Friday, April 13, 2012

STOP AND JUST LOOK AROUND

A few years ago a good friend of mine was struck in a crosswalk and killed by an inattentive driver.  Now the speed limit on that street near the university has been dropped to 25 mph.  A pedestrian actuated warning with red blinking lights has been installed there.  Yet only last week, while those warning lights were blinking, another pedestrian was hit by a driver trying to pick up a dropped cell phone.

People in a hurry with a lot on their minds and being distracted by electronic gadgets is a recipe for mistakes.

I avoid campus as much as I can for that reason, but I sometimes walk there in the winter because the sidewalks are kept clear of snow.  One morning I was a witness when a young lady crossing the street was struck by a car.
 
The skid marks left by the tires were easy to see for days.  That pedestrian was taken to the hospital and, fortunately, treated and released.

This week most of the students are away because of a semester break so my morning walk went through campus.

 There is also a fine for driving and texting.

In attempts to get the attention of distracted people the city has passed several laws against multitasking while walking and driving.
 
 “Like a train wreck, you’re on a mission. Tunnel vision got you blinded.

Hmmm there’s even inflation on jaywalking fines. 
I wonder why an additional $1.50 is listed on the mobile sign.

Better slow down before you lose your ground.
 You’ll miss everything surrounding you.

 Stop and just look around.”

“Look Around”  2010 David Archuleta

"I've walked with very famous people down red carpets over to the crowd of thousands of people, and you'll reach out to shake their hand and they've got a camera in their hand. And they don't even get their hand out, because they're recording the whole time. And you can tell people that you recorded Brad Pitt, but it would be very hard for you to say you actually met him, because you were watching it all through your phone.”  George Clooney

Thursday, April 12, 2012

STILL AND NOT SO STILL LIFE

Mountains are great subjects for photography.

They change with the weather and the time of day.
They hold still.  They aren't camera shy.

Trees are the same.  Changing with the seasons.

Proud to pose even when nearly naked.

 Birds are something else.  Especially chickadees.
They're synonyms for flit, dart and hyperactive. 

 Out of focus.  Butt shots.

 This one had a meal it was working on. Pounding away
at a stubborn seed.

 My shutter finger was just off of its pauses to look up.

 Nope.

 Missed again!----AAaaargh!

Yes!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

LEARNING TO FLY


(Lyrics from  “Learn How to Fall”  Paul Simon)
 You got to learn how to fall
Before you learn to fly
And mama, mama it ain't no lie

Before you learn to fly
Learn how to fall

You got to drift in the breeze

Before you set your sails

It's an occupation where the wind prevails

Before you set your sails
Drift in the breeze
Oh and it's the same old story

Ever since the world began
Everybody got to run for glory

Nobody stop and scrutinize the plan
Nobody stop and scrutinize the plan

You got to learn how to fall

Before you learn to fly
The tank towns they tell no lie

Before you learn to fly

Learn how to fall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Eight kids and a trampoline and only one wreck.
A very colorful wreck.

Monday, April 9, 2012

A TRIBUTE TO KINKADE

This is the only piece of his art I own. "The Light of Peace" lighthouse.  
I inherited it from my mother.

When I checked on this little pre-lit sculpture
it was being attacked by dinosaurs.
(grandkids)

Rest in peace Thomas Kinkade, "The painter of Light."