Random Facts

35/365

I have nothing of any import to blog about today, so all you get is a few random facts:

1)  I bought a new ipod the other day.  Actually, when I finally decided to bite the bullet and spend the money, it was the day before Valentine's Day.  (clever, huh?) I went to Radio Shack. I wanted the pink one--yes, pink.  I love pink.  Anyway, they only had one in the entire store and it was that boring silver grey color.  The salesperson checked online at every other Radio Shack on the entire island of Oahu and there were NONE!!.  So I bought the boring silver one.

2)  The boring silver ipod that I bought almost sent me over the edge when I tried to figure out how to use it.  The pink one might have softened the aggravation, but not by much.

3)  The boring silver ipod that I bought is great, even though I still don't really understand how to use it.

4)  I keep seeing great vanity plates while I'm driving and can't get a pic of them.  Sigh

5)  I'm currently reading two books.  One is The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.  (there are about 8 in the series, I'm up to #3)  If you want a sweet read, try these, but definitely begin with the first.  You can actually jump in anywhere, but why not start with #1?  The second book I'm reading is Sherlock Holmes.  I've never read it before and it's surprisingly enjoyable.  I got psyched about reading it after watching three episodes of  a modern-day Sherlock Holmes after Masterpiece Theater (which was showing Downton Abbey).

6)  I'm still working on my table runners.  I brought all my sewing supplies (thread, bobbins, scissors, etc., but borrowed a machine)  This one actually looks better in person, but you can get the idea.

7)  It's been raining here a lot, but hey, at least I'm not shoveling snow.

8)  I leave for my Mexican cruise (departing from LA) to celebrate the wedding of my son and new daughter-in-law in approximately 48 hours.  Well, I mean, I fly to LA in 48 hours and then leave on the cruise the next day. 

9)  Once on the cruise, I probably won't have access to the internet.  I hear it's very expensive to buy on shipboard.

That's my life lately.  I'll take it...

Just a Little Catch-Up

34/365

Just a little catch up on license plates from the past few days.

seen on a huge, brand new truck

Seen on a brand new Chrysler Sebring convertible

I was walking through a parking lot when I came upon the vehicle with the plate in the image below.  There were about 5 people standing there, but I really wanted a picture of this plate.  So I asked who the truck belonged to, and the only girl in the group claimed it as hers.  When I explained that I wanted to take a picture, she laughed and said sure.  She told me it was an "ex-boyfriend" thing.  Sweet revenge!

Necessity

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When I was young I didn't understand the phrase "necessity is the mother of invention".  But I do now (well, I've understood it for a long time) and when I see it in action, it makes me smile, even on something as simple as this.

At the soccer games yesterday, we didn't have an extra pen for the parents to use while filling out their order blanks.  I volunteered my .69 BIC pen, but was insistent that I didn't want it to get lost.  (You have to understand that I think they are the greatest pens ever made and I've been looking for them for a number of years)  You know, it's the principle of it--at any given registration table, someone is bound to walk off with the pen, usually by accident. 

So, between another worker and I, we came up with a way to protect my pen.

It worked.  And it made me smile.

These kids are so stinkin' cute!!!

(click on the picture to see what the back of the shirt says--I love it!)

It was a good day.  Not too hot and after a while it clouded over so we all had a break from the sun.

Words Can't Describe

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The other day my friend, Jackie, and I decided to go over to the Disney Resort to do some photography.  It's so beautiful over there, and it's right on the beach.  We wandered around the grounds for a little while...

...then we saw Chip & Dale schmoozing with a visiting family.  They were so stinkin' cute!  The kids, I mean.  Well.....Chip & Dale were pretty cute too and they did a great job hamming it up with the kids for the camera. (not my camera--the Disney Camera) 

Then we headed over to the beach and were irrisistibly drawn by some great music to an area where there was a reception of some sort going on.  One of the waitresses said it was some kind of medical group.  Well--considering the "no expectation of privacy when in a public venue"  rule, Jackie and I just photographed to our hearts content.  Acutally, she shot mostly sunset and I shot mostly lanterns, all the while listening to some fabulous music. 

Words can't describe what a beautiful evening it was and how blessed I feel to be able to be here and enjoy it so much.

Wakiki Beach

31/365

Today a friend and I went to Wakiki Beach for the express purpose of being lazy.  Our goal was to lie on a beach chair under an umbrella and just veg.  In case you're wondering, we were very successful.  It was cloudy/rainy on other parts of the island, but at Wakiki, it was beautiful and sunny with just enough clouds to provide some occasional relief from the sun.



Diamond Head in the background.



There was a vendor at the beach who had about 6 trained tropical birds.  As you can see from the following image, for a price (never did find out what the price is), you can have your picture made with the birds.  So cute.  We watched about 4 groups do this.  I overheard the vendor say that this family was going to use the image as their Christmas Card.  Now that's my idea of a Christmas greeting.

Random Acts

Every once in a while I check out the "blogs of note".  The most recent one I discovered is Random Acts of Kindness.  You should take a look.

30/365

Not much is goin on to write about.  Haven't been taking many pictures or doing anything interesting. So this is all you get today.

Blue

29/365

The photo topic for the day is Blue.

Saturday some friends and I went on a hike to Manoa Falls.  It didn't rain the day before, and it didn't rain that morning.  The "falls" were just a trickle.  But we had a fun time hiking the mile long, rocky, slimy trail together. 

As we approached the trailhead, we saw these blue berries all over the ground.  It's probably hard for you to tell how large they are because I didn't put anything in the image to show perspective, so you'll have to take my word for it that they are about 3/4" in diameter.  The leaf they are resting on is about 9" from end to end. I decided to bring a bunch of them home with me so that I could make an image that was a little more creative than just shooting them laying scattered on the scruffy ground.

No one knew what they are, but they certainly fit the day's topic of blue.

Another Attempt at Sunset

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My friend and I thought we'd give it another go to photograph sunset.  It was a bust.  The color, although beautiful, only lasted a few minutes, and there weren't any clouds near the sun to reflect the color.  But it didn't hurt at all being on the beach at sunset.

After the sun went below the horizon, I practiced with a slow shutter speed to try and get the water looking milky.  Kind of successful.  But it might require a few more nights being at the beach at sunset.  I think I can bring myself to do that for art's sake.

Head's Up

I'm sorry to have to go this route, but because of all the spam I'm receiving lately, I've enable the "comment moderation" function.

All comments that are left will be reviewed by me before they will be posted.

If you're a legitmate follower of my blog, please don't let this deter you from commenting.  I love hearing from you.

The Four of Us

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The four of us went to Waioli Tea Room this morning for brunch.  It's a cute little place with tables inside and out.  Even though it was pretty chilly this morning, we opted to eat outside. 

My meal--very yummy.

The other three ladies wanted dessert, so they brought the tray over so we could see what they had available.  I was good--I didn't order dessert...

After taking Leah back to get her car, Betty and I headed up to Waimea Bay to see the waves.  It was a beautiful day, but did I mention it was a little chilly?  The waves were high, the sky was blue and the water was gorgeous.

AND, I struck paydirt!  A vanity plate that wasn't from Hawaii, woot, woot.

Even though I didn't eat dessert at the Tea House, Betty and I stopped at the Dole Plantation and we had a Pineapple Whip (basically an ice-cream-type, pineapple-flavored soft serve.  Yummy again.

26/365

Another Sunday Post

25/365

I certainly had no intentions of posting a second time today. 

Last night my friend's son performed at a small venue on the North Shore.  I didn't take my grown-up camera because I knew it would be dark by the time they began and I was sure I couldn't get any good images.  Yikes!!!  When will I ever learn?

Fortunately I had my amazing point-and-shoot with me.  That baby goes up to 3200 iso.  I had soooo much fun shooting with it.  However....there's a huge amount of grain at such a high iso, and there's likely to be movement because even at that high iso, the shutter speed was slow.  I shot away, knowing that I could apply some fun filters in photoshop that would somewhat disguise the grain.

I haven't had time to process more than these two images, but really, what fun!

You probably all know my resistance to manipulated images, but I offer these as "manipulated" images.  No pretenses that they're straight from the camera.  I don't object to that.  I only object to those photographers who highly manipulate and then try to pass the images off as "straight". 

Just tell the truth, people.

Be sure and click on the images (especially the second one) to see the fun effects.

5 Plates

24/365

Well, I'm falling farther and farther behind this whole "365 day challenge", but, what the hey.  It still keeps me thinking about taking photos, even if I don't do it.

I didn't take all these license plate photos on the same day.  I just haven't gotten around to

posting them till now.  So there ya go!

As seen on a PT Cruiser

As seen on a honkin' big truck, which, as far as I'm concerned,
should be illegal on this tiny island of Oahu where the
parking spaces are about as big as postage stamps. 
I'm glad he's mo payn for that sucker of a truck!

North Shore Waves

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The waves on the North Shore have been very high this past week.  When that happens, it's a "go" for the surfing competitions.  I finally managed to get to one of them for a few hours.  The traffic is usually very heavy and finding a parking spot is all but impossible. 

But on that particular day, the stars all aligned nicely for me, and after 5 years I was able to sit on the beach during a surf competition.  (cue in triumphal entry music)