Tag Archives: ~ Culture & History

~ Culture & History

World’s Oldest Shoe Discovered, Dates Back 5,500 Years


world's oldest shoe brown sheep dung lace-up stuffedYou won’t find this style on Zappos! The world’s oldest shoe dates back 5,500 years. Photo: AP Photo/Department of Archaeology University College Cork
Looks like our ancestors had a little trouble watching their step.

Researchers excavating an Armenian cave have discovered the world’s oldest shoe — a cowhide lace-up encased in a pile of sheep dung, The New York Times reports.

(Ew. We suspect even Imelda Marcos might give this one a pass.)

Tanned in oils from a plant or vegetable and bearing leather eyelets for its laces, the right shoe reportedly pre-dates Stonehenge, the Egyptian pyramids and Joan Rivers.

“These were probably quite expensive shoes, made of leather, very high quality,” Gregory Areshian of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California, a lead scientist on the project, told the paper.

The shoe is estimated to date back to the Copper Age, around 3653 to 3627 B.C., and would fit a woman (or petite man) with a size 7 foot, according to The New York Times.

Scientists told the source that the shoe appears to have been deliberately preserved, with grass stuffing and yellow clay lining keeping its shape intact. (Nice to know ancient gals were as shoe-obsessed as we are.)

“You can see the imprints of the big toe,” another team leader, Ron Pinhasi of Ireland’s University College Cork, told the paper.

“As the person was wearing and lacing it, some of the eyelets had been torn and repaired.”

The discovery was reportedly made after the National Geographic Society-funded researchers found other artifacts, including horns, pottery, and something doctoral student Diana Zardaryan thought felt like “an ear of a cow.”

“But when I took it out, I thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s a shoe,'” she told the paper. “To find a shoe has always been my dream.”

Ah — a woman after our own hearts!

So who was this Copper Age Carrie Bradshaw? We may never know… but it makes for one heck of a good, old-school Cinderella story.

In other shoe news, read about this government-funded “Sexy Heels in the City” college course.

by Erin Donnelly

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

A better tomorrow means less Tea in Congress


In March of 2010, a Gallup Poll report stated that if a vote from We the People for Congress were taken right now it would result in 47% voting for Democrats and 44% Republicans. My response, if this is true, organizers definitely need to get prepared for November 2010.  That the numbers were this close because the Democrats have not gone big bold and progressive as most of us want. Well, we all know what happened and granted the process of changing policy and or making better laws are not easy or pleasant but it should not be the reason for changing your attitude or your vote solely for hating the process.  The bills that are being considered or waiting in the Senate, could improve the lives of the many rather than a select few and we need to get beyond the status quo Republicans seem to have claimed as the best way to gain back Congress. I don’t know about you but what I hear and see just makes it clear that Republicans like Speaker Boehner and Senator Mitch McConnell do not represent America… period.  We need Senator Reid to find the will not only be tough but remember this is not just a historic moment for everyone it is the opportunity to move America into the 21st Century. The people spoke in 2008 and again in 2012 with 53% voting for Barack Obama for a 2nd term. Now,  it’s time for Congress to stop acting out earn their pay and do the right thing.

The fact is while Congress ignores passing legislation the Sequester is moving into the living rooms of families all over the country … invisible to those on tv from commentary reporters or journos offering entertainment judgments advice as well as conservative politicians who we call public servants seemingly acting extreme … are bad actors

The Media continues to speculate or re-enforce the negative and mocking President Obama’s so-called improbable agenda of climate change, immigration overhaul as well as stating that Democrats are wavering on a vote that could quite possibly bring all that is Democratic down.   It is at this moment that the Democratic Party should be willing to create change that has been needed for quite some time and like the President has stated…

My question for you voters is … if not now when, because we may never get this chance for a long time if ever.

~ my 2cents ...

Reality TV …

3 Comments

is it me or is Reality Tv slowly on its way out? im thinkin it’s wishful

i admit i have watched my share of  reality tv, and felt no guilt until the ugliness of the Kate+8 came out,won’t even mention the husband’s name,it’s a situation where neither seems grown up enough to take themselves off the air waves, it’s obvious to make ends meet, kate will need to write another book, gotta say listening to her say she has done enough tv to do movies? i was rooting for her til that and her need for a 8diamond ring? wtf Kate … is she really qualified?

another character… the ex-miss or the fallen miss Cali should have known if you make a sex tape, it will get out, how clueless is she, her behavior was offensive  and if this is what conservatism is then we are all in for an America that excludes and discriminates. I don’t feel this is what the majority of Americans want. i also question if  this is really what she feels conservative family values are all about? just asking

Anyone, supposedly 21 and slightly older on the hills,  the city, planet or state are very strange to watch.  As a person of colour, the black hills offended me but then so did these other shows claiming to highlight the fashion industry, the city and businesses in their States were definitely one-sided …the fashion district HAS got to have more ppl of colour to offer the show than just the bootlegger right?

and housewives in any state should wrap their shows up and end them, these shows are clearly harmful to the reality families themselves as several are getting evicted from their homes?, dating each others spouse or exes,  jail time and several divorces have popped up and out, who wants to see this stuff, really tell me.

Black History

CONGRESS


  • Wednesday, May 15, 2013

    capitol33

    The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Wednesday, May 15, 2013.

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 10:30am with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.601, the Water Resources Development Act.  There will be up to 7 roll call votes in relation to the items listed below, in the order listed.  All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.  There will be 2 minutes of debate prior to each vote.
    • Coburn amendment #815 (beach nourishment);
    • Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects);
    • Merkley amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods);
    • Udall(NM) amendment #853 (pilot program);
    • Hoeven amendment #909 (surplus water charges);
    • Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs);
    • Passage of S.601, as amended.
    • As a reminder, at 10:30am there will be up to 7 roll call votes in relation to amendments to S.601, Water Resources Development Act, and on passage of the bill.The first vote will be the usual 15 minute vote and the remaining votes will be 10 minutes in duration. Senator Reid intends to close the votes as quickly as possible. Senators are encouraged to remain on or close to the floor during the vote series.Last week we were able to reach short time agreements on the Tavenner (CMMS) and Orrick (Northern District Judge of CA) nominations. Senator Reid intends to execute those orders later today. Senators will be notified when the votes are scheduled.
    • 10:30am votes:–           Coburn amendment #815 (beach nourishment);-           Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects);

    –           Merkley amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods);

    –           Udall(NM) amendment #853 (pilot program);

    –           Hoeven amendment #909 (surplus water charges);

    –           Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs);

    –           Passage of S.601, as amended.

    Tavenner Agreement:

    At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #92 the nomination of Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. There will be 1 hour for debate equally divided in the usual form prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

    Orrick Agreement:

    At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, there will be up to 1 hour for debate equally divided and controlled prior to a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #40, the nomination of William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California.

    • 10:35am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Coburn amendment #815 (beach replenishment);Not Agreed To: 43-53
    • 11:01am The Senate began a roll call vote on Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects);Not Agreed To: 35-61
    • The following amendments have been considered to S.601,  the Water Resources Development Act:
      • Coburn amendment #805 (Army Corps land/guns) Not Agreed to: 56-43 (60-vote threshold)
      • Whitehouse amendment #803 (oceans) Agreed to: 68-31 (60-vote threshold)
      • Boxer-Vitter substitute amendment #799 Agreed to by UC
      • Brown amendment #813, as modified (Asian carp) Agreed to: 95-0
      • Pryor amendment #801, as modified (farms) Agreed to by UC
      • Pryor amendment #806 (work-in-kind) Agreed to by UC
      • Inhofe amendment #835, with a modification to the instruction lines (rural water infrastructure projects) Agreed to by UC
      • McCain amendment #833 (levee safety programs) Agreed to by UC
      • Murray amendment #832 (cargo noncontainer) Agreed to by UC
      • Blunt amendment #800 (resilient construction techniques for extreme weather) Agreed to by UC
      • Sessions amendment #811, as modified (Tennessee Valley Authority to grant restrictions) Agreed to by UC
      • Coburn amendment #823 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission) Agreed to by UC
      • Warner amendment #873 (4 Mile Run) Agreed to by UC
      • Baucus amendment #847 Agreed to by UC
      • Boxer-Vitter amendment #899, as modified Agreed to by UC
      • Inhofe amendment #895 Agreed to by UC
      • Wicker amendment #894 Agreed to by UC
      • Inhofe amendment #867 Agreed to by UC
      • Boozman amendment #872 Agreed to by UC
      • Thune amendment #912 Agreed to by UC
      • Cornyn amendment #880 Agreed to by UC
      • Murkowski amendment #904 Agreed to by UC
      • Klobuchar amendment #884 Agreed to by UC
      • Wyden amendment #870, as modified Agreed to by UC
      • Cochran amendment #911, as modified Agreed to by UC
      • Carper amendment #882 Agreed to by UC
      • Murkowski amendment #903, as modified Agreed to by UC
      • Durbin amendment #906, as modified Agreed to by UC
      • Levin amendment #893 Agreed to by UC
      • Collins amendment #898 Agreed to by UC
      • Cardin amendment #861, as modified Agreed to by UC
      • Brown-Graham amendment #907 Agreed to by UC
      • Wyden amendment #896 Agreed to by UC
      • Inhofe amendment #797 Agreed to by UC
      • Barrasso amendment #868 Not Agreed to: 52-44
      • Sanders amendment #889 Not Agreed to: 56-40
      • Coburn amendment #815 (beach nourishment) Not Agreed To: 43-53
      • Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects) Not Agreed to: 35-61
      • Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs for military) Agreed to by voice vote
      • Merkley amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods) Agreed to: 60-36
      • Hoeven amendment #909 (surplus water charges), as modified Agreed to by voice vote
      • Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs) was agreed to by voice vote
      • 11:23am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Merkley amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods);Agreed To: 60-36
      • The Senate is in a period of morning business until 2:00pm with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.At 2:00pm today, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #40 William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; and Executive Calendar #92, Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, en bloc.The time until 4:30 pm, will be equally divided in the usual form, with Senator Baucus in control of the time from 4:15 to 4:30pm. Upon the use or yielding back of time the Senate will proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nominations in the order listed.
      • There will be two minutes for debate between the votes. The second vote be 10 minutes in length.
      • 4:30pm votes:–         Executive Calendar #40 William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; and-         Executive Calendar #92, Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
      • Senator Wyden asked unanimous consent that the Senate go to conference on the Budget resolution.Senator McConnell asked that the request be modified so that it not be in order for the Senate to consider a conference report that includes tax increases or reconciliation instructions to increase taxes or raise the debt ceiling.Senator Wyden objected to modifying the request.Senator McConnell then objected to the original request.
      • 4:38pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #40, William H. Orrick III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of CaliforniaConfirmed: 56-41
      • 5:03pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #92, Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesConfirmed: 91-7
      • Executive Calendar #92, the nomination of Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, was confirmed 91-7. Following the vote, Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.954, a bill to reauthorize agricultural programs through 2018 (the Farm bill). There will be no further roll call votes today.
      • The Senate has reached an agreement that on Monday, May 20th, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #73, S.954, the Farm bill.
      • WRAP UP FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013ROLL CALL VOTES
      • 1)      Coburn amendment #815 (beach nourishment) to S.601, the Water Resources Development Act; Not Agreed to: 43-532)      Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects); Not Agreed to: 35-613)      Merkley-Brown amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods); Agreed to: 60-364)      Passage of S.601, WRDA, as amended; Passed: 83-14

        5)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #40 William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; Confirmed: 56-41

        6)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #92, Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Confirmed: 91-7

        LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

        Adopted S.Res.142, designating May 15th, 2013, as “National MPS (Mucopolysaccharidosis) Awareness Day”.

        Completed the Rule 14 process of S.953, the Student Loan Affordability Act. (Reed)

        No additional EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action: 5/14
9:10:47 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 15, 2013.

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