Monday, July 29, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
The Rumpus Web Selections Literature poetry class
The Last Poem I Loved: “Love is not all” by Edna St. Vincent Millay
The last poem I loved also happens to be the first poem I loved enough to set to memory. Here’s why: it made me burst into tears in front of my classmates. Abject humiliation = required memorization. Simple.
Me: College girl, English major, first time in love. I’m sitting in a poetry class, listening to a beloved professor read this poem. Emotion chokes his voice, and suddenly I’m in tears, too:
Yet many a man is making friends with death, even as I speak,My eyes fill, heart overflowing with sophomoric pity for myself and other young romantics who suffer (what do we know of suffering?) the desolation of lovelessness (what do we know of love?)—unending isolation, heavy and dimensionless as fog. (Isolation we know.)
For lack of love alone.
And that first world- and heart-expanding rush of realizing that the young man across from me, the sight of whose collarbones made my fingers tingle and curl inside my mittens when I met him at the dormitory door—that young man loves me back? That makes me cry, too—relief, mostly, that I will have some other companion than my own voice talking back to me in my head—some friend in this world, other than death.
My professor stops reading and peers at me over the top of his glasses.
I am, officially, a mess.
So I memorize the poem: 1) to commemorate that emotional paroxysm, a kind of public climax I’ve never before experienced in the K-12 education process, 2) to see if I can recreate it at will (only occasionally, and usually while driving or when it’s otherwise very inconvenient and/or hazardous to be crying), and 3) to climb inside this poem—and let it clamber around inside me—for the next thirty years or so.
See if it can’t eventually make better sense of me than I can of it.
What sense I made of it initially is probably the typical college-level reading: the grand theme of love—satirically pooh-poohed as inconsequential by the poet in a cascading series of images worthy of the fly-in cameras of CSI and Bones: a hungry man; a homeless man; [camera swoops in] a drowning man [now diving down the bronchial passage] whose filling lungs struggle for breath; [scope narrows further, for even finer detail] whose blood vessels are clogged and gasping; [camera angle changes to focus on the fractured ends of bone rasping his raw meat] whose very bones fail.
Love touches none of this pain, the poet sneers. And yet . . . the camera pans out from the body’s interior, to a room. A bedside, where a man sits, gun in hand. To an open window, a high ledge.
The scene shifts, and the poet’s camera angles in from across the room. Lovers, heads bowed together, hands touching. It well may be . . . pain or hunger, despair—the same struggles that Love (with its self-important Capital Letter) has no solution for—may drive one to choose relief, or peace, or food, or breath, or survival—anything, everything, instead of the beloved.
The camera lens focuses even more tightly. The poet carries us into the most intimate space possible between two people.
I might be driven to sell your love for peace,Thirty or so years ago, a young college girl in love with the young college boy across from her in poetry class knew, with every pulsing, horny, first-love cell in her, that the last line of the poem
or trade the memory of this night for food.
It well may be. I do not think I would.was as final a declaration of love’s great all-sufficiency, and the heart’s steadfastness, as poetry could offer.
I know better now.
Thirty years later
In the words of the gentle Miss Eyre: “Reader, I married him.” That boy with the fabulous collarbones and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. [
I realize that this confession may lose some readers outright—monogamous long-term heterosexual marriage not being exactly fashionable these days—but hang in there. Might still be some good stuff.]During the years in between—kids and jobs and moving households and stony silence and exhaustion and repeatedly losing and finding and melting into each other–St. Vincent Millay’s poem has broken my heart a million times. It has taught me more about its meaning—and the workings of my own heart and marriage—than my dear professor could have, or that that I could possibly have imagined, sitting in that quiet classroom, streaming surprised and embarrassed tears in front of my classmates. Because this? “I might be driven to sell your love for peace/or trade the memory of this night for food… “ I did exactly that—over and over and over again.
This poem, climbing around my memories and experiences, has settled here and there over the years and pointed its camera lens quietly, focused in. Here. See that? That’s what you did. 40 lbs gained after two babies, and then just kept going? Busted. Choosing food as drug of choice? Very clear. No sex tonight? This month? For a year? How about eight years? Ouch. This betrayal is possible, even in love. Hell, most often in love. This is the truth of it.
(Cue more surprised and embarrassed tears.)
And what is it I have to offer to my beloved of more than 25 years, in that sacred and intimate space the poem finally brings us to? Not my firm declarations of undying love. Not my firm breasts (those are long gone, at least one nursing baby ago). Just this: my broken self, my imperfect love. The possibility that I’ll make the wrong choices, say the wrong thing, or fail to speak at all—and bring that fog of isolation rolling right back into the midst of us. I do not think I would. But I might. Because I already have. It well may be. Love me, even so. Even so. And I will promise to do the same for you.
Walking miles along the beach during our 25th anniversary getaway—a bit of a 2nd honeymoon—this poem was still clambering around my heart. Happier images now, having learned some of its lessons, made some better choices, reconciled and healed what could be healed—forgiven what could not. Perhaps this is the best and the worst of love, lived in partnership over the course of more than a quarter century: in the end, in that quiet space between lovers imagined by the poet, we have only ourselves to offer for “the healing of harms”, as C. S. Lewis put it—the hurts that come from living in this world—the hurts we inflict on ourselves—most especially the pain we give each other. Within the embrace of that flawed and beautiful reality, this poem teaches me, love grows, wounds heal. May we find that, at the right time, it will have been enough.
http://therumpus.net/
http://therumpus.net/sections/books/
Poem Your love was written off, not to last
From nowhere you appeared
a flashing star in the dark night
Like the panorama lights of 4th of July
Arrows of love pierced my heart
A willing victim of your charm
thought I would, enamoured forever be
but time passed
Your love was written off, not to last
It was time to bid goodbye
Turning our backs, going our own way
a flashing star in the dark night
Like the panorama lights of 4th of July
Arrows of love pierced my heart
A willing victim of your charm
thought I would, enamoured forever be
but time passed
Your love was written off, not to last
It was time to bid goodbye
Turning our backs, going our own way
Friday, July 26, 2013
Galileo Galilei a mathematics professor who made pioneering observations of nature
Galileo biography
1 photoQuick Facts
- NAME: Galileo
- OCCUPATION:Astronomer
- BIRTH DATE:February 15, 1564
- DEATH DATE:January 08, 1642
- EDUCATION: Monastery school at Vallombrosa, near Florence, University of Pisa
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Pisa, Italy
- PLACE OF DEATH: Arcetri, Italy
- AKA: Galileo
- Full Name: Galileo Galilei
http://www.biography.com/
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
At least 60 killed, up to 131 injured, after train derails in Spain
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/25/us-spain-train-idUSBRE96N17R20130725
A train derailed outside the ancient northwestern Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela on Wednesday, killing at least 60 people and injuring up to 131 in one of Europe's worst rail disasters.
Bodies covered in blankets lay next to the overturned carriages as smoke billowed from the wreckage. Firefighters clambered over the twisted metal trying to get survivors out of the windows, while ambulances and fire engines surrounded the scene.
The government said it was working on the hypothesis the derailment was an accident - although the scene will stir memories of 2004's Madrid train bombing, carried out by Islamist extremists, that killed 191 people. Sabotage or attack was unlikely to be involved, an official source said.
The train operated by state rail company Renfe with 247 people on board derailed on the eve of the city's main festival in honor of Saint James when thousands of Christian pilgrims from all over the world pack the streets.
"It was going so quickly. ... It seems that on a curve the train started to twist, and the wagons piled up one on top of the other," passenger Ricardo Montesco told Cadena Ser radio station.
"A lot of people were squashed on the bottom. We tried to squeeze out of the bottom of the wagons to get out and we realized the train was burning. ... I was in the second wagon and there was fire. ... I saw corpses," he added.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who was born in Santiago de Compostela, will visit the site on Thursday morning, his spokeswoman said.
"In the face of a tragedy such as just happened in Santiago de Compostela on the eve of its big day, I can only express my deepest sympathy as a Spaniard and a Galician," Rajoy said in a statement.
Santiago de Compostela's tourism board said all the festivities, including Wednesday's traditional High Mass at the centuries-old cathedral, were canceled as the city went into mourning.
'LIKELY AN ACCIDENT'
El Pais newspaper cited sources close to the investigation as saying the train was travelling at over twice the speed limit on a sharp curve. Both Renfe and state-owned Adif, which is in charge of the tracks, had opened an investigation into the cause of the derailment, Renfe said.
An official source said no statement would be made regarding the cause of the Spanish derailment until the black boxes of the train were examined, but said it was most likely an accident.
"We are moving away from the hypothesis of sabotage or attack," he said.
Clinics in the city were overwhelmed with people flocking to give blood, while hotels organized free rooms for relatives. Madrid sent forensic scientists and hospital staff to the region on special flights.
The death toll was 60 and could rise, with up to 131 injured, a Galicia-based spokeswoman for the office of the central government said.
"The scene is shocking, it's Dante-esque," said the head of the surrounding Galicia region, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, in a radio interview.
The eight-carriage train was travelling from Madrid to Ferrol on the Galician coast when it derailed, Renfe said in a statement.
The disaster happened as Spain is struggling to emerge from a long-running recession marked by government-driven austerity to bring its finances into order. Firefighters called off a strike to help with the disaster, while hospital staff, many operating on reduced salaries because of spending cuts, worked overtime to tend the injured.
The city's main festival focuses on St James, one of Jesus' 12 disciples whose remains are said to rest in the city and who is patron saint of Galicia.
The apostle's shrine there is the destination of the famous El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, followed by Christians since the Middle Ages.
The derailment happened less than two weeks after six people died when a train came off the tracks and hit the platform at a station in central France.
That accident may have been caused by a loose steel plate at a junction, French train operator SNCF said.
Wednesday's derailment was one of the worst rail accidents in Europe over the past 25 years.
In November 2000, 155 people were killed when a fire in a tunnel engulfed a funicular train packed with skiers in Austria.
In Montenegro, up to 46 people were killed and nearly 200 injured in 2006 when a packed train derailed and plunged into a ravine outside the capital, Podgorica.
In Spain itself, 41 people were killed the same year when an underground train derailed and overturned in a tunnel just before entering the Jesus metro station in Valencia.
A train derailed outside the ancient northwestern Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela on Wednesday, killing at least 60 people and injuring up to 131 in one of Europe's worst rail disasters.
Bodies covered in blankets lay next to the overturned carriages as smoke billowed from the wreckage. Firefighters clambered over the twisted metal trying to get survivors out of the windows, while ambulances and fire engines surrounded the scene.
The government said it was working on the hypothesis the derailment was an accident - although the scene will stir memories of 2004's Madrid train bombing, carried out by Islamist extremists, that killed 191 people. Sabotage or attack was unlikely to be involved, an official source said.
The train operated by state rail company Renfe with 247 people on board derailed on the eve of the city's main festival in honor of Saint James when thousands of Christian pilgrims from all over the world pack the streets.
"It was going so quickly. ... It seems that on a curve the train started to twist, and the wagons piled up one on top of the other," passenger Ricardo Montesco told Cadena Ser radio station.
"A lot of people were squashed on the bottom. We tried to squeeze out of the bottom of the wagons to get out and we realized the train was burning. ... I was in the second wagon and there was fire. ... I saw corpses," he added.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who was born in Santiago de Compostela, will visit the site on Thursday morning, his spokeswoman said.
"In the face of a tragedy such as just happened in Santiago de Compostela on the eve of its big day, I can only express my deepest sympathy as a Spaniard and a Galician," Rajoy said in a statement.
Santiago de Compostela's tourism board said all the festivities, including Wednesday's traditional High Mass at the centuries-old cathedral, were canceled as the city went into mourning.
'LIKELY AN ACCIDENT'
El Pais newspaper cited sources close to the investigation as saying the train was travelling at over twice the speed limit on a sharp curve. Both Renfe and state-owned Adif, which is in charge of the tracks, had opened an investigation into the cause of the derailment, Renfe said.
An official source said no statement would be made regarding the cause of the Spanish derailment until the black boxes of the train were examined, but said it was most likely an accident.
"We are moving away from the hypothesis of sabotage or attack," he said.
Clinics in the city were overwhelmed with people flocking to give blood, while hotels organized free rooms for relatives. Madrid sent forensic scientists and hospital staff to the region on special flights.
The death toll was 60 and could rise, with up to 131 injured, a Galicia-based spokeswoman for the office of the central government said.
"The scene is shocking, it's Dante-esque," said the head of the surrounding Galicia region, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, in a radio interview.
The eight-carriage train was travelling from Madrid to Ferrol on the Galician coast when it derailed, Renfe said in a statement.
The disaster happened as Spain is struggling to emerge from a long-running recession marked by government-driven austerity to bring its finances into order. Firefighters called off a strike to help with the disaster, while hospital staff, many operating on reduced salaries because of spending cuts, worked overtime to tend the injured.
The city's main festival focuses on St James, one of Jesus' 12 disciples whose remains are said to rest in the city and who is patron saint of Galicia.
The apostle's shrine there is the destination of the famous El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, followed by Christians since the Middle Ages.
The derailment happened less than two weeks after six people died when a train came off the tracks and hit the platform at a station in central France.
That accident may have been caused by a loose steel plate at a junction, French train operator SNCF said.
Wednesday's derailment was one of the worst rail accidents in Europe over the past 25 years.
In November 2000, 155 people were killed when a fire in a tunnel engulfed a funicular train packed with skiers in Austria.
In Montenegro, up to 46 people were killed and nearly 200 injured in 2006 when a packed train derailed and plunged into a ravine outside the capital, Podgorica.
In Spain itself, 41 people were killed the same year when an underground train derailed and overturned in a tunnel just before entering the Jesus metro station in Valencia.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Kate Middleton and Prince William
Kate Middleton and Prince William are now the proud parents of a baby boy -- and the pair are grateful for the care they received surrounding the royal heir's arrival. In a joint statement released Tuesday, July 23, the first-time parents said, "We would like to thank the staff at the Lindo Wing and the whole hospital for the tremendous care the three of us have received."
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 31, added, "We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone -- staff, patients and visitors -- for their understanding during this time."
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Voice of Free Expression and Freedom of speech
Index on Censorship is a campaigning publishing organisation for freedom of expression, which produces an award-winning quarterly magazine of the same name from London. The present Chief Executive of Index on Censorship, since April 2012, is Kirsty Hughes, who has covered international politics and public policy over the last two decades including for thinktanks (Chatham House, Friends of Europe and others), the European Commission, and Oxfam.
Freedom of speech is the political right to communicate one's opinions and ideas using one's body and property to anyone who is willing to receive them. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, as with libel, slander, obscenity, sedition (including, for example inciting ethnic hatred), copyright violation, revelation of information that is classified or otherwise.
The right to freedom of expression is recognized as a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 19 of the ICCPR states that "[e]veryone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference" and "everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice". Article 19 goes on to say that the exercise of these rights carries "special duties and responsibilities" and may "therefore be subject to certain restrictions" when necessary "[f]or respect of the rights or reputation of others" or "[f]or the protection of national security or of public order (order public), or of public health or morals".[1][2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech
http://www.indexoncensorship.org/
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
What are the most decisive battles of the revolutionary war under George Washington and the outcome
1 - Saratoga
Yes, even over Yorktown, because Saratoga brought decisive French support to the American cause.
#2 - Chesapeake Bay
Without the defeat of the British fleet, Yorktown never occurs.
#3 - Yorktown
Yorktown effectively ended the war.
#4 - Trenton
Trenton kept the Continental Army alive and kicking.
#5 - Boston
Kicking the British out of the center of the revolution gave the patriots legitimacy, ensuring that the revolution would not just peter out through lack of activity.
Yes, even over Yorktown, because Saratoga brought decisive French support to the American cause.
#2 - Chesapeake Bay
Without the defeat of the British fleet, Yorktown never occurs.
#3 - Yorktown
Yorktown effectively ended the war.
#4 - Trenton
Trenton kept the Continental Army alive and kicking.
#5 - Boston
Kicking the British out of the center of the revolution gave the patriots legitimacy, ensuring that the revolution would not just peter out through lack of activity.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Safi Morocco Ramadan Prayers Time
Date
|
Day
| ||||||
14
|
Sun
|
5:03
|
6:40
|
1:43
|
5:25
|
8:46
|
10:17
|
15
|
Mon
|
5:04
|
6:40
|
1:43
|
5:25
|
8:45
|
10:16
|
16
|
Tue
|
5:05
|
6:41
|
1:44
|
5:25
|
8:45
|
10:16
|
17
|
Wed
|
5:06
|
6:42
|
1:44
|
5:25
|
8:44
|
10:15
|
18
|
Thu
|
5:07
|
6:42
|
1:44
|
5:25
|
8:44
|
10:14
|
19
|
Fri
|
5:08
|
6:43
|
1:44
|
5:25
|
8:43
|
10:14
|
20
|
Sat
|
5:09
|
6:43
|
1:44
|
5:25
|
8:43
|
10:13
|
Friday, July 12, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Washington D.C. Museums
http://smithsonianscience.org/
Freer Gallery of ArtJefferson Dr. (at 12th St.), SW Washington DC; Tel. 202.633.4880 Hours: Daily, 10am-5:30pm. Admission: Free.
The Freer Gallery of Art opened in 1923 as the first
Smithsonian museum of art. Its eclectic collection began with a donation by
Charles Lang Freer: over 9,000 works of American and Asian art. Chinese jades
and bronzes, Persian metalwork, Buddhist sculptures and Japanese screens share
the gallery's Italian Renaissance-style building with works by American artists,
most of whom were influenced by Asian art, such as John Singer Sargent, Thomas
Wilmer Dewing and James McNeill Whistler. Perhaps the most unusual work in the
collection is an entire room known as "The Peacock Room," which was created by
Whistler for the London dining room of a wealthy patron and later purchased by
Freer and shipped to Washington.
|
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture GardenIndependence Ave. (at 7th St.), SW Washington DC; Tel. 202.357.2700. Hours: Daily, 10am-5:30pm. Admission: Free.
Washington, DC's Hirshhorn Museum is housed in a four-story
cylindrical building as controversial in its design as the contemporary works of
art contained inside. This Washington, DC museum is named after its original
benefactor, Joseph H. Hirshhorn, who donated his extensive collection of
contemporary art to the Smithsonian Institution, which has since added to the
original bequest. The museum includes works by 19th and 20th century modern
artists such as, Matisse, Rodin and Degas but the emphasis is on contemporary
art created during the last 25 years. The galleries have the sparse feel of a
minimalist airport lounge, an appropriate backdrop for paintings by Gerhard
Richter, Francis Bacon and Willem de Kooning mobiles by Alexander Calder and
sculptures by Henry Moore and Alberto Giacometti. Across the street from the
Hirshhorn and about halfway down the National Mall is the sculpture garden, a
perfect stopping point for those walking between the Washington Monument and the
Capitol Building. The sculptures range from traditional to
abstract.
|
National Air and Space Museum7th St. and Independence Ave., SW Washington DC.; Tel. 202.357.2700 Hours: Daily, 10am-5:30pm. Admission: Free.
Chronicling man's fascination with flight from his earliest
attempts to become airborne to Apollo 11's voyage to the moon, the National Air
and Space Museum is one of Washington, DC's most popular attractions.
Fortunately, its hangar-like building can accommodate considerable numbers of
visitors along with its hundreds of historic aircraft. The "Milestones of
Flight" gallery near the Museum's main entrance includes the plane in which the
Wright brothers made their first successful flight in 1903; the "Spirit of St.
Louis," in which Charles Lindbergh made the first solo transatlantic flight in
1927; and the "Mercury" capsule in which John Glenn became the first American to
orbit the Earth in 1962. One of the most fascinating exhibits, "Apollo to the
Moon," displays some of the equipment and technology used for the Apollo
missions, including Neil Armstrong's and Buzz Aldrin's spacesuits, navigation
aids and survival equipment.
|
National Gallery of ArtConstitution Ave. (between 3rd and 9th Streets), NW Washington DC; Tel. 202.737.4215 Hours: Mon Sat, 10am 5pm; Sun 11 am 6pm. Admission: Free
The National Gallery of Art outgrew its first building, known
as the West Building in the 1970s and was joined by an underground concourse to
the East Building, which is as daring in its architectural design as the
original building is conservative. The West Building features European paintings
and sculptures from the 13th to 19th centuries, including one of the best
Impressionist collections outside of Paris with works by Manet, Renoir, Monet,
and Cezanne. A highlight of the ground floor sculpture galleries, which recently
underwent a four-year renovation, is a collection of Degas' wax statuettes of
young ballet dancers. The imposing East Building accommodates the Gallery's 20th
century art as well as a variety of temporary exhibitions. The central atrium is
so voluminous that finding the galleries nestled into its far-flung corners can
be a challenge.
|
National Museum of African Art950 Independence Ave., SW Washington DC; Tel. 202.357.4600 Hours: Daily, 10am-5:30pm. Admission: Free.
A haven of quiet compared to the bustling National Museum of
Natural History on the other side of the Mall, the National Museum of African
Art is often overlooked, perhaps because it is mostly housed underground. About
half the Museum's space is devoted to exhibits focusing on specific regions, but
the 7,000-strong permanent collection includes objects from all over the
continent. Objects often combine religious and cultural expression with a
functional purpose and the collection includes everything from Nigerian
carved-ivory cult figures to Zairean mother-and-child fertility fetishes. This
Washington, DC museum's gift shop sells colorful textiles and African crafts as
well as an extensive selection of books covering African art, culture and
history.
|
National Museum of American History14th St. and Constitution Ave. NW Washington D.C.; Tel. 202.357-2700 Hours: Daily, 10am-5:30pm. Admission: Free
The mission of the National Museum of American History is to
display objects that reflect the experiences of the American people. The result
is a chaotic collection of Americana set among exhibits with the worthy aim of
recounting America's colorful past through the eyes of its diverse citizens.
Objects range from the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz,
to Mohammad Ali's boxing gloves, to George Washington's wooden teeth. The first
floor of the Museum covers the history of science and technology. The second is
devoted to social and cultural history and includes the original flag that
inspired the national anthem and an exhibit that examines the evolving role of
First Ladies. The top floor houses political memorabilia as well as an exhibit
that displays some of the 25,000 tokens of remembrance left by visitors to the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial and another that deals with the experiences of
Japanese-Americans held in detention camps during World War II.
|
National Museum of Crime & Punishment575 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004; Tel. 202.393.1099
At Washington DC’s National Museum of Crime & Punishment,
mankind’s conflict between good and evil is dissected for all to see. Learn both
the past and modern methods of law enforcement agencies, and delve into the
evolution of crime and the criminal mastermind from the times of medieval
knights, piracy, gunslingers and even modern day hackers. In addition to three
floors of fascinating and educational displays, intense, highly interactive
exhibits allow visitors of all ages to enjoy truly unique simulations. This
Washington DC museum includes a crime scene lab and the filming studios for
America’s Most Wanted.
|
National Museum of Natural History10th St. and Constitution Ave., NW Washington DC; Tel. 202.357.2700 Hours: Daily, 10am-5:30pm (Extended Summer Hours: 10am-7:30pm). Admission: Free.
The first stop for Washington, DC museum-goers with children in
tow is usually the "Dinosaurs" exhibit on the ground floor of the National
Museum of Natural History. Barring flights of family-phobia brought on by
squealing children and their frazzled parents, the looming, reassembled
skeletons and reproductions of dinosaurs are as fascinating to adults as they
are to kids. The Mammal Hall, which was becoming outdated, has been renovated
and is set to reopen in the fall of 2003. In the meantime, the creepy-crawlies
filling the Insect Zoo on the second floor will probably be enough to keep the
kids entertained, along with the 3D bugs and dinosaurs on view at the IMAX
theater. The biggest draw for adult visitors to this Washington, DC museum is
probably the 45-carat Hope Diamond, which once belonged to Marie Antoinette and
can now be found in the Gem and Mineral Hall along with other legendary jewels.
1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Museum© Smithsonian Institution
There is something for everyone at this museum. Natural history appeals to all ages and there are so many artifacts that you can’t possibly see them all in one visit. The dinosaur exhibits are fascinating and great for kids. The Family Hall of Mammals is especially fun to explore as well as the Sant Ocean Hall. I love the cinematography and stunning scenery in the IMAX films and wish I had time to see them all.
Visiting Tips: This is the most popular Washington DC museum for families. Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds. Purchase IMAX tickets in advance or as soon as you arrive. If you are visiting with kids, be sure to see the Discovery Room where there are lots of hands-on activities. Allow at least 2-3 hours. 2. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum© NASM
This fabulous museum gives visitors a close-up view of air and space travel with 22 exhibition galleries, displaying hundreds of artifacts including the original Wright 1903 Flyer, the "Spirit of St. Louis," and the Apollo 11 command module. The IMAX films and the Planetarium are great for all ages.
Visiting Tips: This is one of the busiest Washington DC museums. Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds. Purchase IMAX or Planetarium tickets in advance or as soon as you arrive. Allow at least 2-3 hours. There’s also an annex location near Dulles International Airport - The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center which can be easier to get to from the suburbs and is usually not as crowded as the National Mall location. 3. U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum© Getty Images
The museum is a memorial to the millions of Jews who died during the Nazi regime in Germany during World War II. The exhibits tell the horrific story of genocide and teach the dangers of hatred and prejudice. Visiting this museum is an emotional experience so be sure that you have enough time and stamina. The permanent exhibits are not recommended for children under 11 years old. There is a separate exhibit for ages 8 and up that tells the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of a young boy.
Visiting Tips: Free Timed Passes are required for the permanent exhibit. Timed passes are distributed for the same day on a first-come first-served basis. Allow 2-3 hours. 4. Newseum© Newseum
The six-level, high-tech and interactive attraction traces the history of news reporting from the 16th century to the present day. My favorites exhibits are the Pulitzer Prize Photo Gallery (shows the award winning images captured since the 1940s), Today’s Front Pages (shows 80 newspaper front pages from around the world, updated daily) and the 9/11 Gallery (looks at how the media responded to the tragic event). There are 15 theaters including a 4D immersive experience. You could easily spend most of the day here watching the footage of decades of historic events.
Visiting Tips: Start at the top level and work your way down to the ground level. This is a fascinating attraction and well worth the $20 entrance fee. Allow at least 4 hours. 5. Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens© Mount Vernon Ladies Association
The home of George Washington is often overlooked by visitors because it is located outside of the city. It is a “must see” attraction. If you visited years ago, it is worth a second look. The estate is set along the shores of the Potomac River and is the most scenic tourist attraction in the Washington, DC area. The historic mansion is restored and decorated as it was when Washington lived there. The museum and education center features 25 state-of-the-art galleries and theaters that tell the story of Washington's life. This is a great attraction and has plenty of interactive activities for the whole family.
Visiting Tips: Arrive early to avoid crowds. Allow at least 4 hours. |
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
What is NNDB? Introducing NNDB Mapper Daily News
10-Jul-2013 · Osama bin Laden wore a cowboy hat ... Wells Fargo
Bank refuses to honor $11,800 in cashier's checks ... John
Barrowman wants the next Doctor Who to be a woman ... Elisabeth Hasselbeck signs with Fox News, and The
View considers Jenny McCarthy as her replacement ... Cleveland
kidnap survivors give thanks to supporters, God ... Conservative billionaires
Charles and David
Koch will spend big bucks campaigning against Obamacare ... Elton
John schedules surgery for appendicitis ... How World War
Z built its smarter zombies ... Brazilian
officials open investigation into telecommunications spying ... Rasheed
Wallace starts his coaching career with Detroit
Pistons ... Judge rejects "state secrets" claim, lets Electronic
Frontier Foundation's lawsuit against US National
Security Agency move forward ... No selfies from Olivia
Munn ... Judge blocks new abortion restrictions in Wisconsin
... Orson
Scott Card demands your tolerance of his intolerance ... Wal-Mart threatens to shutter stores if low wages are raised ... Victim
describes how Norfolk cops protect rapists ... James
Cameron thinks most 3-D movies are crap, and he's right ... US Economic
Development Administration destroyed computers and equipment in response to virus ... Amanda
Bynes announces that Barack and Michelle
Obama are ugly ...
9-Jul-2013 · 13 dead in Canadian oil train accident ... Randy
Travis is hospitalized, in critical condition ... Mos
Def undergoes Guantanamo Bay-style force feeding ... Donald
Glover is cutting back his Community appearances to concentrate on rap career ... Lauryn
Hill checks in to prison ... Scientists monitor mysterious radio bursts from billions of light years away ... Facebook post results in prison for trash-talking teen ... Unsurprisingly, Vietnam-era whistleblower Daniel
Ellsberg endorses NSA whistleblower Edward
Snowden's actions ... Teresa
Heinz is reportedly critically ill ...
8-Jul-2013 · How bunk beds saved Toby
Keith's life ... Is the fine structure constant affected by gravity? ... Remember when Donald
Duck was the mystery guest on What's My
Line? ... Lady Gaga wants to keep lawsuit details under wraps ... There's really just one man in charge of the US Secret
Court, and that's Supreme Court Justice John G.
Roberts, Jr. ... 50 Cent brags that he's not in jail ... Crew tried to abort landing before San
Francisco air crash ... Flight attendant for American
Airlines is accused of hiding rats in her underwear ... Special edition Coca-Cola made with Okinawan
water ... Lance Armstrong enters amateur bicycle ride ... Frozen lake in Antarctica is found to contain a "surprising" variety
of life ... Artwork appraised at £10,000 to £15,000 on Antiques
Roadshow sells for £157,250 ...
7-Jul-2013 · Apple co-founder Steve
Wozniak describes being a Father's Day present to Kanye West from Kim
Kardashian ... Venezuelan President Nicolas
Maduro offers asylum to NSA whistleblower Edward
Snowden "in the name of America's dignity"... Jetliner crashes at San Francisco Airport ... Dwight
Howard signs with Houston Rockets ... For some reason, US State
Department didn't want you to know that Secretary of
Defense John Kerry was yachting during the Egyptian
coup ... US
National Security Agency recruiters get tough questions in Wisconsin ... Hrithik
Roshan undergoes brain surgery ... Portland
installs artsy streetlights ... Can Facebook updates predict suicides? ... Minor League
Baseball team in Alabama cancels gun giveaway promotion ... Climatologist Michael E.
Mann describes his experiences with climate change
deniers ... Listen in to the pitch meeting for The Lone
Ranger ...
6-Jul-2013 · Donald Trump wins $5M lawsuit against former beauty
queen who said his Miss USA pageant was rigged ... Linens go up in flames at Bed Bath & Beyond ... If you want to be a saint, your best bet is to be Pope
first ... The Lone Ranger represents everything that's wrong with Hollywood's pursuit of blockbusters ... Obama
administration urges US Secret Court to keep secret rulings secret ... Adam Sandler's production company is sued over lost fingers ... Andy
Murray throws a delightful tennis temper tantrum ... Russian
spy
Anna
Chapman tweets that she wants NSA
whistleblower Edward Snowden to marry her ... Lukewarm reviews for Jay-Z's massively hyped new album ... Paula
Deen fires her agent, because apparently it's all his fault ...
5-Jul-2013 · Helen Mirren thinks "a gay, black female Doctor
Who would be the best of
all" to replace Matt Smith ... Miley
Cyrus says "Lil Kim is who I am on the inside" ... Barbie
doll gets a real-world makeover ... Jay-Z's Letterman marquee performance is shut down ... NASDAQ claims immunity from lawsuits over botched Facebook IPO ... San
Francisco transit strike ends ... Emma Watson created a fake Tumblr as her Bling
Ring character ... US State Department spent $630,000 to get more likes on Facebook ... Former Gov. George
Ryan (R-Illinois) is released from home confinement ... US Sen.
John
McCain (R-Arizona) does not seem to understand what sexual
harassment is ... Kanye West isn't changing diapers ... James
Gandolfini leaves millions to his teenaged son and infant daughter ... Even
before clicking, you probably know what Oliver
Stone thinks about the NSA spying scandal ... For $10, you can buy a "premium" Quarter Ponder at McDonald's in Japan,
with truffle sauce, pineapple, or chorizo ... Lock of Mick
Jagger's hair sells for $6,000 ... Producers of reality show Big
Brother are shocked to find racism in reality ... July thunderstorm drops nearly two feet
of hail on New Mexico town ... Atomic van der Waals
force is measured for the first time ... Nevada
cops sued over alleged Third
Amendment violations ... Why are the women on Breaking
Bad so unlikable? ... Google is in European
privacy watchdog's crosshairs yet again ... Michael "The
Situation" Sorrentino loses lawsuit over Abercrombie
& Fitch T-shirt ... Steve
Martin gets his wallet back ...
4-Jul-2013 · What's that smell? It's Taylor
Swift ... US Postal Service tracks First Class mail without warrants, and gives the info
to law enforcement on request ... Texas
Rangers sign steroid-addled outfielder Manny
Ramirez to minor league contract ... 50
Cent is charged with domestic
violence ... As scandal over illegal News
Corp wiretaps broke, reporter secretly recorded CEO Rupert
Murdoch's response ... Military coup topples Egyptian President Mohamed
Morsi ... Steven Spielberg wants to re-make The Grapes of Wrath ... King
Vidor tried to make The Big Parade very accurate ... Michelangelo painted prison graffiti
...
3-Jul-2013 · Dennis Rodman is ready for his Nobel Peace
Prize ... Alicia Silverstone offers on-line sharing of vegan breast milk ... Obama
administration gives businesses a year's delay before implementing Obamacare ... Christian
Bale is not playing Batman
in any Justice League movie ... NSA
whistleblower Edward Snowden is cordially not invited to Ecuador and India ... Snoop Lion says thanks to Miley Cyrus ... Catholic
Archbishop of New York Timothy M.
Dolan transferred millions of dollars to shield church funds from sexual
abuse lawsuits ... Tennessee goombah is charged with extortion attempt against Mitt
Romney ... John Cusack wonders, “Why are the red and blue elites
in the establishment press so afraid of an informed public?" ... McDonald's franchise that got sued over fee-laden debit
cards agrees to pay employees with paychecks ... God goes on deadly rampage in Colorado as punishment for abortion and gay rights
... US Sen. Dick
Durbin (D-Illinois) wants the government to decide who's a journalist and who's not ... Does the original Thomas Crown
Affair accurately predict the development of globalization? ... What's the marketing plan for Kim
Kardashian's new moneymaker? ... CNN
debates the n-word vs. "cracker" ... Neil
Gaiman returns to The Sandman ...
2-Jul-2013 · Rob Lowe disses Channing Tatum's new movie ... Citigroup agrees to pay $968M for basically sinking Fannie
Mae ... "Psychic" fraud Sylvia
Browne calls some other schmuck's school a "cult" ... Rihanna and Jennifer
Lawrence hang out in Paris ... When we brand rape an
"unspeakable" crime, we're basically telling victims to shut up
... Demi
Lovato says she had suicidal thoughts before puberty ... US Director of
National Intelligence James R.
Clapper won't face repercussions for lying, since lying is his job ... San
Francisco deals with transit strike ... Statement from NSA
whistleblower Edward Snowden in Moscow
... Pierce
Brosnan's daughter dies of ovarian
cancer ... Doctor Who-themed engagement photos include a
flying TARDIS built by the father of the bride ... Judge
allows yoga in California public schools ... Armed loon is shot dead after kidnapping toddler at Wal-Mart ... Jennifer
Lopez was paid $1.5M to sing "Happy Birthday" to brutal dictator ... McDonald's franchisee won't open shop in disputed West Bank territories ... Kyra
Sedgwick cuts off fingertip in kitchen accident ...
1-Jul-2013 · Jackie Robinson didn't always ignore the taunts ... Artist
sues 20th Century Fox and James
Cameron over Avatar ... Michael
Jackson reportedly spent $35M to silence victims of his habitual child
molestation ... It's unclear whether legal settlement gives Howard
Stern the rights to remake Porky's ... US Supreme
Court turns back last-ditch effort to block same-sex marriage in California ... Why Dwight
Howard is probably through with the Lakers
... Jennifer Lopez says, golly, "had there been knowledge
of human rights issues" she would've skipped that big paycheck
for singing to dictator of Turkmenistan ... European
officials feign surprise to learn that the US National
Security Agency was spying on them ... Boston
rocker Tom
Scholz is ordered to pay $132,000 in court costs to The Boston
Herald after losing defamation lawsuit ... Obama
administration scandals melt away ... Eminem
had a drug problem ... Serious outbreak of measles in Dutch Bible Belt area opposed to vaccinations ... Aaron
Paul says you'll "sh*t your pants" at the finale for Breaking Bad ... How Google maps the world ... Joss Whedon promises more female superheroes ...
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