mothballed

English language daily The Local has an interesting piece on the secret bank bunker, prompted by West-East tensions with the building of the Berlin Wall and Cuban Missile Crisis in the 1960s, in Cochem at the bend of the Mosel, close to Bonn and Wiesbaden. Of course, there was much area speculation on the nature of the shelter but there was no official disclosure regarding the contents until just a few weeks ago, including some 15 billion Marks on reserve in the form of an Ersatz currency to be used to counteract hyperinflation in the event of an emergency. Guided tours are ensuing.

I suppose that this mechanism could only so far in terms of stabilizing a devastated economy and with the lapse of the Cold War, there are certain priorities that would not pass muster as far as government sanctioned paranoia, but countries should not be so quick to abandon their sanctuaries and refuges because apprehension is adept at reinvention. A secret bank bunker might be handy in the event of a currency war and other market shocks. Continuity projects, like at Greenbriar or Denver Airport or Ullenwood, secret or not, in terms of infrastructure and intention are still valuable real estate.  I would like to take a tour of that bank bunker and explore the underworld caverns.

tee fribet or double ten day

Cheerleaders for political dissidents are rather few and far between, and sometimes their advocates have themselves been overwhelmed by potential and promise or provocation, rather than working to honor and perhaps effect change. I believed, until researching the matter further, that the latter was another example of the former, provocation, an excuse that might become the trigger for an unabashed currency war. This choice, however, was not some everyman representative of countless unnamed others nor an abstract encouragement, but a real lifetime and career dedicated to change, whose work is even acknowledged by recent honorees. Redirecting one’s gaze, in the general and specific sense, can garner impetus, and is a stance well taken.

Au+Ag+Ni+Si+C-H-OH

This past week has seen quite a haul of treasures.  Both of our parents were on holiday and brought a bottle of original, fabled Goldwasser from Danzig (Gdansk)--note Secretary Kitty in the background, and then another original rarity from Prague, a bottle of Czech wormwood Absinthe.   Goldwasser probably, influenced by the efforts of alchemists, originated with goldsmith's using alcoholic solutions for the delicate business of gilding and wormworn was held to be a natural tonic since the ancient Egyptians, though its dangerous and crazy-making reputation was probably unwarrented.

Over the weekend, we wandered for hours through Bamberg's historic center and found a few unusual bargains, though the antique flea market's prices, by the concentration of merchants and shoppers alone, were about three times too high. 

Among a few other finds, H spotted this very retro, Rhythm transitor alarm clock, and then little silver oil lamp, which I thought looked like the most elegant and sweetest little incendiary device, marked "Triple Deposit" with a simple triskelion and then "Mappin & Webb / Prince's Plate / London & Sheffield."

scan-tron or à pois rouge

For laureates in most other disciplines, there is somewhat of a probationary period for they are bestowed with high honors. The co-inventor of the process of in vitro fertilization (I like the German term: Retortenbabies, test tube babies) had to wait until the first offspring was a well adjusted adult with healthy children of her own before receiving the Nobel prize. Another dynamic scientific duo from Manchester also had to wait four years or so after their initial experiments and documentary on the material properties of Graphene, a wonder-substance like the advent of coal-tar, synthetic rubber, Bakelite and nylon that is the shearing off of graphite into one-atom thick layers of carbon atoms arranged in a honey-comb.

With proper alchemistic alignment, this substance could yield better photovoltaics and room-temperature super-conductivity. This material, by the way, is the velvety leavings of the lead of a pencil every time a mark is made.

Though I really have grown fond of the original stock background, I have been thinking of repapering the place, maybe brighten it up a bit. I think I would like to keep the King of the Mountains theme. Here are a few candidates.

threat level polka dot or how i learned to stop worrying and love the bomb

The nebulous warnings that defy further coming into focus and unwilling to bear much scrutiny--like quantum jihadists, though apparently their strength is known, have already had enough mileage through fear- and hate-mongering without a boost in incredulity from a connection that spans the whole of Eurasia and anchors militants firmly in German lands.  Although stoic about these latest developments and implications, European leadership has adopted an appropriate attitude regarding these threats.  Just weeks after US minds labeled their own unsustainable debt and porous fiscal policy a serious threat to national security, however, it seems curiouser and curiouser that these warnings can emerge fully-fledged after months of intelligence work after the US announced that it would flood its coffers with a trillion dollars.  While no nation particularly wants a strong currency presently, since it would harm exports, undoing diligence could certainly help mediate deflationary shocks and maintain a modicum of confidence in American markets and the evanescent dollar.

gleek oder heineit

Last night H and I celebrated the twentieth anniversary of German reunification with a glass of Rotkäppchen Sekt and watching some of the party highlights from Berlin.  There was coverage that will make for singular and interesting footage for future archives: a very elite audience of present and former German politicians sitting in the sunny afternoon on the promenade by the Bundestag and watched a very energetic performance, a capella, glee-club style cavalcade of pop tunes.  Five and twenty years from now, I am sure we will have a glimpse of that spectacular and wonder and maybe cringe at today's popular culture influences.  The assembled did not quite know what to make of it but overall it seemed like a good and appropriate celebration.

little dorrit

Trying to map out the logistics but not totally plan it to death of our next adventure, I realized what a challenge it is to puzzle out a comprehensive and fluid travel guide.  I had thought it would be handy to be able to generate something that was both brief and comprehensive enough to winnow away from bulkier travel books something that was targeted to the area one is visiting, with some needful pointers for orientation.  In the process, I also learned how rich in sights and activities this one area was and never mind if we cannot go further afield. I tried to cobble together something for us--mostly taken from Wikipedia, adapted to our needs and time constraints.  For what it's worth, I though I could share this framework, this flowchart.

Stepwise: Western Ireland

Arrival & orientation: Dublin [Ir., Baile Átha Cliath] Airport (10km north of Dublin City in Finegal [Ir. Fine Gall – Foreign Tribe]) is one of only two European airports where pre-clearance to the USA is possible, the other being Shannon, and is the headquarters of Ryanair and Aer Lingus. Construction for this airport began in 1936, and a second terminal is scheduled to open in November 2010. From the airport to points west, take the M1 to the M50 (13km) to the N4 exit towards Baile (7km) and continue (44km) on the M4. Next take the exit M6 for Galway and Athlone (57km).

At Athlone, either continue on the N6 (3.5 hours) of take the M6 north and bypassing Galway (4 hours), passing through Roscommon, Claremorris, Castlebar and Westport, on toward Connemara. Athlone, at the junction, bridges the River Shannon and is a historic crossroads. The route from Dublin passes through the downtown areas of several towns and villages along the way. From either route, after Westport or Galway, Clifden and Leenane are the only major villages on the peninsula (Route N590). The journey is about 280km in total, and there are tolls of about 4€, payable in cash only.

Leenane [ Leenaun, An Líonán – the filling pool, das Teig] is considered to be the “gateway to the Connemara” and is at the mouth of the Killary Habor. It is the crossroads of trails into the Maam Valley, Clifden and Westport, and hikers have access to Mweelrea, Sheefry, Paltry and Maumturk Mountains. The harbor is bounded by a high fjord that extends for 16km westward. “The Field” was filmed here and the Kelly Family recorded an album here. One can mingle with the local fisherman and sheep farmers in An Carraig, Gaynors or Hamiltons pubs.

Maam [The Pass] is a village in an ancient wood in the shadow of the Maamturk Mountains with their numerous pre-historic and early historic sites. The Western Way, a long distance walking trail runs from the southern end of the Maam Valley to the ancient site of Mámean. On the way there is 'Leaba Pháiric' [Patrick's bed], a rock recess and 'Tobar Pháraic' [Patrick's well] mark places of pilgrimage. The well is believed to cure cattle as well as human ills. The town is the filming location for the “Quiet Man” starring John Wayne in 1952. The nearby market has centuries old traditions, including a harvest festival in October.

Kilfenora – Southern edge of the Burren, has a decorated high cross. The Burren has over 90 portal dolmen and ringed forts (Dun) like Cahercommaun on the edge of an inland cliff, and the well-preserved Caherconnell Stone Fort. Corcomroe Abbey ruins (by Ballyvaughan) is one of the area's main attractions. There are no bogs and few pastures, making the landscape unique, and instead there are huge slabs of limestone called 'clints' with fissures called 'grikes'.
Most of the drainage is underground caves, but unless one is an experienced spelunker they are not recommended, as they become flooded rivers in times of rain. Explore The Burren underworld in comfort within the developed cave at Aillwee, near Ballyvaughan.

Man has settled here since the stone-age. Evidence of his habitations and tombs are all around; massive dolmens, tombs and stone forts called cahers, (the homesteads of farmers of long ago), survive in various stages of preservation. Churches and castles indicate later periods of settlement.

The Burren is also famous for its plantlife. Foxgloves and rock roses grow here and rock's microclimates also support plants found in the Artic, Alpine and Mediterranean regions. Botanists have been unable to give a comprehensive answer to this. Many of the views around The Burren are truly spectacular: Corkscrew Hill and its view across Galway Bay or the journey around Black Head or the view from Ballinalacken Hill across to the Aran Islands.
Clifden [An clochán – bee-hive cell] – with Clifden Sky Road with castle ruins, Kylemore Abbey is at the edge of the Connemara with access to several islands and the mountain ranges of the area. Kylemore, [Coill Mor – the Big Wood] dominates the valley with its magnificent architecture and gardens, especially the Victorian Walled Garden. Today it is a convent run by Benedictine nuns, but the woman for whom the castle is built is entombed in the neighboring church, like Lenin. Oughterard with its tower ruins is also on the Clifden Sky Road. Marconi’s wireless station here was the first to transmit a radio signal across the Atlantic.

Liscannor [Lios Ceannúir – Ringfort of Ceannúr] seaside village 3 km from the Cliffs of Moher between Doolin and Lahinch, with castle ruins, cemetery, St. Brigid’s well and rich local folklore. The Cliffs are 8 km long and 214 m high. The tower at the cliffs was built by Cornelius O'Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland. From here one can easily view the cliffs, the Aran Islands, and Galway Bay as well as the Twelve Bens and the Maum Turk mountains to the north in Connemara and Loop Head to the south. The submarine was invented here.

Galway [Gaillimh - stony] is the third largest city in Ireland and has many areas of interest: Lynch’s Castle on Shop Street (medieval town house), St Nicolas Church (built in 1320), and the Spanish Arch with its Long Walk along the harbor or wander along the quays through Claddagh promenade at Salthill. For dining, Oscar’s and Abalone’s on Derrick Street in the town center come highly recommended, and there is a 24 hour Tesco on Headford Road.

Other villages in County Galway to visit are Kinvara [Cinn Mhara – Head of the Sea] at the southern end of Galway Bay with Dunguaire Castle and Claregalway with its abbey and Burgo Castle ruins.

Rossaveal [Ros an Mhil – peninsula of the sea monster] ferries to Aran Islands (departs 10:30 and return 17:00 or Doolin Pier at 9:00). Inishmor has the most attractions. There are mini-bus tours and taxis available on the islands. These are reasonably priced and usually come with a local guide with experience on the island going back generations. Tours can be arranged with the ferry companies. Another way to see the islands is on foot or by bike. Be aware there are very rough and jagged rocks. While touristy nature of the pony carts waiting in Cill Rónáin may be off-putting, paying the little bit extra for one of these is often worth it for the history lesson or an invitation to a party.

Consider walking the islands to see the sights, time permitting. It is easy to walk on the roads between sights and one is more likely to really begin to understand the scale of the islands and the feel of the place. But, keep in mind, it is best to plan to be back before dark as the roads are not lit and ferries do not run at all hours.

Dun Aengus is a fort situated on the edge of a cliff at a height of 100 meters overlooking the Atlantic on the Aran Islands, Inishmore. It consists of a series of concentric circular walls, the innermost; the citadel encloses an area approximately 50 m in diameter with 4 m thick walls of stone. These walls have been rebuilt to a height of 6 m and have wall walks, chambers, and flights of stairs too.

O'Brien's Castle on Inis Oírr in the Aran Islands was built in the 14th century. The castle was taken from the O'Briens by the O'Flaherty clan of Connemara in 1582. Additionally, Dun Eochla and Dun Eoghanachta are ringforts located on the interior of the island, visible from the main road. Clochan na Carraige is a beehive hut, perfectly preserved and unaltered. The structure is unusual because the outside is circular but inside it is rectangular.

there's water at the bottom of the ocean or someone has been lying in my bed

Just a few short months ago, the Kepler satellite opened its eyes on a postage stamp sized area of the heavens and nearly instantaneously seven hundred candidate planets popped into view. A parallel European Space Agency project was also hunting for stars possibly harboring planets using an alternate method of measuring slight gravitational perturbations caused by an orbiting body, as compared to Kepler's gauging the twinkling that happens when a planet partially eclipses its host star. Discoveries, I think, will be exploding like firecrackers from here on out. This excitement relegates mundane worries like the economy and manic power-grabs to the domain of petty Astronomers are planning to reexamine candidate sites to see if alien oceans or atmospheres can be detected by looking for glints of sunshine, like off of sunsets at the beach. There was no chance to test that method, however, before Gliese 581 g, as Reuters reports, was discovered slinking about the so-called habitable, Goldie Locks zone of a star some twenty light years away. It is a bit chauvinistic to think only life as earthlings know it is out there, but hoping that life, in all its creativity and super-abundance, might at least be familiar on a chemical level is comforting. The exo-planet in the constellation Libra has been unofficially called "Zarmina" after co-discoverer Steven Vogt's wife, and I think that's a perfectly spacey name for it.