And more to come!!
Dede, Mina, Fun
December 19, 2011 By 5 Comments
This afternoon before the girls went out Mina and I had a lot of fun using a simple Webcam. Its software has a series of effects and one of them creates fun house mirror like distortions. We moved in front of the camera laughing at the faces we could create bu going up, down, and sideways in front of it. Here is the video for you to share our fun:
Christmas 2011
December 16, 2011 By 4 Comments
Mina and Elif came to Rhode Island for Christmas this year, we alternate locations. After resting one day, the girls went out this morning, visited the beach, went to Iggy’s for lunch, bought the Christmas tree and returned home. I had to run a couple of errands afterwards. When I returned, they decided to decorate the tree. The important part was to place the tree-topper, an angel to the top of the tree (where else!) So, the Incredible Duo Dede-Mina put on a show, Mina on Dede’s shoulders and Dede going up two steps on the step stool so that Mina could reach to the top of the tree. The operation was a great success, she positioned the angel perfectly.
We all wish you a very happy holiday season and a very happy new year.
The tree decoration
Operation Tree-Topper by the Incredible Duo Dede-Mina!
Music of Life
November 10, 2011 By 1 Comment
Zorba The Greek is one of my favorite movies in which Anthony Quinn gives a great, Oscar-nominated performance as Alexis Zorba. He represents life with his exuberance and sheer presence. Among many other qualities, Zorba loves to dance and eventually teaches the prim and proper Basil (Alan Bates) how to dance the sirtaki on the beach. That is a remarkable scene, not only because the dance is beautiful, but apparently Anthony Quinn did that scene with a broken foot just to keep the filming on schedule. Not being able to do the dance that had much jumping and a more active style, he invented a slower shuffle which he apparently called “traditional.” The music by Mikis Theodorakis throughout the movie plays a major role in the success of the narrative as seen in the final dance scene.
Now, after so many years, a video came to my attention that features an 80+ year old Quinn, on stage with Theodorakis performing a similar dance, and still doing a remarkable job. Indeed, this rendering is far more active than the dance in the final scene of the movie. At the end of the performance, he calls the music of Zorba “the music of life.” Here is Zorba on stage with Theodorakis.
“Music of Life” indeed!
And, for a reminder, the final scene of the movie where everything goes down and a man “gets a life!”
Short Visit to SLC
October 22, 2011 By 1 Comment
Jan visited Elif and Mina for 5 days to join them for Mina’s birthday party last Saturday. Although her actual birthday was Tuesday, organizing a party with kids and their parents proved to be much easier on a weekend. Before she went, Jan completed another knitted doll for Mina, this one Ariel the Mermaid, and knitted an extra outfit for Ariel. She has become very good at the knitted toys and is leaving a very nice collection for Mina, she will enjoy the dolls now and memories later. Take a look at what Jan has knitted: (All photographs by Jan)
On Saturday Mina’s friends and their parents came for the party. The weather cooperated very nicely to have the party outdoors. The deck and the yard are very suitable for this kind of party. The kids enjoyed themselves and the parents, watching their kids.
Monday was the school day, Mina had a small, and short birthday celebration at school where she wore her favorite dress again and enjoyed a mini-party before starting the school day.
Tuesday morning was the dance class, here are some photographs from that session
On Tuesday evening, on the actual birthday of Mina, her friend Talula and her mother Myra had a surprise birthday party at Sea Salt for a smaller group of friends. Another nice gathering.
Flora
Infrared Earthscapes
Junk Yard