Monthly Archives: February 2011

Wallpaper Monday

Posted on 28 February 2011 by

This week: A misty, long-exposure shot looking toward Point Bonita Lighthouse from the Marin Headlands. Besides the dark beauty of this scene, I’m intrigued by the fact that the photographer pointed his camera this direction, rather than toward the far … Continue reading →

Posted in wallpaper | 1 Comment

Shuttle porn

Posted on 26 February 2011 by

This has been on my To Watch list for some time. With the final launch of the shuttle Discovery on Thursday, it seemed time to finally view it. “Ascent” is 45 minutes of the finest footage culled from the 125 … Continue reading →

Posted in tech, USA | 3 Comments

Identity papers

Posted on 25 February 2011 by

Yesterday I finally acquired my Cartão de Residência, the permanent residency card. (US readers: think green card.) While I am delighted to be freed from the annual stress of reapplying for a temporary one-year visa, I do have one question. … Continue reading →

Posted in Portugal | 14 Comments

Christchurch in pictures

Posted on 24 February 2011 by

The Big Picture has put up a must-see photo series on Christchurch. Looking at these, one understands that the death toll is only going to rise. And the courage of the rescue workers going into those impossibly unstable buildings cannot … Continue reading →

Posted in life | 5 Comments

Household jam

Posted on 23 February 2011 by

Take two wine glasses, some water, a bottle opener, a pair of panties, a hair dryer, a roll of tape, a whiskey tube pack, a spring, an old camera and a box wrench, and what do you have? A jam … Continue reading →

Posted in just because, video | 2 Comments

“A city destroyed”

Posted on 22 February 2011 by

Today the BBC called Christchurch “a city destroyed.” A report from the city opens with footage of buildings continuing to crumble as people run panicked in the streets. The count is 65 dead so far, with many more still trapped … Continue reading →

Posted in life | 7 Comments

Wallpaper Monday

Posted on 21 February 2011 by

Here’s something from a little closer to my old home: the view from Cascade Pass in Washington’s North Cascades National Park. This is five photos stitched together, and the itty bitty version here doesn’t begin to do it justice. Click … Continue reading →

Posted in wallpaper | Leave a comment

Saturday picture show

Posted on 19 February 2011 by

Today feels like a day for cleaning out some of my bookmarked Astronomy Picture of the Day shots. Be sure to click the images to biggify them, because the full versions are gorgeous. (Note that when you land on the … Continue reading →

Posted in just because | 1 Comment

We do not wish to speak with you

Posted on 18 February 2011 by

I have been known to rant about Portuguese bureaucracy to my family and friends (and maybe even in this blog), but the truth is that the US isn’t covering itself with glory over here, either. Dealing with the US Embassy … Continue reading →

Posted in USA | 6 Comments

Movie rating

Posted on 17 February 2011 by

We saw “The King’s Speech” last night — great film! Afterward I read Roger Ebert’s review of it (he loved it) and was puzzled by his final comment: Note: The R rating refers to Logue’s use of vulgarity. It is … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, Portugal, USA | 16 Comments