A Bit Closer to Home

I often end up traveling quite a distance to find the spots where I am inspired to work seriously, but this is one of my favorites and just a few minutes from where I live. You wouldn't expect to find such a wild looking place literally in the middle of one of the country's largest cities, but we are blessed with some fine natural areas here in San Diego. This location can be found just a Tiger Woods drive or so beyond the North Torrey Pines golf course (on TV, Feb 2-9, Buick Invitational), in Torrey Pines State Park. I come here often to just to hike and enjoy the view out over the ocean and as you can see... it's a rich area for artists and photographers.
I've shot this particular spot a number of times, but on this day we had an incoming storm and I knew from experience that the sky and light were going to be ideal. I almost missed my opportunity due to a social obligation that ran longer than expected, but finally managed to race home, change, grab my gear and get up here for that last 2 hours of light, for the best session I've ever had here.

"Broken Hill"-Torrey Pines, 2008

Virtue and Delight

New York turns perfectly ordinary people into food snobs  -- --simply because everything you could ever desire and then some is available to you almost every minute of the day.

Blogging turns perfectly ordinary people into the sort of weirdos who take pictures of their lunch.

Smoked salmon tartine at La Pain Quotitien.

New  lunch special at the same place. Tuscan white beans, bread soaked in olive oil, frissee, parma ham. Yum.

Now for the really good stuff.

To cut to the chase. 

Chelsea Market. Brownies, blondies, brownies of every flavor you could dream of (mocha, white chocolate, caramel etc etc) in big sizes and tiny. People say, "I don't really do sweet things but just a taste....." Ha!

Pat invites me behind the scenes at the Fat Witch bakery. This is my lucky day.

Such a cheery, plump contented witch who now pops up all over the place even on tea.

Middle aged women giggle. A fat witch they say: ah that's me.

I think green tea is meant to be good for you.

ps.  My favorite is the white chocolate brownie.

Alternate History Fiction

Do you ever ask yourself the question -What if I had not gone to that store then that situation may have turned out differently? Or what if I had arrived ten minutes earlier to work then I would not have been caught in this traffic accident, or if I had gone to this party I may have met the person of my dreams? I am not talking about second guessing a decision or about making a right or wrong decision but simply (or not so simply) how a subtle change in something you did may affect the outcome. I am referring to the "butterfly effect" where small changes in the initial condition of a dynamic system (from Wikipedia) can cause a larger variation in the long term.
The movie The Butterfly Effect (2004) is a good example of how the main character keeps trying to achieve a different outcome in his life by changing things in the past. The movie Frequency(2000) also touches on this same theme. If I had to choose between the two films I would go with Frequency. I like the alternate histories better in this movie and the combination of the detective work and the search for the "bad guy." While The Butterfly Effect deals with important human issues, I am not a big fan of Ashton Kutcher although he is easy on the eyes.
In the movie Frequency, the main characters, father and son, are communicating back and forth through time. The father had died many years before so the son had this wonderful opportunity to talk to his dad again and try to change the way things happened in the past but of course this brings on a whole new set of variables and changes not counted upon. They work together to change things until the right set of variables and conditions are achieved. The ending is a little on the corny side but still nice. I think the movie is worth the time to watch (and the Butterfly Effect is too!)

Mysterious East (Northport) and Other Curious Juxtapositions

Right next to the Twin County Driving School on Vernon Valley Road, we come upon two shopfronts where a melange of things spiritual are displayed.

The Buddah and angels, henna and belly dance.

The shop front next door is a complete puzzle. 

Lots of draperies, crystals (I think) and a sort of palaquin.

A card lies on the frozen ice of the assisted living parking lot. 

After I have photographed it, R. picks it up. 

We are disappointed to discover it is something to do with a video game.

In ABC Carpet the Virgin's Heart beats and we are blessed.

Green Lights on the Bus

Some Sci Fi news

I found this interesting story being tweeted on twitter from the SF Signal. I had talked about all the interesting science fiction you can come across on twitter and now you can follow along as an SF author is tweeting his story, very cool!

Also check out Mike Brotherton who interviewed Eric Nylund a science fiction and fantasy writer.


Star Trek couple makes final journey into space. An interesting article about the Gene and Majel Roddenberry.

Duke, The Art Car

From my "Lost & Found" files: 

Walking down the road after breakfast with a new camera in hand (luckily) I happened upon this artistic oddity of a vehicle circa 2003 in the little mountain village of Idyllwild, CA where we have a home. It pretty much stopped me dead in my tracks because it's not what you would expect to see parked in a small rustic community high in the forest, under the pines and cedars.  "Duke" is basically a mobile, living sculpture created and owned by writer/artist Rick McKinney (you can see the whole car and more about him here). Every square inch is covered with various antiques, junk, jewelry, you name it. Don't know how he keeps it all together.. lots of glue, I guess. Anyway, I was delighted to have such a great subject right at hand to give my new camera a workout and ended up shooting a whole bunch of odd, interesting still life images. This is not my normal genre of work these days, but this one was so unique that I wanted to revive it. 

"The Art Car"-California, 2003

Seen in Soho

Spring Street. A real truck trying to blend in with its surroundings....

  Near Cosby Street

Spring Street again and an enigmatic young man.

He would have been more enigmatic still if he hadn't smiled.

Treasure Box Wednesday: Thanks to Thoughtful Folks

Though winter weather is still keeping me from some serious thrifting, I'm still not feeling unappreciative-- in fact, I have quite a few things to be happy about. Like the nice folks I know who've thought of me around the holidays in such kind ways.

I thought you all might enjoy seeing a few of the exciting things I'd been sent by family, friends I've known for years, and those I've made online.

Like this fun array of items from Holland, thanks to Tracey, of Tiddlywinks...


How often does a person get a care package from the Netherlands? (If you're not Dutch, that is!) I had the best time opening this and seeing the unique items. The tricky part was to remember to take pictures of it before I started taste testing!

Tracey was extra-lovely, too, in telling me just what these products translated to be. Like the "Dubbel Spekken"...


Which she tells me translates to mean "bacon." But in fact they're long, flat marshmallows! Quite yummy-- though Tracey mentions that they don't quite roast up like traditional marshmallows. Perhaps experimentation is in order!


Here you'll see a lovely little Delft style pill box there in the upper corner, as well as this very minty and extremely square Mentos gum-- quite different from the Mentos we have here. And then these excellent little melt-in-your-mouth chocolates (I've been pacing myself on these), which are called "Koetjes Reep," which Tracey tells us means, "Cow's Bar."

Well, if the cow's want them back, I think they will have to fight me for them. The cows can just get their own. :)


Now these "Kruid Noten" are kind of addictive. They're delicious little crunchy ginger-snap type cookies, only about the size of a dime each. Tracey indicates that it basically translates to "spice nuts," and I can see why, given the crunch and flavor.

And how cool is this?...


Stickers from Holland's football team (soccer for us in the U.S.). Orange is their team color as the royal family's name there is "Oranje." And the writing on the stickers themselves root Holland on with "Go, Holland, Go!" And "We Love Orange!"

Thanks to Tracey, too, for the nifty translations. I would have been sunk without them! I'm currently preparing a package of American goodies to send to her. I've already got my Steelers item picked out, and am just filling a few things in-- I'll show you the items once I get the package safely in her hands! (I don't want to ruin her surprise.)

I thought today would also be a nice time to show you all some things I received for Christmas. Like this gorgeous green Carnival Glass style pitcher from my Dad (no, he didn't carry this on the plane, thankfully-- it weighs a ton!)...


Some sweet cottagey-looking teacups from a friend's mother...


And this amazing pink McCoy planter from my friend Josette...


I feel pretty lucky I have people like this who are so thoughtful to care what I'm interested in.

Anyway, that about does it for this Treasure Box Wednesday.

• If you missed Sunday's post and feel you might want to decorate with 40 onions and impress guests at your next party (or just laugh a lot), click here.

Otherwise, I hope to see you for Sunday's post! Take care and keep warm.

Treasure Box Wednesday: Thanks to Thoughtful Folks

Though winter weather is still keeping me from some serious thrifting, I'm still not feeling unappreciative-- in fact, I have quite a few things to be happy about. Like the nice folks I know who've thought of me around the holidays in such kind ways.

I thought you all might enjoy seeing a few of the exciting things I'd been sent by family, friends I've known for years, and those I've made online.

Like this fun array of items from Holland, thanks to Tracey, of Tiddlywinks...


How often does a person get a care package from the Netherlands? (If you're not Dutch, that is!) I had the best time opening this and seeing the unique items. The tricky part was to remember to take pictures of it before I started taste testing!

Tracey was extra-lovely, too, in telling me just what these products translated to be. Like the "Dubbel Spekken"...


Which she tells me translates to mean "bacon." But in fact they're long, flat marshmallows! Quite yummy-- though Tracey mentions that they don't quite roast up like traditional marshmallows. Perhaps experimentation is in order!


Here you'll see a lovely little Delft style pill box there in the upper corner, as well as this very minty and extremely square Mentos gum-- quite different from the Mentos we have here. And then these excellent little melt-in-your-mouth chocolates (I've been pacing myself on these), which are called "Koetjes Reep," which Tracey tells us means, "Cow's Bar."

Well, if the cow's want them back, I think they will have to fight me for them. The cows can just get their own. :)


Now these "Kruid Noten" are kind of addictive. They're delicious little crunchy ginger-snap type cookies, only about the size of a dime each. Tracey indicates that it basically translates to "spice nuts," and I can see why, given the crunch and flavor.

And how cool is this?...


Stickers from Holland's football team (soccer for us in the U.S.). Orange is their team color as the royal family's name there is "Oranje." And the writing on the stickers themselves root Holland on with "Go, Holland, Go!" And "We Love Orange!"

Thanks to Tracey, too, for the nifty translations. I would have been sunk without them! I'm currently preparing a package of American goodies to send to her. I've already got my Steelers item picked out, and am just filling a few things in-- I'll show you the items once I get the package safely in her hands! (I don't want to ruin her surprise.)

I thought today would also be a nice time to show you all some things I received for Christmas. Like this gorgeous green Carnival Glass style pitcher from my Dad (no, he didn't carry this on the plane, thankfully-- it weighs a ton!)...


Some sweet cottagey-looking teacups from a friend's mother...


And this amazing pink McCoy planter from my friend Josette...


I feel pretty lucky I have people like this who are so thoughtful to care what I'm interested in.

Anyway, that about does it for this Treasure Box Wednesday.

• If you missed Sunday's post and feel you might want to decorate with 40 onions and impress guests at your next party (or just laugh a lot), click here.

Otherwise, I hope to see you for Sunday's post! Take care and keep warm.

The Year of the OX/ Chinese New Year

To Canal Street on the C train. East to Mott Street on a brisk, cold morning.

Such crowded pavements decorated by confetti shot from these cardboard launchers. Lots and lots of children enjoying the day.

This yellow dragon's head is riding on top of a stroller whose occupant is enveloped in plastic against the cold.

When the confetti is launched from the rockets,  there is a loud bang which some people find a little too much.

Everything is terrifically red. A symbol of good fortune.

The dragon dances into shops and restaurants.

The sidewalks have never looked so pretty.

It really gives you something to think about.

Susanna took much better pictures you can see here.

For MKate's  cool pictures of Chinese New Year in Malaysia go to Le Vie Est Belle.

Moonwalking and Bras

Twas many months ago that decided I was ready for a challenge, something a little different.... Fire eating? Pole dancing? Contortion ism? What's different about those? pfft. I needed something much more scary than that. So what crazy thing have I signed up for?

I am MoonWalking! Before you think I have totally flipped, I am not busting my moves like Michael Jackson on the nearest dancefloor. I will be busting my guts on the streets of Edinburgh wearing a bra, for charity. The MoonWalk is a 26.2 mile powerwalk to raise money and awareness for and about Breast Cancer. There are two MoonWalks, I am doing the Edinburgh one, on the 20th of June.

Please click this link to read more MoonWalk 2009 Edinurgh.

I have never done a marathon before or anything remotely marathon like, so this a mega challenge for me. I am terrified, excited, cacking it and exhilarated! I have also opted to do this challenge solo, as its something of a personal challenge that I need to do on my own. I have pestered friends and family to come and cheer me on though.

I knew Olga, smooshing and drawing boobs would come in handy. Twas a sign that I would be pounding the streets in my underwear, sober.......

Also while I have your attention, remember to check your boobs!

Repeat step 3 whilst lying down!

So I need power walking tips! Any pedometer recommendations, training shoes recommendations and tips about training clothes etc! Also anyone that has done the MoonWalk before, please get in touch.

Fund-raising Donations Here