Makinga Carpet Kit For A Truck Bed

The Usual Suspects: wishes and intentions for the year of the Tiger

This year we are. 12 months have elapsed from the Cards last year and I see that not much has changed compared to those moments: the word most used is still a crisis, while "shooting" struggles to be heard. Not that it touches us much: in our relative isolation Sardinian (the optimists say retreat, even if you work more than a little) we are sufficiently protected by many jolts of our economy. It is true that in a place of perpetual economic depression can not be that much worse. What for other is a crisis for us normal daily battle.

Japan, who feared not to see until 2010, there probably will wait until 2011 : not always what you plan to be successful, despite the best intentions. I feel a bit like the old man " Up", with its perennially barattolone glass filled with coins to be allocated to the journey of life and regularly emptied to cope with the vicissitudes of daily life.

We console ourselves thinking that if the first time we have spent fifteen years to go to Japan, to wait four years instead of three for the second time will not be a big sacrifice.

E 'was still an eventful year and if I choose my words / kanji of the year would be "movement" (at the risk of embarrassing: 動き ) . Greece, Spain, unexpected and even a quick trip to the USA, as well as an infinite sequence of forward / backward to the beautiful country: it was a hectic year, full of commitments.

The SJCP that I hoped the end of 2008 was a little goal . Write bell'intento remained a while ... even Japanese.

But it is said that something does not change: in this sense, ia lovely wife does not fail to give me "signals" of encouragement. This is what I found under the Christmas tree :-)

not as bad as "encouragement"! A third language would not hurt either to the CV, certainly would be more important umpteenth Java framework intended to take the space of a morning.


I also have a little souvenir brought back from Washington: a good manualone to squeeze the most of my D60, which I've done so far use mediocre.
not know about you, but it bothers me to see very old tools that I use without having taken any possible benefit.


I thank the 2009 for introducing me to people in person whom I had met only virtually: Claudia & Yuichiro (which - I discovered over time - we have more than one interest, despite the 9000km of distance between us ...), Shiho , Mario, Mizuho & Sayuri (whose sense of hospitality has something that reminded me of home), Tore & Chiaki , Gianluca & Kanako . Sorry if I repeat myself, but seeing you was one of the most pleasant surprises of the past year!
The marriage of Claudia and Yuichiro, together with that of my cousin Daniel was the better player of the year! (And I visit several)


I also hope to reconnect with my old friends, comrades of decades a bit 'lost as a result of contingencies. If we do not strive for those who are friends, who is worth doing?


Finally, those who have read my last wishes are known I have a secret desire. this year will remain so. You can not have everything!

are always long-winded with these things. Once again it is midnight in Tokyo, the 108 chimes of bells are endless echoing in the air.

Akemashite omoedetō, good 2010, wherever you are.

Raider Birthday Cakes

Christmas in Barcelona (8 photos)

The Christmas lights of the Passeig de Gratia wonderful walk in Barcelona opens a new series of hi-def photos with PhotoPost.

Hope you like them!

Let's start with the rain of light of the Majestic Hotel.

The charming Cartier store.

Not as shining as the Majestic, but perhaps more fashinating, the bluish shades of the modernist building of the Guess store.

Elegant as ususal, but with a light surrealist touch, the facade of the Chanel store is one of the most beautiful in all the Passeig de Gratia.

 

The Christams lights of the worldwide famous Casa Battlò , by Gaudì, were minimal. But if you look at the photo, you can easily understand why nothing has to be added to this impressive mansion to catch the eye.

I called it, the "Tourist Eater" , for it makes me think to a huge monster ready to eat us, the balconies as half closed eyes and the huge glass windows a mouth wide open, with razor-sharp teeth!

You can see it on black here .

The spectacular fountain at the crossing between the Passeig the Gratia and the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes .

 

The snowflake decorated facade of El Corte Ingles , the biggest shopping center in Barcelona. 

The last photo has not been taken in the Passeig, but near Barcelona's gothic Cathedral, WHERE Every year the Fair of St.Lucy ( Fira de Santa Lluch ) Takes Place in the Avinguda de la Catedral. Here, after the 8th of December, you can find a lot of Christmas related items, Especially For creating Nativity Scenes included the traditional and "famous" Caganer !

Virtual Life Where You Can Give Birth

Welcome to the USA!

Japan After all I am, almost unexpectedly, on the other side of the planet, in Washington, not far from the White House and Mr. Obama .

me if someone had predicted three months ago, I would have laughed at you. But tan'è: Life is full of surprises and this time he has had several ups and downs.

I left Rome to Fiumicino led by a friendly trucker and former lover of our romanissimo fil'e ferru , with whom I shared a bit 'of coffee and a chat before you reach the Terminal 5 of 'airport. I will not elaborate too much on the oddities of the departures of flights to America, but the fact that it requires, a terminal block already, take another shuttle to reach the satellite that houses the U.S. companies has attracted more of a concern, as in some overseas passengers.

The flight was quiet: I arrived in Washington with a slight delay, after about 10 hours and 45 minutes flight.

controls are finicky at the village but not obsessive as they say. It 's true: take biometric data (fingerprints and iris scans), but the process is very fast and effeciente.

For now I can not say much more, if you do not remember my fellow flight, the friendly fireman Scott from Colorado , back from a binge of monuments and Florentine wine from Tuscany Rome. And that first impression, this city is very clean, well organized, but it seems all a huge edge. However, as Athens has taught me, first impressions are often misleading. I got a burrito at a local classic American by the name "Austin Grill."

Yesterday was the day of the Acknowledgments, but here it is already full of Christmas decorations, notably by thousands of tiny fairy lights wrapped around the trunk of the trees.

Tomorrow, maybe, I'll say something more. A race to SevenEleven (here in the U.S. seems little "Konbini" given how much I have to pay the two things I picked up) and then here to write this first post as a bit 'of sleep after a day of 21 hours straight, begins to be felt.

Goodnight Washington, welcome into my life ^ ^

Texas A&m School Of Culinary Arts

Ginza PhotoPost

the evening of 12, dedicated to a late evening stroll in Ginza.

Given the speed with which we crossed the neighborhood (we were looking for a good place to eat and not too expensive ... how we ended up at the local Starbucks just do not remember ^ ^), the public only a few photos.

We'll make the next time!

The famous clock "neo-neoclassical" Wako department store , one of the most famous and prestigious depato Tokyo, founded in 1881 and specialized in its early years, just in watches and jewelry.

The view of the Ginza dori, with the famous St. building in the background.

Also on San

seen up close the building. We are one of the most popular ncroci of Japan: one between the Ginza Dori and Harumi Dori. the first floor there is a very crowded cafeteria! Someone wrote " Tokyo seems that all she got there towards the end of the year, as if to meet the people in his life . Very apt, in my opinion!

Finally, a new gigantic presence in Ginza, a palace-style building "Turning Torso", and yet devoid of neon that will dell'appeal when it will become one of the many ephemeral vital organs of the district in perpetual metamorphosis.

Who knows how it will be when we get to see it!

Repair The Fan From A Christmas Blowup

Agricultural Technical Institute Visit F.lli Navarra

We visited the Agricultural Technical Institute of Navarra F.lli Malborghetto of Boara

We had an interesting experience in greenhouse planting TALEA play for Bosso

Institute are 2 beautiful greenhouses where students work under the expert guidance of their teachers

In the microbiology laboratory we have observed under the microscope and animal cells and plant cells abbiamno able to detect differences.

The guys at the end of the visit Tellus Institute F.lli Navarra

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October 12, 2007 - Tokyo - Ueno - Museum of Western Art and Zoo

addition to the famous and beautiful park, Ueno is considered a great cultural center. In addition to the TNM , which I have already spoken in the western area of \u200b\u200bthe park you can find a great Zoo and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum while in the east, not far from Ueno station , there are the Museum of Western Art and National Science Museum .

Since it is literally impossible to visit all in one day, we had to make a choice, opting for the Zoo and the Museum of Western art. Spending a little time out we did not mind, and I must say that I was never a big fan of science museums, so the choice was pretty simple.

Sorry a bit to the Metropolitan, but after an overdose of Asian art and archeology, change a little context was what we wanted to alleviate this "day at the museums."

The zoo is very big and there is so much different species, some (but not all) in places quite large and comfortable, however, does not have very distinctive compared to other zoos around the world. Deserve a note typically eastern species, such as the so-called Red Panda (photo by Faith ).

Searching on wikipedia, I also discovered that this animal is also called Chinese "Fox Fire" ^ ^.

Another species is rather curious that Japanese Wolf. No offense to native species, which gave the world, including dogs, breeds such as the exceptional Shiba el ' Akita, the Japanese wolf seemed a bit of a pet and mangy shabby.

Perhaps he suffered captivity, but the expression is indeed sad.

Near the exit of the zoo (well, one of many), after a short walk along the shore of the pond Shinobazu there is a small temple dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten , a small pagoda on a strip of land within Lake, rebuilt in 1957 after the previous building was destroyed by air raids during World War II.

The temple is quite small and nestled in a tranquil setting, between rows of trees and the lotus that grows near the shore of the lake.

the way back to Ueno station is the National Museum of Western Art, or NWWA. It was founded in the 60s around the private collection of Matsuka Kojiro , is a small but fascinating collection of pieces of Western art, mostly Italian, Flemish and French. Although the museum is famous mostly for the gate of hell and thinker of Rodin (which is dedicated an entire room), there are works equally elegant but less famous.

I would advise a beautiful piece of art "Counter" as the Mater Dolorosa of Carlo Dolci.

works and more "modern", from Monet's Waterloo Bridge, the works - although smaller - of Picasso and Pollock .

least two hours of pleasant entertainment and detachment from the pure Japanese atmosphere

And here's what you will be received when you arrive at the NMWA. The photo does not make the atmosphere of anxiety in this masterpiece of French, a sort of dark legacy of stiacciato Donatello and the door of the Baptistery of Florence (" Gates of Paradise") of Ghiberti , with figures painful inspired by Dante , which rise with difficulty from a black bronze. It seems that Rodin, in bronze this, has really picked up the best of the two rival masters of the fifteenth century.

Saudi Arabia Escorting

Visit the SEED Oasis

waters of lakes and small wetlands have different depths in order to accommodate the greatest number of aquatic species and amphibians.

oasis the SEED are 95 different species of native trees and shrubs that thanks to their fruits, seeds and berries feed and provide shelter to dozens of birds and small animals

The presence of water greatly increases in an ecosystem biodiversity.

Dario has guided us in this magical place, revealing many secrets that are the basis of a natural ecosystem which reached a perfect equilibrio.Tracce the presence of prey.

In the heart of the plain, in Ponte Rodoni, Dario Valentini has created a miracle in just 15 years transforming a field of soybeans in a natural oasis of incredible beauty.

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October 12, 2007 - Tokyo - Ueno - Tokyo National Museum

Like many big cities for tourism or business that sees a lot of people coming and going, even Tokyo has many museums dedicated to art, crafts, science, industry and any other branch of human activities.

Not all, I imagine, are of immediate interest for the tourist (you never said that there is a "museum of salt and tobacco in Shibuya ?) But some steps are required for any person should verietà and get an idea of \u200b\u200bthe beauty of Asian cultures in general.

Assessing Tokyo National Museum by the yardstick national would be reductive to scale (100 thousand square meters!), Quantity, variety and provenance of the works, in a sense, multiculturalism, the first museum in Japan is comparable to the British Museum. A thorough visit to its halls r egal a look as well as on ancient Japanese history, even the oldest ones on the rest of East Asia, China and Korea in particular.



The NWT is divided into large halls built in different periods since 1872, each housing a different permanent exhibition, as well as numerous temporary exhibitions each year.

Honkan (or Japanese Gallery)
It 's the main hall of the museum, as well as the major. In its 24 rooms are all examples of Japanese cultural and artistic journey, from the Jomon period protohistoric to the contemporary age.



As you can see from the map, there are rooms devoted to archeology, art and Buddhist court. You can see objects of military use, as armor and weapons, items for the tea ceremony , theater and painting on panels and screens . In the end, there are also some pictures, expression of the influence of Western art from the second half of the nineteenth century.



dell'Honkan Opposite the main entrance, there is also a beautiful garden, where you can see a corner in the photo below.

At Honkan is a Dogu , a clay figurine dating to a period between 1000 and 400 after Christ, became known more for theories of fiction for its archeology archaeological value. This figurine is called "astronaut" , because the decorations in his clothes remind someone of the current space suits.



Hyokeikan

is the Asian gallery. It houses a vast variety of archaeological finds from China, India and Korea, as well as a smaller but fascinating collection of West Asian and Egyptian artifacts.
East and Southeast Asian countries are also dedicated several rooms containing figurative and decorative art objects (sculptures, pottery, etc.).. Currently
this pavilion also includes articles of Toyokan , another building dedicated to Asia, whose restoration will last until 2012.

Heiseikan
It 's the most recent construction of the museum complex, houses and other Japanese archaeological material, including recent times as the era of Nara and Heian .

This is the entry ticket, which lists the halls of the museum and the dates of construction (in the case dell'Honkan, devastated by an earthquake in 1923, last construction). The fare is 600 yen (400 yen University students, students of primary schools and people over 70 free).



Warning for those who are in Japan November 12, 2009: that day will mark the twentieth anniversary of the reign of Emperor Akihito, and entry to all exhibitions is free of TNM.

How To Make A Pewter Ring

October 11, 2007 - Kamakura - Komachi & Danzakura

Once out of the temple Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu , we decided to go for a while along the path indicated by the large Torii aligned with the entrance of the temple, along the road known as Danzakura . In the picture the first torii gate that marks the beginning of the part of Danzakura under the direct responsibility of the temple.

We would have gladly taken something to eat and drink for refreshment, but, strangely, not seen, nor the classic vending machines, either open a place where you sit. It was not yet late afternoon, so we decided to walk along the sidewalk on the right side of the beach giving a furtive glance in the shops (the Sardinian word "sconchiai" makes the idea) to capture a trace of life! Along the way, not far from the temple, there was also a small Catholic church.

After walking for about ten minutes, we recognized a room with a classic banquet to prepare the pancakes, but inside the room seemed to be no one, apart from an elderly lady who was cleaning and fixing things. We had to leave - on the other hand, the place at first glance, it seemed very friendly - when the lady called our attention. She did not speak English well and - needless to recall - we did not know almost nothing about Japanese, so when asked (I assume) if we wanted to get something, we made gestures to understand more words than we would have a crack. She called her husband and turned on the plate. We made it clear that we had to wait a while, but for us it was not a problem: on the contrary, we had the impression that they were opening up in advance just to make us a favor. He opened the door and motioned us to sit down.
The first impression of the place was bizarre to make a comparison "Italian", I felt the same feeling of abandonment that comes when you enter a dimly lit bar of the old, still furnished with forty years ago in which all now seems spent and where things are not ancient, but prosaically old. The location of two elderly persons who had not wanted to put up with the times.
However I do not keep that good memories of that place: the gentlemen we prepared two simple but very good pancakes and tea.

Although my face is not the maximum life (^^), if you look you can see the wallpaper aged and drawings hung with tape. The two gentlemen were very kind, as often happens in Japan, and in spite of any language difficulties even tried to make a little conversation with us.
is often given this kindness of the Japanese to a form a little hypocritical to label and in part may be true, but this is only one aspect of the thing. Gambling

my personal opinion about them: Japan the customer is not just a customer but a guest to whom we owe the courtesy to visitors who reserve their home. Provo, for the sake of speculation, to imagine the proverbial hospitality of the Sardinian applied in the commercial field, and it seems that everything makes sense.

I am not so naive as to think that it works the same way everywhere, into the gigantic depato in the small local family-run, but nothing out of my head that I could spend an entire life to say if not polite expressions there was at least a basic sense of true hospitality.

Anyway, we paid our drink (a paltry sum davero ... about 5 € in all), thank you and goodbye, I think I've made 250 micro-bows while saying "arigatou gozaimasu" just to make sure they understood we appreciated everything. As we left, I was relieved to see that people were beginning to approach the bench to order the cracks and give more away to that place.

walked a few more hundred meters on foot, and then decided to turn right, convinced that we first arrived at the station. We ended up in a shopping street - Komachi -that began to fill with people and we had already traversed a part in our previous wanderings. Komachi contains a number of craft shops, is narrow, teeming with life, far removed from the glamor of the big city and perhaps that is most appreciated. What a disappointment would be the usual string of stores and depato in one of the most picturesque towns in Japan!

Fortunately for us the way things were a little different.



The external fittings were often funny as this above.



The afternoon had not yet filed, but the number of people around was already high.



Here I open a brief parenthesis. If you look at the top of the photo you will notice a spider web of cables that often can be seen in the streets of Japan. Although this method of passing cables is objectively unwatchable, that's what makes the Japanese now have a band internet large up to eight to nine times more powerful our connection. It will be as bad as you want, but you can imagine the cost to rewire a city with underground rather than overhead lines are a little different.

Below, a small store of printed materials, from postcards to books dust jacket (something popular in Japan) in print, paper for the walls. What place was packed to the point of not being able to move! People like me who loves these kind of things can not but be fascinated by that place.



A tourist junk shop which rises majestically from a superhero myths Japan: Ultraman! The true ancestor of all the heroes of the show in costume.



And yet, the shop in Kamakura most photographed by tourists because of the presence of the gauge wood Totoro, one of the most famous animated characters outside of Japan.



Finally, just off Komachi dori, what I call the "Odd Couple": a dark red and crimson bulls McDonald's, proves once more that there is never peace among the olive trees!



entered the station and headed to the train, it was time to greet this wonderful corner of serenity that is Kamakura.

Who goes to Japan board to stay there a night or two, if necessary, to stealing the larger cities. If you love Japan a little less of a cosmopolitan and gleaming No you will not be overwhelmed as happened to us.