One was heartened to see last year, the christening of the Cunarder Queen Mary II, which must be awesomely large (being from Nebraska, any boat bigger than a fishing-boat is "large")--although I could never figure out why it was built in France, rather than in Belfast, or that place in Scotland where Cunard built ships.
Ping for the Norway ping list.
I worked all night long, and am 90% asleep right now; as it is rather pressing, I decided to refuse all further income-tax work, as it just piles up and up.
I must say that in researching "ping lists," so as to continue improving the Norway ping list, I have been impressed by the Eastern European ping list.
If Free Republic gave out awards, of course the DUmmie FUnnies by PJ-Comix would win for "best humor," the photographs of idiots by Mr. Silverback would win for "best political commentary," and the lyrics of Doug from Upland would win for "best music."
But the Eastern European ping list would reap armfuls of awards, for "best layout," "best format," "most aesthetic appeal," and so on and so forth--each new posting in itself alone a work of art.
The Eastern European ping list is the creation of, apparently, more than one guy from Poland (although it is one list), and the Old World craftsmanship that goes into it is pleasing to the eye.
These are guys who, unlike the rest of us who generally just slap things together and post them, take their time and trouble to turn out something of quality; surely they must spend hours, before pushing the "post" button.
Not only that, but they take the time and care to "illustrate" the news-article with maps or photographs, so that readers have an immediate idea about the story. If a story deals with some obscure region of Romania, there is the colorful map, for all to know. If a story deals with St. Stephen's Crown, there is a photograph in exquisite detail, so all may see. All properly centered, too.
Sharp, colorful, clear, wonderfully formatted, the Eastern European ping list, brought to us by guys who really care about quallity and craftsmanship.
The Eastern European ping list is well worth joining, and I certainly recommend it to all.
If I owned an advertising agency, I would hire all these guys from Poland to take care of business, which would then free me to go out on the prairies and admire bison all day long, without a worry in the world.
I'm personally sad to see it go. My family sailed on the France in January, 1963 from New York to Southampton, England. Although I was only a tot at the time, I have pleasant memories of the voyage. I always wanted to sail on the Norway if for no other reason than nostalgia.
Glasgow.
If I remember correctly, when the QM II was farmed out to the French shipyard, the last shipyard in Glasgow capable of building large ships closed down.
Mornin'. Thanks.
The France used to be considered one of the prime symbols of French greatness, like the Eiffel Tower. She boasted luxury accomodations, first class French cuisine, and all the amenities. She was heavily subsidized by the French government for reasons of national pride.
The France was not really replaced by airliners. Rather, she was knocked out when the French government transferred its subsidies to the Concorde supersonic jet, which was intended to be the new, improved symbol of French national greatness.
As it turned out, the Concorde was a big-time loser. Ocean liners still have a place in the world. If the Norway is broken up it will be because she has aged and has been replaced by newer and fancier liners, not because she has been superseded by passenger jets. Jets satisfy one need; passenger ships satisfy another.
Charles Henrickson and eurotwit.
Please ping your lists. Our pal franksolich has pneumonia. I know I wasn't the only one who noticed he's been quiet.
His doc says it's ok for him to be home alone.
Has medicine evolved that much, that he should be home alone? Not in my experience.
Healing prayer to franksolich!
Anyone here know the name of a Norwegian freighter that was sunk off the coast of Scotland (I think) around 1941 by the Germans? My uncle, Eugene Knutsen, was first mate on that ship. He came to America on board and they had to stay in NY city because the Germans had invaded Norway. He came to see my mother and I have a picture of him holding me. He was such a good looking man. Wish I had known him.