Donald Pittenger writes:

Dear Blowhards:

* Michael posted here about architectural awards, including one for the restoration of the interior of Washington State's Legislative (capitol) Building. The restoration was done in conjunction with repairs and structural upgrading in response to the 28 February 2001 earthquake I mentioned here.

Said building lies but a couple hundred yards from where I work. It isn't new, construction being underway 80 years ago. I suppose I'm biased, but I consider it perhaps the best-designed of the state capitol buildings, most of which seem to sport rather anemic-looking domes.

Here are two views of the outside.

The first view is from the northeast, then second is from the south.

* It seems to be World Cup time again. That means Certain People are in white-faced panic at the thought of Englishmen at "football" matches carrying/waving/flaunting the Flag of St. George.

You see, it's all so ... nationalistic and that's, well, eeeevil!!

This is the flag of England itself, and is incorporated in the more familiar Union Flag or Union Jack (its best-known, but unofficial name).

Hope I didn't terrify you by showing it.

* Now for a quick Bleg. Nancy and I plan to be in Germany in September. I've pretty well nailed down lodging for the non-tour group part of the trip. However, I'd like to spend a night in the vicinity of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Schwaebisch Hall or perhaps a tad west. These places are a bit small for big-chain hotels, so I'm wondering if any readers know of nice hotels there that might cost 100 Euros a night or less.

Later,

Donald

My wife and I stayed in Rothenburg one night during our honeymoon tour of Europe. It was a grand old home from the turn of the 19th century...wonderful atmosphere and huge rooms. This was in 1978, so I don't know about it now. At the time it was run by an elderly couple and I'm sure they are long dead or in retirement. I checked my diary but unfortunately did not record the name of the inn. I checked my red Michelin guide and to the best of my memory I believe it was called "The Bären". It's just outside the walls of the city and is very peaceful and quiet. I hope this helps. Rothenburg itself is just wonderful.

Posted by: Charlton Griffin on June 13, 2006 8:20 PM

Donald Pittenger wrote:

That means Certain People are in white-faced panic at the thought of Englishmen at "football" matches carrying/waving/flaunting the Flag of St. George.

Well, it's a welcome break from all the high-pitched caterwauling lately about people carrying/waving/flaunting the flags of Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, etc.

Posted by: Questioner on June 14, 2006 5:51 AM

Charlton -- Thanks for the tip.

Questioner -- Plus, at matches on the Continent, those Englishmen are (often ill-mannered) tourists, not illegals.

Posted by: Donald Pittenger on June 15, 2006 4:27 PM

It's worse than that. Islamists in Britain object to the display of the Cross of St. George as a "crusader" emblem. So various wussy authorities have removed it from buildings and uniform buttons, or even banned its display by employees or customers.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3258613,00.html

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006250446,00.html

Posted by: Rich Rostrom on June 16, 2006 4:18 PM






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