Carly Loves A Mystery

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science."

-Albert Einstein

It's a cold, rainy night here in the Bay Area. Unseasonably cold they say. I don't know, I suppose it is, right now the temperature is only about 53 degrees, and I can hear some thunder in the distance. It's probably somewhere north of here, perhaps around the Golden Gate. I live for nights like this one. It makes me feel alive to feel all that electricity in the air. It's the kind of night that makes all the usual sounds traveling through the hills, sound like vagabond spirits on a journey, looking for a dwelling in which to rest...and make their feelings known. I believe in ghosts...how about you?

LOL. Don't mind me, I am just intrigued by the great mysteries because of the renewed search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa. Fascinating isn't it? I wonder if after all these years, the government will finally unearth the body of the former Teamsters boss, putting to rest one of the true, great, "Who done-its" of the 20th century. On the one hand it would be fascinating to finally know what happened to him after he disappeared, on the other hand, there would be no more mystery to ponder. What do you think...will they find his body on the property in Michigan?

One of the things I enjoy most about the Internet, is having all the information, right at my fingertips, to be able to search out all the things that have mystified me since I was a little girl. I always did love a good mystery, I have always been curious. Now, in my old age, I have the time to really search out information about things that before left me in a constant state of wonder.

Like, for example, who was Carly Simon really singing about in the song, "You're So Vain?" I always took it for granted that it was Warren Beatty, but now I am not so sure. I keep visiting her web site, looking for clues, or that one special day when she might decide to finally share with the world his true identity. It could have been "Deep Throat" of Watergate fame. Nah, since his identity was made known last year, that doesn't seem very likely. Maybe it was Richard Nixon, nah...that doesn't see quite right either. Elvis maybe? James Taylor? Wally Cox or Henry Gibson? Mick Jagger? Sigh. According to her official web site, Carly Simon will never tell the public who the song was about. In fact, she finds it kind of silly that it is even still being pondered. It's a great mystery...why wouldn't it still be pondered? Tell me, who do you think it might be?

Do you suppose Amelia Earhart was taken by space aliens? Was she captured by an enemy army? Or did she simply run out of fuel, and crash into the ocean. Maybe she was tired of all the fame, so she decided to fly off into the sunset and leave all the notoriety behind. I would like to think she flew off, to her own private island, and lived the rest of her life, not lost, but found within herself. Hearing only the sounds of the ocean, and the seabirds, and watching an eternal sun, sinking down till it met the endless sea. That's what I think about sometimes, when I am photographing a sunset over the ocean. How nice it would be...to be alone with that view every single night. Not a care in the world. But then, I realize how much I would miss my computer, my cell phone, my breadmaker and my digital camera. LOL. Tell me...where did Amelia go?

Let's have some fun. Over on my sidebar is a new quiz. I will post the results of the last quiz, about blogging, in a few days. For now, share with me which one of the great mysteries you have always wanted to know the answer to. I have assembled a pretty good sized list, but if your favorite mystery isn't there, feel free to share with us, in the comments, what your favorite mystery is...and if you would like to see it solved, or if you would rather not know what it's real story is. I look forward to your answers...after all...I LOVE a mystery. :)

"Without mysteries, life would be very difficult indeed. What would be left to strive for if everything were known?"

-Charles de Lint

-OndineMonet
"Mystery"
Berkeley, California
May 18, 2006
Afternoon

Go Away!

"We must embrace our pain and burn it as fuel for our journey."

-Kenji Miyazawa

Do you wish you could take all the hot air from the dramedy life of Jennifer Wilbanks, turn it into real gas and run your car on it? God...will this women NEVER go away? Now ok, I will admit when her story first became "news" a year ago or so, I had some sympathy for the poor girl. I know what it's like to plan a wedding, and have to face some new bit of craptasticness, seemingly at every turn. But I didn't understand then and I don't understand now, how this could possibly be news. At best it is filler. Stupid, annoying, who-the-hell-cares FILLER! I can't be the only one on the Internet who doesn't care if I NEVER hear about her tragic life again.

It seems there is a new chapter for the probably upcoming LIFETIME movie. Her guy, the guy who took her back, has called off the wedding. Sigh. That will mean a lot of toasters and waterpicks will be going back to Macy's. Weep weep. Sorry, given the actual news going on in the world, I am finding it difficult to tolerate stories about a very common, everyday, flaky moment in someone's life, especially when I don't even know them! Sheesh! If you are just as fed up as I am with this little more then gossip icon, leave me your comment. Feel free to tell me if I am completely off my rocker , you know me, I welcome all views here as long as they are respectful. In the mean time...Jennifer...darlin...GO AWAY!

-OndineMonet

Steven's Feline Friday : Elvis Looking For Ernst

"As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat."

-Ellen Perry Berkeley

Elvis is a bit sad these days. It seems that since that new kitty turned up in the neighborhood, the Russian Blue, some of Elvis's friends have been hard to find. I am afraid Ernst, Elvis's best buddy, has run away. Well, that's not completely accurate, Ernst has been seen here and there by his owner, but he doesn't come home, and when she does see him around, he never comes when he hears his name. I was talking with his mommy tonight...and sigh...we think he may have adopted another family where he feels more comfortable. Much to the sadness of Elvis and Ernst's sister Molly.

My boy was lonely for a long time before we moved here, then one day Ernst moved into the neighborhood. He was just a wee kitten,but he decided to adopt Elvis as his big brother. They had so much fun with each other. It was good for my boy to have company. Somehow, I don't think he ever stopped missing his real brother, Jack, after we had to get rid of him. I know I still miss him. Sigh. I think this weekend, I will have a good, long, play session with him. It's supposed to rain cats, and dogs, so we will be spending the weekend inside. In fact, there is supposed to be quite a storm coming our way. The weather channel doohicky that I have on my sidebar, began warning of "severe weather" earlier today. Thunder and lightning is likely. Personally, I love it...but my boy will need some reassuring. I don't mind doing that one little bit...he's my baby after all.

I love sharing my cat Elvis with you, and it is even more fun to do so as a part of Steven's Feline Friday. If you have a kitty and want to play along, it's easy. Just post a photo of your cat and then pop over to Steven's and leave him your link. Go have a look see this week's Feline Friday entry...it has all the information you need to know. Thanks Steven, for the fun meme.

-OndineMonet
"Elvis Looking For Ernst"
Berkeley, California
May 18th, 2006
Late Afternoon

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #112: Things You Have Other People Probably Don't

"Something in human nature causes us to start slacking off at our moment of greatest accomplishment. As you become successful, you will need a great deal of self-discipline not to lost your sense of balance, humility, and commitment."

-Ross Perot

Weekend Assignment: Show off a personal possession of yours that you are reasonably certain other people don't have. Note this is limited to possessions: Don't haul up the spouse and go 'neener-neener." Pets are also off limits unless it's a truly bizarre pet: We're talking like a hyena or an ocelot or something like that. Otherwise it's best to stick to physical objects. Also, as I've done a similar Photo Shoot in the past: don't recycle. Come on, you've got more than one thing in your house..

Extra Credit: Pictures! I mean, obviously.

-John Scalzi

I can't remember if I have shared with you before, that I have a fondness for political campaign buttons. Well... I do. I know that having political buttons is not really all that unique as a rule, but I ask you, "do you know anyone with a genuine Perot/Choate button? That's probably something most folks don't have. LOL. I enjoy my buttons very much. I have been collecting them for years, but this one is my favorite. I keep it on my desk, although it is almost always pinned on the sweater that my stuffed moose, Ross, wears. Yes, I did indeed name Ross after Ross Perot. There was a lot I liked about that man, there was a lot there to admire and appreciate. More then anything, I liked the little extra choice his candidacy brought to politics in America. While the ballot is open to many different parties for each presidential election, we rarely have strong contenders to challenge the Democrats and Republicans. He did that, and while he isn't who I ultimately voted for, having another viable choice was a very good feeling. Here's to Ross Perot, and others like him.

Extra Credit: See above.

-OndineMonet
"Perot & Choate"
May 18, 2006
Berkeley, California
Late Evening

Blogging And Ethics

"Our Very lives depend on the ethics of strangers, and most of us are always strangers to other people."

-Bill Moyers

For the most part, bloggers are not qualified journalists. However, in recent years, blogging has gained a certain reputation as being a good source for information on everything from, recipes for homemade cat food, to the latest political intrigue. Sometimes the bloggers get it right, sometimes they don't, it is usually up to the reader to decide if the facts presented in any given entry, is accurate and factual, or if it is the unsubstantiated musing of a citizen journalist.
When I first began Ellipsis, I had no idea that I would eventually evolve in my entries, to include my personal opinions regarding current events. One day someone asked me what my political view was, and that opened a door for me to share how I felt about things. It was a nice freedom to be sure, but with that freedom came a responsibility, at least that is what I believed to be true. My word is important to me, so when I wrote an entry I tried my best to write with accuracy, integrity, and checking my facts not just once, but several times. I am not a professional journalist, I am a blogger, but the time and energy I put into what I write about means I have to give up something else in life, so doing it right means a lot to me.

I am thinking about all this because of an article I read today on AOL News which had originally been featured in the Wall Street Journal. The article deals with the influence blogging has over opinion on any given subject, but at times more specifically political issues. Sometimes all it takes is a story which may be true, to begin a blogging blitz of amateur OP-ED speculation. Personally speaking, anything that gets us to engage in an intelligent dialog is a good thing, unless we begin to play telephone with it. While politicians, celebrities, and the notorious may seem larger then life, in truth they have lives like all of us, and should be protected from irresponsible rumor mongers.

Having an amateur blog means that we can satisfy the need we all have, to take a stand on issues that mean a lot to us. I have been described as having a lot of passion regarding my political beliefs. That's true but it might be a nice way of saying, "Carly can certainly be overly opinionated about certain things." LOL. That's fair, it's not lost on me about how bull headed I can be, I have been known to dig my heels in when a subject comes up that has in some way touched my life. I don't however, feel the need to express every thought I have, the minute I have it, if at all. There are one or two subjects that I rarely speak about, because I feel too close to it...and it's hard to accurately express myself. I learned a long time ago that if I can't say what I want to with more clarity then emotion, then it's best to allow myself to process it through, within myself, until I can articulate it with honesty and clarity.

With all the scandal in the Bush administration, I would be thrilled to see a good bit of news come to light. Something along the lines of what was written in the Wall Street Journal article. It seems the online site,Truthout.org, ran a blog article breaking the news that Karl Rove had indeed been indicted last weekend by the special prosecutor in the CIA leak case, Patrick Fitzgerald. As of the writing of this entry, it doesn't appear that an indictment has been handed down, yet, but it does give one hope. Although for the time being, a bit of false hope. It's that potential that it won't become true at some future point which causes a lot of problems, for a lot of people. It degrades the integrity of citizen journalists in general, and makes us all sound like...well...misinformed nutjobs.

Opinion is fine, it should be encouraged. To share ones opinion with a friend means a lot,to share one's opinion on the Internet means bravery. All the tough subjects come with the possibility that if someone disagrees with your personal philosophy, they might REALLY disagree with you, and hurt feelings or even anger can be the end result, rather then two persons, sharing their opinions with passion. To present an opinion as fact, without anything to base it on, is irresponsible, and you won't be doing yourself any good by doing so. So why would an established web site write online articles which may be best described as wishful thinking, rather then honest jouralism? Couldn't the author of the apparently mistaken article simply have written an OP-ED article about how much he would like to see an indictment come to pass. Has blogging become the new tabloid medium? Share your thoughts with me.

-OndineMonet
"Splash"
San Francisco, California
Spring, 2005
Afternoon

Art About Town: San Francisco

"Anyone who says you can't see a thought, simply doesn't know art."

-Kojiro Tomito

I love this sculpture. It is titled, "Yin & Yang," and it sits at Justin Herman Plaza, along the Embarcadero, in San Francisco. The first time I saw it, I was in a moving car, on my way to the Bay Bridge. It wasn't very practical to go back and take a longer look at what I thought I saw, which was two disembodied heads, resting near the fountain at the plaza. That's not something you see everyday...now is it?

The eggheads are reproductions of artist, Robert Arneson's, eggheads, "Yin & Yang," which he created for the University of California at Davis. A native of Benicia, California, Arneson taught ceramics at U.C. Davis from 1962 to 1991. His egghead series were placed in different locations around the college campus. The original "Yin & Yang," sit outside the campus's Fine Arts department. Robert Arneson created many other powerful pieces, such as, "General Nuke," which is another in his head series, and is a statement on the escalating tensions of the cold war. While "Yin & Yang" have an almost whimsical quality to them, General Nuke reflects the artist's darker period. He passed away in 1992, from liver cancer.

One of the things I like to do, when I am out with my camera, it to practice taking photos while riding in the car. I have managed to get some interesting shots that way, a few I want to share here over the next few weeks. I like the way everything surrounding my subjects comes out just so normal. There is a lot of motion surrounding the subject...and it is all much more candid then if I tried to take the time to set everything up. I don't know, it's just a personal experiment I am trying, in an effort to broaden my horizons as a photographer. I could use some feedback on these entries. Please...feel free to let me know what you think. :) I also want to know what you see when you look at "Yin & Yang"...what comes to mind?

-OndineMonet
"Yin & Yang"
Justin Herman Plaza
San Francisco, California
May 14, 2006
Afternoon

Reflections...A Round Robin Promotion

"Life is a ticklish business; I have resolved to spend it in reflecting upon it."

-Arthur Schopenhauer

The water in Lake Tahoe is so clear, I swear you can see forever in it. Last February was a magical month, as far as my photography went. In one 24 hour period I went from photographing competition surfers and sun worshipers on the Bay Area beaches, to the snow topped hills and parks of Lake Tahoe Nevada. California has me forever, how many other places on earth offer so much for the amateur photographer? A mere 4 hour ride can place you in almost any photographic opportunity you desire.

When I saw how crystal clear the lake bottom was, I couldn't help but allow myself to stop, and rest, on the bench that sat just a few steps from the lake's edge. I let my thoughts drift with the flow of the water, and I let my thoughts to drift as well. Sometimes it can be very difficult to let thoughts into our minds, especially if they are in the form of painful memories. Sometimes it is the just the thing we need to do however, in order to free us...and let us move on toward happiness.

When I first learned how to practice meditation, the person instructing me told the class to , "allow the thoughts to come into your mind, acknowledge them, then let them just pass through your mind and continue on with it's path. As you breathe, allow the sounds around you...the sounds you hear every day...to enter your consciousness...acknowledge them...then let the sounds move on their way." At first it was difficult to do this exercise because I wasn't quite willing to give up control, but as I practiced on my own, it became easier and easier to let go. Now, months later, I have a new appreciation for the positive power of reflection. :)

I am excited and ready to meet this Round Robin challenge. It was chosen by our fellow friend, Cheryl, author of the journals, "Welcome to My World," and "Life Through My Lens." The date of the challenge will be, Wednesday, May 24, 2006, and as always you can post your entry any time between the midnights. If you can't post on that day, you can also post for up to one week after the date of the challenge, but you have the best chance of having your entry be seen if you post on the challenge date. :) If you haven't played before, simply pay a visit to the official Round Robin journal to learn all the information about the current challenge and how to play.

On a related note, I want to send out a warm "Welcome Back" to our friend, and fellow Round Robin, Duane, author of the journal, "sotto voce USA." Duane is an awesome writer, and a great photographer. I always look forward to seeing his interpretations of the challenge subjects. This past year has presented Duane with many challenges, both on and offline, but he always comes through with a great deal of dignity and strength. He inspires me. He gives me some great advice when it comes to my photos and writing...he is my talented friend, and I am glad he is back in the blogsphere with us. Welcome back Duane! If you haven't visited his journal before, be sure to drop by and say, "Hello," and "Welcome Back." :)

-OndineMonet
"Reflections"
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
February, 2006
Afternoon

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Bottom's Up!

"Love is not consolation...it is LIGHT."

-Friedrich Nietzsche

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Put your camera on the ground to shoot a picture of something you don't usually see from the bottom up. Call it the "worm's-eye view"of the world, if worms had eyes, which they mostly don't.

-John Scalzi (By the Way...)

This past weekend I paid a visit to Fort Point, which is located at the mouth of the San Francisco Bay. I have always wanted to see the lighthouse which sits inside the courtyard. It is one of the smallest of the Northern California lighthouses, oh how hard it has worked! The lighthouse is 27-feet tall and sits a mere 83 feet above sea level, atop Fort point. This lighthouse was the third and final one to be placed at the fort. It survived the 1906 earthquake, but not the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, which overshadowed the point and obscured the light. Fort Point lighthouse was officially discontinued in 1934. The lighthouse keeper to serve the longest was James Rankin, he was in charge from 1878 to 1929. When he retired he was commended for saving 18 lives off Fort Point.

I have a lot more photos of Fort Point to share with you, and I will post them soon. It is an immensely interesting place, with a lot of history. I decided to take as many photographs of this lighthouse as possible. It's beauty really caught my imagination and coincidently, I decided to photograph it from this angle, looking upwards into the light. :) Cool isn't it. :)

"I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars."

-Og Mandino

-OndineMonet

Fort Point Lighthouse

May 14, 2006

Afternoon

Kaboom

"Everything is created from moment to moment, always new. Like fireworks, this is a celebration and you are the spectator contemplating the eternal Fourth of July of your absolute splendor."

-Francine Lucille

It was a very full weekend. A chili cook-off, a rodeo parade, the Kaboom rock concert and fireworks on the Embarcadero, plus on Sunday, a trip to Fort Point to visit the inside of the historic fort, and to photograph the awesome lighthouse that sits just inside the fort's courtyard. It was so much fun to get out with the camera for these events, even if it meant that tonight I am a swollen, pudgy mess. LOL. It was oh so worth it. :) The rock concert Saturday night was awesome, and at right around 9:00 PM...there were fireworks. I captured this scene, looking down on the city of San Francisco, from high atop Twin Peaks. Amazing! It was a great opportunity to stretch my night photography muscles. This year the Kaboom concert celebrated it's 13th year, I hope there will be at least 13 more. You can bet I will be there camera in hand. The only thing is, I can't seem to get the first song the station played on the radio, as the fireworks began, out of my head...

Light My Fire
By The Doors

You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I were to say to you
Boy we couldn't get much higher...

Come on baby light my fire
Come on baby light my fire
Try to set the night on...fire!

The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre

Come on baby light my fire
Come on baby light my fire
Try to set the night on...fire!

You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I were to say to you
Boy we couldn't get much higher

Come on baby light my fire!

-OndineMonet
"Try To Set The Night On Fire"
San Francisco/Twin Peaks
May 13, 2006
Evening

Scenes From A Parade

"Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction."

-Unknown

Here you go, as promised some scenes from the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade. It was a gorgeous day in Castro Valley, and it was a lot of fun to sit back and enjoy the awesome sights. Horses, terrific marching bands, wacky clowns...all so much fun. Aren't small towns just the best? One really neat moment was being able to say hello to Senate candidate Ellen Corbett. What a nice lady! Fun, Fun, Fun! Today, (Sunday) I am off to Fort Point, to do some photographs inside the fort for the first time. I have been looking forward to that for a long time. :) Next to each picture are some Cowboy Wisdom quotes...Enjoy!

"Talk slowly, think quickly"

"Always drink upstream from the herd."

"If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen are defrocked, shouldn't it follow that cowboys would be deranged?"

"Sometimes you get and sometimes you get got."

"Tellin a man to get lost, and making him do it, are two entirely different propositions."

"If you find yourself in a hole, the best thing to do is to stop digging."

Ellen Corbett

"Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance."

-OndineMonet

May 13th, 2006/Afternoon