Back in 2008, I voted for Prop 1A in California’s ballot. It was for building a high speed rail in California. The proposition would authorizing $9.95 billion in general obligation bonds for building a high speed rail project.
The years went by and I have not heard anything more of it. But now it was recently reported that California will receive $2.25 billion in federal economic stimulus funds to develop a high-speed rail line.
The high speed train will run from Anaheim to San Francisco. The projected cost is about $42 billion and trains would be traveling with speeds up to 450 miles in no more than 2 hours, 40 minutes. Other extensions to San Diego and Sacramento are planned.
This is what the train will look like. I wish the color combination was different. Maybe silver and white. Photo from Wired magazine.
There will also be 13 other rail corridors planned which includes a Midwest line from Chicago to St. Louis. And also one in Florida running from Tampa to Orlando. What I want is a rail train that runs from Miami to Washington, D.C. I think high speed rail would be great for commuters and other travelers too.
I can imagine this would make traveling much easier for many people. Especially for the tourist who want to visit California. Imagine visiting the beaches of San Diego in the morning and then crossing the Golden Gate by evening. The only thing I have to get used to is not being able to see the beautiful scenery California has to offer. From the valley and farmlands to the coastal view. And at this fast speed, it’ll would seem like life is just passing by in an instant.
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I am looking forward to catching the PBS special on April 7th - Prince Siddhartha of India. The documentary will look at the life of Prince Siddhartha, or more commonly known as the Buddha.
The bodhi tre and leaf is an important symbol in Buddhism. As Buddha achieved enlightenment while sitting under a bodhi tree. I took this photo many summers ago at a Buddhist temple in northern California.
The reclining statue of the Buddha in Uttar Pradesh. - Photo from PBS, The Story of India. There are also statues like this found in many Buddhist temples in Laos and Thailand.
Here is a little synopsis of Buddha’s life from the University of Minnesota, Mankato:
“The historical Buddha was born Prince Siddhatha Gotama in Kapilavatthu, near the present-day border of India and Nepal, on the May Full Moon day in 623 B.C. His parents, King Suddhodana and Queen Maya, had waited for a child for a long time. Everyone in the kingdom rejoiced at his birth.
At this time India already had a rich spiritual heritage. It had been prophesized there would soon be an ascetic who would realize the ultimate truth and become the greatest teacher. According the Hindu tradition, five days after his birth seven Brahmin priests came to the temple to name the baby using astrology and forecast his future by reading his body signs. Each of the Brahmins said this baby would become a universal monarch or leave his princely life to become a world spiritual leader. The youngest priest, Kondanna, was so confident that this was the future Buddha that he left the priesthood to wait in the forest for his future teacher.”
And here is the preview. Check your local listing here mark your calendar!
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Life as a pen-tailed tree shrew in the tropical forest can seem like a party. The pen-tailed tree shrew is the first non-human mammal known to display alcoholic behavior. As these cute little creature feed on fermented bertam palm nectar without ever getting “drunk”.
The bertam palm plant flowers nearly year-around in the rain forest, so they make perfect food source. The tree shrew spend about two hours per night drinking up the nectar. A nectar with 3.8% alcohol content, much like beer.
Pen-tailed tree shrew are native to the tropical rain forest of Southeast Asia. They look a bit like squirrels and are about the same size.
This little tree shrew looks more like a bat or mouse with an unusual tail. The tail looks more like wheat then than a pen… maybe an old fashioned pen. Those tiny fingers and toes are really good at gripping the branch too. Photo from National Geographic.
Frank Wiens, a biologist at the University of Bayreuth (Germany) checked to see the animals’ alcohol consumption by testing hair samples for ethyl glucuronide.
Wiens found that the tree shrews consume alcohol at rates that would be dangerous to most mammals. It seem their body is able to metabolize the alcohol differently then humans and do no get drunk from these nightly nectar.
Wiens also adds that the palm flower also benefits from the tree shrew too. And if alcohol production appears critical to the palms’ reproduction because it entices tree shrews to pollinate their flowers. So Wiens wonder, “If alcohol is crucial for an ecological relationship [like the pollinator relationship], then it should also exert some sort of beneficial effect to the animals and we can only speculate on those effects.”
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Interesting ideas come out of Japan. The latest trends over the years is the Cat Cafe. I wonder if such a cafe business would work in the U.S., but probably not as successful as in Japan.
I have heard of dogs for rent, where people can rent dogs for the hour and just take them out for the day.
At Cafe Nekorobi all the cats have their own photograph albums for visitors to look through. Image source.
Norimasa Hanada, owner of Neko no mise (Shop of Cats) was among the first to open up a cat cafe. Handa explained, cat cafe are popular with young urbanites who live in rental apartments that prohibit pets. While most family condominium allow pets, it’s really the young single people who could use some comfort and companionship of a pet.
Here is Megumi, 33, an office worker. She noticed that each cat cafe has it’s own vibe. This one at Neko no mise, has more friendly cats that are less stressed out. Image source.
The fees are charged by the hour, from $7 - $10. In order to survive in the cat cafe business, they need a high turnover rate of visitors. Despite the recession, the folks here don’t mind spending the money to hang out with these furry creatures. Maybe it is due to work or other stressful events, that cat cafes are so popular. Consider it “pet therapy”.
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“Mercedes has a really big heart and lots of love to give.” Card designed by Rachael Hale of New Zealand.
And if puppies don’t warm your heart, here is the lovely city of San Francisco.
Famous for it’s cable cars, Golden Gate Bridge, steep hills and more. It’s a great place to see anytime of the year.
Today is opening day of the Winter Olympics 2010 held in Vancouver, B.C. California’s governor Schwarzenegger kicked in the 106th and final day of the 28,00 mile torch relay by ending at BC Place Stadium.
And I happen to have a postcard of the stadium (from my last trip to Vancouver!). “BC Place and Vancouver skyline at night.” Printed by the Postcard Company.
I’m glad the city got to host the winter Olympics. Vancouver is one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s a very scenic city that’s great for people who like the outdoors, from nearby surroundings of the bay to the mountains. And the people there are always so friendly. I hope to visit Vancouver again sometime soon.
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Monkeys aren’t the only creatures that live in trees. Tree kangeroos also live in trees high up in the rain forests of Australia, West Papua, and Papua New Guinea. They are so elusive that the locals refer to them as “ghosts of the forest.”
They look a bit like small kangaroos and wallabies. They have such an endearing face and look almost like a plush toy animal. In this photo, they look a bit surprise that they’ve been spotted. It must be the furry yellow marking on the chest that gave it away. Photograph by Russell A. Mittermeier/Conservation International, National Geographic.
Unlike their cousins, the front and hind legs are closer in size than ground kangaroos. They also have stronger fore-limbs to help with climbing and living in trees. As for the fur, it is thick and grows in opposite direction on nap and back. This helps to shed water when it’s head is crouched.
Although there are several species that live in the lowlands too, call the Lowlands Tree Kangeroo. As tree dwellers, the tree kangaroo eats mostly leaves and fruit. And sometimes collect and eat fruits that has fallen to the ground. Tree kangaroos will also eat other items such as flowers (orchids), tree sap, eggs, baby birds, grains, and even bark.
They are a reclusive and solitary bunch, much like pandas. I hope the natives learn to protect these animals since they are an endangered. And who would eat a creature with such a cute face!
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In every city I’ve ever lived in, I try to find out where the local library is located and make sure to pay a visit. And best of all - it’s free! It’s also a plus if it’s located in nice building too.
This is the Chicago Public Library where I like to visit if I am ever in the area again. One thing I remember about Chicago was that it was one windy city!
It’s a beautiful building we don’t usually see in the west coast. It is design in the Beaux-Arts Classicism revival style. This style is an academic classicism taken from the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
This building was the first permanent home of the Chicago Public Library in 1897, it is now the Chicago Cultural Center. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and designated a Chicago Landmark in 1976.
Image source: Mary Ann Sullivan of Bluffton University, Ohio.
In case anyone is curious, here is a list of the top 10 largest libraries provided by American Library Association, www.ala.or , Aug. 2005.
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I love the artwork by George Barbier. Here is two I’ve managed to scan from my note cards.
George Barbier was born in Nantes, France in 1882. He was a popular fashion illustrator and costume designer during the 1920’s Art Deco period. His illustrations were usually found in French fashion magazines and now can be found in art museums (as well as stationary).
“Voice me ailes!” - Look at my wings! This artwork was first printed in 1922 in French fashion magazine.
The drawing really brings you back to a different era. From the fashion to the sailboats in the background. I also like the simple yet elegant black dress, but can’t imagine looking like this all the time.
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When I first heard about Silk Moon Gallery, I really wanted to visit the place. They are located in Sebastopol, just north of San Francisco. It has been years since I’ve made any trips up to that part of the state. So maybe when the weather gets better a day trip will be in order.
Beautiful jewel colors of Lao silk. Artistic composition of the objects taken by American Jon on Flickr.
I have always been in awe of the beautiful patterns found in traditional Lao/Thai silk skirts and shawls. It could be that I come from a family of silk weavers. My grandmother was very talented in silk weaving and design. As my maternal grandmother raised her own silkworms. I was told she loved them like they were her children. Hopefully someday I will be lucky enough to learn the art of weaving as well.
Here are other things you can do with Lao silk. They are suppose to be lotus blossom, an important flower in Buddhist celebration. I took this photo at a Lao Buddhist temple in northern California.
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