clouds and sunshine

seagull and sun on an overcast day


surfers emerging from a heavy fog onto a beach in northern california



sunlight breaking through the clouds over a bridge on the seine


later that same day .....

a daytrip to the southland

this is a rather typical view in the southland - flat lands with some hills in the background (the verdugo mountains in this case) and palm leaves in the foreground -
outside at streetlevel, i hear the jingle of an ice cream truck approaching and the sounds of children running to catch up to it


the drive is relaxing but intoxicating - the view starts off like this - its just miles and miles of straight asphalt and a really really long dotted line


but after a few hours, i only see this - the music is blaring in my head but i realize that i havent turned the radio on .... that's a little worrisome but i soldier on ...


to my left i see land passing by in a blur and a sun setting over a mountain range as day turns to dusk and dusk turns to night


it has been well dark by the time i get to the gas station - it gets crowded about this time on the weekend - i have to wait a few moments in order to pull in to get gas
i do and i leave


must be close to midnite by the time i check into to this restaurant/bar - it's always open late -
come to think of it, i dont remember ever seeing this place closed before
i remain deep in wonder about what hours it keeps until the food arrives and i wolf it down in a minute and a half - helped along with a few bottles of ale
that hits the spot ....

no title

on most days, the cuban bakery is very popular with the lunchtime crowd in southern california and the order line can get quite long - by the time one gets to the register it's hard not to pick up a few more than what one came in for, or so i'm told ....

this was taken whilst leisurely strolling down market street on one of those days that were just made for walking - a cool sea breeze on a sunny airy day

i have fond memories of this place now - a nearby golf driving range that stays open til late


boats bobbing up and down next to a busy promenade


some office buildings have nicer views than others - and i never thought that i would feel office envy ....


window dressing of bottled herbs advertizing for a hotel cafe


stopped in front of this office building to take a few snaps - there was a full moon high in the sky and the night was getting cold ....

the historic southern gate in seoul is now open to foot traffic

stormtroopers in a bus in downtown shibuya - not sure what they were doing but i am sure they were up to no good

from the permanent collection

an almost festive atmosphere at a busy street market in shamshuipo

view across the harbor from the western tip of hong kong

storefront ad showcasing one of my favorite actresses

a quiet hotel restaurant when you are the first to arrive

street vendor oblivious to passing foot traffic at a night market

nice graphic ad for something on a subway wall - my guess is it's for a soft drink or perhaps for hemorrhoids medication

huge glowing urns make for interesting decor at a high-end fusion restaurant in shanghai

a historical enactment of a coronation ceremony at a palace in downtown seoul

took a short trip

every now and then, it's good to get on a plane going anywhere - to see new sights and views in lands far away


like this one - looking out at the horizon as the sun sets over a quaint seaside town in taiwan


and a woman placing lit joss sticks at a offering alter at a temple in old hong kong


it's good to enjoy the simple pleasure of a dimsum breakfast early in the morning


or relaxing by a hotel poolside on a hot loud humid afternoon late after a hard days work


watching skillful chefs plying their trade while eyeing the observer with a camera


some sights are new and welcome


some views are familiar and comforting - like this daytime view across the island


and a similar nighttime view


sometimes there is joy in doing familiar things in new surroundings - like reading a magazine or talking to old friends over hot cappuccino in a wanchai coffeeshop


it's the privilege of having a room with a view and a warm comfortable bed - to slowly float off into slumber dreaming of the life back home

reflections

waves, rocks, a rugged coastline


pathway to a temple on the outskirts of kyoto


kids barefoot in a park


kids sharing some joyous moments at the shore's edge


sea fluff on a northern california beach

in and out of town

quiet reading basement of one of the last remaining independent book stores in our fair little town


experimental performance art and exhibition studio space in an interesting part of town