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Suburban Journals | Life | Easter topping: Some still wear bonnets on holiday

2010-04-01T09:12:00.003-05:00

Suburban Journals Life Easter topping: Some still wear bonnets on holiday

Posted using ShareThis

I was interviewed for an article on Easter bonnets by a Suburban Journal reporter, and a photographer took pictures of me in my best bonnet.

'Flags-In' at Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day 2008

2009-05-24T15:47:00.002-05:00

'Flags-In' at Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day 2008
Originally uploaded by Army.mil.

The photographer says:

(Arlington National Cemetery - May 22, 2008) -- Master Sgt. Steven Colbert places a flag on a gravesite with his son's assistance. The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) began their rounds to place a small American flag into the ground in front of every grave marker at Arlington National Cemetery for the Memorial Day observance. (Photo by Adam Skoczylas).

www.army.mil (The official website of the US Military)

In St. Louis where I live, the Boy Scouts help place the flags on each grave at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery.

Memorial Day at Madingley American Cemetery Cambridge

2009-05-24T15:33:00.001-05:00

Memorial Day at Madingley American Cemetery Cambridge
Originally uploaded by Snapperz.

Madlingley American Cemetery in Cambridge, England set of photos by Tony Margiocchi.

Thanksgiving is many circles of love: A story of one Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T06:06:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving is many circles of love: A story of one Thanksgiving
Originally uploaded by controltheweb.

collage by "controltheweb"

getting ready for the Tartan Day parade

2008-04-05T22:16:00.001-05:00

getting ready for the Tartan Day parade
Originally uploaded by MBK (old skool).

Tartan Days in Saint Charles, Missouri.

National Night Out August 7, 2007

2007-08-12T07:30:00.001-05:00

NationalNightOut-8-7-07-023
Originally uploaded by ryan.damage.

It was really hot on August 7, but some intrepid cyclists celebrated in fine style. "Ryan Damage" took the photos.

Happy Tartan Day

2007-04-07T14:04:00.001-05:00

tartan days pipers
Originally uploaded by MBK (old skool).

from the photo set
Missouri Tartan Days in St. Charles, Missouri, April 1, 2007

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2007-03-16T18:12:00.001-05:00

st. patrick's day carpet
Originally uploaded by pbo31.

I haven't been blogging much at all lately, spending most of my online time on Flickr.com uploading photos of my own every day. This is a photo that someone else took; I found it on Flickr by searching for "green" and "Irish" to find something suitable to the season.

Carnivale

2007-02-17T09:46:00.001-06:00

Another lady in black and pink
Originally uploaded by Alaskan Dude.

from the photo set Carnivale 2007, Venice by Alaskan Dude

It's Carnival Time!

2007-02-17T08:33:00.000-06:00

BreakingTheBoredom
Originally uploaded by *eSThER*.

In St. Louis, Missouri, the "big" Mardi Gras parade will take place very soon. Right now it's snowing. I haven't decided yet whether to brave the weather, and the crowds, and the lack of places to park, in order to see any of the parade.

Mardi Gras in the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis used to be a small intimate affair. As the yearly celebration grew, the things that I really enjoyed, like being able to freely walk along taking photos of whatever caught my fancy, became impossible with the huge number of people coming into the narrow streets of Soulard. Now you must choose a spot to stand and stick with it. Photos are harder to get because of all the people jumping in front of you and reaching up to catch beads. The Soulard bars make more money now. But it's harder to find a place that features the traditional Mardi Gras music that I prefer to the vanilla pop and rock sounds that most of the taverns or parade floats blast into the street.

This morning I'm watching the snow fall as I browse around Flickr.com looking at photos from Rio de Janeiro, Barkus pet parades, and other colorful stuff. Here's some of the stuff I found so far:

Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Carnaval by bossa67

Carnaval 2006 by Tonspi

Carnaval 2006 (Rio) by OLD SKOOL Cora
Carnaval, Rio by OLD SKOOL Cora
More Carnaval (Rio) by OLD SKOOL Cora

Barkus (New Orleans) by PhotoSchnapps

Mardi Gras 2006 (New Orleans) by toff murray

Barkus 2007 (New Orleans) by golly4wally

Mardi Gras (New Orleans) by The Voice of Eye

Barkus 2006 (New Orleans) by Okaggi (a photographer from Washington state)

Krewe of Barkus 2006 (New Orleans) by rosie rose

New Orleans by Scharlachrot (J.N. Darby)

Mardi Gras '07: Barkus (New Orleans) by bluseth

Barkus (New Orleans) by mistiesanzen

Mom's visit (New Orleans) The first weekend of Mardi Gras 2007: Oshun, Pygmalion, riding with the Vespa krewe in Shangri-La, Carrolton, and Barkus, by photosharp

Barkus (New Orleans) by Nola Tom

Krewe of Barkus '07 (New Orleans) by snujiins

Barkus 2007 (New Orleans) by boxchain

Krewe of Barkus 2006 (New Orleans) by boxchain

Barkus 2007 (New Orleans) by annamarie504

Riding with Krewe of King Arthur, Feb. 11, 2007 (New Orleans) by Maitri

Mardi Gras 2006 Parades & Antics (New Orleans) by Maitri

barkus (New Orleans) photos by Mamish

Barkus 2007 (New Orleans) by pinkmartini15

Krewe Of Mutts (Baton Rouge) by mfreyder

Krewe of Mutts (Baton Rouge) by CGH3

Barkus 2006 (Soulard) by bfelice

Mardi Gras 2007 (Soulard) by Herkie

Barkus Pet Parade (Soulard) by nutmeg021

canines (St. Louis) by danzeye

The snow is letting up a little bit. Maybe I'll make it to Soulard yet!

Working on the snowman

2007-02-09T07:13:00.000-06:00

Working on the snowman
Originally uploaded by bowbrick.

from the photo set A Proper Snowman!

Mestwick66 Break Dancing Santas

2006-12-24T10:33:00.000-06:00

Mestwick66 Break Dancing Santas
Originally uploaded by NYCArthur.

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-22T05:26:00.000-06:00

happy flamingo holidays
Originally uploaded by MBK.

Giant Turkey Suggests Pork for Thanksgiving

2006-11-19T06:38:00.000-06:00

IMG_7129
Originally uploaded by abp7.

My sister snapped this one in her neighborhood in South St. Louis.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

work release - governor's mansion

2006-10-28T13:54:00.000-05:00

work release
Originally uploaded by bfelice.

more ghoulish sights from the mansion.

Temple Sunset

2006-10-08T21:06:00.000-05:00

temple sunset
Originally uploaded by Sara Heinrichs (awfulsara).

The photographer, Sara Heinrichs, says:

Riding back to the guesthouse on my rented bicycle from a day of exploring and photography when the sky turned amazing colors. Stopped and hustled off the road to these, the nearest temples, set the camera on a low wall, & took this shot.

This photo is one of many great shots in her photoset those you like best. Sara includes in that set her photos that have been "faved" by 50 or more people. Every one of them is well worth viewing.

I don't have any photos on flickr faved by that many people, but I do have quite a few that at least one person marked as a favorite. Many of these "faved" photgraphs must hold some kind of significance to the person doing the "faving" that I cannot fathom. Maybe the subject matter reminds the person of her childhood, or the favoriter used to work down the street from the old shack in my photo.

Of all my photos (over 24,000 so far), this one has been favorited the most:

Just wait till I get time to scan in all my old photos from my days of taking film shots. Most of my photos on Flickr are from June 2005 up to the present time, and shot with a little digital camera with only 1.3 megapixels. The quality of the images ranges from decent to pretty awful. I rarely delete anything, but I certainly don't expect anyone to look at my entire ouvre. I put lots of my photos into sets, so that you can click on a set that looks like it might interest you and see all the photos in thumbnail view. If they don't look interesting enough to click on individually, you've at least seen a little overview of what I took.

I will take a photo of just about anything except roadkill or other dead animals. Unless the dead animal is cooked for food. I take lots of photos of buildings, skies, and things that look interesting or strange to me. Lately the majority of my pictures are taken from the car.

I could spend hours on the Flickr.com website. There are all kinds of pictures, groups of photos, and discussions of photos, it would take several lifetimes to check it all out. I wish I had the time to work at my real job, sing in the choir, do my radio show, add things to this blog, take photos, hang out with my friends and family, get enough sleep, and still have the time to browse around on the Flickr site.

Bloggers create emergency blogs...

2006-07-29T12:09:00.000-05:00

fat kills germs
Originally uploaded by MBK.

to fulfill their solemn vows to blog every half hour for 24 hours, some of the blogathon bloggers have had to start whole new blogs on the fly!

SJ's emergency blog

I'll try to catch up to what SJ is doing, I had gone out for breakfast and came back to see only one post on SJ's regular blog, The Write Coast.

I found her emergency blog at the Blogathon site.

Blogathon 2006 starts soon...

2006-07-28T19:27:00.000-05:00

nipper and touille dog
Originally uploaded by MBK.

I won't be one of the almost 400 bloggers who will blog every 30 minutes for 24 hours. Starting at 8 AM Central Time, these intrepid folks will be blogging for charity, and preblogging is not allowed. They have to actually stay up for the 24 hours. Monitors will be watching!

I will, however, be checking out as many of the blogathoners as I can, especially my friend SJ of The Write Coast, who will be blogging for Puppies Behind Bars, a charity who helps dogs and prison inmates both, by training the inmates to raise puppies to become guide dogs for the blind and explosive detection canines for law enforcement.

I have pledged my support for SJ and Puppies Behind Bars in memory of my dog Touille.

...more information about the Blogathon...

Good Luck, Bloggers!

fireworks @ the arch 2006

2006-07-04T19:21:00.000-05:00

fireworks @ the arch 2006
Originally uploaded by paparutzi.

I haven't been blogging here lately. I had to have my little dog Touille euthanized at the end of May. She lived a good long life. This is my first Independence Day without her. Touille had always hated fireworks or any loud noises. A year ago, the firecrackers set off by the kids in the immediate neighborhood, right near our house, didn't seem to bother her so much. I knew that she must be losing her hearing.

This photo shows some of the spectacular fireworks by the Mississippi River that St. Louisans saw on Saturday, July 1. There is another fireworks show scheduled for tonight, if the rain stops in time. It's raining right now at 7:20 PM.

new product at the local walgreens

2006-04-28T07:17:00.000-05:00

Creative Marketing Strategy
Originally uploaded by idahostudios.

A local photographer found this sign and declares:

NOT A FAKE----Found at a South St. Louis (Bayless) Walgreens. No Kidding.

One of the commenters on the photo directs us to this website:
Chicken Poop

I Passed Eighth Grade Math (in the blogosphere)

2006-04-18T13:38:00.000-05:00

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 8/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

Now, I didn't even understand one of the questions in the quiz. It used a sort of carat symbol, the meaning of which was a mystery to me. Instead of just guessing, I left that one blank. So the other question that I got wrong? Who knows?

It's been a pretty long time since eighth grade.

what's in YOUR easter basket?

2006-04-16T07:56:00.000-05:00

what's in YOUR easter basket?
Originally uploaded by MBK.

The orange "creepy peeps" are leftovers from Halloween. The eggs were done years ago by dipping the egg in progressively darker colors of dye, covering with wax the parts you wanted to remain the lighter colors. My friend Debby convinced some of us to try this with her. I never did it again, but I did enjoy it and treasure these three eggs that I designed and made. By the way, you never have to "blow out" the egg, the yolk and the white just stay inside the shell forever and are supposed to eventually dry up. These eggs still feel heavy, like there are egg innards inside.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Bride. Havana, Cuba

2006-04-13T06:29:00.000-05:00

Bride.
Originally uploaded by Robin Thom.

Paseo de Prado, Havana, Cuba. Part of the Havana Cars photo set by Robin Thorn.

MacMillan Clan Tartans

2006-04-04T08:26:00.000-05:00

MacMillan Hunting Clan Tartan

MacMillan Clan Tartan

MacMillan Hunting Clan Tartan

Ron Thompson (Clan MacTavish) and Donald Fisher (Clan Campbell)

2006-04-02T13:10:00.000-05:00

Ron Thompson,Donald Fisher
Originally uploaded by MBK.

These two gentlemen kindly allowed me to photograph them in their tartans at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, April 2, 2006.

Happy Tartan Day!

Marjie Kennedy (Clan MacMillan)

Killlin Highland Games

2006-04-01T07:23:00.000-06:00

Killlin Highland Games 027
Originally uploaded by swisskiltbear.

Killin Highland Games photo set

2003 Max in Slippers

2006-04-01T07:03:00.000-06:00

2003 Max in Slippers
Originally uploaded by svana.

The photographer says:

The infamous Max is a regular attendee and damn hard worker at the Glasgow, KY Highland Games.

Highland Games, Glasgow KY photo set.

Here's a really cool photo set by Dober Man from Sangamon County, Illinois, with lots of great photos of musicians, kilted men, and dancers in motion:
Springfield, IL Highland Games 2005

Thornton Highland Games

2006-04-01T06:31:00.000-06:00

2005-07-02-15-26-08_2.jpg
Originally uploaded by kiltedpride.

Thornton Highland Games 2005 photo set

Elder at Richmond Highland Games

2006-04-01T06:09:00.000-06:00

Elder
Originally uploaded by driko.

Richmond Highland Games 2005 photoset

Leprechaun

2006-03-17T10:04:00.000-06:00

Leprechaun
Originally uploaded by Mute*.

In Chicago, they dye the river green...

2006-03-17T08:54:00.000-06:00

Da River
Originally uploaded by rj3dc.

I've never been in Chicago for St. Patrick's day, but I think the river looks kind of cool in photographs. I wonder what kind of dye they use.

Asian Girl in Brazilian Costume at the Vancouver St. Patrick's Day Parade

2006-03-16T03:02:00.000-06:00

Asian Girl in Brazilian Costume at the Vancouver St. Patrick's Day Parade
Originally uploaded by sillygwailo.

- gotta love it!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

3/14 is Pi Day

2006-03-14T10:50:00.001-06:00

Pi Day and also Albert Einstein's birthday!

From the Wikipedia:

(Math or science clubs) might gather to consider the role that the number π has played in their lives and to imagine the world without π. During such an event, pi celebrants may devise alternative values for π, eat pie, play piñata, drink piña Colada, eat pineapple) or watch Pi. The shape of the pie is sometimes square, due to the pronunciation of the equation for the surface area bounded by a circle = πr2, i.e. "pie are squared."

Here are some more Pi Day Links:

Pi Day with a scrolling pi to a large number of decimal places. However, most of the links at the bottom of their page were dead. This one, the Pi-Searcher (search for strings of digits within pi) is still operational. Mr. Nathan Grimm sent me a link to this site: Pi Day and Beyond, a nice site with Fun Facts, Advanced Facts, Pi in Culture, and more links.

Pi Day Songs that you can sing to familiar tunes, like Happy Birthday or O Tannenbaum ("your digits are unending").

The Ridiculously Enhanced Pi Page has this disclaimer, though I wasn't able to view it except by viewing the source code:

Disclaimer:
While this is technically the Ridiculously Enhanced Pi Page, you are seeing a lesser non-enhanced version. Please note that this particular version is neither enhanced nor ridiculous and is in fact rather ordinary. If you came here looking for something "ridiculously enhanced" and are not entirely satisfied do not hold us responsible. We can only do so much. You need to get Netscape 2.0, then if you feel the page is somewhat less than "ridiculously enhanced" you will have cause for complaint.

The Other Ridiculously Enhanced Pi Site can be viewed if you have Netscape 3.0 or 4.0.

This site will not work with any other broswer. This site is certified 98% content free!
WARNING: THIS SITE DISPLAYS TECHNOLOGY FOR TECHNOLOGY'S SAKE! The Exploratorium is not responsible for any incidental, special, indirect, or consequential damages arising out of use of this product.

I don't have Netscape, but if anyone does, please let me know what the ridiculously enhanced version looks like. Inquiring minds want to know.

Here's some pi for you:
3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375
10582097494459230781640628620899862803482534211706
79821480865132823066470938446095505822317253594081
2848111745028410270193852110555964462294895493038196...

And according to the Morning Edition (NPR) story by Renée Montagne, the Kate Bush song about pi has a mistake in the numbers.

Sea Foam Green

2006-03-11T16:59:00.000-06:00

Sea Foam Green
Originally uploaded by Pay No Mind.

This photograph caught my eye while I was browsing on Flickr. even the sky looks a little greenish.

This is a photo of someplace in LA.

Patterns

2006-03-05T22:00:00.000-06:00

Roasted Pigeon
Originally uploaded by Jan Tik.

Patterns photo set by Jan Tik on Flickr.com.

Vibrant Carnival Girls

2006-03-01T04:03:00.000-06:00

Vibrant Carnival Girls
Originally uploaded by Olivia Leigh.

At the Caribbean Carnival Parade on Georgia Ave, Washington, DC

Part of the DC Vida photo set on flickr.com

Happy Center: wouldn't you like to go there?

2006-02-16T06:26:00.000-06:00

happy center
Originally uploaded by richardzx.

The photographer says only that this is a photo from Happy, Texas. I think every town ought to have a Happy Center, where you can go if you need a little happiness.

You can't tell from the outside of the building what joys may await.

reflecting

2006-02-14T17:46:00.000-06:00

reflecting
Originally uploaded by MBK.

I spend a lot of time right here, mostly uploading photos to flickr.com. I should be exercising, cooking, walking outside, cleaning the house (you can see the dust on the lamp if you click on the larger version of the photo)... I should be calling my mother, petting the dog... But here I am in the corner by the computer, listening to Judge Mathis on television and editing a bunch of photos I took of stuff in St. Louis... buildings, neon signs, trash lying on the ground...

why you shouldn't put your cell phone and some loosely wrapped chocolate candy into the same pocket...

2006-02-14T17:40:00.000-06:00

why you shouldn't put your cell phone and some loosely wrapped chocolate candy into the same pocket...
Originally uploaded by MBK.

...there's still a little chocolate in the crevices of my phone.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Music Is The Best Cure For A Sorrowing Mind.

2006-02-04T09:52:00.000-06:00

Music Is The Best Cure For A Sorrowing Mind.
Originally uploaded by JourneyToNoWhere.

The photographer, JourneyToNoWhere, gives his photos titles. I like this photo and the title he chose.

Here's a set of his photos that he calls Whatchamacallit.

Happy Chinese New Year

2006-01-29T15:04:00.000-06:00

Happy Chinese New Year
Originally uploaded by T Bell.

It's the year of the dog!

I chose this picture because I think this photographer, T Bell, takes really great photos. Check out some of her great photo sets.

Snowfall...

2006-01-15T17:32:00.000-06:00

IMG_4323a
Originally uploaded by save it for a rainy day.

from the Night Hawks photo blog.

snow chairs

2006-01-13T06:33:00.000-06:00

S0062
Originally uploaded by indiewench.

It's actually springlike weather here in St. Louis. But I like this photo by indiewench of the snow on the chairs.

view of MIT staircase

2006-01-08T06:16:00.000-06:00

MIT Staircase
Originally uploaded by Orbularity.

part of Orbularity's photo set The Built Environment on Flickr.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Peace

2005-12-25T06:17:00.000-06:00

Peace
Originally uploaded by MBK.

Today is World AIDS Day

2005-12-01T17:43:00.000-06:00

Originally uploaded by shadowplay.

WorldAIDSday.org

little red building

2005-11-03T18:05:00.000-06:00

little red building
Originally uploaded by hotmediaho.

D. Marsh from Beaconsfield, Canada , has a nice set of photos that she took of her oil paintings. You can check out her Paintings photo set on flickr.com . She also has a photo set of her Sketches. Very nice stuff.

Fairy

2005-11-02T14:48:00.000-06:00

Hailey Fairy 02
Originally uploaded by David Dee.

Dia de los Muertos

2005-11-02T11:56:00.000-06:00

DSC06712
Originally uploaded by neuroglider.

Day of the Dead

2005-10-31T22:27:00.000-06:00

IMG_6632
Originally uploaded by Vidalia.

from the photoset Dia de los Muertos - Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Flickr.com

Happy Halloween...

2005-10-30T03:11:00.000-06:00

Attack Now
Originally uploaded by CarlosBravo.

House of the Dead photo set by CarlosBravo from Mexico.

Happy Halloween (October Moon)

2005-10-29T17:49:00.000-05:00

lune d'Octobre
Originally uploaded by Dom10.

Don't forget, if you are on Daylight Saving Time now, tonight is the night to set your clocks back one hour. So we get an extra hour of sleep tonight.

Gateway Arch - 40 years

2005-10-28T06:32:00.000-05:00

Flared Arch
Originally uploaded by Phinzup.

40 years ago today, the final piece was inserted into the top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

Though the Gateway Arch quickly became one of the nation’s most recognizable symbols, it is still “Papa’s Arch” to the children and grandchildren of Bill Quigley, the crane operator who placed the final section that day. Quigley, who died in 2003, used to joke that if he had dropped that 10-ton section, everyone would have remembered his name, says his wife, Mary Ann Quigley of O’Fallon, Mo.
from the Post-Dispatch article by Mary Delach Leonard

Eero Saarinen, the Arch's architect, died before the first foundations were poured. His daughter Susan Saarinen, a landscape architect in Colorado, plans to attend the anniversary ceremonies today in St. Louis.

Read about the Arch's history and ways to celebrate in the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

The Work of the Master Pumpkin Carver

2005-10-25T07:29:00.000-05:00

The Work of the Master Pumpkin Carver
Originally uploaded by musicmuse_ca.

Bay Area Pumpkin Festival photoset on Flickr.com

The photographer says:

Many of the traditions we follow in the USA for Halloween come straight from Celtic beliefs and practices handed down from ancient times to today.

The Celts believed that the veil between this world and the "other world" was thinnest during the festival of Samhain, now known as Halloween. It was a fire festival, and sacred bonfires were lit on the top of high hills, like Arthur's Seat, during this time.

The Celts believed that the souls of the dead could return to this world during Samhain, because the border between life and death became permeable at this dark time of year.

The Celtic tradition of carving scary images into turnips was an effort to ward off any evil spirits travelling the land when the veil was lifted. In the United States, the pumpkin was substituted for the traditional Celtic turnip.

Zombies get tired, too

2005-10-24T06:56:00.000-05:00

B&W: Everyone's Favourite Zombie (1)
Originally uploaded by donzie.

Vancouver Zombies on Flickr

red-headed zombie

2005-10-24T06:53:00.000-05:00

fork_neck_5260
Originally uploaded by doviende.

Vancouver Zombie Walk photo set

zombies

2005-10-24T06:51:00.000-05:00

IMGP8522
Originally uploaded by Roskylde.

Zombie March photo set on Flickr.com

powerlines with clouds: another Flickr group to get addicted to

2005-10-14T02:52:00.000-05:00

IMG_10111
Originally uploaded by maxw.

There's a group on Flickr.com dedicated to Powerlines With Clouds.

I've spent a great deal of time lately taking photos, editing photos, uploading photos, making a photo album for one of my friends who retired from the job, and looking for photos to "fave" on Flickr.com. If there is a twelve-step group for Flickr addicts, or just photographing addicts, perhaps I need to join.

Living Statues

2005-09-13T07:14:00.000-05:00

World Statues IX
Originally uploaded by zjootsuite.

The photographer says:

Living Statues, which have roots deep in the european street theater
tradition, add a sophisticated and magical twist to any event. Yesterday
there were the Open Dutch Championship in Arnhem. With Living Statues from
Spain, France, Germany, The UK and of course The Netherlands.

See his entire Living Statues photoset on flickr.com

9.11 - The 4th Aniversary

2005-09-11T07:40:00.000-05:00

9.11 - The 4th Aniversary
Originally uploaded by noqontrol.

The photographer says:

"9.11.2001. I am standing on the roof of building a few streets away from Twin Towers. Both are burning. Suddenly one of them folds down like a house of cards. It looks like a mirage. I am frozen. The cloud of smoke runs towards me. I run back to the door.

Never forget

2005-09-11T07:01:00.000-05:00

Never forget, Vol. 2
Originally uploaded by hbomb1947.

The New York Times from September 12, 2001

Hurricane Survivor is reunited with his pet, Miss Kitty

2005-09-09T16:00:00.000-05:00

MSNBC's Mike Brunker and Andrew Locke have a heartwarming story on their Katrina blog about Bill Harris, who was trapped by Katrina for three days. Bill found out later that his cat, Miss Kitty, had also survived the storm. Read more about it.

Dirty Water

2005-09-04T20:58:00.000-05:00

Dirty Water
Originally uploaded by Uncle Greggy.

Check out this photographer's photos and story about Hurricane Katrina - One Week in New Orleans.

Left foot up

2005-08-30T06:44:00.000-05:00

Left foot up
Originally uploaded by alittam.

Traditional greek soldiers and their traditional greek shoes.

More photos by this photographer.

Majorelle 4

2005-08-24T05:11:00.000-05:00

Majorelle 4
Originally uploaded by Hey Jack Kerouac.

more photos by Hey Jack Kerouac (Steve) on Flickr.

in memoriam, Peter Jennings, journalist, 1938-2005

2005-08-09T05:53:00.000-05:00

in memoriam, Peter Jennings, journalist, 1938-2005
Originally uploaded by mimbrava.

The photographer, mimbrava, says:

An articulate, eloquent reporter of the old mold, Peter Jennings had a unique ability among television anchor people, to bring a historical view to current events. It was he, with his urbane, intelligent world perspective and calm demeanor, who saw me through 9/11 as I watched, alone and fearful, from my home. May he rest in peace.

Peter Jennings dead at age 67

2005-08-08T08:20:00.000-05:00

I will really miss Peter Jennings. He had great wit and humor.

Studebaker "Golden Hawk"

2005-08-04T07:09:00.000-05:00

Studebaker "Golden Hawk"
Originally uploaded by portseye.

curvy old blue car

2005-08-04T06:38:00.000-05:00

100_0060
Originally uploaded by assar.

Enigma (two moons?) NOT photoshopped

2005-08-02T07:28:00.000-05:00

Enigma
Originally uploaded by Dr. Mike.

Dr. Mike, the photographer, says this:

[took this photo on July 19] at 10:00 [PM]. Bright moon, clear night , and a good moon shot with great resolution, and this is what I got.

Tried several exposures, and all had the shot that I saw with regular full moon in the upper left as a little green/blue sub set in the lower right hand corner. This is not photoshopped or otherwise maipulated, and all the shots had the same little moon in different variations.

Not being a rocket scientist with optics, I'm guessing it's some sort of reflection/refraction thing, or maybe a smear on the lens. In any event, I thought it was cool. Would appreciate any insights as to the little moon presence!

Click on the photo to see the larger version and to read the discussion. So far, no one has a better idea what causes the two moons, other than some kind of reflection effect.

A True Jersey Girl: Women, Had Too Much To Drink?

2005-07-24T22:36:00.000-05:00

A True Jersey Girl has a hilarious list of "20 ways for women to tell that they've had a little too much to drink"

#6. I start crying and telling everyone I see that I love them sooooo much.

#14. I think I'm in bed, but my pillow feels strangely like the kitchen floor.

For good advice, and lots of laughs, check out her entire list.

Boats in Brazil

2005-07-24T19:32:00.000-05:00

Boats
Originally uploaded by Kiki J.

part of the Brazil photo set by Kiki J.

Here in St. Louis, we're having a heat wave. Today the high temp was 102 degrees Farenheit, with a heat index (what they used to call the "Temperature/Humidity Index) of 106.

"Every Voice Counts, Even the Voice of an Alto Sax"

2005-07-14T14:07:00.000-05:00

from the article in The Vital Voice:

Healing Pride -- Despite controversy, our community celebrates

by Colin Murphy, Senior Staff Writer

Dr. Lee Borrine, Director of Fruit Jam Jazz and member of the GLBT musical band "BandTogether" has attended every PrideFest since moving to St. Louis in 1984. Borrine was enjoying watching the parade following BandTogether’s finishing the parade when he heard the hate speech from the loudspeaker of Rev. Philip "Flip" Benham, Director of Operation Rescue/Operation America.

"I thought, ‘no, it couldn’t be, not in this day and age, that guy is preaching hate,’” recalled Borrine. "He’s raining on our parade."

Immediately wanting to do something, Borrine gathered a handful of members of BandTogether, some reluctant, who were still in the area. The alto saxophone player then led the band of about 15 members to the tune of "Tilt at Windmills’ and drowned out the North Carolina clergyman until he was asked to leave by St. Louis police.

"When he was silent, we were silent; when he spoke, we played; when he spoke louder, we played louder," explained Borrine. "The moral of the story: Nonviolent action can make a difference. I had been depressed since the presidential election last November. This one small victory went a long way toward reinstating my hope. It proved that every voice counts, even the voice of an alto sax."

The trombones of Band Together

The tubas of Band Together

Colin Murphy also reports on other aspects of the June 2005 PrideFest in St. Louis, including other controversies and the extreme heat.

Photo by guyscoop: Near Ground Zero, April 2002

2005-07-10T19:24:00.000-05:00

fnycs8
Originally uploaded by guyscoop.

Part of his New York photo set.

Mermaid Parade 2005

2005-07-09T17:33:00.000-05:00

MermaidParade2005-IMG_9081
Originally uploaded by NYCArthur.

Mermaid Parade at Coney Island, New York 2005, a photo set by NYCArthur on Flickr. This looks like fun!

Gave Proof Through The Night

2005-07-04T20:06:00.000-05:00

Gave Proof Through The Night
Originally uploaded by Urban Tiki.

Urban Tiki's photos of the Detroit 2005 Celebration.

Old Courthouse, Gateway Arch, and Fireworks

2005-07-04T19:28:00.000-05:00

svga2350 Pick your favorite
Originally uploaded by creativity+.

A nice time-lapse photo by Tim H.

Happy Fourth of July from South Saint Louis

2005-07-04T18:12:00.000-05:00

happy 4th from so st louis
Originally uploaded by MBK.

I worked today from 7 AM until 4 PM. This cheery display caught my eye as I was driving home, so I went back to take a photo. It rained earlier today, but now the weather is fine for all the scheduled Independence Day activities.

What Cures Your Anxiety?

2005-06-29T15:06:00.000-05:00

My "blog buddy" SJ has tagged me for this meme. She's into a ten item list thing, but the original meme was for five things. I came up with seven.

First, why I call SJ my blog buddy: She was one of the first people to notice my blog and to comment on it. She also generously offered me the use of the name "Blogasm" which she came up with, and figured I needed it since "MB's Blog" sounded too boring. And since she and I have never met in person or spoken on the phone, but only in the blogosphere (so far), I am affectionately referring to her as a blog buddy.

Second, even though I was happy to be "tagged" by SJ for this, I am just not gonna tag anyone else. But if you are reading this and wish to participate, I'd be thrilled to read about it in the comment section. I think I have the comments set up now so that anyone may comment here.

Third, here is the meme:

"List five things you enjoy, even when no one around you wants to go out and play. What lowers your stress/blood pressure/anxiety level? Make a list, post it on your journal, then tag five friends and ask them to post it to theirs."

Here are my de-stressors:

1. Walk around the neighborhood with or without my dog, sometimes with my camera. I enjoy looking at the various details of the neighborhood, like architectural features, gardens, people and their pets, and cool-looking automobiles. It's a more interesting form of exercise than just walking on a track somewhere.

2. Get a professional massage. (My friend Patty does a great one.) The smells of the massage oils, the relaxing music (the type of ambient sounds that I usually get bored with, but that seem to fit perfectly with the whole massage experience) and the feeling that the masseuse is totally focused on getting the kinks out of my aching body. Some of my favorite parts to have massaged are my feet, my hands, and my scalp.

3. Watch an old movie that I've seen bunches of times just to see the scenes that I know will make me cry. I can't just skip to the scene, there has to be that build up throughout the entire movie. Some scenes that always bring tears: It's A Wonderful Life when Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey says, "Clarence, get me back"; Miracle on 34th Street (the original one with Natalie Wood as the little kid) when the post office guys start bringing all that mail for Santa Claus into the courtroom; Terms of Endearment (when Debra Winger is telling her two sons goodbye in the hospital room); and Dumbo (yes, the animated Walt Disney film) in the scene where Dumbo's mother has to be locked up and little Dumbo comes to visit her. Even though they play a kind of sappy song, Baby Mine, the expressions on the elephant's faces make me choke up and cry real tears. I cannot explain this. I also cry at the end when Dumbo is in the act with the circus clowns and finally gets up the courage to fly even though he dropped the magic feather. This kind of movie watching crying is very cathartic.

4. Put on some really funky music and DANCE!

5. Call my friend Mark S. He always makes me laugh with his corny jokes. I can't repeat any of the jokes here because they are mostly in-jokes about people we know, or they are non-PC and extremely tasteless. But Mark invariably comes up with something so funny that I laugh out loud. Repeatedly. And then I feel much better.

6. Cool soothing Ice cream or pudding, or a coffee malt, makes me feel like a carefree kid again.

7. Singing. In the shower, or along with a CD, or at choir practice. It's exercise for the soul.

Some really fantastic photos

2005-06-27T14:07:00.000-05:00

Originally uploaded by deborah lattimore.

Gallery photoset by Deborah Lattimore. All sorts of photos, all sorts of subjects. Check them out and see which ones are your favorites. I've been adding them right and left to my flickr favorites.

caddy fin - high contrast

2005-06-25T21:59:00.000-05:00

caddy fin - high contrast
Originally uploaded by MBK.

I took this picture at the St. Louis PrideFest in Tower Grove Park.

More of PrideFest. Click on the post's title to see cars photos.

Acoustic Dreaming (Nashville)

2005-06-24T14:00:00.000-05:00

Acoustic Dreaming
Originally uploaded by StudioMobile.

from the Funky Olde Neighbourhood photo pool

long way home: Flagstaff, Arizona sky

2005-06-22T11:50:00.000-05:00

long way home
Originally uploaded by girl inchoate.

Arizona Discovery pool

New Windsor Motel, Phoenix, Arizona USA

2005-06-22T11:48:00.000-05:00

New Windsor
Originally uploaded by Capital I.

part of the Arizona Discovery photo pool

Bikes and Sunset

2005-06-21T15:57:00.000-05:00

Bikes and Sunset
Originally uploaded by riccorman.

from the New Mexico photo set on Flickr.

Perspective: Brasilia

2005-06-19T16:59:00.000-05:00

Perspective
Originally uploaded by MrPixel.

MrPixel in Brasilia, Brazil, has a whole set of photos called The Built Form, architecture in Brasilia.

Out My Window: 18 June 2005, Brasilia

2005-06-19T13:24:00.000-05:00

18/06/05
Originally uploaded by MrPixel.

MrPixel, located in Brasilia, Brasil, has a beautiful series of photos on Flickr called Out My Window which demonstrates that Brasilia must be the next best thing to Paradise in the beauty department. You may want to bookmark it and check back, as he promises us a photo a day.

Green Stairs

2005-06-19T13:02:00.000-05:00

Green Stairs
Originally uploaded by phonezilla.

The photographer, phonezilla, says:

"The green staircase of an otherwise yellow and white house."

Here's a set of his Favorites of the photos he took.

Might As Well Face It, I'm Addicted To Flickr

2005-06-18T20:21:00.000-05:00

If you click the title of this post, it will take you to my favorites page on flickr.com. Mind you, these are other people's photos that I have viewed and then clicked the button to mark as a favorite. I don't do this for every photo that I like, because on my iMac it takes several seconds for the thing to work.

It turns out that I have done this 1609 times at the time I'm writing this. Yes, I have sixteen HUNDRED and nine favorite photos on the Flickr.com website. I wonder how many hours of looking at photos I spent to end up with that many favorites. Many, many photos I only look at in the thumbnails on the pages of people's photostream, sets, and group pools. The ones that I click to view in a larger size, for a few I leave comments, or decide to "blog this photo" here or on my other blog, MB's Blogalicious on Live Journal, which since it has no sidebar, I have it set up to insert the photos in a larger size than here on Blogasm.

In the past, I've also used the Buzznet.com site to blog photos, but lately it doesn't seem to work for blogging.

I can't wait until I get my scanner to working and/or get a digital camera from my friend who decided she's ready to upgrade and will give me her old one to use. Then I'll start putting photos of my own on my blogs. So far, the photos under my name on flickr are all photos that someone else took, and I put them up there just to have a place to store them.

-SaloN- three (shades of yellow gold)

2005-06-18T11:49:00.000-05:00

-SaloN- three
Originally uploaded by -ScarlettveinZ-.

The photographer says: "this gives me goosebumps.."

I like the contrast of the dark hair and the golden floor. The hair does seem somehow alive, which contributes to an eerie feeling, even with the sunny color predominating.

Saying Goodbye! (photo from a kid's perspective)

2005-06-18T07:48:00.000-05:00

Saying Goodbye!
Originally uploaded by Blueskygirl.

The photographer, Blueskygirl, says: "Jewel (my three year old) took this."

I think it's a nice family photo.

entrance (the perception of doors)

2005-06-17T23:40:00.000-05:00

entrance
Originally uploaded by mjutabor.

from the perception of doors photo set

The Many Faces of Marilyn Monroe

2005-06-17T18:23:00.000-05:00

The Many Faces of Marilyn Monroe (12 June 2005)
Originally uploaded by alephnaught.

From the Praise and Curse of the City photo pool. The photographer says:

The Many Faces of Marilyn Monroe (12 June 2005)

Part of series of photos taken during the opening of the West End Festival in Glasgow, Scotland.

This photograph was taken with a digital camera, and processed in Photoshop.

Killer Asian Longhorned Beetles (I heard it on NPR)

2005-06-17T08:02:00.000-05:00

Morning Edition, June 17, 2005 - In the treetops of Central Park, western smoke jumpers, the folks whose regular job is to parachute into wildfires, are propelling themselves into maples and elms in an attempt to stop the killer Asian longhorned beetle.

In order to stop the Asian Longhorn Beetles, the entire tree must be destroyed, roots and all. The beetles have been found in New York, New Jersey, Chicago and other places in the US.

More about the beetles here, here, and here.

High Heels and Handbag (red & blue on white)

2005-06-16T19:23:00.000-05:00

High Heels and Handbag
Originally uploaded by Reggio.

I like this photo. What else can I say?

Part of the Shoes photo pool on flickr.

Going higher and higher... (red, white & blue)

2005-06-16T19:09:00.000-05:00

Going higher and higher...
Originally uploaded by Esther17.

Esther17, the photographer, says:

"I had forgotten how much fun this was. I'm sure I looked like a lunatic, but who cares?"

She's obviously on a swing. Either that, or she's rising upside down into the air through telekinesis.

moon, sky, brick

2005-06-16T13:53:00.000-05:00

Originally uploaded by joto25.

Included in the Background Sky photo set.

Unbridled versus Restrained

2005-06-16T13:52:00.000-05:00

Unbridled versus Restrained
Originally uploaded by bikeracer.

The photographer says:

"Originally entered into DPChallenge Opposites and earned 1st place!

This was one horrific storm. I drove through it for roughly 40 miles and there were hundreds if not thousands of strikes during my drive. Lightning was hitting in front of me, to either side, behind me and above me, I honestly thought I might die that night.

Anyway, after what seemed like hours I managed to get out from under the storm. I pulled over in a rest stop and set up. At first I did it hand held, figuring it would be a cool effect. Those didn't look to great, so I set up the tripod.

So, was I lucky? To come out alive, for sure! To get the shot that won? Definitely. But, I was luckiest to get to experience that storm and have the luxury of pointing my camera where ever I pleased and to know I would capture lightning in a bottle."

Easter Sunset photo

2005-06-16T11:04:00.000-05:00

eastersunset1
Originally uploaded by swardraws.

Part of the Sunsets photo set by Nancy Ward on flickr.
For more of this photographer's work, see Best of swardraws.com, Buildings and Catchy Colors. Here's the link to all her wonderful photosets.

A rock with legs? A salamander?

2005-06-16T09:20:00.000-05:00

P1000826
Originally uploaded by bubblemonkey.

From the Aquarium Adventure photo set by bubblemonkey on flickr.

I don't know what this creature is, but it's interesting. Bubblemonkey says nothing about it.