KILL THE CARDS!!!
The Cats play the Cards tonight.
Here’s to VICTORY!
Archive for 2010|Yearly archive page
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
In Holidays, Humor, thinking out loud, Useful Information on December 31, 2010 at 1:52 pm
HABIBI
In beauty, culture, family, Holidays, thinking out loud, Unny on December 26, 2010 at 12:01 am
HABIBI
If I could have just one wish,
I would wish to wake up everyday
to the sound of your breath on my neck,
the warmth of your lips on my cheek,
the touch of your fingers on my skin,
…and the feel of your heart beating with mine…
Knowing that I could never find that feeling
with anyone other than you.
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- HABIBI
Is Islam THE Problem?
In Afghanistan, Central Asia, islam, Middle East, Military, Politics, Religion, Stupidity, thinking out loud, War on December 13, 2010 at 12:01 am
Current Ass Kisser in Chief
No, I don’t think that to be the case. It’s not really about Islam generally speaking.
It’s more complicated than that.
Islam. Muslims. They’re not bad folks and many of them are damn fine people.
The problem that we won’t face is the Nejd.
Why?
Saudi Arabia owns it and has BLACK GOLD.
Also, the official religion of Saudi Arabia is the same form of Islam from which sprang all of the Fundamentalist Thugs who are terrorists. Saudi Arabia is a State Sponsor of Terrorism.
BUT because they have oil. It’s the truth that shall remain unspoken.
It is the evil with no name.
To speak it’s name is to reveal the truth.
It’s easier to keep the public ignorant and let a few hundred or a few thousand die at a time and keep the pipe line open to “cheap” oil.
What’s a few thousand civilians to Big Business and Big Government. Most of the ones who die don’t pay taxes or pay negligible taxes anyway. They don’t matter.
Saudi Arabia is the monster. Wahhabism is their little secret Dr. Frankenstein. Islamic Fundamentalism is the monster escaped from it’s dungeon.
It’s escaped before and the Muslims themselves went in and killed thousands of them in the Nejd while the Brits killed thousand more in the NWFP and the FATA in Central Asia.
Today, though, we choose to ignore the belly of the beast and instead, we “combat” the excretions.
Thousands, no, hundreds of thousands have died in the past 10 years.
Why?
To keep that Saudi oil pipeline open.
Obama receives the Honorary Order of the Saudi Boot Licker
For those of you who have no clue as to where Saudi Arabia is located.
WHAT IF —————–Cannabis Cured Cancer????
In Awesome, Commerce, Humor, Politics, Stupidity, thinking out loud, Useful Information on December 12, 2010 at 1:13 amCannabis should be legal. Period.
The guy below sounds and looks like a kook. Still…
Funny Puppet Show featuring Rosaanne Barr and Malcolm McDowell.
FREE ENES — UNNY STYLE
In UK Basketball on December 11, 2010 at 8:22 pm
‘Nuff said…
My gal painted this for me. Not quite finished, though.
I asked Unny to paint this sign for me on a whim. Now that it’s done, I don’t know what to do with it. Well, when she completes it. Maybe we’ll sell it on ebay. lol Hell, maybe I should Fed Ex it to Coach Cal so he can take it with him to the NCAA Appeals Board. haha
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- 60s Era Wildcat
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- Converting her to the Faith!
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- Unny touching it up
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- FREE ENES
Riffing on the NCAA and the NBA Age Restriction
In Commerce, culture, Politics, Sports, Stupidity, thinking out loud, UK Basketball on December 10, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Why should one go to college?
Is it for the college experience? I’d say that’s the immature reason to go to college.
The reason that folks go to college or any school is to get training or a degree or some type of higher learning to prepare them for some kind of profession.
Basketball is a profession. Sure, it’s a short lived profession.
Nevertheless, it is a profession.
The NCAA should start treating it as such.
Students of the game should be allowed to maximize their instruction time. They should be allowed to learn their chosen profession.
Instead, the NCAA limits instruction in their chosen profession.
It would be like MIT telling mathematics or comp science/programming students that they can only dedicate certain periods/times to the study of mathematics or quantum physics or programming.
It’s all asinine.
If a kid, regardless of his financial situation, can go straight to the NBA out of HS, then they should be allowed to do so.
Kids can go straight to work for Humana or Google or Microsoft out of HS and make a 6 figure salary.
What’s the difference….????
Some kids need a couple more years.
That is where the NBA and the NCAA sit down and make some common sense rules.
A kid makes himself available for the draft. If he is drafted, his pay is deferred until he is evaluated. If he passes muster in the summer league, he stays. If not or if he goes undrafted, he goes back to college. Patrick Patterson could have benefitted from such an eval period. Orton would have. Meeks would have. Many players each year would benefit.
The Summer League and the Draft Process should be treated as an internship.
Legal Students do it. Damn near every other type of student does it.
The only reason that Collegiate Athletes in the Major Sports are given short shrift on this is so that the NCAA can call itself “amateur” and get a tax break. It’s all about the money. It has nothing to do with protecting the game, the sanctity of college sports or the fabled student athlete.
A program of instruction should be developed around each sport. Sports Management type academic program.
It’s not coddling the kids, it’s being realistic.
The way it is now, it’s a colossal waste of time for everyone involved.
While the owners want to do away with the soft salary cap and guaranteed contracts, the players hope to end the age restriction that forbids players from entering the NBA directly out of high school.
“We want to go back to the way it was,” a source from the National Basketball Players Association said. “The players have always been philosophically opposed to it. The vast majority of players feel a player should have the right to make a living. If he has the talent and wants to make money to help his family, he should have that right. It’s just a matter of principle.”
If you read this, let me know what you think?
Disappearious Miller
In UK Basketball on December 9, 2010 at 8:05 pmThe Incredible Shrinking Miller
Disappearious Miller!
What is wrong with this kid?
Cal needs to utilize the bench or find some way to both motivate and build his confidence. The kid is an enigma. He’s got talent. Seems too intimidated to see it forward.
No one is a given starter. He’s gotta get that shit goin’ and stop letting his game go all Jim Thompson.
The Cats can use that Offense and some board crashing. Disappearious has as much offense as the French at Dien Bien Phu. He’s as wasted on Defense as the Maginot Line.
We need an Attila or a Genghis out there and all he gives us is Howe in New York Harbor.
The CATS need Darius. I don’t see why he can’t see that and do something about it.
I’m starting to think that he should be red-shirted next year and taken to the DOD SERE School so that they can install a set of balls and some testosterone. At this rate, the NBA is out of the question.
Is this where Darius stays during games?
A Medical Redshirt may be in order as somehow, somewhere and at some time Billy Gillispie removed his balls.
I gotta question. Does he ever leave the locker room during a game? He’s played well about twice this year. Both games UK Lost. That’s a problem. He’s not flowing in the system. He should be leading.
If he doesn’t contribute something this year, he should be invited to transfer next year.
What do you think? Is Darius hopeless? Can he contribute? Will be contribute?
The Liberty Limited — A Christmas Story
In Uncategorized on December 9, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Reprinted from the Philadelphia Daily News. 2005
AND NOW, in time for the holidays, I bring you the best Christmas story you never heard.
It started last Christmas, when Bennett and Vivian Levin were overwhelmed by sadness while listening to radio reports of injured American troops.
“We have to let them know we care,” Vivian told Bennett.
So they organized a trip to bring soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital to the annual Army-Navy football game in Philly, on Dec. 3.
The cool part is, they created their own train line to do it.
Yes, there are people in this country who actually own real trains. Bennett Levin – native Philly guy, self-made millionaire and irascible former L&I commish – is one of them.
He has three luxury rail cars. Think mahogany paneling, plush seating and white-linen dining areas. He also has two locomotives, which he stores at his Juniata Park train yard.
One car, the elegant Pennsylvania, carried John F. Kennedy to the Army-Navy game in 1961 and ’62. Later, it carried his brother Bobby’s body to D.C. for burial.
“That’s a lot of history for one car,” says Bennett.
He and Vivian wanted to revive a tradition that endured from 1936 to 1975, during which trains carried Army-Navy spectators from around the country directly to the stadium where the annual game is played.
The Levins could think of no better passengers to reinstate the ceremonial ride than the wounded men and women recovering at Walter Reed in D.C. and Bethesda, in Maryland.
“We wanted to give them a first-class experience,” says Bennett. “Gourmet meals on board, private transportation from the train to the stadium, perfect seats – real hero treatment. “
Through the Army War College Foundation, of which he is a trustee, Bennett met with Walter Reed’s commanding general, who loved the idea.
But Bennett had some ground rules first, all designed to keep the focus on the troops alone:
No press on the trip, lest the soldiers’ day of pampering devolve into a media circus.
No politicians either, because, says Bennett, “I didn’t want some idiot making this trip into a campaign photo op. “
And no Pentagon suits on board, otherwise the soldiers would be too busy saluting superiors to relax.
The general agreed to the conditions, and Bennett realized he had a problem on his hands.
“I had to actually make this thing happen,” he laughs.
Over the next months, he recruited owners of 15 other sumptuous rail cars from around the country – these people tend to know each other – into lending their vehicles for the day. The name of their temporary train?
The Liberty Limited .
Amtrak volunteered to transport the cars to D.C. – where they’d be coupled together for the round-trip ride to Philly – then back to their owners later.
Conrail offered to service the Liberty while it was in Philly. And SEPTA drivers would bus the disabled soldiers 200 yards from the train to Lincoln Financial Field, for the game.
A benefactor from the War College ponied up 100 seats to the game – on the 50-yard line – and lunch in a hospitality suite.
And corporate donors filled, for free and without asking for publicity, goodie bags for attendees:
From Woolrich, stadium blankets. From Wal-Mart, digital cameras. From Nikon, field glasses. From GEAR, down jackets.
There was booty not just for the soldiers, but for their guests, too, since each was allowed to bring a friend or family member.
The Marines, though, declined the offer. “They voted not to take guests with them, so they could take more Marines,” says Levin, choking up at the memory.
Bennett’s an emotional guy, so he was worried about how he’d react to meeting the 88 troops and guests at D.C.’s Union Station, where the trip originated. Some GIs were missing limbs. Others were wheelchair-bound or accompanied by medical personnel for the day.
“They made it easy to be with them,” he says. “They were all smiles on the ride to Philly. Not an ounce of self-pity from any of them. They’re so full of life and determination. “
At the stadium, the troops reveled in the game, recalls Bennett. Not even Army’s lopsided loss to Navy could deflate the group’s rollicking mood.
Afterward, it was back to the train and yet another gourmet meal – heroes get hungry, says Levin – before returning to Walter Reed and Bethesda.
“The day was spectacular,” says Levin. “It was all about these kids. It was awesome to be part of it. “
The most poignant moment for the Levins was when 11 Marines hugged them goodbye, then sang them the Marine Hymn on the platform at Union Station.
“One of the guys was blind, but he said, ‘I can’t see you, but man, you must be f—ing beautiful!’ ” says Bennett. “I got a lump so big in my throat, I couldn’t even answer him. “
It’s been three weeks, but the Levins and their guests are still feeling the day’s love.
“My Christmas came early,” says Levin, who is Jewish and who loves the Christmas season. “I can’t describe the feeling in the air. “
Maybe it was hope.
As one guest wrote in a thank-you note to Bennett and Vivian, “The fond memories generated last Saturday will sustain us all – whatever the future may bring. “
God bless the Levins.
And bless the troops, every one. *
Article by Ronnie Polaneczky 2005
Read more: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/ronnie_polaneczky/Heres_a_Yule_story_that_ought_to_be_a_movie.html?page=2&c=y#ixzz17aRwZRlP
Watch sports videos you won’t find anywhere else
An amazing story of generosity.
Cajun Economics
In Commerce, culture, Politics, Stupidity on December 8, 2010 at 2:14 pmA lesson in Cajun Economics; one simple lesson and you’ve got it!!!! Read on…
Boudreaux takes the $100 and runs down the street to retire his debt to Trosclair the pig farmer.
Clarise rushes to the hotel and pays off her room bill with Bosco, the hotel owner.
Bosco then places the $100 back on the counter so the traveling salesman will not suspect anything.
However, the whole town is now out of debt and now looks to the future with a lot more optimism.
And that, my friend, is how the United States Government is conducting business today.
That came in an email. Not my creation.
Julian Assange and Wikileaks
In Politics, thinking out loud, Useful Information on December 1, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Wikileaks. State Secrets exposed by an arrogant ass.
Julian Assange. The arrogant ass.
Sometimes the US government needs to be called out. It’s true. Our government is one 200 year old business concern. We, the United States of America, are Capitalizm sometimes run amok. I honestly believe that the educated of America wish to do what is right. The majority of the educated in America.
The uneducated. I don’t think they have a clue. Most folks don’t have a notion of the events of the world. Instead, concerning themselves with their daily survival and/or security. And this is well and good. For them.
Our educated. Those who go out into the world. Those who venture forth. I think most are attempting to go out and make a positive mark on the Nation and the World.
Of course, some are attempting to strike their fortune and leave their mark. Some are attempting to get theirs no matter the consequences. Most, however, are attempting to stirke their fortunes while leaving a positive mark on the world. Some succeed. Others will fail. Some will fail at everything except their final great accomplishment. It’s the nature of the beast. We try until we make it.
All that said, I think it is up to the people of the United States to correct our nation. I don’t like an outsider taking it upon himself to “correct” us or to show us the truth. I know full well the nature of the United States of America. Our ills (slavery, Indian genocide, treatment of minorities up until the 80s, Vietnam, Mossadegh, the US Army and the CIA used as Mercenaries for Big Business)
We have been a the Nation of Big Business since our inception. Along the way, we have done some good, though. Much good. As much, if not more than Britain. And we did it without enslaving most of the world via colonialism. We’ve done much more good than those other nations of Europe. We’ve not caused several world wars as has Europe in the not too distant past. We’ve not enslaved the masses with communism. We’ve had our pit falls. We’ve made our mistakes. We’ve let our blood. As have all nations.
People speak of Vietnam and Iraq in the same vein. The two are nothing alike. Anyone who actually reads a history book and who is not speaking in hyperbolic emotionalism knows this and admits this. Yet, Iraq is a mistake. Not this late invasion. But our support of Saddam in the 80s and then our abandonment of him in the wake of his invasion of Kuwait. We should have encouraged him to invade Saudia Arabia, depose the Saud Monarchy and to crush the Wahhabis in the Nejd. That was our mistake. Our further insanity was invading Iraq this time in lieu of invading Saudi Arabia and crushing the Nejd ourselves. If the Saudis won’t do it, someone else must.
Back to Julian and Wikileaks. I don’t like it.
He’s a supra-national party bent on exposing America for what he perceives as our crimes. Who is this man who assumes the mantle of Judge, Jury and would be Executioner.
What do we know about him?
Who are his colleagues? Who are his supporters? Who backs this man?
What are his motives?
I don’t believe that he does all of this in the name of Global Peace. I think there is more to it than we know at this moment.
In time, it will come out.
A friend thinks him a CIA front. I don’t know if that was serious or in jest when the remark was made.
Julian Assange. Wikileaks. What are his motives? Ulterior or otherwise. I don’t trust European do gooders or Australians in that mold either. They almost always have something to hide.
I don’t like an outsider meddling in our business. The people of the US have the prerogative of cleaning up our own backyard. Assange should aim his tactics at Europe. They are not clean. Yet, he seems to be concentrating on leaking US Intelligence and State secrets.
I won’t be surprised to see the guy disappear or floating in a river at some point. I won’t mourn the loss either.
Make it 26!!!
In Sports, thinking out loud, UK Football on November 28, 2010 at 2:38 pm
I wonder if THE JOKE is laughing now???
UK lost to the Vols again yesterday. That makes it 26 years of futility. 26 years of ignominious defeat at the hands of the most despicable programs in the SEC. 26 years of losing to the vile Vols of Knoxville. Doesn’t matter how low the Vols sink. Matters not in how bad of shape that despised program lies. At their best, the Vols have slaughtered UK in Football. At their worst, the Vols have found a way to beat UK. Even in UK Footballs recent “glory” years, the Vols have come in to Commonwealth Stadium and strutted out with a W stamped across their effort. Even in the year 2010 when UT is at it’s lowest point in decades, UK has left Neyland Stadium LOSERS.
Joker promised the fans “Operation Win.”
What did he give us? Operations Business As Usual.
UK Football can’t get over the hump. Not with the Coaches they hire. Not with a Coach who has no heart. And that’s what we have. Joker Philips. All talk, no heart.
He was the “Coach in Waiting.” We were told this was for continuity. Well, we got it. Continuity. He’s continued the proud UK Football Tradition of LOSING.
UK Football has made losing to the Vols and art form. They’ve found new and creative ways to lose this game 26 times in a row.
Hell, I wasn’t surprised that they lost. I was just surprised that after a bye week that UK didn’t get blown out. UK Football never emerges from a bye week prepared. It’s the complete opposite. A bye week seems to bring out lethargy and lackadaisical lapses of concentration.
Joker Philips, or as I like to call him, THE JOKE came in talking big. UK was going to turn it around. This was the year that UK Football got over the hump.
Looks more like the year that UK Football lost momentum and slid back down there level with Vandy.
THE JOKE should resign. If the guy had any honor, he’d already have stepped aside.
He won’t do it. So I give him about 4 more years before the UKAA belatedly admits their mistake, fires him and moves on to make their next lackluster hire of a coach who will be fired soon thereafter. The UKAA has no imagination when it comes to football. Always playing to not lose instead of making a play to win. As long as they’re getting those fat checks from the SEC and fans keep filling up those seats to watch mediocre football this will never change.
So much for this being the REAL BOWL GAME of the season. Losers talk if I’ve ever heard it, that was.
So, here’s to eternal mediocrity and the hopeless fools who pay for the privilege of watching it.
GO CATS!!!
When they're 26 or 30 or so, they'll have the same stupified look on their faces. That is IF they are still following the joke that is UK Football.
HAS SOMEONE STARTED FIREJOKER.COM YET???
If not, they should.
Land of the Groped, Home of the Government Approved Perverts
In Commerce, islam, Middle East, Politics, thinking out loud, Travel, Useful Information on November 28, 2010 at 12:05 am
Full-Frontal Nudity Doesn’t Make Us Safer
For even more theater of the absurd, consider that the TSA screens pilots. If a pilot wants to bring a plane down, he or she can probably do it with bare hands, and certainly without weapons. It’s also not entirely crazy to think that an airline will take measures to keep their pilots from turning their multi-million dollar planes into flying bombs. Through the index funds in my retirement portfolio, I’m pretty sure I own stock in at least one airline, and I’m pretty sure airline managers know that cutting corners on security isn’t in my best interests as a shareholder.
And the items being confiscated? Are nailclippers and aftershave the tools of terrorists? What about the plastic cup of water I was told to dispose of because “it could be acid” (I quote the TSA screener) in New Orleans before the three-ounce rule? What about the can of Coke I was relieved of after a flight from Copenhagen to Atlanta a few months ago? I would be more scared of someone giving a can of Coke to a child and contributing to the onset of juvenile diabetes than of using it to hide something that could compromise the safety of an aircraft.
And finally, most screening devices are ineffective because anyone who is serious about getting contraband on an airplane can smuggle it in a body cavity or a surgical implant. The scanners the TSA uses aren’t going to stop them.
Over the next few years, we’re headed for a bitter, partisan clash over legislative priorities. Before the battle starts, let’s reach for that low-hanging, bipartisan fruit. Let’s abolish the TSA.
Damn the American People! Bureaucratic Gropings will continue…
Jordan Throws a Little Deserved Ridicule at Lebron
In Sports, Stupidity, UK Basketball on November 27, 2010 at 6:48 amIt’s about time.
I tire of Lebron. Dude acts like he deserves accolades and deserves to be respected and loved.
WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP LEBRON!
Then you can have your commercial and say that you’ve “been here before.”
Until then, you’re just a wannabe.
Sorry.
Some argue that Lebron is better than Kobe. I’d argue that Kobe has 5 rings. I’m not the biggest Kobe fan on the planet. He has, however, earned his status with action. He doesn’t just run his mouth.
Enough with the excuses. Show us something ‘Bron. Show us.
I love that you show my Cats the love. That said, do something besides whining.
“He’ll never be Jordan,” Barkley told 790 The Ticket in Miami earlier in the week. “This clearly takes him out of the conversation. He can win as much as he wants to.
“There would have been something honorable about staying in Cleveland and trying to win it as ‘The Man’ … LeBron, if he would’ve in Cleveland, and if he could’ve got a championship there, it would have been over the top for his legacy, just one in Cleveland. No matter how many he wins in Miami, it clearly is Dwyane Wade’s team.”
Say it ain’t so, Darius!?!
In Sports, Stupidity, thinking out loud, UK Basketball on November 25, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Is Darius Miller the new Saul Smith/Bobby Perry?
Anytime those two guys had good to great games, UK lost.
I hope not. I like the kid. That would be a helluva thing.
Sorrow and Joy
In culture, Literature, Quotes, Spirituality, Unny on November 24, 2010 at 11:46 pm
On Joy and Sorrow
Kahlil Gibran
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, “Joy is greater thar sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits, alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.
From Cairo to Istanbul in 28 Days
In Holidays, islam, Middle East, Religion, Spirituality, thinking out loud, Travel, Unny on November 23, 2010 at 1:05 am
We flew from Bangkok to Cairo on the 21st of September. On the first day, we tripped around to Giza and the City of the Dead. Later that evening, we took the train to Aswan. Along the way, we stopped at Abo Simbel, Luxor, Karnak, Philae, Deendeera, Abydos, Hurghada and finally flew to Alexandria. We spent two days touring Alexandria. Taking in the new Library of Alexandria and Fort Qutbay as well as the Greek and Roman Catacombs under the city. We drove from Alex. back to Cairo where we toured the city in detail (Muhammad Ali Mosque, the Giza Plateau, Pyramids and Sphinx, Saladin’s Citadel, etc). We also took in Sakkara and Memphis and viewed the Red and Bent Pyramids as well as the Alabaster Sphinx and the Statue of Ramses II along with the Ziggurat of Zoser and the surrounding pyramids.
Then we were off to Israel. We spent about 5 days in Jerusalem viewing the old City and took day tours out to Nazareth, Akko (Acre), Ceaserea, the Dead Sea, the Jordan River and Masada. We met an old friend (Mali) from my days in the MFO in the Sinai. And we got the excellent airport treatment for which Tel Aviv is so famous. But that’s a story for another day.
Finally, we were on to Turkey. I wanted to see the Hagia Sofia. Primarily. That said, I was a bit anxious about Turkey. I’ve been to quite a few Muslim countries and Islam hangs over them like a pall. I don’t particularly care for it. It’s quite heavy and puts a damper on things. Israel did not have this except in the Palestinian areas of the Old City in Jerusalem.
We arrived in Turkey and I was quite pleasantly surprised. Islam is an undercurrent in Istanbul. They’re Muslim. You know it. They know it. No one gives a damn. I like that. It’s how it should be with all religion and it’s how it is in most non-Muslim places.
It was refreshing. I don’t think I saw but 10 Chadori/Hijab wearing women and they all seemed to be tourists. Nothing oppressive in Turkey about religion. They seem to all get along. I met quite a few Nestorian Christians and they had the same attitude. We’re Christians. So what! There’s none of the demand that their religion be respected at all cost. I like that.
Turkey was clean as well. That’s another thing about Muslim countries. They’re dirty and run down. Even newer places. It’s as if Allah has declared that “thou shalt not do maintenance.” lol Cairo is the worst. They built the city hundreds of years ago atop ruins. They didn’t remove anything. They cleared no land. Just started building atop the rubble. When those buildings started falling apart, they just built around them. And the dirt and grime. It’s everywhere.
Not so in Istanbul. It’s a beautifully maintained city. Clean streets.
And the people. Everyone was so nice. And they smiled. Very few mean spirited folks or scammers around. As a matter of fact, I can’t remember anyone even attempting a scam on us. We asked directions when we were lost and we were simply given directions.
The food was great as well. They had these pancakes with beef or veggies or jellies. Whatever you wanted. AND THEY WERE DELICIOUS. Of course, the Lamb Kabob was excellent. I ate so much kabob, I thought I was going to explode.
The Hagia Sofia or Aya Sofia was wondrous. Incredible. Amazing. It was gargantuan. The famous religious depictions were beautiful. Centuries old Art.
The Blue Mosque or Suleimein. One of the most beautiful structures I have had the pleasure to visit. More lovely inside than the Mohammad Ali Mosque in Cairo. Insanely intricate and well maintained as well. Simply beautiful. Can’t say it enough.
We walked around the city several times. Stopped by a few museums. The Istanbul Archaeological Museum was huge. Relics from Troy, Persia, the Ottomans, the Greeks, the Romans, and everything in between. It was amazing.
Then we went up the hill to the Topkapi Palace. I didn’t know much about it. I knew it was supposed to be gorgeous and historical. I hadn’t researched it. We almost didn’t go. Huge mistake. If you make it to Istanbul, you must go to the Topkapi Palace. Aside from it’s beauty and historocity. It has what are called “The Sacred Trusts.”
The Sacred Trusts are actual artifacts handed down (or stolen) from Empire to Empire from the time of Mohammad. His clothing. His water bowl. The plates off of which he ate. And not only Mohammad. There are relics from Fatima and “the Companions.”
That is some serious history.
There are also pieces of the Kaba’a from Mekkah and old keys and locks to the Kaba’a and the Grand Mosque there in Mekkah.
Treasures all.
I could scarcely believe my eyes when I walked in this room. When I laid my eyes upon the Sword of Mohammad, I thought I was seeing things. I had to rub my eyes. Take my glasses off and clean them and take a second to let it sink in.
Imagine finding the sword of Genghis Khan or Alexander the Great. Imagine finding the actual clothing that Jesus wore or the actual cup and plate from the last supper.
I’m no believer in any of these religions, but, I have a keen interest in history. As a personality from an earlier age and a great historical interest, I have much respect for Mohammad. He built an empire from nothing. He created a religion and a culture which has lasted for over 1300 years. It’s not his fault that his religion and his culture has been hi-jacked by complete asses like Osama bin Laden, the House of Saud and the followers of al Wahhab. That’s not to mention the Iranian fools. And, still yet, it doesn’t take into account the idiotic Apologists in Europe and America who sell their lies to an ignorant populace.
At any rate, it was a singular experience for me to be able to gaze upon the Swords that Mohammad and his companions used to rise up out of the desert and plant the seed that created one of the worlds greatest empires.
I was awe stricken.
After Istanbul, it was on to Ephesus to see the Greek Ruins, the House of Mary where Jesus’ Mother supposedly lived out her last days and the Temple of Artemis. Next day it was on to Pammakule. These places are so full of history and culture that there is no possible way for me to do them justice. The Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
In this trip, we’d been fortunate enough to visit 3 of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. The Temple of Artemis, The Pharos of Alexandria (Fort Qutbay) and the Pyramids at Giza.
In my estimation, Abo Simbel is a great worthy of this acclamation as well. Abo Simbel is a wonder of any age much less to marvel that it was built thousands of years ago. But then again, Egypt is full of wonders that defy description, dazzle the eye and boggle the mind.
From Cairo to Istanbul in 28 Days. This was a great trip and we all very much enjoyed ourselves.
Hope you enjoy the pictures…Dave
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(some of the pics in the slideshow are from earlier trips to Paris, Rome, Athens, Santorini, etc)
UK Football is a JOKE
In UK Football on November 22, 2010 at 11:35 pm
All of these football people who follow Kentucky have all of these reservations about UK playing Louisville.
All of these Joker apologists have all of these reservations about playing Louisville.
Why?
I thought UK Football had improved so much.
If it had improved so much, UK could and would take any challenge and super it.
Instead we have all of this talk about “is it worth it?” All of these folks admitting that UK could lose a game like this.
Why?
UK has immensely improved in football. Yet, with all of that improvement, it is still flat out MEDIOCRE.
MEDIOCRE
LET ME SAY IT AGAIN…
MEDIOCRE
UK Football is still sitting at roughly 11th place in the SEC and might have gone from a 150 to 200 ranked team to a 90-140 ranked team.
IT’S STILL MEDIOCRE.
I don’t see much to celebrate.
Barely making .500 each year and barely making a Bowl Game.
Still can’t beat Florida. Still can’t beat UT.
BUT HEY! It’s exciting that UK can beat the decent to good SEC Teams when they are having a down year.
UK Football.
It’s a joke.
If there isn’t significant improvement in the Second Year of Joker, I think the guy should be fired. Especially if there is a set back. If UK doesn’t win at least 8 games next season, the Joke should be terminated. Period.
I’m tired of being forced to cheer for 5th Rate Football. I’m equally tired of the perenially lie that UK is coming up. I’m tired of exhortations to believe.
Screw that…show me something. Something.
And I’m not talking about 2nd rate bowls or winning at Tennessee when UT SUCKS!
AND NOW!!!
We have the newest revolution from the mind of the Joke.
Operation 517
What an idiot!
