View allAll Photos Tagged stillsmiling
one year ago today, i uploaded my first picture onto flickr. little did i know then, as i clicked that upload button for the first time, how much that single act would affect my life. and here i am, more than a thousand pictures and 94,000 views later, and i am speechless. because none of this would have happened, and i wouldn't be sitting here typing this, if not for you.
fuck, i'm getting all teary as i write this, but that makes sense, cos i really can't convey how deeply i feel this -- this gratitude, this humility, this profound sense of joy at being a member of this amazing community. it's familial, it's tribal, it's REAL, ya know? you guys out there -- not screen names but real, living, breathing people -- have supported me, challenged me, taught me, lifted me, encouraged me, molded me, inspired me, pimped me out to within an inch of my whorish life.
yep, a year ago i had no idea what a whore i'd turn out to be. but it's true. over the last year i've fallen hopelessly in love with rich warm colors, crispy crusty texture, useless tags that tell the real story. i look at my original posts and realize i had no idea what lay in store for me. heh.
there's no way in hell i can say thank you in a way that conveys to my satisfaction the sentiment behind it. so instead, i'll put my whore hat on and tell you to get back out on your corners, and continue being your extraordinarily fabulous selves.
*smooch*
This past Saturday, I paddled with members of the Tuolumne River Trust on their final leg of the "Paddle to the Sea" event, to raise awareness of the fragility of the river. The Tuolumne river starts out high in the Sierras, then passes through Don Pedro reservoir, then into the Sacramento River delta ecosystem, then on to San Pablo and San Francisco bay. Ultimately ending in the Pacific Ocean.
Snowmelt from Mount Lyell forms the headwaters of the Tuolumne.
The headwaters of the Tuolumne River begin at 13,000 feet in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada mountains. As the river gathers strength, it carves out canyons that provide 27 miles of world-class whitewater for rafters and kayakers.
150 miles downstream at the river's mouth, thousands of Chinook salmon return each fall to spawn on the lower river. The Tuolumne watershed supports many species of wildlife, including bald eagles, spotted owls, prairie falcons, and a healthy wild trout fishery enjoyed by anglers.
In addition to providing excellent wildlife habitat and recreational facilities, the Tuolumne River has been extensively developed to deliver water and electricity to San Francisco and other Bay Area cities. The river also provides water for farmers in the Central Valley.
Unfortunately, this development has caused a precipitous fall in the number of returning salmon: from over 804,000 returning salmon 8 years ago, to just 1,100 last year.
This event was the final leg of the "Paddle to the Sea" event. I was proud to help ensure that guest paddlers were safe on the waterfront; some had journeyed the entire length of the river to it's end, here in San Francisco.
What a day on the bay!
for more photos, go here: paddler.smugmug.com/gallery/8496851_uarbj
Caption on the back says "Tom Mix shown after paying US Gov back taxes of $177,420.66. Glossy bromide print.
The day we were due to get married, a screw 2020 party with cake, fish and chips, bubbles and a movie outdoors with the best of friends.
#stillsmiling #screwyoucovid #postponed #whatdoesntkillyoumakesyoustronger
Photo credit Erin Tew
Senior Sam Mikulak cracks a smile during his high bar routine during the 2014 NCAA Championship meet.
My friend Micael is doing the backstroke underneath a two inches thick sheet of ice in the Millstream river, while maintaining a joyful smile.
NOT
My friend Micael holding a two inches thick ice sheet close to his face as we were exploring the shores of the Millstream river Sunday morning. Being an excellent photographer, he knew he was offering me a perfect photo op.
My poor daughter - she puts up with a lot when we are out and about. Here we are at a crowded (not so crowded at this moment) pool, everyone is swimming, sunbathing, talking - normal pool stuff - and I'm climbing up the bank to take pictures of the landscaping / flowers...and then of her. I'm a lucky dad.
Well, this is for today's FGR challenge which involves hugging. I really wanted a nice photo of me and my husband, but it seems like I never pick the right time to ask him if I can get a photo of us together. He doesn't like getting his picture taken, so don't expect to see too many photos with him in it. I have learned to accept this..although it sometimes makes me feel bad, when everyone else seems to have no problem getting their loves to get into a photo with them.
Today was a productive day for me..I got quite a bit done and am feeling pretty good about that. Although I still need to crack down hard on my rough draft tommorrow. Anyway, this is our newest addition who I named Trinity. She is a little doll baby. :o) I love her..and she loves attention, so there you go. ;o)
I am off on another adventure…the very word ‘vacation’ puts a smile on my face.
My flight leaves bright and early tomorrow morning, my camera and I are ready...
I hope you have a very good week, flickr friends....see you next weekend! :-)
long day today
up at 6am to go to the passport office
chores in London got home at 2pm
Barclays to sort out at 3pm
House survey at 4pm
migraine hit at 4. 30 but I got it quickly and managed to get rid of it by 6.30 pm
Dinner at 7pm
packing from 8 pm
I have just this minute sat down to have some ice cream and it is 10.15 so this is the best I can muster and it might be like this for the next few days.