Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Decorate

I am starting off a Christmas series today, which I find ironic given my present mood. Some of you who are connected with me at Facebook probably saw my post on the weekend about being in a black wall depression at the moment. I am, admittedly, not a fan of Christmas, as it is a difficult time of year for me. But I'll do a series about the holidays in Ottawa regardless, and odds are some fresh shots will show up at the Ottawa Daily Photo Facebook page, along with the archive shots I add to the gallery there.

I am starting in a spot where I've spent the better part of the first half of this month in terms of the blog. Last year I went on a tour of Centre Block on Parliament Hill between Christmas and New Year's on a bitterly cold day. As it was uncertain at the time when the building would be closed down for the restoration work, I thought I would hold back some Christmas pics of the interior for this year. Christmas decorations are found throughout the building. This first tree stands in the large foyer outside the House of Commons.


This one, taken from two different perspectives, stood in the Hall of Honour, which leads to the Library of Parliament.


While this one stood in the Senate foyer.


In the background, a portrait of King George III lurks.


This is Confederation Hall from above, with its central pillar decorated for Christmas, and the arches surrounding it ringed by Christmas lights. On my way out of the building, I took some additional shots from the floor.

42 comments:

  1. I love public Christmas trees because they are so much bigger than we manage at home and so much better dressed. I hope your mood manages to lighten a little. You bring us such joy with your blog and regular comments.

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  2. I am sorry and you do have my respect for doing this series anyways. Or "because".
    My Mom ... well, she finally could let go on a 29th of December, so I actually do not like this time of the year, either. But all the lights cheer me up, so... thank you for sharing.

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  3. As another who finds this time of year difficult I'm sure you're right to go along with the festivities rather than try to fight against it. There are some splendid trees and decorations in your city.

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  4. I am not a huge fan of Christmas, either, not for any particular reason, the whole atmosphere of it just doen’t really appeal to me. There certainly is a lot of self-imposed pressure for many and the degree of commercialism is staggering. We live in a neighbourhood where people seem to be addicted to outdoor lights, often in obscene proportions. In an era when one is urged to conserve energy it is staggering to see the waste. I cannot begin to imagine what their bills must be!

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  5. Those are very pretty Christmas decorations!

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  6. This season is not all brightness and joy, it is often a difficult time for many, and I do sincerely hope that it soon passes you by. Some people revel in Christmas others do not, I don't think that you are alone.

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  7. sorry you are in a black wall of depression. Sometimes, just being out taking photographs can be theraputic. Hope that is the case for you. The decorations are lovely.

    Janis
    GDP

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  8. ...I love the simple white lights!

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  9. I am not a big fan of Christmas too. Not because it's a difficult time for me or so, but I don't like all those enormous diners and the overdone decorations and so on. I find more happyness and calmth in nature.
    Respect for you, William, I really hope it won't get too dark for you.

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  10. I hope the season isn't too difficult for you.

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  11. I know that Christmas is a difficult time for many people and I'm sending you hopes and hugs! And it's soon to be 2019 and it's a great time for a fresh start, no more overspending or overindulging.
    I like the brightly lit trees in your post. I haven't put up a tree yet, as there won't be any crowds here for Christmas, just me and my son's dog!

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  12. @Joan: some of the trees here can get quite big.

    @Iris: last year I had the same thing, but I felt better by the 27th. This year it was hearing 'It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year' for the twentieth time in a week that set it off for me.

    @John: there certainly are.

    @David: for me among the issues are family tensions, particularly with estranged sisters and memories of having to be polite to them at Christmas and to their dirtbag significant others. Emphasis on dirtbag.

    @Francisco: thank you.

    @Marianne: that they are.

    @Rosemary: I'll be glad when it's done.

    @Janis: I certainly think so.

    @Tom: so do I.

    @Jan: I'm doing what I can to push back against it. Listening to more than my share of Duke Ellington.

    @Anvilcloud: it's just a few more days now, so I can keep pushing forward.

    @Shammickite: I don't decorate at all at home.

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  13. It's common for many people to get depressed at this time of year. I'm glad you are starting a holiday series, which should be cheerful. Thanks for these bright pretty trees. :-)

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  14. Me too, depressed from a sense of loss of those who I loved who aren't around this year. So I'm blogging still, and going to look into some short term anti-depressant meds. I'll blog about the results (of course).

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  15. Nice festive photos
    This year zero lights decorating. I've held the boxes,even put one on the shopping cart, and put it back. The results of no twinkling lights around my home is surprisingly calming as well as uplifting.

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  16. They do a very good job of decorating here. I love the red bows on the tree.

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  17. It's hard for people to understand "a black wall of depression" but it's real and alters daily life. Yes, I think Christmas is over done and shopping is nuts.

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  18. Hello William!
    Like your festive pictures and the nice decorated Christmas tree.
    Winter gets me depressed,but you can find many ways to feel better.
    Have a a Happy Christmas with health and happiness!
    Dimi...

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  19. @DJan: you're welcome.

    @Barbara: I don't take meds, but I've done therapy.

    @Maywyn: I know that I don't decorate.

    @Sharon: it's always well done. I wonder what they'll do next year in the new locations.

    @Red: unless you've been through it, it's hard to relate to how much it affects a person.

    @Dimi: winter I love, but this part of it I'm happy when it's done.

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  20. Like you, I find Christmas a hard time of year. Also, teaching during this time is quite stressful. We both must power through. I do hope you feel better soon.

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  21. It must take hours to decorate that building.

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  22. Eye candy! I'm using my light box for SAD..... seems to help me!

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  23. An apt title for those photographs.

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  24. I think even the pagans knew that we need some kind of celebration to help us get through this time of year! Hope you get out for some good pics to help lift the mood.

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  25. These photos are so gorgeous! I love the trees.

    I'm sorry to hear you are feeling down. Have you thought about taking a trip away?

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  26. so festive! well pooh that stinks ... sorry to hear that ... i know what works for me ... when i am down and know what i need. but as always u never know what others need. i have heard a lot of folks have winter blues ... gosh, does good luck sound dumb? sure as heck it doesn't ... i mean the best. ( ;

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  27. Decorations are up everywhere now and your photos show their beauty. My wife and I are having a nice and quiet holiday. We don't participate in the shopping madness that goes on everywhere at this time. I hope you can find a little light for yourself. Thanks for sharing this post William.

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  28. @Michelle: all one can do is to keep moving forward, just get up and keep pushing through it.

    @Fun60: it is a lot of work.

    @Cloudia: SAD is one thing I don't have an issue with, but I know some people do this time of year.

    @Mari: I certainly thought so.

    @RedPat: and we're certainly closing in on their solstice.

    @Sandi: at the moment it's not possible, and I don't want to spread my mood to those family members who do matter to me.

    @Beth: thank you.

    @Bill: you're welcome.

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  29. Many do find Christmas hard, it is not all sweetness and light!
    I have to say a big thank-you for sharing these lovely Christmas trees with us. Lovely to see.

    All the best Jan

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  30. Beautiful Christmas trees. Sorry you aren't filled with the joy of Christmas. I think there are many who are depressed at this time of year. May one day you find the joy and peace that only Jesus can bring.

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  31. Sorry for your negative mood... let's hope it gets better when Christmas time is over. I must admit I love Christmas, not for the presents but for the stopping of all activities and the taking it easy at home.

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  32. William...I enjoyed seeing the decorations...and love your new header.

    I admire you for sharing your feelings. It is a difficult time for many. I have been there and all I know is that it eventually passes. Take good care of yourself. Janey

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  33. You have my sympathy William. I hope you can shake that soon. My partner is in the grips of the black dog at the moment too.

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  34. Somehow, I find when I take photos of the Christmas lights it does help me get through the Holiday season ~ I used to love the holidays but have lost most of the 'significant people' in my life early on and now ~ well it is 'just another day.'

    Well done photography and hoping your spirits will perk up and sending lots of healing energy hugs to you,

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  35. Christmas can be a difficult time of year as each year those I used to share it with decrease in number. Thank you for your wonderful photos which bring smiles to us all:)

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  36. I can understand your mood William. It can all just be too much especially (in my case anyway) after a certain age. I’d almost rather ignore it all, but always end up, like you, taking some Christmas pictures and using them ...and the ones we see are almost never anywhere near as pretty as yours are... I hope you do something special for yourself this next couple of weeks, something unrelated to the Holiday. Thank you for your beautiful posts (a year-round gift)...they have brought pleasure and taught me much at the same time.

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  37. Well, I don't see your FB posts so I didn't know about the black wall, but I get it completely. As much as I do enjoy the season, I've had some pretty dark times at Christmas (and this year more than one meltdown, which wasn't pretty.) We think we should be Hallmark movies (god forbid) and we aren't. Life isn't. So, I hope you do find a little "pretty" in the beautiful lights and photos you've shared and also some gentle quiet to do, be anything you want on Christmas and throughout the holiday. Sending wishes of peace and serenity for this crazy season your way.

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  38. I feel for you, man. This month really sucks for many.
    I'm estranged from my son, that adds to it.
    Damn cat is a bully. She is, at least, gone for a week.
    Life can weigh heavily.
    That said, you are doing really well. Take care. You'll get through it.

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  39. I hear you about Christmas! It is not a favourite of more people than we realize.

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  40. @Jan: it isn't for me, and that has returned now.

    @Happyone: I don't think this time of year is ever going to be happy for me.

    @Italiafinlandia: once Christmas is done, it seems to lift and go away.

    @Janey: thank you.

    @Karen: for me it happens every year.

    @Carol: it'll get better. Once Christmas is done.

    @Rosie: you're welcome.

    @Sallie: I tend to take Christmas photos for my readers, but if it were up to me, I'd abolish the occasion.

    @Jeanie: thank you.

    @Jennifer: it does.

    @Marie: and some are oblivious to that.

    @Klara: that they are.

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