Thursday, October 29, 2015

At The Cloisters with Lynn and Sue

Sue and Lynn with cool columns
Lynn and her sister Sue visited last week-end.  One of the cool things we did was go up to the Cloisters.  I am sure you know, but if you don't remember, I will refresh your memory.  The Cloisters is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met).

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It was created, and later donated, by John Rockefeller.  He purchased a number of different pieces of Gothic European Religious Art in Europe.  He had the Cloisters built to house the collection and, in some instances, to be built with the collection.
The colors on this were sooo vivid.
A "cloister" is technically a walkway that is enclosed on three sides, often around a courtyard.  Mr. Rockefeller purchased a number of the columns for cloisters and had them built at the top of Manhattan.
Various columns around one of the courtyards.

It has beautiful art, and it was a kick to go with Sue and Lynn.

The outside doesn't really show what is inside.

Eddie and Sue


I Saw This With Lynn and Loved It.

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For More - clink link on top.


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Ahh.... Not True

This is why people get pissed off about scolds.  Look at this and see if you see the problem.
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The problem is, of course, the  comment "(and are as Dangerous as Cigarettes)".  You see, that is bullshit.
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Cigarettes increase your prospect for Cancer by 2000%.  Processed meats by 18%.  Lets look at what that means.
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Lets just say 100 people out of 10,000 will get cancer if the don't eat bacon / sausage OR smoke.
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Now, if those 10,000 all smoke, then 2,000 people would get cancer - all else people equal.
Now, if those 10,000 all eat bacon, then 118 people would get cancer.
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So NO, not as dangerous as cigarettes.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Someone Take The Twitter Feed Away From Mike Huckabee

Mike Huckabee is one of our Republican Presidential Candidates.  Last time he ran (2008) he did reasonably well for a while as the nice Christian.  In 2012 he stayed out to be a commentator and to sell a diabetes cure that was dependent on (swear to Go) eating cinnamon rolls and getting off medicine  (you can't make that shit up - link here).
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This year he is back and trying a new tack.  He isn't the nice Christian this time.
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He is fighting with Ted Cruz on who hates gays the most.  He had a press reception for Kim Davis (the woman who won't do the job she swore to uphold because she hates gays so much).  Ted Cruz was there as well, but one of candidate Huckabee's aids blocked him from the stage.
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Then there is his twitter feed.  Oye.  These are my three favorites (and no you can't click to follow - you can find him yourself if you so desire, I am not helping).
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While I appreciate the sentiment, Mike has no "small" anything

Mike did not understand why people though this was racist.
Really.
He said people who complained here were supporting the North Korean Dictator
I have no idea whey the Republicans are having problems with non-whites.

The "It Gets Better" sick organization is there to help stop LBGT kids suicide.
See, now Donald Trump isn't the craziest in the room, right?

ABC News Screws UP What is On The Screen and Claims a Lie

I don't know how else to say this.  ABC News last night was discussing Clinton's Bengazhi testimony.  One of their key "reveals" was that she sent her daughter a e-mail that the attack was from a Al Queda LINKED group.
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But if you read the email, right on the screen, it says Al Queda LIKE group.
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A Screen Capture from their Broadcast
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Those are two very different things.  LINKED is a terror group linked to an enemy we are officially at war with.  LIKE group we don't know but seems to be a terror group.
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Are they sloppy, stupid or devious?

New York's Massive Overcompensation Issue

New York is one of the best cities to live in anywhere in the world.  It has amazing theater, astounding food, museums, parks, a wonderful transportation system.  Really Great.  Really.  No argument.
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However, there is a really weird ass side to the city that is typified by Donald Trump.  You know how when he talks there are always 2 points he is making.  One; He is the best, the biggest, the smartest, the top, yuuuge.  And two; The other guys are idiots, stupid, can't negotiate, ugly, harbor a grudge, having their monthly womanly cycle, too ugly to answer and so on.
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New Yorkers are all that way.  All the time.  It isn't enough New York is great, everyone else sucks.  Philly is a shit hole.  LA is a cultural wasteland.  Miami is full of Cuban Grifters.  Dallas and Houston have nothing but big hair and oil money - want not even oil money now HA HA.  Washington couldn't get shit down without New York money.  Boston, phfft!
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And it is personal.  It's not like they are cities that aren't as wonderful, it is like these cities are people that have the audacity to even pretend to be as great as F*ucking New York City.  And, while I love this city, let's not forget it is a urine soaked trash-heap whose infrastructure peaked somewhere before World War One.
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And please stop screaming.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

The Aviary at Waddesdon

Panoramic
Back to Waddesdon kids.  Here is an aviary they was constructed in 1903.  Now it hasn't operated continuously. During WWII it was shut down - no extra food for the birds.
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Gareth, Barbara and I on our visit.

But it was restarted by the family in 1977.  It is now designed not as a folly for the Rothschilds, but to a part of the world effort to save endangered species.  Many of the birds are relatively common.  But the Rothschild's Mynah - named after them, had a fluctuating population which dropped to 6 birds in the wild in 2001.  There is a breeding program here and new birds have been reintroduced and the population is growing again.
A Rothschild Mynah.  It's only an okay picture because I used the iPhone, but still.  This little bugger is helping rebuild a wild population in Bali!
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There is no other word for the place except glorious.
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A good picture of the detail.  The aviary isn't a "walk through" type, but is designed for viewing and comfort.

bird  :-)

Well My Optimism is been shit-canned by now.

Congrats life, you shit-canned my optimism:
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Haaretz link : Hitler Didn't Want to Exterminate the Jews  (spoiler: he says The Palestinians made him to it.)
According the Prime Minister of Israel - he wasn't such a bad guy until the Muslims made him kill Jews.
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NBC link: Ben Carson (2nd place in the Republican Presidential Primary) thinks that people should be allowed to fly the Confederate Flag and it is not tied to racism.
Re:Ben Carson - Not Racist.  The flag that was used to defend slavery and then reintroduced in ex-slave states during the civil rights when whites fought to keep African Americans from voting.  Not racist.
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Washington Post link: Donald Trump (in 1st place in Republican Presidential Primary) : Mexicans are rapists and murders.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
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Hence:

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Bitter Much?

I don't have to read this story to know that the headline you choose will not play well with whoever you are trying to reach.

So, According to Netanyahu, Adolf Wasn't the Bad Guy!


Bebe Netanyahu hates the Palestinians soooooo much he has concocted a lie to move the blame of the holocaust - the genocidal murder of 6 million people - from the Nazi's to the Muslims.  (link).  
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According to Bebe (somehow given the same magical powers of revisionism based on zero facts as given to Ben Carson), Hitler just wanted to kick them out of Germany.  But the Mufti of Jerusalem said to kill them instead, since he didn't want them coming to Israel.  According to Bebe, the Mufti said, "Burn them." *
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This is, of course, crap.  The visit was in November 28th,1941; and the first speech Hitler gave on exterminating the Jews was in 1939 .  The first mass killings of Jews started in June of 1941.  So unless Bebe is giving Hitler the power to predict the future, the Mufti didn't influence him.
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But then again, Bebe is making shit up anyway, why not give Hitler the power to predict the future.**
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So, to put this in perspective.  Mr. Netanyahu is the elected leader of Israel, who has twice this year repudiated the Oslo Peace Process his country signed up for.  He said that negotiations would never happen under his administration in elections.  And now shifts the blame of the holocaust from Hitler to Muslims.
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But claims he can't work with the Palestinians until the stop fighting for their own (illegally occupied) land.  No wonder we are witnessing the start of the 3rd intifada. 
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* PS.  In Germany and France, this is called "Holocaust Denial" and is a crime.
PPS. Does this mean that we are all okay with swastika's and Heil Hitler's now?
** I wonder how Bebe sees it. (spoiler - sarcasm follows)  Perhaps Bebe sees Hitler sitting in a cell in an Austrian Jail as he writes Mein Kampf going - "Humm, what to do about those Pesky Jews?  I know, I will exile the from Germany."  When he is visited by the Mufti of Jerusalem in kind of a 'Ghost of Christmas' Future' way who says "No, Adolf, bubby.  I have a better idea.  Burn them.  It will be good for you and I, as a man of God, think it is the right thing to do".

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Wicked 10 Years On Creates "Out of Oz"

(from YouTube)
Published on Oct 19, 2015
Watch the first video in our exciting new series Out of Oz: Wicked Studio Sessions, where favorite Wicked alumni and current performers sing reimagined versions of Wicked songs. Enjoy this duet version of “Defying Gravity” with Elphaba Rachel Tucker, and former Fiyero Aaron Tveit!
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PS - I LOVE Aaron Tveit!  He was the original Gabe in Next To Normal that I saw with Ed and Lisa.  And the original Catch Me If You Can guy.  But first he was Fiyero for a few years.
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I am sure it says something horrible about me that I agree with this....


Forgive Me While I Nerd Out

Waddesdon in England is one very cool place.  The Manor house of one of the Rothschilds, it is beautiful and stuffed with Art.
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Oddly enough, the Barron seemed to share my fascinating with clocks.  He had all kinds.  I am including some below, because I think they are wicked neat!
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A mantel clock of gold leaf with crossing carriages

A small mantel clock foreshadowing Art Deco

Look at the man in the lower right for scale.  This was just outside the Conservatory.

So this hung from the ceiling and you looked up to read it.  Above the mechanism is a birdcage with a fake bird to sing the hours.

Just kind of cool

Okay - my favorite.  It is black lacker desktop with 2 clocks.  The lower for when writing at the desk and the upper for other people in the roof to see.  The detail up top is amazing.

Republicans and Hillary are Stupid and Wrong about a No Fly Zone

The latest rage is to call for a no fly zone in Syria (link).  This might have made sense (might) before Russia joined the fight, but only a little.  And none now.
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We are, technically, fighting only against ISIS.  And ISIS has no Air Force.  So the "No Fly Zone" would be useless.  So, let's start with that is a dumb-ass suggestion.
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Now, Syria when was bombing other rebels, so we could have imposed it over their areas.  After a vote to go to war with Syria, which isn't a terrorist country and so doesn't fall under the current mandate.  A vote that President Obama has asked for and no Republican in Congress has acted on.  So it would be illegal.  And here we have the GREAT irony of the Republicans, who argue that President Obama is a dictator, that he should ignore Congress and go to war with Syria.
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So it made no real sense even back then.
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But now!  Kids, Russia is flying against rebels and ISIS.  How do you plan to enforce a no-fly zone?  Are you going to attack Russian planes?  That is asinine.  Governor Christie (as one of the clowns running for President) said he would shoot down Russian plane.  Which is stupid  AND a lie.
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I mean, why would you start a war with Russia?  Over what?  What is Christie's, or Hillary's or Jeb!'s or Fiornia's goal.  I don't even mean and exit plan, what is there goal to start a war with Russia.  Get rid of ISIS in Syria?  Yeah, I don't thinking starting a war with Russia - already proved they are happy to invade people, is the best method to deal with ISIS?
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Idiots.

Monday, October 19, 2015

The Irony Is Astounding!

Time Gowdy is the Chairman of the Benghazi Committee, which has been called, by THREE REPUBLICANS, including the Republican House of Representatives Leader(!), a successful operation to discredit Hillary Clinton and reduce her poll numbers.
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Timmy has subsequently had interviews where he whines about it (link).   My favorite piece of assholery is below:
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“I would say in some ways these have been among the worst weeks of my life,” Gowdy said this weekend during a lengthy interview with POLITICO. “Attacks on your character, attacks on your motives, are 1,000-times worse than anything you can do to anybody physically — at least it is for me.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/trey-gowdy-benghazi-214911#ixzz3p3AytSHg
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I don't doubt the truth of that comment.  It is terrible.  Terrible.  And it is EXACTLY what your committee is doing to Hillary Clinton.  You smug idiot.
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"Whaaaaaaa!" -
Also, doesn't he look like a long lost Malfroy relative.
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What's Fair For the Goose... Bitches

There is quite the Republican kerfuffle now over Trump's latest comments.  He said that 9/11 wouldn't have happened on his watch.  It may not have been Bush the Younger's fault, but...  it did happen under that President (link).
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The Republican establishment in general and Jeb! in particular are up in arms about this.  To which I say, What's good for the goose is good for the gander, bitches.
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You see, the Republicans have been "investigating" Benghazi now for 17 months and cost $4,500,000.00 to date.  This is longer than Congress investigated 9/11 (link).
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And Bush The Younger did get a warning about a month earlier (Aug 6, 2001) that Bin Laden was determined to attack in America and use planes (link).
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So, if you Republicans want to attack Secretary of State (not President) Clinton for an attack, in a Libyan city (not the capital) where the budget constraints (set by Republicans) were of priority and 4 people died... - then it is totally fair to call out the President when an attack killed over 3,000 Americans and the President was warned directly 34 days prior.
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Thems the breaks.  And it is a Republican doing the attacking here, because the Republicans have set the precedent that any attacks are fair game.  I suppose "Live by the sword, die by the sword" also works in this case.
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It is also poetic justice since two Republican members and one Congressional Staff member from the committee have all said this is just a hatchet job on Hillary Clinton.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

I Love It, But I Fear It Isn't the Best Thing for Me... Mentally

Mr. Robot is amazing.  A MAZE ING.
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But, for all it's "Amazing" ness for me, I am not sure that it is a good idea to watch it.
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In a total non-spoiler, we find in episode 1 that Elliot is in court-ordered therapy, is prone to excessive delusions (which he lies about), has a tenuous link with reality, and it personally heartbroken / sickened, by the world he sees around him.  And yet, in that same episode, he is envious of those that can ignore all that and have no problems every day.
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Yeah, that is quite the series start.
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And I watched the first episode again on the plane from England.  After the big you know what (unless you haven't watched in in which case, you don't, but that is your fault).  It is even better, deepr and more mid-blowing.
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And yet...
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It tends to show the the rabbit hole, even if it doesn't take me down it.  Because, let's face it, there but for pure dumb-ass luck, go I.  I went to my therapy at the right time on my own.  I was knocked out of my wildly introverted self first by friends and then working in a bar.  Had I not had friends that were also a bit off, and so supportive, in college, then I would have been the crazy loner - worried that everyone in a suit was following me and afraid to say hello to anyone.
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Because... I do think we have allowed the game to be fixed.  I do, sometimes, have trouble enjoying the little things by worrying about the big things.  I fear for refugees we ignore, children we let starve, things we can't undo.  And that, God forbid, we elect Donald Trump.
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How I feel on a bad day.

Can't Sleep - Checking Web - Noticed this and thought....

So we are back.  More pictures and tale soon.  But this morning I was cleaning out my inbox and checking the web and I saw this..
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And I thought. It's not the Pitt Bull that is the click bait here.  The story (link) is about this rescued Pitt Bull and his ability to do photos with adorable kittens.  This is important because the shelter needs funs after the 1,000 year storms that battered the shelter.
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But, there are no kittens in this picture.  As a public service I would also like to point out that Caitlyn the Pitt Bull also is raising money with a Pitt Bull / Firefighter calendar (here).  And here is an entirely non-gratuitous shot from the calendar to show you how cute Caitlyn is..
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Thursday, October 15, 2015

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Today at Nyman's House and Garden

Nyman's house and Gardens was beautiful estate. The original estate burnt down in 1947. Only partially rebuilt. 

The Day At Nymans