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Photography Blog No. 34

by LEP Sun May 11th, 2008 at 04:47:39 AM EST

Text moved below the fold - Weekend bump for your viewing pleasure! - In Wales


I think it's Friday. Someone correct me if it's not. I've had a case of sciatica for the last two weeks which likes to make its presence known mainly at night. So my brain is not functioning too well. (Perhaps no one will even notice.) Luckily my best position is in an upright chair at my desk so I'm happy to have the ET Photo Blog to keep me company today.
So, a warm welcome to all to Number 34.
Today, in addition to Photos as Usual and Ask the Experts we'll be featuring our photos of Trains, Metros and Subways.
I hope to see a lot of action today. We've been missing margouillat for several weeks now and I know that Gioele is spending a week in Paris so I don't know if he has the capability to post today.
Off we go!

Display:
trains, subways and metros

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 03:43:38 AM EST
He He. These are just  easy warmups for DoDo later.



Hey, Grandma Moses started late!

by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 03:58:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Top one is Paris, the rest are Washington.  Metro Center... I know I recognise the station.  Can't post my transport ones til I get back home later.
by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:37:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Yep.  I was a bit torn between Paris and London on the first one, but I'll go with Paris, too.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.
by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:42:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]
by Fran on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:33:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Lovely setting. Is this near your home?

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:40:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]
No, this is at the lake of Sarnen, near Lucerne. I went there for a long weekend, last year.
by Fran on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:12:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]
here.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 07:27:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Not so easy!

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!

by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 07:34:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]
outside of DC, X!X!X!X! National Airport

"Looking for my Lo and Behold" The Band
by the misunderestimated on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:08:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Exact. The metro station at Washington National Airport.

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:24:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]
And I appreciate you not calling it "Reagan National".  I love that the (largely black) folks who operate the trains generally call it "National".

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.
by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:44:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Those of us who have lived in Washington/VA/MD for a long time find it hard to call the airport anything but National.  I don't have a huge problem with things being named after politicians or other scoundrels (even if I didn't like them).  My grandmother didn't think much of Herbert Hoover, but I never heard her complain about the Dam being named after him.  She preferred to call rabbits "Hoover Hogs", as a reminder that many people were reduced to hunting rabbits as a source of protein during the Hoover presidency.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears
by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 09:30:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I normally have little problem with it, but I have a problem with the amazing amount of shit we've named after Reagan.  It's unbelievable.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.
by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 11:33:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I have a rule. Any friend of mine who calls it X!X!X!X! gets hit.

"Looking for my Lo and Behold" The Band
by the misunderestimated on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 03:35:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, Reagan was admired by many many Americans.

Can you imagine anything being named after G.W.Bush, except maybe a place where we put our shit? Would serve him right. I think the Blue Plains waste water treatment plant (the worst smelling place in DC) might be a good choice because it doesn't already have a proper name.  It would be a joy to refer to that place by his name! Let's start a petition.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 09:37:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, Reagan was admired by many many Americans.

Undeservedly so, and in his time in office by not as many as at the time of the media granting him Sainthood during his funeral, if I may opine.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 05:02:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Agreed.  I always hear about what a nice guy Reagan was, and about how he restored our optimism.  I don't know where this Reagan originates, but he's very different from the Ronald Reagan I know.  The one I know beat up on poor people and ran one of the most overtly racist campaigns I could have imagined.

The pundits always conveniently forget how Reagan launched his 1980 presidential bid in Philadelphia, Mississippi, standing up to say, "I support states' rights," in a town known solely as being the place where Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman were murdered by white supremacists while working on civil rights issues.

Then we have Reagan's famous Cadillac-Driving Welfare QueenTM, who only existed in Reagan's dementia-fueled bitchfests.

Then there was Reagan sending in the cops to beat Berkeley students senseless for having the audacity to hold a sit-in protesting the Vietnam War.

And let's not forget the small matter of Reagan having tripled the national debt.

Nice guy.  Hopefully he's rotting in Hell.

I don't mean that as an attack on Gringo or anybody else.  But the press covered up the ugly side of Reagan, and, yes, behind his pumping sunshine up our asses constantly was a very ugly old man who preyed upon racial and class hatred like no president since god-knows-when.  It's only because of the fact that Junior's gotten more people killed that he doesn't top my list of Worst Presidents Ever.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Mon May 12th, 2008 at 10:44:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Not to mention his foreign policy (at least initially).

But I wasn't talking about his record: I was talking about a myth at another level, that of Reagan's popularity. His approval rates weren't as sky-high most of the time during his presidency, but by the time of his funeral, history was re-written in people's minds (plus a new generation came who only knew the myth, I guess).

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Mon May 12th, 2008 at 01:45:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
well having something that actually dealt with shit named after him would have a certain irony.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 06:10:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, Reagan was admired by many many Americans.

I have a confession to make.  I voted for Reagan.  Twice.  I was utterly seduced by his rhetoric.  By the middle of his second term the cognitive dissonance between his rhetoric and the reality I saw all around me became too much to reconcile and I began to come to my senses.  I will go to my grave regretting those two votes.

The blurker formerly known as ignorant bystander.

by b--- (budr at hughes net) on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 11:53:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Though in the Meta thead, an under-coverage of Continental EUropean and an over-coverage of American items on ET was discussed, if you have a longer story on this, I would very much be interested to read it in a diary!

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 01:28:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]
You are not alone.  Reagan was the last Republican I voted for also. I think I actually voted for him only the first time though.  As with you, I awoke before  the second term and never again voted for a Republican presidential candidate.

That is not to say, however, that I have been exactly  charmed by the Democrats.  Many of my votes since Reagan have been for independents.  In my opinion, neither traditional party can be trusted to do what is best for the people of America.

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 09:12:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]
GWB BP sewage treatment. i like it. only this new sludge weed called the gross water bush might be born and spread throughout the land in a time when I thought we had mostly eradicated it.

"Looking for my Lo and Behold" The Band
by the misunderestimated on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 03:59:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
The DC area update:

"Rainfall totals have been anywhere from 3 to 6 inches through the event(the past 24 hours) with totals up to 9 inches and above in the past 4 days."  WJLA DC Weather

Easy to forget this fact

"Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the hunger."  Saint Basil

GWB Blue Plains Sewage treatment Plant is getting plenty of work trying to keep up unlike the laziest president in history who it is named after.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8DOdqOkYjtA

"Looking for my Lo and Behold" The Band

by the misunderestimated on Mon May 12th, 2008 at 11:37:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Though I would come at this from a different angle, considering my name and all. Hope it is not too cheeky.




Member of the Anti-Fabulousness League since 1987.

by Ephemera on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 10:47:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Where'd you find this?

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 10:53:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Where did I find what? The picture?

It's mine, I made it for putting up here. Those tickets represent about 80-90% of the train, tram and metro rides I've taken since I was 18.

Member of the Anti-Fabulousness League since 1987.

by Ephemera on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:03:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]
It's terrific!

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:27:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Yes love it.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:42:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Well I can get you pictures of dead railways. and old rusted bridges...

but this isn't the best subject for me.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 12:53:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Where?

Sorry about the reflection, I'm on the train...

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 02:04:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I'm only guessing: the renewed Saarbrücken Hbf? (When I was there, work only just begun.)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 07:30:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Me stupid. From the next photo, it's K'lautern!

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 07:44:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Is it the red building that pegs it?

I had a feeling....

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 03:42:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]
That's the football arena of 1. FC Kaiserslautern. But I should have remembered the station platform roofs already from last year, it was the parking house in the background that didn't fit that memory and led me astray.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 04:18:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Same as above...

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 02:05:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Where? DoDo?

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 02:08:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Oh, easyí, that's the end of the TGV Est line at Baudrecourt, the tracks connecting to the Metz-Strasbourg line, and you appear to be sitting on an evening high-speed train to/from Frankfurt, here. (Also see here.)

I made two photos on the same spot last year (only looking from the line on the bridge towards the line your train whizzled along), but - no polar filter, no adjustments, and shot from the other side of the train, so I am ashamed of their very poor quality - so here is one very small...

Two better photos - the first is the new UFO front of Strasbourg's old station building, after an early morning night train arrival:

Not all railways are high-speed - here is a pre-sunset farewell to a train that took me into the middle of nowhere:



*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 07:08:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]
you appear to be sitting on an evening high-speed train to/from Frankfurt

Shadows? Nice!

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 01:55:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]
From the rear cab pictures, which I'd place either a fek kilometres before the junction photos or somewhere after Reims, I can also tell it's a train from Frankfurt :-)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 06:26:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Eggcellent....
by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 03:43:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I've got to run to dinner, my wife is giving me that look....

More later....

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 02:10:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Where is it?

A little too easy, but hey, it'll build up one's station spotting confidence, no?

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:30:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
This is Saarbrücken Hbf. You see one of the French diesel motor cars on the same track on the satellite photo, too.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 08:00:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Where is it?

Again, sorry about the reflection, unavoidable....

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:32:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]
OK, this would have been difficult, but now knowing your route... Forbach.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 08:03:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Das ist..... richtdig!

OK, next time I have to let LEP know not to clue everyone in to my whereabouts in the diary intro.... although I did it myself in the GTG photo diary from last week.... doh!

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 03:46:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Richtig.... (sp!)
by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 03:49:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Photobucket
by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 03:48:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]
photos as usual

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 03:44:27 AM EST


Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:07:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]
somebody's stealing the Louvre pyramid a piece at a time?

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:42:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I think I've been there.

My daughter thinks she's been there.

We just can't remember where it is  :/

by Sassafras on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 05:12:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]


Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 05:49:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, in that case, it's the NGA in Washington. :)

I recognised the Henry Moore on the left, but I still can't match up where I think the gallery is with the picture. We must have seen the pyramids while walking along the Mall to the Air and Space Museum?

by Sassafras on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 06:17:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]
That is correct.

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 06:19:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Would they have been there in 1991?  I spent a week in Washington about then and that's when I went to the NGA.

I took the children by train from New York a couple of years back, but just for a day...

by Sassafras on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 06:29:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]
                      ?

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 07:18:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The glass pyramids
by Sassafras on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 07:46:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I meant to say I don't know if they were there in 1991.

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 07:59:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]
lol..with you now  :)
by Sassafras on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 08:22:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]
By the way Sassafras, Two weeks ago you had a lovely photo in the photo blog where you complained "too bad the arm was in there." I don't think you saw where I cropped it for you. Here

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 05:57:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I hadn't seen it.

Thank you for that :)

by Sassafras on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 06:20:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

The picture above is taken with me standing in Switzerland. The boats, the village and the hill in the background are in Germany.

by Fran on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:36:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Great photos Fran! It's really nice to see your contribution.
by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:38:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Thanks, In Wales! I feel like such a dilettant compared to people who post here. Though I think I could do more with my digital camera than just press the button, I just haven't taken the time yet to really learn about. But if the photoblocks keep going on, maybe I will get there.
by Fran on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:40:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I have decided I need a little more outdoor exercise. Though I walk to work, my new office is only a little more than 5 Minutes from where I live. Thus when ever I can I take detours and more and more often I remember to take the camera with me because there will be another photoblock coming up on Friday. The above two pictures are taken on such a detour.
by Fran on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:38:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:41:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Wow, this looks more like a painting than a photo. :-)
by Fran on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:43:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]
i always loved turner and constable...

thanks fran!

'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty

by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:13:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]
When I was last in London I went into the national Gallery and saw the Turners there.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:44:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Spectacular!!

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:45:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:42:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Currently blooming rosemary on my balcony.

by Fran on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:42:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:42:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:43:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:44:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Where is this?

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:46:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]
It reminds me of the Toscana.
by Fran on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:18:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Hotel Terranova , Ronti, Umbria


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 07:40:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:45:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:45:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Bug on a bluebell.

Photobucket

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:46:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]
wow, the details of the fly are amazing, great picture.
by Fran on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:48:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I love the way you can just see the pollen on its head.  These little details I can't see when I take the photo, I only find them once I am back home on the computer.
by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:11:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:49:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]
What does this control?

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:51:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]
it's the meter that will record the energy production from the pv panels installed but not yet hooked up.

first they told me the tiles should be put back around with a 10 c. gap around the panels, now they (the state) has changed its mind and they have to be 1 c. away.

grr...

looking at the end of next week for final hookup.

'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty

by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 07:58:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:50:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:51:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]
You are aware, I hope, of the public image of men with twirled faces?

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 08:25:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Wow.  Glad I'm not stoned right now.

The blurker formerly known as ignorant bystander.
by b--- (budr at hughes net) on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 12:02:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:53:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:54:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Great colours. I took this on my way into work yesterday morning.

Photobucket

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:54:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:55:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]
More bluebells!

Photobucket

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:58:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:58:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]
It looks like fire!
by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:12:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]
That's how I would imagine the end of the world.
by Fran on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:16:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]
No, this is what the end of the world looks like!


Photo credit:  terra.cl

The Chilean volcano Chaitén erupting!

See the whole photo series here....

A must see!

(hat tip talkingpointsmemo.com)

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 04:26:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Science fiction, meet reality - and bow your head.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 07:08:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]


'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 04:59:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]
A truly great selection today!

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 08:07:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]
thanks dodo, spring is here, i can't look anywhere without my third eye wanting to eat it all up!

i don't go many places, so i look for the things that are different every day...like light

'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty

by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 06:16:04 AM EST
[ Parent ]

sorry to hear about the sciatica, LEP. i hope it passes soon.

(hint: massage!)

hope the pix thicken the gruel a bit!

'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty

by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:01:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I agree with melo, massage is always good. Though on Tuesday this week, one of my yoga students told that she had sciatica inbetween classes. She thinks what helped her get rid of it is doing lots of firebreath. She even the excercises, but gently always adding the firebreath. And just so you have no excuse, she is not a young chick, she is 66. :-)
by Fran on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:15:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Fran:
And just so you have no excuse, she is not a young chick, she is 66. :-)

That's young to me!!

I've been twice to the osteopath; tomorrow my wife will give me an acupuncture treatment with some massage included.

I'm not sure I know what firebreath is.

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!

by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:21:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]
This is the best and safest description I could find. I  am sure you have done it in your yoga class. Just start and increase slowly, it should not feel forced.

Deep breathing -- the truly essential exercise

The Bellows, or Fire Breath

Many forms of yoga begin with breathing techniques, or pranayama. Prana means `breath' or `life force' in Sanskrit. The bellows breath is a yogic exercise that stimulates energy when you need it, toning the abdomen and massaging the internal organs and lymph system. Though not deep breathing, the bellows does activate the lungs, neck, chest and abdomen so that deeper breathing comes more naturally.

Again, sit in a comfortable position. With your mouth closed, breath in and out through your nose as fast as possible. Think of pumping up a balloon or water toy. Try to breath in and out as equally as possible. Continue for 10-15 seconds, no more at first. As you become more accustomed to this technique you can increase the exercise to one full minute.

by Fran on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:45:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]


Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:15:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]


Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 06:11:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]


Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 07:40:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]
O Fiel Jardineiro

Made this last Saturday, on a public garden in Lisbon which is having some work done.

by Torres on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 09:22:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I've seen these sculptures before but I can't place where?
Paris?

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 10:52:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Lisbon. It's a single sculpture.
by Torres on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:47:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]
There's a thematically similar one-gardener with spade-in Kew Gardens.
by Sassafras on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 01:03:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]
It may be in Washington, D.C. that I've seen similar sculptures.

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 01:15:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I'm always jealous of those of you who post pictures because I don't actually have a camera.  Except I do - in my phone.  So last night I decided to fiddle around with it.  It has a few bells and whistles, but alas, no f-stop.  So don't judge me!  (I'm actually a very good photographer with a real camera.  Or was once...)

Floral arrangements:




"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:56:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Freaky religious stuff:




"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:56:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Colors!



"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:57:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Sepia:



"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 11:59:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Is that you?!
by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 12:08:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I have no idea who that is.  Some stranger who just randomly walked into my apt.  I took a picture, to show to the authorities, in case she comes back...

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 12:20:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, we'll keep an eye out for her too then. You know, just in case she turns up in, like, Paris or somewhere.
by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 12:33:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]
That's a good idea.  Who knows what she's up to or capable of...  I wouldn't trust her. :)

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 12:35:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
you sure it's not a passing mirror?

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 12:50:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Could be a doppelgänger ...  spooky...

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 12:57:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]
well it's scary to think there might be more than one of you ;-)

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 01:08:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]
thanks.

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 01:34:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]
B&W:

And here endeth this installation of:
"Bad Cellphone Art"

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 12:00:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]
The next step, if you have an extra 109 bucks, is to look at this Canon point and shoot that estHer has. It takes great photos. See here.

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 12:18:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I don't.  In fact, even the phone was free...

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 12:21:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]
An English Country Garden Part 1


The obligatory bluebell


Through the leaves


Lily

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 01:43:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]
An English Country Garden Part 2


What are these?


Inside 1


Inside 2


Secret candid shot in the rain

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 01:45:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Fantastic flower shots.

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 01:50:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Fantastic shots, thanks!  Did rain provide the water or you?  It really brings something extra to have water droplets in the shot.
by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 03:32:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Yes, these really are terrific!
by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 04:15:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Luxembourg Gardens fountain....

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 02:11:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Another....

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 02:12:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Gotta run, last one.... be back later....

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 02:14:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Spring is here!

Frankfoot Frankfeet....

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:35:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Montparnasse Cemetery, Paris

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:40:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Montparnasse Cemetery, Paris

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:43:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Reminds of an Etruscan bed sarcophagus.

Member of the Anti-Fabulousness League since 1987.
by Ephemera on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:57:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]
by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:45:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]
by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:47:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Squatter....

Notre Dame

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:51:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Scooter cops!

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 05:55:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Why are ducks so stupid?

ATTENTION: MR/MRS DUCK.... THAT IS NOT A POND.... or, for that matter, any other type of water feature!

It is, in fact, ART! Not to be roosted (or whatever your kind does) on! Sheesh... stupid ducks....

Looks like water, hard like ice, but warm! Maybe they're not so dumb....

by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 04:07:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]
ask the experts

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Fri May 9th, 2008 at 03:45:26 AM EST
Lemme make a start...

This is a train at the terminal of the newly re-opened Szob-Márianosztra narrow-gauge railway (so it would also fit into the first folder):

Now, this was the only angle to make a good shot. The Sun was about top left, but a sky still hazy after a rain made a perfect worst-case scenario of backlight from a saturated sky. (You should see the histogram...)

So, what simple things can be done to make such shots bearable, apart from specialised sky-blueing post-processing?

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 06:35:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Could do a few things but it depends on the camera you have, any accessories and whether you care to do any photoshopping on it.

If I had everything I needed on me, I would use a neutral graduated filter to darken the sky so it wouldn't be so bleached out.

If I had a tripod and camera, or something to prop the camera on really still - I'd take 3 shots at different exposures, one with the sky exposed correctly, one with the train exposed correctly and whatever the camera was telling me was overall coreect exposure. Then combine in photoshop to merge the correctly exposed sky with the correctly exposed train.

Possibly depending on exactly where the sun is, if you shift the direction of the camera over, say to keep a small bit of road but cut out the car then the meter may be able to expose the shot a little better, without being fooled by the highlights.

Or failing all of that, you make sure you've got exactly what you want from the train alone and then crop the photo as a panorama to take out some of the foreground and most of the sky. Depends how much context you wish to keep.

Maybe TBG and Colman have further tips.

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 08:22:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The Sun was about top left

Top right. My left/right dyslexia showing...

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 08:42:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Wait till later?  ;-)
by gioele (gioele(daught)sandler(aaaattttt)gmail(daught)kom) on Sat May 10th, 2008 at 04:10:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]
In addition to being cheered by all the wonderful flower and scenery and people pictures on a grey and rainy afternoon, I am insanely jealous that you all have functioning rail and mass transit systems.

What is the location of the first picture, with the introduction?

by Mnemosyne on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 04:05:40 PM EST
Paris metro, Line 10, Station Sevres Babylone.

Hey, Grandma Moses started late!
by LEP on Sun May 11th, 2008 at 04:24:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]


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