Berkeley On A January Day

"I will go to campus alone dressed in antique silk slips and beat-up cowboy boots and gypsy beads, and I will study poetry. I will sit on the edge of the fountain in the plaza and write."

Francesca Lia Block

Girl Goddess #9: Nine Stories

A couple years ago I posted a set of photos that highlighted what I love about Berkeley. It's been a while since I have posted anything new from around town, I am not sure why, I just seem to do most of my photos of Berkeley either within the acres of Tilden Park, or sunset photos from Grizzly Peak Boulevard. Both lovely mind you, but it's far from telling the whole story of Berkeley. So, above is a photo of a January day in 2005, which looks pretty much the same today, as it did back then, and below the collage from 2013 and a new one I put together today from archived photos. I need to get out and about with the camera soon, well, as soon as my Fibromyalgia gives me a break. Hopefully next week sometime. Until then, here is a look at one of the loveliest cities I know... Berkeley, Ca.

Set #1 From 2013

Set #2, From The Archives...

Art
Free Speech
Museums
Sather Tower
Cool Mannequins
Gorgeous Trees In Autumn
Tilden Botanical Garden
Tilden Little Farm
The Berkeley Marina
Tilden Park Carousel
 Shattuck Avenue
And there's so much more, so stay tuned!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Reflection Of A Waterlily

"Sometimes a girl just has to dive under the duvet and regroup."

~Jody Gehrman, Confessions Of A Triple Shot Betty

I think the cloud is beginning to pass. I hope so anyway. I am not pushing things, so today's photo is from the archives. September, 2005. Alan and I were visiting the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. We walked the whole place then finally visited the last room, that is kept extremely HOT and HUMID because all the wonderful tropical plants are at their happiest when it is HOT and Humid. The amazon waterlilies were thriving, and couldn't have been more lovely. I couldn't put the camera down! I was so pleased to be able to capture this pink one, with just the right angle and lighting, to bring it's reflection in focus so finely. It was a good day with the camera!

I am focusing on good memories as I work through the negativity.

Mood: Content

~Me :)

Round Robin Challenge: Before And After

"Think about the photo before and after, never during. The secret is to take your time. You mustn't go too fast. The subject must forget about you. Then, however, you must be very quick."

~Henri Cartier-Bresson

RRC: Before and After

See that cutie above? That's my Dylan. You might say... we picked each other out. LOL. The day we met, he was sad, having just been left behind when his mother was hit by a car, and I was sad to, having just lost my cat Elvis just a few weeks earlier. I think we connected through our shared grief. Elvis was the last kitten in his mother's litter, so when she died he needed to know he wasn't alone, he needed a mother, and I needed a little boy who needed me. It's love. We are family.

But Before Dylan... Came Hendrix...


He is my boy to, but he and Alan bonded first. Alan is his person. But when he needs a mommy, he comes to me. LOL. They are my two boys! :)

Now, here are the rest of my Before And After subjects...

A Beautiful Butterfly


Potatoes Ready For Planting And The Leaves A Few Weeks Later


Fireworks From 2005...


Dahlias From The Golden Gate Park Dahlia Garden 2012


Okay, that's my contribution for this round. Be sure to go see what everyone else has posted for this challenge! We have some wonderful photographers who participate in the Round Robin Challenges! Just click the link at the top of this post to be redirected to the official Round Robin blog, where you can find the list of participants, and all the information you need to play along!

~Me :)

Round Robin Challenge: See The Music

From For Ellipsis

"A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence."

-Leopold Stokowski

RRC: See The Music
Suggested by Karen, of the blog, Outpost Mavarin

Barefoot In The Park...

Music... what would life be like if there were no music? Boring and sad I think. I took this photograph way back in 2005, just a few months after Alan gave me my digital camera. I was in Golden Gate Park, just soaking up all of the spring beauty of the tulip garden, when this lady walked past me, strumming on a guitar. Street performers are pretty common place in San Francisco, but this lady was so pretty, and her guitar playing was so soft, that it caught me off guard. It was a cloudy day, and her music was soft and ethereal. It was one of those moments that I found myself thanking God for the invention of the camera, because it was one of those moments you want to be able to visit again and again.

Thanks Karen. This challenge reminded me of a really nice day. :)

Linking List
**Welcome New Members

1. Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

2. Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!

3. Jama... Sweet Memories
Posted!

4. Monica... Click Shots
Posted!

5. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

6. Valerie... Soulfully Blonde


7. Wammy... The Ellis Family Cincinnati


8. Sherrie... Sherrie's Stuff
Posted!

9. Nancy... Nancy Luvs Pix
Posted!

10. Jen... Phun With Photography
Posted!

11. Suzanne R... SuzyQ421's Photo Blog
Posted!

12. Linda... Mommy's Treasures


13. Chris... Camera Obscura RRPC
Posted!

14. Robinella... Robinella's


15. Sandra... A Cappuccino a Day
Posted!

16. Mojo... Why? What Have You Heard?
Posted!

17. Molly Mavis... Visual Dialogues
Posted!

18. boliyou...endomental
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19. ChryseisViviennne... CV Photographs


20. Rita... Cashjocky and the Old Salt


21. Amanda... Amanda's Weekly Zen


22. Martha... Menagerie
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23. Alexa... Imagination Pounces
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24. Terri...Ways I See The World
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25. ellenb... The Happy Wonderer
Posted!

26. Connie...Far Side Of Fifty Photos
Posted!

27. Marina...Visual Chronicle
Posted!

28. Peggy... Holmespun Fun
Posted!

Remember, there is still time to play along with our current challenge. If you have never played before, and want to, just jump on in. This challenge will remain open until next weekend, if you can't play today. If you just can't make it this time, for any reason, but you would like to join us sometime, check the official Round Robin blog the day after each challenge to find out what we will be doing next!

-Carly