He wasn't as fascinating as he had once appeared....

And one more card for today....dont know why I was particularly inspired for this one, but you know that I love AT cards and their humour.....and before I start, I need to make a clarification that this card aint intended for anyone in particular....but it is just something i do agree with when this card comes into question...and yeah, it is some kind of a girly yuppie talk so you can stop reading just now if your teeth cringe at the thought of reading something like this :)

I dont know if this phase happens to men to regarding women (so that they could replace the 'he' with a 'she').
But anyways....over the years Ive come to realize that this slogan has a lot of truth in it, even though at certain points it feels ridiculous....but the person whom you were deeply in love with and could go until the end of the world for, and who made you tremble with the presence only and whom you swore to love and cherish until the day you die and blah blah blah....eventually one day you realize that this person has grown so distant and that all those things you loved about him, now become so annoying..and the passion and Return to list of posts anxiety you felt tend to grow to some sort of repugnance and not even a spark seems to be alive from what was once a huge fire. All those manners you ones loved, now simply get you out of the skin.The idea of this person coming close to you makes you go step back. And this extreme change only happens with people with whom you've gone to an extreme (in the sense of feelings). The more you've fallen for someone, the more you cant stand this person eventually.....those who've been somewhere in the middle, dont seem to be concerned with the above statement.
Dont know if i made any sense to you, but I know that there are some people who've been in these shoes and they will understand what im talking about :)
And I may be talking in third person singular, but in general, im just conveying my personal thoughts of this.
What im curious about is why these extremes happen....and why something that has once been so strong, has the ability to die like that......not that I regret any of those which have whithered away, but it is funny when you find yourself in a situation, wondering about the so-called love of your life, 'how the hell on Earth I could have even imagined to marry him...". Love and infatuation are really odd things....they make life so beautiful....if you cherish them and take enough care of them, every day....

Salute to all you loving souls :)

Linz an der Donau, Austria

I got this card for the Autria vs world tag, and it shows the city of Linz...so rather different than the majority of Austrian cards I have in my collection (it is my own fault for the large quantity of Vienna cards)

the card shows the city square in Linz...which immediately reminds me of our city square and the construction works being done to it, but I wouldnt open that story right now....here, from left to right you can see the city hall, the old cathedral and the Holy Trinity pillar, which is 20m tall, marble carved in 1723 to commemorate the town's deliverance from war, fire and plague.

two stamps used on the card...the one on the left is one more common stamp, issued in 2007 in a set of 5 flower stamps, depicting Scotch Laburnum. The other stamp is a really great one, issued in 2009, representing Austrians in Hollywood, and here you can see Fred Zinnemann, an Austrian-American film director.  

Sweden

Well, this great Swedish map card is great for what I wanted to bother you with now..and if you decide you want to skip this post, i would understand, but I really have to share something, Sweden-related.

Few days ago, I had the chance to attend the concert of this Swedish band called "Jeniferever". Coming from Uppsala,  formed in 1996 (when they were still kids) but I guess more seriously involved in music since 2001. Not a world-wide-known band, and definitely barely known in Macedonia, coz to whomever I said where I was going had no idea who they were or I even got asked 'who is she?'...I guess the 'Jeni' part causes confusion :)
Anyways, I accidentally found out about them some months ago (coz im always searching for some new music to refresh my playlists), and I really liked theirs, so when I read they were coming I knew I had to go, though I had some doubts I must admit coz the same evening there was another event I wanted to attend...but Jeniferever prevailed, knowing that this is a rare chance and that I dont know when or if I will have another opportunity in the future. And....I didnt regret it...not at once!!! Jeniferever simply left me speechless that evening with their indescribable energy on stage!! (and the stage was too small, yet they managed perfectly well). I simply fell in love that evening...I think that was one of the most fantastic things that have happened to me in a long long while...and from being a band I like, they went way up high on my list...After the concert they were all even so kind that they all signed the booklet of my CD! They are such nice and so down-to-earth guys, so completely involved and dedicated in what they are doing...I really wish they weren't so underrated or that at least more people would get to know about them. Now I never pressurize anyone over tastes, and this post doesnt carry that intention either...but im still so much under impressions that I just had to share it with you and who knows, maybe someone will like their music...even if it is one person, ill be really happy :)
Why I like their music?? Ahh...thats hard to explain, but probably coz it can move me emotionally...their songs tend to be dark and melancholic...but there is this thing in them, that can make you cry and smile at the same time, and their music just brings this feeling of nostalgia....but a nostalgia I cant explain...I dont know what does it refer to, but the feeling of longing for something in the past exists...yeah, im not easy to figure out sometimes :)

And I have to say that Im really happy with their choice of songs for the concert...they only missed two of my very favourites, but im extra satisfied with what they had to offer. Being that they played at a small nightclub, there were no really boundaries between the band and the audience (except for some audio equipment on the floor) so I think that also contributed a lot to the flow of the fantastic energy Jeniferever have on stage.

Well, here is what Jeniferever is all about:

- "Sparrow Hills" - the first song I heard from them and to which I was hooked immediately...and which eventually opened to door to the Jeniferever world (and the one which unfortunately was left out from the concert, with the excuse that they havent played it for a long time)

Jeniferever - Sparrow Hills | okno.mk  (sorry but YouTube doesnt provide a decent link for this one)

- "Silesia" - the opening song of the concert, the opening song of their last album (called "Silesia" as well) and my ABSOLUTE favourite thereof!





- "From Across the Sea" (or maybe more known as 'dear Emily')...an extra sad song





- "The Hourglass" - another one of my favourites and one that they played at the concert!





- "Opposites Attract" - the second one out of the two they didnt play and which i so much wanted to





- "Ox-Eye" - the song with which they closed the gig...one of the most contagious and catchy Jeniferever songs....and my jaw dropped when I heard how this song sounded live....I really really dont know if Ive ever been so positively shocked by a band before..




What hooks me so much and makes their music grow to my heart is how the songs develop towards the end...the guitar riffs they end up using and as it has already been defined, an orchestral-like climax.

I really really hope I will have a chance in the future to see them again...thanks so much to them for bringing a new dimension to the music im listening to!

well, being a postcard blog and being I dont often get cards from Sweden, I should still in the end show the stamps...the right one was issued in 2009 in a set of 6 spices stamps..this one portraying the beloved garlic, esp if you are about to go on a date after having consumed some :) the other stamp was issued in 2010 in a set of 6 stamps showing Delicious Swedish Delicacies 

Lake Maggiore, Switzerland

Believe it or not, while I was writing the Aruba post, rain started pouring....so I guess I just had to evoke the spirits and ta-da-da!!! Well, at least now I dont feels so bummed for not going out today...I surely would have been soaked to the bone :)

the second card for today comes from Switzerland showing Lake Maggiore, the largest in southern Switzerland. It also takes part of Italy, being the second largest lake there.
In particular this view is in the Switzerland's municipality of Gambarogno. Im just not sure about the exact building/church shown here...
The lake is 68 km long, with a breadth which varies from 3 to 5 km. . Its mean height above the sea level is 193 metres; but as its depth greatly exceeds that measurement, the bed is almost everywhere considerably below the sea-level, and reaches no less than 179 metres below the sea. Its form is very sinuous, so that there are few points from which any considerable part of its surface can be seen at a single glance. The lake basin has tectonic-glacial origins and its volume is 37 km³. The lake has a surface area of about 213 km², a maximum length of 54 km and, at its widest, is 12 km.

the two yellow stamps are from the famous Swiss issue of Cereals, issued in 2008, where this stamp represents the barley. The other stamp was issued in 2009 in a set of 3 Trees-Life support systems stamps. This stamp shows an Oak. 

Oregon, USA

A very nice lighthouse postcard.

This is the Yaquina Head lighthouse on the Oregon Coastline, more precisely in Newport. It is said that it can be a spooky place on a dark, cold, windy night. Ghosts lurking, ship compasses not working.
The history of Yaquina is as shrouded in mystery as the cape is in foul weather. A persistent myth is that the lighthouse was mistakenly constructed in the wrong location, but mislabeled government survey documents seem to be responsible for this historical inaccuracy. In any case, Yaquina Head Light was built just north of Yaquina Bay Light, dooming the smaller tower to obsolesence.

Today the lighthouse is the centerpiece of Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, and is one of the most-visited lights on the west coast, with over 400,000 visitors each year.

well, in strong winds and rough seas, this definitely doesnt seem as the most comfortable place to be stuck in...but I guess thats what makes it even more beautiful and appealing....

here come the famous clock stamp, while the other two were issued in 2009, depicting playing cards....so here are the queen and the king...of hearts :)

Latvia

Another great view from Latvia......

.....but again without any info on the back regarding what the actual place on the card is. All I know is that it is  showing spring time, but where exactly in Latvia, I have no idea. The postcard operators in Latvia should really do something about this and stop selling unlabeled cards, coz one of the purposes of a postcard is to teach you something and to show you a place...and I dont see the point in that if it doesnt actually tell you which place it is...it could in fact be just anywhere in the world...This is the website stated on the back of the card where you can see the actual picture you see on the card as well...but again, it doesnt give any actual details about the place. So any Latvian or just anybody else who may have the information where this is, is more than welcome to participate...thanks :)

The stamp is from a set of 4 issued in 1994, representing Coats of Arms.

Well, I think i better go to sleep...it is a working day tomorrow after all...see you soon! 

Taiwan

Well, another flag card for today, coming from Taiwan this time.

I know I am taking the risk of UNINTENTIONALLY saying something inappropriate regarding the Taiwan vs China issues, and I apologize in advance for that, but what I say is based on articles I come across and does not reflect my personal opinions and beliefs.

The red in the flag represents the land of China itself, with reference to the Han race which is the dominant race among the many races of China. The white sun symbolizes the spirit of progress as the twelve points represent the twelve hours of the day (a traditional Chinese hour = two conventional hours), and the sun on a blue field is the party flag of the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) which ruled Taiwan until 2000. This flag was first used in 1928.

Mr. Hou-tung Lu designed the basics of the national flag of Taiwan (the blue sky, white sun). Later the red field was added by Dr. Sun Yat-sen to become the national flag.

The symbolism of the flag is cited as follows: The "three principles of the people" represented by the white-twelve-pointed star -Equality, brightness and Min Sheng (People's Livelihood), the blue canton - Liberty, justice and Min Chuan (Democracy) and red field - Fraternity, sacrifice and Min Tsu (Nationalism).

so here you have one Year of the Rabbit stamp, issued this year of course, coming from a set of two stamps. The bird stamp is from a set of 10 stamps issued in 1991 while the third one is from a set of four flower stamps issued in 1995.

Maine, USA

A map card from the state of Maine.

Which consists of Maine facts on the back....just perfect!

Maine - "Pine Tree State"
Capital - Augusta
Area - 33,125 sq miles
Motto - "Dirigo" - I direct
Flower - Pine Cone
Animal - Moose
Cat - Maine Coon
Insect - Honeybee
Bird - Chickadee
Tree - Eastern White Pine
23rd State admitted to the Union

If I could read it write, this 'stamp' was created on stamps.com (I guess something like zazzle.com) Well, I must say it's a cute and unique one and definitely a better choice than the plain postage P.O metres...i just love it!

The Khibiny Mountains, Russia

And another of the cards that arrived yesterday...a simply fantastic one!!

For some reason it always feels special to see some Northern lights in Russia...the card shows Khibiny, which is one of the two mountain ranges of the Kola Peninsula within the Arctic Circle (in the Murmansk region).
The mountains are mostly uninhabited, except for one of the world's richest mineral quarries, with approximately 10% of all new minerals discovered there, including one that can potentially absorb radioactivity from nuclear waste. By the foot of the massif the cities of Apatity and Kirovsk are situated.

it is simply a breathtaking card and I got it thanks to Natalia in the favourites-tag.

And Natalia used two lovely stamps too, coming from a set of 3 lighthouse stamps, issued in 2006.

Stockholm, Sweden

A very nice card coming from Stockholm.

As the sender says, the card shows a Swedish ship named Götheborg. This is a sailing replica of the Swedish East Indiaman from 18th Century. The original had sunk around 200 years ago.

A 2010 stamp from a set of two showing Queen Silvia (the other stamp in the set of course, shows King Carl XVI Gustaf)

Tylö, Sweden

A great card from Sweden I received in the Scandinavian tag.

The card says to show ski tracks in Tylö.....which I found confusing since I dont really see the possibility for someone to ski at THIS particular piece of land...but then maybe this is just a part of some big skiing track that's behind the camera actually.
However, not a word about the lighthouse, and I couldnt find anything related to it (or i might have been doing wrong searches)....but it still makes a great card and a wonderful addition to my lighthouse collection, thanks to Merja.

I dont get Swedish cards often so i dont get the chance to often see Swedish stamps...and the ones here are really nice.
The stamp on the left, above the priority sticker, is a part of 4 stamps issued this year representing Swedish food. The stamp next to it is a World Heritage one from 2005, showing the Skogskrykogarden Cemetery, while the stamp below it is from 2008, from a set of 4 stamps representing Swedish trees, with this one showing a Juniper.

Brest, Belarus

I really love these Russian, Belorussian, Ukrainian...churches....or in one word, all that used to belong to USSR..the architecture is just so nice!

This is the Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Brest, and it is considered to be the biggest church in Belarus. And unfortunately, I was surprised to see how little information one can find on the internet regarding this place.
All I got to find out is that this place commemorates the victims of WWII..and im not even 100% sure that is correct.

All the stamps come from 2008. The left one is from a set of 5 stamps of wild animals, with this one portraying a raccoon, while the other two are from a set of 8 representing Garden Flowers.

Mackinac Island, USA

And ill finish today with a lighthouse....

The restored Round Island Lighthouse and the Round Island Passage Light guide mariners through the Straits of Mackinac. Beyond may be seen the unique Mackinac Island...an island which has put a ban to almost all motor vehicles.
Thumbs up for that!

Latvia

I cant brag with having many cards from Latvia, but I do get one every now and then...

Unfortunately I dont know much about the place on this card except that it shows a sunset over the Baltic Sea...doesnt tell much, does it? The Latvian Baltic shore is a rather longish one too, so all I can say about this card is that it is just a lovely one and probably the most romantic souls would enjoy :)

the stamp is from a set of 4 issued in 1994, showing Coat of Arms.

Rønne, Denmark

My last card for today comes from the favourites tag and dear Genek sent me this one.

I think that this card is better when left without words....the image is just too beautiful to be disturbed by talking about it. This is a street in the city of Rønne, which s the largest town on the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. This kind of houses are typical for Rønne and one of the things which attract visitors...and make deltiologists admire at the postcards.

the stamp is from the 2010 EUROPA issue, representing Children's books...this one shows Frogeater Orla.

Oregon, USA

My last card for today shows another of my favourite topics, lighthouses!

The sender says that here, all the Oregon lighthouses are shown, except one, which is privately owned.
So here you have:
Top row, from left to right: Heceta Head Lighthouse, Umpqua River Lighthouse, Cape Meares Lighthouse, Coquille River Lighthouse, Yaquina Bay Lighthouse.

Bottom row, left to right: Cape Blanco Lighthouse, Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, Cape Arago Lighthouse, Lightship Columbia, Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

the well known stamp showing the Grand Teton National Park. I think Im seeing this stamp as often as I used to see the 94c one showing the St. John Island from the US Virgin Islands....gets boring eventually :)

Moscow Metro Stations, Russia

Some of you know it rather well, some dont...for those who didnt know by now...I have a soft spot for several kinds of cards...and the Metro Stations in Moscow are very high on the list...but im talking here about the older cards, as the ones you can see here, with the yellow/golden touch....ive seen some new ones and they just dont have the charm of these older ones....
I have some posts about some of the metro stations....here is part 1 and here is part 2...guess this one could be considered as part 3....and eventually one day part 4 and part 5 will follow...and maybe 6 and 7 and 8 etc...depending on how this collection of mine grows...

RU-68282

well, for starters today, here is the map plan of the Moscow metro...there are 11 lines shown, plus one is said to be under construction...the lines are: Sokolnicheskaya, Zamoskvoretskaya, Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya, Filovskaya, Koltsevaya, Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya, Serpukhovsko-Timiriazevskaya, Kalininskaya, Liublinskaya and Kakhovskaya. If im right, the one here referred to as Under Construction is supposed to be Butovskaya....in total there are 180 stations.

and of course, i wont forget the stamps...here is a stamp from a set of 4 definitives issued in 2003 representing Sculpture art.

First station for today is Aviamotornaya. It is a station on the Kalininskaya line and was opened on 30 December 1979.The station is built in a three-vault configuration 53 metres (173 feet) underground. The central hallway contains a sculpture made out of anodised gold pyramids and tetrahedra.The theme of Aviamotornaya is aviation and flying. The columns holding up the ceiling are glazed in a light marble tone. The floor is made up of granite plates coloured in different shades of grey. The wall at the end of the central hallway is faced in a metal sculpture. There are decorations mentioning and detailing the main constellations.

some great stamps....well, they were put both above and below the address, so hence the two parts....starting from the ones above...the first one is from a set of 15 definitives issued in 2008, portraying animals. This one shows a hare. The one next to it was issued in 2001 and it is from the EUROPA series, from the Water-theme. The stamp below is from 2007 from a set of 3 showing Russian first native trucks. This one is ZIS-5V, 1942.

Next is the Kropotkinskaya station which is on the Sokolnicheskaya (or the red) line.

It was opened  in 1935 as part of the original Metro line.The station was originally planned to serve the enormous Palace of the Soviets, which was to rise nearby on the former site of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Kropotkinskaya was therefore designed to be the largest and grandest station on the first line. However, the Palace project was cancelled by Nikita Khrushchev in 1953, leaving the Metro station as the only part of the complex that was actually built.

Since it was to serve as the gateway to the Palace of Soviets, great care was taken to make Kropotkinskaya suitably elegant and impressive. The station has flared columns faced with white marble which are said to have been inspired by the Temple of Amon at Karnak. Contrary to popular opinion, the marble used in the station did not come from the demolished Cathedral. The spacious platform is covered with squares of gray and red granite and the walls, originally tiled, are now faced with white Koyelga marble. The station is illuminated by concealed lamps set into the tops of the columns.

and here is an interesting "stamp"....which has remained a mistery to me until today...I really dont understand the meaning of this and why was it used, and the most confusing part for me is that the card was mailed from Russia..so why is there Return to Budapest? Anyone knows?

The last one shows the vestibule of the Park Pobedy station. (or the Victory Park)

It is a station on the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line of the Metro. At 84 metres underground, it is the deepest station in Moscow. It also contains the longest escalators in Europe, each one is 126 metres long and has 740 steps. The ride to the surface takes approximately three minutes.
Park Pobedy is actually a cross-platform complex with two separate, parallel platforms, though only the inner pair of tracks is presently used.

Trains arriving from Kievskaya stop at the northern platform to drop off passengers before going into reversal sidings and coming back to the southern platform to pick up passengers for the trip back. This is the only Metro station where all passengers board and exit trains in different locations. A further complication: only the southern (inbound) platform has an entrance vestibule, so passengers arriving at the outbound platform must change platforms before exiting. (confusing indeed)

The two platforms work of architects Nataliya Shurygina and Nikolay Shumakov are of identical design but have opposite colour schemes, which creates a striking effect. The pylons of the outbound platform are faced with red marble on the transverse faces and pale grey marble on the longitudinal faces. The inbound platform is exactly the reverse. The station is adorned with two large enameled panels by Zurab Tsereteli depicting the Patriotic War of 1812 (at the end of the inbound platform) and the Great Patriotic War (on the outbound platform).

Some more great stamps. The one in the middle is from 2007 from a set of  4 showing Native horse breeds. This one shows the Vladimir breed. The one on the left is from 2008 from a set of 3 representing the World Natural Heritage - Central Sikhote, Alijn. And the last stamp is from 2002 from a set of 5 definitives, showing architecture, with this one showing Kuskovo Palace.

I LOVE the metro stations. I have a few others in stock, but if you have some for trade, let me know...you might have something im missing :)

Kherson, Ukraine

A nice card from Ukraine, showing a bridge over the Dnieper river in Kherson.

Kherson is a city in southern Ukraine and considered to be an important port on the Black Sea and the Dnieper river, as well as the home of a major ship-building industry.

Well, when it comes to Ukraine in particular, i have some videos to share with you, which i think are more than worth the sharing....there are all sorts of Idols and Talent contests around the world whose popularity is enormous....i dont really watch those and probably am missing some good stuff....as is the Ukrainian winner of the Talent show for 2009....i was honestly left speechless....and moved..the music used does its own part of contributing to the effects and impact it has on you..esp. if you can relate to the music and DO feel it....such perfect conveying of a message....
no words are needed...just click and watch....

and of course, stamps mustnt be forgotten....the big stamp on the right is the EUROPA one issued in 2009 on the Astronomy subject...while the small one is from 2008 from a set of 4 stamps depicting Handicrafts

Pakri, Estonia

A card from my favourites, sent by Janek :)

And you may not notice it at first, but there is a lighthouse on the card :)
The Pakri Peninsula ends in the sea with a limestone cliff up to 25 metres high. Pakri lighthouse is the highest (52m) lighthouse in Estonia.

Just a lovely view, and would be great to have a car-ride along the coast.

Aaannndddd, on a lighthouse postcard, there are EVEN 3 lovely lighthouse stamps!!! And one stamp is indeed the Pakri lighthouse!
Starting with the flower stamp though, it's a self-adhesive stamp from 2007, regarding the Flora subject, and showing an Oxeye Daisy.
The Ristina and the Kopu lighthouse' stamps come as one set issued in 2000, while the Pakri lighthouse stamp was issued in 1995.

Jamaica

One of the popular dishes ad delicacies coming from Jamaica....

Curry Goat

Cut up into small cube, 2lbs goat or mutton. Place in a large bowl. Add 1 crushed clove of garlic, 2 tomatoes, 2 onions, 1 stalk of escallion, 1 hot pepper chopped, then 3 tablespoons curry, salt and pepper to taste. Mix all together. Allow to rest for 1/2 hour. Separate meat from seasoning. Fry meat in 2 tablespoons butter, 2 fluid ozs. oil until brown. Add seasoning and 2-3 cups of water. Cover and simmer until tender. Serve with rice.

It may be really interesting to learn about such traditional dishes, but this is so much something i would NEVER try...im not a vegetarian, but apart from chicken and fish, i can hardly digest other sorts of unprocessed meat....and fish actually aint meat...it's fish....

the stamp is from a set of 8 definitives issued in 2006. its part III of this subject regarding Classical architecture, where here you can see Devon House St. Andrew

well, ive already posted about it, so this was more just a copy-paste job :)