Project 365

Tongue Training.

2011-03-05T22:45:00.003-06:00

There is something about this teething ring that brings out the tongue...

...but all this work has me tired.

...focus, focus, focus...

A coy smile for her adoring fans. Or is it for...

Mom!

(See, she does look like Collette. See my post from a couple days ago. )

LInes

2011-03-04T22:35:00.000-06:00

Seems I can't get a good look at the sky for all these power lines!

Light Play

2011-03-03T22:17:00.001-06:00

Sean drove me to dinner tonight. I pulled out my trusty D200 and thought, what the heck. I had the camera in aperture priority so I set the F stop down to make the shutter speed slow. The car tail lights and head lights and well any other light around are now blurs on the image. Ever play with sparklers on the 4th of July? Here are the ones I like.

Enjoy!

My Images

2011-03-02T22:38:00.000-06:00

I put "My" because, well they are mine -- at least I was privy to their capture. So maybe they are not really mine, but I am privileged to have been present at the moment my D200 with its 85MM lens captured them. Just some pleasing images to me tonight. The first is not Heather. Some say Collette and Heather look similar and sometimes in photos are almost mistaken. Last night the images were taken with my 85MM F1.8 lens. For a bit then I'm going to only use my 85MM and see what the world looks like through it. No landscapes or wide angle shots. This is really a good portrait lens, hence tonight's first picture.

This lens is actually sharper than the normal 18-200 that I typically use for its versatility. I'll have to use the built in "sneaker zoom" as Angel described to me -- you use your sneakers to move about to provide the zoom.

Driving home I took this image. It's another suburban view of a sunset, but there is something about the silhouette of the power lines. I think it's a reminder of how much we've change the looks of our planet. It gets harder to find places that are not affected by mankind. Not passing judgment, but just noticing. However, flying over several areas around the world makes me realize how much is still untouched.

I won't tell you that I'm glad the lane next to me was empty. Note to self, "Don't look through the lens and forget that I'm driving".

And last, as I arrived home I just wanted to take these images and see what they looked like.

I've taken images before of this gas lamp. It caught my eye again tonight. A few of the sunset colors still visible in the background.

And just a contrast of the buds coming out on the tree and still one stupid seed ball that hasn't fallen yet. If you've ever stepped barefoot on one of these you would say a bit more than stupid, so I think I'm being kind....

So new journeys? Perhaps. I think I'll try this 85MM out a bit until I get tired of it. Don't know how often I'll post. So far I haven't stopped. Maybe I'm addicted to posting. Guess I'm afraid if I stop I won't start again.

Until next time,

-tom

New Day

2011-03-01T22:53:00.000-06:00

Today is a new day. I took the day off from work and well, just did mostly nothing. Tonight a well loved visitor arrived. Here are a few images of that happy time.

Miss Olivia loves her Uncle Sean. He's a lot of fun to hang out with.

Movie star. Yep, she's hip.

She'll be walking pretty soon....

No comment.

I caught this tender moment. Olivia will squeal when she sees her mother. I think that's as it should be.

Life is wonderful.

Day 365 - Journey's End

2011-02-28T23:52:00.000-06:00

I thought it fitting that I end this journey where I began -- my office. This time in color; although there really isn't that much. Perhaps that is fitting. I'm not at the same place when I started. Nor am I where I want to be, but -- and this is important -- I am not in the dark place I was heading. I have make progress. I don't know how to describe this experience. I started with excitement and enthusiasm.This project was harder than I imagined. I can say that there is only one day that I did not take a picture and that was after a long weekend after a trip. I used a picture from the following day. Other than that I have been faithful in taking a picture a day. I didn't get the posts done every day and here towards the end it was a struggle to find time. I think at one time I was about 4 weeks behind. I started this journey with my good friend Angel. Please visit his blog and leave a comment http://ewolf365.blogspot.com/. He introduced me to this project and I just decided to start last March 1. We hit the ground running. I said it would be about the journey. Hopefully we've had an opportunity to view life as I see it. Some images have been good and others average. Sometimes I've had hundreds of images to choose from and some days only one or two. On some of my journeys I've had many wonderful photos I wished I could have shared, many times I had tough choices. That's because original I wanted to only post one image per day. Early on I decided to do more as I felt inspired. I hope it wasn't too much. as I didn't want to overwhelm or bore you. I've enjoyed the opportunity to share some of my thoughts. Those who know me understand how difficult that is for me in an open forum such as this. Most of the time I had to imagine that I was only writing for one or two people and then press "post" without thinking about it. I make no apologies as you got to see and hear how I think on some subjects. I don't know where I'll go from here. I will probably post from time to time, but I don't expect to share every day. That is one pressure I put on myself and I have other challenges I've started -- playing cello for instance (I'm in my 3rd month and may even find an instructor).

Just for reference, this is my original post:

So, have I found the joy and resonance I was looking for? Somewhat. I'm in a better place. I've found and cemented some relationships -- you know who you are and thanks for you unconditional love. I've let go of some and that was hard, but for the best. I have a new position at work and that is challenging and who knows where I'll be in another year.

It's hard to see in the two images, but the only real changes are two new monitors and a new laptop. I didn't have my backpack in today image. Most of the desk drawers are still empty.

Where has the past year taken you? Set a goal to accomplish something and see where it takes you. This journey was one of commitment. I knew several friends and family that tried to do a 365. It's tough Angel knows because he quit many times, but I managed to cajole him into finishing. Proud of you Angel! And your images have gotten better. See, part of the journey was just trying, taking a chance of capturing an image and then sharing it in a public forum. Yes, we wanted make every one National Geographic caliber, but we are after all just enthusiasts who can sometimes capture a nice image. Also, photo editing software is a must. It can tweak an image and fix some of the minor flaws such as the colors with white balance (which is why I use raw format on my D200), color saturation, contrast and brightness.

Wish I had something witty to quip tonight, but you just get plain old me. Thanks for the support from many of you and special thanks to my sweetheart who was very patient with me during all the time I spent editing photos and posting.

-tom

Day 364 - Miss O and a pine cone

2011-02-27T20:37:00.000-06:00

Miss Olivia practicing her technique. Notice the left hand crossover maneuver -- highly advanced!

And now for the reference to the pine cone.

I was upstairs looking out and I can sense that Spring is not far off. The trees in the front yard are starting to bud now as the weather is approaching the 80's. The bokeh in this image was nice and made for a bright background for this lone pine cone. That's our community center in the background.

For those of you who are not as photographically uppity as the elite ;) -- Bokeh is the out of focus background away from the main focus. So in this image the pine cone has the main focus. And you can tell the out of focus. Well, the artiste would not say out of focus, no, that individual would say "bokeh" and only if that out of focus stuff looks pleasing to the eye. Otherwise it's just, well, out of focus....

Day 363 - Jenn's Candles

2011-02-26T20:31:00.000-06:00

View out Jenn's window tonight. She enjoys having candles in the window as she studies. Of course, she'll have the light on, but I liked this view with the overhead light off and just candle power burning. I remember my college days and the long nights going to classes and even later nights studying. I worked full time during the day and finished off going to night school Try working 40+ hours a week and taking a full load of 12-15 hours. It was tough, but glad I persevered. I did take some light semesters with 6-9 hours. I just didn't want to extend things so I was able to have some loaded down semesters.

I think the hardest thing was walking uphill both ways in blizzards here in Houston ;)

Actually the hardest thing was staying awake driving home every night.

Day 362 - Waterfall

2011-02-25T20:13:00.010-06:00

Waterfall display at the Woodlands Mall tonight. We had some fine dining at the food court: lasagna. Then off to watch The King's Speech. I'd forgotten how many youth are out at the Mall without supervision. No real big problems, but well, I'd forgotten how immature they can be. Seems that mall security is just a baby sitting service.

Day 361 - Burnt Orange

2011-02-24T19:37:00.050-06:00

Interesting color tonight as sunset arrives. We stopped at the cleaners tonight and I tried to get this silhouette and the colorful sky. I only took two images today and this is the better of the two. In some ways I feel I'm sneaking into the finish line of this project. I've found the last few months that I've used my small point and shoot for something like 90% of the images. When I use my Nikon D200 I take images in raw format and run it through Photoshop. I think my energy levels are low and I've convinced my self this is the easier way. Or maybe I've issued myself a challenge to see what kind of images I can take with the small camera. And it is a challenge at time when the lighting is lees than perfect. I also find I minimize the use of flash -- I don't like the way it looks on this smaller camera. OK, for better pics of people it's better, but trying to get a quality image that I want the flash seems to be too strong. Maybe some soft of analogy to wanting to see things as they really are without artificial light. Or people without their false pretenses. At times I've blinded myself to others ill-intentions. Even today I struggle really believing someone didn't have my best interests at heart. Time and distance seems to make these times clearer. At times I with to go back and "make it right". But that means I give in and the other never recognizing or admitting anything untoward. I think that is the innocence of youth giving way to the cynicism of adulthood. How to keep some of the playful, youthful innocence and yet appear to be a mature adult? Not sure, but I think some become unfeeling, dulling their conscience. Those are they that scare me the most because the can do evil things. At the minimum they can hurt you and not care and even lie about it. Oh, you recognize some of this? That's called reality or the real world. (And I'm not talking reality TV.) I've seen enough. And no, it doesn't scratch the surface of many of your experiences of those we read of and see in the news. I think that without a belief in God or a Supreme Being, this life would be extremely difficult to bear.

Day 360 - O-Kay...

2011-02-23T23:48:00.000-06:00

Looking up during lunch today I was blasted with the geometric design. I've toned down the background to emphasize the shape. And I would've missed it had I not glanced up just before leaving. Somethings that are bold and in plain sight are missed as being too obvious. Kinda reminds me of the political climate of correctness in our country today.

Day 359 - Fractured Images

2011-02-22T20:42:00.000-06:00

Looking up through a vertical slit of a skylight I caught this image. Reminds me somehow of a fractured image. Seems fitting as sometimes I try to figure out all the pieces of my life. Some things seem to fit well and others...well let's say that one day I'll figure some of it out. Or perhaps I'll discover that some things that seemed important for some reason really don't matter after all. It's amazing looking back through the hazy filter of time. How many things have I forgotten? How many things that were imperative of an almost utmost criticality even now have no presence on my conscious or sub-conscious wanderings. Well, I'm not sure what I just said, but there is a feeling of things lost from a more innocent age. We all grow up (or so we're told) and yet what part of your youth can you retain keeping that vibrant essence that helps prevent a withering of your soul. You can read that last sentence as "grumpy old guy". Well, this project is winding down. This is the last week. The journey has been interesting and I hope some of the images I've presented were enjoyable at times, intriguing at others, and hopefully never boring.At times I've tried to take a mundane simple subject and present it from a different angle or perspective. It works at times and others it just seems to be another image where I pointed the camera and clicked.

Day 358 - Globe

2011-02-21T18:32:00.005-06:00

This is a reflection from the floor showing the underside of a globe display at work. You can't see it, but there are four video screens displaying company indoctrination clips, umm I mean informative bits about the company and safety. Actually some of the clips are quite informative about various part of the global company from offshore oil rigs to wetlands.

Day 357 - Maths

2011-02-20T18:19:00.018-06:00

Maths.

This book is the 1960 printing about Complex Variables that I'm reading. Had a bit of fun with the symbolism. This whole concept about "imaginary" numbers is fascinating. Of course, "imaginary" was probably the wrong word to have used, but the early geeks didn't know what else to make of the square root of negative one.

And just for the record, I love math, but this book is very, very, very dry and I'm not talking about the moth ball filled box I found it in...

Day 356 - Melody Road

2011-02-19T18:13:00.007-06:00

Take a trip down this road and see what melody you produce.

Day 355 - Hide n Seek

2011-02-18T17:59:00.006-06:00

Olivia tonight playing a bit of hide n seek behind my backpack.

Having a lot of fun watching her grow up. All too fast I might add!

Day 354 - Reflections on Home

2011-02-17T22:27:00.001-06:00

Heading out to dinner tonight with the family. Looking back across the top of the car I caught this image. The warm light gives me a comfortable feeling that all is well. Nice to have that at home when there is so much stress and tough times. Long day at work so this was a nice reflection for me.

Day 353 - Color clutter

2011-02-16T22:06:00.003-06:00

This pile of colored cutouts called out as I walked by -- so here it is. Just a clutter of color with no particular purpose. I wonder what a purposed positioning of these would create? How often have you had to create something from a seeming jumble of your life? I suggest that there is something good if you just have patience.

Day 352 - Blue & Gold

2011-02-15T21:56:00.001-06:00

I attended the Boy Scout Blue and Gold banquet tonight for Troop 449. This celebrates both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Tonight, Sean put together a presentation showing his progress through Scouting and eventually achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. You can see his blue Eagle kerchief and sash with 28 merit badges. Yes, I'm very proud of him.

The picture in the lower left of the image is Collette's uncle, John Lomax May, who was also an Eagle Scout -- that's his sash with 21 merit badges. Collette never met him. He died at the age of 20 in the Battle of the Bulge in WWII.

Day 351 - Skyline

2011-02-14T21:44:00.001-06:00

Skyline view tonight. Good conversation with a dear friend tonight who needed to hear kind supportive words. We've each needed that at times. Be there for your friends. And your true friends will be there for you.

Day 350 - Pull tabs

2011-02-13T23:02:00.000-06:00

We collect soft drink pull tabs. Sherylin started us on this kick and this is the start of a second container.

Day 349 - Sweet

2011-02-12T22:47:00.000-06:00

Two of the loves in my life.

Day 348 - Hearts

2011-02-11T22:43:00.000-06:00

This store had a plethera of Valentines' Day heart balloons. Looked like a forest. Couldn't resist taking this image.

Day 347 - The long walk

2011-02-10T22:18:00.000-06:00

I could have entitled this the long lonely walk. This is the journey I took after lunch today to get to my office. The turnoff to my building is just a speck in the distance.

Day 346 - Pho Bo

2011-02-09T22:04:00.002-06:00

It's cold today and hot soup was on the menu. I had beef soup -- Pho Bo -- at Miss Pho Saigon. This is the plat of bamboo shoots I added to the soup. Excellent!

Day 345 - Music Shack

2011-02-08T21:56:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite places to get book and sheet music. Tonight it just seemed warm and inviting.

Day 344 - Follow the Sun

2011-02-07T21:36:00.000-06:00

This working wall display serves as a reminder that I work in a global community.

Day 343 - Phttt!

2011-02-06T21:26:00.000-06:00

Miss Olivia trying her best at a rasberry!

Day 342 - More Ice

2011-02-05T21:17:00.000-06:00

Someone left the water running and this is the result.

Day 341 - Icicles

2011-02-04T21:06:00.000-06:00

Lots of ice on plants in the front garden. As the roof started to thaw it dripped down on this plant and it refroze.

Day 340 - Cello

2011-02-03T21:00:00.000-06:00

Looking down the bow at the cello. I can't tell you how many late nights already. Yes, I'm thoroughly enjoying this.

Day 339 - Cold...

2011-02-02T20:54:00.000-06:00

Yep, 23 Deg F. Cold for Houston.

Day 338 - Alien lights?

2011-02-01T20:37:00.000-06:00

Alien lights?

No, just the back end of a light. These are the air ventilation holes.

Day 337 - Pink Pirate Booties

2011-01-31T17:23:00.001-06:00

Argghh me matie. Miss Olivia is done swabbin' the deck and is restin' for a wee bit. Her Aunt Sherylin provided these pink Pirate Booties and is pleased to no end.

See, I told you so ....

Day 336 - Wheat Art

2011-01-30T17:19:00.004-06:00

Amazing what you can do with some wheat.

Day 335 - Exersaucer

2011-01-29T16:40:00.002-06:00

Miss Olivia thoroughly enjoying her "exersaucer".

I really love all the colors in this image.

Day 334 - BA5417

2011-01-28T16:19:00.011-06:00

What is the significance of BA5417?

That is the part number of a dual output power amplifier. That 15 pin black chip drives the two output speakers on a keyboard that Heather purchased for 20 bucks from someone on Craig's list. I bought a power supply, plugged it in, powered up, and it appeared to work, but no sound. That's because that chipped was fried -- literally. You can see some charring just below the "A" between the 2 and the 6 ( to the left of the "H38"). I was able to find the part from an electronics supplier on the internet and replace it. Voila! It works!

Addendum: Here is a closeup of the chip when I removed it. There are actually two spots that were blown. Look on the "B" and between the "2" and "6". Looking at the chip specifications, the 7th pin from the left is the power ground. So, I think that something internally shorted out to ground and it overheated and literally blew out the side of the ceramic chip. It was fun pulling out my de-soldering iron and removing this chip.

Day 333 - Patterns

2011-01-27T16:12:00.003-06:00

Patterns on a walkway.

Day 332 - Silhouette

2011-01-26T16:02:00.000-06:00

Power lines and poles creating silhouettes this evening. Sometimes I can get interesting images sitting in my car during my commute. Usually people think of all the power lines as a cluttered mess and how can anyone see beauty in all this. Well, can you find the beauty in those things that you have no ability to change? Can you look beyond the wrinkle lines in others and still see their beauty. I've tried that for a long time and it's amazing on the response you get from someone as you look beyond the outer wrapper and commune with the real person. Be warned: there are some who do not want to let you in and will lash out. Thankfully I've found those in my life who for some strange reason want me involved in their lives.

Day 331 - Pinewood Derby

2011-01-25T15:50:00.005-06:00

So much fun today at the Pinewood Derby. I did this a couple of times when I was a wee bit younger.

Day 330 - Light

2011-01-24T15:40:00.000-06:00

I've always enjoyed taking images of different kinds of lights and lamps. These are on a ceiling fan. The white balance of this image is a bit warm giving the yellowish tinge.

Day 329 - Patterns

2011-01-23T15:35:00.000-06:00

Oscillating vertical style floor fan. We have several of these and they are great.

Day 328 - Sophisticated

2011-01-22T15:29:00.001-06:00

Yep, that's my baby all grown up and sophisticated sporting her new specs.

Day 327 - Why not?

2011-01-21T15:23:00.003-06:00

Thinking of making a cello. Why not?

Day 326 - Overhang

2011-01-20T15:15:00.006-06:00

This is a wooden overhang outside several of the building where I work. This visible on the second level walkways.

Day 325 - Olivia

2011-01-19T15:10:00.005-06:00

Another image of my favorite subject. Here she is sampling a Mum Mum cracker.

Day 324 - Jury Duty

2011-01-18T15:01:00.010-06:00

View outside the 14th floor of the Criminal Courts building in Downtown Houston. I was in a jury pool for a murder trial. My number was in the 50's so not likely to get picked, and I did not. I think if individuals could see into the future and understand the consequences then some actions would not be taken.

Day 323 - Sojourn

2011-01-17T14:54:00.007-06:00

Angel and I have passed this little section many a day as we arrive and leave our workplace. I have a prior post, but today it's a winter look and feel -- at least winter Texas style. No snow as that is a rarity around here. But still the barren feel of leafless trees.

Day 322 - Joy

2011-01-16T14:47:00.012-06:00

Another joyous moment playing with a beautiful grand-daughter.

Heather and Jenn playing a duet with help from Miss O.

Sometimes it's the simple things in life that give us the greatest joy.

Those precious moments that build memories forever engraved on our hearts and souls.

Day 321 - New Cello

2011-01-15T23:36:00.004-06:00

Today I leased a full size cello (4/4). Thanks e for getting me started. I've had this dream tucked away for more that 20 years. So, in December, Collette and I visited Elizabeth. Somewhere in the discussions I mentioned something about wanting to learn to play the cello someday. So e says, "I have one. Why don't you take if for a couple of years." Now that's a true friend. Turns out the cello is a 1/2 size and after a few weeks I realized I needed a full size one. And so the adventure has just begun. I've seen comments from many who have started this path at my age. I feel new life and energy. But you may not want to come around for awhile without earplugs....

OK, so Collette took this picture. And so I can post one of my favorite subject taken later that day...

Day 320 Braids

2011-01-14T23:21:00.000-06:00

I really liked the lighting on this lamp pull cord. As I see this I'm reminded of my very first experience with needle and thread -- helping my sister do some embroidery. Butterflies as I remember and gold was among the colors. Good memories.

And for you guys, don't worry, there was plenty of football and baseball with the entire neighborhood. Did I mention that one of the neighbors used to pitch for the Astros -- way back when. Which reminds me. When I was eight our team went to an Astros game. One of my team members tried to catch a pop foul. He did -- right smack in the middle of his forehead. What a bump. The turkey got an autographed ball after the game. Got to see the 1968 All Star game in the Astrodome. 1-0 for the National League. The say-hey kid scored the only run in the first inning. Oh, that was Willie Mays. We see the home-run derby these days, but we saw one that day during batting practice. Harmon Killebrew couldn't keep it in the park. It was fun. Ever climbed to the top of the Astrodome? I have (inside that is). Story for another day.

Day 319 Ghostly Images

2011-01-13T22:54:00.014-06:00

These two images tonight are not PhotoShop edits. I used only one exposure per shot. These are 15 second exposures at F8 ISO 400. This was in a fairly darkened room and I had a flashlight that I shone on Jenn as she moved about the room.

I like the blurred image in the center. Jenn was being dramatic at the end of the exposure and the movement blurred nicely.

I'm definitely going to have to try some more variations on long shutter exposures.

Day 318 Daddy/Daughter - Historical

2011-01-12T22:28:00.006-06:00

Why historical?

Because this may be the one and only serious picture that Andrew has ever posed for ...

One thing is certain, she's a Daddy's girl. She squeals with delight when Daddy comes to get her.

Day 317 Pointed

2011-01-11T22:40:00.000-06:00

So, this interesting plant caught my eye. Not sure what it's called, but its stem is like a big finger pointing at you. And for some reason I think of my nephew Matt with a classic pose with his son... yes, you're number one... Well, if you met Matt you would understand. Big heart and a good father.

Day 316 Reflections

2011-01-10T22:35:00.003-06:00

I enjoyed the reflections seen in this ornamental metal plate. I wonder what my reflections give off. Do others see me for who I really am or just the protective facade we all tend to wear? I wonder. Many thanks to my dear friends who allow me to peel back the layers and just be real.

Day 315 Warhammer

2011-01-09T22:20:00.000-06:00

Warhammer 20K

This is one of Sean's masterpieces. I thoroughly enjoy watching he, Andrew and Eric create these models. Much more sophisticated than the models I had as a youth. Attention to detail is fantastic. Those who have done similar hobbies understand.

Day 314 Fountain

2011-01-08T22:15:00.001-06:00

Just happened by this fountain tonight. It was backlit and really brings out the cascading water. Sometimes in life I feel like this image. In the middle of a localized storm with a heavy burden. Sometimes just stopping to enjoy the moment casts a different feel and reinvigorates. Looking for that inner peace. It's there, I've felt it a times.

Day 313 Duet

2011-01-07T22:01:00.000-06:00

Duet today. Heather is starting piano lessons. And guess who is helping? Not sure what I did, but only now are the kids taking an interest in learning the piano. Perhaps too much soccer. It's never too late to start. I read somewhere about a guy starting at age 97. When the moment is right, just do it.

Pattern. This is a duet, right?

This is actually a data center tile designed for air flow.

Day 312 Suburban Sunset

2011-01-06T21:55:00.000-06:00

Another Suburban sunset. I can't get enough of clouds, sunsets and the beauty of nature. Even in the big city you can find moments and scenes to treasure.

Day 311 Festive

2011-01-05T21:49:00.000-06:00

Just liked the festive colors of this decoration.

Day 310 Distortion

2011-01-04T22:14:00.000-06:00

This is the distorted reflection of a patterned carpet as seen in a tubular trash can. You never know when you'll see an interesting image. I saw this during a break today and of course I had my Canon with me and this is the result.

Day 309 Piano and Cello

2011-01-03T21:28:00.000-06:00

I've loved playing the piano since I was little. I'm just now trying out this cello. It's tough getting the correct pitch on the cello. It's not like a guitar that has frets to give you the correct pitch. Slight movements in finger placement makes a difference. Ever hear someone play a violin slightly off key? Well, it's not all that easy.

Day 308 Olivia and Grandma

2011-01-02T21:03:00.000-06:00

What I like about this image are the pictures in the background. You can see Olivia's Great Great Grandmothers. My paternal Grandmother on the left and Collette's maternal Grandmother on the right.

I just like any image with Olivia and Collette in it.

Day 307 New Year

2011-01-01T11:16:00.012-06:00

Centerpiece at a party at our house tonight put on by Jenn. Something about a lingerie shower. Keep your minds out of the gutter guys. This was a classy event I retired to my computer early and finished up and posted three weeks of this blog. I'm sure some had thought I had quit. Nope, just took some time off from the computer. Still have been taking pictures every day though.

Pull out the crystal.

Day 306 Waterfall

2010-12-31T10:16:00.017-06:00

This is a waterfall display at work. This view is from the second floor. Each of the waterfall's "droplets" are hand painted. The material is similar to a see-through shower curtain and many individual strands hang three stories.

Well the end of another year. I can still remember all the hype about the year 2000. And now the first decade of the 21st century comes to a close. I wonder what fantastic technological wonders will exist in the next century. Or will some cataclysm either natural or man-made cause a reversal in our fortunes. If nothing else I'm sure new movies will take our imaginations on wild journeys.

Day 305 Suburban Sky

2010-12-30T10:07:00.001-06:00

I could have just made a years worth of sky images for this blog. But I've held back and only sneak in a few from time to time. I've always loved clouds and the dramatic colors, lighting and shapes they bring. Just wish I were back in the mountains instead of viewing a suburban sky.

Day 304 Visitor

2010-12-29T09:59:00.000-06:00

This is Olivia working out in her ExerSaucer. She has one at home and Collette and Heather found this one. So now she can have her "workouts" when she comes over.

Day 303

2010-12-28T09:51:00.001-06:00

So, I reloaded the operating system on Jenn's computer. This is her mouse pad.

Day 302 Cello

2010-12-27T09:33:00.001-06:00

I have temporary custody of this beautiful instrument (1/2 size cello). I took it in for a checkup and it received a clean bill of health. Thought I'd see if I could learn to squeak out a few notes. I challenge each of you to take up something new this coming year.

Day 301 Shoes and Colors

2010-12-26T09:17:00.001-06:00

One of the stocking stuffers from Christmas. I wonder what journey these shoes will travel on. And what journey I will take this coming year.

This pack of sticky labels looks like a color palette and caught my attention as I walked by. So of course I caught its image.

Day 300 Christmas Day

2010-12-25T23:30:00.000-06:00

Uncle Sean and Olivia on Christmas morning.

Great Aunt Judie and Olivia.

And just Jenn.

Day 299 Niece

2010-12-24T23:27:00.002-06:00

My niece, Madeline. This was a spontaneous pose. We had a great Christmas eve with family this year.

Day 298 Who da man?

2010-12-23T23:12:00.000-06:00

Another Nutcracker of course!

Day 297 Family Dinner

2010-12-22T22:06:00.000-06:00

Family dinner tonight at Pappasitos. Here we see all the Senoritas and Senoras enjoying a serenade!

I just liked the colors and mirror images of these neon signs at the Restaurant tonight.

Day 296 Attack craft

2010-12-21T22:04:00.000-06:00

This is Sean's creation. Well done!

Day 295 Warning

2010-12-20T22:03:00.000-06:00

You only see this if you are slow to put your seat belts on...

Day 294 Car polish Texas style

2010-12-19T21:55:00.000-06:00

This is the effect you get if you try to use deer hide to polish your car. In this case I was doing about 68 near Bo Bo, Texas at about 11:10 PM. I saw a buck to my left about 10 feet away, swerved a bit and the buck just grazed us. I didn't feel the car move, but just hear a slight click. I'm sure the buck has a big bruise...We were all lucky.

Day 293 Cemetery

2010-12-18T21:03:00.003-06:00

Collette and Elizabeth at the Camp Nelson Confederate Cemetery. Every marker has "Unknown Soldier" on it.These were Arkansas and Texas soldiers.

A monument in the center of the cemetery.

One of the many gravestones. They are all identical.

Day 292 Portrait Through a Window

2010-12-17T21:48:00.001-06:00

Two variations on a Portrait Through a Window.

Day 292 Transformations

2010-12-17T21:01:00.000-06:00

The last time I saw this piano it was painted white. Yes, I said painted. Can you believe that? In the early 90's Collette and I would visit and I would play this wonderful instrument. That's was when I learned Elizabeth had a favorite song. She recently took the piano and had it renovated. They had to strip off the paint and look what beauty was underneath! Only the decal, felt, and finish are new. The strings are fine and she still plays beautifully. What a great message to all of us -- what great beauty we each have within. Just remove the old hardened finish that life deals us and remember your youthful exuberance. It's still there in all its wonder. And yes e, you are still beautiful. Oh, and that song? Yes, I got a chance to play it again. I hope to have many more opportunities.

This is George Eliot (yes, named after the author). What a beautiful Great Dane. He was the runt of the litter. I dare you to say that to him today. Another awesome transformation. He is the best alarm system and guardian. He has the deepest growl and woof. "Bark" just doesn't seem to fit. You could put a saddle on him and your feet wouldn't touch the ground!

Day 291 Journey

2010-12-16T20:23:00.001-06:00

This is on US Hwy 59. Looking at this image has certain meaning for me. I put the elliptical tunnel effect as a metaphor showing my focus on this journey. Why the significance for me? Collette and I are on a journey to see a dear friend. It's been too many years with many life experiences. Some good and some not so good. Are there people in your life that you could not see or talk to for many, many years and yet pick right up where you left off? I'm not talking that superficial stuff, but a real deep friendship. Why so many years? Who knows. Sometimes life comes at you extremely hard and fast. Life plays funny games on each of us. Who know where you'll end up -- and with who. I look to many of my siblings and see that. I wish them well in their journey.

Day 290 Sky again

2010-12-15T20:18:00.001-06:00

Sunset tonight.

And just a bit earlier.

Black and White of our CRV's center console.

Day 289 Koi

2010-12-14T20:07:00.001-06:00

Today's images taken at the waterway in the Woodlands. This image I deepened the shadows, contrast, and saturation to help reduce the glare. . I like the way these Koi appear to hover above a green carpet.

And again in a spot where there is no glare and a rock bottom

It's amazing to find two very distinct images in the same environment just a few feet away.

This is the waterway in the Woodlands.

Day 288 Christmas Nutcracker

2010-12-13T20:01:00.001-06:00

This nutcracker is representative of Collette's Christmas tree. I say Collette's because she designs them. She took it easy this year and only had one tree up.

Day 287 Another Candle

2010-12-12T19:41:00.001-06:00

More candle images

. This is the same candle in both images as seen from two perspectives.

Day 286 Recital

2010-12-11T19:36:00.000-06:00

This silhouette taken at a piano recital at The Atria. Jenn's piano teacher held the recital at a facility where the elderly could enjoy these young and a few not so young performers thrilled us with their musical talent.

What are Googly Balls? The Jeopardy question to a whatizzit image from a few posts back. These at a local pharmacy.

Day 285 friends

2010-12-10T19:21:00.010-06:00

Friends at work. This is Jessi and Angel. This is the iPhone that Angel has used to capture many images for his blog. Jessi is one of the most upbeat and personable people I know. I think she knows everyone on the complex. It's an honor to be considered a friend.

This is a fountain just outside...

...and this is a remake of a leaf just tipping over the edge of that fountain.

Another evening image.I like the light play appearing to stream through the sky. I'm always uplifted viewing the skies and the many beautiful images that God paints for us in Nature.

Day 284 Cop

2010-12-09T19:19:00.000-06:00

You'd better be nice!

Day 283 Candle

2010-12-08T19:11:00.001-06:00

I've always loved candles. I still remember the scientific explanation of how a candle flame works. For instance, why does the wick last so long? Ah, perhaps it's because the wick is not the fuel source for the flame. It's just the conduit for the liquid wax before it phase changes to a gas which is what burns.

City view of a sunset.

Day 282 Sunrise

2010-12-07T19:06:00.000-06:00

This is the view from the 2nd floor walkway on the east side of the ConocoPhillips complex. The clouds were just right and the sky was blazing. The reflection off the pond completed the a serene view. I like the crescent shaped cutout of the clouds.

Day 281 Ornament

2010-12-06T19:02:00.001-06:00

This is an ornament on our front porch.

A nutcracker as viewed through a craft magnifying lens.

Day 280 Christmas Concert

2010-12-05T18:59:00.001-06:00

This is the Houston Symphony Orchestra and Houston Chorus at the ConocoPhillips Christmas concert. We sat in our usual seats in the left side balcony.

Day 279 Dickens on the Strand

2010-12-04T18:56:00.000-06:00

Day 278 Thing

2010-12-03T20:56:00.000-06:00

Thing. Not sure what else to call it.

Day 277 Decor

2010-12-02T09:40:00.000-06:00

Christmas decorations are on the tree. It's that time of year again.

Day 276 Sentinels

2010-12-01T21:13:00.002-06:00

For the past many years these guys and their associates have stood watch over our Christmas decorations.

Day 275 Sunset

2010-11-30T20:44:00.000-06:00

Just another Texas sunset in the big city. I miss the mountains and open spaces away from civilization.

Day 274 Mall Candy

2010-11-29T19:16:00.001-06:00

This candy display at Willowbrook Mall today.

Line up of cars that shoppers can rent to put their little tykes in while shopping.

Day 273 Colors

2010-11-28T19:07:00.001-06:00

The holiday season is upon us.

Miss Olivia is enjoying these colored jingle bells.

Day 272

2010-11-27T19:04:00.001-06:00

Looking for my shadow again...

And just because I can... Here is Olivia at dinner tonight.