A Special Time Creative

Corner – photo challenge: The Temple Bar, Dublin

This week’s photo challenge of the Daily Post is about ‘corners’. In general, a corner can be an edge or meeting point of lines, streets, walls or similar things. Thinking of that, I directly remembered a specific are in central Dublin, located on the south bank of the River Liffey, which is called Temple Bar. It is circled by Fishamble Street at the west site, Dame Street in the South, Westmoreland Street in the East and the River Liffey in the north. Temple Bar is known the most cultural quarter in Dublin and popular for its lively nightlife and bars. With many streets and crossroads it’s always a surprise what might could be expected around the corner. Many corners are places for some of the lovely pubs the quarter is known for. One of the most popular venue there is The Temple Bar Pub.

The pub was founded by Sir William Temple (1555-1627) who moved to this area and built his house with garden on the newly claimed land at the corner of Temple Lane and the street Temple Bar. The name ‘Temple Bar’ originated in the 17^th century when the word ‘Barr’ stood for a raised estuary sandbank that was used by people to walk on. Later the term was shortened to ‘Bar’. As the Temple family’s plot was located alongside the embankment of the River Liffey, it became known as ‘Temple’s Barr’ or short ‘Temple Bar’. Nowadays, around 160 years later, the bar is a lovely place to explore new musician, meet with friends and experience a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It’s definitely a place where you will experience a special time 😉

CIMG7503x — Temple Bar – Dublin, Ireland

CIMG7507x — Temple Bar at the corner – Dublin, Ireland

CIMG7508x — House wall of the Temple Bar – Dublin, Ireland

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Silverstein

Quite a while ago I went to a really amazing concert in a former church in Frankfurt, called St. Peter. The band that was playing was Silverstein.

The Canadian Post-hardcore band was funded in 2000 in Burlington, Ontario, and consists of the original founding members Shane Told (vocals), Josh Bradford (guitar), Paul Koehler (drums), Bill Hamilton (bass) and Paul Marc Rousseau (guitar) who joined the band in 2013. Musically, they combine genres such as hardcore, metal and emo. However, the band itself stated to be influenced by many different artists and genres such as post-hardcore, screamo, indie rock and hardcore punk.

So far, the band released nine studio albums. The first one, called ‘When Broken Is Easily Fixed’, was recorded in 2003 at Unity Gain and Mount Fairview studios after two previously released EP’s (‘Summer’s Stellar Gaze’ and ‘When The Shadows Beam’) and released via Victory Records. The style of this album is seen as a newer different post-hardcore and screamo. In 2005 the second album ‘Discovering The Waterfront’ was released via Victory Records, showing some differences musically. The album contains more energetic songs with a faster pace as well as more punk rock aspects, which opened up to a broader audience. Hence, in 2006 the band toured with the Vans Wrapped Tour through the USA and released a compilation album ’18 Candles: The Early Years’ which included the first two self-financed EPs as well as various alternate versions of songs from their first two studio albums. One year later in 2007, the band released their third full-length album called ‘Arrivals And Depatures’ via Victory Records. The Album was produced by Mark Trombino and sold over 27.000 times in the first week. Afterwards, they toured through the USA, parts of Europe and Australia with bands such as Rise Against, Blessthefall, The Devil Wears Prada, A Day To Remember and Pierce The Veil. Following a short creative break, the fourth album was announced to be released in 2009 and was called ‘A Shipwreck In The Sand’ (Victoria Records). Afterwards, they again started touring with different bands as well as they had some concerts at Vans Wrapped Tour and a solo tour which was recorded and released as live DVD in 2010. The band released their fifth album ‘Rescue’ which was originally planned to be called ‘Set This All Ablaze’ (Fearless Records / Universal Music) in 2011, after another EP ‘Transitions’ (2010) which already included some of the new album’s songs. An additional EP and the sixth album ‘Short Songs’ with 22 songs under 90 seconds was released later during the same year and supported by another tour called ‘Short Tour’. Shortly after they finished their tour, the band announced the departure of their former guitarist and announced Paul Marc Rousseau as their new guitarist. With this change, the seventh album ‘This Is How The Wind Shifts’ (Fearless Records) was released in 2013 and followed by touring with Vans Wraped Tour as well as further special and re-releases of former albums. Throughout 2014 Silverstein toured worldwide and set up a European tour which I was lucky to join 🙂 In 2015, the band’s eighth studio album ‘I Am Alive In Everything I Touch’ (BMG Rights Management / Warner Music) was released and followed by three music videos of the singles. Their newest and ninth album ‘Dead Reflection’ (BMG Rights Management / Warner Music) was released just a few months ago in July 2017.

The concert I went to was located in a former local Christian church in Frankfurt called Peterskirche which was built between 1891 and 1894. However, between 2004 and 2007 the church was rebuilt as youth and culture church Sankt Peter. They now offer cultural events, workshops, church services and catering. The nave is now the venue for different events such as concerts and fits around 1000 people. The light show and acoustic provided have been really good and made the time at the venue quite special.

IMG_2878x — Paul Marc Rousseau of Silverstein

IMG_3023x — Shane Told and Josh Bradford

Supporting Silverstein, Lonely The Brave and As It Is came along as special guests opening the evening.

First band on the stage has been As It Is, a British alternative punk rock band which I will talk about in a separate post as well.

Lonely The Brave, who I’ve previously have seen in Coventry as supporting act for Deaf Havana, went on stage right after As It Is. Lonely The Brave is a British rock band from Cambridge, founded in 2013 by David Jakes (vocals), Mark Trotter (guitar), Andrew Bushen (bass) and Gavin Edgely (drums). Right after their formation they were able to play at the Download Festival in the UK followed by some concerts in Europe with the Deftones. 2013, the EP ‘Backroads’ was released via Hassle Records followed by further concerts and a solo tour in the UK. In the following year the band had some concerts at festivals such as Rock am Ring / Rock im Park, Pukkelpop as well as Reading and Leeds Festival. They also released their debut album ‘The Day’s War’ (2014) which charted on 14 of the British Album Charts and was followed by more concerts as main support of the British alternative rock band Deaf Havana in 2014 in the UK. One of these concerts was in Coventry where I went to.

IMG_2609x — Lonely The Brave enjying the stage

The third and main band for the evening was Silverstein. After the first two bands already hyped up the crowd and got them moving a lot, the people seemed to have even more power left for Silverstein. Everyone clapped and sung along, there have been crowd surfers and circle pits which created a magical atmosphere. The atmosphere was really great as well! It was definitely a special time visiting the concert with great performances, an amazing atmosphere and loads of awesome music. I always appreciate bands that show how much fun they have on stage and so far I was absolutely lucky to have been experiencing that at every concert I went to 🙂

IMG_3111x — Shane Told and Josh Bradford

IMG_3076x — Great show and the band enjoying the stage

IMG_3035x — Paul Marc Rousseau enjying the stage

IMG_2992x — Silverstein having fun on stage

IMG_2955x — Silverstein having a great time

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Ooh, shiny! – photo challenge

This week‘s photo challenge of the Daily Post has the topic ‘Ooh, shiny!’ and is about something that catches your attention immediately, no matter what you are doing or have been doing before.
Well, despite being focused and organised most of the time everyone has those moments when something happens that immediately catches your attention no matter how focused and concentrated you have been before. This also happens to me… Walking around the city searching for a specific place or talking to friends – when I hear an amazing sounding voice or music I really like, I’m immediately distracted 😀 When the clouds turn into a great pink or orange colour as the sun is setting I’m definitely grabbing my camera (if I have it with me) or phone to take loads of pictures. Tiny sparkling raindrops on flowers or leaves also get my attention as they sparkle in the sunlight in the morning or after a heavy rain. Furthermore, walking along the coast while I’m on holiday, I could watch the sea and waves for hours. Whenever I find big crushing or splashing waves they’ll definitely get my attention 😀

All those small things always bring a special time with them, no matter how small they seem to be 😉

IMG_5407x — Keywest in Dublin having a live session! Their music immediately caught me 🙂

CIMG3010x — Shiny sunset in Newquay – Cornwall, England

CIMG3479x — Splashing waves in Cornwall, England

IMG_2461x — Amazing coast view – Land’s End Cornwall, England

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Elemental – photo challenge

This week’s photo challenge of the Daily’s Post is ‘elemental’. The theory of the four elements first occurred some time around 500 and 400 BC as the Greek philosophe Heraclid combined all four elements which are fire, water, air and earth. It is stated that everything comes from the combination of those elements.

If I want to calm down and feel completely free or kind of connect with the earth, the best place to go is somewhere at the rough coast. It is always a special time exploring the different elements either each one at one time or all at once. At the coast, there is the heat of the burning sun, the sound of the boisterous sea, the sand underneath the feet and the salty taste of the fresh air 🙂

cimg2113x — Burning an setting sun – Fire

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Textures – photo challenge

This week’s photo challenge of the Daily’s Post is about different ‘textures’. A quite broad topic as there are different ways to describe the meaning of ‘texture’ or more precisely, textures can be a consistency, feel or appearance of a substance or surface.

Walking around in nature, there are many different plants, landscapes, stones and other things that have their own specific texture or might combine different textures to make them individual. The beach can show different sand textures, plants can have very thick leaves, snow could show sparkling ice crystals and flowers might have different textures regarding their leaves as well. It is always a special time having a walk in nature and exploring the different appearances of plants, landscapes, the flora or fauna. So here are my examples of textures in nature.

CIMG5320x — Flower with different textures

CIMG8925x — Different textures of this green plant with very thick leaves and spikes

CIMG8927x — The combination of smoothe looking clear rain drops and the spikey thick leaves

Garten (239)x — Ice crystals creating different textures in the soft snow

la susi holland 1612x — The sea created a specific pattern in the sand leaving different textures with the shells and sandy coast

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Land’s End

Visiting the southern coast of England, I also went to ‘Land’s End‘, a headland and lovely holiday area in Cornwall, which is part of the Penwith peninsula and seen as the most westerly point of England. The edge is marked by the ‘First and Last House’ which is now a small gift shop.

CIMG7712x — Way to Land’s End – Cornwall, England

CIMG7713x — Land’s End – Cornwall, England

CIMG7717x — Coast path view – Cornwall, England

CIMG7897x — First and Last House – Cornwall, England

The place is especially known for end to end journeys and as part of the common phrase ‘from Land’s End to John o’Groats’ for very long distances. For over two hundred years, tourists have been visiting. In the early days the visitors often travelled to the point by foot or horse as the path was muddy and small. Today, around two hundred meters away, there is a big entertainment complex with cafés, food stalls, small shops, a hotel and other entertainment facilities.

CIMG7882x — Coast path – Cornwall, England

CIMG7812x — Land’s End – Cornwall, England

CIMG7832x — Way to Land’s End – Cornwall, England

CIMG7914x — Land’s End – Cornwall, England

Until 1982, Land’s End was owned by a Cornish family before it was David Goldstone who sold it to the National Trust later on. David Goldstone also developed the theme park that is hosting a night-time firework with live music twice a week during August.

CIMG7920x — Tourist attraction at Land’s End – Cornwall, England

CIMG7890x — Small lighthouse at Land’s End – Cornwall, England

In my opinion, the point itself is not very spectacular and crowded with loads of people. However, as I started in Sennen Cove and walked along the coast path all the way to Land’s End, it was a very nice view and a special time. It is very interesting to stand at the most westerly part of England at the edge – literally at the land’s end 😉

CIMG7833x — Rough sea at Land’s End – Cornwall, England

CIMG7877x — Colourful flora around Land’s End – Cornwall, England

CIMG7932x — View back at the tourist attraction and the hotel at Land’s End – Cornwall, England

CIMG7933x — Beautiful coast at Land’s End – Cornwall, England

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Satisfaction – photo challenge

This week’s photo challenge of the Daily’s Post is about ‘satisfaction’. Especially regarding photography and holidays there is nothing more satisfying than an amazing cliff and cost path with a beautiful view. Walking along Saint David’s Head in Wales was absolutely amazing and the view was more than satisfying. I had a special time taking all the pictures there 🙂

CIMG6289x — Beautiful view at St. David’s coast path – Wales, UK

CIMG6303x — Satisfying coast view – Wales, UK

CIMG6313x — Beautiful landscape at St. David’s – Wales, UK

CIMG6345x — Beautiful coast line – Wales, UK

Sunshine Blogger Award :)

I just saw that I have been nominated fort the “Sunshine Blogger Award” the second time now by Amela of ‘magic and beauty’ – THANK YOU VERY MUCH 🙂 I am really honoured and I am really happy about that and never thought that so many people would like my blog. I really appreciate it! So, thank you very much for taking your time and stopping by!!!

Amela also has been nominated for the award and has a lovely blog herself, which is called ‘Magic and beauty’. She also has great posts and beautiful pictures! You will definitely have a special time stopping by and looking around at her blog 🙂

The rules for accepting the award are as follows:

Thank the person who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you.
Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

Here are my answers to the questions:What is your favourite movie/TV show?

1. What is your favourite movie/TV show?

Good question.. I really like movies and TV shows so it’s always hard to decide. But for now I would say, my favourite movie is ‘Begin Again’ and my favourite TV show is Reign.

2. What is something you are dependent on?

I always need some kind of music around me 🙂

3. Favourite drink and food?

Usually I just drink water. My favourite food is any kind of pasta with tomato sauce (very boring, I know…). But I also love Mexican, Indian and Chinese food.

4. Favourite hobby?

I love playing piano, photography, horse riding and running.

5. What kind of music are you listening to?

I mainly listen to rock, alternative, post-hardcore and classic.

6. Why did you start your blog?

I love taking pictures. So normally after a trip I end up with loads and loads of pictures. Hence, I thought it might be a good idea to start a blog and also write a bit about the story behind the pictures. That’s how I started the blog.

7. What kind of social media platforms do you usually use for your blog?

I use Instagram and Facebook. Have a look and feel free to follow me there as well ;).

8. If you have a blog/site focused on certain topics, but are suddenly inspired to write a post about something else, would you do it?

Yes, sure, why not! I think it is important to write about topics I am passionate about.

9. What is the name of your country?

Germany.

10. Favourite blogs?

My favourite blog is ‘Popcornfilme’. They always give interesting and honest reviews for the newest movies 🙂 Have look as well!

11. Any advice for potential bloggers-beginners?

Be passionate about what you post and write. If you stand behind your posts and create them with your heart it will touch others as well. Do worry or quit too soon. It takes time and patience to get noticed, but you shouldn’t have a blog just to be ‘cool’ anyway. Start a blog for yourself and because you want to start it – not for the sake of others or becoming famous 😉

My nominees are:

… Collecting Other Places

… Cee Neuner

… Books, Music, Photgraphy, & Movies

… Actively Rees

… Adventures on the run

… Food Love Travel

… RubysPolaroid

… Jackie’s World Travel

… Rotkaepchenamsee

… Music is my life

… Rich Bitch Cooking

My questions:

What is your intention behind writing blog posts?
What is your favourite band?
Which movie and/or TV series would you recommend?
What was the most impressive place you have visited?
How many languages can you speak?
What is your favourite recipe?
Is there a national food/meal for your country?
Have you visited some festivals this year? (If so: which and where?)
If you could choose, where would you like to live?
Have you any hobbies?
If you could have a super power what would that be?

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Unusual – photo challenge

This week’s photo challenge of the Daily Post has the topic ‘unusual’. Travelling through different countries and cities always comes along with some surprises. Especially architecture can be very arty and unusual. Some of the most unusual looking architecture that I’ve seen were in the Netherlands in Rotterdam. The city itself is known for interesting architecture. Hence, there are some quite unique and unusual buildings. For me, the three most unusual constructions have been the new market hall, the pencil house and the Kubus flats. It is definitely a special time visiting this arty city and very interesting to see all those different buildings.

CIMG7025x — Kubus flats – Rotterdam, Netherlands

CIMG7026x — Kubus flats and pencil house – Rotterdam, Netherlands

CIMG6987x — Pencil house – Rotterdam, Netherlands

CIMG6999x — Pencil house and market hall – Rotterdam, Netherlands

CIMG6981x — Pencil house and Market Hall – Rotterdam, Netherlands

CIMG7007x — Market Hall and reflection – Rotterdam, Netherlands

CIMG6980x — Market Hall – Rotterdam, Netherlands

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Collage – photo challenge

This time the post for the Daily Post’s photo challenge with the topic ‘collage’ was a little bit delayed. However, here it is 🙂

Walking through different cities there are always some very interesting graffities and artistic paintings in the streets. Sometimes they are not legally there and don’t have any value at all. However, in more cultural and creative districts you can find very pretty and creative paintings, graffitis, collages, fancy storefronts or other artistic things with loads of value. Those creations mostly attract many tourists as well. It is always a special time walking through a city and exploring all those creative spots.

So here are some painted collages of the Camden area in London.

IMG_9879x — Unknown artist – graffiti, Camden London

IMG_1722x — Painting, unknown artist – Camden, London

IMG_1723x — Different storefronts – Camden, London

CIMG4792x — Collage as storefront – Camden, London

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