Monthly Archives: January 2016

Optimistic

Posted on January 26, 2016 by | 36 comments

By Vladimir Brezina

As they meet to negotiate, both sides are optimistic. Unfortunately, it’s not a win-win situation…

Optimistic

For the outcome, see here.

A contribution to this week’s Photo Challenge, Optimistic.

36 Comments

Posted in Nature, Photography

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Alphabet

Posted on January 20, 2016 by | 18 comments

By Vladimir Brezina

We’re only up to “C”! A long way to go still on our circumnavigation of Manhattan…

AlphabetThe Columbia “C”

A contribution to this week’s Photo Challenge, Alphabet.

18 Comments

Posted in Kayaking, New York City, Photography

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A Last Hurrah for the Christmas Tree

Posted on January 12, 2016 by | 20 comments

By Vladimir Brezina

Christmas tree lit

Yes, we’re late, as usual.

According to Wikipedia,

Both setting up and taking down a Christmas tree are associated with specific dates. Traditionally, Christmas trees were not brought in and decorated until Christmas Eve (24 December) or, in the traditions celebrating Christmas Eve rather than the first day of Christmas, 23 December, and then removed the day after Twelfth Night (5 January); to have a tree up before or after these dates was even considered bad luck.

We did manage to get our Christmas tree decorated in time for Christmas, albeit at the last possible moment. However, we missed the 6th January date for taking it down—but only by a few days, so we hope the bad luck will let us off this year with just a warning. We lit the tree for the last time a couple of days ago—

Click on any photo to start slideshow:

Rich with ornaments
Pools of darkness 1
Candle-lit star
Blue ball 1
Large sun
Golden cat
Pine cone
Golden star
Small sun
Yellow ball
Horse
Pools of darkness 2
Blue ball 2
Wooden tiger
A kayak, of course!
Glass tiger
Enameled ball

20 Comments

Posted in Life

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Weightless

Posted on January 8, 2016 by | 17 comments

By Vladimir Brezina

Weightless 1

On the first dive, a novice diver immediately encounters a new and astonishing feeling, one of utter weightlessness, of floating in space, gently rising by inhaling more deeply and descending by exhaling… I still remember how amazed I was by that feeling.

On our trip to Australia last August we only went snorkeling, but still were able to recapture some of that feeling…

Weightless 2(Great Barrier Reef, Australia, August 2015)

A contribution to this week’s Photo Challenge, Weight(less).

17 Comments

Posted in Photography, Sports, Travel

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Waves

Posted on January 6, 2016 by | 11 comments

By Vladimir Brezina

Under the Brooklyn Bridge in the East River, the waves are always fun… ;-)

Waves 1
Waves 2For more photos from this Manhattan circumnavigation see here.

A contribution to Ailsa’s travel-themed photo challenge, Waves.

11 Comments

Posted in Kayaking, New York City, Photography

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