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Daily Tip:
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| 90's |
| 04.12.06 (9:48 pm) [edit] |
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It's going to hit 90 this Easter weekend!
Everything is in full bloom here. Everyone with allergies is suffering. Luckily for me...couple sneezes and I'm done for the spring. The only bummer part is the cars are covered in a green pollen every morning. The humidity is just around the corner!!!
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| Spring in February |
| 02.19.06 (8:33 pm) [edit] |
Sometimes it's great to live in Columbia. The weather has been excellent the past week and during the week...it's spectacular. During the weekends, not so great. But it's better than what is pounding the NorthEast. This is a picture I took this afternoon of the (whatever type of tree it is) trees outside our apartment building. They are lovely!
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| SC odds 'n ends |
| 12.29.05 (9:06 pm) [edit] |
I bet you didn't know and probably won't remember a single one of these, but some little known things about South Carolina. These odds and ends are courtesy of the South Carolina Tourism Website.
Motto - Dum Spiro Spero (While I breathe, I hope)
Nickname - The Palmetto State
Admitted to the Union May 23, 1788 - the 8th State
Land Area 31,113 square miles - ranked 40th
Coastline - 187 miles of coastline
Highest Point - Sassafras Mountain - 3,560 feet above sea level
Lowest Point - Sea level on the coastline
Highest Waterfall - Raven Cliff Falls - 400 feet
Population About 4 million - according to the 2000 Census
South Carolina Borders Atlantic Ocean, Georgia, North Carolina
Longest River - Savannah River - 238 miles
Oldest College - College of Charleston, est. 1770
Counties - 46 counties
State Parks - 46 state parks
New State Symbols - The State Musical - The Spiritual The State Amphibian - Spotted Salamander
Largest Counties by Area 1) Horry County 1,133 square miles 2) Orangeburg County 1,105 square miles 3) Berkely County 1,099 square miles
Smallest County by Area - McCormick County
Largest County by Population (2000 census) 1) Greenville County 379,616 2) Richland County 320,677 3) Charleston County 309,969
Smallest County by Population (2000 census) McCormick County 9,958
Largest South Carolina Cities by Population (2000 census) 1) Columbia 116,278 2) Charleston 96,650 3) North Charleston 79,641 4) Greenville 56,002 5) Rock Hill 49,765
Top Agricultural Crops** 1) Tobacco 2) Cotton 3) Soybeans
Annual Visitation - 30 million visitors (2002 estimate)
Visitor Spending - $7.3 billion (2002 estimate)
How South Carolina Got Its Name
King Charles I of England granted the land on which South Carolina is located to Sir Robert Heath in 1629. The region was named Carolus, a word derived from the Latin form of Charles, in reference to King Charles. His son, King Charles II, changed the spelling of the regions name to Carolina in 1663, when he gave the land to the eight Lords Proprietors. During the 17th century the land to the south, in this grant, came to be called South Carolina and the area to the north, North Carolina. The two sections remained a single colony until they separated in 1710. The name of the land located to the south remained South Carolina.
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| Decorations |
| 12.21.05 (7:04 pm) [edit] |
I plugged the lights in for the second time last night. They look better than what I remember when we plugged them in for the first time when we put them up. I might have to plug them in more...and I'm finally wrapping presents. ugh
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| Merry Christmas Everyone! |
| 12.20.05 (7:30 pm) [edit] |
A happy Tblog Christmas to everyone out there! Hopefully the AFLAC duck won't have rescue Santa from the Chimney like he does on TV...I know my little man will be disappointed if Santa misses our house. But by the looks of all the crap laying in my closet (the stuff I'm procrastinating against wrapping right now). He was a good little boy!
Merry Christmas to all and have a safe and happy holiday.
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| The Best SC State House Grounds building |
| 11.28.05 (7:35 pm) [edit] |
In my opinion this is the best looking and best designed SC Gov't building (Excluding the Capital).
I apologize for any washed out look this picture has. My DELL laptop is getting worse by the day. It may be time to retire this beast and move on...I'm off subject here. This is the Wade Hampton building directly behind the Capital. It has a classy beautiful design and a person just feels respect for the surroundings when looking at it. My hats off to whomever designed it. Good Job!
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| African American Monument on SC State House Grounds |
| 11.22.05 (8:03 pm) [edit] |
The African American monument is a recent addition to the grounds. Erected right around 2000, this monument has endured some interesting stories. Needless to say, it is a good commemoration and the artist deserves some recognition.
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| State House Statue |
| 11.19.05 (6:32 pm) [edit] |
The father of our country honored on the front steps of the SC State House. As you can see, there's a boat load of steps to get up to the door behind the statue! :)
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| Cannonball Scar |
| 11.13.05 (7:41 pm) [edit] |
Well when you are a slacker like myself it only takes a few weeks to post a picture that is sitting on your computer ready to post. Here is one of the six markings where cannonballs hit the South Carolina State House during Sherman's assault. All six markings are on the West side of the State House facing West Columbia. Since Sherman was setup across the river in West Columbia, the West side took the beating.
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| The SC State House |
| 10.28.05 (5:28 pm) [edit] |
This old girl has survived a lot. The construction was first started around the Civil War or known down here as the War of Northern Aggression. :) A few years back, the State House under went an extensive renovation. It took several years and of course there was public backlash on the cost. But folks, it was well worth it. This old girl has never looked so fine. The interior (which I cannot show you, you will need to visit it yourself) is absolutely gorgeous. Pre-renovation the interior was dark and uninviting. I guess government was supposed to be scary. But now, the interior is bright and happy. You feel invited to walk around and check out both chambers of the house and stare down the hallways to see if you can catch a glimpse of the Gov or Lt. Gov. It is a beautiful site.
The exterior has survived battles itself. During the Civil War, Gen. Sherman setup shop across the river and shot cannons at the State House, while it was being constructed, trying to destroy it. There are six markers on the exterior marking where cannonballs hit the exterior. It is an amazing site and recommend if your in the area. Walk around and enjoy the Grounds and the House.
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| Collard Festival |
| 09.11.05 (6:17 pm) [edit] |
I can't believe I forgot to bring my camera to this, but I did. The weather has finally cooled down and it was a beautiful weekend. The mighty Gaston, SC Collard Festival was in full swing this weekend. The parade started out typical. All the local politicians riding in cars tossing out candy. By about the 10th car, I didn't think this sort of thought could go through a kids head. But I heard several kids say and I quote, "I have too much candy!" Heck I don't even say that now in my wonderous third decade.
But luckily the parade did not disappoint. There were the rebels flags, dirt bikes and Harleys, along with a few properly raised vehicles.
I attended this function with my beautiful wife and loving family and while I was away changing our son's diaper. She had the pleasure of chatting with some locals. To our amazement the ride total this year had quadrupled! I know you are thinking WOW. But slow down, it went from 1 to 4. :) At least the traditional kiddie ride, the twirling berries made the trip. Yep I rode it with my step-son and he had a blast.
The food was pretty good. We believe it was served by my wife's old bosses family. We reckon he is related to the majority of the town, so our belief is pretty accurate. I'm not a fan of these collard things, but I took a couple forkfuls and a bit surprised. Not at all what I was expecting for taste. Then the third fork hit me, massive vinegar. BLECK! That ended it right there. I ate the sweet potatoes and black-eyed peas and called it quits.
It was fun. We have a bunch of candy. A little reddness from the sun and a worthwhile trip. With luck another adventure is coming up soon and I'll remember my camera for this one!
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| rain has stalled me |
| 07.09.05 (7:01 pm) [edit] |
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I'm sorry I haven't posted any pictures recently. Every weekend it rains and that puts a crimp in my postings. I have some really awesome photos to post, but I don't have a scanner to scan and post them. I'm hoping monsoon season will move to M-Th instead of F-Sun and I can get out roadtripping and snap a bunch of pictures.
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| get back here! |
| 06.16.05 (5:58 pm) [edit] |
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| Closer...a little closer |
| 06.14.05 (3:25 pm) [edit] |
Come just a bit closer...a little closer...
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| All the better to hear you with |
| 06.12.05 (7:26 pm) [edit] |
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| Gorilla Hide and Seek |
| 06.11.05 (10:46 am) [edit] |
The gorillas at the zoo here in Columbia are a riot. They will run around and entertain the crowd. The kids love it and occasionally you will get a full moon back at ya!
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| more rain today |
| 06.10.05 (1:59 pm) [edit] |
I wish could post a picture today, but yet again it has rained today. That makes about 100 days in a row of solid rain. Yeah I may be exaggerating, but it sure feels like its been 100 days since the sun last shown. Of course I'm not complaining because it is June and damn it's about to get hotter. (Another storm is on the way for the wkd!)
I'm going to dig through the archives and see what I have to put up in the meantime.
Sorry everyone...
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| For the Shoppers |
| 06.06.05 (7:21 pm) [edit] |
For the shoppers of the world and yes, this includes me. I visit the Apple Store everytime I go and check out Camp Snoopy and Legoland. They are amazing. For the shoppers, 4 floors of stores that you just don't need to visit. A perfect date place! :)
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| Main St., #5 |
| 06.04.05 (8:51 pm) [edit] |
The Columbia Museum of Art is a recent addition to Main St. It's a nice square building but at least it has a fancy atrium. The Museum has been significant to the downtown revitalization and is definitely worth a check out. The first Sunday of every month is free...check it then.
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| Main St., #4 |
| 06.02.05 (7:50 pm) [edit] |
A wonderfully restored 2nd & 3rd floor office building with the old fashioned jewelry on the 1st floor. This place has some sweet Rolex's inside. Right outside this building on the street corner is the previous post's corner clock. Both just fit together... If the owner's ever decided to convert the offices into Flats and sell them. I'd be first in line.
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| Main St., #3 |
| 05.31.05 (7:26 pm) [edit] |
The street corner clock next to the old fashioned downtown jewelry store. I used to walk by this everyday and even though I knew what time it was. I always checked this clock to see if it was working right. (great coffee house two stores down from the clock)
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| Main St., #2 |
| 05.30.05 (10:32 am) [edit] |
This is an original latern, now converted to a bulb-based light, from the Palmetto Building. I'm hoping in the restoration/conversion that these laterns outside the building will be turned into gas burning. *fingers crossed*
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| Main St. |
| 05.29.05 (8:10 am) [edit] |
I'm kicking off a week long series of pictures from Main St Columbia SC. Hopefully everyday I'll post a new picture that will highlight a piece of art or an interesting building on Main st. I'm hoping this is the first of a series I'm going to try and do. I plan to expand beyond Columbia very soon!
Facade from the Palmetto Building. This Historic building is undergoing renovations and will convert from offices to a hotel/aparments. This is probably the best architectural building on main.
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| A sign spring is about over |
| 05.22.05 (11:53 am) [edit] |
The absolutely beautiful magnolia trees outside my apartment are in full bloom. They are beautiful and smell just wonderful. It will be a sad sight to see the buds fall to the ground, why? That means summer is just around the corner and 90+ temps w/90+ humidity is in store.
Some day when I get a nice little house of my own, I'm going to fill the yard with magnolias. I love them!!!
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| The Sky Cried Today |
| 05.19.05 (7:41 pm) [edit] |
I am told by a sweet little boy that the sky was crying because the clouds were playing and one of them lost. That is why it rained it today. It was great.
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