Tam’s Think Tank

Pritzker, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion. An amazing outdoor concert area designed by Frank Gehry. The metal “net” over the lawn is designed to be a sound system. There are speakers attached to it all over. The idea is that you get the same sound, sitting out there on the lawn, that you’d get from being in a great auditorium. Pretty cool.

Stairway To?, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Inside the Glessner House.

Trolley, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Wandered around Chicago with Martin yesterday briefly while Karen and Mary went in search of boots. We, meaning Martin and I, were more successful. We found photos. The boots remained elusive.

Across The Street, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

This is the last photo I took on Sunday after the Bridge Pedal. The building across the street from the Deschutes Brewery.

Back Door, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The back side of the Gerding Theater. Love this building. LOVE it.

City Hall, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Lancaster, Lancashire, England.

The Lion and City Hall, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Always cool squares, monuments to famous men, and gorgeous buildings. You just can’t buy atmosphere like that, it has to be made… over time.

Gargoyles (or Little Man) in Glasgow, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Karen took this one in Glasgow. The buildings in Glasgow, like Edinburgh and London, were beautiful. Glasgow is a larger and more modern city than Edinburgh, but still lovely in it’s own right. Once a major industrial center for the U.K. it’s still a thriving and improving cultural city.

Priory, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The sun was shining right behind the priory as we approached. I took several photos, but many of them had the glowing hazy look because of it. This one I took as we walked away from it. It didn’t turn out too bad. At least you can see it.

National Gallery at Trafalgar Square, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Trafalgar Square is an impressive place. Big. A definite hang out for locals and tourists alike. This is the National Gallery. All museums, galleries, etc. are free to the public. Pretty cool eh?

Impressive Structure, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

All I can say is… wow.

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Westminster Abbey, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

What can I say? Westminster Abbey is an impressive, massive, and gorgeous piece of architecture. Amazing.

Ben And The Eye, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We walked past Big Ben, heading toward Westminster Abbey.

 

2, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

I wonder what’s behind door number 2? Monte Hall… do you know? What if, some day, we just wandered up to it and knocked. Who do you suppose would answer? Strange scientists doing secret experiments? A rock band renting the space getting ready for it’s next international tour? A guy making donuts? Elvis?

Walking Around in the Pearl, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

On Saturday we had dinner at a great place called Silk in the Pearl. It was Maggie’s choice, being that it was Maggie’s birthday and all, and so she picked Vietnamese. This place was awesome. Not a bad dish in the bunch of what we ordered. Not a bad appetizer. Not a bad drink. It was fantastic actually and we will definitely be back there for some tasty grub.

After dinner we walked a couple of blocks and then hopped on the Portland Streetcar to go over to the concert venue. What a great way to get around town. No worries about having to park over by the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

I took this shot as we walked from Silk to the streetcar stop. Just one of the condo buildings in the Pearl. They each have their own distinct personality. I liked the round windows at the corners in this one.

Parliament Building, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The Parliament Building in Victoria, B.C. Quite stunning against the bright blue sky. One of the tour guides fell in love with Weston. She even offered to babysit while we were taking a tour. We didn’t take her up on it, but it was a nice of her… even if she just selfishly wanted to snuggle with our dog.

Casa Batllo, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The theme for the photo hunt this week is different. I looked through my recent archives and ran across some pictures I took in Barcelona, Spain of the Gaudi buildings. Nothing says different and unique in architecture like a Gaudi building. Strange, beautiful and amazing stuff. I’d never seen anything like them.

 This is Casa Batlló.  You can find out more by clicking on the official site link here and/or by going to the wikipedia link here.  Check out these sites, it’s pretty interesting stuff.

If you want to join in the photo hunt follow the link here to get all the info and then start taking some pictures!

Philadelphia City Hall, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The Philadelphia City Hall is a gorgeous building.

Independence Hall, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The building where the decision for resistance and then war was made, the system of government was decided, and the constitution was drafted and signed.