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Thursday, December 22, 2016

2017 Victorian Reading Challenge

You know how I love challenges. I do. But lately I have so many things in life that I no longer have time to write proper reviews for this blog as usual. I keep reading, though not as much as I have expected. But the reviews are the most challenging part right now.

So, I am very excited to find this Victorian Reading Challenge, firstly because it doesn’t require you to make reviews (yay...thanks Becky!). Secondly because Victorian literature is my favorite, and although I have vowed not to plan my reading for next year, well… I just can’t resist of having a reading list! It’s in my blood, I guess. Like, not knowing what I should read next can make me unsecured. Is it normal? LOL… Anyway, after consulting my reading list, and found that there are several Victorian books in it, I decided to join in.

Victorian Reading Challenge

Duration: January - December 2017
Goal: Read a minimum of 4 Victorian books

I might only take 6 categories (from original 32), but who knows… My original list of 2017 reading consists of 20 books (I am very pessimist at this moment), but if I have finished them before end of year, I would certainly add more Victorians into it. Here’s my plan:

X   5. A new-to-you book by a FAVORITE author: The Earth by Émile Zola
X 11. A book published between 1871-1880: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
X 16. A book by Charles Dickens: Bleak House
X 17. A book by Wilkie Collins: The Woman in White
X 23. A book translated into English: The Conquest of Plassans by Émile Zola
X 29. Book with a name as the title: Claude’s Confession by Émile Zola

If you are interested too to do this challenge, find out more of the list and rules in Becky’s blog.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Brona’s Salon: Time for Another Dickens

If you like to talk about books you are reading, this might suit you well: Brona’s Salon. It’s a new meme which aims to gather a group of like-minded bookish people 'under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste and increase the knowledge of the participants through conversation.'

I am in the middle of an exciting book right now, and am so exciting to share it with you…

 What are your currently reading?

Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

How did you find out about this book?

I always love to read Dickens, and have meaning to read all his books.

Why are you reading it now?

There is no more perfect time to read Dickens than December! Do you agree? ;)

 First impressions?

The opening is really dark, so at first I was afraid it would be as dark as The Mystery of Edwin Drood. But it turned out to be not that dark after all, although it’s still quite mysterious. Gaffer Hexam found a body drowned in the river, and it was believed to be John Harmon’s. Harmon’s father has inherited his assets to John on condition that he must marry a poor girl named Bella Wilfer. It was on his way back home to London that John Harmon was drowned.

That was only a summary for first chapter. Then the story unfolds to so many characters and background stories, that you can’t put it down too long without the risk of losing track of the story. See…. Dickens is always perfect for December reading!

Which character do you relate to so far?

Eugene Wrayburn, the barrister. From his first appearance, I was at once in love with his straightforward, laid back and insolent character.

Are you happy to continue?

Definitely! I am now in page 400s, and this book is becoming more and more interesting. Although the mystery around John Harmon has been slowly unfolding, it’s still interesting to see what would happen to the main characters. Finger-cross for the happiness of Lizzie Hexam!

Where do you think the story will go?

As with all Dickens’ stories, I think it will end up good for the poor and honest lots, but the hypocritical ones will suffer.

So, how is your December reading so far?

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Brona’s Salon: Zola’s “Money”

This is my second participation in Brona’s Salon. It’s a new meme which aims to gather a group of like-minded bookish people 'under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste and increase the knowledge of the participants through conversation.'

So, here’s mine…

What are your currently reading?

Money by Émile Zola

How did you find out about this book?

I have become a hardcore fan of Zola right after reading Therese Raquin, back in 2011. Naturally I then searched for more of his books. And how delighted was I when being introduced to the Rougon-Maquart series with 20 books. 20, yay! Money is the 18th book of the series.

Why are you reading it now?

My first reading from Rougon-Maquart is L’Assommoir. I picked Oxford World Classics (OWC) edition, and was very satisfied with the translation. Plus OWC uses lovely paintings for its cover, and I love it! So, I decided to read the series from OWC edition in random order. Money is one of the latest being published, and I am also reading it for The Classic Club challenge.

 First impressions?

It will be slightly boring because of its financial theme. But, knowing Zola and his story-telling talent, I still had hope.

Which character do you relate to so far?

Madame Caroline. She is a trusted friend and also mistress of Saccard (born Aristide Rougon—from The Kill). Madam Caroline is a sensible and self-esteemed woman. She admires Saccard’s ambition to “conquer financial world”, but does not let passion overcome her conscience. She seems to know what must be done, and although disagrees with Saccard, she keeps protecting him from scandals. Though she is broken-hearted over Saccard’s affair, she still befriends him.

Are you happy to continue?

Of course! It has been a pleasant reading, although I’m not very familiar with the stock exchange terms and system.

Where do you think the story will go?

I am only 100s pages left to end, so it’s quite obvious about how Saccard’s condition would be. But I am really curious about how Madam Caroline would react.

So, have you read this book?

Monday, November 14, 2016

The Classic Book-a-Month Club 2017 #CBAM2017

The end-of-year-excitement for book blogger started when bloggers begin to post their reading challenges or reading groups of the next year. Funny it is that you were super-excited when planning the reading, but felt under-pressured while executing the plan. Well, at least, for me.

For 2017, actually I have planned to “read with the flow”, opening unlimited reading choices according to my mood. But…. this one is too tempting to be ignored:

The Classic Book-a-Month Club 2017 (#CBAM2017) hosted by Adam

I will only join in about 4 or 5 months of it:

I have read Oedipus the King about 5 years ago; and loved it. Maybe now is the perfect time to revisit it in English version (I read Indonesian translation back then).

This is one of my most favorite books. Would love to rereading it once again (my last reading was in 2014).

Paradise Lost by John Milton
I might or might not pick this. I’m just curious. And I have been itching to read plays and poems again, so…. just maybe…

This would be my first Cather. But the theme is interesting, and it’s always exciting to read from an author for the first time.

 Just because the book has been in my TBR for too long; time to tackle it!

Other than that, I have been longing to reread The Great Gatsby and The Iliad! And maybe one or two Shakespeare.

What about you, what classics are you excited to read or reread next year?

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Brona’s Salon: Going Back to Ancient Rome with Cicero

I am supposed to do a lot of reports (year ends suck! -_-), and I still have 7 books and 3 plays to complete for The Classics Club challenge. But, hey! A girl needs a break, doesn’t she? So, I think I will take mine by joining Brona’s Salon, though I’m 4 days late… Sorry Brona, I have just found about your salon today! :)

So, here it is…

What are your currently reading?

Defence Speeches by Marcus Tulius Cicero

How did you find out about this book?

For years I have a soft spot for Ancient Rome. Few years ago, after reading Robert Harris’ Cicero series (Imperium & Lustrum), I fell in love with Cicero, who is, probably, the greatest orator of all time. So I googled some of his works, and found this one.

Why are you reading it now?

Maybe US Presidential debates had something to do with it, LOL!... Anyway, I’m reading it for my Classics Club challenge.

 First impressions?

It was quite intimidating, considering how long speeches usually take in Roman court (from books I’ve read). And I was rather disappointed in finding that Catiline’s case wasn’t covered in this book. But then I remembered, this is Cicero’s defense speeches, while in Catiline’s case he was the prosecutor.

Which character do you relate to so far?

Cicero, of course! :)

Are you happy to continue?

Sure, it turns out to be quite interesting! I am still in the first (of five cases), and I have been amazed by Cicero’s eloquent yet sharp oration.

Where do you think the story will go?

This first case that I am in now is very simple. Now I am so looking forward to other cases that (hopefully) more complicated, and thus would highlight more of Cicero’s eloquence. Oh boy, this would be one really beautiful reading! *excited*

Friday, July 1, 2016

The Classics Club Project: Progress #2

So, this is the second month of my last attempt to complete The Classics Clubs Project by March 2017. Everything looks promising till now, hopefully it lasts till the end. Here is my June stats, along with mini review of each book I read:

June 2016:

Books read = 4 of 20 (I’m still on track! J )
Books currently on progress = 1

Swann’s Way by Marcel Proust

This might be one of the toughest books I’ve ever tackled! Not only because of the long sentences, but Swann’s Way is very philosophical…in a confusing way! During my reading, I didn’t really get what it was all about, or where Proust was taking me. Two things I have managed to learn, however: a). The narrator had a troubled childhood—a sensitive boy who longed for (and didn’t get much of) his parents’ affection; b). Swann was an open minded man in the midst of hypocritical society, who was torn between his love and jealousy to his mistress. Both lost in their memories of their past, and I was not quite sure what awaited me in the end. Well, at least I know I won’t read any other from the series! And pssst! I skipped several pages towards the end… :D

The Belly of Paris by Émile Zola

And so, after one tedious reading above, The Belly of Paris felt like a relieving balm. Zola must have done many observations and data collections to create such a methodical list about food and dishes inside the story. And look how he composed the “orchestra” of cheeses, or made fruits to become parts of girl’s body parts….

Zola is just that genius and artistic writer, isn't he? And that makes me loving him even more!

The Belly of Paris also let us getting introduced to Claude Lantier, although this time he did not have important role to the story. Overall it’s nice, only sometimes Zola got intense in highlighted the gluttony of Paris, that it gets disgusting. Do not read this book before or while you’re eating!

For July, I have The Pickwick Papers and The Master and Margarita, and also one week holiday to devour them. Yeah… this will be fun! J

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

The Classics Club Project: Progress #1

Following up my last attempt to complete The Classics Clubs Project by March 2017, here is my first progress, together with mini reviews of what I have finished reading:

May 2016:

Books read = 2 of 20 (I’m on track! J )
Books currently on progress = 1

Tales of the Jazz Age by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I’m not quite a fan of short stories, but this one is just amazing. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is the champion, of course. It was much deeper and more tragic than its adaptation (Brad Pitt as BB). I also liked Head and Shoulders, The Cut-Glass Bowl, and The Lees of Happiness. The last one is actually rather sad and sweet.

Interestingly, the stories tasted a bit like Zola and a bit Dickens. Fitzgerald’s descriptive narration reminded me of Zola, while his sense of humor was to me, a little Dickenish. In short, it does not have any similarity to The Great Gatsby or Tender is the Night. Tales of the Jazz Age is light, flowing, sweet, funny, but also sad and sometimes shocking.

The Dreyfus Affair: J’Accuse & Other Writings by Émile Zola

Being a non-fiction and chronologically compiled letters, writings, and even speeches, I thought The Dreyfus Affair would bore me. Well, it was for the first half, for it was compilation of Zola’s plea in letters and publication, pointing out Dreyfus’ innocence. The repetition was almost unbearable, until the open letter was up: J’Accuse! (action time!); then it became interesting. The most powerful piece was Zola’s speech in his statement to the Jury about Dreyfus Affair. But his personal letters to his wife Alexandrine, his mistress Jeanne, and his friends were all really interesting; in that it reveals a bit of Zola’s personalities—his anxiety, his loneliness, and his ability to keep his focus in writing during the hard times. If you are Zola’s fan, or intrigued by his works, you are going to enjoy this book!

Right now I am reading Proust’s Swann’s Way, but my progress is very slowly…. It’s not really enjoyable, but I must admire Proust’s beautiful prose.

That’s all for now, see you next month! ;)

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Belle Époque Artists: Jean Béraud

Outside the Vaudeville Theatre, Paris

Jean Béraud (January 12, 1849 – October 4, 1935) was a French painter, noted for his paintings of Parisian life during the Belle Époque. He was born in Saint Petersburg. His father (also called Jean) was a sculptor and was likely working on the site of St. Isaac's Cathedral at the time of his son's birth. Béraud's mother was one Geneviève Eugénie Jacquin; following the death of Béraud's father, the family moved to Paris. Béraud was in the process of being educated as a lawyer until the occupation of Paris during the Franco-Prussian war in 1870.

Le Pont Neuf

Béraud became a student of Léon Bonnat, and exhibited his paintings at the Salon for the first time in 1872. However, he did not gain recognition until 1876, with his On the Way Back from the Funeral. He exhibited with the Society of French Watercolorists at the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. He painted many scenes of Parisian daily life during the Belle Époque in a style that stands somewhere between the academic art of the Salon and that of the Impressionists. He received the Légion d'honneur in 1894.

Children With a Toy Seller on the Quai du Louvre

Béraud's paintings often included truth-based humour and mockery of late 19th-century Parisian life, along with frequent appearances of biblical characters in then contemporary situations. Paintings such as Mary Magdalene in the House of the Pharisees aroused controversy when exhibited, because of these themes.

Cottage cyclists in the Bois de Boulogne (1900)

 Towards the end of the 19th century, Béraud dedicated less time to his own painting but worked on numerous exhibition committees, including the Salon de la Société Nationale.

I posted this for my Belle Époque Event 2016, You will find more artists along the year.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Fighting to Complete My Classics Club Project by Next Year!

Okay, time flies, indeed, too fast! When I started The Classics Club Project in March 2012, five years seemed so far away, I believed this project would be quite an easy one. I was wrong! Yes, the first two years my progress was quite fast. Since then I have updated and added a lot of books to my original list of 100. But today I realized for the first time, that my deadline would be 8th March 2017—only 10 months from now! If I still want to complete this project, I must work out very diligently…starting today.

So, after reviewing my list, here’s the statistic:

Books I have read so far (reviewed or not) = 105
- Novels =    79
- Plays =       21
- Non-fiction = 5

My current list is 165 (I know… I was too ambitious then!), which is impossible to complete all in 10 months. With my current speed, 2 books a month, I think, is the most realistic. So, I trimmed down my list to 125, which means I have 20 classics to read by March 2017. It would not be an easy conquest—not with my current activities, plus I am selling our old family house and buying a new apartment this year. No, it would be very tight, but I’m prepared to push myself to the limit. Then, let’s see what I can achieve by March next year!

And, as I would soon need a lot of money to furnish the new apartment, my trimmed-list consists only of books on my TBR pile. Here they are in random order:

  1. The Pickwick Paper, Dickens – currently reading, originally for o’s read along, but I decided not to follow the timeline, as I found it difficult to reconnect with the characters after leaving them for a month.
  2. Our Mutual Friend, Dickens
  3. The Age of Innocence, Wharton
  4. The Belly of Paris, Zola
  5. The Conquest of Plassans, Zola
  6. The Earth, Zola
  7. The War of the Worlds, Wells
  8. The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck
  9. Ben Hur, Wallace
  10. Defense Speeches, Cicero
  11. The Swann’s Way, Proust
  12. Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Hardy
  13. The Hobbit, Tolkien
  14. Tales of the Jazz Age, Fitzgerald
  15. On the Origin of Species, Darwin
  16. The Trial, Kafka

3 plays, each from Marlowe, Ibsen, and (perhaps) Wilde

  1. The Dreyfus Affair: J’Accuse & other Writtings, Zola – currently reading

So, 20 classics in 10 months. Read read read! And minimize the social media! Wish me luck!...

Friday, April 15, 2016

Belle Époque Artists: Victor Gabriel Gilbert

Victor Gabriel Gilbert (1847-1935) was a French painter of genre scenes. Gilbert was born in Paris on 13th February 1847. His natural ability for drawing was acknowledged at an early age but due to financial circumstances he was required to work as an artisan. He received his formal training from L. Em. Adan, Levasseur and Ch. Busson.

In 1873 he had his debut at the Paris Salon and continued to be a faithful exhibitor at the Salon des Artist Francais where he obtained a silver medal in 1889, received the Bonnet Prize in 1926 and the Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1897. He was highly respected for his fine detailed work and was considered an inspiration to many artists. His views of the colourful Parisian life, the boulevards, cafés and flower stalls became well known. At the same time he turned his effect on the portrayal of adorable children, accomplishing a sensibility and great harmony towards his subject.

The Square in front of Les Halles, 1880

Any Zola's fans must have remembered that this paintings was used by Oxford World's Classics as The Belly of Paris' cover. Such a nice idea too to pick a painting from one of Belle Epoque's artists. I imagined... maybe Gilbert was one of Zola's Impressionist friends...

The Fish Hall at the Central Market, 1881

Flower Seller in front of the Madeleine Church

It was during the mid 1870s that Gilbert became a close friend to Pierre Martin, one of the principal supporters of the impressionist movement and Victor Gilbert’s paintings secured a place amongst his collection of Impressionists like Monet, van Gogh, Cezanne and Gauguin. Victor Gilbert’s paintings were not only well sought after in France, he also exhibited in 1883 in Munich, 1894 in Vienna and he was a great success in London in 1908. Today his work can be viewed in the Museums of Bayeux, Besançon, Bordeaux, Dieppe, le Havre, Lille, Liége, Nice and Strassbourg.

The Children's Dance Recital

Place dAnvers Et Le Sacre Coeur

I posted this for my Belle Époque Event 2016, You will find more artists along the year; the next one will be up (hopefully) very soon!

Thursday, February 25, 2016

If I were Old Bourras in The Ladies’ Paradise

Le Bon Marche by Felix Valloton
Parisian store which inspired Ladies' Paradise
Reading Zola’s The Ladies’ Paradise gives me certain excitement which I have never encountered before from Rougon-Macquart series that I have read so far—it is the business aspect. The growing expansion of Octave Mouret’s first modern department store in Paris has awakened my own business instinct which has grown from my more-than-twenty-years of working in trading business.

This is not a proper review of the book (for I am still half through it at the moment), but I was intrigued to give my personal advice to one of the shop owners whose business is threaten to be ruined by the Ladies’ Paradise.

Old Bourras owns an umbrella shop. He used to have employees worked for him, and his specialty is carving the handle-knob with artistic subjects, which, I believe, gives his umbrellas a personal touch. But then Ladies’ Paradise opened its umbrella and sunshade department, selling umbrellas in much cheaper prices, and stealing Bourras’ loyal customers away. It gave old Bourras a terrible blow, but, does it really have to end that way? I personally do not think so.

If I were in Bourras’ place—instead of spending my passion and energy by condemning the department store, or by wasting my capital to compete with it—I would offer an attractive scheme of partnership to Mouret. I would persuade Mouret to sell my umbrellas IN his department store. Oh, Mouret would certainly laugh at me:

Mouret: “What? Buying umbrellas from you, while I could buy from other manufacturers in larger quantity and with much cheaper price? How do you think your umbrellas could compete with ours?”

But I would calmly smile to him, and say: “Of course not, sir. I know I won’t be able to compete with your big store, if I sell the SAME umbrellas as yours.”

Mouret (still chuckles): “What do you mean? Umbrella is umbrella; people buy it to shade them from sunlight or rain. If they could get ours cheaper, why on earth would they pick yours?”

Me: “But what I am offering you now, sir, is not the same product that you are selling in one of your departments.”

Mouret (his business instinct being awaken): “Go on...”

Me: “You see, sir, I am more an artist than a businessman. You might say that I sell umbrellas, but for me, these umbrellas are my artworks. I love carving, and it gives me utmost happiness to sit in my quiet shop, carving the handles with beautiful subjects: flowers, animals, fruits, etc. I’m happy to see that my customers love them, and it gives them satisfaction, knowing that their umbrellas were carved specially for them. And, of course, in the end it gives me money to buy my bread and lodging.”

Mouret: “So, you were saying that…”

Me: “Yes. I am offering you a new concept of umbrella. It’s not just means of shading one from sun and rain. Umbrella can be a fashionable item. Just imagine a luxury umbrella with finely carved ivory handle and elegant design, in the hand of a charming lady on a rainy day outside The Opera. The lady’s friends would have adored it, and the lady would answer proudly: ‘Oh, I have ordered it at The Ladies’ Paradise the other day. They allow us to choose our own design, you know, and pick our own subject to be carved on the handle!’ And soon enough, these ladies will queue up to order such elegant personalized umbrellas at your store, sir!”

Mouret (now quite bought up by the idea): “But how can I be sure that you won’t sell it with cheaper price to other stores, or even worse, directly to my customers?”

Me: “I am ready to grant you an exclusive right to sell my umbrellas at whatever price you believe is most profitable, if you consent to appoint me as your sole supplier, and buy my products at reasonable price. I put my trust on your lawyer, sir, to issue the contract which I would be proud to sign to bind our partnership.”

Mouret (amazed and curious): “Do you realize, M. Bourras, that if we had this partnership as your idea, your income will not significantly improve? Because producing personalized goods is different from mass production. In the end, your business will not profit much more than it is now. It would certainly profit me, but what will it do for you?”

Me: “Dear M. Mouret, I have told you earlier, that I am no businessman. With this partnership, I will earn enough money for my business to keep going, and a humble living for myself. But mostly I will have pleasures from making beautiful umbrellas. It’s all what I need in this world.

So…. do we have a deal?”

In a new turbulence era, we better face the changes with open mind. It is good to keep our principles, but do not let it bar our judgment. Creativity is the key, and always find a win-win solution! When a huge power dominates our society (in this case capitalism), don’t fight back! Or else it will crush you mercilessly. Open mind and creativity will give us better bargaining position.

If only I can get into the story, and give my advice to old Bourras! But then…. It will alter the story. And considering what Zola wanted to say with his Rougon-Macquart series, I think I’d better return to my book and enjoy it. Sorry Monsieur Zola, for indulging my imagination for a moment in this post! J

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

It’s a Very Outdated Post!

I know it’s very-very outdated. 2015 was already far away… but I won’t ever forgive myself if I don’t, somehow, wrap up my last year Literary Movement Reading Challenge. You know, of course, that I failed my own challenge, but there are others who took efforts to read all, or at least most of, the movements. In the middle of my spare time during office hours—yayy… J--Ihave managed to count all participant’s posts (though I’m really sorry if I couldn’t read nor comment them one by one). From 22 who signed up, just a few managed to ‘survive’ to the last. And from the few, only ONE person completed the whole challenge, by reading at least one book for all movements; and I’m proud to announce that the winner of this challenge is…..

Congratz to Ruth—a very good job! I’m proud of you and your dedication for this challenge. I will contact you soon to arrange the prize.

And now…. Allow me to retreat to my quiet corner of bookish life again. I’ll keep posting every now and then, especially for Belle Époque Event, but I’ll dedicate most of my limited spare time with… reading, of course! ;)

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Belle Époque Artists: Gustave Caillebotte

Paris Street, Rainy Day, 1877

Gustave Caillebotte (19 August 1848 – 21 February 1894) was a French painter, member and patron of the group of artists known as Impressionists, though he painted in a much more realistic manner than many other artists in the group. Caillebotte was noted for his early interest in photography as an art form. Caillebotte's style belongs to the School of Realism but was strongly influenced by his Impressionist associates.

Caillebotte is best known for his paintings of urban Paris, such as The Europe Bridge (Le Pont de l'Europe) (1876), and Paris Street; Rainy Day (Rue de Paris; temps de pluie, also known as La Place de l'Europe, temps de pluie) (1877). The latter is almost unique among his works for its particularly flat colors and photo-realistic effect which gives the painting its distinctive and modern look, almost akin to American Realists. Showing little allegiance to any one style, many of Caillebotte's other urban paintings produced in the same period, such as The Place Saint-Augustin (1877), are considerably more impressionistic.

Le Pont de l'Europe, 1876

My Note:
Gustave Caillebotte's paintings are not new to me... well, several of them, at least. Apparently, Oxford World's Classics used at least three of them as covers for Emile Zola's books. The "Paris Street, Rainy Day" was used for The Kill's cover, while "Le Pont de l'Europe" was actually picked by OWC as the cover of La Bête Humaine. And if you own the latest edition of The Money from OWC, you will not  be surprised to see that its cover was borrowed from Caillebotte's "Man on a Balcony". To me it's really nice of OWC to pick French Impressionist's paintings as Zola's book cover. Zola was one of the supporters of Impressionism on his era anyway.

Man on a Balcony, Boulevard Haussmann, 1880

A Balcony, Boulevard Haussmann, 1880

I posted this for my Belle Époque Event 2016, You will find more artists along the year; the next one will be up in March!

Monday, January 4, 2016

Belle Époque Artists: Édouard-Denis Baldus

Hotel de Ville et Pont d'Arcole, Paris
Édouard-Denis Baldus (June 5, 1813, Grünebach, Prussia – 1889, Paris) was a French landscape, architectural and railway photographer. Baldus was originally trained as a painter and had also worked as a draughtsman and lithographer before switching to photography in 1849. In 1851, he was commissioned for the Missions Héliographiques by the Historic Monuments Commission of France to photograph historic buildings, bridges and monuments, many of which were being razed to make way for the grand boulevards of Paris, being carried out under the direction of Napoleon III's prefect Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann.

Reconstruction of Hotel de Ville de Paris, 1880

The high quality of his work won him government support for a project entitled Les Villes de France Photographiées, an extended series of architectural views in Paris and the provinces designed to feed a resurgent interest in the nation's Roman and medieval past.

In 1855, Baron James de Rothschild, President of Chemin de Fer du Nord, commissioned Baldus to do a series of photographs to be used as part of an album that was to be a gift to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a souvenir of their visit to France that year. The lavishly bound album is still among the treasures of the Royal Library at Windsor Castle.

In 1856, Baldus set out on a brief assignment to photograph the destruction caused by torrential rains and overflowing rivers in Lyon, Avignon, and Tarascon. He created a moving record of the flood without explicitly depicting the human suffering left in its wake.

He was extremely well known throughout France for his efforts in photography. One of his greatest assignments was to document the construction of the Louvre museum.

La Grande Galerie, Paris, 1870

Baldus used wet and dry paper negatives as large as 10x14 inches in size. From these negatives, he made contact prints. In order to create a larger image, he put contact prints side by side to create a panoramic effect.

Baldus was renowned for the sheer size of his pictures, which ranged up to eight feet long for one panorama from around 1855, made from several negatives.

View of the Seine, Paris

Despite the documentary nature of many of his assignments, Baldus was no purist when it came to technique. He often retouched his negatives to blank out buildings and trees, or to put clouds in white skies; in one print from 1851, he pieced together fragments of 10 different negatives to create a composite print of the medieval cloister of St. Trophime, in Arles.

I will post more French artists in this blog for this event:


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• Donpheebin - Dark World (1993) (9,5/10)

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    10. ทำไม

    Donpheebin - Dark World

    Metal bands from Thailand are very hard to find and not very known to people outside of that country. While Japan always had a very popular metal culture since the early eighties and countries like Bangladesh, China or Taiwan developed constantly growing and promising metal scenes in the mid-nineties and later on, Thailand didn’t really hop on that trend train. But they are there, the obscure pioneer metal bands of that beautiful country.

    One of them is the trio ดอนผีบิน or DONPHEEBIN from Chiang Mai. Their name is taken from a northern village where an important battle took place at the time of the Kingdom of Lanna. Between 1993 and 2001, the band released six studio albums, one live record and numerous demos and compilations as well. The band then went on hiatus with several members releasing solo records.

    The first records offer a mixture of Heavy and Thrash Metal influenced by popular Western bands like METALLICA but still adding an own melodic touch to it with many passionate hard rock ballads. Later on, DONPHEEBIN became more progressive and sophisticated. Their lyrics were not only influenced by dark stories and historical events but also by nature and they sometimes have a philosophic touch. The band has a great musicianship and especially the melodic guitar work stands out. Many records of the band include multiple instrumental tracks where the three musicians show off their talent.

    Their first record from early 1993 was released when METALLICA first came to their country. The album is called “โลกมืด which means “Dark World”. It includes seven tracks sung in Thai and three instrumental songs with English titles and offer over forty-three minutes of great music.

    What immediately stands out on the album is the outstanding guitar work that I would almost call unique as I have rarely heard such a gifted guitar player on a first full length release. The three instrumental tracks already show us the gifted musicianship of the three band members but let’s focus on the songs with lyrics.

    The energizing opener “ต่างคน or “People” kicks off with energizing riffs, many amazing guitar leads, emotional clean vocals but also a few darker vocals. This song takes no prisoners and could come straight from a European or American Heavy or Thrash Metal record from the mid-eighties as it has the same irresistible sound and charm. I think that any traditional metal fan should dig this kind of music.

    The fast banger “โลกันต์โลกา or “One World Logo Trim” keeps the pace high and includes incredible guitar sounds, a solid bass guitar work and a vivid powerhouse drumming. The melodic middle part incarnates a stunning beauty and gives you a well-needed break from the pitiless Thrash Metal anthem.

    เพียงหนึ่งเดียว or “Only” has more of a mid-tempo pace and is situated right in the middle of traditional Heavy Metal and a more Thrash Metal orientated sound. The vocals sound a little bit out of tone on this tune but they also have some kind of unique charm because of their unusual technique. The singer has proven in the first two songs that he is a solid musician, so I guess this weird sound in the third track is no mistake but simply an almost psychedelic variation of style.“ผ่านวัน or “Through The Day” is the first ballad on here and it’s an emotionally sung mid-tempo Hard Rock or Heavy Metal ballad with another great guitar solo that sounds like a Thai version of GUNS ‘N ROSES to me.

    ผ่านวัน or “Through The Day” is the first ballad on here and it’s an emotionally sung mid-tempo Hard Rock or Heavy Metal ballad with another great guitar solo that sounds like a Thai version of GUNS ‘N ROSES to me.

    Another ballad entitled “ลีลาลวง or “Catchy Rhythm” has a much more psychedelic approach and also a slight Asian folk touch. This track even surpasses the great classic Hard Rock ballad we have heard before. But don’t worry because this track includes another heartbreaking classic guitar solo.

    ไกลบ้าน or “Away From Home” is a more vivid half-ballad with a more positive and joyful tone and more minimal folk approaches. The vocals are rally variable and beautiful on here. The track even includes two and almost slightly neoclassical extensive guitar solos of the highest quality.

    There are loads of high quality melodic electric guitar solos on the album but also appeasing acoustic guitar parts as in the epic album closer “ทำไม or “Why?” that starts as a profound ballad before it turns into a captivating Thrash Metal anthem with very expressive vocals before it comes to a psychedelic and almost folk orientated finish that reminds me of PINK FLOYD. The song sounds somewhat like a Thai version of METALLICA’s masterpiece “One” but it still has its own harmonious approach. This track simply is a masterpiece and it’s not the only one on here.

    In the end, ดอนผีบิน or DONPHEEBIN deliver a very well done interpretation of Western Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Thrash Metal music. The album kicks off with three energizing metal anthems and then takes a more down-stripped and ballad-driven approach with a few folk elements and emotional lyrics and vocals. The acoustic and electric guitar work on the album is top notch. Mister Sombut Kaewthit has immediately become one of my favourite guitar players of all time since I have first listened to this record. I’m not guitar player and don’t know very much about techniques but his play is so emotional and melodic that I don’t care because his music touches my heart and not my brain.

    I’m aware of the fact that this album is hard to get but any fan of traditional Metal music should try to get his hands on this release. Most of the album’s songs can easily be found on the internet and so you should at least take this option and check this magic music out. This album has immediately become one of my all-time favourite classic Metal releases as it was somehow love at first sight. Take a chance and you could maybe fall in love with ดอนผีบินor DONPHEEBIN as well.

    (Online October 12, 2013)

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Firefighters and other first responders have been working day and night for two days since a lightning strike caused the Gibraltar Ridge Fire to flare up Monday night. According to Fire Information Officer Hailey Graf, the quick spread of the fire and the evacuation of around 30 homes has put it high on the national priority list.

"I believe this is the number one priority fire in the country as of this morning," Graf said. "When I spoke with the folks at the Red Cross about the shelter, there were about a dozen people there last night, I believe it was more the previous night, so there are a few folks staying at hotels in the area, staying with families in the area."

The fire grew to about 500 acres during its first night, and has now more than doubled in size.

"We did get an infrared flight conducted last night, and we know the fire is at about 1,153 acres," Graf said. "The sheriff is working really closely with the residents in Eureka and Deputies and officers are individually notifying residents when they are in evacuation or pre-evacuation.

It’s unclear how many have received evacuation notices or warnings. Graf says that foretasted thunderstorms for the area are worrisome, as strong winds and more lightning are likely to make the situation worse.


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Monday, June 11, 2012

Karen: Adrian Scott is a multi-published author with over sixty stories to his credit. He's here from Australia to give us the exclusive behind the scenes preview of his new chilling release, REVENGE.
Karen has kindly offered to give me the chance to tell, on her blog, the story of ‘Revenge’ – the research involved, and the creation of the story itself.
‘Revenge’ is set in Sydney, Australia, in the 1840’s, at a time before the invention of the percussion pistol and the repeating revolver, when the flintlock and the blunderbuss were the weapons of common use, a time before the telephone and the ‘horseless carriage,’ as the automobile was sometimes known.
The research was already well-known to me because, almost without exception, my novels are set in this time-period, many of them in Australia, so I was already well-acquainted with the city as it was, and society as it first came into being in a continent that was seen, by England, as a depository for its own criminal element. Times have changed, and society is different now; the city, too has changed – some of the old emporiums and shops still remain in scattered places, but most of them have given way to new buildings. The streets, however, are still there, and still just as crowded as they always were, although the traffic passing is different now.
 But the story behind ‘Revenge,’ and how it came into being is, in itself, another story altogether.
My three daughters have, for years, suggested I write my own autobiography, but I have always refused, saying it was a tale I could never tell, because of the painful memories involved.
Finally, some time ago, however, I found a way to do it: I created a work of fiction, and based it partly on my own childhood and early adulthood, on my mother’s illness and eventual passing away when she was only forty-three years old, and my father’s treatment of us both.
The character of Dr Marcus Learnaby is based on my father, although he is painted as a cold-blooded killer – that much is fiction. To my knowledge, he never broke a law.
Parkin Learnaby,his son, is based on myself, and my own life as it was then, and the character of the doctor’s wife, Alora, is my mother.
I made the principal character a doctor because my father enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force at the start of World War II, and was trained as a medical orderly, and I believe that, from then onward, his one desire was to become a doctor. But in those days, university studies were reserved for those who could afford to take five years out of their lives and devote them to study, and who could afford the high cost of university education. So my father’s dream never came to be.
I also believe that the strict military discipline he lived under was partly to blame for the authoritarian figure he later became to his own family.
Neither did we have the wealth attributed to the Learnabys; my parents were working-class, and I’m grateful for that: I learned to make the best of what you have, and to help others where you can.
Because of a childhood illness that affected the heart, I spent many years in hospital, and was never able to become the son he would have wished to have – taking part in sport, being lively and active which, I think, was another part of the jigsaw he became.
So ‘Revenge’ is a work of fiction, but it is also an autobiography. The title does not refer to any thought on my part at ‘getting even’ for the past; instead, I feel a sense of pity for my father because he couldn’t see the damage he was doing all through those early years.
‘Revenge’ refers, instead, to Detective Clive Robur’s revenge upon the fictional characters who took control of Sydney’s underworld in my novel – the ‘dark man’ and the ‘little Greek’.
Should you read ‘Revenge,’ I sincerely hope that you will pause before you speak those angry words to the ones who love you, and hesitate before you act in temper. Those simple words, those actions, can cause damage far into the future. That is my hope for ‘Revenge’ – that it might result in some good coming from a time when my life was much harsher than it is now.
Restricted to a Disability Pension due to a factory accident in 1980 at the age of 35, Adrian undertook part-time university studies at Mitchell College of Advanced Education, gaining an Associate Diploma, majoring in Theatre Arts and Journalism, then a degree in Communications after moving to Queensland in 1984; followed by a Graduate Diploma in Public Relations, and a Masters in Professional Writing.
In 1984, he and his second wife, Penny, and their three daughters moved from Bathurst, NSW; to Bundaberg, Queensland. In 2008, after his daughters had left home, he and Penny sold the family home and moved to a retirement village in Caboolture, Queensland, where he cared for his wife until her death in March 2011 from pancreatic cancer.
In 2008, he switched from writing short stories in the horror genre, which he had been writing since the age of nine, several of which have been published locally, to writing novels.
The first ten novels he has written have since been published as e-books by Renaissance E-Books, California, and the first of his novels published as a paperback, ‘Revenge’, was released by Rebecca J. Vickery Publications, USA; in  April 2012. To date, he has had twenty-two of his novels published as ebooks.
Adrian has written sixty-two horror novels, and is now working on his sixty-third.
He is 67 years of age, and sees no end to his writing, putting in up to eight hours a day on his novels. He describes himself as ‘addicted to writing.’
To Purchase a copy of REVENGE: AMAZON

Karen Michelle Nutt said... Best Blogger Tips

Thank you so much for being a guest on my blog and giving us the behind the scenes tour of your new release.

Nancy Jardine said... Best Blogger Tips

Nice to learn about you, Adrian. I guess I've got to find those 8 hours of continuous writing every day-got a way to go, though, since I've only written 5 and a bit, so far. Best wishes!

Cathy said... Best Blogger Tips

Nice to meet you, Adrian.

Sounds like this book was therapeutic for you. I wish you the best success with it.


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Monday, November 02, 2009

Pouring resin

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Just a few pictures to share with you as I pour resin into some of the sterling silver pieces.

You will have to use some imagination here too (hubby isn't the best photographer). :)

First, I have already formed and constructed the sterling silver pieces. That is a entire job onto itself.

Left: I'm mixing the resin. This pour happens to start with "crystal clear". It's a small amount and the measuring must be exact for it to cure properly.

Left: I'm adding the color pigments. I want just a "touch of pink" for this pour.

Left: I must stir again thoroughly to make sure the color gets mixed evenly.

Left: These are pieces that have been "set up" and are ready to receive the resin.

Left: I'm using a small syringe to place the resin EXACTLY where it needs to be.

The pieces need approximately 36 hours to cure. After that, they are all sanded by hand on both sides to get a nice neat and even appearance.

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Saturday, January 23, 2010

Custom orders and mock ups

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So it's another over-the-top Saturday night in the studio. Kids are in bed, hubby is at work and I'm working like a crazy woman. I love my family dearly, but I definitely don't have as much time to work on jewelry as I used to. I have to work on my jewelry and the business of making jewelry every possible moment their needs aren't taking priority.

A customer recently contacted me about wanting the University of Florida Gator colors (orange and blue for those of you outside of Gainesville) in a set of jewelry. We talked some details and he actually left it for me to use my judgment. Hmmm.... A couple of days later I had the idea that I would take pieces I've already done and "Photoshop" the Gator colors in there. While my Photoshop skills aren't anything to write home about, I think I did a pretty good job of getting representational images.

I've got a good start below. What do you think? Anyone got any favorites out there? Maybe this is the start of a line of resin jewelry just for University of Florida Gator fans or just someone that loves orange and blue. Are there any other schools with this color scheme? ??

I'll keep you posted on what he likes (it's a gift for his girlfriend). I'll see if I can't get some pictures too as I'm ready to pour and while they're being finished.

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President Ram Nath Kovind invites Ethiopian and African business to India

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Addressing the India-Ethiopia Business Dialogue, the president said Ethiopia and India have been trading with each other for centuries.

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Gold Member

There are not that many moments in the year that you can wear gold nail polish and no one is going to question it. And this time of the year is one of those moments. That being said since we do not wear gold nail polish a lot it quickly goes to the back burner on trying to find a good one, which is very hard. For my whole life I have been looking for solid gold nail polish...see what I did there? Anyway the treasure hunt has come to an end after a great little gift from my mother. Who knows were she found this polish but I love it. After only two coats I have gold fingers and I am ready to be in a James Bond movie.

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When you don't feel like working out, here's what to do:

By Caleb Lee

One day in the course of your fitness journey you'll feel like skipping over your strength training session.

There could be tons of whys and wherefores. You may be busy for time, you may be apathetic, you may feel worn-out or aching from your last session regardless the case, you don't feel like getting down to it and going to the gym.

It's times like this when you get the opportunity to build your resolve, strength of mind, and "never say die" attitude.

Now is actually is one of those days for me...

My quads are still really aching from the high intensity tabata protocol I did yesterday on my rest day, plus I didn't get sufficient protein to help build up my strength.

And I must of ate something bad last night because I puke when I woke up at 4am this morning...

So at this point I have two choices: 1.) miss out my strength training session today or 2.) Execute the session as planned, but adjust as needed.

What am I going to pick?

I'm going to carry out my session as planned and find my feet as needed!

So How Can You Make Progress When You Don't Feel Like It?

When I come in the weight room today, I might notice my warm up sets are feeling extra hard. It could be the weights aren't moving as easily as I wish for.

I'll probably still do my first set at the prescribed poundage, but I may have to back off a little on the next two sets no matter.

Consistency Is Key

The answer is I'm going to get in there and carry out my strength training session just like I had planned. Why? Since I know it'll ultimately be the cause of my good health.

Even though I can't perform at maximum it's all right. I'm still getting a TON of other benefits just by keeping fit.

What's more, I'm building the not refraining from the habit.

Plus - you'll never make steady progress again and again - you will have amazing days, not so amazing days, and downright crappy training days its entirely just a part of the game.

The secret is to complete what you established and bring in the rewards for being consistent.

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When Mike Myers and Dana Carvey banged their heads to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" during one of Wayne's World's most famous sequences, it was a case of art imitating life.

In honor of the song's 40th anniversary, Queen guitarist Brian May spoke with the BBC about the history of the group's landmark hit, revealing that the excellent party time depicted in Wayne's World struck surprisingly close to home.

"I didn't know Mike Myers," recalled May, "but he rang me up out of the blue and said, 'We've done this amazing sequence in our new film -- can we have your approval?" Myers specifically asked May to play the scene for singer Freddie Mercury, who was near the end of his life. "I took it around to Freddie, who was not in a good state at that time. He was ... confined to his bed, but I took it round and played it to him and he loved it. Strangely enough, the humor in it was quite close to our own. Because we did that kind of thing in the car, bouncing up and down to our own tracks!"

The song's inclusion in the movie gave "Bohemian Rhapsody" a new lease on life at Top 40 radio, where it enjoyed an impressive second run in the upper reaches of the chart. As May points out, it sparked a comeback for Queen in the U.S., where they'd struggled to regain momentum on the airwaves after the mid-'80s.

"There's a huge irony there -- because there was a time when we completely owned America and we would tour there every year. It seemed like we couldn't go wrong -- and then we lost America for various reasons, which are now history," mused May. "Freddie had a very dark sense of humor. And he used to say, 'I suppose I'll have to die before we get America back.' And, in a sense, that was what happened. And it was Wayne's World -- which came completely out of nowhere -- that made it happen."

Even after 40 years, May says he isn't tired of "Bohemian Rhapsody" — though he doesn't rock out in the car the way he used to. "I still enjoy hearing it. If it comes on the radio, I'll turn it up and listen," he insisted. "But no air guitar. I'm too old for air guitar now."

Queen Albums Ranked, From Worst to Best

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Saturday, January 20, 2007

Hello Houston ...

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

.... we have a "problem".

This is the little Calico girl we "catnapped" this evening. We chanced upon this newcomer while feeding Milo's mummy at the void deck.

Don't be fooled by her sweet demeanour. The pink-nosed girl is a feisty chilli padi - tiny in size but packs a fiery punch. When I spotted her, a Jack Russell on a leash was barking at her furiously, one metre away. Kitty was initially unperturbed, but suddenly she decided to march up to the noisy barker and hissed and spat at him! Her defiance caught the dog owner, me and another onlooker by surprise.

I wanted to carry her away but she turned around and swiped at me. Thanks to Muffin Terror, I am now quite adept at dodging such unpleasantries. The dog owner finally dragged his hyper pooch away, and I fed the hungry girl who wolfed down the wet food with great gusto.

After eating her fill, she was contented to remain at the void deck to play with me. She is about 4 months old, very affable and trusting, and is not afraid of human contact at all. What shall we do with her?? We went home, undecided. But my mind was in a turmoil. How could I leave her alone?

So I came down again with some dry food. She was still at the void deck!! I guess there is no running away from Fate. I buzzed the hubby to bring down the carrier, and little Calico girl walked straight into it!

She is now in our flat's kitchen toilet, and took to the litterbin without a fuss. I think she is a very good candidate for adoption.

This is the only time I could snap a picture of her keeping still.

Her calico patches.

Tomorrow, I will try and speak to Phyllis to take her in - I will pay for the boarding and medical fees of course.

I know I wouldn't be able to sleep well tonight if I didn't bring her home.

Cat with Hat said...

Nice kitty!

vegancat said...

She looks sweet...more white than calico..and in this current "the whiter the nicer" mentality that applies to cats as well, she is an easy one to be adopted out.
She is definitely a house-cat abandoned!

cat_aunty said...

Thank you for saving her.

I tell you, calicos....they are all feisty females!!

calsifer said...

Going muzzle-a-muzzle with a JR? Gumption she has! She's lucky to have met you. Seems like in this pre-CNY period, spring cleaning is in full swing.

kuro.shiro.neko said...

cat_aunty, i agree with you. calicos got this "chiak-ness" in them hor... hur hur hur...

she looks very pretty, hope she gets a good home soon!

or mama piggy, can consider a girl in an all boys' home?

Kootoo | Muffin | Milo said...

er, mama piggy has her hands full at the moment, what with Muffin doing a cameo Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde appearance every now and then; Milo still very much a frisky kitten and Kootoo the Top Cat throwing his weight around (figuratively and literally). Add a chiak cha bor Calico to the equation and my stress level will skyrocket.

auntie p said...

Fate indeed. :-!
She should be able to find a loving home soon.

MIL's calico started off a bit "chiak" but since then, she's mellowed down and become quite sweet & tolerant of our "nonsense", but she still doesn't like ear cleaning and bathing.

KXBC said...

PP will put Muffin Terror in his place if you take in this feisty little girl. But she will grow up to be the sweetest endearing thing you will ever know. Not the Milo kind of sweet, but the other kind of sweet, like Xin Xin. Take her lah :)


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Friday, May 31, 2013

More Washi Madness

Well here we are on the last day of May. I have no idea where the month has gone, but it has just flown by!

Remember yesterday I had the card with the Washi paper "oops" and I use the oval scallop punch? Well I still had enough of the oops to punch three circles using the 1 1/4 punch. To those I added Melon Mambo cardstock with the 7/8 scallop punch.
Background done with Sunflower in Daffodil Delight and Chocolate Chip.
Word stamp from Blooming with Kindness.
Background layer Island Indigo that was embossed with Square Lattice embossing folder.
I like the card, and think it has lots of texture.

Stamping trails

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Showing posts from January, 2015

The son of the shoemaker has no shoes

Everybody knows Google's Page Speed testing tool. Well, at least I was thinking so. Today I wanted to see how was doing against PageSpeed, looking particular how fast, optimized my site was using latest Bootstrap library and some fixes.

Got something like: Mobile 64/100, Desktop 93/100. Not bad. See below:

Google PageSpeed
Then I wanted to see how my site compared against bigger names from Finnish IT industry, like Tieto, IBM, Oracle, SuperCell, Rovio, SSH, F-Secure for example. Results are wow ... maybe these guys haven't heard of Google PageSpeed, or don't know how their main site really works. One might argue that PageSpeed is not useful nor bring any value directly, but in fact it does list and analyze some very important parts that any web site should properly implement and support:
HTTP CompressionServer Response timesImage compressionHTML, CSS, JS optimizations
Client: Firefox 34.0.5 FreeBSD amd64.

Note: This was a simple test, one execution, si…


text:
Saturday, January 20, 2018

County Treasurer
Open Monday thru Friday 8am to 5pm excluding Legal Holidays
303 Court
Scott City, KS 67871

Phone: 620-872-2640

Responsible for County Revenue Receipts from

  • Ad Valorem Taxes
  • Motor Vehicle & Recreational Vehicle Taxes
  • Tax on Isolated Motor Vehicle Sales
  • Annual Vehicle Registrations
  • Various Fee offices from County Departments

Other Tasks include
Investment of County Idle Funds
Distributes Tax Funds to All Taxing Entities within the County
We offer free notary service & access to copiers and a fax machine. We accept Credit Cards for all types of tax payments.

We can receive monthly payments for property taxes, delinquent or current or vehicle registrations.

Shelly Wiley, Deputy

Audra Winter, Clerk

Danny Wackerla, Clerk

Kathy McMillan, Clerk and DL Examiner

Fore More Information...


text:
Vehicle submerged in Arkansas River near 1st and Waco

Scene near where a vehicle was submerged in the Arkansas River on Saturday, May 13, 2017. Courtesy KSN News.

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Wichita dispatchers reported a vehicle was submerged in the Arkansas River just before 6 p.m. Saturday. The incident occurred near 1st Street and Waco.

Sergeant Michael O’Brien said only the vehicle was submerged.

“It was an unfortunate accident for somebody on a nearby parking lot that thought they got (the vehicle) in gear,” said O’Brien. “But, they didn’t.”

No one was inside the vehicle at the time of submersion.

O’Brien said there were a lot of witnesses who saw the vehicle enter the river. Therefore, authorities were able to determine fairly quickly that nobody was in danger.

O’Brien said at this time, due to higher river waters, the 1990s model pickup truck will remain in the river. He reminded drivers to be sure vehicles are in park to avoid an incident like this in the future.

Get breaking news, weather and traffic on the go. Download our News App and our Weather App for your phone and tablet. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.


text:
After Winning 2 Titles, Galaxy Facing Transition

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

becks-picLOS ANGELES — The Galaxy celebrated Saturday’s MLS Cup victory deep into Sunday morning.

But when Coach Bruce Arena and Tim Leiweke, the team’s chief executive, awoke later that day, the countless champagne toasts weren’t the only things that had their heads spinning.

Because after winning consecutive league titles with David Beckham and Landon Donovan, the team must now figure out a way to win without one and possibly both players.

“There’s little doubt in my mind that we’re going to have some transition here,” said Leiweke, president of AEG, the global sports and entertainment company that owns the Galaxy. “We’ll play it out, see what happens. But you make good decisions by being prepared.”

Which is why Leiweke and Arena began talking over off-season scenarios even before the Galaxy began its victorious playoff run.

They started preparing for Beckham’s MLS retirement during the summer, weeks before it was announced publicly.

What Donovan will do is less certain; the player, who has a year left on his contract, says he doesn’t know whether he’ll play next season.

That leaves the team with one, maybe two, designated player spots — exemptions to the league’s frugal salary cap that allow teams to sign big-name stars to MLS contracts — and Leiweke has been hard at work on filling those.

Last month, the Galaxy was in talks with former FIFA world player of the year Ronaldinho, but last week the 32-year-old signed a contract extension with his Brazilian club, Atletico Mineiro.

So Leiweke has turned his attention to Kaka, another former world player of the year from Brazil who currently plays for Real Madrid.

Chelsea’s Frank Lampard has also reached out to the Galaxy, but Leiweke said the team’s new contract with Time Warner Cable and its Spanish-language channel make the signing of a Latin American player a priority.

“Look, if Wayne Rooney wants to come, we’ll make an exception. But the reality for us right now, our thinking, is … iconic players that have a special relationship with the Hispanic community,” he said.

The Galaxy’s third designated player, striker Robbie Keane, is under contract for two more seasons with an option that could keep him here through 2015.

But squeezing the rest of the roster within the league’s complicated salary budget of roughly $4 million for next season will be tough.

Midfielders Mike Magee and Juninho — on loan from Sao Paulo — will be out of contract at the end of the year, as will goalkeeper Josh Saunders, whose future with the team is further clouded by the Galaxy’s interest in trading for Chivas USA keeper Dan Kennedy.

The entire backline of Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant and Sean Franklin is signed for another year, although the team expects Gonzalez, the MLS Cup most valuable player, to draw loan interest from several European clubs.

Midfielder Marcelo Sarvas and forward Edson Buddle are also signed, and midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson has an option for next season that may prove too expensive for the Galaxy to pick up.

Unlike other pro leagues, MLS’ strict salary rules do not allow teams to pay a tax for violating the payroll cap.

“My guess is we’re going to have a lot of questions,” Arena said. “It’s never smooth, although you’d like it to be. There’s always another issue that comes along and makes things difficult. And I’m sure we’re going to have it again this year.”

The Galaxy will hold a public victory celebration Monday at 7 p.m. in the Home Depot Center’s tennis stadium. The entire roster, including Beckham and Donovan, is expected to participate.

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