Shutter as syringe
Our stalwart A80 is at the Canon repair center now, having the CCD looked at (for free!). It seems that the repair from this past winter did not "take" and so it's back again.
The camera that started my lunch hour photography walks project was that Fuji A205 that I purchased for $35 via Craigslist. I retrieved it from the camera closet (yes, we have a closet for them...don't ask) only to find that it appears to be dead. It powers on fine, but pressing the shutter button results in the camera immediately shutting down. Only batteries straight off the charger will let it take any shots at all and then only a few before the above behavior is exhibited.
So, when I took my walk today, the only camera I had was my much maligned (and rightfully so) cell phone camera. Regardless of the poor quality of the images it produces, I /had/ to shoot. I had to take a picture. I feel like an addict saying it, but it's true. And what should I walk to but a nearly block-long row of sunflowers in bloom.
The sunflowers are planted on the edge of the property of a Catholic church: St. John Cantius. Like the sunflowers from the farmers market last week, they were filled with honeybees gathering as fast as they could. There was a nice breeze today and the sunflowers were waving around in quite an animated fashion.
In the end, the harsh noon-time sun would not have done these photos much justice even if I had the A80. Yeah, there would have been more dynamic range and more detail, but no matter. The camera phone worked as it should, even if it is sub-par relative to other phones of similar features.
Besides, I was able to walk 4 miles today during lunch which is far more important than any image captured.
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Why is it that the smallest things seem to find each other and then merge and meld until they're really big and really angry and really a serious problem?
Why is it so difficult for me to recognize this happening? Why is it so difficult for me to bring about change?
I think there's something wrong with me. Some set of instructions that's missing. The guide to doing shit that everyone else knows how to do and has been doing successfully since the age of 10...
Nathan at 13 months
(24 days late, sorry. )
A year and a month is what it took for Nate to become, for all intents and purposes, independently mobile. His 13th month was marked by marvelous change. Not only did he start walking more than a few steps, but he is now able to stand himself up from a sitting position without holding onto anything. He can walk on level ground, the bumpy yard, or even more irregular ground of the camping area of the KOA in Union, IL.
helloheather tells me that, after I've gone to work and Nathan wakes up, he comes into our bedroom and makes his "question?" noise. He looks for me all over the room. I cannot describe how torn this makes me feel. I'm so proud and happy that, despite the fact I can only spend about 2 hours a day (during the work week) with Nathan, he knows and misses me; that he enjoys me enough to wonder where I've gone to in the mornings. But at the same time, I wish so much that I could be there for him every day, not just on the weekends.
I hope...I really do hope, that I can:
Don't you know that I'll be around to guide you.
Through your weakest moments to leave them behind you.
Returning nightmares, only shadows.We'll cast some light and you'll be alright.
We'll cast some light and you'll be alright for now.Crosses all over, heavy on your shoulders.
The sirens inside me waiting to step forward.
Disturbing silence darkens your sight.We'll cast some light and you'll be alright.
We'll cast some light and you'll be alright for now.José González - "Crosses"
Velcro Love
An American Dagger Moth Caterpillar finds itself in love with the Velcro on my Teva sandal.
I found this guy hanging out on my sandal at the front door. As I needed them to go wading through all the standing water in my yard, I carefully detached him/her from the velcro. However, it was no easy task as the caterpillar was determined to stay.
Denver – 2007
Nine adults and six children (under four years-old) in one house for five days may seem like a crazy thing to do, but it was really quite nice. At the end of it, I was left with a great feeling of joy and also loss. Re-connecting with people (some of whom we've not seen in years) is an experience I treasure and one I'm loathed to give up.
It's true that, for some of the trip, I was rather stressed out. I'm still (even a year on) trying to work through the over-protective fears and feelings I have with Nathan. Worries abound, leaving my head and emotions spinning. Unfortunately it doesn't always stay inside. It's something I struggle with.
But less navel gazing and more vacation discussion...
Nathan had a great time. He had explosive behavioral growth in the span of these five days. By the end of the trip he was 1) no longer walking as if he were Frankenstein's Monster. 2) able to climb onto and (and fall off of) push-toy cars and 3) able to climb up and sit down at a kids plastic play table. He also started using new sounds and in some cases, two syllable "words." He seems to mimic sounds a bit more too.
We spent some time at a neighborhood pool on Saturday. This pool featured a waterslide that pushed a fair amount of water around. Enough so that you could swim against the current near the slide and not make any progress forward. So, with Nathan in arms, I stood in the middle of the current watching kids (and adults) go down the slide. He /loved/ this. He was so calm in my arms, and simply sat enjoying the feeling of the rushing water. At one point I thought he was going to go to sleep, he was so relaxed.
He was pretty much a joy at the airports. He loved being pushed around in his stroller because he could see all the people and point and make his "heeeeyyy!" noise at them. And they, in turn, would smile and sometimes stop and say hello to him. At DEN a ~10 year-old girl with a stuffed toy (river otter) befriended him and became a de facto babysitter for a time. She would let him grab the stuffed animal and would follow him around, playing peek-a-boo around the support column near our seats.
Annual Montrose Saloon Music Festival
Two years ago, helloheather and I went to the Montrose Saloon for a bluegrass, rock, folk, and country festival. We had a really great time:
http://www.bernhard.us/rob/blog/2005/08/15/24/
Last year, with Nathan newly born, we did not feel like we could attend. This year the festival is Saturday, August 12th and sadly we're already committed to other things.
http://www.wluw.org/ has a listing of bands. It's really inexpensive and it's all outdoors with tables and chairs. A very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. If you can make it over to 2933 W Montrose Ave any time from 12-7, you will not be disappointed.