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Friday, September 30, 2005
A Bit Neglected
I don't know which was better: trying to catch up with events to be blogged, or trying to think of something to blog about. I said I'd comment on the recent three weeks in Europe. So, I probably should pick my favourite place. I'm not sure I can do that though.
The trip contained many have to see sights and sites. Probably the elevator from the second platform to the top of the Eiffel Tower would make the cut. But travelling is more than the things you can take a picture of. It's the little things that broaden perspectives. One sees more out there, so there's more to which one can relate. An example is how Jay and I can now refer to something using personalized jargon.
We were quite impressed by London's Underground system. Yet, we felt the line we needed to take to the place where we stayed for five nights was the most neglected tube line. Compared to the other, more beautifully-designed and better-maintained lines, the District Line seemed a bit overlooked. The trains were slower and older. The stations dirtier and less modern.
So, now when say something is like the 'District Line' we are trying to suggest it deserves more attention than it is receiving.
The trip contained many have to see sights and sites. Probably the elevator from the second platform to the top of the Eiffel Tower would make the cut. But travelling is more than the things you can take a picture of. It's the little things that broaden perspectives. One sees more out there, so there's more to which one can relate. An example is how Jay and I can now refer to something using personalized jargon.
We were quite impressed by London's Underground system. Yet, we felt the line we needed to take to the place where we stayed for five nights was the most neglected tube line. Compared to the other, more beautifully-designed and better-maintained lines, the District Line seemed a bit overlooked. The trains were slower and older. The stations dirtier and less modern.
So, now when say something is like the 'District Line' we are trying to suggest it deserves more attention than it is receiving.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Take a Little, Give a Little
I may spend a few days discussing our recent trip to Western Europe. I will add just a little theme, thought, or idea prompted by the travels. Yet on this first opportunity, I would love to offer thanks.I am very grateful to people who left open unsecured, WiFi access for me during my trip to Europe. With the small amount of bandwidth offered me, I was able to upload a photo to Flickr, check email, and add an entry here each day.
Carrying around a notebook computer is useful as long as access to the Internet is possible. With the spotty coverage of 'pay for' options, public access to personal broadband was a Godsend. This situation has forced me reconsider how I've set up my wireless router. I may go ahead and make it public. There are system logs, so if I find a neighbour abusing my generosity, I can add WEP again.
I might suggest that if you live near a park, budget hotel, or public area, sharing a little of your fixed cost Internet might make visitors to your area very happy!
Labels: Flickr (Page 1), Q3_2005
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Back in New Westminster
This was taken this morning on the Gatwick Express out of Victoria Station in London. It's now 5:04 and this is being posted from western Canada. There have been eight extra hours to the day though.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, Q3_2005
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Last of London
It's our last day in London and the final day of our trip. It doesn't seem possible that we've been away almost three weeks. Tomorrow, we'll get up around 5:00 am so we can get to Victoria Station early enough to catch the Gatwick Express to the airport. Then, it'll be 10 hours home because, unlike our flight out, this stops in Calgary.
Today, we had a few more things on the list to do. We started by finding Harrod's and walking around the floors pretending we were like the people stupid enough to waste their money on items with impressive brand names. I picked up a single set of sheets that boasted a price of 195 Pounds. Since that is nearly Canadian $450, they never be on any bed that I sleep on.
As we were looking for a Tube station, we happened by the Victoria and Albert Museum. It was a great because of such an eclectic collection of objects and arts. Modern shows are included to keep things up to date. The best thing is that the admission is free. We've spent a Queen's random to see her stuff on this stay.
We also walked darned near all around Hyde Park. It probably was only a few miles but it seemed at least 300. We saw a tiny little sign pointing to the Princess Diana Memorial. It's surely not an attraction set up for ready attraction. We ended up getting around to Piccadilly Circus for lunch at around 3 o'clock.
Although we popped back to our area which is one stop past Ravenscourt, we plan to go back downtown this evening just to see the Parliament area of the Thames at night.
Today, we had a few more things on the list to do. We started by finding Harrod's and walking around the floors pretending we were like the people stupid enough to waste their money on items with impressive brand names. I picked up a single set of sheets that boasted a price of 195 Pounds. Since that is nearly Canadian $450, they never be on any bed that I sleep on.
As we were looking for a Tube station, we happened by the Victoria and Albert Museum. It was a great because of such an eclectic collection of objects and arts. Modern shows are included to keep things up to date. The best thing is that the admission is free. We've spent a Queen's random to see her stuff on this stay.
We also walked darned near all around Hyde Park. It probably was only a few miles but it seemed at least 300. We saw a tiny little sign pointing to the Princess Diana Memorial. It's surely not an attraction set up for ready attraction. We ended up getting around to Piccadilly Circus for lunch at around 3 o'clock.
Although we popped back to our area which is one stop past Ravenscourt, we plan to go back downtown this evening just to see the Parliament area of the Thames at night.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, London, Q3_2005
Monday, September 26, 2005
... And All That Jazz
Although I had no desire to get out of bed this morning, by the end of the day I had conquered my flu. After breakfast in our 'hospital' accommodations, we went downtown by Underground. I mention hospital not because of any reference to my own health. I mentioned that we were staying at Globetrotter Inn, a semi-hostel for people of all ages. Well before the middle of the last century the building was a center for local community health care. After a lot of refits, it makes a perfect residence away from home.
First, we went near the Tower Bridge and walked about.
After, while walking near Leicester Square we couldn't help but notice all the places selling show tickets, all seemingly at half price! We went right to the real TCKTS and decided on the evening showing of Chicago, the Musical.
I was rather tired so after a really late lunch we went back to the Globetrotter and I slept for a few hours.
Feeling much better after the sleep,we went back to Charing Cross and were there well in advance of the 8:00 pm show. It was marvelous. You'll never guess who played the role of the prison warden; it was Lynda Carter! Wonder Woman looked wonderful after all these years. We made some soup in our hostel kitchen after getting back at 11:20. I'll be dreaming about and all that jazz ... all night.
First, we went near the Tower Bridge and walked about.
After, while walking near Leicester Square we couldn't help but notice all the places selling show tickets, all seemingly at half price! We went right to the real TCKTS and decided on the evening showing of Chicago, the Musical.
I was rather tired so after a really late lunch we went back to the Globetrotter and I slept for a few hours.
Feeling much better after the sleep,we went back to Charing Cross and were there well in advance of the 8:00 pm show. It was marvelous. You'll never guess who played the role of the prison warden; it was Lynda Carter! Wonder Woman looked wonderful after all these years. We made some soup in our hostel kitchen after getting back at 11:20. I'll be dreaming about and all that jazz ... all night.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, London, musical theatre, Q3_2005
Sunday, September 25, 2005
What, No Tea?
The first thing I noticed this morning was how sore my throat was. I guess while travelling around, in close quarters, someone has provided me with a virus to fight. That's not a souvenir that one likes collecting when abroad. The next irritant was it looked dark and cloudy.
Still, we jumped back to a tube train to Buckingham Palace. Although, we wandered by yesterday, today we went in for closer inspection. The State Rooms are open to the public for eight weeks of the summer. They close on the 27th so we made it just in time. Handheld electronic devices have really helped the museum and tour business. We were turned to English from the multitude of those offered, and proceeded to tour the palace. If proceeding at a snail's pace it's easy to follow along. Pause buttons make it possible to linger any place along the way. There were many objects where one could interrupt the audio commentary and by pressing the number mentioned hear auxiliary clips and explanations. Not only are these systems more complete and accessible, they are much cheaper than hiring tour guides. Even though, the Palace seemed stuffed to the gills with staff to ensure no one got out of line.
The sun had come out with puffy white clouds floating in it. As we are still on our passes, we jumped in and out of the Underground a lot today; once, to eat at Earl's Court. Another time, we simply wanted to check out the location of the Tower of London before going there tomorrow.
I'm early here resting. Jay's still checking out the scene.
Still, we jumped back to a tube train to Buckingham Palace. Although, we wandered by yesterday, today we went in for closer inspection. The State Rooms are open to the public for eight weeks of the summer. They close on the 27th so we made it just in time. Handheld electronic devices have really helped the museum and tour business. We were turned to English from the multitude of those offered, and proceeded to tour the palace. If proceeding at a snail's pace it's easy to follow along. Pause buttons make it possible to linger any place along the way. There were many objects where one could interrupt the audio commentary and by pressing the number mentioned hear auxiliary clips and explanations. Not only are these systems more complete and accessible, they are much cheaper than hiring tour guides. Even though, the Palace seemed stuffed to the gills with staff to ensure no one got out of line.
The sun had come out with puffy white clouds floating in it. As we are still on our passes, we jumped in and out of the Underground a lot today; once, to eat at Earl's Court. Another time, we simply wanted to check out the location of the Tower of London before going there tomorrow.
I'm early here resting. Jay's still checking out the scene.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, London, Q3_2005
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Where to Stay?
(Jump to Sunday the 25th.) The Globetrotter's Inn is sort of a spin on a hostel for mature folks. We read about it in the travel section of the Vancouver Sun this fall. It's sort of the way that Jay and I travel anyway. It's not lack of funds that keeps us from staying in a Hilton. Well ... the funds are a definite part, but more importantly, it's avoiding the boring, sameness of chains. Why would someone wish to go to a standardized hotel room that appears the same as hundreds of thousands all over the world. It's nice to know you're not at home when travelling.
Anyway, I was just starting to say about the breakfast buffet at the place we're in. It's sort of a fun, communal way of starting the day. You get a chance to see and at minimum, say 'Good Morning' to the fellow guests.
The morning proved to be sunny. The sky was blue so our first chore was to go up in it. We bought 3-day passes on the Underground and popped out at the London Eye this morning a half an hour before many of the other tourists did. It was beautiful and I'm awed by engineering enough to have enjoyed it merely for the mechanical aspects.
London city seems small and easily 'walkable'. Combine that and our passes and we've chosen to forgo the bus tour and explore on our own. We ended up at Piccadilly Circle. We ate lunch there but didn't end up at a matinee performance of any show. I'd love to see Phantom of the Opera though.
Tonight, we're keeping close to home, so we can get up early and do some more exploration bright and early tomorrow.
Anyway, I was just starting to say about the breakfast buffet at the place we're in. It's sort of a fun, communal way of starting the day. You get a chance to see and at minimum, say 'Good Morning' to the fellow guests.
The morning proved to be sunny. The sky was blue so our first chore was to go up in it. We bought 3-day passes on the Underground and popped out at the London Eye this morning a half an hour before many of the other tourists did. It was beautiful and I'm awed by engineering enough to have enjoyed it merely for the mechanical aspects.
London city seems small and easily 'walkable'. Combine that and our passes and we've chosen to forgo the bus tour and explore on our own. We ended up at Piccadilly Circle. We ate lunch there but didn't end up at a matinee performance of any show. I'd love to see Phantom of the Opera though.
Tonight, we're keeping close to home, so we can get up early and do some more exploration bright and early tomorrow.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, London, Q3_2005
Friday, September 23, 2005
Metro, Bus, Ferry, Bus, and Underground
You know how some things can go very smoothly and come off without a hitch. That sort of describes today. Getting up early was not nearly as hard as I would have expected. You have to remember that by 'early' I mean just a bit before 7:30. We ate. We checked out and walked right to one Metro line at Republic Square. Within 15 minutes we'd departed at the end of the line which led right into the Euroline bus station. We had to wait about a half hour before leaving Paris. It was like clockwork.
The bus was big and comfortable. It also headed for Chalis and a ferry crossing to the English coast. On the ferry we had a great, late lunch and then walked around the ferry a bit before we headed past the white cliffs of Dover and into the port. Our bus was stopped by customs for a check, but even that went without incident.
We got into London a bit late, but we had made reservations at Globetrotter Inn, the only of our trip, before we left Canada. So, we knew there was a room waiting. From Victoria Station we got the District Line to Stamford Book and proceeded right into our room. We grabbed fast food and were quite tired. But, it was a perfect day in many respects.
The bus was big and comfortable. It also headed for Chalis and a ferry crossing to the English coast. On the ferry we had a great, late lunch and then walked around the ferry a bit before we headed past the white cliffs of Dover and into the port. Our bus was stopped by customs for a check, but even that went without incident.
We got into London a bit late, but we had made reservations at Globetrotter Inn, the only of our trip, before we left Canada. So, we knew there was a room waiting. From Victoria Station we got the District Line to Stamford Book and proceeded right into our room. We grabbed fast food and were quite tired. But, it was a perfect day in many respects.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, London, Paris, Q3_2005
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Mona's Smile
We saved the Louvre for our last day here. I've never walked this much in my life. Even though we're learning the Metro routes, we must've walked three or four kilometers just inside the museum. The Egyptian holdings are very large which helps explain the French accents used by archaeologists in Hollywood movies. The logistics of moving so many visitors through so many objects was superb. We even splurges for a sit-down lunch of salmon; whether it was from BC, I don't know.
We didn't finish the museum until nearly three o'clock. Then, we walked down through the Tuileries towards the Arc de Triomphe. It was miles away, but I love Paris because of it's grand layout. Capitalism benefits consumers but when citizens leave city planning to market forces, they end up with a mess. Nature is random but the greatness of cities comes from straight lines!
Tonight we pack up early. We have to get out of bed earlier than we have been recently. Eurobus suggests getting to the station an hour before our 10:00 am start.
I hope to ride around on double-decker busses and give my poor tennis shoes a great in London.
We didn't finish the museum until nearly three o'clock. Then, we walked down through the Tuileries towards the Arc de Triomphe. It was miles away, but I love Paris because of it's grand layout. Capitalism benefits consumers but when citizens leave city planning to market forces, they end up with a mess. Nature is random but the greatness of cities comes from straight lines!
Tonight we pack up early. We have to get out of bed earlier than we have been recently. Eurobus suggests getting to the station an hour before our 10:00 am start.
I hope to ride around on double-decker busses and give my poor tennis shoes a great in London.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, Paris, Q3_2005
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Mountain Climbing
We hit Sacre-Coeur du Montmartre this morning. It was nice seeing the part of town that was mountainous. In the evening we walked down the Champs Elysees. When I become a multi-millionaire, I'll make sure I have a shop on that avenue.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, mountains, Paris, Q3_2005
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Mid-Course Correction
We had only booked to stay in our second hotel here for two nights. We decided to change scenery by staying more 'uptown' for the last two nights. Unfortunately, they didn't have an opening for tonight. This is still busy season in Europe and this meant our hotel couldn't find a place for us tonight. We were without a place to stay so, Jay went out 'hunting' in our area but across from one main street. We're in Luna Park Hotel. It's very cheap as it doesn't have an elevator and we have to walk up to the third floor on a tiring, winding staircase. Still the window looks out onto a little place where three or four lanes come together each filled with traditional little shops. It's fine.
In the morning, we will pack up and walk a few streets north for our remaining two nights in Paris. Speaking of remaining time, we'd heard that North Station was the location for the departures of Eurostar to London. How fun it would be to race through the Chunnel, we thought. So, we went to the station to purchase ahead for Friday. It was a bit shocking to hear it would cost us more than E500, or about $750.00 Canadian to go one way! We decided it would be even MORE FUN to take a bus as the per price ticket was only E61 or $90.00 Canadian instead. The trip will last from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm rather than the train's time of less than two hours. It will be much better being able to see actual scenery. Isn't it strange how cost can change one's idea of fun?
Today we also did a bit of exploring by subway. The three-day, unlimited tourist pass tickets will finish at midnight. I like Paris. I also don't feel so embarrassed for Manhattan because of the rat-warren den of its subway stations.
In the morning, we will pack up and walk a few streets north for our remaining two nights in Paris. Speaking of remaining time, we'd heard that North Station was the location for the departures of Eurostar to London. How fun it would be to race through the Chunnel, we thought. So, we went to the station to purchase ahead for Friday. It was a bit shocking to hear it would cost us more than E500, or about $750.00 Canadian to go one way! We decided it would be even MORE FUN to take a bus as the per price ticket was only E61 or $90.00 Canadian instead. The trip will last from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm rather than the train's time of less than two hours. It will be much better being able to see actual scenery. Isn't it strange how cost can change one's idea of fun?
Today we also did a bit of exploring by subway. The three-day, unlimited tourist pass tickets will finish at midnight. I like Paris. I also don't feel so embarrassed for Manhattan because of the rat-warren den of its subway stations.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, Paris, Q3_2005
Monday, September 19, 2005
Heights and Lights
Today was. I'm writing at 10:22 happily but with feet that hurt. We did lots of things in Paris today. We started by finding another hotel but unfortunately can't check in until the day after tomorrow. There's nothing much wrong with this one other than the below-standard towels and lack of WiFi.
We went back to the Eiffel Tower first. Yesterday, we walked around it but today we wanted to go up it. Although there were fewer people in the area, only one 'leg' of the tower was open. In total we waited an hour and a half. There are two 'stages' and then the 'top'. We went directly to the second platform by an escalator that runs at an angle up a leg. We spent some time there before taking an elevator. The way I was positioned, I wasn't aligned with a support. I am not usually afraid of height, but I was a bit unnerved! There only appeared a spider-web of steel beams which didn't look as if they offered a place to stand. Yikes. The view was much greater than it looked from the bottom.
From there, we travelled to the Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomph. We also popped out at various Metro stations just to look around. This was how we saw the National Museum of Music as well as the Opera area.
We rode back out to the Eiffel Tower after dark just to see how it looks at night. Jay was correct in insisting that we stay to the turn of the hour. The strobe lights started at 9:00.
We had dinner and now it's time to call it a day.
We went back to the Eiffel Tower first. Yesterday, we walked around it but today we wanted to go up it. Although there were fewer people in the area, only one 'leg' of the tower was open. In total we waited an hour and a half. There are two 'stages' and then the 'top'. We went directly to the second platform by an escalator that runs at an angle up a leg. We spent some time there before taking an elevator. The way I was positioned, I wasn't aligned with a support. I am not usually afraid of height, but I was a bit unnerved! There only appeared a spider-web of steel beams which didn't look as if they offered a place to stand. Yikes. The view was much greater than it looked from the bottom.
From there, we travelled to the Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomph. We also popped out at various Metro stations just to look around. This was how we saw the National Museum of Music as well as the Opera area.
We rode back out to the Eiffel Tower after dark just to see how it looks at night. Jay was correct in insisting that we stay to the turn of the hour. The strobe lights started at 9:00.
We had dinner and now it's time to call it a day.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, Paris, Q3_2005
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Paris Orientation
As soon as we got up, we remembered we hadn't bought breakfast as part of our stay at the hotel. We walked a block or two around the hotel area and didn't find anything we thought would suffice and went back in to get the 6E50 breakfast at the hotel.
We also thought we might be able to do Euro 14.00 cheaper at a hotel right next door and therefore packed up. We later brought the bags there at only 9:00 am. We left them downstairs as the room wasn't guaranteed to be free until 2:00 pm.
We initially thought we'd do a tourist bus to get our general orientation. Then after waiting we decided to check to see if Metro had tourist fares. We instead got 3-day unlimited passes for 18 Euros. We tried them out by going to the Eiffel Tower. What fantastic weather! We couldn't have ordered it any better.
Later in the afternoon we went back to Notre Dame by subway. One final trip was out to Place de Clichy. Wouldn't you know, there really is a Moulin Rouge!
We also thought we might be able to do Euro 14.00 cheaper at a hotel right next door and therefore packed up. We later brought the bags there at only 9:00 am. We left them downstairs as the room wasn't guaranteed to be free until 2:00 pm.
We initially thought we'd do a tourist bus to get our general orientation. Then after waiting we decided to check to see if Metro had tourist fares. We instead got 3-day unlimited passes for 18 Euros. We tried them out by going to the Eiffel Tower. What fantastic weather! We couldn't have ordered it any better.
Later in the afternoon we went back to Notre Dame by subway. One final trip was out to Place de Clichy. Wouldn't you know, there really is a Moulin Rouge!
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, Paris, Q3_2005
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Bonjour, Paris.
(Jump to Sunday the 18th.) Today ate leisurely knowing that we'd chosen a 12:32 train into Paris. There was even a good, thorough BBC documentary on the implications of American Rap or Hip Hop music. Whereas, MSNBC runs around asking people's opinions of the 60th anniversary of the UN. Let me tell you, most ordinary people don't have opinions worth broadcasting.
Rolling through the French countryside was interesting. There was much more farm land than I'd envisioned. I guess I think Europe should be more widely populated as it's been here so long.
We arrived right on time at Glace d'est at around 4:12. Luckily one of the areas that Jay had written down was only a few Metro stops away from the station. We're one station down from Place de Republique at Oberkampf. It was easy to get to this area. We then walked and stayed at the second hotel we asked about. It was small. The prices here are a bit more reasonable than what we have seen so far in Europe. Still I'm spending Euros as if they were Canadian dollars. C'est la vie!
We managed to walk to Notre Dame before sunset. The map of Paris maps things look like a hop and a skip; however, my feet are killing me after that JOURNEY.
Rolling through the French countryside was interesting. There was much more farm land than I'd envisioned. I guess I think Europe should be more widely populated as it's been here so long.
We arrived right on time at Glace d'est at around 4:12. Luckily one of the areas that Jay had written down was only a few Metro stops away from the station. We're one station down from Place de Republique at Oberkampf. It was easy to get to this area. We then walked and stayed at the second hotel we asked about. It was small. The prices here are a bit more reasonable than what we have seen so far in Europe. Still I'm spending Euros as if they were Canadian dollars. C'est la vie!
We managed to walk to Notre Dame before sunset. The map of Paris maps things look like a hop and a skip; however, my feet are killing me after that JOURNEY.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, Paris, Q3_2005
Friday, September 16, 2005
Double Decker
It was grey and cloudy when we got up. We wanted the 'official' tour of the city, so we bought tickets to the tour bus. Just like in other Brussels, we pressed ENGLISH from the nine or so other choices and slipped on the free headsets. I seem to remember college kids had these jobs once upon a time. Now, we've forsaken the fun for efficiency.
The tour was around an hour. We, again, took the 'second story' and shivered although covered in the front section by a roof. The rain continued. As the tickets were valid for 24 hours, we did the same trip in the afternoon. This time I had on a proper sweatshirt and the sun eventually broke out.
It was nice to have a short nap today. We changed hotels from yesterday. That was the very first thing we did in the morning. The room was fine Hotel Zurich but there was a nightclub close and we had a room over the front street. I didn't sleep soundly for the whole night. We have a smaller but quieter room at Hotel Bristol now. Yet, only for tonight.
Tomorrow we will go to Paris. We even bought the tickets ahead. The 12:15 train arrives at around 4:00 there. Hopefully, after we get all settled, I'll find a place to upload the missing photos and these words.
The tour was around an hour. We, again, took the 'second story' and shivered although covered in the front section by a roof. The rain continued. As the tickets were valid for 24 hours, we did the same trip in the afternoon. This time I had on a proper sweatshirt and the sun eventually broke out.
It was nice to have a short nap today. We changed hotels from yesterday. That was the very first thing we did in the morning. The room was fine Hotel Zurich but there was a nightclub close and we had a room over the front street. I didn't sleep soundly for the whole night. We have a smaller but quieter room at Hotel Bristol now. Yet, only for tonight.
Tomorrow we will go to Paris. We even bought the tickets ahead. The 12:15 train arrives at around 4:00 there. Hopefully, after we get all settled, I'll find a place to upload the missing photos and these words.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, Q3_2005
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Except for the Castles
Today, after getting up from our basement suite at the hotel, we packed and went to the train station. We bought a locker for the bags. Then, we did a final walk around the river front of Frankfurt.
For a large majority of day we followed the Rhine river on our way to Luxembourg. It was a very beautiful ride. I have always thought in my travels how everybody thinks of their location as nice, beautiful, or even as "God's country". In actuality, lots of geographically-separated areas share common appearances. I saw the rolling hills of Vermont today. I saw meadows that could've been in the American midwest. I saw vast areas that reminded me of the Okanagan region of BC and Washington State. The common castle on top of the hills reminded me I was on a different place on the globe. That, along with the buildings of the towns and the languages being spoken on the train.
We got to Luxembourg in plenty of time to check in and walk around the city. This is smaller that other places we've stayed. It's cute.
For a large majority of day we followed the Rhine river on our way to Luxembourg. It was a very beautiful ride. I have always thought in my travels how everybody thinks of their location as nice, beautiful, or even as "God's country". In actuality, lots of geographically-separated areas share common appearances. I saw the rolling hills of Vermont today. I saw meadows that could've been in the American midwest. I saw vast areas that reminded me of the Okanagan region of BC and Washington State. The common castle on top of the hills reminded me I was on a different place on the globe. That, along with the buildings of the towns and the languages being spoken on the train.
We got to Luxembourg in plenty of time to check in and walk around the city. This is smaller that other places we've stayed. It's cute.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, Q3_2005, road trip, train
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Train Drain
We figured that we'd done Brussels and it was time to move on. We got up, ate breakfast, and walked down the hill to the North Station. We had looked at a map and decided we were ahead of our own schedule which exists only in our heads. We didn't need to run to Luxembourg. Therefore, the map showed that Frankfurt, Germany wasn't too far away.
If you've got the cash, travel by train is a snap. We had to go into Cologne, Germany to catch an ICE train to Frankfurt. It's probably the fastest I've ever travelled on land. It's too bad that rail doesn't make sense in North America. You'd think, now that air travel is such a burden due to security that some routes would work. How about a Montreal --> Boston --> Hartford --> NYC --> Washington DC high-speed line?
We got into Frankfurt in the late afternoon. Wouldn't you know there's an automotive exhibition going on. Hotel rooms are more than double normal prices. We're paying more than I care to convert to Canadian dollars. Plastic will hold everything until we can sort out back in Vancouver at the end of the month. Just gimme another German beer.
If you've got the cash, travel by train is a snap. We had to go into Cologne, Germany to catch an ICE train to Frankfurt. It's probably the fastest I've ever travelled on land. It's too bad that rail doesn't make sense in North America. You'd think, now that air travel is such a burden due to security that some routes would work. How about a Montreal --> Boston --> Hartford --> NYC --> Washington DC high-speed line?
We got into Frankfurt in the late afternoon. Wouldn't you know there's an automotive exhibition going on. Hotel rooms are more than double normal prices. We're paying more than I care to convert to Canadian dollars. Plastic will hold everything until we can sort out back in Vancouver at the end of the month. Just gimme another German beer.
Labels: beer and wine, Brussels, Eurotrip 2005, Q3_2005, train
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Bus About
We had a fine breakfast at this hotel. We're staying in the Hotel Albert. Right after, we walked down to the North Station and took the Metro to Central Station. There were competing companies offering city tours. We got on the upper, open deck of a bus. It had audio commentary through headphones. We just had to select English from a list of many. The tour was designed with 10 stops where you could hop off. We didn't and were on the bus for more than an hour and a half.
We ate lunch down near the area in yesterday's photo. I'm still full. We spent the afternoon sightseeing.
Belgium is an interesting place. Around 40% of the population speak French and a larger number Dutch. As we are staying in the north quarter, we also hear a lot of Arabic and Turkish on the street. The country considers itself the capital of Europe. Except for its chocolate, lace, waffles, and beer, I think knowledge of Belgium is a bit low key.
We ate lunch down near the area in yesterday's photo. I'm still full. We spent the afternoon sightseeing.
Belgium is an interesting place. Around 40% of the population speak French and a larger number Dutch. As we are staying in the north quarter, we also hear a lot of Arabic and Turkish on the street. The country considers itself the capital of Europe. Except for its chocolate, lace, waffles, and beer, I think knowledge of Belgium is a bit low key.
Labels: Brussels, Eurotrip 2005, Q3_2005
Monday, September 12, 2005
Belgium or Bust
These entries aren't too insightful. It's more difficult than I thought to distill the events of a trip while it is going on. Maybe the paper journal I kept in Sri Lanka last year worked more efficiently. I don't know.
Today we left the Netherlands. We went to Amsterdam's Central Station and bought tickets to Brussels, Belgium. On the map it looked so far, but in a train marked as International, it didn't take long. We disembarked in less than three hours. I love flying along on rail. It's a real shame that rail doesn't seem to work in North America.
We came to this city without any reservations or plans. Wouldn't you know there is another international exposition that is filling all the hotel rooms. Well, not exactly all as we managed to get one for tonight. I don't know if we'll be able to extend here or have to look elsewhere.
My feet are tired as we walked around Grand Place which is very far from where we're staying. It was very cute and almost magical in a Disney sort of way. Food and most things seem cheaper here than in Holland. We ate in one of many Turkish restaurants for lunch. They gave so much food we just did sandwiches for dinner.
Today we left the Netherlands. We went to Amsterdam's Central Station and bought tickets to Brussels, Belgium. On the map it looked so far, but in a train marked as International, it didn't take long. We disembarked in less than three hours. I love flying along on rail. It's a real shame that rail doesn't seem to work in North America.
We came to this city without any reservations or plans. Wouldn't you know there is another international exposition that is filling all the hotel rooms. Well, not exactly all as we managed to get one for tonight. I don't know if we'll be able to extend here or have to look elsewhere.
My feet are tired as we walked around Grand Place which is very far from where we're staying. It was very cute and almost magical in a Disney sort of way. Food and most things seem cheaper here than in Holland. We ate in one of many Turkish restaurants for lunch. They gave so much food we just did sandwiches for dinner.
Labels: Brussels, Eurotrip 2005, Q3_2005, train
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Making Tracks
Tonight's the second evening that I'm writing and saving as a text file. As soon as we moved to the upgraded room, I lost the free internet connection. I'm still getting several but they are secure.
Last night we finished Amsterdam by walking around most of it. The famous 'red light' district was pretty in a neon glow.
Today, we got up very, very late. We didn't get down to the breakfast until 10:15. After that, we walked to the Rembrandt museum. Although interesting, I just think a few lucky artists got good PR. Some didn't even manage to achieve fame in their own life. It might also be that those who create a large enough body of work cannot be forgotten. The modern equivalent might be the Beatles, or perhaps Madonna. In order to be a deva, one just needs to weather enough years.
Jay called a pen-pal that he's had for over 15 years. The guy lived in northern Holland, so we took a train up for a visit. The distances are short here and the rail system very good. We flew past many cows, sheep, geese, and canals. It was a very nice visit an only an hour each way.
We didn't finish until almost 10:00. Since we want to get an earlier start tomorrow, we'll not be doing anything tonight. We will head south on rail tomorrow and end up somewhere.
Last night we finished Amsterdam by walking around most of it. The famous 'red light' district was pretty in a neon glow.
Today, we got up very, very late. We didn't get down to the breakfast until 10:15. After that, we walked to the Rembrandt museum. Although interesting, I just think a few lucky artists got good PR. Some didn't even manage to achieve fame in their own life. It might also be that those who create a large enough body of work cannot be forgotten. The modern equivalent might be the Beatles, or perhaps Madonna. In order to be a deva, one just needs to weather enough years.
Jay called a pen-pal that he's had for over 15 years. The guy lived in northern Holland, so we took a train up for a visit. The distances are short here and the rail system very good. We flew past many cows, sheep, geese, and canals. It was a very nice visit an only an hour each way.
We didn't finish until almost 10:00. Since we want to get an earlier start tomorrow, we'll not be doing anything tonight. We will head south on rail tomorrow and end up somewhere.
Labels: Amsterdam, Eurotrip 2005, Q3_2005, train
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Doing Canals
(Jump to Sunday the 11th.) Jannie, hadn't changed a bit. She came in at eight o'clock and we proceeded to to the central Amsterdam, after-hours tour. Most things don't get started until 11:00 but we were finished by midnight. Everybody eats and drinks till wee hours of the morning. We ate a Mexican restaurant .. and silly me, I had a Corona in the land of Heinekin. We slept right through till nine in the morning. It's okay as the 'continental' breakfast in the cafe section of the hotel doesn't get going until eight thirty anyway.
We were only able to book two nights in Amsterdam. There's some sort of conference going on and that combined with weekend-Euro-party people seemed to fill every reservation in the city. We packed as if we were to leave and then checked at noon to see if there was anyone who had cancelled. We were able to get another room although a bit more expensive. This means we won't have to spend the weekend in Rotterdam or somewhere else in the Netherlands.
We ate a leisurely lunch and after we got key at 2:00 pm, we took the tram back to Central Station. That's where all the canal tour boats leave from. We got on one and saw the city from canal level.
Nap time was short today. We'll play it by ear and see what happens later ...
We were only able to book two nights in Amsterdam. There's some sort of conference going on and that combined with weekend-Euro-party people seemed to fill every reservation in the city. We packed as if we were to leave and then checked at noon to see if there was anyone who had cancelled. We were able to get another room although a bit more expensive. This means we won't have to spend the weekend in Rotterdam or somewhere else in the Netherlands.
We ate a leisurely lunch and after we got key at 2:00 pm, we took the tram back to Central Station. That's where all the canal tour boats leave from. We got on one and saw the city from canal level.
Nap time was short today. We'll play it by ear and see what happens later ...
Labels: Amsterdam, Eurotrip 2005, Q3_2005
Friday, September 09, 2005
Windmills, of Course
I couldn't believe that we didn't even wake up until 9:00 am this morning. That ended up changing our plans of going to the city of Alkaram to see the cheese market. After breakfast we did get back to Central Station, then we went by train to Koog Zaamdijk. We walked to Zaanse Scans with is like an area where some have been kept. We crawled up a working one. Coming back into town, we walked around Dam Square and eventually ate lunch at 3:30 pm.
Tonight, in an hour, we're meeting a woman that taught with me in the UAE. Jannie is Dutch and married to an American guy. We've not been in contact at all for 10 years. I remember her as practically a child.
Tonight, in an hour, we're meeting a woman that taught with me in the UAE. Jannie is Dutch and married to an American guy. We've not been in contact at all for 10 years. I remember her as practically a child.
Labels: Amsterdam, Eurotrip 2005, Q3_2005
Thursday, September 08, 2005
In the Netherlands
The plane got in at 3:00 but by the time we got out of the airport and into the city and finally in the hotel it was 6:00. The Air Transat flight was on time but boy they don't have very large seats. Imagine not having wiggle room for nine and a half hours of flying time. I'm so tired now!
Labels: Amsterdam, Eurotrip 2005, Q3_2005
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Be Seeing You
We are just about out the door now.
I fully expect to be able to keep this blog up-to-date during the trip. Afterall, I have to justify carrying around an extra 5.5 lbs in the backpack. Actually, I have to carry around the extra weight to justify the purchase of the notebook! We'll be eight hours ahead of usual.
I will most probably be uploading just one picture a day to flickr. It'll be the same one that will accompany each blog entry. After our return, in three weeks, I'll hopefully be able to upload oodles of images.
I fully expect to be able to keep this blog up-to-date during the trip. Afterall, I have to justify carrying around an extra 5.5 lbs in the backpack. Actually, I have to carry around the extra weight to justify the purchase of the notebook! We'll be eight hours ahead of usual.
I will most probably be uploading just one picture a day to flickr. It'll be the same one that will accompany each blog entry. After our return, in three weeks, I'll hopefully be able to upload oodles of images.
Labels: Eurotrip 2005, Flickr (Page 1), Q3_2005
Trying Again
On trips which are a week or shorter, we always put the hamster in the bathtub. We leave plenty of food and water. In some ways that provides more freedom than keeping it cooped up in a small cage. With the slippery sloped sides of the tub there's no chance of escape.
A year ago at this time, we had headed off to Sri Lanka for a two-month holiday. That was back when we had H3. We arranged with some friends to come and check the tub. H3 was an old guy at the time and unfortunately passed away soon after we'd gone. We did not leave instructions for the caretakers and they were confronted with the unfortunate situation of getting rid of a poor, dead hamster. They had to call around and arrange for delivery to an animal shelter for cremation! We still feel sorry for the trouble we put them through. Our general habit is to bury in an untrod area at a park that's just across the river. Because the little creatures don't last too long, disposing of them becomes somewhat routine.
Now a year has passed and it's time to try again. This time as we're going to Europe for only three weeks it will be less of a burden. Embarrassed by the trouble we caused the friends last year, we have asked someone else to stop in a few times. I hope H4 makes it to our return at the end of the month!
A year ago at this time, we had headed off to Sri Lanka for a two-month holiday. That was back when we had H3. We arranged with some friends to come and check the tub. H3 was an old guy at the time and unfortunately passed away soon after we'd gone. We did not leave instructions for the caretakers and they were confronted with the unfortunate situation of getting rid of a poor, dead hamster. They had to call around and arrange for delivery to an animal shelter for cremation! We still feel sorry for the trouble we put them through. Our general habit is to bury in an untrod area at a park that's just across the river. Because the little creatures don't last too long, disposing of them becomes somewhat routine.
Now a year has passed and it's time to try again. This time as we're going to Europe for only three weeks it will be less of a burden. Embarrassed by the trouble we caused the friends last year, we have asked someone else to stop in a few times. I hope H4 makes it to our return at the end of the month!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Raymond Burr
Last night, I was flipping through the TV channels and stopped at one that shows continuous oldies. I really think I should save money buy dropping a bunch of programming; however, the pricing scheme is very clever. It costs only a few dollars to add all sorts of specialty satellite channels. Still, how much of a bargain is it, if I never watch them?Perry Mason was on. I couldn't help but include a picture of the hometown boy. He was born here and, in fact, rests in a cemetery in New Westminster, BC.
Back in 2003, I blogged about the Burr Theatre which is just down on Columbia Street.
I was going to blog a picture of our hamster today. Maybe I'll save that for tomorrow morning. We don't leave for our vacation until the afternoon.
Labels: New Westminster (Page 1), Q3_2005, stars, television
Monday, September 05, 2005
Frog on the Screen, Lump in My Throat
There might not be anything exceedingly impressive about the picture to the right. But believe me, it once amazed me.It was a 256 color, 320 x 200 pixel .bmp file which took up the whole screen. I found the original intact on a historical backup CD. In order to post it here, I needed to convert the 64K file to .jpg format.
I first saw this colourful frog as a demo on a computer monitor in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia in February of 1988. I couldn't believe the stunning impact of the new VGA graphics cards. To me, the screen was just like looking at a photograph. I was almost speechless.
You see, prior to that time we were stuck with lowly IBM CGA cards. There were some Hercules cards with higher resolution but they were in boring monochrome.
Now, I see how photography has turned digital and how many images never even hit paper. I'm sure if I'd known that one day I would be saving my own images like this for viewing on a computer screen, I'd have openly wept.
Labels: computers, Q3_2005, Saudi Arabia
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Pre-War Kuwait
I like to create tasks for myself. I've been madly uploading photo files. As I'll be away for a majority of the month, I wanted to get a good number online. I'm pleased to have over 500 available at present. As well as making available lots of digital photos from the past three and a half years, I have even been leisurely scanning some older images.
I went to Kuwait for my very first teaching job. The Al-Bayan School was in temporary facilities in the years 1981 to 1983. Here are some students at recess time. The kids in this picture would be around 30 years old nowadays but were only half that age during the 1990 Gulf War.
I went to Kuwait for my very first teaching job. The Al-Bayan School was in temporary facilities in the years 1981 to 1983. Here are some students at recess time. The kids in this picture would be around 30 years old nowadays but were only half that age during the 1990 Gulf War.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Roaming
Humans do seem to enjoy moving about. In fact, some might define history through the movement of people.
We spend a large percentage of income on travel and to me it seems worthwhile. We've seen the devastation that nature can cause. Collecting material possessions seems so silly. Many people work so hard for material goods that they sometimes miss life itself. You can't, as they say, take it with you!
We spend a large percentage of income on travel and to me it seems worthwhile. We've seen the devastation that nature can cause. Collecting material possessions seems so silly. Many people work so hard for material goods that they sometimes miss life itself. You can't, as they say, take it with you!
Labels: Q3_2005
Friday, September 02, 2005
That'll Be 1.22 Cows, Sir.
Jay went to Thomas Cook in order to pick up a few Euros. We'll need the change to buy transit tickets from Schiphol to downtown Amsterdam next week. Having a little cash is always convenient. We will be able to use them up in Belgium, Luxembourg, and France too. We should be able to get rid of most during those couple of weeks. If not, we can always change the remainder to Pounds when we head over to London.
It made me think of old currency I had kept. I've got bills from every place we've travelled and even donations from fellow collectors. When I was last in the Netherlands in the early 1980's, I saved this note.
Isn't money a great invention? I can earn it by teaching a class then take some and purchase whatever I desire --- globally. This sort of goes hand-in-hand with my amazement that wherever I go, there are always people ready to give me a meal and provide a bed for sleeping. All I need is a little cash. A few slips of paper are so much more portable than keeping wealth, say, in cattle. Cows don't travel well in one's luggage and they don't divide easily.
It made me think of old currency I had kept. I've got bills from every place we've travelled and even donations from fellow collectors. When I was last in the Netherlands in the early 1980's, I saved this note.
Isn't money a great invention? I can earn it by teaching a class then take some and purchase whatever I desire --- globally. This sort of goes hand-in-hand with my amazement that wherever I go, there are always people ready to give me a meal and provide a bed for sleeping. All I need is a little cash. A few slips of paper are so much more portable than keeping wealth, say, in cattle. Cows don't travel well in one's luggage and they don't divide easily.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Fortitude
There's at least one entry for every day during this period. There are also 2 months of daily pictures on flickr.com.
Labels: Flickr (Page 1), Q3_2005
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Wet and 'Wilds' Don't Mix
I feel sorry for locals who planned a summer camping vacation this week. From the beginning of June until just this week, the weather had been very nice. This summer, the nights have been a bit cool but, generally, there have been mostly pleasant sunny days.Yesterday, I walked down to drop something in the postal box. It wasn't raining but was misty enough so, because I wear glasses, I had to look down at the sidewalk. Things smelled warm and wet. (That's unlike our winters when things smell cool and wet.) I know it isn't bad compared to the devastation that can be wrought by weather. Yet, it would be an awful way to spend precious vacation time.
In 2001, we camped across Canada and back. Click the thumbnail to load a larger image taken in an Ontario campground. It wasn't raining in the photo!
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
All the Rest Have 31
Okay, I hate bringing it up but August is almost over. Since I imagine this is read mostly north of the equator, that means the slide into fall is inevitable. I've already become acutely aware of switching on the lights earlier and earlier. It was actually quite cool last night.
There's a Canadian TV advertisement where a woman walking down the street starts to shriek. It's a great shriek. It's so effective, it might lead you to believe she's seen a horrible accident. Then, the camera turns to show an autumn leaf on the sidewalk.
Enjoy a picnic and the weather any time of year.
There's a Canadian TV advertisement where a woman walking down the street starts to shriek. It's a great shriek. It's so effective, it might lead you to believe she's seen a horrible accident. Then, the camera turns to show an autumn leaf on the sidewalk.
Enjoy a picnic and the weather any time of year.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Keeping Me in Stitches
I discovered that my graphics software can stitch together separate photographs into one, large panorama shot. It was very easy to do. Rather ambitiously, I went to the balcony and took five shots. I needed to cover a one-hundred-and-seventy degree view.
Click to load the picture on flickr. This could be very convenient when it's not possible to get everything in the viewfinder. Just being able to take two side-by-side pictures and stitch them together may prove useful. Although I've owned the camera for three and a half years, I also found out that the same effect can be done 'inside' the camera. Live and learn!
Click to load the picture on flickr. This could be very convenient when it's not possible to get everything in the viewfinder. Just being able to take two side-by-side pictures and stitch them together may prove useful. Although I've owned the camera for three and a half years, I also found out that the same effect can be done 'inside' the camera. Live and learn!
Labels: balcony, Flickr (Page 1), Fraser River, Q3_2005, software
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Travelling Heavy
Let's see. The notebook computer won't get any heavier if I put stuff on the hard drive, right? Photocopying maps from guide books is a thing of the past. Most maps are available in .pdf files. For the ones I couldn't find, I just scanned those very same guide books and saved a personal copy in the standard Adobe-created format.I've got no illusion that I'll be able to pull out the Gateway in the middle of the crowded tube, but it'll surely be easy to plan from a hotel room the prior evening.
We're flying into Amsterdam next month, and will spend a few weeks travelling in Brussels, Luxembourg, and Paris. Then, we'll spend the final six days of the trip in London. How do I get to King's Cross Station?
Labels: Q3_2005, travel planning
Saturday, August 27, 2005
What Can I Show You? Katmandu?
It's Saturday already. I've spent the entire week on a single topic. From tomorrow, I'll move away from talk on imaging. I've been spending a bit too much trying to fill up flickr. After all this work, I'm still only at 4% of my upload limit. I guess I'm going to call a truce.
I do like having a repertoire of pictures online. Imagine, from any location, I can call up a photo of my grandmother. I am now able to show people a panorama view from our balcony. I can even let people see a morning view of Katmandu in 1993.
I do like having a repertoire of pictures online. Imagine, from any location, I can call up a photo of my grandmother. I am now able to show people a panorama view from our balcony. I can even let people see a morning view of Katmandu in 1993.
Labels: Flickr (Page 1), mountains, Nepal, Q3_2005, scanned
Friday, August 26, 2005
George, Dennis, and Bill
If you've ever followed this blog before, you know that it does not contain news. I don't comment on news either. I think people who have nothing better than rehash current events, should get out of the house and do something.
This might lead you to believe that the blog is simply a diary of day's events. Well, that wouldn't be quite right either.
The entries in my eJournal and images contain my ideas and very often my past. It's nice to have experience enough to share. Honestly, some personal blogs run towards the 'what I had for dinner and what I think of my boss' variety. Good for them! We all must learn to accept what we see in the mirror. Their lives aren't boring to them, I'm sure.
For me, this space is definitely vanity press. After all, I have lots of things to recount. In keeping with that thought, I had a few extra minutes yesterday. I'm not working again until the mid-fall courses start up at the end of October.
As I've been rattling on about images all week, now's not the time to change. I was searching the photo suitcase for something to scan and feed to flickr. It may someday contain a complete database of my personal images. It's really an intriguing concept. Some year I will command, "Network, find me an image of us in front of Buckingham Palace during the September we travelled to London." Will it be able to locate a photograoh from 2005?
I came across a black and white photo in very poor condition. It had no dates but the words: George, Dennis, and Bill were written along the front, lower edge. I suddenly remembered about FRESH AIR KIDS. I was, of course, only about four years old in the photo, and didn't know much about the program except for George. Thankfully, in this day and age, a Net search can provide a background to most topics. I located information on The Fresh Air Fund. I wonder where George is now.
This might lead you to believe that the blog is simply a diary of day's events. Well, that wouldn't be quite right either.
The entries in my eJournal and images contain my ideas and very often my past. It's nice to have experience enough to share. Honestly, some personal blogs run towards the 'what I had for dinner and what I think of my boss' variety. Good for them! We all must learn to accept what we see in the mirror. Their lives aren't boring to them, I'm sure.
For me, this space is definitely vanity press. After all, I have lots of things to recount. In keeping with that thought, I had a few extra minutes yesterday. I'm not working again until the mid-fall courses start up at the end of October.As I've been rattling on about images all week, now's not the time to change. I was searching the photo suitcase for something to scan and feed to flickr. It may someday contain a complete database of my personal images. It's really an intriguing concept. Some year I will command, "Network, find me an image of us in front of Buckingham Palace during the September we travelled to London." Will it be able to locate a photograoh from 2005?
I came across a black and white photo in very poor condition. It had no dates but the words: George, Dennis, and Bill were written along the front, lower edge. I suddenly remembered about FRESH AIR KIDS. I was, of course, only about four years old in the photo, and didn't know much about the program except for George. Thankfully, in this day and age, a Net search can provide a background to most topics. I located information on The Fresh Air Fund. I wonder where George is now.
Labels: Flickr (Page 1), New Hampshire, Q3_2005, scanned, Sunapee
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Freeing Old Photos
How'd you like to spend nearly three years in a cramped little space? No, you say? It has been fun releasing some digital photos from my hard disk's folders into the wilds. What good is a picture if is cannot be accessed? What good is a picture if nobody can see it? Aren't I full of questions today?
Please take a gander at my place for web photos: Flickr: Photos from DennisSylvesterHurd.
Once you get there, it's all about searching tags to find something. Try: blue, a dog named Macy, or our apartment. Have fun viewing!
Labels: Flickr (Page 1), Q3_2005
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Imaging Discussion Continued
I bought my present camera in February of 2002. It was smart of me to spend a lot more, at the time, and go directly to 4.0 megapixel. The little Olympus D40 has served me very well. It will continue for a bit longer as it'll capture images of our European trip in September.
Yet soon, I will have to replace it with something newer and flashier. I have outgrown it and I've recently found myself on the Internet seriously researching, comparing, and choosing favourites. I know this means it's time to ready the Mastercard. Soon after we get back, it will be time for me to replace the much-used device. I've even worn the fake chrome off the plastic shutter release . Speaking of chrome ...
Yet soon, I will have to replace it with something newer and flashier. I have outgrown it and I've recently found myself on the Internet seriously researching, comparing, and choosing favourites. I know this means it's time to ready the Mastercard. Soon after we get back, it will be time for me to replace the much-used device. I've even worn the fake chrome off the plastic shutter release . Speaking of chrome ...
Labels: digital camera, Q3_2005
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Whether on a Monitor or Paper
I first played with cameras as a child. My parents bought me darkroom equipment and I remember developing and 'fixing' rolls of film. Buying black and white photo stock seemed expensive. It was fun because I could be creative.Then for years and years, I used a camera only during vacations. I don't know why lost my fascination. Even after I went digital, I still kept a mind-set that cameras were used only on trips or to record special occasions. Now, I am beginning to think of a camera as a creative tool again. Maybe flickr, as mentioned yesterday, is partially responsible.
When I'm in a photo mood, I see the world differently. The things that I pass by in ordinary life suddenly take on a new focus or perspective. The picture in this entry shows the roofs of the church beside this apartment building. That's all. I pass them frequently. Yet, as I wanted to shoot a photo, I was forced to see them in a new way.
Labels: Flickr (Page 1), Q3_2005
Monday, August 22, 2005
In Praise of Tags
Talk about changing the way one thinks of photographs! I've sung praises of flickr before. They've recently moved to San Francisco from here. I surely hope the new owners don't screw 'em up. I shudder when I think about the total mess Yahoo made when they bought and murdered the company that became Yahoo Groups!
Rather, I hope the move to the San Francisco data center, just allows 'em to keep on growing their company as an independent entity. To help the cause, even though I'm still nowhere the limit of a free account, I decided to donate to them by buying a PRO membership. It's just a simple thank you and vote of confidence. My monthly upload limit per month is now larger than the combined total of every digital photo I have!
I spent the better part of yesterday feeding it. Still it's all about the ability to share, isn't it? I was surprised to see where some of my photos seamlessly showed up.
Rather, I hope the move to the San Francisco data center, just allows 'em to keep on growing their company as an independent entity. To help the cause, even though I'm still nowhere the limit of a free account, I decided to donate to them by buying a PRO membership. It's just a simple thank you and vote of confidence. My monthly upload limit per month is now larger than the combined total of every digital photo I have!
I spent the better part of yesterday feeding it. Still it's all about the ability to share, isn't it? I was surprised to see where some of my photos seamlessly showed up.
Labels: Flickr (Page 1), Q3_2005, Sri Lanka
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Fly, Robin, Fly
Yesterday, I spent a little time discussing the impending flight of some local, baby seagulls. Today, I'll show what they might be able to see if they get their act together!
Back in November of 2003, I featured an aerial photo of New Westminster looking towards Vancouver, BC. It had been on my server many years prior to that.
This week while playing with tags in flickr, I found another view looking towards Coquiltam. It was shot by Colour. Click on the tiny thumbnail to load a copy from my server. I've added a red circle to show the exact location of this apartment.
Aren't the birds in for a treat?
Back in November of 2003, I featured an aerial photo of New Westminster looking towards Vancouver, BC. It had been on my server many years prior to that.This week while playing with tags in flickr, I found another view looking towards Coquiltam. It was shot by Colour. Click on the tiny thumbnail to load a copy from my server. I've added a red circle to show the exact location of this apartment.
Aren't the birds in for a treat?
Labels: Flickr (Page 1), New Westminster (Page 1), Q3_2005
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Empty Nest
You might not be able to make out this picture. Maybe I'll get a digital camera with a decent zoom in the fall.There are two seagulls to the right. One's a parent and the other hesitantly following is the 'baby'.
We get a free nature-show each year. It is available right from the window. Down on the roof of the Met Hotel, gulls nest in the summer. We get to watch the entire process from initial peeping beaks to the runt's last flight away. It's now August 20th and there are three young'uns this year. They're at a point where they'd terribly much like to fly. They start at one side of the building and run, flap, and screech to the opposite side. I expect that at least one will take a maiden, winged voyage by the end of this weekend.
The picture, though, was taken at the New Westminster Quay yesterday. In this case the mother was teaching the, still brown, offspring to swim and hunt for food. It was continuously peeping and although I don't speak gull, I'm sure it was shouting to be fed. Becoming independent can be damned hard work.
Labels: digital camera, New Westminster (Page 1), Q3_2005, Quay
Friday, August 19, 2005
Scripted Entertainment
I've not blogged about an old movie in a long time. I did mention how West Side Story (1961) wasn't the best way to prepare for a trip to New York City in May. Similarly, I am sure that watching An American in Paris (1951) won't really be too useful in getting ready for next month's trip to Europe. After all it is a musical and 54 years old to boot!
Still, there are those moments in old films that are simply wonderful and rare. They come from the well-written scripts, I think. I like dialog that sounds contrived; after all, it's supposed to be entertaining. I can hear 'real life' on the way to work on public transit, if I choose.
Gene Kelly: That's quite a dress .. you almost have on.
Nina Foch: Thanks.
Gene Kelly: What holds it up?
Nina Foch: Modesty.
Still, there are those moments in old films that are simply wonderful and rare. They come from the well-written scripts, I think. I like dialog that sounds contrived; after all, it's supposed to be entertaining. I can hear 'real life' on the way to work on public transit, if I choose.
Gene Kelly: That's quite a dress .. you almost have on.
Nina Foch: Thanks.
Gene Kelly: What holds it up?
Nina Foch: Modesty.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
I'm on Break?
Update: These are some events since this morning's entry. As the computer's heavy, I ...
drove to the computer shop at 10:05 am. read the sign which said, "Summer hours: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm". returned home. drove again to the computer shop at 11:10. found that no one was there. went to the shopping centre and looked in London Drugs for 20 minutes. drove back by the store and there was still no one there. drove away, but first copied down the phone number on the storefront. returned home. called the phone number and left a message. received a call at 12:15 when eating lunch. drove again to the computer store. parked, brought the bare PC inside, plugged into their outlet and it worked! felt like a fool. loaded the computer back into the truck and returned home. parked in front of the building rather than in the parking garage. brought the PC into the lobby, got the original power cord, and plugged it in. saw nothing happening. surmised, finally, the brand-new cord that had come with the power supply was not functioning. returned to the computer store with the cord and it didn't work. plugged it in using one of their spare cords and it booted right up. took his cord and returned home again. am typing the entry on that computer. PHEW!