my dyalog

Family and a Funeral

2012-01-14T17:44:00.000-06:00

Late last week my uncle Manuel passed away. He was the beloved husband of my aunt Martha, one of my mom's younger sisters. Devastated for my aunt and cousins, my husband and I flew to Chicago to lend some comfort and support during what had to be a terrible time for them. We were joined in Chicago by three of my cousins, the daughters of another of my mom's sisters. These precious cousins of mine, whom I lovingly refer to as the Sisters Trevi, knew first hand what my Chicago cousins were feeling, as they had lost their mom to cancer in early 2008. Like a warm, soft blanket on a chilly day, we enveloped our Chicago family and poured out our love and prayers on them.

As is the norm when family gathers, the stories of times long past began. My grieving aunt put her own pain aside to share with us stories of her sisters, our moms and aunts, that we'd never heard, and that, for me at least, gave me a whole new, deep respect and awe for the incredible woman I call mom. She told us of how she fell in love and married Manuel. Of not knowing how to cook or iron men's pants when newly married and having to be taught these things by our uncle. She spoke of a time when family meant everything. We laughed, we cried, we laughed some more. We perused old photos, admiring the fashion styles and big beehive hair our moms and aunt sported. We got to know my uncle in a way we didn't know him in life. We laughed, we cried, we laughed some more.

Family and friends came and went over the next few days, some unable to stay for the wake and funeral, others able to stay only long enough to pay their final respects. Each person brought with them a sense of comfort for my aunt and cousins, and I know the family was grateful for them all.

My uncle was buried on a beautifully sunny, unseasonably warm day. God blessed him on the day we said goodbye as much as He'd blessed him all his life. And as my aunt placed white roses on his marker, the family stood strongly around her, and her sisters stood on either side of her, a hand on her arm. These sisters, my mom and aunt, share a bond forged by love stronger than anything I've known. They are pillars of strength, bound together with an enduring love and respect for one another. I see much of who they are in all of their children, and I am grateful to call them all my family.

It is heartbreaking that there comes a time in our lives when the only time we reach out to one another is during times of hardship. Family are those we should surround ourselves with during the good times, as well as the bad. We should make an effort to see one another, not just at weddings and funerals, but whenever God blesses us with a chance to do so. After all, we are very much our families, as our families are us.

My uncle, may he rest in peace, lived a BIG life. He touched many lives and instilled in his own family a moral code and work ethic that is hard to find these days. He loved my aunt passionately, gently, without reservation. He gave the gift of life, donating his liver that another might have a new chance at life. He committed himself to his family and community, and left each for the better. He will be missed. But we all will find comfort in the knowledge that he will live on in the love, talents, and goodwill of his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Funerals are a time of deep sorrow and personal reflection. But this particular funeral, for me, has been a reminder that life is short. A reminder to hold fast to those I love, and to cherish every moment I share with them. I really must remember to tell them how much I love them, and to do it way more often than I have before.

Here's to the ones we love!

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Monet

2011-02-14T20:57:00.002-06:00

Monet built a garden. He created it as a place of inspiration for his paintings. It is said he spent his whole life trying to capture, in paint, the light in his garden, particularly as reflected in the pond, amidst the water lilies.

I get this. Behind my house there is a cemetery. And in this cemetery there is a tree. I think of it as my tree. In winter, this tree stands naked, but beautiful. Mostly, I think, because of the way light gets caught in it's branches. I am captivated by this light, this tree. It is a gift and, like Monet, I am fascinated with capturing the light as it evolves in the branches of this tree.

Tonight's work? Pure joy. Each of these was shot through the lens of my iPhone 4's Hipstamatic.

I expect this endeavor will continue, for the light, it is ethereal and everchanging. And I am lost to it.

Here's to Monet and his inspiration!

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Microblog

2011-02-13T19:16:00.000-06:00

At the start of this month I launched a new blog. Be not dismayed, it's mostly a microblog. Meaning mini posts. Mostly photos from my iPhone. Occasionally a quote. Primarily, it's a way of communicating without being verbose. A way of documenting the little details of daily life that are often better said with a beautiful image. Or not so beautiful. Guess that depends on the beholder, eh?

Anyway, I find I often don't have a lot to say, but much to express and this new microblog is just that, a way of saying a lot, with few words.

Come drop us a visit, won't you? Sideway Glance. Where the view is usually askew.

Here's to less words!

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Update

2011-02-09T19:59:00.000-06:00

So yeah, it's been a nutty year so far. Busy doesn't really describe it, at least not adequately. But I figured I should at least do a quick update. Ready?

New York was a blast!
Went to Super Bowl XLV and watched the Green Bay Packers (my husband's favorite team for life, and mine for at least the last 4) win the Championship
Started a new microblog: Sideway Glance over on tumblr
Helped my husband launch a new company, Floors Elite
Signed up for my first 5K race of this year (and likely the first one in almost a year!)
Am learning to program, in JRuby

Here's to making time for the little things!

Reconciliation

2011-01-27T22:22:00.000-06:00

Last spring I broke up with NYC. I was frustrated and tired and ready to come home.
I didn't know what I was saying when I angrily spouted off that we were "done."

This weekend, I'm making up with my beloved concrete island.
Oh, it'll be a "quickie" for sure, but make no mistake, it will reflect a deep, long-standing love, one that can withstand all the craziness that often comes after a hot day (or four) in the city.

So bring on the snow, the sleet, the ice, the freezing winds. As far as I'm concerned, the weather is merely another in a series of beautiful backdrops for what will inevitably be a magical time.

Here's to a frosty Big Apple!

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Date with the Pavement

2011-01-11T21:54:00.000-06:00

Strapped on my sneakers today. Bundled up, fired up my 'Dance Central' playlist, leashed the dog, and hit the pavement. Braced myself for a disappointing run, since I hadn't run since late November. Surprised myself. A good day. A great run.

Here's to hitting the pavement, again!

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All Caught Up

2011-01-10T18:39:00.000-06:00

After a flurry of posts, I'm all caught up. Today's image:

Warmth
Cold days like today mandate a cozy place to work.

Here's to an updated blog!

January 9

2011-01-10T18:27:00.004-06:00

More Coffee, Please
Seriously considering a study on cream hitting coffee. Fascinating to me.
Camera: iPhone 4, Hipstamatic

Here's to creamy swirls in my java and having my camera on hand!

January 8

2011-01-10T18:19:00.002-06:00

The Boy
Rockin' the Oakleys.
Camera: iPhone 4, Hipstamatic

The Cat
Our chatterbox cat, Chloë, relaxing on the bed. She's rarely still, so shots of her are usually a bit blurred.
Camera: iPhone 4

The Tree
Sunset before the year's first snow.
Camera: iPhone 4

Here's to the 365 Project!

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Sheldon and Girls' Night Out

2011-01-10T17:46:00.000-06:00

First Friday of the year and I was spending it with girlfriends, doing a little Valentine's Day shopping.

Control Panel
I'd just gotten my car, Sheldon, back from the shop and was enjoying the traffic riddled ride into the city. Being in stand still traffic allowed me the time to quickly snap this shot.
Camera: iPhone 4, Hipstamatic

Sunset
It was a gorgeous night with surreal light in the sky. As I headed into the city, I was able to catch the sun hitting the buildings, turning them golden. The image doesn't begin to do it justice.
Camera: iPhone 4, Hipstamatic

Side Mirror
Even more amazing light was being caught in the side mirrors of my car.
Camera: iPhone 4, Hipstamatic

My friend wanted to get some cologne for her new boyfriend for their first Valentine's Day together so we hit the mall and put our noses to work. It's one thing to to smell a cologne out of the bottle, but a whole other thing to actually smell it on a man.

Scent Model
This guy was kind enough to allow us to spray and sniff. Sounds considerably more obscene than it really was.
Camera: iPhone 4

With a fragrance selected, we head off to our favorite department - SHOES!

Sky High
These Louboutins looked fantastic on my friend!
Camera: iPhone 4

And finally, after all that shopping, we settled down for some much needed libations and hilarious girl talk.

Cocktail
This drink, known as a Skwiss, (I think that was the name of it!) was positively delectable.
Camera: iPhone 4, Hipstamatic

January 6

2011-01-10T17:18:00.000-06:00

The 4th and 5th yielded no photos, but I was happy snapping again on the 6th.

Vin Rouge
A much needed, long awaited glass of cabernet.

Camera: iPhone 4, Hipstamatic

Here's to relaxing with a red!

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January 3

2011-01-10T17:14:00.000-06:00

Princess
The real princess in our house is our Brindle Boxer, Bristol. Most days after work, I come home to find her laid out on our bed, nestled among the throw pillows.

Camera: iPhone 4

Here's to my princess pup!

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January 2

2011-01-10T17:06:00.001-06:00

Sadly, I took no photos on January 2.
[Sigh]

Here's to these posts being few and far between, if at all.

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January 1

2011-01-10T15:46:00.003-06:00

In an earlier post I mentioned signing on the the 365 Project. A photo a day. Turns out they mean that quite literally. You can only post one photo per calendar day. So, while I can go post all my photos at once, I'm only allowed one a day, per date. That won't work. I mean, I will move forward with the project, as I'm actually becoming more excited about it. But some days, one photo just doesn't cover the broad spectrum that is my life.

So while I do hope you'll all keep up with my life in pictures over on the 365 Project, please know that I'll also be posting entries here, as well. That being said, let's start the show, shall we?

Coffee
My first cup of the year. Love that I was able to catch the cream going into the delicious black java.
Camera: iPhone 4, Hipstamatic

Coffee Lite

The swirl patterns made by cream in coffee have always fascinated me. I may have to dedicate a day of shooting to this phenomenon in the near future.

Camera: iPhone 4, Hipstamatic

Here's to getting behind the camera again!

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First Post

2011-01-10T08:57:00.003-06:00

We're ten days into the new year and I am just now getting around to writing my first blog post of the year. I wish I had some great excuse, but alas, the fact of the matter is that I've just let my time get occupied by other, less important things. And I haven't really had much to say, come to think of it.

I have, however, been thinking quite a bit about this blog. I've been contemplating what I want to do with this blog, what direction it should take. The stream of conscience writing is a great outlet for me, but sometimes the crazies are a little too dominant, and I would prefer to keep that neatly tucked away, at least for the time being. I've considered food blogging, but it seems everyone has a food blog, and my cooking and writing are mediocre at best. Since I love photography, that seemed like the next natural step, but let's face it, I have serious commitment issues. I'm great at starting projects, but a few minutes, hours, days, weeks in, and I fizzle. I know there's a cure for this. I'm actually thinking maybe, perhaps, I should try it.

Baby steps. It's all about baby steps.
My goals for the year involved writing more, and shooting more. So a photo-centric blog seems natural. But my lack of commitment to, well, just about everything, will make that a bust. I will find every, any, excuse for missing a post and then I'll just get frustrated and stop altogether. Unless I take baby steps. Small posts. One photo. Easy, right? You would think.

I'd heard (read?) about a "challenge" of sorts called 365 Project. As the name might imply, it involves taking, and publishing, a photo a day. For aspiring photographers, it helps us stay close to our cameras and helps us improve our technique. It helps us keep a record of our lives over the course of a year, as well as see how our photography evolves in that time. It's a challenge I'd considered taking for a long time, even before I knew there was an entire web movement around the concept.

So here I am, on the tenth day of the new year, and I'm ready to commit to the challenge. I may not post daily, but I will at least commit to a photo a day, even if I publish them in a flurry of one liners at the start, or end of a week. Of course, in the beginning, I will try to post daily, as I think the context of each image will be fresher and will provide writing inspiration. Then again, if a picture is worth a thousand words, I may not need to worry so much about the writing portion.

I hope you'll take this ride with me, and maybe even take up the 365 Project yourself.

Here's to keeping our cameras close and our blogs fresh!

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ChloJo

2010-12-09T22:57:00.001-06:00

I often write about our dog, Bristol but noticed the other day that I rarely write about our cat, Chloë, known also by the following names:

MonkeyDoodle
Chatterbox
FatBrat
ChloJo

She's an obnoxious but sweet little beast who likes to wake us each morning with high pitched meows. Who is just now, after two years, getting comfortable around the dog. Who after a year is still missing our FatBoy 'bastian (the cat we lost last year). Who rarely sits still long enough to be photographed. Even so, I was able to snap these images with my trusty iPhone4 Hipstamatic.

Here's to cats with sass!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

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O Christmas Tree

2010-12-06T23:43:00.001-06:00

New, pre-lit tree. Lovingly decorated by me and my adorable niece. Failed to plug all the lights together before decorating. When we lit the tree up, we got this:

After hours spanning days of looking for a single plug, I finally caved and dismantled the tree. Found the plug. Re-decorated the tree. Lit it up again. Result:

Well worth the investment of time, don't you think?

Here's to a fully lit Christmas tree!

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A List: Movies

2010-12-01T19:20:00.003-06:00

I love to watch movies. My husband does not. This means, effectively, that my movie watching has been limited, at best, since I got married five years ago. Seriously. I could probably count, on one hand, the number of times I've been in a theater per year over the last five or six years. For someone who once couldn't keep count at all because I went to the movies so often, that's saying a lot.

As a direct result of my limited movie watching endeavors, there are a bunch of movies I want to see. And since my husband will be out of town next week, I'm thinking this might be a good time to catch up on some of the movies I've missed the last few years. Here's a list, in no particular order:

Hereafter
Toy Story 3
Love and Other Drugs
Burlesque
Push
Harry Potter and the..., well, all of them!
Eat Pray Love
Black Swan

I know there are a ton more but of the top off my head these are the only one's I can think of.
I'm seriously considering packing some wine, cheese and fruit and sneaking it into the movie theater with me this weekend for a lovely little movie marathon.

Here's to celluloid and lovely stories that help us escape!

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A Boy, a Girl, and a Ring

2010-11-03T21:26:00.001-05:00

This past Friday, October 29th, my husband and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary. Five years of marital bliss, which, for those who don't know, consists of the following:

Copious amounts of laughing; belly laughs and laughing so hard you cry are usually the best
Some bickering
Lots of hugs
Daily kisses, and every now and then, making out like a pair of teenagers
The occasional knock down, drag out (just keepin' it real, folks)
Knowing when to say you're sorry (see above!)
Praying together, and for one another
Waking up daily willing to bring your best game to the marriage
Lots and lots of love

With this being the five year milestone, I wanted to do something really special for my husband, however as I had to work the entire weekend, plans of a short, romantic getaway had to be put on hold. Nonetheless, I wanted to mark the occasion and give him a gift that was meaningful, yet original, and of course it had to fall within the traditional anniversary gifts, which, for five years, is wood.

An aside: Did you know that every year has a traditional gift associated with it? Yeah, it's not just the big ones, 25-silver, 50-gold, 75-diamond. Nope, each year has one. Five is wood. If you're interested in what some of the other "years" are, click here. It's a pretty interesting list!

After considering several "wood" options and not finding one meaningful enough, it dawned on me one evening while I chatted with my mother-in-law; I already had his gift!

A few months ago, while vacationing in Wisconsin, I shot some photographs of an old, commercial fishing tug [boat] that my husband worked on in his teens. I remember him speaking of that boat, the Avis J, with deep affection, not so much for the boat, I'm sure, but more for that time in his life. It was a tough time, to be sure, but working on the Avis J made him feel a part of something special, and I know it helped shape the man he would later become, the man I married, the man I'm still madly in love with. Yes, the Avis J was the perfect gift. I had it enlarged and framed, and yes, it fit the traditional wood gift. It was a wood boat and the frame was wood. Perfect, right?

When I gave it to him that morning before heading into the office, I knew by his reaction that it was the perfect gift. I was so pleased that I'd not only given him something that reminded him of his past and how far he's come, but something that completely surprised him. I went off to work on a cloud.

That afternoon, dismissed early in preparation for the long weekend of work ahead, I went home to unwind, rest and have a mini celebration with my husband. When I got home, the hubs wasn't home yet, so I relaxed for a bit and reflected on the last five years and remembered the beautiful day I married my best friend.

A few hours later, my amazing husband came home, bearing gifts. He walked through the door carrying a gorgeous floral bouquet. He gave it to me with a sly grin, then went back out to his truck, muttering something about "there's more." Seconds later, he reappeared with a little black velvet box in his hands. Suddenly I had butterflies in my stomach. I knew what that box held, and was cringing at how much he'd probably spent. With a gleeful smile, he said, "happy anniversary, my love" and opened the box. Before me, nestled among the black velvet, was a new diamond wedding ring. This man had upgraded my wedding ring. And it was beautiful!

Sadly, I robbed my husband of the reaction he was expecting from me. Caught up in the thoughts of how much he'd spent, and to be honest, that the diamond wasn't the shape I would have selected for myself, I quietly whispered, "oh my, you shouldn't have" as I watched his face fall in disappointment.

He asked if it was the cost or the ring that I had issue with, and made clear that the cost was something I need not worry about. He offered to exchange the ring. And to be honest, I considered it. (I know, I know, I'm a total brat!)

But I didn't return or exchange the ring. He put it on my finger, and it dawned on me: if this had been the ring he'd proposed to me with five years ago that day, I would have been over the moon! This was the ring he wanted me to have. It was yet another reflection of how far he, we, have come, that he was able to do this for me.

Today, almost a week later, I look down at my hand and see that huge rock glinting in the low light and I can't help but smile. After all, I am one very lucky girl!

Here's to unexpected gifts and my awesome husband!

Pink Polish

2010-10-05T09:58:00.004-05:00

I don't like my pink polish. It's loud and garish and doesn't suit me at all. I want to take it off.

Then I started thinking about why I'm wearing it. Breast cancer is no picnic.

I'm sure the women who have it, or had it, thought it sucked and would have liked to "take it off. "

Those undergoing chemo, the ones who've lost their hair, they probably thought that sucked.

All the families that lost a daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend - I'm sure they all thought that sucked.

Yet the fighters and survivors endure, the victims are remembered. It's for them I'll wear my loud and garish pink polish. They are all worth it.

Where's Your Pink?

Here's to Finding A Cure!

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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

1979

2010-09-14T19:54:00.001-05:00

Today I heard the Smashing Pumpkins' song '1979' on my way to work.
While listening to it, I tried to recall the last time I remembered hearing that song. It dawned on me slowly, but with more than a hint of nostalgia; it had easily been over ten years since I'd heard the tune.

Today I heard the Smashing Pumpkins' song '1979' on my way to work.
Listening to it as I drove into a gorgeous sunrise, it took me back to a past I thought I'd laid to rest. Odd how a song can so easily transport us to another place and time, bring back ghosts believed released.

Today I heard the Smashing Pumpkins' song '1979' on my way to work.
As the sun rose steadily over the horizon, I wept for the vulnerable girl whose heart was broken, dreams dashed and world turned upside down while '1979' played in the background. She deserved better, whether she knew it or not.

Today I heard the Smashing Pumpkins' song '1979' on my way to work.
I sent up a prayer of thanks and gratitude, and a sigh of relief for the healing that only time can bring.

Today I heard the Smashing Pumpkins' song '1979' on my way to work. And towards the end, I sang along and allowed myself to remember what a great song it is.

Here's to the soundtrack of our lives!

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Fun Run

2010-09-01T19:11:00.001-05:00

Last year, I started running. I went from couch to 5K in oh, two weeks. Yep. Sure did. And those of you who know me know this is no small feat, as I am not, to say the least, physically fit. But one day, I woke up, went for a quarter mile run and thought, "I can do this." The next day, I ran a mile, and two weeks later, I ran my first 5K. I then proceeded to run at least one "official" 5K a month, from December to March, with shorter "training" runs in between. After March, however, I took a break. Or got lazy. It's really a matter of perspective, don't ya' think? Before I knew it, my break rolled into summer and then my excuse for not running was a whiney, "It's TOO HOT!!" Well, duh! I live in Texas. Of course it's hot.

Finally out of excuses and feeling like a complete slug, I decided to hit the pavement again. First time I went out I realized just how quickly I'd lost the little conditioning I'd built up last winter. Barely surviving a two mile run, and huffing and puffing like I'd just scaled Mt. Everest, I realized I was going to have to begin a more formal training program, especially if I ever wanted to run a race longer than 5K.

Enter, C25K, a nifty little app that lives on my iPhone. My own personal coach for training for a 5K, the right way. I'm on the third successful week of training, and determined to get through the whole program.

Today, I leashed the dog and headed out for my run. A nice, misty rain was falling and the temperatures had cooled to delightful levels. I knew it was going to be a good run. My dog, I suspect, did not share my excitement. She's not one for getting wet, even when it feels great. But it was an easy light rain, and we set out to "get. it. done." (borrowed from my friend, April!)

Little did I know this was heading my way:

The scheduled run was 28 minutes, but about 21 minutes into it, the skies opened and torrential rains were poured down on me and my poor pooch. Within about 5 seconds, we were both soaked to the skin, and about a minute later, soaked to the bone. Already sopping wet, I figured there was no sense in cutting the run short, so we made our way around our course and finished the run in the downpour.

Sounds crazy, right? Here's the thing. It was wonderful! My makeup completely washed off by the rain, mascara streaking off with each footfall, I knew I looked a mess. But I couldn't bring myself to care. I had a huge grin plastered on my face and can't recall the last time I felt so good.

Running is liberating. It frees me from, well, pretty much everything. The road doesn't care how I look, what I'm wearing, whether I'm in a good mood or not. All I have to do when I set out to run is, run.

There is something amazingly beautiful about this. Simple. Cleansing. Satisfying. I pray I am granted more runs like today's. Hands down, it was my funnest run to date.

Here's to running, rain or shine!

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Phone Photography

2010-08-29T19:39:00.002-05:00

Today's phones are so much more than just a phone. They serve as our calendar, to do list, music player, weight loss and fitness coach, and in some cases, child tracking device. They are also becoming more and more popular as camcorders and cameras.

The iPhone, by Apple, is certainly no exception. I've been an iPhone carrying fan-girl since August of 2008, and I am still crazy about my phone. (Note, I love my phone. The service provider? Not so much. But that's another story.)

The iPhone, in and of itself is a marvelous device, and the newer generations come equipped with delightful camera capabilities. Pair this with some fantastic apps and the images one can produce are endless.

Some of my favorite apps are Hipstamatic, SwankoLab, Photogene, and Pano. With these apps, I can create images that rival, in artistry if not pixel quality, some of the work taken with my pro level DSLR. And my iPhone is smaller and considerably lighter than said DSLR, thereby assuring it is always with me, allowing me to capture this stroll along the San Antonio Riverwalk:

(Stitched with Pano, processed with Photogene.)

And this snowy shot of our backyard after a freak snowstorm earlier this year in Grapevine, Texas:

(Stitched with Pano, processed with Photogene.)

Then there are these shots of the great New York City skyline:

(Stitched with Pano, processed with Photogene.)

And some of New York's amazing bridges:

(Processed with Photogene.)

(Processed with SwankoLab and Photogene.)

Shooting after one of North Texas tempestuous storms results in ultra vivid colors and gorgeous skies. Pair it with the über retro Hipstamatic and you get these:

(Created with Hipstamatic.)

When on vacation, the portability of one's phone, and these great apps, help create images like these:

(Created with Hipstamatic.)

On the golf course, there's so much more to see than the pin. These were shot at Wander Springs Golf Course, in Greenleaf, Wisconsin:

(Created with Hipstamatic.)

And finally, even portraits take on a new edge when processed through these great apps:

(Processed with Photogene.)

While the fundamentals of photography, composition, subject, and lighting, can't be completely disregarded, these apps and an iPhone can breathe new life into your random "happy snaps."

Here's to photography with your phones!

Sans 3G

2010-08-13T12:57:00.001-05:00

Those of you who are AT&T customers know the frustrations of a slow 3G connection, particularly if you're an iPhone user. Frustration levels rise and the threat to switch carriers is muttered, often amidst a string of expletives, for emphasis, with every sluggish web page load.

I know your frustrations because I, too, often find myself bemoaning the hit or miss service that is AT&T's 3G data service. That is, until my vacation in rural Wisconsin. In the small town by the lake that is Two Rivers, where one is lucky to see even one bar of service, Edge is king. And what a miserable, wretched king it is. With nary a bar to spare, signal was barely strong enough to make a call. As for any kind of Internet activity, fuggedahboutit! Even if you are able to tap into the various hotspots about town, you'll feel like you're back in the 80s on some long forgotten dial up service. To say it was painful is an understatement.

That being said, for a self proclaimed Internet junkie, it was a nice reprieve to be "disconnected" for a while. After reclaiming the time, I was able to read two books, spend quality time visiting with family and new friends, catch some yummy fish, and get in some much needed rest and relaxation. Not bad for a week's vacation.

The morale of my story? Besides I survived a week with limited connectivity? Ha! Yeah. My point is that the world, and life, should be experienced beyond the confines of Facebook, Twitter, and the rest of the Internet. Life, as it was meant to be experienced, should be touched, tasted, heard, and most of all, shared with the people you love. Go on. Break away from your computer screen or Internet enabled phone. Get outside and enjoy the sun. And if you're lucky enough to be within hugging distance of someone you love, reach out and give 'em a squeeze. You'll be glad you did.

Here's to disconnected holidays!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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The New Lighthouse

2010-08-10T21:37:00.001-05:00

Some of our vacation was spent touring the Lake Michigan shoreline, hitting the many harbor towns and their wonderfully quaint shops. Along the way, I noticed, on our map, a myriad of lighthouses. Excited at the opportunity to photograph these wholly unique architectural marvels, I prepped my camera and bristled in my seat, trying hard to contain my enthusiasm.

As the first pier came into view, I eagerly lifted my camera and brought into focus the end of the pier, where one would expect to see a lighthouse. With my viewfinder trained on a lamp atop a metal pole, I panned the area looking for a red or white structure, with a Lamp and a Watch room gracing the top. Thinking I must have aimed the camera in the wrong direction, I pulled it down from my face and checked the skyline with my own eyesight. Even with my naked eyes, all I could see was the metal post with a light on top. In the exact spot where my beautiful, weathered lighthouse was supposed to be!

Ok. So this is a new, more modern lighthouse. The next town, which also boasted a lighthouse, surely would have the beautiful building I wanted for my photographs. So onward we went.

Alas, three harbor towns later and still no old timey lighthouse. Seems we're replacing the traditional lighthouses with these new, more inexpensive devices. In doing a bit of further research, I learned there's actually a practical reason for using this type of lighthouse, besides the obvious, reduced expenses. Seems the type of lighthouse being used on any given pier depends on the type of danger being presented to the mariner. Hmph. You learn something new every day.

I'm sure there are still some traditional lighthouses out there. Probably on the East coast. Maine, perhaps. And I'm pretty sure there's one in Mystic, Connecticut. I think I'll plan a lighthouse photographing trip soon. These wondrous edifices must be preserved, if only in art form.

Here's to saving the lighthouses!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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