The future of computer graphics in "Avatar"

On Christmas evening, Mark and I went to the 3D presentation of "Avatar." I am not one for a love story between 2 different species but hey, it's only a movie and I was more curious about the technology behind the movie. I'm not involved in the production, so for you geek heads, just read this.

Here are photos of the 3D glasses fashionably worn by who else? Navi's posing as Sky People.

Happy Winter Solstice!

Today is the winter solstice and the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It's all due to Earth's tilt, which ensures that the shortest day of every year falls around December 21.

Many consider this event as a recognition of rebirth and involves festivals, gatherings, rituals and other celebrations including being part of Yule and Christmas. Thus, Yuletide Season!

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/12/091221-winter-solstice-2009-first-day-winter-shortest-day-year.html

Close...Open...The Townhouse Creche

Part of my classic Christmas decor collection. The person who was with me when I purchased this creche 23 years ago told me that this will be a reminder of the townhouse I will have in the future. She was right!

Christmas Still Life by Mark Solomon

This is my small collection of Christmas trimmings I have used every year for the past 23 years of celebrating Christmas in New York. Well, in truth, I spent 2 years - 2005 and 2006 in Dubai, so that only makes it 21.

The mittens and socks are handmade in Peru and the partridge is from Barney's. I guess because of their age, you may consider them vintage and yet, they never go out of style, so then again, you can call them a classic.

I am very pleased with the well-thought out arrangement by my Habib of these special Christmas trimmings of mine.

Joyeux Noel! Merry Christmas from the Solomons

Above is our Christmas Card for 2009, taken in Mürren, Switzerland, in a region called the “Berner Oberland,” January 2009 during our 14th year anniversary. Due to jet lag, we were awake by 2AM and went outside for night photos. This shot from Mürren faces the mighty Eiger North Wall under a full moon, with the little village of Kleine Sheidigg at its base. There were two feet of snow on the ground during this time, not unlike the New York City Christmas Storm of 2009, where we’ll get 18 inches.

We wish you a terrific Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, from here in New York City, where for the first time in memory, it looks like we will truly experience a White Christmas.

Dusk

Upper West Side, New York City

A Milestone: The Head Stand

For the first time, I did the head stand. All 22 months of yoga practice for 4 seconds of bliss.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are the Champions!

Slowly but surely, I will get my life back to normal. But wait, there's a ticker tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes in downtown Manhattan this Friday!

Libretti and Biscotti (a very belated post)

Mark's new iPod was purchased after our first generation iPod just refused to cooperate on our last overseas trip. A few days before my birthday, Mark got one and christened it Biscotti because it was tall and skinny. The squarish one is mine and is an earlier generation iPod, Libretti. Their names came from a very memorable Law and Order episode "Nowehre Man" in the 90's.

Below is a sample of one of the first of many Biscotti videos starring...........who else?

Trick or Treat!

The Yankees winning Game 3 will definitely be a treat for me!

Hidden Talent

I love sewing. It relaxes me!

Fall Sunset in 708

Caught on Video

Watch my reaction when my loving hubby approaches me.
It's TRUE LOVE!

Revenge of the Nerds

This is definitely one for the fashion blogs. Certain style statements do endure the test of time. On the left is circa 1967. On the right is 2009.

I Found It!

Ref: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=519615&publicationSubCategoryId=79


"...The main character in Baldemor’s work is the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary garbed in a white robe with her head illumined by giant rays. Opposite the Virgin’s image on both sides of the panel are two stars sharing the light from the Virgin. Above are images of doves flying, bathed in the same illumination. Below is an illustration of a man and woman holding a young boy in the likeness of the Filipino family.

The figure of St. Therese of the Child Jesus occupies a prominent place in the right side, holding a picture and crucifix bedecked with flowers. Except for images of military tanks below the two stars, a quick glance at Baldemor’s work makes the 1986 bloodless revolution look a lot like a Catholic feast: people in colorful Filipino costumes carrying religious articles like the crucifix and the Child Jesus in the image of the Santo Nino..."

Refs:
Mural - http://worldofnancylublog.blogspot.com/2009/08/have-look-at-colorful-pinoy-art-on.html
Mural Description - http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20081113-171956/People-Power-art-in-French-Basilica
Archetype of the Filipino family - http://www.dcmedina.com/gallerysolomon/collect.htm

Puggles gets her blessing in New York!

Happy Blessing to You!

[BIT] Back in Time: All Creatures Great and Small

October 4, 2008 - Mark and I attended the annual Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis (my favorite saint) at our parish. Watching people who bring their pets to the church to be blessed is so heart warming. If you look closely at one of the pictures, you will see a small parakeet being blessed!

BIT [Back in Time]: 2008 Blessing of the Animals

09-18-09: Deanna Starts her weekend with Sol Lewitt

Mark planned for me to kick-off my birthday celebration with a date with one of my favorite American artists, Sol Lewitt. I featured him in one of my earlier posts and now I will see him about 4 times a week on the 59th Street Station since this is my train stop to get to my gym which is only 4 blocks away.

I love what Transit Blogger writes: "Talk about a sure fire way to brighten your day or night!"

Don't forget to CLICK on the photo to see Lewitt's awesome installation.

09-19-09: Pieta at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, Soho

It has been a long time since I have been to Mass at the St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Soho. While I initially came to church to view the Pieta, I was blessed to attend mass and the Blessed Sacrament adoration.

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, a private collector moved an exact casting of Michelangelo’s masterwork, The Pieta. The rare piece is one of only nine casts commissioned by the Vatican in 1932 by the Marinelli Foundry of Florence, Italy. It is an exact rendition of Michelangelo’s original marble sculpture on display in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

This Michelangelo Bronze Pieta is not a replica. As an original cast from the official plaster molds of Michelangelo’s sculpture, it captures every detail created by the artist’s hand. Unique to this display is the unprecedented access the viewer is afforded to study the work. While the original sculpture in the Vatican is protected behind glass, this piece may be viewed from every angle and without barriers. (ref: http://www.1888pressrelease.com/private-collector-loans-michelangelo-bronze-pieta-to-st-pat-pr-134990.html)

Don't forget to CLICK on the photo to see the beauty of the Pieta and the St. Patrick's Old Cathedral!

09-18-09: A Huddle at the Old Boy Club, Chinatown

It is customary for Mark and I to go to the Old Boy Club for some authentic Asian kaffe pausa. We love the old feel of the Old Boy Club and the charming old customers. Mark is having his favorite custard while I have the sticky rice.

09-18-09: Pre-Birthday Dinner, Meat Market in Chinatown

I may be treated like a princess for the weekend, but I still need to feed my habib! I decided to cook easy-to-cook, comfort food - Teriyaki Beef Ribs. Check out my cooking blog!

09-18-09: 2nd Year of Park(ing) Day NYC, Upper West Side

This is the second time Mark and I participated in Park(ing) Day. It always takes place around the time of my birthday! I am pleased a "civic holiday" takes place on my birthday!

09-19-09: Happy Birthday Deanna!

I was thinking hard about why this year has been good to me. Am I near death? Am I close to achieving self-fulfillment on earth, even if I have not reduced my weight? On one my web-trawling moments, I realized that I have a triple auspicious date. The Chinese believe nine is a lucky number, which makes Triple 9's in my birthdate particularly auspicious - for good luck and long life. Lucky numbers are based on Chinese words that sound similar to other Chinese words. The numbers 6, 8, and 9 are believed to have auspicious meanings because their names sound similar to words that have positive meanings. The words the words “nine” and “long” are homophones.

09-19-09: Monet's Waterlilies at the MoMA

09-19-09: Grovaloo at the Joyce Theater

Mark took me to this no-intermission, 90-minute performance of free-style dancing at the Joyce Theater, my first time. Defying the laws of gravity, this award-winning troupe of dancers continually defies it with their many spectacular moves. More importantly, the show gave these kids from the streets a chance to express themselves through poetry and dance. There are 6 stories, but the most touching belongs to BoogieMan (Steven Stanton) who had been shot right before the first incarnation of this show launched back in 2003. His spinal injury left Stanton in critical condition with expectations of paralysis; yet every evening Stanton dances on the stage with energy and grace and retells his rehabilitation with poignancy. Call that inspirational!

I am not a fan of free-style, hip-hop or rap. But this show, made me aware, on my birthday, to keep an open mind about things.

Afterward, Mark took me to Cola's, a small Italian restaurant nearby for dinner. Tutta bene! Si grazie, mi amore Mark!

09-20-09-Opening of the Gifts!

The day after my birthday, we opened my birthday gift. And of course, the event is not complete if Mark doesn't open a gift of his own, birthday or no birthday. Happy Birthday!

CLICK on the photo to see what Mark and I got as pressies!