Blood Sports

Another legislative session ended this week. Our good state representatives and senators (FINALLY) passed a ban on cockfighting this session, which goes into effect August 2008. One blood sport, politics, is still legal in Louisiana, and the new season should get into gear soon.

The above photo is a picture of the floor of the entry marking the Governor's Office at the Old State Capitol.

On Guard

It rained again today. During the thunderous parts, Weeka (pictured above) likes to hide under the bed. After it stops raining, she resumes her post on the windowsill, where she keeps watch over the neighborhood. I think she's found an errant insect that's invaded her space.

Repentance Fountain

Repentance Fountain is nestled between the River Center arena and the Old State Capitol. A nearby plaque explains:

During the Spanish domination of Baton Rouge, Repentance Street ran through this area. It was so named because convicted criminals walked along it on their way to receive sentencing at the Commandant's house where the Old State Capitol now stands.

Cool Break

Aaahhh...cool water...even if it has a slight chlorine odor...

This is part of a larger fountain between the River Center and the Old State Capitol known as Repentance Fountain, which I will post on tomorrow.

No Drought Here

This afternoon I thought I was going to mow the lawn, but this stormcloud had a different idea and gave me over an inch of rain instead.

Up Close And Personal

Here's a view of the top of the standpipe I featured yesterday. No, I didn't climb the ladder ;) but snapped this from the fourth floor River Terrace at the Shaw Center across the street.

Quench Your Thirst

Made of wrought iron and standing 110 feet tall, the Lafayette Street Standpipe was the first water tower in Baton Rouge. The standpipe was in use from 1888 to 1963, and held over 146,000 gallons of water when it was full. Just a few months ago, the tower was sandblasted and got a new coat of paint.

Lanterns

These lanters hang outside Taste of China, a popular Chinese buffet restaurant.

Time Capsule

The recent news reports about the Tulsa, Oklahoma time capsule unearthing prompted me to post this picture of a time capsule in the Quadrangle at LSU. It was buried in 1976, and, if I am fortunate to live that long, will be unearthed in 2076. I haven't yet been able to find any news articles about what was placed inside the capsule. It probably included copies of LSU's student newspaper and yearbook, a fee slip from Spring Registration to show how much it cost to attend the university, maybe photos of what the campus looked like. I don't know the purpose of the letters around the edge - some sort of code? The first letters of the words to an important document? I'll have to do some further research on this.

Time capsules are optimistic, showing our hope that future generations will come after us, surpassing our achievements and creating a better world. I hope this holds true for the Class of 2076...

Here Comes The Sun

I apologize for not posting yesterday - had to work late at the office. It rained and poured much of Tuesday afternoon and evening. One of the office buildings near my neighborhood was struck by lightning and caught fire. Thankfully, no one was injured or killed.

I was glad to see the sun return today...

Pit Stop

This dragonfly is taking a break on a hot day to grab some nourishment...

Happy Father's Day!

On the third Sunday in June, Father's Day is celebrated in the United States. To all of the fathers, stepfathers, and other male mentors who bring so much to our lives, thank you!

The Builders

Here's a photo of the nest builders and singers of yesterday's entry...

Life Imitates Art?

I had gone to the State Capitol building and was taking pictures of the detail work outside the building, and I kept hearing birds singing. I thought I was going crazy, then I looked above the front entrance and found their hideout among the pelican portraits...

I Wish

I wish I could play all day.

I wish I didn't have to go to work.

We Were Here

The underside of a curving slide becomes a tempting place for people (teens?) to carve their names or initials. What compelled them - was it a need to flaunt society's rules and show off to their friends, or a desire to shout "I am here"? If the slide is still standing in ten years, will they come back with a sweetheart to try to find their mark, and laugh at what silly kids they were back then?

Tonight At The Lodge

Sign outside of the St. James Lodge on Convention Street downtown. I like how the design would light up to indicate which Order was meeting on a specific evening.

Runners Up

Congratulations to the LSU men's and women's track and field teams! Both the Tigers and the Lady Tigers placed second in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this past weekend. The men were just six points short of claiming their fifth national championship, while the women were seven points away from bringing home their 14th NCAA outdoor title.

LSU is fortunate to have attracted outstanding track and field athletes from all over the world. Olympians who have also worn LSU's purple and gold include Kelly Willie, Sheila Echols, Esther Jones and Schowanda Williams of the US; Glenroy Gilbert and Angela Phipps of Canada; Claston Bernard, Celena Clarke, Ronetta Smith and Nadia Davy of Jamaica; Robin van Helden and Sharon Jaklofsky of the Netherlands; Mikael Olander of Sweden; Lotfi Khaida of Algeria; and David Kiptoo of Kenya.

Pictured above is the Bernie Moore Track and Field stadium at LSU. Coach Moore led the Tiger track team to its first national championship in 1933.

Dancing Waters

I was at the Shaw Center for the Arts downtown yesterday for Second Saturdays. Admission is free to all the art galleries inside on the second Saturday of each month, and there are children's activities based on the exhibits. One of the docents I spoke with commented that the dancing fountains outside the museum are very popular with the children, and that she often sees them running and splashing through the jets. As the temperatures rise, we may see some adults running around, too!

In Full Bloom

These flowers are on my mother's new hibiscus tree, which I am minding for her while she's out of town. The blooms gave me a great first shot for my new camera, which is a Kodak EasyShare V803.

Meet Your Neighbors

In honor of the space shuttle Atlantis' liftoff this afternoon, here's a photo from the Irene Pennington Planetarium. One end of the planetarium is known as Planet Tower, a two-story display featuring scale models of our solar system siblings. To give you an idea of the sizes of the models, the rings of Saturn are about 15 feet (4.5 meters) wide, and Earth is the size of a bowling ball. The tower also functions as a stairwell and exit from the planetarium's excellent 60-foot dome theatre.

Columbus

This statue of Christopher Columbus is, fittingly enough, at the Plaza D'Italia in Baton Rouge.

Where Did The Ball Go?

I don't know how this tennis ball ended up at the top of the fence that surrounds the tennis court. Did some mischievous teen scale the fence and plant the ball, or does someone in Baton Rouge have a wild serve?

?????

I found this stencil graffiti on the side of a Christian bookstore. I enjoy stencil graffiti, but have to confess that I have no idea what this is supposed to be...

Allen Hall

Another view of the buildings at LSU. Allen Hall was named in honor of former Louisiana Governor Oscar K. Allen, who served in office after Huey P. Long. Allen Hall houses the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of English.

In A Mediterranean Mood

This covered walkway at Louisiana State University connects the two buildings of Thomas Boyd Hall, which contains the Chancellor's Office and the offices where students pay their tuition and fees and receive copies of their transcripts and grades. Many of LSU's campus buildings reflect an Italian Renaissance style, with stuccoed walls and red tile roofs.

Caged

Looking up through the slats of a gazebo at the Botanical Gardens...

A View From The Room...

It's the backyard!!!

Not a very exciting view, but after a long day at the office, it's very relaxing.

Below are all of the fabulous blogs participating in this Theme Day:
Seattle (WA), USA - Manila, Philippines - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Toruń, Poland - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Seoul, Korea - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Vantaa, Finland - Madison (WI), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Omaha (NE), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Stockholm, Sweden - Grenoble, France - Lubbock (TX), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Arradon, France - Hyde, UK - Joplin (MO), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Kansas City (MO), USA - Naples (FL), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Manila, Philippines - Sydney, Australia - Stavanger, Norway - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - London, UK - Chandler (AZ), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Singapore, Singapore - Hamburg, Germany - Sydney, Australia - Tenerife, Spain - Moscow, Russia - Lyon, France - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Villigen, Switzerland - Anderson (SC), USA - Oslo, Norway - Evry, France - Hayle, UK - Mumbai, India - Kitakami, Japan - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - La Antigua, Guatemala - Paderborn, Germany - San Diego (CA), USA - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Madrid, Spain - Lyon, France - Selma (AL), USA - Shanghai, China - Baziège, France - Cologne (NRW), Germany - North Bay (ON), Canada - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Stayton (OR), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Austin (TX), USA - Hong Kong, China - Trier, Germany - Joensuu, Finland - Paris, France - Greenville (SC), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Cork, Ireland - Bastia, France - Vancouver, Canada - Brookville (OH), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Mainz, Germany - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Zurich, Switzerland - Torino, Italy - Montréal (QC), Canada