Pirate Duck Found Some Treasure…Arrrrrrrrrrrr!

This Week in the Digital Photography School Forums…..

My photo was chosen for third place in the ‘wisdom’ themed weekly assignment. I am very excited to be recognized for all the progress I have made in my photography study over the last year. I have to say I owe it all to the current 365 photo challenge that I just started to participate in. 

If you are not familiar with a 365 photo challenge, it presents you with the task of taking a photo every day (of presentable quality) to facilitate learning of a particular subject (i.e. self-portraits), photography techniques and principles, and the camera itself. There are 365 challenges which stick to a particular subject throughout the whole year and some which just challenge you to just take a photo leaving the subject matter choosing up to you. This 365 challenge has subject matter which changes every week based upon the current weekly assignment theme at the Digital Photography School Forums. From the very start of this challenge I have done much more creative thinking than I was doing previously as I am more motivated to follow though with my all shot ideas. We are only 12 days into the 365 but I am so thankful for all I have learned thus far.

Thank you to all the moderators at the Digital Photography School Forums who voted to choose my photo. I am ecstatic. If you would like to follow along as I proceed on my photography learning journey, I plan to continue uploading my daily photos to my flickr photostream and the most recent uploads will appear on my sidebar in the chatter feeds.

Washington DC Synopsis

Several weeks ago the children and I had the opportunity to travel with Brian for the DrupalCon 2009 Conference in Washington DC. After seeing the vibe exhibited by all attendees, I would love to sit in on some of the great talks that will happen at the next conference. It also happens to be in Paris the next go ’round which is just a bonus in itself.

On this trip though, I had lots of time to sight-see with the children. We went to a science museum just blocks from our hotel and went on the traditional monument and White House walking tours. We walked all over the city and the children loved riding on the metro. Even though I did steer us onto the wrong route a couple of times, they were good sports and enjoyed the rides. We ate some really delicious Chinese food in Chinatown which made us miss the old Hunan even more. We also had some good Indian and Thai while we were there.

Besides the great food and sightseeing, the one memory I am left with, about our visit to the United States Captial, is that the people, whether they were visiting, working or lived there, were so friendly. Everywhere I went, I was struck by how everyday people offered their help with holding a door open, helping with directions or just a quick conversation on the metro.

We had pleasant interactions with many people who worked in restaurants, museums and even sidewalk snack wagons. Every business we went to had employees who were interested in showing us points of interest around the city. We had conversations with firefighters, metro employees and people just walking nearby or riding the same elevator. I was thoroughly impressed with the care employees and everyday people showed to their fellow man. I was expecting big city stereotypes but was pleasantly surprised with small-town kindness. It was extremely refreshing to experience this kind of consideration in such a big, diverse city. I am proud of the people I met there and proud to call Washington D.C., America’s Friendliest City.

To see a slide show of photos from out trip to DC, click on the photo below. If you prefer to browse my gallery at your own pace click here.

Early Riser Times Two

Biggest Snow of the Year

The High Country near Boone and Blowing Rock received its biggest snowfall of the year on Sunday, March 1, 2009. Snow started around noon on Sunday and fell at a very fast rate with the first inch stacking up within the first thirty minutes of the storm. By 3pm roads, with three to four inches of fallen snow, were impassable because of slick conditions and stranded motorists who blocked the roadway. Watauga County residents awoke Monday morning to between 8-12 inches of snow and many stranded vehicles still on roads and highways.

Downtown Boone Post Office

Here are some photos of the Downtown Boone Post Office I took last fall after the announcement from the Town of Boone that they have purchased the building. Procurement of this landmark status building in the heart of bustling downtown Boone secures not only the future of the postal services downtown, it also ensures continued public access to this historical site. The mural of Daniel Boone was part of a New Deal program which commissioned art for all post office lobbies.

Winter Blues

Finally on the mend from the horrible flu bug going around this year, I am discontent to have missed so many photo opportunities. I was able to go out for a very short photowalk around my neighborhood to see what sights I could find after our last snowstorm. Even though I didn’t get to stay out for very long due to a wind chill pushing temperatures down below zero, I am glad to be back exploring with my camera. Photography is like a seek and find adventure even if  your practice may be limited to just your backyard.

Arrrrrrrrrrr!

Thar be snow in my good eye! Yarrr!

On a sidenote, the flu this year is dreadful. Healthy wishes for all!

Happy New Year!

A new moon for a new year! As far as I can tell, I think this may be Flat Top Mountain, located in the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park just slightly southwest of Boone.

Season’s Greetings

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.