Fisheye Spy

Day 72

2009-06-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

"What's the buzz?
Tell me what's a-happening.
What's the buzz?
Tell me what's a-happening."

— Tim Rice, Jesus Christ Superstar

Day 71

2009-06-08T18:43:00.001-07:00

“Bring me then the plant that points to those bright
Lucidites swirling up from the earth,
And life itself exhaling that central breath!
Bring me the sunflower crazed with the love of light.”

— Eugenio Montale

Day 70

2009-06-07T15:12:00.000-07:00

"When a torrent sweeps a man against a boulder, you must expect him to scream, and you need not be surprised if the scream is sometimes a theory."

— Robert Louis Stevenson

Day 69

2009-06-07T13:29:00.000-07:00

“White collar conservative flashin' down the street, pointing that plastic finger at me, they all assume my kind will drop and die, but I'm gonna wave my freak flag high.”

— Jimi Hendrix

Day ?

2009-06-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

“People who count their chickens before they are hatched, act very wisely, because chickens run about so absurdly that it is impossible to count them accurately.”

— Oscar Wilde

Oh, yeah...

2009-06-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

I forgot I had a picture-a-day blog. Clearly.

I recently purchased a remote-control, so the thrill of a new toy may be just the incentive I need.

Cross fingers; say a prayer; perhaps tomorrow I'll be back in the game.

Day 67

2009-04-03T18:29:00.001-07:00

"They danced down the streets like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn. ..."

— Jack Kerouac, On the Road

Day 66

2009-04-02T18:45:00.001-07:00

I smelt the violets in her hand and asked, half in words, half in signs, a question which meant "Is love the sweetness of flowers?"
— Helen Keller

Day 65

2009-04-01T19:37:00.001-07:00

"I can't keep it in, I've gotta let it out.
I've got to show the world, world's got to see,
See all the love – love that's in me."
— Cat Stevens

Day 64

2009-03-31T14:29:00.000-07:00

“Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral.”

— Frank Lloyd Wright

Day 63

2009-03-30T20:50:00.000-07:00

The city, silhouetted from all of the pollution.

Day 62

2009-03-29T16:21:00.000-07:00

The Cutting Room Floor

For more photos from the AOC weekend, see my pbase site: http://www.pbase.com/ebarrett/aoc_shots

Day 61

2009-03-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

A day of rock pile art at the beach, courtesy of J and the little one.

I've Lost Count of the Days

2009-03-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a week since I've posted any photos. It's not in the spirit of the blog to post a bunch at once, mind you, but I have been taking shots pretty consistently. Here are several:

I love up close and interesting texture shots. This is of the bottom of a tree in a downtown parking lot.

EREHW?

Paging Mr. Lorax. ...

Peep-eye

Day 53 -- Help?

2009-03-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

I thought it was another setting from when I took indoors, but clearly not. Is the graininess just an ISO issue, or is there something else I'm not doing that's keeping a bunch of noise in my shots?

Day 52

2009-03-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

The Smokehouse, A Berkeley Institution

Day 51

2009-03-18T11:06:00.001-07:00

Wash Day

Day 50

2009-03-16T17:35:00.001-07:00

Self Portrait

More Signs of Spring

Days 40-49, or something like that

2009-03-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

I've been very lax in taking every day. I hit a I-don't-want-to-have-to-do-anything snag, I think, and I'm trying to get back on track.

The following 10 photos were taken over the course of a couple of days. A couple are documentation of events or moments, like the one of G during an orchestra concert or the sudden reflection of the yard on the bumper of the car.

Catch The Buddha

Oh, the Calla Lilies Are in Bloom

Bumper Reflections

Peeking at the Violin Section

Razzle Tazzle

Pretty Senora

Spring Leaves

Stilted Trailers

Somerset & the Sunset

Came in Through the Office Window

Day 39

2009-03-06T13:39:00.000-08:00

A type of sun pitcher plant at the nursery.

Day 38

2009-03-05T22:51:00.000-08:00

Egg delivery day.

Day 37

2009-03-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

Candy for J from godmother in Germany.

Day 36

2009-03-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

E treated me and J to a b'day lunch at her place of work. J enjoyed the notice that was displayed above the fire extinguisher, that there was, indeed, a fire extinguisher below.

Day 35

2009-03-02T18:09:00.001-08:00

A brief break from the torrential rain today.

Day 34

2009-03-01T19:31:00.000-08:00

Front hull of a new ship in the neighborhood.

Day 33

2009-02-28T21:32:00.000-08:00

I spent the day photographing a church for an art competition. It's the most time I've spent in church in a long time.

Day 32

2009-02-27T21:34:00.000-08:00

Day 31

2009-02-26T18:24:00.001-08:00

We've been keeping track of kids' growth over the last five years on our kitchen wall. Not just our kids, but neighbor kids and friends, too.

Day 30

2009-02-26T18:23:00.001-08:00

Day 29

2009-02-26T17:49:00.001-08:00

This is popcorn on the cob. My step-daughter brought this to us from her work.

Day 28

2009-02-26T17:48:00.000-08:00

Day 27

2009-02-26T17:47:00.000-08:00

Honey Dripping

2009-02-26T17:46:00.001-08:00

Honey on Bread

2009-02-26T17:44:00.001-08:00

Homemade bread with our bees' honey. (I realize these next many shots are grasping. I was pretty close to death's door for the last week. They're the best I could do.)

Day 24

2009-02-19T22:20:00.001-08:00

The U.S.S. Hornet and other members of the Navy's ghost fleet, just before sunset.

Ferry Ride

2009-02-18T20:22:00.000-08:00

The antique fishing ship, the Balclutha, was docked in Alameda today. It was the subject of the very first article I wrote, way back when. I was allowed on board, and below deck, as they were refurbishing her 11 years ago. I'm not sure why she's back -- probably a touch-up. Unfortunately, none of those shots came out so great (although a couple are on my pbase site), so I've chosen a different one from my ferry ride today, from the port of Oakland.

Day 22

2009-02-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

Outside of my house, straight up, three geese flying west.

Day 21

2009-02-16T20:57:00.000-08:00

I've seen others do a series of shots, but haven't really tried it myself.

It's a Toss-Up

2009-02-16T10:24:00.000-08:00

Last night I was feeling rotten from this plague I can't seem to shake and was already in bed watching BBC's Qi by 9 or so. I hadn't taken my photo for the day, and frankly, didn't care. I saw something, suddenly, fly into my line of sight several times, and sat up to see what was going on. Molly the Cat had found a deflated balloon and was throwing it into the air with her mouth, and swatting it. I grabbed my camera and started shooting. Here are two. The rest of the series are on my pbase site.

Two today!

2009-02-14T16:08:00.000-08:00

Acton. Laughing. His Valentine's bear in a bear hug.

Could Be Commentary

2009-02-14T16:05:00.000-08:00

If I'd poured milk in the bowl, I suppose this could be seen as an indictment of American's raising their kids on sugar; but I didn't. And for good reason: it would've ruined the candy hearts. Happy Valentine's Day.

Pact

2009-02-13T17:25:00.001-08:00

I'm starting to hate this. J and I always disagree on which picture to post each day. We like different things; as a consequence, I'm never sure if I've chosen the best one.

Today I drove The Boy and three of his closest friends to Dundracon, so, before and after the drive, they became my subjects. I was disappointed with my ability to capture them. I also experimented with black and white, and am only partially happy with the results.

So, which picture to post? How about this one: The four of them made a pact to lay claim to one of the hotel rooms just for themselves, instead of sharing with some of their other buds.

And which one did J choose? He chose three. They're on my pbase site: 03, 20, and 06. Because I'm not an objective party, I'd love to hear any thoughts on the group. Which is your fave? Which doesn't work for you?

Keep Out

2009-02-12T19:47:00.000-08:00

This fence was put up after a small, apparently toxic building was torn down on this spot several years ago. The yellow signs are relatively new, keeping walkers away from the water and the docks and, today, the 8 sea lions sunning themselves just beyond.

(See my pbase site for more from today.)

Pipes, Cogs, Wheels and Weeds

2009-02-12T19:31:00.001-08:00

February 11th. I don't know what this was when the Navy was here, but it's striking on this cloudy day, with its handsome, symmetrical red pipes and beach grass. How lucky am I to live here?

The Monkeys Bring in the Ox

2009-02-12T19:27:00.000-08:00

Is it possible? Am I alive?

Despite this bug, I've still been snapping some shots. They're not overly inspired. This day, the 10th, I literally took shots around the office where I spent some of the day. The 11th, I snapped some shots from the car as I was being driven across town. You get the picture. ...

Hack, hack, wheeze

2009-02-09T20:41:00.001-08:00

No new picture today. I'm shivering and feeling pretty sick. I'll post two in the next coming days to make up for it.

In the meantime, here's an oldie: Some fellow local beekeepers. J wrote the article; I snapped the photos. We learned a lot from them as we were starting our own hives.

Been All They Could've Been

2009-02-08T21:29:00.000-08:00

We found these brave soldiers buried in our backyard -- a former Navy captain's house -- and planted them on the outlet next to our bathroom sink. They've stood armed and ready to defend, directly in front of the posted Q-Tip box warning about ear canal insertion, ever since.

Last Night

2009-02-08T08:10:00.000-08:00

The daylight makes it easier to get good shots. I'm working on this glitch in my ability. In the meantime, this was taken at a friend's house last night, from my perspective.

Rainy Day Around the 'Hood

2009-02-06T21:09:00.000-08:00

There are so many pix from yesterday and today that I liked -- including a couple of shots of Steve Fossett's catamaran, dry-docked nearby -- it's been hard to narrow it down to one. Please see my pbase site (link over there to the right ---->) for more. This one's a reflection of the entry sign to Hangar One vodka, in a puddle of water.

Also, just put in an application to participate in a local photog art contest. Wish me luck!

Base Building

2009-02-05T21:44:00.000-08:00

Today's photos turned out so beautiful because of the rain, and blue skies peeking through. The whole lot is on my pbase site. This one is the peeling paint from one of the old buildings on the base. The late afternoon light caught it just right, turning the side of the building a gorgeous yellow with pinkish highlights.

Julie's

2009-02-04T15:30:00.000-08:00

There are so many interesting items, that you could take dozens of pictures at Julie's Coffee & Tea Garden and there wouldn't be a bad one among them. This is a rooflike structure out back.

Her Fling With Betty Boop

2009-02-03T20:37:00.001-08:00

I must, must, must remember to take my camera with me when I leave the house. Although, The Girl's room is a great source of inspiration for this red-loving mama.

Redline

2009-02-02T18:19:00.001-08:00

This has been a pretty long day -- guiding a client through their edited proofs; looking up grammatical and formatting standards; editing their rewritten sections. I like others better from my brief shoot, but this one best sums up today, I think.

If anyone has tried to comment, but can't, you're not alone. I've been unable to figure out how to leave comments on other people's blogs. They simply don't show up, or the verification word never shows up. If you know how to remedy this problem, drop me a line.

Entrance

2009-02-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

This was taken at Dashe Cellars, an East Bay, urban winery. The front entrance, from the inside out.

Downstring Bass

2009-01-31T19:06:00.000-08:00

Some of the shots in today's group were a total rip-off from my bro over at Pix('ls) a day... or so... by Keith (http://keithpicaday.blogspot.com/). Here's one, in particular, but the group should be seen as a group, really. (Check it out: http://www.pbase.com/ebarrett/his_room__17 .) Collectively, they're a snap-shot of The Boy's room this evening.

Somedays I Wanna

2009-01-30T19:15:00.000-08:00

The sun was shining, and it was relatively warm today. The potato bush is blooming, which strikes me as odd. It's usually not fully leafed out and in bloom this time of year. But the slide erased the thought and beckoned.

More generally: It's getting harder to find inspiration. It's clear -- I'm going to have to leave the house if I expect to keep this up.

Ta-da!

2009-01-29T17:25:00.000-08:00

One of the many sock monkeys in our collection.

Chicken On a Sunny Day

2009-01-28T13:34:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how beautiful the days have been lately. Bright, clear, blue sky, green grass. It's made for some brilliant pictures with little to no effort. The chickens were a bit more of a challenge.

Buckled Up Car Stop

2009-01-27T16:27:00.000-08:00

A long, broken, and dislodged car stop in an abandoned parking lot. Alameda Point (former Alameda Naval Air Station, Alameda, CA)