Oct 30 Thai Temple Interior

Zurich as Peyton, Elaine, Tony, Milt, Joani, Mike and Michelle knew! Congrats, Mike on your APSA honor from PSA!

"Buddha"

Shoot #29 - Well, I did say I would return. A few weeks later, I was able to not only get inside the Thai Temple but get inside with my camera! I was given free rein in the main section - no admittance to the residential areas. I was in my glory!

There was no one else walking among the three floors!!

Situated in one of the large meditation rooms was Buddha. This image was difficult in that there was no way to turn on the lights in the room. I cranked the ISO up to 2000 and hoped that I got the shot.

Couldn't wait to get home to check it out. . .

Where in the World?

Better get out the atlas as this year I will be featuring some of the more famous cities of the world! Here are some interesting facts about one of them. Just what city would I be visiting? 

currently the headquarters of companies like Samsung, LG, Hyundai and Kia.

over half of this country’s population is living the greater metropolitan area - center of politics, finance, culture and creativity

Gyeongbok Palace or the Palace of Shining Happiness is a huge palace complex, which seems even more overwhelming because of the mountains in its background.

away from the hustle-bustle of the city is the Bongwong-Sa Temple - a Buddhist temple situated in the center of the city.

the Seodamun Prison History Hall - a grim reminder of the modern-day conflicts that beset this nation.

the Namdaemun Market comes alive only at night, and is the perfect place to pick up clothes, Oriental spices, and almost anything. Bargaining is the thumb-rule here. If you want to avoid the crowds, then you can visit Insadong on Sunday too, when the area is closed to cars.

A Word to the Wise. . .

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. 

And if you can't help them, 

at least don't hurt them."  

                      ~ Dalai Lama    

Murphy's Laws. . .

Segal's Law:

A man with one watch knows what time it is; 

a man with two watches is never sure.

It's Cartoon Time. . .

Oct 23 before I die. . .

Dubai - well done Tony, Elaine, Milt, Joani, Mike, and Peyton!

"Before I Die. . ."

My daughter is an accomplished artist who, among a myriad of activities, participates in the annual Hingham Arts Walk. Here local artisans perform around the town's center - indoors and on the streets. Lisa is usually set up in one of the eclectic shops where her paintings are available for purchase.

She had heard about an international endeavor called, "Before I Die. . ." A large board covered with chalkboard paint is placed in an obvious place. Pedestrians can pick up a piece of chalk and add their own responses to the starting line.

The inspiration for this global art project was Candy Chang who lost a loved one back in 2011. So some six years later, two thousand walls, in seventy-six countries, it is still going strong.

It was amazing to read over their wishes. From the simple, "read a good book" to the complicated, "climb Mt. Everest" and everything in-between.

Even though the Arts Walk was a one day event, the board remained up for several more weeks!

So, what would you have written, "Before I die. . ." I'm curious about your answer so send it along to me. . . 

Where in the World?

Better get out the atlas as this year I will be featuring some of the more famous cities of the world! Here are some interesting facts about one of them. Just what city would I be visiting? 

clock tower of St. Peter had been for centuries the city’s ‘official local time’ and has the largest tower clock face in Europe

has the most fountains of any city in the world with approx. 1,200 drinking water fountains.

is the city of largest Techno Street Party. Every year in August, millions of wildly dressed people fill the streets to party at Street Parade, the largest techno parade in Europe.

is considered one of the happiest cities in the world.

has been regarded as the city with the best quality of life and the wealthiest city in Europe.

majority of the population speak German, while the few others speak Italian, Slovenian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Albanian, Croatian, Serbian, and English, among other languages.

main attractions of the city include churches and museums. Churches like the Grossmünster, Fraumünster, and St. Peter’s Church, and museums such as Kunsthaus. National Museum, Haus Konstruktiv, and Uhrenmuseum Beyer are among the most visited sites of the city.

other attractions of the city are Lindenhof Hill, where the Roman and medieval castle lies, Guild houses, Zoological Garden, Uetliberg Hill, Sunrise Tower, and Sihlcity.

A Word to the Wise. . .

Plan your life like you will live forever, 

and live your life like you will die the next day.      

                                           ~ unknown    

Murphy's Laws. . .

Boling's Postulate:

If you're feeling good, don't worry. 

You'll get over it.

It's Cartoon Time. . .

Oct 16 Thai Temple II

Bangkok - where else with a Thai Temple featured??? Well, was not so easy except for Elaine, Milt, and Joani. Mike was a few miles away but he tried. . .

"Thai Temple Steeple"

During its construction I bumped into the Raynham Fire Chief who was somewhat bewildered as he looked at the 180-foot tall spire. He was certain that he had nothing in his fire-fighting arsenal to cope with any emergencies at that height!

The sixty million dollar facility houses monks, two meditation rooms, a museum/library, and several multi-purpose rooms.

On this day I could not enter the Temple as it was closed. Since it is only a twenty-minute drive from my house, I planned to come back another day (and, I did).

Where in the World?

Better get out the atlas as this year I will be featuring some of the more famous cities of the world! Here are some interesting facts about one of them. Just what city would I be visiting? 

this is one city in the world that has undergone an extraordinary transformation in recent decades. For this reason 20% of the world’s total cranes are now operating here in various constructions. the highest mosque, the highest restaurant, highest outdoor observation and highest nightclub.

has laid claim to the biggest mall, tallest hotel, second largest man-made marina, and the world’s largest aquarium

home to the only seven star hotel in the whole world, the Burj Al Arab,

another prominent but unique feature in this city is the Palm Jumeirah Isle that consists of resorts that are off-coast.

this city is considered one of the safest cities on earth.

A Word to the Wise. . .

The truly rich are those 

who enjoy what they have.      

                                                     ~ Yiddish 

Murphy's Laws. . .

Axiom of the Pipe:

A pipe gives a wise man time to think 

and a fool something to stick in his mouth.

It's Cartoon Time. . .

Oct 9 Thai Temple I

Phnom Penh - way to go, Peyton, Elaine, Mike, Joani, and Michelle!

"Thai Temple, Raynham"

You are NOT going to believe this but the LARGEST Thai Temple outside of Thailand is in Raynham, MA! Yes, bedroom community, Raynham! And, it's sitting in the midst of residential neighborhood at that.

I have driven by this church as it was in the construction stage. I waited patiently for its completion. On this day I was able to walk the perimeter and shoot away.

An attempt to enter the Temple was killed when I found out the entire facility is shuttered during the lunch break!

Where in the World?

Better get out the atlas as this year I will be featuring some of the more famous cities of the world! Here are some interesting facts about one of them. Just what city would I be visiting? 

the Grand Palace, which is arguably the most popular sightseeing attraction in the city.

over four hundred Buddhist temples in the city, so it is not unusual to see monks wearing saffron-colored robes when they are out gathering morning alms.

Considered to be the food capital of Asia, if not the world.

Helpful hint: This city is called the “Venice of the East” because the Chao Phraya River, which runs through the city, is connected by several canals. Tourists can travel around the city by cruising the river, taking the underground subway or the elevated sky-train.

A Word to the Wise. . .

Nothing is impossible to the willing mind.      

                      ~ Books of the Han Dynasty

Murphy's Laws. . .

Cannon's Cogent Comment:

The leak in the roof 
is never in the same location as the drip. . .

It's Cartoon Time. . .

Oct 2 Foliage and Diane

Jakarta, did you get it? Well, Peyton, Joani, Mike, Tony, Elaine, and Michelle did!

"Foliage Shoot with Diane"

Fellow photographer, Diane had helped to judge a competition at my club. Because of her location, I pick her up on competition night and then drop her home the next day.

On this occasion I had asked her to pack her camera. After the traditional morning breakfast, we headed over to the Ames properties in Easton.

Foliage was peak, so we just meandered around the acreage to find proof positive about the colors.

Where in the World?

Better get out the atlas as this year I will be featuring some of the more famous cities of the world! Here are some interesting facts about one of them. Just what city would I be visiting? 

    Founded in the year 1434

Previously known as “Pearl of Asia”, it is regarded to be one of Indochina’s most beautiful of the French-constructed cities in the 1920s

one of the most historical structures from the early days of the city is called the Wat Phnom, which was built in the year 1373.

key tourist sites are: the Royal Palace with Silver Pagoda, which dates back to the mid 1880’s; the National Museum, which was built during the French colonial period in the late 1880’s

A Word to the Wise. . .

Life is what you make it.

                                      
                                                              ~ Grandma Moses 

Murphy's Laws. . .

Andrew's Canoeing Postulate:

No matter which direction you start, 
it's always against the wind coming back.
(and, not just canoeing)

It's Cartoon Time. . .