While I was out enjoying a beautiful April morning before I had to leave for work, I found myself drawn to the water. As a sucker for Western skies I already knew that I'd taken my share of pictures of pretty clouds against the lake. felt that it would be overdoing it if I clicked another. I lucked out as I met David, balancing upon a thin piece of metal with a boat on each side. I stood for a while, watching half expecting him to fall into the water. Nearly like a ballerina he managed to balance himself quite evenly, and once he had crossed onto solid ground I introduced myself.

 

He extended his hand and introduced himself as David Watkins, a member and coach of the Mendota Rowing Club. Waking up bright and early, often before the sun shines to row Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. He offered me the oppurtunity to do a ride along on a boat sometime, which sounds like great fun; I just have to find the will power to get myself out of bed in time. When he's not busy rowing, he is working for Yumbutter as the "Director of Customer Happiness." A very awesome job title if I do say so myself! In chatting I also learned that David was a bit of a photographer, more landscapes in nature; but none the less didn't have many pictures of himself as he is behind the lens more times then not.

 

At this time I came to the conclusion that he would make a great face to include in my (608)strangers. With simple request to take his picture for the project, he easily agreed and I snapped away a few frames. I knew that I had to include the boats, the sky, and most importantly David; All the elements came together as one and thus his inclusion in the project was done. Many of my strangers in the past have been portraits of just a face, but I think looking through the 100 strangers group; I've discovered that I enjoy environmental portraiture more. It benefited me greatly that David was photogenic, and it was a beautiful day; I gave him a card and we parted ways less strangers then we were before.

194/100

102 Things You May Or May Not Want To Know About Me

 

#1. My name is Laura. Nothing too suprising there.

 

#2. My mom combines my first and middle name and calls me Laurabeth more often than normal.

 

#3. I am very simple and so complex.

 

#4. I have seventy - three books lined across my bed's headboard.

 

#5. I adore reading, by the way.

 

#6. Liberals get on my nerves. <-- That's almost contradictory. My best friend is a liberal. Yet I also fall right in the middle of left wing liberals and right wing conservatives. Nice.

 

#7. I take photography pictures, but I don't know what any of the technical things mean. With a few exceptions.

 

#8. I am a very anal perfectionist. (that's what she said!)

 

#9. I make use of every oppurtunity when 'thats what she said' is definately required. :P

 

#10. I agree with my friend, Ashlee, and her mother, men in uniform are sexy. :)

 

#11. I LOVE the cold. Winter is the best season there is.

 

#12. I'm a mountains kind-a-girl. I don't prefer the beach. But it's still really pretty.

 

#13. I have played the piano since I was in kindergarden.

 

#14. I've lost count of the numerous times I've seen Twilight. Literally.

 

#15. I've read the series three times through, as well.

 

#16. S. MEYER and D. KOONTZ, porfavor?

 

#17. Lia Poteet has been my very best friend since the beginning. I have known her since I've taken my first breath of life.

 

#18. I aspire to be a CSI forensic science detective in criminal justice, but I doubt I'll ever leave the confines of a office-desk job.

 

#19. I do, however, desire to work at Books-A-Million during my highschool/college career apart from any aspiring internships wherever they arise.

 

#20. My life quote is, "The world tells you who you are, until you tell the world". Sadly, I seem to have a difficulty of telling the world, but it is a work in progress.

 

#21. I like saying the word 'Ostentatious'.

 

#22. My favorite number is 11. But my preferred sport's jersey number of choice is 15.

 

#23. I am taller than all of my friends, and most of my guy friends. Oh beautiful 5"11.

 

#24. I wish i was shorter.

 

#25. I am starting to feel like I am contradicting myself.

 

#26. This is pretty bad when I'm only on my 26th thing and I'm already starting to have an issue with finding 102 things about myself. This is awful. And pitiful.

 

#27. I love studying American history.

 

#28. I wrote a kickbooty paper on the Vietnam War, too. It's really good, not to brag or anything.

 

#29. Whenever I eat, I have to eat one thing at a time and finish it completely. I won't move onto anything else on my plate if I haven't. I also don't eat my fries and hamburger at the same time either. Fries first, then the burger.

 

#30. I went vegetarian once. I made it to about 4 months. I fell back into my omnivorous ways once I caught sight of an amazing steak. Whoops.

 

#31. I had reconstructive ankle surgery.

 

#32. Also, during my surgery, the doctor found a thick band of scar tissue that appeared as an extra tendon in my foot. The doctor said he has never seen anything like it and he will probably die wondering what it was, where it came from, and how it got there. I'm a unique child, what can I say.

 

#33. I prefer standing in a group of adults and conversating about important things that are going on in the world, than listening to petty gossip from immature teenagers.

 

#34. Speaking of, I think most of my friends are overly immature. Or either, I'm overly mature. I think I got stuck in the wrong body. A body of a teenager. With a mindset of a middle-aged woman. Brilliant.

 

#35. I am a Christian. And I love Jesus Christ with my heart.

 

#36. IF YOU DO NOT GET SARCASM, GO DIE.

 

#37. I know the difference between their, there, they're, to, too, and two. Please figure it out before you talk to me.

 

#38. I wish I had the beauty of my friends, and the confidence to go along with it.

 

#39. I read PostSecret every Sunday. It gives me hope that I am not the only person who has a secret. Most of the time I read them, I find out I have another secret that I never knew I even had.

 

#40. I have a weird fetish with hair. It's gross.

 

#41. Speaking of a hair fetish, I shave my forearms. Girls with hairy forearms are NASTY. sicknasty.

 

#42. I touch my hair constantly. Really bad habit. 87% of the time, I'm running my hands through the hairs of my head.

 

#43. Do Not Touch My Hair. I Repeat, Do Not.

 

#44. I once had over 14 pairs of hands in my hair. They were all under the age of six. I freaked. OUT.

 

#45. I curse like a sailor. And I find it humorous when others do as well.

 

#46. I actually have freckles on my face. Betcha didn't know. :P

 

#47. I still have a blanket. It goes with me everywhere. Yeah. Be jealous.

 

#48. I want to go to an Ivy League college and do nothing but succeed in life.

 

#49. I wish I did know what I wanted to do with my life though. I just haven't found that one that screams "I HAVE TO DO THIS THE REST OF MY LIFE". I wish I knew though.

 

#50. I can be overly pessimistic. And I usually am.

 

#51. I am the queen of procrastination. Procrastinator's Unite! ...... tomorrow.

 

#52. I have a very low self esteem factor.

 

#53 I, by the way, do have the best dog in the world.

 

#54. I like to be the person behind the camera, not the person in front of it.

 

#55. I give out more love than I get back in return.

 

#56. My friends think I'm a very strong person, but honestly, It's all I can do to keep myself going sometimes. I can just hide it very well.

 

#57. I'm still trying to learn to live a little.

 

#58. I let people push me around because I want to be on everyone's "good side" and be accepted by them all.

 

#59. This year is actually marks 11 years that I've played the piano.

 

#60. When I turn 18, I will get this tattoo.

th03.deviantart.com/fs6/300W/i/2005/110/6/2/angel_wings_t...

 

#61. And the star that Tila Tequila has, I want that tattooed behind my left ear.

 

#62. Reading is my escape from reality.

 

#63. I get my license soon! Woo!

 

#64. I plan to go to an Ivy League college. I've dreamed about it since I was a little girl.

 

#65. You know how some women say they'd do anything to have kids? Well, I'm kinda the opposite. I'd do anything to be married to the person who completely loves me and who completes me.

 

#66. Once i graduate from highschool, I already have planned out that I am going to backpack across Europe with Lia and Emily, pull an 'Into the Wild' with Ashlee across the United States for a year, go to New York, Paris, and Australia with Holeigh, and take a road trip with Tonya and Holeigh.

 

#67. Fuck. My ipod just died.

 

#68. According to Ashlee, I start shaking because of my boyfriend, Jose.

 

#69. Hahahaha, I learned what this was in the 5th grade.

 

#70. I laughed. :)

 

#71. And this is the point where I begin to procrasintate yet again, and finish this at a later point in time.

 

To Be Continued...

Brighton High School Vs. Lone Peak High School in 5 A Volleyball Championship.

Brighton went on to win the series

 

Volleyball is one of those sports you don't really have to shoot the whole match to get highlights, so it gave me an oppurtunity to shoot some photos until i had to pick up the video camera

 

The BATS go tumbling as Cobra Commander is visiting a warehouse. This is the perfect oppurtunity to replace one of the Crimson Guards with a BAT.

This was a scene from the Hunt for mindbender, the BATS fell after I took a few pics and I just worked it into the story, it happens a lot with the stories I do as i usually make them up as I go along.

If the oppurtunity ever arises to visit Bodnant Gardens in North Wales then take it,the place is stunning

Scrambled up the mountain side, taking the oppurtunity of a good weather window. One pass of a pair of F15's and it was all over. A lot of effort, but it was worth it.

Ants.....go figure

"An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox".

Lao Tzu

  

Everynow and then I have a ride down Claro Road to Emsleys yard on the off chance that there may be somthing new in the yard or maybe a photo oppurtunity worth grabbing.

On January 6th I was well chuffed...... Clearly there was a big job on early Monday morning as Liebherr LTM 110-5.2 200 tonner KF02NUU was parked outside in the road along with her support truck...... the companies fantastic Scania R620 V8 "Topline" STGO Cat 3 & Brohus 5 Axle ( Self Steering ) Trailer waiting to depart Monday and perfect for a few fots there and then....... I happen to really like this particular crane...... you could say she was a favourite of mine.

This is an HDR shot from 4 exposures. Manually blended in photoshop.

 

I took this shot during my family vacation at Singapore. It was taken after I've finished my dinner. While waiting for the other family members to finished, I took the oppurtunity to take some shot. I was hoping to get a sunset shot of this mosque. Maybe some other time when I'm on a photography trip.

The Palace of the Holyroodhouse in Scotland. This place is the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen when her majesty visits Scotland. Backdropped by the Arthur's Seat hill, this place was once the home of Mary, the Queen of Scots.

 

Press "L" to view large

 

Christmas is around the corner and everyone is putting on their holidays' hat. A merry christmas to all of you and a Happy New Year. May 2011 bring you loads of happiness and oppurtunities, to help achieve great success personally and professionally (and a couple of Explore FP for me ;) ). and stay awesome ;)

 

Ein frohes Weihnachtfest und einen guten Rutsch wünsche ich allen im Flickr und meinen deutschen Kollegen!

    

Vertorama from 2 horizontal shots

Shot @11mm, aperture of f/9 with ISO value of 200

Automatically sticthed in CS4

Post processing and Adjustments in Photoshop CS4

 

Here's a shot of Chicago comic actor Matt Kissane at the Volo Auto Museum in Illinois with the 1960's famed Batmobile. www.mattkissane.com

 

As seen and heard on WGN TV, ABC TV, NBC TV, Comcast, Chicago Tribune, Screen Magazine, Wall St. Journal, USA Today, The Weather Channel, Chicago Sun-Times, WLUP FM, WGN Radio, WIND Radio, Pioneer Press, Suburban Life News, Chicago Parent, The Reader

 

Matt Kissane is a comic actor from Chicago and has been working in the radio, film and television industry for 20 years. His credits include VH-1, NBC Nightly News, NBC Tower in Chicago, Early Edition(CBS), Cupid(ABC), WGN TV, Comcast, ABC TV, The Weather Channel, Yahoo, Troma Films and Youtube!! He's been in several TV commercials for Johnson and Johnson, Vehix.com, Pontiac, The Room Place, Chicago Rockford Int'l Airport, IADT, Witmark and Steinhafels Furniture. Matt has been heard on radio stations throughout the US including WCCM, WMUC, WGN, WLUP, WCKG, WJJG, WIND and featured in the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Screen Magazine and the Wall Street Journal. His film credits include Geronimo, Space Daze, The Howard Beach Story, Music Box and Oppurtunity Knocks; he has also had work shown at Cannes Film Festival as well as the Chicago Short Comedy Video and Film Festival. Matt has performed at such well known venues as Zanies, Funny Bone, Improv, Summerfest, Notre Dame University, Arie Crown Theatre, Purdue, MGM Grand, The Venue @ Horseshoe Casino and Hard Rock Cafe. He's shared the stage and screen with Weird Al Yankovic, Gilbert Gottfried, Doug Stanhope, Kevin Nealon, Chaka Khan, the cast of X-Men, Mike Toomey, Pete Schwaba, Rich Brown, Marc "Skippy" Price, Rick Overton, Daniel J. Travanti, Enuff Z'nuff, Greg Glienna, Judy Tenuta, Bob Rumba, Jenny Jones, George "Sulu" Takei, The Upright Citizens Brigade, Mark "The Knife" Faje, Adrian Zmed, Jerry Springer, Corey Feldman, Graham Elwood, Evil Dave from Howard Stern, The Great Luke Ski, Danny Donuts, Jeff Hoover, Radio Disney's G-Man, Crazy Howard McGee, Joe Farina, Jonathan Brandmeier, Adam West, Otis Day, Aaron Freeman, Ben Hollis, Bill Leff, Tony Fitzpatrick, Wendy Snyder, Lou Manfredini, Mr. Skin, David "The Rock" Nelson, Anthony Griffith, Brian McCann, Matt Besser, Brian Noonan, Dara McGarry, Jeff Garlin, Cheap Trick, Jessica Lange, Michael Rooker,Tony Ocean, Hugh Callaly,Jim Goss, Bobby Flay, Christa DeAngelo, Janie Terrazas, The Weasley Twins from Harry Potter, Corey Feldman, Ron Dean, Kevin Burke, Mac King, Nicolas Tremulis, Cathy Richardson, Jim DeRogotis, Jeff Zaslow, Amy Scott, Cast Of Tony and Tina's Wedding, Lemmy of Motorhead, Playboy Playmate of the Year, Jerry Bryant (JBTV), The Muffs, Mujibur and Sirajul of The Late Show with David Letterman, Jeremy Piven, Kirstie Swanson, Lisa Loeb, Bill Kurtis, Bill Kirchenbauer, Lonnie Brooks, Julianne Hough, Matt and Kim, Dobie Maxwell, Mike Palascak *Matt was a member of the Chicago Bulls "Matadors" *Matt was once mentioned on Weezer's website *Matt was an intern for TV news anchor Tom Brokaw *Matt was Bachelor of the month in Today's Chicago Woman *Matt directed a music video for Enuff Z'nuff that aired on VH-1 *Matt filmed webisodes of Summer Cooking School in New York with Bobby Flay

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS!!

*Intern for news anchor Tom Brokaw NBC Nightly News, New York

*BS from U of Maryland

*Grad from Second City's Players Workshop

*Host of "Loser Club News" on WLUP-FM

*Directed music video "Freak" which aired in VH-1

*Opening act for Weird Al Yankovic tour

*Produced video shown at the The Chicago Short Comedy Video and Film Festival

*Performed at Summerfest Comedy Stage, Milwaukee

*Over 50 appearances on WGN-TV Morning News

*Member of Chicago Bulls "Matadors"

*Performed at events with Kevin Nealon, Julianne Hough, Dick Vitale

*Won "Worst Cook In America" contest with chef Bobby Flay

*Featured in television commercials for The Room Place, Vehix.com, Johnson and Johnson and many more

*Drawn by famed artist Robert Risko for college magazine article

*Cover story on Suburban Life Newspapers(Chicago)

*Released comedy CD called "Matt Kissane's Comedy CD"

*Currently hosts web series on Vimeo and Youtube

With the imminent demise of the 'Arriva Trains Wale' franchise in

mid October now seems a good oppurtunity to capture a few of their workings. 3 car unit class 175.107 stripped of all brandings, is seen approaching Craven Arms with a Holyhead to Cardiff Central service

Here is what I was up against yesterday. The Redstarts nest is in the top left hand corner of the building beside the beam. If the adults came from the left there wasnt really a good photo oppurtunity and if they came from the right they edged along the stick pile making a rather messy photo. I will show you what I done today to get a photograph I was happy with.

Ah yes that hair cut of a certaian age...

 

Now before you get your politically correct panties in a bunch, this photo "aint about being Jewish" but about being that age, where from head to toe "your just a hot mess." That age where have frontal metal braces, poorly fitting clothes, strange smells eminate from your loins, and you don't know or just cant figure out what hell is going on! That age where you don't yet know you can fix this, or cover up that... still this is why we have parents and friends so they can size us up from time to time and say Dude, really, come on... cut it out. (LOL)

 

I captured this cat with his mom fresh off the ferry and It just made me smile... yes it took me back to being a young, gangly, pear shaped mess without a clue.

 

Wait I can feel your sactimonius fingers still reachiing for the keyboard to VECH so allow me to met out some equal oppurtunity Hair Ridicule...

 

What I wrote above also goes double for the...

The Jeri Curl...

The Al sharpton/ Don King Prem...

The Jersey girl Big Hair...

The Latina girl Big Hair (must have matching outlined lips)...

The Downriver Curly Poddle Perm...

The Trailerpark Kid Rat-tail...

and any Power Mullet of any age, race, or gender prefence!

 

I'm sure I forgot a few fade hair disasters so add your own suggestions, Nevertheless the listed above are not "good looks" never have been and never will be.

 

Late,

C.C.

The BF came home bearing gifts after his festival weekend. So now you know how Darth Vader became a troubled boy.

 

been commissioned to do a school portrait shoot next thursday. About 100 students will apear befire my lens in 3 hours time. It's not something I aspire to do but I jumped to the oppurtunity because I would like to learn from it.

 

imported and edited on my iPad. There must be a way to check an image size. I import at full size, but every program sizes the image ( even down to 480 pixels!!) and there is no way to check what the final size is. Still for a quick edit and upload it sure is a very handy gadget!

In Devon today we had the oppurtunity to witness an 85% Lunar Eclipse. It went cold and ery, and a couple of breaks in cloud gave me enough to get these pictures. Taken at 09:25 20th March 2015

Had the oppurtunity to photograph beautiful twin girls yesterday ... I don't often get chance to photograph young'ish babies so it was a "do what I think's best" and I loved this, the blanket they had was so colourful, I think it made for a lovely background.

 

Shot with SB28 camera right shoot through umbrella .... and Yongnuo camera left silver umbrella....

    

Having gained an oppurtunity and permission to move the Alexander Dennis Enviro 400H demonstrator round the yard and into the sun I keenly took advantage and fired off a couple of shots of it in the lovely sunshine this afternoon brought. Here we see a nearside view of SN59AWW in the yard at Starbeck clearly showing its dual door format and temporary destination set up for its short stay

U.S. Army Spouses apart of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade participate in the brigade spouse flight on Fort Drum, NY May 12, 2022. Spouses had the oppurtunity to fly in UH-60M Black Hawk and CH-47F Chinook helicopters. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Wilson)

64/365

 

It's been very sunny out here lately, so I used the oppurtunity to get outside and have my mom drive me to a field not to far away to take a few shots.

 

It's also supposed to be in the 80's this week, and we're planning to go to the beach Wednesday and I can't wait to get a few pictures in then also! Aside that my 50mm should be here by Thursday :)

Bhakti Summer Sangha 2016

 

The second year of the Bhakti Summer Sangha was a great success, as it gave an oppurtunity to the younger generations to explore spirituality and practice activities such as meditation, kirtan, satsang, seva, and much more among their own peers.

 

The Summer Sangha has a schedule built around the 9 forms of Bhakti, so that each day the kids and young adults a taste of each of the forms of devotion. The participants are getting a chance to participate in workshops on music, on meditation, and throughout everything, on building a deeper and sweeter relationship to God - in the Guru, in His many many avatars, in the people, and especially within themselves.

 

Please visit our website www.bhaktimarga.org

having a new house means new photo oppurtunities. It’s still a hassle to make the time to take out my photo gear. Everything is scattered and out of place, my lights are still packed, my remote is broke, and not having done a selfie with my dslr for a long time, made it all feel very uncomfortable and new, but I’m looking forward to do some more photography and photography related stuff this year.

 

Am I calling this a 365? did I start a 365?

I don’t know yet, I strive to make a selfie everyday, just because I see a lot of friends doing a 365, and it kinda feels like my first 365, when I was all new to everything around me and needing a stable rhythm to keep me sane everyday.

 

Went down the seafront today to take some more long exposures but felt I was neglecting my normal shots so got out my ND grad instead to enhance this moody sky.

Did take quite a few long exposures but also got quite a few good shots without my nd110.

This is the beacon along eastbourne seafront which provides endless posibilites for photo oppurtunities.

 

Please press 'L' on your keyboard to view on black.

NS V81, the Roanoke trash train heads west on the Virginian past the siding at Riverside, heading to Ironto. This could be my last oppurtunity to see this daily train since it will be terminated in 2018.

Something a little different from me:) My wife feels like modelling about once a year, so I have to seize the oppurtunity

I wish I had his eyes. . . . . . . . I really wish I did.

 

The weather today is Beautiful!! I hope it stays like this for a while. It gives me more oppurtunities for picture taking =)

 

Thanks for the comments =D

 

View On Black

Dust was thick in the air due to a road construction underway nearby. but it made for a good photo oppurtunity

Had the oppurtunity to ride the brand new Haro ramps with the entire team two weeks ago. It was really rad getting to ride and hang out with guys like Nyquist and Nasty. I'm going to start uploading photos that they aren't using for their catalog. As of right now they are using a photo I got for the cover so I'm really stoked. This is Mikey doing a Toboggan over the hip. These ramps were hard to shoot because you're either shooting into the trees which means you can't see the rider very well or you're shooting at the warehouse which isn't a great background. Tell me what you think on this one.

 

Also you should follow me on twitter:

twitter.com/BrandonMeans

 

And check out this short video I shot for Haro with my Camera:

www.vimeo.com/10619923

 

FYI, This photo is resized which I don't usually do.

 

Strobist: Sunpak 444d on 1/2 power to the right and Sunpak 422d on 1/2 power to the left.

 

View On Black

Its taken during a volunteer oppurtunity, spending time with the children from Oncology Ward. Although I normally don't like children wearing makeup but loved the way this girl had put on her mom's lipstick.

Everynow and then I have a ride down Claro Road to Emsleys yard on the off chance that there may be somthing new in the yard or maybe a photo oppurtunity worth grabbing.

On January 6th I was well chuffed...... Clearly there was a big job on early Monday morning as Liebherr LTM 110-5.2 200 tonner KF02NUU was parked outside in the road along with her support truck...... the companies fantastic Scania R620 V8 "Topline" STGO Cat 3 & Brohus 5 Axle ( Self Steering ) Trailer waiting to depart Monday and perfect for a few fots there and then....... I happen to really like this particular crane...... you could say she was a favourite of mine.

PLEASE ATTRIBUTE PROPERLY IF USED UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS

 

Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra consists of the 200 most promising students in Venezuela's famous and ground breaking musical education for youth, El Sistema. The program was founded in 1975 by the visionary conductor and economist José Antonio Abreu. The network of youth otchestras gives oppurtunities and inspiration to more than 250,00 children from all over Venezuela - a country where 75% of the population lives under the poverty line.

 

The Konserthus in Oslo, one of the most emblematic theaters in the cultural life of Norway, opens its home page with the announcement of the concert that the Venezuelan orchestra will perform on June 11 in that city, cradle of the Nobel Prize. ”Margariteña” will be heard in this venue, composed by Inocente Carreño, who turned 90 years old in 2010; and ”Danzas del Ballet La Estancia” by Ginastera, and the Fourth Symphony by Tchaikovsky will also be performed.

 

This way, with music interpreted with Latin-American style, the Venezuelan orchestra top of the social and artistic project conceived by master José Antonio Abreu 35 years ago, will leave its print in Oslo, one of the most relevant cities in the humanistic field.

 

Conductor: Gustavo Dudamel

 

Programme:

 

INOCENTE CARREÑO - Margaiteña (Symphonic variations)

ALBERTO GINASTERA - Dances from the Ballet "Estancia", op. 8

1. Los trabajadores agricolas (The Land Workers)

2. Danza del trigo (Wheat Dance)

3. Los peones de hacienda (The Peons of the Hacienda)

4. Danza final (Malambo)

Spent a great day on 'Curral' beach on Ilhabela ('Beautiful Island') just off the Brazilian Coast. Thought I'd take the oppurtunity to construct a classic postcard shot using my Fisheye lens and a bit of index finger writing in the sand. First attempt was washed out.....in the tidal, not photographic sense, before I had a chance to compose the pic, but after relocating a bit further up the beach and re writing, I got this one shot. A bit of CS5 work on Levels, and some cloning out of my footprints made while writing in the sand followed.

On Friday, I gave a speech before the Seirin student body. Afterwards, one other foreign exchange student and I were invited to the Principal's office. He asked me what was the most prominent thing I hadn't understood in Japan. I instantly thought, "School," but that seemed awfully rude, so eventually, after a very long "umm," I said that I hadn't understood some of the school rules. He said that the school needs the rules to keep the students in line, because Japanese teenagers would not be able to do so otherwise.

 

Diane and I were asked to write an essay on "life at Seirin" by my Japanese teacher, Taniguchi Sensei. I asked Diane how she wrote her essay (we both love Japan but are both critical of the school system). She told me that when she had initially written in, it seemed too negative, so she took out the critical ideas. But I thought about how I could be an instrument for change, even if it was in a small way by writing an essay. If I don't speak up, who will? How can I expect the world to change if I'm not willing to give my personal contribution? I think it is difficult to speak out against a system involving many people because humans are critical of themselves and we take into account the ideas of the general public as a way to analyze ourselves. It takes courage and confidence, which my foreign exchange experience taught me through my host family switch.

 

Below is my essay:

 

"When I was asked to write about my experience at Seirin High School, I decided to express my opinions directly. The teachers of Seirin have left me with a deep sense of gratitude, but I also think that the school system of Japan has room for improvement.

 

Strict rules exist to set a high standard for student behavior, but restrict the voices of the students. The suppressed creativity is expressed in loud fashion and behavior outside of school. Thus more rules are created. in this way, there is a cycle. Some people may think that Japanese teenagers are naturally rowdy, but I would beg to differ. If a child in America, Holland, or any other country can give their teacher the respect deserved without the aid of strict rules, so can a child do so in Japan. Teaching students how to have a confident voice is beneficial because this ability is essential in one's personal life, and in the business world. What good is knowledge if it cannot be expressed?

 

On another note, the skirts of the school uniforms are unpractical for bike-riding and windy days. If school uniforms are used, pants are more practical, and would break down sexual stereotypes towards women.

 

In America, I often found myself so appreciative of another person, but the idea of randomly giving a gift seemed culturally uncomfortable. In Japan, I have learned how appreciation takes physical form. The generosity of the Japanese people has touched me. My homeroom teacher, Yoshida Sensei, and my Japanese teacher, Taniguchi Sensei, were so caring when I was having a problem with my host family. When I gave Yoshida Sensei a thank you gift, she quickly, to my suprise, gave me a return gift and gifts to give my American friends and family. This is one example of how the Japanese art of gift-giving has touched me. As I return to America, I bring this art back with me to share with my American friends and family.

 

Thank you Seirin High School for my unforgetable experience as a Japanese high school student."

 

English camp was such a magical experience. They put the foreign exchange students together in one Japanese-style hotel room. We had to move the table to fit five futons on the floor, and we were almost sleeping on top of each other. To our amazement, there was another futon in the closet. I joked that if we propped up the table on it's side, and used the first and second shelf of the closet, we could fit nine futons total. The room was so beautiful, and I got into my "writing zone" since we staying up till 2 0' clock talking, and then I had to write my "Life at Seirin" essay afterwards. I've realized I write best at night. Mabye this is because it is when my brain is tired, and I find it easier to tap into a deeper part of myself. lol. The bad thing with being smart is that you can rationalization anything. Anyway this is what I wrote after my essay:

 

"During Capstone at my American school, I watched two very different presentations. One speaker discussed all the sad things occuring in their life. But that's all it was. She thought her presentation was amazing, but it left me with a hollow feeling. The second also discussed sad events, but it was insightful. She found meaning in her experiences. For a while, I wasn't able to put into words why finding meaning in difficult situations is important. Now, I think that by taking meaning from a situation, we allow our emotional intelligence to grow. If events occur in our lives, but we have no way to translate events into philosophy that can aid us in the future, we remain stunted in emotional intelligence. We have no way to evolve. But at the same time, sometimes it is inappropriate to ask someone what the "silver lining" is, and we should allow them to process their emotions."

 

My favorite part of English camp was the cultural differences discussion. All the foreign exchange students sat on on side, and Japanese students on the other. At first we discussed uniforms, and school clubs, and that sort of thing. But we weren't getting to the heart of the differences. I said, "The Japanese are very polite, and that has made me feel very welcomed. At the same time, I think that they sometimes have difficulty expressing themselves. I also that I don't understand why the boys sit in the front of school assemblies, and girls in the back. I wanted to sit in the front, but I wasn't allowed to. I also want to be friends with everyone, the boys and the girls. However, boys and girls don't talk to each other. Why is this?" The foreign exchange students, who were from Germany, America, Holland, Norway, and a country near Russia (sorry country) all unanimously agreed that this had bothered them. The Japanese were unable to answer. There were 60 Japanese students, and the teacher keep asking for their opinions, but only one girl was able to say, "This is a difficult question . . . " I talked to a teacher who had come to Japan to teach English afterwards. She said that while working at a college, she ate lunch with a male English instructor. The students started rumors that they were dating, and the principal explained to her that if a woman and man eat lunch together, they are assumed to be dating. Because of this, she can no longer eat lunch with this person. She thinks that these ideas are the result of old culture that hasn't adjusted to modern ideas. On a random note, I thought during the discussion that the best way to approach such a touchy subject is unemotionally with a respect for all people but a willingnes to allow yourself to disagree with the ideas of others. . . .

 

The hotel I stayed at during English camp had community showers and an onsen. I jumped at the oppurtunity to do something so culturally different, and that would perhaps be outside my comfort zone. Suprisingly, it didn't feel wierd. The person showering next to me was a teacher. It was fascinating to see how comfortable Japanese students and teachers are showering together (and wow, older Japanese women hardly age!). That is certaintly a cultural gap between Eastern and Western culture. I realized how much effort we spend trying to hide our bodies, although we shouldn't feel ashamed. Tonight I'm going to an onsen with my mom, sister, and sister's friend.

 

On a random note, when I tell people I want to go into counseling psychology, I almost always get a negative reaction. I've become afraid to tell people what I want to do with my future. Mabye "social work" would give people a better impression. But this reaction I recieve irritates me. Should there just be no counselors? I am unique because I am highly aware of the pitfalls of this work. If there's anyone who is meant to go into this field, I am one of them.

 

I had a magical experience at the train station on Sunday! Groups of fashionable teenagers gather there. At first glance, these people may seem frightening - like the kind you wouldn't want to run into in a dark alley - but you are instantly struck by their warm personalities upon talking with them. They are such wholesome people, who refuse to have their voices defeated by the school system, and beam as they express themselves through music and fashion in a tribal-like youth culture void of rules. Their joy is almost tangible as they play music and dance in train stations. People tend to find the idea of doing this in such a public place disdainful, but I think this connection is made from how homeless people live in public places. The Japanese teenagers want to make friends, and welcome the world to join them. They do what they do because it brings them joy, and risk living differently. I bought the CD of the band I listened to with Tamara, and I'm so glad I did. The harmonic player wore overalls and a straw American hat, and red sneakers. He was so adorable. Their first track on their CD is just a message to the listener, thanking them, and expressing how happy they are to have released their first CD.

The Murray Spartans take on the Cottonwood Colts in the 4A Championship

 

Volleyball is one of those sports you don't really have to shoot the whole match to get highlights, so it gave me an oppurtunity to shoot some photos until i had to pick up the video camera

 

Got a rare oppurtunity to go over to Arran for the day and grabbed it with both hands even though the weather looked rather grim. Decided to at least get some exercise so hiked up into Glen Sannox - what a view!. The clouds even cleared to let me take some photos (after thoroughly soaking me first) - happy days :)

 

Maybe I'll try Glen Rosa next time...

If you view my pictures pretty regularly then you know by now that I have a creek where I take my dogs to run. Well across the road from the entry to said creek is just the glimpse of a barn in the trees. If you have read my profile my first draw to photography is a passion for old barns. My husband happened to be home early yesterday and we decided to take the dogs to the creek. When he saw the barn he asked if I had phtographed it yet. Well there is a private drive that I have to enter in order to gain perspective so, being that it is usually always very early and me being alone as well, I hadn't ventured. So being a prime oppurtunity off we go. My husband being the biggest talker of the two of us jumps out as I pull up the drive with people coming out to see who was there. I grab the camera and he is making introductions. Well as it happens this land has been handed down generation to generation since 1837 in the Middleton family. The house and barn are original. The house has had some additions but still maintains the original structure since the early 1900's when additions were added. You know how when you tend to be around some old places and you get the creeps well not this place at all. It has warmth and charm I hope I captured a bit of. An antique buyer would go wild there!!!!! They are everywhere. Old farm implements an old refrigerator as you see. Tons of stuff. I was welcomed back anytime with a promised tour of thier family cemetary on the place as well as inside tour of the house. I wll definantly be back with notepad ready......VERY COOL!!!!!!!!

Shot @ Yakhagana Backstage,H.N.Kalakshetra, National College, 7th Block, Jayanagar,Bangalore,May2010.

 

See the complete photo-story here:-

akashphotography.wordpress.com/2010/06/02/yakshagna-songg...

  

viewonblack.com/flickr/4658795902

 

Fluidr

 

Active Canvas presented stunning Yakshagana Performances by a children's group ' Saligrama Makkala Mela' from Udupi. It takes many years of hard work and commitment to learn Yakshagana and these children (8 - 15 years) are amazing in their talent.

 

More about Active Canvas:- activecanvas.in

Thanks to Divya for this oppurtunity :)

 

If you have a moment,let me capture it for you.

Contact:-

akash.bhattacharya17@gmail.com

 

Follow me in : FaceBook Fan Page | Twitter

All Rights Reserved.2010 © Akash Bhattacharya Photography

Meet Chandrashekhara, the elephant.

I had the oppurtunity to spend 3days with him, everything from perfoming at the temple to going for bath or resting, i was there. He lost his right eye due to an accident couple of years back..

 

Since then understandably he would react very unpredictably for the slightest of sounds from this end. Dispite this he walked all the way from Thrissur which is about 80kms away, through the traffic. I asked the mahout (who shared a deep bond with him) If he gets enough rest? He replied - "In kerala, everyday is a festive day, as long as they pay for them (elephants), no cares about the rest."

this is the hot tin roof of the renewed Scheepvaartmuseum .. the museum has been closed for years and had its official opening last night with lots of firecrackers .. sunday oct 2 was the opening for civility .. i live not far from it .. and as only a fool would pass that oppurtunity i walked there in the sun

realDonaldTrump TorF: we could actually rebuild without panic - without loss - and thrive like never before

 

Ponder Israel / numerology based aspects / globally ralien .the group who dressed like shiny aliens and announced cloning success / how

has Israel been infiltrating Iran. How did they infiltrate and sabotage Germany after WWII? How they using media..so on.

 

determine who has motive / while keeping in mind nasa is being used to manipulate Egypt. Egypt ALLOW e others in all important areas after

WWII. Anonymous confrontation with a lone Nazi/ scientology was scripted. Tor F anon provided communication backbone during Arab spring

 

Anonymous = outside tactic. Not trustworthy. Rooted in politics money and prsm related. Locate successful cloning scientist some say

Left usa with threats, insults and even a bit whiney. TorF the ralien woman (sp?) Is from Iran. Their group. Mentioned Michael Jackson

 

How dangerous are cults who worship cloning..science.. so on. Who has motive to use religion as a mask and mock. Locate: man in Russia who

 

Says he's jesus. Odessa celebrates April fools. John.from cargo cults. The Odessa lady who showed the process of cultural manipulation

 

Are we certain Simon Wiesenthal did his job correctly? Where did ALL abducted babies and children go. Where is DNA being stored?

 

Who counts bodies after war? Tor f all religions are infiltrated and used as masks. Tor F Savile = likely worked w communists/other.

 

CompAre: Michael Jackson skin bleaching and skin bleaching in.China. CompAre: Timing of race card / Obama / tg / children's puberty

Being stopped so the children can decide if m or f then go through with transgender operation. Ponder. Premature puberty = intentional

  

Mad In America ‏@Mad_In_America · 6h6 hours ago

 

Air Pollution Exposure During Pregnancy Linked to Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Childhood

#pollution #adhd

 

NASA ‏@NASA · 6h6 hours ago

Possible former lake on Pluto spotted by @NASANewHorizons. Take a look: go.nasa.gov/1T82PvN

@NASA @NASANewHorizons how many in nasa = vaccinated. What is nasa doing about increasing autism and more? Are we funding crimes?

 

Shut em up. Shut em out. Void patents nullify copyrights of genetic trespassers. Then.. do it right

 

keep in mind : EU = corrupt and used said nets / similar do prepare for what we see today. even if j sav = setup. the massive nets = present

 

also - look back at media / news history books. .how many mentioned communists and others were operating in Europe?

 

keep in mind - proof exists showing sav / similar = in usa. possibly connected to one area where a baby furnace was built.

 

remember - to see news during war as accurate during war = illogical. panic = a tool. effective. we don't know anything.

 

no idea who owns the page. new find.-Wait until 1 out of 3 are born autistic and communists . others manipulate them

 

Say No to the TPP @kencampbell66 University president says SJW students scared & in pain after 'Trump 2016' written on campus

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3506491/Emory-presiden …

 

swear. media grinders are becoming dumber. anyone else notice? btw : those who helped Savile in Europe - legalized child porn in japan

 

if you can handle it - look into laws that exist from the cold war - mental health. they still stalk all. "colors"

 

TorF: citizens could manage everything better than how we now see it.

 

let us try . give us use of special forces. har har..

 

did you know - there is video of thousands of them singing in the open.. Why can we not use harp in combo with audio software to locate

 

so, when they sing.. the sky can be opened.. and say bye bye puppet dummies. TorF: harp can be used to boil brains in skulls.

 

say T. no working model... however there are no laws of physics = say it's impossible.

 

Harvard University ‏@Harvard · 4h4 hours ago

 

It's hard to get your hands around the past. So why not put the past around your neck? hvrd.me/Z4Lkp

@Harvard and why not mention why it is? Even forensic archive investigators are educated incomplete /.sabotaged archives

"put the past around your neck like a noose" .. is more accurate... EurROPE

 

@WestPoint_USMA @Harvard are you taught to protect our DNA? if not. .why not?

 

@NSACareers TorF: as there=seemingly endless list of crimes against US citizens. does it make sense to allow USDA/APA to reach out2TheWorld

 

@WestPoint_USMA @Harvard are you taught to protect our DNA? if not. .why not?

  

=================================================

 

Harvard and why not mention why it is? Even forensic archive investigators are educated incomplete /.sabotaged archives

 

@NSACareers TorF: as there=seemingly endless list of crimes against US citizens. does it make sense to allow USDA/APA to reach out2TheWorld

 

@DeptofDefense @usairforce TorF: archeological dig sites = altered and used for political advantage.

 

@DeptofDefense @usairforce TorF: there is reason to suspect DNA rape test kits = misused in many ways.

  

IBM Watson Analytics ‏@EasyAnalytics1

Visualizing network data to illustrate airline delays w/ #WatsonAnalytics ibm.co/22nzboz #datavisualization

 

@EasyAnalytics1 if we applied this to protecting DNA we would be better off. does IBM say autism = genetically predisposed?

 

---------------------------------------

  

@NSACareers working on anything to protect citizens DNA? FDA said they can not do their job.. never have been able to

 

@the_hindu is china behind the sterilization in india with others? population control has always been a mask for murder always will be

  

@DeptofDefense @usairforce true a woman was arrested for using her cadaver dog as she planted evidence?Also she was called to chkMassGraves

 

---------------------------------------------------------

 

US Charges Iranians With Coordinated Cyber Attacks on Banks, Companies

motherboard.vice.com/read/us-charges-iranians-with-coordi... … via @motherboard

@kencampbell66 @motherboard that's prob communists or others using them too. and who rooted in Egypt after WWII?

  

if you can handle it - look into laws that exist from the cold war - mental health. they still stalk all. "colors"

 

TorF: citizens could manage everything better than how we now see it.

 

let us try . give us use of special forces. har har..

  

@THEHermanCain did you know - puppet Nazis were used in Germany as a smoke screen to hide executive / political activity - recently?

 

did you know - there is video of thousands of them singing in the open.. Why can we not use harp in combo with audio software to locate

 

NatsOFlow1 ‏@NathansOverflo1 · 35m35 minutes ago

 

so, when they sing.. the sky can be opened.. and say bye bye puppet dummies. TorF: harp can be used to boil brains in skulls.

 

say T. no working model... however there are no laws of physics = say it's impossible.

 

"put the past around your neck like a noose" .. is more accurate... EurROPE

 

@THEHermanCain TorF: Putin said %20 of one region in his country is occupied by Nazi's <what.. he can't handle them? or are they a mask

  

@GeorgeTakei not if it's money or politics. the stage is allll fake. nothing real.

 

@AllenWest conservatives. you go home and do other things. why can't the president? why is that man hugging him?

 

Allen West ‏@AllenWest · 11h11 hours ago

 

REPULSIVE: Look what Obama was doing in Argentina while the world burns www.allenbwest.com/2016/03/repulsive-look-what-obama-was-... …

 

@AllenWest and what is the consensus regarding who is funding isis? I can think of a few

  

Terrifying: Brussels bombers actually had MUCH BIGGER plans...http://www.allenbwest.com/2016/03/terrifying-brussels-bombers-actually-had

-much-bigger-plans/ …

nWest prove they were his plans and not placed there by some in Europe who protected j Savile networks and similar.

 

@GeorgeTakei why we should this. .why we should that. geez.

  

remember - to see news during war as accurate during war = illogical. panic = a tool. effective. we don't know anything.

 

NatsOFlow1 ‏@NathansOverflo1 · 2h2 hours ago

 

@realDonaldTrump TorF: we could actually rebuild without panic - without loss - and thrive like never before

 

keep in mind - proof exists showing sav / similar = in usa. possibly connected to one area where a baby furnace was built.

  

keep in mind : EU = corrupt and used said nets / similar do prepare for what we see today. even if j sav = setup. the massive nets = present

also - look back at media / news history books. .how many mentioned communists and others were operating in Europe?

 

@Wikipedia your page is a disgrace. is it there to help incorrect and misleading info? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Savile_sexual_abuse_scandal … i

 

================================================================

 

Mad In America ‏@Mad_In_America · 6h6 hours ago

 

Air Pollution Exposure During Pregnancy Linked to Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Childhood

 

#pollution #adhd

 

‏@NathansOverflo1

@Mad_In_America compare:: those who profit from legal marijuana = those who lied about nutrition and meds ..knowingly a way that = war

  

How dangerous are cults who worship cloning..science.. so on. Who has motive to use religion as a mask and mock. Locate: man in Russia who

 

Ponder Israel / numerology based aspects / globally ralien .the group who dressed like shiny aliens and announced cloning success / how

 

Israel been infiltrating Iran. How did they infiltrate and sabotage Germany after WWII? How they using media..so on.

 

determine who has motive / while keeping in mind nasa is being used to manipulate Egypt. Egypt ALLOW e others in all important areas after

 

WWII. Anonymous confrontation with a lone Nazi/ scientology was scripted. Tor F anon provided communication backbone during Arab spring

Anonymous = outside tactic. Not trustworthy. Rooted in politics money and prsm related. Locate successful cloning scientist some say

 

Left usa with threats, insults and even a bit whiney. TorF the ralien woman (sp?) Is from Iran. Their group. Mentioned Michael Jackson

 

How dangerous are cults who worship cloning..science.. so on. Who has motive to use religion as a mask and mock. Locate: man in Russia who

 

=====================================================================================

 

@the_hindu is china behind the sterilization in india with others? population control has always been a mask for murder always will be

 

@DeptofDefense @usairforce true a woman was arrested for using her cadaver dog as she planted evidence?Also she was called to chkMassGraves

 

Say No to the TPP ‏@kencampbell66 · 48m48 minutes ago

US Charges Iranians With Coordinated Cyber Attacks on Banks, Companies

ttps://motherboard.vice.com/read/us-charges-iranians-with-coordinated-cyber-attacks-on-banks-companies … via @motherboard

 

@kencampbell66 @motherboard that's prob communists or others using them too. and who rooted in Egypt after WWII?

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

@THEHermanCain did you know - puppet Nazis were used in Germany as a smoke screen to hide executive / political activity - recently?

@THEHermanCain TorF: Putin said %20 of one region in his country is occupied by Nazi's a holpsy is to take all into consideration

2> I am in an area many don't understand

3> I can see how to modernize areas - though

complicated becaues various problems among

all.. myself included from time to time = interacting

starts off great. gradually parts will disentegrate in a

community effort to improve health

 

each person = a unique equations from equations that are nobody elses equations

in the manner I present for sake of smooth conversation

 

a bridge of oppurtunity - not of a financial manner. yet.. benefits said.

 

I get it.. pipe dream accusations.. delusional.. eternal illogical optimist..

unrealistic.. well.. if we thought that way as a whole this entire time, where would we be?

 

t or f : a divide exists among some professionals when it comes to those in demographics they would

prefer to not be. as in - economically speaking.

 

SOME professors.. not all. seem to show signs of dysfunction and unrealistice views pertaining to that which

can be shown to be true within their own families too. sadness.. depression.. distancing - judging - shame -

superior mindsets set into motion in a mold of boring and old primitive stage tactics as applied to the modern

world. how embassing is that?

 

"he can write!!" hehehe ooh ooh ooh ah ah ah - rattle it goot.

 

=======================================

 

seen today. as in - delayed introduction of food safety laws - some say for as long as 70 years or more.

this impacted everyone.. not this "Group" not that "group" .. everyone.

 

as people were filled with crap that made their bodies and brains not funciton correctly the problems were used

justified primitive muddy mucky oozing ways.

 

good people are ALWAYS taken advantage of. the slaves who came from africa were not the ones ones in chains!!

the white people who came here were seen as sheep... tell me.. .what religion = those who came? Who taught them..

show me EXACTLY what they were taught on a dialy basis. then.. prove your information is accurate. then..

you have to prove their source = accurate. and you CAN'T.. because who educated the forensic arvhive investigators?

 

who what kind of army does not prepare to protect food / meds / so on.. during WAR.. the cold war came with a body count. .why

could secret service or military NOT intervene and STOP THE @#$#@ SLAUGHTER? How were all laws so manipulated ..

 

can be shown.. and it will be.

 

note : I can no longer talk to any family outside immediate. If one day one relative isn't misreading me.. then it's

me misreading them and something always going wrong. I have so much in my head.. I can't have normal conversation and I forget

not everyone can handle it. However. Now I Can walk away and not allow it to go on as we tend to feed into energy. extensively

as that's how close we are.. make sense? I knew I should not be the one to talk. I knew it. I knew it.

 

and more. it's umbearable to know.. more so when someone who lived through those times are in their final years.

and had the same problems I found the world over. and the same tactics were used to silence their familes too.

it's a never ending chain of primitive.. in modern times.. still.

 

interesting. let it rain song came on - performed by a lady who could have been misused several ways as she is an important

pawn to those who wanted to use people to connected with. . at times sincere. sincere efforts were twisted and turned. old tactics

can NOT work in the time of mass data / AI / networking

 

Those who sell pills = helping the network of 70,000 + pedophiles. A group nested across dunlawton bridge in a hotel.

Shot with Kat at the House of Nightmares Group shoot on 11/29/08. It was a blast doing this set in a dark, cold, and dirty basement. If anyone ever has the oppurtunity to work with Kat.... Do NOT pass up the oppurtunity!

Shot with a Nikon D300, 17 - 200 MM VR lens and a SB800 flash. I used 2 Britek 1500 watt strobes (1 behind an umbrella diffuser and the other as a main with umbrella) to balance out some light in this dark warehouse basement.

The USCGC Willow (WLB-202) docked @ the West Point Military Academy, NY on the Hudson River.

 

The 225' WLB is equipped with a single controllable pitch propeller and a bow and a stern thruster which gives the cutter maneuverability to tend buoys offshore and in restricted waters. A sophisticated Machinery Plant Control and Monitoring System (MPCMS) and an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) enable the cutter to operate safely with an optimally sized crew. Using Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) WILLOW can hold the vessel station within a ten meter circle. This technology has improved the precision and capability of the crew to service and position floating aids to navigation in winds up to thirty knots and eight foot seas.

Characteristics

Length: 225'

Beam: 46'

Draft: 13'

Displacement: 2,000 tons

Speed: 15 kts @ 75

Endurance: 21 days unreplenished

Range: 6000 miles at 12 kts

Crew: 8 officers, 34 enlisted

Buoy Deck Area: 2,875 Square Feet

Icebreaking: 14" plate ice at 3Kts, 3ft backing and ramming

Oil Spill Recovery: 400 Gallons per minute

 

At 2000 tons displacement and a top speed of 16 knots, you will find WILLOW very different from most other cutters. Our 40 person crew uses electronic navigation by ECDIS, machinery plant control and monitoring system (MPCMS), dynamic positioning and sophisitcated hydraulics to complete more tasks with fewer people. Our area of operations ranges from the U.S. Canadian border south to Rhode Island Sound and New York Harbor, arguably the most picturesque and challenging in the Coast Guard. Willow is based in Newport, RI which offers many recreational oppurtunities. Newport is noted for its rich maritime tradition, mansions, sailing, beautiful beaches, and abundant shopping.

 

Rosemary bags my coffee beans for me and we chat. It was quite a few months ago that I noticed she was quite attractive. . . petite and a bit of a sprite.

 

Rosemary doesn't work everyday, so it was hard to catch her at the times when I had my camera. Finally, I caught her with just my camera and the mounted lens.

 

10-18mm lens is NOT the ideal portrait lens, but you do with what you got. Monday, I'm going to print up copies for her.

 

I really admire her fine bone structure. She is such a super nice person and works like she's in high speed all of the time.

 

Thanks Rosemary for the oppurtunity.. . .

The Murray Spartans take on the Cottonwood Colts in the 4A Championship

 

Volleyball is one of those sports you don't really have to shoot the whole match to get highlights, so it gave me an oppurtunity to shoot some photos until i had to pick up the video camera

 

Thomas was a great person to be around, and I knew it from the moment our eyes met. While downtown Phoenix taking in the sites, I knew that I not only would be snapping photos of the landscapes but hoped greatly for a stranger oppurtunity. Thomas and I chatted for a short while at the station outside of Arizona State University, before parting ways I asked him if I could take his photo. Of course he said yes and gave me a thumbs up, we shook hands nolonger strangers and wished eachother well on our future endeavours.

 

35mm f2 AI-S

f5.6 1/250

ISO100

an absolutely fantastic line up of four Wrights Eclipse Gemmini bodied Volvo B7's used currently on Harrogate's service 36 between Leeds and Ripon via Harrogate.

This line up greeted me at 6am Sunday morning and i only had just over an hour to capture this shot before the line up was broken for service, I took the shots at 7am just after sunrise, it would have been easier at 8am but that was not an option......... I had no input whatsoever in creating this line up.............. BUT boy did I make the most of it. !!!

 

From the left we see

 

3614 X14VTD

3613 YJ06TLU

3607 X7VTD

403 YJ04LYK

The Murray Spartans take on the Cottonwood Colts in the 4A Championship

 

Volleyball is one of those sports you don't really have to shoot the whole match to get highlights, so it gave me an oppurtunity to shoot some photos until i had to pick up the video camera

 

As a child, i dreamed of being a spy. I would even turn stealing biscuits from under my mother's nose into a game of espionage. I think some of the qualities of being a spy are present in me. I love uncovering people's backstories & secrets. I can be quite solitary and often prefer to keep quiet and take people in.

I studied archaeology for a few years at uni which allowed me to explore this idea of digging for information. Now i've found photography which supplies me with the equipment and oppurtunities to live out my detective fantasies...

 

N xx

带子烧买 Scallop Siumai Dumplings - Oriental Tea House, Chadstone AUD8.90 deluxe

 

---

We had a very pleasant yumcha at the old Oriental Tea House in South Yarra, back when it was tucked in a small shop in a lane perpendicular to Chapel Street, so when I heard that the Chadstone store was open, I decided to give it a try.

 

Perhaps my expectations were too high. Or perhaps, it was just passing off cheap Chinese dimsum to Aussies who didn't know better, Asian and Caucasian alike. The clientele on the opening weekend was quite evenly split between Asians and Caucasians, lured in by the breezy indoor-outdoor dining areas, bright reds and contrasting black decor, and a distinctly Asian but modern decor.

 

The selection of teas are quite impressive. Tea is served in glass teapots to be shared. You can also order tea individually in mugs made of a 紫砂 deep purple porcelain, the traditional material for 紫砂壶 Chinese teapots.

 

Food-wise, it's a disappointment. That's not to say it is not good, but the asking price of a 特点 "deluxe" dimsum being AUD8.90 you'd expect something special. Instead, what we get is a floury and chewy filling in the 带子烧买 scallop siumai dumpling. A distinct indicator of it being undercooked. Most other yumcha places serve "deluxe" dimsum at half that price.

 

Before we entered, Julia exclaimed that a 烧卖 siumai pork dumpling or 虾饺 hargao prawn dumpling, a "regular" dimsum, was AUD5.90. That was almost grounds for us turning tail and heading to a nice cafe. But it is better this way, rather than be tempted every time we walked past.

 

Being an equal oppurtunity employer meant that we had waiters and waitresses of all races, althought predominantly Asian. Being used to dimsum names in Cantonese, hearing the mangled English translations was a bit though. Guava-flower fried prawn wonton 石榴花云吞 is a mouthful in anyone's language. Just call a wonton a wonton.

 

Still, Oriental Tea House seems to draw crowds at both its South Yarra and city stores, which points to a shrewd business owner understanding that the ambience and price-point is "acceptable" for the locations it is in.

  

Oriental Tea House

03.9949.2071

Chadstone Shopping Centre

Shop F015, 1341 Dandenong Rd

Chadstone VIC 3148

www.orientalteahouse.com.au/

 

Chapel Street Yumcha Menu (PDF)

 

i felt a need to whip out les grandes fusils. let me 'splain:

- thrifted creme cardi-shawl. this is so crazy awesome i just can't tell you. it's total art teacher/princess from the future/ dancer. it's beautifully crafted gorgous wool. it had some ungainly non-functioning pocket flaps that i took off at the first oppurtunity.

- thrifted blue bloues with quilted shoulder detailing, big billowing sleeves and general wonderfulness. i could wear this blouse and some old ratty boxers and look (or maybe just feel) totally chic.

- thrifted stretchy belt guy

- thrifted wool skirt. this is one of those subtle beauties that would be easy to pass by. it buttons up the side and has cleverly disguised slit pockets on either side.

- gray tabio tights

- newly thrifted naturlizer peep toe strappy dudes. perfect for making muffins with the whippersnapper and dreaming about warmer days.

 

i wonder if i'll ever have rooms that i never use, just keep pristine as an indication of stature and social rituals.