seafoam skies

Love the color seafoam - it even makes barbed wire look nice.
(pictures 115, and 116)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

catching snowflakes

I go to NYC a few times a year to work, see family and friends.  I hardly get a chance to walk around the city by myself soaking in its energy and beauty.  I snuck a few hours in between meeting up with friends and family and took a few pictures that might be worth sharing.  (Photos #111, 112, 113, 114)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three crows and a plastic puppy

It had been seriously foggy for the past six days here in Kirkland and the entire Seattle area.  Visibility was about 100 feet at best and the fog never burned out.  I've never been in a fog that lasted for such a long time. We took a walk around the apartment and found that the crows seemed to be having the time of their life in the fog... crowing.  I found this plastic puppy sitting on the fence around one of the dumpsters...  So these are the things in my neighborhood... in the fog.

(Photos 107, 108, 109, and 110).

follow my bliss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's been again entirely too long since I last posted an image, but it's a good thing.  This break gave me a chance to re-think what I was doing with my photography as well as my architecture.  I will continue my 1001 photographs.

I fell into a rut when I started taking pictures for stock photography.  Taking on stock photography isn't for everyone, it was a soul-killer for me.  I started seeing photographs as cash rather than as a creative outlet.  It was not dissimilar to corporate architecture... though that is more of a soul-killer for someone like me.

So my new year's resolution: (aside from the usual exercising and eating well) To follow my bliss with both photography and with architecture.  Get back to photographing what I want and get back to a theoretical discourse with my architecture.

Interestingly enough, I found a photography and architecture competition titled "Erotic Architecture"
by an architecture design competition website called "Homemade Dessert". The competition requires one photograph relating to the topic of erotic architecture and a comment with it.   Perfect for my intentions, I can start exercising my new year's resolution!  Above is the photograph I entered (photo #106) and here's my blurb:

Eroticism, unlike simple sexual activity is more a psychological venture.  Under this premise, the photograph uses contrast and contradiction of tactile and symbolic architectural elements as a medium for the psychological activity.  The photo is of a rusted chain and a silk curtain wall.  The chain is rough, solid, restraining, at the same time supportive, whereas the silk curtain wall is soft, light, fluid, dividing and fragile.  One is definite and is easy to grasp, the other ephemeral in form, hard to grasp.

These two disparate architectural elements juxtaposed is an attempt to create associations that are not preconceived, it is thought to be open ended and provocative to the viewer.

I'm not at all surprised to find many submitted photographs of skyscrapers and vessel-like receptacles... sheesh... architects.

 

Shifting energies

So... I have been neglecting my photography recently... not because I have grown tired of it but I have been playing my role of Architect designing a house for a client.  Luck as we all know has its two sides, I was extremely lucky to get the project and I was just as un-lucky to have them stop the project due to their finances.  So I am nowhere ahead of where I was before aside from more experience under my belt.  Well and also leaning about and meeting a very nice couple.  Does the education of an architect ever end?  I think not, otherwise this profession I chose would be a one-liner.  I guess that's why I like it, though I never believed that an architect is truly an architect when he/she is in their 50's.  I've got a few years to go.  So it's another project on the shelf for me waiting for it's owners to pick it up and make it home.

A lot of energy is put into a project but when it is pulled right before it gets complete, the energy has nowhere to go.  The ultimate reward for all the work is not the money but being able to walk in the space that was created.  That won't be for now... I have to admit, I was completely at a loss - I did not know what to do with all this energy and focus.  Riding the motorcycle all over the place helped diffuse some of the energy and it has been therapeutic.  I've started to come back to a daily routine and the photography is part of that.

A long ride to Chuckanut Drive near in the Skagit Valley just south of Bellingham Wa. was to be part of that healing medicine.  Who doesn't love the name "Chuckanut"??? The ride is quite fun with it's twisties and beautiful vistas.  There is a hidden gem of a place called Taylor Shellfish Farms where you can buy and eat all the bivalves and crustaceans right there on hibachi grills they have scattered along the shore of their premises.  I got a quick lesson on how to shuck an oyster.  It's one of those skills I thought was mysteriously kool to do.  I didn't seek it out but the guy there just offered to show me and to top it off I got to eat the oyster after the shucking lesson.  No grilling on the seashore this time, but brought a dozen to grill at home.  With a pinch of romano cheeze and a dash of lemon, it was simply yumm!  Here are photos # 103, 104 and 105.

"Kitchen" the cat

Yes, a cat named "Kitchen" resides with me.  She's quite photogenic but she likes things done her way.  Respect that and all is alright, if you disrespect her she'll treat you appropriately.  Photo # 102:

The motorcycle... the medium...

Not directly related to my photos BUT is very important to me for obtaining many of my photos is my motorcycle.  So... these two links to websites that inspire and sometimes make me drool over the products they sell:

http://bmwmoarally.com/motorcycle-adventure-blog-contest and to www.RevZilla.com


Given that so much traffic is coming to this page, it was odd I didn't have any pictures.  Here are some pics of my motorcycle and some two-wheeled vehicles around town. (photos 127, 128 and 129)

This is Zoe my BMW R1150R, her name was inspired by a Cylon from the show Caprica.  (unfortunately the show wasn't as good as Battlestar Galactica).  This is one great bike.  Anyone considering getting one, get it!  Just make sure the fuel line quick disconnects are replaced (if they haven't been replaced or there is no record of them being replaced - replace them.  They WILL fail.) and the zipties beneath the handlebars are cut (they are installed too tight at the factory).  It is a great street bike AND it is a great touring bike.  I've done over 15000 miles on her in a bit over two years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This baby graced the top of the old Big Peoples scooter store in Georgetown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aaaand  finally, here's a vid of my ride on Route 1 from Legget... it was a nice ride.