Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Appreciating photography
Because of my recent foray into the world of DSLR cameras and photography, I have started paying much more attention to the color/composition/effect of photographs. I ran across this collection of photos from Australian photographer Patrick Boland. It is called the Cockatoo Island Project. The island was a former prison/reform school that was then turned into one of Australia's biggest shipyards. Now it is in ruin. Check out the pictures. You won't be disappointed.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Good gosh, what a weekend!
It was a whirlwind weekend here in north Alabama. It was fun, but glad it's over. Unfortunately, that means it is time to go back to work. :-( And that's where I am. Shhhh, please don't tell them that I'm updating my blog.
Friday night I've already told you about. Super show at the Princess Theater. What a treasure that place has turned out to be over the years for the City of Decatur. They have offered many wonderful opportunities for folks around here to get a little culture, entertainment, education, and all around fun. Next Friday night Punch Brothers, featuring Chris Thile, will be performing. Thile was the mandolinist and vocalist for the Nickel Creek band. He has formed this new band. He is a national mandolin champion, great vocalist and gifted songwriter. Tickets are still available and affordable. You should check them out.
All day Saturday and Sunday I was in Birmingham for a photography workshop offered by Rocky Mountain School of Photography. Let me just say, "WOW!" I had so many "a-ha" moments, I had to stop counting! I was also thrilled that a fellow-blogger, Saintseester, was there for the Saturday workshop, and a fellow-Flickr buddy, dixiephotogirl, was there for both days. It was a superb weekend workshop. Best $$ I've spent since I got the digital camera.
Friday night I've already told you about. Super show at the Princess Theater. What a treasure that place has turned out to be over the years for the City of Decatur. They have offered many wonderful opportunities for folks around here to get a little culture, entertainment, education, and all around fun. Next Friday night Punch Brothers, featuring Chris Thile, will be performing. Thile was the mandolinist and vocalist for the Nickel Creek band. He has formed this new band. He is a national mandolin champion, great vocalist and gifted songwriter. Tickets are still available and affordable. You should check them out.
All day Saturday and Sunday I was in Birmingham for a photography workshop offered by Rocky Mountain School of Photography. Let me just say, "WOW!" I had so many "a-ha" moments, I had to stop counting! I was also thrilled that a fellow-blogger, Saintseester, was there for the Saturday workshop, and a fellow-Flickr buddy, dixiephotogirl, was there for both days. It was a superb weekend workshop. Best $$ I've spent since I got the digital camera.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Southern Nights and Broadway Lights
Just a quick post before bedtime. Len & I went to the Princess Theater tonight for a benefit concert for the Foundation for Mental Health. It was a great show with some wonderful local performers. But I must say that the guy who "stole the show" was Robert Montgomery. He is a banjo player from Moulton. He was absolutely incredible. Please check out his website. He also has a MySpace page and videos on YouTube. I can't wait to see him again !
Beautiful Day in the Smokies...
And no, I am not there. Unfortunately. Just flipping through some of the webcams and wishing....
Info says visibility is about 60 miles with temp of 45 degrees. Wishing I was there.
Info says visibility is about 60 miles with temp of 45 degrees. Wishing I was there.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Catching up..
It's been a BUSY week at work and at home. I haven't been posting pictures to the Flickr Project 365, but I have been taking them. Except for today...it's already after 7:30 and I haven't taken one yet. Waiting for inspiration.
Here's a few I took this week and just got uploaded:
There's a story behind that last one. That is a picture of my new hoodie from Fern Hill Fainters. Len & I happened to catch a repeat of a recent Dirty Jobs episode. Mike was at Fern Hill Fainters Farm in Cross Plains, Tennessee - home of the "world famous" fainting goats. It was a hoot. So, of course, I had to order the sweat shirt. A buddy of ours that still works with Len told me years ago about visiting a friend of his that had Fainting Goats. Check out the farm website. They have a video clip from the Dirty Jobs episode.
Here's a few I took this week and just got uploaded:
There's a story behind that last one. That is a picture of my new hoodie from Fern Hill Fainters. Len & I happened to catch a repeat of a recent Dirty Jobs episode. Mike was at Fern Hill Fainters Farm in Cross Plains, Tennessee - home of the "world famous" fainting goats. It was a hoot. So, of course, I had to order the sweat shirt. A buddy of ours that still works with Len told me years ago about visiting a friend of his that had Fainting Goats. Check out the farm website. They have a video clip from the Dirty Jobs episode.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What was I thinking?
I posted a few days ago about flying by the seat of my pants, going where life takes me, trying new things...what the heck was I thinking?
Last night I was lying there trying to get to sleep and all I could do was run through all of the things that I have got lined up for the end of the week! Friday night, we'll be heading to the Princess Theatre in Decatur for the Southern Nights and Broadway Lights fundraiser. Saturday morning, I have to be in Birmingham by around 8:00 am for a photography workshop weekend being offered by the Rocky Mountain School of Photography. That will be over around 4 pm and then I drive back to Decatur for a choir party that starts around 6:00 pm. I'm in charge of the karaoke machine (which has be be picked up on Friday afternoon before the concert at the Princess). Then, Sunday morning, it's back to Birmingham for the 2nd day of the photography workshop.
I'm tired already!!
Last night I was lying there trying to get to sleep and all I could do was run through all of the things that I have got lined up for the end of the week! Friday night, we'll be heading to the Princess Theatre in Decatur for the Southern Nights and Broadway Lights fundraiser. Saturday morning, I have to be in Birmingham by around 8:00 am for a photography workshop weekend being offered by the Rocky Mountain School of Photography. That will be over around 4 pm and then I drive back to Decatur for a choir party that starts around 6:00 pm. I'm in charge of the karaoke machine (which has be be picked up on Friday afternoon before the concert at the Princess). Then, Sunday morning, it's back to Birmingham for the 2nd day of the photography workshop.
I'm tired already!!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Late resolution
I mentioned yesterday that an old high school friend was now one of the columnists for The Decatur Daily Living Today section. It's a little column called Chatterbox. It's generally hometown things, local charity organizations' happenings, family reunions, personal anecdotes from the various columnists. I haven't been in touch with her for many years, but I was very excited to see her name and picture when she started writing columns for the paper.
On Sunday she had a quick couple of paragraphs about "No plans needed." I'm going to share a few lines from that column that I am going to try and take to heart myself this year. I swear the days on the calendar are flying off at warp speed and don't show any sign of slowing down. Here is what Wendy Lang Beck had to say:
"I am convinced that a good plan is great, but going where the spirit leads, as my mother says, is really the way to travel. This new year I commit to traveling off the beaten path, taking the road less traveled, reading between the lines, dancing to the beat of a different drummer and not letting life pass me by while I stand still."
I know I'm over two weeks into the new year, but I think it's still early enough to add to my short list of resolutions. I'm adding the paragraph above. She summed it up perfectly, particularly about traveling off the beaten path. Create your own paths this year and don't get stuck in the ruts of the old paths.
On Sunday she had a quick couple of paragraphs about "No plans needed." I'm going to share a few lines from that column that I am going to try and take to heart myself this year. I swear the days on the calendar are flying off at warp speed and don't show any sign of slowing down. Here is what Wendy Lang Beck had to say:
"I am convinced that a good plan is great, but going where the spirit leads, as my mother says, is really the way to travel. This new year I commit to traveling off the beaten path, taking the road less traveled, reading between the lines, dancing to the beat of a different drummer and not letting life pass me by while I stand still."
I know I'm over two weeks into the new year, but I think it's still early enough to add to my short list of resolutions. I'm adding the paragraph above. She summed it up perfectly, particularly about traveling off the beaten path. Create your own paths this year and don't get stuck in the ruts of the old paths.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Starting to slip...
Well, I missed posting a photo for my Flickr 365 yesterday. But I am NOT going to stop. I'll be back today with a new picture. Minor personal crisis yesterday afternoon sort of threw a monkey wrench in the works. But missing one day is not going to derail the effort. Kinda like that diet we start every year. The first time you fall off the wagon, you throw your hands up in disgust and scream, "Well, what's the point now?! May as well just chunk the whole thing!" ....not.
I read an article in last Sunday's Decatur Daily written by an old high school buddy. She's one of the columnists now in the Living Today section. I'll share it in a later post. But, it kind of goes along with something that I've said for a long time now. Your happiness (or lack of) is what you make it. I have a couple of family members who think their lives are miserable, they're miserable, the world is just out to get them, and it's all someone else's fault. Nope. I've known folks over the years that have suffered some terrible things, but somehow they still manage to have a smile on their face and a kind word for everyone around them. They are happy because they choose to be. I was raised pretty much in the same environment as my miserable relatives. My life is good. While I may not be happy every hour of every day, I am happy. And when I let myself get down and I'm feeling not-so-happy, I have no one to blame but myself.
Be happy today. Thank God for all your blessings. Tell those you love that you love them. What could be worse than not getting tell them ever again?
A young man that graduated with my son was killed in Afghanistan last week. He has left behind a loving family and fiance. They won't get that opportunity to say "I love you" again. Don't you miss that chance.
I read an article in last Sunday's Decatur Daily written by an old high school buddy. She's one of the columnists now in the Living Today section. I'll share it in a later post. But, it kind of goes along with something that I've said for a long time now. Your happiness (or lack of) is what you make it. I have a couple of family members who think their lives are miserable, they're miserable, the world is just out to get them, and it's all someone else's fault. Nope. I've known folks over the years that have suffered some terrible things, but somehow they still manage to have a smile on their face and a kind word for everyone around them. They are happy because they choose to be. I was raised pretty much in the same environment as my miserable relatives. My life is good. While I may not be happy every hour of every day, I am happy. And when I let myself get down and I'm feeling not-so-happy, I have no one to blame but myself.
Be happy today. Thank God for all your blessings. Tell those you love that you love them. What could be worse than not getting tell them ever again?
A young man that graduated with my son was killed in Afghanistan last week. He has left behind a loving family and fiance. They won't get that opportunity to say "I love you" again. Don't you miss that chance.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Just a quick post
Too busy over the weekend to do any posting. But thank goodness for XM supplying another chuckle and photo op on my way to a SAR team function yesterday morning.
If I have to explain it, you just don't need to know:
If I have to explain it, you just don't need to know:
Friday, January 9, 2009
Joe (8/365)
For months, I've been seeing a camel in a pasture about 2 miles from our home in Trinity, Alabama. Honest to God, a big ol' huge camel. He's usually way back in the pasture, too far away for a good picture. I always hoped to catch the folks at the barn that's in the pasture, but never do. Finally, yesterday I caught Joe up at the fence getting fed by a neighbor. The guy feeding him doesn't own him and doesn't really know who he belongs too. He just feeds him grain from time to time. Thank goodness I had the camera in the car!!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
XM (7/365)
Well, it's Day 7 of 365 in the Flickr Project 365 group. Unfortunately, the weather was really crappy all day and I was busy at work. So, no time to go out and find a photo op. It was almost dark by the time I headed home from work, so that didn't help either. As I was heading down Highway 20 into Decatur, I was humming along with the radio and happened to glance over at the display. I had to chuckle, grab the cell phone and take a picture!
This particular photo op fitted in nicely with an article I read earlier in the day on Fox News titled: Having a Big Derriere May Be Good for Your Health, Study Finds. So take that, all you skinny-minnies :-) Baby Got Back is a good thing after all !
This particular photo op fitted in nicely with an article I read earlier in the day on Fox News titled: Having a Big Derriere May Be Good for Your Health, Study Finds. So take that, all you skinny-minnies :-) Baby Got Back is a good thing after all !
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Epiphany
A Christian festival held on January 6 in celebration of the manifestation of the divine nature of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
"When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matt 2:9-11)
Be overwhelmed with joy today and every day.
"When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matt 2:9-11)
Be overwhelmed with joy today and every day.
Monday, January 5, 2009
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas....
Work. Bummer. Still kinda quiet though, with everyone recovering from the two week break.
I did a quick photo shoot on the way home. I'm up to Day 5 of 365 in the Flickr group Project 365! I've also joined the North Alabama Photographers Guild (NAPG) on Flickr. Obviously I'm in way over my head, but I figure the best way to learn is to just keep shooting and trying and studying. They do a monthly contest with a theme. This month's theme is "Photojournalism." Here's my entry, taken this afternoon on the way home:
I don't expect to get any votes, but it's fun to try.
I did a quick photo shoot on the way home. I'm up to Day 5 of 365 in the Flickr group Project 365! I've also joined the North Alabama Photographers Guild (NAPG) on Flickr. Obviously I'm in way over my head, but I figure the best way to learn is to just keep shooting and trying and studying. They do a monthly contest with a theme. This month's theme is "Photojournalism." Here's my entry, taken this afternoon on the way home:
I don't expect to get any votes, but it's fun to try.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas...
I didn't accomplish too much, other than getting all the ornaments off the Christmas tree. I was trying to hold out for the traditional day of taking down the tree, Epiphany. But that's going to be on a weekday, company may be coming into town next weekend, gotta work,...So, today just seemed the best day to get it done. Kind of sad putting it all up in the attic for another year.
I ran over to Old Decatur with the camera and took a quick picture. I've joined a Flickr group that is a type of picture-a-day project. So far so good. I'm up to 4 of 365! Here's today's pic:
It's the small Japanese garden fountain in Frazier Park.
One of my New Year's resolutions is to learn how to take somewhat decent photographs with the new DSLR camera. I forgot to ask: What are your resolutions for 2009 ?
Here's my Flickr photostream. I hope by the end of the year to be much improved.
I ran over to Old Decatur with the camera and took a quick picture. I've joined a Flickr group that is a type of picture-a-day project. So far so good. I'm up to 4 of 365! Here's today's pic:
It's the small Japanese garden fountain in Frazier Park.
One of my New Year's resolutions is to learn how to take somewhat decent photographs with the new DSLR camera. I forgot to ask: What are your resolutions for 2009 ?
Here's my Flickr photostream. I hope by the end of the year to be much improved.
On the Tenth Day of Christmas...
The pup and I had search & rescue practice with the team. Then, about two hours after practice, we got a "call out" for a missing person. So, that is why the Tenth Day is being posted on the Eleventh day. We didn't get home last night until about 9 pm and I was starving and pooped!
Here's a shot of the state helicopter landing at the ICS:
And here is a search dog's most important asset:
Here's a shot of the state helicopter landing at the ICS:
And here is a search dog's most important asset:
Friday, January 2, 2009
On the Ninth Day of Christmas....
I went back to work. Bummer. I work for a company that defers several of the "lesser" holidays to the end of the year and gives all the employees leave from Christmas to New Years. It's great.
I think there was maybe 20 people in a building that normally has about 500! Quiet. Great time to be at work actually. Nobody bugging you, phone didn't ring, no urgent e-mails. It was a beautiful thing.
Here's a picture from our trip to Sipsey Wilderness yesterday:
I think there was maybe 20 people in a building that normally has about 500! Quiet. Great time to be at work actually. Nobody bugging you, phone didn't ring, no urgent e-mails. It was a beautiful thing.
Here's a picture from our trip to Sipsey Wilderness yesterday:
Thursday, January 1, 2009
On the Eighth Day of Christmas...
Len & I made it to Bankhead! We did a little geocaching and a little sightseeing. We went to Parker Falls. It was incredible. I haven't taken the pics off the camera yet, but I will soon. You gotta see that place. But in the meantime, here's a picture from Cheaha's trip last week:
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