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Camera Ready

February 22, 2014 by Virginia Parker 1 Comment

cameras

In years past I used a small point and shoot Cannon. After dropping and demolishing one camera on a stone floor in Venice, I attached a stout elastic cord for as a camera strap. Long enough to loop across my body, and tuck in a pants or jacket pocket, and stretchy enough to manipulate into any position. That means the camera is always ready to use – not buried in a tote or locked down in a case. It doesn’t get left behind on a table, nor it is vulnerable to theft by pickpockets.

This year I’m using a Sony RX100, which I recently acquired thanks to my appreciation of the amazingly detailed images captured by my friend Dan.  This camera came with a narrow, adjustable strap that functions like my handmade ones. Bonus! Along with the camera, I’ll bring the charger, and two memory chips. I lost a chip once (Venice again). Nothing like having 400 photos of Rome poof! vanished!  to convince this lazy artist to back up or risk losing everything.  I’ll back up the chips on my MacAir and an online photo site.

I consider my iPhone 5S as much a camera as a communication device. I use Camera Plus, along with Hipstamatic and Instagram apps. One of the advantages – besides the fact you always have your phone with you-  is it’s less intrusive than a camera.

If you really want to be stealthy, you can attach your iPod earbuds, click the control switch on the cable, and it will take images remotely.

Those images will be backed up on the Cloud and on my MacAir. Hooray for photo stream.  The downside is the drain on the phone battery, which doesn’t last anything like as long as the camera battery. I have a Mophie juice pack air case (http://www.mophie.com/shop/battery-cases/juice-pack-air-iphone-5)  for my iPhone,  which doubles my battery life, and an additional auxiliary battery pack for the iPhone, which extends use from hours to days. It fits in my pocket and attaches by a cable. Not quite as sleek an arrangement as I’d like, but invaluable at, say 5pm, when you come across the ideal image or need to call Uber, and the juice has run out.

Next post – sketchbook selection

Filed Under: Paris, Preparation Tagged With: apps, Photography, tech

My Bespoke Travel Guide

March 1, 2014 by Virginia Parker Leave a Comment

I like an organized trip folder for maps, info about my accommodations, lists of places to eat, parks and museums, transportation particulars, itineraries (by day and week, rain and shine versions). I include tips and tricks re: local customs, copies of important documents like my passport and insurance card, and a short list of courtesy words, since I am pathetically monolingual. You may think I am wee bit on the compulsive side of data gathering. I prefer to think of it as a bespoke travel guide.

A couple of days ago I spread out all the information I’ve collected on  Paris and Amsterdam.  I used our biggest coffee table, since Robert commandeered the dining room table for taxes.

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I consolidated and discarded and snapped holes for a three ring binder, my usual MO. After a few days of sorting, it looks like this (below). Upper left is the Amsterdam folder, the Paris folder is open on the right. Newly printed maps in the center.

trip paper

Today I compiled and cross-referenced lists of cafes, restaurants, bistros, and foodie street markets from my sources – recommendations from friends, Time Out Paris online, TripAdvisor, memoirs, blogs, and random suggestions. I created a personal Google map of the most promising places in the areas I expect to frequent.  I printed out a couple of versions – one with the detailed list of name address and description, one that’s just the venue name and address.  While I was in the ring with Google maps, (which I can make work, but it’s not pretty) I made another for parks and small museums. If I had better Google Map skills, I’d figure out how to do this in layers, but comparing the printouts side by side gives me a decent overview. If there is a church, a museum, a park, and a bisto/cafe all nearby, I’m golden.

I’ll have one or the other with me when I hit the streets. Sure, I should be able to find the map using my phone, and work out navigation, but – you never know. Batteries run down. Also, staring down at my phone is the opposite of being present in the Parisian moment. I can glance at a bit of folded paper in my hand and go forth, taking it all in. Belt and suspenders, that’s me.

 

 

Filed Under: Paris, Preparation Tagged With: apps, strategy

LA, My Way

June 2, 2014 by Virginia Parker Leave a Comment

The original idea was Robert goes to a film equipment expo, and I tag along and visit the Getty museums. There were industry related events, and transplanted ATL friends to schedule in around the expo and art. We made the arrangements, booking the B&B and plane tickets before I went to Paris. It was to be a part biz/part art/mostly romantic getaway. Much holding of hands and general canoodling was anticipated.

All the plans flew into the air when Robert fell and pulled his hamstring a week ago. His agony precluded him thinking about it at all, but I realized immediately that the odds of him making the trip had plummeted.  I’d hoped the ticket could be reassigned to one of my daughters, but Delta nixed that – it’s a bonus companion ticket. You use it or lose it, unless we cancel both tickets. I did a little cost/benefit analysis, and decided to leave it up to Robert.

We were leaning toward canceling – and I was good with that – when he seemed to be making a truly awesome recovery. The trip was back on, with a few modifications to make it easier on Robert. Alas for him, Saturday he put in his usual effort and he paid the price. Last night and the night before were  painful as the first night. We decided he’ll stay here and be pampered by Emily, and I’ll go solo, in the spirit of ‘life is uncertain, view art first.’  I’ve only visited the Gettys once before and I know they will repay my time and attention. I loved the views from the Getty Center.Getty
When I visited the Getty Villa, I saw an exhibit  on the ever popular Aphrodite. My favorite objects were the mirrors of retiring courtesans, dedicated to the goddess.
“You grant beauty, my Queen, but creeping time withers your gift. Now, since your gift has passed me by and flown away, receive, gracious Goddess, this mirror that bore witness to it.” How perfect is that sentiment for Tinsel Town?

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I sat down and did my pre-pro for a solo trip. I made a day by day plan.  I downloaded four Apps – two for the Getty, one for LACMA and one for Italian Art in LA.  I’ll go to the Getty Villa only once and focus on LACMA and the Getty Center which are considerably closer to my West Hollywood B&B. I clocked the miles and predicted costs for UBER transport.  I’ll meet some old friends for coffee one morning before I head over the Getty, but no other industry stuff. I made my suitcase list for the balmy (60-low 80s, no rain in sight) weather – think Paris in short sleeves, with a hoodie for those frosty a/c interiors. And my Chucks, bien sur.

There is still a possibility, albeit a very, very slim one, that Robert will decide to come along at the last minute. He’s going to pack a bag so that if he has a couple of decent nights he can jump in the car Wednesday morning. if not, all he has to do is unpack.

I’ll turn 64 while there. I should really download that John Lennon song before I go.

Filed Under: LA, Preparation, Short Trips Tagged With: apps, Getty Center, Getty Villa, LACMA, museums

LA: June 4

June 24, 2014 by Virginia Parker Leave a Comment

I scampered through the airport TSA pre-check. It was green lights all the way until I was selected for additional screening. That included a pat down, running the beeping wand over my sillouette, swiping my palms with something on a paper strip, and doing the hokey poky in the infamous X-ray booth. On the upside, there was no body cavity search,  and the security lady said, “Happy Birthday, darlin’. You have a blessed day,” when she was done.

Discovered we lost our treasured economy comfort bulkhead seats for the return flight when I requested the wheelchair. Fair enough, since that plane’s bulkhead is also an exit row, an automatic out for the infirm. Dang. Flight to LA not bad at all for me. I read and napped, Robert read a newspaper, went through his vast backlog of emails (7000+!  Some going back to 2004!) and took half of a prescribed muscle relaxer. He seemed to do fine. In fact he did better than at home, because he was not as bored and frustrated with his temporary disability.

IMG_9575 On arrival, Robert declined assistance – no, no I’m fine – until he walked the length of the jetway from the plane to the concourse, whereupon he cried uncle. I snagged a guy passing by with a wheelchair, and he pushed Robert through the LAX labyrinth of handicap accessible elevators, and wide, empty underground halls. The attendant was a Russian military brat until he was 10 when his parents emigrated to LA. He became a US citizen and just passed a battery of security checks in order to qualify to translate for hospitals and corporations. It was a long walk. I was very glad Robert succumbed and agreed to be helped. “Pain taught me what pride would not let me learn.”

We took the shuttle to Budget Rentacar which was a zoo. Go figure! A line so long it was out of the building and down the sidewalk. Robert secured a car and I ate my first meal in LA – spit temperature water, crumbs in the bottom of a bag of Fritos, and a piece of Vermont chocolate my daughter gave me for my birthday. I was desperate. Car sorted, Robert drove while I navigated via my iPhone Google maps, impersonating a SatNav.

IMG_9588The Little Cottage behind the Garden B&B is just as welcoming as we remembered.  Joan’s on 3rd made up for my nasty lunch with some sublime selections for takeaway, including a gorgeous salad made of grilled fresh corn, jicama, red onion, edamame, fresh apple soaked in something, and a touch of cilantro. So so delicious. Robert had egg salad on ciabatta and a cappuccino. I heroically eschewed the ham and brie on a croissant, and went for turkey meatloaf, grilled snow peas, and asparagus, butternut squash salad, grilled heirloom carrots, and that grilled corn salad. Divine. I snagged a tiramisu and a chocolate roulade for desert, which I will eat tonight along with seconds of everything I ate for lunch. I am not made of stone. Yet.

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On the walk back I see my first piece of indigenous LA graffiti; ‘Figure With iPhone Posture.’

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We are having a little lie down now. Will probably laze around the rest of the evening. Tomorrow Robert drives me to the Getty Villa for the day, and he’ll visit a friend in Malibu and sit on his deck. Good times.

 

Filed Under: LA, Short Trips Tagged With: apps, B&B, flight, food, Graffiti, restaurant

Prepping for Madrid

January 5, 2015 by Virginia Parker 1 Comment

I’ll be landing at Barajas  airport in 87 days.

I’ve fired up the app https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dreamdays-countdown-to-days/id585947384?mt=8 that does a automatic countdown.  When I peek at it, I get a little frisson of anticipatory pleasure. The Mary Cassatt painting of a matador in his suit of lights is my Dreamdays trip image. Is he lighting up in the spirit of a final smoke before the firing squad, or in a post-coital mood, spent with relief at surviving his bullfight? Mary Cassatt-229663Now that the holidays are over, I’m buckling down to research,  accumulating possibilities for my day by day planner, and pre-booking tickets and museum passes.

Most of the museums I plan to see have pages on Facebook and I spent a happy couple of hours making a new Madrid/Lisbon interest list for my newsfeed. I’m now getting updates that give me glimpses of the paintings and treasures I’ll be seeing in person. And hooray for that handy ‘translate’ tab at the bottom of foreign language posts. It’s not perfect, but I get the gist.

Filled in the April day-by-day calendar with preliminary excursions and quickly realized there won’t be enough hours in the days or days in the month to fit in everything I’d like to see. Decisions must be made – El Escorial or the Royal Palace? I’ll take those kinds of inquiries to www.TripAdvisor.com which has never failed to give me cogent advice.

Figuring out which days museums are closed, what holiday to be aware of, the best days and times to visit is a lovely puzzle. I like having rain vs shine options too. Getting those all-important museum passes that permit me to bypass lines will gain me time that otherwise I might have squandered. I’ve booked one tour, with Context Travel. I’ve had excellent experiences with them in the Vatican Museum and Rembrandt’s House in Amsterdam.

I yearned to stay at the Hotel Orfila for my last five days in Madrid, but it’s really pricey, and I worried it couldn’t possibly be as lovely as I imagined. Then I came across this on the Wendy Perrin travel site: “Best bang-for-your-buck hotel -Orfila, a 32-room hotel housed in a nineteenth-century palace that feels more like a family home than a five-star Relais & Chateaux property. It is located only 15 minutes by foot from the Prado Museum in a quiet, mostly residential neighborhood. Rooms are furnished in top-quality antiques that the owner has been collecting for years, and there is a beautiful garden for guests to enjoy. It’s the kind of place where you get much more than you pay for.” That last sentence pushed me over the edge, and I found a ‘four days for the price of one’ deal, and booked it. Okay it didn’t push, I gladly jumped. Wouldn’t you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPZw-sbU1SA

Practiced my Spanish on Duolingo, something I’ve promised myself to do five days a week until I leave. It’s day 2.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Madrid, Preparation Tagged With: apps, hotel, Hotel Orfila, preparation, research, tour, Tripadvisor

Mr Peabody & Me

March 5, 2015 by Virginia Parker Leave a Comment

MRr_Peabody_canvasThis blog is my own personal Wayback Machine. I re-read the entries from my first week in Paris last April, and it was an eyeopener. I won’t be bringing my down coat or raincoat or black mohair vest. Only one hat (wolfie) and a pair of mittens. No fancy Cole Haan walking shoes, though they are adorable.  Just two pairs of chucks, in B&W and pink.

I pulled out my clothes –  one pair each skinny black, gray, and blue jeans and two hoodies, plus teeshirts. More pattern in the tees this trip, less black. Pops of bright pink and bold socks. I remember getting so thirsty for color last time.
As I pulled my prospective wardrobe out, I tried things on. Wanted to be certain I could squeeze into it all. I’ve been living in yoga pants and loose long sleeve teeshirts.  Painting and exercise are the main reason I get out of pajamas, and neither activities require dressing up.

I might as well admit I’ve been on a diet and exercise binge since January – in training for galloping around Madrid and climbing those notorious hills in Lisbon. Plus, being able to tell whether my bellybutton is an innie or an outie because my teeshirt is so tight is not a good look on a lady of my mature years.

Well, dang if it didn’t pay off. Everything fit. Even shirts that I couldn’t wear last summer because they clung too tightly to my midsection fit just fine.  This means I get to wear my Voodoo Doughnut tee (Worth the Weight) womens-grey-back-BackISand my Aloha Cowboy tee and red Gunshow tee (Defend Southern Food). front1_copy_large So fun! It boosted my morning mood from pleasant into giddy-with-glee territory.

This afternoon my daughter came by to teach me and her dad how to wrangle the Google Hangout app, so we can text and video chat and not drop a fortune.  I’ll cut off cellular access and restrict myself to wifi at the end of the day. For years. travel meant I basically went off the grid. I’ll kind of miss being utterly unplugged, but the blog is worth it. It’s more like the journals I kept in the 80s and the long emails I used to send to Robert than killing time chasing butterflies on the ‘Net.

Filed Under: Madrid, Preparation Tagged With: apps, clothing, packing, preparation

Air Drop & Al Trapo

March 28, 2015 by Virginia Parker Leave a Comment

Yesterday I supervised a major spring yard clean up while I transfered files, images, songs and audio books from my home Macbook Pro laptop to our little Macbook air. I figured out how Air Drop works – with files it’s straightforward, but audio is a little trickier. I felt triumphant, since I am no IT wizard, and had to do it by guess and by golly. The next time I am complaining about my failing elder brain, Robert is going to remind me that while I may not remember the name of someone I’ve seen around for ages, I master new Apple apps and operating info like a boss.

I reviewed a dozen restaurant suggestions for Madrid and Lisbon, using suggestions from a knowledgeable friend, Madrid blogs, Yelp,  and Trip Advisor. I added several that I could tell, from cross-referencing their locations with my bespoke Madrid Google Map, will be nearby  museums I plan to visit. I made an Saturday afternoon reservation at Al Trapo – online in Spanish!- that’s experimental in service and cuisine. Sure it’s edgy, but you have to try stuff. !http://www.altraporestaurante.com/index.php/en/

al-trapo-2 I noticed a link to a Facebook page, so when I posted on my FB that I’d made a rez , I linked to it and Al Trapo Liked me back. Modern times. I can’t wait to tell the waitstaff when I sit down to my lunch that we are FB friends.

Today I commence the all important pre-trip grooming (mani pedi is not until Tuesday, since it has to last me for a month)  and getting my hair trimmed and conditioned. This is after I go to the gym.  If my hair looks good, thank the genius below on the right, Kelly Geiger, who has been coaxing it along since 2000.va kgAll of Atlanta is blooming, right before a freeze hits tonight. The streets and yards are filled with blossom. I’ve got crabapple, forsythia, redbud, weeping cherry, daffodil, woodland hyacinth, daphne, and camellias all in bloom. Worth the wheeze and sneeze.

 

Filed Under: Madrid, Preparation Tagged With: apps, food, preparation, restaurant

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