The first was on the walk back from the cliff-side towns of Manarola to Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre National Park.
The other was on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. As always a large crowd had gathered. We enjoyed the moment with them.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Solen Skiner
The sun was shining for nearly the entire trip down to Italy. Could not have asked for any better weather. The weather gods were smiling indeed. And so, there are two sunsets that rate as the best of the trip. Both are from Italy. No surprise there. The Mediterranean skies are the most vibrant.
The first was on the walk back from the cliff-side towns of Manarola to Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre National Park.
The other was on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. As always a large crowd had gathered. We enjoyed the moment with them.
The first was on the walk back from the cliff-side towns of Manarola to Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre National Park.
The other was on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. As always a large crowd had gathered. We enjoyed the moment with them.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Giving Props to Pisa
Italy, land of my forebearers. And pasta. But, honestly, only one word adequately and accurately defines Italy:
I could have eaten gelato morning, noon and night. But, since breakfast was included at all the hotels, I missed out on that gastronomic trifecta. Pity.
In Pisa, a rite of passage for [nearly every] tourist is posing for the I Propped Up the Leaning Tower of Pisa picture. We were not ones to shirk our supportive duties. But, the question I have for you is: Who worked it better?
G - E - L - A - T - O
I could have eaten gelato morning, noon and night. But, since breakfast was included at all the hotels, I missed out on that gastronomic trifecta. Pity.
In Pisa, a rite of passage for [nearly every] tourist is posing for the I Propped Up the Leaning Tower of Pisa picture. We were not ones to shirk our supportive duties. But, the question I have for you is: Who worked it better?
Hotel Recommendation: Hotel Globus in Florence. Very nice. Modern. In the heart of the city. Close to everything.
If We Took a Holiday...
A road trip. From Sweden to Italy. See the sights (and everything in between) in 10 days. This was going to be the best! holiday! ever! How could it not be? And who would choose to go on this daring venture? Seasoned travelers. Of sound mind and spirit. Of course. [click on a pic for a larger view]
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Summer Listening
On holiday. Hence, the dearth of posts. Just finished the first leg of travel. Heard this song driving through Germany. Highly recommended. Little White Lies by Jenniffer Kae. She's an upcoming singer out of Germany and has a great voice. Her website is here. Enjoy the video.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Parting Shots [Göteborg]
Having lived in Göteborg for a good 5 months, I guess it was finally time for me to point the camera at my surroundings. To explore the visual treats that this city has to offer. Yes, there are visual treats to be found. If you like abstract, colorful, sober images. Which I happen to like. It's kind of like godis for the eyes. Since we will be living here at least another 18 months, I will have the opportunity to revisit certain locations through the seasons. You know, the two seasons we have here: Winter and cool Summer. Should be able to provide a complete spectrum of "my Göteborg." This is just the beginning.
So, the first stop on the tour is on the docks alongside Maritiman, the floating ship museum, which is located at Packhuskajen. There are 19 ships and vessels, including a submarine. Several are brightly colored. Naturally, I gravitate towards those ships. Shadow, anyone?
There is a floating platform between two of the ships. I assume it to be a painting platform. Most of the ship colors seen are present as splattered paint on the floating platform. How's that for deductive reasoning? The ships are painted anew often. Though sometimes, the colors don't quite match. The orange ship pictured above has at least 5 different shades of orange on its side.
Bold colors energize me. Red. Anchor. Away.
So, the first stop on the tour is on the docks alongside Maritiman, the floating ship museum, which is located at Packhuskajen. There are 19 ships and vessels, including a submarine. Several are brightly colored. Naturally, I gravitate towards those ships. Shadow, anyone?
There is a floating platform between two of the ships. I assume it to be a painting platform. Most of the ship colors seen are present as splattered paint on the floating platform. How's that for deductive reasoning? The ships are painted anew often. Though sometimes, the colors don't quite match. The orange ship pictured above has at least 5 different shades of orange on its side.
Bold colors energize me. Red. Anchor. Away.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Party Post-Mortem
The Fourth of July party couldn't have been any more fun. Well, maybe if the Swedish Bikini Team had shown up. Still, fun. And warm. The weather gods were listening and the warm temps (27C+) returned just in time. Friends, food, drink, music and good conversation. What more could you ask for? TJ in a silly hat, perhaps?
I was not wearing mine for this photo, but both of us did receive a hat. One of many gifts from our dear new friends welcoming us to Sweden. A few pix from the party. To see more photos, either select a photo below or click here.
One thing I learned at the party is that my compact digital camera is toast. Too much abuse over the years. I've dropped it more times than I care to admit. All the photos seem to be out of focus on one side. Not good. And the trip to Burning Man added quite a bit of dust to the interior of the camera. Dust, you can have as much as you like.
Another thing I learned is that Swedes can really drink. But, occasionally, so can TJ. The day after photo tells the story. Shhhh. Be very very quiet.
I was not wearing mine for this photo, but both of us did receive a hat. One of many gifts from our dear new friends welcoming us to Sweden. A few pix from the party. To see more photos, either select a photo below or click here.
One thing I learned at the party is that my compact digital camera is toast. Too much abuse over the years. I've dropped it more times than I care to admit. All the photos seem to be out of focus on one side. Not good. And the trip to Burning Man added quite a bit of dust to the interior of the camera. Dust, you can have as much as you like.
Another thing I learned is that Swedes can really drink. But, occasionally, so can TJ. The day after photo tells the story. Shhhh. Be very very quiet.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Musik i Full Fart [Music at Full Speed] v3
This post contains a list of new and notable music I've been listening to of late. Feel free to comment with your favorite songs and artists. I always welcome suggestions for music. To find out more about my musical tastes, check out my profile on LastFM.
Artist links will take you to an informational website (Myspace page, artist website, etc). Song links will take you to a video of the song.
Dance
Freemasons ft. Katherine Ellis – When You Touch Me (2008 Club Mix/Radio Edit). The Freemasons come to the dancefloor rescue! What a killer dance track. The video is an homage to Bob Fosse's choreography in a dance number, Rich Man's Frug, from the movie Sweet Charity. For more of Katherine Ellis’ exquisite full-throttled voice, try Stereo Palma – Dreaming or ABSO ft. Katherine Ellis – Let The Beat Hit ‘Em (Soul Avengerz Remix). The latter can only be found on a Hed Kandi mix at the moment.
This Summer, one of the hottest songs in Europe (and hopefully beyond) is Hagenaar & Albrecht – What Would We Do (Original Edit). The funky piano chords hit you hard. Although the next song, Soul Survivors ft. Angie Brown – Bring It Back (Classic Club), came out last year, take a listen to this retro disco gold. Angie Brown's vocals are strong, lively, and cajoling. Bring it back, indeed. An electric disco maestro from Australia, Sam Sparro – Black & Gold, hit the UK charts earlier this Spring. His music is making its presence known in the US. Listen closely and enjoy. Dig a little deeper and try Hot Mess, a falsetto funk that echoes Prince and Al Green. If you seek a distinctive, androgynous voice set to a hypnotic disco sway then Hercules and Love Affair – Blind should meet your needs. Need to be uplifted? Danny Clark & Jay Benham – Wondrous (MuthaFunkaz Mix) truly delivers a wondrous reworking of a praise chorus by SuSu Bobien. And who knew that girl from Queens, Cyndi Lauper – Set Your Heart, would still be delivering the goods 25 years after she just wanted to have fun. End it all with a little (lack of) love from Russia: Valeriya - The Party's Over
Trance/Electronica
Kaskade makes big waves with Strobelight Seduction. Great vocal tracks include Angel On My Shoulder and I Remember (Strobelight Edit). You may also want to check out his remix of Britney Spear's Break The Ice. Yes, I am recommending a Britnot song. The last time I did that, it was a Guilty Pleasure pick.
Ambient Alternative
Bitter:Sweet delivers sexy space-age love songs. That's the good news. The bad news is that most of their songs sound oh-so-similar. The best of the bunch is The Mating Game.
Adult Alternative
Aussie Gabriella Cilmi sings playfully sly and sweet on Sweet About Me. The song was used in a 2008 European commercial for Rexona deodorant. Keren Ann sings airy and light as a Summer breeze on Lay Your Head Down. The song was used in a commercial for H&M promoting their 2008 Summer collection. Jon McLaughlin – Beautiful Disaster reminds me a lot of Shawn Mullins. And that's a very good thing. I liked Tristan Prettyman when she sang with Jason Mraz on Shy That Way from her previous album, 23. Check out her new song, Madly, and see why I continue my admiration for her singing and songwriting abilities.
Jazz
Every once in a while you need something cool and calm to wind down the day. That something could be Melody Gardot singing Worrisome Heart.
Retro 70’s and Neo-Soul
Jamie Lidell is crazy. The evidence is here, here, and here. But, he makes great music. How can you not be taken in by the soulful retro old school sounds of Another Day?
Guilty Pleasures
We started with a video homage to Sweet Charity and end with another for Valley of the Dolls. It's the Pipettes! With their retro 60's Brit-pop confection called Pull Shapes. I had read about the group a few years ago, but didn't explore much beyond three female singers in polka dot hoop skirts. Then, late last year, YouTuber Michael Buckley (aka What The Buck) promoted the song in his video blog. And I became hooked. You might too.
Archive Posts
Musik i Full Fart Volume I
Musik i Full Fart Volume II
Artist links will take you to an informational website (Myspace page, artist website, etc). Song links will take you to a video of the song.
Dance
Freemasons ft. Katherine Ellis – When You Touch Me (2008 Club Mix/Radio Edit). The Freemasons come to the dancefloor rescue! What a killer dance track. The video is an homage to Bob Fosse's choreography in a dance number, Rich Man's Frug, from the movie Sweet Charity. For more of Katherine Ellis’ exquisite full-throttled voice, try Stereo Palma – Dreaming or ABSO ft. Katherine Ellis – Let The Beat Hit ‘Em (Soul Avengerz Remix). The latter can only be found on a Hed Kandi mix at the moment.
This Summer, one of the hottest songs in Europe (and hopefully beyond) is Hagenaar & Albrecht – What Would We Do (Original Edit). The funky piano chords hit you hard. Although the next song, Soul Survivors ft. Angie Brown – Bring It Back (Classic Club), came out last year, take a listen to this retro disco gold. Angie Brown's vocals are strong, lively, and cajoling. Bring it back, indeed. An electric disco maestro from Australia, Sam Sparro – Black & Gold, hit the UK charts earlier this Spring. His music is making its presence known in the US. Listen closely and enjoy. Dig a little deeper and try Hot Mess, a falsetto funk that echoes Prince and Al Green. If you seek a distinctive, androgynous voice set to a hypnotic disco sway then Hercules and Love Affair – Blind should meet your needs. Need to be uplifted? Danny Clark & Jay Benham – Wondrous (MuthaFunkaz Mix) truly delivers a wondrous reworking of a praise chorus by SuSu Bobien. And who knew that girl from Queens, Cyndi Lauper – Set Your Heart, would still be delivering the goods 25 years after she just wanted to have fun. End it all with a little (lack of) love from Russia: Valeriya - The Party's Over
Trance/Electronica
Kaskade makes big waves with Strobelight Seduction. Great vocal tracks include Angel On My Shoulder and I Remember (Strobelight Edit). You may also want to check out his remix of Britney Spear's Break The Ice. Yes, I am recommending a Britnot song. The last time I did that, it was a Guilty Pleasure pick.
Ambient Alternative
Bitter:Sweet delivers sexy space-age love songs. That's the good news. The bad news is that most of their songs sound oh-so-similar. The best of the bunch is The Mating Game.
Adult Alternative
Aussie Gabriella Cilmi sings playfully sly and sweet on Sweet About Me. The song was used in a 2008 European commercial for Rexona deodorant. Keren Ann sings airy and light as a Summer breeze on Lay Your Head Down. The song was used in a commercial for H&M promoting their 2008 Summer collection. Jon McLaughlin – Beautiful Disaster reminds me a lot of Shawn Mullins. And that's a very good thing. I liked Tristan Prettyman when she sang with Jason Mraz on Shy That Way from her previous album, 23. Check out her new song, Madly, and see why I continue my admiration for her singing and songwriting abilities.
Jazz
Every once in a while you need something cool and calm to wind down the day. That something could be Melody Gardot singing Worrisome Heart.
Retro 70’s and Neo-Soul
Jamie Lidell is crazy. The evidence is here, here, and here. But, he makes great music. How can you not be taken in by the soulful retro old school sounds of Another Day?
Guilty Pleasures
We started with a video homage to Sweet Charity and end with another for Valley of the Dolls. It's the Pipettes! With their retro 60's Brit-pop confection called Pull Shapes. I had read about the group a few years ago, but didn't explore much beyond three female singers in polka dot hoop skirts. Then, late last year, YouTuber Michael Buckley (aka What The Buck) promoted the song in his video blog. And I became hooked. You might too.
Archive Posts
Musik i Full Fart Volume I
Musik i Full Fart Volume II
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy Fourth of July!
In Swedish, that would be Glad Juli Fjärde! Or some close approximation thereof. I think. Okay, I'm guessing. But, it's all about intention.
And it was our intention to have a party on July 4th here in Goteborg. And so, it has come to pass. We are having a Fourth of July party in Goteborg. We will be the only Americans at our party. Which may seem a little sad. But, we take solace in the fact that there's an American icon playing just across town at Ullevi Stadium. The Boss. As in Bruce Springsteen, The Boss.
Another amusing addendum to our adventures. How American is that? The Boss! Almost as American as a soker kaka decorated like an American flag with blueberries and strawberries. Now, that's American! Happy Fourth of July from TJ, Chris, Lily and Zoey!!!!
And it was our intention to have a party on July 4th here in Goteborg. And so, it has come to pass. We are having a Fourth of July party in Goteborg. We will be the only Americans at our party. Which may seem a little sad. But, we take solace in the fact that there's an American icon playing just across town at Ullevi Stadium. The Boss. As in Bruce Springsteen, The Boss.
Another amusing addendum to our adventures. How American is that? The Boss! Almost as American as a soker kaka decorated like an American flag with blueberries and strawberries. Now, that's American! Happy Fourth of July from TJ, Chris, Lily and Zoey!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
