• People/Portraits,  Self-portraits

    Just Resting My Eyes

    Just Resting My Eyes

    Today’s another birthday for me, which means I’m getting closer to those Social Security and Medicare woes years. This birthday is number 61 so I can start collecting a bit of cash in another year, if I wanna. I must admit I struggled last year when I turned 60 because I felt like that number was still another 10 years out and so was retirement. However, with a year in the 60’s under my belt, I’m more comfortable with this one. I’m looking into what all this retirement hoopla is all about. How much will there be? When do I want to start collecting? Do I still want a “Sugar Mama?” How many more years do I want to work? Do I want to work and also collect social security? Questions, lots of them.

    Actually the book I’m reading, “The Complete Idiots Guide to Social Security and Medicare“, I’ve found to be quite interesting and informative. So, for another year at least, I keep on working and putting money into that fund and figure out what I want to do. I start a 4-day trip today and will be in Santa Barbara tonight. We will be getting in about 11 pm so I’ll be resting my eyes then. I like the hotel and they serve up a mean breakfast on their patio in the morning. After breakfast I’ll get a walk in, maybe down to the beach and then back in the air.

  • landscape,  People/Portraits,  Self-portraits,  sunrises

    I Like Mornings

    Rising Sun at Dyekman Reservoir

    … or at least most mornings. I can honestly say mornings are a wonderful time for me. Mornings are a time when I first wake up and give thanks for the nights rest and prepare for the coming day. I must admit there have been mornings when too much partying the night before did not allow the mornings to be refreshing. I’m grateful those hangover days are over.

    There are those who do not like early mornings. Some are just getting home or going to bed when the sun is coming up. That’s not how I move through this life. For me crawling out of a warm bed and grabbing my camera equipment and heading out the door has a healing effect on me. There is always excitement in not knowing exactly what nature will offer, what images will be on my hard drive later in the day. Maybe it’s a golden cloudless sunrise reflecting in a small pond.

  • Canon Powershot G12,  People/Portraits,  Self-portraits

    My Shadow

    My Shadow

    With an hour wait before our next flight and all passengers had deplaned I rushed off to get a latte. I came back to the plane and took a front seat and proceeded to relax, no passengers, no engines. The sun was just about to set in the west casting my shadow against the opposite wall of the aircraft. I knew it would make an interesting photo of my shadow with a coffee in hand.

  • People/Portraits,  Self-portraits

    Contemplative Mood

    On a cold and snowy day last week I played with some self-portraits using soft window light, then played around in Lightroom and made spaghetti with hot Italian sausage. A productive day? And, yesterday I finished a trip just as it started snowing, yes more of the white stuff, and watched it continued throughout the night leaving 4-6 inches in it’s wake. Along with that the snow came cold temperature, 9 degrees this morning. I didn’t want to get out of bed but there is a ton of stuff to get done before moving.

    I dropped off my old car for a tuneup and to get 2 new tires put on before I leave on the 31st. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and 2 days of travel will find me home. While they worked on the car, I walked over to one of my favorite coffee shops in Uptown Westerville where Ashley, one of my favorite baristas, made me a hot chocolate to warm me up. I have had a lot on my mind the past few days. Making lists, making plans, making phone calls, having address changes, getting papers done for my badges at the Denver airport, parking permits, etc.

    Hope everyone has a good weekend! Here’s my self-portrait in black and white. If you really want to see a far more interesting subject in black and white, check out Mark Grafs post here. Be sure to enlarge the image and check out those eyes. It rocks!

  • People/Portraits,  Self-portraits

    It’s Friday ….

    Reading Posture

    … so here’s another self-portrait, this one taken in my hotel room in Kansas City. Our hotel is located in an industrial park area near the airport with a large holding pond surrounded by large buildings. With beautiful sunny skies I walked the paved trail that goes completely around the pond. However, I discovered the pond is also a place for geese to gather so I got in a bit of the goose-poop-boogey during the walk. That trail was a mess. 🙂

    I received my base transfer notice yesterday and will be moving back home to Colorado, flying out of Denver. I’m excited to be heading back to family and friends but sure do dread the physical move. I need to be out there by February 1st, so not much time and plenty to get done.