Raising a Flag
- Details
- Hits: 8759
Above: Yevgeny Khaldei's photograph of 'Raising a flag over the Reichstag'.
"What individuals do is related to what they think. . . . Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed."
Francis Beer as quoted by Isaiah Wilson III in 'AMERICAN GRAND STRATEGY AND THE FUTURE OF U.S. LANDPOWER', CHAPTER 4 'RECONSIDERING AMERICAN POWER' Strategic Studies Institute and U.S. Army War College Press, December 2014
"Although the crisis in Ukraine continues to focus attention on Russia's western border, Moscow is seeking to exploit a more lucrative prize along its vast northern frontage: the Arctic Circle. Melting ice has opened up new transit routes and revealed previously inaccessible oil and mineral deposits. Facing a year of harsh economic constraints, securing exploitable energy reserves remains a top priority for Moscow. The planned militarization of the Arctic is already underway, and funding is secured through 2015 (the Ministry of Defense was the only Kremlin ministry not to be curtailed in the most recent budget.) With Russia aiming to consolidate its strength by the end of the year, surrounding countries are already reassessing their positions in the face of an overwhelming regional force […] Even in a post-Cold War world, the region could once again be transformed into a zone of frozen conflicts. The great powers have long competed over the Arctic, and now countries such as China and India are expressing their own interest in the region."
From: 'Russia's Plans for Arctic Supremacy' published Januari 16, 2015 on http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/russias-plans-arctic-supremacy#axzz3PMtY6OsF
"Reports of heavy rocket artillery firing on the eastern parts of the city of Mariupol, Ukraine, as well as a statement made by a separatist leader, indicate the potential preparation of an offensive on the city. While this would be a significant escalation and an indicator of Russian intent to push further into Ukraine, potentially forming a much-rumored land connection to the northern border of Crimea, there are also several indicators required for such an offensive that are currently still missing. […] Reports of heavy rocket artillery firing on the eastern parts of the city of Mariupol have been widely reported, with the death toll rising to 27 people [...] The widespread use of Grad Multiple Launch Rocket Systems indicates that this is a planned action with significant logistical support that it involves extensive use of Russian troops, though Grad fire has been widely used throughout the conflict. […] Heavy artillery preparations frequently precede Russian attacks, particularly by concentrated MLRS attack. Given the amount of munitions needed to supply concentrated fire, the Russians tend not to use them casually. The presence of Grad missiles indicates the possibility of artillery preparation for a broader offensive."
From: 'Red Alert: Rocket Fire Could Signal New Offensive on Mariupol' published today on http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/red-alert-rocket-fire-could-signal-new-offensive-mariupol#ixzz3PqAJzyzQ
"Representational pictures were the first true “medium” our ancestors created, some 30,000-40,000 years ago. Some of the early pictures were accurate depictions of the natural world. Others likely had a persuasive, even political, intent as they employed deliberate factual distortions. Understanding this human factor is crucial in understanding pictures. Any estimation of the meaning or effects of a picture must take into account the receptivity, attitudes, and beliefs of audiences, as well as those of producers or disseminators.": http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/141-sar-sarsential-toolbox-15-14
"Logic tells us that a flag should invoke respect by virtue of the entity it represents, not by its coloration or pattern. Yet, despite logic, we are all swayed—irrationally, perhaps, but most assuredly—by appearances.": http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/146-graffitihunt-2
SAR_12_along_the_way
- Details
- Hits: 8620
Above: Todays 30K Best-Level SAR training footprint comes from the other side of the "[...] luminous drawbridge trough which the story has to reach the audience and the audience has to acces the story..." -- holding the 35- and 16mm Kodak Vision 3 filmstock, while standing at editing-desk: "Food should be something to chew on, right?"¹
"It is our natural birthright to be fit and healthy. Unfortunately, science and medicine have largely missed this point. Researchers look boldly to the future, to new medicines, genetic screening, and surgical procedures, yet never ask the question, "Why do we need theses advances?" and "Is there a simpler, better way to health and wellness?" If they were to ask these questions, they would realise that the key to the puzzle is to start at the beginning. Our health researchers, who currently lack a framework from which to assess the staggering volume of information they generate every day, flounder with basic questions: "What should we eat?" "How much and what types of exercise should we do?" "How can we live a healthy life?" Although these may seem like sound questions for health researchers to ask, the answers constantly change in response to politics, lobbying and the media. As a result, their recommendations are not based on science, but rather lobbying and political manoeuvring. [F] ew people make a real attempt to fix this mess. But who can really blame them. After all, it's hard as hell to make money off healthy people… unless you sell bicycles, running shoes or teach dance classes."
Robb Wolf in 'The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet' on page 34 'Stop! Savannah Time!' (first published in 2010)
On- and off-site references:
http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/95-sar-6-along-the-way
http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/69-footprint-sar-3
http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/81-sar-14-14-epilogue-secured
http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/101-sar-11-along-the-way
http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/100-sar-10-along-the-way
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour
https://maps.google.nl/maps?client=safari&q=kennemerduinen&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&ei=V3-HU9fdIKqa1AXRioGgBA&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexibility (anatomy)
http://normanhollyn.wordpress.com/2008/04/13/walter-murch-talks-about-standing/
_____________
¹ Peter de Bie, in an interview we conducted in 2007 for our upcoming film 'Here Comes Big Trouble' (photographed on the filmfootage above, shot in 2007 in IJmuiden, The Netherlands)
The Silver Lining
- Details
- Hits: 8494
Above: Silver lining and variety during wintertraining and 300K event. Dutch winters call for action. Action generates warmth; transcending wind, water, darkness and boredom into Joy.
"[M]aintain a vigilant watch over [your] mental state, control [your] mind […] and channel […] thoughts to positive and purposeful things. When things go wrong, […] don’t blame and wallow in self-pity; rather […] immediately seek the positive lesson in the mess…the silver lining…then […] act on it. [D]on’t dwell on the negative, but learn to reframe each event to only the positive remains."
Mark Divine in 'Habits of Mastery part 2' on SealFit website: http://sealfit.com/blog/habits-of-mastery-part-2/
"Many of us have come to consider comfort as our greatest need. Comfort is not essential, and we often value it much too highly [...]": http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/nl/training/98-sar-along-the-way
"[ Without ] optimism [ … ] motivation and talent alone will not result in the confidence and persistence necessary for resilient survival behaviour.": http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/nl/training/127-sar-sarsential-toolbox-4-14
"Major Anya Amasova: It's getting cold
James Bond: Is there anything I can do to warm you up?
Major Anya Amasova: You don't have to worry about me Mr Bond, I went on a survival course in Siberia
James Bond: Yes, I believe a great number of your country men do. What did they teach you?
Major Anya Amasova: That its very important to have a positive mental attitude"
Actors Roger Moore and Barbara Bach in 'The Spy Who Loved Me' (1977), directed by Lewis Gilbert, written by Christopher Wood, Richard Maibaum and Ian Fleming: http://www.mgm.com/#/our-titles/1891/The-Spy-Who-Loved-Me
See also: Sarsential 23: train! [ practice ] "One day, after a rehearsal that hadn’t pleased [ violinist Mischa ] Elman, [ he was ] leaving Carnegie Hall by the backstage entrance when [ he was ] approached by two tourists looking for the hall’s entrance. Seeing his violin case, they asked, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” Without looking up and continuing on his way, Elman simply replied, 'Practice.'": http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/162-sar-sarsential-23-train
SAR_sarsential™_00_aspect_ratio
- Details
- Hits: 8593
Above: "Le crew hollandais légendaire¹" GVB's double-headed top-to-bottom-whole-train at Haarlem refurbishment and overhaul-depot, yesterday. Sarsential 00: aspect ratio [ watching with a detached gaze ] (click on image for close-ups, large format available upon request)
"During the shooting of a scene the director's eye has to catch even the minutest detail. But this does not mean glaring concentratedly at the set. While the camera's are rolling. I rarely look directly at the actors, but focus my gaze somewhere else. By doing this I sense instantly when something isn't right. Watching something does not mean fixing your gaze on it, but being aware of it in a natural way.I believe this is what the medieval Noh playwright and theorist Zeami meant by "watching with a detached gaze."
Akira Kurosawa: "Advice to young people considering a career in filmmaking", adapted by Audie E. Bock, first published in 1975, cited from 'Something Like an Autobiography' (page 191, 'Some Random Notes on Filmmaking')
"A top-to-bottom whole [ train ] covers the entire side of the [ train ], windows and all. Some writers will only do top-to-bottom whole [ trains ], disdaining anything less complete. Others, particularly during periods when the Transit Authority is vigilant, feel that to cover the windows is a waste of time, since these are the first part of the [ train ] to be cleaned, and usually with solvent who drips down, streaking the piece below. Window-downs last longer, but the top-to-bottom whole [ train ] is the graffiti writer's finest achievement. It is here that he displays his virtuosity […]. The initials […] which accompany the writer's names, stand for their crews. [A crews is: ] a unit of dudes who work together to achieve a goal: to get up and to go all city […] Crews are made up of trusted friends, […] a bunch of brothers that are down by street law with each other. […] There is a strong sense of community within a crew and members will expel those writers who are only out for themselves. […]"
Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant in 'Subway Art', page 74 and 50, first published in Great Brittain by Thames and Hudson Ltd, Londen, 1984
See also: (Close-ups piece above) http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/159-supplement-to-sarsential-00-22
Graffitihunt 1 ("Spaarnwoude"): http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/145-graffitihunt-1
Graffitihunt 2 ("A positive image and distinctive position is created over time by providing desirable products or services and communicating consistently and effectively. While a logo is just one component of that image, it is the one that identifies the others, operating like a flag."): http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/146-graffitihunt-2
Graffitihunt 3 (" [ Dutch ] Gulden note, printed in Haarlem."): http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/148-graffitihunt-bonus
Graffitihunt 4 ("Name graffiti initially had a territorial function. Gang members marked out their turf and the local kids wrote for their friends or for their enemies. [...] As available space on walls and trains filled up, it was necessary to develop a style to make a name stand out from the rest. Kids began to practice variations on their names and to develop identifying logos which could be read at glance"): http://bartvanbroekhoven.com/en-US/running/149-graffitihunt-4
________________
¹ www.allcityblog.fr., 'Amsterdam: GVB': http://www.allcityblog.fr/32115-amsterdam-god-vicious-babies/
Training_30K_after_footprint_clear_dry_deep_tide_low_wind
- Details
- Hits: 8417
Above: Cooling down after 30K training. Just listened to Skip Richard's David Baldacci interview: "...If you're in the zone, you can really, really roll..." There is a link to Skip Richard's website and the interview here
