Dinner Out

Birthday dinner at Applebee's with 4 extra teens. So, altogether there were 11 of us.

What do 5 hungry teens and a photographer do while waiting for their food? Well, the teens build a pyramind with the menus, the one with the camera documents the construction and the mom cheers them all on.

Imagination

I came across this street sign today. I just had to turn around and get a picture of it.

Some of you know about my passion for creative vanity license plates. Well, there doesn't seem to be too many of them around here, ergo, the street sign.

Me. I probably would have named my road "Buckman Lane" or some such unimaginative thing.

We Got Together

Some of my photo buddies and I got together this afternoon to do some photography in our local town--at least what's left of it.

It was so good being with them and having the chance to talk about the project we're working on.

Things are looking pretty sad in our town. There are, however, occasional treasures to photograph, but I'm saving those for our project. These shabby subjects intrigue me even though they sadden me a little at the same time.

Sushi--Ugh!

Yesterday Caleb and I went for lunch with his boss and family. The guys got sushi. I didn't! The presentation was nice. The boss probably wondered what he had gotten himself into when I told him he couldn't start eating until I took a photo of his plate. Caleb just sighed and backed away. He's used to it.

Checking it Twice

North Pole, Alaska. Santa is "checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty or nice". The theme of the entire town is Christmas and Santa. Very cute. This Santa is in front of a store (can't even remember the exact name) that sells Christmas items all year.

The town itself reminds me of Fonda, but spread out more. So those of you who are familiar with Fonda might understand what this place actually looks like.

Sunday

Sunday night. Bible Study. Followed by dinner and chatting.

Before

After

Saturday

Spent some time at the beach with Leah this afternoon. It was a beautiful day.

Then I headed home for dinner. My hosts treated me (and them as well) to an Hawaiian meal, and the icing on the cake was eating outside in their back yard.

Tuesday, 4th

Finally made it outside to do some photography today. It was windy and I didn't bring my tripod with me on this trip, so I'm a little disappointed that the images are not critically sharp. In small form they're fine.

Day "whatever"--She's Back!!!

Well, you've probably noticed that I haven't posted in several days, despite my sincerest intentions to post daily. This time I really do have a good reason. I flew to Hawaii last Friday so that I could be here when my daughter arrived home from two months in Papua New Guinea with Wycliffe Bible Translators. I wanted to surprise her.

Even though I knew she didn't have any internet access while on the field, I figured she might come across an internet cafe on her way back to the states. In light of that, I didn't want to post anything about being in Hawaii, for fear that the "jig would be up", as the saying goes.

So now I'm free to post. She arrived last night, looking great and happy to be back home. Several of the ladies from church accompanied me, and Leah was excited and appreciative to have such a welcome home reception.

We went to a 24 hour diner for a snack and then, after stopping at the house so Leah could unload, my friend and I continued on to the site of the filming of the newest Pirates of the Carribean movie, just up the road from where she lives.

We arrived there around 12:30 am to witness this. After about 1/2 hour, the set began to shut down. We started walking toward the car which was parked in the marina parking lot, (against rules & regulations, I might add, although there were no security people around when I boldly and shamelessly drove into the marina) through which the stars were driven to and from the set.

Julie said to me, "you know, they drive him (Johnny Depp) around in a (and she named the vehicle). As she finished that sentence, we turned around and within arms length of us, "that" vehicle went past us, while Jack Sparrow looked out and waved through the open window, saying, "hi, how are you?". Both of us, taken totally by surprise, just stared in unbelief, cameras at our sides, mouths hanging open.

Julie, however, did have her wits about her enough to snap a picture with her phone, of the retreating vehicle and his arm out the window waving goodbye.

So all in all, it was a super-productive night. My daughter arrived home, safe & sound, we saw the ship for the new movie, and Julie and I had a few laughs over who Jack Sparrow really said hello to and now I can say that I've seen Jack Sparrow in person, even though I have yet to watch a single "Pirates" movie.

I LOVE THIS PLACE, just sayin'.