Postcard from Last Week

Saturday Morning . . .

. . . a beautiful morning, Walking the Earth with my little Canon G-9. Random images of the World I see around me, things big and small. Hope you have a beautiful day too! (click images to enlarge)

Perfectly Perfect

Ever have one of those days where you just feel the magic of the World tingle down your spine? I did Saturday. I spent the day having my oldest Son Brady drive me around town to shoot various locations I had image requests for, but didn't have in my collection of DC images. After knocking out all the locations we stopped by Good Stuff Eatery on Capitol Hill to give it a try. Afterwards, walking back to our truck, and ready to head home, we were bathed in what some call the "magic light". I know it when I see it, knew something good was about to happen and couldn't let this pass me by. I had Brady quickly pull down and double park on the West Side of the Capitol, told him to sit tight, I wouldn't be long, this light will only last 15 minutes max. Well, the light just got better and better, one of those times where you really feel like you are moving through the world exactly according to plan. As I looked around, I was basically the only one out there (except for a few with cell phone cameras) shooting images of this fleeting moment. I felt like I was the only person on Earth , at that moment, feeling this beautiful scene before me. Maybe it's all in my mind but that's all that really matters anyway, that's where the fun is. I wish I could have shared that feeling with everyone I know. I can only share the images so here are just a few from that 30 minute perfectly magical window. (click images to enlarge)

Postcard from this Week . . .

Red Sky at Night

The Winter Storm passed through late yesterday leaving us with a wonderful blazing evening sky. The Crescent Moon poked it's happy self out, like a little smile in the sky. (click images to enlarge)

Snow Day

Yesterday was our first real snow of the year. The kids had off school so I decided to take a snow day too. We spent the entire day outside around a nice warm toasty fire. James made Smores and I drank dark beer. Just for good measure I cooked a pork shoulder all day to absolute perfection. Nothing beats sitting around all day, stoking a warm fire, in the snow, eating Smores, enjoying a tasty selection of dark beers, and topping off the day with mouthwatering pulled pork barbecue. As James said, "This will give me good dreams". (click images to enlarge)I think I'll do it again today.

Saturday Morning . . .

. . . Walking the Earth with my trusty Canon G-9.(click images to enlarge)

Hey Grace, Call Me

Well, the Inaugural is over and I feel hungover. Not that post-euphoric letdown sort of hungover, I mean the real kind of hungover. I ended up going to what turned out to be one of the best Inaugural parties I’ve ever attended, The Red Goes Blue Party at the Old Ebbitt Grill. The buzz on the street was the The Dead were planning to join Jackie Green and Grace Potter and play until sunrise. So, amid flying rumors and wild speculation I headed down with my brother David and his friends, who btw, are always a bad influence to my ever virtuous lifestyle. It was a cool partying crowd, excitement filled the air, spirits were high, there was open bar. In combination, this all schemed towards disarming the Moderation Switch in my brain. Once that switch is disabled, unfortunately I posses no Off Switch. But, as Mae West once wisely stated, “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful”. (click images to enlarge)Phil Lesh joined Jackie Green for Sugaree, and Warren Haynes (my favorite guitar player on the planet) sat in with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals for Down by the River. I sure wish Warren would have called me up to jam with him on that one. As it turned out, The Dead did not play until sunrise, but by that point it didn’t matter anymore. The music was so good. That Grace Potter girl rocks harder than most dudes can even dream about. And, let's face it, how many girls do you know who can thoroughly Rock the House in White GoGo Boots and a Flying V?

24 Hours in NYC

Had a chance last week to do one thing I always enjoy, a 24 hour run to NYC. I love New York, for me it's like the center of the Universe. I just love the city, the people, the food, the over-stimulation, the mass humanity of it all. I was lucky to head up with two of my bestest photographer friends Keith and Renee to meet with our new APA National President Theresa. Didn't get a chance to take many photos due to our action packed high-level executive type schedule. Also it was cold, I mean really cold, like sub-arctic cold. It was as if some hellish Nor'easter was blasting through the canyons of the city. But, we accomplished our mission, met some friends, and made some new friends. Sure wish I could do that more often, I had a thoroughly good time. But, it's always good to land back here at my happy home. Visiting other cities just reminds me of how good I have it here in my little world. (click images to enlarge)

Happy New Year!

I took off for the Holidays and allowed myself the opportunity to not think one ounce of work related things. I have to do this from time to time and always come out on the other end feeling re-energized, with a renewed sense of enthusiasm towards my work and all things around me. Having somewhat cleared my ever spinning hyperactive mind, feeling as fresh as a newborn baby, I start this New Year full of good thoughts and optimism towards the year ahead. I wish everyone happiness and success in whatever the coming year may bring.I started this blog exactly 1 year ago. I may post irregularly and have a total readership of 7 but I've really enjoyed having this available as an additional vehicle for my own creative self expression. For me that's the whole purpose. I would encourage anyone so inclined to do the same. Anytime you put effort towards further developing your interests and improving your ability brings about little pieces of fulfillment. Like little pieces of a pie they all add up to make one big beautiful pie, like a nice warm pumpkin pie, with whipped cream, for breakfast. I may write silly things, post random photos, and very few may actually see my posts, but having this in place further motivates me to remain creative and productive. I have a very simple formula: Creative + Productive = Happy/Successful.

Postcard

My Boots were made for Walking

Did a nice little shoot in Ft Smith Arkansas last week. With a little free time I rode into town to look around and maybe buy some new boots. It's hard to find boots that actually fit my freakishly wide feet but I lucked out with a pair that just felt so right I immediately set out aimlessly ramblin'round town, letting my new boots lead the way. These boots may be magical because within a few minutes they lead me to this wonderfully crusty old train yard a few blocks away.
Now I don't know about you, but I could spend all day, and almost did, looking at rusty bolts and hanging around dirty old buildings. I just love things that are old and stinky. For me there is a real natural beauty in rust and decay. This little train yard was like a treasure trove of lost art. Here are just a few from my afternoon walk with my new pair of boots. (click images to enlarge)

Holiday Cheer

The Holiday Season is officially here and with it a seemingly endless string of fabulously hip parties. Well, I guess for the fabulously hip that's the case. I've been to only one party so far and it was one we helped produce through APA so I guess they kind of had to invite me. It gave me a chance to hang out with some of my fancy friends at a bar downtown, that's always good. Afterwards, feeling particularly festive, full of good cheer, and a number of Holiday type ales, I decided to take a walk through Lafayette Park to see what I could see. Stopped by the Capitol to see the Christmas Tree before heading back to my Happy Home feeling good. (click images to enlarge)

Autumn Weekend

Had a chance to get up to Deep Creek Lake with my family before the spectacular display of Autumn Glory radiance faded away. It was a little past peak color, and as usual the weather didn't fully cooperate, but when conditions are favorable it's almost effortless to make good images up there. It's just a matter of being there, Walking the Earth, and seeing the wondrous World around you. Point your camera in any direction and shoot, you can't go wrong. I made so many images, I can't help it. Now that Winter is upon us, and Fall is but a memory, it's nice to edit through these. Here are a few from a huge group of images. You can see more in my Scenic Maryland stock collection if interested. (click images below to enlarge)