Head above water...

With all the turmoil in the world today, it's best to keep your head above water and under the radar scope.

Would make for...

... one hell of a haunted house.  That old saying, "If these walls could only talk"

Learning...

Coolness...

Cowboy boots, red skinny jeans, southwestern looking jacket, vest, tee shirt and cool hair.

Post No Bill...

Student Activities and Notices.... good luck.

Music, Arts and Education...

At one time, playing an instrument led to a question "which one"?   Today, it seems the only instruments being played are guitars, drums and perhaps a base.  Sometimes a woodwind instrument like the one this talented musician was playing with a jazz quartet.

I'm going to rant a bit here.  Jazz and Pop standards are uniquely American.  Tunes from that period of time are known around the world.  Yet today, we hear so called singers and musicians who sound all a like with the same style and sound.  What happened to individuality, creativity and music.

School budgets keep being mis-spent and the arts keep on being taken away.

Sorry to say, it looks like the continual decline of America - the standards our predecessors left us are being lowered every day.

Back in Time...

I'm sure in the 1800's, this sight at this very spot would have been a very normal.

More Camera Geek thing...

Olympus OMD-E-M5 / Leica 35mm Summilux / 1/250s / ISO 200

With a raised glass...

As I near the end of two weeks away from the daily grind, I want to personally thank all of those (and you know who you are) who helped making my transition to the next half century easier.

The unexpected lunch from "the gang" put a smile on the outside and inside.
The unexpected last minute invitation to a special dinner (how did you know?)
The heartfelt advice I received on how to deal with this mid-life change and the personal crisis.

- your friendship is cherished forever.

Taking a line from the character, Dr. Leonard McCoy, "...change is the only constant in the universe...", the time has come to make some changes and to adapt to "the here and now".

When Ladies were Ladies...

At one time, people use to dress up.  Although there's nothing more comfortable than putting on something well worn, there was something to getting dressed.  Oh well.... another passing thought from a relic.    Image taken by guess photographer "L"

Olympus OMD-E-M5 // Zuiko 14-42mm // 21mm / f/6.3 / 1/160s / ISO200

Camera Geek stuff...

Micro 4/3.  Leica Summilux 35mm,  f/1.4, 1/80s, ISO 5000

Yum...

Don't know what it is about taking photos of your meal. What the heck.   Ahi Tuna. Well prepared at the Rio City Cafe in Old Sacramento.

How embarrassing...

This girl was out with her family celebrating her 13th birthday.  The gang at Joe's Crab Shack dressed her up as a bird and had her dance around flapping her arms about.  Side bar story.... I had to stay put at the table because my friend threatened to have me undergo the same indignity.

Back in time...

Come to think about it.... wasn't too long ago when Women didn't have the right to vote.  Today, the fight goes on for numerous other changes.

Men and Boys...

I'm sure when he was a little boy, he played with toy trains.  Today... he plays with the real thing.

Concrete and Steel...

Yesterday when I was young...

You may have read past postings on this blog to live life and cherish each moment as you can.  You don't want to be looking back and have the lyrics of this song, Yesterday When I Was Young, be a reflection of your life.  Remember.... tomorrow is here before you know it.

Yesterday when I was young

the taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue.

I teased at life as if it were a foolish game,

the way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame.

The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned

I always built alas on weak and shifting sand.

I lived by night and shunned the naked light of the day

and only now I see how the years ran away.

Yesterday when I was young

so many happy songs were waiting to be sung,

so many wayward pleasures lay in store for me

and so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to see.

I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out,

I never stopped to think what life was all about

 and every conversation I can now recall

concerned itself with me and nothing else at all.

Yesterday the moon was blue

and every crazy day brought something new to do.

I used my magic age as if it were a wand

and never saw the waste and emptiness beyond.

The game of love I played with arrogance and pride

and every flame I lit too quickly quickly died.

The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away

and only I am left on stage to end the play.

There are so many songs in me that won't be sung,

I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue.

The time has come for me to pay for yesterday when I was young.

Damn technology...

More rants about how technology is too much of our lives.  Cell phone while shopping, vacationing and even taking the kid for a stoller ride.  Folks.... spend time as humans.

Not Bad. More Camera Geek thing...

Nothing special here with the photo.  Considering how far away I was and how small the camera package is.  I'm starting to warm up to Micro 4/3rds more and more.

Caption Needed, again...

I have no idea what to say.... If someone has something witty, let me know and I'll update this posting with it.  I'll give you credit too if you like.

Follow me...

... as we march to the sea.

We go away on vacation and...

These two rug rats had their heads and attention plastered to their smart (dumb) phones.

Too many parents equate their youngsters ability to interact with electronic things as a sign of intelligence.

No knock on the Space Chimps or Pavlov's Dog.... but a kid interacting with some device is the same as the Chimp learning to fly a space capsule or a dog knowing when it's time to get food.

PUT THOSE DAMN THINGS AWAY !!

Man and a Guitar...

This gentleman was sitting on the bench, tuning his guitar and later started to play a few chords and sang 

"I Left My Heart in San Francisco".  

He was actually really good.  The cool thing is that he did it for himself. 

 No open guitar case or cup for donations.  

He sang for himself.  

Simple pleasures.  

Remember people... take time to enjoy life.  The years go by very fast.

Nothing better...

Along the lines of simple pleasures in life.  

Having a loved on up against you and a head on your shoulder. 

 It's these little things that are more important and makes one richer than someone with a lot of bucks.  Message here... for those lucky to have someone special,  realize how rich your life really is !!

Summer Time to Dream...

That old saying...

... kid in a candy store.

Later in life it will be the Car Store, Gun Store, Stereo Store (do the still exist??) , Camera Store, etc...

Rocks and Waves...

Admiration...

One of the neat things that the City did was to designate areas where street performers can perform.  During the summer, there's nothing but sweet sounds..

It's a Camera Geek thing...

Considering how small this camera and lens is, I am happy to report that I'm now sold on this format.

What the ???

Walking around, this thing caught my eye.  Thought it was some sort of modern art.  Was it some alien or tribal figure???   Naaah.  Just an umbrella folded up.

Blades of grass...

Sister Act...

Just seeing Nuns in the traditional clothing has me thinking of the movie.

Spiral in living color...

Arches...

Bugle Call...

Spiral...

Kid with attitude...

Kid has a sense of style

Pastels...

Must be summer time.  Good to see brighter colors such as pastels making a come back. 

 I am so over all those dark tones.

Perfect...

There are very few things left in this country that still has some meaning of being truly special.  

Pitching The Perfect Game in Baseball is one of them.  

Tonight, Giants pitcher Matt Cain pitched The Perfect Game. 

 He now joins a roster of only 21 others in a game that is well over a century old.

On top of that, in a world full of spoiled professional athletes, it's good to see a real professional and overall good guy accomplish something very rare.

  CONGRATULATIONS.

Welcome aboard...

Just recently added some new friends to this blog - welcome and enjoy.
To get the full effect, please go to http://stevefoonphotography.blogspot.com

Kinda busted...

Don't know if she caught me or was looking at something else.

Olympus E-P3 // M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6 // 125mm // f/6.3 // 1/640s // ISO 1250 

Remotes...

There once was a time where a remote control was a luxury that only the super rich could afford.  Now we have them everywhere and so damn many of them.

Nikon D800 // 50mm Nikon E 1.8 // f/1.8 // 1/80s // ISO 400

Just chillin'...

Just find it surprising that in San Francisco, someone would leave this stuffed animal alone.  The business that placed it there has yet to open and this bear isn't even tied down.  Just amazing.  Perhaps people just have a soft spot for teddy bears.

More rants about...

Sitting outside.  Having a cup of coffee.  

Instead of watching the world go by or reading the paper or a good book.  

Even, god forbid, having a conversation with people or even a pet.

Come on folks... put those electronic things away (I'm guilty too).... by the way... at least the woman is using an HP laptop.

There...

Goodness doesn't always have to cost...

Photographers love great glass.  That's why we love Leica, Zeiss, etc...  There are those other lenses out there that may not be as good but can do the job.  This image is from a relatively inexpensive zoom lens at it's furthest range (150mm or 300mm in 35mm equivalent).  Not bad.

Stuck in the channel...

Rock...

75 Years...

It's hard to believe that 76 years ago, this didn't exist.  We take this structure for granted.  Yet, for the millions of tourists, this is one of the many symbols of the United States.  Happy Birthday Golden Gate.