Today is an anniversary of sorts. Perhaps it's better to simply call it a significant day.
Three years ago today, Debbie and I were working furiously to get a hundred loose ends tied up so that we could jump onboard Morpheus, throw off our dock lines, and leave the Richmond Yacht Club and the San Francisco Bay Area behind.
October 10th, 2010. That was our target date to begin the adventure that continues today.
Well, we didn't get all those loose ends organized, and we ended up leaving three days later.
But, we did leave!
That first step was a big one. Lot's of people talk about taking it, but never quite get there.
Three years later, I'm sure glad that we did!
Morpheus was designed by Carl Schumacher, built by Davie Norris Boatbuilders in New Zealand and launched in 2002. She spent her first 18 months cruising the South Pacific before reaching her home port of San Francisco. Since that time, Morpheus has been raced and cruised extensively. This blog will document her ongoing adventures.
Showing posts with label Barcelona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barcelona. Show all posts
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Monday, October 07, 2013
Don't try this at home!!
I think we've mentioned the "Human Tower" contest during the Barcelona MERCE Festival several times, but the pictures and video that I took didn't do it justice. Luckily, I've found a couple of videos online and if you have a couple of minutes to watch you will be amazed at what people can do.
Just for fun!
Well, if all goes well and the weather cooperates we will finally be leaving Barcelona tomorrow morning. I was going through some of our photo's and video last night and threw this together. Enjoy. Or not...
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Debbie got to go to a horse show!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Barcelone Merce Festival - One more thing...
Christopher Gregory, this is right down your alley!!
Each night during the festival last week, thousands of people would gather in the city hall plaza waiting to see "The Projection Show"!
I guess its one of the traditional events each year, and each year the people involved strive to make that years show better than the last. I have no point of reference here, but this was a pretty amazing feat of technology and animation.
There are three projectors on the roof of the building on the far side of the plaza. One for each third of the front of the building shown above.
My first thought was that showing a video on a complex building front would ruin any effects. But, those designing the show were way ahead of me. I don't know how, but they built the animation to actually take advantage of the structures (e.g. the pillars) on the building. The building actually enhanced the show.
Take a look at the video below. Deb thinks there were some serious drugs involved, I think there were some really creative and smart people behind this. Enjoy!!
Each night during the festival last week, thousands of people would gather in the city hall plaza waiting to see "The Projection Show"!
I guess its one of the traditional events each year, and each year the people involved strive to make that years show better than the last. I have no point of reference here, but this was a pretty amazing feat of technology and animation.
There are three projectors on the roof of the building on the far side of the plaza. One for each third of the front of the building shown above.My first thought was that showing a video on a complex building front would ruin any effects. But, those designing the show were way ahead of me. I don't know how, but they built the animation to actually take advantage of the structures (e.g. the pillars) on the building. The building actually enhanced the show.
Take a look at the video below. Deb thinks there were some serious drugs involved, I think there were some really creative and smart people behind this. Enjoy!!
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
You guys are going to burn!!
As Debbie and I wandered around just prior to the start of the "Parade of Fire!" during the Barcelona MERCE Festival, we started to notice people in hooded sweatshirts, wearing sunglasses (at night), and bandana's covering their faces. Humm, interesting. It's 80+ degrees out, these are funny outfits.
We'd read about this parade, but ultimately you need to see it to understand it. Clearly, this event would be illegal in any other place that I've ever visited. It's more than a bit convenient that Barcelona was basically built of stone!!
Just minutes before the start of the parade, and only a block from the kick-off float, a nice guy came up to us. Looked at our shorts, short sleeved shirts, and asked "Do you guys understand what is about to happen here??" We assured him that we did, and that we planned to keep a safe distance from the fireworks. Ha!! What's few sparklers between friends???
Then the devil's drums kicked into gear, and another equally friendly guy came up to us and was a bit more direct. "You guys are going to burn!!!", he said. You need to move much farther away....
It turns out they were both right, and we had no idea what we were about to see.
The parade started. We ran for cover!!
We'd read about this parade, but ultimately you need to see it to understand it. Clearly, this event would be illegal in any other place that I've ever visited. It's more than a bit convenient that Barcelona was basically built of stone!!
Just minutes before the start of the parade, and only a block from the kick-off float, a nice guy came up to us. Looked at our shorts, short sleeved shirts, and asked "Do you guys understand what is about to happen here??" We assured him that we did, and that we planned to keep a safe distance from the fireworks. Ha!! What's few sparklers between friends???
Then the devil's drums kicked into gear, and another equally friendly guy came up to us and was a bit more direct. "You guys are going to burn!!!", he said. You need to move much farther away....
It turns out they were both right, and we had no idea what we were about to see.
The parade started. We ran for cover!!
Barcelona MERCE Festival
We are glad that we stayed to enjoy this Festival. The town has certainly gone a bit crazy, but its been fun to be in the middle of it.
I'll put something better together soon, but for now here's a bit of what we've been seeing
I'll put something better together soon, but for now here's a bit of what we've been seeing
Human Towers up to 9 people high!
Devil's and Demon's Parade
Otherwise known as the parade of fire!!
The Giants Parade
Monday, September 23, 2013
Slightly Confused
We are in an IRISH pub, in SPAIN, getting ready to watch the AMERICAS cup, and cheering for NEW ZEALAND!
Jim Gregory
Saturday, September 21, 2013
La Merce Festival
Big festival in town this weekend! Parades, music everywhere, and way too many people. But, still lots of fun!!
Jim Gregory
Friday, September 20, 2013
Antoni Gaudi
It would be very difficult to visit Barcelona without hearing the name of the famous architect Antoni Gaudi and seeing some of his creations around this city.
A number of his buildings are included in the World Heritage list. Seven of those are in Barcelona.The seven buildings are: Parque Güell; Palacio Güell; Casa Mila; Casa Vicens; GaudÒs work on the Nativity façade and Crypt of La Sagrada Familia; Casa Batlló; Crypt in Colonia Güell.
While I’m not a big fan of his “unique” style, I am impressed with the engineering side of some of these creations.
For those of you that like his style more than I do, here are some pictures of his work.
A number of his buildings are included in the World Heritage list. Seven of those are in Barcelona.The seven buildings are: Parque Güell; Palacio Güell; Casa Mila; Casa Vicens; GaudÒs work on the Nativity façade and Crypt of La Sagrada Familia; Casa Batlló; Crypt in Colonia Güell.
While I’m not a big fan of his “unique” style, I am impressed with the engineering side of some of these creations.
For those of you that like his style more than I do, here are some pictures of his work.
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