Upcoming vacation time

While I haven't actually treated this blog to much travel talk lately, I though that it would be nice for a change to bring the topic back to the blog's main purpose - vacations!

I will be taking a few vacations this year, all to places that I have never been before (airport layovers do not count) and I am very excited.

The first stop of the year will be in Kapalua, Hawaii in May for Travis' sister's wedding. I haven't heard too much about the plans, but I'm pretty certain that there will be diving, massages and sun bathing. It should be a nice, chilled beach vacation - something that I haven't had in over one year. And of course, I'm also excited about the wedding!


(c) of Kris Nelson (view original here)

At the end of July, Travis and I then fly out to Montréal, so that he can finally experience the city in the summer. On the agenda is food, food and perhaps a little culture. Ideally, we will also squeeze in a visit to Québec City before we fly to Florence, Italy. There, we will explore the city and Tuscany's countryside by staying in Todi and taking numerous road trips. We are staying at an adorable villa on an olive grove - it will be magical!


(c) of Cinzia (view original here)

So, keep posted. There is travel in the near future! (And thousands of photos to be taken!)

Treats for the eyes

One of the most fantastic innovations on flickr is the new "flickr clock". Using time stamps (called "machine tag") and pooling imaged from the group of the same name, the flickr clock organises videos posted on its site as a collective 24h. As stated on the group's page, the flickr clock is "... an ongoing project that will collect member video and display it according to the (approximate) time that it was taken. As more members participate, we’ll have the opportunity to experience what a moment in time looks like from a diversity of perspectives."



Just click anywhere, and a video plays. What is especially clever is that once a video ends, a new one automatically starts - one could spend hours watching a global 24h go by without the need a single click of a mouse. This may become more addictive than YouTube, and content is generally more artistic and unique than what ends up on that site.

Another interesting discovery is the Polaroid project by Nicole Kenney and KS Rives, entitled Before I Die I Want To... This project sees fleeting moments of intimacy and vulnerability captured on Polaroids, an instant yet disappearing film medium. This may be a new type of Post Secret!


Image (C) of Nicole Kenney and KS Rives, from Before I Die I Want To...

No island job for me!

The first round of candidates were announced today, and the top 50 short-listed candidates for the "Best Job On Earth" are now posted online.

When I heard that I didn't make the cut, well, I have to say that I was (really) disappointed. I saw this job as a fantastic opportunity, sort of like winning employment lottery. But at least, I can say that I gave it a shot, and I'm proud of that.

I've watched some of the videos from the final candidates, and they are really good. Some of these people have done incredible things, have amazing skills and really deserve to have made it past the first round of selections. I am also happy that 7 Canadians have made it through - and yes, one even made a musical (and it's fantastic). Now I just have to decide who I'll give my vote to!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to view my video, vote, read my blog or send in kind words. I was really amazed with all of your support and was really pleased to have gathered over 400 views. You are all incredible!