Tuesday, August 22, 2006

The Throne at Al Faw

Ok this is one of the rare times you will see me in a photograph. I took this using a tripod and that Fuji Finepix A210. A little history about the throne. This throne was given to Saddam by Yassir Arafat.


Yes I really look like this at 0300hrs in the morning after work










The emblem in middle is a representation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem; also know as the Dome of the Rock. The inlay says “Holiness to us” on the sides and on the Top it says “victory from God and success is near” It is not clear that, that is the translation as there are differing documents the other document says the translation is “Jerusalem is ours”, on the sides, and on the top it says, “Victory from God and conquest is near,”

Detail 1












Detail 2












Detail 3









The book at the top has a verse from the chapter of the Koran Entitled “The Israelites” “AL-Isra” Its translation is “Glory to Allah, who took His servant for a journey, by night, from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque, whose precincts God did bless.

Detail of the Book










Detail of the arms









Detail of the Brass Urn
No history on it sorry













I have been waiting on doing this post until I got a
good self shot in the throne. Hope you enjoy.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Article from U.S. Army V Corps Artillery


This is a link to the original article:
http://www.vcorps.army.mil/news/2006/july3_bagpiper_release.pdf

This Article can be seen at:
MUSICAL V CORPS MAJOR

These are the Photographs MAJ
Gunther and I wanted the PAO to use.













Here is a link of interest:
http://www.vcorps.army.mil/VictoryForward/default.htm

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Mosque at Sunrise

I Beautiful Mosque along the waters with flowers in the foreground at morning.
Photograph taken in June.

Palms, Cedars, and T Walls Photos From April

There is a grove of date palms and cedars all together in this one small plot. When it is hot like it has been and the cedars bake in the sun, if you pass by early in the morning the fragrance of cedar fills the air. It is as if you had just opened a chest made of that wonderfully aromatic wood. The palms are really beautiful in their own way. I find myself enjoying the appearance of the palm fronds spreading out from the center of the trunk.





These are T-Walls, large concrete barriers used for protection. I just thought they looked kind of interesting in a still life sort of way. Laying in stacks on the ground waiting to be set up.



Sometimes the mundane simple and plain things in life are artistic in their own way.
Welcome to my perspective.
AAE

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Welcome to the Bat Mound

I thought I would show you all something different and a little weird from over here. They call this thing the Bat Mound. Just a little strange looking isn't, probably in more ways than one. Apparently the bats use it to hang on at night and the birds use it during the day. I cannot confirm the bats using it, but if you look off to the right of the lower photograph the birds do use it by day.




This is a view looking right up the side of the mound. Just as I was taking this photo I was thinking I sure hope the birds behave themselves.

This thing is right near where I live so I see it every single day will I miss it? No way.
I know it this is not as pretty and fantastic as marble Palaces but hey I got to show you some other stuff too.
AAE