Pier Views

We live by the Huntington Beach Pier and frequently walk there to see the families fishing and the folks strolling. Tonight we saw several Dolphin playing among the waves, some boogie boarders catching free rides and a lot of people just having a good time. Soon there will be fireworks, traffic and of course the largest parade West of the Mississippi…at least that’s what they claim each year. I know a few folks that love this pier and are too far away for a stroll…so for you …HB 🙂

Amphicar

These strange and wonderful cars were built in Berlin from 1961 to 1968. Only 3878 total were ever made, and of those, 3046 were imported into the United States. All of them were made as convertibles with a 4 cylinder British engine in the rear. They do 7 MPH in the water and 70 MPH on land. The twin propellers that drive the cars through water work independently from the wheels by a special land / water transmission. New they sold for a cool 2800.00 to 3300.00 depending on the year manufactured. Man, I would have bought all 4 colors… if only I could have reached the pedals!

This particular one belongs to a single Dad that lives down the street. I watched for years the restoration process as it slowly became the beauty it now is. And I can honestly say… the car looks happy. It’s usually sports a Pirate flag but I believe my street is getting it ready for the 4th. I rarely see this car go by without several children hanging out of it… all with silly grins, waving like their in a parade. I’m definitely going to have to ask for a ride… in the water of course 🙂

Mystery in a Suitcase

True Grit Skateboarding

This is my first try with the newest look in photography. It’s referred to as the “dramatic photo gritty look”.  Oh so technical huh! It’s works with desaturation and filters allowing pixels to granulate…oh and you do need to have a decent image. I’m a big fan of untouched photography but I do think the new desaturated look I’m seeing in magazines is pretty cool looking. I think the gritty final appearance lends itself perfectly to this sport. I’ve got several shots to work on but I’m going to focus on 3 of the most talented skaters and show each individually.

The Skater

Recently I was driving in an area I wasn’t familiar with and I came upon a set of skateboarding pools under a freeway in the middle of nowhere. My Nephews are both skaters for Vans but I have always left their photo taking to their Mother. I stopped to watch these guys who were more than friendly and ended up spending hours shooting and admiring each one’s style. I’m going to work on some new “photo gritty” techniques perfect for skateboarding so I may decide to post a new skater each day (depending on how it goes). My skateboard, as I recall, was red with silver metal wheels. It’s probably worth a small fortune now…

This first one was left untouched and uncropped. I loved the painterly quality to it.

By the Hand of Man II

To the waters…

(a small token from Yeats “The Stolen Child”)

Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand.

Soup Sandwich

I have a great Friend who lovingly calls me a “Soup Sandwich”. Now for those of you that don’t know me (and some that actually do) I bet you’re now wondering what the heck I’m talking about. All I can say is I tried for 2 hours to get to the left side of this bridge (with how-to directions from no less than 18 people including 2 retired firemen) to shoot something I saw that interested me. After terminal A thru Z exits had been exhausted and dock 1 thru at least 99 had been explored… all I got was this accidental shot (while driving over this bridge for the 18th time) with my camera in my right hand.

I was quite impressed with my head rest’s assistance in capturing a photo of the bridge with it’s matching green truck while swearing and waving my hand around. Thus…a “Soup Sandwich” photo by the Namesake… completed in the mighty Crayola effect. Ahhh… don’t worry, my other hand was on the wheel 😉

9 Blue Doors

I found this old building in the middle of nowhere. I stood and wondered about those blue doors. Why nine? Why blue? What happened here? I just love a good mystery 🙂

For Christine

I attended a funeral today…and left smiling.

I woke on a sunny Southern California Saturday and knew I had a duty to represent my Family tribe at my Niece’s Mother’s service. I had only met her Mother twice (and my memory isn’t what it once was) but I did remember I enjoyed our conversation in those brief encounters. I knew no one so I sat in the back (being the shy person I  am) and waited for the service to begin.

I sat and wondered to myself what we would have had in common…this, petite, black woman, almost 65 who struggled through the 60’s to keep her own identity and vision for the future in place. I’m a tall, blond, white woman in her 40’s, who struggles with chocolate biscuits, ever changing techie stuff and the right aperture for the shot of the moment.

As I watched each person come up to speak about Christine, I  began to realize what an opportunity I had missed in not knowing this articulate, creative whirlwind of a woman who’s entire life served the common man. She championed the poor, she help guide the misled, she inspired those who would have given up too soon. She  raised a family of bright, caring children and taught a husband the wisdom of being friends first, spouses second. My Niece got up to read a poem written in her Mother’s honor (Mama Tina), then sang a song that made me weep…because I didn’t even know she sang.

But it was the video made of Christine coming out from her cubicle at work, dancing… and in turn getting others to join in a make-shift cha-cha line that made me laugh out loud at her free spirit. With her snapping fingers raised overhead and her pixey grin…I saw a kindred spirit…though I dance in my office towards the corner… so no one can see me:)

God Speed your journey Christine