Sunday, February 24, 2013

55/365 For The Love Of Music


"This Is Why We Sing"

Music has been a huge part of my life since I started taking piano lessons at age four.  (If you are calculating, that is 47 years.)  I am very fortunate to have a job teaching music theory.  Though there were so many ways that I could have approached this prompt, I knew immediately that my photo of the day would somehow include Resounding Harmony.  Singing with RH is, to me, what music is all about.  It is about sharing the power of music with my fellow singers in the chorus and as a chorus, sharing this passion with the community.  

As the lyrics to the song in this photo say, "Music builds a bridge, it tears down a wall.  Music is a language that speaks to one and all.  This is why we sing, why we lift our voice, why we stand as one in harmony . . ."

Saturday, February 23, 2013

54/365 Framed


"I've Been Framed"

It is amazing how much you can get done on a Saturday when you get up at 6am!  We were up early because I had a 7:30 dentist appointment.  (This appointment was original at 9, but Erin needed an emergency root canal and rather than make her get up for the early time, I swapped with her.)  After we had both endured having our mouths tromped through, we went shopping for some accessories to go with her new bedroom furniture.  It took visits to a few different stores, but we accomplished the task at hand just in time for lunch.  Chicken sandwiches and burgers at Smash Burger replenished our energy reserves.  She then headed home to do homework.  I thought that maybe I would have a little nap.  Then I thought again, deciding that I really didn't want to waste a beautiful Saturday afternoon sleeping.

Weber and I tossed around ideas about what to do.  He has just gotten a new video camera.  We agreed that we would go take pictures/video somewhere. (That took a lot of arm twisting on his part :-)) My hope was that this would get me out of my creative slump.  We ended up going to Addison Circle, a niche community not too far from home.  We had no real idea what we might find to photograph; we were just out for a little adventure.

One of the first things we came upon was a place called the Polk A Dot Bakery.  This reminded me of Brooke, both the bakery and the polka dot parts,  so we had to go check it out.  Everyone knows that you can't go in and look around a place like this and buy something.  That would just be rude!


 Weber got carrot cake and I got this amazing cupcake.


Vanilla cake with chocolate frosting is my absolute favorite!  This cupcake was perfect because the frosting was neither to sweet nor too heavy.  In addition to a variety of baked goods, their menu also includes light meal options.  Finding the Polk A Dot Bakery was an added bonus for our day.  The atmosphere was great, more like a coffee house.  There are lots of tables both big and small, inside and outside.  People were reading, chatting, playing games and some were just watching the world go by.  For those of you who live in the Dallas area, this place is definitely worth a visit.

After our snack we got back on track and  took lots of pictures and video.  Because I was trying new things hoping to learn something new,  I took lots of pictures that are not worth posting, but from which I learned a fair amount.

Here are some of the ones worthy of sharing.

We came upon this little guy (or girl( who also was enjoying an afternoon snack.


Once finished, he/she wasn't interested in our company.


We found a small fountain that provided an opportunity to practice stop action.  Unfortunately, though I gained some insight into the technical aspects here, the light was terrible so the pictures themselves aren't great.  For some reason that I can't quite articulate, I really like this image taken at the edge of the fountain area.


It was while I was taking these shots that Weber turned his camera from the squirrels to me.  Turnabout is fair play.  I took a picture of him, which is the one that became today's picture of the day.  It will serve as a wonderful reminder of how we spent February 23, 2013.

Further on we found a large bed of tulips, proof that spring is indeed near.


No. this picture is not crooked.  All of the tulips were bowed toward the sun in the west.  The sea of pink was beautiful.  The trees, however,  are not quite ready for spring.


We had a lovely afternoon.  I'm feeling a little better after my week of being in a creative slump.  Hopefully today's experiences will keep me inspired through the next week and beyond.





Friday, February 22, 2013

53/365 Sweet Treat


"Truth In Advertising"

I don't know if the prompts this week aren't inspiring or if my photos are just uninspired, but I am not feeling the photographic love right now.  Maybe this is because I have been at home for two days grading papers and doing laundry.  Perhaps I need to get out into the real world over the weekend.  Whatever the problem, I apologize for the less than exciting pictures.

I may just be bitter about today's prompt being sweet treats because I am trying not to eat so many sweets right now.  Today's photo is of Popcorn Indiana's Black and White popcorn, popcorn drizzled with dark and white chocolate.  It is amazing stuff; it's crispy, sweet, crunchy and delicious just like the packaging claims.  I am addicted to it.  The only lie they tell on its package is that they say that each bag contains five servings.  I'm fairly sure it's more like two.  Now you understand why I need to stay away from sweets.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

52/365 Performance


"Good Vibrations, Please!"

As a clarinetist, I am always at the mercy of my reed for a good performance.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

51/365 Look Up


"Bubble Wrap and Chicken Wire"

I have learned that Wednesdays are not days for me to expect anything good to come of my picture taking.  I have so little time for the things I need to do forget the things I want to do.  I was hurrying across campus this afternoon and first noticed the slim tree framed by the edges of two buildings.  Then I saw the "art" - I believe it is bubble wrap encased in chicken wire.  This certainly is not what I expected to see when looking up.  I had my phone in my hand a took a few shots.  I'm not happy with any of them.  They were all taken from eye level.  I probably would have liked them better if I could have shot from the ground up.  I wasn't willing to do that at that particular moment.  So this is what I got - mostly disappointment.  I may go back this weekend and try again.

In a desperate attempt to make myself feel better, I took this shot, again with my phone, looking up at home.  Its only redeeming value is that this is how I feel on Wednesdays - fast and furiously moving in circles!


"Whirling"

Tomorrow will be a much slower paced day.  Thank goodness!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

50/365 A Tree


"A Tree Begging To Be Noticed"


I am fortunate to be able to walk the mile and a half to and from work (school) each day.  This way I get some exercise and am able to do a little to reduce my carbon footprint.  As I am walk, I am usually thinking about my destination - what do I need to do when I get to school or what is waiting for me when I get home.  On the edge of campus, I pass this tree twice a day some days but have not given it much attention. With today's prompt, I was intentional about noticing the trees as I walked.  This is the first time that I have seen the yarn draped around this tree's branch.  Who knows how long it has been like this.  Seeing this oddity today makes me wonder what else I miss as I make my way through my busy days.

Monday, February 18, 2013

49/365 Favorite Snack


"Peanut Butter and Celery"



"Hello World!"

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you have a good week.