V for VEXILLOLOGY

Vexillology is the "scientific study of the history, symbolism, and usage of flags. It is formally defined by the International Federation of Vexillological Associations (FIAV) constitution as "the creation and development of a body of knowledge about flags of all types, their forms and functions, and of scientific theories and principles based on that knowledge."

The term was conceived in 1957 by the U.S. scholar and vexillologist Whitney Smith and first appeared in print in 1959. It was originally considered a sub-discipline of heraldry (Smith 12), and is still occasionally seen as such. A person who studies flags is a vexillologist; a person who designs flags is a vexillographer; and any person who simply likes, admires, or enjoys flags is a vexillophile.  (wikipedia)

Here are a few flags (not all are country flags) I find aesthetically pleasing: 

Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Philippine, 

Papua New Guinea, Republic of Macedonia, Macau, New Mexico, 

Bhutan, American Samoa,  Kiribati

Kenya, Japan, Hong Kong

USA

And this I found interesting:

Real origin of the French Flag HERE

Other valuptious V_ology words

Vermeology: A discourse or treatise on worms. That part of zoology which treats of worms; helminthology.

Vinology: The study of wine and wine-making. I study the art of wine-drinking, a very indepth field of study called 'winoology'. *Hiccup*

Volcanology: Volcanology (also spelled vulcanology) is the study of volcanoes, lava, magma, and not the study of Mr. Spock--I hear Trekkies booing across the blogosphere.

Vulvology: The study of vagina, specifically, the vulva.

V is also for--VACATION!
Yes, I'm almost officially on Vacation. 
Tomorrow to be exact. 
For a little over 2 weeks. 
I'm excited, but mostly stressed out just thinking about traveling (with my kids) and taking the plane (please, please let it be a safe flight). Did I mention I'm a bit stressed about flying? No? Well, I am. Strange thing is, I've done a lot of flying in my life, but as I get older it stresses me out more. A lot. Anyway, all that to say, the rest of my posts will be pre-scheduled (assuming I didn't mess up the settings) and I'll be checking in on you guys as soon as I get to the hotel. Happy AZing!

Paris by Day in Pictures

Saturday I took the train to Paris and spent 7 hours in the city. I had two stops that I absolutely had to make, Notre Dame and Père Lachaise. After that, I spent the rest of the day power walking all over the city and racing to catch the metro. My hamstrings still hate me and I'm pretty sure I have shin splints. Love, love getting old. :P 

Walking out of the metro at 9 am to the beautiful morning rays coming up
behind Notre Dame Cathedral

Looking up the river Seine opposite Notre Dame. 

When I got to Notre Dame there was a huge temporary stage
set up to celebrate the cathedral's 850 year anniversary.  

I took this picture from the
stage seats in front of the cathedral.

Mini Alex Ninja Captain
Photo Bomb 1
(: 

A few shots inside the Gothic style cathedral and one of the many stain glass rosace.

See the café on the corner next to Notre Dame?
That was my next stop.

"Un café for me and mini ninja."

A noisette (cup of espresso with milk) at the café Aux Tours Notre Dame, cost me €3.40. At that price, not only did I drink the espresso, but I dumped the rest of my sugar in the milk and drank that too!

After coffee, I headed to l' Hôtel de Ville (City Hall).

Every year an ice rink is built in front of City Hall. 

This is them putting it in place right now, so unfortunately

I couldn't get any closer.

Holiday lights and decoration could be seen on many
buildings. Unfortunately, they didn't look like much
during the day.

Street shot

Street shot near centre Pompidou

Quick shot of the Centre Pompidou

Cemetery Père Lachaise

The tomb of Oscar Wilde

Tomb of Oscar Wilde

Père Lachaise

Père Lachaise

Street shot

Street shot

For Mark.

 Guinness Tavern on Rue des Lombards

Ninja photo bomb 2
(:

And what do ya know?
Directly across the street from the Guinness Tavern is yet another Irish pub
 and a tattoo parlor. Wonder where they get all their clients from?
I would have gone in, but they were closed on Saturdays. :P

Band playing in the streets near the Louvre.

I didn't go into the Louvre, but I did manage this shot

by pressing my camera against the acrylic glass

walls that look down into the museum's 

entrance hall.

Louvre Pyramids in the Napoleon Courtyard at the 

Palais du Louvre

Louvre

Exiting the Napoleon Courtyard and what do I see?

The Eiffel Tower! (:

Star Wars display in a fancy shop window on the rue Rivoli. 

Street shot

Very fancy English shirtmakers shop Hilditch & Key.

"Excuse me, is my room ready?"

Took a stroll in the Tuileries gardens next to the Louvre,
but it was a bit disappointing on a gloomy day in winter.
Um... am I allowed to be disappointed in Paris?

In the Tuileries gardens, every tree had these cloth
bags hanging from the branches and it's driving me
crazy not knowing what's in them or what
they are being used for. 

Place de la Concorde with Eiffel Tower in background.

♫ Cue French accordion music ♫

The Great Ferris Wheel on Place de la Concorde. 

Coming up out of the metro at Charles de Gaulle – Étoile to see

l'Arc de Triomphe.

Ninja photo bomb 3
:P

The Sphere of Hell which doesn't look that bad at all.
And then I remembered, it was lunch time and everyone
was probably eating baguette sandwiches and drinking
wine, no doubt. (:

Yes, that does say Cartier on the building next door.

Les Champs-Elysées looking down towards Place de la Concorde.
Why am I standing in the middle of the famous boulevard you ask?
So I can bring you this uneventful photograph, of course.(; 

Walkling along les Champs-Elysées.

Small neighborhood theater 

The basilica of the Sacré Coeur at Montmatre. 

Sorry wuff, this was the closest I could get to the artsy stuff. I just didn't have enough time. 

Street shot in Montmatre

And just a stones throw away from the Roman Catholic basilica,

is the sex district. Brilliant. (o_O)

It took me only a few minutes to walk from the foot of the
Sacre Coeur to the famous, Moulin Rouge.
Not what you had imagined, right?

Back on the metro for one final shot from the left bank before
heading to the train station. 

But I couldn't leave without taking a picture of my favorite museum,
the Musée d'Orsay.
*sigh*

Last shot of the Grand Ferris Wheel from the left bank.

And one last Ninja photo bomb
(-':

So, when are you coming over for a visit?

(: