Day 256 Photo Session with Olivia

Miss Olivia had a wonderful time being a princess during her photo session today. This image really caught her personality. I love the way she hold her hands. Definitely all girl.

And here she is giving Grandma a kiss.

That is her cupcake outfit she wore for Halloween.

She absolutely loves her mother!

The wonderment and innocence of a baby.

Today was a wonderful time. It's the kind of day when all seems right. I was able to use the front window and the sun was bright, but with some clouds and that was the best light box of all. I spent all morning cleaning lenses and also the sensor of my D200 (had a few dust particles on the sensor). 

And it paid off. Yes, being a grandfather is grand!

Day 255 Fire

Driving home from work and looking in the sideview mirror. I'm definitely being pursued by a fiery sunset.

Day 254 Contrails

This large contrail dominated the sky this evening. Much ado on the west coast about a contrail that the media is trying to pass off as a missile. It would be nice if we could trust the media to be objective.

Day 253 More friends

Case in point from yesterday's post. This guy was at work today. I got a close up with a little flash. This one turned out pretty good.

This little Gecko was on the mat just inside the 2nd floor door. I took his picture and then put him outside. Angel couldn't believe that I dropped him over the side and he fell down to the grass. Hey, this guy doesn't weight much so no big deal.  He scampered off. Better than getting stepped on...

Driving home I captured this image. Just pointed my Canon and voila!

Day 252 Hang on

This guy is hanging on for dear life. OK, he's just trying to find some pollen on these yellow flowers in our front yard. Similar to the guy I see at work. I wonder if they are the same species. Well, we're good neighbors and he can drop by anytime. Except I think staying outside is preferred.

Day 251 On and on and ...

This is the normal sight I see driving into work in the morning. The road and power lines seem to go on forever. I'm not sure, but I do finally arrive at work. I enjoy my 45 minutes commute (and if you believe that...) but really I get some time to think and ponder. I have many thoughts, many feelings, many wonderings. Perhaps in the time allotted me I'll find a way to relay some of those reflections. A few have found their way on this blog. There are some who relate. Some have kindly mentioned that. I've not heard the other, but I know they exist. I don't write for them. I respect other's opinions. I don't respect their denigration. That is not opinion. That is an overt and sometimes covert attack on someone else. Why are some people so cruel? Ah, the thought comes to me -- agency. They have the freedom to be jerks.  They are divisive. They are mean spirited. Heard that term before? Enough of that.

I love this image. Jenn just baked her first loaves of bread. Her is mom passing on secrets it looks like -- sealed with a kiss.  Life can be fun at my place!

Day 250 Head Guy

 

At lunch today. Ever feel like you are on display?

Driving home. Looks like this constable stopped to help out this seemingly disabled motorcyclist (bike not visible here, but was on the front side of the patrol car). Of course I chose the  positive outlook on this image. I really don't know. How many of you took a negative, cynical view on this image? What is the real story? I hope all worked out well for this guy. Nothing like being stuck on the freeway during rush hour.

Day 249 Contrast

Walking back from lunch today this contrast in lighting caught my eye.

Day 248 Hat

Stylin'

She is a natural poser. Definitely all girl. And she knows her mind as well -- she'll let you know what's what.

Day 247 Election Day

Somehow this just seemed fitting. Not that I have any cynicism, but sometimes you really wonder...

This was the entire display. And I'm now wondering how appropriate the "fingers" are on the right. Not that any politician wants to wrap their fingers around your wallet -- and expect you to enjoy the experience.

Day 246 Sky

Election day tomorrow. Storm before the calm...

Day 245 Bathtime

It's a Halloween bath in the kitchen sink.

Because it's chocolaty work being a cupcake...

Day 244 RenFest

Here is a collection of images taken today at RenFest. This group gets my best dressed group costume award.

At one of the concessions.

One of the musical groups performing.

Another group. Quite the musician. Put some Lord of the Ring elfin ears and she would make a terrific elf.

 Bring it on! Jousting at its best. The winners were contrived, but the joust was quite real. Try falling off a galloping horse while wearing armour. These guys were fantastic. A few of the shafts even shattered. Those shields were quite beat up. Not for the faint of heart.

 A large ring was tossed to the middle and it was a free for all to see who could get it. The knight in green won this one even though two had their lances in the ring.

When all the hooves are off the ground you know these steeds are at a gallop. If you've never been, definitely see the jousts. They do these several times during the day.

 Of course the day was full of fabulously colored costumed dancers, and well...

 various status of undress...

 

 Really. What was this a costume for? Deer skin skivvies complete with antlers.

 These guys lost their costumes in the shower and just had some towels...

 

 And, well... not sure what to say, but this lass has her eyes on you.

 

And there was no loss of guys and gals showing off their tats. 

I have many more images, but this gives you the idea. This is just one great big costume party. Some are more era authentic. I'm just not sure which era. But we had a good time. If you've never experienced the RenFest then you should go. Just be careful where you take the youngsters. And if you are into swords, there are plenty and reasonably priced. And hats and dresses and feathers and ...

Day 243 Creepy Critters

It's that time of year. Halloween! The creepy critters will be out in full force. Have fun this weekend -- be safe and watch out for the little ones -- children I mean.

Day 242 Shadow of a Man

I started my blog with a black and white image of my workspace.  I was taking some images of this small water display at work and this image struck me. I desaturated the image and this is what is left. I feel this way at work sometimes -- drained of all my life-force leaving this resigned nondescript essence. Where is the joy?

And yet...

 

This is the same water display at the same time. 

Can I dig down deep into my well and bring about a "happy ending"?  

I hope so.

I don't want to be stuck in a drab Pleasantville...

Day 241 Bubbles

Yes, this is the car wash place.

Day 240 Squirrel

From a distance I thought this was a dead or injured squirrel. As I closed in, he got up and scampered off. I have no idea why he was splayed out all over the road. Sunning in the shade I guess.

I like the vibrant colors on this artificial fruit bowl.

 

Framed mirror.

Day 239 Friend

Meet Lihua one of my good friends at work. She has wonderful kids and a great husband. 

Her best trait? She puts up with me...

Day 238 Melting Pot

I noticed this picture on the bulletin board when I was at Church tonight. Reminds me of the term we hear about how America is a "melting pot". I truly believe one of our strengths has been the diversity of all our people. Many tough issues yes, but overall it is a strength.

Day 237 Lamp

My nightly reading light. My current book?  Complex Variables and Applications -- 1948 edition. Picked it up at the used book store.

Day 236 Reflections on Weariness

Day 235 Brea

This is Brea. We stopped at the lounge at the hotel before heading out to dinner tonight. As always, I'm the designated driver and had my usual Diet cola.  Photography was out topic of discussion and Brea was hanging on every word as she served drinks. We drew her into the conversation and she brought out her point and shoot. I showed her how to do some of the manual settings -- in particular how to set the white balance. Like most, she didn't know all the settings.  Anyway, had a fun time talking photography and was able to pass on some of my knowledge and show Brea some of the features on her camera. I may never see her again, but hopefully I have passed on some of my love for photography.

Day 234 - Moon and clouds

View of the moon and clouds taken at 34,000 ft. This image taken with my Canon SD950. 

And here is another image of the moon taken with the same camera at the same time. I've cropped the image to zoom the image a bit. Not as good as what I can get with my Nikon DSLR, but not too bad.

Day 233 Pigeon

Meyer Park pigeon.

Took a walk today with Collette. A flock of pigeons were being fed by a couple of families. I took this image of one who was curious as to when I was going to toss some tidbit its way. Or more likely trying to determine which car was mine and was thinking of calling in the bombers...

Day 232 Another Sunset