Welcome, to yet another exciting photo series to our latest renovation project - Vilgāle flat.

I bought this flat at an online auction back in September 2020, it took me a few months before all the legal procedures were done and we could actually start renovation works. 

For actual renovation works, I hired local contractors at Kuldīga town. Not to speak more here are photos from our first "operation" - tearing down the walls and removing the floor. During these renovation works, I was absent and enjoyed our time in Jūrmala. 

Inner walls removed at Vilgāle flat

Here itš planned to install a modern kitchen

Inner walls removed

by removing this wall we are making a spacious united…

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When talking about mirrorless cameras in 2021, Sony, Canon and Fujifilm are the brands to consider.

In this article, I've listed the top 10 best selling mirrorless cameras on Amazon.com

A quick note: Please note this list contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on Amazon site, I will earn an affiliate income from that. Prices for mirrorless cameras listed on this page is retrieved by using Amazon Product Advertising API and is updated daily

Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera with 8K Video, 45 Megapixel Full-Frame CMOS Sensor, DIGIC X Image Processor, Dual Memory Card Slots, and Up to 12 fps Mechnical Shutter, Body Only

The…

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A quick drone flight around Laidi village in Kuldīga municipality / Laidi manor and former kolkhoz Spartak. I'm starting to enjoy these long-range flights without any signal interference as seen in big cities. DJI Mavic Mini / music by Scott Holmes - Storybook. October 26, 2020  

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Nikon DSLR cameras are a great alternative to more popular Canon cameras

Some of the most popular NIKON DSLR camera models are Nikon D5600 and Nikon D3500 - which both are great entry level DSLR cameras while more demanding photographers will enjoy the D750 full-frame camera. Whcihever you chose - Nikon is a great brand for DSRL cameras.

If you are planning to purchase your first DSRL camera in 2021,  this article is for you, here you will find Top 10 Best selling NIKON DSRL cameras available on Amazon. Most of the models are entry-level cameras, but there are a few models pro photographers would love to have.

A quick note: Please note this list contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this…

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Another short from DJI Mavic Mini drone, with little post-processing done in Adobe Premiere Pro, applied some cinematic filters Filmed on October 24. Music by David Hilowitz - Equilibrium I Cello version

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Today working on my favorite website - optionsbrew.com, for a moment I faced a small issue - how to display block (s) on the default taxonomy/term page.

I remember I was doing such tricks back in 2012 or 2013 and was wondering does it still applies in 2021, turns out -  it does!

Here is the solution: on the Configure block page, under the Pages tab, enter /taxonomy/term/* and save

Configuring Drupal 8 block

Here is how our taxonomy term page looked before:

 

Drupal 8 default taxonomy term page

And here is after

Drupal taxonomy term page with custom blocks in sidebar

Hope it helps!

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I've been a Canon person since I bought my first Canon DSLR (Rebel T5) back in 2015. The camera still suits me, and I paid less than $500 for it. Now, that what I love about Canon. 

About a half year ago I made a switch to drone photography and now my regular photography is suffering, but when looking on this top 15 best selling Canon DSLR list, there are few I would like to own. A full frame processor would be the first thing I would look at.

There is a good saying  - a photographer needs to upgrade his/her gear just only once the existing gear is outperforming

If you are planning to purchase your first DSRL camera in 2021,  this article is for you, here you will find Top 15 Best selling DSRL cameras available on…

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Here comes another weekly video, shot at the end of October 2020 in Jūrmala, while taking 10-day self-isolation

Jūrmala self-isolation edition Another short from DJI Mavic Mini drone, with little post-processing done in Adobe Premiere Pro, applied some cinematic filters Filmed on October 17 and 20. Music by Scott Holmes - Motivational

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Cēsis Castle is one of the most iconic and best-preserved medieval castles in Latvia.

The foundations of the castle were laid 800 years ago by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. The most prosperous period Cēsis Castle experienced was during its next owners, the Teutonic Order. It became one of the key administrative and economic centers of the Teutonic Order in Livonia and was a seat of Landmeister in Livland.

The first serious damage was done to the castle during the Livonian War, when it was besieged by the army of Ivan the Terrible. In the course of the siege of 1577 approximately 300 people within the castle committed mass suicide by blowing themselves up with gunpowder. Cēsis Castle was still in use during the…

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ASUS produces laptop models that will suit almost all consumer verticals, starting cheaper editions with free Chrome OS (affordable for students), ending very powerful laptops designed for gamers.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on the Amazon site, I will earn an affiliate income at no cost to you. Prices for laptops listed on this page are retrieved using Amazon Product  Advertising API and is updated daily. For actual prices please refer to the product page on Amazon.

ASUS Laptop L210 Ultra Thin Laptop, 11.6” HD Display, Intel Celeron N4020 Processor, 4GB RAM,…

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Here is another interesting drone video showcasing Ujarma fortress, Alazani river, and vineyards in Kakheti

More fun with a drone or a day trip to Kakheti. Ujarma Fortress, stunning views of Alazani river and of course vineyards. October 3, 2020, taken with DJI Mavic mini Music by: Scott Holmes - Storybook

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Piltene Lutheran church is located in Piltene, some 20km from Ventspils. The church was originally built-in 1557.

The pride of the Piltene church is gilded wooden altar and pulpit, organ with 9 stops, wooden images of XII century Apostles, benches, and separate lodges with doors with kettle-hinges.

I first discovered the Pitlene church at the sart of 2021, while doing random wanderings in the area

Pitlene church from a drone flight

The church was built in 1557. During the Great Northern War, the church building began to collapse, and in 1708 the congregation decided to build a new church.

In 1710, the great plague began and the construction was stopped, in 1717, during the aftermath, 257…

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Gray dune area in Ventspils is a part of “Preserving, Exhibiting and Developing Tourism of Culture History and Nature Heritage of Northern Courland” of the Ventspils Museum project, during which the creation of an infrastructure of the South Western part of the city was carried out, has been completed. A new parking lot and two new entries to the beach are currently available to the residents and guests.

I first discovered the Gray dune area in January 2021, while doing a random driving around Ventspils. As it was winter we met here more snow than sand.

Gray dune area in Ventspils

The infrastructure development project was implemented at the end of the Saulrieta Street and in the Jurmala Park, where a new…

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Trading stocks in 2021 doesn't necessarily require some very powerful computer, in fact, most of the trading can be done via phone.

As a seasoned stock trader (options trader) I wouldn't recommend using a phone for full-time trading  (it could be used on the go), but rather stick with a laptop or desktop.

I'm  using HP Probook I bought back in 2018,  while looking for possible updates candidates, here I listed some of the best selling laptops I guess will suit most stock traders in 2021

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on Amazon site, I will earn an…

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Martkopi monastery complex is located some 30km from Tbilisi, Georgia.

This place is best reached by car, but some could get here by hiking too, see: Hiking Route in Georgia - Norio Village - Martkopi Monastery

Filmed with DJI Mavic Mini on September 23, 2020, Post-production in Adobe Premiere PRO Martkopi monastery complex, located just some 30km from Tbilisi I was told - they are sheltering some 100 people here. That's the true spirit of Church! First discovered back in 2017, returned here with a drone in 2020. Music by Scott Holmes: Discovery  

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Saint Simon's Church in Valmiera is one of the most noticeable objects in the city, located in the heart of the city on Bruņinieku iela 2.

The architecture of St Simon's Church combines the Romanesque and Gothic styles. The church boasts 15th-16th century burial plaques of the city's notables, a pipe organ built in 1886 by a well-known European organ builder Friedrich Ladegast, and paintings on the pulpit and the organ loft made back in 1730. The church tower accommodates an exhibition space, and the viewing platform overlooks the panorama of Valmiera.

Saint Simon's Church in Valmiera

St Simon's Church of Valmiera was built on a steep bank of the River Gauja in 13th century. There exist rather reliable…

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Valmiera music school is located next to the Gauja river banks on Pilskalna street 3 (Valmiera)

I had a chance to explore the area at the start of January 2021, while doing a day trip to Valmiera and Cēsis.

Discovered by accident, I decided to make some photography from a drone in this area. 

Here is what I got:

Valmiera music school

To learn more, please visit https://vms.valmiera.lv/ (in Latvian)

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In this article, you will find the top 20 best selling HP laptops 2021

Most of the  HP laptops in 2021 comes with the latest Windows 10 operating system, 

Keep reading to find out what is in trend in 2021 or see: 17 Best HP Laptops You Can Buy Online - Amazon.com

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on Amazon site, I will earn an affiliate income at no cost to you. Prices for laptops listed on this page are retrieved using Amazon Product  Advertising API and is updated daily. For actual prices please refer to the product page on Amazon.

HP Pavilion 15…

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Welcome to the new 2021. For this year I have decided to start a new project - one video a week / 52 weeks

Without further ado, let's start with this cool cinematic circuit drone footage from the open-air museum of Tbilisi filmed back in 2020

Filmed with DJI Mavic Mini on August 29, 2020, Post-production in Adobe Premiere PRO

Made my first 'fly-through', met some young Georgian dancers performing very cool Rachuli dance. Music by: Scott Holmes - Cinematic Trailer & Rachuli Georgian Song and Dance (unauthorized use)

 

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Užava Lighthouse - a lighthouse located on the Latvian coast of the Baltic Sea.

The lighthouse stands in an isolated location, on a 28 metres high sand dune, which is permanently threatened by the Baltic Sea waves' erosion.For this reason, the first coastal reinforcement – a dense log wall was constructed to secure the lighthouse's location in 1910. Later, fir-tree baskets filled with gravel, and big boulders to absorb the waves' energy.

Uzava lighthouse

Currently, the base of the lighthouse is protected by rock armour.

The original tower of the Užava lighthouse was destroyed by artillery shells during World War I. The present-day lighthouse tower is 19 meters in height, completed in 1925. The…

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