The Morgan Library, NYC

Of course New York City hosts some of the best museums in the world. One that I find particularly interesting is The Morgan Library on Madison Avenue. Yes, this building is from J.P. Morgan of financial fame. It is packed with stunning examples of the printed word in many forms that will impress and amaze. Not to mention the facility itself. Take a look at the ceiling here:

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As well as the tapestry above the fireplace. This is a magnificent interior that deserve serious study itself. Here’s one of my favorite items from the collection, a manuscript from J.S. Bach.

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Seeing something written in composer own hand leaves no doubt as to authorship or original intent. And here is one of Isaac Newton’s original notebooks.

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There is plenty more to see, including visiting collections and things from the vaults. Best to check in here several times a year to see what’s on offer. Enjoy.

Published in: on February 19, 2017 at 3:48 pm  Leave a Comment  
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F4u Corsair

The F4U Corsair stands as one of the most effective aircraft of its time. Designed by Rex Buren Beisel, it fought in various roles in various wars. Here’s one with her wings folded.

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And another view from the front:

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Behind the Corsair stands a P40 Warhawk. Both aircraft are on my bucket list to fly someday. Not sure if that will ever happen, but when I have time (and money) I look for opportunities for just such adventure. By the way, take a look at this wing folding mechanism:

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Sheer genius at work there. For you aviation enthusiasts, enjoy the airshow circuit which will be getting busy soon. Always do your checklist.

Published in: on January 27, 2017 at 2:20 am  Leave a Comment  
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Jamis Renegade (video review)

I posted a few months ago about the Jamis Renegade Elite bicycle. Well, now I’ve ridden more than 2,900 miles and it’s time for a video review. Here it is.

This has been an excellent bicycle, exceeding all my expectations. Gravel, asphalt, trails, the Renegade rolls through and over it all. The Shimano gears have been reliable with only a few mis-shifts. The disc brakes are the best, allowing for safe riding in various conditions and the ability to feather the stopping power exactly the way it is needed.

All in all, a great bike. I look forward to many more miles, losing more weight, and having lots of fun.

Published in: on January 16, 2017 at 4:49 pm  Leave a Comment  
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DMZ, comic book

Continuing with the previous post about comic shops, I’d like to mention DMZ, a comic series written by Brian Wood and drawn by Riccardo Burchielli. I came to this series long after it was written, in the collected trade paperback version you see here:

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The story is set in a dystopian near future where there’s another civil war in the United States. Manhattan has become a no-man’s land of sorts with a newbie reporter dropped in through no fault of his own. No reason to tell the whole story here. Take a look at the back cover.

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Hard to read it in the photo above, but you can get the idea. I must say, the storytelling excels. The art is impressive, too. You’ll follow a character who’s interesting, who meets other characters worth your time, and ultimately come away with a few questions. The good news is the series went 72 issues. So, there’s plenty more to read. Enjoy every page.

Published in: on January 5, 2017 at 8:25 pm  Leave a Comment  
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