"White Bronze" Eagles of McLennan County

KWTX article from 9/2/2010

Today, the eagles perched atop the McLennan County Courthouse were unceremoniously removed.  The plan is to replace the eagles with replicas cast in aluminum.  Some time ago, a good friend of mine told me that the eagles were made of cast zinc and had red lights for eyes.  Distracted by the image of an eagle-of-justice watching my every move with its glowing red eyes, I ignored the curious fact that they were made of zinc.  Zinc... how strange.  In the 1850's, zinc became the commodity of choice for the cast sculpture... cheap cast sculpture.  Zinc ore was plentiful worldwide and thus cheap to obtain.  The melting point for zinc is low, 787.15 F, thus the facility and equipment needed to cast large sculptures was much less expensive than for bronze or cast-iron casting.  Cast-iron was relatively cheap as a material, but zinc does not rust: an important quality for public sculptures.  Wanting to improve the perception of zinc as an artistic medium, foundries and cemetery monument makers renamed zinc "white bronze."  After a short period exposed to the elements, zinc-oxide forms on the surface of the monument, protecting the zinc underneath and creating a white patina.  see Zinc Sculpture in America, 1850-1950, By Carol A. Grissom, and White Bronze Grave Marker

Photo by M. Johnson

List-Day Wednesday = Superpowers

List-Day Wednesday went on holiday last week.  I was on a death march through Northern Italy and had only sporadic access to the Internet.  The grueling nature of travel (and my recent research on Mr. Magnet) inspired some fantasies about possessing the power to travel instantly from location to another.  If the Power of Transport is more than a mere mortal could handle, the simple power of "Instant First-Class Upgrades" would be much appreciated.  


The topic of superpowers is timeless (the ability to move through time would be cool).  Where there is a great power, there is both a good and bad use of that power.  The Ring of Gyges, granting the ability to turn invisible, provoked  such a discussion between Socrates and Glaucon.  Could you resist the temptation to satisfy your desires if you had the ability to be evil without consequence or punishment?

Ultivac, the forgotten supervillain, had the
power of telepathy... I would not want to
know what other people are thinking.

So, for this List-Day Wednesday, the topic is: What superpowers would you want to have?


As with any group project, a few rules are needed.  There will be a topic.  As far as the length of the list, I have given this some thought.  A list of One, is not a list.  Two to a list is too harsh: only first and last place.  The minimum entries shall be Three, and Three it shall be.  For the sake of brevity, Five will be the max.


Here is my list:
1) The power of instant transport (see above reference to the Italy death march)
2) The power of perfect espresso (this is probably a power that I will tire of quickly, but right now, in Waco, it seems very important)
3) The power to speak all languages (this would have prevented our being lost in Italy and the hostility that arose with our bus driver)

From Magnet Man to Mr. Gecko

There are superpowers that can save the world, and there are superpowers that we don't really need.  A curious story has surfaced in Serbia regarding a man with the power of magnetism.  This superhuman trait gives Miroslav Mandic the power to attach spoons and coins to his body and to change the television station remotely.  Despite concerns that non-ferrous materials are "magnetically" attracted to his body, there is great local enthusiasm for his abilities.  

Miroslav is not the first "magnet man."  In 2008, a story was published about Liew Thow Lin, better known as "Mr. Magnet" of Malaysia.  Liew Thow's "magnetic" skin is so powerful that he can pull a car with a chain stuck to his body. 

Scientists have determined that Liew Thow is not actually a human magnet, but that his skin has great sucking ability.  Apparently Mr. Magnet's skin acts like suction cups, similar to feet of lizards.  

Back under the big Texas sky

Venice at the Edge

I expected to like Venice more.  It is a beautiful city, but Venice is so crowded.  Then add the fact that the streets are typically 8-10 feet wide.  I said to a colleague, "It makes you miss San Antonio."  On the other hand, Venice has the "beauty" thing in spades.  For dinner, we found some tasty squid in squid ink and octopus.  I have to admit that after watching the NOVA episode on how smart octopi are, I had slight reservation dipping their tender tentacles into the tasty sauce.

Ravenna and Bone Transport

We visited the churches and mausoleums in Ravenna, including the burial place of Dante.  One colleague asked how bodies were transported from one city to another to be buried.  Another colleague who specializes in the history of anatomical illustrations and feminism explained that the bodies were boiled to remove skin and flesh and then the bones were transported.  The practice of bone-boiling was outlawed in the Renaissance.

Basilica di Sant'Appolinare in Classe

Interior of San Vitale, Ravenna

Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna

San Vitale, Ravenna

Ravenna - who is in control?

Ravenna has had a tumultuous past, yet some of the oldest mosaics are here. Ravenna moves at a slower pace than Florence or Milan.

St. Francis and St. Clair

Assisi is beautiful, but very hilly town.  My legs are beginning to protest.  The Upper Basilica of San Francesco his one of the most beautiful churches I have visited.  The interior walls are frescos painted by Giotto depicting the life of St. Francis of Assisi.  A group of 60 high school kids entered the church.  The guard about had a stroke.  He kept announcing over the speaker system "SILENCIO."  He scolded the group leader and then scolded the students saying, "There is only one voice in this church; It is the voice of God."

Arno and Ponte Vecchio

Santa Croce

Florence

San Francesco at Assisi

Lucca & Florence in 1 Day....

The legs are about to give out.  We did Pisa last night: Lucca and Florence today.  Thank goodness, there is not much to see in Florence.  Here are some photos.

Lucca

Arno in Florence

Duomo in Florence

Milan... check

Fast trip through Milan.  Saw Duomo, Galleria, Basilica S. Ambrosio.

The surprise was the baptistry where S. Ambrose baptized S. Augustine.

Edge of Consciousness

Somewhere over the Atlantic

The instant coffee is fending off the persistent daze of jet lag.  After a very long day of travel, including delayed planes and lost bags, we have awakened in Milan.  Despite it being a nice day in Madrid, my luggage was found and delivered (promptly) to our hotel in Milan.  The hotel is modern, comfortable and nowhere near the center of town.

Madrid airport

This will be a whirlwind tour of Italy.  Half day in Milan, then a 4 hour drive to Pisa.  We will be staying overnight in Pisa, then drive on to Florence.

Castello Sforzesco

Made it to Milan

Saw the Last Supper of de Vinci.  Far better than the post cards.

Delayed

Terminal D at DFW is a bustling and intriguing facility. Amidst the commercial outlets are art objects. There is a "sound crystal area" and an aluminum crystal fort.

We are "indefinitely delayed". The plane needs new tires!?

Medievalist's Quest

I am on the road today with the Medievalist. In honor of National Absinthe Day, we have been discussing the infamous wormwood concoction. Absinthe was banned due to the unhealthy effects (notably death) of thujone, a ketone and a monoterpene which is a byproduct of the process . The ban on absinthe, in the US, ended in 2007. New methods of production have made it a safe drink. The question on the table is whether the absinthe in Florence will be safe.

In Honor of Guns & Gin

A quick review of activity at the Texas Capitol has revealed an additional bill seeking to allow concealed handguns on college campuses: HB 2178.  That makes at least 6 bills awaiting vote and ratification on the issue of arming college students.  In another bill related to college life, the Texas House enrolled HR34 recognizing the 75th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition in Texas.  Although the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution ended prohibition in 1933 at the federal level, Texas did repeal its constitutional ban on alcohol until 1935.  As a compromise, the Texas adopted a policy of letting local authorities determine whether to be "dry" or "wet."  HR34 also honors the 75th anniversary of the TABC, the bane of underage college students across the state.

Get your aquavit and fire up the sauna, it is time for Reindeer Racing

I have made a commitment to being a better colleague at work.  One area on which I need improvement is lunch-time conversation.   I am strong on topics such as the inquisition, German Expressionism, and prison architecture, but I am weak on anything related to sports.  In an effort to improve my knowledge of sports, I periodically research sports.  In case you have not been following it, the Reindeer Racing season is getting ready to kick off in Finland.  Ski-jouring is the most common variant of the sport.  A ski-jourer, wearing cross-country skis, holds onto a rope which is lashed to a frightened and angry reindeer.   This usually happens on a frozen lake and the races are run in groups of 4-6.  The fastest time wins.

SCOTUS - Phelps Wins 8-1

It is not a sports score, but it is related to the crude jeering that can be found in a minor league baseball.  The US Supreme Court has affirmed the constitutional right to be a jerk.  In Synder v. Phelps (link to opinion), the High Court ruled that the right to slander the dead, before a funeral, is protected free speech.  Actually, I agree with them.  This was an easy decision.  But, it is sad, very sad, that this ever occurred.  The expressions protected by this opinion are as follows: "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" "You're Going to Hell" etc.
There should the a High Court of Mothers who could say, "We are so disappointed.  I broke my back raising you, and this is all you can do...?"

On the legal issues, this statement from Chief Justice Roberts says it all, "On the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker. As a Nation we have chosen a different course—to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate."

Reading at the Edge of Memory

Last List-Day Wednesday we looked at restaurants on Valley Mills Dr. here in Waco.  Great suggestions by "Ang."  I keeping overlooking Pei Wei as a dining option... it is now on my near-future lunch list.  
For the Middle Eastern insurgents and snow-bound Midwesterners who follow these posts, I thought a the universal topic of children's literature would be appropriate.  To jog your reticent memory, some classic Persian children stories are: The Sheep and the Jackal; The Camel and the Jackal; The Baby Goat and the Jackal; and The Good & Loving Boy Hassani.  


The topic of this List-Day Wednesday is quasi-autobiograpohical: 
What are your favorite childhood stories or books?


As with any group project, a few rules are needed.  There will be a topic.  As far as the length of the list, I have given this some thought.  A list of One, is not a list.  Two to a list is too harsh: only first and last place.  The minimum entries shall be Three, and Three it shall be.  For the sake of brevity, Five will be the max.


Here is my list:
1) Winnie the Pooh - As I have suggested before, I like maps and 100 Acre Wood may be the source of my map fetish.
2) Bear Story - James Whitcomb Riley.  Now that I have returned to the story as a parent, I am a bit concerned about the violence.  As a child, a bear that slowly gets its legs shot off was very suspenseful.
3) Stuart Little - I had a pet mouse.  My mouse could not drive.
4) Goodnight Gorilla - As a parent reading to a child, this is a newly discovered favorite.  Great illustrations, few words.

Who is Baby Gaga?

Since we are on the topic of Milk....


What happens when Anthony Burgess collides with Ayn Rand?  Human Milk Ice Cream.


Milk is a bitter, sweet commodity in Waco.  Since Waco is a great place to "raise your kids," there is a high demand for milk.  But due to the enormous dairy farms up-river from Waco, the City's water is polluted.   The water tastes funny. This is an old gripe and the City of Waco has done much to improve the water quality by installing new treatment facilities.  There is also a 10 year legal battle with the dairy farmers seeking to explain that, despite our love of milk, we do not love the poop from cows, especially when it is washed into the river we share.  

What can we do next.  A creamery in Covent Garden offers this alternative.  Women, produce your own milk.  At Icecreamist you can buy a cup of Baby Gaga (the name says it all), the "organic, free-range, and totally natural" human breast milk ice cream.  A quote from Icecreamist's owner, Matt O'Connor, sums up the business model best, "No-one's done anything interesting with ice cream in the last hundred years."

UPDATE:  The article from the BBC cited above was published yesterday.  Just a few hours ago, it was reported that the local authorities have stepped in and taken all of the Baby Gaga for themselves.