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The New Coffee Room

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  3. Mildly interesting

Mildly interesting

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  • M Offline
    M Offline
    Mik
    wrote 17 days ago last edited by
    #2383

    alt text

    “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

    1 Reply Last reply
    • M Offline
      M Offline
      Mik
      wrote 17 days ago last edited by
      #2384

      IMG_4962.jpeg
      Ian Fleming, who was a keen bird watcher living in Jamaica, was familiar with ornithologist James Bond's book "Birds of the West Indies," and chose the name of its author for the hero of "Casino Royale" in 1953, apparently because he wanted a name that sounded "as ordinary as possible." Fleming wrote to the real Bond's wife, "It struck me that this brief, unromantic, Anglo-Saxon and yet very masculine name was just what I needed, and so a second James Bond was born. In return,'' Fleming wrote, ''I can only offer you or James Bond unlimited use of the name Ian Fleming for any purposes you may think fit. Perhaps one day your husband will discover a particularly horrible species of bird which he would like to christen in an insulting fashion by calling it Ian Fleming.'' He also contacted the real James Bond about using his name in the books, and Bond replied to him, "Fine with it."
      At some point during one of Fleming's visits to Jamaica, he met the real Bond and his wife, as shown in a made-for-DVD documentary about Fleming. A short clip was shown with Fleming, Bond and his wife. Also in his novel "Dr. No", Fleming referenced Bond's work by basing a large ornithological sanctuary on Dr. No's island in the Bahamas.
      In 1964, Fleming gave Bond a first edition copy of "You Only Live Twice" signed, "To the real James Bond, from the thief of his identity." In December 2008 the book was put up for auction, eventually fetching $84,000. (Wikipedia/New York Times)
      Happy Birthday, James Bond!
      image.png
      image.png

      “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

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      • J Online
        J Online
        jon-nyc
        wrote 17 days ago last edited by
        #2385

        Interior of the Orient Express

        IMG_4824.jpeg

        Only non-witches get due process.

        • Cotton Mather, Salem Massachusetts, 1692
        1 Reply Last reply
        • J Online
          J Online
          jon-nyc
          wrote 14 days ago last edited by
          #2386

          Hey @mark , aim higher. lol

          Only non-witches get due process.

          • Cotton Mather, Salem Massachusetts, 1692
          1 Reply Last reply
          • J Online
            J Online
            jon-nyc
            wrote 13 days ago last edited by jon-nyc 5 Aug 2025, 04:46
            #2387

            Watch that bar start to bow.

            Only non-witches get due process.

            • Cotton Mather, Salem Massachusetts, 1692
            1 Reply Last reply
            • T Offline
              T Offline
              taiwan_girl
              wrote 13 days ago last edited by
              #2388

              The comment "Ronnie Coleman is not human". I wonder what % is steroids? 555

              H 1 Reply Last reply 13 days ago
              • T taiwan_girl
                13 days ago

                The comment "Ronnie Coleman is not human". I wonder what % is steroids? 555

                H Offline
                H Offline
                Horace
                wrote 13 days ago last edited by
                #2389

                @taiwan_girl said in Mildly interesting:

                The comment "Ronnie Coleman is not human". I wonder what % is steroids? 555

                He was obsessed with bodybuilding. Obviously, steroids are necessary to look like that. He's paying the price these days. I don't think he can walk anymore. He still lifts, though. As I said, he's truly obsessed.

                Education is extremely important.

                1 Reply Last reply
                • T Offline
                  T Offline
                  taiwan_girl
                  wrote 13 days ago last edited by
                  #2390

                  Read the general info about him on Wiki. 60 years old and in a wheelchair. Sad, but apparently, he has no regrets.

                  I imagine his heart is in pretty bad shape also. Seems like a lot of those people who use steroids a lot time end up with heart problems.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  • M Offline
                    M Offline
                    Mik
                    wrote 12 days ago last edited by
                    #2391

                    40e2b2a0-886a-46ca-860d-28256643f54c-image.png

                    When Johanna “Jo” van Gogh married Theo van Gogh, she couldn’t have imagined she’d change art history. Within two years, both her husband and his brother Vincent were gone—one to illness, the other to despair.

                    Left a widow at 28 with an infant son and hundreds of unsold paintings by a little-known artist, Jo could’ve walked away. Vincent had sold almost nothing during his lifetime. Critics had dismissed him. To most, the paintings were worthless.

                    But Jo saw more than just canvas and paint—she saw Vincent’s soul in every brushstroke. She read his letters, filled with hope, suffering, and passion, and knew his story had to be told.

                    She moved back to the Netherlands, ran a boarding house to survive, and began quietly organizing exhibitions. More importantly, she shared the letters between Vincent and Theo—revealing a mind full of brilliance, not madness. Slowly, the world began to listen.

                    In 1905, Jo curated the first major Van Gogh retrospective in Amsterdam. It changed everything. Critics reevaluated him. Museums began acquiring his work. His name spread far beyond Europe.

                    Today, Vincent van Gogh is one of the most celebrated artists in history. But it was Jo who made that possible. Her quiet resolve turned obscurity into immortality. Without her, the world may have never seen Starry Night or Sunflowers. Her story reminds us: legacies are often built not just by those who create—but by those who believe.

                    #WomenInHistory #ArtThatEndures
                    ~Old Photo Club

                    “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                    A L 2 Replies Last reply 12 days ago
                    • M Offline
                      M Offline
                      Mik
                      wrote 12 days ago last edited by
                      #2392

                      alt text

                      alt text

                      How did Revolutionary War artillerymen know how to fire a cannon? We recently acquired for our collections an example of one of the tools they used: a pair of gunner’s calipers. Engraved with a ruler and specifications on different cannons and shot, calipers helped artillerymen measure the bore of a cannon and diameter of cannonballs, determine the appropriate size shot and amount of gunpowder, and even estimate a gun’s range—for use on both land and sea. This brass example was made in 1776 by Addison Smith of London, England.

                      “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                      T 1 Reply Last reply 12 days ago
                      • M Mik
                        12 days ago

                        alt text

                        alt text

                        How did Revolutionary War artillerymen know how to fire a cannon? We recently acquired for our collections an example of one of the tools they used: a pair of gunner’s calipers. Engraved with a ruler and specifications on different cannons and shot, calipers helped artillerymen measure the bore of a cannon and diameter of cannonballs, determine the appropriate size shot and amount of gunpowder, and even estimate a gun’s range—for use on both land and sea. This brass example was made in 1776 by Addison Smith of London, England.

                        T Offline
                        T Offline
                        taiwan_girl
                        wrote 12 days ago last edited by
                        #2393

                        @Mik That is quite cool. Kind of like a slide rule or abacus for cannon shooting.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        • M Mik
                          12 days ago

                          40e2b2a0-886a-46ca-860d-28256643f54c-image.png

                          When Johanna “Jo” van Gogh married Theo van Gogh, she couldn’t have imagined she’d change art history. Within two years, both her husband and his brother Vincent were gone—one to illness, the other to despair.

                          Left a widow at 28 with an infant son and hundreds of unsold paintings by a little-known artist, Jo could’ve walked away. Vincent had sold almost nothing during his lifetime. Critics had dismissed him. To most, the paintings were worthless.

                          But Jo saw more than just canvas and paint—she saw Vincent’s soul in every brushstroke. She read his letters, filled with hope, suffering, and passion, and knew his story had to be told.

                          She moved back to the Netherlands, ran a boarding house to survive, and began quietly organizing exhibitions. More importantly, she shared the letters between Vincent and Theo—revealing a mind full of brilliance, not madness. Slowly, the world began to listen.

                          In 1905, Jo curated the first major Van Gogh retrospective in Amsterdam. It changed everything. Critics reevaluated him. Museums began acquiring his work. His name spread far beyond Europe.

                          Today, Vincent van Gogh is one of the most celebrated artists in history. But it was Jo who made that possible. Her quiet resolve turned obscurity into immortality. Without her, the world may have never seen Starry Night or Sunflowers. Her story reminds us: legacies are often built not just by those who create—but by those who believe.

                          #WomenInHistory #ArtThatEndures
                          ~Old Photo Club

                          A Offline
                          A Offline
                          Axtremus
                          wrote 12 days ago last edited by
                          #2394

                          @Mik
                          Marketing is key!

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          • M Offline
                            M Offline
                            Mik
                            wrote 9 days ago last edited by
                            #2395

                            IMG_4991.jpeg

                            “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            • M Mik
                              12 days ago

                              40e2b2a0-886a-46ca-860d-28256643f54c-image.png

                              When Johanna “Jo” van Gogh married Theo van Gogh, she couldn’t have imagined she’d change art history. Within two years, both her husband and his brother Vincent were gone—one to illness, the other to despair.

                              Left a widow at 28 with an infant son and hundreds of unsold paintings by a little-known artist, Jo could’ve walked away. Vincent had sold almost nothing during his lifetime. Critics had dismissed him. To most, the paintings were worthless.

                              But Jo saw more than just canvas and paint—she saw Vincent’s soul in every brushstroke. She read his letters, filled with hope, suffering, and passion, and knew his story had to be told.

                              She moved back to the Netherlands, ran a boarding house to survive, and began quietly organizing exhibitions. More importantly, she shared the letters between Vincent and Theo—revealing a mind full of brilliance, not madness. Slowly, the world began to listen.

                              In 1905, Jo curated the first major Van Gogh retrospective in Amsterdam. It changed everything. Critics reevaluated him. Museums began acquiring his work. His name spread far beyond Europe.

                              Today, Vincent van Gogh is one of the most celebrated artists in history. But it was Jo who made that possible. Her quiet resolve turned obscurity into immortality. Without her, the world may have never seen Starry Night or Sunflowers. Her story reminds us: legacies are often built not just by those who create—but by those who believe.

                              #WomenInHistory #ArtThatEndures
                              ~Old Photo Club

                              L Offline
                              L Offline
                              LuFins Dad
                              wrote 9 days ago last edited by
                              #2396

                              @Mik said in Mildly interesting:

                              40e2b2a0-886a-46ca-860d-28256643f54c-image.png

                              I doubt there would be a noticeable difference…

                              While the story is great, and art is to be celebrated, and some art truly was inspirational and aspirational, I don’t necessarily find Van Gough to be among those pieces. It can certainly be personal and affect people on a small and individual scale but on the macro? I doubt it.

                              The Brad

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              • J Online
                                J Online
                                jon-nyc
                                wrote 6 days ago last edited by
                                #2397

                                Will be interesting to see what 2026 looks like.

                                Screenshot 2025-05-14 at 3.43.00 PM.png

                                Only non-witches get due process.

                                • Cotton Mather, Salem Massachusetts, 1692
                                1 Reply Last reply
                                • T Offline
                                  T Offline
                                  taiwan_girl
                                  wrote 6 days ago last edited by
                                  #2398

                                  Yes, I am sure that Canada will be a big decrease.

                                  However, it would have been nice if the graph above was on teh same scale on both sides. For example, the countries on the bottom half, it looks like the tourists decreased as the line goes down, but they actually increased.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  • M Offline
                                    M Offline
                                    mark
                                    wrote 6 days ago last edited by
                                    #2399

                                    1000004544.jpg

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    • M Offline
                                      M Offline
                                      Mik
                                      wrote 6 days ago last edited by
                                      #2400

                                      Be careful, Mark. Luckily you live in a very solid house.

                                      “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      • J Online
                                        J Online
                                        jon-nyc
                                        wrote a day ago last edited by
                                        #2401

                                        IMG_5298.jpeg

                                        Only non-witches get due process.

                                        • Cotton Mather, Salem Massachusetts, 1692
                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        • M Offline
                                          M Offline
                                          Mik
                                          wrote about 4 hours ago last edited by
                                          #2402

                                          IMG_5005.jpeg

                                          Most people stroll through Central Park without ever realizing they’re walking past the oldest monument in New York City—and one of the oldest man-made objects in all of America.
                                          Rising 69 feet into the sky and weighing over 200 tons, the Obelisk—often called “Cleopatra’s Needle”—was carved in Egypt more than 3,500 years ago. It was created to honor Pharaoh Thutmose III, long before Cleopatra was even born, from a single block of red granite quarried in Aswan and originally erected in the city of Heliopolis.
                                          After being toppled and buried during the Persian conquest in 525 B.C., it was rediscovered centuries later by the Romans, who moved it to Alexandria and placed it near a temple built by Cleopatra. That’s when it earned its famous nickname—even though she had nothing to do with its creation.
                                          Fast forward to 1879: Egypt gifted the obelisk to the United States as a gesture of goodwill. But how do you move a 200-ton granite column across the ocean in the 19th century?
                                          With brilliance and sheer determination.
                                          It was carefully lowered, loaded onto the wooden cargo ship Dessoug, and shipped across the Atlantic. Upon arrival, it took 19 days to transport it through Manhattan—using a custom-built carriage pulled by horses and winches.
                                          Finally, on January 22, 1881, before a crowd of 10,000 spectators, the Obelisk rose again—this time in Central Park, where it still stands tall.
                                          So the next time you’re in New York, stop for a moment beneath Cleopatra’s Needle. You won’t just be looking at a monument… you’ll be standing in the shadow of 3,500 years of human history.
                                          #AncientInNYC #CleopatrasNeedle
                                          ~Weird Pictures and News

                                          “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill

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