Ancient Treasures for Sale Reason magazine As you read this, criminals somewhere in the world are destroying portions of mankind's past. With backhoe and shovel, chainsaw and crowbar, they are wrenching priceless objects from sites in the mountains of Peru, the coasts of Sicily, and the deserts of Iraq.
Federal Law Needed to Fight Smuggling Gulf News "We need to have a federal antiquities law that prevents the buying and selling of historical artefacts all over the country, as Sharjah is currently the only emirate that has one," said Dr Sabbah Jasem, head of the Sharjah Directorate of Antiquities.
Afghanistan's Hidden Treasures on Display AFP More than 200 ancient artifacts from Afghanistan, many of which were believed lost to posterity as the country was rocked by decades of war, this week begin a tour of US museums with an exhibition at Washington's National Gallery.
A drunken car accident is hardly a death befitting a princess, so Diana supporters have cooked up a mysterious white car and other elements to bolster their conspiracy theories. Not to mention the giant shape-shifting lizards.
 by Matt |
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 by JPeterman |
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 by Jonathan Isles |
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I've gone to my farm in Kentucky for the weekend. It's a great place to relax, do a little hard physical labor, and forget about the rest of the world. If you don't have such a place, I highly suggest you get one.
In the meantime, here's a little something that I found for you to read with your morning coffee.
See you on Monday.
J. Peterman
From The Wall Street Journal:
Afghanistan and the National Geographic Society go back a long way. "We published our first article on Afghanistan in 1909," says the archaeologist Fredrik T. Hiebert, 48, a National Geographic Fellow and exhibition curator of "Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures From the National Museum, Kabul," which opens Sunday at the National Gallery of Art. "King Zahir Shah loved to read it. Along with Egypt and Mesoamerica, Afghanistan has always been one of our favorite subjects."
By the standards of Wall Street, of course, Afghanistan ranks as one of the poorest countries in the world and one of the least developed. Roughly a third of its gross domestic product is based on the poppy. The infrastructure is in desperate condition -- though it is improving, thanks to American billions. While reserves of minerals, precious metals and fossil fuels are abundant, geography and tribal politics make it difficult to extract them. Yet thousands of years ago, this was a region of fabled wealth: fertile, rich in gold, much coveted by invaders, from the Persians and Alexander the Great to Genghis Khan.
Potentially important archaeological sites in Afghanistan number about 1,500. The current show focuses on four, including the most famous of them all: the burial mound at Tillya Tepe, discovered in 1978 by Mr. Hiebert's mentor, the eminent Soviet archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi. In March 1990, National Geographic published Mr. Sarianidi's article "The Golden Hoard of the Bactrians," featuring page after page of splendors to rival or surpass the fabled Scythian gold of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg: clasps, necklaces, buckles, belts and other adornments of carved, gem-studded gold; a collapsible crown fit for a fairy empress. Mr. Sarianidi had last laid eyes on them in Kabul in 1982, at the time that they were photographed.
Share the Eye:
Museum Under Siege Archaeology Each time a new faction triumphed, it would loot the ruins. On May 12, 1993, a rocket slammed into the roof of the museum, destroying a fourth- to fifth-century A.D. wall painting from Delbarjin-tepe, site of an ancient Kushan city in northern Afghanistan, and burying much of the museum's ancient pottery and bronzes under tons of debris.
Afghanistan's Cultural Heritage Joseph Curtis Sloane Art Library More than one scholar has called Afghanistan the "crossroads of the world" given its location on the Silk Route, with links to East and West.
Afghanistan's Rediscovered Treasures www.guimet.fr The fortuitous discovery of the Fullol treasure in 1966 was to lift the veil on an area of history hitherto completely unknown, that of the vast ensemble which covers Afghanistan, eastern Iran and Turkmenistan during the Bronze Age, in about 2,000 years BCE.
still thinking about today...
Afghanistan sounds like a place for an Indiana Jones-type. It is, no doubt, the wild and wooly west of archeology.
To: LaDonna,
It's wonderful to have you stop by for a blueberry muffin. It makes for a satisfying Saturday. Something sweet is always a treat for me. I usually eat a diet designed for endurance sports. I'm entering a triathlon in August, so diet and training are important. The nice part about living in Southern California is there's never an off-season in. You can stay fit for specific sports all year. I take breaks, but I still hike and mountain bike. I want to try an adventure race sometime. The upside is I can do the various events, the downside is it's a team effort. I prefer to do it alone....I've heard there are individual adventure races. One day.........
Spinner is a swimmer (see her final comment yesterday). We are not only creative but fit. We have broad interests. We are proof the Renaissance ideals still survive. Spinner's husband is convinced there's pole dancer in our midst.
You like to jog.....do you like to swim and bike?
I forgot to say, I hope everyone will have good Memorial Day weekend. It's a good time to remember all the men and women who have given their lives so we can have such weekend. Celebrate your freedom and enjoy the unofficial start of Summer.
Here, in Southern California, we have been experiencing an unusual storm. High winds, a tornado (California-style), and rain, and a couple of mudslides.
Last weekend we had 107 degree weather. I run no matter what.
To: ExPat,
Good Morning! Agent666 would be proud of me, I now have a twitter account, and I can invite (email) friends to be part of it. Check out their video, as it explains the process very well. If you would like me to email you an invite, just let me know!
To answer some of your questions....my very favorite thing to do is hike. I love to get outside, and enjoy a beautiful trail. I do swim and bike, for leisure. Concerning antiques, I do not limit my choice to a certain period. I surround myself with what I love.
The only person who may be a pole dancer among us, has to be SSJ. Maybe my choice has something to do with him howling at the moon. And yes, I would still vote for him...twice!
Good morning, ExPat, La Donna, et al.
I actually get in on the fancy breakfast action this morning. Well, not fancy exactly, but definitely more satisfying than my usual routine. Taking the wife and daughter out for pancakes should be perfect.
I've always wondered what Thomas Edward Lawrence would have to say about the current situation in the Middle East, from 9/11 onward, through the Taliban War and now, of course, the current Iraqi conflict. I remember noticing that Prince Feisal's surname was Hussein. But where are men like that when the world needs them (not that either Feisal or Lawrence was perfect, but I'm sure you get the idea).
I won't be around much today. Memorial Day weekend is a booming time in the touring industry. Combine that with the fact that today marks the 125th anniversary of the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge and you can imagine what kind of stuff people in my line of work will be doing today.
I'll come up for air tomorrow and see you guys then.
PS -- Very heartfelt congratulations to La Donna on your new home. May it be everything you hope for as a place to live, love, work and play.
The objects are extraordinary. Amazingly delicate . . . and some strongly realistic. My heart sings when cultural art like this sidesteps violent times yet again. There aren't always forward-thinking protectors around to be caretakerd. Thank goodness there was this time.
As for get-away places, we don't have one yet.
Do any of you have get-away places that you own? How did they call to you so that you had to make them yours?
*caretakers
LaDonna and Spinner,
Well, it seems my secret has been uncovered. Spinner’s husband’s speculation that there was a pole dancer in the group and La Donna’s impeccable, deductive reasoning was spot on. Every night after howling at the moon, I break into abandoned fire houses, crank up the boom box, and it’s just me and my trusty, although rusty, pole, dancing the night away. My audience usually consists of large rodents, raccoons, and the occasional wayward opossum. I think they just show up to gaze at the disco ball.
But back to planet earth. My only artistic talents (and I use the words very loosely here (both artistic and talent)) would be an enjoyment of photography (nature and architecture), gardening, refurbishing/stabilizing old furniture for my fiancés shop, and I donate graphic design for the shop and the city’s Architectural Improvement Program (I do “what if†renderings of old neglected buildings downtown to prospective investors). I was very fortunate to have retired young and be able to discover and do what I enjoy.
To the rest of you … enjoy the holiday and always remember
To: LaDonna,
I will check out the twitter account site. I'll have you invite me. Sounds like fun.
Staying physically fit has advantages. You'll live longer, recover quuicker from most illnesses, and you get an edge over people in your profession. I find most people are out-of-shape. Their energy levels get low, if not already chronically low, and you basically outlast them when it comes to deal making.
To: DreadPirateRoberts,
Have a productive weekend. Being in real estate, I know what a busy weekend can be like. I'm at my office right now.
To South-Side John,
I like architecture also. Here in L.A. we have an active historic preservation program. I belong to a local chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians.
So you are the pole dancer! That must be a sight to see.
To: girlinthemoon
Welcome! Keep coming back you'll have fun and learn many things. Check out the archives........
girlinthemoon,
First of all, great monicker!
As for owning a place to get away from it all, I don’t own one per se, although I often wish I did. I try carry that place with me, as a state of mind, so it’s always there when I need it. It does require a certain amount of upkeep but the taxes are low.
How does it call to you? You’ll hear it when it does.
To: LaDonna,
I created an account with twitter. I had to create it as ExPat2 (someone already had ExPat). You need my email account to invite me. Let me know......I have three emails. One is for business, one is personal, and one is an older email I use for requesting information from various sources. I'll give you my personal one......it's named after the street I was born on.
Thank you for the warm welcome!
I have already learned a few things (I think): somehow this board actually did attract curious minds . . . that IS an achievement (go Peterman)! I am enjoying the broad range of opinions on this board; I didn't realize pole dancing could be both a rustic and modern experience. I am getting inspired *blows off disco ball*. Now where did all those woodland creatures go?; I am glad I am here:)
Just to liven things up for those that are around this weekend, how 'bout a Pimp my Peterman poll?
Pimp your Peterman Poll
What is your favorite piece of J. Peterman that you own?
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I would have to say my current favorite is my caftan. I love being part of the caftan revolution. Before you run out and purchase one though, you must know that mentioning actually owning one will cause people to stop stirring their drinks, raise their eyebrows, pause and say, "A muumuu?"
I look straight in their eyes and say, "Don't be ridiculous. A muumuu has gotten a bad rap. This is a much more elegant and freeing experience. Have you ever put one on before?"
I throw mine on every chance I get. SO satisfying.
My second fav piece was bought long, long ago (when a store was open in Chattanooga, TN).
*sigh*
It is a brown, light wool jacket with buttons all down the front. The lining is burnt orange, with Asian brocade on the inside of the front closure down. It has a mandarin color with yellow velvet in the inside.
Good stuff.
P.S. As far as a get-away place goes - we are still exploring.
To: ExPat, My account information is: intuition2003 (La Donna was taken).
To: girlinthemoon,
Welcome!
My favorite new J. Peterman piece is the denium wrap dress. And as J. Peterman states in his owner's manual; this dress "won the West, made democracy visible in the way we all dress, then went on to become a worldwide ambassador for the American Way of Life.
Wear it to shop in the greenmarket or pour killer bloody marys for admiring friends. Those things are obvious.
But it also has enough panache for a gallery or a fairly ritzy restaurant. And what I like best is the sight of you getting off the plane at Orly, while even the French take a certain grudging notice.
(Of course, they would never admit it in a zillion years.)
Denim Wrap Dress (No. 2000). Near-ankle cut of light, stretchy cotton blend with flattering princess seams front and back. Long self ties at wrap waist. Tucked shoulders and working four-button cuffs.
Definitely not Calamity Jane mode".
Love it!
Vallauris Shirt (No. 1192), Black strip, Working-class Irish Pub Shirt (No. 1039), an older version of the The Kinsale Sark (No. 1022), and I've got an Uncommon Tropical Shirt (No. 1819) on the way.
What I always yearned for but couldn't quite take the leap of faith for was The Motorcycle with the Side Car.
Spinner said...
First of all, AAAGGGHHH!!! I can't believe the timing! I just finished re-re-reading the manuscript of my husband's book on the archaeology of the Falls of the Ohio before it goes to the printer (found several places the editors missed) and decided to take a break and check out what JP had to say today. What do I find? More archaeology!! Enough awready!
By the way, when the book comes out, all on this site will be required to purchase a copy...
Now. I feel better.
Back when, I worked at the Univ. of KY in Lexington and the J. Peterman store (the first one he opened) was my mecca. I went there every chance I could and was known by the staff. How can I possibly choose my favorite item? I do have so many. For a while there, the "Peterman look" was "my" look. I now spend so much time in a bathing suit that I don't have much of a chance to keep up with the image. The package we got yesterday had a scooped neck top for me, a pair of pants and shirt for my husband. Just keeping the collection updated.
to girlinthemoon:
I guess I better say now, watch it. ExPat and LaDonna tend to... "drink coffee" and "eat muffins". I am sure there is underlying meanings to all that and I haven't figured it all out yet. 666 and I are working on the conspiracy plot though. I am the self-appointed morals and standards committee chairman and carry a big ruler. When SSJ gets that motorcycle with a side car, I plan to get aboard and personally check all these things out. Especially that late night pole dancing! Maybe I should keep my bathing suit on for that occasion! Party!! On the other hand, while I have the figure, I am old and therefore wrinkled... Not a pretty sight..
Back to archaeology...
To: Agent666,
LaDonna and I took your advise......about "twitter" not about getting a (chat) room. Thanks.
To: Spinner,
I'll buy your husband's book. The "girlinthemoon" is going to think this is a regular Peyton Place. Well. I'm off to do some twittering with LaDonna.
Spinner,
Spinner,
"I am wrinkled, therefore I am". That's me and proud of it.
I'll do the world a favor and pole dance in some old baggy sweats, (I don't want the SPCA after my butt for inflicting scary images upon my audience of little critters), Spinner, you stay with the swimsuit, I've already reserved the sidecar for you, and we'll be quite a sight, roaring down old Rt. 66 and howling at the moon.
I used to go to the J.Peterman shop in Fashion Island over by New Port Beach. They always had the motorcycle parked out front just to tempt me. My first Peterman purchase was from an add in the New York Times Sunday Magazine in the mid m'80s. Haven't been able to stop since.
To: Spinner,
You make me smile! And yes, I would love to by a copy of your husband's book! Also, it is out.....I'm now twittering with ExPat, so you can put your ruler away!
To: SSJ, I'd love to see you headed down the road, with the swimsuit clothed Spinner in the sidecar!
Spinner said...
SSJ:
I understand that twittering is a lot more fun in a side car...
To: Spinner,
Yes, you can put your ruler away. LaDonna and I are now officially twittering. We've twittered several times already. It took awhile to figure out how to twitter but it was worth it.
I'm sure the gossip will continue........
Spinner said...
Ah, to master twittering.. Another something to add to your dating arsenal along with opening the door and being attentive. Is it permissible to ask someone to twitter on the first date?
To: Spinner,
A gentleman would never say..........