Photography

Blogging From A to Z Challenge

/ Luanne Shernisky / 3 Comments

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The ’60s had edge; the ’70s had embroidery. ~ Gina Barreca

Blogging From A to Z Challenge

“E” is for embroidery; in this case an embroidery machine.

This is the first one I’ve ever seen and looks nothing like I expected. It was working fast and furiously on the ball cap (at the bottom) with the stitch count (located somewhere on the machine) well over one thousand. 

We found it in the window of Design By U, a shop at Pointe Orlando, which is an outdoor shopping area on International Drive in Orlando, FL. The Pointe offers over 40 stores, restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and entertainment. 

I think it’s a great idea to display the machine in the window; anything that has motion or lights is likely to catch one’s eye. It got our attention, so we stopped to watched for a bit and I snapped this picture. 

It got me to thinking about how laborious hand embroidering is compared to this amazing little machine. Just another example of how technology speeds up so many tasks and increases productivity!

Blogging From A to Z Challenge

/ Luanne Shernisky / Leave a comment

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The unexamined life is not worth living. ~ Socrates

Blogging From A to Z Challenge

“D” is for Death of Socrates, as in the famous painting by Jacques Louis David.

This oil on canvas creation is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This photo I took isn’t the best, as the detail isn’t readily visible. However, a better quality picture, as well as some information about the artwork, is available by clicking on this link.

Socrates was the ancient philosopher born circa 470 BC, in Athens, Greece. He emphasized the importance of the mind over body and believed that ultimate wisdom comes from knowing oneself. He asked questions of his fellow Athenians in a dialectic method (the Socratic Method) which compelled the audience to think through a problem to a logical conclusion.

He spent most of his time going around Athens and questioning everyone from the elite class to the commoners, seeking to arrive at political and ethical truths. Because Socrates attacked the values that Athens held dear, he fell out of favor and was accused of corrupting the youth and failing to acknowledge the gods. 

At trial Socrates had the chance to request an alternate punishment other than what the prosecution and jury recommended. However, his defiant tone and suggestion that he be honored for his contributions got him a death sentence that he readily accepted.  

The portrait above depicts Socrates accepting the hemlock drink while gesturing and continuing a diatribe, possibly targeting the government that was prematurely ending his life. You’ve got to give the guy credit for standing up for his beliefs… all the way to the bitter end!

Blogging From A to Z Challenge

/ Luanne Shernisky / Leave a comment

I took an impromptu trip to visit friends in West Palm Beach and took my laptop, since I wanted to keep up with all things online. Unfortunately, they were having problems with their Internet, so I’ll have to catch up with letters D, E, F & G. I’ll also try to catch up with all of your posts, as well! Letters A through C serendipitously took on a Travel/Places of interest theme, so I’ll try to stay with that. However, I may have to veer off course on occasion!

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Rock & Roll is here to stay. ~ Neil Young

Blogging From A to Z Challenge

“H” is for Hard Rock Cafe.

My only two visits to a Hard Rock Cafe both occurred in New York City. The first was in April or May of 2000; only a few short months before 9/11. I volunteered to chaperone my son’s eighth grade field trip, a whirlwind three day excursion with a raucous group of young teenagers. At one point in our tour, we were waiting for the ferry to take us to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. I asked someone to take a picture of my son and I with the NY skyline behind us and, more specifically, the Twin Towers. Little did I realize the significance that picture would come to have. 

The Hard Rock Cafe was one of our stops and we enjoyed a meal and the Rock & Roll memorabilia on display. Currently, there are 191 locations in 59 countries, including 157 cafes, 22 hotels and 11 casinos. For more information on the Hard Rock story click this link.