Digital Freedom: The Days of a Shutterbug

Postmarked Wednesday, February 1st, 2006
Topic: London; Photography (237 words, 18 images, 4 comments)

Since John bought his digital camera last year, documenting all of the "great" moments of our lives has never been easier. Joyous birthdays, special occasions and holiday trips all find their way into the spotlight, as we sit back and revel at how accessible and affordable photography has become!

Upon further reflection, this also means that it is now easier to capture the not-so-important events, the day-to-day reality, and the plain banalities of human existance. And I am LOVING it!!!

I think I have become addicted to capturing all aspects of life with his camera, not just the "special ones". And why not? What better way to illustrate life in general (and life in London in particular) than by showing it to friends and family? If the idea is that technology enhances our lives, I want to apply it towards a humane end. I want people thousands of miles away to know exactly what my bus pass, the view from the top deck of a 2006 Double-Decker bus and my local supermarket all look like. It may be difficult to have everyone come over for a visit, but it's exceedingly simple to share a picture.

So for now, I say we grab our cameras, "Document! Document! Document!" and close our geographical gaps through technological innovations. Oh, and if you'd like to see my bus pass, the top view from a bus and my supermarket, they're all here...

xo

John demonstrates how we flag down the bus at our downstairs 225 bus stop. John's student bus/Tube pass a.k.a. the Oystercard. As we wait for buses, John likes to check out every bike that rolls by. It's fun taking public transportation! All this time waiting in the cold makes you want to take more pictures.
Ohhh. Oystercards are pretty. Riding in the back of the 225, our local (single-decker) bus. This is what we take to get to the closest Tube stops (4 minutes in either direction). It can get pretty busy on the 225. It's fun in the back!
On our ride, we always see the uber-suburban bowling alley, movie theater and restaurants, all housed in the "Surrey Quays Leisure Park". Here's Arbuckles restaurant, where you supposedly can buy a "Taste of America". We haven't confirmed that yet. This is the very modern Tube stop called Canada Water. This is where we usually get off of the 225 bus and connect with other buses, or the Jubilee and East London Tube lines. What London Transport signs look like. A friend of mine told me that they paid to have an original letter font that no-one else can use.
On this day, we changed buses and hopped onto the 1 bus, that goes from Canada Water all the way to Tottenham Court Road (bustling area in central London). We had the top deck pretty much to ourselves (and a blinding sun, to boot!) It's fun to see the world from such a height, especially while moving! We pass Seven Islands Pool, where John has a membership and swims for Ironman training (33 meters long).
We also pass TESCO, which is where we buy our groceries. It's massive. Another glimpse of TESCO.    

Reader Comments

1.

Comment from ARIANE BONIN

Salut Marjan

Je ne sais pas si tu vas te souvenir de moi mais je suis ARIANE BONIN que tu as connu quand tu habitais créteil en France.

Cela fait bizarre de te voir en photo et de voir que tu voyages beaucoup.

Merci de me répondre

BISOUS ARIANE

2.

Comment from tisha!

Thanks for the updates. very cool pics.

little cat and izzy and mike say "hï."

3.

Comment from John and Barbara

Mar,

Thanks so much for the pics. Wish we were there! But we'll settle for seeing you here. Love,

John and Barb

4.

Response from Marjan

ARIANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment pourais-je t'oublier???!!!!

Je n'ai pas ton email, alors s'il te plait ecris-moi a m@marmerm.com.

J'attends de tes nouvelles!!

gros bisous!!!

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