Duomo, Firenze
I love Florence, partly because of sights like this - not one inch is left undecorated or uncelebrated. This photo was taken during our trip to Tuscany in May 2008.
Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.
Monday, 26 October 2009
Pic of the Week: 26 Oct - 1 Nov
Duomo, Firenze
I love Florence, partly because of sights like this - not one inch is left undecorated or uncelebrated. This photo was taken during our trip to Tuscany in May 2008.
Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.
Monday, 19 October 2009
Thursday, 15 October 2009
color splashing
Had a great time playing with Color Splash on my iPhone tonight, riding the Tube into central London. Almost didn't want to get off the train! (But I'm glad I did - we went to a BBC Radio 4 recording of the News Quiz with Sandi Toksvig. Always good value! Listen for us laughing in the audience tomorrow evening.)
Here are a few of my first attempts. Many more to follow, I'm sure.
Here are a few of my first attempts. Many more to follow, I'm sure.
Monday, 12 October 2009
Monday, 5 October 2009
Pic of the Week: 5-11 Oct
Stinson Beach bird
I saw this bird at Stinson Beach in Sep 2005. Can anyone identify it?
Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.
driving fail
Gotta get it off my chest: I failed my driving test. Argh, blast, dammit and many, many expletives.
The fact that I have to take a driving test at all is the subject of another rant, but suffice it to say that I put this particular fail down to Californian instincts vs. British driving rules. The examiner told me that we were approaching a mini roundabout, and that I should take the first exit to the left.
Now, here's what a Brit would do: approach with caution, signal left but look right, while down shifting, and maintain speed if it was safe to enter the roundabout (in other words, you don't necessarily have to stop before entering a roundabout.)
Here's what I did: approached with caution, signaled left and looked left by instinct. At this point, I noticed a group of kids who were trying to cross where I needed to come out of the roundabout, so I was concerned about them. I was not at a complete stop, but I wasn't moving very fast. Still, I guess I had entered the roundabout by now (or was just about to; it all happened so fast neither of us really knew the exact story.) To my detriment, I didn't look right quite soon enough - in that split second, a car zoomed around from my right (to be fair, she had the right of way, being in the roundabout already). I reacted fine - braked hard and let her through - but the examiner felt it was necessary for him to brake as well.
FAIL.
Strangely (from my point of view), he had no concern about the kids, who (in my opinion) were a major road hazard. But in the UK, pedestrians stop for cars. If they stood there all afternoon waiting for someone to let them cross, the examiner wouldn't have batted an eyelash. If they ran into the road and caused a multi-car pile-up, he would have been satisfied as long as I had looked right first and done everything by the book. Very strange.
Now, I cannot blame anyone but myself for not looking right soon enough. Like I said, it's 20 years of instinct looking left first, then right. I had the same problem in Japan so I usually over-correct and look both ways multiple times before moving out. The kids distracted me, again, because I am used to planning ahead in order to stop for pedestrians. In my world, the other cars are doing the same thing so everyone would be slowing down for them.
But not here. Sigh!
Aside from that, the test went really well. I aced reversing around a corner (don't get me started on just how inane this is) and did the parallel parking perfectly. The examiner didn't really have much to complain about. But the roundabout was enough to push him (and me) over the edge.
So now I have to do this all over again. In January. Spending more of my precious, hard-earned cash for a licence that I kind of sort of already have.
At least it's a bit of a tradition to fail your driving test on the first attempt in the UK, so I'm living up to expectations. And we don't have a car so I don't really need a licence anyway. Meanwhile, I'll keep walking and cycling everywhere. It's greener and better exercise than driving. So there. Hmph.
The fact that I have to take a driving test at all is the subject of another rant, but suffice it to say that I put this particular fail down to Californian instincts vs. British driving rules. The examiner told me that we were approaching a mini roundabout, and that I should take the first exit to the left.
Now, here's what a Brit would do: approach with caution, signal left but look right, while down shifting, and maintain speed if it was safe to enter the roundabout (in other words, you don't necessarily have to stop before entering a roundabout.)
Here's what I did: approached with caution, signaled left and looked left by instinct. At this point, I noticed a group of kids who were trying to cross where I needed to come out of the roundabout, so I was concerned about them. I was not at a complete stop, but I wasn't moving very fast. Still, I guess I had entered the roundabout by now (or was just about to; it all happened so fast neither of us really knew the exact story.) To my detriment, I didn't look right quite soon enough - in that split second, a car zoomed around from my right (to be fair, she had the right of way, being in the roundabout already). I reacted fine - braked hard and let her through - but the examiner felt it was necessary for him to brake as well.
FAIL.
Strangely (from my point of view), he had no concern about the kids, who (in my opinion) were a major road hazard. But in the UK, pedestrians stop for cars. If they stood there all afternoon waiting for someone to let them cross, the examiner wouldn't have batted an eyelash. If they ran into the road and caused a multi-car pile-up, he would have been satisfied as long as I had looked right first and done everything by the book. Very strange.
Now, I cannot blame anyone but myself for not looking right soon enough. Like I said, it's 20 years of instinct looking left first, then right. I had the same problem in Japan so I usually over-correct and look both ways multiple times before moving out. The kids distracted me, again, because I am used to planning ahead in order to stop for pedestrians. In my world, the other cars are doing the same thing so everyone would be slowing down for them.
But not here. Sigh!
Aside from that, the test went really well. I aced reversing around a corner (don't get me started on just how inane this is) and did the parallel parking perfectly. The examiner didn't really have much to complain about. But the roundabout was enough to push him (and me) over the edge.
So now I have to do this all over again. In January. Spending more of my precious, hard-earned cash for a licence that I kind of sort of already have.
At least it's a bit of a tradition to fail your driving test on the first attempt in the UK, so I'm living up to expectations. And we don't have a car so I don't really need a licence anyway. Meanwhile, I'll keep walking and cycling everywhere. It's greener and better exercise than driving. So there. Hmph.
Monday, 28 September 2009
Pic of the Week: 28 Sep - 4 Oct
Düsseldorf, October 2007
I went to Düsseldorf / Köln for a tradeshow two years ago and managed a bit of sightseeing before work started. It was a lovely city and I had a nice time.
Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Spain :: Walking in Axarquia
We just came back from a lovely walking holiday in southern Spain. (The Brits call it walking, but Americans would consider it hiking - feel free to use whichever term makes it sound more hard core to you.)
We stayed in Canillas de Albaida, at the scenic Posada La Plaza, run by Gustavo and his family.
***
Our walks took us all over the valley and across the hills, with views all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.
sweet chestnuts
***
We also spent time in the neighboring town of Cómpeta, with its distinctive minaret...
...and festive ice cream. After our first day of walking, we felt we had earned our helados.
***
The second day of walking was longer, but felt better - possibly because much of it was flat and there was a fair amount of shade. We also had our first views of El Lucero, the big scary mountain for the final (optional) day.
aguacates
inside a goat herder's hut
the ruined inn where we ate a picnic lunch, battling the wasps for our jamón serrano
lime tree
Canillas, viewed through the branches of an olive tree
sunset in Cómpeta
cactus
The third day of walking took us up, up, up to the much-awaited 'crest of the hill', before we descended into the town of Salares for lunch. The walk back was not technically difficult, but we were in the direct sun most of the way and I nearly melted.
pomegranates
I was most worried about our fourth day of walking: the total ascent was about twice as high as we had been doing earlier in the week (726m as opposed to around 400m). As a comparison, the tour dossier said that Cerro Verde at 1,346m was 'similar in height to Ben Nevis', the highest mountain in the British Isles. Our guide explained that there was a point where it would be possible to go back, so I thought I would try to tackle the Ben but I wasn't too confident about the Nevis. As it turned out, I made it the whole way and I am glad I didn't turn back.
In typical fashion, I stumbled about 10 steps from the end and came home with this lovely bruise and lurid red scratches. I will always be 'Bam Bam' to those who know me well!
still smiling after Cerro Verde
***
S and I opted out of the big scary mountain (El Lucero) after having accomplished our walk to the top of Ben Nevis. Our last day was spent eating and relaxing - I love Spanish siestas! We had dinner with the group in the plaza, complete with live music. Highlights of our tapas-style meal included Paella, Spanish tortillas, delicious spinach flavored with cumin, feta cheese and olives, and almond spread on garlic bread. Most satisfactory.
Grácias, everyone... We had a great time!
We stayed in Canillas de Albaida, at the scenic Posada La Plaza, run by Gustavo and his family.
***
Our walks took us all over the valley and across the hills, with views all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.
sweet chestnuts
***
We also spent time in the neighboring town of Cómpeta, with its distinctive minaret...
...and festive ice cream. After our first day of walking, we felt we had earned our helados.
***
The second day of walking was longer, but felt better - possibly because much of it was flat and there was a fair amount of shade. We also had our first views of El Lucero, the big scary mountain for the final (optional) day.
aguacates
inside a goat herder's hut
the ruined inn where we ate a picnic lunch, battling the wasps for our jamón serrano
lime tree
Canillas, viewed through the branches of an olive tree
sunset in Cómpeta
cactus
The third day of walking took us up, up, up to the much-awaited 'crest of the hill', before we descended into the town of Salares for lunch. The walk back was not technically difficult, but we were in the direct sun most of the way and I nearly melted.
pomegranates
I was most worried about our fourth day of walking: the total ascent was about twice as high as we had been doing earlier in the week (726m as opposed to around 400m). As a comparison, the tour dossier said that Cerro Verde at 1,346m was 'similar in height to Ben Nevis', the highest mountain in the British Isles. Our guide explained that there was a point where it would be possible to go back, so I thought I would try to tackle the Ben but I wasn't too confident about the Nevis. As it turned out, I made it the whole way and I am glad I didn't turn back.
In typical fashion, I stumbled about 10 steps from the end and came home with this lovely bruise and lurid red scratches. I will always be 'Bam Bam' to those who know me well!
still smiling after Cerro Verde
***
S and I opted out of the big scary mountain (El Lucero) after having accomplished our walk to the top of Ben Nevis. Our last day was spent eating and relaxing - I love Spanish siestas! We had dinner with the group in the plaza, complete with live music. Highlights of our tapas-style meal included Paella, Spanish tortillas, delicious spinach flavored with cumin, feta cheese and olives, and almond spread on garlic bread. Most satisfactory.
Grácias, everyone... We had a great time!
Spain :: Los Animales
Canillas de Albaida has a population around 700, but we saw more evidence of its 4-legged inhabitants than its bipeds.
Most of the cats and dogs roam free, despite strict laws about leashes, tags and microchips. Of course, when was the last time you met a law-abiding canine? They just don't seem to be bothered, so why should the humans mind?
***
This dog was very friendly, and had a nice way of biting to show how much he liked you. Shortly after this picture, he set his teeth on S's t-shirt and the smiles faded quickly.
***
This little dog was tiny - barely bigger than a chihuahua - and was trying so hard to run with the big boys but just couldn't keep up.
***
Most of the houses in Canillas were named after girls (Casa Nina, CasAnnette) but this one reminded us of our buddy Hank: 'hi, marmot!'
***
After a particularly long, hot day of walking, we trudged up the goat path back to the hotel, just in time to see these show-offs bound out of their hut and prance away bleating down the hill in mere seconds. Sheesh.
***
We bumped into our host, Gustavo (in the glasses), escorting his daughter and a friend on a pony through the neighboring town of Cómpeta one evening just after sunset. We also saw a variety of horses, donkeys and mules in the area.
***
This poor kitty eagerly chased a bird up a tree outside the Alhambra, and then could not figure out how to catch it. For a minute it also looked like she might not make it back down again - she did, but not gracefully. Two French women sitting on the bench next to ours shared our laughter and gasps as we watched the scene play out.
***
Fish pond in the Alhambra. They were quite well-behaved until a little girl started feeding them bread.
***
Perhaps the least expected animals we saw - these sad ostriches live behind two sets of chain linked fences in a compound that is barely big enough for a few chickens.
They are kept next to a construction zone on the path that connects Canillas to Cómpeta, so we saw them a few times during the week. The female ostrich had lost most of her feathers (were they plucked and sold? was she molting? sick?) - it was quite disturbing. The male obligingly posed for pictures when he wasn't poking his beak through the fence and defending his territory.
***
Not photographed were the lizards, birds, bats, grasshoppers, wasps, and flies that we also saw. Apparently our guide saw a snake on one of the trails as well - is it any wonder that I stayed toward the back?
Most of the cats and dogs roam free, despite strict laws about leashes, tags and microchips. Of course, when was the last time you met a law-abiding canine? They just don't seem to be bothered, so why should the humans mind?
***
This dog was very friendly, and had a nice way of biting to show how much he liked you. Shortly after this picture, he set his teeth on S's t-shirt and the smiles faded quickly.
***
This little dog was tiny - barely bigger than a chihuahua - and was trying so hard to run with the big boys but just couldn't keep up.
***
Most of the houses in Canillas were named after girls (Casa Nina, CasAnnette) but this one reminded us of our buddy Hank: 'hi, marmot!'
***
After a particularly long, hot day of walking, we trudged up the goat path back to the hotel, just in time to see these show-offs bound out of their hut and prance away bleating down the hill in mere seconds. Sheesh.
***
We bumped into our host, Gustavo (in the glasses), escorting his daughter and a friend on a pony through the neighboring town of Cómpeta one evening just after sunset. We also saw a variety of horses, donkeys and mules in the area.
***
This poor kitty eagerly chased a bird up a tree outside the Alhambra, and then could not figure out how to catch it. For a minute it also looked like she might not make it back down again - she did, but not gracefully. Two French women sitting on the bench next to ours shared our laughter and gasps as we watched the scene play out.
***
Fish pond in the Alhambra. They were quite well-behaved until a little girl started feeding them bread.
***
Perhaps the least expected animals we saw - these sad ostriches live behind two sets of chain linked fences in a compound that is barely big enough for a few chickens.
They are kept next to a construction zone on the path that connects Canillas to Cómpeta, so we saw them a few times during the week. The female ostrich had lost most of her feathers (were they plucked and sold? was she molting? sick?) - it was quite disturbing. The male obligingly posed for pictures when he wasn't poking his beak through the fence and defending his territory.
***
Not photographed were the lizards, birds, bats, grasshoppers, wasps, and flies that we also saw. Apparently our guide saw a snake on one of the trails as well - is it any wonder that I stayed toward the back?
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