Made in China

Beijing, China

2011-10-12T21:08:00.035-04:00

The Palace Gates, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Colorful decorations in front of the Palace Gates to the Forbidden City near Tiānānmén Square in Beijing China. Built in 1420, the Chinese name of the gate, Tiānānmén 天安門, is made up of the Chinese characters for "heaven," "peace" and "gate". The Tiānānmén Gate is featured on the emblem of the People's Republic of China.

The Palace Gates to the Forbidden City, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

A portrait of Chairman Mao hangs on the front of the Palace Gates to the Forbidden City near Tiānānmén Square in Beijing, China. A controversial figure, he was the architect and founding father of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which was established in 1949 from the spot where his portrait now hangs on the Tiānānmén Gate. Source: Wikipedia.

The reviewing platform, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Upstairs on the reviewing platform of Tiānānmén Gates in Beijing China, standing above the portrait of Chairman Mao.

Looking out across Tian an men Square, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Looking out across Tiānānmén Square from the viewing platform on the Tiānānmén Gates in Beijing, China.

Roof lines of the Tian an men Gates, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Roof lines of buildings on the Tiānānmén Gates in Beijing, China. The more ornate the roof sculptures represent the more significant the buildings.

The Tian an men Gate to the Forbidden City, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

The Tiānānmén Gate to the Forbidden City across from Tiānānmén Square in Beijing, China.

The White Pagoda, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

The White Pagoda at Beihai Park in Beijing China. Beihai Park is an imperial garden to the northwest of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Built in the 10th century, it is amongst the largest of Chinese gardens, and contains numerous historically important structures, palaces and temples.

White Pagoda, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Great view of the roof carvings as we climbed the hill to the White Pagoda at Beihai Park in Beijing China. The White Pagoda was built in the eighth year of the Zhi Yuan reign (1271 A.D.). The White Pagoda was designed by a well-known Nepalese architect and technologist, Arniger, and filled with Buddhist treasures. The temple was one of the most important projects at the time when Kublai Khan built his great capital city at Dadu (today's Beijing). The White Pagoda, an upside-down alms bowl in design, is the biggest Buddhist pagoda from the Yuan Dynasty ever discovered and preserved in China and is the oldest Buddhist pagoda in the Beijing area. Source: The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad website.

Forbidden City from Beihai Park, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Looking down on the Forbidden City from Beihai Park in Beijing China. The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government. Source: Wikipedia.

Glazed Budha Tiles, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Glazed Budha tiles on the wall of the White Pagoda at Beihai Park in Beijing China.

My Ling posing in Beihai Park, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

My Ling posing below the hand painted traditional architecture at Beihai Park in Beijing China.

A Red Door, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

A red door and statue between the shops north of Beihai Park in Beijing, China.

My Ling browsing in along the shopping street., a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

My Ling browsing along the traditional shopping street north of Beihai Park in Beijing China. The old doors could really tell a story about this place.

A Clothing Store, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Shopping for clothes in the shops north of Beihai Park in Beijing, China.

Street Musician, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

A street musician plays for tips on the shopping street north of Beihai Park in Beijing, China.

Wood Carvings, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Life-size wood carvings of girls in traditional Chinese outfits adorn this clothing shop north of Beihai Park.

Shoppers, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Shoppers busy on the shopping street north of Beihai Park in Beijing, China.

Red Door, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

A red door in the stone wall along the shopping street north of Beihai Park in Beijing, China. I'm not sure if there is a Spa behind it.

Pedi Cab, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

A pedi-cab offers us a ride along the shopping street north of Beihai Park in Beijing, China.

Three Person Bicycle, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

One, Two, Three, OMG. A bicycle built for three, riding behind the pedi-cab north of Beihai Park in Beijing, China.

Lanterns, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Hand made silk lanterns available at one of the shops north of Beihai Park in Beijing, China.

Truck of Workers, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

A truck carrying workers at Beihai Park in Beijing, China.

Couples boating on the lake at Beihai Park, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Couples boating on the lake north of Beihai Park in Beijing, China.

The Corn Bridge in Qingyuan, China

2011-10-01T20:39:00.007-04:00

Corn Bridge, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

This abandoned bridge across the waterway and farmlands near my Lings hometown in Qingyuan, China is over 100 years old. The locals plant corn or rice on every parcel they can. Every ditch, every gully, every slope, and someone even covered this bridge with soil and planted corn on the bridge. Efficiency.

Harvest, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Harvest time for the rural farmlands near Qingyuan, China.

Harvesting the corn, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Harvesting the corn the old fashioned way, by hand in Qingyuan, China.

Corn, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Corn harvested by hand at the family farm in Qingyuan, China.

The family farm, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

On the family farm in Qingyuan, China.

Shenyang, China.

2011-09-30T08:37:00.012-04:00

Morning sunrise in #Shenyang #China. #obievip #obievip_china, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

The morning sunrise over the neighborhood where we stayed in Shenyang, China. You can see the newer taller apartment buildings in the background, and the older buildings in close.

Ancient City Gates, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Ancient City Gates in downtown Shenyang China. Once necessary for protection of the Qing Dynasty capital city in 1625, they are now just a throttle for traffic.

IMG_9983, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

My Ling heading out to start the first day of our China trip in Shenyang, China. First on the agenda, shopping.

IMG_3626, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

One of the many shopping centers in Shenyang, China. They use red balloons and blow-up archways to attract attention and lure in shoppers. Of course, it works.

IMG_3699, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Inside is a myriad of escalators and advertisements. And oh yeah, people. Many, many people.

IMG_3683, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

One store celebrating a grand opening, so they pulled out the decorative cannons. At least I hope they are only decorative.

IMG_9987, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Another building with interesting architecture in Shenyang, China.

IMG_3635, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

A building with traditional Chinese architecture. The tiles and overhangs are hand painted.

IMG_3644, a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

My Ling and our niece Bo, outside a gate to an older style Shenyang neighborhood.

Bunch of Squares DC Photo Walk #bos_dc

2011-04-10T10:25:00.013-04:00

On the way to the DC Photo Walk. #bos_dc a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

On the way to the DC Photo Walk. #bos_dc

Metro from the ground view a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Grating over the DC Metro from the ground view, it just goes on and on.

DC Chinatown archway. a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

DC Chinatown archway.

Chinese Market in DC Chinatown a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Inside the Kung Foo Gift Shop and Chinese Market in DC Chinatown.

Buddhas a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Buddhas, looks like they are watching a movie.

Floating Office Building a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Floating Office Building.

Ceiling of tunnel inside DC Metro. a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Ceiling of tunnel inside DC Metro.

Las Vegas Monorail

2011-03-09T19:45:00.000-05:00

Las Vegas Monorail with #tiltshift effect. a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Las Vegas Monorail with #tiltshift effect.

Everest Coaster at Disney World Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Fl.

2011-03-08T19:31:00.000-05:00

Everest Coaster at Disney World Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Fl. a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Everest Coaster at Disney World Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Fl.

Old Train Station in Gettysburg, Pa.

2011-03-07T19:17:00.000-05:00

Old Train Station in Gettysburg, Pa. with #tiltshift effects. a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Old Train Station in Gettysburg, Pa. with #tiltshift effects.

The Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC

2011-03-06T19:43:00.000-05:00

The Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC with #tiltshift effect. a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

The Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC with #tiltshift effect.

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

2011-03-05T13:58:00.000-05:00

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History African Elephant in the rotunda.

Baltimore Inner Harbor

2011-03-04T13:57:00.000-05:00

Baltimore Inner Harbor a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Baltimore Inner Harbor, experimenting with #tiltshift

Mount Rainer near Seattle, Wa.

2011-03-03T12:14:00.000-05:00

Mount Rainer near Seattle, Wa. a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Taken from 20,000 feet, Mount Rainer near Seattle, Wa. Submitted to @shootingstar18 for the #shootingstar18clouds challenge.

George Washington Masonic National Memorial

2011-03-02T12:13:00.001-05:00

George Washington Masonic National Memorial a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

George Washington Masonic National Memorial located in Alexandria, Va near Washington, DC. The tower is fashioned after the Lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt, in part because of the common names of both cities Alexandria.

Inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.

2011-03-01T12:11:00.001-05:00

Inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

Inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Over Lincolns head, the inscription reads: "IN THIS TEMPLE AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS ENSHRINED FOREVER." Apparently the chisel was stuck in CAPLOCK.

The Lincoln Memorial

2011-02-28T12:11:00.000-05:00

The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. a photo by ObieVIP on Flickr.

The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.

US Supreme Court

2011-02-27T08:02:00.002-05:00

US Supreme Court in Washington DC.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

US Supreme Court in Washington DC. A single protester leisurely demonstrating for his cause, I'm sure there will be many more joining him soon. The west façade of the building (essentially, the "front" of the court, being the side which faces the Capitol) bears the motto "Equal Justice Under Law," while the east facade bears the motto "Justice, the Guardian of Liberty." On the fifth floor: The Supreme Court gym, including a basketball court (appropriately named the "Highest Court in the Land"). Source: Wikipedia

US Capital

2011-02-26T08:01:00.001-05:00

US Capital in Washington DC.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

US Capital in Washington DC. View from near my office. From Wikipedia: In spring 1792, Thomas Jefferson proposed a design competition to solicit designs for the Capitol and the President's House, and set a four-month deadline. The prize for the competition was $500 and a lot in the federal city. An entry by amateur architect William Thornton was submitted to much praise for its "Grandeur, Simplicity, and Beauty" by Jefferson and George Washington. Thornton was inspired by the east front of the Louvre, as well as the Paris Pantheon for the center portion of the design.

Ling and her Brothers

2011-02-25T08:01:00.000-05:00

My Ling and her brothers
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

My Ling with her two brothers taken when she was about a year old, I recreated many years later. As she tells the story, they had to give her the fruit to stop her from crying long enough to snap the picture.

San Diego coast in California

2011-02-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

San Diego coast
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Millions of years of erosion along the California coast in San Diego. This is one of my favorite places.

La Jolla coast near San Diego, Ca.

2011-02-23T07:59:00.000-05:00

La Jolla
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

La Jolla coast near San Diego, Ca. This part of the California coast is so spectacular, almost any direction you point your camera is a great shot.

Lucy the Elephant

2011-02-22T07:57:00.002-05:00

Lucy the Elephant
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Lucy the Elephant is actually a hotel on the beach near Atlantic City. Lucy is a six-story elephant-shaped example of novelty architecture, constructed of wood and tin sheeting in 1882 as an effort to sell real estate and attract tourism.

Taj Mahal

2011-02-22T07:55:00.000-05:00

Taj Mahal
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Taj Mahal Hotel and Casino on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. Had some good wins here at the craps table.

CNY Decorations in Atlantic City, NJ.

2011-02-22T07:54:00.000-05:00

Chinese New Year decorations
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

My Ling under the Chinese New Year decorations at Harrahs Atlantic City.

Riverwalk Dining

2011-02-21T07:53:00.000-05:00

Riverwalk
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Along the Riverwalk canal in San Antonio, Tx. Restaurants and shops populate both sides, these diners enjoying lunch in the open air.

Riverwalk Cruise

2011-02-21T07:52:00.000-05:00

Cruising
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Cruising on the Riverwalk canal in San Antonio, Tx. This place is very popular, these folks are taking in the tourist attractions. The Riverwalk is close to The Alamo.

Riverwalk Foot Bridge

2011-02-21T07:50:00.000-05:00

Reflections
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Reflections under a foot bridge across the Riverwalk canal in San Antonio, Tx. This is just a beautiful place in the spring, blooming and buzzing with people.

Bird of Paradise

2011-02-20T07:48:00.001-05:00

Hotel Del Coronado Garden
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

On the grounds at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, Ca. Pacific Ocean in the background. The flower is a Bird of Paradise.

View of last nights sunset near my house.

2011-02-19T14:37:00.006-05:00

View of last nights sunset near my house.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

View of last nights sunset near my house. Taken at the top of the hill, I found this beautiful tree made a great silhouette against the setting sun.

My Ling in Fushun, China.

2011-02-18T14:37:00.000-05:00

My Ling in Fushun, China.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Buried Man Statue

2011-02-17T14:36:00.000-05:00

Buried Man statue.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Buried Man statue, The Awakening, at Washington's National Harbor. Woodrow Wilson Bridge across the Potomac in the background.

Cowboy Bo

2011-02-16T14:34:00.000-05:00

Cowboy Bo
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

My niece Bo, sporting a western look in Dalian, China. She is top of her class in college and wants to study abroad in the coming years.

Luggage

2011-02-15T23:21:00.002-05:00

My niece Bo.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

My niece Bo, at the Beijing Airport. Thinking she can save money by sending herself as luggage.

Valentines Day

2011-02-14T23:20:00.000-05:00

Valentines Day
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Bought some beautiful flowers for my Ling.

Lucky

2011-02-13T23:20:00.000-05:00

Lucky
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

This shot was taken the day we met in person in Beijing, China.

Texting me texting you.

2011-02-12T23:18:00.000-05:00

Texting me texting you.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Waiting for the ride to end at Kings Dominion Amusement Park.

Happy

2011-02-11T23:17:00.000-05:00

Happy
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Several shots of my Ling. Using Diptic iPhone application to frame the four shots, and Instagrams Early Bird filter.

Resorts

2011-02-10T23:16:00.000-05:00

Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. This was the first casino to open in Atlantic City in 1978.

Korean BBQ

2011-02-09T23:14:00.000-05:00

Love Korean BBQ
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

We often go to the Korean BBQ restaurant, both here in the states, and when we are in China. This is one of our favorite places we love in Fushun, China. They bring you plates of food and you cook it right at your table. Delicious.

Beauty

2011-02-08T23:11:00.000-05:00

Beauty
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

My Ling looking wonderful as usual. I used the Instagram Nashville filter.

PHX Sunrise

2011-02-07T14:58:00.002-05:00

Phoenix Sunrise
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Waiting for my early morning flight home from Phoenix.

Hotel Del Coronado

2011-02-06T10:08:00.000-05:00

Hotel Del Coronado
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Taken at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, Ca. Opened in 1888, the Hotel Del was the largest resort hotel in the world and the first to use electrical lighting. It has hosted presidents, royalty, and celebrities throughout the years. The Hotel Del has been featured in numerous movies and books, including "Some Like it Hot" with Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemon, and Tony Curtis. Source Wikipedia.

Birthday

2011-02-05T20:13:00.000-05:00

Birthday
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

My Lings birthday today.

Picture in a Picture

2011-02-04T10:08:00.000-05:00

Picture in a picture.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Picture in a picture. Both of these were taken at the same time. You can see the photographer in each of them. Subject is my niece taken at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. She was taking a photo herself of the Forbidden City front gates.

Ships in San Diego Harbor

2011-02-03T10:06:00.000-05:00

Ships in San Diego Harbor
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

The huge Navy ship dwarves the pleasure boats docked at the marina. I used Tilt Shift Generator for the miniature effect.

Celebrating at Dinner

2011-02-02T10:06:00.000-05:00

Celebrating at Dinner
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Ling and I enjoying dinner. Happy Chinese New Year to everyone.

2011 Chinese New Year

2011-02-01T10:05:00.000-05:00

Happy Chinese New Year.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Happy Chinese New Year everyone. This was taken at the Bellagio Casino in the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens decorated for Chinese New Year.

San Diego Harbor

2011-01-31T10:04:00.002-05:00

San Diego Harbor
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

View from my hotel across San Diego harbor. I used Tilt Shift Generator on my iPhone to give it that miniature effect. Beautiful colors and a beautiful view from Coronado Island.

Sunset Cliffs in San Diego, Ca.

2011-01-30T09:38:00.000-05:00

Sunset Cliffs
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Watched the sunset here today. Millions of years of waves constantly crashing into the rugged cliffs make for a spectacular view. I noticed joggers stepping dangerously close to the edge in their attempt to stay healthy...one small slip and they would tumble to the rocks below, ironic.

Paris Hotel Casino in Las Vegas

2011-01-29T12:37:00.003-05:00

Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas using Tiltshift
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Paris Hotel & Casino in Las #Vegas using Tiltshift Generator to saturate the colors and blur the background to give it that miniature effect. Taken from our room at the Bellagio. The iconic half scale replica of the Eiffel Tower sits in front of the property.

Dinner Party in Shenyang, China

2011-01-28T08:55:00.002-05:00

My Ling at a dinner party in Shenyang, China.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

My Ling at a dinner party in Shenyang, China. This was taken at Traders Hotel downtown close to the Liaoning Provincial Museum and the Shenyang Cultural Palace.

My Ling in the courtyard of her condo in Fushun, China.

2011-01-27T07:45:00.000-05:00

My Ling in the courtyard of her condo in Fushun, China.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

My Ling in the courtyard of her condo in Fushun, China.

Dinner at a Japanese Restaurant in Fushun, China.

2011-01-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

Dinner at a Japanese Restaurant in Fushun, China.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Dinner at a Japanese Restaurant in Fushun, China.

Temple at Summer Palace in Beijing, China.

2011-01-25T07:30:00.001-05:00

Temple on Longevity Hill.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Temple on Longevity Hill at the Summer Palace in Beijing, China. It served as a summer resort for Empress Dowager Cixi, who diverted 30 million taels of silver, said to be originally designated for the Chinese navy (Beiyang Fleet), into the reconstruction and enlargement of the Summer Palace.

Diptic Challenge no4.

2011-01-24T19:21:00.003-05:00

Diptic Challenge no4.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

What common phrase can you make from these pics? I used the Diptic iPhone application to arrange the pictures, then I used an Instagram filter to post it.

Answer in comments below.

Me and my Ling.

2011-01-23T14:55:00.001-05:00

Me and my Ling.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Me and my Ling at the Marriott hotel in Beijing, China.

Beijing Terminal

2011-01-22T08:33:00.001-05:00

New transportation terminal at the Beijing Airport.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

This is the new transportation terminal at the Beijing Airport. You can catch the express subway train here and go anywhere in Beijing for 25 RMB, or about $3 US. Quite a bargain compared to the hundreds of RMB the taxi will charge.

Man Man

2011-01-21T18:30:00.004-05:00

More from our motorcycle ride in Fushun, China.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

More from our motorcycle ride in Fushun, China. This was her first time on a motor bike and she was truly afraid. She is literally covering her eyes here. She kept saying MAN, MAN, which in Chinese means Slow, Slow. So I took it slow.

Motorcycle

2011-01-20T12:15:00.001-05:00

Ling and I on motorcycle in Fushun, China.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Ling and I on her brothers motorcycle in Fushun, China.

Bicycle

2011-01-19T00:22:00.000-05:00

Riding bicycles through the farm fields in Fushun, China.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Ling and I riding bicycles through the farm fields in Fushun, China, near her families home. Thr air was quite fresh compared to in the city, and the lush green countryside was a perfect setting.

Tea House at Beijing Airport

2011-01-18T16:46:00.002-05:00

Tea House at Beijing Airport
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

This is the Tea House upstairs at the Beijing Airport. We usually go here to wait for our plane. They have a variety of different tea, and the red lanterns really set the mood, and make you feel like your somewhere other than the airport.

My Ling in the Sun.

2011-01-17T14:45:00.000-05:00

My Ling in the sun.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

I took this in Lings apartment in Fushun, China. The sun was coming in the window and looks just right on her. I used an iPhone App Aisu Sepia to make it sepia-tome.

The Conservatory

2011-01-16T16:07:00.001-05:00

Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

The Spring flowers in the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas. Their horticultural staff changes the display 5 times per year, the displays are made from live plants or other organic materials. Its a must see in Vegas.

Encounter Restaurant at LAX Airport

2011-01-15T16:30:00.000-05:00

Encounter Restaurant at LAX Airport
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

This iconic building contains the space alien themed Encounter Restaurant. It was designed and built in 1962 by the Walt Disney Company and it is located in the middle of the LAX Airport. I've eaten there several times and I can say the food is good, and the view is spectacular.

My Ling in Traditional Chinese Clothing.

2011-01-14T11:44:00.002-05:00

My Ling in traditional Chinese clothing.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

This was a shot Ling sent to me shortly after we met. She is wearing traditional Chinese clothing, which she wears very well by the way. This was take by a professional photography studio in China. We would go there often to get printouts of all our digital shots.

Blown Glass Art Sculpture at the Bellagio in Las Vegas

2011-01-13T18:41:00.001-05:00

Blown Glass Art Sculpture at the Bellagio in Las Vegas
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Beautiful, colorful blown glass sculpture hanging from the ceiling of the lobby in the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas. Artist Dale Chihuly's Fiori di Como is composed of over 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers. Using the Lomo Filter in Instagram to make the colors pop.

Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles

2011-01-12T22:08:00.003-05:00

Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Beautiful evening at Manhattan Beach just south of LAX. We ate dinner here overlooking this great view, then took a little walk along the beach at dusk. Can still remember the smell of the warm salt air.

Boryeong Mud Festival

2011-01-11T11:11:00.001-05:00

Boryeong Mud Festival in Dalian, China.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

This was taken at the Boryeong Mud Festival in Dalian, China. We used the mud to keep us cool and protect our the skin from the sun. It was a blast getting covered in it. We rented the little blow-up floaters and I was amazed at how many people there used them. Dalian is a popular vacation city on the east coast.

The White House

2011-01-10T19:30:00.001-05:00

The White House
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Took this from Pennsylvania Ave outside The White House, the home and office of every United States President except George Washington. The White House was damaged and set on fire during the War of 1812 by the British. The White House gets its name from the white paint that was applied to mask the burn damage it had suffered. Using Instagram X-Pro II filter.

Temple in Fushun, China

2011-01-09T16:06:00.003-05:00

Ling at 1200 year old temple in Fushun, China
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

This was taken at a 1200 year old temple in Fushun, China. It amazes me to be in some place that old. Fushun is the origin of the Qing Dynasty, at a site known as Xingjing City, and it was the first capital of the Late Jin Dynasty. More recently, Fushun was occupied by Russia until 1905 and by Japan until 1945. Source: Wikipedia. There are lots of places like this still around.

CNY Decorations in Fushun, China

2011-01-08T13:45:00.000-05:00

Decorations on store front in Fushun, China
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

This shot is of Chinese New Year (CNY) decorations on a store front in Fushun, China. Red lanterns are up everywhere and the celebration lasts about 2 weeks. Fireworks every night. Red envelops of money for the children. Dumplings is the traditional meal.

Pearl River in Guangzhou, China

2011-01-07T15:35:00.000-05:00

View on the Pearl River in Guangzhou, China
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

This shot is from our celebratory dinner cruise along the Pearl River in Guangzhou, China. All of the buildings and all of the other boats are covered in neon lights. It's really quite spectacular. What are we celebrating? Ling got her Visa earlier that day which allows her entry into the United States. I wrote about that process here.

Top floor Inside the Luxor

2011-01-06T11:15:00.001-05:00

Top floor inside the Luxor
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

More experimenting with Tilt Shift photography. This is from the top floor inside the Luxor Casino in Las Vegas. I used Tilt Shift Generator on my iPhone to blur the edges and keep the center point in focus. I get to Vegas about 3 or 4 times a year, stayed in most of the major proprietress on the strip. I have posted details about some of my Vegas trips on my Poker Blog.

Boardwalk in Atlantic City

2011-01-05T15:00:00.002-05:00

Boardwalk in Atlantic City
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Took this at Caesars Atlantic City looking south down the Boardwalk. I used Tilt Shift Generator on my iPhone to give it that miniaturization effect, blurring things in the distance and keeping the closer subjects in focus. A great example of this effect in this video Miniature City Shanghai. Got a lot of comments about this one on Instagram.

My Beautiful Wife Ling

2011-01-04T14:46:00.001-05:00

My Ling
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

My beautiful wife Ling, on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ. I used an Instagram filter to give it that older summer vacation effect. My work takes me to Atlantic City a couple times per year, it's great when my family can travel with me. She likes the ocean and shopping along the Boardwalk in Atlantic City and Ocean City as well, and I like the casinos.

Monday Morning DC Commuter Train

2011-01-03T05:30:00.003-05:00

Monday morning DC commuter train
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

I get on this train everyday for my hour & a half commute to DC. I's not a bad ride, I usually sleep or listen to podcasts for a good portion of the ride. Only slept through my stop twice. It's nice getting on when its empty. Fills up about halfway to DC, standing room only on Fridays before a holiday weekend. They have a pretty good website that provides real-time location updates for their trains so you can tell where the next one is while you are waiting at the station.

Washington Monument on a Winter Day

2011-01-02T17:30:00.002-05:00

Washington Monument on a winter day
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Took this from Independence Ave in DC, love how the tree provides a silhouette. No filters or color editing, this was how the sky looked at dusk. The lower half of the monument is a slightly different color from the top half. That's because construction was halted in 1854 for 25 years due to the Civil War, when construction resumed in 1878 they used marble from a different quarry.

Chinatown in DC

2011-01-01T13:45:00.002-05:00

Chinatown in DC
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Using Instagram to edit and share some photos and trying to improve my photo skills. I'd like to publish a picture each day, so here's one to start off the new year. This is Chinatown in Washington DC, went there to pick up some Mulberry tea leaves. Chinatown offers many Chinese restaurants, a couple of them offer authentic Chinese food, not the westernized version, and a few shops to pick up imports.

No Parking...No Problem

2010-06-21T10:11:00.005-04:00

Beijing Sandstorm

2010-03-20T13:21:00.005-04:00

Beijing woke up to orange-tinted skies today as the strongest sandstorm so far this year hit the country's north, delaying some flights at Beijing's international airport. The Chinese Academy of Sciences has estimated that the number of sandstorms has jumped six-fold in the past 50 years to two dozen a year. The latest sandstorm has also affected the regions of Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia and the provinces of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Hebei. - China Daily

Miniature City Shanghai

2010-03-03T21:42:00.002-05:00

Miniature City Shanghai - Tilt Shift Time Lapse from Joe Nafis on Vimeo.

Shanghai World Expo 100 Day Countdown Celebration

2010-01-21T08:00:00.011-05:00

The Shanghai World Expo emblem, depicting the image of three people-you, me, him/her holding hands together, symbolizes the big family of mankind. The theme of Expo 2010 is "Better City, Better Life," representing the common wish of the whole humankind for a better living in future urban environments. These photos and excerpts were taken from the Shanghai World Expo website.

A mobilization meeting is held in Shanghai to mark the 100-day countdown for the six-month-long World Expo.

The audiences wave Chinese flags at a mobilization meeting for the Shanghai World Expo.

NBA star Yao Ming

Hong Kong film star Jackie Chan

Combo photo shows the Shanghai World Expo Boulevard illuminated on January 18, 2010 (top) and on July 5, 2009 (bottom) in Shanghai. The 100-day counting down to the opening of Shanghai World Expo will launch on January 21 and the construction of Expo site is coming to an end.

Combo photo shows the China Pavilion of Shanghai World Expo taken on January 18, 2010 (top) and on December 17, 2008 (bottom) in Shanghai.

Combo photo shows the Performance Center of Shanghai World Expo taken on January 18, 2010 (top) and on March 15, 2009 (bottom) in Shanghai.

Combo photo shows the United Arab Emirates Pavilion of Shanghai World Expo taken on January 18, 2010 (top) and that of the same scene taken on August 31, 2009 (bottom) in Shanghai.

NYE on CCTV

2009-12-31T21:27:00.002-05:00

Watching New Years Eve celebration on Chinese CCTV.

Shanghai Surprise

2009-12-19T13:57:00.004-05:00

We had planned to spend a few days in Shanghai but because of the 12 hour train ride each way we decided to stay in Beijing. Here a a few of the sights we missed.

China's 60th National Day Parade in Beijing

2009-10-01T17:00:00.004-04:00

Beauty and Strength Women's Army Militia -This group of female militia are unversity students from Beijing and other cities.

Time lapse video of the 60th Anniversary Parade in Beijing, China by Guardian Newspaper of Britain.

The celebration continues into the night.

The Last Emperor

2009-08-27T17:30:00.000-04:00

Summer Palace

2009-08-27T13:00:00.003-04:00

Click Here to see Video

No Motorcycles, No Picking the FLowers, No Jumping the Wall, No Taxi's, No Littering, No Horns, No Roller Skating, No Soccer, No Rifles, No Walking Dogs, No Blowing up Buildings, and No Campfires.

The Buddhist Temple at the top of Longevity Hill.

View from the top of Longevity Hill.

Wangfujing Street Market

2009-08-23T18:00:00.006-04:00

Click Here to see Video

The Drum Tower in central Beijing, just north of The Forbidden City was once used to announce the time. Now a popular tourist spot and the beginning point for the Houtong bicycle Pedi-cab tour.

Looking up at architecture of The Drum Tower.

Pedi-cabs parked outside The Drum Tower.

Aaron & Mat in their Pedi-cab.

Bing Bing & Chao in their Pedi-cab.

A restaurant with a street cafe near the Houtong district in Beijing.

Clowning Around at the Birds Nest

2009-08-22T13:00:00.002-04:00

Click Here to see Video

The Great Wall of China

2009-08-20T15:30:00.000-04:00

The Forbidden City

2009-08-19T14:45:00.020-04:00

Built by the Ming Dynasty beginning in 1406, the Forbidden City was the home of 24 Chinese Emperors over 5 centuries until the last dynasty fell in 1912. Entrance by the common citizen was once punishable by death, the Forbidden City now receives more than 900,000 visitors each year.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest building in the Forbidden City. It was the ceremonial center of imperial power, and the largest surviving wooden structure in China. The architecture consists of columns supporting heavy tiled roof structures rather than load-bearing walls. Amazingly, all of these structures were built without screws or nails, only fitted wooden dove-tail like fastenings.

Mat standing in Tiananmen Square, the worlds largest public square. In the background you can see the Tiananmen Gate to the Forbidden City which means Gate of Heavenly Peace. It was this gate where Chairman Mao Zedong announced the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China after WWII on October 1, 1949. His portrait hangs on the front of the building still today.

Photo Source: Destination 360

After walking for about an hour, Aaron was shocked we were only just three gates above his head on the map.

The Emperor's throne room.

Aaron looking over one of the 900 buildings that make up The Forbidden City.

The Lump Tree.

Aaron and Bo outside the moat and 30 foot high city walls of The Forbidden City.

Chinese Karaoke at KTV

2009-08-16T13:30:00.000-04:00

Singing and dancing to Chinese Karaoke at one of the many KTV clubs. Songs include "One Night in Beijing", and "My Heart Will Go On" from the movie "Titanic", except it is done about 7 octaves higher than normal.

Boryeang International Mud Festival

2009-08-15T16:30:00.004-04:00

We spent a day at the beach on the shores of the Yellow Sea. We attended the Boryeang International Mud Festival which was a blast and turned out to be a great way to shield yourself from the sun.

Our neice Bo. Ling's Sister-in-Law, Ling, my sons Aaron and Mat, our nephew Jar wei, and 249 lbs of flub.

Ling and Bo. Bo just completed high school finishing #1 in a class of 800. She is a freshman in college this year.

Aaron & Mat covered in the Boryeang mud and their floaties.

Family Time in Dalian

2009-08-13T19:15:00.012-04:00

Lings family gave us the tour of Dalian. Reminds me of Orlando, Florida, many people vacation here, they have beaches and amusement parks, and a fairly mild climate.

Mat and Bo playing Guitar Hero. We unlocked a ton of songs on this trip.

Mat, Bo, and Aaron at the Hot Pot restaurant.

Jar Wei, Chao, and Nan Nan.

Lings Sister in Law, Brother, and Father.

Lings mother, Ling, and me.

International City of Dalian

2009-08-12T12:33:00.003-04:00

We took the short flight to Dalian where Lings brother lives, her parents were already there waiting for us to arrive. They live in a three bedroom condo on the sixth floor, no elevator. They rented a place for us in the same building.

Lings parents were so happy to see us again. The will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next year.

Their building is on this street filled with merchants and street vendors. This is the early market, they open up just after dawn to sell fruits, meats, and vegetables and are gone by noon.

Dinner at the Korean BBQ Restaurant, beef, pork, fish, squid, and octopus...yum yum.

Viva Beijing

2009-08-11T11:47:00.009-04:00

We began our summer vacation today, a family trip to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) for 3 weeks of fun, family, and frivolity.

The flight was 13 hours but not really that bad since the plane was half empty, we were upgraded for free, and we had rows and rows of seats for ourselves. Watched 3 or 4 movies and caught some zzz's.

July 4th

2009-07-04T09:28:00.000-04:00

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:

Column 1
Georgia:
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton

Column 2
North Carolina:
William Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn
South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton

Column 3
Massachusetts:
John Hancock
Maryland:
Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:
George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton
Column 4
Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Franklin
John Morton
George Clymer
James Smith
George Taylor
James Wilson
George Ross
Delaware:
Caesar Rodney
George Read
Thomas McKean
Column 5
New York:
William Floyd
Philip Livingston
Francis Lewis
Lewis Morris
New Jersey:
Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon
Francis Hopkinson
John Hart
Abraham Clark
Column 6
New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett
William Whipple
Massachusetts:
Samuel Adams
John Adams
Robert Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins
William Ellery
Connecticut:
Roger Sherman
Samuel Huntington
William Williams
Oliver Wolcott
New Hampshire:
Matthew Thornton

Wheels down in Vegas Thursday morning.

2009-03-23T19:37:00.001-04:00

Wheels down in Vegas Thursday morning.
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Wheels down in Vegas Thursday morning for the NCAA March Madness and some live poker.

Visit to Ground Zero

2008-08-05T12:15:00.003-04:00

IMG_0117
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

I am in New York this week for a conference; I was honored to be an invited speaker on FAA maintenance policy. The group organized a guided tour with the NY Port Authority. They provided busses and a police escort across Manhattan to World Trade Center (WTC) site, now called Ground Zero. We visited the museum across the street dedicated to the memory of all those who were lost on 9/11. It was an emotional trip, there were many tears. Twisted steel from the fallen WTC, FDNY uniforms, films, and interactive displays. Our guide was a former FDNY fireman and was in the first tower when it collapsed. He said the Verizon building, pictured above, next to the WTC is responsible for saving his life. It was built in the 1930's and it took the brunt of much of the falling debris. He was buried but able to dig himself out. Two other members of FDNY that were with him were not so lucky.

IMG_0118
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

FDNY uniform pulled from the rubble.

IMG_0121
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Drawing posted inside the museum.

Fron the Garden

2008-08-02T17:30:00.003-04:00

My Ling and I planted a garden in front of our house back in April, now we are picking tomatos and cayene peppers everyday. I think I'm a farmer now.

The Boardwalk in Atlantic City

2008-07-26T23:03:00.013-04:00

IMG_9901
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Took Ling to Atlantic City for the weekend. Had a nice time walking and shopping on the boardwalk. She got this great hat to shield her skin from the sun. Bought a new swim suit too and spent some time in the ocean.

Zhong Guo Ren

2008-07-25T12:20:00.006-04:00

IMG_7732
Originally uploaded by ObieVIP

Wo da lao po shi zhong guo ren. Wo da lao po shi fei chang mei le, fei chang chong ming, fei chang shan liang, fei chang ai wo. Ni de lao gong shi fei chang gao xing. Wo ai ni duo.