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Thursday, October 31, 2013

PIMP

  Here's a chance to PIMP up your wardrobe with "second hand & underground wear".

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Now, if someone can explain "underground wear" maybe my wardrobe style will improve.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Spanish Geisha

Okay ... I'm going to make a big BIG admission.

This photo was photoshopped. Yes. Truly.


Spanish Geisha

It was taken outdoors. She jumped, I shot it.

I then extracted the image from the background and used a gradient, lens flare and lighting effects.

I'm learning to feather better but overall I'm pleased.

Once in awhile my inner child surfaces and I get a burst of creativity.

Believe me, if I can do it, YOU can too!


Friday, October 25, 2013

What Isn't There

It's just an ordinary facade with ornate iron patios BUT for those of you who have visited el Portal de l'Angel I can guarantee that you've been in this building for food or other excuses.

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But, alas, McDonald's is no longer there!

What marketing genius was responsible for this grave error?

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

She pleases me

It's been a long time since I heard this style of jazz in Barcelona and in particular a distinct musical voice.

I scurried quickly for I had to see if it was THEM ... the New Orleans Ragamuffins.

She pleases me

I wrote a post about the group in 2006. Here's the link:

barcalunacy.blogspot.com/2006/10/barcelonas-own-ragtime-b...

But, alas, they were not THEM.

The fella on the right facing you is or was a member of that band and it's his unusual voice with a distinct megaphone nasality that I remember.

I don't know anything of this group other than they played well.

So well, in fact,

As I was taking a photo a girl passed smiling, dancing, swaying and walking all the while on a mobile phone.

She pleased me.

Please Help Me

There's been a significant increase in the last 2 1/2 years of young women begging money for food in Barcelona.

I feel conflict when I see them. I have an innate desire to help anyone but the skeptic inside of me stops me from doing so. I guess maybe it's because many of them, men as well as women, just don't seem that 'needy'. Of course, appearances can be deceiving and I can be wrong.

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This photo reminds me of another story.

About 3 years ago, while taking our evening walk, we can upon an elderly woman of 76 years old, preparing her bed on the sidewalk adjacent to a bank. It was a winters night and cold like ice.

Anyway, we stopped to speak. Her face reminded me of an older Mary Pickford, so sweet and delicate.

She lost her home and belongings a few days before we met. She had no idea about her tomorrows but for that night she was trying to find a warm place, a safe place, a quiet place.

Unfortunately for her, we had no money on us but the next night with food in our hands we went back to her spot, searched everywhere ... well, we never saw her again.

And to this day, we look and think of her.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Left to Their Own Devices

No one speaks to a human anymore.

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I remember as a child, born in Manhattan, people who talked to themselves alone on the streets were considered NUTS! Hey. It's New York. We're all nuts some say.

And, today. No one is crazy, or at least you can't tell.

If you're not listening to your ipod, or speaking on your iphone, you're not COOL or HIP ... or whatever. <--- see, I'm down with the lingo.

Left to their own devices, human contact is at an all time low.

And, thank goodness I didn't fall into that trap.

Enough of this. I'm gonna tweak my camera settings.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Indifference

Indifference

Does anyone care?

Is this union going to last?

The only interested person is ME!

And, the only thing I'm concerned with is the LIGHT that was escaping me faster than I could write this post.


Monday, October 14, 2013

Parc Güell's Changes Will Affect You

 If you're a tourist, be sure to add the Parc Güell on your expense list, because as of October 1, 2013, you will be charged to enter. The cost will not effect Barcelona's residents.

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Seems harsh to me, but hey, when you factor about 9 million tourists per year visiting the park at 8 euros per head, the numbers speak for themselves.

However, some argue Parc Güell is a municipal park and should not charge as it is not a museum nor cathedral.

Also, there will be a limit of about 800 persons who can enter daily.

Ah, I sometimes hate change.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Tilt 'n Shift

 And, shot from the hip ... mine of course.

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I liked everything about her, especially the way she moved,

So confident.

Anyway, the photo sort of reminds me of a great street photographer, Juan Colom, who shot many of his photos from a low angle and to the side of his hip.

He captured Barcelona's nightlife during the reign of Spain's dictator, Franco.

Friday, October 11, 2013

His Helping Hand

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No trust problems on her part!

Will she still find his hand in that affectionate way 40 years from now?

What say you?

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Las Niñas Flamencas

Las Niñas Flamencas

Give a girl a fan, polka dot bow, dress and more importantly high heeled shoes and what have you got?

Three happy little sisters who call themselves la Flamenco Chicas.

Shop any souvenir shop in the heart of Barcelona's las Ramblas and make little girls dance with joy.