Thursday, August 28, 2008
Day 3 into Day 4
Day 4, Checked out and enjoying a milkshake, as usual, at Barney's trying to meet my deadlines so the 6 of you who read this will get your fix today. As I was sitting here 5 Irish kids (19 – 26) can in to start there 3 day holiday. I talked with them for about 30 minutes about everything Irish, I am glad I got to speak with them as it will make it easier for me to understand them when I get there sometime next week. The plan for the rest of the day is as follows, get some lunch, walk around a new part of town I have not seen that is NW of my hotel. I am hoping for some good shots. I will be back to the hotel to get my bag from storage and take the tram to Central Station at 5pm to catch a train to the airport for my fight out at 8pm to Vienna. I have a car service that will return me to Bratislava, as the bus stops running at 10 pm from the airport back to Bratislava. I will also pot more of my photo once I get back home, I am still looking for a few apps for this eeepc that work like my Mac.
I am now having lunch at a small Italian place on my favorite street for places to eat. And Wijacking someone's net signal. Enjoy, I know I will.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Day 2 - Night Time Fun
It turns out to be a good choice the service was fast and the food was very good. My plan now is to head back to the square and see if the two guys I saw playing last night are back. If so I will try and get some video for you. They had a funky blues sound and I picked up some cd's from them last night. The only problem is the Asus has no cd drive so I will have to wait to get home to listen to them.
No offense to my English friends but, your brothers and sisters are the loudest, drunkest, rudest tourist I have ever come across. If you are walking down the street and hear a bunch of loud drunk people there is a 95% chance they are English, the other 5% are Scots, sorry but it's true.
So I am in the square listening to the “The Famous Unknowns” I hope the video comes out.
Day 2 in Amsterdam

So I am still not over the jet lag, it was 3 am before I was able to get to sleep. Of course it could have been the espresso at 9:15 last night, not a wise choice for someone who rarely has caffeine. I spend the most of that time working on photos.
Today is overcast with a small chance of rain, so the light is very flat for photos, I will see if I can work it to my favor. I have found this trip that Front Doors and Iron Work is catching my eye more than anything. I plan on walking into new areas near my hotel which is really turning out to be perfect for my needs, it is close to great restaurants and is right on the tram line so getting back to the airport is not going to be an $75.00 cab ride. Stopped by Barneys to talk with Andy and get some locals advice on spots to visit and I am now heading out.
I spent the next 3 hours just walking the streets taking photos. I stopped for lunch near the hotel and had a great pizza. It started to rain lightly so I packed it in for the day and came back to the hotel to give you an update. It is now still cloudy but dry so I will head out later for dinner.








Amsterdam - The Return - Day 1
Well the flight was uneventful other getting stuck in the bulkhead row
that does not recline because of the emergency exit behind me,
so I was forced to rest my head on my tray table, not my
preferred sleeping position. I did try and offset that by taking
three benadryls and two screwdrivers to get me to sleep,
which still did not work as well as I had hoped but I was
able to get about 3 1/2 to 4 hours of sleep. I then had a
car service take me to Bratislava.
So I am home, and yes I do feel like this my home,
I could try explain the reasons I feel this way about Slovakia but I
am not sure I could convey exactly what I feel since I don't seem
to understand it myself. The closest thing I can say I this, I know
that the Universe wants me here for some reason. It is the same
reason I return to Camp every summer, because this is where I
should be. For those of you who get to talk with me face to face
will understand the concept I am trying to get across because
I have said it before. The key now is for me to recognize why
So how is it living in the same flat as your ex-girlfriend. To be
honest it was rather strange right at first, both of us not quite sure
what to expect from the other. That passed as we both just sat
down and chatted about our summers, how they went etc.
It was then I think we both understood that while we were not right
for each other as a couple, we could in fact be OK with just being
friends. The lingering feelings we both are dealing with I think
will slowly fade in to the past and make it easier just to be friends
with each other. As with everything, time will tell. So the trip,
I as I write this I am 20000 feet above the Netherlands about to
land in Amsterdam. I am looking forward to spending a few
days walking around taking pictures and taking in the local culture
and attractions.
Landed in Amsterdam and took a cab to the hotel because I
was to lazy to figure out the train and bus lines in a town I cant
pronounce the names of the stops.
Andy from Barney's lounge was here again and remembered
me and all my stories. I was surprised how excited he got when
he saw me, I felt for sure that there was no way he remembered
one old American from 4 months go. It was my hat that I think
made him remember me.

(Props to my Pop for the vintage 1971 "Go Fast Hat")
So first impressions, First, I love having the Asus eeepc 900,
it is perfect for the mobile blogger like me. Second, Barney's
still makes one of the best milkshakes you wil ever have.
Third the cab drivers here would give the NYC crew a run for
there money, my only advice is close your eyes and pray.
Fourth The hotel I got this time is now my new favorite spot.
I will get some photos to show you this area of town in the morning.
I have no view but it's a smoking room and it is bigger than the
last place. But the down side is you can't smoke inside the
restaurants or bars or coffee shops, go figure. You can light up a
spliff in the coffee shop but the get mad at you if you fire up a
nicotine stick, what kind of sick twisted moronic bureaucrat
came up with that one, oh wait I think I answered my own question.
So what is my game plan for the next 72 hours?
Tonight if the rain holds off I am going to do some night shots,
which without my tripod, should produce some interesting results.
But to be honest some of my greatest shots have happened by accident.
Tomorrows weather looks like it should be nice so it will be a
day of walking and shooting.
So I have gone mobile and am now sitting down for dinner at a
small Italian place off one of the main streets. So the plan is for
me to stop every so often and just start to type. I have already
taken a few good shots and this way It will give you the up
close and personal view of the city, plus it's fun for me to do it.
It gives me a look I need as a single guy dinning alone. Doing this
makes me look important. ;-)
So I just finished one of the best dinners I have had in a long time.
The veal saltimbocca was amazing and the gravy on the spaghetti
would make grandma Lucarelli proud. I am going to finish it
off with some tiramisu. Then off for more photos before calling it a night.
I just got mistaken for a Frenchman, I couple sat down to me
and started to speak to me then I said I don't speak French the the
man thought I was French. Serge and Fabienne are from Aix province
and I have just been sitting here talking with them as they wait for there dinner.
They are both teachers who are on holiday. I told them about my
travels and we talked about my philosophy of life and that today is
the only day you get so you better enjoy it. Anyway, tomorrow is
just a future yesterday. Serge's english is very good and is able to
translate what his wife misses. They are both very pleasant to talk
with and disprove the old stereo types of what you might think of
the French. He has also given me the name of a French writer
Andre Gide to read. For those of you who don't believe me,
I will say it again. The Universe puts me where it wants me to
be when it wants me to be there.
And the tiramisu was great, of course the espresso at 9:15 might be a mistake.
I am now hanging out in a square listen to two guys jam on guitar,
the sound is amazing. I tried to get some video but it hosed up on me, I will try again tomorrow.







Bike repair with a brick, the Amsterdam way.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Hanging Out In JFK

My flight leaves in just over an hour and I am so excited to be getting back to Bratislava.
Stay tuned for updates, remember I leave for Amsterdam this Monday so I should have new photos up on Tuesday.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
So Camp Is At An End
I am looking forward to getting back to Europe and traveling. have only made plans for the first part of the trip and see how things go before planning the rest of the trip. I have also made a new purchase to help with my travels an Asus eeepc 900, which is a small laptop with a nine inch screen that weighs less than 2 pounds. google it. I am posting from it now and am really enjoying playing with it. It runs version of Linux that I have hacked to make it even more useful. I will let you know how it works out in the future.
Monday, August 11, 2008
I Have Made My Plans
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
So I Am Heading Back to Slovakia
Monday, July 28, 2008
It's Been Awhile
Camp has been fun the first session is now over and we start the last 3 week until the end of camp. While there is a small chance I will return to Slovakia for the fall I am looking into other options at this point. The one thing I am sure of is I will be in Ireland from the 6th until the 13th of September. What I am not sure of is since I am flying to Europe to begin with should I then just finish seeing the places in Europe I want to see? So I will most likely fly into and out of Amsterdam and use it a base to fly to other European cities. It has the advantages of been a great airport in a great city that I love taking pictures of. It is not out of the question for me to try and stay in Amsterdam for 2 months and visiting people I know in Europe. I would fly out for a 3 to 4 day visits and then return or fly to another city. I also have a known place to stay in Amsterdam that is not way overpriced and it is located in a great part of the city for me. The cities I would like to visit include, London, Belfast, Prague, Istanbul, and finish in Stuttgart Germany with a tour of the Porsche Factory. This would lead me back home where by this time I would have located the perfect 1973 to 1986 Porsche 911 for my needs. And what are my needs in a 911 you ask? Just one, that will get me across the southern part of the country to California then up to Vancouver and back to the Northeast Region all before Santa slips down the chimney. With the option of spending my winter in Savannah GA again. Can all of this happen? Why not, I'm just a passenger on this bus, the driver knows where I would like to go and if these stops our on his route I will see them, if not, such is life, karma is karma. In the 2 weeks that follow camp I will most likely be up and down the east coast dropping in on people and leaving just as quickly, what can I say, it's me, good or bad this is what you get. Same with this post, I'm tired and I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow. Thanks to my loyal readers, I see you chasing the dragon, hope this helps.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
It Occurred To Me....
Friday, July 04, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Camp Has Begun
Thanks to all my loyal followers, I do see you stopping by, I am sorry I am so slack about updates.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Can't Sleep - Up All NIght
It's late,I can't sleep and I came across this on YouTube, I love the internet.
hey jake; I had not heard this since SPD, forgot how good it is.
hey clem; R.B. is fine, thanks for your concern.
Oh yeah, I am at camp now, more on that later.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Sunset in Washington DC

I am in Washington DC visiting my friend Kelly. She, her boyfriend Rob and I had a picnic dinner near the Washington Monument at sunset today.
Click the photo to see the album.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
My Tribute to Slovakia
This is my tribute to my adopted home. Music is by the Slovak band Desmod and the song is "Zober Ma Domov"
Sunday, May 25, 2008
It's That Time Of The Year
Monday, May 19, 2008
Day 5 in Amsterdam

I did not get many pictures as it was raining off and on. This was the final few hours before I flew back home.
Special Shout Out to Simon who I meet at Barney's, keep living the dream brother.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Day 4 in Amsterdam
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Day 3 in Amsterdam

I only saw a small area today that was new. I spent most of the day getting to know this area well. I am seeing a very local part of the city. Not your typical touristy things, it has been a great time because of that.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Day 2 in Amsterdam

Click Image for web album.
It was a great day today, I got some good shots and had a great lunch.
see you tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
So Where Am I? - Updated

So Jake wins the prize with his guess of Amsterdam.
Way to go Jacobo.
Click on the photo to see pictures from day 1.
I Am Off On A 4 Day Adventure
Posted from the Vienna Airport.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
The Ox Is Slow But The Earth is Patient
O.K. now that I have you in the right frame of mind, let's wade deeper into the water shall we? I know what you are thinking, "Where is he going with this?". Go back and read the first line again, I'll wait. (It's late here and insomnia sometimes has an upside, it gives you plenty of time to think.) For the last five years I have lived with the "idea" (It's not the right word but it's the best way I can say it.) that the Universe (you can also substitute God if you prefer. It's your choice we all need to come to an understanding of what "this" is all about but I digress.) So where was I, oh yes, the Universe/Deity of you choice, has me where it needs me to be when I need to be there. It has been a great time. I have memories I will remember well, the photos do help as I get older but that's yet another topic. I am getting to do and see things that I really never thought possible. I also understand I am in a very unique situation, as life has dealt me very good cards, so I went all in. I will see if I get the card I need on the "River". It is said, "There is a fine line between Genius and Insanity." but I say "There is a fine line between Legend and Cautionary Tale." but I guess sometimes you walk them at the same time? I just hope when the "River" does come it was the Ace I needed to land on the good side of the line.
Now todays lesson.
The Path of Least Resistance and Why 'Least' Does Not Always Mean Easy.
It has taken these last five and a half years for me to get to this point that I think I understand what "The Path of Least Resistance" (now only referred to as the Path.) means, to me at least. I will explain it with the metaphor of a river since water always finds the Path. Keep in mind I am traveling down this river in a big white water rafting boat that seams to have auto pilot for the Path, most people are lucky if they have water wings or an inner-tube to help them down the river but that is life, Karma is Karma. (if you believe in that sort of thing. Again, I don't want to push you in to anything that might make you question your own beliefs . Because as soon as I do that the next thing you know you will see me on TV asking my flock to send me money so I can buy more satellite time. Yet again, I digress.) Reread the first line again. (what can I say again but it's late and I'm somewhat sleepy but I am having to much fun getting this written.) Ok so now think of yourself on the river of life, let's call it, in whatever flotation device life has thrown you. And when you get in it about waist deep and the current is moving at a nice pace. Sometimes you can float sometimes it's faster for you to walk then to float so you do. I am also just floating along enjoying the view. (clarification: we are not on the same river, they both contain the same elements just some more than others. It's your own version of the Colorado River, if you will.) Now sometimes the river gets very deep with strong undertows that try and pull you under. Sometimes the river is very shallow and you can't float down it but it is just deep enough to make walking a pain in the butt. Other times it is just a few inches deep and walking is easy but what about your flotation device, is it easy to transport? Mine isn't, so I hope for deep waters and the auto pilot helps a lot. What may be easy for me is hard for someone else or vice versa. Sometimes I need to get out so the raft can float while I walk next to it. Sometimes I have to drag it across shallow water which can suck. The whole time you need to try and find the Path to improve your chances of survival. (the river is a dangerous place sometimes, it's a fact, you can google it if don't believe me) As you travel longer down the river you learn to read the river and soon you start to see the Path and it makes life that much easier. Sometimes the river becomes a delta and you find yourself wondering if you are even moving in the right direction. (you may come across a map or even a g.p.s. or even a boat with auto pilot to help you down the river. I may be good for a day or a lifetime, you never really know. The river is also a strange place, google it). So what am I really trying to say here? Simple, resistance is different for everyone. What is simple for some is not so simple for others. The trick is once you find the way to spot the Path, it gives you time to look up from the river and see your life as it passes by.
*For my slower students - I was the Ox you were the Earth
Thanks to Carol for the kick in the pants I needed. (I know this isn't a rant but I think it is what you wanted) And to Jake and Clem my blog junkies. (chase the dragon boys.... I crack myself up sometimes.)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Spring In Hybe - High Tatras Panorama

Click Image for larger version
This was taken with my point and shoot Canon. I am beginning to wonder why I carry 20lbs in SLR equipment when my 3 year old Canon does this well with a photoshop stitch of 6 images.
Click here for some great aerial shots of Hybe (pronounced -he bay)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Stealth Trip To America Is At An End
I had a great time in Richmond for the last few days. I was great to some old friends and hang out with the latest edition to our family, Charles Henry, his parents call him Henry but he looks like a "Chuck" to me. (Sorry Jen, you can't name a kid Charles and not have people call him Chuck.) I was nice to also get to see "Slim" (aka Baby Nathan) who at 8 months is like 25 pounds of pure love. The kid is so happy. I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to but time was short and anyway I will be home in 45 days or so.
So what is next for me? Well I am excited to get back to Bratislava. I would like to see about having Mom and Steve come over and visit Slovakia as well as do a "Sound of Music" tour of Salzburg Austria around mid May. I am not sure if that is going to happen but it would be cool. I am excited at the prospect of getting out with the camera as spring blooms. Many of you have been asking why I have not posted many photos lately. The easy answer is I am lazy, but the truth is with out leaves on trees and blooms on flowers I am not in the mood to shoot. I love spring, summer and fall but winter is hard for me to shoot, the lighting never seems right for me. Or you could just keep thinking I am lazy, your choice, no pressure. I am flying home at the end of May to attend Alex's wedding, I will then kick around somewhere (Outer Banks, Richmond, NJ, VT or camp are my choices so far (new invitations are always considered)) before heading to camp around the 20th of June for the start of 4th year of the greatest job ever.
I would like to say thank you to the loyal readers of this (insert your own adjective here) blog. I know I have not published anything worth looking at in some months. My only defense is since I like the food in Slovakia I have very little to rant about, like I did in the past. (I'm talking to you New Zealand) Plus I live a simple life in Bratislava and unless you want to know about my trip to the mall or grocery store, there is not much going on that I could easily relate in a humorous or compelling way so I don't write much. A friend did give me an idea to do at least a weekly rant. I can think about it all week and then bang something out on Sunday night. I am not sure if I will or not so make sure you check back here early and often. Chase the dragon.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
The Earth and The Moon - Photo From Mars
Click Photo for larger photo.
Just a few things to consider:
Without the Moon we would not be here.
The Moon is why we have tides.
The Moon can be as close as 225,744 miles to Earth or as far as 251,966 miles away.
70% of the surface is covered in volcanic glass and this is why the moon is bright.
But the coolest thing about the Moon, for me, 12 men have walked on it's surface.










