Happy Atheist Forum

Getting To Know You => Laid Back Lounge => Topic started by: Recusant on November 07, 2021, 05:34:42 AM

Poll
Question: Please indicate your favour by voting!
Option 1: 1. Magdalena
Option 2: 2. Tank
Option 3: 3. hermes2015
Option 4: 4. Lark
Option 5: 5. Recusant
Option 6: 6. Tank
Option 7: 7. hermes2015
Option 8: 8. Lark
Option 9: 9. Recusant
Option 10: 10. Tank
Option 11: 11. hermes2015
Option 12: 12. Lark
Option 13: 13. Recusant
Option 14: 14. Tank
Option 15: 15. hermes2015
Option 16: 16. Lark
Option 17: 17. Recusant
Option 18: 18. Tank
Option 19: 19. Lark
Option 20: 20. Recusant
Title: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Recusant on November 07, 2021, 05:34:42 AM
Apologies for the lateness of this poll. Life intervened, and yes, procrastination played a role as well. Thank you to all who contributed photos for this challenge. Please PM me ASAP if I've missed any entries, or otherwise made a mistake in setting this poll.

Members may vote for up to five entries and can change their votes.

1.  Magdalena
(https://i.imgur.com/VXNhZtJ.jpg)


2.  Tank
(https://i.imgur.com/VblIYTB.jpg)


3.  hermes2015
(https://i.imgur.com/m0AuU7F.jpg)


4.  Lark
(https://i.imgur.com/LVKcMv8.jpg)


5.  Recusant
(https://i.imgur.com/BF0dbo3.jpg)


6.  Tank
(https://i.imgur.com/fnyJ5O4.jpg)


7.  hermes2015
(https://i.imgur.com/gw2Ncjp.jpg)


8.  Lark
(https://i.imgur.com/rabcg6O.jpg)


9.  Recusant
(https://i.imgur.com/1n5sDNW.jpg)


10.  Tank
(https://i.imgur.com/GIZdfUa.jpg)


11.  hermes2015
(https://i.imgur.com/fLSBdxW.jpg)


12.  Lark
(https://i.imgur.com/bT0vcFQ.jpg)


13.  Recusant
(https://i.imgur.com/xSBUD5a.jpg)


14.  Tank
(https://i.imgur.com/WLWvLf1.jpg)


15.  hermes2015
(https://i.imgur.com/uLofQmW.jpg)


16.  Lark
(https://i.imgur.com/UgyxG0q.jpg)


17.  Recusant
(https://i.imgur.com/nSlASqr.jpg)


18.  Tank
(https://i.imgur.com/J6XyhGQ.jpg)


19.  Lark
(https://i.imgur.com/YDOj8Yu.jpg)


20.  Recusant
(https://i.imgur.com/9wnzdWo.jpg)
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: hermes2015 on November 07, 2021, 08:16:04 AM
Thank you for setting it up again, Recusant. What we show as our favourite things is quite revealing of our characters, I think. It will be interesting to see who submitted the photos.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Tank on November 07, 2021, 08:37:30 AM
Thanks Recusant. Some great photos here.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Recusant on November 07, 2021, 08:09:34 PM
Correction made. Only one person has voted, so no need to reset the poll, and that person can change their vote if they wish.  :embarrassed:
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Icarus on November 08, 2021, 12:38:01 AM
The wine bottle in picture number one has misspelled our Magdalena's name.

All of them are really good, my favorite one is spectacular.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Magdalena on November 08, 2021, 04:26:30 AM
Quote from: Icarus on November 08, 2021, 12:38:01 AM
The wine bottle in picture number one has misspelled our Magdalena's name.

All of them are really good, my favorite one is spectacular.

:snicker:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dptng_PXgAEoZPM.jpg)

Yes, I agree with you, all of them are really good.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Biggus Dickus on November 10, 2021, 07:56:13 PM
Yes, there are some interesting pictures here. I enjoyed voting for these, thanks- 8)

Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: xSilverPhinx on November 13, 2021, 02:59:24 PM
Awesome photos! A difficult choice, as always!
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: xSilverPhinx on November 13, 2021, 03:02:24 PM
Quote from: hermes2015 on November 07, 2021, 08:16:04 AM
Thank you for setting it up again, Recusant. What we show as our favourite things is quite revealing of our characters, I think. It will be interesting to see who submitted the photos.

Heheh! With these Challenges I always like to guess who might have submitted what, and for this one I'm 99.99999998% certain number 15 is a picture of Lulu :grin:
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: hermes2015 on November 13, 2021, 04:02:22 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on November 13, 2021, 03:02:24 PM
Quote from: hermes2015 on November 07, 2021, 08:16:04 AM
Thank you for setting it up again, Recusant. What we show as our favourite things is quite revealing of our characters, I think. It will be interesting to see who submitted the photos.

Heheh! With these Challenges I always like to guess who might have submitted what, and for this one I'm 99.99999998% certain number 15 is a picture of Lulu :grin:

:grin:
The other photos are a bit more challenging.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Recusant on November 22, 2021, 05:44:53 AM
Last chance to vote.   ;)
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Tank on November 22, 2021, 08:18:53 AM
There's a 4 way tie at the moment!!!
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: hermes2015 on November 22, 2021, 09:41:05 AM
Quote from: Tank on November 22, 2021, 08:18:53 AM
There's a 4 way tie at the moment!!!

Is that a first?
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Tank on November 22, 2021, 12:45:21 PM
Quote from: hermes2015 on November 22, 2021, 09:41:05 AM
Quote from: Tank on November 22, 2021, 08:18:53 AM
There's a 4 way tie at the moment!!!

Is that a first?

I think so. I can't remember that happening before... What did you ask?  :geezer!:
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: hermes2015 on November 22, 2021, 01:14:59 PM
Quote from: Tank on November 22, 2021, 12:45:21 PM
Quote from: hermes2015 on November 22, 2021, 09:41:05 AM
Quote from: Tank on November 22, 2021, 08:18:53 AM
There's a 4 way tie at the moment!!!

Is that a first?

I think so. I can't remember that happening before... What did you ask?  :geezer!:

I was just curious.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Recusant on November 24, 2021, 03:48:44 AM
There was a flurry of votes right at the end there, which broke up the four-way tie for first. That left us with a two-way tie.  :)  Congratulations to Lark and hermes2015! This was another splendid edition of the HAF Photo Challenge, brought to you by Tank.  :bravo:

Thank you to all who contributed photos, and to all who voted in the poll.  :jumps:
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Tank on November 24, 2021, 08:52:03 AM
Two worthy winners there. And very different subjects, cute and fluffy vs rock hard.

Which castle is this?

9.  Recusant
(https://i.imgur.com/1n5sDNW.jpg)

Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: hermes2015 on November 24, 2021, 09:05:20 AM
Thank you, Tank. But how did you like my photo?
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Tank on November 24, 2021, 09:21:54 AM
Quote from: hermes2015 on November 24, 2021, 09:05:20 AM
Thank you, Tank. But how did you like my photo?

The colours and textures are perfect.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: hermes2015 on November 24, 2021, 09:29:23 AM
Quote from: Tank on November 24, 2021, 09:21:54 AM
Quote from: hermes2015 on November 24, 2021, 09:05:20 AM
Thank you, Tank. But how did you like my photo?

The colours and textures are perfect.

Thanks. It was taken near the lighthouse at the Tip of Africa, in the Cape Point National Park. I was there to train the guys doing atmospheric monitoring of SF6.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Magdalena on November 24, 2021, 06:51:55 PM
Congratulations, Lark and hermes2015.
:clapping:
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Recusant on November 24, 2021, 06:53:37 PM
Quote from: Tank on November 24, 2021, 08:52:03 AM
Two worthy winners there. And very different subjects, cute and fluffy vs rock hard.

Which castle is this?

9.  Recusant
(https://i.imgur.com/1n5sDNW.jpg)

Ah, reminds me of the days of the earth search/where's this place? thread.  ;)

That's Bodiam Castle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodiam_Castle) in East Sussex, UK. It's about as on-the-nose for the storybook image of a medieval castle as any I've seen. On the outside at least. The lack of a keep is problematic from a tactical view.   :mustache:
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Tank on November 24, 2021, 08:47:13 PM
Quote from: Recusant on November 24, 2021, 06:53:37 PM
Quote from: Tank on November 24, 2021, 08:52:03 AM
Two worthy winners there. And very different subjects, cute and fluffy vs rock hard.

Which castle is this?

9.  Recusant
(https://i.imgur.com/1n5sDNW.jpg)

Ah, reminds me of the days of the earth search/where's this place? thread.  ;)

That's Bodiam Castle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodiam_Castle) in East Sussex, UK. It's about as on-the-nose for the storybook image of a medieval castle as any I've seen. On the outside at least. The lack of a keep is problematic from a tactical view.   :mustache:

It really is a stereotypical castle!
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: hermes2015 on November 25, 2021, 03:05:27 AM
Quote from: Magdalena on November 24, 2021, 06:51:55 PM
Congratulations, Lark and hermes2015.
:clapping:

Thank you, my dear.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Biggus Dickus on November 25, 2021, 03:44:43 AM
Congratulations to the two winners, Hermes2015 and Lark.

Lark, I really liked your photo from the Marina of the boats(#12),...the line between the mast and their reflections in the water is perfect!! Very nice!!

Hermes I really liked your picture of the vase, that's a nice looking piece, and I loved the rocks in picture #11 (I voted for that one, but don't tell anyone). Colours are amazing!

Recusant, can you give us some details about the rock formation in picture #13? (Very nice picture as well)

Tank picture #18 is really nice!!

Good job folks!!
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: hermes2015 on November 25, 2021, 04:03:23 AM
Quote from: Papasito Bruno on November 25, 2021, 03:44:43 AM
Congratulations to the two winners, Hermes2015 and Lark.

Lark, I really liked your photo from the Marina of the boats(#12),...the line between the mast and their reflections in the water is perfect!! Very nice!!

Hermes I really liked your picture of the vase, that's a nice looking piece, and I loved the rocks in picture #11 (I voted for that one, but don't tell anyone). Colours are amazing!

Recusant, can you give us some details about the rock formation in picture #13? (Very nice picture as well)

Tank picture #18 is really nice!!

Good job folks!!

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you appreciate the vase. It is an original Ormeaux vase by Rene Lalique, from 1926, and is very dear to me. It is one of the prized vases in my collection of Lalique pieces. Another one is a rare Antilopes vase from 1925, signed by Lalique. I will tell the interesting story of how it came into my possession one day.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Recusant on November 25, 2021, 04:47:26 AM
Quote from: hermes2015 on November 25, 2021, 04:03:23 AM[. . .] an original Ormeaux vase by Rene Lalique, from 1926, and is very dear to me. It is one of the prized vases in my collection of Lalique pieces. Another one is a rare Antilopes vase from 1925, signed by Lalique. I will tell the interesting story of how it came into my possession one day.

Ah. Don't keep us in suspense for too long!  ;D

Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: hermes2015 on November 25, 2021, 04:58:54 AM
Quote from: Recusant on November 25, 2021, 04:47:26 AM
Quote from: hermes2015 on November 25, 2021, 04:03:23 AM[. . .] an original Ormeaux vase by Rene Lalique, from 1926, and is very dear to me. It is one of the prized vases in my collection of Lalique pieces. Another one is a rare Antilopes vase from 1925, signed by Lalique. I will tell the interesting story of how it came into my possession one day.

Ah. Don't keep us in suspense for too long!  ;D

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Recusant on November 25, 2021, 05:53:47 AM
Quote from: Papasito Bruno on November 25, 2021, 03:44:43 AMRecusant, can you give us some details about the rock formation in picture #13? (Very nice picture as well)

It's Poulnabrone Dolmen (https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=134) in the Burren (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burren) -- County Clare, Eire. You can find more extensive things online about the Poulnabrone Dolmen but I have a fondness for the Megalithic Portal--it's served me well whilst indulging my fascination with megalithic sites in Europe. Also many of its pages have some fine member photos.

As for the photo, thank you. I couldn't resist tarting it up, which probably wasn't a good idea. The day of drizzle was beautiful in its own way.

(https://i.imgur.com/fnpcgAW.jpg)
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Tank on November 25, 2021, 06:44:02 AM
Quote from: Papasito Bruno on November 25, 2021, 03:44:43 AM
Congratulations to the two winners, Hermes2015 and Lark.

Lark, I really liked your photo from the Marina of the boats(#12),...the line between the mast and their reflections in the water is perfect!! Very nice!!

Hermes I really liked your picture of the vase, that's a nice looking piece, and I loved the rocks in picture #11 (I voted for that one, but don't tell anyone). Colours are amazing!

Recusant, can you give us some details about the rock formation in picture #13? (Very nice picture as well)

Tank picture #18 is really nice!!

Good job folks!!

Thank you :)
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Icarus on November 26, 2021, 05:19:14 AM
A marvelous collection of pictures, as usual.  I envy the skill and imaginations of the people who made these pictures.  My favorite is number 20.  I think it stunning.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Biggus Dickus on November 29, 2021, 01:37:20 PM
Quote from: hermes2015 on November 25, 2021, 04:03:23 AM
Quote from: Papasito Bruno on November 25, 2021, 03:44:43 AM
Congratulations to the two winners, Hermes2015 and Lark.

Lark, I really liked your photo from the Marina of the boats(#12),...the line between the mast and their reflections in the water is perfect!! Very nice!!

Hermes I really liked your picture of the vase, that's a nice looking piece, and I loved the rocks in picture #11 (I voted for that one, but don't tell anyone). Colours are amazing!

Recusant, can you give us some details about the rock formation in picture #13? (Very nice picture as well)

Tank picture #18 is really nice!!

Good job folks!!

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you appreciate the vase. It is an original Ormeaux vase by Rene Lalique, from 1926, and is very dear to me. It is one of the prized vases in my collection of Lalique pieces. Another one is a rare Antilopes vase from 1925, signed by Lalique. I will tell the interesting story of how it came into my possession one day.

Yes, the design and colour of the vase is spectacular, and I look forward to hearing your story about the Antilopes vase. I'm certainly no expert on glassware, but it was a passion of my late mother which she passed down to me and my sisters.
That style of vase is something she would have appreciated.

Quote from: Recusant on November 25, 2021, 05:53:47 AM
Quote from: Papasito Bruno on November 25, 2021, 03:44:43 AMRecusant, can you give us some details about the rock formation in picture #13? (Very nice picture as well)

It's Poulnabrone Dolmen (https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=134) in the Burren (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burren) -- County Clare, Eire. You can find more extensive things online about the Poulnabrone Dolmen but I have a fondness for the Megalithic Portal--it's served me well whilst indulging my fascination with megalithic sites in Europe. Also many of its pages have some fine member photos.

As for the photo, thank you. I couldn't resist tarting it up, which probably wasn't a good idea. The day of drizzle was beautiful in its own way.

(https://i.imgur.com/fnpcgAW.jpg)

Thank you, I enjoyed reading about the Poll na Brón...very interesting. Definitely a place I would like to visit someday!
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: hermes2015 on November 29, 2021, 01:52:59 PM
I will get around to revealing the (perfectly legal) way I managed to get the Antilopes vase in a few days when things are back to normal with my PC. I've just got my desktop PC back after an upgrade of the CPU cooler to an NZXT Kraken Z73, so will be running some performance tests. It displays the CPU and the GPU temperatures and has had some good reviews:



Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Tank on December 02, 2021, 10:04:10 AM
A thought for our next challenge. I follow a FB page 'Crap Wildlife Photography'. Some of the results are hilarious! Maybe we should have a challenge for the worst photo you ever took? The subject must be recognisable so the totally black photo of the inside of your pocket wouldn't be valid. And some element of humour might help. You can also submit a title with the photo if you wish. What do you think?
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: hermes2015 on December 02, 2021, 04:28:08 PM
Quote from: Tank on December 02, 2021, 10:04:10 AM
A thought for our next challenge. I follow a FB page 'Crap Wildlife Photography'. Some of the results are hilarious! Maybe we should have a challenge for the worst photo you ever took? The subject must be recognisable so the totally black photo of the inside of your pocket wouldn't be valid. And some element of humour might help. You can also submit a title with the photo if you wish. What do you think?

It's a good idea. We should have a bit of fun in December.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: hermes2015 on December 05, 2021, 05:01:11 AM
As promised, the story of the Lalique Antilopes vase.

I have had two lucky finds in antique shops. The story of how I bought a ceramic plate by Picasso is for another day. Today, the story of my acquisition of a rare Lalique Antilopes vase is a good example of the value of a sharp eye when one visits antique dealers. My one is the colourless version shown here:

https://www.vinterior.co/home-decor/accessories/vases/large-and-early-rene-lalique-rare-antilopes-vase-in-art-glass-1930s

About twenty years ago I walked past an antique shop during my lunch break. Through the window I spotted a large glass vase near the back of the shop. It was obvious to me that it was a Lalique and expected a very high price tag, but went in to look anyway. I decided to play it cool and slowly wandered around, looking at various items, before approaching the sales person on duty. I told her I was looking for a glass vase as a gift and whether she could suggest anything. She said I should look at the rear of the shop, so I casually strolled there. My heart almost stopped when I saw the price tag of about $20 US! I guess they just weren't very professional and were not aware of the real value of the piece. Needless to say, I carried it as hand baggage, wrapped in many layers of bubble plastic, when I flew home the next day.

This kind of thing does not happen often, but it isn't impossible. It pays to have a bit of basic knowledge of antiques and to be alert when visiting second hand markets and antique shops. Another thing I believe is that one should collect because one loves the objects, not with the goal of making a good investment.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Magdalena on December 05, 2021, 05:42:33 PM
^^^
$20.00!
Wow!
That's a great story, hermes2015.
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Recusant on December 06, 2021, 01:59:13 AM
Stalking the rare Lalique like a panther in the antique shop jungle.  :lol: :thumbsup:

Thanks for the story, hermes2015!  :smokin cool:
Title: Re: Favourite — HAF Photo Challenge Poll
Post by: Recusant on December 09, 2021, 05:44:28 AM
Quote from: Icarus on November 26, 2021, 05:19:14 AM
A marvelous collection of pictures, as usual.  I envy the skill and imaginations of the people who made these pictures.  My favorite is number 20.  I think it stunning.

Thank you, Icarus.  :)

It's the Cliffs of Moher (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffs_of_Moher) on the west coast of Ireland--the building is O'Brien's Tower (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O%27Brien%27s_Tower), above the Branaunmore sea stack (220 feet tall).