Iceland
June 2-9, 2018
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Beauty of Iceland
The unique beauty of Iceland can be captured with your iPhone, even under bright sunlight...
Iceland
June 2-9, 2018
Iceland
June 2-9, 2018
Thursday, June 21, 2018
A Note to Readers by Charles Krauthammer
June 20, 2018
WASHINGTON – Charles Krauthammer, a man who has beaten unbelievable odds and overcome obstacles that would defeat most mortals, has finally encountered one foe over which he says he can't claim victory.
In a note to readers Friday, he announced that he has only a few weeks to live following a battle with cancer.
The nobility with which Charles has conducted his life was as-ever apparent in his brief note. With his customary writer's concision and his physician's precision, he explained his circumstances without sentimentality. A tumor had been removed from his abdomen early on, he reported, and though his prospects for recovery had seemed good for a while, the cancer returned and is moving rapidly.
Most people don't get to say goodbye and almost none as eloquently. He thanked all who have helped him along the way, including colleagues as well as his readers and television viewers, "who have made my career possible and given consequence to my life's work."
In the final two paragraphs, Charles summed up his life and principles: "I believe that the pursuit of truth and right ideas through honest debate and rigorous argument is a noble undertaking. I am grateful to have played a small role in the conversations that have helped guide this extraordinary nation's destiny.
"I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life – full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living. I am sad to leave, but I leave with the knowledge that I lived the life that I intended."
Anyone reading those words must be thinking the same: I hope I can say that someday. Of course, someday is any day, as Charles learned at 22 when a diving accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Undeterred, he completed medical school and became a psychiatrist. Charles later recounted that professors came to his room and projected his lessons on the ceiling over the bed where he lay…
However, recent tests have revealed that the cancer has returned. There was no sign of it as recently as a month ago, which means it is aggressive and spreading rapidly. My doctors tell me their best estimate is that I have only a few weeks left to live. This is the final verdict. My fight is over.
I wish to thank my doctors and caregivers, whose efforts have been magnificent. My dear friends, who have given me a lifetime of memories and whose support has sustained me through these difficult months. And all of my partners at The Washington Post, Fox News, and Crown Publishing.
Lastly, I thank my colleagues, my readers, and my viewers, who have made my career possible and given consequence to my life’s work. I believe that the pursuit of truth and right ideas through honest debate and rigorous argument is a noble undertaking. I am grateful to have played a small role in the conversations that have helped guide this extraordinary nation’s destiny.
I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life — full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living. I am sad to leave, but I leave with the knowledge that I lived the life that I intended.
WASHINGTON – Charles Krauthammer, a man who has beaten unbelievable odds and overcome obstacles that would defeat most mortals, has finally encountered one foe over which he says he can't claim victory.
In a note to readers Friday, he announced that he has only a few weeks to live following a battle with cancer.
The nobility with which Charles has conducted his life was as-ever apparent in his brief note. With his customary writer's concision and his physician's precision, he explained his circumstances without sentimentality. A tumor had been removed from his abdomen early on, he reported, and though his prospects for recovery had seemed good for a while, the cancer returned and is moving rapidly.
Most people don't get to say goodbye and almost none as eloquently. He thanked all who have helped him along the way, including colleagues as well as his readers and television viewers, "who have made my career possible and given consequence to my life's work."
In the final two paragraphs, Charles summed up his life and principles: "I believe that the pursuit of truth and right ideas through honest debate and rigorous argument is a noble undertaking. I am grateful to have played a small role in the conversations that have helped guide this extraordinary nation's destiny.
"I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life – full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living. I am sad to leave, but I leave with the knowledge that I lived the life that I intended."
Anyone reading those words must be thinking the same: I hope I can say that someday. Of course, someday is any day, as Charles learned at 22 when a diving accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Undeterred, he completed medical school and became a psychiatrist. Charles later recounted that professors came to his room and projected his lessons on the ceiling over the bed where he lay…
A Note to Readers
I
have been uncharacteristically silent these past ten months. I had
thought that silence would soon be coming to an end, but I’m afraid I
must tell you now that fate has decided
on a different course for me.
In August of last year, I underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in my abdomen. That operation was thought to have been a success, but it caused a cascade of secondary complications — which I have been fighting in hospital ever since. It was a long and hard fight with many setbacks, but I was steadily, if slowly, overcoming each obstacle along the way and gradually making my way back to health.
In August of last year, I underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in my abdomen. That operation was thought to have been a success, but it caused a cascade of secondary complications — which I have been fighting in hospital ever since. It was a long and hard fight with many setbacks, but I was steadily, if slowly, overcoming each obstacle along the way and gradually making my way back to health.
However, recent tests have revealed that the cancer has returned. There was no sign of it as recently as a month ago, which means it is aggressive and spreading rapidly. My doctors tell me their best estimate is that I have only a few weeks left to live. This is the final verdict. My fight is over.
I wish to thank my doctors and caregivers, whose efforts have been magnificent. My dear friends, who have given me a lifetime of memories and whose support has sustained me through these difficult months. And all of my partners at The Washington Post, Fox News, and Crown Publishing.
Lastly, I thank my colleagues, my readers, and my viewers, who have made my career possible and given consequence to my life’s work. I believe that the pursuit of truth and right ideas through honest debate and rigorous argument is a noble undertaking. I am grateful to have played a small role in the conversations that have helped guide this extraordinary nation’s destiny.
I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life — full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living. I am sad to leave, but I leave with the knowledge that I lived the life that I intended.
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Nature and Human
For once, travel is not about me or my photography. Iceland is one of those places on earth that makes you realize how small and insignificant humans are... Hope my photos below adequately reflect that.
Trip with Dr. Michelle in Iceland.
Iceland
June 2-9, 2018
Trip with Dr. Michelle in Iceland.
Iceland
June 2-9, 2018
Sunday, June 10, 2018
The Prelude
For a long time, I have always wanted to spend 2-3 months in Iceland to
thoroughly experience this magic piece of land - the snowy winter, the
frozen waterfalls, the massive glacier, the northern lights, and
ideally, the volcano eruptions...
Well, I just spent a week here, and maybe it can be considered as the prelude to the future.
Only took a few postcard photos. My job on this trip was to take photos for Dr. Michelle -:)
Iceland
June 2-9, 2018
Well, I just spent a week here, and maybe it can be considered as the prelude to the future.
Only took a few postcard photos. My job on this trip was to take photos for Dr. Michelle -:)
Iceland
June 2-9, 2018
Sunday, May 27, 2018
A message in a bottle
Pretty unbelievable and fascinating story... Fia, the girl who
found the bottle, was the Second Officer on our trip to Antarctica
earlier this year -- what a small world!!
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Happy Mother's Day
Michelle posted this on Facebook this morning - it made my day!
Shout out to the coolest Mom, who has, among other things, always dressed me with style. But really Mom, thank you for everything that you’ve done for me - for raising me with discipline but also an open mind, for guiding me in the right direction while still letting me find my own way. Thank you for every sacrifice you’ve made for me these past 28 years, which are too many to count. Thank you for constantly being an inspiration and finding your own genuine happiness so that you can teach me how to find mine. Thank you for always sharing your wisdom with me (even when you’re pretty sure I’m not listening). Thank you for taking me everywhere in the world, from Beijing to San Diego to Hawaii to Iceland (soon!). Thank you for your unconditional love, which has always made me feel safe and secure, even (and especially) when everything else in the world feels chaotic.
You are an awesome lady and you show me what it means to have a life well-lived. Happy Mother’s Day! I love you!
Shout out to the coolest Mom, who has, among other things, always dressed me with style. But really Mom, thank you for everything that you’ve done for me - for raising me with discipline but also an open mind, for guiding me in the right direction while still letting me find my own way. Thank you for every sacrifice you’ve made for me these past 28 years, which are too many to count. Thank you for constantly being an inspiration and finding your own genuine happiness so that you can teach me how to find mine. Thank you for always sharing your wisdom with me (even when you’re pretty sure I’m not listening). Thank you for taking me everywhere in the world, from Beijing to San Diego to Hawaii to Iceland (soon!). Thank you for your unconditional love, which has always made me feel safe and secure, even (and especially) when everything else in the world feels chaotic.
You are an awesome lady and you show me what it means to have a life well-lived. Happy Mother’s Day! I love you!
Night at Badwater Basin
Night at Badwater Basin
282 Feet Below Sea Level
The drama started with my assistant telling me that all direct flights going back to Chicago on Friday had been sold out. So, I decided to spend a day at Death Valley.
This time of the year, Death Valley can reach 108F during the day. When I arrived, the burning heat waves greeted me! Walking on the salt flats in the afternoon sun, you can literally see the steaming air rising from the surface of the harshly tortured ground.
I have been to Death Valley many times over the past 6 years. Each time, I try to carefully schedule the time of my visit, as I know this massively open place can also be unforgivably dangerous. All my past visits have been between December and February, when the place offers soothing, warm winter sun and tremendous serenity.
Well, I can say that Death Valley showed me her violent side this time. Not only did the heat waves burn my skin to remind me how dangerous the desert could turn into, but the sandstorms were equally scary and unforgiving. I have never seen Death Valley being covered by a sea of yellow. All of a sudden, the mountains around you disappeared - you found yourself surrounded by sands with extremely low visibility, just like driving through lake effect snow under complete whiteout conditions... except that, this time, you’re driving through sands and they violently beat the body and windows of your innocent little car!
Even with the strong winds, I decided to go to Badwater Basin to take a star track picture at night, and that led to the high point of the drama on this trip.
I arrived at Badwater before sunset. Following Rudi's advice, I locked my parking spot on my iPhone. I then walked and walked -- deep into the salt flats where in front of me, behind me and all around me is covered by evenly patterned salt flats. On my way in, I frequently looked back trying to remember how to get back to my car... When I settled in at my shooting spot before dark, I could still see from far away the path that would take me back to the parking lot. I even tried very hard to remember the shape of the mountains. I was quite sure that there would be no problem to get back. Boy was I wrong - people get into trouble when they over estimate themselves or underestimate their surroundings.
Not sure if I need to continue telling the rest of the story...
On my LONG journey back in the TOTAL DARKNESS, many thoughts went through my head. I thought that I might get lucky to find the way -- because I have never been unlucky in my life; I also thought about the possibility that I might have to spend the night in the dark to wait for the morning light to guide me back... I couldn’t look up to the mountains too often because they were so TALL and so DARK!! With my shaking hands, I turned on my iPhone, pulled up the location I saved 4+ hours ago and tried to walk toward that direction... What I can tell you is: unless you have a hiking GPS map, the usual Google Map in this type of situations can only offer very limited directional guidance -- you’re pretty much on your own! And the problem with massive open space at night is that everything around you looks the same in all directions.
The rest of the way was filled with more darkness, stronger winds and the sound of my steps in wet salt flats. Hearing the wet steps and seeing some spots with water made me worry, because I was obviously in an area that was unfamiliar to me from all the areas I covered earlier in the afternoon when I could see everything.
I would be lying to you if I told you that I wasn't nervous. But I was more determined to find the way back, and that became my #1 priority. When I finally made it back to the parking lot, the 40-mile drive back to the hotel did not seem long at all. I locked my doors, turned on the music, and for the first time in the entire day, the calmness seemed immense ... Comparing to the darkness at Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level, the nightly roads in Death Valley were soothingly beautiful.
Here is the one and only photo I got. The star trails are not as smooth as I'd have liked because my little tripod could hardly withstand the strong winds...
Death Valley, California
May 12, 2018
282 Feet Below Sea Level
The drama started with my assistant telling me that all direct flights going back to Chicago on Friday had been sold out. So, I decided to spend a day at Death Valley.
This time of the year, Death Valley can reach 108F during the day. When I arrived, the burning heat waves greeted me! Walking on the salt flats in the afternoon sun, you can literally see the steaming air rising from the surface of the harshly tortured ground.
I have been to Death Valley many times over the past 6 years. Each time, I try to carefully schedule the time of my visit, as I know this massively open place can also be unforgivably dangerous. All my past visits have been between December and February, when the place offers soothing, warm winter sun and tremendous serenity.
Well, I can say that Death Valley showed me her violent side this time. Not only did the heat waves burn my skin to remind me how dangerous the desert could turn into, but the sandstorms were equally scary and unforgiving. I have never seen Death Valley being covered by a sea of yellow. All of a sudden, the mountains around you disappeared - you found yourself surrounded by sands with extremely low visibility, just like driving through lake effect snow under complete whiteout conditions... except that, this time, you’re driving through sands and they violently beat the body and windows of your innocent little car!
Even with the strong winds, I decided to go to Badwater Basin to take a star track picture at night, and that led to the high point of the drama on this trip.
I arrived at Badwater before sunset. Following Rudi's advice, I locked my parking spot on my iPhone. I then walked and walked -- deep into the salt flats where in front of me, behind me and all around me is covered by evenly patterned salt flats. On my way in, I frequently looked back trying to remember how to get back to my car... When I settled in at my shooting spot before dark, I could still see from far away the path that would take me back to the parking lot. I even tried very hard to remember the shape of the mountains. I was quite sure that there would be no problem to get back. Boy was I wrong - people get into trouble when they over estimate themselves or underestimate their surroundings.
Not sure if I need to continue telling the rest of the story...
On my LONG journey back in the TOTAL DARKNESS, many thoughts went through my head. I thought that I might get lucky to find the way -- because I have never been unlucky in my life; I also thought about the possibility that I might have to spend the night in the dark to wait for the morning light to guide me back... I couldn’t look up to the mountains too often because they were so TALL and so DARK!! With my shaking hands, I turned on my iPhone, pulled up the location I saved 4+ hours ago and tried to walk toward that direction... What I can tell you is: unless you have a hiking GPS map, the usual Google Map in this type of situations can only offer very limited directional guidance -- you’re pretty much on your own! And the problem with massive open space at night is that everything around you looks the same in all directions.
The rest of the way was filled with more darkness, stronger winds and the sound of my steps in wet salt flats. Hearing the wet steps and seeing some spots with water made me worry, because I was obviously in an area that was unfamiliar to me from all the areas I covered earlier in the afternoon when I could see everything.
I would be lying to you if I told you that I wasn't nervous. But I was more determined to find the way back, and that became my #1 priority. When I finally made it back to the parking lot, the 40-mile drive back to the hotel did not seem long at all. I locked my doors, turned on the music, and for the first time in the entire day, the calmness seemed immense ... Comparing to the darkness at Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level, the nightly roads in Death Valley were soothingly beautiful.
Here is the one and only photo I got. The star trails are not as smooth as I'd have liked because my little tripod could hardly withstand the strong winds...
Death Valley, California
May 12, 2018
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