Back in Columbus Ohio again, this time to enjoy a specifically organized Adult’s only Halloween.
In costume as Skipper from Gilligan’s Island, we get to trick or treat, no tricks or scary places actually. Just lots of treats, shots and drinks at most locations, where were all set out on a map of 16 places on Beck Street.
I discovered Jello Shots, which I had a number of to zero negative effective.
Plenty of photos on SmugMug
While on the NY Subway heading home late Thursday I observed in rather awe an older black gentleman sit down across from me at 42nd st in a rather full train. He proceeded to pull out of a black case a flick through a number of hand drawn pictures and I was impressed at what I could observe. He then proceeded to expertly draw not one but two amazing reputations of side profiles of passengers as the train bumbled along on the track, and then simply handed them over to the people. Being as I mentioned rather impressed, I commented this to him, and also mentioned I wish I could draw like that. I don’t remember his exact words in response, but it involved a combination of following your dreams, we all have them in side of us.
His name was Bowie, and in the course of like 3 stops before 145th (my exit), he proceeded to quickly draw his third sketch of a passenger, one of me. Now the first two were great side on representations, mine it’s hard for me to comment as I’m not looking side by side with me and image.
Still I was suitably moved that a complete stranger had both the skill, desire and willingness to share this with others for nothing in return. It reminded me of the works Gary Vaynerchuk recently motivated me with his in his talk Patience and Passion.
For the second year now in New York, I have been able to photograph the 9/11 WTC memorial lights.
In 2007, it was one of the most striking photographic events of the year, this year it didn’t disappoint.
My intention this year was to photograph from the other side of Manhattan in Brooklyn, and to also to get at close as possible to the lights. I achieved both, and was happy with the output.
I was disappointed to find however, that the lights are not located at the WTC site, infact they are some 10 blocks away to the south.
More photos to come, but a few samples are available at my SmugMug photos
If this tree had fallen the other way, it would have taken me out, the house and lounge area of where I’m staying. Check out all photos here.
This past few days I’ve had to endure the heat in the sunny Bahamas. Well at least I had the chance to go to the beach, or pool in a few steps. It’s tough, but to get a Visa I have to leave the country to visit a US Embassy on foreign soil, and Canada was all full.
Like I said, it’s a hard life. Check out photos here.
My Australia Plate Selection of all States — Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory
There is also a Federal plate for interstate trucks.
Queensland has a new type, “The Smart State”, you can choose “Sunshine” or “Smart”. New South Wales has moved to 2 letter/2 number/2 letter. Tasmania seems to have a new type as well.
Plenty of Queensland colors, and old style which was green.
Taxi’s start with T, If you use LPG, you get a LPG sticker.
The early personalized plates had a QLD state symbol, the cheaper with 3 letter/3 number, the more expensive any words. Newer types are just names like “FLASH”, and “LIVIN”. There are also some older special themes. One was “DAD” and the line “Queensland Special Father”.
There are many different types you can get in Queensland, too many to list, like Golf, Fishing, Elvis and the Phantom.
There are now even more variables, Europe like plates, and a Southern Cross plate.
I got to spend today in Central Park following a look at a NY apartment. Met up with some friends, and met some new people, played some frisbee and enjoyed the summer ambiance. I kept having “Central Park in May” run around in my head. My walking got me to see many things. Some highlights.
All my photos at Memorial Day Central Park NY 2008.
Plenty of sun baking, look at those turtles.
And a few humans as well.
Children and animals.
A Roller Party in the park.
Flowers.
Water Sports.
Other Sports.
And the general park surrounds.
And a guy playing two trumpets, who would have figured that?
I’ve been back in New York for a week now, caught up with a friend today for the afternoon. Weekend travel on the NY Subway can be a bit hit and miss. Trying to head south on the 6 at 51st, oops, have head north to 59th first. Thing is, it’s a maze to get to cross the platform, down stairs, under line, up stairs, then down stairs again two levels. At least I made it to my intended destination relatively on time. Then my iPhone would not get a signal from AT&T. This happens when exiting the subway, airplane mode, and a off and on, and still no signal. 5 full minutes before the phone decided to work.
An early dinner at Blue Smoke on 27th Street, then a stroll around town for a few hours. University Ave, Washington Square, Houston, Bleeker, 10 Ave back to 23rd St. Plenty to talk about, great to run some ideas by somebody, my play writing plans, some old forgotten website ideas, domains which I just re-registered now.
A great gelato shop on Bleeker, reminded me of my favourite shop back in Brisbane. A cupcake shop with a line around the corner at Bleeker and 11th, rather weird. It was a beautiful day, too hot for even a jacket that I carried around for like 5 hours. Great light in the afternoon on the brownstones, wish I’d brought my good camera (Canon EOS 40D).
Two things to add to the New York To Do List. Dinner with hot date at Morimoto 88 Tenth Avenue, and evening in a Stretch Limo such as Silver Star Limo.
I did however with my compact shoot a few cool vehicle number plates. My Collection is starting to take shape, all US States, I think 7 Canada, a few European countries, and recently all states in Australia. Pity my uploading skills were not as productive. But the pick for today was this “LESS GAS” on a Toyota Primus. Very cool indeed.
During my recent visit in Australia I got to spend some time with friends Mike and Alison. An avid and happy Manchester United Supporter, the offer for a beer is never short of something different. It helps when your the importer of 200+ World Beers.
I got to see a little of Hamburg in the last day. It started with the sights and sounds of the ReeperBahn in Hamburg. I managed to get a tour by a MySQL employee, Kay which really made the entire translation thing easier. Indian dinner, a few stops for a beer or two, including a beach setting bar area which was rather cool. No talking to unknown German women occurred but I got to experience while heading home to stay on the right side of the road and avoid the prostitutes area which was clearly pointed out earlier. I suspect the area with clubs, brothels and sex shops would get to be a rough place later at night.
The Altonaer Fischmarkt, or Fish Market in English, provided for some passing of time on Sunday. It’s litterally five minutes walk away and I suspect I got a larger dosage and timeframe of operation then expected as the Hamburg Marathon was in play, well just outside my door really as well.
Not game enough to start buying fresh food, and fish but I did manage a few souviner tee-shirts for my trip home.
Last year I started taking photographs of Vehicle Number Plates. No specific reason why, more something to pass the time. I was more interested in special number plates, and I’ve collected onces such as “LINUX”, “POSIX”, “POLICE”, “SOCCER”, “MOO”, “GOLFNUT”, “MYSQL1″, “BUG OFF” (On a VW Bug), “BMW NOT”, “GO SOX” (from 2 different states), “HOT AIR”, and “MMMMMUD” to name a few.
It took about 4 weeks to get 48 states in the US when I started. The 49th came several months later, and this was West Virginia. Today, many months later I got the 50th state - Wyoming (the least populist state). WOOT!
You can find a view of the 50 states here.
In Australia and the US you are very much shielded from the fact the majority of the world does not speak English as a first language. Recently in Austria I saw the extent of this. The bottle had some 17 languages represented, some I’ve still yet to work out. The list includes:
A + D = Austria and Gemany, I = Italy, CZ = Czech Republic, GB - Great Britain, F = France, E = Spain, NL = Netherlands, S = ???, H = Hungary, SK = Slovakia, SLO = Solvenia, HR+BIH = ???, SRB = Serbia, RO = Romania, AL = Albania, PL = Poland, BG = Bulgaria, MIK = ???
I’ve just returned from my first skiing trip this winter (Yes, I’m planning several). The destination Whistler, Canada.
Lot’s to say, plenty of photos, here are a few to temp people until I get all my photo’s sorted, but it starts here.
It’s winter, Dec 15th, it’s below 0C and snowing in New York, but in San Francisco it’s a sunny ~12C. The waves are definitely flowing and the surfers are taking advantage.
I wanted to get a photo series of a wipe out. This was the result, obviously intentional but I was in the right place at the right time.
