Grec-O-Gram

Soon to be Philly-Gram

2008-05-24T20:43:00.002+03:00

You must have thought I had dropped off the face of the Earth but it is not true. I have returned, but later than ever. The past several months have been quite eventful and most particularly this month.

The beginning of May started off with the marriage of my film going, documentary video tapin' cousin Angelike and her Bobby Fisher shadowing, bass playin' husband Jez, in the countryside of Iria on the beach, just 30 kilometers from the Greek port of Nafplion. Ira is well known for their anginares (artichokes) and because it was so late in the season the wedding party along with myself had the chance to view something quite unique, the anginares in bloom. Such a beautiful indigo violet burst like peddles from the center as if mums were placed inside of them to enhance the muted green of the outer leaves. They made a lovely centerpiece for the tables and were soft to the touch. During the wedding Vassili and I went back and forth from Photographer to Filmographer for this special occasion and I must add film is quite enjoyable and a bit more forgiving than a photograph ;)

It is hard keeping the best news for last but I had to sit on my hands every time I got the urge to type the juicy news. I cannot think of a clever way of phrasing this so I am gonna go ahead and burst out with it for all to hear (read)... The day is coming so soon for our return to the City of Brotherly Love and not just on a short visit, but to stay. So mark your calenders, June 4th is touchdown and we hope to see all of you soon after.

March Showers bring April Flowers?

2008-04-06T22:11:00.012+03:00

It became so warm last month that flowers already came into bloom. Then it cooled down for a bit and got warm again. It is April now and everywhere you look there are flowers and most recently we have had many showers. Moving on from the weather>>>

This entry is going to be a bit different than my previous entries because I am taking you away from the life outside and into my studio (aka bedroom) for a taste of my most recent creations.

I have been working on my painting with light technique to increase depth of field (focus). In order to do this, my exposure time has increased dramatically, so I attempted to take multiple photographs of the same still-life with a different color in each picture. That turned out to be a lot more post processing work than desired. Now I have decided the best way to go is to do 2-3 shots of the same set up, my exposure times are still long but I paint in the full picture for each photograph. This way I can pick and chose areas I like from each image. I do this in Photoshop by laying two images one on top of the other and deleting the undesired areas from the top image.

The first image with the yellow Tiger Lilies was created with four photographs, each color captured in a separate image.

The second image is one shot with minor corrections in Photoshop for contrast and brightness.
Which one do you fancy more?

Let it Snow

2008-03-02T22:09:00.000+02:00

So I told you we had snow, it didn't last too long considering we have been bathed with beautiful weather in the sixties (not to rub it in). If you had any doubt about snow in Greece, the photo shall prove otherwise.

The puppy in the shot was sort of dropped on our doorstep, well not exactly. On our wedding day my mother in law, Lisa, saw her being thrown from a car directly across the street from the town hall where we got married. Lisa being the dog lover she is, insisted Vassili go get the poor 2 months old pup with her tail between her legs. She was so cute (cute as in petite) back then. Now, she must come up to my knees. I am not at all a dog fan but I have gotten her to listen to a few commands and hand motions for sit, stay and come. If you have a treat in your hand or food, forget about it she doesn't care what you say, she jumps continuously to get the goodies you have to offer. Like many street dogs she eats anything she can find. She finishes her food in just a few moments and is looking for more. Greece is littered with stray dogs. Almost every shop, taverna and cafe has its dog keeping warm in the entry way or mooching food off of their guests. If you want to get a dog in this country it won't cost you a penny, that is if you aren't picky about the breed.

For those who are wondering the little beast's name is Ribena, named after a juice brand.

Athens's Hearts

2008-02-18T07:33:00.001+02:00

In light of Valentine's Day, Athens has been decorated with a parade of hearts, each painted with a unique scene. I am attaching three of my favorites, you pick yours :)

Vassili and I would like to thank everyone who has sent wedding wishes. You messages put a warm smile on our faces. The fourth photograph is from our wedding, which was absolutely lovely<3

Well time has been flying since the wedding, I thought it would have slowed down. This weekend we have been hit with a decent amount of snow, roughly a half meter. Many roads are closed; tomorrow schools and government establishments will not reopen.

I have spent limited time on e-mails, but that will change. There are many photos awaiting to be sent even more to take with the beautiful white snow all around. If you ever thought it doesn't snow in Greece, well I have proof it does.

Cars Belong on the Street

2007-11-18T09:48:00.000+02:00

I never thought I would say this, but I miss PPA (Philadelphia Parking Authority). The PPA are the most dreaded Authority of the city of Philadelphia. They are the ones you think you are going to avoid while you double park your car for just a few minutes to run inside and buy a steaming coffee to jump start your day. While you are inside paying for your soothing morning dose of caffeine, they are outside issuing you a paper ticket; that if not payed in time will double, triple or quadruple in fee. If you are unfortunate enough to let these once little tickets accumulate, your tire will have a florescent colored bracelet on it (also known as a boot which hinders the wheel from rotation) or your license will be revoked. Now, I always saw PPA as evil doers that give tickets out because someone was always pushing them around and this was there chance to get back at the little man/woman. Well I must say that I have come to be a little more sympathetic for the parking ticket giving posse.

On a few occasions in the center of Athens, I have been witness to people walking around in camo-green issuing tickets from a hand held device. These tickets are usually because of the driver's lack of paying for parking in the proper zone. Drivers are required to purchasing a paper ticket, that is similar to an instant lottery ticket, that allows them to scratch out the appropriate date and time. If this ticket is absent from the windshield then chances are that there will be a price to pay. This Parking Authority's job is to enforce people to pay but it doesn't keep motor vehicles off the sidewalks. I cannot count the number of times I have had to step into the street because a car or row of motorbikes was taking up the pedestrians' right of passage. You are not only in danger of your life while walking in the street but also while walking on the sidewalk, because a really smart driver may come by thinking that you are standing in his perfect spot.

So with that in mind... unlike other drivers, to avoid the hustle and bustle amongst drivers fighting over the spot that blocks the entrance to the super market, Vassili and I parked nearly a quarter mile away. On our way back with the bags in our hands there was this car parked across a sidewalk on the main road. As we walked around the car that blocked the side walk, I noticed this fantastic sticker on the driver side window. It read "I'm a jackass. I park wherever I want."

During pedestrian's rights protests they hand out stickers to put on cars parked where you should be able to walk. I've never seen a sticker before this one. Boy do I wish I had a stack of them every time I left the house!

11-11 make a Wish

2007-11-12T02:43:00.000+02:00

Bonus Issue...

I don't know what to say... I am all smiles :)

Vassili and I are getting married December 28th!!! My parents will be coming in to accompany us on our first steps as husband and wife.

We have worked hard to make these cards, and I'd say they are very good for hand made invitations. We enjoy taking on projects together. Our next one will be the bombonieres, sugar coated almonds wrapped in material, to be given to our guests at the reception. Inside the rings, our first and middle names are engraved in Greek and the date we are to be wed.

*address has been omitted from image

I'll have the LAMP

2007-11-12T01:56:00.000+02:00

This is going to be sweet and short, I hope it puts a smile on your face.

This picture is one of many examples of poor translations from Greek to English. I must say that this was the funniest I've yet to come across. If you were to come visit Greece, I would definitely suggest you try the lamb but I am not quite sure about the dish on the top of this menu ;)

The Silver Lady

2007-11-12T01:48:00.000+02:00

I know this one is very late, and no I haven't forgotten you. So because of my delay I have decided to send you one for the week before last, one for the past week and one bonus issue. I hope you are happy!

Now on to what you have been waiting for...

I saw this Silver Lady on Ermou Street which runs perpendicular to the Parliament Building in the center of Athens. At first sight of her I was instantly reminded of First Fridays in Philadelphia. For those of you unfamiliar with this Philadelphia tradition, every first Friday of the month is opening night for artists to exhibit their work at galleries in the city.

... After a long day of sizzling in the sun on a beach in Ventnor, New Jersey, my friend Tony and I decided to head back in time to eye up the new exhibits. After our return to West Philadelphia, we took the subway from University City to 2nd Street (this is the hot spot of First Friday). We began to walk North on 2nd Street and came across the many artists with their work for sale on the side walk and then a young woman that was painted in silver. He face including her eyelids, her hair, nape of her neck and back, her outfit matching her arms all the way to her finger tips. She appeared to be casted in silver. She did not move an inch as if she were frozen in time like a Praxiteles statue that has been standing for thousands of years...

This lady in Athens, I believe to be a woman under the many layers of clothes and hat that covered her face, would sit without movement holding a bouquet of various colored flowers. She would only move when someone would come to put a coin in the box that lay in front of her. At that moment she would look up and bow in an elegant manor of praise with arms extended, but still the face of this performer was hidden beneath a mask.

I may be far away from the city I call my home, but I am blessed by these little reminders.

Pigeon Attack

2007-10-26T20:11:00.000+03:00

I could just keep on sending you pictures of dead trees but that gets monotonous. I've decided to spice it up with something different.

I interrupted a cat on the prowl for this one. I've never seen so many cats and pigeons in the same place. There were about 10 pigeons per every cat and about 4 cats, you can do the math. I don't know if the pigeons were being stupid or the cats we scared because they we out numbered. No casualties, at least while I was watching.

Don't think you've gotten out of the bushes yet, I have many more pictures of the forest to send and countless images waiting to be taken. It has been raining for the past week. The sun was shining yesterday and it is peaking through the hazy cloud covered sky today. I think it is a good day to go out and explore.

Earth Shakes

2007-10-20T23:57:00.000+03:00

It finally rained today for nearly an hour. I am curious to see what it has done to the landscapes the next time I go out to photograph.

This week's photograph was also taken on Pendeli, more specifically the Nea Pendeli (New Pendeli) side of the mountain. While snapping pictures there were workers cutting down trees to use as barricades for falling rocks due to rainfall. The sun was peaking out from the clouds every so often, just in time to hit the shutter.

The weather has been averaging in the mid 70's all week. It is quite strange weather for this time of year. I hope it gets cold so I can wear my new jacket :)

Since the last issue of this e-gram many areas of Greece have been hit with small earthquakes. Only one was felt in this neck of the woods. Although it was a small quake it sure was a shock in the middle of the night. That was my third earthquake experience here in Athens. The first one was the summer of '93, on the way back from my Aunt Dina's house. I remember traveling in a taxi with my mom and brother and we thought something had gone wrong with the tires. The driver pulled aside and check to see what was wrong. My mom realized she forgot her glasses back at my aunts. We weren't far so she walked back to get them. To her surprise the books were off the shelf and the picture frames were askew. We had no idea that it was an earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.7

So far I've been quite lucky during my stays here (knock on wood).

Till next time...

Fire on the Mountain

2007-10-15T20:11:00.000+03:00

Okay I am a bit late, I did say one a week, but that just means I will have to send 2 this week to make up for the previous.

So I have been out photographing the burnt down mountain Penteli. This mountain has much importance to ancient Greece. This is the very mountain that contains the marble used to build the Acropolis and many sculptures. I never could have imagined what was hiding behind the forest. I never knew that the Athens and the sea was hidden by the trees. It came as a shock to me to be able to see all the way to the port of Piraeus from Penteli. Quite a distance from here, it must be about 20 miles to the port. But now as the sun is high it turns the sea into a blinding bright sheet of glass. This was my the first discovery. Then as Vassili and I began to explore we realized that the majority of the trees were cut down into horizontal rows across the land. They did this because when it rains the rocks fall down from the mountain and this will be the best attempt to keep the rocks off of the road.

It is sad to see this mountain that was once so green with trees and white with marble has turned to shades of gray. The land is covered in charcoal now. As we brushed by blackened trees we were covered in charcoal (bringing back memories from drawing classes at Drexel). Shrubs have begun to sprout up around their parents' dried up stems and small purple flowers that must be related to orchids have begun to grow randomly through out the ashen land. But the poor trees that supply us with oxygen, cool air in the summer and soak up the water from heavy rains have not returned. It has been two months since the fire that took over Nea Penteli.

It is not just the plants and trees but the remainders of poor creatures that could not make it out in time. We came across many snail shells and several turtle shells. I wouldn't want to imagine their fate but it is hard not to think of their suffering.

The picture I have attached was taken about 800 meters high on the mountain. No we didn't walk that high, we took the car. At the very top of the mountain there is an army base where photography is prohibited. I've never seen a better view of Athens.

Now I will go and discover more of the lost forest.

Dogfish

2007-10-05T09:43:00.000+03:00

Hello Everyone,

Thanks to a great idea from a friend, I decided to start a weekly picture along with a little message.

I apologize for the poor quality photo but all I had was my mobile phone. This is quite a sight to be seen in a local super market! This my friends is a shark called a Dogfish, also known as a smooth-hound. Vassili and I couldn't help but to try a slab of this sea monster. It was quite tough like a stake but the meet was very juicy when grilled. The cat enjoyed some Dogfish for dinner as well :)

Cheers,

Nicole

Tasty Dogfish Recipe

ORANGE-BROILED SHARK STEAKS
1 pound fresh/frozen shark steaks	1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 cup orange juice	1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons catsup	1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons salad oil	1 tablespoon sesame seed, toasted
Thaw fish if frozen. Combine orange juice, catsup, salad oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, and pepper. Reserve 1/4 cup for basting. Pour rest of mixture over steaks in shallow dish. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Drain fish; discard marinade. Place steaks in a greased, shallow baking dish and broil, 4 inches from heat, until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Allow 5 minutes for each half-inch of thickness. Baste occasionally with marinade. If steaks are more than an inch thick, turn fish over when half done. Brush with marinade; sprinkle with sesame seed. Serve with rice and stir-fry vegetables.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes. Allow 2 hours for marinating. Makes 4 servings.