Madame Butterfly

Me too, I always wanted to be an Egyptologist.

They had an exhibit about 3 years ago at the Adler in Chicago of the photographs of the images that Hubble had captured.

It was so awe inspiring.

I spent the entire day there just looking those images over and over again.

Ancient necropolis found in Egypt

The find pre-dates the pyramids

Archaeologists say they have found the largest funerary complex yet dating from the earliest era of ancient Egypt, more than 5,000 years ago.

The necropolis was discovered by a joint US and Egyptian team in the Kom al-Ahmar region, around 600km (370 miles) south of the capital, Cairo.

Inside the tombs, the archaeologists found a cow's head carved from flint and the remains of seven people.

They believe four of them were buried alive as human sacrifices.

The remains survived despite the fact that the tombs were plundered in ancient times.

The necropolis is thought to be located some 600km (370 miles) south of the capital, Cairo

Egypt's chief archaeologist, Zahi Hawass, said the discovery would add greatly to knowledge of the elusive pre-dynastic period, when Egypt was first becoming a nation.

The complex is thought to belong to a ruler of the ancient city of Hierakonpolis in around 3600 BC, when it was the largest urban centre on the Nile river.

Egyptologists say the city probably extended its influence northwards defeating rival entities. The unification of Upper and Lower Egypt eventually led to the establishment of rule by the Pharaohs.

Excavations at the site started in 2000 under the leadership of Egyptologist Barbara Adams, who died in 2002.

The site contains some of the earliest examples of mummification found in Egypt.

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NASA's Bright Star, Hubble Turns 15

By Dan Vergano, USA TODAY

The Hubble Space Telescope Monday celebrates 15 years of service as astronomy's most renowned and beloved instrument.

"Hubble has been arguably the greatest telescope of all time," says astronomer Steve Maran, author of Astronomy for Dummies.

The anniversary comes amid renewed hopes for the survival of Hubble, which has fans among scientists, legislators and amateur skywatchers. Without new batteries and stabilizing gyroscopes, the craft will fail after 2007, engineers predict. But NASA's new chief, Michael Griffin, says he will reconsider a shuttle rescue mission that earlier had been ruled too risky.

NASA's space shuttle Discovery set Hubble into orbit on April 25, 1990. Astronauts corrected a flaw in the telescope's main mirror in 1992. Later shuttle missions increased the scope's capabilities.

As a result, Hubble has made major discoveries in every area of astronomy, generating the data for the authors of more than 4,700 technical papers since 1991.

"The amazing thing about Hubble is that it is a frontline scientific instrument that grows stronger every year," says astronomer Bruce Margon of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, which manages Hubble for NASA.

Hubble's early observations settled long-standing disagreements over the approximate age of the universe, now estimated at 13.7 billion years. The telescope also surprised astronomers by finding that super-sized black holes, millions of times heavier than the sun, lurk at the center of most galaxies.

In recent years, Hubble has kept on making groundbreaking observations of ancient galaxies, nearby planet-building dust disks and distant exploding stars whose motions suggest the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate.

"Hubble has become a unique cultural icon, which was unexpected," Margon says. "Hubble's lasting legacy will not be based on astronomical facts, but in the way it has opened up science to the public."

Odie, I never thought my type of guy existed either.

I thought I would NEVER find anyone who just accepted me for who I am.

I was wrong.

I somewhat explained it on in my PL, how we came together. I wasn't even looking really.

I really believe that special someone is out there for you.

The moment you AREN'T looking, he'll come into your life.

Anselm, I've found that those guys I crush over never work out because I become too tongue tied.

Yet, down the road when I've forgotten about them, something comes along to show me exactly why they weren't for me.

Love should always start with a sound friendship.

Perhaps you should pay more attention to the fellows that are your friends.

^has had an emotional day

Women find that an outgoing guy isn't always the best though Joe.

I find I like "geeks' more than anything, and they classify themselves as that, not me.

But they aren't macho, and they know their feelings, and can express them well.

Very attractive that is.

Kindness.

Compassion for their fellow man.

Intelligent.

Curious.

Dry sense of humor.

Responsibility for their actions

NOT macho

No arrogence.

Confidence in themselves without it leading to arrogance.

Open to new things.

Adventurous

Integrity.

Loyal.

Very respectful.

Manners.

Doesn't treat women like they are dumb or a lessor species.

Listens well.

^Gets up very early for work.

If you read the top section of the column, this was in the perspective column, not in "science" column".

Also, they did point out the nuturing vs. hunter gatherers.

A good friend of mine has a black and white photo just out side the door to her classroom.

It is of something we all know, yet it isn't clear as to what it is.

In her 20 plus years of teaching, only 5 people have correctly seen what the photo is.

Most are under the age of 6.

This has been interesting observing peoples answers.

I for one attended Catholic schools, to me this looks very much how the church portrays the Madonna.

I'm going to try and scan in my friends photo and see how many of you see it correctly.

A major chain in my home state allows you to self check up to 50 items.

I love that.

Rotating bag handles, you're done much quicker than if you go through a checker.

I've not been able to find a chain that allows that many items here though.

10 items is the limit.

Racoons are known for getting into attics too, my neighbor gets them every year, and in the spring, the robins love to make nests in the vents in the roof, very noisy and messy.

I chose other because "Trek" doesn't define me, I define myself by the variety of interests that I have.

If anything, I think the way I think about the future, about today, about yesterday, is based on the Star Trek philosophy of striving for the best, setting an example for the best, and learning from errors/mistakes to have a better future.

For me this is a lasting way to carry the way Trek has influenced me.

Okay.

Life is okay at the moment. Not bad, not fantastic, it's okay

Faithful Flock To Virgin Mary Image Under Kennedy

VIDEO: Derrick Blakely reports.

PHOTOS: Faithful See Virgin Mary

Apr 10, 2005 7:58 am US/Central

CHICAGO (CBS 2) Some are calling it a miracle, others remain skeptical. An image of the Blessed Virgin Mary has appeared -- of all places -- on the Kennedy expressway. It's along the wall of the underpass at Fullerton. As CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports, hundreds of people have been inspired to take a closer look.

At first glance it's just a stain on a wall from water and road salt, but some say it's much more.

“It's definitely a message to the world that the Blessed Mother is real,” believer Joanne Vrablik says.

Many are saying it is the Blessed Virgin Mary, her head slightly bowed, her hands together in prayer, holding what appears to be a rosary. The image becomes clearer when viewed through the lens of a digital camera.

“I'm a breast cancer survivor and she really healed me,” Vrablik says. “And I believe so strongly in this. She's reaching out to people.”

A constant stream of believers has flocked to the underpass to check out the image. Some are moved to kiss it. Others stand in prayerful reverence. It's turned into a shrine of sorts, with candles and flowers.

Patricia Villadonga drove all the way from northwest suburban Mount Prospect to see it. “I truly believe that it is a vision of some sort. I think because of everything happening in the world today, maybe it's a sign that everybody should start praying,” she says.

Regardless if you think it's a miracle or just a stain, people are leaving the site filled with faith.

Donald Fogell says, “In the beginning, you know, I'm looking at it, then I started getting more chills within myself.”

“It's just a good feeling. I don't know how to explain it, but it's something beautiful. It really is,” Olga Davila says.

The sight has become such an inspiration, State and Chicago police are on hand to ensure traffic control. Earlier in the day, crews were ready to paint over the image, but Mary's become so popular they had to back down.

IDOT spokesman Matt Vanover says his agency has no intention of scrubbing the image off. He says I-DOT is going to treat it as if it's a roadside memorial, as long as it doesn't pose a traffic or safety issue.

“People who have questions, just believe and that's what this is all about,” Joanne Vrablik says.

In recent months, images of the Virgin Mary have supposedly popped up on everything from driftwood to a grilled cheese sandwich. Unlike those cases, no one is trying to sell this image on eBay. By the way, the Catholic Church remains very cautious when it comes to approving any religious apparitions.

madame Butterfly, The holodeck was my least Favorite part of the Series, I alway thought they ran out of good Ideas When they based an Episode on the Holodeck, if it failed as many times as it did in the series, I dont understand how anyone with a logical Mind would use them

 

But I loved the Ship from the 1st episode when I saw the Seperation, I was like this is gonna be cool

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Actually, I liked the holodeck.

It was a way to "go places" that the ship couldn't take you to itself.

Whether if it was to explore places in the universe you've always dreamt of visiting, or simply being able to go back home when passing an important date in your past.

I think the holodecks must be essential to moral on the ship.

There were some great guests and some great recurring characters like Q, K'Elhelr, Gowron and Mrs. Troi. TNG was not just a great science fiction show, it was a great television show!

YES!!

Egyptologists find tomb of ancient ruler

Wednesday, April 20, 2005 Posted: 3:11 PM EDT (1911 GMT)

CAIRO, Egypt (Reuters) -- American archaeologists working in southern Egypt have found what they think is the tomb of a prehistoric ruler from the middle of the 4th millennium BC, the government's antiquities service said on Wednesday.

A team led by Egyptologist Renee Friedman found the tomb at the site of ancient Hierakonpolis or Nekhen, close to the modern town of Edfu and one of the first places in the world identifiable as the capital of a significant political entity.

The government's Supreme Council for Antiquities said in a statement that the rectangular tomb contained a wooden offering table and four bodies in a poor state of preservation. The tomb had clearly been looted in ancient times.

"Unless this tomb was reused in later periods and these bodies buried in it then, the position of the bodies could indicate that these were prisoners or devotees of the ruler, who dedicated their souls to him after death," the statement quoted council chairman and Egyptologist Zahi Hawass as saying.

"Sacrificing oneself for the ruler was one of the religious rites known in Egypt from the 1st Dynasty," he added.

The tomb dates from the Naqada II period about 3,600 BC, several hundred years before the unification of Egypt under the first pharaohs and the invention of hieroglyphic writing.

But Egyptologists say that Hierakonpolis was probably the nucleus of the political entity which gradually extended its influence throughout southern Egypt and eventually defeated rival political entities in the Nile Delta to the north. The town is about 5790 km (360 miles) south of modern Cairo.

The statement quoted Friedman as saying the American Expedition to Hierakonpolis had found a later grave in the same area with three well-preserved bodies and pieces of cloth in which the bodies were wrapped.

The team also found a cow head statue skillfully carved from granite with a strong resemblance to a goat head discovered in the same area in 2000. "These small statues are very rare. Only five of them have been found so far," said Hawass.

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What do I store in my attic?

There's a huge coolant fan built into one end of the attic to help cool the house off in the summer, comes on automatically when it hits 70 degrees in the attic

Christmas decorations

Luggage

Fans

Camping equipment

Looted obelisk heading home to Ethiopia

Italy's Mussolini had it taken to Rome in 1937

Updated: 9:06 a.m. ET April 19, 2005AXUM, Ethiopia -

With pealing bells and chanting priests, Ethiopians welcomed the return Tuesday of the first piece of a giant, 1,700-year-old granite obelisk that was looted from the African country 68 years ago by Italian troops.

A giant Antonov 124 cargo plane brought the middle section of the 80-foot high funeral stone to northern Ethiopia — a homecoming that follows decades of demands and promises of its return.

The 58-ton piece was placed under armed guard at the airport until the two remaining pieces are flown to Axum from Rome later this month. The obelisk was taken in 1937 on the orders of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

“This is an historic moment for all Ethiopians,” said Minister of Culture Teshome Toga, who received the granite monument that once symbolized one of the most powerful kingdoms on earth, the Axumite Kingdom. “We have waited so long for this.”

Priests from the dome-shaped St. Mariam Cathedral chanted and bells rung for the arrival of the first piece of the monolith, which dates back to the third century, predating the arrival of Christianity in Ethiopia.

Queen of Sheba's legacy

The Axumite kingdom was established between 200 and 100 B.C. The legendary Queen of Sheba reigned in the region eight or nine centuries earlier, and the Old Testament tells the tale of her journey to King Solomon’s court in 980 B.C. with 700 camels loaded with gold, ivory and other gifts. Her bathing pool and substantial remains of her palace can still be found in Axum.

Axum was the capital of a powerful, pre-Christian Axum Empire that stretched into parts of the Arabian peninsula. Legend has it that Axum was also the final resting palace of the Ark of the Covenant.

Massive obelisks are among a few tangible remains of the past glory of Axum, an area lying in the shadow of the Adwa Mountains where Emperor Menelik II defeated the Italians in 1896 — the greatest modern victory of an African army over a European force.

“The obelisk is a symbol of pride, of civilization and part of the Ethiopian identity,” archaeologist Teckle Hargos told The Associated Press.

Had been in central Rome

When it was removed, the obelisk was in fragments, having been toppled during a sixteenth-century Muslim rebellion. The weight of the fragments pushed the limits of military vehicles and makeshift roads and bridges built by the Italians. Once in Rome, it was restored with metal rods embedded in concrete, making it difficult to disassemble.

The obelisk was dismantled at the end of 2003 from where it stood near the Circus Maximus in central Rome.

Ethiopians hope the return of the obelisk, which is carved on all sides with windows and doors, will highlight the rich historical heritage in the only African nation that European powers failed to colonize. Italy occupied Ethiopia from 1936-1941, but it was never a colony.

“People outside of Ethiopia often think of famine, of war, of drought and don’t realize the wealth of heritage that this country does have,” Teckle said.

At home with other obelisks

When all the pieces have arrived at the airport, the ancient stele will be transported on three separate trucks to its final resting place, three miles from the airport. It will then be erected alongside six other obelisks, which once dominated the skyline of the Axumite Empire — now a small, wind-swept town and home to 60,000 people.

Bunting and flags adorned tress, flapping in the early morning breeze along the only paved road in Axum, a town that still remains largely cut off from the outside world.

Thousands of people lined roads at daybreak chanting and waving banners to celebrate the return.

Amese Lema, who fought the Italian occupation and has been campaigning for the return of the obelisk since 1966, wept on its arrival.

“This marks a new chapter with Italy,” the 85-year-old said. “Although I always knew it would be returned I never thought I would live to see the day.”