Love's First Kiss

If you can't tell by the picture, it is the outline of two pair of feet. They are apparently from the feet of young Abner and his gal Nik. This is the site of their first kiss. I thought it was pretty cool. I can remember my first kiss. More importantly I can remember me and my wife's first kiss. I think these events are probably so powerful, flooding our brains with endorphins and other chemicals that they become ingrained in our synapses.Maybe it is just me, because I am such a romantic, I don't know. Maybe since I married the girl that I kissed back in high school when hormones were at their peak, that I can remember it so well. I don't know. I would be curious to know if others remember their first kiss. Will Abner and Nik always remember this day when they shared this?  I would like to think so. Judging by the size of the shoes I bet their parents do not want to know anything about it. These shoes are way smaller than my kids. Yikes!

I just think it is fun to look back on those times when things were simpler and we marked milestones with a Sharpie. Would have been a great one for Valentines day, but I take what I can get.

A man snatches the first kiss, pleads for the second, demands the third, takes the fourth, accepts the fifth - and endures all the rest.
Helen Rowland


We are all mortal until the first kiss and the second glass of wine.
Eduardo Galeano

End of the Month Ouch

Made it through a month. Didn't post every day. Would like to get these up on a little more consistent basis instead of flooding you loyal readers with a dozen in a day or two. I find this photo a good end to the month of January because this month was both prickly and colorful. You can tell its been a mild winter when cacti looks this good in Kansas at the end of month of Jan. 

Picture my goals underneath this pile of prickly. That's kind of where I am right now. Everything is right there, just a little hard to obtain with drawing a little blood and enduring some discomfort. I know, boo fricken hoo. Don't cry for me Argentina. I got it under control.  

• We do not like the confiding, the intimate, the ingratiating, the hail-fellow-well-met, but prefer the unapproachable, the hard-bitten, the recalcitrant, the sinister, the malignant, the saturnine, the cross-grained and the cankered, and the howling wilderness to the amenities of civilization, the irascible to the affable, the prickly to the smooth.We have no damned fellow- feeling at all.
  
  -Grieve
    'The Dour Drinkers of Glasgow', in The American Mercury, Mar.

MMMMMMeat 29th

Superbowl food practice. I bought a new electric smoker and I thought I better try it out before Super Bowl Sunday. (Trademark infringement, I know.) Ribs and sausage on top. Followed by pork shoulder, and more ribs. Finally a chicken on the bottom. (You don't want a chicken dripping on the pork of course.) I was a little skeptical, being a die hard wood and charcoal guy, but I have to say,  it turned out fantastic. They were all cooked to perfection. I put them in, closed the door, added wood through a hole once in a while, and opened the door many hours later. Smokey goodness. Smoked chicken salad on asiago ciabatta bread is to die for. One artery at a time. 

Ever try to find a quote about meat? Impossible. I can find a lot of quotes about how bad a carnivore diet is, but not how wonderfully tasty it is. Don't get me wrong. I love animals. Cuddling with some and eating others. So here is the best quote I found......

I kill flies, I eat meat, you know, whatever.
Ethan Hawke

I was at sea the other day and loads of meat floated past. It was a bit choppy.. . .

Tower of Power

Tower of Power. Reach for new heights. Soar, Climb, aim for the sky, the stars. I don't know. What do you say about a picture of a tower. It's all about perspective? Where you are and where you want to be. One step at a time will help you reach your goals. Every little step you take will help you reach greatness. It is all a bunch of bull. I could go on and on (I think I may have), spewing these hallmark card ideas. I will spare you more of my sarcasm. I am at a point this week where it doesn't seem to matter how hard you work, how important you may be. Certain things and people stand out more. Have you ever known a time where the quiet, smart, studious thinker stood out and elevated up from the masses. Think about high school because it is kind of the same. I may be invaluable in a certain instance but if I'm not loud, obnoxious, or just flashy, I will continue to go unnoticed. That is where I am at right now. I know, I'm a little frustrated and bitter right now, but believe me, I am reaching for the stars. (or at least the top of the tower at Shawnee Mission Park.)

A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view halfway up is better than the view from the base, and it steadily becomes finer as the horizon expands.
William Lyon Phelps

It's 'Science....Sort Of' 27th

Science.....Sort Of

My favorite podcast. One hour, once a week. A few guys, graduate students, Doctoral Candidates and Professor types all sit around and discuss cool stuff about science. Really, they talk about the cool stuff. They also drink beer and other elixers and discuss that in a segment called 'What are you Drinking'.

They discuss and rate movies based soley on the trailers in the segment 'Trailer Trash Talk'.

Like sitting and listenening to your buddies if they were cool and way smart.

Their logo is a Brachiolope. Notice my shirt and my dog in antlers. I sent this to the website Sciencesortof.com. Part of the Brachiolope media network. All rights reserved.

A scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.
Max Planck

For those of you that are new to my blog, here is how it goes. I take one picture a day, everyday. One shot, no takebacks. That is the picture I post. I tell about the picture and why I chose it or whatever. Sometimes I just talk about what is on my mind. Following the pic is a favorite quote that goes along with the pic. Somedays are harder than others. Try finding a quote about smoked meats. Please check it out. This project only becomes more interesting as I struggle for subject matter. It is going to be a jouney I promise.

I see my Shadow

Gizmo sees his shadow. Six more weeks of winter or whatever you call what we have been having. I am going to say it here and now for the record. Guinea pigs are pretty flippin cool. Gizmo is my buddy.

Man in Hallway: Think it'll be an early spring?
Phil: Winter, slumbering in the open air, wears on its smiling face a dream... of spring. Ciao.
Man in Hallway: Ciao.

I love this movie. I'm sure I've said this many times. Top 5 fer shur.

Phil: You want a prediction about the weather, you're asking the wrong Phil. I'll give you a winter prediction: It's gonna be cold, it's gonna be grey, and it's gonna last you for the rest of your life.

Office View 26th

I just thought the reflection off of my office window was pretty cool that morning. I know, three days in a row with sunrise at the airport. Would you like to see another picture of my desk instead?

I am never short of quotes on light though. Another of my favs.......

In the beginning there was nothing.  God said, "Let there be light!"  And there was light.  There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better.  ~Ellen DeGeneres

Feeling a Little Foggy 25th

My mind is still in a fog. Can't seem to get it all on track. Two sunrises in a row. What would it take to get the chance to sit each morning and enjoy the sunrise. Even clouded in fog, it is pretty cool. I guess all it would take is a night job, but I don't need that again. Retirement? Too soon. I guess I will take what I can get and enjoy the little bits that come my way. Would it diminish the beauty of sunrise if one were to sit and enjoy it each day? Would one eventually look like the next? I would sure like to do a study where I could sit and ponder these ideas. Anyone willing to pay me for my thoughts?.................

I thought not. Just the rantings of a lunatic.

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.  ~Aaron Rose

Rays of Light ... 24th

I'm behind. I get it. I have taken pictures, but with my ever increasing list of things to do I can't find the time or motivation to get these posted. I have heard your calls so I am on it. All I seem to want to do when I get home is drop on the couch and watch something that may or may not be worth watching. I need a ray of hope. A light at the end of the tunnel if you will. Fricken beam me up Scotty.

See how I worked in beams and rays and light. To quote Fonzie "I still got it," Whatever it is.

We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light.  ~Evelyn Dunbar

Old Barn Day.

I told you. I live in Kansas. Barns, barns everywhere. I could publish a book on just old barns. Lets see a show of hands who would buy that............... Just as I thought. Never mind.

In honor of the Chinese New Year

My barn having burned to the ground, I can now see the moon”

Chinese Proverb

Duck Duck Goose

Walked with my dad and Truman today. Kansas State bio research facility. Wonderful weather. Great day for a walk. Geese didn't care to much for my dog.
Notice the center of the photo. Dare to be different.

As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others.”

Robert H. Schuller

“The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings”

James Matthew Barrie Enough said

Airborne. Day 21

Amelia flying high at the National Acrobat Competition the Saturday. She is a daredevil. Fearless I think. She never disappoints me when she competes. So strong and confident. I learn a lot from her every day

Carpe Diem if you will
John Keating: There's a time for daring and there's a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for.

John Keating: I SOUND MY BARBARIC YAWP OVER THE ROOFTOPS OF THE WORLD.

YAWP Amelia. Spread your wings and fly.

Time for Reflection

Art, Downtown Olathe. If you look in the individual reflections you can see me taking the picture. There are a couple of airplanes. It is very interesting.

Charles Dickens Reflect upon your present blessings - of which every man has many - no on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

Why so prickly

I needed something prickly today. I had a very bad day yesterday that was set off by a customer service rep. I know, customer service reps can set anyone off, but this was a rep from my own company. We have a help desk that helps resolve computer issues etc. I called them for help with a problem I was having a work with a shipment. I have to say this was one of the rudest people I have ever had to deal with. If you don't want to help, don't work at the help desk. Seriously.

Picture is a little dark, I know, but this is how I feel. Dark and prickly. You are an abrasive mean person, whatever your name is. Get a clue. I just needed some help, not a bunch of grief. The problem persisted into today. I got in a lot of trouble with the bosses until I told them the whole story. After that, the emails flew. Her boss was immediately notified by my boss, who is a rock star in our airline. He really stood up for me, which made this day much better. I am doing the best I can, all I ask for is a little help once in a while. If you can help someone, why not do it. You may need help yourself someday.

“Marge: Homer! There's someone here who can help you...

Homer: Is it Batman?

Marge: No, he's a scientist.

Homer: Batman's a scientist?!

Marge: It's not Batman!”

I Need Some Dam Bait

This is one portion of the dam at Lenexa Lake. If you haven't seen it, it is quite the engineering marvel. This is a picture of the first portion where the water runs from the lake down into the center circle. It runs through a concrete river to a large spout, where it fall another 50 feet to a ring below. If you haven't checked it out before, do it.

“The river seeking for the sea Confronts the dam and precipice, Yet knows it cannot fail or miss; You will be what you will to be!”

Ella Wheeler Wilcox quotes

Cat Got Your Tail?

I like cattails. The remind me of Minnesota. That's it that's all I got.
Today on the other hand started as most others do; off to work, work, home from work, cattail picture, dinner, TV, bed. That's it. But today while I was making hundreds of copies, and I mean hundreds of copies, something great happened. Groundhog Day came on TV. Its one thing to watch one of my favorite movies at home. It is quite another to watch one of my favorite movies while I am in the middle of my own Groundhog Day. Did I mention it is one of my favorite movies? Turned the whole day around. I could watch it again right now. Here's what I want from you, loyal readers. What movie inspires you? What movie can you watch over and over and never get tired of it? Cat got your tongue? Let me know so I still know I have readers out there.

Doogie thought for the day. Okay a movie quote.

Phil: I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster, drank piña coladas. At sunset, we made love like sea otters.

Phil: *That* was a pretty good day. Why couldn't I get *that* day over, and over, and over...

SUNday or Monday?

Last nice day for a few, so I thought I had better get out and enjoy the weather. Stopped at Shawnee Mission Park on the way home from work and got this shot. Whew!
     I had no ideas going into this evening, so I am sure glad the whole sunset thing worked out for me. A little camera glare tonight, but I think it worked out well. Even the geese played along today. Suppose to get cold and cloudy here, so the pics will have to take on a different life for the next few days. Can't rely on the sun everyday can we?
     Was in a hurry to get home today, because all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch, read for a while, and watch the Jayhawks tonight. Sure glad I stopped. Spent about 20 minutes watching the sun go down before I decided it was the right time for the pic. The geese kind of decided for me as well.

Doogie thoughts: 'Take a little time once in a while, you will never know what you might have missed if you don't.' (An added bonus, dinner was ready for me when I got home. Way cool.)

SUNday bloody SUNday

     Yes, it is once again, sunset Sunday. Madeline told me this should be Sunday's theme. Whimsy Friday and Sunset Sunday. I think that is a little too much pressure for a Sunday. What if it is cloudy? Rain, sleet, snow, dark of night for goodness sake. Any one of these thing could make it a losing situation for me. Tonight turned out well, but I can't count on mother nature to come through fifty more times on Sunday afternoon, can I?

Enjoy the sunset, for tomorrow is another day, and that other day is a Monday. Ick.

Day 14, Tick Tock Tick Tock

“"The time has come," the walrus said, "to talk of many things: Of shoes and ships - and sealing wax - of cabbages and kings”

-Lewis Carroll

“Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't
own it, but you can use it. You can't keep
it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it
you can never get it back.”

-Harvey MacKay

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

-Steve Jobs

My life like most people is governed by time. I work for an airline and it is all about time all the time. Remember Tom Hanks in the beginning of Castaway? "We live and we die by the clock, that's all we have." "Let's not commit the sin of turning our back on time."

I don't wear a watch, but while I'm at work I know exactly what time it is. Flights in, Flights out. Tick tock tick tock. Is this a good way to live? Living our lives by the clock? It indeed provides the structure a modern society needs, but is it all that important. Aside from work, I don't need to know the exact time for much. I have all my shows on DVR so I watch them on Steve time. We could eat when we are hungry, sleep when we are tired. I know, this would never work, but it is something to think about. Time to get back to things. I have spent way too much time on this already. Time's a wastin'. I got no more time for this. But on the other hand, time heals all wounds.

“Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you.”

 

This isn't a Disney cruise

No it isn't Mickey and this isn't a Disney cruise. Who we have here is Dave and Barry. Names after people on Storage Wars if you didn't know. It's whimsy Friday and I'm about out of creatures around here to put in funny situations. My man-cave is decorated in things dealing with transportation, so we still have trains and automobiles to get through. Might even throw in a rocket or submarine.
     My brother has come into town for one night only so I'm a little rushed this evening, so I'll just leave you with my Doogie thought for the day. Do with it what you will.

One of my favorites. I know its a little dorky for a forty year old guy to have favorite quotes and stuff, but get over it. I have. Plus, I love sailing. The wind in my face. The total reliance you have on mother nature. No motor. No paddle. Just you and the wind baby.

“We rest here while we can, but we hear the ocean calling in our dreams, And we know by the morning, the wind will fill our sails to test the seams, The calm is on the water and part of us would linger by the shore, For ships are safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.”

-Michael Lille



Sorry I forgot to upload last night. I did take this picture on friday, I just screwed up when I went to upload. Oh well. Two today, if I can figure out what to take a picture of.

Day 12, 1 long week......

So here it is. You knew it was coming. The shot of all shots. Taken not with my four figure camera, but with my phone. I've reached the penultimate place in picture taking. The spot usually reserved for vacation pictures and home movies. The ones you bring out that makes you friends and or children groan. First prize for the most boring picture yet........My Office.
     Yes, you guessed it folks, this is my desk, in my office at the airport in Kansas City in the State of Missouri, God bless America. That on the wall is my new poster, for the upcoming movie, in May of this year, The Avengers.

     All of this is not important. What is important is this is how my desk looked at the end of the day. Cluttered, unfinished, piled high with too much to do. A sinking ship if you will, and way too small of a bucket this week. The super-heroes meant to inspire, have been mocking me this week. 'Look how super we are. What's wrong with you?' I have been trying so hard to get ahead this week and I don't feel like I've made a dent. One more day to get it back on track, or next week will be more of the same.



Well time to get back at it.

A quote from a successful person to end the day.......

Unless you are willing to drench yourself in your work beyond the capacity of the average man, you are just not cut out for positions at the top.

 

J.C. Penney

A little puzzling????

Life is a lot like a puzzle. So many pieces. So many choices. One way for it all to go together. Okay that isn't like life. With life you have many different ways to put the pieces together.
     I just started a new 3000 piece puzzle. It is a Ravensburger puzzle made in Germany. For those who know, it is the premier puzzle maker. I know, I sound a little dorky, getting excited about a puzzle. Who really cares, right? The thing is, puzzles do two things. They stimulate the brain and relax it at the same time. My days are filled with a lot of stress, and not much brain challenging. This has the opposite effect. Say what you will about puzzles, but if your stressed, give it a try. Its cheaper than therapy or a cardiologist. Also, I know this is not the greatest picture, but when I only get one shot, what are you going to do.

A photo will follow when I finish. I don't like to hurry through a puzzle so be patient.

“There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle.”

Deepak Chopra

You've just been mooned

     Full moon overnight last night. Got a quick pick this morning when I woke up. It was a seriously bright moon. Almost hurt my eyes to look through the viewfinder. I think because it has been so dry, there was no humidity to destroy the shot. Crisp and clear it was.
     I have to say looking at this picture tonight really makes me step back and wonder about the entirety of the universe and my place in it. Every day now, it seems, the new Kepler Space Telescope is discovering new planets hundreds of light years away, that are in or near the Goldilocks zone of their star. We are very close to discovering a planet outside our solar system that has the possibility of life on it. Can you even imagine what the ramifications will be here on earth? It just blows my mind. We are just years and maybe even only months away from some startling new discoveries from Kepler.
     Now here is a picture of an object about 240,000 miles away, and with a very good camera we can see many of the features. The Sea of Tranquility where the astronauts landed. Tycho the white crater in the white section. Copernicus, the white crater in the dark section. I could go on, but my point is, think about what is out there.





“The feeling of love is the same feeling that you get when you stare into the moon on a clear night.”

 For my whole life we have lived in a world that has put a man on the moon. I would love my children to live in world that has put a person on another planet and communicated with another galaxy. Is that too much to ask?

The best gift. Me

I received my present from my Secret Santa (Tom Antonopoulos, aka brother in law), last night. I have to say it is one of the coolest presents I have ever gotten.
     I collect bobble heads. Mostly superheros, a few sportos, Wizard of OZ, etc. I now have the ultimate in bobble heads. I have a mini-me. It is so well done it is kind-of hard for me to look at. I may be a beautiful person, but it is very weird to see yourself as six inches tall. I look a lot like I would picture Charlie Brown if he would ever turn 40.

     My bobble head was created by my brother-in-law and a company called 1minime.com; http://www.1minime.com/. You send in pictures, and artists create one of a kind bobble heads for you. Very cool.
     About today's picture; I only took this picture, no additions. The background is actually a picture I took in Colorado a few years ago that I propped up behind my bobble. I did not photo shop the background in. That would be cheating. I did photo shop the base and the pillow out on the bottom. I think it is okay to take away from the photo, adding something would be against my rules.
     So thank you so much Tom. You made my day. I thought about writing my thought for the day about small gifts that can bring the most excitement and happiness, but this was no small gift. Aside from these being on the expensive side, this was way more than I could have ever imagined.

Thought for the day; "Tom, it will be difficult to almost impossible to top this gift, but feel free to try. Thanks buddy."

Day 8 Busy Busy Busy

What thoughts could I include with today's picture? I was running around like a crazy person all day. I had to fix dinner for my mother in law's birthday this evening. I had to go to the hardware store to get an item to fix my roof. I had to fix my roof. I, of course, had to visit the park with my dog. All of these this and many more items have left me without one single thought left in my brain. Not one idea or amusing anecdote. I took the picture. Not a bad one if you think about the idea that today's sky was grey. I mean totally grey. Every tried to take a nice picture in the winter with a grey sky. Impossible. I do think it turned out pretty well. I am going to start looking at these old barns as my stand by. If I need a pic, an old barn will do in a pinch. For those of you who don't know, I live in Kansas. Old barns are about as common here as bridges are in Madison County.

\

Hope everyone has a great week. And remember to tune in every day. This is only going to get more interesting as it becomes more and more difficult. If I do the same thing everyday it is going to get very difficult to find new material for my pics.





Day 7; National Old Rock Day

Seriously, it is national old rock day. I decided this morning that I was going to take a picture of an old rock. My options were; Pet rocks, Gibralter, Plymouth, Alcatraz, Duane Johnson. I settled for limestone. Seriously, it is National Old Rock Day. How often does one get to celebrate such a day with a pictorial tribute. Okay, its just an old rock. You try taking a picture of a rock and get something worth hanging on the wall. Not too easy. Impossible I would say.

A sailor must have his eye trained to the rocks and sands as well as the north star.

Where never lark or even eagle flew

     Time for a little whimsy. No life lessons today except you shoud stop and do something fun once in a while. Today's picture I combine two things that encompass most of my life. Airplanes and Critters. You get to witness Gizmo's first airplane ride. And I have to tell you, he was thrilled. For those of you who don't know, this is kindof what I do for a living. I send animals, along with a lot of other things, on planes. Gizmo is a new addition to our family,(Christmas), so I thought he could use a little screen time.





Doogie Howser thought for the day......Go out and do something goofy this week. Something that will make your friends just shake their heads....Like putting a guinea pig in a toy plane and taking a picture of it. Why not.....

New beginnings? Hardly

     One look at today's picture should inspire me to write about new beginnings, new opportunities, a new day. It should scream for an article about how we all experience a new beginning like a new morning. Second chances that we are given and how we should seize on these opportunities to improve ourselves. No?
     How about this. We need to take time to stop and enjoy the beauty of the earth because it is fleeting much like sunrise. if you don't catch it at the right moment you may miss it. We need to slow down and smell the roses, admire nature and all the beauty that surrounds us. Okay, a little corny. So lets try this.

 I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
~Joyce Kilmer, "Trees," 1914

I do like this but it is not what I am looking for today, so lets try to go a little Doogie Howser today......

I set out this morning with nothing in mind. Saw the sunrise over the airport. (Notice the plane landing in the background.) Turned out to be a wonderful day. Warm winds to sail by. What could be better than that.....

Always on our minds

    January 4th brings us the fan blades of an MD-11. I work at the airport. I work for a company whose planes were used as weapons against the US on 9/11. People remember many things about that day. Where they were. What they were doing. The images that are burned into our memories.
     What you probably don't think about is those of us that work for these airlines that have think about that terrible event, every day. You see, everyone you come across at the airport, that works for an airline is there for one thing. No, it is not to irritate and stress you out. We are all there to make sure you are safe. I manage an air freight facility for United Airlines. Our number one goal is to make sure each and every piece of freight loaded on those airplanes, is safe. The crews at the terminal are there to make sure that no one gets on a plane with bad intentions. The baggage people are there to make sure no unsafe items get on that plane. The flight attendants are not there to serve drinks, they are there to keep you safe. Mechanics, pilots, gate agents, fuelers, ramp agents are all there to make sure you get where you are going safely.
     We have to keep 9/11 in our minds all the time. We are constantly tested and retested to make sure we are at the top of our game all the time. We can't afford to make mistakes. Not even one.
     If you feel like yelling at an agent at the airport, don't. We get it all the time. We understand that you are under a lot of stress when traveling, but remember why we are there. We are a very eclectic and diverse group here at Kansas City International. But don't be fooled. We are the most focused and safety minded people you will ever meet.
     Our colleagues and friends were killed that day, and we are left with the burden of never letting it happen again. It is a burden which each and every one of us accepts.

Enough of my ranting. If you don't like paying a little extra for fees you think are wrong, think about how scary it would be to fly on an airplane that has not had any of its passengers, bags or freight screened. A frightening thought. This is the day and age we live in. Safety comes first in my mind. Me and my team protect people from terrorists every day. We like what we do and we are good at it. Cut us a little slack if your inconvenienced in any way. And thanks for flying. Buh bye.............

For the love of a dog

     It happened just as I thought it would. Mistakes would be made. I packed my camera early this morning. I planned on getting to work early, take a pick of sunrise over the runway or something. But no. I forgot to put the card back in my camera the night before. Terrific....
     I then thought that I should just post a blank picture today like the one I had taken without a card in my camera. I could talk about blank slates, mistakes, and forming pictures in our heads. A bit sappy. Not what I was looking for as a Doogie Howser moment for the day. I had a pretty good day, so I thought the best way to end it was with a picture of one of my best friends, Truman.
     Dogs are a funny and special thing. If you let them into your heart and make them a complete part of your life, they can become the best companion you will ever find.

     He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. He deserves to be featured as the third pic of my year because he will be with me for most of this adventure. He is definitely my partner in crime. Get used to seeing him here loyal reader.
     Until tomorrow, I now will put the card back in the camera. Hopefully........

Difficult Day Two

     When I began this project, all of one day ago, I did not realize how difficult it was going to be. It is not as if I have run out of suitable subject matter. It is that I forgot that I work all day, drive an hour home, make dinner and collapse on the couch. When do I find time to take a picture?
     I asked myself this question all day long. Do I take a picture of my desk? Do I walk outside and take a picture of an aircraft? I just don't know. Driving home I felt desparate. A bit broken and unsure of my commitment. On my long drive home I spotted a subject matter that looked, in a way, the same way that I felt. A little broken, worn and tired. Ready to fall, or fail at any moment. I turned around on the highway, pulled off on the shoulder and took this shot from the window of my car. I know, setup could have been better. The angle was a little too 'broad side of a barn,' but oh well. One shot, one chance, no take backs. Like it or don't, it's what's for dinner.

Not Doogie today, but Mary Pickford. “If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down.”

A Journey in Time

     Here it is loyal reader. My New Year's project that I hope to continue for the remainder of this year and see where it takes me.
     The project? I plan on taking one picture every day for the sole purpose of posting on my blog.I want these photos to both inspire and give pause as to what I may have saw that day. What sparked my imagination or curiosity to take a photo of that.
     Here's the rub. I get one shot. One photo. Click and done. Like it or not. No do overs. If it turns out to be a picture of the inside of my camera bag, so be it. That will be the topic of discussion for that day. Mistakes that we can't take back. If I'm working sunup to sundown, it may just be a pic of my pillow. Who knows?
     I hope Project 2012 inspires me to seek out new things, new destinations, and force me to take the time to look at things a little closer. Much like today's subject.
     I went to the park today with my dog, as I often do, but this time I took my camera. I have to say, everything looked either brown or grey. The air was cold and the wind was strong. No pretty reflections off the lake were going to happen today. Everything was blowing so hard, I was afraid no matter what I did, the pic would be out of focus. This forced me and my dog to journey deeper into the woods where the wind was not as strong. Still very brown and grey, I felt it would be a lost cause and I would have to look elsewhere, when I came upon the spot I photographed. One bit of color among the bleakness. A speck of life trying to hang on. Something so small can demand great attention when surrounded by nothing extraordinary. So today's Doogie Howser thought of the day. 'Don't worry if you stick out amongst the fray. People will seek you out because of your uniqueness.'

January 1st 2012