A look Back At August 2014...

"It's often about the simple things, isn't it? Painting and photography are first about seeing, they say. Writing is about observing. 

Technique is secondary. Sometimes the simple is the most difficult."

~Linda Olson

Well, I don't know about you, but won't be looking back at August 2014 with any warm fuzzies! August was pretty much the ASSHOLE of the year, or at least the summer, but no, I am pretty sure the year. I was right the first time. Sigh.I keep thinking to myself that things hurt so bad in August, and in 2014 in general, that it would be impossible for it all to become anymore painful than it already has... but I think we will have a little of August insinuating itself into September soon. I don't want to think the worst about Joan Rivers condition, but I am afraid... well... sigh. I am keeping good thoughts for her, and yes I am saying a prayer or two. The thing is, she is still so vibrant, so amazing. She seems to have more energy than I do. She must pull through this ordeal... right? August 2014 has been greedy, enough is enough. 

Okay, with that said, and off my chest, lets look back at August 2014...

The cute pink Nikon CoolPix S3600 camera you see, is my brand new toy! It was time to pick up a new pocket sized camera for those moments when you don't have time to fiddle with settings, or the subject doesn't call for something fussier. I have only taken a few test photos, I hope to get out of the house on Monday and really take it through it's features, but so far I am thrilled with the what I have accomplished. I will do a special post next week about my initial findings. Like with all great love affairs, with men, and with cameras, the relationship takes time to build and progress, but it all starts with a first date! LOL, My Nikon and I have a date for next Monday! :)

August saw me doing more tip-toeing through the archives due to Alan's schedule, my prepping for vacation in October, my sadness over the death of such great artists during the month, and my just general lack of inspiration. I did manage to work on a couple new things, and I did some new photography, but I am hoping to really get out in September and do a lot more photography so that when vacation gets here I will be ready to make some art! 

Sound good?

You bet!

Mood: Okay Bordering On Great

~Me :)

So Close To Paul Rudd, And Yet So Far From Paul Rudd...

"The whole of life is just like watching a film. Only it's as though you always get in ten minutes after the big picture has started, and no-one will tell you the plot,

so you have to work it all out for yourself from the clues."

~Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures

Yesterday, I grabbed the cameras, and the hubby, and we headed over to San Francisco to chase down Paul Rudd. Well, not chase him down per se, but rather to find the location of where his new movie, Ant-Man is being filmed. It was fairly easy to find really, once again, like a couple years ago when Blue Jasmine was being filmed in the city, Twitter, and On Location Vacations provided the time and the place to be! In yesterday's case it was at the corner of Java street, and Buena Vista West. Just off Buena Vista Park, and the Haight/Ashbury district of San Francisco. In other words, one of my favorite neighborhoods of the city!

Unlike two years ago, and my stalking... um... enthusiastic pursuit... of  Woody Allen, I was able to find Woody, and walk on the same side of the street as he was, in-between time for him to be inside making movie magic! I could have walked right passed him had I wanted to, but yesterday, it was NO DICE. The closest anyone could realistically get was about a half a block. Which I did, but I didn't get to see Paul Rudd or Michael Douglas, or any of the other stars of Ant-Man, and add them to my folder of candid celebrity moments. 

But all was not lost. I was able to buzz the neighborhood and get some photos of the cameras and some long shots of the general area. I love the behind the scenes stuff, and really enjoy all the technical details, so I am a happy girl! It would have been fantastic to have a photo of Paul Rudd, but for me the fun is in the photography safari, and what you might see along the way! Driving through Haight/Ashbury you have the opportunity to see almost everything, and there was one or two sights that caught my eye, but we will speak more on that later. For now, enjoy the shots of the Ant-Man filming that I did get. They aren't stellar or anything, but it is a cool memory for me. 

Yesterday, I was only a half a block away from Paul Rudd. That doesn't happen every day!

Ant-Man Gallery

Buena Vista West and Java Street

San Francisco

August 20th 2014

 

 

 

 

And now a look at the neighborhood and street where the filming

 was being done by way of Google Maps...

 

More and more films and TV shows are being shot in and around San Francisco, so this is far from my last chance to have some fun chasing down movie magic!

The fun, for me, is definitely behind the camera!

 

Mood: Happy

~Me :) 

Oooh... an intriguing update! The photo on the left is of the first official "Ant-Man" photo, posted on Marvel Entertainment's official Twitter page.The picture on the right is a photo I did yesterday in the Buena Vista Park area. Did I accidentally photograph Ant-Man's van? Interesting!

:)