Holiday's Got You Down?

Holiday's Got You Down?, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
My family celebrates Christmas but whatever holiday you choose to observe - or if you're just trying to make it through to the end of the year - my thanks & best wishes to everyone who stopped by to visit my humble corner of this site. Merry Christmas!
Jeff
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"© CarrPhotography 2008; all rights reserved"

- A repost of a three year old photo but as one who is very busy at the moment yet still would like to send holiday greetings to those in flickr who see this I present this repost...

Leaving Oakland Cemetery

Leaving Oakland Cemetery, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Reindeer Games

Reindeer Games, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

L O N E

L O N E, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
A revisit to this subdivision.

Pray the Rosary - Previously Completed Item #67

my rosary beads, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

#67 - Pray the rosary

Via Flickr:
My faith is a very personal issue for me; I don't like to push it on anyone yet I embrace it wholeheartedly for myself. I was doing some self-portraits a few years back and I took this simple photo for a representation of my faith. I can not say I pray with these on any regular basis but I do enjoy the meditative atmosphere when I do.  These rosary beads are from Ireland.

© 2006 CarrPhotography; all rights reserved

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
A revisit to this subdivision.

Spend the night at a night shelter; Previously Completed Item #57

Central Night Shelter, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
December, 2009. Preparation of beds and dinner for the (approximately) 65 guests who spend the night in this temporary shelter. I started volunteering at a night shelter around 1996 when I first purchased my own house and it hit me how fortunate I was to have a house, let alone a place to stay at night. This particular shelter is in downtown Atlanta and is open from November through March.

Please consider contributing to a charity of your choice this holiday season. And if you don't have one here are a few charities to investigate:

Central Night Shelter (featured in this photo)

Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless

America's Second Harvest

Click to Give @ The Hunger Site

The Atlanta based organization, Hosea William's Feed the Hungry which inspired others.

Feed the Hungry (national page)

National Coalition for the Homeless

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My apologies to those who may find this preachy but if the subject matter serves as a reminder to donate to others less fortunate than it will be worth it.
Thank you for viewing and for your consideration. Happy Holidays.

(Previously completed list item.)

Front Porch, Suches GA

Front Porch, Suches GA, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

In the Way of Righteouness Is Life...

In the Way of Righteouness Is Life..., a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
...and in the pathway thereof there is no death
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Proverbs 12:28

Knee-Mail

Knee-Mail, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

For Rent

For Rent, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This photo was taken in 2009; didn't realize this house we "almost bought" was used in the first episode of The Walking Dead series. I knew some of the filming locations in my neighborhood but didn't know about this locale until now. :)

Please visit this site for more location photographs: walkingdeadlocations.com/?p=49

Hard to believe we looked at buying this house 6 years ago. It was empty then as the planned renovations stopped due to some conflict between the owner and contractor. We backed out as we thought it was going to cost too much money (for our tastes) to fix and could not reach an agreement with the seller. I don't think the house ever sold.

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Looks like they fixed up the structure a bit for the episode. :)



A photo of this house taken and posted to flickr in 2009:

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-, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
photographed and uploaded to flickr with my blackberry camera phone.

"Daniel"

Daniel, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Oakland Cemetery Tour
Straight out of the camera (no photoshop). I have had this Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 for about 6 months and didn't know it had a setting for a pinhole camera so naturally I decided to test it out the moment I realized it. :) The light was ading as it was near" dusk but I liked what I saw.

Office Space

Office Space, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Killer Corn Dogs

Corn Dogs For Sale, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Taken at the 2009 Oakland Cemetery Halloween tours in Grant Park, Atlanta.

This image was featured in The 2011 LENSCRATCH Masks, Costumes, and Halloween Exhibition.

Item #18 - Attend a College Football Game

Tuba Reflection, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

I saw a college football game as a kid but even though I live in a big college football area, it's hard to believe I never attended one as an adult. My brother-in-law bought tickets for the 10-22-11 Georgia State Panthers versus South Alabama Jaguars game. My wife's family is from Mobile so some of them naturally rooted for South Alabama. I asked my daughter who she wanted to win and Katie replied Georgia because that's where she lives. :) That was good enough for me so I sided with my daughter in good, spirited cheering.  The Georgia Dome was hardly filled; both universities' football programs are relatively new so the fan base doesn't have roots yet.  The game itself was great, going into double overtime. Georgia State won so all went well for the day. :)

Something Magical - previously completed item #89 - go to a drive-in

Something Magical, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Some other starlight photos.

I was always intrigued by the idealistic lure of the drive-in. I don't remember any being around when I was growing up but I am fortunate to have one located near where I live; in fact it is the closet movie theater to us. :)

Atlanta's Starlight Drive-In opened in 1949 and is one of the few operating drive-ins in the the state, let alone country. This theater has 6 screens playing in the summer and 4 screens open in the winter. I will say that while I enjoy attending a movie here at least once a year it may not be for everyone.

Like an indoor theater there can be crowd noise but this time it's from cars driving by trying to find a place to park. Kids also tend to be a bit louder in the outdoors and it can be a late night in the summer if you have children as it doesn't get dark enough in Atlanta until 9:30p in the summer. I don't think it's be optimum venue to soak in a quiet drama...

That said, we enjoy the tailgating atmosphere. One of the things I'd like to do is cook out - grills are allowed - prior to a show. The sense of sharing a communal outside experience is wonderful. Just be careful with your car battery! The sound system is hooked up through a FM frequency and after one long movie our car wouldn't start; as it turns out the theater has a dedicated staff member who visits each theater lot with a battery jumper, so this is a common thing. Still, we might take a boom box with us next time. :)

Untitled, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Transience
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Orlando Airport

Atlanta Roller Girls - previously completed item #97

Atlanta Roller Girls, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Dirty South Derby Girls vs Cincinnati Black Sheep

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© 2010 CarrPhotography; all rights reserved

I remembered roller derby when I was a kid but the sport seemed to have faded away as I grew older. I noticed a few years back a resurgence in popularity with all-female roller derby or the Atlanta "Roller Girls" as the local organization is named here. My interest piqued, I requested tickets from my wife for my birthday. Mrs. C was a little tentative but she did buy us tickets. I enjoyed it more than my wife but I don't think it was that big of a turn off for Elizabeth which would prevent her from attending again.

As with wrestling, one sees spectators of all ages and personalities from kids to grandmas to Pabst Blue Ribbon drinking couples.   It seemed the only drunk people in the place were right behind us; they weren't horrible in behavior but still a bit annoying. The rules of play and scoring were explained to the audience beforehand so we were definitely able to follow along.  The humor from the team cheer squad was a bit risque but fine. The names the women had were funny ("Nora Gretz", "Slamborghini", "Regreta Garbo", etc); in fact one of my daughter's school teachers was a former Roller Girl; "Teacher Pain". :)  I have much respect for their dedication and athleticism; that is a rough but exciting game.

Untitled

Untitled, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Shoes

I sometimes take a stroll around downtown Atlanta when my daughter is attending Sunday school. I saw these shoes as they were pictured here. It is a door to a neighboring church but as my child attended pre-K in this building I know this door is to be opened on the inside for emergencies.

The deliberate placement struck me as odd, as if someone had been waiting for this door to open. They seem like perfectly good shoes to me.

It also reminded me of winter as this is one of the two men's shelter locations which I volunteer when they are open to guests in the winter months. I left them there in hopes someone on the street could use them.

"Our last deep conversation was...30 years ago?!"

Steve, an old friend from high school looked me up a couple of weeks ago, saying he was going to be in town for a convention and we arranged to meet. Our dinner plans had to be rearranged due to both our schedules but we met for a drink and spent the next two+ hours catching up.

Since Steve isn't on facebook and this bog could potentially be seen by anyone I'll respect his privacy and not upload his photo. :)  [Note: Steve Mernoff emailed saying it was ok to include his photo]

Our lives went separate ways after college, which is natural for many people over time & distance. We briefly saw each other at mutual friends celebrations but this was the first conversation, so to speak I remember having with Steve in about 30 years. What I found interesting besides the catching up was how easily the dialog flowed about past events, mutual friends and our current lives.  

Given our separate lives and distance I can't say the next time I may see Steve again but it certainly was a pleasure and I thank him for taking the effort to look me up. :)  

Previously Completed Item #78 - Hike up to the Black Mountain Fire Tower

We have own our cabin in Suches, GA for about 6-7 years and we always see this fire tower on the road to and from the cabin. The tower though looks small from the road as it's on top of one of the mountains which frame the hollow of Suches. There is a forest service road off the highway which seems to lead up the mountain and though the road was closed to regular automobiles, I thought, "it's a road, how hard could this hike be?" and this hiking up to the tower was on my list of things to do.

Fire Tower, Black Mountain, Suches, a photo by Jeff__ 

Fire Tower, Black Mountain, Suches

Via Flickr:

Well, one of our "fun family activities" this year involved a hike up Black Mountain to this old, but still used, fire tower.  None of us are hikers so we definitely felt the burn - and more - but we enjoyed the views and accomplishment. It's about a 2 mile round trip hike. Here is some more information on Black Mountain and a topo map of the region.

DSC_0086, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Couldn't get past the grate that was on top of these steps (perhaps I could have but I didn't want my then 8 y/o climbing this if she saw me on top)

DSC_0085, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

A couple additional photos of the hike down (I was too tired to take photos hiking up) :)



DSC_0100, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

DSC_0102, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

morning illumination

morning illumination, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

I was rushing to get ready for work one morning when I suddenly noticed these shoes illuminated by the soft window light. Another reminder for me to pause and appreciate the variety of beautiful things life can offer us.

day 103 - project 365

© 2007 CarrPhotography; all rights reserved

#28 - Go Zorbing (globe-riding, sphereing or orbing)

I had the opportunity to play in a zorb ball this weekend at a festival in Suches, GA.  Mrs. C did the honors and photographed me.

I spotted them but said nothing at first. Then my 9 y/o daughter commented on how she would like to try this which allowed me to say, "of course, do you mind if I also go in one of these?" :)  Daughter very much said yes as she wanted to ram her ball into mine as much as possible. :) This was different and less insane than some other zorbing I'd seen which was a "strap in and get pushed downhill".  Here we were on a flat surface and had to maneuver the ball ourselves. I entered the ball in as smooth a fashion as possible and for the entire time got quite a work out walking and pushing the ball forward, making sure to keep the entrance holes on the side so I wouldn't fall through.  By the time this was over I was tired but we had fun.  Then daughter proceeded to the bungee trampoline while I sat on the ground and watched.:

The Greatest Speech Ever Made

Charlie Chaplin's final speech in "The Great Dictator".  (I don't know who added the contemporary montage which plays along with the speech).

Previously Compeleted Items #17, #35 & #53 - Bora Bora Sunrise, Visit South Pacific, Skinny Dipping

Bora Bora Sunrise, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

Sunrise image which greeted us every morning in Bora Bora. 

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© 2000 CarrPhotography; all rights reserved

Item #17 was visit a South Pacific island and beautiful Bora Bora was all that I imagined. Gorgeous weather and surroundings. My wife could have stayed there for a month.  Item #53 was have a champagne toast to a sunrise, which we did at Bora Bora. This was one of the sunrises we saw each day and it was spectacular.  I don't know if we'll ever get a chance to revisit Bora Bora but I'm glad we went. Although I had skinny dipped years earlier, it was a beautiful locale to swim au naturel and redo item #35.

 

Previously Completed Item #22 - Learn How to Eat With Chopsticks

I used a fork eating in Chinese restaurants from high school past college. My first chopsticks use was in my early 20s at a social environment with some work colleagues and strangers; something inside me said to pick up the chopsticks and use them versus the fork. I'm glad I did because not only do I enjoy it, the practice made it easier to eat my way through Hong Kong and Beijing (the latter city was a business trip and I know that simple eating skill looked better than asking for a fork). 

The fun part of using chopsticks is picking up something small and round, like a pea and passing (or receiving) it from another person without dropping it. I'm not able to pick up all the rice but when I was in Hong Kong I noticed how everyone used the chopsticks to shovel the rice into their mouths so I felt OK. :)

Previously Completed Item #44 - Photograph Lighting While It IsHappening

"Electricity is really just organized lightning", a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Electricity is really just organized lightning.
George Carlin

On our first night of our Gulf Shores weekend I was serenaded by a spectacular lightning show over the gulf. Trying to capture a nice image of this was fun but challenging as the camera doesn't have a tripod mount or a bulb setting. I wished the building and beach were lit up more but this is how it looked to me so I wanted to keep it as realistic as possible.

Photograph © 2007 CarrPhotography; all rights reserved

Previously completed list.

Previously completed (?) item #100 - clawfoot tub

 

(variation on a self-portrait cliché), a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

When I read others had "own a clawfoot tub" on their list I thought, "oh, I already have this" and put it on my previously completed list.

Well, now that I remember we used to have a clawfoot tub in the house we were renovating but it was in such bad shape we couldn't use it any longer. I do love the bathroom which we restored, however - yes, this is my bathroom and this is me in the photo. It is a self-portrait, which was part of my 52 weeks of one self-portrait a week for an entire year project.

Item #73 - Volunteer at Oakland Cemetery

One item on the new list completed. It should be easy since I live a few blocks from here but it still took me about 6 years to do this. :)  Oakland Cemetery was designed as a Victorian Garden cemetery and is filled with wonderful architecture and history. My company had a volunteer day at various non-profit organizations and I jumped at the chance to volunteer at Oakland. My work for this day was light; I helped spread mulch over bare, non-grassy parts of the cemetery grounds but it is still something which is of help. It is a historic area in Atlanta.

 

The cemetery was designed in the 1850s to be a place where folks would visit, picnic and get a respite from the city.

 A closeup of this the mausoleum's steps is in the Atlanta daily photo link.

 Honoring the unknown Confederate dead soldiers.

 Mayors and other notable citizens are buried here, The most famous resident is Margaret Mitchell, author of "Gone with the Wind". I forgot to include a photograph of her site.

 Part of the Atlanta skyline in the distance.

The resting place of famous golfer, Bobby Jones. People lay down a golf ball in hopes it brings them luck to their game.

Hong Kong - Previously Completed Item #9

Hong Kong - Previously Completed Item #9

I was always fascinated with the blend of British and Chinese influences in a place like Hong Kong and I was fortunate to put a solo trip together in 1993. I cashed in frequent flier points for free air travel which allowed me the opportunity to stay at a decent hotel; nothing like a 5 star place but definitely a step above hostels of my previous trips. I'm glad I went as the week flew by. It was interesting being in such a congested environment, being in a place where not many people spoke English to me. Signs were mostly in English so it was easy to get around.  And now that the territory is under China's control I would be interested in a return trip to see what changes there might be.

Pottinger Street, 1993, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
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© 1993 CarrPhotography; all rights reserved

Here are some other Hong Kong photos from the trip.

Objects in your mirror may be larger than they appear

Objects in your mirror may be larger than they appear, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
While this may appear to be a "random" shot; I took several versions in different locations before settling on this and moving onto a safer photographic (and driving) pursuit.
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And a timely addition to the Self Portrait Challenge - Reflective Surfaces

Life List? Bucket List?

I know. Some may find these type of lists engaging while others may find the idea irrelevant.  I lean towards the former, with a toe in the latter.

Real life and it's inherent issues always interrupts us but these type of lists - to me - can serve as a fun reminder of things we want to do.  

Now, there can be the "bucket list" for just myself, or a "family list" for family goals. Some list items can be duplicate of course. A list can be general, incorporating activities across all genres or it can be specific; a "photographic list", let's say. I think I'll look at some existing "list blogs" for a start and see what type of list I draw up.

Crossing

Crossing, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Crossing the Mobile River, I drove while Elizabeth took this photo with the Diana camera.

"All good folks are in bed"

"All good folks are in bed", a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Summer Night Music Suches GA

Summer Night Music Suches GA a video by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Cicadas and crickets provide the soundtrack.

Lower Manhattan - Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at Our Lady of the Rosary, 1988

Lower Manhattan - Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at Our Lady of the Rosary, 1988, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
The Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, located at 7 State Street, between Pearl St. and Water Streets, Financial District, Manhattan, New York City, New York. The parish is home to the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Eisenhower Park Restroom

Eisenhower Park Restroom, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

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© 2009 CarrPhotography; all rights reserved

School Grounds

School Grounds, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Summer Fades into Autumn....

Untitled

Untitled, a photo by Jeff__ on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
as found....when walking my dog one afternoon in the park...