Sunday stroll
Posted by NN in Photography, Travels on June 22nd, 2009
I know I’m a fortunate soul. Today I woke up at 8am in my home in Oslo. A few hours later I walked down Portobello Road in Notting Hill. The sun was shining over London, perfect for a Sunday stroll.
Postcards
I like to send postcards. We can’t only surround ourselves with bits and bytes. Old school card writing is a nice break from the present race with the machines. I normally don’t send cards when on a day-trip. If I did some mailboxes around would receive little else than my scribbling.
But this time, visiting Hamburg I made an exception. It was not planned, in fact, when asked by my colleague if I were looking for cards I told him no. Not on day-trips. We’ve traveled together to different parts of the world and he’s getting used to me looking for the perfect card. A search getting increasingly difficult I might ad. As a geek fond, of photography, it’s depressing to see the poor artistic and creative quality of postcards around. Take a look next time you pass a display. It’s rarely an exciting sight. Except in NYC – the postcard capitol of the world. Never difficult to find a good one there – rather, it’s difficult to choose.
OK – I’m getting geekier by every word, so I’ll get to the point. In Hamburg I had decided not to look for a postcard until I noticed this. I love it. It’s a much better depiction of the harbor than what I captured with my compact, where I was lucky to take a quick stroll after our meeting.
The return of E3
What a relief to look over the Pacific Ocean after days in the desert heat. As always, it felt good to be back in California. This time to attend the annual E3 show downtown Los Angeles.
Santa Monica. I always stay down by the sea when I visit LA. The view of the ocean, the possibility of actually walking around – a rare thing in this city – and the opportunity of a morning jog on the beach are too good reasons to change that pattern. I’ve been on a good work out routine lately and was pretty bummed that I missed my exercise as my bag was on route to some random destination earlier in the week. At Loews, where I often stay, I got the chance to make up for lost time. It felt good.
Over the years I’ve acquired a decent understanding of LA. Friends in the city have been so very kind driving, and showing me around to the different neighborhoods – for something I’m ever so grateful, in case I don’t say it enough. In turn I end up being a mini-guide for follow visitors. It’s a city with so much to offer, it would be interesting to actually spend a longer period of time – to experience that too. I know it would be different, but not how.
E3 used to be the biggest tradeshow in LA. Three days where the video/computer games industry pounded its chest and celebrated its existence. After the 2006 show, which was humongous, it was decided to scale down the event. The following two years were nothing less than disastrous, so it was with a happy heart I saw some of the past promise return this year. It was great to hang out and chat with peers, friends and new acquaintances in the industry as well – all in all a very good week.
When in LA there’s always a good chance to meet or at least see people who normally are fifteen feet tall on the silver screen. Watching James Cameron talk about Avatar, Pele about a new football game, standing next to Steven Spielberg on the show floor and sitting next to Megan Fox enjoying a Jerry Seinfeld performance was my star struck moments of the week. It was fun.
Desert heat – a rant
I had a cunning plan. Leaving Montreal early in the morning would give the better part of the day, once arrived in Arizona, to rent a car and drive the hours needed up to Monument Valley. I’ve wanted to visit for years. My camera and I surrounded by majestic landscapes. Bliss! I also had a back-up plan in case I found the drive north too long. Not very far, all considering, south of Phoenix is Tucson and more importantly (in my opinion) AMRAC, popularly called the airplane graveyard. Thousands of US Air Force aircrafts lined up – a beautiful sight in my viewfinder.
However, bad weather in the Atlantic North East put a stop to my brilliant plan. The minute I walk into the transit hall my flight to Chicago got cancelled. After closer examination I read that all other flights going westward with other airlines were on schedule and, of course, my blasted airline had no agents about to explain this mystery to me. Quite some time later, listening to muzak on United’s 1-800 number, I rebooked to Dulles, where I had a short glimpse of light – I got to see the CL Final. 90 minutes after, back in to darkness. Man U delivered a poor game. Barcelona did not, and won the cup fair and square.
Nine in the evening, twelve hours after I was scheduled to land, I finally walk into the Phoenix’ desert heat, without my suitcase.
A temperature in the shade, warmer than regular body temperature is a tad too much in my book. The warm caressing breeze is not very gentle when it feels like pointing a blow dryer to your face, and walking out into the sun… I would need a big pool if I’d ever had to live here, and God forbid should the AC malfunction.
My visit to Phoenix turned out to be pretty “mama huhu”, as the Chinese would say, and not having clean clothes, toothbrush etcetera didn’t make it better. The day after in Las Vegas was a huge improvement, and that says quite a bit. I usually don’t like Sin City, but this time I didn’t spend a nickel in the casino and I my suitcase was finally returned to me. Maybe sad that’s what it takes for me to have a good stay in Vegas.
The sound of leaves
Posted by NN in Photography, Travels, Work on May 27th, 2009
Sitting in the shade, leaning back against a tree trunk, I enjoyed a few relaxing minutes in Parc du Mont-Royal. I sat there listening to the rustling of the maple leaves and thought about this blog, and what to write.
I was back in Canada, third time in just over a year. Seven colleagues and I were spending five days in Montreal and the area around. The weather was much more inviting than a few months ago – the sun shining with twenty-plus degrees and a gentle breeze in the air.
In the weekend we strolled the city, walked past Cirque de Soleil’s tents in Old Port before we made it over to the two small islands in St Lawrence River. On our way over the taxi took us on part of the F1 racetrack. Not planned, he seemed as surprised as us when we suddenly drove around a bend and found the skid marks and white and red markings on the curb. I was very happy by this coincidence.
Parc Jean Drapeau is very nice. An outdoor activity fair was on and people were climbing and rappelling the Biosphere. I hope I can do it too one day. Maybe have a time for rollercoaster rides in La Ronde as well.
On Sunday, two of us took a day and drove a few hours north of Montreal, up to Mont Tremblay. We wanted to see what the locals are raving about. What’s supposedly the best ski resort on the North American east coast. True, not much snow on the slopes in end of May, but we got and idea of what it’d be like – and it’s very promising. I for sure wouldn’t mind going back in winter.
We were told before driving up that the little town at the bottom of the slopes was inspired by Oslo. We didn’t really believe it, and rightfully so. I guess he had a few too many shroomz when he came up with that idea… That said, looking out over the pine trees and rolling hills reminded me somewhat of Nordmarka.
Leaving the shade of the tree I walked through the park, crisscrossing down past the wonderful houses in the hills of Westmount, continued down to Atwater Market, then among joggers and inline skaters and cyclist along the canal to Old Town and finally back up to our hotel downtown – all part of an assignment during this visit. Photo-documenting the city. Tough job! =D
Nineteen years ago
Posted by NN in Photography, Travels on May 1st, 2009
July, 21 1990. Only a few months earlier the wall separating East and West had fallen and I was standing on Potsdamer Platz in the center of Berlin. On a stage 30 or so meters in front of me, Roger Waters and ensemble performed “The Wall”, one of the largest rock concerts on the planet with around a million spectators, if not more. I remember not seeing an end to the sea of people. Absolutely fantastic! I had very good memories from the few days spent with two great friends back then. Now, so many years later I’m standing on the same spot. At least, I think it’s the same. The area previously known as “no-mans land” have changed dramatically. I’ve been told it was one of the largest construction sites in the mid-nineties, and I have no difficulty believing so.
Berlin is a wonderfully creative and interesting city. I think it’s one of the most exciting cities in Europe. I’ve only been stopping by for the briefest times the past few years and this time was sadly no different. I only had time for a 30 min evening stroll. Walked up from Potzdamer Platz past the Holocaust Memorial to Brandenburger Tor and on to Berlin’s Reichtag. The air was warm. A beautiful spring evening. Returning to my hotel I thirsted for more, and needless to say I must return for at least a long weekend to explore more. There is so much to see, a photographers dream.
Canadiens
Montreal. A very nice city, but cold rain under charcoal skies can stain any beautiful spot on earth. Exactly eleven months after my first visit I traveled back to the city with two colleagues. The program, pretty much the same as last.
Thai Grill on the Plateau is a good restaurant. I like the food – Thai is some of my favorite – and the atmosphere. It was good to be back. I’ve been out of luck with my photography in Montreal, both last time and now. I only captured the dragon from above and ice hockey fans below. This is the only two I found time to photograph during my visit. Sadly their not of the upper echelon of quality. I do apologize. For the next visit I will give myself time with a camera and explore the city proper.
Without, I’ve seen a bit. Felt the vibe, up, down and between St Laurent and St Denis. Traversed Old Town and through downtown, around Atwater and into Westmount. All in the center of the city – so much left to see.
Maybe not a religion, but hockey is quite important in Quebec, as in the rest of Canada. In Montreal the heroes are the Canadiens. We were supposed to watch a game in the Bell Center on Saturday, but delayed in from San Francisco we missed the chance. A few days later we had the second best, maybe better, experience joining the locals in a bar and watched the visiting Blackhawks being knocked off the ice. Not my favorite sport, but a fun night!
California
Posted by NN in Photography, Travels, Work on March 29th, 2009
I’ve always liked California. Flying in, stepping out of the terminal with a feeling of anticipation of what the visit will bring never fails. And most of the time the warmer air does the trick too. This time however I stepped out of LAX and froze. It was much colder than in Beijing. Almost 10 degrees (Celsius) difference – and I, how was looking forward to warmer weather.
Spent a few relaxing days in Santa Monica. Enjoyed myself under the grey skies and cold wind. Visited Samy’s of course and walked out with a new beauty, used it well after. New for me this time was visiting Palos Verdes. On the south side of Los Angeles, this beautiful peninsula was well worth the drive down. I also stocked up at Whole Foods Market. I wish we had that store back home.
The following week I spent in San Francisco – a very hectic week. Flew in for the annual GDC (Game Developers Conference). In preparation of this week I suffered a case of extreme meeting booking syndrome and during my days in the City I paid for it. Over 40 meetings in four days, phew… It went well, but I slept eleven hours straight after the last day.
I did get some time to enjoy life outside the conference scene as well. Had a marvelous meal at Beretta (23rd/Valencia) in the Mission. The worlds best Tuna Melt, and great tour of Pacific Heights and Marina and some time under a warm sun. Great weather the whole week – the way it should be.
56A
So here I am. Planted in seat 56A, yeah the expensive seat, on Air China’s flight bound for LA. The crew has granted us the special service of not turning off the intensely bright cabin light on this overnight flight. My feeble attempts get a few seconds of shuteye has been firmly denied.
Luckily this twelve-hour flight is filled with lukewarm tasteless meals, a non-functional in-flight entertainment system, five – six hour combined battery capacity on my various video and gaming devices and less than 100 pages left in the book I brought with me. Damn, whom am I to complain, I can see the Bering Strait down there, and (a few hours later) mountains of Alaska. Cool!
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It’s the day after in LA. After being up for around 30 hours I was looking forward to a good night sleep last night. No such luck. Woke up at 3am. Jetlagged beyond belief…
Inside the birds nest
Ever since I saw a documentary special on the architectural marvels of Beijing I wanted to visit the birds nest. This was even before they started digging on the lot. On visits since I’ve been following the construction from taxi windows driving past, but when the arena was opened to the world with the Olympic opening ceremony I was disconnected from the world in Kenya’s Rift Valley.
Yesterday I was lying on the field, in the middle of the stadium, looking up at the stance and the nest surrounding. I can hardly imagine the feeling it must have been for the athletes with thousands of excited spectators cheering them on, but it felt really good. To bad it’s empty of sporting events most of the time.
Spring is in the air and through the smog we caught a glimpse of the warming sun in a blue-ish sky. The pollution and traffic aside I really like this city, the people and atmosphere. Vibrant and ever changing – some for better, some for worse – it’s managed to keep something a colleague reminded me of earlier this week, its tranquility. So many people, so many changes and still it manages be so calm. Fascinating. It always feels like I’m leaving too early, and this time it could not be truer. I didn’t even find time to visit 798. Sacrilege!
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Through the lens
