locr Blog

All I want for Christmas

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:26:51 +0100

An illuminated christmas pyramid at the Christmas market

in Brunswick by tomg124

This weekend Germany's Christmas markets are going to open. Each year Christmas Markets spring up around in Germany in the weeks before Christmas holidays, signalling the beginning of Advent.

The centuries-old tradtion reaches back to a time when regular seasonal markets took place throughout the year. Christmas markets were a welcome occurrence during cold- weather months. They were joyful occassions for weary villagers and added abit of light to long winter nights.

The first markets were held in the German speaking part of Germany in the Late Middle Ages . In the beginning the Christmas markets were little more than winter markets that lastet a couple of days. Instead of the cosy stands that line ,market alleys today, traders in some cities laid their goods out in the streets. Through the years, each market has stayed true to its own particularities, with each specializing on local delicacies and traditional products, In the past, only local tradesmen were allowed to sell their ware at the city's market, which led to the distinctive regional character of today's markets. Today Christmas markets serve much the same function that they have for centuries - as a festive meeting place for locals and a market for homemade Christmas ornaments and decorations.

Popular attractions at the market include carved Nutcrackers, Christmas Cookies such as Lebkuchen, Christstollen, Bratwurst and my favourite Glühwein ( hot mulled wine ). Many other handcrafts can be be found there like toys and Christmas tree decoration.

tomg124 has already visited the Brunswick Christmas market. I will check out the Hanover Christmas market on Sunday. Check my photos. How is your Christmas market like? Please take pictures and join our Group Weihnachtsmärkte - Christmas markets.

Do you have interesting stories to tell? Just let me know!

Best Wishes

rejay

Ireland in Minature

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:16:06 +0100

Stone figure near the Cardonah Cross in Ireland by x-matrix

x-matrix discovered the Cardonah Cross, also known as St. Patricks Cross. His photo shows one of the two figures nearby the cross of the 7th century. It is believed that the Cardonah Cross is the oldest one in Ireland.

Cardonah is situated on th Inishowen Peninsula in the North West of the Republic of Ireland. The Peninsula possesses such a range of sights and attractions that is often referred to as 'Ireland in Miniature'. This is the undiscovered Ireland, a world apart, a timeless place.

This ancient territory (The Land of the O' Dohertys), in County Donegal is the most northerly part of Ireland. Its northern shore is on the restless Atlantic Ocean. Lough Swilly forms its western boundary and Lough Foyle its eastern boundary. It is connected with the mainland on the south and is not as its name implies, an island, but a magnificent peninsula.

Monuments of an earlier age grow from the landscape as castles, towers and ancient churches shimmer in the sunshine. The Celtic crosses and the pagan monuments come together in a colourful tapestry with these great houses of the last century, to leave more lasting memories for the visitor.

Have you visted interesting places? Just let me know!

Best Wishes

rejay

4500 Kilometers for a Children's Hospice for Germany

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:20:29 +0100

Erich Rudzinski on the tramp by kinderhospizlauf

Over 3347 kilometers has he already managed.An enormous task for the individual Erich Rudzinski, skilled male nurse and masseur, to deal with. “My two kids are healthy, but we have a deadly ill child within our family. Moreover two friends of mine have lost their children because of incurable diseases.” A tragic stroke of fate that often destroys entire families.” One of my friends has lost his way completely. He got a divorce and is unemployed, today.”

“These people shouldn’t became a mere fringe group in society. “These families need help u.a. through a children’s hospice, in which young patients will find a place of understanding and their family members will find support. “ “There are estimated 23.000 incurable children in Germany and there are only a 85 places in children’s hospices nationwide.” This has to be changed, in the opinion of Rudzinski (49) and took action. locr has accompanied him since March 2008. Support his charity run and become a member of his group Kinderhospizlauf / Children's Hospice Run

You do something good or you know someone? Why do not present it on locr.com? Just write me a message!

Best Wishes
rejay

Halloween

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:11:23 +0100

The typical Jack O'Lantern

Today everybody should be ready for “Trick or Treat”, because Halloween isn’t celebrated only in the USA. It also became pretty popular in Europe since the 90ies.

Actually, this custom comes from Ireland. Later in the 19th century the Irish emigrants brought it to North America, where a lot of children adopted it, because it was so attractive to them.
Furthermore Halloween refers to the Celtic fest “Samhain”. Since then it is a common saying that spirits can get in contact with the living on Halloween. The name is shortened from the religion festivity “All Hallows’ Even”.
If you want to celebrate Halloween, you need a typical “Jack O’Lantern”, which is a carved and decorated pumpkin.
The Jack O’Lantern comes from a legend about a man, who escaped from Hell with a trick, but the door to Heaven was still closed for him. So he was condemned to stay between Hell and Heaven with a pumpkin and a candle.
That could be the reason to give them pumpkins a monstrous face today.

So get your costumes and have a Happy Halloween.

Best regards

Ingo82

Top Ten of Environmental Pollution

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:51:23 +0200

Coal-Power-Station by Christcarrier

The environmental organisation „Green Cross Schweiz“ and the „Blacksmith Institute“ just published a Top Ten list with the worst environmental pollutions.
Things, such as gold mining and the pollution of water with heavy metal have some of the biggest impacts on us.
Even if we think that we solved most of the problems in our country, the “rich-world” is causing the problems in the 3rd World, because we need the raw material so hard.
These toxins go around the world. So you can find the quicksilver, which you need for gold mining, in the tuna we eat.
So we just want to try to open people’s mind for it and started an own group were you can publish photos which document a pollution in any way.

Face Global Issues

We hope you guys take part in the group and like to discuss these problems.

Best regards

Ingo82

Battle of the Year 2008 in Brunswick

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:28:07 +0200

La Halla King Zoo (Marocco) with their premier powerful animal performance

Hello Everyone,

On October 18th, the Volkswagen Halle in Brunswick, Germany was a Mecca for breakdance and hip hop enthusiasts from around all world. Around 200 dancers and more than 20 crews faced each other in the attempt to prove which group was the best. Over 7500 international visitors attended the annual contest which can look back on 18 years of event history. This year's musical support was provided by the DJs Kid Cut (Germany) and Element (USA). The evening was mc-ed by Spax (Germany) and Trix (England) who have basically become traditions in and of themselves. In addition to the main event on October 18th, not only workshops were held October 14-16, a flexible supporting program was also offered. This year, these activities certainly included the finals for the “WE B-GIRLZ 2on2 BATTLE” with participants from Germany, France and Brazil as well as the premiere of the movie “PLANET B-BOY”.

rejay was on lots of locations for you. She practically got no sleep at all. But she is a great fan of HipHop and Breakdance, so she didn't care. It was as exciting like always for her.

These years' results:
1. Place: Top 9 (Russia)
2. Place: TIP (Korea)
Best show: Top 9 (Russia)
1. Place Winner B Girl Battle: Sarah&Manuela (France)

Check rejay's photos from the "Battle of the Year" 2008:

Workshop with Born
Workshop with Kid David
Workshop with Vartan
Workshop with Arzu
Workshop Presentation
We B*Girlz international 2 on 2 Finals
Battle of the Year 2008 Finals

Coming Up Next Year:
October 17th 2009, a very special date for the B Boy/Girl community worldwide! Battle Of The Year will celebrate its 20th anniversary and it will be celebrated this with a very special and unique programme! One week full of international youth and dance culture on the highest level. Just check Battle of the Year 20th Anniversary

Do your photos tell interesting stories? Let us know!!!

Kisses Lilly

locr meets Will Smith double at photokina

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:42:22 +0200

Meet and Greet with Will Smith?

Hello Everyone,

The locr team met a Will Smith Double at photokina. A digital camera manufacturer offered a photoshooting with the look-a-like. We enjoyed it. What about you have you also taken a photo with him. Just let us know.

Kisses Lilly

Cruise ship may cross tropical storm Kyle

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:48:38 +0200

Thanks to jannorth, who is on a cruise ship sailing from New London, Conneticut toward Boston MA. Looks like an interesting cruise !

The prediction shows the expected route of the tropical storm, named Kyle.

This is the route of the vessel. Right now the cruise ship is in Boston.

Maybe we will see some interesting photos from him, while they will pass the storm ? Let's hope, that the storm will not develop to a hurricane.
Greetings to the Atlantic Ocean, lilly locr

locr at photokina 2008

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:27:15 +0200

Many greetings from your locr team

Hello Everyone,

We're having an exhausting week. Lots to discover and a lot to talk about. You'll find us in Hall 10.2, Booth A25. We'd love to get to know you. Many users have stopped by for a little chat. schimmi was already here and has taken this wonderful photo. What about you?

Kisses Lilly

2008 Sichuan Earthquake

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:21:01 +0200

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday, wondrous uploaded photos that made me think. Newspapers and TV programs talked about 9/11. Don't get me wrong, it's important to speak about the 2,974 victims and the inconceivable attack on democracy and Western attitude. But what about the 68,620 deaths in the "Great Sichuan Earthquake" on May 12, 2008.

People trying to return to daily routine in Sichuan province (2008/06/29)

The 2008 Sichuan earthquake which measured at 8.0 Ms occured in Sichuan province of China. It was also known as the Wenchuan earthquake after the earthquake's epicenter in Wenchuan County, Sichuan province. The epicenter was 80 kilometres west-northwest of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan. The earthquake was felt as far away as Beijing (1,500 kilometres away) and Shanghai (1,700 kilometres 1,056 away), where office buildings swayed with the tremor. The earthquake left about 4.8 million people homeless.It is the deadliest and strongest earthquake to hit China since the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, which killed at least 240,000 people. Approximately 15 million people lived in the affected area. Strong aftershocks, some exceeding magnitude 6, continue to hit the area even months after the main quake, causing new casualty and damage. wondrous, don't let the vicitims ever be forgotten.

Kisses Lilly

Hase eins on World Tour

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:33:15 +0200

Hello Everyone!!

Have you already met Hase eins (engl. Rabbit one)? rejay was browsing around in our Community and found him. In Album “Hase eins auf Reisen” (engl. Rabbit one traveling the World) you can take part in Hase eins' adventures. But just let Hase eins tell us more about himself.

“My name is simply Hase eins (There’s also a Hase zwei, but this is another story). I was just on tour again, that’s why it took me so long to answer. My two owners have a huge world map with tiny pins on it displaying the places they like to visit at home. The places we have already been, get a flag with a photo. I tell you, sometimes it’s very exhausting! That’s why my eyes and ears have already suffered a bit. So I won’t get bored while traveling in bag packs, my little friend accompanies me from now on. Normally he shall not be in the picture, but this time he was allowed to do so.
Oh my, if I think about how much space is left on the world map, I feel dizzy. Let’s see, where I have to act as a model…next

Best wishes

Hase eins

We love to read from Hase eins . Or do you have an interesting story for us to tell. Just write me ...

Kisses Lilly

Best of StreetArt

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:01:55 +0200

Knock, Knock, Knock – it’s me again, Lilly Locr.

rejay had a great idea. She created a Group with Graffiti photos from a friend of hers.

Best of StreetArt

Raw in Kiel! - merl*raw Location:Kiel

This is my favorite! And what do you think?

Dast B Day Session - merl*raw - Location: Hanover

Please join rejay's Group: Graffitis, Walls, Character etc. - Best of StreetArt and send her the best StreetArt ever!!!

Best Wishes Lilly

Arrival at Antarctica

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:09:00 +0200

As they were crying for help… This dramatic picture was taken by fueguino. He took part in an expedition to Antarctica. They landed at Base Antartica Marambio, the main Argentine base in Antarctica. Browsing his photos, I wondered if fuegino portrayed himself smiling next to the Base Marambio sign. Don’t miss fueguinos photos..... Tell us more about your expedition fueguinos…
Kisses Lilly Locr

2008 Summer Olympics – One World One Dream

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:56:53 +0200

This Canadian canoeist is struggling with rapids. The water is tough, but he seems to manage it. Ciecchyz from China has caught this moment for us. The photo was taken in Mapozhen, one of the scenes of the Summer Olympics. For more fascinating photos, stop by at Ciecchyz.
謝謝 (Xièxie) Ciecchyz!Thank You Ciecchyz!
Kisses Lilly

New Settings in Albums and Photos without Geotag

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:24:08 +0200

Your photo albums appear in a new view and with optimized settings. On the right side of your Album you can see an overview of all added photos. With the Icons you can now easily add photos to your album, start a Slideshow or display your photos including locations on a map.

In addition you can add interesting descriptions write comments and put keywords to your photos. So you can design your album more individual and inform more detailed about your experiences.

Furthermore you have the opportunity to restrict certain photos within an album. Photos that are thought to be seen only by friends or family are only visible to these people.

By popular request we have a new attitude regarding photos without geotags. As you know, you can also upload photos without geodata at locr. These photos are now visible to all users of the locr community.