Do NOT Fall Down Face First on the Sidewalk

YIKES!

Thanks mom.   Glad you were a good sport about it.   And, glad you are better!

Dance Caravan: Waiting Their Turn...and On Stage

This group was waiting their turn.   They were obviously enjoying watching one of the troupe dance.

And Jennifer was up!

 Thanks Jennifer!

Ramsey Days: Entertainment with Dance Carivan

I was a bit surprised to see these gentlemen at Ramsey Days.  Not that there was anything wrong with them, of course.  But, they were supporting drummers for Dance Caravan, a dance school specializing in middle eastern, belly dancing.   I just didn't realize there was such a school in the area!
No wonder they are smiling.

Thanks guys!

Ramsey Days: Attendees

Meet Elissa...and Lady!

Elissa was enjoying the crowds, festivities, and food.  And, Lady was enjoying being carried.

Cute little dog there, Elissa!

Thanks!

Ramsey Days: Food with Wells Catering!

Meet George!

George has been in the catering and restaurant business for a long time.   And, I have used his services more than once!  I was glad to see his tent up and that he was out servicing food.   Guess which tent I went to?

Thanks George!   VERY good, as always!

Ramsey Days: Candidates For Office

You can't have a city celebration without someone stumping for office.

The first booth I got to was for Wayne Buchholz, a former Marine.

Meet Heidi!

She is a constituent of the area and has known and followed Wayne for some time.   She was tending his booth and fielding questions.

Thanks Heidi!

On a much later note, Wayne was not successful in the election in nearly November.   Maybe next time!

The Manitoba Legislative Building Tour: The Mural

On the south wall of the rotunda hangs a large mural by Frank Brangwyn. Frank, a Brit, was a famous muralist at the time.  The actual mural was being re-touched when I was there.  

So, these are images of a much smaller copy. And, when I took the photo, I did not use a flash.  So the images are a bit difficult to see.   However, there is a tremendous amount of symbolism in the mural. 
 
It initially appears to be a scene from WWI.  Clearly the Doughboys are in front.  On the left, helmeted soldiers dig trenches.  On the right a group of soldiers eat and drink.  And, in the center, a man in a tattered robe (perhaps a wounded soldier?) is helped along by another soldier.

 

But, if you look closely above the man in the tatterred robe , there is a faint image of the Madonna and Child.  With that perspective, the wounded soldier could be Jesus, and the fallen tree behind him represents the cross.  This could easily be a representation of the Passion of Christ.  

 

Additionally, others have suggested what you are seeing is also a representation of the Masonic Lodge initiation ceremony.

 

I hope to get back there to see the restored painting! 

 

The Manitoba Legislative Building: Continued

The gentleman below was from the area and he was assisting the slender gentleman on the second photo with notes, photos, questions, etc.  The second gentleman was preparing a large article or special on the architecture of the building.  

I really like the profile in the photo below.  And, the gentleman was most helpful to me during the tour by giving me a few positioning tips and pointing out things others may be missing.

I didn't get a chance to visit with this gentleman.  He was quite busy taking notes and talking to the photographer who was accompanying him.

But, I am anxious to see his book/article/special, etc.
 

The Manitoba Legislative Building Tour

The tour group!

They were on the main level looking down to the Pool of the Black Star (see below).  The photo of the Pool of the Black Star is not mine.   You can find it on the Wikipedia site.  But, I wanted you to see it.  The tour actually ended in this room.  And, if you stood in the center of the Black Star and spoke, your words carried throughout the building. Everyone on the tour had a chance to try it out!

I suspect the design of the room helped bounce the sound around and then upwards to the rotunda (see below and yes, that photo is mine).   I wanted to get the rotunda photo from directly below.  But, when we got to the Pool of the Black Star, it was too crowded.  So, the photo of the rotunda was taken from the main level.  Hence, the slight angle.

I would sincerely like to go back and do a few more photos.  It was a stunning building.

Traveling for Business: Winnipeg Things to Do!

I really don't like hanging around the hotel room when I travel.  But, often that is the best of several other alternatives.  If I went out and drank at the bar, I would soon be feeling lousy and missing work.   And, it just isn't healthy!

So, I often eat alone and just head back to the room to watch TV and/or work. 

Unless you have delightful co-workers who suggest fun things to do:  Such as go on a tour of the Manitoba Legislative Building!

Frank Albo spent years studying this building, learning the history of how it was built and the various symbols that are placed in recurring themes about the building.  He wrote "The Hermetic Code" where we points out the various Masonic "secrets" and symbols.   By pure chance, he was giving a tour one night I was there.  And, a few of my co-workers invited me to attend!

This was in the lobby before the tour started. 

And, I liked this photo showing the archway into the rotunda.

I was fascinated with the history of the building and was surprised at the number of symbols that were hidden in plain site.   Unless one were a Mason, the symbols would not be noticeable.  Apparently, with the exception of one person, everyone who worked on the building was a Mason.

For more information about this incredible building, see here.

The buffalo, of course, is a symbol of strength and power.   It was part of a matched set, one on each side of the staircase.