Nobody Does It Better.

TO KATE AND WILLIAM

EVERY HAPPINESS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE .

Your happiness has brought so much joy to billions around the world and for this we say thank you .

This day has strengthened the 'Great' in Britain . It's a fact universally acknowledged that when it comes to ceremony , tradition , and Monarchy , nobody does it better . So I for one say here's to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge !

A Celebration of Life , Freedom Plus Technology

I hope that your Easter has been enjoyable. Europe has experienced excellent weather and in Berlin the festival was reflected in the overall happiness of people . Easter Sunday had a particular significance for Berliners . Fifty years ago on April 24th 1961 they awoke to discover the wall had been built .Their city , families , places of work were to be divided. This could have meant 'death' to the western part of the city . Yet, after many frustrations plus an airlift to break the blockade they finally, in 1989, breached the madness . It was Germans who broke down that wall . The airlift was peaceful .No bombs were dropped . Cameron and Co do take note . So onto the collage . This marks a celebration of photography in my life . The box camera was a gift when I was extremely young .I still have it to this day .Top right is the tiny Tchibo camera I bought for approximately 68 euro .This had me hooked on digital , especially video making . Bottom centre is one beloved Pansaonic Lumix DMC TZ10 . These cameras serve as markers . The Panasonic has enabled the three main photographic colours effects to be seen :- sepia / black and white / colour. Fascinating contrasts. Each has a place still. The mini coloured collage within the collage is a Mac iPhoto Booth work . Imagine what an Easter posting will look like 50 years from now . Let's wait , see and use this tremendous technology for the improvement of our world .

This Easter ,Imagine Then Imagine Again .

The following lyrics from the late John Lennon plus a quote of Benjamin Franklin are my choice for this Easter.

Easter is a celebration of new life triumphing over death . Of rebirth , thus a new beginning. How apt therefore, that in this world which , without blinking an eye ,spends over 1 trillion dollars annually on weapons. ,whilst ignoring that each day over a billion humans wake up to real hunger and abject poverty . Isn't it time we all imagined and worked towards the goals set out in this most amazing none denominational song. Over your BBQ's, chocolates etc I ask you to take five minutes to 'IMAGINE ' . It can become a reality .

Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one

This beautiful work released in 1971 contains all that is worth believing in and working towards.

Then maybe these words of Benjamin Franklin will come true.

Music Makes My World Go Round .

On a warm sunny day it was wonderful to sit on the ground in Gendarmenmarkt Berlin and film this talented Polish musician as he sat playing the clarinet. From Warsaw ,he plays classical as well as many other genre .Why I ask , are the arts and talented people so underfunded , and supported , yet money is never a problem for wars and the weapons industry .
Earlier I'd had a coffee whilst watching a jazz musician . Do note the bride and groom on the steps of the Konzerthaus . They certainly had the weather and the music .... Good luck to them for their future and to all musicians who bring so much pleasure to our lives .

Night and Day, Berlin is the 'one'

The weather has been sensational so all the more reason to double my cycling *.A tip to all who visit is ... do rent a bike . It's a city built for such and you will see so much more of this wonderful capital .
Here are a few shots captured over the last few days .Just as at night there is much to see , do and experience , so it is during the day.
Late this afternoon after a hectic schedule round and about I was only too glad to spot 'Minouche ' a Cafe and Patisserie .Situated at Budapesterstr 6 not only do they serve excellent coffee etc , they have also created a wonderful oasis where you can unwind . In these surroundings one can read, snooze, listen to an iPod or simply people watch .It scores full marks on Ms V's scale . Then my final surprise find of the day . Photo Huber at Budapesterstr 22. They know their cameras and just what is possible . Using my experimental shot of the moon , (taken last night) they made a good enlargement and framed it for me . Other shops had said not possible. Two more places I will be frequenting and can recommend.

A Lunar, Lumix Experiment Ms V Style

For sure I need a telescope . Regular readers are aware of my lunar passion Tonight it is huge ,low in the sky and so yellow. No chance of sleeep for me until it has sailed by . To capture the colour and as much shadow as possible I stood for ages holding the camera lens to the right lens of a pair of not very good binoculars . Actually the were pretty decent when used as intended but this mini experiment has pleased me and shown me that a telescope is a muct have .......

'The Roaring Fifties' In Berlin

This group is sensational and with their wealth of experience one can't go wrong .Karl Heinz Wahren ( piano ) took time to answer some of my questions . These five musicians met years ago whilst studying music .They got together and began playing.as a group.
As is the way with student life , it comes to an end and each went his own way . Axel Knuth for example played with a major symphony orchestra .. Karl Heinz went into composition . Then approximately twenty years ago they reformed and began playing as a group once more.
Their next scheduled appearance is on May 22nd at Literaturhaus Berlin , Fasanenstraße 23 .. It will be from 11am - 14pm. A good way to start the day .

* double click for full screen viewing .

Coming Shortly At A Blog Near You

My first movie trailer made using a Mac Book . Now there is an adventure .The film is due for release . However no oscars expected . Merely a pat on the back from myself for fathoming how to get this ...It's a laugh .

Men Are From Mars- Women Are from Venus ?

Today,in Berlin, was like summer---26°c . So out on the bike along with what seemed like most of the city .Then all of a sudden I met this fantastic alien on the 17th Juni Strasse. In excellent English he informed me that his home was the galaxy ,Planet 88. (France will be peeved as it seems not only is English the world language ..it's now used out in space !) This alien was extremely friendly so let's hope more arrive .The collage shows some of Berlin's famous landmarks and a little of the city centre nature.