Museu Nacional D'Art de Catalunya or The National Art Museum of Catalunya

This is Jesus on the cross from about 1,000 years ago I think.  This piece is about 3 feet tall, and I'm only capturing what's shown, but look at the detail and sophistication of this painted carving.  I feel woefully inadequate knowing the history of this piece or most everything in the museum.  I'm quite fascinated with it all, and hoping my art history family can help fill me in.

I don't know who this is, but it helps explain what's happening in the restoration. See the painting in the archway?  This was removed from a church archway, and relocated to the museum to preserve it.

This is from a church from about 1100 or so.  You can see the mural sections that were removed and moved to the museum on the left, an absolutely amazing process.  The wood statues are amazing in there beauty and detail.  Did I say amazing again?  I can't help it!  I'm not a big museum fan, but loved everything about this one, and (amazingly) it was so uncrowded.

You can see the Catalan Romanesque carvings in setting here.  I believe these were on stakes of some sort in the period, and were used in church processions and other church related theater, which apparently was common in medieval times.

Here is another example of alter and murals.

Lively stone carvings of birds here.

 Jesus telling his apostles to peace out a thousand years ago.  Church was cool back then.

I don't know this artist, but so beautiful.  I think these are modernist era.  Salvador Dali and Picasso paintings in this part of the museum.  The whole exhibit is 1,000 years of Catalonia art.

Another, I am not sure who painted.

By Salvador Dali.  Maybe his father?  They had some Picasso too, but did not allow photos.

Here is a Gaudi piece of furniture.  He was the first to add ergonomics, and always lots of details.  Did you know that's where we get gaudy?

This one reminds me of Kirsty.

Last one.  A glimpse of the view.

Welcome to Barcelona, Park de Montjuic

To catch your attention, this is the MNAC.  The exhibit highlighted is 1,000 years of art.  Wow.

This is Piscines Picornell sports center, home of the 1992 Summer Olympics.  This area is up on a hill, overlooking vast parts of the city.  That said, it's still not that popular of an area it seems.  It's winter.  Apparently there is work going on in the outdoor pool.  The other pool behind where I am standing is not in commission either.  I'm guessing the other pool is some sort of warm up area.  A few features I noticed here, aside from not having water;  The pool is DEEP, compared to what I'm used to.  It has infinity edges to cut waves.  Well, the perspective gives you an idea of what 50 meters looks like.

Although the outdoor pools were shut down, there is also an olympic pool indoors, shown here, with a view to the extraordinary MNAC, or Museu Nacional D'Art de Catalunya.  The sports center's an impressive center, and is in no way an attraction to tourists.  There is virtually nothing that says 1992 Olympics anywhere.  I was hoping to set a souvenir with the center name or olympic rings or something.  Nada.  They did have a swim shop, and I ended up getting a Catalunya cap, since Barcelona is the center for Catalunyans.  Spain, as I am learning, is comprised of several people, the Catalunyans being one, who would even like to be considered their own nation.

I've got to be careful visiting pools like this, or I won't want to go home.  I would say it's 8 feet deep or so, infinity edges, a ledge to stand on in the water, viewing level below water, and this vantage point is from a cafe overlooking the pool.  Shown, I would guess is around half the length, so maybe 30 lanes or so.  The far side are 2nd story windows of some of the workout rooms, and so on.  Yes, I did actually felt faster in the pool.  I ended up getting 3,000 meters, which felt absolutely great in so many ways.

Jib Jab with Tim

A few things.  As I said, this isn't a major attraction (strange yet fortunate!).  The downside is, there's very little on the web in English on schedules, logistics, etc.  I spent way too much time trying to figure it out, and finally just grabbed suit and goggles, and headed over.  For the next person, here's what I've found so far:

Piscones Piconnell Athletic Center

Open: 6:45am to 11:30pm.  

Cost:  About 5 Euros

What to bring: towel, shampoo/soap, lock for locker

Good news:  If you forget any of the above, you can purchase it there during certain times:

Turbo Store in the lobby:  10am - 1:30pm and 5 - 8 pm

Finding it:  This was a little complicated, but let's keep it simple.  Either get directions to the MNAC, and it's right behind it.  Follow the huge communications tower shown.  It's just in front of it.  To it's left is the main Olympic stadium, which I saw only from a distance.  There's other olympic venues around, not sure about the rest.

Metro:  Take the red line to Espana or Espania.  It's a big city circle area, and at the top of the hill you see the massive MNAC, and it's just behind.

The communications tower behind.  To give you perspective, it's about 100+ meters tall.  Really the most interesting communications towers I've ever seen.  The pool center is that on the right.  I know.  It doesn't look like much from this angle.

Sorry about the awkward angle!  Here's the only Olympic anything I saw.  The torch bearer and pedestal is about 20 feet tall, but sort of hidden along a path.

 This museum is absolutely huge, and a hint of my next post.  Suffice it to say, it's worth a visit.

Why Barcelona you ask?  It's where Mobile World Congress is hosted.  Some 50,000 - 60,000 attendees.

Sometimes it's hard to show size in photos.  This a a great example.  These two towers are about 5-6 stories tall.  In the extreme right lower corner you see the MNAC, a picture of it in the red access sign.

Last highlight for tonight.  Seems like a nothing picture.  Look again.  Two guys, headphones, video games.  Nice lamb cap on one, haircut on the other.  Elder women sitting next to them.  Photographer in the reflection.  This is the Metro.  Runs like clockwork.  Super efficient, very inexpensive.  Okay, final note.  Guy on left has tats on his hands.  See?  Love Hope across his knuckles.

Clear Lake in Summer by Emil Welton

Emil Welton

Clear Lake in Summer

Arriving at my cousins’ house on a hot June afternoon,

Grateful to stretch our legs after the long drive.

Our cousins rush out the door and slam into us to give us hugs.

The lake’s smooth surface is broken by our bodies splashing into it

After hurling ourselves off of the pier.

Summer has begun.

The wind combs our hair as we zip down the street,

Veering around corners and weaving back and forth on our bikes

As playing cards rattle between the spokes.

We ride a loop around the town

And race back at top speed.

Riding back through the square,

We park our bikes on the nearest rack

And leave our race for another day since the wafting aromas distracted us.

We order malted chocolate milkshakes

At the shop on the corner.

We sip our shakes, put the dollar on the counter,

And ride home for the day.

Sailing lessons start on the lake the next day.

We gather our things and are sailing in under an hour of lessons.

Skimming peacefully over the water,

We look out over the gigantic lake and can just make out the other bank.

The time comes to sail back to the pier for the day,

So we swing around the boat as they taught us to and glide silently back.

The days fly by quickly and soon it is time for the parade on July fourth.

Crowds line the streets for the big day, anticipating all the beautiful floats

And the hail of candy falling from the sky.

Our float is a small go-kart with CLtel, my uncle’s company’s name, on the side.

With us on our bikes trailing the float, we get loud cheers from the crowds

As we toss candy to feed the masses.

Later in the evening, we gather at the end of the pier

To watch the famous lakeside firework display of Clear Lake.

A few test fireworks are launched, and then the show begins.

The fireworks explode over the lake as bright pinwheels offire.

We kids do our own tiny show afterwards,

But it does not compare to the amazing display we have just seen.

Jib Jab with Tim
This poem is the work of my nephew, Emil, above left in blue.  His cousin Chris in front of him in green.  We joined up with my siblings and their kids in Clear Lake for the 4th of July.  Thanks for the guest post, Emil!  You are a talented writer.  More on the Clear Lake trip.

Bozeman, Montana

John's a family friend, and a high school buddy I haven't talked with in say 25 years.  That said, I'm so glad I called.  The weekend unfolded like we'd been doing stuff together all that time.  John made elk tacos for us and his family, and we spent the nite on our way heading home.  I think he said he took his son on his first hunting trip when he got the elk.  Turn's out his older son is going to school at my alma mater, Santa Clara University.  I'm looking forward to having John and Janet over when they're in town visiting, and hopefully have Anderson over soon too.

 John's giving me a tour, while we do a couple 'chores'.

Like feeding the chickens our leftovers from last night.  We had some eggs from these guys for breakfast.  A blue, white and brown egg, for example.  Delicious.

All told, I think there were 7-8 barns or so.  This is the biggie and oldie.

We had to feed the horses.

Did we feed the dogs?  Love the dogs.  I forget their names.  There's also untold number of cats in the barn.  Did I mention the apple orchard in the backyard?  I think John said 26 trees.

Love the barn.

Thanks for the nice time!

John gave me a nice tour around Bozeman.  This is where he went to college.  Montana State.  A really nice campus, some old, and new buildings.  Apparently their media program is well funded and notable.  It's a beautiful setting, next to Bozeman, which is also got an attractive downtown.

Not many airports as nice as Bozeman.  Not much of a crowd either.

Bye Bozeman!  Thanks for the nice time!

Jib Jab with Tim
What a trip!  I am so fortunate to have the friends I do.  I can't stop thinking how so much of what's most memorable in my life is because of my friends.  My best bud, Mike invited me on this trip, while I was on a trip, to China.  As you can imagine, there were some complications.  Easily, there were 10 or 20 times I thought, okay, I can't do this.  Okay, this isn't going to work.  Okay, I tried, and it's too much.  Too hard.  Too complicated.  Too, too, too.  Joyce, thanks for taking the too much out of the flights!  Mike, thanks for being flexible with me, and John, thanks for skiing with us, and sharing your hospitality!

Big Sky, Montana

You know those days when everything comes together in miraculous fashion? This was day 2 of miraculous skiing days.  The weather was perfect, super cold. We had a foot of fresh powder over the previous two days. I'm heading up the lift with an old high school buddy and his son I hadn't seen in decades and we are looking up at a beautiful bowl of untracked fresh powder. Just then, we see a couple skiers head over to it, and realized it was just being opened. What pure bliss to ski in three dimension, floating through luscious powder. There were so few skiers, we had four runs before we resorted to crossing existing tracks. A ski day I will remember for a long long time. Big Sky Montana has a special place in my heart.

This is a test photo.  I've just learned I am nearing my 1 GB storage limit for Jib Jab with Tim...  What am I going to have to do?  I'm sure there are pay options.  I have been putting off moving to WordPress, although I do want to do that.  But, I fear you are all used to this address.  I would hate to lose you.  In doing my research, I learned a couple things.

1. There is a pay option.  It's not $20/GB/year as someone posted.  It's $5.00/year for 20 GB.  That would solve my problem for a mere 5 bucks.  Seems reasonable.  
2.  Secondly, there is also a an accounting detail I wasn't familiar with.  If I reduce my image size to 2048x2048 pixels max, they do not count to my 1GB total.  That, my friends, is the reason for the second photo above.  It's well below the 2048 x 2048.  Take a look.  Let me know.  I think you'll like 3 things about it.  
1. It loads faster
2. You can see the whole image on screen
3. The reduced resolution is hardly noticeable and isn't a drawback.

This is a view back up the mountain, which is hard to see perspective.  On the far right, you can see the chairlift going up to the first saddle.  The peak to center left is accessed by tram, you can see the terminal at the peak.  The bowl in lower left is now skied, because of course we've been skiing it, and I couldn't stop to take photos.  :-)

Here's a better view of the top.  See the tram?  It's a black dot, about 3/4 to the top.  We didn't ski the top on Sunday, but got one run up there Saturday, when the weather was far more dramatic.

Tim, John, and his son Ross.  We had a great day.

 Mike and I heading up the lift, after about 8 inches new.  Yes, that's us trying to smile through our frozen faces.  It was chilly, but great snow.  This is Saturday, whereas above is Sunday.  What a difference a day or two makes! 

I wasn't big on photos on Saturday, as you can see, the weather was a little hectic.  Here's the tram going into oblivion.  The whole top of the mountain was invisible from here.  And once we got to the top, it was a white-out.  Imagine 100% dark/black.  No depth of field.  No nothing.  Except it was white.

Nanjing to Shanghai on High Speed Rail

These trains are beautiful and plentiful.  Here in the station you see three ready to go.  Compared to the traditional train, this takes about 90 minutes from Nanjing to Shanghai.  The traditional train can take around 4 hours.  It's quite heavily used.  That said, the passenger levels are climbing as we get closer to Chinese New Year.  I've heard it's the largest migration of people on the planet as Chinese head home to be with family.  It's been described as like our Thanksgiving or maybe Christmas.

We are on the causeway headed to our train on the far left.  This is over the standard train.  Tickets are less expensive for this, although the fast train is not that expensive.  In the $30-40.00 range I think.  Even first class was only an additional $15.00, or 100 RMB.

One more of the train station.  In the foreground is the typical train, and the white trains in the back are the high speed, running at 300 km/hr.

The blurry picture is because I am carrying my overweight briefcase, coat, ticket, passport in hand, and rushing to catch my colleagues.  In a way, the blurry captures the essence of the minute.

This is the typical lunch for us.  So much food, so many different flavors, I don't know where to begin.  First, the Chinese aren't afraid to dive in.  In just about everything.  Yes, in the middle are the green beans, a favorite of mine, ordered for me.  The lazy susan center table is on every table.  Also typical is a huge number of private rooms where we sat here.  The common area is small, relative to the number of these private rooms.  It's helpful to tune out the sound of the restaurant, although I have to say, it's a little closed in for me.  That said, I ate well.  So well.  Way way well.  :-)

Another huge skyline, here in Nanjing.  We didn't have much time in town here, but saw many common themes here.  That huge building is the Intercontinental hotel where Tony stayed, viewed from my hotel, the Sofitel.  It was said the Intercontinental is the tallest building in Nanjing.  Tony said he had breakfast on floor 75.  I think the Intercon as they call it, was nicer.  That said, Sofitel was nice!

 This is the Sofitel pool in Nanjing on the 9th floor I think.  Pretty pool.  I would guess it's 25 meters.  One strange and unique thing about it was the tempurature, at 30 deg C, which I'm not doing the math, but I would guess it's in the 90's Fahrenheit.  So warm, darn near hot tub.  There was a sign stating the room temp and the pool temp, and next to it, compared to China pool averages, and then compared to international pools.  I thought this sign was a little strange,

1)  strange to have a flyer stating the pool room air temp and the pool water temp
2)  turn pool and room temp into a competition in the country
3)  turn the temperature competition into an international race

But that's what I saw.  The Chinese are going places.

He's riding an electric enhanced bike.  I think they get up to about 20 mph.  The mittens are built onto the handle bars.  In this part of town, the high tech area, you can not use gas powered.  It's a glimmer of including mother nature in decisions.  Not a moment too soon!

Jib Jab
This is a good point to mention a couple of thoughts from the trip.  The first is, WOW.  China is stunning, if not shocking in their acceleration to modernization.  In many respects, it's a government working for the people, and getting so much done.  Entire 20 million people high tech, pristine modern cities created in 20 years, if not 10.  Can you imagine the USA moving that fast?  We have a couple cities of that size that have grown over 100's of years.  It's just stunning.  The pace of economic growth is also absolutely jaw dropping, at about 10% per year growth every year over the last decade or more.  Rather than cities providing utility services, and business building, here, the government builds the roads, utilities, transportation and even huge beautiful office and manufacturing buildings, and leases or then sells to business.  It's so efficient and fast!

As good as this all sounds, there are challenges.  Pollution.  The massive growth does cost, and what I've seen, it has been charged to Mother Nature.  The smog wasn't as visible in Shanghai, thankfully, but I think everywhere else.  It's oppressive.  I constantly felt a burning in my lungs.  It's like a scary movie, surreal.  The model also lends itself to corruption, which apparently is typical here.