Berlin – Monday 1st December 2008

Last day in the German capital and the first stop was Checkpoint Charlie.

 

 

A column consisting of scrap metal inside the Quartier 205 shopping centre on the popular Friedrichstrasse.  

 

Marble stairs and floors inside the Art Deco-inspired Quartier 206. 

 

Heavy rain offered only one opportunity to shoot the Berliner Dom.

 

Brandenburger Tor at dusk

 

Admission is free on Mondays at the Deutsche Guggenheim Museum which was just as well because this installation was the only exhibition on display.

 

Located on Friedrichstrasse, Leysieffer sells premium quality chocolate but also house this quaint cafe. The cakes sold in the cafe in the food court at Galeries Lafayette further down the road are of a wider variety and are much tastier.  

Pic taken with a camera phone

Jewellery store in Alexanderplatz.

 

Amongst the many, many Christmas stalls selling bratwursts stood this mobile one-man band offering the famed sausage in a roll at half the price and quadruple the food-poisoning potential.

 

Pic taken with a camera phone

A few stalls were selling metre long bratwursts. Here’s me attempting to stuff my face with one. The bratwurst is folded in two inside the bread roll. Curry ketchup is the perfect complimentary condiment. And no, I couldn’t finish it. Maybe because I’d scoffed a normal sized one thirty minutes earlier.

 

Mulled wine were sold in Christmas themed cups albeit with a one euro deposit. However, this particular cup (also comes in blue) were mostly never returned causing the vendor a huge shortage the next day. So the deposit was upped to two euros. That didn’t prevent me from taking this one home.

 

Pic taken with a camera phone

Dinner at the recommended Tucholsky restaurant but the food at the Renger-Patzsch restaurant was much superior.  

Pic taken with a camera phone

German wheat beer

There probably won’t be another blog entry for about 3-4 weeks as I will be away in Asia for two followed immediately by work. After two years absence I’m making a return to Hong Kong to participate in the celebration of a close friend’s big birthday. As I don’t envision returning to Asia for a long time after this trip, I’d earmarked Taiwan as the country to visit for the first time. Even I’m affected by the credit crunch. But if you look now, there are bargains to be had.    

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How Dogs Are Better Than Men

1. Dogs do not have problems expressing affection in public.
2. Dogs miss you when you are gone.
3. Dogs feel guilty when they have done something wrong.
4. Dogs admit when they are jealous.
5. Dogs are very direct about wanting to go out.
6. Dogs do not play games with you – except fetch…and they never laugh at how you throw.
7. You can train a dog.
8. Dogs are easy to buy for.
9. The worst social disease you can get from a dog is fleas.
10. Dogs understand what “no” means.
11. Dogs mean it when they kiss you.

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The Truth About Asian Girls

Oscar Is Waiting

The New Year, as ever, precipitate the annual Oscar season leading to a cornucopia of screeners flooding the internet for film buffs such as myself to view at our perusal. Kudos to those Academy members for taking the time, making the effort and risking their reputation to upload the screeners. After all, the intention is to generate Oscar buzz and influence the Academy members’ voting decisions. Don’t get me wrong, I still attend the cinema to watch a film but only if the movie warrants such ardent attention.   

Clint’s final acting role as he concentrates solely on directing. It was like watching an old-aged ignoramus Dirty Harry whose intransigence was slowly but inevitably eroded away by his Hmong neighbours. Eastwood demonstrates his perfect comedic delivery as his portrayal of bigoted Walt evokes many a laugh. A Best Actor nomination awaits.  

David Fincher surprisingly succeeds in making a film about love without falling into an overindulgence of sentimentality. But then again this is from the director of Se7en and Zodiac so sentimentality is taboo. With terrific performances from both Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, this is a certain strong Oscar contender.

An early favourite for Best Actor. Sean Penn is mesmerising as Harvey Milk, the first gay rights activist to obtain political office in 1970s San Francisco. Some people might enjoy watching Penn and James Franco locking tongues.  

Predictable and sickeningly sentimental. Avoid like the plague unless you want heavy doses of fervent sappiness.  

A true story. A good film. Just don’t expect any of the major nominations.  

Mickey Rourke is brilliant as a washed-up wrestler in this excellent film by Darren Aronofsky. But what the hell happened to his face?? It was like someone hurled some petrol onto his face, threw a match and injected a huge needle of Botox for good measure. I wonder how Aronofsky will approach his remake of Robocop. Yes, you’d read that right – Aronofsky is remaking Robocop! Why remake such a classic?!

Probably the greatest documentary ever made. Ever. Thank God for free speech or Bill Maher would have been stoned alive.  

Danny Boyle’s best film since Trainspotting. Beautifully shot and expertly edited, this has Oscar written all over it. It should or else it’s a travesty. A must-see. Contrary to what you might have read, the film is not a true story. Slumdog was based on an Indian novel Q & A which is a work of fiction.  

Next in line for me to watch. Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johanson get to lock lips in Woody Allen’s latest number. Worth watching just for that!

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Berlin – Sunday 30th November 2008

The day was spent visiting Sachsenhausen, a concentration camp north of Berlin. I think the photos can speak for themselves without the need to explain.

Returning to Berlin, next to visit was the Jüdisches Museum – the Jewish Museum designed by Daniel Libeskind.

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How Dogs And Men Are The Same

1. Both take up too much space on the bed.
2. Both have irrational fears about vacuum cleaning.
3. Both mark their territory.
4. Neither tells you what’s bothering them.
5. Both have an inordinate fascination with women’s crotches.
6. Neither does any dishes.
7. Both fart shamelessly.
8. Neither of them notice when you get your hair cut.
9. Both like dominance games.
10. Both are suspicious of the postman.
11. Neither understands what you see in cats.

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Happy New Year!

 

I wonder how happy 2009 will be as the consequences of the credit crunch continue to reverberate with a deepening global recession, falling confidence in the financial markets and rising unemployment. 

Roll on the next decade.

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Berlin – Saturday 29th November 2008

Artifical snow slope at Potsdamer Platz

Interesting Teutonic architecture

Berlin is well-served by an abundance of Christmas markets

Bratwurst…lots of it. 

Mulled wine is a firm favourite of the Germans.

 

A remnant of the Berlin Wall.

The colourful graffiti-stricken side is the former West Berlin section.  

Following reunification the former East Berlin district of Mitte is the place to be.

Denkmal Fur Die Ermordeten Juden Europas – Peter Eisenmann’s “Field of Stelae” comprises of 2,711 blocks over 19,704 sq. metres (over 212,000 sq ft) to represent the “Murdered Jews of Europe” opened on 10th May 2005.

A Palestinian demonstration protesting against Israel in Brandenburger Tor. 

It certainly felt like it with the temperature being what it was…

More Christmas markets on the popular Unter den Linden – a street well worth walking from Brandenburger Tor to Alexanderplatz.

Currywurst - bratwurst with hot curry ketchup.

Christmas tree ornaments

“You want how many??”

Entertainment provided by a school orchestra

Another German drink with a fruit (might be a piece of pear) sold in the Christmas markets.

Christmas decorations in Alexanderplatz

Waiting to board the elevator to the observation deck of the Fernsehturm.

Unless a city is heavily illuminated along the likes of Hong Kong, New York, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok and Las Vegas; it is not worthwhile to go up to any observation deck at night as the majority of the city will be shrouded in darkness. Berlin is one of them. Visit the Fernsehturm during the day.  

Only the fairgrounds provided some photographic opportunities.

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New Year Resolutions For Pets

1. Have a torrid one-night stand with a street mutt.
2. Try to understand that the cat is from Venus and I am from Mars.
3. I will no longer be beholden by the sound of the can opener.
4. Call PETA and tell them what that surgical mask-wearing freak does to us when no one is around.
5. Take time from busy schedule to stop and smell the behinds.
6. Hamster: Don’t let them figure out I’m just a rat on ‘roids, or they’ll flush my ass.
7. Always scoot before licking.
8. Grow opposable thumb; break into pantry; decide for MYSELF how much food is *too* much.
9. Get out of the castle more, maybe swim counter-clockwise this year.
10. I will NOT chase the damned stick unless I see it LEAVE HIS HAND.

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Way To Go George!

 

Berlin Trip

Friday 28th November 2008

Berlin was cold. Bitterly cold. But not cold enough to snow. Damnit. The capital of Germany has long been on my to-visit list and taking advantage of a late deal, my wish was granted.

The River Spree en route to the Reichstag

River heading east with the Fernsehturm in the background

Memorial of the victims of the Wall at the River Spree

The Bundestag

The Bundestag

The Reichstag

Monument of remembrance outside the Reichstag

The length of duration for queuing for admission into the Reichstag Dome, including security checks, was around 45 minutes. By then it had gone dark. And it was just after 4pm. The stark illumination of the Dome at night was bewitching.  

People trudging up and down the aisles of the Dome

Looking down from the terrace

The Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz are in view

Also in view is the Brandenburger Tor

Inside the Dome

The history of the Reichstag is exhibited around the glass ceiling of the Parliament hall

The German Parliament in session

The Bundestag at night

The River Spree at night

Lights inside a nearby cafe

Building beside the Sony Center

Inside the main forum of the Sony Center shielded by the canopy

Opposite side

Dinner at the Renger-Patzsch restaurant, outside of the usual tourist haunts. It was formerly the popular Storch restaurant. The Renger-Patzch serves German cuisine of the fine dining variety.

Continuing the gastroporn for J, pumpkin soup

Pan-fried blood sausages

When the main course arrived, the size of the portions were the same as in the US. The menu had changed slightly when I’d checked on the restaurant’s website so unfortunately cannot recall what this dish was.

Pink-seared leg of lamb with red wine shallots, green beans and potatoes au gratin

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The Credit Crunch

A rich, dying man, laid on his deathbed, requested to be joined at his bedside by his vicar, his bank manager and his lawyer.

He instructed them that he wished to be buried, when he finally passed away, along with all his money. He gave each of them fifty thousand dollars and asked them to throw the money on top of his coffin, in the burial plot, when he died.

A couple of days later the old man passed away and was buried within the week. At the wake, the three men were chatting and the vicar was suddenly overcome with guilt. He confessed to the other two that he had only thrown only half of the money onto the coffin, as the church needed urgent repairs to the roof. The bank manager thought, ‘What the heck if we are having a confession,’ and told the other two men that he had also only thrown half the money in, as the ‘Credit Crunch’ was hitting hard and he needed some money for the bank to stop it going bust. The lawyer jumped up and said to the other two, “I think that is a shameful act on both of you. I threw a check in for the full amount!”

Quote from a trader: “This is worse than a divorce. I’ve lost half my net worth and I still have a wife.”

You know it’s a credit crunch when…
1. The cashpoint asks if you can spare any change.
2. There’s a ‘buy one, get one free’ offer – on banks.
3. The IRS is offering a 25 per cent discount for cash-payers.

George W. Bush was asked today, “What do you think of the credit crunch?”
He replied, “It’s my favorite candy bar.”

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Brave Chicken

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Don’t go too crazy on Black Friday!

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Work Activities

Some people moan and complain about the tedious, boring, stale and mundane nature of their working environment. But not me. It seems like every new company I was employed to is a step higher in the treatment and wellbeing of their subordinates. I guess it helps that I’d started my career at the bottom of the pile so the only way is up. Granted, my company is not on a par with Google, the best current company to work for, and probably never will be. I know someone who works for the search engine monolith and given his divulgence of their treatment of employees, Google is definitely a fantastic employer. The only similarities Google and my company share are that they are both media giants with an instantly recognisable global brand name. Or in my company’s case, brands.     

Pic taken with mobile phone

My company throwing a music quiz pitting departments against each other for the prize of…music gift vouchers. The free booze was certainly a huge incentive to engage in employee participation. Alas, my department didn’t take part because, unlike these layabouts, we had to work.

Pic taken with mobile phone

The company hosting a health day where local businesses gave “free” reflexology massages, massages of the head, shoulders and feet, acupunture, gym membership and health assessment. The free goodie bags were enormously popular, unsurprisingly. Crates of free vitaminwater were hastily snapped up only to be left avoided like Paris Hilton with herpes. An examination of the data on the bottle revealed the reason: 26% sugar. So much for vitaminwater labeling itself a health drink.  

Pic taken with mobile phone

A machine that measures your fat level, blood pressure and weight in addition to your inputing your age, height, and size to assess your overall health. I was deemed to be in near-perfect health.  

Pic taken with mobile phone

The company’s most prestigious event of the calendar year: the MTV Europe Music Awards. Because this year it was held in the UK, significantly in my hometown of Liverpool, 200 tickets were offered to its employees in the London offices by way of a draw. Two colleagues in my department plus myself won. I guess it was fate that I would win a ticket. A large amount of staff from the other European offices were transported in to attend the event.

Pic taken with mobile phone

The EMA’s host, Katy Perry, opening the show with the rendition of her smash hit I Kissed A Girl. Perry is average looking but after watching her host the show, there is something cheeky, naughty and saucy about her that is endearingly attractive. Other live performers were Beyonce, Kayne West, Estelle, Take That, Kid Rock, Duffy, The Wombats, The Ting Tings and The Killers.   

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Portraiture

In my previous post I’d mentioned that I’d thought my niche is in portraiture and travel photography. After finally posting the remainder of the pics from my trip to Italy, it’s time to post some portraits I’d shot during the last couple of months. Maybe after a few more months of shooting friends and perhaps their friends, I might progress to using amateur or semi-professional models.

Ian:   

Jim:

Suzy:

 

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The After Sex Effect

A man goes to bed with his new Thai bride and spends the entire night having great sex. Afterwards, she just sits on the bed and strokes his penis, gazes longingly at it for ages. “You really love my dick don’t you honey?”

“Not really,” she replies, “It just makes me miss mine.”

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Helpful Sign

 

Italy Trip 2008

Praiano – Tuesday 9th September 2008 

I guess I would need more practice at shooting weddings in addition to having the freedom to roam around that the official wedding photographers enjoy. This is only the second wedding I’d attended as a guest possessing a DSLR. Besides, I think I’d found my niche: portraiture and travel photography.

I was wishing and wishing this little girl’s dad would move out of the shot but alas, not.

Rome – Wednesday 10th September 2008

After a two-hour train journey from Naples to Rome, a short underground train trip, checking into our apartment, looking for a free street map, searching for the location of the shuttle bus that will transport us to the airport, we’d finally had time to explore the city. It was dark by then.

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo

We’d found this delightful restaurant off a main road and tried it out due to a toptable sign on its window on my recommendation. In Italy, a full meal normally consist of an appetiser, first course, second course and dessert. I’d opted for a shank of lamb that fell off the bone and melted in the mouth accompanied by four(!) tasty roast potatoes.   

Not sure what this is

The Spanish Steps from the bottom

The Spanish Steps from the top

The Trevi Fountain

Making a wish at the The Trevi Fountain. I’d wished for Jessica Alba to divorce her husband and marry me without a pre-nup.

Rome Thursday 11th September 2008

St.Peter’s Square, Vatican City

St. Peter’s Square with St. Peter’s Basilica in the background

Swiss Guards at the entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica – Baldachinno del Bernini

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica – Baldachinno del Bernini

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica 

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

Swiss Guards at the exit of St. Peter’s Basilica

Fancy-dressed traffic warden within Vatican City

Courtyard of the Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums

Entrance to the the Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums

Inside the Vatican Museums

Inside the Vatican Museums

Inside the Vatican Museums

Inside the Vatican Museums

Inside the Vatican Museums

Inside the Vatican Museums

Inside the Vatican Museums

Inside the Vatican Museums

Pic courtesy of Des

Once you’d reached the Sistine Chapel, photography is prohibited and strictly enforced by the guards. But Des, with his tiny and slim Sony camera, managed to sneakily snap the famous Creation. Can you spot it?

Heading out of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums

Heading out of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums

Spiral stairwell to the exit

Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele

Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele

Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele

The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum

Italian cops checking out a passing hot tourist

The Colosseum

The Colosseum

The Colosseum

The Colosseum

 

 

The Colosseum  

My apologies for taking this long to post the photos from the trip. So much to do yet not enough time. I will strive to post pictures quicker after my trip to Berlin.

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Men & Women’s English

Men’s English

1. I am hungry = I am hungry
2. I am sleepy = I am sleepy
3. I am tired = I am tired
4. Nice dress = Nice cleavage!
5. I love you = let’s have sex now
6. I am bored = Do you want to have sex?
7. May I have this dance? = I’d like to have sex with you
8. Can I call you sometime? = I’d like to have sex with you
9. Do you want to go to a movie? = I’d like to have sex with you
10. Can I take you out to dinner? = I’d like to have sex with you
11. Those shoes don’t go with that outfit = I’m gay

Women’s English

1. Yes = No
2. No = Yes
3. Maybe = No
4. We need = I want
5. I am sorry = you’ll be sorry
6. We need to talk = you’re in trouble
7. Sure, go ahead = you better not
8. Do what you want = you will pay for this later
9. I am not upset = of course I am upset, you moron!
10. You’re very attentive tonight = is sex all you ever think about?

Dictionary For Women’s Personal Ads

40-ish = 49
Adventurous = Slept with all your friends
Athletic = No boobs
Average looking = Ugly
Beautiful = Pathological liar
Contagious Smile = Does a lot of pills
Emotionally secure = On medication
Feminist = Fat
Free spirit = Junkie
Friendship first = Former slut
Fun = Annoying
Gentle = Dull
New Age = Body hair in the wrong places
Open-minded = Desperate
Outgoing = Loud and Embarrassing
Passionate = Sloppy drunk
Poet = Depressive
Professional = Bitch
Romantic = Frigid
Voluptuous = Very Fat
Large frame = Hugely Fat
Wants Soul mate = Stalker
Widow = Murderer

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What Younger Brothers Are For

 

Well I Never

It’s been…er, quite a while since I’d last updated and astonishingly during that time, my blog has collected a few new subscribers. Even more bizarre was a photo I’d took in September of last year somehow propelled itself to xanga’s Front Page with 1,243 views!

“Your hands are so soft. What moisturiser do you use?”

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Italy Trip 6th-12th September 2008

The Amalfi Coast would not be on my to-visit list if it weren’t for a wedding of a friend I have known since childhood. Before this trip, I had never visited Italy but the country remained on my to-see list as I’d gallivanted in faraway destinations. The major points of interest for me in Italy are Rome, Venice, Milan and Florence. Once the wedding was over, two friends and I headed to Naples to catch the Eurostar train to Rome.  

 

Naples is the closest city to the Amalfi Coast and it was the point that all the wedding guests flew to. My friends and I didn’t arrive until around 9.30pm but then endured a 3-hour journey by taxi to the village of Praiano where the wedding was held. Our driver grew irate at the heavy traffic congestion then attempted an alternative route by seemingly driving all along the Coast, overshot our hotel and Praiano itself although it was quite dark, before arriving in Positano and performing a U-turn after words with a local constable.  

Amalfi & Positano Sunday 7th September  

Sign in Praiano where I’d stayed

Praiano shopkeeper opening store

Waiting for the bus outside our hotel, Le Fioriere, a family-run business with exceptional service.

Amalfi bus terminal

Amalfi

Main Square in Amalfi

Cathedral in Amalfi, apparently built in the 9th century.

Amalfi Cathedral

Lunch

A bride arrives to wed in the Cathedral. 

  

Heading away from the square.

Cobbled street lined with shops.

Further up

Lemons are prominent in the Amalfi Coast.

Does it actually work??

Lemoncelo – local lemon liquor

Fountain in Amalfi

Amalfi

Amalfi

A crucifix amongst the cliffs

Amalfi

Amalfi 

A 30-40 minute bus journey later we arrived in Positano.

Positano

Positano Mafioso?

Dusk setting in Positano

Art gallery in Positano

Cathedral in Positano

Positano

Positano

Restaurant in Positano

For those who enjoy gastroporn (yeah, that means you J). Sorry I don’t remember the dishes we ate. 


Pic courtesy of Des

Pic courtesy of Des

Pic courtesy of Des

Pic courtesy of Des

Pic courtesy of Des

Pic courtesy of Des

Positano at night

Pompeii & Sorrento Monday 8th September

The bus journey from Praiano to Sorrento took an hour with scenic views to occupy the time. I’d took this shot pointing the camera out of the window as the bus negotiated a bend.

Then to get to Pompeii required a 30 minute train journey from Sorrento.

Side streets in Sorrento lined with shops.

 

One of many lemoncelo shops.

Lemoncelo factory within the shop.

 

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Kids These Days

 

 

A Work In Progress

I’d finally started processing the Raw photos from the Italian trip albeit at a snail’s pace. So I’m going to break with convention and post some of them before the blog is actually written. Rather than just blog about each individual day of the trip, the plan was to publish two or three days worth just to get it out of the way. I will update this post when the opportunity arises.

Sign in Praiano where I’d stayed

Praiano shopkeeper

Waiting for the bus outside our hotel, Le Fioriere, a family-run business with exceptional service.

Amalfi bus termainal

Amalfi

Amalfi

Cathedral in Amalfi

Amalfi

Lunch

A bride arrives to wed in the cathedral  

  

Amalfi

Amalfi

Amalfi

Lemons are prominent in the Amalfi Coast

Does it actually work??

Lemon liquor

Fountain in Amalfi

Amalfi

Amalfi

A cruifix amongst the cliffs

Amalfi

Amalfi 

Positano

Positano

Positano Mafioso?

Dusk setting in Positano

Art gallery in Positano

Cathedral in Positano

Positano

Positano

Restaurant in Positano

 

Slowly But Surely

I have finally managed to transfer the pictures from the Italy trip onto my computer. That is only because the memory cards needed to be emptied for a photoshoot I’d arranged with a friend. When my friend isn’t working he has a side job as a film extra and a casting agency required some up-to-date headshots so he came to me. The photoshoot turned out to be quite fun with 236 shots taken, all in the Raw format. Once the headshots were out of the way, he’d posed for me without requiring much direction. I guess without any added pressure the enjoyment is enhanced.

As there is a deadline for the submission of the photos, my next day off will be spent post-processing his headshots. And then I will work on the Italian pictures. The photoshoot only served to exemplify my admiration of wedding photographers in their organisation under pressure to capture defining moments of the occasion. And the speed of delivering the finished product. 

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Alternative Moneyspinner

If you had purchased $1,000 of AIG stock one year ago, you would have $42 left.

With Lehman, you would have $6.60 left.

With Fannie or Freddie, you would have less than $5 left.

But if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all of the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, you would have had $214.

Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle.

It’s called the 401-Keg…..

   

Apologies

I know some of you have been patiently waiting to see my photos from Italy but I’d been so busy lately, I haven’t had the time to transfer them from the memory cards to the laptop. As those who shoot on the Raw format can testify, the transfer takes longer and the data require processing before publishing. I haven’t even taken a proper look at the photos yet.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

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New Dollar Bill