RenoVous

  Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded last night, and it's a contender for the largest explosion in American history. Cape Canaveral authorities have confirmed no injuries, no deaths. The Jeff Bezos company was recently selected for NASA moon missions, so this test run is a bit of a setback.... New Glenn is expected to deliver the first two rovers to the lunar surface in 2028.  Blue Origin has developed a cargo lunar lander, called Blue Moon Mark 1, which is designed to fly on top of the rocket. In April, a launch successfully reused the rocket's booster, but it dropped its satellite into a critically low orbit, rendering it useless.  The FAA then grounded New Glenn, an order that was lifted just four days ago.

 Today celebrates one of the tallest and rarest birds in North America. They are currently endangered, but conservation efforts have improved the populations. Back in the 1800's, habitat loss and hunting drastically reduced their numbers.  By 1860, there were only 1,400 - but the all time low was just 15 birds in 1941. They were all from one flock, which migrated between Canada and Texas, so local, federal, and international governments were involved in protecting them. Scientists realized they couldn't rely on just one flock, so they tried introducing the cranes in Idaho, but that didn't work.  A flock set up in Florida did succeed, but would not migrate. The International Whooping Crane Recovery Team determined they had to teach the chicks, so they used an ultralight aircraft and led them from Florida to Wisconsin. In 2002, the first wild Whooping Crane since 1939 was hatched.

  The Golden Gate Bridge opened to the public on this day, 1937. It was Pedestrian Day, an opportunity for everyone to enjoy before the cars took over the next day. For the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, spanning 4,200 feet across the bay. Construction began in 1933, in the depths of the Great Depression.  Multiple counties in the area took out a large bond for funding, which would be paid back through bridge tolls.  Members of the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District even put their homes up as collateral. The bond was repaid by July 1971. The project was led by engineer, Joseph Strauss, and consulting engineer, Leon Moiseff, along with the architect, Irving Morrow.  It was Morrow who selected the color, "International Orange." Upon completion, it was seen as a symbol of progress during a time of economic crisis. And today, it is one of the one the most recognizable architectural structures in the world.

  One of the most famous books in English literature was released on this day in 1897. While it has inspired numerous movies and vampire lore in general, it wasn't the first. Carmilla  came out in 1872, and heavily influenced later Gothic vampire fiction.  It may be that a female antagonist was less appealing to early film adaptations, but it's also noted that Stoker's "monster-hunting plot" was better for the stage and screen.  There's also some history that predates all of this, that of Vlad the Impaler. Vlad II joined the Order of the Dragon in 1431 and took the name Dracul.  His son, Vlad III, would then take the name Dracula, or son of the dragon. Bran Castle has become the tourist destination for the look that inspired Stoker, but his real home was Poenari Castle. Despite the fact that Stoker did not invent the name Dracula, his wife pursued copyright protections against the studio making Nosferatu.   They changed the vampire's name to Count Orlock, ...

  International Day of Biodiversity! This encompasses the vast array of animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms as well as the complex ecosystems they form. Biodiversity is what supports our food, water, clean air, medicine, and protection from natural disasters. This year's theme is "Acting locally for a global impact," focusing on halting and reversing nature loss. But instead, we're getting data centers. There is good news: Six species saved by ecosystem restoration. UN

Nestinarstvo is a firewalking festival in southeast Bulgaria and northern Greece. It celebrates the feast of Saints Constantine and Helena. (Some things say that is today, while others indicate June 4th). The nestinari, or performers, walk and dance across the embers, carrying icons for the saints. This practice is a mix of Eastern Orthodox beliefs and pagan traditions.  It is recognized by UNESCO as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage.

  The patent was approved on this day, 1873, for work pants reinforced with metal rivets. But the idea started in 1870.  A customer approached Reno tailor, Jacob Davis, requesting a more durable pant for her husband.  Davis had settled in the area a couple years earlier, and opened a shop on Virginia Street. His fabric supplier was Levi Strauss, and he had been set up in San Francisco since 1853.  He followed the Gold Rush and ran a wholesale dry goods store. Strauss was very well off by 1872, so Davis reached out to him to partner up.  The first manufacturing facility was located on Fremont Street, and the first "waist overalls" were sold.  By 1880, Strauss had opened his own factory and showroom on Battery Street. The term "501" came into use in 1890, when the patent went into the public domain. "Blue jeans" didn't enter the vernacular until the 1960's.

  Trego Hot Springs

It's not all Cannes. Lily Collins Chase Infiniti Greta Lee Keke Palmer Isabelle Huppert Meadow Walker Aja Naomi King Colman Domingo Kristen Stewart Ruth Negga

  I read an article about a movie that recently came out, a fictionalized account of understanding plant consciousness. "Researchers tend to define consciousness loosely as the ability to experience - the subjective, ineffable feeling of being alive." From the neural network mycelium provides, to the physical responses plants can have to the world around them, there is definitely a sense of being alive. I was once ridiculed by a behavioral psychologist for suggesting an animal's thought process, because to him there was no such thing.  But even if it's different than how we think, I do believe it is evident in other life forms.

  Those eggs we last checked in on are now little eaglets! They hatched in the beginning of April, so they're expected to fledge sometime around mid-June. The names were chosen by the 3rd grade students at Big Bear Elementary. There's a nesting pair with their own eaglets nearby here in Washoe Valley.  No live cam, but some people have shared photos.  Responsibly. Apparently there is also an owl nest out there. FLOOFS!

 Very recently I came across a comment that said:  "Y'all don't know that the government straight up bombed West Virginia and it shows." (Battle of Blair Mountain, 1921) A response to that referred to a bombing in Philadelphia that I was also unaware of, and today happens to be the anniversary. On this day in 1985, Philadelphia police began evacuating homes on Osage Avenue.  They were preparing for an operation against MOVE, an organization that advocated for black liberation, natural laws and natural living. Following an incident in 1978, which resulted in the death of a police offer and the arrest of nine members, leader John Africa started planning a counterattack.  By 1983, they were staging protests outside the headquarters/home, as well as assembling a cache of weapons. The mayor ordered police to raid the address, but they were unable to remove members who had taken up positions.  There was gunfire back and forth throughout the day, but SWAT was unable to...

 Eight years ago I played along with a Facebook share: "In no particular order - 10 albums that really made an impact and are still on your rotation list, even if only now and then." Here's a random selection. And of course.

Over the weekend the internet erupted with opinions about Olivia Rodrigo wearing babydoll dresses. "A grown woman wearing children's clothes...." They call it pandering to pedophiles, but she isn't the first young woman to juxtapose her adult music with femme sweetness.  The riot-grrl style clearly influenced her, and she is on record stating she had posters of Courtney Love as well as Kim Bjelland on her wall as a kid.  Now, the one above is simply ugly, not cute.  But here: Much more 90's style all around. The fashion of it was popularized in the 60's mod era, worn by the likes of Twiggy. In each of these decades though, the point is the same: Empowerment. Allowing women to define their own fashion and style. To disrupt and subvert the tropes of girlhood and femininity. One comment I particularly agreed with said, "Stop blaming women for wearing what they want and blame the men who've made it 'creepy' to do so."

  A cruise ship disembarked from Argentina carrying some hantavirus. Reports indicate a couple went bird watching in the Tierra del Fuego National Park.  It's a popular site to see the Magellenic Woodpecker, Andean Condor, and this beautiful white-bellied seedsnipe. However, this outing may have taken them across a landfill, where the travelers may have been exposed to infected rodents.  Authorities say there has never been a recorded case in Ushuaia. Three people have died, but the WHO emphasizes there is little risk to the general public.  Those who have been evacuated are being monitored and the remaining passengers appear to be asymptomatic.

 We went up into the mountains so the dogs could have a run. We could hear the thunder, and we made it back to the truck just as the clouds opened. Rain, snow melt, and tears. From the memorial for our Mama Deb. A patron of the arts, it was a most fitting venue. Love you forever.

  Final thoughts on Much Ado About Nothing . For establishing the "enemies to lovers" rom-com trope, there wasn't much actual romance....Benedick and Beatrice clearly have a rapport, but they admit in the end that there's no love.  Pushed together and willing to accept each other, really.  And then there's Hero, resigned to whomever apparently. But it was funny.  Dogberry is definitely the comedic relief amidst the bit of drama.   "I am a wise fellow and, which is more, an officer and, which is more, a householder and, which is more, as pretty a piece of flesh as any in Messina." I would have liked more closure with Don John.  I know he's a bitter bastard and wanted to cause trouble for his brother, but Hero didn't deserve that, and I'm curious what his punishment would be.  Claudio's footman, perhaps. *** So now I'm onto the next read, maybe this Stephen King I picked up - or, yesterday Guy de Maupassant came up again.  He's writ...

 Last night turned out to be much more than fashion - attendees really took the theme to heart, and wore some truly art inspired pieces.  So instead of a Best Dressed, we're going to review. Fashion is Art Emma Chamberlain Garden at Arles,  Van Gogh Madonna The Temptation of St. Anthony, Leonora Carrington Amy Sherald Miss Everything, Amy Sherald Sabrina Carpenter Film strips from 1954's, Sabrina. Hunter Schafer Mada Primavesi, Gustav Klimt SZA Every piece of fabric was sourced through vintage dealers on eBay. From the Wiener Werkstatte, Kolomon Moser Ananya Birla Silverware mask by Indian artist, Subodh Gupta. Fill the comments with other looks and/or inspirations that you liked!  There is so much more.