The Irrawaddy River

The Irrawaddy River

The Irrawaddy, or Ayeyarwady, is Myanmar‘s longest river and its most important commercial waterway. For many centuries, it was Myanmar’s principal communication route. The 1,000-mile (1,600-km) river bisects the country from north to south and empties into the Indian Ocean through a vast, nine-armed delta, which is one of the world’s great rice-producing regions. The Ayeyarwady lends its name to what animal found in its waters? More… Discuss

great compositions/performances: Prokofiev – Symphony No.1 Opus 25 “Classical” (Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Valery Gergiev)

Prokofiev – Symphony No.1 Opus 25 “Classical” (Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Valery Gergiev)

EuroArtsChannel

Published on May 1, 2015

Recorded on 15 April 2012 at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.

Symphony Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg / Valery Gergiev – musical director

Sergei Prokofiev – Symphony No.1 Opus 25 “Classical” (15’)
0:35 I. Allegro
5:20 II. Larghetto
9:35 III. Gavotta (Non troppo allegro)
11:17 IV. Finale (Molto vivace)

The Easter Festival is an internationally renowned event among classical music lovers, traditionally opened in Moscow on Easter Sunday. Each year the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra and its musical director Valery Gergiev travel across Russia – for the past 10 years now!
In 2012 we were given an exceptional musical gift: the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev performed the complete cycle of Sergei Prokofiev’s symphonies and piano concerti – a composer with whom Maestro Gergiev and the orchestra seem particularly in tune.

 

today’s holiday/celebration: Gawai Dayak

Gawai Dayak

Gawai Dayak is a rice harvest festival of the Dayak people of Sarawak, Malaysia, on the northern coast of Borneo. Some aspects of the celebrations have remained essentially the same for centuries. At midnight on the eve of Gawai Dayak, a house elder conducts the chief ritual: while sacrificing a white cock, he recites a poem to ask for guidance, blessings, and a long life. Other events include the selection of the most beautiful man and woman to be king and queen of the harvest, dancing, a feast of rice, eggs, and vegetables, and the serving of traditional tuak, rice wine. More… Discuss

New at my Browser: Lightshot — screenshot tool for Mac & Win

LIGHTSHOT ADD-ON WORTH A TRY

Lightshot — screenshot tool for Mac & Win.

Today In History. What Happened This Day In History

A chronological timetable of historical events that occurred on this day in history. Historical facts of the day in the areas of military, politics, science, music, sports, arts, entertainment and more. Discover what happened today in history.

Today in History
May 5

1494		Christopher Columbus lands on the island of Jamaica, which he names Santa Gloria.
1814		British attack the American forces at Ft. Ontario, Oswego, New York.
1821		Napoleon Bonaparte dies in exile on the island of St. Helena.
1834		The first mainland railway line opens in Belgium.
1862		Union and Confederate forces clash at the Battle of Williamsburg, part of the Peninsula Campaign.
1862		Mexican forces loyal to Benito Juarez defeat troops sent by Napoleon III in the Battle of Puebla.
1865		The 13th Amendment is ratified, abolishing slavery.
1886		A bomb explodes on the fourth day of a workers’ strike in Chicago.
1912		Soviet Communist Party newspaper Pravda begins publishing.
1916		U.S. Marines invade the Dominican Republic.
1917		Eugene Jacques Bullard becomes the first African-American aviator when he earns a flying certificate with the French Air Service.
1920		Anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti are arrested for murder.
1935		American Jesse Owens sets the long jump record.
1942		General Joseph Stilwell learns that the Japanese have cut his railway out of China and is forced to lead his troops into India.
1945		Holland and Denmark are liberated from Nazi control.
1961		Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space.
1965		173rd Airborne Brigade arrives in Bien Hoa-Vung, Vietnam, the first regular U.S. Army unit deployed to that country.
1968		U.S. Air Force planes hit Nhi Ha, South Vietnam in support of attacking infantrymen.
1969		Pulitzer Prize awarded to Norman Mailer for his ‘nonfiction novel’ Armies of the Night, an account of the 1967 anti-Vietnam War march on the Pentagon.
1987		Congress opens Iran-Contra hearings.
2000		The Sun, Earth, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn align – Earth’s moon is also almost in this alignment – leading to Doomsday predictions of massive natural disasters, although such a ‘grand confluence’ occurs about once in every century.
Born on May 5
1813		Soren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher.
1818		Karl Marx, German philosopher (The Communist Manifesto, Das Kapital).
1830		John B. Stetson, American hat maker.
1861		Peter Cooper Hewitt, electrical engineer, inventor of the mercury-vapor lamp.
1883		Charles Albert “Chief” Bender, baseball player.
1890		Christopher Morley, writer (Kitty Foyle).
1899		Freeman F. Gosden, radio comedy writer and performer (Amos ‘n’ Andy).
1909		Carlos Baker, biographer.
1943		Michael Palin, actor and screenwriter (Monty Python’s Flying Circus).

– See more at: http://www.historynet.com/today-in-history#sthash.6DhlyMv5.dpuf

Debussy: Danse (Tarantelle Styrienne) L. 69 , Claudio Arrau

Danse (Tarantelle Styrienne) L. 69

Claudio Arrau – Topic

Danse (Tarantelle Styrienne) L. 69

Claudio Arrau

℗ 2011 Unchained Melodie

Released on: 2011-12-01

Composer: Claude Debussy

 

The Salic Law

The Salic law was the rule of succession in some royal and noble European families that forbid females to succeed to certain titles or offices in the family. It likely came from the Salian Franks, who prohibited women from succeeding to the throne. The rule was most prominently enforced by the house of Valois and the succeeding house of Bourbon in France and was involved in the rivalry of Stephen and Matilda for the English throne. What impact did it have when Victoria became queen of England? More… Discuss

Holy See to UN: stop ignoring attacks on Christian women, girls

via Holy See to UN: stop ignoring attacks on Christian women, girls

from CNA: Holy See to UN: stop ignoring attacks on Christian women, girls (click to access article)

 

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Saint of the Day for Sunday, January 18th, 2015: St. Volusian St. Volusian

Saint of the Day for Sunday, January 18th, 2015

St. Volusian

Bishop of Tours, France. A senator at Tours, he was initially married, supposedly to a most unpleasant wife. Named bishop of the city in 488, he was forced to leave the see in 496 by the Arian … continue reading

More Saints of the Day

St. Volusian St. Ammonius St. Archelais and Companions St. Bastmus St. Day St. Deicola St. Fazzio St. Jaime Hilario Barbel St. Leobard

St. Liberata St. Margaret of Hungary Bl. Marie de la Dive du Verdier Bl. Monique Pichery St. Moseus & Ammonius St. Ulfrid Bl. Victoire Gusteau St. Vincenza Mary Lopez y Vicuna

today’s holiday: Harbin Ice and Snow Festival (2015)

Harbin Ice and Snow Festival (2015)

This extravaganza of ice sculptures takes place from January 5 through February in the port city of Harbin, the second largest city of northeast China, located in Heilongjiang Province. The sculptures, using themes of ancient legends and stories and modern historic events, depict pavilions, temples, and mythic animals and persons. Located in Zhaolin Park, they shimmer in the sun by day, and at night are illuminated in a rainbow of colors. Theatrical events, art exhibitions, and a photo exhibition mark festival time, and wedding ceremonies are often scheduled in the ice-filled park. More… Discuss

today’s holiday: Hostos Day (2015)

Hostos Day (2015)

Eugenio Maria de Hostos (1839-1903) was a Puerto Rican philosopher and patriot who became a leader of the opposition to Spanish colonial rule in the 19th century. He campaigned for the education of women in Brazil, and his books on law and education triggered reforms in other Latin American countries. He even sponsored the first railroad between Chile and Argentina, across the Andes Mountains. The anniversary of his birth is observed as a public holiday in Puerto Rico on the second Monday in January. More… Discuss

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this pressed for #jesuischarlie: World Leaders Head Paris March Honoring Terror Victims – ABC News

Home> International

World Leaders Head Paris March Honoring Terror Victims

Jan 11, 2015, 11:21 AM ET

By ABC News via Good Morning America

PHOTO: The crowd gather at Republique square in Paris, France, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015.

The crowd gather at Republique square in Paris, France, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015.

Peter Dejong/AP Photo

Next Video Terror Suspect May Have Fled to Syria

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Roughly one million people – including leaders from around the world – today marched as part of “a cry for freedom” to honor those killed in this week’s terror attacks in Paris.

The march began Sunday afternoon at the Place de la Republique, near the Charlie Hebdo offices where 12 people were killed Wednesday.

People huddled in the windy streets – some appearing solemn, some upbeat – marching with French flags and “Je suis Charlie” signs. Portions of the crowd spontaneously burst into applause as they marched.

via World Leaders Head Paris March Honoring Terror Victims – ABC News.

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this pressed for your compationate heart (hertz, inima, coeur, 心 , corazón, from https://translate.google.com/#auto/es/heart: Flash – Pope offers Christmas phone greetings to Iraqi refugees – France 24

24 December 2014 – 20H47

Pope offers Christmas phone greetings to Iraqi refugees

inShare
© AFP/File | Pope Francis waves to the crowd at St Peter‘s Square on December 17, 2014, at the Vatican
VATICAN CITY (AFP) – (press here – if you wish-but nothing will happen 🙂 )

 

 

Pope Francis spoke by telephone to Iraqis living in a displaced people’s camp near the main Kurdish city Arbil on Wednesday, assuring them they were in his Christmas thoughts.

The refugees were among those driven from their homes around Mosul last summer in an offensive by the jihadist Islamic State group (IS), and the pontiff used a satellite phone connection provided by Catholic channel TV 2000 to offer them his support.

via Flash – Pope offers Christmas phone greetings to Iraqi refugees – France 24.

******this pressed for your compationate heart (hertz, inima, coeur, 心 , corazón, from https://translate.google.com/#auto/es/heart******

FROM FRANCE 24: How a string of ‘isolated’ attacks put France on high alert!

How a string of ‘isolated’ attacks put France on high alert

http://f24.my/13C47bk 

or HERE

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This pressed for a lesson to be learned: Politician pelted with fries and mayo| must watch!

Politician pelted with fries and mayo.

Politician pelted with fries and mayo

CNN Newsroom|Added on December 23, 2014After activists attacked him with mayonnaise and fries, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel shed his coat and carried on.

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Table Tennis

Article of the Day

Table Tennis Table tennis originated in 19th-century England and soon spread to several European countries and to the US. In 1926, the International Table Tennis Federation was founded to standardize rules and equipment. The sport won publicity in 1971 when a US team was invited to play in China, thereby initiating the first officially sanctioned Sino-American cultural exchange in almost 20 years. The name “ping pong” is derived from the sound generated in play, as is what other nickname for the sport? More… Discuss

Haiku – La Tour Eiffel, poetic thought by George-B (the smudge and other poems

Haiku – La Tour Eiffel, poetic thought by George-B

It feels unreal 
La tour Eiffel top’s clouded:
black-in-white makes grays.

**********************************************
More poems>>>>>>> Here >>>>>>>>Here>>>>>>>>and down here:

EU court orders France to pay thousands to Somali pirates

http://f24.my/1zVm2Uz

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this day in the yesteryear: India: Scars of Bhopal disaster hard to heal–France 24 Internationale

via  India: Scars of Bhopal disaster hard to heal
–France 24 Internationale

**********************************************************************

Just a thought: “This day in yesteryear: The worst environmental disaster llives up to its predicament! Soil, water, air, and habitat are still suffering the fallout of this human civilization tragedy! Ask yourselves: Do I wish this to happen again?”
– George-B

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• Warren M. Anderson, who led Union Carbide during 1984 Bhopal disaster, dies at 92

Americans with HIV Undertreated

Only 30 percent of Americans infected with HIV have the virus under control, according to a new report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Based on statistics from 2011, the report found that the remaining 70 percent failed to achieve “viral suppression” for a number of reasons. Of those individuals, 66 percent were not getting regular care; 20 percent were unaware they were infected; 10 percent were unable to suppress the virus with antiretroviral treatment; and 4 percent were not prescribed antiretroviral drugs. According to the CDC, up to 50,000 people in the US are infected with HIV every year. More… Discuss

Mitsuko Uchida – W.A. Mozart Piano Concerto No.9 in E flat Major K. 271 “Jeunehomme”: great compositions/performances

Mitsuko Uchida – W.A. Mozart Piano Concerto No.9 in E flat Major K. 271 “Jeunehomme”

fairlytaleofnewyork

Published on Jul 16, 2013

W.A. Mozart
Piano Concerto No.9 in E flat Major K. 271
“Jeunehomme”
Mitsuko Uchida – Piano
Jeffrey Tate – Conductor

Dame Mitsuko Uchida DBE (内田光子), born December 20, 1948, is a Japanese naturalized-British classical pianist generally regarded as one of the finest of her era. She has appeared with most of the world’s foremost orchestras, recorded a wide repertory with major labels, won numerous awards and honors (including Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2009), and serves as co-director of the Marlboro Music School and Festival. In recent years, she has also conducted major orchestras.

Born in Atami, a seaside town close to Tokyo, Japan, Uchida moved to Vienna, Austria, with her diplomat parents when she was 12 years old, after her father was named the Japanese ambassador to Austria. She enrolled at the Vienna Academy of Music to study with Richard Hauser, and later Wilhelm Kempff and Stefan Askenase, and remained in Vienna to study when her father was transferred back to Japan after five years. She gave her first Viennese recital at the age of 14 at the Vienna Musikverein. She also studied with Maria Curcio, the last and favourite pupil of Artur Schnabel.

In 1969 she won the first prize in the Beethoven Competition in Vienna and in 1970 the second prize in the International Chopin Piano Competition. In 1975, she won second prize in the Leeds Piano Competition.

In 1998 Uchida was the Music Director of the Ojai Music Festival in conjunction with conductor and violinist, David Zinman.

She is an acclaimed interpreter of the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Debussy and Schoenberg. She has recorded all of Mozart’s piano sonatas (a project that won the Gramophone Award), and concerti, the latter with the English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Jeffrey Tate. Her recording of the Schoenberg Piano Concerto with Pierre Boulez won another Gramophone Award. She is further noted for her recordings of Beethoven’s complete piano concerti with Kurt Sanderling conducting, Beethoven’s late piano sonatas, and a Schubert piano cycle. She is distinguished as an interpreter of the works of the Second Viennese School. Her 2009 recording of the Mozart Piano Concertos nos. 23 and 24, in which she conducted the Cleveland Orchestra as well as playing the solo part, won the Grammy Award.

From 2002 to 2007 she served as artist-in-residence for the Cleveland Orchestra, where she led performances of all of Mozart’s solo piano concertos. She has also conducted the English Chamber Orchestra, among others, from the keyboard. In 2010, she was artist-in-residence for the Berlin Philharmonic. She is one two Artistic Directors of the Marlboro Music School and Festival, along with fellow pianist Richard Goode. She is also a trustee of the Borletti-Buitoni Trust, an organization established to help young artists develop and sustain international careers.[5] In May 2012, the Royal Philharmonic Society announced that she would be honored with their Gold Medal (she received the society’s annual Music Award in 2003); previous recipients have included Johannes Brahms (1877), Frederick Delius and Sir Edward Elgar (1925), Richard Strauss (1936), Igor Stravinsky (1954), Benjamin Britten and Leonard Bernstein (1987).

Uchida currently resides in London. Her long-standing partner, Sir Robert Cooper, currently works for the European Union in Brussels.

“Be happy with what you have” — Being Human

Be happy with what you have 🙂 pic.twitter.com/U1vmzao7as

— Being Human (@CuteSweetPics) November 16, 2014

New Widget at EUZICASA: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Releases 400,000 Images Online for Non-Commercial Use

400000 IR – Photos – Metropolitan Museum of Art  (Access from here) or visit all Widgets installed on the primary sidebar (around 100, I think!)

this day in the yesteryear: Battle of Taranto (1940)

Battle of Taranto (1940)

The Battle of Taranto during World War II marked the first all-aircraft naval attack in history. The results were definitive, as British planes destroyed much of the Italian fleet anchored in Taranto, in an arm of the Ionian Sea. The battle is seen as a turning point in military history, marking the end of the reign of “big-gun” battleships and leading to the rise of naval air power. Certain aspects of the attack were studied as part of the planning for what other notorious aerial assault? More… Discuss

this pressed-for the record: Flash – Ukraine president replaces Donetsk governor with hardline general – France 24

AFP

A woman walks past grafitti reading “Donetsk will be free”, and bearing a Russian flag in Donetsk on October 10, 2014

A woman walks past grafitti reading “Donetsk will be free”, and bearing a Russian flag in Donetsk on October 10, 2014

Ukraine’s president on Friday fired a millionaire businessman who failed to stop the advance of pro-Russian rebels while governor of war-torn Donetsk and replaced him with a hardline nationalist general.

via Flash – Ukraine president replaces Donetsk governor with hardline general – France 24.

Word: spendthrift

spendthrift 

Definition:	(noun) One who spends money recklessly or wastefully.
Synonyms:	scattergood, spend-all, spender
Usage:	You talk as if a miser on Monday were always a spendthrift on Tuesday. Discuss.

Under the Affordable Care Act, are the uninsured getting insured? | Americans for Prosperity

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Arctic Blast 2014 – a gallery on Flickr: Arctic Blast 2014

Arctic Blast 2014 – a gallery on Flickr.

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