• Candid Portraits,  Documentary/Street,  Humor,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits

    So, I took advantage of it!

    February 7, 2020
    Student on their way to class on the Transfort bus system
    Campus on my way home

    I’ve been using the bus system in Fort Collins for about 5 years now. Like most things it took a while to get use to it and learn how it all works. I’m happy with it and use it it at least 4 days a week. As a senior it only costs me $25 a year.

    I’m pleased to see the bus almost always has passengers which means it will continue to run. I say almost because last week I jumped on Bus 2 at 6:50 am and I was the only person on it. Just before we arrived the transit center I began to giggle because my crazy and sometimes insane mind had the thought that now would be good time to fart on the bus. So, I took advantage of it! After all no one would know. 🙂

    Snow is expected today 3-6 inches and as you can see is beginning to stick. Have a super Awesome day!

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  • bicycles,  Candid Portraits,  coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles,  Transportation,  winter scenes

    It’s cold this morning here….

    February 5, 2020

    … but the good news is we’re suppose to reach a high of 23 degrees to day. After seeing this on my phone app, I bundled up and headed for the bus. There was no desire to scrape ice and snow off the windshield of my car and deal with traffic or parking. This storm brought us 4 inches of snow, making everything have that beautiful winter scene. But, dang the cold! Anyway….

    Tis a bit cold this morning
    Bicyclist on campus this morning when it was -3 degrees.
    A must to any morning, no matter the temperature

    I find it interesting how people handle our weather in different ways. Now the “younger” fellow in the above image must be able to handle the cold better than me. I actually counted four bicyclists, all younger, on my walk over here. A quick thought/question ran through my mind, did one of their parents drop them on their heads when they were “younger?”

    I realize these bicyclists ride a bicycle to work or class for health reasons, to save fossil fuel, avoid traffic and parking and maybe because of the image, while I google homes for sale in Phoenix from the warmth of a favorite coffee shop. And, with cold hands download images, try and type this post, eat a chocolate croissant and sip on my mocha latte. Yep, we handle the cold differently! Have an awesome day!

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  • Black and White,  Candid Portraits,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits

    Busy Campus

    January 28, 2020
    Student leaving the Lory Student Center

    I find the Lory Student Center to be a quiet place to read and journal. It is also a place to find decent mocha lattes at a reasonable price. However, when classes are in session from about 8:00 am to 5:00 pm there is a hustle and bustle about every hour when students move from classroom to classroom. This image is taken at a very active intersection. It is a primary doorway between the courtyard and the food court so from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm it is busy. It is also near to one of the four small coffee shops on campus.

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  • bicycles,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles,  Transportation

    Orbiting the Earth

    January 25, 2020
    Bicycles on campus at Recycled Cycles store

    I saw this row of bicycle tires while waiting for the bus at the CSU Transit Center this past week. I found it interesting so I knelt down and took a couple of images. They were commuter bikes the students can easily afford because they are stripped down with one gear and one brake in the rear. They were white bicycles and white rims. Gotta get the shot.

    I now find that getting back up after squatting is more of a struggle than 10 years ago. It take me longer to get back up and I’m noticing a strange sound emanating from the left knee. Right now I’m just ignoring it. I’m suspecting it to be due to aging, getting older, passing of time or gas or I’ve done it way too many times.

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  • Candid Portraits,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles,  sunrises,  Transportation

    Morning bus ride

    January 14, 2020
    Morning sunrise on the bus

    I took this image on the bus ride the other morning. The sunrise was a pretty red and pink so I shot towards the east and included one of the riders. I like how it came out as it made it an abstract image. We have been cold ever since the Thanksgiving snowstorm that left us with 15 inches of snow. We’ve had a couple of days reach above 50 degrees but most days hoover around 40 degrees. Due to the cold and the amount of snow it is taking time to melt the snow, which is not the norm for Colorado. There are still piles of plowed snow along the campus that are still 6 feet tall. I confess I’m looking forward to warmer weather.

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  • coffee shops,  Documentary/Street,  Food,  lifestyles

    Was I insane?

    December 11, 2019
    Nothing like a chocolate eclair to start the morning

    I felt the cold of the 18 degree December this morning as soon as I stepped out the door at 6:50 am. I questioned why I would leave my warm condo into this frigid temperature and walk to the bus stop, hoping the bus would be on time. Was I insane? No is my answer, because I knew that in a short while I would be walking into a favorite coffee shop and be greeted with a warm and inviting smile from one of the baristas. I knew I would be told “Good morning Monte. Do you want your usual?” Once I ordered and paid, I would then find a comfy place to journal, read or both and enjoy a warm mocha latte. However, on this particular morning, and because of the cold, I decided I wanted one these chocolate eclairs to go along with my mocha. No, I’m really not insane but living a simple life with things I enjoy. Yes, life is good. Stay warm wherever you are!

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  • Candid Portraits,  Documentary/Street,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits

    Playing the piano

    November 25, 2019
    Playing the Piano
    Playing the Piano

    There is a piano outside in the lobby of the Lory Student Center theater for people to play. It seems to me I almost always see and hear someone playing. I find it interesting to see these young people sit down and play. Some are dressed poorly, some carry a backpack of books and are using this time to relax between classes. And, the talent is wonderful. There were no words said between us as I just walked around him composing images. He sang one song and actually brought tears to my eyes. Thankful for autofocus.

    P.S. And, the snow began falling around 2:00 pm, just as perdicted. They say 14 inches. Sigh!

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