Your Monday Photo Shoot: Silhouettes

"Watch me at the window from your place on the couch, watch me pretending that I am really looking out. You say, 'come here, I can't see you in this light,' but I'm much safer beside the moon tonight. 'Cause when I am a silhouette, I have no fear."

-Unknown

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Capture something in silhouette. Faces, bodies, trees, buildings - whatever is attractively shadowed is up for consideration.

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

Silhouettes you say...ok...as it just so happens I did some practicing with shadows and light. I think you have probably seen most of these, but not together at once, anyway, here goes...

silhouette of the walkway at the Leo Ryan Memorial Park

San Mateo, California, April, 2006

Santa Cruz Wharf, October, 2005

Memorial at Lone Tree cemetery, Hayward, California

Golden Gate Bridge in silhoulette, April, 2006

The Marin Headlands, Conzelman rd, Marin County, Ca

"I'll fill those canyons in your soul, like a river lead you home. And I'll walk a step behind, in the shadows so you shine. Just ask, it will be done and I will prove, until you're sure, that I am the one."

-Gary Allen

-OndineMonet
1. Point Montara Lighthouse
Montara, California

His Truth Is Marching On...

"I can look you in the eye and tell you I feel I've tried to solve the problem diplomatically to the max, and would have committed troops both in Afghanistan and Iraq knowing what I know today."

-George W. Bush, Irvine, California., April 24, 2006

One week from today, our country will recognize a very grim milestone. It will be the 5th anniversary of the events of September 11th, 2001. I dislike calling it an anniversary, because the images that come to mind when I think of an anniversary don't usually involve the kinds of images that we all saw on that horrific day five years ago. As I sit here right now, typing this, I am watching a documentary on the Discovery Channel called, "Inside The Twin Towers," which chronicles eyewitness accounts of what it was like to be in the towers, when it was struck. Poignant, first person, accounts. Sigh.

Sometimes I cry when I think about that day, often times I get frustrated that so little has been done to track Osama Bin Laden and bring him to justice. Sometimes I get angry that, in fact, the CIA quietly disbanded the Bin Laden unit known as "Alec Station," late last year. I don't understand why Bin Laden hasn't been caught. It has been nearly five years, and we are still in the same amount of danger that we were on the morning of September 11, 2001. Sigh. I often see a certain catch-phrase here and there, sometimes web banners on different Internet sites, that say the same thing, "Never Forget, September 11, 2001." Tell me...have we, as a country, forgotten, by way of indifference, complacency and depression, because we feel we have no real control over our future when it comes to terrorism? If we don't demand more of our elected officials, especially when it comes to the search for Bin Laden, have we not, in effect, given up? Tell me your thoughts.

And now, a few words from George...

"I would guess, I would surmise that some of the more spectacular bombings are done by al Qaeda suiciders."
-George W. Bush, Washington D.C.. August 21, 2006

"I've reminded the prime minister the American people, Mr. Prime Minister, over the past months that it was not always a given that the United States and America would have a close relationship."
-George W. Bush, Washington D.C., June 29th, 2006

"We shouldn't fear a world that is more interacted."
-George W. Bush, Washington D.C., June 27th, 2006

"I said I was looking for a book to read, Laura said, you ought to try Camus. I also read three Shakespeares... I've got a eck-a-lec-tic reading list."
-George W. Bush, New Orleans, La., August 29th, 2006
(He claims to have read 60 books since January 1st, 2006)

"The point now is how do we work together to achieve important goals. And one such goal is a democracy in Germany."
-George W. Bush, Washington D.C., May 5th, 2006

And finally...

"You never know what your history is going to be like until long after you're gone."
-George W. Bush, Washington D.C., May 5th, 2006

-OndineMonet

CIA Reportedly Disbands Bin Laden Unit

Inside The Twin Towers (Discovery Channel Schedule)

Still Life

Close to the gates a spacious garden lies,
From the storms defended and inclement skies;
Four Acres was allotted space and ground,
Fenc'd with a green enclosure all around.
Tall thriving threes confessed the fruitful mold:
the reddening apple ripens to gold,
Here the blue fig with luscious juice overflows,
With deeper red the pomegranate glows,
The branch here bends beneath the weighty pear,
And verdan olives flourish round the year.

-Homer, Odyssey, circa 850 B.C. Alexander Pope translation


I was a little tired today, so I decided to do some still life photography of the harvesting fruits and vegetables that are in our garden. I will show more of them throughout autumn, but for now, I have the first ripe pear of the season. Sigh. That first bite of a chilled pear is always a late summer event for me. The air is cooling, and sometimes in the early evening, as the sun is just beginning to set, my whole body feels more alive then ever, even when I am tired...all it takes is a little breeze up from the bay, and that first bite of a fresh, buttery, juicy pear to remind me why life is so great this time of year. Soon, the garden will be alive with autumn color and scent. It's life at my fingertips. Still life.

-OndineMonet
"Still Life Pear"
Berkeley, California
September 2nd, 2006
Early Evening

Tweet, Tweet, TWEAT, Tweet...

"Those little nimble musicians of the air that warble forth their curious ditties, with which nature hath furnished them to the shame of art."

-Izaak White

I went to the San Francisco Zoo last week, on a cooler then normal day, which isn't the best time to visit the zoo, because most of the animals were cuddled up and not real animated, but one exhibit I did particularly enjoy was the new bird exhibit, "Binnowee Landing." For an extra $2.00 you can enter the large walk through aviary habitat. Included in the admission, is a feed stick so you can get up close with the birds, as they eat nearly right out of your hand. It was an awesome experience. I was able to get close to the Eastern Rosella, which is a large, colorful parrot, and for about 10 minutes or so, I had a friend in a small, blue parakeet, who sat on the end of the feed stick I was holding, as I walked around the exhibit photographing the other birds. I am getting real good at one handed photography! LOL. The birds in the above photo, are Australian Cockateils. I didn't get a chance on this visit to feed them, maybe next time. :)

Other birds...

Chilean Flamingos

Parakeets

Magellanic Penguin

Peacock

Eastern Rosella

My friend, the blue parakeet. :)

-OndineMonet
"At The Zoo"
San Francisco Zoo
August 23rd, 2006
Afternoon

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #127: "Goodbye Summer" Haiku

"If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance."

-Bern Williams

Weekend Assignment # 127: Write a haiku saying farewell to summer. A haiku, as many of you know, is a poem of three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five again in the third. Simple and fun, and anyone can do 'em. You can do more that one if you want. As a bonus, technically speaking, haiku are supposed to feature seasonal imagery, so we've got that going for us this time around.

Extra Credit: A picture of a fun summer activity you're saying goodbye to for another year.

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

As you know, summer is not my favorite time of year, but it is necessary to have summer, so that beautiful autumn can comeback again. Still, summer is not without it's merits, such as the concerts on the beach in Santa Cruz. Opening night this year featured the Greg Kihn Band. For an old guy from the 80's he is still HOT! :) I looked hot that night too...tee hee...I had on my new shoulder cut-out T-shirt, and I wore my hair down, all 5 feet of it. Well, I pinned it up a little. :) Ok, so summer has it's moments. :)

Music On A Summer Night (Haiku)
By Carly Gordon

Summer music kiss
That's what a June night is for
Music on the beach

Extra Credit:

Greg Kihn on stage in Santa Cruz, June 23rd, 2006

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as seen from the Wharf

"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world."

-Ada Louise Huxtable

-OndineMonet
"Greg Kihn Concert"
Santa Cruz, California
June 23rd, 2006
Early Evening

Nuit de Papillon

"Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today, I saw one. It got on at 42nd, and off at 59th, where, I assume, it was going to Bloomingdales to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake...as almost all hats are."

-Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) You've Got Mail

It was a long day. After a particularly fun time at therapy, I thought it might be a good idea to go to the butterfly exhibit, at the Conservatory of Flowers, to try to chase some sadness away. It worked. There were several new species to work with, but I was most intrigued with the White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae). It reminds me of fine ivory lace. I decided today, to take a few shots in b/w mode, just to see what it would be like. It was good for me to go out with the camera today, sometimes I think it is the best therapy of all. I tend to see things differently on days when I am a little sad.

I spent a lot of time with this particular butterfly, and soon, I wasn't feeling as sad, in fact, I found a good bit of energy from my visit with her. After I finished her portrait, I spotted a beautiful Viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) and decided to spread my creative wings a bit. I turned my camera on video mode, and took two short movies of it dancing and feasting upon a lovely sunflower. I was very happy with how they came out, so maybe next week I will revisit the conservatory and take some longer videos. Just as an experiment, later tonight, I am going to make a movie in my Windows Movie maker with the two video shorts and some stills which I will run together with some music, not quite sure which musicial piece yet, maybe something by Rachmaninoff, or maybe I will try some jazz, with Harry Connick Jr. I wish the butterflies lives weren't so short, so much beauty too lose, doesn't seem fair.

Later in the day, I took a ride across town to the "Six Sisters," at Alamo Square Park. There was another bride and groom posing for their wedding photos. That makes the 6th couple I have encountered, since last spring. :) It was a perfect day for the camera. I have been enjoying photographing the young brides, as every bride is beautiful, and every groom handsome. Good day with the camera. A lot of happiness and contentment was to be found. :)

"Beautiful and graceful, varied and enchanting, small but approachable, butterflies lead you to the sunny side of life. And everyone deserved a little sunshine."

-Jeffrey Glassberg

Note: I found a great butterfly resource, by way of my friend Steven, Butterflies and Moths of North America. It is an awesome website where you can learn more about these amazingly beautiful creatures. :)

-OndineMonet
"Butterfly At Night"
Conservatory of Flowers
San Francisco, California
August 30, 2006
Afternoon

Your Monday Photo Shoot: On Tuesday Or Even Wednesday Rated PG-13

"If being sane is thinking there's something wrong with being different...I'd rather be completely fucking mental."

-Angelina Jolie

Monday Photo Shoot: Post a photo of an award, plaque or certificate.



Our friend Karen, Mavarin, came up with a wonderful idea, which was to post a special subject for the completely underappreciated, and terribly overworked John Scalzi, AOL Journal Land's very own beloved BLOGFATHER. :) So, in honor of his recent win of the John W. Campbell award, this week's "Your Monday Photo Shoot," is to post a photo of an award, plaque or certificate. Our entries can be posted at John's blog, Karen's blog or at at both!

Well, see, I have won things, but never something which awarded me a statue, a certificate, plaque or the such. I have won a scrapbooking contest, which gave me a $10:00 gift certificate, and a mention at the stationary store where it was held. I won a diamond necklace from Sear's. LOL. I won a bottle of Champaign and a certificate for free Martinizing, but that was when I was in the 1st grade, back when children were allowed to win alcohol. Don't worry I didn't drink it, I gave it to my old kindergarten teacher. LOL. Still...as a grown up lady...I have never won an award. Came close though...I was nominated six times for a AOL Journal Land "Excellence in Journaling" award...lost all 6 nominations! ROFL. Losing that perfectly should really be rewarded with a certificate or something. Tee Hee. But it seems I can't win for losing. LOLOLOLOL

So, I suppose the closest thing to falling into the required criteria for this assignment would be the many, many, many certificates I have received over the years for having "successfully completed" all the various psychological programs required of me, after having either stressed myself out, or gone insane. LOL. Thank goodness I always enjoyed school, because I always stuck with my One-on-One classes, Group Therapies, MAP Groups (Managing Anxiety & Panic) Intensive Out-Paitent Therapy, and Adult Day-Care. Yep, I have been THAT nuts. LOL.

There were too many "certificates of completion," to scan and post, so I created one tonight, and framed it, so that it could be used as the official "What The Hell Happened," award. I know the print in the photo is a little small, trust me, you always want to read the fine print, so here is what my award says...

The Ondine Award or "THE WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED" Certificate.

This certifies that CARLY has completed years of Therapy, Group Therapy, Intensive Out-Patient Therapy, and...Adult Day Care!

"It's been lovely, but I have to scream now!"

Give her, I mean ME, a round of applause! And some Graham crackers. Man, Adult Day Care rocked! Good times, good times! :)

-OndineMonet
"Good Times Never Seemed So Good"
Berkeley, California
August 29th, 2006
Evening

Carly's Eggplant Capri... A New Recipe

"Mother's words of wisdom: "Answer me! Don't talk with food in your mouth!"

-Erma Bombeck

Well, my big New Year's resolution for 2006, was to create some new recipes. I didn't say how many. LOL. To date I have only come up with three new ones, so I decided it might be time to put the chef's hat on and get busy. LOL. The garden is beginning to harvest, and I have lost of wonderful fresh ingredients to work with, so, here is my newest creation. It's easy to prepare, and super yummy, so don't wrinkle your nose when you see it has eggplant in it...just give it a try. :) Then you can tell me you hate it. Now sit up straight! :)

Carly's Eggplant Capri

3 medium sized fresh Eggplant
(sliced in 1-inch slices)

1 8 oz.. pkg. Shredded Italian cheese blend (Provolone, Fontina, Romano, Mozzarella, Asiago, Parmesan)

1/2 lb. Hot Italian Sausage (bulk)

1/2 cup chopped white onion

1/2 cup. Chopped, Marinated, Sundried tomatoes

1/2 cup Broccoli florettes

1 cup Progresso Garlic/Herb bread crumbs

2 16 oz. Jars Classico Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo sauce

Heat oven to 375. In a non-stick skillet, over medium heat, cook the sausage until cooked thoroughly, drain and set aside. Prepare and cut the eggplant into 1-inch slices. Dip the eggplant in either, 3 tbs. Milk or 1 beaten egg, then dip into the bread crumbs to coat both sides of the slices. In a skillet, cook the eggplant slices in 2 tbs. vegetable oil, over medium heat until brown on both sides. Arrange the browned slices in two layers in a medium, non-stick, baking dish. Pour one jar of the sauce to cover the first layer of the eggplant. Add the cooked broccoli florettes as a center, and put the crumbled sausage, onions andchopped sundried tomatoes on top. Sprinkle with about half the cheese mixture. Top with the remaining eggplant slices, the second jar of sauce, and top with the cheese mixture. Bake for 35- 45 minutes or until brown and bubbly on top. Serve and enjoy!

Serves 3
NOTE: I like a lot of sauce with this recipe, but it can be made with one jar, if you prefer. You can substitute fresh, chopped, Roma tomatoes for the sundried tomatoes.

To see my other recipes, visit my recipe blog "Ellipsis...East Bay Cuisine."

-OndineMonet
"Ingredients"
Berkeley, California
August 28th, 2006
Evening

The Little Kitty

"Where there is perhaps a province in which the photograph can tell us nothing more than what we see with our own eyes, there is another in which it provides to us how little our eyes permit us to see."

-Dorothea Lange

Whenever I leave the house, I always take my camera with me. Even if I am off to run a little errand, because you never know what great photographic opportunity might come your way. A couple weeks ago, I was going through a black and white phase with my photography. I am not sure why, but sometimes the world seems a lot more colorful when view in black and white. Anyway, I was coming out of one of my Yoga session, when I glanced over at this little meter box, which was standing open, and right there, just inside was this beautiful, yet mysterious black cat.

The color of his eyes were so green, in fact, they almost glowed. He just sat there, very calm and content, if not maybe a little amused, at the site of my photographing him. I must have taken 40-50 shots of him, from every angle I could, and some in color, but when I got home, and looked at the photos on the computer, I saw that this guy was meant to be photographed in black and white. :) I want to try to get back over to the Conservatory of Flowers sometime next week, to photograph the newest butterflies at the butterfly exhibit. I think I will try taking at least some of them in b/w mode. I think I like the challenge, or actually seeing it in a different light...and with different eyes. Isn't photography awesome? :)

-OndineMonet
"Little Kitty"
Berkeley, California
12:00 PM
August 16, 2006

Talk About Rewriting History

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

-Abraham Lincoln

What do you suppose Abraham Lincoln might say about the America, if he were alive today? Now there is no way to be sure, but do you see him supporting the vast polarization that has occurred in America in the last 5 years? Would he be likely to adopt the current ideals and policies republican party? Would he strive to change things for the better...at least as he would see it...even if it meant going against the republican grain. Do you suppose, if he had been here to experience 9/11, and it's aftermath, would he have changed very much inside? We all changed a little that day, didn't we? Some became scared, some found some inner strength to look for the answers, some resolved within themselves to bring the truth to light, no matter how unpopular it may have been viewed. We all changed that day, to some degree, but collectively did we change for the better?

"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."

-Abraham Lincoln

Last week Fact Check.org, published an article about how certain members of the republican party, are "falsely quoting Abraham Lincoln as advocating, exiling, or hanging members of Congress who damage military morale in wartime." According to the FactCheck article, it has been going on for quite sometime, and in all forms of media from speeches, to letters to the editor, but most recently by Diana Irey, who is currently running against Rep John Murtha of Pennsylvania. Also according to the article, Lincoln never said anything like that... in fact,the "quote" that has been circulated so freely among the republican party, came from conservative author, J. Michael Waller, who admits the words are NOT Lincoln's, but indeed they are his own. Waller claims that it was an error that quotation marks were placed around those words, and that the mistake should be blamed on his editor for not catching it.

"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves."

-Abraham Lincoln

When FactCheck.org ran a search to see how many times the quote had been used against opponents of President Bush's war policy, there were 18,000 references to the quote, and on further examination of the original article written by Waller, there FactCheck notes that there were additional historical errors. FactCheck contacted the former managing editor of INSIGHT magazine, Scott Stanley, where the article first appeared, and he denies ever inserting the quotation marks as alleged by Waller, but Stanley went on to say that the mistake could have been made by any one of six "formatting editors," who were known to take liberties with an authors copy. The complete FactCheck article can be read here.

"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him."

-Abraham Lincoln

Here is what I am most curious about. What do you think? A lying politician is almost a given. Lying doesn't know race, gender, or party affiliation. So, tell me, with the midterm elections coming up, just few short months away, how much research do you put into the candidates you are presented with? Do you rely on the party you most often vote for, to provide you with accurate information, or do you do a little bit of the footwork or I should say, keyboard work yourself? This is an important election coming up, a lot of things could change because of it, and a lot of things could, unfortunately, remain the same. Ever since Rep Murtha dared speak his mind, last November, regarding his feelings about the war in Iraq, there have been some serious, and mean spirited stones cast at him in the name of patriotism. And as it turns out, those stones sometimes are made of lies. Given the amount of marginal behavior by members of both parties, can you really afford to not do some researching of your own before you cast your votes in November? Share with me, what do you plan to do to prepare yourself to vote?

"To stand in silence when they should be protesting, makes cowards of men."

-Abraham Lincoln

-OndineMonet
All quotes via ThinkExist.com

"Nostalgia"...A Round Robin Promotion

"We could never have loved the earth so well, if we had no childhood in it."

-George Eliot, The Mill on the Floss, 1860

What do you think of when you think of nostalgia? Car hops at restaurants? Drive-in movies? Antique cars? Soda Pop in real glass bottles? Or even Milk in real glass bottles for that matter. :) Sometimes I get nostalgic for things of comfort from my childhood. There were these frozen juice bars that I would buy from the ice-cream truck called, "Missles." They were strawberry, lemon, and orange. YUM. I haven't seen them in years. As I recall, they were delicious, especially on a hot August day.

Can you be nostalgic for something you have never tried or experienced? My whole life I have heard about a tasty little snack cake that is apparently sold only east of the Rockies. Drake's "Ring Dings." I have heard about them in movies, and in magazine articles, even an episode of Seinfeld. You can order them from Amazon.com. A 10 pk for $3.39. I have NO idea why I don't make the big leap and order a box. LOL. I just haven't. But how silly is that? What if I am missing one of the great American cultural experiences? Maybe I will put them on my Amazon.com wish list. LOL.

One thing I do miss however, is the great old greasy hamburgers from my youth. Back before strangers tried to save my life, by insisting that only polyunsaturated oils should be used on the fries I loved. I like it when my burgers are drippy with greasy yumminess. I like my burgers messsssssssy. Half a jar or mayonnaise, red onions, REAL cheese, and sometimes a nice bit of Lea & Perrins steak sauce. I always order my burgers without lettuce, because I am not fond of hot lettuce. Nope, why ruin a perfectly good burger, by adding something healthy to it? I do understand my approach to a good burger isn't the healthiest, so I don't eat them too often this way, but boy when I do...I enjoy every bite.

I think the thing I am most nostalgic for, are Drive-in movies. So many have closed here in Northern California in the last 20 years, the last one being the one located in Union City, California, which made way for the newest uber mall, which contains an uber theater. Sigh. It was fun going to the drive-in. I miss that a lot, but I have been reading here and there, that they are making a comeback. Crossing my fingers, eyes and toes on that one. :)

So tell me, what are nostalgic for? Or better yet, get out your camera and join the Round Robins for our next challenge, "Nostalgia." Our friend Dorn, author of the journal, "Through the Eyes of the Beholder," has chosen this topic for us to take on, and what a great choice it is. :) We can all relate to feelings of nostalgia...right. The date of this challenge will be, Wednesday, September 6th. Please pay a visit to the official Round Robin blog, and read Steven's announcement entry for this challenge. And if you haven't already done so, please welcome him aboard as the newest Round Robin team member! I hope to see you on September 3rd.

-OndineMonet
"Bob's Big Boy"
Berkeley, California
August 25th, 2006

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #126: Where You Live

"Where we love is home. Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."

-Oliver Wendell Holmes, "Homesick In Heaven"

Your Weekend Assignment #126: What is the most interesting thing about where you live? "Thing" in this case would be a famous landmark, a famous current celebrity or historical personage from your home town or county, a notable celebration or sports event... basically, anything that makes where you're from interesting and unique.

Extra Credit: Are there any books that feature your home town (or someplace nearby) in any way?

-John Scalzi (By The Way)

Where do I begin? LOL. I have shared quite a bit about Berkeley. Showed you the art about town, the awesome Berkeley Marina, the views of San Francisco, and I have shared a little about the quirkiness, that makes Berkeley never boring. From the minute you reach the city limits, you know you have arrived in a unique town, that can be super chic one moment, and completely retro the next. Berkeley has an energy to it, probably because of the university. This time of year is my favorite. School is back in session, and everyone is rested and ready to take on college life.
It is a special place, and I could go on and on, so how about I show you in pictures. :)

Autumn in Berkeley

The Berkeley Couches

The Frat House Shoes

The pizza from my favorite pizza place, The Cheeseboard Collective. Amazing pizza and a cheese shop that sells about 500 varieties of cheese. YUM! :)

The Berkeley Repertoire Theatre

The Addison street Art Walk " Poetry Plates"

The Sather Gate entrance to the University of California Berkeley campus.

The Sunrises over the East Bay Hills

The Sunsets at the Berkeley Pier

The music and poetry readings, "How Berkeley Can You Be?" day, the wonderful assortment if restautrants along Shattuck avenue, the Peoples Garden, the Poetry Garden, the public art, the street vendors along Telegraph avenue, the Peace Wall, and the beautiful Claremont Hotel, are more of the sites that make Berkeley a beautiful and unique place to live. I love it here. :)

Extra Credit: There have been many books set here in Berkeley and the Bay Area in general. One such book is, "Tales of the Fish Patrol" by Bay Area resident, Jack London. The book is a collection of short stories, set on the San Francisco bay, during the years of the author's youth.

-OndineMonet
"Sather Tower"
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, California
November, 2005
7:00 AM

Note: Nzforme, you are absolutely correct. My goodness, if anyone finds out about my error...I will be kicked lock, stock and cat right out of Berkeley! YIKES! Don't tell anyone, ok? Thanks for the head's up. If I had actually gone there, I would probably have gotten it right. We tend to get a bit lax around here. LOL.

Steven's Feline Friday...Woo Hoo

"If you hold a cat by the tail, you learn things you cannot learn any other way."

-Mark Twain

For this week's edition of Feline Friday, Steven has asked us to do something a little different, so, we are creating a WooHoo of our favorite companions. Kinda cool! So, above you see, "The Many Moods Of Elvis." Enjoy!

-OndineMonet

Star Jones Reynolds...Love Coach (Ellipsis Poll Results)

"I have no use for people who throw their weight around as celebrities, or for those who fawn over you just because you are famous."

-Walt Disney

Poor George Bush, once again he has lost in the polls! LOL. Most recently, an Ellipsis (non-scientific) poll, for your choice of "Favorite Celebrity Behaving Badly." Nope, George only came in second, but in the #1 spot as the biggest baddy, as chosen by you, is none other than Star Jones Reynolds, for the awesome "Hissy Fit" she threw on her last day as co-host of ABC's The View. Let's give her a round of applause!

I was surprised that she actually took first place. Still, I guess it's not everyday someone actively works to infuriate Barbara Walters. So, what's Star been doing since her untimely exit from The View? Well, my research yielded an unexpected answer to that very question. According to "StarJones.com," her official website, it turns out Star landed a pretty good back-up job for herself, sometime back, as a "Love Coach" for AOL Coaches! LOL. Yeah, I can feel the love! Strange, I hadn't heard anything about that gig, but then again, AOL rarely consults me on such matters, or any matter for that matter. LOL. I wonder if the "Love Coach" offer came before or after that bizarre blogging incident last year. Hmmm... Also, do you think she will remain on staff as an official AOL "Love Coach" now that she has exited The View, which is a part of the AOL/Time Warner companies? Stay tuned, I predict another interesting turn of events in the saga that is Star Jones Reynolds!

-OndineMonet

Click here to see the complete results of the "Celebrities Behaving Badly" poll.

Round Robin Challenge: Transportation

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

-Robert Frost

We all have to get from here to there...don't we? Every since I found out that our current challenge would be, "Transportation," I have had Supertramp's song, "Take The Long Way Home," stuck in my head...again! A couple years ago, I was going through a rough time and I heard that song about six times in the space of about a week. It was playing in the background of a Lifetime movie, it was on one of the digital radio stations on my cable box, it was playing at the supermarket one day, and even the Ethereal Musician joined in the haunting, as he played a particularly soulful version one day when I was napping in the back yard. I had that song stuck in my head for 26 weeks. LOL. And along with it, the headache from HELL, and the interesting events of sleepwalking. LOL. I don't think it will be stuck that long this time around, lol, but it is a catchy little tune. :) So, I thought it would be fun to demonstrate how someone might "take the long way home." :)

I could ride a Merry-Go-Round, but I would just go in circles. That would never work!

I could fly away in a big balloon. Trouble is, the wind has to blowing the right direction...or I could get very lost. :(

I could hop onto a giant sky chair...but have you ever tried to gracefully exit one of those things? :)

I could sail away on a small passenger boat. I am only 4ft 10, that qualifies as a small passenger...right? Nah, where would I put Elvis? :)

I could catch an old-fashioned cable car like this one, and "climb half way to the stars." Half way? I don't like to do anything "half way." LOL.

This young lady had wheels installed on her bathtub. LOL. Is there anything better then a long bubble bath? I just bought some Jasmine bubble bath. :) Oh wait...she didn't have any controls installed on that thing! That would never work!

I know...a train! Remember that great old movie, "Strangers on a Train?" Ut oh! Never mind. LOL.

I know...I could ride a bike! I could even take a ride like Etta Place and Butch Cassidy did in the movie, "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid." Wasn't that one of the most sexy scenes in cinema history? :) Ahhh... no but see...sooner or later there would be a big shoot-out. There's always a Gloomy Gus somewhere!

I think I will just take a walk. I love walking in autumn, the crisp air, the smell of the first fireplaces of the season, and the blanket of beautiful colored leaves to play in. Yes, I will use my own two feet, to find my adventures and "take the long way home."

And now a poem...

"Feet" By Edwin Carp

You need feet to stand up straight with
You need feet to kick your friends
You need feet to keep your socks up
And to keep your legs from fraying at the ends

You need feet to stand on tippy-toe
You need feet to dance the Hoochy-coo
You need feet to walk away with
And I need feet to run away from you!

Tee Hee! Be sure to visit all the Round Robins, and see their interpretation of the challenge. Thanks goes to Robin, author of the journal, "These Are The Days Of Our Lives," for bringing us this awesome challenge! Be sure to visit the Round Robin blog on Thursday, to find out the subject of our next challenge, and welcome Steven, the newest member of team Round Robin!

Linking List

1. Robin "These are the Days of our Lives" POSTED!
2. Karen "Outpost Mavarin" POSTED!
3. John "Personal effects" POSTED!
4. Carly "Ellipsis...Suddenly Carly" POSTED!
5. Suzanne R "New Suzanne R's Life" POSTED!
6. Julie "Julie's Web Journal" POSTED!
7. Janet "Fond of Photography" POSTED!
8. Asender "Asender Rises Above Studio Updates"
9. boliyou "Percolation" POSTED!
10. Celeste "My Day My Interests"
11. Robin "Search The Sea" POSTED!
12. Kerrin "A New day A New Photo" **Welcome New Member** POSTED!
13. DesLily "Here There And Everywhere 2nd Edition" POSTED!
14. Steven "(sometimes) photoblog" POSTED!
15. Phinney "Paragon" POSTED!
16. Dorn "Through The Eyes Of The Beholder"
17. Betty "My Day My Interests" POSTED!
18. Marie "Photographs and Memories Too" POSTED!
19. Gina "Ginas Space" POSTED!




-OndineMonet

Your Monday Photo Shoot: My Camera And Me

"There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are."

-Ernst Haas

This edition of "Your Monday Photo Shoot," is being hosted by Journals Editor Joe of, "Magic Smoke."

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Take a photo that shows you with your camera. A mirror or other reflective surface would probably help here. Also, tell us a little about your camera and how you use it. (This isn't a sneaky marketing survey, incidentally.)

Editor Joe (Magic Smoke)

Well, here I am again! LOL. Just a couple months ago, I got brave and decided to show my full face in an entry...for the first time mind you, and now, here I am showing it again, at a slightly different angle! LOL The last photo was in black and white, so here is what I look like in color. LOL. That's it...mystery solved! I guess this will be my official self portrait for autumn. LOL. So tell me, am I what you expected? Go ahead...give it to me straight...I can take it! :) Do I look taller? Tee Hee. Ok, now about my camera...




I have a Konica/Minolta Dimage Z1, with a 3.2 Mega pixel x10 zoom lens. It is a pretty nifty little camera, and it also has a video feature with does pretty well even in low lighting. :) I LOVE my camera, it has some weight to it, so it is a lot easier to hold steady, and it does pretty well for the amount of pixel power. I don't think a day has gone by, where I didn't take a picture of some kind with it, I guess you could say, this camera is my best friend. :)





-OndineMonet
"Just Me"
Berkeley, California
August 21, 2006
Evening

A Surreal Moment, And The Winner Of The "Caption This Or That" Contest

"We have to pursue this subject of fun very seriously, if we want to stay competitive in the twenty-first century."

-Unknown

This was definitely a very surreal moment! There I was, enjoying a gourmet spaghetti dinner from my favorite little North Beach restaurant, Fisherman's pizzeria, when swoooooooop...down came this hungry fella intent on stealing a noodle from my stylish carry out diningware. LOL. It was fun. I love having my camera by my side, for moments such as this one. He was a goofy bird, and it was initially a bit unnerving to have him peck at the windshield, so I gave him a few noodles and some garlic bread to enjoy. Hey, moments like this don't come along every day! LOL. Now on with this week's "Caption This Or That," winner.

It's beginning to look like the fix is in, but the prize again goes to Wil, talented author of the blog, "Daily Snooze." The winner was chosen by a completely impartial entity, so it was fair, I promise. I will be doing another round soon, so consider playing along next time...give this brilliant man as much competition as you can...HE MUST BE DEFEATED! LOL. A special thanks goes to John Darrow, David Darrow and Brock Meeks for also playing along. You guys are the best! Now on with the winning caption...

"Puff's failure to heed the Dragon Crossing sign yields tragic, yet predictable results."

LOL. Give our friend a round of applause! :) Thanks for playing Wil!

NOTE: I am also posting at my AOL journal Ellipsis all this week, stop by and say "hi" if you get the chance! :) And don't forget, we will be playing our current Round Robin Challenge this coming Wednesday. Click here for details! :)

-OndineMonet
"A Surreal Moment In San Francisco"
Fort Point
San Francisco, California
October, 2005
Afternoon

The Wife Of The Richest Man In The Fictional World

"Next to a circus, there ain't nothing that packs up and tears out faster then the Christmas spirit."

-Kin Hubbard

I can't believe we are very almost in September. Then again, it seems like every year goes faster and faster...without my consent. LOL. It's one of those secrets no one tells you when you are a young one of 21. They never tell you that as each year passes, it will all suddenly pick up speed somewhere around thirty, and as things start to sag, and your body turns on you, those sagging parts of yours will cause you to pick up speed, as you crest the age hill, and send you flying into oldness. Complete with "old people noises," forgetting where you parked your car, looking forward to going to bed before 10:00 PM... TO SLEEP, and the inability to tolerate spicy food. LOL. What was once wolf calls, is now replaced with, "can I help you to your car ma'am?"

I used to be a girl. Then I was a WOMAN. Ok, that is pretty cool, now I am a ma'am. That last characterization was the one I could have lived without. LOL. I was speaking to someone the other day about my future, "golden years," and I had to sigh. If it's all sagging this bad now...what will it be like in 20 years? Heck, will I be able to pick my knees up off the floor? And what about my boobs, which are now resting as shin guards? Will they difficult to roll up? My ear lobes now sit where my boobs should be, don't think that isn't an interesting sight, so I wonder, "is wearing shoulder duster earrings vulgar?"

Oh well. If the above picture is any indication of what my future could be like, then I do indeed have something to look forward to. After all, Santa did make Forbes Magazine's richest " Fictional Fifteen," list for 2002. In fact, Santa took first place on a list that included such wealthy characters as, Thurston Howell III, Bruce Wayne, Cruella Di Vil, and J.R. Ewing. With all that money I can have stuff, nipped, tucked, sucked, blown, removed, put on, tossed, pinched, prodded, and smoothed by the best plastic surgeons at the North Pole. See, Alan was once a mall Santa, so that makes me Mrs. Claus. Tee Hee. Say it with me now..."I believe, I believe!" LOL.

Note: I am also posting, for one week only, on my AOL Journal Ellipsis. Drop by and say hi. :) Should be a fun week, as I celebrate 3 years of blogging!

-OndineMonet
"Fun In The Sun"
Santa Cruz, California
August 11th, 2006
Evening