Officially the tallest tower in the world at 634 meters, or 2080 feet, The Tokyo Sky Tree offers spectacular views from its two observation decks at 350 (1150 ft) and 450 (1480 ft) meters. By contrast, the World Trade Center’s observation deck was 1352 ft high. People wait over an hour in line to buy tickets.
Millions of Buddhists across Southeast Asia display their devotion by adding small bits of gold leaf to statues of the Buddha, some of which are venerated beyond recognition, with several inches of gold coating them. Much of this gold leaf is manufactured by hand in Mandalay. A small ingot is first rolled through a press, then pounded paper thin by young men with wooden mallets. Then it is cut into squares by women in the next room, layered between paper, and pounded again. The process is repeated, I believe three times, to produce the very thin leaf which can be bought and applied to the Buddha of one’s choice. I was particularly taken by the melodic rhythm produced by the mallets.
Fun times last night at KXCI Headquarters. There was live local music in Studio 2A all night,
I got some shots of Kate Becker, Stuart Oliver & The Desert Angels, and Deschtuco
Downstairs food was eaten, wine drunk, and socializing socialized
This man took over the main office. If I disappear after this post, he is likely the culprit.
I love my community radio station. Thank you all for being here for the last 30 years!
These two paintings took two sessions to finish, so there are a few more stages to show. Each of the kids started one, and then they swapped back and forth, with me adding some masking tape between a couple stages.
Then they decided they needed a post-painting meditation session.
Jammin’ in front of Cafe Passe
The Awkward Moments tearing it up at the 4th Avenue Street Fair
You never know who you might run in to at the 4th Avenue Street Fair in Tucson:
Fishing boats in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico
Shrines have always attracted me, being not just focal points for worship or remembrance, but also works of art. Each has its own character, elements, offerings, and purpose. There is usually a sense of balance, even if the shrine is chaotic. Buddhist shrines tend to be simpler than Catholic shrines, but all vary from region to region. These two are from Hsipaw, in the Shan state of Myanmar.
The lower image is hanging in the gallery now. The upper will be added in January.
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