The Winter Celebration Zone 2010

It's time to visit bad holiday photography yet again, after all 'tis the season. Tonight's photo was taken by none other than me. I like to consider myself an above average photographer, but you would never know it from this Santa picture, or for that matter the other two I took. The best posed of the three was blurry. In the other two, one or more of the subjects were distracted by Zoe, Santa's helper. Zoe and Santa we perplexed by my son's gift request; a train that makes coffee. So this year's Santa pictures not so great, but perplexing Santa and his staff is almost worth it.

Post Turkey Day Malaise

For the first time in years we did not host Thanksgiving. It was nice not to have to coordinate and clean and then clean up. It was also nice that it was not a big to do, just low key and simple. That said it was different, not like the turkey loaf Thanksgivings from the mid 1980's, but different because it was most of our family together in a foreign place. The people at the Adult Family Home could not have been more gracious and understanding. And my dad seemed to enjoy it and that was important to us. In a weird sort of way it might be nice to do that again, bring in a meal to share with strangers that could possibly not get the chance to celebrate. There is a something altogether warm and fuzzy about that.

First Snow

Sometimes clever just isn't all that clever. Making up clever names for any and all events other than the mundane work/school, eat and sleep routine, isn't clever anymore. It isn't clever because everyone does it for everything. Our first snow of the season occurred on Monday and it was bad. But snow that hits during the evening commute in Seattle is always bad. So, referring to the 3 inches of snow as the snowpocalypse or snowmageddon or snowlocaust is stupid. Clever but stupid, 25 inches of snow yeah, 3 inches...no. And lets face it all of us that got caught in the evening commute were either unlucky or too stupid to bail from work at 2 pm, before it got bad. I was both stupid and unlucky. It was a messy commute, but I've seen more snow and worse commutes so blah. Tonight a first snow picture, actually from Sunday before things went sideways.

Enjoy

Blog Lives!!!

As you may know, I have another often neglicted blog, called Blog. Blog is the companion to my often neglicted Rustedvan Photography website. I have not published on that domain for a long period of time, but tonight like a phoenix from the flame, Blog as returned with two count them two entires. Conbine that with America's Finest Blog post for today, I have blogged as much in one evening as I would normally in a week and I am tired. Really, I am tired but not from blogging, just tired. Anyway, please check out Blog for some wonderful photos from the Japanese Garden. Tonight's photos are but a sample.

Shoe and the Other Foot

As a parent you find yourself doing the same things with your kid that remember doing with your parents. What you didn't realize until the shoe was on a different foot, is just how unenjoyable it can be certain times. Spending time with your kid, doing something you both enjoy and watching the laugh and smile is great and it makes it totally worth while. It does not take away the boredom and exhaustion that is created by watch somebody do something that they are not at all good at or too young to master. You find yourself wishing you could just sneek out and read a book. Terrible but true, at least for me. Today was one of those times, playing Wii golf with the boy, really a lot of fun, but slow and now I understand why my Dad would have rather watched re-runs of Carter Country instead of playing Atari Football.

My Jetson's Lifestyle

As a kid, I lived in the olden times of American cars with acres of American steel, chrome and vinyl tops. And as kid in those times we were sold on an idea of a future of clean living and space travel. Large cars replaced by flying cars and Jetson-like high rises. Well that didn't happen, instead we drive smaller cars that are mostly plastic and there is no Jetson-like high rises or clean air. And we have given up space travel.

Those olden days were during the cold war and maybe we were sold this idea as a way to look forward to the future and to say the best is yet to come. For years now, since the end of the cold war, we have been told basically this is as good as it gets and in fact its only going to get worse. Sometimes I wonder if it is harder to grow up living with a threat and dreaming of a better place or growing up without threats and being told that this is probably as good as it going to get.

I really don't know the answer, but I do know that in life, as you grow, you probably more grown up than you realize. I heard a couple comments today made me stop that consider something. You do and say things throughout life that you will do as a, "Grown up," that in fact you are acting grown up at a much earlier age than you probably remember. Not important things, but mundane things, the stuff that 99.9% of the time isn't even considered. But yet, once they appear in your person makeup, they will always be there one way or another. Even if you have forgotten about it from time to time. No I have really no idea what I am talking about.

Speaking though of forgetting. I submitted a photo to a local paper back in February for a photo contest and didn't win, but got the photo published in the paper, which was kinda neat. Well, a couple day's ago while waiting for a meatloaf sandwich, I noticed the Fall/Winter visitor's guide for the valley and started thumbing through it and much to my surprise was my photo, representing Snoqualmie. Apparently not good enough to win a contest, but iconic enough to represent a town. I suppose if I was leading a Jeston's lifestyle, I would not have landed to take that photo, nor would I have stopped to get a meatloaf sandwich, as my robot maid would have cooked the family dinner.

A couple words on the photo, tonight is an alternate version, to see the version in the visitor's guide, check out the Feb 17th post entitled, "It's in Print."

Dan

November Have May Spawned a Monster, But it Spawned Cicely Too

I am happy to announce it is my lovely wife's birthday and what a gal she is. Really she is wonderful, just about everyone she comes into contact with thinks the same. I appreciate her smile, her creativity and baking skills. She is my rock and I love her. And for lucky for me, she loves me.

Happy Birthday!

Still Peddling

Today marks the 139th anniversary of the arrival of the first bicycle in Washington Territory. Shortly thereafter scenes such as today's began to occur. Sometime after that they began to be photographed. The rite of passage from four wheeled toys to tricycles to bicycle with training wheels and finally without is a very important time in a kid's life, although it is hard to understand the significance when you are child. As an adult it is a real and important series of steps. For both you and your child.

Bring Me Those Yearning for Free Coffee and Sandwiches

I found myself downtown today right about the start of the Niehaus memorial at Safeco Field. So, we decided to attend, it was a nice tribute to a great announcer. I was struck by something, I realized as we stood there at the homeplate gate, that I likely listened to Niehaus more than I listened to my own father. I also realized just how hard the Mariner's have been hit by Niehaus' death, when I saw the free coffee and sandwiches. I am not sure, but I don't think food and drink has been given away inside a ballpark since the Civil War. We have been the among the luckiest fans on earth, we may not have won a Pennant, but we heard Dave 5000 some odd times and that ain't bad.

So long Dave...

The Consequences of Unforeseen Events

I was going to spend my entire time waxing on about the City of Dayton and what a great place it is to visit and maybe even live. Then Dave Niehaus left us, bringing an exclamation point to terrible year in sport and in some cases life. 34 years Niehaus was the voice of the Mariners, his voice seemed to always be there, throughout all the challenges and changes in my life there was his voice. As child when I didn't know the game, other than on baseball cards there was Niehaus. I didn't really get him in those days either truth be told. Then through my teens and twenties before the strike. And then after the strike, when his voice and that team brought me back to the game and created an unending love for it, and in the last few years, listening knowing that time would one day take him away, listening taking it in just in case. When I heard the news today, it ruined my day, like having a semi-distance uncle or other relative die. He was not a plastic Fox Sports announcer, he was genuine and the game will never be the same without him. Somewhere the children are laughing and the sun shines bright, but there is no joy in Mudville tonight.

So waxing about Dayton is more difficult when an event such as this occurs, Dayton seems to be a wonderful place, mostly because it is genuine, it doesn't seem to be anything more than a small town in a small unpopulated county. But there is good food, nice people, nice hotels and the people are really are proud of their town. Probably since they work in the town and they know each other. And instead of keeping to themselves them seem very willing to allow you into fold (probably because they know you are leaving). I find myself missing that place, oddly enough. I was there in June, thanks to my wife, and have be dreaming up ways to get back there ever since. And if I do I'll drink in all in, just in case.

Dan

To Burn a Bridge You Must First Build a Bridge

Seventy years ago today the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, twisted, rolled and gyrated itself into oblivion. It is evident when looking at footage of the collapse, that it was the best thing that ever happened to commuters in that part of the state, the bridge was just two lanes. What a traffic nightmare, but it goes to show that you must first have a bridge to destroy it. In the corporate world we spend a ridiculous amount of time building bridges, in fact it mostly seems that we build bridges simply to avoid using the existing bridges. And if you have forgotten or neglected an existing bridge, building new bridges on ground already covered is perfectly okay. In life it doesn't work like that, a neglected bridge is likely to be burned or might as well be burned, and unless there is a symboitic relationship between the two sides, rebuilding a burnt bridge is, it turns out, difficult. I suppose this all is a way of saying, your elders were right, don't burn your bridges.

Sundown on the American Republic

Yesterday, for many, signaled the end of the American republic. For others, yesterday was the best day ever, or at least since the Contract with America. That election may act, if we are lucky, as a cautionary tale for Congressional Republicans. Lets face it these jokers on both sides of the isle aren't suppose to be working for their parties or their ideals, they are working for We the People, and occasionally We the People need government to do something, like fix potholes and pass budgets, etc. The Contract with America bunch forgot about that, and really only wanted to answer to the Contract and those who dreamed it up and benefited from it. Enough about that, politicians aren't like Mr. Smith so lets not suppose they will man up.

A few thoughts from this latest election...

First you must be a real jerk to lose a seat in Congress, consider some of the folks that didn't lose seats and then consider those that lost again.

Second, polarization is killing politics, there are fewer and fewer moderates. Moderates maybe championed by some parts of the media, but mostly for the oddity at this point they are like seeing pandas in the wild. Moderates it turns out, are the real jerks, as practicing the art of politics leaves you open to criticism from all the cable news channels and confuses the voters at home, that frankly are too stupid to understand the grey areas and therefore require the black and the white or the left or the right.

Third, the partisanship on the part of cable news networks is mindboggling, the talking heads at CNMSCNBSNews have very easy jobs, they need not report on the happenings of the day, but just express their opinion (louder and more sarcastic the best) of said happenings. Their existence polarizes America, how many times have you heard, the news is either too liberal or too conservative? Both sides loath one another's cable news networks. Ingoring them would be best. However cable news is like a three year old, ratcheting up a tantrum to get you to pay attention. If we stopped paying attention, the advertising money would leave and eventually Fox News and MSNBC would reformat and start showing reruns of, The Courtship of Eddie's Father and Family Affair. The far edges of both parties also act like spoiled three year olds, to entice the other side and thus fear their base into giving more money and getting out to vote.

Finally, the sun rose this morning, and if it comes up tomorrow I think we have a trend, and are likely to see 730 or so more sunrises until the next election.

Enjoy

Dan

As You Stare Down the Bloodshot Eye of Your Cupake

On this Halloween, it is time for the special elections version of America's Finest Blog. Whereas in some States your cupcake cannot vote, you still can, the question is which one is luckier. On one hand, the cupcake will be devoured by an overly stimulated child. You, on the other, will be devoured by robo-calls from concerned vets, animal lovers, illegal immigrates and of course Barrack Obama. That's not to mention the television and radio ads. Most of the onslaught of crap doesn't tell you what a candidate will do in office, but rather that the other candidate made money during a recession, or will take away a woman's right to vote, or will pass a flat 100% income tax on all Americans in return for a flat screen television and a couple pizza's a week.

Thinking about it, politicians have it rough, the deck is stacked against them, well before merit, character and performance even are weighed. That is probably one reason why so very many terrible people run for office, only the naive believe that they really can make a difference and city or county politics weeds them out, so that leaves the truly arrogant, unemployable and unscrupulous seeking political office. This can be seen here in Washington in both the senate and congressional races. Terrible choices all around, neither person in most cases deserves to win. Our ballot measures are also frustrating, as they all seem like they should be drafted and passed and signed into law by our elected officials, not drafted by special interests for primarily the benefit of special interests and put on the ballot.

Once again a disappointing election cycle is coming to a close, and when all is said, if in Afghanistan some districts can get 600% voter turn out, then you can mail in your ballot by Tuesday.

Now eat your cupcake.

The Warm Fuzzy Feelings

Tonight's photo is not a benign picture of suburbia, but instead a picture of a ruthless human. Tonight's photo is not a picture of a Chevy Vega, a high water mark of the 1970's, be instead a photo of a real villain, a child on a tricycle. Not since Leon Czolgosz has there been a more vile human. Actually, I am stretching it a bit here, 4 year old girls on bikes with training wheels are the worst humans on earth.

Story out of New York, a Manhattan judge is allowing a negligence suit against a four year old to continue, the judge noted, that there is no evidence that the girl couldn't appreciate the danger of riding her bicycle into an elderly women. The suit is being brought by the estate of women, that was struck by the four year old girl on a bicycle with training wheels. The women, age 87, broke her hip and required surgery and then died three months later.

Question should be, is the judge and estate negligent of ruining the childhood and maybe life of a four year old, by moving forward with this case.

So next time you see a wee one on a tricycle or a Spider Man bicycle with training wheels, get out of the way, because they are cold blooded.

Or stand your ground and sue 'em.

Just A Bit of Neandertal

Once again I have every intention of blogging about something that would be blog worthy for America's Finest Blog. Well once again the forces of others and lack of sleep has done me in. Oh well, I did see an article about Ozzy's genome, sadly Ozzy does not have a special dark lord of partying gene. But he is a bit of a Neandertal, really just a bit. Who knew the genome could be so much fun, at least until they turn everything into a cross between A Brave New World and that terrible British horror film about the mad scientist that breeds plants and humans into human like planets. Or was it planet like humans, there Halloween costume idea free of charge. Did I say Halloween? This year should be real fun as always, and in honor of the season and Ozzy, bony meatloaves...

Fat Tired and Grey

That describes me right now and in tonight's photo, oh maybe add confused as it is nearly 11 PM and I have no idea where my day went (the photo doesn't show that). It seems that I live several different lives during the course of a day, week or month, all of them incomplete, disjointed and neglected. Even my times of enjoyment are interrupted or tinged with guilt. Tonight, will not be about yesterday's trip to the Japanese Gardens, but instead another self-pity blah blah fest. Makes me wish for those old what to blog posts, how about you? Besides its late, I got to get up and go to work in the morning, so tonight a self pity blah blah post, so I can hopefully blog about Japanese Gardens, Halloween and the Election later this week. I can still dream.

Dan

Looking Ahead, Not Looking Back

So tonight instead of looking at the past two months and contemplating the way my life has changed, I am going to look forward. Tomorrow I will be going to the Japanese Gardens at Washington Park to take photos, without other too many other people around. It is something I have been looking forward to for the last 10 days. That said, the last ten days have been some of the toughest days in recent memory. So I am really excited to go and do it, but at the same time, I am a bit down since the weather has turned grey. I don't think I needed the additional melancholy, but guess I will use it to my advantage. I also worry that after this I don't have much to look forward to for awhile. That sort of thing is importan right now. And of course a bit of me will be in Wenatchee, but that won't be any different than any other day for the last two months.

Tomorrow will not be the first time I'll been to the Japanese Gardens, I've been once before, when Cicely's parents came up to Seattle for the first time. Tonight's photo is from that visit, a grey March day as I recall.

Dan

Stepping Back

I have found myself recently so overwhelmed and consumed by the events in my life, that I has ceased feeling anything. Numbly I have been attempting to juggle, family, life and work, to poor results. I came to the conclusion this evening that I would bury myself if I continued. So what to do, there is the stoic and selfless act of motoring on, or I could drop interest in the family or work, or I could simply walk away from the stress for awhile. This is by far the hardest of the choices, in fact a younger and more rested version of me would consider the act, weakness. But a tired and older and wiser me, understands the war will not be won by fighting any battles in the next couple of days, so why not regroup and recharge. Tonight a visit to the lonely hi-way. This is the Sunset Highway just south of the Big-Y. The road may have been bypassed 50 some years ago, but the white line is still doing its' job. I suppose there is a lesson in there some place.

Dan

The Pumpkin Patch Redux

It is that time of year we deal with all things Pumpkin Patch and of course the pending election. This year will be no different, the election albeit a mid-term is still important, even if both parties are running on a, "We are not the other guys," platform. There are other important things to decide in November as well, so read that election guide. Anyway we went to a Pumpkin Patch today with what seemed half the known world. It was fun, maybe not as fun as in the past, mostly due to the crowd, but it was ambitious, after the farm fun, it was back to the Froelich farm for more fun. It was a good time there, even with 50 people, I mostly did not know. Lately, I have found myself blogging about staying within the moment and often enough it is because it is so hard to do. Again tonight I found myself sucked out of an enjoyable moment and into a place I'd rather not be. My mistake this time was to look at my smartphone and see the email. The moment was gone and so was the enjoyable, as I knew it would be back home to respond. Anyway a little pumpkin patch fun, from believe the half.

Waiting for the Pumpkin Patch

The Pumpkin Patch has become a very special time, now that we have a kid. This weekend will mark yet another trip out to the farms of South Snohomish County. This will be a time to put aside the worries of the world and enjoy the simplicty of enjoyment. It sounds easy, but when you have too much going on, enjoyment without guilt or worry can be tough. Again, I suppose, a reason to try to live in the now, not thet past or the future or the dreaded, "What if..."