Just couldn't resist...

Nothing really new or very original here.  Just that I saw the opportunity when the stream of water was at the right angle in relation to the person.  I couldn't resist and phrases such as, "steady stream" or "no obstructions" came to mind.

Generations...

Have You Driven a Ford (con't)... Examples of SIMPLE

I just have to admit it... "I'm getting too old".  I rather read a book versus a tablet.  I enjoy writing on paper with a fountain / calligraphy pen.  I love old movies.  I like film versus digital (only if my budget and patience can force me back to film).

Have You Driven a Ford...

Lately (for those of you who know the old 80's Ford commercials)... cars have been loaded with tons of computer stuff.  That should have clued me in when this Ford Focus has a DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission).  For you non-car folks.... a DCT is essentially a manual transmission where a computer controls the gear selection and clutch activity.

Well, this Ford drove like a dream for 105 miles before the DCT started to chatter like someone learning how to drive a manual transmission car.

Credit to Ford for getting back to the dealer ASAP.  Today they checked all the calibrations and download the latest firmware (sounds too much like any computer thing for me).  Now I have to drive it hard for a few days for the damn computer to learn how to work with me behind the wheel.

Although things are better.... the chatter is still slightly there.... just like a problem that is about to come out.

Where am I going with this??  Why can't we just have things SIMPLE.

Another Ending and Another Loss...

On the late night news a few days ago, a story about a local San Francisco grocery store closing down came as a shock.  I know that most people would say.... "what's the big deal, stores and business close down every day".  To an extent this is very true.

However, this one hits home on a personal note as well as a piece of history.  Not just San Francisco history but American history.  Not just the fact that this store stayed in business for 105 years.  Not just the fact that this is one of the very few businesses in a neighborhood that took the brunt of a racist executive order during World War II.

Photo two contains the story to which I hope you will be able to read.

The personal note comes from my childhood and the recent fact that with a very special person in my life paid this store a visit a few months ago.  Little did I realize that the purchase of some nick-nack-snack that she wanted would be my very last time that I would step foot inside this store.

I know that things change and that nothing lasts forever.  Just that it seems so much of the fabric that makes this country great is going away.

To the Good Life...

You never know what you will find...

Walking the streets this morning, I came across this street drawing.  Some artist took the time to draw this - I assume from the day before.  I hope that some people were nice enough to leave some money behind for the artist when he/she was there.

Happy New Year...

Two wonderful things to do this New Year.  May everyone have a fantastic 2012.

Santa is done...

Santa's job is done.  Everyone... have a safe and Happy New Year.

Open, Open, Open...

It's early morning.  Day after Christmas.  It's a warm 32 degrees outside.  I just don't understand this standing in line stuff.... if the store was giving away items - that's one thing.  Folks... get a clue.... it's just STUFF !!!

Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

Photography and the future...

The future of art... be it music, theater, video, film, photography, etc... depends a lot on the future generation to help keep it alive and hopefully evolve and grow.

In a time where we as a nation seem to not value what the Arts bring to humanity and society, I find it refreshing to see young people take to this medium of photography.

For some it will become a passion.  Others, perhaps (and if they are fortunate) may make a living from it.

Seeing a young person getting their first "serious camera", beyond the cellphone or point & shoot camera, with the excitement and anxiousness to start being creative, gives me hope that the future may not be as dull and grey as it has become.

Pixel Peeping...

One good thing about Digital versus Film Photography is that you have the ability to review the shot immediately.  Can you imagine how many disappointed people are in the world when those "Kodak moments" were lost and the opportunity to re-do a shot is gone forever?

Title wanted...

Just thought this was interesting and funny.  Can't come up with a title.

Next move...

Something about a chess set that draws people in to check out the game.

Lens...

People...

Always interesting to see people waiting at a stop light.  Wondering what they were thinking and sometimes make believe what is being said inside the person with the expression.

Focus...

Getting close...

T minus 10 days and counting

More lines...

Makes me wanna howl...

Hoodie...

... or the Ghost of Christmas Future?

Keeping Warm - Staying Alert...

Just been very cold lately...

One hell of a Xmas tree... part 2

They must be alive.  They're multiplying.

Waiting for traffic to clear...

Another use for those concrete stumps.... bike rests.

Those Little Devices...

As much as I love using all those electronic items - smart phones, iPad, notebook and desktop computers, Microsoft Sync in the car, Bluetooth, etc... on thing I am starting to notice is that human interaction and the greatest gadget around (the human brain) isn't being used as much.

If you thought "The Borg" was just some science fiction from Star Trek, think about it.  We are becoming more and more like a damn machine each day.  If anything, a damn machine(s) are starting to run our lives.  The beep or twang from a cellphone has us jump to look at it.  The ring of a phone has us stop to answer it.  Young people seem to have lost the ability to carry on a conversation or even write something that is longer than the limited character allotment from Twitter.

So here's a challenge... once in a while, take a break from technology and do something like write a letter, read a book (no e-reader), have a conversation that isn't work related, etc...

The Next move...

In a world so full of electronic doo-dads and way too many video games, a chess board has something special about it.  

Olympus E-P3, 45mm, f/1.8, 1/4000s, iso1000

Must be one hell of a Xmas tree...

Hey.... someone has to tell Gulliver or the Jolly Green Giant that they left something behind.

Human watching...

Birds wanting food and checking out what this human is doing

Hugs...

Cultural Exchange...

As much as the State of California is maligned by many... and with some justification at times, one of the wonderful things is that beyond the natural wonders, the variety of people and cultures that intermingle makes this state unique.

Not what they had in mind...

Just another day in urban USA.  I'm sure that someone once took some pride in designing and building this structure.  It's so sad that we have to resort to putting up bars in front of doors and windows to keep those who should have bars on their doors and windows away from us.

E-P3,  56mm,  f/9,  1/640s, ISO2500

Shifting Sand...

Thinking...

A Blast of Steam...

She's got the right name...

"It's a new ship... but she's got the right name.  ...you treat her like a lady and she'll always bring you home".   Name the TV series where that line came from.  Also name the ship that it is referencing (hint).

Analog in a Digital World...

There are a whole bunch of us who are still analog.  Nothing is more satisfying than taking a pen to paper.

The Glow of a Street Lamp...

All the bright lights silenced.  This one street lamp cast a warm glow to a very cold morning.

In The Wee Small Hour of the Morning part 2...

There's a line in the movie / play, Guys and Dolls, where the character Sky Masterson tells Sgt.Sarah Brown about the stillness of the early mornings in Times Square.  Being on the streets at 5:30am, I experienced the same sensation.  Silence.  Stillness.  Some Peace but knowing well that Danger of the city still exists.

The Old Man and the Sea...

Trivia Question - Who wrote the book "The Old Man and the Sea"?

Stay within the lines...

Remember that movie with Jack Nicholson where he can't step on lines in the pavement?  Ok, lame excuse for snapping a picture of this young lady.

Hard Right...

Follow...

Tugboat Willy...

Tugboat Willie...  I was once a Captain too!

Bright Lights and a Runway...

Kids make the best subjects.  Their expressions and look of wonder is just so human.

Unfortunately, the society we live in today has everyone afraid to a point where taking pictures of children is not a safe activity for the child, parents and photographer.  Helps to have a female shooter with you.

Piano playing Muppet...