New construction in Virginia Beach.
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"Cities need old buildings so badly it is probably impossible for vigorous streets and districts to grow without them.... for really new ideas of any kind—no matter how ultimately profitable or otherwise successful some of them might prove to be—there is no leeway for such chancy trial, error and experimentation in the high-overhead economy of new construction. Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings." ~ Jane Jacobs (b. 1916), U.S. urban analyst.
This now appears to be the tallest building in Virginia Beach, thirty-six floors and still under construction. When finished, I believe it will be a high-rise luxury condominium community, surrounded by all the amenities a large city has to offer. Restaurants abound in this area including an Irish pub, Cheesecake Factory, a steak house too expensive for all but the very wealthy, Italian, Smokey Bones, and just down the road.... IHOP, for those so inclined. As for shopping, this should revitalize the mall across the street and give Barnes and Noble continued success; a menswear shop and smaller women's boutiques blend in with the eateries. And just next door, the new music hall and fine arts building is also under construction as is a Westin hotel. Imagine that! Step out your door, walk a few steps and enjoy dinner, then take in the symphony or a Broadway musical. Looks like these condos will have something for everyone within a four block radius.
By the way, this new construction was brought to you by my new Canon Digital Rebel xti, a gift from my "baby" brother. Now, if I could just get a picture from the top of this building! Now, that would be something!
Submission for Thursday Challenge topic "new". (end of post)
New digital camera... in experimental mode.
(Click picture for larger view) "Art, like life, should be free, since both are experimental." ~ George Santayana (1863-1952)
Early Sunday morning the sun was rising in the east, shining through the leafless trees in the neighborhood. I decided to experiment with my new digital camera so I took this shot with a variety of shutter speeds... this was my favorite, taken at 1/500 shutter speed. I loved the intricate and complex pattern of interweaving limbs and branches and the dark almost brooding feeling overall.
Submission for LensDay topic "experimental". (end of post)
Our Ragdolls (Click picture for larger view) "There are many intelligent species in the universe. They are all owned by cats." ~ Anonymous
I dimly remember someone asking about the Ragdoll cats; how many live here and how can you tell the difference. We have three purebred Ragdoll cats along with four Siamese; yes, we are not sane. From the upper left corner and moving clockwise we have Magnolia Blossom of Brevard (Maggie), a blue-mitted variety; Sir Nicholas Alexander of Brevard (Nicky or Nickerdoodle), a rare blue-mitted lynx variety; Maggie at five months of age and before she developed her permanent angry expression; and Lady Wilhelmina Abigail of Brevard (Willow or Willowbean), another blue mitted variety.
Maggie (upper left and bottom right) belongs to my parents and is a year and a half older than mine. They were all born in Brevard, North Carolina but only Willow and Nicky are siblings. Maggie had a different mother and father.
How do we tell the difference? Nicky is easy. He is a lynx and therefore has a distinct striping above his eyes and most obvious, he has a thick white eyeliner look around almond shaped eyes. Willow's mask area is a more uniform blue-gray and in the center of her forehead is a tiny white star. Maggie does not have this star. And even though they are the same breed and same variety, they have completely different faces. Maggie's face is flatter, more like a Persian and her cheeks are puffy giving her a chipmunk look. Willow's face is thinner and her nose more pointed; she also doesn't ALWAYS have that "mad at the world" look, as does Maggie.
The biggest difference is in their personalities. Nicky is a "scaredy" cat, laid back, hides, loves to be on his back; in general he is very close to the typical Ragdoll personality. Willow is smarter than any cat I've ever known. The wheels are always turning in her head. She is the queen of her universe, sticks her nose in everyone's business and stands up to the Siamese. I've seen her stand toe to toe with one of the Siamese and counter box with the best of them. She doesn't roll over and go limp for anyone, yet is docile in the bath and easy to groom. Maggie is spoiled, contrary, and angry; the person who clips her nails must wear two pair of pants, two shirts and a thick jacket, and long oven mitts that cover to the elbow. You must also have her muzzle, a thick towel, and at least two extra pair of hands to do the actual clipping. We don't bathe Maggie.... she goes to the vet, or at least she will until they refuse to provide the service.
So there you have it... how to differentiate between our three Ragdolls! Any more questions? We are late getting to Cats on Tuesday this week; better late than never. Caylynn has been the host while Gatinna has been on vacation.
The Ragdolls will also board Friday's Ark, although a bit late this week. They will also do a turn at the Carnival of the Cats that will be hosted by Leslie's Omnibus on Sunday.
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Simple joy. (Click picture for larger view) "Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough."
~ Emily Elizabeth Dickinson
Another long and hard semester was over; the last final finished, the last paper turned in and only small loose ends remained before Christmas break. So, on December 21st, Nyssa and I walked around Colonial Williamsburg with a fresh cup of hot apple cider in hand, enjoying the beautiful wreaths and sprays that decorated the town. It was a time to relax in the simple joy of the season and the wonderful sense of history in this place.
Submission for Tuesday Challenge topic "joy". (end of post)
A wild boar... M. Dubois Grocer (Click picture for larger view) "I will seek elegance rather than luxury, refinement rather than fashion. I will seek to be worthy more than respectable, wealthy and not rich. I will study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly. I will listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with an open heart. I will bear all things cheerfully, do all things bravely await occasions and hurry never. In a word I will let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common." ~ William Ellery Channing
Fireworks, bottle rockets and firecrackers fired in the new year and kept the noise level high for over a half an hour. Poor Max, doesn't like fire crackers so he spent the night inside with the cats. Otherwise, it was pretty boring here.... no wild parties, no loud music; just the click of computer keys and the sound of millions watching the ball drop in Times Square as the Year of the Pig began.
AC posted a really cute picture of a pig last week but I didn't really have any. Then I remembered this sign above one of the shops in Colonial Williamsburg. Not exactly a pig, but close... a wild boar! If that doesn't work for you then consider the little piggies below.... these sock pigs were made by my great aunt in Franklin County, Virginia.
I've read several good posts today regarding New Year's resolutions; all have seemed very worthwhile and well thought out. I am trying not to make specific resolutions this year; they don't usually work out in the grand scheme of things. So this year will be a "one day at a time" year and we'll just see what happens.
Happy New Year!!!!!
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