Tunnel Vision

Tunnel Vision
Originally uploaded by Torve.

I am blogging my own photo in Flickr. Basically I am trying this method out. Previously I have relied on Hello from my own PC or internet.
This photo was taken while travelling on a moving pavement at Frankfurt airport, this last weekend. It was really quite a stunning experience.

Just finished reading The Frogs of War. Follow this link for my journal.
Bill

My politics according to cupid

You are a Social Liberal (68% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (30% permissive) You are best described as a: Democrat Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Weekend in Berlin VI

"The Story of Berlin" museum. This was fascinating, but also very effecting. It has good description of how the Nazi party grew and how the right's attempts to "flank" the Nazi party removed most of the manifestations of democracy before Hitler came to power. "We have him" said the right in 1933, but actually the right had done much to help Hitler. The photo shows a floor pasted with book bindings, commerative of the burning of books. I found walking over this stranegley disturbing. Then there were the films shots of Berlin recovering from the war. Some of tourist sights I had so recently visited partly ruined and surrounded by ploughed fields to produce food.
Finally there came the fall of the wall. Then and earlier walking through the now very commercial streets of East Berlin, reminded me of huge liberation that 1989 bought.
Bill

Weekend in Berlin V

Since being 12 years old, I have wanted to fly in a balloon. I achieved this at last albeit a tethered balloon. It took me up to 150 metres for a good view.


Bill

Weekend in Berlin IV

Checkpoin Charlie survives, or at least was restored by donation replica hut and signs from the US army.
Bill

Weekend in Berlin III

Lan and I reflected in Norman Foster's mirrors. 

Weekend in Berlin II

We visited a number of places old and new. Perhaps the most spectacular was the Reichstag, which combined the old shell of the building with a futuristic dome and array of mirrors, ensuring the assembly hall is lit by natural light. This amazing structure was designed by Sir Norman Foster. But this is just one of many spectacular sites. Since the wall came down in 1991, the whole shape of the city has changed and development has invested in imaginative new buildings. 

Weekend in Berlin I

Lan & I had a short break in Berlin. Our first time in the city and the only time either of us have spent a significant time in Germany. I have only every passed through Germany on my way somewhere else.
This photo is taken from Kurfurstendamn towardsKaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtniskirche, or more simply called the "hollow tooth" by Berliners. All but the steeple was destroyed in bombing. 

This is an amusing site. It's a few years since this joke did the rounds on the email, and I have lost my archive.
Back in the real world, we have started house hunting again. The idea is buy to let. We keep changing plans though. It started as buying a flat for professionals in Sale and now we are looking at terraces in Edgely for - as the non-PC estate agent put it - single mums on DSS.
We still have to do the sums. Whatever way, rent won't cover mortgage, so it's whether capital appreciation will repay our investment.

Torve

Phones CAN make you ill

My mother has tracking stories of the damage phone masts (and WiFi) can have on health. She brought this to my attention.
She is a supporter of SCRAM, Seriously Concerned Residents Against Masts. 

At 19,000 feet

A flight from Edinburgh to Manchester provided me with series of semi-abstract photos. Nine more can be found at my Flickr pages. 

BBQ in our garden for some friends. 

This is a fascinating and haunting web site of contemporary photos by Alan Wilson. I must thank my friend thlindar for introducing me to it. 

Lan's Wedding Dress - Stockport Heritage Centre, St Mary's Church

From St Peters, we moved on to St Marys and the Heritage Centre.

Our wedding has become part of Stockport's heritage. Lan's wedding dress is part of the display at the Stockport Heritage Centre. I am told many people have expressed disbelief that a bride would get married in red and gold. Though the wedding was in Britain, Lan wore traditional Vietnamese bridal dress.

St Peters - National Heritage Open Day

Saturday was a Heritage open day so we visited St Peters church for the first time, not that it isn't open most days. Lovely church. Lan told the vicar, Ken, that she thought it much more attractive than St Mary's, so Ken said he would tell Roger that. 

Just finished reading Kowloon Tong. A bit of a disappointment. Follow this link to read my journal. However, be warned! While I avoid key revelations, I do discuss some of the plot. Best not to read this journal if you are considering reading this book. 

Stockport Heritage Trust - social - continued

More discussion 

Stockport Heritage Trust - social - continued

A group effort. 

Stockport Heritage Trust - social - identifying old photos

7/9/05 Stockport Heritage. Kevin and Coral brought in a selection of old photos to identify. This was an interesting challenge. Even I who have only lived in Stockport since 1991, identified 3. 

4/9/05 Walk around Marple - continued

This field was a surprise. It used to be used for grazing and we have parked our car here for Chadkirk festivals in years gone by. This farm is owned by the council. They seem to have planted wild flowers. Excellent. 

4/9/05 Walk around Marple

We went for a rather longer walk in Marple. We both enjoyed this a lot. We were following Walk the Waterways Around Manchester. See my bookcrossing journal for this book. 

3/9/05 Wigan Walk

3/9/05 - We went for a walk in Wigan. Lan was not impressed. We did walk over Wigan Pier which pleased me. We were following Walk the Waterways Around Manchester. See my bookcrossing journal for this book.
 

BookCrossing Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor - Review - BookCrossing - FREE YOUR BOOKS!

BookCrossing Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor - Review

I have given up on this book. See my journal.