Friday Night Photos Travelogue Pt5 Edition

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 5:00pm

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.

Unknown

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Submitted by janis b on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 6:15pm

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.

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 7:23pm

It did feel like stepping into another world

@janis b
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.

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 6:23pm

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

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 7:32pm

Hi, Janis

@janis b
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.

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 7:46pm

It is a great place to escape to,

@Socialprogressive

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.

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 7:56pm

Lucky you living so close

@janis b
Sure beats the shit out of where our tax dollars go.

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I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 8:07pm

Like I said,

@Socialprogressive

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.

Submitted by dystopian on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 10:23pm

Hey J!

@janis b 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

Submitted by janis b on Sat, 11/30/2024 - 12:07am

Hi d!

@dystopian

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 ; )

Submitted by dystopian on Sat, 11/30/2024 - 9:01am

Hey J!

@janis b 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

Submitted by janis b on Sat, 11/30/2024 - 8:56pm

Hi d

@dystopian

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 ; ).

Submitted by TheOtherMaven on Sat, 11/30/2024 - 9:52am

Hydrangeas aren't good, but

@dystopian

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.

Submitted by dystopian on Sun, 12/01/2024 - 12:13pm

Oles nd drangeas

@TheOtherMaven 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

Submitted by The Liberal Moonbat on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 6:42pm

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!

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 6:58pm

Hi Moonbat

@The Liberal Moonbat

Somehow I have no trouble picturing you living on one. One day maybe ; ).

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 7:37pm

Hi, Moonbat

@The Liberal 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.

Submitted by soryang on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 8:31pm

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

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 9:20pm

Hi, soryang

@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

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I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.

Submitted by soryang on Sat, 11/30/2024 - 6:45am

SP that was helpful

@Socialprogressive

It's another world. I had no idea when I first heard this. This is the vocaloid "artist" credited with the song:

Luo Tianyi (洛天依) is a Chinese VOCALOID formerly developed by Bplats, Inc. under the YAMAHA Corporation, and was created in collaboration with Shanghai HENIAN. She was the grand winning entry of the "VOCALOID™ CHINA" contest which was held for choosing the design of the first Chinese VOCALOID. Tianyi was released in July 2012 for the VOCALOID3 engine.

These are voice sources for the Chinese and Japanese versions, respectively:

She is voiced by two different people. Shan Xin (山新 / 王宥霁 Wáng Yòujì), a professional Chinese voice actress, provided the voice for all current Luo Tianyi releases. In April 2018, it was confirmed that Shan Xin and Kano, a Japanese Utaite, collaborated to provide the samples for Luo Tianyi V4 Japanese.[6

Luo Tianyi

This is from the wikipedia entry for Utaite:

Utaite (歌い手) is a Japanese term for amateur singers who post covers on the Internet, especially on sites like Niconico and YouTube.

세상에... What in the world! Now I really feel old.

—

語必忠信行必正直

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Sat, 11/30/2024 - 9:46am

Thanks for all the info, soryang

@soryang

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I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 9:35pm

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.

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 10:28pm

Cool visitor, Janis

@janis b
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.

Submitted by dystopian on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 10:31pm

Hey J!

@janis b 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

Submitted by janis b on Sat, 11/30/2024 - 12:09am

Hi d

@dystopian

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.

Submitted by janis b on Sat, 11/30/2024 - 9:03pm

Hi again d!

@dystopian

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?

Submitted by dystopian on Sun, 12/01/2024 - 12:22pm

Hey J!

@janis b 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

Submitted by janis b on Mon, 12/02/2024 - 1:54am

Hi d!!!

@dystopian

Mystery solved In warp speed, primarily because this is a small hamlet of people and pets connected to the Facebook grapevine. it literally took only 25 minutes to resolve who Hermann belonged to and discover he was safely and comfortably back home. Seems he likes to go walkabout. Let’s just hope he doesn’t find a partner, which may be what he’s looking for and becomes an invasive agent.
Your input and deep insight and knowledge and experience in matters of nature are always appreciated.

Submitted by dystopian on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 10:20pm

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

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 11:33pm

Hi, dystopian

@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.

Submitted by dystopian on Sat, 11/30/2024 - 9:07am

Hi SP!

@Socialprogressive 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

Submitted by janis b on Sat, 11/30/2024 - 12:11am

Sort of like those Mexican jumping beans,

@dystopian

only audible ; ).

Submitted by orlbucfan on Sun, 12/01/2024 - 9:37am

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.

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Sun, 12/01/2024 - 11:21am

Hi, obf

@orlbucfan
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.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sun, 12/01/2024 - 11:06pm

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

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Mon, 12/02/2024 - 9:33am

Hi, otc

@on the cusp
Seems odd that the emperor would have the artist killed. The closest I've been to China is Hong Kong back in the late 70s when it still belonged to the Brits. I'd love to go back again some day.

—

I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.