…:: Alex Smirnov ::…

Blog, Photography, Books, Movies, Cooking, Geocaching, Travel and Various Things I Care About (And You Probably Don't)

…:: Alex Smirnov ::… header image 1

Plastic Jesus vs. Einstein Throwdown

August 20th, 2010 · Fun, Personal

Well … end of the week is here so it is time for some impromptu godless, or downright blasphemous fun time. Enter two plastic figures – Jesus “Action” Christ and Albert “E=mc^2″ Einstein.

→ 2 CommentsTags: ·····

Lunenburg, MA to Milford, NH Bicycle Ride

May 19th, 2010 · Bicycling

We had about 10 days before flying to Slovakia for an early vacation (and preemptive honeymoon) and needed to take care of a few things in Massachusetts before the wedding. There was some dead time on Sunday morning so I decided to bring my bike along and do a long(er) ride. Long Island is a miserable place for bike riding (especially longer rides), barring those few roads on East End. Add to that drivers who feel invincible and you have an extremely unpleasant combination. Anyway. The plan was to head out around 6:30AM and be done before noon, completing about 50 miles.

→ 4 CommentsTags: ··········

Bicycling on Long Island: Westhampton Barrier Island

May 11th, 2010 · Bicycling, Geocaching, Long Island

After last weeks inaugural ride of 2010, we headed to the Westhampton Barrier Island which lies to the south of Long island. There are several outer barrier islands lining the south shore of Long Island – Westhampton, Long Beach, Fire Island or Jones Beach. Westhampton barrier island is terminated by the Shinnecock inlet in the east and by the Moriches inlet in the west. It is not the longest of the four, but it is the only one that has an asphalt road spanning from one end to another AND is not entirely covered by obnoxious suburbia.

→ 4 CommentsTags: ·······

Greek Celebration Bread (Christopsomo)

March 15th, 2010 · Bread, Personal, Photography

Before my new copy of Peter Rheinhart’s book on Whole Grain Breads arrives in the mail, I decided to revisit his timeless classic “The Breadbaker’s Apprentice” and give a few more recipes a try. After battling a cold all last week, skipping my workouts and following less than a desirable diet, I decided to go out with a bang and picked a very aromatic and sweet recipe straight from the Mediterranean – The Greek Celebration Bread (Christopsomo). The recipe pretty much guarantees a complete sensory overload – sweetness from honey, rich satisfying taste taste from milk, eggs and olive oil and complex aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, almonds and lemon.

→ 3 CommentsTags: ····

Geocaching in Hubbard County Park (Long Island)

September 23rd, 2009 · Geocaching, Hiking, Long Island, Photography

Another geocaching “hike” on Long Island, the first one since our return from Slovakia. This time, I was joined by Richard who quite suddenly started geocaching himself. The weather was very nice, sunny but relatively cool and breezy and we even had Curie the dog with us for the day. I have geocached in the area before, in the Maple Swamp County Park to be exact. That time, we also ventured a bit into Hubbard County to pick up a few caches. There were, however, enough caches left to warrant another visit.

→ 3 CommentsTags: ········

Mount Monadnock (NH) Hike

August 23rd, 2009 · Geocaching, Hiking, Photography

After last year’s unsuccessful attempt (rainy and slippery) with Francis, Lisa, Andi and my mom I decided to try hiking Mt. Monadnock again, except this Millicent was around to join me on this hike. We decided to get an early start as we were still planning to drive down to Long Island later that afternoon. After a 30 minute drive from MA to Monadnock State Park in NH were paid the hiking fee ($4 per person), were given a map by a ranger who also gave us some good, albeit obvious advice. Bring plenty of water and warm clothing because weather can change quickly.

→ 3 CommentsTags: ····

Vacation in Slovakia 2009 (Bicycling: T. Jaseno – Jasenska Dolina – Necpaly – Folkusova – Pribovce – Martin)

June 25th, 2009 · Bicycling, Photography, Slovakia, Travel

For this ride, we were joined by my mom the first time although she did have some doubts us being able to finish this ride, considering the amount of hills. The ride I planned would take us from Ladoven through Drazkovce, Horny and Dolny Kalnik via the first big hill to Turcianske Jaseno, from there via the second big hill to Jasenska Dolina and Bela-Dulice. From Bela to Necpaly and from there via the third big hill to Folkusova and then through Pribovce back home to Martin.

→ 1 CommentTags: ······

Vacation in Slovakia 2009 (Bicycling: Bystricka – Strane – Jedloviny – Drazkovce)

June 24th, 2009 · Bicycling, Slovakia

One evening, after a reasonably rainy day my friend Richard (formerly known as Lafo, recently re-nicknamed by me as Ryžo) suggested we go out for a “short sweet bike ride” (his direct quote). You see, I have known Richard for over 15 years but have not really been in touch with him since he left Stony Brook more than a year or so ago. It must be said upfront that unlike Richard, I am not nearly in that good a shape as he is, not to mention the fact that I am easily twice his weight. At this point I was still blissfully unaware of what his concept of “short and sweet” is but in the interest of full disclosure it must be stated that it does not even to begin to approach mine.

→ 1 CommentTags: ······

Vacation in Slovakia 2009 (Bicycling: Martin – Trebostovo – Martin, via the “Tank Road”)

June 22nd, 2009 · Bicycling, Photography, Travel

With a significant delay of more than one month, I am finally finding small patches of free time to write about our vacation activities. One of the first things we have done after settling in my mom’s apartment was that we got a bike for Andi. After her dissatisfaction with a hybrid (trekking) bike in the US, we got a mountain bike – Author Solution. Just like last year, I borrowed a bike from my father – Author brand as well. The next day, we took both bikes for a spin in the hilly terrain around my Martin, my home town.

→ 1 CommentTags: ······

S Garminom po Hribiky.

June 21st, 2009 · Fun, Geocaching, Travel

Toto je záber na môj Garmin nüvi 205W pri kešovačke v Tvrdošíne. Kombinácia názvu ulice “Hríbiky” v Tvrdošíne so spôsobom akým Garmin interpretuje mapu Slovakia Roads skončila takouto srandovnou hláškou. Len pre informáciu dodám, že hríbiky ešte nerástli. This post simply makes no sense in English, only in Slovak. //

→ 1 CommentTags: ·····