This also makes for a fun kayaking/biking trip. There’s a public landing under the bridge at Route 50 and another near Locke’s Mill. It’s a very nice, easy section of the Shenendoah - great for beginners.
]]>Also, make sure to check out Tom’s folkstreams.net website for a lot of great cultural films from many talented directors.
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I’m still getting used to saturation and hue. I have a feeling they are in the same category as chili powder, red lipstick, and songs by the B52’s…a little goes a long way.
Photo editing is a huge time hog.
]]>Not Waving But Drowning
Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning: I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning. Poor chap, he always loved larking And now he's dead It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way, They said. Oh, no no no, it was too cold always (Still the dead one lay moaning) I was much too far out all my life And not waving but drowning.
-Stevie Smith]]>
New Years Resolutions are bubbling out into January.
Last year, a guy named David decided to whittle down his personal possessions to only 100 items. Among other things, he gave up his hiking boots, yoga mat, and nose hair trimmer. He kept underwear, a mechanical pencil, and a camera. In 2009, he will chronicle his adaptivity to the new, simplistic lifestyle.
Simplicity. A sigh of relief. The more distractions we have around us, the less apt we are to see the things that matter. Resolutions take this into account. Losing weight, spending less, seeing anew, caring more…all signs the ethereal trumps the tangible.
It is a paradigm that the more things we have, the less life we experience. The interactions with others and ourselves in the absence of such things creates life beyond the inane. The act of being from the synergy of the world and our own minds.
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Danielle and I had a great day in D.C. Seeing the first snow of the year fall over the old buildings was a treat. We went to the Hirshorn, where I saw one of my favorite pieces, Big Man, by Ron Mueck. Then we explored the exhibit above …two panels that allowed you to look through them, at yourself, and at others all at the same time.
We went to the National Museum of American History. Though busy, it was worth the trip alone to see Obama’s presidency already recognized on the wall of presidents!
The Botanical Garden had an exhibit on D.C. momuments made entirely of organic material which was rather amazing. The highlight for me though, was seeing the Capital Christmas tree, with its homemade ornaments, standing humbly in the snow. In just a few short weeks, the quiet of this night will be replaced with the exciting buzz of millions of people, hopeful for the years to come.
“Enthuse. An annoying verb growing out of the noun enthusiasm. Not recommended.
Facility. Why must jails, hospitals, and schools suddenly become ‘facilities’?
Finalize. A pompous, ambiguous verb.
Thanking you in advance. This sounds as if the writer meant, ‘It will not be worth my while to write to you again.’
Thrust. This showy noun, suggestive of power, hinting of sex, is the darling of executives, politicos, and speechwriters. Use it sparingly.“
The last example reminds me of a word I am very tired of hearing people use to describe something that grabs your attention. That word is ’sexy’. No. Maps are not sexy. Graphics are not sexy. Topics such as nuclear proliferation are also, not sexy.
]]>I went out armed with tripod and camera to take some pics for my dad.
For long weekends. For warm blankets. For cheap plane tickets from Florida and Rota, Spain. For 6 year olds, for puzzles (except when they are missing a piece). For dogs with cold noses who warm up my feet at night. For vegetarian stuffing and fathers who wash dishes. For friends in town and chilly nights outside by a fire. For big families, and lots of love.
]]>by Vernon Scannell
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