Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Movie I Like
Home Song Stories
Emotionally draining, roller-coaster story (stories), great acting, partly sub-titled, unexpected ending.
Have you seen it?
Emotionally draining, roller-coaster story (stories), great acting, partly sub-titled, unexpected ending.
Have you seen it?
Monday, September 28, 2009
14/365 - Gangway
Blustery autumn day and the leaves are starting to fall.
14/365 - Gangway
Originally uploaded by benexist
14/365 - Gangway
Originally uploaded by benexist
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
9/365 - Outside Miller Park
Every year I travel with friends to different cities to watch my favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, play. This year we chose to be frugal and go to Milwaukee to see the Cubs play the Brewers for one game. This is only the 5th year and we typically make a weekend of it. Previous stops include: Montreal, Washington DC, Minnesota, and Toronto.
9/365 - Outside Miller Park
Originally uploaded by benexist
9/365 - Outside Miller Park
Originally uploaded by benexist
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
8/365 - Ancient Tech
This phone is in my basement. The rotary still works, but no land-line to connect. I'm sure it still works if plugged in.
8/365 - Ancient Tech
Originally uploaded by benexist
8/365 - Ancient Tech
Originally uploaded by benexist
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
RTW Memories - Taj Mahal
(This is continuing coverage of my 50-day Round The World (RTW) trip taken between May 19 and July 7, 2009. If you want to follow the journey from the beginning, the very first post is here.)
--//--
We finally made it inside to see this magnificent creation. The first view from the gate building was amazing, as seen in this picture, but it wasn't a complete feeling of awe. I mean, it was exactly as I expected or, maybe, I was expecting a little more. Seeing the beautiful building pictured here, I can't figure out why I'm just ho-hum about it at the time. I'm sure the heat and dealing with the touts had a little something to do with it. Now though, I think it's because I usually base my comparison on the one moment that blew me away - seeing Michelangelo's David in Florence, Italy. But, can you really compare the two?
I'll post more pictures once I finish uploading the complete set of Taj Mahal photos on Flickr.
--//--
We finally made it inside to see this magnificent creation. The first view from the gate building was amazing, as seen in this picture, but it wasn't a complete feeling of awe. I mean, it was exactly as I expected or, maybe, I was expecting a little more. Seeing the beautiful building pictured here, I can't figure out why I'm just ho-hum about it at the time. I'm sure the heat and dealing with the touts had a little something to do with it. Now though, I think it's because I usually base my comparison on the one moment that blew me away - seeing Michelangelo's David in Florence, Italy. But, can you really compare the two?
I'll post more pictures once I finish uploading the complete set of Taj Mahal photos on Flickr.
Friday, September 18, 2009
4/365 - My View North
Taken from my second floor sun room. The church up the street is St. Matthias.
4/365 - My View North
Originally uploaded by benexist
4/365 - My View North
Originally uploaded by benexist
Thursday, September 17, 2009
RTW Memories - Agra, India - part III
(This is continuing coverage of my 50-day Round The World (RTW) trip taken between May 19 and July 7, 2009. If you want to follow the journey from the beginning, the very first post is here. Also, click on the following links for Agra, India: part I, and part II.)
--//--
As the minivan pulls away from the train station, we get the rundown of the day's schedule. We will see the Taj Mahal first, then the "baby" Taj, then see the Taj Mahal from the other side of the Yamuna river, then lunch, then the Red Fort, and throw in a couple side-stops for "souviners". I wasn't completely paying attention to everything the guide was saying. Did he say we will see the Taj Mahal from the other side of the river? This is exciting! I'm not sure if you know about the theory and myth of the "Black Taj". I first heard about it from watching either Discovery or History Channel or National Geographic. Sorry, can't seem to find the link to verify the specific show.
The ride to Taj Mahal didn't take long at all. I recall reading that it was actually walkable from the train station. But, being that it's the first full day in India and with this heat, forget it! As we approached the area, the guide tells us there is a ban on all motorized traffic near the Taj Mahal to minimize the corrosive damage (very similar issue with the Colosseum in Rome). They will park the minivan a half-mile from the main gate and we'll walk the rest of the way; however, the driver and guide will stay with the van. We are to come back whenever we're done exploring. So far, so good.
--//--
As the minivan pulls away from the train station, we get the rundown of the day's schedule. We will see the Taj Mahal first, then the "baby" Taj, then see the Taj Mahal from the other side of the Yamuna river, then lunch, then the Red Fort, and throw in a couple side-stops for "souviners". I wasn't completely paying attention to everything the guide was saying. Did he say we will see the Taj Mahal from the other side of the river? This is exciting! I'm not sure if you know about the theory and myth of the "Black Taj". I first heard about it from watching either Discovery or History Channel or National Geographic. Sorry, can't seem to find the link to verify the specific show.
The ride to Taj Mahal didn't take long at all. I recall reading that it was actually walkable from the train station. But, being that it's the first full day in India and with this heat, forget it! As we approached the area, the guide tells us there is a ban on all motorized traffic near the Taj Mahal to minimize the corrosive damage (very similar issue with the Colosseum in Rome). They will park the minivan a half-mile from the main gate and we'll walk the rest of the way; however, the driver and guide will stay with the van. We are to come back whenever we're done exploring. So far, so good.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Daily iPhone Photos
As you know, I've been posting pictures taken with my iPhone on a daily basis and today is day #16. It's just something I'm doing on my own (after reading others doing it) to keep from not doing anything at all ... haha! It's been fun so far and really keep the creative juices flowing trying to come up with a different shot everyday. Well, as an added push, I decided to join the iPhone365 group on Flickr just to make things even more interesting and to pressure me into keeping this going.
Nothing will change with the daily picture posting other than my decision to start from the beginning, i.e., today will be day 1/365. So, I will redo today's picture post with a new title (and number) based on the group's requirement. Moving forward, tomorrow's picture will be day 2/365 and so on ...
Nothing will change with the daily picture posting other than my decision to start from the beginning, i.e., today will be day 1/365. So, I will redo today's picture post with a new title (and number) based on the group's requirement. Moving forward, tomorrow's picture will be day 2/365 and so on ...
Monday, September 14, 2009
RTW Memories - Agra, India - part II
(This is continuing coverage of my 50-day Round The World (RTW) trip taken between May 19 and July 7, 2009. If you want to follow the journey from the beginning, the very first post is here. Part I of the Agra, India post is here).
--//--
The train rolled into the Agra terminal at a little after 8:00 AM, leaving us a full 12 hours to spend discovering this ancient and historic city. Although, for me, the main purpose of coming here is to only see the Taj Mahal (the picture shown is the entrance gate building). I thought, perhaps, there won't be enough time to go exploring other sites since the place will be crawling with tourists and half your time will be spent waiting in line to get in the place. This was the case with my experience in Rome when I visited Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica.
The hot temperature outside hits you full force as you exit from the train. Even knowing it was going to be 106 degree F today, I still decided to wear jeans. Not shorts, jeans. I think I've read somewhere that men don't wear shorts because it's mostly reserved for those 10 years and younger. Oh well, when you travel, you do what the locals do, but I'm going to be miserable.
--//--
The train rolled into the Agra terminal at a little after 8:00 AM, leaving us a full 12 hours to spend discovering this ancient and historic city. Although, for me, the main purpose of coming here is to only see the Taj Mahal (the picture shown is the entrance gate building). I thought, perhaps, there won't be enough time to go exploring other sites since the place will be crawling with tourists and half your time will be spent waiting in line to get in the place. This was the case with my experience in Rome when I visited Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica.
The hot temperature outside hits you full force as you exit from the train. Even knowing it was going to be 106 degree F today, I still decided to wear jeans. Not shorts, jeans. I think I've read somewhere that men don't wear shorts because it's mostly reserved for those 10 years and younger. Oh well, when you travel, you do what the locals do, but I'm going to be miserable.
DayPic 14 - Not So Hot
I guess the title says it all. Didn't mean to have the main subject be out of focus.
DayPic 14 - Not So Hot
Originally uploaded by benexist
DayPic 14 - Not So Hot
Originally uploaded by benexist
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
DayPic 12 - Slab of Berlin Wall
Located inside the brown line el station on Lincoln and Western - Chicago.
DayPic 12 - Slab of Berlin Wall
Originally uploaded by benexist
DayPic 12 - Slab of Berlin Wall
Originally uploaded by benexist
Thursday, September 10, 2009
DayPic 11 - Morning Glare
My hallway was momentarily lit by the bright morning sun.
DayPic 11 - Morning Glare
Originally uploaded by benexist
DayPic 11 - Morning Glare
Originally uploaded by benexist
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
RTW Memories - Agra, India - part I
(This is continuing coverage of my 50-day Round The World (RTW) trip taken between May 19 and July 7, 2009).
--//--
After a good night sleep, woke up early the next day to catch the 6 AM train for a 2-hour ride to Agra. This would be the first full day in India and it will be spent touring Agra and its famous building, the Taj Mahal. In all honesty, I had no interest in going to India or seeing the Taj Mahal. Only recently, for some reason, I added it on my top 20 places to visit. Heck, I've never even had Indian food before this trip. Needless to say, my first taste is what was served on the airplane. Does that count? Now that I'm here, I'm really excited and looking forward to all new experiences for the next couple weeks.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
RTW Memories - Mosque in Delhi
Here's another picture taken on May 21 from the Ginger Hotel in New Delhi. It was hot and hazy the whole time there with temperature hovering around 105 degrees F.
This is part of the continuing post-travel coverage of my 50-day Round The World (RTW) trip taken between May 19 & July 7, 2009.
See the first post here and other posts, so far, here, here, and here.
RTM Memories - Arrival India
(This is the 4th post, continuing coverage of my 50-day Round The World (RTW) trip taken between May 19 & July 7, 2009).
--//--
Arrived in Delhi, Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, on May 20 just a little after 8 PM (local date/time). A driver with the Ginger Hotel will meet us at an exit near baggage claim and the customs area.
Once my backpack is claimed, there's processing through immigration and customs. For some reason I like this part, probably because this is where you get your passport stamped.
Add another country to the visited list!
After this, you follow the flow of passengers to an exit. There is the usual gauntlet of drivers and tour operators holding signs. I didn't recognize a familiar name, either mine or the hotel. Attempted to go through the line again in case it was missed, but an armed guard put a quick stop to my going the "wrong" way. Have to assume the driver is late and wait for him here.
--//--
Arrived in Delhi, Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, on May 20 just a little after 8 PM (local date/time). A driver with the Ginger Hotel will meet us at an exit near baggage claim and the customs area.
Once my backpack is claimed, there's processing through immigration and customs. For some reason I like this part, probably because this is where you get your passport stamped.
Add another country to the visited list!
After this, you follow the flow of passengers to an exit. There is the usual gauntlet of drivers and tour operators holding signs. I didn't recognize a familiar name, either mine or the hotel. Attempted to go through the line again in case it was missed, but an armed guard put a quick stop to my going the "wrong" way. Have to assume the driver is late and wait for him here.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
RTW Memories - First Stop India (Actually, Frankfurt)
(This is the 3rd post, continuing the coverage of my 50-day Round The World (RTW) trip taken between May 19 & July 7, 2009).
--//--
We're finally off the ground on our way to India (flying on Air India). It's a 16 hour flight to Delhi from Chicago with a stopover in Frankfurt.
I have to say that flying Air India was very nice. There were some things they did that I've never seen before and I thought were pretty cool. First, a couple simple things to get you acclimated to the time change. They scheduled food service and manipulated the plane's interior lighting to simulate day and night time of your destination. I think it worked great in minimizing, if not eliminating, jet lag. Second, when you order a beer, they give you two. Yes, two, without asking (and it's free on this international flight). I know the picture shown isn't much evidence, but it's true. I'm not sure what purpose it serves and I'm not complaining, but it certainly was memorable.
The 1-hour stopover in Frankfurt was uneventful, other than realizing you're not in your home country anymore. You start to feel everything being different now. Your senses become more alert to the language, environment, signs with the international symbol, and just overall feel and attitude. Yes, we're only at the airport, but you are now a foreigner in a foreign land. It's a great feeling to have, being outside your comfort zone with survival instinct awakened. Yes, I know, still at airport ... but, so far so good.
Well, I can't wait to get to India.
--//--
We're finally off the ground on our way to India (flying on Air India). It's a 16 hour flight to Delhi from Chicago with a stopover in Frankfurt.
I have to say that flying Air India was very nice. There were some things they did that I've never seen before and I thought were pretty cool. First, a couple simple things to get you acclimated to the time change. They scheduled food service and manipulated the plane's interior lighting to simulate day and night time of your destination. I think it worked great in minimizing, if not eliminating, jet lag. Second, when you order a beer, they give you two. Yes, two, without asking (and it's free on this international flight). I know the picture shown isn't much evidence, but it's true. I'm not sure what purpose it serves and I'm not complaining, but it certainly was memorable.The 1-hour stopover in Frankfurt was uneventful, other than realizing you're not in your home country anymore. You start to feel everything being different now. Your senses become more alert to the language, environment, signs with the international symbol, and just overall feel and attitude. Yes, we're only at the airport, but you are now a foreigner in a foreign land. It's a great feeling to have, being outside your comfort zone with survival instinct awakened. Yes, I know, still at airport ... but, so far so good.
Well, I can't wait to get to India.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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