London 2

It is fairly late, and I am back "home" for the day.  Today was one of those unplanned days that turned out well.  I bought my ticket for Phantom last night for the "next available" matinee, thinking it was today, Sunday.  It is actually Thursday.  Gee, you think that I should have read the date on the ticket?

But I took a long walk getting there, and I wanted to hang out in the neighborhood.  Later today they had a show at the same theater that I stayed for by the Nick Ross Orchestra.  It was a classic big band orchestra, and it was a blast.  It focused on the sounds of the WWII era, and it was entertaining from when the first baton dropped  to the last echo of applause.  Without it was one of the best shows I have ever been to.  Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, you name it rocked the hall.  With a siren singing along, all you really needed was a crowd in uniform to be in 1943.

While the music was enchanting, more so was the audience.  There were more than 100 WWII veterans in the crowd, and they were adorable.  They were all so little, as the past 80-some years have worn them down, and probably more wearing was the 6 years of war that some endured.  When asked, they danced in the aisle, cheek to cheek, many with tears shining on their faces.  I will tell you what, there wasn't a dry eye in the audience.  After the set there was applause for the band, but there was cheering for the dancers.  Of course. I am the guy who cries at Disney movies--this view of real life was heart rending.  What have they lived through?  What has their life been like, and what stories could they share?   It was an amazing scene that I wouldn't have traded for anything.

I ate at Wagamamas, one of my very favorite places to eat ever.  Katsu Curry Chicken was my first Wagamama meal 14 years ago was my meal tonight, and honestly, it was just as good.  How fun.  All I could think about were the people who I have shared meals with at this place.  Kind of amazing, really.

I have been to London a lot, and one of my concerns was that I would just be seeing London again or seeing new things in London.  I think all the changes that have taken place since I was last here make it hard to have the same experiences that I had in the past.  I think that coming to London is like heading to the river--it is different every time, because of changes and because it is just so big.  Last time I was here, for example, I don't recall seeing a Starbucks--now they are as common as Bureau de Change shops and Angus Steak houses.  But I also realize that I have changed a great deal since I was here last.  Some of it even for the better!.  I watch more, listen more, and interact differently.  I suppose it is kind of a different confidence.  I think back to being nervous on the the Underground and the feelings that I had experienced.  Today, I tackled four different lines without a blink.  Small thing, but indicative of other changes.  'Bout time I grew up, eh?

It does change how I travel by myself.  I think that in the past 7 years, I have been more self-reliant, despite some people's view of me, than I have ever been.  That helps when traveling.  But also, I have chosen to be reliant more on other people because it is easier (and a hell of a lot more fun).  Taveling alone is finding the right balance of this.

It does make this an interesting.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring.  Can't wait!

London 1

Good morning from London.  Sorry for no photos--my hotel, such as it is, has wireless, but not exactly at the speed that facilitates photos.  I found an alternative spot, but it takes a bit of technical slight of hand to make it work.  Tomorrow, I promise.

It is different to be back in a city that I have not been to since 2005.  No doubt any city would change, but a city that is still growing, that has faced terrorist bombings, an economic crisis or two, and two olympics very certainly has changed.  In fact, just the neighborhood I am shows this.  When I was here before, this neighborhood was far more influenced and populated by people from the Mideast, but that influence is now from the very large Southeast Asian population.  The food has changed, the shops have changed, and the people have changed.  This is the case in part because of the rapid gentrification of this part of the City.  While once a close backwater to the central city, it is now hip and trendy.

An example?  I am sitting in a Starbucks, abusing their wireless, and looking around, I could just have easily been in a Starbucks in Bellingham.  Maybe a few more suitcases and a little more diverse, but there are far more similarities than differences.  Watching people go by the storefront is a whole different story, though.  The fact that I paid $7.50 for a vanilla latte means that the doorway is an economic bright line, as those outside are still far more ragged.  But really, isn't that even the case in the US?  Probably more than we would like to admit.

Yesterday was a typical wasted day as I fought jet lag.  It will be nice once my sleep patterns mellow to the local time.  I was wide awake at the appropriate time in Minnesota, but of course that is when you are supposed to sleep here.  I am not sure if Guiness or a sleep aid is best.  Today I was up early, and plan to stay up late--that will help.  Also, the sun is up, and isn't sunshine supposed to help you adjust?

Geez, why did I forget to find a hotel room before I left?  It is just before fall terms start for almost all college students, and the city is packed this weekend.  I thought about it on Friday, but got busy and forgot.  I found a place, but for those of you who only travel in three stars and above, let me tell you that they must have skipped this place.  It is clean enough, and certainly inexpensive, but it is also 55 stairs up, very small, and when the window is open  in the morning, it smells like a traditional English breakfast.  So in other words, completely adequate.  I think it a bit funny--really, for the very first time ever, I can travel without wondering or worrying about a pound or two, but this is where I end up.  I better buy lots of fun stuff to make up for this!

So I walked the neighborhood, found a pub, and took a few photos.  I was in Kensington Park near what used to be Princess Diana's palace.  There is a renewal ofall things Diana here, and the palace was spits-shined and almost completely open to the public.  I am sure that all this attention is in part from the recent wedding of her son, and also the olympics.  The park itself is fun--England's version of Central Park.  There are lots of places to walk and to play.  It helps that the weather is so nice.  It is just getting cloudy now, but yesterday it was sunny and in the high 50s--it felt comfortably like fall.  I only wish the fall colors were as vibrant here as they are in Minnesota.  I fear that I will miss fall in the literal sense--it will be gone when I get back, and I won't get to see it here.

I was going to run in Kensington Part today, and I still might.  I have to say that doing so would intimidate me.  The only runners I have seen have been sleek and very fast--I have seen no plodders here, and many of the fastest are Americans.  They are the young and fit kind that staff overseas outposts of American firms, ex-pats who are clinging to their youth and culture while speeding past a population that is smoking and drinking themselves into the grave.  You would think that with smokes at $15 per pack, and a pint at $8, moderation would be more evident.  Not so much.  But that does explain the make-up of the runners.

I better "run" for now.  I have a ticket to Phantom for the 2PM show.  I am more of a Les Mis guy, and I will go to that, too, if I can afford it and I can get a ticket, but I after being exposed to Phantom more of late, I have been mildly interested in seeing the show again.  Last time was1998, when I was so uncultured.  I am sure that as I have matured, so have my tastes.  I already drink red wine, I am going to Phantom instead of Les Mis, and like coffee--all things that wouldn't have happened 15 years ago.  Now, if I could only learn how to like dark chocolate, my evolution would be complete.

Here. Safe. Smelly. Sleepy.

More later

I found a penny

Metaphorically, of course.  I am soon boarding a flight to Detroit and then on to London, and was buying a last minute Kindle book for the long ride.  My email "beeped" and despite my reluctance to check my email this soon into the trip, I clicked on the button.

And read this from someone who did not sign their name:

It sounds like you need a little good cheer:
Remember the following by Eleanor Roosevelt: "Yesteday is history, tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift." Enjoy this gift of today and getting to travel to places that you want....also remember that we study our history to avoid making the same mistakes twice, do that and things will work out fine for you! You are also being a little too hard on yourself...You ARE an amazing person and there are many of us who would not be who we are today if it were not for some of the influence you had on/in our lives. 

I am blessed beyond belief.  And most of all, I need to remember that.  Today.  A blogger or photographer or anyone who does something in public wonders if anyone reads what you write or watches what you do.  It is heartwarming and means so much sometimes to know that you are noticed.  Even if you don't know who they are.  Thank you.

Best to all of you.

Last stateside blog

This is the last day before vacation, and I have to say that I have had better.  You know when you are evaluating something or someone, it is good to not just make a decision based on one observation.  You would hope for a range of days both good and bad to see a more full and complete picture.  All I can hope is that who ever is evaluating me looks at the whole picture and that range of days and skips this one...

First off, I was sick, adding to my sleeplessness.  I really didn't need that, as I was supposed to be in the Cities for an important training opportunity.  Alas, there was no way I was going to sit in a room with a binder of information for 9 hours.  In missing that, I disappointed myself because I really wanted and needed this training.  I also no doubt didn't please my boss, who was here learning what I should have been learning.

More than that, I have been especially heavy footed around the people that I care about, and less than easy to travel along life's paths with.  That is a pretty nice way to say I am and have been a Pain in the A__. I ask too much, I don't listen, I am obtuse and obstreperous, and, not to mention,  a bother. And those are just the nice things!   I struggle with exactly why, though that is the least of the concerns considering the costs and impact of my stumbling.  It is both a very good thing to be gone for 2 weeks, but it will also be a very very hard thing as I know I left things unbalanced, unsaid, and uncomfortable.  Plus, I do honestly think I am going to be lonesome.  Despite generally being pretty good about being alone and not lonesome, I am worried about this one.   I have traveled often to far away lands by myself in the past 15 years, probably 20 times.  (Please refrain from the commentary on that sad fact of my life) But most of the time I was a bit more tethered to things and people and more certain about where and who I was.  I usually traveled and blogged  a more definite and known audience than I believe I have at this point.   So this should be interesting.  I am intrinsically motivated for this and most things in my life but mustering up that might be a bit harder this journey

So what did I do tonight?  I ran.  I have been close to a lots of people in my life, and I can honestly say that no one ever has heard me utter the thought or words, "I am struggling a bit tonight, I think I will run."  But run I did.  It was an unexpected run as I have missed the past few days and hadn't planned on running tonight.  It did and I did go well.  I ran 3.5 miles in 45 minutes and for only the second time since 9th grade, I ran a whole mile without stopping.  And, my mile was a PR by almost two whole minutes--I ran a mile in 12.10 in the middle of my run/walk.  Not as fast as Steve Scott, the other one, but for me it was mile(stone) worth noting.

I bet most of my exercise will be walking, but that is OK.  I have to do something to keep my boyish figure in the face of fish and chips and an odd pint or two.  My adventure has gained an adventure, as I will "go to Barcelona for the weekend."  I have a friend there and we have talked and joked about this since the 1990s--it is time enough to do this.  I get to London on Saturday AM, and most likely will post something on Saturday night.  Please note that I am SHARING pictures and words with you.  That does imply some level of an exchange for it to be considered sharing.  Please do your part.

Risotto and other things

OK, I made risotto again tonight.  I learned a few things--first, there is a difference between white onions and yellow onions and there is a difference between sauted' and browned when it comes to onions and garlic.

But I still have other questions.  I am guessing/finding out that there is a difference between lighter virgin olive oil and darker virgin olive oil--is it the difference in their "smoke/burn" l evel  Does it take better olive oil?  I had to start over tonight because I toasted the onions and garlic and the rice was too brown  in color.

Tonight's rice was great--soft, creamy, and very flavorful.  But what can I do to make it better?  I don't know how long to cook it before adding more broth.  How/when do  I add mushrooms, cheese,  or eggs?  All these questions.  No matter, it was still a fantastic meal.  I waited until the rice was almost done, pushed it all to the side, and then fried or scrambled a few eggs for some protein.  It really was good.  Smooth, soft creamy rice with great flavor.  It was almost restaurant quality   But I think that I can do more with this.  I actually like the process that takes at least 45 minutes.   No matter, it still beats the boil in the bad kind.

Any ideas are welcome.


PS.  I didn't make the sub-42 minute time.  Rather I ran/walked 4.5 miles in 60 minutes.  Long and uncomplainingly slow is good, too, right?

Fall, day 2

I was up very early and needed coffee, I left before dawn to find a cup of coffee and perhaps a photo.  It was a beautiful morning, and very nice light.  I headed for Lake George, our local "great lake" and did find a few photos.  I have been saving bread for the ducks, so not only did I satisfy their tummies, I satisfied my quest for a photo.  I still have bread, and I have an idea or two for another photo to two there that needs different light so I will head back there soon.  There is even a churchy thing going on with the photos taken at dawn.

I have been playing with different lenses and actually bought two lenses yesterday.  One, the one that shot most of the photos with yesterday was a real steal at Pawn America.  There are two versions of this lens, a $500 dollar version and a $150 dollar version.  This was the $500 version, but it was priced at $79.00.  Ah, the joys of clerks who don't know squat about cameras and sell lenses for a quarter of their value.  The lens that took the backlit trees along the river was a fine optic that I bought at Savers thrift store for $9.95.  Maybe not the absolute sharpest, but I know what lens I am going to use when it is raining.

I am thinking so much about lenses because I am, as usual, spending far more time packing a camera bag than I do packing anything else for a 10 day trip to Europe.  I can buy socks and t-shirts if I forget to pack them, but what if I forget to pack the perfect lens?  Silly, I know, but anyone who has traveled with me can attest to my (slight) craziness about this.  There are two directions I can go...one is to plan for everything and bring everything which results in about a 40 pound bag.  Or the other way is to keep it simple and take a minimalist bag with only a few cameras and lenses.  Of course, some people would only bring one camera but let's not be extreme.  My thoughts on this change almost hourly.  Then there is the decision if I take any film cameras.  I had fun in Italy doing that, but that adds another camera and seven or eight pounds. Decisions decisions decisions.  Or, what a loony tune I am.

First day of fall

It is the first day of fall, and today was a good day for it.  It was cool, windy, and mostly sunny, and well-worth driving around a bit for a photo or two.  A person I know and I both mentioned and highlighted this red tree as exceptional, so I had to take its photo.  The others are mostly self-explanatory, I think.  Frost, a heavy frost is expected tonight, and I wanted to get a few more photos of outdoor flowers.  Though getting ragged, they still were bee worthy, and while I did not have the best lens for this, I think that the bee photos are kind of cool.  As for the license plate, well, what can I say.  Three states and four years later, I am finally have the correct plate.  Once I pried off the Ohio plates that hadn't moved in more than five years, it wasn't that hard.  See, I am not a total commitment-phobe!  The dog? Well, the dog was just cute.

It was a hard weekend for some reason.  Unsettled at the least, and probably more going on.  It wasn't unproductive, as I worked for 4 hours and then came home and unpacked 13 boxes and lots of other stuff.  It is nice making this place more a home, but it is also very hard.  It is a lot of  work, and I guess I  really resent doing it all this alone.  But that is what we do, right?  It isn't like there are any options, so being unhappy about it doesn't help one bit.

I shouldn't be unhappy.  This past week I was in Washington, and had a great time with friends, the local scenery, and well, with myself.  In five days, I head to England and another adventure and that will be fun.   I have no plans for being there.  I will walk at least some of the Oxford to London  path, probably drink a few pints, and have at least one other adventure.  I am looking forward to it.  It has been several years since I traveled alone, and it seems different.  I used to do this all the time, but this time seems more challenging.  I think that in the past, I was more sure of my audience or if I even had an audience. For the first time in a long time that is uncertain.  I don't go or blog just for my mythical  audience, believe me.  I am more intrinsically motivated for most of this.  But that doesn't mean that it all doesn't mean more to me when it means something to other people.  I guess I can't control that at all--it will or it won't, and I will still blog and share in the hope that it does strike a chord with some folks.

Happy fall!

Running and other such nonsense

Some of you have commented (and some have laughed in disbelief) that I have mentioned that I am running.  Well, running is a bit of a stretch, but for sure I am moving more and faster than I have for a long time.  Certainly I have not made it to the marathon stage, and frankly, I doubt I will.  But it is not nearly as painful as it was a month ago, and now I actually find that if I don't run, I miss it.

And then I saw some pigs fly, and man, was in cold in hell today!  I know, you scoffers!  Really, I am running and semi-enjoying it.  I don't know if you can say I am a runner at this point.  A friend who sometimes blogs about her runs asked that kind of question once, and it is interesting.  That Descartes guy said, I think, therefore I am.  So can I say, I run, therefore I am a runner?  Or should I just more accurately say I am just a bit less fat, slightly faster 52 year old?  Perhaps I am both.

Like I said, I am not going for a marathon or any record time.  It is interesting how obsessed you can get with time and distance.  I feel like I should log every minute and mile, but that is silly.  I do note my PR's.  That is PR for Personal Record for you more sedentary types.  This is funny, since I have no  past running times or at least none from the past 37 years, I am just wracking up my PR's.  Today, for example, I ran two miles in 25.40.  Now have you ever noticed that runners never round up, but they count every second to their favor?  That is several minutes faster than I have done this distance since 9th grade.  This weekend, I am going to set my PR for three miles, which should be pretty easy since I have never thundered along for three whole miles.  My goal?  Sub 42 minutes.  I will let you know, if you want.

Yep, there is a lot of satisfaction in all of this, and I feel a whole lot safer, too.  Yep, if that bear starts chasing me, and wants to race two miles, I have a chance.  When that rouge wave from the nearby Sauk River races towards my house, if it is less than five miles an hour, I will be able to outrace it.  Wow, do I feel better.

Actually, I do feel better.  I know this is good for me, and I do see/feel some differences.  I am sure no one is mistaking my sleek form for one ready for spandex or racing gear but I can tell, and that is part of what all this is about.  That, and avoiding waves and bears.

Back to semi-reality

These are the last photos from Bellingham, or probably the last ones.  I will do one more edit, and perhaps one or two might catch my eye and earn a larger audience. The two shots of sailboats were from my run/walk along the waterfront this morning and were taken about 6:30 AM.  The sunsets were taken last night--I was a bad guest, as I kept leaving the dinner table to see the status of the sunset.  It might have been worth it, as these two are a little different.   It was a fun, good trip, but today was a bit long.  It is a little after 3AM, which is a silly time to be awake, but I didn't go home until about 2:30, and it takes a little bit of time to unwind.

It is back to semi-reality.  While I might have hoped or pretended to escape, it kind of hits you when you drive into town that most of it is all still there/here.  It is no less complicated, no less hard, and sometimes just as disappointing.  What I guess all you can hope for is that perhaps you can be better prepared to handle all the people and all the challenges that still await.  Right now, I think that my vacation "after glow" will last at least seven or eight hours!  At least.  Nah, it will last longer than that, and as it does, the good things will seem even gooder, and the hard things less hard.  Now that is why you go on vacations!

More mountains

Today I made it up the Skyline divide trail, at least to the meadow at about the two mile mark.  I always tell myself that this is a better more fun kind of exercise than the treadmill, and it is.  It is not, however, easier.  It is a steep, long climb, especially for an older, former beach volleyball  player and actually the climb (walk)  down was not any easier.  The four mile almost four hour trip was tough--I seriously thought of turning back several times.  But I persevered, which is what all mountain climbers do, I guess.  It is also what an almost 52 year old, far too sedentary and job focused man who is sometimes crazy in the head and heart should do.

I am glad I did it.  The views were spectacular and the day was without peer--if people knew or believed that the PNW had days like this, it would be evan more crowded.  It was 70 and sunny, and while it was a little hazy from all those fires, it was just a stunning day.  The fence was from the early morning misty drive.  The others are self explanatory--I like the hazy shots of Shuksan, but I don't know which one I like better, so it is like the fence--you choose the best, delete the rest.

Tomorrow is largely a travel day, and it's going to be by the time I get back to my bed.  I have had a great time out here, and it has been a good trip.  In my world, processing time for all that floats onto your plate is very scarce.  When it does happen, it happens at a personal cost of a sleepless night or a distracted day or both. It was good to sometimes process first, then do/live the rest of your day and this trip allowed me some processing time.  Certainly little has changed.  Some things still suck, not to put too fine a point on it, and some things are manageable, even when it all doesn't work out on anyone's schedule. I ate well, slept too little but well, and did some things that I have wanted to--the only thing that I haven't done is to spend a lot of time by the water, but I traded the mountains for that.  I will run/walk on the trail that goes along the water front tomorrow morning, so I will get my fix or that fix "fixed" at least a little bit before I go.  If I find a photo, I will post one from the road.

Variations on a theme

It is late, and I am tired after a long day, and if I want my last day to be as full and busy, I need to get to bed AND get up early.  These are just a few quick shots of tonight's sunset.  Brought to you for your  viewing pleasure perhaps even maybe sort of perhaps by an higher diety...

The perfect tool for what's at hand

I know I mentioned that one of my favorite photos so far is one that I took with my phone--go figure.  This morning I went to the local farmers' market, and, as usual, found a few photos.  What I do know  is that there is a right tool for every purpose. With photography, sometimes the right tool is that phone.  These show, however,  that sometimes the right tool is a Canon5D and a 400mm lens.  These are a few Iphone shots from the market, one of my "third favorite cat," a street performer, and other glimpses of color.

Mountains and more...

This morning I got up at 6 and headed east to the mountains or at least what counted for a mountain in my book.  Table Mountain is a comparatively small mountain in between Mt Baker and Shuksan, the key mountains in the Northern Cascades.  It really isn't that big--I described it to one person as the mountain, the tiny mountain, that lets you see the big, real mountains better.  Actually it that is pretty accurate.  The base is at Artists' Point (5,140 feet)  and from that start of the trail head it climbs very steeply  for about an 800 foot vertical gain.  Essentially it is like walking a mile, but also climbing about 1500 steps, or 150 or so stories, while you are walking that mile.

It is more complicated that that, but it is also one of the most beautiful walks that I have ever been on.  No matter the direction, you have a view that is inspiring.  What is also fun is that about four years ago, I climbed this hunk of rock and nearly died.  I thought that it was brutal, and almost undoable.  I made it up to the top--calling it a summit seems a bit pretentious--in record time and while I didn't sprint up, I actually didn't embarrass or hurt myself while walking up or down.  That pretty much makes the day a success right there!  I even found a photo or two.  It wasn't a perfect day, as smoke from all of the more than 200 active fires in the state made it a very hazy day.  I think, though, that you will still get the idea as to what a tremendous fabulous day it was.

The PNW is a healing sort of place, and I have thought a lot about that these past few days.  I think that it is just because it is so hard to be angry or sad or disappointed or whatever when you can look ahead or over your shoulder and see such sights.  I think that is why people on the whole are so laid back--yes, they might get mad because someone hit their car and made them spill their 13th cup of coffee.  But once they get out on the street, both drivers look up and say, "hey, there's Baker, isn't the weather great?  Here's my insurance agent's card..."

A note on the photos.  I tried for a good waterfall photo, and I have several. But they simply aren't sharp, and at first, I was kind of angry.  Seriously, for the first time in my life I have the absolute best camera equipment ever, and I can't get a sharp photo--it's not like the waterfall itself was moving about.   It turns out, I am a victim of how good my lens actually are.  Though I had the camera on a tripod, the image stabilization feature of the lens causes it to shake just a tiny bit.  Normally, that movement just helps cover up my shaking, but on a tripod, for a two second exposure, it causes it to lose its sharpness.

The second shot is Table Mountain, and then there are a few of Baker and Shuksan and some that show the haze from all the fires.  My favorite.  The one that I took with my phone.  Which makes me wonder why I carried and extra 15 lbs of cameras and lenses up the hill...

An uneventful, but nice day

I suppose that if you HAVE to go to the PNW, this is the kind of weather that you want--it's 75 and sunny, and since there are no bugs that bite here, it is darn near perfect.  I walked and walked, ate salmon and fresh (I hope) raw oysters for my viral-ness and shopped a bit.  Most of the day I hung out in downtown Seattle, and it was nice.  It is funny--10 years ago, I would have bought more--now I just ask if they have a web site.  I am not going to carry all that crap myself--they can ship it right to my door.

I know the market is more than flowers but this place supposedly has one of the best flower markets in the country.  I was there early, and took advantage of that.  I know, more sunflowers.  Tough.  Deal with it--they are awesome this time of the year, and the market was filled with them  They even had princess-like purple flowers!

Lastly, a sunset from the deck.  It is kind of a nice neighborhood  Tomorrow I find the mountains, and will start climbing.  Today I ran/walked along the ocean for a couple of miles.  I am not sure I will come back looking much different, but it really is easier to exercise here.  Hmmm.  Wonder why I didn't try that when I was here before???

Seattle

I am back in the Emerald City, and it is great.  What a funny place.  Most of the taxi's are Toyota Prius's and while I almost got hit by a huge articulated bus, I didn't mind because it was an environmentally bus!  I almost got hit because I was looking, in awe,  because from one spot, I could see seven coffee shops.  Five of them were Starbucks.  Ahh, Seattle.

So far the weather is absolutely perfect, the food has been great and I even bought a new lens, a telephoto.  Not my usual direction, but I couldn't even begin to afford the wide angle I have been thinking about.  I am still having fun...it brings the far near and gives a different slice of life/view and perspective.

More soon