Friday Night Photos Travelogue Pt5 Edition
Welcome to Friday Night Photos everyone. Your once a week break from the daily madness of the crazy world we live in. Post any photos, memes, music, or whatever else you find of interest that helps you escape the madness.
I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday. I spent the day with long time friends.
Good company along with good food plus beautiful weather (mid 70s and sunny skies) was a day to be truly thankful for.
Tonight's travelogue series takes us back to the Blackhawk Museum and their Chinese art exhibit.
"The Dragon Throne" The throne is the grand chair of state used in ceremonies when a new emperor ascended to the throne and other ceremonies.
Golden Chrysanthemum Blooming" Made from rare and valuable shells from Southeast Asia.
"Terracotta Warriors" Like snowflakes and fingerprints, no two warriors are alike.
From left to right color on silk portraits of Empress Xiao Zhuang Wen, The Qianlong Emperor, Emperor Kang Xi
"Three Buddhas" wood carving of Buddhist shrine
"Longevity Buddha"
The Forbidden City
"Dreamland" This is a small section of 20+ foot long wood carving.
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Comments
Hi Social
What a wonderful exhibition you have shared with us, thank you! You must have felt as if you stepped into a whole other world, especially in front of 'Dreamland', on the water.
The wood, terracotta and gold-lacquered woven-like sculptures are fascinating. Loved the music and video too.
It did feel like stepping into another world
The size, from small to large, and detail of these works of art is truly amazing.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Evening all
I hope you are all comfortably reviving after Thanksgiving.
A study in contrasts ...
Spring in the bush and hydrangeas from a friend's yard.
Be well and enjoy everyone
Hi, Janis
That first shot of the brush looks like a great place to get away from it all and commune with nature.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
It is a great place to escape to,
just a bit down the road. It's part of the Hillary(Edmund) trail in the Waitakere Ranges which I could manage. It is stunning and one of the best benefits of our taxes.
Lucky you living so close
Sure beats the shit out of where our tax dollars go.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Like I said,
it is 'one' of the benefits of our tax dollars. Like in america, most goes to supporting the wealthy. Edmund Hillary and his achievements are a natural fit for the 'outdoorsiness' of the majority of NZers.
Hey J!
Hi Janis,
You're spring looks great! Winter setting in here, low 30's tomorrow morning.
Isn't it Hydrangea that has some natural cyanide in it? I think so.
Nice pix, thanks!
be well!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Hi d!
For a day yesterday it felt like summer settled in with determination. From one night to the next, I went from sleeping under a warm down duvet to a thin sheet. Today was unsure what that extreme change was all about, so it just rained gently all day, readjusting in temperature. It's definitely settling though into Summer ... hopefully without too many extremes. Anything is possible these days.
I'll make sure from now on to handle the Hydrangea with care ; )
Hey J!
Hi Janis,
That sounds like our temp swings here in fall and spring. Cold fronts come down from the north, but the suck warm moist air up from the south the day before they arrive. So we are 80 one day, and freezing the next morning. This is routine here. And hard to dress for.
I do not think you get poisoned by touching the Hydrangea, but no teas with it.
happy trails!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Hi d
Your temperature swings are more extreme than in this temperate climate. It's all relative I guess. I'll stick to the teas I know and trust ; ).
Hydrangeas aren't good, but
oleanders are far worse. Anecdata includes tales of fatal poisoning from eating part of one leaf (and oleander leaves are quite small) or using oleander wood as skewers. (How accurate this is, I'm not certain, but don't take any chances!)
Quite a few garden plants are rated "toxic", including some that may surprise you.
Given oleander's notoriety, I'm dismayed at how popular it seems to be for landscaping around here. At least two public places have it growing "for pretty". Maybe the landscapers thought the risk was "overrated".
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
Oles nd drangeas
Hi Maven!
I grew up in California where Oleander is widely introduced. It was the plant of choice used by Road departments for a hedge between opposing lanes of traffic to block light. There are thousands of miles of roads with Oleander dividers. You did not have to water them. Also the stories about it being evil death were ubiquitous. Including from the socal Univ Botany profs. Some of the pioneer utensil stores were from CA I think. I heard that inhaling the smoke in a fire can be bad too. Which it can be with Poison Oak so I don't see why not with Oleander.
I think the Hydrangea situation is that it that it has to be eaten or ingested, and is not something one easily or normally would encounter.
Some hawks line nests with cherry boughs for the cyanotoxins in them, as an anti-mite strategy. I suspect the pure juniper (cedar) bark nest of the Golden-cheeked Warbler serves the same function.
Thanks for chiming in!
happy trails!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Stunning throne...
...and I've always been infatuated with those ornate mini-landscapes - in fact, I've always wanted to live on one.
In the Land of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is declared mentally ill for describing colors.
Yes Virginia, there is a Global Banking Conspiracy!
Hi Moonbat
Somehow I have no trouble picturing you living on one. One day maybe ; ).
Hi, Moonbat
You're right, the throne is stunning, but I got to think that sitting on it would not be comfortable. I guess that's a small price you pay for being the emperor.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Inspiring art exhibit SP
Thanks!
The guzheng cover reminded me of one of my favorites The Emperor Sun Quan.
I looked briefly for some background on the song, and found it was synthesized for a "vocaloid" whatever that is. This is an instrumental in the video, I found some rendition of the lengthy lyrics in English here:
权御天下 (Quán Yù Tiānxià)
I don't know the story from the 3 Kingdoms period, but had come across references to it, somewhere earlier in my browsing. I'm pretty sure the first time I had heard this music was from a busking video in Paris where a young Chinese woman in traditional clothing was playing this on a Guzheng on the street.
Sun Quan
I'll probably watch the movie Red Cliff to get a feel for the story.
語必忠信 行必正直
Hi, soryang
Great music selection. I'll have to see if I can find it on Spotify and add it to my play list. Thanks for the links. You're right, those are some lengthy lyrics.
Here's a link that explains what vocaloid is. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocaloid
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
SP that was helpful
It's another world. I had no idea when I first heard this. This is the vocaloid "artist" credited with the song:
These are voice sources for the Chinese and Japanese versions, respectively:
Luo Tianyi
This is from the wikipedia entry for Utaite:
세상에... What in the world! Now I really feel old.
語必忠信 行必正直
Thanks for all the info, soryang
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Look who just came to visit ...
Google says it's a Hermann's Tortoise, native to North Africa, southern Europe, and southwest Asia. It must be a pet that has escaped its adopted home.
Cool visitor, Janis
From the description I read it appears to be a male. Maybe it's out searching for a mate.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Hey J!
Neat beast Janis!
If not native... I would probably 'corral' it until I found out if there was an established population known or not. Most non-natives compete with and or hybridize with, natives, besides the pathogen issue. I would think the local wildlife people would know whaddup with those locally.
Great pic!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Hi d
If he resurfaces I will corral him and ask my neighbour to add a notice to the local facebook page, as it would likely be someone’s lost pet.
It is listed as ‘’endangered’ in its native habitat. There are no native Tortoises in NZ to cohabitate with.
Now that I know more, I wish I had wrangled it while I could. Hopefully he visits again and I have another opportunity.
Hi again d!
I think I have a new friend who likes spinach. I didn't see Hermann again until this afternoon when he was checking out the edge of solid ground above the landslip.
He's quite smart to have retreated from the edge. I'm not sure what to do since he seems to like it here?
Hey J!
Herman huh?
I could probably tell you what sex it is with a photo of the plastron (the ventral shell. As long as there are no laws there about mis-genering a tortoise I guess yer safe anyway...
I liked your idea about a Fbook post as it is not likely to be from too far away. But I would likely call the Fish and Wildlife or Game people, Animal control, etc., as a non-native I expect they would want it out of the environment. They would know if it is an on-going thing or a one-off release or escape.
best to Herman!
be well amiga!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Hi pixelators
Hey all, Hi SP!
Awesome photos SP! Beautiful art. Amazing wood carving.
I just have one quickie and gotta fly...
Pride of Barbados
aka Mexican Bird of Paradise and Red Bird of Paradise. It is a legume, like a pea, and nothing like the monocot we know as Bird-of-Paradise. It is also unknown where they originated from, as they were widely introduced in the Americas before Euro man got here. Mostly around the Caribbean, to Mexico, and northern South America. It is believed to have originated in the eastern Caribbean, maybe in Barbados. If you put the seed pod in a paper bag they fire off like popcorn when they open.
happy trails all!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Hi, dystopian
That's what I call one red hot flower. I've seen a blossom that looks similar on a tree only it was all yellow. I went looking through my archives but wasn't able to find an image of it.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Hi SP!
Hi SP,
Check out Retama, or the similar Palo Verde trees, there are a few types. Also the Euro Silk Oak is somewhat similar, and a large showy ornamental commonly cultured. Maybe either of those?
Though, to quote Monty Python, "I'm not a bleeding botanist!" From the 'Give me your Lupines" sketch.
You are right, that dang throne does not very comfortable for all its beauty...
be well bro!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Sort of like those Mexican jumping beans,
only audible ; ).
Great ancient Chinese images, Sp.
I like the tunes posted today, too.
Had a fun Turkey Day. Drove 2 hours south to Ft. Pierce and ate with old friends. Big plus as we got out of the house. Had to celebrate the end of the 2024 Storm Season. Hooray! Some friends who live in the Blue Ridge Mts. near Asheville escaped the worse. They had flooding in a creek at the front of their property, and huge trees down. Lucky--no house damage. They said it was a mess! Still had the major route out of there partially blocked by debris--had to take back routes. I use to daydream about visiting the PRC as a kid. Not anymore as the climate damage and pollution is bad. Enjoyed all the goodies today. Rec'd!! 
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
Hi, obf
Glad to hear you had a good turkey day and that your storm season is over. It's a shame the government has done so little for the people of Asheville. But hey, we got tons of money for Ukraine and Israhell.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
I saw the Terra Cotta soldiers in China.
I learned the artists who finished them were killed as soon as they showed them to the Emperor. (No good deed goes unpunished.)
As for oleanders, my client was running for a school board position against the sitting district attorney who was on the board. He located her ex-husband in Washington, flew the man to Texas to testify to a grand jury his ex-wife tried to kill him with oleander. Tax payer dollars.
Since he wasn't dead, the grand jury didn't indict her. The third candidate in the three way race won the school board election.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981