Charlatan

On Monday, I took my kids to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). We have a membership so I had not additional expenses beyond the streetcar.

Here are some shots of some details found near the main entrance and a detail from one of the totem poles they have in the stairwells...

The archyopteryx in the first shot is rather apropos as we were there to tour the feathered dinosaur exhibit... My son and I found it quite facinating.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098478836771090"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx69y406RI/AAAAAAAAAZY/0FEdBXhOZAA/s800/0168.jpg" /></a>

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__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

Here are some more details found on the doors that lead to the theatre in the basement... The first is a stylized ROM and the second "1931" the year this part of the museum was constructed.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098491721673042"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx6-i406VI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/xtU8OKMzLVE/s800/0172.jpg" /></a>

The third shot is of the ceiling of the entrance rotunda... the ROM is currently being renovated and this area will no longer be the main entrance to the museum. Instead this beautiful mosaic will grace a new high end restaurant that will be associated with the Museum... the current restaurant, while nice, is tucked away in the upper floors somewhere.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098496016640354"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx6-y406WI/AAAAAAAAAaA/r2322LMGt0g/s800/0173.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

Here are some shots of the renovation. The first is from inside the museum looking out into the construction. I believe that this will be part of the new entrance area...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098500311607666"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx6_C406XI/AAAAAAAAAaI/7Illt1VlzJM/s800/0174.jpg" /></a>
The second is take from across the road (opposite corner) and shows some of the iron work that will support the "crystal" as they are calling the new addition. It was designed by Daniel Leibskind and is supposed to evoke the look of a crystal (the ROM has an amazing rock, gem and mineral collection). Needless to say, the addition is not without controversy.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098504606574978"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx6_S406YI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/Etnt0URfjzY/s800/0175.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

troit

I like the picture you took of your son - you are right - that effect does look pretty cool.

__________________
I've yet to dephile myself...

paddyjoe

I can't wait to visit Toronto again, Charlie. Wonderful city, and you would be a fun guide.

paddyjoe

Plus, you might let me play with your phone again.........

Charlatan

Anytime Paddyjoe... I know where a few of the best pubs are located. They make excellent places to end the tour.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

justjt

Hey I like the concept.....seriously I walk by stuff everyday that could be considered cell phone art worthy!

Fly

sweet.........Charlie's got more pix


thanks for the tour man..........

__________________
BASTARD

SterlingStudios

Charlatan

On the Monday of the August long weekend, we all spent some time at in the Beaches... the first shot is of the owl in front of the Public Library at Kew Gardens.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098517491476882"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7AC406ZI/AAAAAAAAAaY/DBRs1FveyYQ/s800/0176.jpg" /></a>

The second is of my cat... he pretty much lives on top of my fridge.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098521786444194"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7AS406aI/AAAAAAAAAag/65bt55RvxMI/s800/0177.jpg" /></a>

Finally, the third shot is of my wife's car parked next to the Gooderham and Worts building (the flat iron building)... the reason I include it is because I really like the colour, the wet road and the fact that I don't generally associate the colour of the building with Toronto...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098526081411506"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ai406bI/AAAAAAAAAao/S1Lb1lW62kM/s800/0178.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

I took these of the Toronto shoreline as my kids and I took the train to Pickering this weekend...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098530376378818"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ay406cI/AAAAAAAAAaw/CwrVmc6e6Lo/s800/0179.jpg" /></a>

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__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

It has been a while since I updated this thread...

A couple of weekends ago I drove north of Toronto to the village of Udora to visit my best friend's new house.

Shot number one is of the fruit tray. The remaining two shots are from the drive home in the dark. The few shots I took at his house were too dark to make anything out...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098543261280754"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Bi406fI/AAAAAAAAAbI/TO7CLS24g9I/s800/0182.jpg" /></a>

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__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

I took the kids to the CNE two weeks ago.

Most of the shots I took have kids in them (mine) so they aren't permitted.

The first shot I took because as soon as I saw it I thought, "Nancy has got to see this." Then I wondered if they have cars that promote the eating of various brands of herring... Jif, for those who aren't in the know, is a brand of peanut butter. It isn't the best brand, that belongs to Kraft and the bears.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098560441149986"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ci406iI/AAAAAAAAAbg/5xuzED3RGxM/s800/0185.jpg" /></a>

The next shot is of my son's bumper car (the one on the right)... I love bumper cars but couldn't ride because I had to stay with my daughter while he and his friend careened aobut...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098564736117298"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Cy406jI/AAAAAAAAAbo/ojG2DIef1ag/s800/0186.jpg" /></a>

Finally a shot of the midway looking east towards downtown Toronto taken from the top of the Ferris Wheel.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098569031084610"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7DC406kI/AAAAAAAAAbw/n9WIIohRd_I/s800/0187.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

The first shot is a picture of one of the spider webs that I found on my porch the other morning... this would have been cooler if this camera was better... (shrug)
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098573326051922"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7DS406lI/AAAAAAAAAb4/isCdHz2u3hk/s800/0188.jpg" /></a>

I took my kids to the Beach on the last weekend in August... This is my shadow on a log.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098581915986530"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Dy406mI/AAAAAAAAAcA/GGvB5lX8250/s800/0189.jpg" /></a>

My scooter broke down in traffic this week past. Gotta love when that happens. Changed the fouled spark plug and I was off again.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098586210953842"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7EC406nI/AAAAAAAAAcI/DVYn0kHVQPU/s800/0190.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

On Thursday I went to get my hair cut and as I was leaving this stretch limo rolls up with the newlyweds hanging out of the sunroof (look close and you can see them).
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098590505921154"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7ES406oI/AAAAAAAAAcU/HqBtKZKuLcE/s800/0191.jpg" /></a>
On Friday, I flew to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario for wedding. I've never flown over this part of Ontario (Georgian Bay) and been able to see. This is just north of Wasaga Beach on the eastern shores of Georgian Bay. The weird shapes in the upper left quadrant of the photo are the plane's propeller.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098594800888466"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ei406pI/AAAAAAAAAcc/r7mdQdKjxhU/s800/0192.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

Our hosts in the Soo arranged a boat tour of the St. Mary river, up one lock and down the other...

Just near the dock was this group of bears. My daughter thought they were pretty funny. The one with the camera looks a bit like Paddyjoe
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098599095855778"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ey406qI/AAAAAAAAAck/Q2ibfwSOOMg/s800/0193.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098599095855794"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ey406rI/AAAAAAAAAcs/hsDpuKBMssY/s800/0194.jpg" /></a>
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__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

Speaking of Joe... I chuckled when my brother-in-law offered me a beer and he handed me a Coors Light...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098607685790418"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7FS406tI/AAAAAAAAAc8/1jRl8q8dhdE/s800/0196.jpg" /></a>

The father of the groom makes his own wine... it is actually quite good.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098611980757730"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Fi406uI/AAAAAAAAAdE/SRQ-9-h-DGY/s800/0197.jpg" /></a>

Finally, as I was sitting at the table I noticed this melting bowl of ice cream... My bowl was tasty (almond flavoured) that I wanted to eat this one as well. My wife wouldn't let me... so this picture is to remind me of what might have been.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098611980757746"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Fi406vI/AAAAAAAAAdM/WjeHPyzBzgw/s800/0198.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

paddyjoe

Why yes Charlie. I must admit the resemblance is uncanny!





bastard

paddyjoe

Love this one man. Lotta fun.

Charlatan

Glad you liked it... there was one more from that series but I didn't think it looked as good as the one with the oncoming headlights...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098616275725058"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Fy406wI/AAAAAAAAAdU/4TAld_LvIpw/s800/0199.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

So I took the kids to the Markham Fair yesterday (Sunday).

The first shot makes me think of the famous insane asylum from the world of Batman...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098620570692370"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7GC406xI/AAAAAAAAAdc/jfQnWARH5YA/s800/0200.jpg" /></a>

Just inside the main gate they had a display of some old farm equipment, most of which was run on steam and/or very old gas engines.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098624865659682"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7GS406yI/AAAAAAAAAdk/oT9vFwg3fWw/s800/0201.jpg" /></a>

Not too far from there was a very large inflatable Cow. I have a shot of the kids sucking at this cow's ginormous teet but alas the rules do not permit me to post this gem...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098624865659698"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7GS406zI/AAAAAAAAAds/2Ww7AJYLhqU/s800/0202.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

We wandered through the exhibition checking out the prize winning animals. The Ontario Pork Board had set up an exhibit on good things to cook with pork... I love pork.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098629160627010"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Gi4060I/AAAAAAAAAd0/W4LCre4QPsA/s800/0203.jpg" /></a>

Directly across the aisle was... dinner. One hopes they can't read.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098633455594322"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Gy4061I/AAAAAAAAAd8/ymxTGO4j35k/s800/0204.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

After the animals and then the vegetable (the biggest pumpkin was 557 pounds) we were all a bit peckish. I couldn't convince the kids that back bacon on a bun would be a good idea so we opted for fries.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098637750561634"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7HC4062I/AAAAAAAAAeE/csJ-sy8veQ4/s800/0205.jpg" /></a>

Then it was off to the midway for some rides. You can't see him but my son and his friend are up in the Ferris Wheel.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098637750561650"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7HC4063I/AAAAAAAAAeM/ThQWfZSazy8/s800/0206.jpg" /></a>

While they went on a few more rides I waited in line to take my daughter on the merry-go-round. This is her horse... she named herMaverick and then proceeded to yell, "Tally-ho" and "View Halloo" as we went around and around. Her mother makes her watch Mary Poppins way to much.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098642045528962"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7HS4064I/AAAAAAAAAeU/v_ndIjKeltk/s800/0207.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

amonkie

Charlatan these are awesome ... and I didn't see the pics you put up from Rochester until today!!!!

Can't wait ... a little over a week

__________________
Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

Charlatan

I just realized I have been doing this thread for just over a year... Looking back it's been fun. I hope you all enjoy it as well.

I am currently writing this while I am Madrid, I just spent the past week in Cannes at a television market.

The first picture is me on an outdoor patio having dinner and drinks with some friends...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098642045528978"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7HS4065I/AAAAAAAAAec/rc4RhwfWCCE/s800/0208.jpg" /></a>

The next couple are from two different dinners. The first is my gin and tonic and the second is at 3 Portes... The wine was excellent.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098646340496290"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Hi4066I/AAAAAAAAAek/-aW7GOvxrc8/s800/0209.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098650635463602"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Hy4067I/AAAAAAAAAes/ck4R90fAAhU/s800/0210.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

There were some homeless artists that had made some sand sculptures on the beach... the rather sizable last supper was impressive.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098650635463618"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Hy4068I/AAAAAAAAAe0/s5vHj_pTUE8/s800/0211.jpg" /></a>

The next day the rains came in hard and the sculptures didn't fair too well.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098654930430930"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7IC4069I/AAAAAAAAAe8/0FEi89TCi0Q/s800/0212.jpg" /></a>

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__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

amonkie

That alligator would FREAK me out if I happend to come across it walkin the beach at night ...

__________________
Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

Charlatan

The next shots are a little Cannes by night...

The first shot is of some palm trees around the Hotel Canberra which was right next to the apartments I was staying in this year...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098659225398258"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7IS406_I/AAAAAAAAAfM/NMaF-NOYRps/s800/0214.jpg" /></a>

The weird red light one with the flag is one I took while lying on my back looking up at the neon sign at the end of the Noga Hilton's pier. The following one was taken from about the same location looking back at the shore and the Noga Hilton itself (a monstrosity of chrome and glass).
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098663520365570"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ii407AI/AAAAAAAAAfU/kwJ1DK_cH7M/s800/0215.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098667815332882"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Iy407BI/AAAAAAAAAfc/35lbr4g4UCM/s800/0216.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

The last for today... The first is the nicest Vespa I've seen in Europe. Mostly all I see are newer scooters or models from maybe as far back as the 80s (much like you would expect to see in car models in North America).

This scooter is from the 60s... I think it is a VBB. It is really well maintained.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098667815332898"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Iy407CI/AAAAAAAAAfk/rXyrGLDWIsE/s800/0217.jpg" /></a>

The next is the plane I took from Nice to Madrid. The overcast skies threatened to keep us on the ground but the thunderstorm never developed...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098672110300210"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7JC407DI/AAAAAAAAAfs/AscyIrLPT6E/s800/0218.jpg" /></a>

Finally, from the Madrid airport, the baggage claim. It always amazes me how similar they all are... This could be a picture of Des Moins, Iowa...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098676405267522"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7JS407EI/AAAAAAAAAf0/EwQpQPfFImw/s800/0219.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Fly

you live an adventurous life Charlie..........thanks for giving us all a little insight.

__________________
BASTARD

SterlingStudios

Charlatan

Here are the last shots from Madrid...

I've had a great time in Madrid hanging out with my good friend from New Zealand... As I have said elsewhere, I really needed this trip. I have been a bit high strung of late. For the first time in a long time, I have had to work hard to pick up women... welll... not exactly. Long story, but I served as mi amigos wingman... I held up my end but he didn't make it work. I don't think he is too worried as he leaves Madrid tomorrow for a few days in Amsterdam followed by Paris and then Los Angeles... He will find some action between here and there... I am hoping to hook up with him in LA when I am there mid-week next week...

To the pics (can you tell I've been drinking some fine Spanish wine?)...

The first shot is of a billboard for Diesil in Madrid, as you can see it is quite large... I think it speaks for itself (though it makes me laugh to think of it being placed on any street in North America).
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098676405267538"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7JS407FI/AAAAAAAAAf8/edSNYzynElo/s800/0220.jpg" /></a>

The second shot is a camera shop around the corner from my hotel... I call it "Paddyjoe's wet spanish dream".
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098680700234850"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ji407GI/AAAAAAAAAgE/zJABGcNyQT8/s800/0222.jpg" /></a>

The next two shots are in the massive public park just next to my hotel... I think it is probably the best public park I have ever been to (and that isn't hyperbole).
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098684995202162"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Jy407HI/AAAAAAAAAgM/xXTj2FI5Tgs/s800/0223.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098684995202178"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Jy407II/AAAAAAAAAgU/2r6MilX-aSo/s800/0224.jpg" /></a>

Finally from tonight... after my friend was majorly cock blocked (as wingman I can honestly say there was nothing I could do) we were walking and came across the Museum of Ham... It was just that kind of wackiness that made tonight excellent!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098689290169490"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7KC407JI/AAAAAAAAAgc/v5LnCOU9vcg/s800/0225.jpg" /></a>

I really liked Madrid. The only thing I would say is that, in general, the people are a bit cold. The city is lively but the people detract. The place we were in this evening made up for this largely but by and large... there are warmer people in other parts of the planet...

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Mantus

Thanks for the link to this thread Charlatan. It's very inspiring!

If you could go back to one place you've been too where would it be?

Charlatan

That's a good question. Let me think about it a bit.

I know that at this very moment... the only place I really want to be is home.

I am off to the airport in 10 minutes.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

kramus

Thanks for the taste of Spain, Charlatan. You and your phone are a great team

__________________
And now to disengage the clutch of the forebrain ...
I'm going with this - if you like artwork visit http://markfineart.ca

Charlatan

There are a few places I would like to visit again, but I think the two places I liked best were Copenhagen and Stockholm. There is just something sympatico with Scandinavia and me (I liked Oslo, Bergen and Helsinki quite a bit as well). After that, I would probably be some combination of New York and Hong Kong... big bustling metropolises of Modernity.


I have one last shot from Spain. As I was waiting in the lobby at 5 am for my taxi, I snapped this of a young prostitute chatting with the night manager of the hotel. Turns out she was waiting for her friend to finish her business upstairs...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098693585136802"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7KS407KI/AAAAAAAAAgk/DORNjqLPbNo/s800/0226.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

Here is the one shot of me from Halloween... I didn't take a lot of shots during Halloween because the camera just doesn't work all that well in the dark...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098693585136818"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7KS407LI/AAAAAAAAAgs/x6ehQzxfexk/s800/0227.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

Here are some shots from my trip to Santa Monica so far....

The first is of the Electronic Arts building on the way into town from the airport... This wasn't here when I was in town last... I think they built it on the grounds where they were supposed to build Dreamworks studio.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098697880104130"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ki407MI/AAAAAAAAAg0/FCjfHFignI0/s800/0228.jpg" /></a>

The next is of the Santa Monica pier as seen from the window of my friends suite at the Loews Santa Monica.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098702175071442"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ky407NI/AAAAAAAAAg8/6OUR3iCti6U/s800/0229.jpg" /></a>

I was amazed to see that the Rand Corporation's infamous building is in the process of being torn down... the Rand Corp. is one of America's most influencial think tanks.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098702175071458"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Ky407OI/AAAAAAAAAhE/pYntHQ0eYKE/s800/0230.jpg" /></a>

Finally a shot of the lobby of the Loews Santa Monica...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098706470038770"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7LC407PI/AAAAAAAAAhM/HJY3HXF9FtY/s800/0231.jpg" /></a>

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Charlatan

Here is a shot Sultana and Krycheck looking all sultry and mysterious...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098706470038786"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7LC407QI/AAAAAAAAAhU/xOPwKw6yOAA/s800/0232.jpg" /></a>

Sultana's very big coffee... she can put back the coffee.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098710765006098"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7LS407RI/AAAAAAAAAhc/1sIwoS0EcPk/s800/0233.jpg" /></a>

And the last I took as we were getting ready to pose together...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Temp/photo?authkey=UjR5dOgSIIc#5115098715059973410"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/StevenMurphy001/Rvx7Li407SI/AAAAAAAAAhk/rjJYHeESjJQ/s800/0234.jpg" /></a>

I do hope we can hook up some other time and like I said elsewhere, I appreciate their driving all that distance to come and see me.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Mantus

Ah, what is it about Stockholm that you enjoyed? Can't be the food!

Charlatan

It was a little bit of this and a little bit of that... food, people, the way the city is laid out... just a general feel.

There is just something about Scandinavia that works for me...

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke