North Metro

Sliced Panettone

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Here in the North Metro Easy Bake Oven Bakery, I enjoy baking bread. Christmas time is perfect time for baking Milanese style Christmas breads. My Panettone is not quite the same as the authentic Panettone imported from Milano, Italy, but delicious in it's own right.

This blogsite will end on December 31st, 2009. A new updated blogsite is now available. Please change your links and visit my new address - northmetrophoto.com. I thank you for your support!

Merry Christmas!

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Merry Christmas! Wishing you joy and peace throughout the year.

Baubles Galore

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:06:00 +0000

Christmas decor in downtown.

Frosted Plastic

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:05:00 +0000

Mall of America is festooned with Christmas decor. Despite having to go shopping, the displays create a cheerful atmosphere.

At the Mall

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:05:00 +0000

On a recent photo walkabout, Dan, Mitch, Mickey and I captured the Christmas displays at Mall of America.

Pathway

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:14:00 +0000

A stone pathway leads us to the Stone Arch Bridge along the Mississippi River.

Today is the Winter Solstice - the shortest day of the year. That means starting tomorrow, the days grow longer; spring is here!

Twinkle Bus

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Nothing says Holiday Spirit more than the Twinkle Bus. Dan, Mitch and I made our way downtown Minneapolis again to photo-shoot the 2009 Target Holidazzle Parade. Near the queue of parade floats, we came upon the Twinkle Bus that begged to be photographed. Next, we braved the crowds of parade spectators and evening chill to photo-shoot the parade. Afterward, as a reward for our photographic triumph, we sought refuge in The Local for adult Irish refreshments and warmth. If you haven't sen the Holidazzle Parade, don't miss the fun on Nicollet Mall. And remember, there are plenty of places to duck into to get warm and enjoy refreshments.

This blogsite will end on December 31st, 2009. A new updated blogsite is now available. Please change your links and visit my new address - northmetrophoto.com. I thank you for your support!

For You

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:03:00 +0000

Have a cup of Christmas cheer.

Deck the Halls

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:07:00 +0000

Colorful Christmas globes strung together.

Bauble Delight

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Christmas Baubles galore!

This blogsite will end on December 31st, 2009. A new updated blogsite is now up and running. Please change your links and visit the new address - northmetrophoto.com.
I thank you for your support!

Anticipation

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:08:00 +0000

A trip downtown to Macy's 8th floor auditorium display with Dan and Mitch to view 'A Day in the Life of an Elf'. This was a repeat of last year's Christmas display theme. I am not sure why this one remained the same for this year; perhaps the poor economy? Let us hope for a new spectacular Christmas display next year.

For more than four decades, the 8th floor has brought Christmas delight and memories to generations of families at the then Dayton's. This is an annual event for so many families - the chance to visit downtown Macy's, view the Christmas display, Christmas shop and dine either at the Oak Room or Skyroom restaurants up on the 12th floor. A tradition of decades.

Elf Land

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Mickey , Dan, Mitch and I were photographing Christmas displays at Mall of America

"Hey everybody, over here, it's Santa!"

"Dangit, I broke my candy chain!"

Ninemile Creek

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:07:00 +0000

Ninemile Creek as it flows through Bloomington, MN

Oh Christmas Tree

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

The east rotunda at Mall of America is adorned with oversized Christmas trees. Photo taken by Mrs. DL - Canon A710 IS.

End of the Line

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 06:23:00 +0000

The new North Star Line delivers commuters to downtown Minneapolis at the new Twins Stadium, Target Field. The train runs mornings and evenings only. I only wish the train ran a few times during the day. I could scoot downtown in the early morning and be home by early afternoon.

Book Signing Tour

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:02:00 +0000

I had the pleasure of spending the day at Mall of America with Dan, Mickey, and Mitch to practice our photo-journalism skills at the Sarah Palin Book signing. The photography was difficult from such long distances due to barracades to keep order and the crazies from causing harm. The lighting was dark, I was forced to elevate the ISO to 1600 and use f5.6 at 300mm.

No matter which spectrum of politics is present, she certainly is news. Big news. The news media and the late night 'comedy' shows are doing a great job of keeping Sarah Palin in the headlines. Without them we may hear little about Mrs. Palin.

The crowds were thick at the Mall, the security was thicker. As a centrist, I am left wondering what it is about Sarah Palin that the Repubs see in her as a candidate. I also wonder why the Dems have such a visceral hatred for her. She certainly spurs controversy wherever she goes. One partisan dumbass with malice in his heart - Jeremy Paul Olson, was arrested for throwing tomatoes toward Mrs. Palin. This incident reminds me as a kid back in the fifth grade when we used to act out in the school cafeteria by throwing food. Some people never grow up and remain adult children. (No offense toward children intended)

I can not understand this disrespect and hatred toward my fellow man. We have enough hate in this world as it is without hating anyone who thinks differently from the partisan leadership. What happened to the parties of progressiveness, peace and tolerance? I am beginning to believe they never existed.

One conclusion comes to mind; free speech is honored and respected only when it conforms to partisan rhetoric and politics.

Where in Downtown...

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:22:00 +0000

...Minneapolis are we?

Deer Hunting

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:21:00 +0000

"Shouldn't we be wearing blaze orange?" the woman says to me as they pass by. I reply, "Don't worry I won't shoot you." Well, I did, photographically speaking.

I went deer hunting with my camera at Coon Rapids Park Reserve. I saw a nice 10 point buck, but he wanted nothing to do with me. The doe's on the other hand seemed more sociable and wanted to pose for me. Isn't that the way it typically is?

Tough Times

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:21:00 +0000

Times are tough as the economy continues to be unsettling. Despite this fact, our elected do-nothings in office are doing what they do best; diverting their attention elsewhere. Typical wag the dog policies.

Call Box

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:20:00 +0000

More rusty crap. The call box is all but inoperable, but retains it's use as a photographic subject.

Sky Crane Removal

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:20:00 +0000

Mitch, Dan, and I spent a few minutes watching these guys high up in the air working on the removal of this sky crane.

I Found It!

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:19:00 +0000

I'm not sure what our little terrier Winston found, but he was determined to chase the scent down the rocky ravine to water's edge.

Stand By Me

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:05:00 +0000

The morning Mitch and I went searching for the NorthStar Commuter Rail Line and reminded me of the movie Stand By Me. It was an adventure being chased down by a freight train on the bridge. OK, we weren't really chased down, there was a wide platform area a safe distance away from the tracks. But care was taken to remain a safe distance away. In the movie, the 3 kids were looking for a dead boy; we witnessed 3 opossums crossing the rails at a very wrong time. Creepy similarity. After our brief detainment by the transit authorities for being at a place where we shouldn't have been, we met up with Dan to further the days adventure.

Breakfast at Hell's Kitchen downtown was disappointing; over priced and lack of substance. I've been more satisfied with a box of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, a mixing bowl, and a carton of milk. However, second breakfast at Macy's Skyroom on the 12th floor made up for the poor first breakfast. Yet the adventure continued.

Have a look at Mitchster's PoleCam tm in action, the last venue of our adventurous day.

Urban Grit

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Time to take out the trash in a Minneapolis back alley.

Lane Confusion

MNDustyLens@gmail.com (Rob) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:03:00 +0000

I shudder to think about driving in this area. The lanes switch over each other while dodging Light Rail commuter trains.