Cliff Diving. Cliff Garden. (Do something awesome today.)
You are a mist that appears
for a little while and then vanishes.
– James 4:14
AMAZING PEOPLE: At the West End of Negril, Jamaica, a popular “sport” is cliff diving. The spot this guy was diving into only had a 2 meter wide opening between the rocks in the water where he could safely land. (sollerphoto)
AMAZING PLANTS: This was a garden directly across from one of the many amazing Meteora monasteries. The only way to get to this garden is by way of an old, rickety, wood ladder. This is my idea of a good retirement project.(wilholm)
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Boston cliff-diving world series photos. Yes, there is a cliff diving world series. Yes, people dive off buildings in Boston. These guys amaze me…Read More
Milk Glass + Succulents = AWESOME CENTERPIECES. Over the last year my mom and I collected about 35 pieces of milk glass. Most of them came from thrift stores or garage sales, and a few people owned and gave to me. They are a wide range of shapes and sizes, which I love… Read More
Rikugien Garden (六義園 Rikugien) is a Tokyo metropolitan park in Bunkyō-ku. The name Rikugi comes from the idea of the six elements in waka poetry (en means garden or park).
Strolling garden, as well as a mountain and pond-style garden, Rikugi was created based on the theme of Waka poetry in the 15th year of the Genroku Period (1702) by the shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi’s trusted confidante Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu.
This garden is a typical example of the famous gardens of Edo Period. In the Meiji Period, this garden became a second residence of the founder of Mitsubishi, Iwasaki Yataro. Later, in the 13th year of Showa (1938), the Iwasaki family donated this garden to the City of Tokyo, and in Showa 28 (1953) it was designated as a special site of exceptional beauty and an important cultural asset.
The name “Rikugien” refers to a system for dividing Chinese poetry into six categories. This system also influenced the division of Japanese Waka poetry as well. Although the number six is usually read “roku,” in the case of the garden’s name, it is pronounced “riku” in keeping with the Chinese pronunciation of the word.
Hours: Open from 9:00 to 17:00 (Entry until 16:30)
Closed: Year-end holidays (December 29 to January 1)
Entrance fee: ¥300 (65 and over: ¥150)
(No charge for primary school children or younger, and junior high school students living or attending school in Tokyo)
*20% discount for groups of 20 and more
Related facilities:
Shin sentei: All rooms: Maximum 25 persons (Charge: ¥4,800)
Matsu-no-ma, Tsutsuji-no-ma: Maximum 17 persons (Charge: ¥3,600)
Momiji-no-ma: Maximum 8 persons (Charge: ¥1,200)
Gishun-tei: Tea ceremony rooms: Maximum 5 persons (Charge: ¥7,400)
Minbar Planetary System: Located in the Chi Draconis — a binary star system in Sector 120, Minbar is the seventh planet in it’s system and is just over 25 light years from Earth.
Like Earth, Minbar has an oxygen/nitrogen heavy atmosphere that produces a blue sky. Nearly one quarter of the planet is covered by the northern ice cap and as a result the overall climate is markedly colder than that of Earth.
The Anla'shok temple in Yedor.
Minbar is noted for it’s vast crystalline deposits with many of it’s cities carved directly from the crystalline. The planet is orbited by two moons, has an orbital period of 1.5 Earth years, and a rotational period of 20 hours and 47 minutes.[2]
Minbar Holy Site:Tchok’an Mountains A crystalline mountain range just outside of the city of Yedor and the location of the palace of the Chosen One.
Water taken from wells bored deep beneath Tchok’an is used to sanctify newly sprouting crops in the ‘Renewal of Life’ ceremony.
“I don’t want to go to Minbar.””Oh, of course you want to go to Minbar. Everyone wants to go to Minbar! It is the vacation spot of the season…assuming you’re part of the “long robes and head bone” set.”
– Londo Mollari to Vir Cotto, 2260
Minbar Plant Life
Beeba oil of the Minbari homeworld, Minbar
Beeba: A plant that produces an organic oil. Broadly comparable to Earth olive oil with an equally similar culinary use.[6]
Chudomo seeds: A bean-like seed pod akin to Earth haricots vert.[6]
Gal’sha: A plant who’s hard oily seeds are similar to Earth hazelnuts.[6]
Glomo flowers of Minbar
Glomo: A plant who’s fruit can be compared to an Earth courgette.[6]
Hylax: A plant who’s seeds are similar to Earth red potatoes.[6]
Jenn: A plant with a bulb-like structure with a distinctive taste and consistency very much like Earth garlic.[6]
Pil’sha: A type of herb with similar properties to Earth parsley.[6]
Qual: A type of fruit that comes in several varieties such as qual’fha and qual’nha, which are themselves similar to Earth red and green peppers, respectively.[6]
Rylla: A plant who’s shelled seed pods are similar to Earth peas.[6]
I am a Ranger.We walk in the dark places
no others will enter.
We stand on the bridge,
and no one may pass.
We live for the One,
we die for the One
– Anla’Shok credo
Se n’kai: A fruit baring tree that while fairly prevalent in the time of Valen, have since become much more scarce. Se n’kai fruit plays an integral role in the installation ceremony of a newAnla’shokEntil’Zha.[1]
Slenn: A type of herb with similar properties to Earth thyme.[6]
Tyr: A plant who’s summer fruit can be compared to an Earth squash.[6]
Valen’s herb: A type of herb with similar properties to Earth basil.[6]
Valeria fruit: A type of fruit that cam be compared to an Earth plum tomato.[6]
Wysa: A plant that bares a nut akin to Earth almonds.[6]
Xenn: A citrus fruit with a bitter, lemon-like flavour.[6]
Yedor root: A taproot type plant who’s taste and texture can be compared to Earth carrots.[6]
Minbari Zassa plant, possibly used in the Rebirth Ceremony, or Nafak’cha
Yla: A leafy vegetable who’s leaves are the primary ingredient in yla leaf cake.[6]
Zassa: A plant who’s very spicy pepper-like fruit is on par with Earth jalapeño chilli.[6]
Zerka: A small, rare ceremonial plant that is spun into thread used only on very special garments.[13]
Minbari Plant Usage Notes:
“Death Destroyer”Sha’neyat: A potent liquid, of great symbolic significance, to be used only in certain religious ceremonies. A potent liquid, of great symbolic significance to the Minbari. The word “Sha ‘neyat” looselytranslates into English as “death destroyer”.[1]It is made by distilling a combination of flowers, fruits, and grains, and is used only in certain specific religious ceremonies which under normal circumstances only Minbari are permitted to partake in.
One such ceremony to install the Entil’Zha of the Anla’Shok. This presented a problem when it came time to install Jeffrey Sinclair as the Rangers’ new leader and the Anla’Shok doctors discovered that sha’neyat is a deadly poison to Humans.
Despite this, SataiNeroon vehemently insisted over Satai Rathenn‘s protests that if the ceremony was to be carried out at all, it must be strictly according to tradition. This included consuming sha’neyat.
Sinclair eventually agreed to consume a mere sip instead of a full cup, as its relevance to the ceremony was that he “taste of it”. However, even after being administered an antidote, this small amount was sufficient to inflict grave illness on Sinclair. He lay bedridden with fever for the following three days and nights.
Glivinn: A traditional dinner of the Third Fane of Chudomo that may only be prepared and eaten on Valen’s Day. It includes glomo fruit, summer tyr,qual’fha, two yla leaf cakes. fresh baby yla leaves and a soft cheese and herb spread with a dressing of sweet temple oil, chopped jenn bulbs, Owala paste, shredded Valen’s herb and fresh choppedpil’sha.[23]
Klenn-Sha: A Worker Caste dinner made from spicy taalor tubes a type of dried pasta, beeba oil,jenn bulbs, Valeria fruit and a mixture of salt, herbs, spices, nuts, whipped cream and hard grated cheese. Klenn-Sha is traditionally eaten on every third day during the autumn season, alternating with Klenn-Fha and Klenn-Jha and is often followed by a dessert of Yun-Yun.[23]
Yl’fost: A sweet crystalline organic compound, equivalent to Earth sugar.[23]
Yla leaf cake: A crispy flat cake made from Ylaleaves that is broadly similar to an Earth tortilla.[23]
Yun-Yun: A fattening dessert made fromtemshwee eggs, Yl’fost, wysa nuts and a variety of fruit, dairy and chocolate-like ingredients. Yun-Yun is typically enjoyed by members of the Worker Caste after dinner, though some workers who are not quite as disciplined as the Religious Caste have been known to consume yun-yun asdinner.[23]
The Rebirth Ceremony, or Nafak’cha is another Minbari ritual that is at its core meant to commemorate a great change that is coming or that has already come. It can also sometimes double as a marriage ceremony.[1]The Minbari Rebirth Ceremony, called the Nafak’Cha, also doubles as a marriage ceremony. It is used to commemorate a great change that is coming or is already here. Participants are to contemplate what has gone before, what is, and what is ahead of them.
As with many Minbari ceremonies, the Nafak’Cha must be completed before a certain amount of time has passed since preparation were begun. The most important part of the ceremony comes when each participant must tell another a secret that has never been told to anyone else and give away something that is of great value to him.
The closing ceremony is a dramatic recreation of the forming of the Grey Council, one of the most significant changes in Minbari history. There are nine Minbari participants who stand around a triangular table and one leader. The instruments on the table are also triangular. All Minbari wear white cloaks.
“Will you follow me into fire?
Into storm?
Into darkness?
Into death?”
And the nine said, “Yes.”
“Then do this in testimony to the one who will follow.
Who will bring death couched in the promise of new life, and renewal disguised as defeat.”
A red fruit is then shared from a triangular crystal basket
“From birth, through death and renewal.
You must put aside old things, old fears, old lives.
This is your death.
The death of flesh, the death of pain.
The death of yesterday.
Taste of it and be not afraid.
For I am with you to the end of time.
Taste of it.
And so, it begins.”
Babylon 5 > Red Sector > The Gardens: The Gardens in Red Sector feature over 150 different kinds of plant life from several planets.
“Babylon 5 is a space station in neutral space more or less central to all five of the different alliances, human or alien. To get to one or the other, you have to pass through this sector of space. Thus, Babylon 5 has been created as a sort of port-of-call for travellers, statesmen, emissaries, traders, refugees and other, less savory characters.
Five miles long, Babylon 5 is divided into separate, discrete sections that rotate at differing speeds to provide different gravities to accommodate those who come to the station.
As for locations inside B-5…we’ve designed a number of very different looks and locations to give it a non-claustrophobic feel.
By virtue of being patterned physically after the work of such scientists as Gerard K. O’Neill, the absolute center of the elongated station (which revolves to provide gravity) is a sort of hollow-world look, with fields and hydroponic gardens along the 360-degree circular section (which is about a half-mile, or a mile across)…and as you get closer to the absolute center, where a transport tube cuts from one end of the station to the other, naturally you get less and less gravity until you can literally hang suspended. This area is known as the Garden.” (Babylon 5 Universe)
Singapore Garden Festival (SGF) is the only show in the world to gather the world’s top award-winning garden and floral designers under one roof. It showcases the talents of the world’s gardening luminaries. This “must-see” event in the international horticultural calendar will dazzle with its wide array of displays, events and activities.
Inspired garden & floral designers from 17 countries transformed Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre into a veritable feast for the eyes. The Festival is the only garden show in the world to bring together award-winning gardening luminaries from all around the globe under one roof.
The third presentation of the Singapore Garden Festival came to a successful close on 22 July after an eight-day run. The show played host to over 300,000 visitors, charming them with dazzling show garden and floral displays.
Dr Wong Wei Har, Director of Singapore Garden Festival, said: “The Singapore Garden
Festival has become one of the must-see events in Singapore’s calendar of activities
since the inaugural show in 2006 . We are confident that this year’s Festival will continue
to wow the public with its dazzling garden designs.”
“The Festival is also a great platform for us to showcase to visitors Singapore’s horticultural excellence and to bring the joy of gardening closer to everyone.
Be enchanted by the exquisite garden and floral displays. Experience the magic and wonder of the world of garden and floral design. And delight in the festivities and programmes designed to enthrall your senses.
Dr Wong said: “Every one of us has a critical role to play in the greening of Singapore
and the preservation of the earth that we reside in. The Man Who Planted Trees
celebrates the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, and pays tribute to all the local
heroes who have contributed significantly to the greening of Singapore.”
Taking centerstage during the eight-day Festival will be the giant centerpiece inspired by the French eco-fable, The Man Who Planted Trees, written by award-winning French author Jean Giono in 1953. This charming fictional tale has inspired generations of environmentalists as well as reforestation efforts worldwide.
Hundreds of Singaporeans and residents from schools, community groups, corporations gathered at the Singapore Botanic Gardens today to kick start the planting of seedlings into The Man Who Planted Trees. They were accompanied by two participating SGF designers – Jim Fogarty, a multi-award winner at both the previous Singapore Garden Festivals as well as Dr Claire Whitehouse who has designed and staged 15 medal-winning Show Gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show. Seedlings planted today will grow over the next three months and shape the look of The Man Who Planted Trees.
In the timeless tale, The Man Who Planted Trees, a shepherd set out to reforest the ruined eco-system of a desolate and abandoned valley in the foothills of the Alps, near Provence in France. Painstakingly and patiently over a span of more than 40 years in the first half of the 20th century, he cultivated an entire forest, and transformed the valley into a Garden of Eden with a vibrant lush eco-system. Lured by the beauty of the forested valley, more than 10,000 residents settled in the thriving community there.
The story underscores our duty as stewards of the environment that we reside in, and speaks volumes about how one person’s reforestation efforts, through sheer determination, could leave an indelible mark on our planet. It also bears strong similarities with the greening movement in Singapore. Our greening journey began about four decades ago when Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s vision of a Garden City took shape. Up to today, Minister Mentor continues to plant a tree annually. Local heroes, with their tireless efforts, too played an important part in nurturing Singapore into the Garden City that we are renowned for today.
Centauri Prime Ecosystem: A temperate world with a oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere similar to Earth. Vast oceans separate a handful of large landmasses. The weather seems comparable to Earth as well, with seasonal changes, including snow over the capital city in winter. (1)
Exotic Gardens:The Royal Palace forms the seat and primary residence of the Emperor of the Centauri Republic and the Centauri Royal Court. Lavish in true Centauri style, with hundreds of rooms, gardens, courtyards, living quarters, and dungeons. (1)
Plants of Centauri Prime:
Foolash: An edible plant, roughly similar to Earth spinach, which may survive over winter in temperate regions. Also used in Pinaldi, a savoury pastry dish filled with a variety of cheeses, foolash and irradiated watsuls. It was known to have been a particular favourite of Emperor Turhan. (1) During the War of 20 Million Deaths, wine fortified with Foolash juice was given to Xon soldiers weakened by hemorrhage.
Rikling: An edible plant, roughly similar to Earth asparagus.(1) There is a recipe for cooking Rikling in the oldest surviving Centauri book of recipes. It was cultivated historically by both Centauri and Xon, who ate it fresh when in season and dried the vegetable for use in winter.
Watsul: A plant that bares a fruit similar to Earth tomatoes. (1)
Doola: A plant that produces a nut with a similar taste to Earth walnuts. Used in making snicks.
Flibie:A plant that produces a nut with a similar taste to Earth pecan nuts. Used in making snicks (Snicks: a sweet snack made from Centauri tree nuts stirred together with Klaga (similar to Earth cinnamon), Tawloo milk, and a sweet powder to form a crispy sweet coating. Also a great topping for a Foolash salad.
Ruti pod: A vegetable-like plant similar to an Earth potato. Centauri grown ruti pods are noted for their distinctive crimson coloring.
Narn Ecosystem: Orbiting a red giant star, Narn was a world similar in many ways to Earth, with an equivalent gravity and atmosphere it was host to large area of lush forest with several major deserts and a large ocean in the equatorial regions.[2]
Ecosystem History: During the First Centauri Occupation of Narn, many native plants and animals were either exterminated, supplanted with Centauri crops and livestock or even taken away to be grown/raised on off-world colonies. As a result, Narn’s ecosystem became a mix of both indigenous and alien lifeforms.[6]
Lifeforms
Alba: An edible plant that produces an aromatic frond similar to Earth bay leaf.[6]
G’Quan Eth: A small plant of great religious significance and is the very symbol of faith for the followers of G’Quan.[19]
Gaiola: An edible tuber-like plant who’s root is used as a spice similar to Earth ginger.[6]
Gollif An edible fleshy fungus-like organism, with similar culinary properties and an Earth open cup mushroom.[6]
Klaga: A Tree who’s bark is used as a spice with a flavour similar to Earth cinnamon.[6]
Polbi: An edible plant that produces seeds similar to those of the Earth mustard plant.[6]
Ruti pod: Originally from Centauri Prime, ruti pods are a vegetable-like plant similar to an Earth potato. Centauri grown ruti pods are noted for their distinctive crimson colouring. [6]
Strew-tree: A succulent plant that grow in aerated, gravel soil. Distinguishable by their long twisted branches, tipped with glowing purple flowers they are sometimes used as decorative climbing plants on the outer walls of P’lazzos.[24]
Swoz: An edible plant with a taste similar to Earth garlic.[6]
Turok: A plant that produces edible seeds similar to Earth groundnut.[6]
Wyqlat: An edible plant similar to Earth spinach.[6]
G’Quan Eth is a plant of great religious significance to the followers of G’Quan and is the symbol of their faith. An image of a G’Quan Eth leaf is embossed onto the cover of the Book of G’Quan.[1][2]
The plant itself is an integral part of the culmination of the Holy Days of G’Quan. In the final ceremony – in which followers of G’Quan are required to participate or be present – the G’Quan Eth is burned as incense as first rays of sunlight pass over the G’Quan Mountain on the Narn Homeworld. The Centauri on the other hand, prefer to use the seeds of the G’Quan Eth with a certain mix of alcohol to create a very potent drink.
Following the ecological devastation wrought by the First Centauri Occupation of Narn and the inherent difficult in growing the plant, it became an endangered species and by 2258, a rare and very expensive commodity.
The Earth Alliance treats the G’Quan Eth plant as a controlled substance.
: Wil Wheaton writes a Goosebumps story with a wicked twist.
“Come on, kid, I won’t hurt ya, I just want to get out of here. 
![[cliff diving world series]](https://photosandspace.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/4divers.jpg?w=67&h=100)
A Walk in the Garden 