New York (video)

NO WAY JOSE!

Sun, 13 Sep 2015 22:26:05 GMT

Cool beans yo!

NO WAY JOSE!

Sun, 13 Sep 2015 22:26:05 GMT

Cool beans yo!

NO WAY JOSE!

Sun, 13 Sep 2015 22:26:05 GMT

Cool beans yo!

Iwo Jima Memorial Statue, USS Intrepid, New York City.

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:53:02 GMT

On the morning of February 23, 1945, with the island of Iwo Jima still not secured, a patrol of Marines made the tortuous climb to the island’s volcanic peak, Mount Suribachi, and raised a small American flag. The sight so inspired troops on the beaches below and on ships offshore that the decision was made to raise another, larger flag. Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, John Bradley, Harlon Block, Michael Strank, and Rene Gagnon made the next ascent and, with photographer Joe Rosenthal standing by, raised a second flag. Rosenthal’s dramatic image forever linked the lives of these men. Sculptor Felix de Weldon later transformed the moment into a larger-than-life symbol of the heroism of all who have fought and died in America’s wars. The statue on exhibition on the hanger deck of the USS carrier Intrepid in the New York Sea, Air and Space Museum, lent by Rodney Hilton Brown and the War Museum, is the sole survivor of several large scale plaster sculptures that were done by de Weldon for the 7th War Bond Drive of Spring-Summer 1945, which raised more than $24 billion in six weeks.

Thumbnail by Jim Linwood

Tax!!!!!!!!!

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:52:47 GMT

Every morning the street our hotel was on would be lined with taxis from the start of the block to the end of the block on both sides of the street. Quite an interesting sight to see.

Thumbnail by kennymatic

USS New York arrives for Sept. 11 commemoration, sails past Ground Zero

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:52:39 GMT

USS New York arrives for Sept. 11 commemoration, sails past Ground Zero
110908-M-KZ372-002.NEW YORK (Sept. 8, 2011) Crew members aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), upper right, man the rails and present honors while passing The World Trade Center and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, Sept. 8, as the ship arrives in Manhattan. The crew of New York will participate in numerous events throughout the city honoring the victims and responders from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. On board are family members of victims and first responders from 9/11, along with the crew and Marines from 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, based in Camp Lejeune, N.C. The ship was built with 7.5 tons of steel recovered from Ground Zero. The ship is scheduled to be pier side in Manhattan Sept. 8-9 and will anchor in the Hudson River Sept. 10-12. On Sept. 11, USS New York will move from its anchorage in the Hudson River to a location within sight of the World Trade Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Randall A. Clinton/Released)

Laburnum Anagyroides, Orchids and Desires

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:52:21 GMT

Was there ever a good time to travel west on the M4? It did appear to me that afternoon that you could attempt to get from London to Bristol in the early hours of a Sunday morning and still be held in an obscenely long and unnecessary traffic jam. The urge to spark up a cigarette was a temptation banging away in my head. I toyed with the idea, would the hire car company ever know if I had just one, out of the window whilst sat going nowhere fast on the UK’s biggest damn car park? As I held that thought we started to move off again, crawling towards Newbury at a snail’s pace. Leaving the city behind me I looked forward to a weekend away in a friends country home. I would be entertaining and escorting a lady acquaintance of mine who loves to ride horses. My friend having stables and a selection of fine racing horses offered for us both to stay, an offer that I simply couldn’t refuse. I didn’t ride myself, I had been three or four times when I was a teenager but the experience hadn’t proved to be endearing. That’s not to say that I had been put off riding, I hadn’t. Well I hoped I hadn’t put it that way. The weekend would turn out to be a long and rather uneventful if I was to spend it sampling all the bottles in the drinks cabinet instead of galloping across the country on a fine and noble creature. Obviously I wasn’t an experienced rider but the lady acquaintance was, I would hope that she would look out for me. Hope springs eternal. I couldn’t help wondering whether Alexander Pope had been in a similar situation to myself. In that brief period of time dwelling on my thoughts I had failed to notice that the traffic jam had cleared just as quickly as it had accumulated. I continued my journey into the heart of Berkshire. The arrival to their country residence was a spectacular affair. The gate was automatic, graceful and silent swinging open allowing me to continue up the gravel driveway that swooped around into a grand circle at the front porch. When I reached the porch my friends were already waiting and whisked me inside at once. My car was then driven around the back and my travel bag brought to my room. All sounds very English antiquated tradition but as you will come to realise I had just stepped back in time to middle England circa 1950. Afternoon teas, croquet on the pantry lawn, and Pimms served perfectly chilled in ornate jugs and glasses. A place where gentlemen still congregated after dinner in a smoking room, fine handmade cigars are passed around and enjoyed with an aged port or as in my case, French brandy. I acquiesce, it is a delightfully antiquated English life. The grounds of the home stretched beyond where the eye could see. The lawns kept immaculately with a small garrison of dedicated gardeners. A credit to their skills to maintain such large area no matter what the English weather decides to throw at it. A bowling green, grass tennis courts and a significant portion used frequently by the family for golfing. And it was to here I would be spending the rest of my time when not accompanying the lady acquaintance in all things equestrian. Obviously following several flagons of the locally brewed cider. Which will normally have me hacking mercilessly at the turf with a one iron in the vain hope of whacking the ball in the middle of the three a good distance to the pin. As you can probably conclude dear reader, my heart really isn’t in the golf but it most certainly is when it comes to country cider. I am lost in thought I do not notice the delightful Francesca walk into the room and slide her lithe arms around my waist from behind. Her soft hands then up to my face to cover my eyes. Soap scented fingers gently brushing against my skin. “Guess who?” she giggles. The beautiful Francesca, the family’s eldest daughter. An accomplished barrister in her own right at the age of thirty six. She has an athletic figure homed from hours on the tennis courts, riding and swimming. Dedication to her work means she remains ‘blissfully single’ as she puts it despite many suitors coming forward in a bid for her affection. All have failed to hold her interest much to the disappointment of her father. Although he is mightily proud of her and her achievements. One sometimes can only stare in amazement as she gracefully moves around a tennis court with the greatest of ease, watching her return thunderous strokes with an unfaltering aim. “Hmmmmm” I pretended. “Is it Jessica who holds me in her hands? I then ask. Jessica, Francesca’s sister. Equally a heavenly vision and being the middle sister of the three, somewhat of a prankster and a handful when she wants to be mischievous. There had been immense sibling rivalry between the two well into their teens. Long periods away from the family home and each other during University and a brief spell abroad working in New York had brought them back together, closer than ever before. I can feel her move into me, her presence close at my back and her breathing close to my ear. Her hands drop to loosely hang around my neck. “You know very well it was me, I can see I will have to keep my eye on you” she whispered gleefully. Walking around to face me, still held in her strong arms. A fixing gaze from crystal blue eyes. A beautiful smile. She kisses my cheeks and then quickly raises a hand to rub off a lipstick smudge. “Your lady friend has arrived, I wouldn’t want you greeting her with lipstick on your face now would I?” she quietly said. I agreed whole heartedly as she let go of me. “It so good to see you again Jack. These affairs can be frightfully boring when you are not around” she said in a put on clipped accent. “Thank you Fran, I have been looking forward to seeing you all once again. I hope we can catch up later and you can tell me how you have been getting on in the Royal Courts” I said. “Awfully dull Jack! I’m sure we can find something far better than dull, dull work of mine but yes, we simply must catch up” she replied. I left Francesca in the drawing room and went to meet my lady acquaintance. She was already being welcomed in by Jon and his wife. She was a sight to behold, her strawberry blonde hair catching the sun, her smile illuminating up her entire face. An infectious smile. We embraced and I kissed her cheek, her perfume filling my lungs as I held her close. For that brief moment time stood still as we held each other. I had become completely oblivious to the world around us, her warmth a siren to my desire. One last squeeze of her body and I tore myself away from her, my arms dropping to her waist then finally letting go. I had breathed her in and every fibre of me yearned for more, yet it could never be. The cruel hand of fate. She was escorted up the stair and shown to her room. She had stopped half way up and said down to me that she wanted to shower and change after the long journey and would come and find my in an hour. To show her the grounds, the stables and of course, the horses. Pouring myself a large whisky I began to wander around the lower floors of this stunning home. It was immaculate, from the folds in the curtains to the stone tiled floors of the pantry and kitchen. The bedrooms were lavish with fine soft furnishings, Egyptian cotton sheets and en-suite bathrooms. You could not help but feel welcomed in such a beautiful home. As I carried on further I could hear the faint sound of a piano being played. As I neared I could immediately recognise what I believed was a Rachmaninov concerto, and I could be most certain that the person at the piano was Laura, the youngest of the three daughters. Laura was a very talented musician, she could play the violin, the guitar but her heart and passion was for the piano. I can recall at gatherings we had in the village over the Christmas period, Laura would sit at the pub piano and when not fulfilling requests, she would captivate everyone with her playing. She has left university and was welcomed open armed into the Royal Philharmonic. She had also played extensively with the BBC Symphony Orchestra in addition to recording for various popular music artists as a session musician. “Jack!” she called out and came running over to me nearly knocking me to the floor as she hugged me. I flung my arms around her waist in a bid to stay upright. Her head beside mine she squeezed me tight. “You give the best hugs ever Jack!” she said releasing her grip momentarily on me then squeezing even harder. When she released me I checked to make sure I hadn’t poured whisky down her dress in the encounter. Evidently I hadn’t, gulping down what was left in the glass before she came back for a second hug. “We all thought Daddy was teasing us again when he said you would be coming with us riding…yet here you are looking the same as you ever did. What is your secret?” she asked raising a quizzical eyebrow. I held up my empty glass. “Whisky and of course the anticipation of spending days with my favourite pianist, maybe the promise of a slow dance one evening?” I replied “Well of course, I would be delighted to Jack” she said, smiling. With that, I kissed her cheek and left her to her piano. I headed to my room as I wanted to change out of my suit and shirt in anticipation of walking through muddy stable yards and fields. Laying out the clothes on the bed and closing the door to, I began to change. I then became aware of someone standing behind me. I didn’t turn around, I already knew who had secreted themself in while I had been distracted finding appropriate hangers in the wardrobe. They made no sound as I sensed them approaching me, creeping nearer. Slowly and with purpose. I waited for either someone to go boo! Or slap my back. Neither happened, when she eventually revealed herself it was her hands sliding around my waist. She pulled me in close to her and rested her head on my shoulder. I could feel he tousled hair falling against my neck, her chest pressing into my back as she pulled me closer into her. Lifting her head she left a hand on my shoulder and walked around to face me. It was Jessica, beautifully radiant and delightfully perfect in every way. Each time I saw her she had got more beautiful. From a tomboy she had truly blossomed into a fine looking woman. So much so that at gatherings the affection that she especially would show me made me embarrassed however this was Jessica, forever be the joker which is why I secretly adored her. She was so much like me to the point of being referred to at times as being the black sheep. Her brilliant intelligence and gentle manner has always held me captivated, yet when she held me that afternoon I could feel myself fall into peacefulness. A tranquillity that was alien to me. We exchanged greeting kisses and she leaves the room quietly closing the door behind me. I then realise that I had stopped breathing at some point and my lungs began to burn. Dropping to the bed and hauling in as much air deep into me as I could I began to question whether I was losing it. That a beautiful woman can literally steal your breath away without even saying one word. Thumbnail by SLR Jester

US Supreme Court

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:52:15 GMT

When the seat of the federal government was transferred permanently to Washington, D.C., in 1800, no provision was made for housing for the Supreme Court. Less than two weeks before the Court was to convene, Congress resolved to let the Court use a room in the Capitol. The Court moved into the Old North Wing (image above), meeting in various rooms from February 1810 to December 1860. During the early years when construction displaced the Justices, they had to meet in nearby homes or taverns. Eventually the Court occupied a courtroom that had been especially designed for it in the basement beneath the new Senate chamber. When the Court moved upstairs in 1861, the old courtroom became the law library for both Congress and the Court, seen here in this c. 1895 photograph. The Supreme Court was housed in what is now called the restored Old Senate Chamber from 1861 to 1935. Although the chamber was more spacious and dignified than the basement one, there was no dining room (the Justices lunched in the robing room), and no individual office space for the Justices and their staff (the Justices often worked at home).

Chief Justice William Howard Taft and the Associate Justices admired architect Cass Gilbert’s model for a new Supreme Court building in 1929. Taft had begun lobbying for a separate building as early as 1912, and redoubled his efforts when he became Chief Justice in 1921. Taft not only persuaded Congress to fund the nearly $10 million building, giving the Court its own home for the first time, but he also oversaw its planning and initial construction. When the cornerstone was laid in 1932, Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes said of Taft, who had died two years before: “This building is the result of his intelligent persistence.” To a country sunk deep in the Great Depression, Chief Justice Hughes added: “The Republic endures and this is the symbol of its faith.”

Gleaming bone white and austere among its distinguished neighbors on Capitol Hill, its stately façade evoking the long-enduring glory of ancient Rome, the Supreme Court Building imposes a mood of decorum. The aura of formality is no accident.

When architect Cass Gilbert submitted his design in May, 1929, he planned “a building of dignity and importance suitable…for the permanent home of the Supreme Court of the United States.” Gilbert has been chosen by a commission led by Chief Justice William Howard Taft. Gilbert’s associates were Cass Gilbert, Jr., and John R. Rockart, with executive supervision by David Lynn, Architect of the Capitol.

Into the Building the architects put about three million dollars’ worth of marble. For the exterior walls alone a thousand freight car loads of flawless stone come from Vermont—along with a 250-ton slab specifically cut for sculptor James E. Fraser’s allegorical figures at the entrance.

Georgia marble was chosen for the outer walls of four courtyards that divide the building into a cross-shaped center core and a gallery of offices and corridors. Nearly square, the resulting structure is 92 feet high and stretches 385 feet on its longest side. The interior walls are faced with marble quarried in Alabama.

Opposite the formal entrance, at the east end of the aptly named Great Hall, is the Court Chamber proper—82 by 91 feet, with a coffered ceiling 44 feet high. Gilbert walled this imposing room with Ivory Vein marble from Spain. For the 24 massive columns he insisted on marble of a particularly delicate tint, called light Siena, from the Old Convent quarry in the Italian province of Liguria.

From Italy the rough stone went to a firm of marble finishers in Knoxville, Tennessee, who dressed and honed the blocks into 72 slightly tapered cylinders, 11 feet in circumference at the widest. Three sections went into each 30-foot column, to be topped by an Ionic capital.

Darker marble from Italy and Africa gives color to the floor. Against the marble the room gains richness from its fittings: tones of red in carpet and upholstery and heavy draperies, highly polished luster in solid Honduras mahogany, gleaming bronze latticework in gates to the side corridors. And in 1973, new lighting, new paint, and new gilding restored the ornamented ceiling to a brilliance time had since dimmed since its installation nearly 40 years before.

Like Taft, Gilbert did not live to see his dream building completed. He died in 1934. The Court held its first session in the new building on October 7, 1935.

Not everyone liked the new building. Associate Justice Harlan Fiske Stone, who later became Chief Justice, at first called it “almost bombastically pretentious…wholly inappropriate for a quiet group of old boys such as the Supreme Court.” One of the old boys reportedly said that he and his brethren would be “nine black beetles in the Temple of Karnak.” Another—undoubtedly thinking of exotic pomp rather than domestic party symbols—remarked that the Justices ought to enter it riding on elephants.

Such comments suggest how different men have regarded their own remarkable positions of power, prestige and responsibility in the life of the Nation. Off the bench their successors show a similar concern—how to maintain a sense of human perspective in the marble temple.
The Supreme Court Building, constructed between 1932--1935, was designed by noted architect Cass Gilbert, who is best known as the architect for the Woolworth Building in New York. The first session of the Supreme Court was convened on February 1, 1790, but it took some 145 years for the Supreme Court to find a permanent residence. During those years the Supreme Court lived a nomadic existence. Initially meeting in the Royal Exchange Building in New York, the Court established chambers in Independence Hall and later in City Hall when the national capitol moved to Philadelphia in 1790. The Court moved again when the Federal government moved in 1800 to the permanent capital in Washington. Since no provision had been made for a Supreme Court building, Congress lent the Court space in the new Capitol building. The Court convened for a short period in a private home after the British had used Supreme Court documents to set fire to the Capitol during the War of 1812. Following this episode, the Court returned to the Capitol and met from 1819 to 1860 in a chamber that has been restored as the Old Supreme Court Chamber. Then from 1860 to 1935, the Court sat in what is now known as the Old Senate Chamber. Finally in 1929, former President William Howard Taft, who was Chief Justice from 1921 to 1930, persuaded Congress to end this arrangement and authorize a permanent home for the Court.

At the laying of the cornerstone for the building on October 13, 1932, Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes stated, "The Republic endures and this is the symbol of its faith." The building was designed on a scale in keeping with the importance and dignity of the Court and the Judiciary as a coequal, independent branch of the Federal government and as a symbol of "the national ideal of justice in the highest sphere of activity." Sixteen marble columns at the main west entrance support the portico and on the architrave above is incised, "Equal Justice Under the Law." Capping the entrance is the pediment filled with a sculpture group by Robert Aitken, representing Liberty Enthroned Guarded by Order and Authority. Cast in bronze, the west entrance doors sculpted by John Donnelly, Jr., depict historic scenes in the development of the law. The east entrance's architrave bears the legend, "Justice the Guardian of Liberty." A sculpture group by Herman A. McNeil is located above the east entrance that represents great lawgivers, Moses, Confucius, and Solon, flanked by symbolic groups representing Means of Enforcing the Law, Tempering Justice with Mercy, Carrying on Civilization, and Settlement of Disputes Between States.

Some critics condemn the religious symbols in the marble frieze above the east entrance to the building. However, in the 1930s, the Supreme Court Building Commission did not question the sculptures. Rather, they trusted in the architect, who deferred to the artistry of the sculptor, Herman A. MacNeil.
Explaining his work, MacNeil wrote, "Law as an element of civilization was normally and naturally derived or inherited in this country from former civilizations. The 'Eastern Pediment' of the Supreme Court Building suggests therefore the treatment of such fundamental laws and precepts as are derived from the East."
At the center of the pediment, the figures of Moses, Confucius and Solon represent three great civilizations. Flanking these figures are symbols which represent law enforcement and the tempering of justice with mercy. The presence of children suggests that civilization will continue through the learning of right and wrong.

The two figures with shields on the left-hand side suggest that disputes between states will be settled through enlightened justice. On the right side are symbols of maritime and other large functions which protect the United States.
At the corners of the pediment are symbols which represent the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare, study and the pondering of judgments, and the supremacy of the Court.

The US Supreme Court Building was the last project of Cass Gilbert's career, and was a team effort by members of his firm. Gilbert died in 1934, one year before the Building was completed.

•The Supreme Court building is 304 feet wide, 385 and long.
•The exterior is Vermont marble.
•The interior courtyard is Georgia marble.
•The floors are partially Alabama marble.
•The British used documents from the Supreme Court to burn the U.S. Capitol during the War of 1812.
•28 October, 2001 - For the first time in 66 years, the Supreme Court is forced to meet outside of its chambers. This change is ordered after anthrax was discovered in the mail room.
•17 June, 2003 - A five-year, US$122,000,000.00 renovation begins.

The main entrance to the Supreme Court Building is on the west side, facing the
United States Capitol.

A few low steps lead up to the 252-foot-wide oval plaza in front of
the building. Flanking these steps is a pair of marble candelabra with carved panels on their square bases depicting: Justice, holding sword and scales, and The Three Fates, weaving the thread of life. On either side of the plaza are fountains, flagpoles, and benches.

The bronze flagpole bases are crested with symbolic designs of the scales and sword, the book, the mask and torch, the pen and mace, and the four elements: air, earth, fire, and water.

On either side of the main steps are seated marble figures. These large statues are the work of sculptor James Earle Fraser. On the left is a female figure, the Contemplation of Justice. On the right is a male figure, the Guardian or Authority of Law.

Sixteen marble columns at the main west entrance support the pediment. On the
architrave above is incised .Equal Justice Under Law.. Capping the entrance is a sculptured group by Robert Aitken, representing Liberty Enthroned guarded by Order and Authority. On either side are groups of three figures depicting Council and Research which Aitken modelled after several prominent individuals concerned with the law or the creation of the Supreme Court Building. At the left are Chief Justice Taft as a youth, Secretary of State Elihu Root, and the architect Cass Gilbert. Seated on the right are Chief Justice Hughes, the sculptor Aitken, and Chief Justice Marshall as a young man.

Too often, visitors do not see the corresponding pediment and columns on the east side. Here the sculpture group is by Hermon A. MacNeil, and the marble figures represent great lawgivers, Moses, Confucius, and Solon, flanked by symbolic groups representing Means of Enforcing the Law, Tempering Justice with Mercy, Settlement of Disputes Between States, and Maritime and other functions of the Supreme Court. The architrave bears the legend:
.Justice the Guardian of Liberty..

One can enter the building through the opened bronze doors of the west front, each of which weighs six and one-half tons and slides into a wall recess when open. The door panels, sculpted by John Donnelly, Jr., depict historic scenes in the development of law: the trial scene from the shield of Achilles, as described in the Iliad; a Roman praetor publishing an edict; Julian and a pupil; Justinian publishing the Corpus Juris; King John sealing the Magna Carta; the Chancellor publishing the first Statute of Westminster; Lord Coke barring King James from sitting as a Judge; and Chief Justice Marshall and Justice Story.

The main corridor is known as the Great Hall. At each side, double rows of monolithic marble columns rise to a coffered ceiling. Busts of all former Chief Justices are set alternately in niches and on marble pedestals along the side walls. The frieze is decorated with medallion profiles of lawgivers and heraldic devices.

At the east end of the Great Hall, oak doors open into the Court Chamber. This
dignified room measures 82 by 91 feet and has a 44.foot ceiling. Its 24 columns are Old Convent Quarry Siena marble from Liguria, Italy; its walls and friezes are of Ivory Vein marble from Alicante, Spain; and its floor borders are Italian and African marble.

The raised Bench behind which the Justices sit during sessions, and other furniture in the Courtroom are mahogany. The Bench was altered in 1972 from a straight-line to a .winged. shape to provide sight and sound advantages over the original design.

At the left of the Bench is the Clerk of the Courts desk. The Clerk is responsible for
the administration of the Courts dockets and argument calendars, the supervision of the admission of attorneys to the Supreme Court Bar, and other related activities. To the right is the desk of the Marshal of the Court. The Marshal is the timekeeper of Court sessions, signalling the lawyer by white and red lights as to time limits. The Marshals responsibilities include the maintenance and security of the building and serving as the Courts building manager.

The attorneys arguing cases before the Court occupy the tables in front of the Bench. When it is their turn to argue, they address the Bench from the lectern in the center.

A bronze railing divides the public section from that reserved for the Supreme Court Bar. Representatives of the press are seated in the red benches along the left side of the Courtroom. The red benches on the right are reserved for guests of the Justices. The black chairs in front of those benches are for the officers of the Court and visiting dignitaries.

The main floor is largely occupied by the Justices. Chambers, offices for law clerks
and secretaries, the large, formal East and West Conference Rooms, the offices of the Marshal, an office for the Solicitor General, the Lawyers. Lounge, and the Justices. Conference Room and Robing Room. This office space surrounds four courtyards, each with a central fountain.

Most of the second floor is devoted to office space including the offices of the Reporter of Decisions and the Legal Office. The Justices. Library Reading Room and the Justices. Dining Room are also located here.

The Library occupies the third floor and has a collection of more than 450,000 volumes. To meet the informational needs of the Court, librarians draw on electronic retrieval systems and their microform collection in addition to books. The librarys main reading room is paneled in hand carved oak. The wood carving here, as throughout the building, is the work of the Matthews Brothers.

The ground floor is devoted to offices and public services, including the offices of the Clerk of the Court, the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice, police headquarters, the Public Information Office and Press Room, the Curators Office and the Personnel Office. On this floor visitors can view one of the two marble spiral staircases. Each ascends five stories and is supported only by overlapping steps and by their extensions into the wall.

Thumbnail by dbking

Carraig Fhada - Islay

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:52:01 GMT

A sight that all visitors arriving by ferry, via Port Ellen, will be familiar with. Maybe a more humble version of New Yorks Statue of Liberty???

The lighthouse stands on the tip of Carraig Fhada at the top of Kilnaughton Bay. Its beacon providing a fixed light to the main approaches to the harbour.

It was constructed to the memory of Lady Ellinor Campbell by her husband, Walter Frederick Campbell in 1832. The building work was undertaken by David Hamilton & Son.

[Port Ellen is also named after Lady Ellinor Campbell]

Over the door, there is the following inscription:

Ye who mid storms and tempests stray in
dangers midnight hour.
Behold where shines this friendly ray and
hail its guardian tower.

Tis but faint emblem of her light my fond
and faithful guide.
Whose sweet example meekin bright led
through this worlds eventful tide my happy course aright.

And still my guiding star she lives in realms
of bliss above.
Still to my heart blest influence gives and
prompts to deeds of love.

Tis she that bids me on the steep kindle this
beacons flame.
To light the wanderer o`er the deep who safe
shall bless her name.

So may sweet virtue lead your way that
when life`s voyage is o`er.
Secure like her with her you may attain the
heavenly shore.

Thumbnail by Nigel_Brown

Police Car Bonanza

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:51:46 GMT

In the wee hours of a Saturday morning on 34th street, I got out of the subway to find both sides of an entire block glittering with police cruisers with their lights on. I never did figure out what was going on, but it made for a beautiful sight. :)

Thumbnail by CarbonNYC [in SF!]

rockefeller center observation deck

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:51:39 GMT

Thumbnail by Ralph Hockens

Buddha Vairocana and The Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:51:32 GMT

The Great Buddha Hall at the Chuang Yan Monastery is constructed without internal pillars supporting the ceiling. This results in a spacious, unobstructed interior that reflects the spirit of Chuang Yen Monastery.

The building is 84 feet tall, contains 24,000 square feet of space and can accommodate 2,000 people in the main hall.

Seen Inside the Hall is a 37-foot statue of the Buddha Vairocana - the largest Buddha statue in the Western hemisphere.

Encircling the large statue are 10,000 small statues of the Buddha on a lotus terrace.

Surrounding the pedestal of of the Great Buddha Statue are 12 bas-reliefs of Bodhisattvas. A mural 8 feet high and 104 feet long covers the wall of the lotus terrace containing the 10,000 small Buddha statues. It depicts scenes from the "Pure Land" or "Western Paradise" of Amitabha Buddha.

At the back of the terrace is another mural 8 feet high and 144 feet long which contains lively pictures of 500 Ara. They have different facial expressions. These paintings are the masterpieces of Professor C.G. Chen. All paintings will be finished by 1999.

The construction of the Great Buddha and the building took 8 years. The Great Buddha has to be complete before the building. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to bring a huge Buddha into the building. Professor C.G. Chen spent 2 years just to complete the Great Buddha itself. The little Buddhas are also designed and fabricated by Professor C.G. Chen.

source: www.baus.org/baus/about_us/cym_buddha_hall.shtml

This is an amazing sight in a beautiful monastery.......

Thumbnail by Tony Fischer Photography

within the gulls

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:51:12 GMT

swooping, swirling and darting all about her was really a sight to behold.

i don't think that a photo can do it justice.

Thumbnail by striatic