Off-topic, of course. Just stating the facts. Humpy’s had the last of their Oktoberfest feasts, and we survived it. Stuffed ourselves silly, we did:
Oktoberfest Menu, 2011
I’m still not hungry, and it’s been nearly 24 hrs…
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Oktoberfest 2011 is officially over (for me)
Monday, October 24th, 2011Solstice time of year
Monday, June 20th, 2011Longest days of the year right now – I love the non-stop sunlight! I didn’t always, but nowadays it’s energizing – I’m more active, need less sleep, getting more done.
Last weekend folks in Anchorage’s downtown district had a twelve hour (noon to midnight) solstice festival. Not bad for such a small town - and some of the newer shops down there are downright respectable! (disclaimer: it has been many years since I’ve stepped foot down there – I’m no fan of crowds).
For me, this meant a chance to let my daughter play a bit, and to work on my street photography, such as it was. Not very successfull by anyone’s standards. Below: one of my favorites
Balloons on the solstice
Early Morning
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
Early Morning
It’s a rough time of the year, the approach to the solstice. Sleep comes slowly, and what little to be found is fitful.
It’s too bright out. It never really feels like bedtime. It seems like I should be out doing something.
The image above: taken at 5:30 in the morning. The sun had risen about an hour earlier, but was still at a sharp angle. You’re looking directly north, with the sun at NNE. I was awake at 3:30 that morning, and it was already starting to get light…
The weeks that follow
Monday, May 23rd, 2011Following three catastrophes in three days, life is slowly returning to normal. The world isn’t quite the same, but I suppose life goes on.
So soon, posting will resume.
Three in three
Thursday, May 12th, 2011Been a rough week already. From Friday to Sunday, over the course of three days, three people in our lives died.
Died. No longer with us. Never to be seen, visited, or spoken with again.
The first we didn’t know too well. Friend of a friend. Possibly a couple more “of a friend”‘s in there.
The second was a recently retired professional acquaintance. Respected, but not too well known.
The third, and least expected, was a close friend, and the father to my daughter’s best friend. A pretty rough shock.
It’ll be a bit before things are fully back to normal, such as it is. For now, just accept: not much activity for the next week or so.
Rising to the Surface
Monday, March 28th, 2011
Coming up for air
I’ve returned from a much-needed vacation, and will soon start this up again. It’s a remarkable thing, going from Alaska to Hawaii and back. I left the surf and sun for… melty snow, cold nights, and skiing.
After a week of sulking, I think I’m ready to get back into the swing of things. Maybe. I’m still struggling for direction here, but at least I’ve re-discovered the joy of making photographs.
Always be prepared
Sunday, July 11th, 2010If there is a lesson in life, it is that you should always be prepared. For example, you should always take an extra oar or paddle with you if you’re going out on a boat. Otherwise, you may end up stranded on the far side of lake.
For example, you might be in a boat with an electric motor. In Alaska. And on a cold, rainy day. And end up having to swim the entire lenght to get back. Click to continue »
The Tax Man Cometh
Monday, April 12th, 2010Don’t fear the Tax Man. Fearing his auditors? That’s OK.
In a couple of days, those of us with U.S. Citizenshipt (and U.S. residents) we will get the privilege of paying for the service that government provides. It is traditional for most of us to bitterly complain about this, for it always hurts to see one’s money wasted away on the bureaucracy.
Every year, I think of a man. I do not know this man, mind you. My father spoke of him (OK, fine, I don’t remember who he said it about). That man always paid his full amount of taxes. Never a deduction, never a credit. Full amount, always.
He considered it a privilege to pay his taxes. A privilege to live in this country, to pay for roads, and schools, and police, and fire departments, and libraries, and emergency services.
Yes, it could be argued that we’re also blowing wads of money on two wars and Obamacare (sorry, you’re already paying for the uninsured – just ask Mitt Romney, he admits it. He just doesn’t like *how* the new Health Care bill covers the people). But we’ve always blown giant wads of cash on meaningless endeavors. Today is no different.
Given a choice, I’d rather that we all thought just a little bit more like the man in my memory.
What’s up with hotlinking this week?
Saturday, March 13th, 2010Just an odd observation: there has been a massive increase in the traffic pointing here, mostly due to people searching for “bokeh.” Looking over the logs, I’m seeing a bunch of people hotlinking to images directly (to web hosts paying for the bandwidth, this is considered stealing) instead of linking to posts.
Still, at least I’m aware of them. Won’d do anything ’bout it now, but thought it was strange. Nothing for months, then suddenly this week.
Some from Arabic-language only sites, too…
On Keeping Caught Up (DVDs)
Saturday, March 13th, 2010With over one hundred blogs in my feed reader, several publications, numerous books and videos to keep on top of, how do I keep up? Such was the question asked recently.
The purpose of questioning, I suppose, was due to curiosity: I spend so much time doing things, that it seems impossible that there would be time for learning. Since most of us are busy, including the questioner, there is also the subtext to the question: “how can I keep up?” questions the questioner.
The answer is, perhaps, not helpful: “it depends.”
However, I do have a few tricks. So consider this the first installment: Keeping Caught up with Educational DVDs.
What sort of DVDs, you ask? Mostly Photovision’s Video Seminar (note: not a plug!). Every other month they send a 2-hour DVD, and I have to find time to watch it. Time in front of a TV or screen with a DVD player. This competes with various other DVDs: Tony Sweet videos like Visual Literacy
Watching these takes away from work, rest, and family time. But I do make time: when I get them, I rip them to MP4 and load them onto an iPod. This gives me a mobile viewing opportunity, and then I watch: during downtime, when waiting for appointments, etc.
So that’s it: the cheap way of keeping caught up with DVDs.