Love in New York City

Photo 359: I've never actually seen this "Love" landmark, but stumbled upon it the other day, so I couldn't resist. It's corny, but I had to. hahaha The hopeless romantic side came out in me, but in my defense, Brandon makes me giggly and mushy... so it's HIS fault. lol It's still pretty cool, and definitely one of the images everyone thinks of when they think NYC iconic images.

Ooops... More Lake Please?

Photo 325 - 326: I shot, edited and posted some more Lake Tahoe pictures last week... but oops I forgot two, so here are the stragglers. My bad! I don't know why that happened, but I corrected my little snafu (sp?) and continue with my photo hunt this weekend. Long Island + Brooklyn Waterworks here I come. Can't wait to see what shots I see. :)

These pictures remind me a little bit of Hallstadt in Austria - minus the sunshine. I can't wait to go back and see it with a little sunshine thrown in. When Candice and I were there in 2008 we froze, got rained on and were just absolutely cold. All the wine and schnitzel helped though! lol

There's a Lake... What???

Photo 317 - 319: As I'm driving down south to see what this "Lake Tahoe" nonsense is about, I see little areas to pull over all over the place, but I kept on driving... and then this view opened up (first picture). I couldn't believe it, so I did a slightly legal U-turn, and shot a picture of this breathtaking view. The great thing about this area is that there are many landmark signs, so it's not that difficult to get that panoramic shot even if it means climbing some rocks or in my case, balancing on some very unsteady boulders to get that perfect picture.

Lake Tahoe Adventures

Photo 316: I was in Reno/Carson City for work at the beginning of this week, and since I had some spare time after the training, I drove down to Lake Tahoe. This is what I encountered on my way down there. The scenery is so beautiful, and it reminds me a little bit of Austrian countryside. I never expected to see this driving down I-395. Wow...

Looking Back to NOLA

Photo 301 - 303: Here are a few more shots from my NOLA visit. One thing is for certain, I have to go buy a gorilla tripod for my mini trips. That would have helped me out a lot during my last vacation. I even looked at them at B&H Photo (any photographer's gear mecca), but didn't buy one... don't as me why.

Nothing much else to report today, but that I'm planning on some "sexier" photos soon i.e. NYC at night, perhaps a model shoot or even some Miami at night photographs. Now THAT'S a great idea... For now, take a look back at what New Orleans has to offer -- a lot of history.

The Big Easy

Photo 300: I debated, and debated, and debated what my 300th picture should be, and picked this one from my trip to New Orleans a few months ago. I've been wanting to post it, and I wandered around NYC today to get my newest photograph, but nothing struck me quite like this one from the Big Easy. This was the first time I've been back post-Katrina, and it was eye-opening and a bit sad to see that this once gorgeous area hasn't yet recovered fully. The French Quarter has been cleaned up of course, but I remember the surrounding areas to be lush, and beautiful, but after taking a drive to the countryside, it wasn't like that anymore. More to come from this trip, but it's my 300th picture, people!

Window Into the Sky

Photo 297-298: As my long list of Egypt photographs are now coming to an end, and I am nearing the 300 mark, I'm pumped. I can't believe I'm almost done with this photo venture. I'm pretty close to my 365 number, of course a bit behind, but the Egypt adventure helped. I've got some FLL time coming up, and of course I wandered around NYC yesterday during lunch and took a few shots, so let's see. I've got Long Island, NY, and Reno, Nev., (anyone know what's there?), coming up for a businnes trip in May, and then I go to Arlington, Tx., and San Antonio in June, so I should be able to get some more great shots before my deadline is here and gone. Cross your fingers for me!

Meanwhile, this is the Alabster Mosque with its beautiful spires and delicately crafted windows overlooking the Cairo skyline from the Citadel.

"Only from the heart can you touch the sky." - Rumi

"I was a tiny bug. Now a mountain. I was left behind. Now honored at the head. You healed my wounded hunger and anger, and made me a poet who sings about joy." - Rumi

Something Blue... or Pick a Color

Photo 292 - 296: Strolling around the streets of Aswan or taking a nap on a cruise balcony gives you such a different view of the world around you. All week I kept tripping over everything - my own two feet, a curb, a chair - but only (!!!) because I kept looking UP to see what the next shot was going to be. Some believe I have a crooked walk (:P), but I like to think that it keeps me "falling" into places I would not otherwise see. lol I survived a boat, a camel, a cab ride and a train without major injury, and captured these images early at the crack of dawn, at high noon, and as the sun was going down - all with vibrant colors at the core.

Regular Programming Con't...

Photo 287 - 291: Not much to say today, but here's a few more from Egypt. I'm almost done going through all of them, and then I'll have to come up with some more photo opps. Perhaps some more FLL? There's a lighthouse or two I want to explore, and some more bridge and sunset pictures that beg to be taken. For now though, who can imagine walking around these ruins and being emersed in history? I CAN!

A Little Night Magic

Photo 281-285: Thank God for flat surfaces, otherwise I would have cried. I didn't take my tripod with me on this trip, so various chairs, trash cans, and banisters provided me with a steady surface, and I even got to educate my fellow travelers on a little trick called "no flash + timer = happy photographer" mode. lol

Still, magic hour... twilight hour... It's the same no matter where you go, but when you're surrounded by pyramids, temples and the City of Cairo, there's something indescribable in the air.

Felucca Cruisin'

Photo 276 - 280: I keep talking about this infamous nile cruise and felucca ride... and I have to tell you, it was truly my favorite part of the trip. The pyramids, temples, caves, museums etc. were great, but the felucca ride to a botanical garden on a small island was breathtaking. It was so peaceful with the wind playing with the sails, the waves rushing ahead to lead the way, and the sun rays reflecting off the water. We started out in Aswan, and spent the whole afternoon taking pictures, relaxing, and taking in the most amazing views I have ever seen. What a relaxing feeling - there's nothing like it in the world.

A Mosque Up High

Photo 271 - 275: I've been back for a few days now, and finding it still difficult to become adjusted, but all in due time, I guess. A week ago I was floating down the Nile, so work/office stress and politics isn't something I really want to indulge in right now. lol I'd rather reminisce about the Citadel, and the peaceful feeling this beautiful mosque gave me.

"I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit." - Khalil Gibran

Home Sweet Home

Photo 266 - 270: I am back home from the Land of the Pharaohs, and what an amazing, crazy, revealing, romantic and exhausting adventure it was. Cairo was dirty, loud and dusty, but the history, warm nights, and lively energy swept you away along with the calls to prayer that echoed throughout the city. I have to admit, Cairo was my least favorite of all the places we went with our tour group (CONTIKI I miss you...), but it's still Cairo where you can see a donkey cart rolling down the street alongside a BMW. Where a goat and a chicken share a rooftop with the silver moon hanging over a mosque, and peddlers sell you jewelry, hookahs and spices in the bazaars. It's a city of contradictions with a forward thinking generation held back by more and more conservative ideologies, but where the history of the ancient past is still ingrained in every tradition and custom.

Our first "full" day was spent roaming around the Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids, the Sphinx and we took a camel ride through the desert which was awesome. To see all of the wonders and monuments up close and personal is mind-blowing. And this blond history geek was in heaven! I felt so fortunate to be there, and had to close my mouth throughout the day, because it kept hanging open. lol Here are a few pictures from this week... And no, camels don't spit unless provoked. ;) Egypt is definitely a trip that is a must on anyone's list. Just make sure you have a lot of bakshees on hand or just learn how to say, "La, shokran."

Some Sunshine and Patterns

Photo 263: We're moving this week (we as in my company), and I've been crazy packing while planning a pr campaign for a new web site we are launching, so it's been a bit nuts. lol I was down in Florida this weekend (yeah!!), and didn't want to leave. It's so pretty down there! I'm ready for more palm trees and pretty weather.

I'm also getting ready for my Egypt trip, so I've been making lists of things to pack, buy and not forget. Whew... it's going to be amazing!

A Little Coney

Photo 248 - 249: Coney Island is one of New York's most famous, if often forgotten and neglected landmarks. It's dirty, and loud, and run-down, but absolutely fantastic at the same time. A lot of it is being torn down now, and not operational yet, but the big Wonder Wheel and little amusement park are still there for kids - big and small.

Music in New Orleans

Photo 234-239: Walking around the French Quarter and Bourbon Street overwhelms you with so many sights, sounds and colors, it's unbelievable. Even after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the music and history of jazz and the blues still can be seen on streetcorners and little clubs all around the Quarter. Here are a few snapshots just strolling around on a Saturday afternoon.