A nice sunset behind this building.

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Last week we finally managed to get up onto the Highline Park in NYC. Granted the first time we tried to go it was the very first day and there were massive lines – for a park! Seocnd time lucky. The sunset was amazing that evening but the park has a few other very cool features. This tunnel actually had an art installation inside it. A set of windows had been re-paned with glass that matched a single image per pane from 700 photos of the Hudson River taken over the course of one day. The installation is entitled “The River That Flows Both Ways” by Spencer Finch. The tunnel itself is a semi-enclosed loading dock running through the Chelsea Market Building and reminded me a bit of the starfighter launch tunnels in Battlestar Galatica. I shot this as wide open as I could go to create a dreamy feel as the sun was almost completely set.

Brazil – land of natural beauty – has some of the beautiful beaches. Rio is known for its beaches. So being in such a city, a good experience of the sea and sand is inevitable. Add to that the summer season and it gives you a good exposure to sun too.

Any fine day, you can find the beaches to be full with men, women and children roaning around on beaches in various stages of (un)dress. Beautiful women in beautoful clothes enjoying the blessing of the rays of sun adorn the beaches – some playing, some strolling, some bathing in the sea waves, some swimming and some just lazing around.

But what I liked the most was the sunset. It was engrossing and for some moment could make you forget breathing. Here are some of the photographs:

The photos are of Barra (pronounced Bahha) beach at outskirts of Rio. Hope you like it!

Sunset from HM, originally uploaded by ducksRfriends.

Taking pictures of sunsets is so frustrating. My camera isn’t terrible, but it isn’t great either and it never quite captures the majesty. Although with this one, that could be because I’m taking it through the treated glass windows at the office. As much as I hate that its already dark by the time I leave the office, the sunsets from my desk can be pretty fantastic. But what I really miss are the stars. There is just too much light in this city to see anything properly. Perhaps if I had a roof deck I could get above the ground-level-glow… but alas, my house has a backyard but no roof access. I miss crisp fall nights by the bonfire. Now when I smell that burning-leaf fall smell, it makes me happy for a moment and then concerned- what building nearby might be burning? Although I suppose we were never supposed to burn leaves….. Not that we burned bushels or anything, but some always seemed to make into the flames, stuck to the logs or fallen into the pit since last fire. I look forward to curling up next to the fireplace this Christmas.

Sunset over Glendo Reservoir

Well in preparation for our New Zealand trip I thought I might start a blog to detail the journey and with the help of Casey (my daughter) I have decided to use this format.  I’m sure there will be a lot to learn and mistakes will be made by the droves, but here goes!  We took a quick trip on Sunday to Glendo State Park to show Casey where I worked at.  There was a beautiful sunset so we stopped to grab a few pictures.  This will be my first attempt at uploading a picture also, a plethora of new events happening here!

PHOTO COPYRIGHT ROEL LOOPERS. WWW.PROFILEPHOTO.COM.AU

Jamaica was gorgeous and I wish we could have stayed longer! It was so much traveling for such a short trip, but I was still happy nonetheless The wedding took place at Hotel Riu Palace Tropical Bay in Negril, Jamaica. The rooms at the resort were very clean and quite stylish and the food was delicious as well I will post more photos at a later time…but for now I just wanted to share 2 photos with everyone. One is of the bride & groom who brought their “Terrible Towels” with them from Pittsburgh and the other is a photo of Janel and I that we had the bride take for us because of the beautiful pink sky in the background! Of course we took the bride and groom’s photo with the pink sky as well It was amazing and sadly the photo does not do it justice.

More to come later!

Sunset

Sunset at the beach

Every now and then, I’m just ready to feel a little sand between my toes with the girls…that white, sugary, warm, squishy, wonderful sand.  Ahhh.  I feel a beach getaway coming on!

One of the favorite spots for some of my girlfriend getaways is the Fort Walton Beach/Destin, FL area.  I have spent many, many hours on the beach just soaking up some sun and girl time.  When we stayed at Fort Walton, we were able to see the Blue Angels practice their maneuvers close to shore.  Their base was nearby, so we got a free show.  As they flew by, there was silence.  A few seconds later, you  could hear the loud boom.  What a show!

One of my favorite times on the beach is right before sunset when there’s still about an hour of light left.    There’s something magical about that time of the day.  The waves have a silvery light to them.  The sky is just beginning to turn different hues of red, purple, and yellow mixed with blue.  The clouds take on a life all of their own.  Most of the beach-goers are gone for the day by that time, so we were left with the peaceful sounds of the waves and seagulls.  We usually made dinner on the grill and then ate it right on the beach, close to the water.  I’ll never forget one evening as we were sitting on a big blanket, we saw some dolphins swimming close enough to the shore that we could easily see them.  They stayed in the same place for a long time and looked like they were playing in the surf.  We had the best seat in the house!

Sometimes, when I think about places like the beach, I can actually “feel” it even though I’m not there.  I can remember the feel of the warm sand between my toes, the smell of salt air, the sounds of the waves, and picture the bonds between my friends and me growing stronger.  I close my eyes, and it’s like I’m there.  Those daydreams are like my little mini escapes until the real getaway arrives.  That’s another wonderful benefit of girlfriend getaways.  Each time we make lifetime memories with our friends on our getaways, we can just close our eyes, and we’re there all over again.

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Spent the week in search of beauty. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, I found any number of things to marvel at, to ooh and aah over, to let my eyes follow through the world. And then, in the pursuit of beauty, I found laughter instead. Namely in the  antics of a funny boy and funny-eyed pup.

Not such a bad trade if you ask me.

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Far and fast, s.

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Beast: The castle is your home now, so you can go anywhere you like, except the West Wing.

Belle: What’s in the West Wing?

Beast: IT’S FORBIDEN! GRRR!

~Beauty and the Beast

A seascape image from Cape Schanck in Victoria, Australia.
The image features the well known landmark Pulpit Rock as incoming waves rush across the surface of the surrounding rocky platforms.

The Chant of the Pulpit.

Deep valleys and steep mountains lay before and behind us – and we zoom around the curves, gripping the sides of the bed of the truck for dear life. I find it difficult to light my cigarette in this wind, but I prevail with a little help from my friends. Mohammed, an army officer and friend of our driver joins us in the back. I keep staring at the door of the bed, wondering how tightly secured it is, and how long Mohammed would tumble down the mountainside before coming to his final resting place. Thankfully this leg of the trip was without incident, save for Mohammed’s questioning as to why I’d allow my wife to so bluntly engage in conversation with such a strange man like himself. “She’s very independent. She has her freedom.”

The camel of modernity

We went to a castle, and it was really old. I feel jaded. I’m saddened to say that the sense of wonder that once welled up inside my chest upon facing an ancient site no longer wells, but remains placid and deep inside me. So, the castle was old. I hardly took any pictures of the site itself, but instead tried (failingly) to capture the magnificent view from atop the mountain. I positioned myself in a watchtower and tried to imagine defending the castle as invaders scrambled up the hill, but even this musing failed to stoke my passion. Instead the thoughts of violence intensified the suns rays upon my frail face, and I was ready to get back into the truck.

We walked down the hill since our modern camel had busted-ass brakes

We were dropped off at the top of an incredibly steep descent because the brakes on the truck had since worn out. We left our bags in the truck, but I was sure to grab my wallet. Freed from the weight, we skipped down the road, heading to Little Petra, an overlooked and free destination. We take the less beaten path, obviously.

We had tea. For like two hours. For some reason we stalled right before entering the ancient site. Maybe we were exhausted from the days of hiking. We certainly did not feel in a rush, having skipped a day or two of walking by taking the truck ride. And thank God. That walk would have been stunning for twenty minutes, and then monotonous and draining. While we sipped our tea and chatted amongst ourselves, Sarah hung out with the artisans and gained insight into the educational system here. She got free gifts.

A small sample of Little Petra

We entered Little Petra and checked out the sights. Probably the strangest thing I saw was a woman on horseback with a cameraman following her. Apparently she’s the host of a PBS series whereby viewers catch glimpses of world heritage from a unique perspective, that being horseback. A curious twist to lure viewers to a show, sure, but to me it seems a bit gratuitous. Like walking the Appalachian Trail, but barefoot. Or climbing Everest with a team who color-coordinates their outfits based on the moon cycle.

My spacious dream of a campsite, the veritable goat toilet, is nestled in the nook behind the tree

We hiked into the open desert and checked out perspective places to camp. I was obsessed with one locale nudged into a cliff. The area was flat and soft, elevated above the desert below us. No awkward stones to rearrange to ensure a nice sleeping surface. Stone walls towered above and behind us, protecting us from the wind. I could imagine the flickering flames of our campfire casting fables upon our stone fortress, but some of our group had other ideas. “It’s a veritable goat toilet!” So what if the softness on the ground is organic? I thought. The smell was almost pleasant, reminiscent of the agricultural heritage of Montana, where I had spent the previous summer. But it was a deal-breaker for some, as well as the sandy area down below my imagined castle, which was described as a “goat cemetery.” I didn’t like the bones either, so we moved on.

Looking out from our stellar camp site

Regardless, we found a lovely place to camp, set up our tents, and some of us headed out for a hike and to collect firewood while the others would get a fire started and begin our dinner.

In this picture I have no breath because 1. it was taken away and 2. I am smoking

A melting palette dripped into valleys, onto mountainsides, and over the Dead Sea beyond. The castle earlier that day may have failed to rile me, but this sunset tapped into something. I saw the mountains before me swell and sink as the earth shifted and the sands carved over thousands of years. Time seemed stuck in a fast-forward loop, creation and destruction and resurrection flashing before me, somehow, despite the static image perceived by my eyes. Judith led a yoga session – we laid our legs out before us; I didn’t so much stretch as I was pulled by the sun to the west. Four of us shared breaths, rhythmically loosening our muscles and our ego’s grip on the reality that lay before and behind us.

Pull

Stretch

On our walk back, I mindfully collected sticks from the ground and plucked dead branches off scraggly trees gripping the rocky soil, painfully aware of my impact as a human being on the splendor that surrounds, of the wood I would soon incinerate so that I may have couscous.

And couscous we had. And ramen and canned beans. And it was swell. With full bellies we giggled and theorized and told around the fire I tenderly nurtured, scorching my eyebrows now and again to breathe in new life. I marveled at a purity in this temporal community: our guards down, our distractions minimized; partaking in food and sharing freely hugged by the warmth of the fire and guarded by the glimmer of the stars from the pristine night sky above. Hours passed like minutes until we tossed our whole stockpile of wood onto the fire for one blaring last hurrah. I reluctantly breathed in the bittersweet scent, and crawled into my Coleman cocoon. The end of the night. The last night of the trip. The next day we’d return to the bustle of Amman and our city lives where we played out the drama of the naïve idealists blessed with a year to explore to their heart’s content. Internet and televisions and appointments and obligations. And showers.

Today marks the start of a period of relatively short days, in which we have less than 9 hours of sunlight. In high summer, Newfoundland enjoys almost 16 hours of sunlight every day, making it ideal for very long walks by myself or short walks with Marije after she gets back from work. These winter days are in stark contrast to summer, today it is dark before she even gets home. Of course, that’s not a bad thing, it has advantages too, I can go for a sunset shoot before I pick her up and a night photography session doesn’t have to wait until after midnight. Here’s a shot taken on the way to the OSC, where Marije works.

Sunset over Torbay

The commercial holiday season is upon us too. In Holland they probably have their usual Sinterklaas vs. Santa Claus competition right about now, here in Newfoundland they have promptly replaced all the Halloween pumpkins with Christmas decorations, you can even sit in Santa’s lap at the mall! Everyone is already in a buying mood, and soon there will be Black Friday deals to be had in every shop willing to do the work.

This is the sunset PNG presented to us on the last day…pretty specky eh!

If you’ve seen my latest photographic aquisition then you have a small taste of the kinds of items you can find in LA’s newest retailer. Future has a new home in Echo Park  on sunset right next to Origami Vinyl. I was lucky enough to be invited to Part Two of their opening ceremonies gathering..There was no shortage of wine and PBR to get you nice and cozy with the people and garments.

Think 90’s babes in matte heels and boots. The kind of girls that speak multiple languages and don’t really look like they have jobs. The place was filled with them. I loved the ambience of the store and I snagged some old school “Yo MTV Raps” Trading cards. Not just great gear but also some vintage artifacts that will add personality to any space. I saw an old brick Gameboy, VHS tapes , VCR, and a few old Playboy Magazines that may have been stolen from someone’s older brother in ‘92. When  DJ, Josh Casto is spinning classics all night it is hard to stay focused on shopping but the ripe selection of merch in Future get’s you right back on track. I grazed my hand, not only over some choice vintage finds but, sweet labels like Corpus, Cheap Monday, and Alternative Apparel. If only I didn’t have to pay rent I would have gotten so much more than the Polaroid camera I showed you guys  not-to-long ago. It’s not just cool American stuff either, Future is crossing over a few  international brands, one of which is Lazy Oaf, whom Future happens to be the only stockist of in  the US . Who needs the pompous validation of American labels when you can wear  well-crafted threads from England or Austrailia? The party spills into the street as the evening roars on. I kept thinking of all the ways I could play on the name of the shop. If you’ve never been to the Future make sure you swing by . I am making a point to go back to the Future. If your’e looking for some neat conversation pieces or to start dressing a little better or get your friends to stop making fun of your lackluster garb, this is the place. Its a great shopping experience and you’d be in with a great group of people to be part of their clientele in part, because of the location. Echo Park is a hot bed of art and culture in Los Angeles and  favorite alternative to the Hollywood bourgeoise. I still have to get back down there be cause I want the green Dr. Marten’s I saw there for a price to low to tell on the internet. Part of me is even reluctant to publish this as I feel I am giving away what should be a secret find.Selfish as I may be this is too good a location to keep to myself. If you like that “stylish on accident” look, stop in some time and chat with the staff. When they aren’t helping you pick out a garment they make great conversation and could teach you a few things about the world. I’d wager  to say all the ladies in the store are babes; shoppers and staff alike. Yet another reason to stop in but in the great words of Levar Burton,” you don’t have to take my word for it”. Pop in yourself and see what Future is like. I’ll probably be there trying on shoes and trying to flirt with one of the  lady cashiers.  Men’s and Women’s clothes, shoes, accessories and more. It’s enough to add some flavor to your wardrobe and get out of those cheesy outfits everyone is too kind to tell you are crap. The Future is now.Join in.

Future’s blog:  futurelovesyou.blogspot.com