arrangement : Stefan Marius, Michal Bojanowic, Wiktor Mysliwiec
Producer:Butterfly International Group S.R.L – Romania, Timisoara
Label: © 2012 Blanco Y Negro S.L. Llacuna 11, 08005, Barcelona, Spain
Publishing: Actual Music S.L. Llacuna 11, 08005, Barcelona, Spain
Album: Todo El Mundo Allegria' – OUT in december 2012
Booking Geo Da Silva and Saftik: email@example.com
Contact Geo Da Silva and Saftik: email@example.com
Licensing: email@example.com
Global star DJ/Producer Geo Da Silva and his genuinely brilliant Dj, Saftik released their brand-new song "Hey Mr. Dj Get Up" that comes hot on the heels of 2012.This banger track, released by Blanco Y Negro Spain – International label, will be responsible for such smashes that humanity has never imagined.The song will surely be charted within the tops of all the countries around the world since been reviewed as innovative and revolutionary as The Beatles, Paul McCartney and of course The Rolling Stones have been for the worldwide music. It is an eulogy of all the music revolutionaries (100 Top Djs) and it can't but peak at number one on the official charts.If anyone had questions whether Geo da Silva could find an adequate follow up to his massive hit "Do you like a truck" then "Hey Mr. Dj Get Up" has answered them. At heart it is a funny disco record, but even a somewhat distracted hearing of the song will tell you this man's ideas are completely glorious and bright. Songs have rarely been so utterly cheerful. Geo da Silva and Dj Saftik s song is atrociously of a very high quality. We will see for sure Saftik and Geo become even greater award magnets come this beginning of the year, leaving their contemporaries for dust. Geo's dancefloor-friendly formula has already conquered lots of music lovers and is a relentlessly catchy and super danceable hit, thank mostly of course to the first-rate contribution of Dj Saftik and WaWa.They were incredibly ingenious this time! We have to give them that this time!Click the following link to listen to it and you will surely see how right we are… and then you'll do it again and again… and then once more:http://youtu.be/bqOtBKG1QQw
Geo Da Silva & Saftik – Hey Mr. Dj Get Up official promo video
by Comentariile sunt închise pentru Geo Da Silva & Saftik – Hey Mr. Dj Get Up official promo video• •


text:
ST. PETERSBURG — When unions and employers butt heads, it's always the warring factions that grab the headlines: A-Rod and Major League Baseball; Scott Walker and the teachers; Ronald Reagan and the air traffic controllers.
But sometimes, the person hired to settle high-profile standoffs also rises to prominence. Such was the case with Frances Bairstow, a highly regarded arbitrator in Canada and the United States.
In the mid-1980s, when 3,300 Air Canada flight attendants were threatening to strike over wages, staffing levels and sick leave, Canada's labor minister appointed Mrs. Bairstow to broker an agreement. She played similarly central roles arbitrating disputes involving railroad workers, teachers and hospital workers. Her reputation for fairness followed her to Florida, where her rulings got a disgraced Oakland Park vice cop his job back and upheld Disney World's decision to fire a pot-smoking Donald Duck.
Mrs. Bairstow, who stood at the center of numerous crises, died Sept. 15, of pneumonia. She was 93.
"She was respected by everybody in the field," said Allen Ponak, an emeritus professor at the University of Calgary and a former student of Mrs. Bairstow's. "She helped build the field."
In an occupation dominated by male lawyers, the industrial relations professor at McGill University was a barrier breaker. Among other highlights in a notable career, she had served as an economist for the Senate Labor Management Committee and other congressional boards.
In 1972, she was admitted into the exclusive National Academy of Arbitrators, becoming only the fourth woman to do so. She would later become a founding member of the Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution.
Frances Lillian Kanevsky was born in Racine, Wis., in 1920, the daughter of the local chair of the International Typographer's Union.
She used her speedy typing skills to put herself through the University of Wisconsin, where she earned a Fulbright scholarship. She joined McGill University in 1960; from 1970 to 1985, she directed the school's Industrial Relations Centre.
David Bairstow, a documentary filmmaker and Mrs. Bairstow's husband, died in 1985. She retired from McGill and moved to Sand Key that year. She enjoyed cruises, and would sign up for any Trivial Pursuit tournament.
Ten years ago, Mrs. Bairstow moved to the senior community Allegro, and was active in the foreign policy interest group of the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College. She continued handling arbitration cases, retiring in 2010 on her 90th birthday.
Mrs. Bairstow had been in declining health the past year and a half. In recent weeks, her family said, she insisted that doctors not artificially prolong her life.
Andrew Meacham can be reached at [email protected] or (727) 892-2248.


text:
SAN JOSE / Metal detectors turn up artifacts from '06 quake era / Hobbyists find treasures where S.F. dumped its trash
Published 4:00 am, Saturday, March 18, 2006
Rod Colvard showed off his brass badge, issued by a politically connected San Franciscan, letting the bearer cross fire lines anytime from July 1, 1905, through June 30, '06.
He'll be using the badge today -- not to see any fires, but maybe to ignite someone's interest in history.
The Fremont resident and friend Sam Modrall of Newark discovered the badge and dozens of other historical remnants from San Francisco in an unlikely place: a former Southern Pacific rail yard in San Jose that previously served as a dump when San Francisco jettisoned its trash as the city began to rebuild after the 1906 earthquake.
- Brides of March walk through San Francisco San Francisco Chronicle
- WildCare rescues Western scrub jay from rodent glue trap WildCare
- The Regulars: The Carpenter Jessica Christian
- Massive fire in San Francisco's North Beach David Essling
- Fire on 650 block of Union Street in San Francisco David Essling
- Fire at Union and Powell streets in San Francisco Christina Lalanne
- Union Street Fire San Francisco Chronicle
- Jonathan%20Lucroy%20discusses%20his%20A%E2%80%99s%20debut San Francisco Chronicle
- Hail came to Orinda on Saturday San Francisco Chronicle
- Security footage of Oakland Cat Town break-in Courtesy of Cat Town
That brass badge could have been particularly useful because its time period included April 18, 1906, the day of the quake and first day of the subsequent fires that devastated the city. And the brass badge was issued by Fire Commissioners President Thomas F. Finn, who later became sheriff and served in the state Senate. According to the Sheriff's Department's Web site, Finn earned the nickname "Boss" because of his political influence.
Hobbyists Colvard and Modrall also turned up lots of pre-earthquake tokens from old San Francisco businesses in recent months as they explored the site on San Jose's Coleman Avenue, where stores have now been built. Members of the Santa Clara Valley Treasure Hunters Society, the two heard from others about the site several months ago and started exploring with metal detectors.
"Before all the fences came up, guys were finding lots of stuff," Colvard said.
Their discoveries included more than 40 coins, belt buckles from the Civil War and Indian wars, and many of the tokens from businesses ranging from saloons to jewelers to brothels.
"The brothel tokens are worth more than the others," Colvard said.
Their collection got so big that they will be displaying it today at Sacramento's Red Lion Hotel, where the Western States Token Society is having its Token Jamboree.
"Everything we found is before the earthquake," Modrall said.
The tokens are mostly brass, like the 5-cent one from Henry Ahlers at Eighth and Mission streets. "Good for drink or cigar," it says.
With the help of reference books, the two sometimes could get precise dates for some tokens, such as one from N.J. Hyman, which lists a Kearny Street address. Modrall says it has to be from 1876 or 1877.
"In 1877, he changed addresses and removed them from his coins," Modrall said.
Those sorts of tokens were popular from the 1880s through the 1930s, said Salvatore Falcone, who owns Falcone Coins & Collectibles in San Jose.
"There are probably close to 6,000 known, different tokens from San Francisco," Falcone said. "Trade tokens was a big business in San Francisco and all over the West in those days."
He said sometimes they were used by crafty saloon owners, who would sell drinks for 12 1/2 cents. People would buy a drink for a quarter and get a token back instead of any change. If the customer ended up losing the token, Falcone said, that was even better.
The train yard where Colvard and Modrall searched used to be San Jose's Bassett Street Station, said local historian Leonard McKay. He said the train allowed San Francisco to clean out its debris so the city could rebuild.
"They had a big problem right after the earthquake of getting rid of it all," McKay said.
But the century-old trash has been a treasure for Colvard and Modrall.
"I sold one piece out of there already for $1,400," Modrall said. A coin from Angel Island is expected to bring in $400.
Still, the two are planning to display most of the items, and want to bring everything to a meeting of their treasure hunting group. They have used the metal detectors in various small towns with long histories, learning about how things used to be.
Their San Jose search even turned up handmade marbles and porcelain beer bottle caps, plus such metal items as an 1897 dog license, a nearly 3-by-5-inch placard from a business called Purke & Lacy, and the numeral 4, apparently from a firefighter's helmet.
Once in a while, they find an old coin from a business that still exists, as they did in San Jose. "Win big rewards," said one aluminum coin with a number stamped in it. "Sunday's Chronicle gives full particulars."
Colvard said sometimes they find items with addresses, then go to those places and see what they are now. In some instances, they will talk about their finds with the people who own the buildings today, either picking up more history or educating them about what once was.
"Sometimes you find history that someone never knew," Colvard said.


text: Carl Ray "Goose" Miller passed away at his home on Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, at the age of 68. He was born May 22, 1943, in Old Glory, Texas, to the late Emsley and Bessie (Morrow) Miller. Goose owned Carl's Automotive for 27 years. In his spare time, he served as a basketball official for 40 years and was well recognized as a volleyball player for 40 years. He was a member of the Southwestern Basketball Officials Association and was a Baptist by faith, being baptized between innings during a baseball game in Red River. Goose married Sylvia Floyd on Sept. 17, 1963, in O'Donnell.Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of more than 48 years, Sylvia; two daughters, Donna (Trey) Mayfield of San Angelo and Mickey (Greg) Peterson of Lubbock; and four brothers, Jerry Miller of Guthrie, Ronnie "Red" (Sue) Miller and Ronald "Rusty" (Patsy) Miller, all of Lubbock, and Donald (Kay) Miller of Guthrie. Goose was the grandfather to the #1 best grandchildren, Randi Hilliard, Matt (Kirsten) Walker, Raylee Walker and Harley Pedersen; and three great-grandsons, Cason, Easton and Brayden.Memorial services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, in Combest Family Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Hospice of Lubbock, 3702 21st St., Lubbock, TX 79401. Please celebrate the life of Goose by visiting www.combestfamilyfuneralhomes.com.


text:
EVENT: Ayad Akhtar appears In Conversation for his debut novel American Dervish.
Geoffrey highly recommends this new author: "In the heart of America at the start of the 1980's, Hayat Shah is coming of age. Challenged on all sides by contradictions, Hayat is a good student, a good son, and searching for his faith. Rare is the debut novel that lifts the veil off the reader's own eyes. American Dervish is a revelation, a provocative and brilliant moral dilemma. Can one be true to one's faith and to one's country? Without question, Ayad Akhtar is true to the storyteller's craft. Read it and cheer."
"What a pleasure to encounter a first novel as self-assured and effortlessly told as Ayad Akhtar's American Dervish, an immensely entertaining coming-of-age story, what distinguishes Mr. Akhtar's novel is its generosity and its willingness to embrace the contradictions of its memorably idiosyncratic characters and the society they inhabit [A] charming debut." ~ Adam Langer, The New York Times
AUTHOR: Ayad Akhtar is an American-born, first generation Pakistani-American from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He holds degrees in Theater from Brown University and in Directing from the Graduate Film Program at Columbia University, where he won multiple awards for his work. He is the author of numerous screenplays and was star and co-writer of The War Within, which premiered at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay and an International Press Academy Satellite Award for Best Picture, Drama. American Dervish is his first novel.
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 7:00 PM
LOCATION: St. Paul's Episcopal Day School, 4041 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111
ADMISSION PACKAGE: $14.99 plus Kansas Sales Tax includes One Trade Paperback of American Dervish, One Stamped Admission Ticket, and One Guest Admission Ticket (if needed). It's your choice, for the same Price. If you would like to Pick-Up your Admission Package at the Door of this Event, then in the "Shopping cart" go to "Checkout" and in "Store Pick-Up Options" Check the Box to "I would like to pick this Order up at the Store" and at the bottom of the webpage in the "Order comments:" Field, type that you would like "At-Event Pick-Up." Your Order will be held by your Name at the Will Call table. The cut-off time for Online Ordering is 3:00 PM on the Day of the Event. Admission Packages will be available for Walk-In's at the Door on the Day of this Event beginning at 6:00 PM.
EVENT FORMAT: Ayad Akhtar will discuss his New Book as part of a Community Conversation on Cultural Diversity lead by Reverend Dr. Stan Runnels, Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. A Booksigning follows the Conversation. A Stamped Admission Ticket is required for the Booksigning.
YES, WE SHIP SIGNED COPIES WORLDWIDE! Order a signed copy below. Your Order will ship within a day or two of the Author Event. International customers, E-mail email@example.com for a shipping quote. We ship using United States Postal Service International Priority Mail.
DISCLAIMER: All Author Event sales are final and non-refundable. Kansas Sales Tax is charged on all Orders, to all destinations. Unless otherwise indicated, Authors will only sign Books purchased from Rainy Day Books accompanied by a Stamped Admission Ticket. Additional signed copies are available for purchase at our Author Event.


text:
This post is syndicated (?) from WhiskyIntelligence.com
Top Picks at K&L California – Whisky News
- Caol Ila 12 year old Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($59.99) 90-95 points Wine Enthusiast: "**Best Buy** A seductive brininess and waves of oily peat-reek greet the olfactory sense. The palate entry finds a surprisingly buttery-creamy leaning along wit


text:
Storrs, Conn. (WTNH) – Some UConn students got an out-of-this world commencement over the weekend when a famous alumnus delivered this year's graduation remarks.
Astronaut Rick Mastracchio gave a commencement speech from the International Space Station to the School of Engineering.
He told the students, "Remember, all of those small steps and hard work can bring you a long, long way."
Then he addressed parents, saying, "I know you're proud of your graduate, but you should also be impressed by their accomplishments."
The state's flagship school awarded more than 7,000 diplomas to students.
Mastracchio earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from UConn in 1982. He's wrapping up his fourth trip to space.


text:
Drivers are risking their lives by jumping red lights in a bid to beat heavy diggers.
Signs erected by Costain, Heysham M6 link builders, on Kellet Lane warning of the risks drivers face by running the red lights, and even a crushed car, have failed to deter the reckless motorists.
Between August 5 and 8, 80 drivers have jumped red lights trying to beat the Moxy earth movers constantly moving soil.
The site haul road crosses Kellet Lane.
In order to keep the road open to traffic, manual traffic light controls are needed to aid plant crossings.
Costain Project Manager, Andrew Langley said: "We urge drivers to adhere to the traffic light instruction, people are gambling with the safety of themselves, their passengers and our workforce."
A video has been produced by Costain in partnership with earthworks contractor Walters UK showing how easily a car can be crushed when it gets in the way of a Moxy, even at slow speed.
Visit www.dropbox.com/s/g5nbz76u1yhxe35/Car%20Trashing_v4.mp4 to view the video.
This section of Kellet Lane will close for 12 months in September once Halton Road is fully open.


text:
Avon SuperExtend Infinitize Mascara ($9.50) is a new lengthening, curling, and lifting formula. Hmmm I'm always skeptical of mascara that promises so much because typically I experience a one trick pony from the formula that excels at any one thing but never at many.
So does Avon Super Extend Infinitize Mascara perhaps perform a few tricks with my lashes?
Let's take a peek!


text:
Home >> Exe file -> O >> OneCareScanner.exe
|File Name:
|File Information:
|Windows Live OneCare CommandLine Antivirus Scanner
|Vendor Name:
|Microsoft Corporation
|Operating System:
|Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000, ME, 98, 95
|File Type:
|The filename OneCareScanner.exe refers to many versions of an executable file.
|Scan Your System for Registry Errors
The OneCareScanner.exe error is one of the most common system errors in windows. When the error message shows up, you have two options - terminate or debug the problematic program. Most computer users who do not know how to debug the application will stop the program at the expense of losing data. OneCareScanner.exe error message will pop up from time to time. You need to fix OneCareScanner.exe error once for all, or it can lead to many other annoying system problems like
OneCareScanner.exe error is a common .exe error that can be caused by various kinds of problems, such as spyware attacks, Trojan intrusion, missing or corrupted OneCareScanner.exe error, dll errors, hardware/software compatibility issues and registry problems. OneCareScanner.exe error is closely tied with OneCareScanner.exe process. OneCareScanner.exe is responsible for the running situation of numerable .exe files in your system on purpose to make sure that each application can run stably. If you are deeply annoyed by finding the method to fix OneCareScanner.exe error, we sincerely suggest you choose an absolutely reliable OneCareScanner.exe error fixer on your computer to help you.
OneCareScanner.exe - Application Error
OneCareScanner.exe error is a terrible computer error that can generate various kinds of computer problems. If you fail to fix OneCareScanner.exe error manually, it will bombard you with the terrible issues below:
OneCareScanner.exe is a non-system process using by the third party application. Some of the .exe files would be infected by viruses, spyware and Trojan. They will try to attack your PC system and operate your computer. OneCareScanner.exe is still being analyzed by our lab in order to define whether it is a virus or not. However, we highly suggest you Run a Free Scan for Registry Errors to fix OneCareScanner.exe error at first.
Security Rating
Unknown We are not able to assure you OneCareScanner.exe is safe for your PC
OneCareScanner.exe is a non-system process so that you can terminate it if necessary because they are not involved in running your operating system. If the OneCareScanner.exe error message appeared on your PC, you can try to uninstall the related software and restart your system. However, uninstalling applications will leave invalid and corrupted registry keys which would slow down your PC.We highly recommend you run a free scan for potential registry errors.


text:
Cristiano Bonato Both, Rafael Kunst, Lisandro Zambenedetti Granville, Juergen Rochol.
The main techniques applied to provide quality of service guaranteesin metropolitan area networks are OFDMA and MCS. OFDMA organizes theinformation within a bidimensional frame considering the time and frequencydomains while MCS defines the level of robustness of a transmission. The localizationof the data within the frame are defined in map messages transmitted ineach frame. Thus, the main contribution this paper is to present a deep analysisof the overhead generated by these map messages. This analysis presentsthe behavior of the network in several scenarios that consider variations in theamount of data transmitted and in the quantity of mobile stations. Furthermore,we consider the variability of the wireless channel.
http://www.lbd.dcc.ufmg.br/colecoes/sbrc/2011/0047.pdfCaso o link acima esteja inválido, faça uma busca pelo texto completo na Web: Buscar na Web


text:
|Monday December 19th, 2011
The United States was poised to announce a significant donation of food aid to North Korea this week before the nation announced the death of supreme leader Kim Jong Il. The donation, which could now be delayed, would be the first concrete accomplishment after months of behind-the-scenes diplomatic contacts between the two wartime enemies. An agreement by North Korea to suspend its controversial uranium enrichment program would have likely followed within days.This is completely backwards idiocy. The country should be forced to open up their borders and liberalize their economy in order for the people to be able to provide for themselves, instead the US is stepping in to subsidize their fascism. Rather than their government get out of the way and/or spend their money on feeding their people, they can spend their money on militarism and nukes with a US fattened population.
The U.S. would provide 240,000 tons of high-protein biscuits and vitamins — 20,000 tons a month for a year — but not much-wanted rice, according to reports in the South Korean media. It would be the first food aid from the U.S. in nearly three years.
Negotiators have sought for two decades to convince North Korea to dismantle its plutonium-producing nuclear reactor at Yongbyon, which the government insists exists to generate much-needed power. But plutonium can be used to make atomic bombs, and North Korea also stands by its right to develop missiles to defend itself against the nuclear-armed United States.


text: How much is a user worth? July 24, 2011BusinessAndroid software, ARPU, Average revenue per user, economics, Facebook, Financial economics, Google, Groupon, LinkedIn, LinkedIn Corporation, living social, LivingSocial, Market capitalization, online radio, Pandora, Pandora Radio, Public company, representative, social media, Stock selection criteria, traded web, Twitter, Valuation, Web 2.0, World Wide Web, ZyngaTristan LouisUsing public data, we try to assess how much a user is worth in terms of valuation. Read More


text:
Historical records matching Washington Allston
Immediate Family
half sister
half brother
half brother
half sister
half sister
About Washington Allston
From Wikipedia:
Washington Allston (November 5, 1779 – July 9, 1843) was an American painter and poet, born in Waccamaw Parish, South Carolina. Allston pioneered America's Romantic movement of landscape painting. He was well known during his lifetime for his experiments with dramatic subject matter and his bold use of light and atmospheric color.
Allston was born on a rice plantation on the Waccamaw River near Georgetown, South Carolina. His mother Rachel Moore had married Captain William Allston in 1775, though her husband died in 1781, shortly after the Battle of Cowpens. Moore remarried to Dr. Henry C. Flagg, the son of a wealthy shipping merchant from Newport, Rhode Island.
Named in honor of the leading American general of the Revolution, Washington Allston graduated from Harvard College in 1800 and moved to Charleston, South Carolina for a short time before sailing to England in May 1801. He was admitted to the Royal Academy in London in September, when painter Benjamin West was then the president.
From 1803 to 1808, he visited the great museums of Paris and then, for several years, those of Italy, where he met Washington Irving in Rome and Coleridge, his lifelong friend. In 1809, Allston married Ann Channing, sister of William Ellery Channing. Samuel F. B. Morse was one of Allston's art pupils and accompanied Allston to Europe in 1811. After traveling throughout western Europe, Allston finally settled in London, where he won fame and prizes for his pictures.
Allston was also a published writer. In London in 1813, he published The Sylphs of the Seasons, with Other Poems, republished in Boston, Massachusetts, later that year. His wife died in February 1815, leaving him saddened, lonely, and homesick for America.
In 1818, he returned to the United States and lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for twenty-five years. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1826. He was the uncle of the artists George Whiting Flagg and Jared Bradley Flagg, both of whom studied painting under him.
In 1841, he published Monaldi, a romance illustrating Italian life, and in 1850, a volume of his Lectures on Art, and Poems.
Allston died on July 9, 1843, at age 63. Allston is buried in Harvard Square, in "the Old Burying Ground" between the First Parish Church and Christ Church.
Allston was sometimes called the "American Titian" because his style resembled the great Venetian Renaissance artists in their display of dramatic color contrasts. His work greatly influenced the development of U.S. landscape painting. Also, the themes of many of his paintings were drawn from literature, especially Biblical stories.
His artistic genius was much admired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Ralph Waldo Emerson was strongly influenced by his paintings and poems, but so were both Margaret Fuller and Sophia Peabody, wife of Nathaniel Hawthorne. The influential critic and editor Rufus Wilmot Griswold dedicated his famous anthology The Poets and Poetry of America to Allston in 1842. Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 17 years after Allston's death, wrote that: "One man may sweeten a whole time. I never pass through Cambridge Port without thinking of Allston. His memory is the quince in the drawer and perfumes the atmosphere."
Boston painter William Morris Hunt was an admirer of Allston's work, and in 1866 founded the Allston Club in Boston, and in his arts classes passed on to his students his knowledge of Allston's techniques.
Washington Allston coined the term "objective correlative," which T. S. Eliot described as a situation or a chain of events that acts as a formula and is used in art to evoke emotion.
The west Boston, Massachusetts neighborhood of Allston is named after him.
Artist, Poet. After studying at Harvard, Allston was admitted to the Royal Academy in London. He practiced as a painter in Europe, where he met with great success and spent time with notable individuals like Washington Irving and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. His wife died shortly after his first collection of poetry was published; a few years later, he returned to the United States and settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His work was exhibited at the Boston Athenaeum; it was the first exhibition dedicated to a single American artist. The neighborhood of Allston in Brighton/Boston, Massachusetts is named after him. (bio by: [fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=46971513" target="_blank Midnightdreary)]
- Updated from Find A Grave Memorial by SmartCopy: Nov 24 2014, 7:14:48 UTC
Washington Allston's Timeline
November 5, 1779
Georgetown, Georgetown County, South Carolina, United States
July 9, 1843
Age 63
Massachusetts, United States
Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States


text:
Hello Friends and Fans,
I`m Sexy Blonde Barbie Blaze, I will make you do a double when I walk though any room. My undeniable beauty, flawless Ivory skin, with no Tattoos or Piercings, & a Body that will knock you out.
thank you for looking and watching my video`s.,
Porn Star Playmate, Barbie Blaze
check out my new vip website at www.barbieblazevip.com
Profile hits: 630,207
Total video views: 1,140,856
Channels hit rankings:
World #1,379
North America #630
Pornstars hit rankings:
World #3,017
North America #1,853
Website: barbieblaze08.wix.com
Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com
Languages: English, French
Seeking: Man
Relationship: Single
Kids: No but do not want any
Education: High school
Religion: Christian
Smoking: Occasionally
Drinking: Occasionally
Webcam: Yes
Ethnicity: White
Body: Slim
Height: 5.5 in
Weight: 115 lbs
Hair length: Medium
Hair color: Blonde
Eyes color: Brown


text:
Some had predicted trouble from Fort Hood's Maj. Hasan
Associated Press
FORT HOOD, Texas – In retrospect, the signs of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's growing anger over the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan seem unmistakable. But even people who worried his increasingly strident views were clouding his ability to serve the U.S. military could not predict the murderous rampage of which he now stands accused.
More: continued here


text:
Sale-Topper Holiday Runner Dies
Ten-year-old Holiday Runner, a grade I stakes producer and the sale-topper at the 2009 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November mixed sale, died the morning of Feb. 6 because of foaling complications.
Ten-year-old Holiday Runner, a grade I stakes producer and the sale-topper at the 2009 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November mixed sale, died the morning of Feb. 6 because of foaling complications.
This year, without as much star power, the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November select mixed sale suffered sharp downturns of 59.4% in gross revenue, 52.7% in average price, and 32% in median price Nov. 10.
Godolphin Stable's Seventh Street continued her dominance over an off track, as she wore down Spritely in mid-stretch and went on to win the $300,000 Go For Wand Handicap (gr. I) Aug. 2 at rainy Saratoga. It was the fifth victory in eight starts for the 4-year-old daughter of Street Cry, who became a multiple graded stakes winner.
This weekend's Herecomesthebride Stakes, a race on the turf for 3-year-old fillies, is the only graded event at Gulfstream. Allen Jerkens plans to run two fillies in Friday's Old Hat Stakes.
Approximately an hour after he became racing's leader in purse money won by a jockey, Pat Day was in a private jet on his way from Saratoga Springs for a riding engagement in the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park. The celebration had to wait.
WinStar Farm's Awesome Humor displayed her serious side Monday when she led from start to finish in the Adirondack Stakes (gr. II) for 2-year-old fillies at Saratoga Racecourse.
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas is hoping to keep S.J. Bee Stable's Holiday Runner unbeaten as she faces five other 2-year-old fillies in the 87th running of the $150,000 Adirondack Stakes (gr. II) at 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga Race Course on Monday.
Harlan's Holiday, off since running fourth in the Preakness May 18, had an easy five-furlong breeze Saturday morning on the Oklahoma Training Track.
Bobby Frankel is entering the Saratoga season enthusiastic, optimistic and realistic...Stronach buys majority interest in Carson Hollow...Holiday Runner works...Puzzlement returns.
As Churchill Downs prepares to close out its 2002 Spring Meet on July 7, several top juveniles were on the track preparing for weekend stakes events. The Louisville track will host the Debutante Stakes (gr. III) on Saturday and Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) on Sunday.
John Velazquez was determined not to let heavily favored Holiday Runner get an easy lead in the Fashion Stakes Thursday at Belmont Park. He challenged her aboard La Violette on the backside and through the turn in the five-furlong stakes. Holiday Runner, however, had no trouble shaking her off, then held off a late charge from Miss Mary Apples to remain unbeaten in three starts.
D. Wayne Lukas has won more than his share of added-money races, but one has eluded the Hall of Fame conditioner --the Fashion Stakes. That could all change when he sends out the undefeated Holiday Runner in the $75,000 five-furlong contest for 2-year-old fillies at Belmont Park on Thursday.
Always one of the highlights on the Kentucky Derby Day card, the Three Chimneys Juvenile went to Holiday Runner, a Meadowlake filly trained by D. Wayne Lukas.


text:
ATLANTA,None - A Channel 2 Action News investigation found U.S. senators spending more tax dollars traveling the globe than ever before. Despite fierce budget cuts, congressional records show elected officials are racking up record expenses on flights, food, fuel and sometimes alcohol.
Just after the eighth anniversary of the war in Afghanistan, Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss traveled there to visit metro-area troops on the front lines and share Thanksgiving dinner. Documents show one of several overseas trips Chambliss has made since early 2009. The costs of the trips totals more than $38,000.
The same documents show Georgia's other senator, Johnny Isakson, has traveled to Afghanistan, too. He also traveled to Germany, Kenya and Tanzania.
According to the records, Georgia senators aren't alone. Other senators have sipped cocktails at the Eiffel Tower and visited Greece, London and China. Some spent time at the luxurious Conrad Hotel in Brussels, which boasts spa service and an in-house restaurant specializing in shrimp croquettes, king prawns and French apricot tarts.
Channel 2's Scott MacFarlane found it is difficult to get the information. Much of it is only available in a small office on Capitol Hill. He found it on one set of computers in an old-fashioned database. It showed that senators spent at least $10 million on traveling over the past two years.
"This is taxpayer money," said Tom Fitton, of Judicial Watch. "Our members need to be better stewards of it."
The records MacFarlane reviewed didn't include travel expenses racked up when congressional leaders fly on Air Force jets instead of commercial flights. The military often charters special congressional VIP trips overseas. Military sources told MacFarlane those flights can cost $7,000 per hour.
The documents also showed senators are spending big once they arrive at their destination. Receipts showed Bacardi rum, Bailey's Irish Cream and chocolate-covered strawberries.
Former congressional staffer Brad Fitch defended the spending. He said don't let the menu fool anyone -- these trips aren't junkets.
"They're packed with work. You're basically working a 12-hour day when you're on these trips," Fitch said. "Especially in a global economy, we would want our legislators to be well-informed when they're making decisions."
MacFarlane learned there is no budget for senators' overseas travel. Whatever they spend is automatically reimbursed by the U.S. Treasury. No one is in charge of keeping costs under control or deciding if a trip is worthwhile.
Fitch said congressional leaders will eventually cut back traveling to avoid looking hypocritical.
"They are mindful of this and censoring themselves and restricting themselves in many cases," Fitch said.


text:
Takamine EF508KC Electro Acoustic Guitar, Natural
Takamine EF508KC Electro Acoustic Guitar, NaturalDetails
The Takamine EF508KC Electro Acoustic Guitar combines precision with versatility for an instrument ready for the stage or studio. The NEX body shape is a custom design by Takamine, which has a projecting bass end with punctuated high frequencies. The EF508KC's Solid Cedar top with Hawaiian Koa back and sides produces a warm sound with intricate, detailed overtones. This model comes equipped with a CTP-3 electronics system and an integrated tuner, so you're always ready to play live.
Product Ref: 74244View Full Description
Buy on finance from £28.70 per month Finance from £28.70 per month
Please note: This is only available where all items in the order are dispatched in a single delivery.
To make it as easy as possible for you to get the gear you want, we offer a range of instant finance options. If you spend £250 or more online, you can choose to pay over 48, 36 or 24 months. The majority of decisions are given instantly, so you could get your new gear sooner than you thought!
Representative Example
To help you understand how our finance options work, the examples below are based on a total order value of £250:
|Deposit to Pay
|Total Payable
|Classic Credit 48 Months 14.9%
|No Deposit
|48 months: £6.83
Final payment: £6.83
No settlement fee
|Classic Credit 36 Months 15.9%
|No Deposit
|36 months: £8.65
Final payment: £8.65
No settlement fee
|Classic Credit 24 Months 18.9%
|No Deposit
|24 months: £12.41
Final payment: £12.41
No settlement fee
How to Apply
Applying for finance couldn't be easier - if your order totals £250 or more, simply proceed through the checkout as normal, then select Pay by Finance on the payment page, then click the orange APPLY FOR INSTANT FINANCE button. This will start your application with V12 Retail Finance, our finance partner, and completing this form should take approximately 10 minutes.
You should get an instant answer on whether your application has been successful, though in some rare cases V12 may need to look at the application in more detail.
Please note: This is only available on orders placed via the website consisting of a single delivery, and is not available in store or via phone currently.
Full DescriptionView Full Description
CTP-3 Preamp
Takamine's CTP-3 preamp features an intuitive tube design. The tube benefits your guitar's sound by being able to process the nuances and harmonics that naturally occur as a result of your playing. The 12AU7 runs at a low voltage to prevent it getting excessively hot, meaning your guitar is never at risk. The CTP-3's extensive EQ options allow you to tailor the clarity of your signal to your exact requirements. The integrated tuner is an accurate way to make sure your guitar's always producing the right notes.
Legacy Series
The Legacy Series of Takamine guitars are designed to combine easy playability with great looks. Each guitar's neck intends to be comfortable and familiar to each player, so that you can instantly feel suited to its shape. This model's cutaway is deep and rounded for extra ease to work at the top of the fretboard. The Legacy Series have become long time favourites for songwriters, gigging musicians and those who want to extend their techniques.
Body & Bridge
- Top: Figured Koa
- Back: Figured Koa
- Sides: Figured Koa
- Shape: NEX, Cutaway
- Finish: Natural, Gloss
Neck & Fingerboard
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Nut Width: 42.5mm
- Frets: 20
- Neck Join: 14th Fret
Electronics & Hardware
- Electronics: Takamine CTP-3 CoolTube
- Controls: Low, Mid, High, Volume, Mid Frequency, Aux PU, Cool Tube Percentage, Calibration, Tuner
- Tuner: Yes
- Inlays: Dot
- Rosette: Pearloid Ring with Black and White Purfling
- Binding: White with Black and White Purfling
- Pickguard: None
The product price includes 6 years' warranty and 180 day money back guarantee.
However, the Gear4music extended warranty scheme provides an enhanced service, and is designed to offer a higher level of protection than many 'free' warranties offered by some retailers and manufacturers.
The highlights of this enhanced warranty service are:
- Warranty is extended to 6 years from the date of delivery.
- Our Money Back guarantee is extended from 30 days to 180 days (terms apply after 30 days)
- Collection and delivery costs are included for the first 2 years
- Claim 50% cash back on the cost of the policy after 6 years if it has not been used!
- Warranty is transferable if the item is re-sold
- Loan or replacement equipment will be provided if the product isn't repaired within 30 days
- If an item can not be repaired, a similar alternative product or cash discount (as defined in this policy) will be offered
- The policy can be cancelled within 30 days, and at any time after that for a pro-rata discount
Please note that this extended warranty is currently only available on products sold within the EU or EEA, and is subject to the terms and conditions as detailed on the extended warranty certificate provided.
For customers in outlying areas of the country, the price of the Extended Warranty may be marginally higher, due to the potential for higher collection and redelivery transport costs.
This enhanced warranty is in addition to the standard Gear4music and manufacturer warranty policies, and the Gear4music terms and conditions of trade. No statement or condition of sale contained within these terms affects or restricts your statutory rights as defined under the Consumer Contracts Regulation 2014.
Once the product is delivered, you have 180 days to decide that you definitely want to keep it. If you decide it is not suitable for any reason, you can return it back to us for replacement or full refund, including standard delivery charges.
All Products are new unless stated, and include a minimum of 2 years warranty.
Some items are only eligible for money back guarantee if they are returned to us unused and sealed in the original packaging, and in the case of software, unregistered. These items include:
- Software
- CDs & DVDs
- In-ear Monitors
- Earplugs and Ear Protection
- Mouthpieces, Reeds etc… for Woodwind and Brass instruments
- Mouth / Lip Care Products
We are unable to accept returns of any custom made items designed to work together as a unique package, such as computer system built to a customer's personal specifications. Exceptions may only be possible with prior agreement of the vendor, and may be subject to a cancellation fee.
If you also purchase items that do not qualify for free delivery, some delivery charges may be applied to your order which will be shown in your shopping basket.