I decided to go to Shenzhen today, because I wanted to see something of daily life in this sprawling Chinese metropolis that manufactures so much of what we in the West consume in the way of high tech treats. An important city that so few Westerners have heard of. Thanks today to Mr. Daisey, I now know Shenzhen and a little bit about what exactly goes on there in firms like Foxconn that makes iPods, iPhones, and other handmade products. Oh yes. Handmade. Apple *could* sell its wares on Etsy, or didn't you know?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Rock_Reborn - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Shenzhen, China ★
Photo courtesy of Rock_Reborn

I don't have a proper tilt-shift lens, so the tilt-shifts in my personal portfolio (to date) are all post-production fakes. But no less fun! Whether real or Photoshopped after the fact, looking at the world in miniature through a tilted, shifty lens is always an eye-opening perspective. Warped can be wonderful, eh?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - kcherif - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Hong Kong, China ★
Photo courtesy of kcherif

Special double (triple, actually) post today in honor of The Olympic Games in Beijing. Amazing so far, right? I cannot get over how astoundingly, to use the word that Mary Poppins no doubt would - supercalifragalisticexpialidocious - the Opening Ceremonies on the night of 08-08-08 were. Breathtaking. Outstanding. Jaw-dropping. Fantastic. Unparalleled. As a former competitive swimmer, I've had a great time thus far watching all of the swimming. Seeing Michael Phelps smash his own 400 meter individual medley world record on Saturday was crazy. But crazier was the American men's relay win in the 4 x 100 last night over the French. Best relay race in swimming history. No contest. Memorable and all around magnifique! My only complaint thus far is the over saturation of George W. Bush in the American broadcast. Seems like he's omnipresent and in attendance at each and every event. I think this is the most Bush I've subjected myself to in his entire two terms as president. It's making me physically ill.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - nchim - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Beijing, China ★
Photo courtesy of nchim

So close, and yet so far! The opening ceremonies are just over a week away. The 2004 games in Greece are such a blur now. I'm sure Beijing will be the same before too long. That's what I'm loving about this picture; its timely symbolism of time, blurred. Even though it was taken in front of the new Olympic stadium (soon to be old) well before the games begin (soon to be began), it could easily have been taken well after. Pretty cool, eh?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - toyohara - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Beijing, China ★
Photo courtesy of toyohara

Countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. I can't wait! Wish I could be there to see Dara Torres kick a55 in the pool! A 41-year-old swimmer, breaking records no less? Awesome. What I wouldn't give to see her events live, in Beijing. But enough about Dara. Look at this gorgeous image of the Olympic torch relay passing through Macau. I love the movement captured in this many-layered reflection. Let the games, and the many photos thereof, begin!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Mlnacio - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Macau, China ★
Photo courtesy of Mlnacio