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Lego Friends

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Original Lego Miniifigures

Original Lego Minifigures

Recently there has been a giant upheaval in the miniature world of Lego. After decades of the figures all being the same height and shape, there is a new group known as “Lego Friends”. After themed lego sets for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter, you might guess the new figures would have a passing resemblance to Chandler and Joey. Instead, these Lego Friends are an even more bizzare creation, they’re little girls.

Lego Friends Arrival

New Girl in Legoland

The girls are actually taller than the men, they’re less boxy, and they have manes of flowing hair. They also have more natural skin tones (unless you live in Springfield, where bright yellow faces are perfectly normal).

Is Lego playing to gender stereotypes? Is it giving up on tradition to make a quick krone? Or is it simply evolving and introducing Lego to more discerning children?

Except for a worried looking policeman, the arrival of the girls to Legoland has brought nothing but smiles.

Lego Friends Arrival

Making Friends

Sabani Boat Race in Ginoza, Okinawa

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Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

A few shots of the sabani boat race from Kanna Beach in Ginoza last Saturday. Scorching sunlight made for a sweaty couple of hours walking on the beach. On days like this you really want to be in the water, but it was great to get some photos of these beautiful, traditional craft.

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Sabani Boat Races in Ginoza, Okinawa

Michael the Grey

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Michael as Gandalf / Dumbledore / Moses

Michael as Gandalf / Dumbledore / Moses

 

Michael was the first choice for the roles of Gandalf, Moses and Dumbledore. He declined all offers saying the jobs would provide very little as a challenge to him as an actor. He hopes to broaden his range by playing Fantine in an off-Broadway production of Les Misérables.

Hidden Gems

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Still organizing my images from India. Trying to get everything sorted, starred and keyworded before I head off on my next overseas trip.

Some photographs have immediate impact, usually the close up portraits with eye contact. Other more subtle images may fall through the cracks the first time I look through the thumbnails in Lightroom particularly if they don’t fit my usual style of shots.

Indian Couple - Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Indian Couple – Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Just came across this image, a snapshot I took while wandering along the street during my final day in Jaipur. I happened to look down an alleyway, saw this couple, and took a pic. It’s very different to my other photographs (it looks like something one of my photographer friends Alfie Goodrich or Matt Brandon would have shot) which perhaps is why I missed it the first time, and love it now.

Morijio, or mori-shio (盛塩)

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Morijio, or mori-shio (盛塩) purifying bowls of salt

Morijio, or mori-shio (盛塩) purifying bowls of salt

Morijio, or mori-shio (盛塩) is a little mound of salt found outside some homes and businesses. Salt is a traditional spiritual purifier in Japan, which is why you see sumo wrestlers throwing it into the ring before bouts. These pics were from my visit to Kyoto last fall.

Morijio, or mori-shio (盛塩) purifying bowls of salt

Morijio, or mori-shio (盛塩) purifying bowls of salt

July 30, 1978

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Memorial at the 730 Crossing Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan,

Memorial at the 730 Crossing Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan,

In 1972, Okinawa rejoined Japan. Six years later, on 30th July 1978 traffic rules reverted, so that once again cars drove on the left.  A small memorial beside the 730 Crossing on  Ishigaki island, serves as a reminder.