Friday, February 29th, 2008
Did you see the happy clouds a couple of days ago? I wished I could climb up and float with the clouds. Anyway, I find street lamps romantic. I don’t know what it is about them, but I suppose I would imagine them back in the 19th or later centuries before electricity was discovered, with a man in charge of going from lamp to lamp to light each one. Street lamps that look like lanterns, rather than spherical, are more attractive to me. This one needs some dusting.
What are street lamps like where you live?
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
Before last week, I have not heard of this extreme sport called parkour.
From Wiki:
Parkour (sometimes abbreviated to PK) or l’art du déplacement (English: the art of displacement) is an activity with the aim of moving from one point to another as efficiently and quickly as possible, using principally the abilities of the human body. It is meant to help one overcome obstacles, which can be anything in the surrounding environment — from branches and rocks to rails and concrete walls — and can be practiced in both rural and urban areas. Parkour practitioners are referred to as traceurs, or traceuses for females.
Founded by David Belle in France, parkour focuses on practicing efficient movements to develop one’s body and mind to be able to overcome obstacles in an emergency.
Parkour is a physical activity which is difficult to categorize. It is not an extreme sport, but an art or discipline that resembles self-defense in the martial arts. According to David Belle, “the physical aspect of parkour is getting over all the obstacles in your path as you would in an emergency. You want to move in such a way, with any movement, as to help you gain the most ground on someone or something, whether escaping from it or chasing toward it.” Thus, when faced with a hostile confrontation with a person, one will be able to speak, fight, or flee. As martial arts are a form of training for the fight, parkour is a form of training for the flight. Because of its unique nature, it is often said that parkour is in its own category: “parkour is parkour.”
An important characteristic of parkour is efficiency. Practitioners move not only as fast as they can, but also in the least energy-consuming and most direct way possible. This characteristic distinguishes it from the similar practice of free running, which places more emphasis on freedom of movements, such as acrobatics. Efficiency also involves avoiding injuries, short and long-term, part of why parkour’s unofficial motto is être et durer (to be and to last).
Traceurs claim that parkour also influences one’s thought process by enhancing critical thinking skills that allow one to overcome everyday physical and mental obstacles.
This is the first traceur I have met, and he is amazing. He would probably be grounded if he were my son, and I know that his mom certainly doesn’t approve.
I have seen him climb walls, go over and under rails, jump on and over tall structures. Each time my heart stopped and I wanted to scream, “Be careful!”
Parkour anyone?
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
The EAFA provides homes to hundreds of thousands of films. The BBC and ITV have sent loads of tapes to them in fact. People who discover old home made movies try to get their films accepted, but there simply isn’t enough room.
Most of the vaults are 10C or under, in order to preserve the films. In some vaults, the smell of acid or vinegar is quite apparent and this means that it’s time for them to transfer the material onto another format because they will lose the information on them forever if they don’t.
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008
Some of you wanted to see a few more ‘treasures’ at the East Anglian Film Archive. So I went back and took a few more snaps.
This is a film of the Prince of Wales, Edward VIII, before he became king and abdicated the throne to be with his American wife, Wallis Simpson. Here he visits Great Yarmouth, which has become a thriving fishing town.
Monday, February 25th, 2008
I was trying to get a photo of this trampoline and ended up actually taking a photo of it and the church reflected on the Forum building. Thought it was pretty cool.
So have you had a go on the trampoline? Anyone break anything?
I am many things - a life coach, a diversity champion, a freelance writer and translator, a dog lover, a citizen of the world, etc - but never thought of myself as a photographer. Norwich inspires me to capture snapshots of this fine Norman city. Take a trip down Norwich lanes or enjoy a walk in the park with me.