Thursday, March 31, 2011

People I Have Asked: On the Train to Florence

On the train from Rome to Florence, our seatmates were two teenagers from California (brother and sister) who'd had to leave their parents in Rome.  Their father had been hospitalized the night before (possibly for appendicitis, although I don't think the diagnosis had been settled at this point.)  The father was apparently okay, but the doctors had kept him in hospital for observation.  So the parents sent the kids on ahead to the hotel they'd booked in Florence.  

They were pretty self-assured, these two.  I remember that they had their summer reading books with them; the girl was reading Slaughterhouse-Five.

Kyle

Kyle's sister
Somewhere between Rome and Florence
Italy
June 2008

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

People I Have Asked: Rome, Italy

I'm pretty shy, but traveling with Mr. Hunter sometimes inspires me to break out of my shell and ask people to pose with him.  Most often I'll ask people who've become part of the journey somehow -- they work at a pleasing restaurant or at our hotel, we've had an interesting conversation, or maybe they've become temporary traveling companions on a bus or a train.  

Here are the people I asked to pose with Mr. Hunter in Rome.

The helpful Valentina, who worked at Hotel Latinum.


Ann, the pastry chef from California.
Ann hopped on to our transfer from Fiumicino Airport to the hotel, only she was headed to a different hotel in a different area of Rome, and this set into motion an extra long journey.  The driver tried to find Ann's hotel first, only he couldn't find it, so he kept circling Rome.  He also kept assuring us that he knew where he was going.  We passed some of the big landmarks repeatedly; we'd think, "Maybe this time..." but then yet againthe Vittorio Emmanuele II monument or the Colosseum would appear, and our hopes would be dashed.  At one point, the driver attempted to turn down this narrow cobblestone street, but a tough fellow stood in the way and would not let the van through; it was a pedestrian-only street!  (See photo below.)  Finally our driver circled back and dropped Ann-the-pastry-chef off a couple of blocks from her hotel, and then he was free to deliver us to the Latinum.  Phew!

The man who would not let us pass.

Mr. Hunter and the wood carver.
And, of course, there was the wood carver at Bartolucci.  I was super-shy to ask him, but I could not let the opportunity pass.

There was one person in Rome whom I regret not asking to pose with Mr. Hunter: the Middle Eastern mother of two who helped us get back on our way when we'd gone too far on bus line 105.  

Rome, Italy
June 2008

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

With Barbapapa and Family

Mr. Hunter encountered Barbapapa and family in a toy store in the neighborhood near the Spanish Steps.
Mr. H felt quite an affinity for these critters -- maybe because they were about his size.

79. Mr. Hunter poses with the Barbapapas

Rome, Italy
June 2008

The Bernini Fountain

Don't let my tired expression fool you: I really liked this Bernini fountain in St. Peter's Square.
Mr.  Hunter liked it, too.




Here's a peek of the fountain in action, accompanied by the bells of St. Peter's Cathedral.

St. Peter's Square
Vatican City
June 2008

Monday, March 28, 2011

St. Peter's Square



We ditched the Vatican Museum tour before they dropped us at the tour-sanctioned gift shop.  By this time, we were blazing and thirsty and ready to sit down for a rest before making our way into St. Peter's Square.  Shade was in short supply, but we were thrilled to find these frozen bottles of water.

Bliss!


St. Peter's Square
Vatican City
June 2008

Vatican Museum Tour

in the Vatican Library

in the Map Room at the Vatican Museum

The maps on the wall of the Map Room were lovely, but the tour itself was pretty draining.

       


"Move along.  Move along..."

Vatican Museum
Vatican City
June 2008

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Hall of Fame: A kiss from Peter

Such a tender moment between Mr. Hunter and Peter!


Peter was feeling plenty affectionate that afternoon.  Look what happened when he ran into Erik...


A transcendent moment.
January 2005

Friday, March 25, 2011

Hall of Fame: Headstanding with Amey


Love this!  Amey thought that Mr. Hunter might want to practice some yoga with her, so they both inverted themselves for a bit of headstand.



No yoga mats or blankets required... even though it was a rainy afternoon!

November 2010

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Hall of Fame: Mike

I'm not even sure what to say about this shot of Mr. Hunter and Mike, except that I have always loved it!  This was taken on a volunteer day, when a group of us from work helped tend to some young redwood trees.


Is he tickling Mr. Hunter?  Massaging Mr. Hunter?  Tormenting him?  
Who can say?  
Mr. Hunter does look pretty happy, though.


The heat must have gotten to Mike; you can see how he went a little crazy with one of the water buckets.


August 2005

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Hall of Fame: PR Breakout

Mr. Hunter witnessed a few Project Runway breakouts over the years.  Whenever Gabriel was involved in the discussion, things could get dramatic.


According to my notes, Gabriel was right in this prediction that Marla would be the next to go.

Very serious business!

January 2006

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Hall of Fame: Playing foosball with Allyson

Playing foosball with his good friend Allyson.
In addition to being the inspiration for the original Flat Mr. Hunter, Allyson has posed for many classic photos with the real Mr. H.


This shot ended up in ValleyWag.  I guess the joke about that ValleyWag mention is that these foosball photos weren't even taken on a Yahoo campus; we were actually at some sports bar in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica, California
August 2005

Monday, March 21, 2011

Hall of Fame: Hulk Hands

Huw always comes up with notable Mr. Hunter poses.


You can see that Mr. H feels perfectly relaxed, 
even though he's cradled in the hands of the Incredible Hulk.

August 2004

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Hall of Fame: Richard and Jim


I love this photo something fierce!

I stopped by the Y! offices in Manhattan to say hello, and Richard and Jim came up with this delicious and gentle moment.  You can tell that Mr. Hunter feels so nurtured in their arms.

New York City, New York
September 2005

Friday, March 18, 2011

Spring Peeper

During a Fall 2008 visit to Massachusetts, Mr. Hunter made the acquaintance of a spring peeper.


The peeper took a brief detour into a cup -- just so my cousin could examine him for a few minutes; then the frog hopped out and scooted away.

Massachusetts
September 2008

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Slugworth!




When you go wandering in a redwood forest, you might encounter a banana slug or two.  Mr. Hunter's response to this particular banana slug sighting was to try for a friendly kiss from the critter.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Felton, California
April 2005

A bit of green

Down among the redwood sorrel at Henry Cowell State Park
Felton, California
April 2007


Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Ray

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, you can climb into a section underneath one of the displays and watch the sea creatures swim past.  

In these photos, Mr. Hunter and a blissed-out Kerry smile and say "Hello" to a ray as it glides along above them.


Hello!

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey, California
April 2005

Monday, March 14, 2011

Posing on Albert Einstein's chin


While he was posing for this photo, Mr. Hunter was nearly kidnapped by a passing teenager!  The young man grabbed Mr. H and started to walk off.  Yikes!
Legoland - Carlsbad, California
November 2008

Friday, March 11, 2011

Seeing Double

Mr. Hunter saw double when he posed with Grace right after she'd snapped his picture with her iPhone.

October 2008

Thursday, March 10, 2011

All Smiles

Mr. Hunter was all smiles when he posed with this peaceful Buddha on Mitzi's desk.

Namaste.
October 2008

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Human Pyramid

A Hall of Fame pose!

Jeremy sounded doubtful when Amy came up with the idea of a human pyramid.  I think he was afraid that he might crush them.  
But they all survived.


I love Jeremy's expression here.  He's just grabbed Mr. Hunter, and it looks like he's holding on and thinking, "Take the picture - quick!!"

Setting up.

Jeremy, Amy, and Cathleen
March 2008

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

In Bloom

Mr. Hunter has been enjoying the flowers as we head into Spring.

Magnolia tree.

Calla lily and camellia.

More magnolia.

March 2011