The Largest Library In The World-The Library of Congress

The Largest Library In The World-The Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest repository of knowledge and creativity, with a growing collection of more than 150 million items, including books, print materials, sound recordings, photographs, maps, sheet music, motion pictures, and manuscripts. Although books are the heart of the Library, from the volumes of American statesman Thomas Jefferson to the most current material that reflects contemporary culture, there is much more.  The Library supports research in its Main Reading Room and in twenty-one specialty reading rooms; archives millions of priceless objects, including the papers of key figures from around the world; gives a stage to performances of all kinds; creates exhibitions that explore historic and cultural themes; produces a wide range of books and teaching materials; and is a global leader in the science of preservation and information management.

The Library of Congress was established in 1800, when President John Adams signed a bill transferring the seat of the U.S. government to Washington. The legislation described a library of “such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress.”  The initial collection of 740 books and 3 maps was housed in the new Capitol Building until August 1814, when invading British troops burned the building, destroying the small library.

President Thomas Jefferson, then retired and living at Monticello, offered his personal library as a replacement.  In January 1815, Congress appropriated $23,950 to purchase Jefferson’s collection of 6,487 books, and thereby laid the foundation for a great national library. The Jeffersonian belief that all subjects are important to the American legislature is the philosophy that inspires the comprehensive collecting policies of today’s Library of Congress.  The Thomas Jefferson Library exhibition is on view on the second floor.

Facing a shortage of space in the Capitol and concerned about the safety of the collection after two disastrous fires, Congress approved the construction of a separate building for its Library. Opened on November 1, 1897, the new “Congressional Library” was hailed as a glorious national monument.  In 1980, the building was named for Thomas Jefferson in honor of his role in the Library’s history.  Between 1984 and 1997, the building was restored to its original nineteenth-century splendor.

Located in the heart of the nation’s capital, The Library of Congress stands out in many regards, but none as noticeable as its immense size. It is the single largest library in the world, “with more than 130 million items on approximately 530 miles of bookshelves. The collections include more than 29 million books and other printed materials, 2.7 million recordings, 12 million photographs, 4.8 million maps, and 58 million manuscripts.”

“It was hailed as a glorious national monument and ‘the largest, the costliest, and the safest’ library building in the world.”

The Library of Congress functions as a branch of the United States government. It is the principal library for the legislative body, though it does duty as a public library as well. Though books may only be used on site, unless by a member of the United States Congress, it is open to anyone above high school age without payment or special permission and it bills itself as “the world's largest library and a great resource to scholars and researchers.” The library is comprised of several divisions including, the Office of the Librarian, Congressional Research Service, U. S.Copyright Office, Law Library of Congress, Office of Strategic Initiatives and Library Services.

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The Evolution of the Golf Ball

The Evolution of the Golf Ball

“It’s considered good sportsmanship not to pick up lost golf balls while they are still rolling.” -Mark Twain

Hard wooden round balls were the first golf balls used between the 14th through the 17th centuries. They were made from hardwoods such as beech and box trees and normally made by carpenters with tools of the day. The early golf ball, known as a featherie, was simply a leather pouch filled with goose feathers. In order to obtain a hard ball, the pouch was filled while wet with wet goose feathers. Since people believed a smooth sphere would result in less drag (and thus fly farther), the pouch was stitched inside out. Once the pouch was filled, it was stitched shut. Therefore there were a few stitches on the outside of the ball. The ball was then dried, oiled, and painted white. The typical drive with this type of ball was about 150 to 175 yards. Once this ball became wet, it was totally useless. 

Gutty

In 1845, the gutta-percha ball was introduced. This ball was made from the gum of the Malaysian Sapodilla tree. This gum was heated and molded into a sphere. This resulted in a very smooth surface. The typical drive with the gutta-percha ball was shorter than that obtained with the featherie. However, according to golf legend a professor at Saint Andrews University in Scotland soon discovered that the ball flew farther if the surface was scored or marked. 

This lead to a variety of surface designs which were chosen more or less by intuition. By 1930, the current golf ball with dimples was accepted as the standard design. The modern golf ball consists of rubber thread wound around a rubber core and coated with dimpled enamel. The dimples are arranged in rows. The number of dimples is either 336 for an American ball or 330 for a British ball. The typical drive with a modern golf ball is about 180 to 250 yards. 

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THE LOOP BRIDGE - FESTINA LENTE BRIDGE

THE LOOP BRIDGE - FESTINA LENTE BRIDGE

A loop on the river Miljacka. Festina Lente- make haste slowly- is the Latin phrase that gives this bridge located in the city of Sarajevo, built to link the building of a church built in the Viennese Secession, today Academy of Fine Arts, with the oppos ite bank where it develops an important part of the city. The loop set on the bridge is a symbolic door represents the entrance to the historic cities, characterized with huge stone arches.

Cross the bridge provides an odd experience, established contact between the landscape and the equipment and favored by the different views provided by the crossing of the loop's pace that articulates the passage of an urban dimension to another. It’s simple form generates an attraction that triggers a series of associations and establishes a new vision. Two banks in ascending sides of the loop foster the encounter and interaction.

The bridge has a length of 38 meters and was built in steel with aluminum finish. A glass screen low rise acts as a containment perimeter along the entire bridge. A series of LED lighting elements emphasize the figure of the bridge in the dark of night. Adnan Alagic, Bojan Hrustic Amila Kanlic and winners have organized for the design of the bridge in 2007. The bridge connects the Mak Dizdar embankment (close to the Academy) with Radic street. It was officially opened on 22 August 2012.

Images Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festina_lente_(bridge)

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The Beatles

The Beatles

The Beatles changed not only rock and roll, but also the face of all music forever.

John Lennon (1940-1980) 
Paul McCartney (1942- ) 
George Harrison(1943-2001) 
Ringo Starr (1940-2003) 

On July 6, 1957, John Lennon, the leader of a band  called the Quarry Men, was introduced to Paul McCartney, through a mutual friend, Ivan Vaughan, at Woolton Parish Church, where the Quarry Men were scheduled  to perform. Impressed by McCartney's ability to play and tune a guitar, Lennon soon asked McCartney to join the Quarry Men. McCartney accepted. Shortly after McCartney joined the group, he began to recommend an old school friend to Lennon. Lennon refused to even audition this friend because he was only 14. However Lennon finally relented, and on February 6, 1958 he auditioned George Harrison. After playing  RaunchyHarrison became the newest member of the group. John Lennon’s closest friend Stuart Sutcliffe, on bass guitar and Pete Best the drummer, also constituted the band.

On April 10, 1962, Stuart Sutcliffe died in Hamburgof a brain haemorrhage. After several failed attempts at different recording studios, the Beatles were able to land a recording  session with Parlophone, but the group' drummer Pete Best had to go. The Beatles asked Ringo Starr, drummer for Rory Storm andthe Hurricanes to join the group. Unfamiliar with this new drummer, Beatles producer George Martin refused to allow Ringo to drum and Andy White played for the group. Andy's career with the Beatles was short lived as the group insisted on Ringo for all future recording and performances. With Ringo at their side the Beatles went on to conquer the world. 

Releasing album after album and motion pictures, TheBeatles were indeed on top of the world. But in August 1969 Lennon announced that he wanted a divorce from the group, the band was finished. He insisted, however, that the break up remain quiet. It was kept hidden until April 10, 1970 whenMcCartney decided to formally dissolve the group. Many blamed the break up of theBeatles on Yoko Ono and Linda McCartney. Others felt that the Beatles had run their course, and it was just their time. Whatever was the cause of their break up, it  ended an era but left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. 

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The Prague Astronomical Clock

The Prague Astronomical Clock

The astronomical clock in Prague has kept time for over six centuries and continues to keep accurate time to the present day. It draws many tourists to the city and is a lasting tribute to the craftsmen of the day.

It is amazing how a timepiece as complex as the astronomical clock is could be built in a time of relatively low technology. The clock shows three individual sets of data. It shows the revolutions of the Sun, the revolutions of the moon, and the revolutions of the stars. The clock is divided into red and blue halves representing day and night. The movements of the clock are provided by large wheels mounted on the same axle.  The first gear contains three hundred and sixty-five teeth and drives the zodiac. The second gear contains three hundred and sixty-six teeth and rotates the sun indicator. The third gear drives the moon pointer and contains three hundred and seventy-nine teeth. The clock also contains a half silvered and half black ball that rotates and displays the phase of the moon. Thousands of tourists and visitors crowd into  the Old Town Square in Prague to watch the Astronomical Clock strike the hour.

The Procession of Apostles delights the crowd as they one by one at small doors at the top of the wonderful clock.

Two images stand on each side of the clock faces. These images are allegorical and represent vanity, greed, death, and lust. Greed and death are pictured here. The bones of the skeleton rattle as the clock strikes the hour.

Original construction of the clock occurred in 1410; however, only recent advances in technology have enabled historians to conclude this.  For many decades it was believed that the clock was constructed in 1490 by Hanus and his assistant Jakub Eech rather than by Mikulas of Kadao in a partnership with Jan Ondoejuv. Mikulas was the clockmaster and Jan Ondoejuv, also know as Sindel, was a professor of mathematics and astronomy at Prague Charles University.

Through its life the clock has undergone several renovations and repairs.  In 1490, a calendar dial was added to the clock under the astrolabe on the clock face.  During this renovation the entire clock was ornamented with Vladislav Gothic sculptures made of stone. In the fifteenth century a sculpture beside the clock and a mask and figures were added by sculptor Peter Parler and stonemasons from the Masonic lodge.  Again in the seventeenth century more new statues were added.  Moving statues were added on the side of the dial and nonmoving statues were placed beside the calendar dial.

From 1865-1866, the clock under went even more repairs. During this repair figures of the twelve apostles were added and a new calendar disc installation occurred. The Czech painter, Josef Manes, made the new disc. The disc consisted of twelve medallions for the months and the corresponding zodiac signs.

The clock was severely damaged by Nazi fire during World War II. The Nazis completely burned the Town Hall and nearly totally destroyed the clock. Many people sacrificed their time and gave their handy-work to repair the clock to like-new condition. Also, sometime during a renovation, the clock was configured to show three time zones: Central European Time, Old Czech Time, and Babylonian time.

Although every repair to the clock has added new statues of artistic design the clock was not originally designed like that. Originally the clock had no moving statues or figurines to amuse people. It only had relevant astronomical data.The years between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries proved to be an exceptional time for artists and clock makers in Europe and Asia. In 1344, the first astronomical clock was built in Padua and a second clock was built in 1354, in Strassburg. The third to be built was the clock in Prague. It is the clock in Prague which draws tourists by the thousands to see the clock in action.

Images source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague_astronomical_clock

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The Art Of Kissing

The Art Of Kissing

Kissing is probably the most physically romantic two people can get. There really is no wrong way to kiss. The thing to remember is that everybody kisses differently and different people prefer different ways of kissing. Some people, believe it or not, are appalled at the idea of French Kissing or using your tongue while you kiss. While others can't imagine kissing without using your tongue. The thing is to try kissing that person

a few times before deciding how you and your partner prefer kissing and to get used to the way that person kisses.

A first kiss should always be done while the two of you are alone. This will help to avoid any unnecessary nervousness and embarrassing situations. The best type of kiss is one that uses different variations, such as starting with a small kiss, working into a French kiss, maybe sucking on your partner's upper or lower lip, then trying the other two types. And don't just leave kisses to the lips. Kiss their cheeks, their chin or their eyelids. This can be very seductive and romantic. The perfect kiss is one that is done with someone you really care about. There is more caring and sincerity in a kiss with someone special than with someone you hardly know, although a really good kiss can certainly bring two people closer together.

A lot of people is in the fear of kissing someone. The best remedy is dnot kiss that person right away. Wait until an attraction builds between the two of you and a romantic situation evolves. Go out with the person a couple of times before having that first kiss.

KISSING BASICS: 

There are so many different ways to kiss. The two main basic ones are close-mouthed kissing and French kissing.  French kissing involves an open mouth and with tongue, while close mouthed kissing is pretty self-explanatory.

Doís 
Only use enough tongue to feel the other person's tongue.
Be gentle with the first kiss.
Smile after you kiss.  Or in the least laugh or giggle to show some emotion.
Swallow periodically during the kiss.
Participate in the kiss.
Make sure your breath is fresh by either brushing your teeth or having a mint or piece of gum.
It is OK to kiss someone on the first date.  And if not the first date at least during the second.
Always make sure the first kiss is when the two of you are alone.

Doníts

Don't use too much tongue.
Don't mash your lips against your partner's.
Don't look terrified when the other person approaches you for a kiss.
Do not talk about a first kiss with the person you're going to kiss for the first time.  This will ruin the excitement and may turn down expectations.
Don't salivate all over your partner while kissing.
Don't just let your partner do all the work during the kiss.
Don't eat garlic or other harsh foods before a kiss.
Don't remain emotionless after the kiss.
Don't wait until the 20th date to kiss her/him.
Don't open your mouth so wide that it feels like you are sucking the other person in.
Don't have the first kiss with someone in public in front of others.

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The Spirit Trees

The Spirit Trees

By Keith Jennings
Many of the “tree spirits” that inhabit St. Simons Island are gone now, some enveloped by the trees they once occupied.

The “tree spirits,” as they are called by residents, came to life about 20 years ago when Keith Jennings, a local artist, began carving mystical faces in trees on St. Simons Island.

Initially, about 20 spirits came to inhabit the island, but only a few remain visible on public property. The others have faded into the bark of the trees they once adorned, been felled with the trees they occupied, or are on private property.

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The Shwedagon Pagoda

The Shwedagon Pagoda

The most notable building in Yangon is the Shwedagon Pagoda, also known to be the first pagoda on earth. The golden Shwedagon is the first sacred monument which the visitor to Myanmar can see from air or by sea, one of the wonders of the world.It is marvelous work of architecture conical in structure. Its height 100 meters above the holy Thainguttara Hill. Erected more than 2500 years ago and enshrining eight hairs of the Buddha placed in a treasure chamber deep under its base, it is the highest symbol of the people’s devotion to Buddha. The base surrounded by 64 small pagodas with four lagers, one in the center of each side. It is plated with more than 30 tons of gold, towering 98m over the city. A number of Myanmar kings and queens donated pure gold equivalent of their body weight to this pagoda throughout the history. The tip of the golden cone is set with rubies, diamonds, sapphires, topaz and enriched with gold bells. Around the main stupa are more than 100 smaller pavilions and halls.

Images source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shwedagon_Pagoda

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