Saturday, May 31, 2014

A Look Back At May 2014...



"Lots of people go mad in January. Not as many as in May, of course. Nor June. But January is your third most common month for madness."

~Karen Joy Fowler, Sarah Canary

I wouldn't say I went MAD in May, but there were definitely things getting on my nerves and playing with my emotions. As a result, I struggled with a good bit of lethargy, and a long bout of not feeling particularly inspired to get out doors with the camera. Shrug. It happens... right? Fortunately I have been finding pleasure in looking at other peoples photos on Instagram, and letting them inspire me with their choice of varied subjects. 

I know, I know... Steven would say... "Photograph something every day, and push through the bouts of absent creativity." He knew, I think from experience, that sometimes the only way to silence the inner naysayer is to ignore them and go about your way. And that's what I am telling myself right now. My goal for June is to take at least one photo a day, of whatever comes my way, and we will see where we are on June 30th. Should be interesting, as that's the day after my birthday! LOL.

Anyway, here is what caught my eye in May...







On to June...

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Round Robin Photo Challenge: Really Old


Sather Tower
Cal Berkeley Campus
Berkeley, California
1914 Opened to the public in 1917

"The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."

~Marcel Proust, In Search Of Lost Time

RRC: Really Old

When I read the concept for this challenge, I just knew I had to feature some of the gorgeous buildings around the Bay Area! I love that there is such variety in architectural styles all around the bay, it definitely offers something for everyone! And what better to showcase first? Why the photo above... Sather Tower which sits on the Cal Berkeley campus! The tower can be seen from San Francisco, and every time I am in the city, I always find myself looking for it. It is a nice feeling to see home, just across the bay! Now, on to some different buildings I love to photograph!

#1. Dunsmuir-Hellman Estate and Gardens. Oakland, California. 1878.


#2. Tower Bridge. Old Sacramento, California. Opened December 15th 1935


#3. James Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton, San Jose, California. 1887


#4. Alcatraz Prison, San Francisco Bay, California. First Building Built 1853.




#5. Conservatory Of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. 1878.


#6. Palace Of Fine Arts, San Francisco. Built For The 1915 Pan-American Expo.


#7. Potter Schoolhouse (1873) And St. Teresa Of Avila Church (1859), Bodega Bay, California



Okay, so I threw in one bridge... I couldn't help myself! It is so beautiful, and I am so fond of it, plus it has a wonderful, rich history! In fact all the buildings I featured here do, so click on all the links to see what these buildings are about! Most of them have been designated Historical Landmarks, so you can bet there are some stories behind those walls! Take the Potter Schoolhouse as one example. It had been closed a year before Alfred Hitchcock featured it in the movie, The Birds. In fact, Hitchcock is credited with saving the building from demolition! It has not only endured all these years, but has in fact thrived! 

It is currently owned by private party, and is rumored to be haunted It has been seen on several reality shows dealing with paranormal phenomena. Isn't that fun? Spooky! Maybe a former owner couldn't bear to part with such a beautiful building. If ever a building could inspire a story, it would be the Potter Schoolhouse. But that's whats so wonderful about REALLY OLD buildings... right? :)

If you would like to participate in this challenge, or if you want to see what the other Robins have come up with, click the link at the top of the post to be redirected to the official Round Robin blog, where you will find all the information you need to play along and links to the participating photographers!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Friday, May 30, 2014

A Face In The Crowd: The Lonely Little Pillar In San Ramon



"His face was neither handsome nor anything else... it just was."

~Tarjei Vesaas, The Birds

The Lonely Little Pillar... 
 

I spotted this little face the other day, when I stopped into WingStop, in San Ramon, for a quick lunch. I just glanced down at the second of two pillars in front of the shops, and it kind of struck me as a sad little face, maybe because the store it sits in front of is currently empty. Shrug. Just for curiosity sake, I might have to stop by when the shop is once again occupied, you know, just to see if it does, indeed, make a difference. Shrug. You never know, it might appear different on a happier day. One never knows about these things. 

Wink.

Mood: Silly

~Me :)

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Advice To Myself Today


The Perfect Dress (By San Martin Bridals)
Modeled By Brook Theiss (Just The Ten Of Us)
Modern Bride Magazine ( December/January 89/90)

"A happy marriage is a long conversation that always seems too short."

~Andre Maurois

 

With all the hoopla surrounding the Kardashian/West nuptials, I couldn't help but take a trip, no not to three different countries, no, just a short trip down memory lane. Back to a sunny, warm day in October 1989. October 8th 1989 to be exact! That's the day Alan slipped a gorgeous solitaire diamond ring on my hand, as we rode the carousel at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. 

I was amazingly in love, but had no idea he loved me enough to ask me to marry him.

Needless to say... I was... speechless!

But finally I managed the words... "Yes, of course I will marry you silly!"

 

Right after the ride ended, we went for a lovely lunch at the Wharf. The restaurant we ate at fell into the bay, a little over a week later, as a result of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake! LOL. I always felt a tiny bit responsible. LOL. There is a whole story that goes with that earthquake, and it's ties to the wedding we were planning, but I will save that for later.

 

Anyway, the road to the wedding day was paved with STRESSSSS! And I can't stress that enough! But when the day got there, even the stress of THAT day couldn't take my focus off of the point of the day, beginning a life with Alan. Nothing... not one thing that happened along the way would have stopped me from marrying the best person I have ever known. The one who knew everything about me, and loved me anyway. Here we are, almost 24 years later, and I still can't believe how lucky I was... and AM!

Why in the world celebrities want all that added stress is beyond me.

Just marry the one you want to wake up to every day.

It's just the simple.

If I could go back and talk to myself the day Alan proposed, I would have to tell myself...

Go ahead and get the dress you have always dreamed of.
Order 25 of the invitations you loved so much.
Get yourself a cute two-tiered wedding cake.
Go with the same bouquet of pink and cream roses.

Invite a total of 10 people to the wedding, and enjoy the day in peace.

LOL.

In other words, at the end of the day, everything else is completely unnecessary. In fact, forget the 10 people altogether!

 

Go ahead and get the dress you have always dreamed of.
Order 25 of the invitations you loved so much.Except change them from invitations to announcements.
Order 2 Large gourmet cupcakes.
Go with the same bouquet of pink and cream roses.

Then head to Reno! Get the Bridal Suite in one of the upscale Hotel/Casinos. Get married in a cute little chapel, then go back to the hotel for a nice dinner in bed, ordered from the room service menu!

Next... make love for the next week or so! ;)

Now, that's what I call the perfect wedding day!

 Mood: Happy/Nostalgic

~Me :)

Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day 2014: Flag Etiquette... Learn It, Follow It!



"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it."

~Thucydides

It's Memorial Day. The day we set aside each May to remember those brave men and woman who give themselves for a cause above and beyond their won lives... the safety and freedoms of their fellow American citizens! On this national holiday it is custom and mandated that we proudly display the living symbol of the United States, our flag! Tell me... do you know your flag etiquette, and do you follow it? If you believe you know your flag etiquette I applaud you, if, however, it's been a while since you looked at the Federal Laws concerning and relating to the proper displaying and care for the flag, you can download the PDF file and get to know it better. 

Note: You may want to rethink wearing that American flag t-shirt or or hat to the Memorial Day picnic. 

Hey, don't blame me! The American flag is the LIVING SYMBOL of the United States, and as such is to be treated with dignity and respect. If you feel wearing a hat that looks like an American flag is dignified, then by all means go ahead. But if instead you feel you can demonstrate your patriotism by showing the proper intended respect for the flag, your fellow Americans and your country by treating others with respect and appreciation then that's something for you to consider.

CRS Report For Congress

The United States Flag:
Federal Law Relating to Display and Associated Questions

United States Flag Code (Wikipedia)

When And How To Display The U.S. Flag

Mood: Happy

~Me :)