British Museum Plan Big Pompeii Display in 2013

Associated Press

The British Museum plans to take visitors into the streets, salons and bedrooms of the ancient Roman world with a major exhibition about the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum announced Thursday.

The two cities beside the Bay of Naples were wiped out by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., but rich archaeological remains were buried beneath the ash.

Italian authorities are loaning some 250 objects for the exhibition, from mosaics and paintings to casts of bodies encased in ash and a child's wooden crib, carbonized by high-temperature gases from the volcano. There are even the charred remains of figs and bread.

The show, which opens in March, will be the first about Pompeii in London for 40 years. Curator Paul Roberts said previous exhibitions had focused on buildings and public spaces, but this one aims to show how the cities' residents lived.

"Domestic life is something we all share. We don't all go to the baths, we don't all go to the amphitheater but we all have a home," he said.

Pompeii was rediscovered in 1748 and today is one of the most-visited ancient sites in the world. Smaller Herculaneum is less well-known, and less fully excavated, because it was buried deeper, beneath as much as 80 feet (24 meters) of ash.

Roberts said the exhibition would show that the cities, frozen in time by the volcano, were in the midst of a "social revolution" in which former slaves could become wealthy and powerful, and women played an important role in society.

British Museum director Neil MacGregor said the exhibition also would showcase differences between bustling industrial Pompeii and its "sleeker, genteeler" neighbor.

McGregor said Pompeii and Herculaneum were important because they were "provincial cities that suddenly become immortalized ... two not particularly distinguished or special places" that give an unparalleled glimpse at life in the ancient Roman civilization.

"These are not extraordinary cities," added Roberts. "They die in an extraordinary way, but they are ordinary cities in Roman terms. That's why they are so important, because we can look at them and say we have a pretty good idea what was going on in other Roman cities."

The exhibition will run March 28 to Sept. 29, 2013.

Counterfeit Tickets for the Big FSU/Clemson Game in Tallahassee

Harry Note - We have guests coming here for the Clemson game this weekend. So we need 4 tickets together. It is going to be a difficult ticket to get. Doak Campbell Stadium seldom sells out - this time it has. People are advertising tickets on Craigslist.org for $300. Wish us luck - I will let you know what we get. My limit is $90 - then I go home to watch the game in HDTV.

From the Tallahassee Democrat today - 

Buyer beware: FSU-Clemson game sparks ticket scams Anyone still looking for a way to attend Saturday’s sold-out game between No. 5-ranked Florida State Seminoles and No. 10-ranked Clemson Tigers needs to exercise extreme caution. All 83,300 seats in Doak Campbell Stadium will be filled for Seminole’s biggest game since taking on Oklahoma last year. Rob Wilson, associate athletic director for communications, said at this point, it’s “buyer beware” for ’Noles fans needing tickets for the game.

Why Does Rice Play Texas? - PRESIDENT JACK KENNEDY

When you listen to this 1963 speech - it is hard to imagine that everything came about just as he said. I spent 33 years teaching Earth and Space Science - from 1970 to 2003 - a whole career touting our space program. Now it lays in shambles. We depend on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft to shuttle us to our own space station. Instead of being a science teacher - I have become a teacher of history.

Too Much About Politics on this Blog - Back to Entertaining with Steven Colbert

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Mitt Romney's Secret Video
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

I Am A "47 Percenter" - I Am A Retired Teacher

If you saw Romney's video - you know he has given up on 47% of Americans. I am one of those. I taught in the same public school classroom for 33 years straight. I kicked 5.25% of my income into the a Pennsylvania State Retirement Employees account. Now I am drawing a monthly pension check from that account. I have been doing that for 9 years. I do pay income tax on that income. I can't believe this candidate would announce he is writing off my vote. That is one thing he is correct about.

I will vote for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton after that - maybe Michelle Obama.

We are the 47 percenters.

Most Common Car Traded In on Chevy Volt.....Toyota Prius

Prius - Chevy Volt

The Chevy Volt doesn’t get a lot of love from the right-wing, and Monday’s biased Reuters article claiming each Volt costs GM up to $49,000 certainly doesn’t help. But there is one group of car owners who are turning to the Volt in high numbers, and it is just the customer GM is hoping to attract. I’m talking about owners of the Toyota Prius, which is the #1 traded-in vehicle for Volt customers. Yup, it turns out the stereotype is true; Prius owners are probably the same people who are ready to pop an artery over today’s new iPhone unveiling. While no specific numbers are mentioned, it is an important metric. It took Toyota many years to recoup its investment in the Prius, and they are only now getting around to releasing a plug-in version of the Prius. Yet Prius owners are still turning to the Volt. Part of the reason could be that the Prius Plug-in is still only available in select markets. It could be that the Volt has had a lot more press, negative and positive, than the Prius Plug-in. It could be that Prius owners simply need to have the latest and greatest thing. Whatever the reason, I am sure there are a few current and former GM execs smirking over the conquest numbers. Any current Prius owners want to chime in?

From Clean Technica

Harry Note - I own a 2008 Prius with 35,000 miles on it and love it. But I am considering a Chevy Volt. Why? A Volt can operate for 30 miles just on electricity - no gasoline necessary. In our case - we seldom drive more than 30 miles a day. We would seldom buy gasoline - it is as close to an all-electric car we can get. No offense to our Prius - it is marvelous.

Romney Says He Does Not Worry About 47% of Americans

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Tallahassee Loved Michelle Obama

This is a view from our seats in the upper deck. Seldom do we sit up there. 

Lulu loves Michelle Obama - but loves Hillary even more. 

Last person we saw on that stage was John Mellencamp. Also George Jones - Donovan - Conway Twitty - Loretta Lynn. Lulu saw Elton John.

We went to see Michelle Obama speak at the Civic Center last night in Tallahassee. This is where Florida State plays basketball games. Usually we get seats closer to the floor because frankly - FSU basketball only plays to a packed house against Duke or North Carolina. The arena holds about 13,000 - but a regular game is usually played to about 5000 people. 

Last night they cordoned off about 3000 seats behind the stage for security. About 10,000 people showed up to see Michelle. They also allowed VIP's to sit right on the floor.

As always - the sound system in the Civic Center stunk. It was hard to hear things clearly - although Obama's alto voice did carry well. Maybe I should not have forgotten my hearing aids. 

At first - I was wondering why this rally took place. Face it - everyone there will vote for the Barack. They were encouraging everyone to work for Obama. Of course - they have my vote and Lulu's vote all wrapped up. I seldom vote for anything just because someone asks me to. By this time - I think most minds are made up.

In a previous article - I listed all the planks of each party's platform. The choice could not be more distinct. Rich versus poor - 99% versus 1% - black versus white - higher taxes for rich - health care versus no care - abortion or no choice - gay marriage or no equal rights - war party versus peace party - favor banks versus favor  borrowers - Mormon or not - hide your taxes versus show you taxes - more for defense versus less for defense. Excellent orator versus gaffer - women's rights versus oppress women.

The line to get in wrapped around the block. It took use about 40 minutes to get in. It rained hard - interesting as you got closer to the door and it poured - people passed their own umbrellas back thru the lines. 

The line stretched all the way around the block - even in the rain.

About 30 minutes before speech time - the motorcade came from the airport. About 30 cop cycles led the way. Those guys love that action - show of force.

Michelle spoke for 30 minutes to a very receptive crowd. No hecklers. Outside - the crowd was nice to the few Romney folks - more or less ignored them.

Obama appear at Gainesville before they were in Tallahassee. 

The crowd was excited but well-mannered.

Just Got Home From Seeing Michelle Obama

Civic Center was full - line snaked around the block. While we were in line - the motorcade came in from the airport.

We went thru security - sat upstairs.

Mrs Obama spoke for 30 minutes - wound up the crowd. She is a really good speaker.

We were home in 20 minutes - now going out for our walk.

IPHONE 5 - Breaks Sales Records

In a news statement Monday morning, Apple said the iPhone 5 pre-orders had topped two million in the first 24 hours, which is more than double the record set by the iPhone 4S last year.

Koch Brothers Would Save $8 Billion Each on Romney's Tax Plan

Each of the Koch brothers -- Charles and David -- is worth about $25 billion. They are each married, so they would receive an exemption on the first $10 million that they pass down, and then theirs heirs would pay a 35 percent tax, or $8.7 billion, on the rest of their vast fortunes.

My Computer Typing Desk

Only kidding. I do like riding my Vespa.

Obama and Romney on the Issues - Point by Point

From the Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A look at where Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican presidential rival Mitt Romney stand on a selection of issues, in brief:

ABORTION and BIRTH CONTROL:

Obama: Supports abortion rights. Health care law requires contraceptives to be available for free for women enrolled in workplace health plans.

Romney: Opposes abortion rights. Previously supported them. Says state law should guide abortion rights, and Roe v. Wade should be reversed by a future Supreme Court ruling. Said he would end federal aid to Planned Parenthood.

___

A-10 Warthog Flyover Before Wake Forest at FSU Game

Color me weird but one of my favorite parts of an FSU football game is the flyover. Since Tallahassee is near several Navy and Air Force training bases - the pilots enjoy flyovers as part of their training. Since they would be flying anyway for practice - this provides good public relations for the military. I just love the science of these heavy - fast - impressive aircraft and their pilots.

I took this video with my iPhone yesterday. I did press 3D - even though I can't see 3D myself.

Usually they return to the stadium in the second half and they are introduced from the field. Many of the pilots are FSU grads.

My Three Fords

Josh Gross is a fellow motorhead. Here is this stable of Ford products. All three shine way too much for work vehicles.

Red - 4 x 4 Ford Ranger
White - Ford New Holland tractor
Blue - Mustang - V6 and 5 speed

Josh is a very good friend. His wife Melissa works with Lulu. He is a psychologist at FSU. I would like to hear his Rorschach Test.

This Professor Has Three Sets of Clothes

Here is Mimi Johnson at the UGA game yesterday with her Dad and niece Sarah. She has three wardrobes - she was an undergrad at Georgia - she earned her PhD at Florida State in 3 years - and is now a library science professor at Alabama.

The AP poll has them ranked - Alabama (1) - FSU (5) - Georgia (7) - People in Tallahassee have a feeling that the Seminoles are going to be playing one of the others in the Orange Bowl this season. It is a long season.

Whose van is that in the background?

Thompson, 'Noles Break Wake

Harry Note - This entire story was written by my good friend - Brandon Mellor. He has come a long way since I met him 5 years ago when I was buying a Volkswagen convertible from his lovely wife. Since then - he and his wife have started a sweet family with two kids - Maycen and Dash. Besides being the Managing Editor of Seminoles.com - he is a doctoral student in the College of Communications and Information.

With last season's career-threatening injury on his mind, Chris Thompson runs for a career-high 197 yards and two touchdowns in No. 5 FSU's 52-0 win against divisional foe Wake Forest

Sept. 15, 2012





Box Score | Game Notes | Quotes
By: Brandon Mellor (@BrandonMellor), Seminoles.com Managing Editor

FINAL

Florida State
(3-0, 1-0 ACC)

Next: Sept. 22 vs. Clemson

52

Wake Forest
(2-1, 0-1 ACC)

Next: Sept. 22 vs. Army

0

Doak Campbell Stadium  //  Attendance: 68,883

TEAM STATS

Florida State

Wake Forest

Total Yards

612

126

Yards Rushing

385

43

Yards Passing

227

126

First Downs

27

7

Turnovers

1

0

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Florida State

Wake Forest

Rushing

Chris Thompson, 197 yards, 2 TDs

Josh Harris, 51 yards

Passing

EJ Manuel, 15-24, 176 yards, 2 TDs

Tanner Price, 8-22, 82 yards

Receiving

Kelvin Benjamin, 2 catches, 44 yards

Sherman Regland, 2 catches, 48 yards

Tackles

2 with 6

Brandon Chubb, 2

FSU PLAYER OF THE GAME

» Chris Thompson

Senior // Running back

Chris Thompson wasn't going to ever forget this game anyway considering the circumstances. But a career-high 197 yards and two touchdowns make it all the more special.

NUMBERS OF NOTE

1

Through three games in 2012, FSU is allowing its opponents to score an average of just one point per contest.

22

Michael Campanaro came into the game with 22 receptions through two games for Wake Forest this year but had just two Saturday.

11

Eleven different Seminoles caught a pass in the 52-0 win, marking the third time this year that at least 10 different players caught a pass in a game.

21.9

Chris Thompson averaged 21.9 yards per carry against Wake Forest.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Chris Thompson had been thinking about this one for a long time, going over and over in his head his in-game assignments and responsibilities while also managing the emotions of playing against the team that nearly ended his career a year ago.
He never could have imagined it would play out like this.
In No. 5/6 Florida State's convincing 52-0 win against Wake Forest Saturday, Thompson rushed for a career-high 197 yards -- including two scoring touchdowns of more than 70 yards -- despite only playing in the first two quarters. It was vintage big-play Thompson leaving a defense in pieces, made all the more special because it was against a team that quite literally broke him a year ago.
Eleven months after sustaining two fractured vertebrae in a 35-30 loss at Wake Forest, Thompson left this year's Atlantic Division showdown with the game ball rather than a career-threatening injury.
"There was nothing like it, I have been pretty much waiting for this moment for a while," Thompson said. "To open up against an ACC team and for it to be the Wake game was such a big deal due to the fact of what happened last year."
"What a difference a year makes," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher added. "... It's amazing. It can't happen to a better young man. I'm very proud of him today. I'm very proud of our team."
Thompson's performance was a feel-good story but it doesn't overshadow what the 'Noles' defense continues to do.
The Seminoles had allowed a combined three points in blowout wins over Murray State and Savannah State and the no-touchdown trend continued despite the increase in competition. The last time FSU didn't allow a touchdown in three consecutive games was in 1964.
Outside of a 34-yard rush in the first quarter by Josh Harris and a 41-yard reception by Sherman Ragland in the third quarter, Wake Forest's offense was kept in check and held to just 126 of total offense and 2.1 yards on average per play. The Demon Deacons were held to just seven first downs, only converted 1-of-16 third-down conversion chances and had to punt 13 times.
Wake Forest never got into the redzone either.
"That's what your pride yourself on on defense is dominating," sophomore defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan said.
Jernigan and junior linebacker Christian Jones led the Seminoles with six tackles before being pulled for the reserves in time for the fourth quarter. Junior defensive end Bjoern Werner continued his early-season tear with 1 1/2 sacks and 2 1/2 tackles for loss to harass Demon Deacons quarterback Tanner Price -- the ACC's quarterback of the week -- and help limit him to just 82 yards passing.
Cornellius Carradine also had a career-best 2 1/2 sacks.
Josh Harris was the last opponent to rush for 100 yards on the Seminoles but Saturday he was held to just 51 yards, too. Michael Campanaro, who led the nation in catches per game and was coming off a 13-catch performance in a win over North Carolina, had just two grabs for a paltry eight yards.
Domination.
"Against a quarterback and receivers that are good players, now," Fisher said. "They controlled the line of scrimmage and, again, that was the key. Our defense was very dominant. They contested all the throws."
Thompson's 197 yards were a school record for most rushing yards in an opening half but he wasn't the only one updating records. FSU, which posted 612 yards of total offense, has now scored at least 50 points in three consecutive games for the first time in the program's storied history and became the first ACC team to ever accomplish that feat to start the season.
EJ Manuel threw for 176 of those yards and had two touchdowns in three quarters of action, with scoring tosses to Kenny Shaw and Rodney Smith.
Thompson didn't have to play in the second half and sophomore James Wilder, Jr. added 94 yards on 16 carries while Manuel added 48 yards on the ground and one touchdown on an option play. Fullback Debrale Smiley added another touchdown run and 30 rushing yards as FSU finished with 385 yards on the ground.

Chris Thompson Interview EJ Manuel Interview Jimbo Fisher Interview Rashad Greene Interview Tank Carradine Interview Xavier Rhodes Interview Video Highlights Play Of The Game

A year after rushing for just 289 yards through the opening three games, FSU has rattled off 837 yards on the ground through three contests in 2012.
"We are confident and trust each other more now," senior fullback Lonnie Pryor said. "You've seen early on that we've got a lot of guys that can carry the football effectively."
Including Manuel.
FSU's starting quarterback got the Seminoles on the board for the first time against Wake Forest with a 16-yard run at 4:28 mark of the first quarter after being set up by a 33-yard Thompson dash.
FSU then quickly pushed its lead to 14-0 thanks to sophomore wide receiver Rashad Greene's 60-yard punt return for a touchdown. The special-teams score was Greene's second punt return of the season as he became the first Seminole to register multiple return touchdowns since Willie Reid in 2005.
"I just saw my guys in great position for blocks and they basically opened it up for me," Greene said. "I probably made one person miss and the rest was done by our return team."
The second quarter then started with some Thompson magic. His touchdown runs of 74 and 80 yards occurred within 3:10 of one another and effectively closed the door on Wake Forest's chances.
Thompson had entered the game with three touchdowns of 70 yards or more after becoming a home-run threat as a sophomore in 2010. He exited Saturday's ball game with two more to his credit while pushing his career rushing totals to 1,302 yards.
On each of his long runs, FSU's wide receivers and tight ends helped contribute with critical downfield blocks.
"[The offensive line] has got to get you the first [yards] and after that you've got to be able to block down field" Fisher said. "We are big, we are athletic and we are physical. We need to be blocking like that all the time."
Following a 19-yard Dustin Hopkins field goal, Smith added his 20-yard touchdown from reception with 14 seconds left in the second quarter. Shaw's 17-yard touchdown catch and Smiley's 19-yard scoring run then accounted for the 'Noles 14 second-half points.
The national college-football spotlight now shifts to Tallahassee for Florida State's Sept. 22 game against divisional foe Clemson. The Seminoles and Tigers will tussle at 8 p.m. live in front of a national audience at 8 p.m.
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