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Thursday, June 30, 2011

2011-06-30: 6 Months Down!

A-ha! I made it thru 6 months of this grueling Project 365....6 to go.
Over the last week, I've shown a lot of shots of Philly and hope you didn't get the wrong idea. Some were old buildings and alleys, but that isn't all that is there. There are new skyscrapers and beautiful old buldings. I really could just walk and look around there for days. But I can't imagine when I'll be back. Have to visit Austin next. Anyway, here are some of the buildings in Philly.





Can't tell you what any of these are, so don't ask..They were taken around the Rittenhouse area of Philly. Maybe near Chestnut and Market St.
One more day of Philly and then I'll have to do a speed Post, since I'm going camping for the weekend and will NOT bring my laptop. (But I will bring my camera!)

See ya
Em

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

2011-06-29: Maybe if you squint....

I warned you at the beginning of the Philly series, that I was messing around with some purposely out of focus shots of the Ben Franklin Bridge.. So here it is. Kind of artsy I think...I was having a good time taking shots of the bridge and water like this. Sometimes ya just gotta amuse yourself...Hope you don't get a headache looking at it....

BF Bridge and Race St. Pier

Well it's nearing the end of June, and that will be a completion of 6 months of Project 365. Woo hoo!. My orders from the Art show are fullfilled and geting delivered today. And it's time to think about a new theme...Probably something to do with the 4th...And we're going camping this weekend, so sticks and woods and samoas and fireworks will probably come into the mix. We'll see.

Stay tuned
Em

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

2011-06-28: The Alleys of Philadelphia

I really do like to walk around Philadelphia. It is a beautiful city with lots to see. And while there, I did manage a little time to go off the beaten path and explore some of the alleys.

This first one was on Market St. between 3rd and 4th. It was the path that Ben Franklin walked between his print shop and his home. That was surreal thinking about that.


This next one was off of 3rd St. between Market and Arch. At the end of it is that dilapited buildiing I showed you a few days ago.


This is Loxley Court on Arch St. between 3rd and 4th. Named after Benjamin Loxley, the first resident of the area, and a carpenter who worked on Independence hall. Dating to 1744, it is a beautiful ally between some apartments.


This next one is Elfreth's Alley. Known as the the oldest residential neighborhood in the US. It dates back to 1736. Beautiful area.


And this is just some alley somewhere off of Market St. We we on our way to Devil's Alley for a pop. I was looking for a trash can to throw my gum in and was having no luck. Well then I found a whole alley of trash bins. Problem solved!



Hope you enjoyed my little tour today...Got to get back to work. Break time is over.

Em

Monday, June 27, 2011

2011-06-27: The B. Part 2

A the Art fair, one of my more popular sales was of the Bee I took last year. I didn't think much of it and only printed one for the April Fair. Someone at that fair said she would have bought more if I had them. So this time, I printed up quite a few and it sold quite well. Ya neva know what will interest people. I was just thinking that when I was in  Philly, I sat in a garden for a while and watched the bees buzzing around. Took lots of pics but didn't think I got anything good because they really wouldn't sit still. But I just went back through my images and found one that I'm pleased with.

Philly Bee..2011

Gilford Bee...2010

I'll tell you one thing...you sure need patience to photograph bees.

Bee good!

Em

Sunday, June 26, 2011

2011-06-26: The Art Show!

Yesterday I had a booth at the Tanger Outlets Art and Craft fair in Tilton. The fair lasts all weekend but today is my company's outing at the Fisher Cats game. So no fair for me today. I've missed the outing the last few years for one reason or another, and didn't want to miss todays'. Anyway, it has rained off an on all week and yesterday didn't look too promising. I set up my EZ-up tent Friday night, anchored it down with cinder blocks, and went home. Unfortunately, I woke up at 2am worried that the tent would blow away with the wind and rain. But I arrived there Sat. morning and all was well except that it was drizzling, which would not be a good thing. Paper photos and water do not mix well. Fortunately, by 9am, the drizzle had stopped and it was dry the rest of the day! Anyway, here is my first store front all set and ready for business.


Open For Business!

It wasn't too bad a day after all. Tons of people came to the outlets and the fair. Too gloomy out to go to the beach so as another exibitor explained to me, it was a perfect day for a craft fair. I made a lot of sales, got some special orders, and met a lot of really nice people. The best part of the day, was watching people look at my pictures and smile, or point something out to their friends. I met quite a few people who were back in the area after being gone for years. They enjoyed seeing things like the Perley Tree or the Colonial Theater in Laconia...Or scenes from Gilford, like Tannery Bridge, or Weeks' Farm. And there were couples who would try to remember when they had been to places in my pictures, like Peggy's Cove lighthouse, or Nubble Light, or Perkins Cove, or Rockport's Motif#1. Whether they bought prints or not, they were happy, and that made me happy. That's what it's all about, right? Right!
So to all who came out and enjoyed my work and shared your stories...Thank You!

And now, it's time to get ready for the game. It's a beautiful day out! Hooray! Have an awesome day folks!

Back atcha tomorrow!
Em

Saturday, June 25, 2011

2011-06-25: Ya see the strangest things...

I really enjoyed my early morning walk last Saturday in Philly. It was nice being able to just head out of the hotel and see some new sights. I know back home it seems like there is never anything interesting to see. Guess I'm just used to it. Anyway, I was admiring the shops and buildings and alleys, and turned the corner and had to laugh....

Watch your step

It was early and I wanted to use my new flash. I thought it would look pretty cool. Turns out that one of the 4 brand new Duracells leaked. So no flash. But I think it came out pretty good anyway. And someone's clever art made me smile.
And speaking of art...I'm at the Tanger Outlets Arts and Craft fair today in Tilton. Hope my photos can make LOTS of people smile...And spend $$!

Have an awesome day!
Em

Friday, June 24, 2011

2011-06-24: Fathers Day Brunch

I had a great Fathers Day this year. Went out for brunch with the gang in Philly at National mechanics. It was originally Mechanics National bank back in 1837. Very eclectic place, and one of Taylor and Jeremy's favs. I had the National Skillet (Eggs, potatoes, ham and tomatoes). Very good food, very interesting place and great company.  I loved the architecture. They don't make buildings like this anymore.

Front of National Mechanics


Faucett in the Men's Room
(looks like a plumbing job I have done)

Sample of the Decor...

Don't let the bugs scare ya...They're dead. Anyway, I had a wonderful time. It's great to have your kids share their life and experiences with you. Life is good!

See you tomorrow.
Em

Thursday, June 23, 2011

2011-06-23: This Old House in Philly

Out on one of my early morning walks this past weekend I went up 3rd St., near Arch St. to get a picture of a salon Taylor used to work at. There were a lot of neat shops on the street, but the building that really got my attention was this dilapitated building mixed in with the thriving ones.


For Rent

F/5.6; 1/50s; ISO-100
6/18 6:45am
Desaturated and posterized in Photoshop

On the whole, it seemed to me that many buildings in Philly that were vacant 2 years ago are now occupied. So maybe the economy is on the rebound. It was great to see people hustling and bustling around from store to store and filling the sidewalk cafe's. Don't let this picture cloud your judgement of Philadelphia. It was just more interesting to me. Philly is so alive with art and museums and culture and history. I love it there. If you haven't been, you've got to go!

Have a good one
Em

ps. Have you ever heard of the Megabus? Cost us $10 round trip from Boston to Philly because we ordered tix 2 months ago. Would have been cheaper if we ordered earlier. Good bus with wifi. A little cramped for a 7-hour trip, but you can't beat the price.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

2011-06-22: The Ben Franklin Bridge

While out in Philly this weekend, T&J took us to the Race St. Pier next to the Ben Franklin bridge. What a beautiful place. Brand new pier for joggers, and walkers, and just about anyone.  The 'kids' gave me a picture of the bridge a couple of years ago. It was a nighttime pic that I really admire and I was trying to get a similar shot. Didn't stay out late enough though.  But here is my version of the bridge.


The Ben Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia

F/25; 10s; ISO-100 Wide Angle Lens;
6/19/11 8:39pm

I was pleased with it. As a matter of fact, I was goofing around and purposely took a bunch of blurry pictures. I had to start laughing because I really liked them. Maybe I'll post them later in the week.

Enjoy!
Em

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

2011-06-21: Back From Philly

Back at work today after a perfect weekend in Philly with Taylor and Jeremy and Sue. Did a lot of walking, went to the zoo, went to a lot of restaurants, drank a bit, and took a lot of pics. Looking for that perfect picture...T & J took me down to the waterfront so I could get some nighttime shots of the bridge. Didn't stay out long enough for the night shot, but I like what I got. Jeremy gave me the thumbs up and I love it.



Thumbs up from the perfect guy for my daughter. Love him like a son and can't wait for the wedding in August. Thanks Jeremy and Taylor for your hospitality. We had a wonderful time with you guys. Love ya!

Dad

Monday, June 20, 2011

2011-06-20: Last Day in Philly

Well, gotta head for home today.. :-( But I'm sure I'll have a ton of new photos to share once I get home and organized. So here's the last pre-post. Guess I'll be seeing a lot of these tonite...


The NH State Bird...

Talk to you tomorrow

Em

Sunday, June 19, 2011

2011-06-19: More from the Archives

Any idea what this little guy is?

Saturday, June 18, 2011

2011-06-18: From the Archives

Day 2: In Philly, so here's something from the Archives:



Cardinal sitting outside my window...

Friday, June 17, 2011

2011-06-17: In Philly

Well we left at 3am this morning. Took the Concord Trailways down to South Southstation, where we picked up the Mega Bus....Yes the Mega bus...Sounds sketchy but I only hear good things about it. Best thing is, we got our tix back in March and it was $10 round trip. Can't beat that can ya? Cost about $10 round trip from my house to Concord.  So there's your lesson for today...if you need to take a trip, check out the megabus and order your tix way in advance...Anyway, I'm preposting my blog for the next 4 days, so I don't miss any of Project 365, so I'm gonna just post what I have in my queue. Sorry if it bores you.
Here's the Ben Franklin Bridge from 2 years ago:


Taken an overcast day from the NJ side of the Delaware.

Can't wait to see my little girl..pretty soon....

Em

Thursday, June 16, 2011

2011-06-16: Woo hoo!

What a playoff series for the Bruins.  It was a great month and year for the B's. 109 days till next season starts.
So we're off to Philly tomorrow to visit Taylor. And believe it or not, I'm not bringing my laptop, so I won't be posting every day... Gonna just post ahead of time so I don't have a lapse. I know that might be cheating, but I will be bringing my camera so I'll have a lot of pics next week. Beautiful city.
To start us off, here is a pic from Oct 2009 when we were there last.

Philly

This is taken from Camden NJ aquarium, across the Delaware River, facing Philadelphia.

Leaving tomorrow at 4am and will be back Monday night. So looking forward to this trip. Have a great weekend,
Em

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

2011-06-15: GO BRUINS!

Well tonite is game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals... Boston has got to beat Vancouver or all of these late nights are for nothing...Win or lose, these playoff's have been great. Same with the NBA...I was rooting for the Mavericks (After the Celts dropped out early of course), and they did beat Miami..Great series even if they had lost.
Anyway, what else is up? looking forward to going to Philly to see Taylor and Jeremy this weekend. Miss them bad. Hope to help them wrap up and finalize wedding plans. 10 weeks away!
Oh, I got a new flash for my camera. Looking forward to seeing what I can do with an off-camera flash. After trying it out, I can see I've got a lot of learning to do. So, you won't be seeing any shots with that for a little while.
But I do have to post something..So here is a daisy (Hey! I knew a flower!) on the picnic bench...I love texture.


I think I've got a new card picture. Yikes, the art show is 9 days away....I've got to get ready for that when I get back from Philly. Busy summer fer sure...

Go B's!

Em

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

2011-06-14 : The magic of cropping Photos...

Today we have a lesson, spurred on by my family's insistance that I have too many clothes.. I fail to see what the issue is here. This is what I see...Looks quite clean to me...


And this is what they see...


So really...Who has the problem? I things in a nice clean and organized way. Obviously, they need to learn to crop. (I'd better shuddup or they'll do some real cropping)
At least my shirt(s) is (are) hung up!
And while I'm getting my 2 cents in....That's what closet doors are for!!

Tongue in cheek...

Em

Monday, June 13, 2011

2011-06-13: Have you seen?

Have you seen the Gilford Clickers photography display at the Gilford Library? A lot of great pictures by some very talented people. If you have a chance, you should get up there. We have our pics displayed during the month of June. Check it out!



I am having a table at the Tanger outlets craft fair on June 25th, so I'll need to pull my stuff out early. Make sure you get down there and buy them from me before they're sold out!

Have a good one
Em

Sunday, June 12, 2011

2011-06-12: Shopping...Oh Boy

Yesterday's mystery plant was a Rhododendron.
Yesterday was rainy and cold around here, so that foiled our desire to golf. Sue just doesn't believe me that it doesn't rain on a golf course...
She decided to go dress shopping for Taylor's wedding, and I actually volunteered to go too. Trying to store up some brownie points I guess. Taylor is having her wedding at Sunny Slope Farm in Alton and wants us to have kind of vintagy, free-spirited clothes. Sue found a beautiful dress, and after emailing a few pictures to Taylor in Philly,  we all agreed on the same. Sue looks beautiful in it, but since we know she is camera shy, I won't be posting it here. Don't want to erase my brownie points.
That mission accomplished, we started looking for me. I'm supposed to wear a vest, and we found one and a couple of shirts...shown here.


Sue and Taylor liked the shirt in the upper right, I liked the shirt in the upper left. We all liked the vest. Well the vest didn't fit...The shirt in the upper right didn't fit, so I got my choice for the shirt shown below. Brings me sort of back to my hippy days, but that's what this is all about. Anyway, not sure if that is the shirt I'll wear to the wedding, but it was only $10 so I couldn't leave it at the store.
Rainy again today. Golf is out..So we are going to the Etc. Shoppe in Meredith to look for a vest.. Then out for margaritas and mexican food with our friends, Jim and Sheri.
Not a bad way to spend a Sunday..

Adios!
Senor Em

Saturday, June 11, 2011

2011-06-11: C'mon - You gotta know what this one is!

Yesterday's tree flower was a White Flowering Crabapple tree...Yeah, that was taken a couple of weeks ago. They are all laying on the ground now, but looked good back when they blossomed. Looks awful on the mulch so I'll have to get out the leaf blower.
Help me please...I think today's pic is one of 2 things... So help me out, what is this?  I have 2 shrubs of this in the yard.


Another Mystery Pink Thing

F/36; 4s; ISO-100 6:10am

Wasn't too pleased with how the leaves in the background came out, as the sun was a bit bright on this morning, but the flower itself looks good. Too early for the bees to be out so they weren't bothering me.

Well that's it for my flower collection...Will have to put my thinking cap on for tomorrow.
1 more week till Philly!

Have an awesome weekend.

Em




Friday, June 10, 2011

2011-06-10: Happy Friday

Yesterday's mystery flower according to all of the emails I received was a chive. Yes, that is correct, Virginia..A chive. Or at least the flower on top of the chives that grow because no one eats them in our house...So..Why..Do .. we..have..them.. growing..there? Beats me.. Maybe Mario Batali was a previous owner of the house.  Guess it looks pretty. Good enough reason to leave them there..
Ok, I had a rough day...Busy at work, and I'm a little punchy from staying up watching the Bruins, and the Sox, and the Mavericks...ohhhhh.. Must Get Sleep...Eh, plenty of time for that in another life.

Anyway, here is today's mystery flower..Can you guess? It's actually on a tree, for a little hint. You're welcome.

More White Stuff...

F/32; 2s; ISO-100; 5:30am

Alright, see you later. Big thunderstorm happening right now. must go zzzzzzzzzzzzz *ZAP * zzzzzzzzzz



Thursday, June 9, 2011

2011-06-09: More Purple stuff

I actually knew what yesterday's flower was after having heard many times how I killed the FORSYTHIA bush after shovelling snow off the roof onto it all winter. Yeah it looks pretty cruddy, with bent and snapped branches going this way and that. Yes somehow it still continues to grow. That's determination.. Maybe next winter I should do it a favor and build a cover for it. Oh well.

Anyhoo...today's mystery plant is another purple thing...I was told that if it gets to the point of having a flower, it has gone to far. And it smells...Can you guess what it is?


Another Purple Thang

F/29; 1/6s; ISO-100
32mm 6:30am

Hope the garden gets some new plants soon...I'm getting to the end of the collection...I may have to start identifying weeds in the lawn...Or poisoned plants in the woods...Hmmm 2 great ideas! Wish I still had the kids around. I could send them on this mission...Bad daddy....

See ya!
Em

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

2011-06-08: What the Phlox?

Yeah, that's what I was thinking when Sue told me what yesterday's flower was... A Phlox...And me, Mr. Short term memory ran in the house and forgot what it was by the time I went to write it down..Had to ask her again.  Well in addition to getting some camera practice, I am documenting what these plants in my yard are. If in fact I ever feel like going back and reviewing, I'll have this blog for the answers....
And today we have a Yellow thing...Any clue?


Yellow Things

F/6.3 1/20s ISO-100

Well I'm getting near the end of the garden, so I'll have to get some new subjects.  Hmm...I started a scavenger hunt at GilfordClickersScavengerHunt.blogspot.com, so I'll have to get going on that next week. That'll give me some ideas...




Tuesday, June 7, 2011

2011-06-07: More from the garden...

If you guessed "Spider Wart" as yesterday's mystery flower, you were right...I had to ask Sue what it was. Took her out to the garden and it was gone!..Finally remembered where I saw it and Sue said "That's a Spider Wart. It closes up at night." Ah that explains it...Thought I was losing my mind...
Today's mystery flower hails from our side garden in Gilford...Again, no clue what in tarnation it is..But I'm comfortable enough in my manhood to say..."Hey, that pink thing looks kinda neat".

Pink Thing

F/5.6; 1/20s; ISO-100 6:43am
w/Close-up lens

Ok, back to work...Busy day here... And I'm dragging after that AWESOME BRUIN'S GAME last night...8-1!
Camera club tonite....My homework is done and I'm ready to go...
Oh, if you know what this cornflake-sized flower is, let me know... SUE!!!!!!

See ya
Em

Monday, June 6, 2011

2011-06-06: Flowers from the yard?

Ok, it's a whole new week...What's my theme gonna be? Nothing special going on at this time, so I'll just shoots some flowers that are sprouting up all over the yard...Don't ask me what this is. Sue has probably only told me a thousand times, but I just have no memory of the names of flowers and plants. So here's some purple thing that I spotted while getting into my car this morning.. I know what I like, but just can't remember names...Hmm.. It's that way with people too. I need to see you 100 times before I remember your name. It's not you, it's me....To quote George Costanza...I'm the king of "It's not you, it's me".. Sorry...

Anyway, here's what I saw through my close-up lens this morning....

Purple Thing

F/29; 1/6s; ISO-100


I figure I'll take a bunch more pics like this before the snow starts flying again...Ya neva know around here.

Have a good one, _______ < == Fill in your name here, in case I forgot...Sorry.

Em (I do know this one).

Sunday, June 5, 2011

2011-06-05: Anchors A-weigh!

Caught this shot at Rockport last weekend. I just really liked the texture and color of the rest on this old anchor. Along with shadows, and out of focus ship in the background really did it for me.  I don't know about you, but I was pleased. Good colors, no photoshop, just a nice clean shot.

Rusty

F/5.6; 1/320s; ISO-100
5/29 1:46pm

Speaking of anchors, did you hear that they may have found Blackbeard the Pirate's anchor of the coast of NC last week? Check out the link above I always was intrigued by pirates. Yeah, me and Jimmy Buffett. Born in the wrong century. 

Well it's the end of a busy weekend of yardwork, Work Work, and Yard Sales.. I'm bushed. So see you later, gater.
Em


Saturday, June 4, 2011

2011-06-04: Make way for Goslings

What a great weekend.. Got out golfing yesterday for the first time all year. And got out again today with Jordan. Did not play that well but I don't care. I was afraid I would not be out playing this year, but decided to push the knee a bit and get out there. I'm a bit wobbly and have an ache but at least no pain. Ya-hoo!

Anyway, on the 8th hole, there was a family of geese sitting in the sand trap. Luckily I didn't hit my ball there!


Not a great pic, but all I had was my iPhone. The little geese were quite cute.

Let see, what else did I do today? Sue and I went to some yard sales and picked up some neat things for Taylor's wedding. I  got out the chainsaw and did some cleaning out in the woods...And now, I'm working...Billing time. It will give me something to do while I'm watching the Bruins! Go B's

G'nite
em

Friday, June 3, 2011

2011-06-03: Fishing Boats

Not much to report on today..Little groggy from staying up wathing NBA and NHL playoffs lately. What a comeback last night by Dallas! And the Bruins are on tomorrow night for game 2 Stanley Cup finals. Better get some sleep tonite.
Wierd but I have been waking up about 4:45 all week Ever since I got up early last weekend to catch the sunrise. So I am exhasuted. Speaking of that early morning at Hampton, I caught this shot of some fishing boats next to Eastman's docks on Rt 1A in Hampton near the bridge. Very peaceful morning.


Boats in the Mist

F/4.5 1/160s ISO-100
5/29 6:09am

Well, here's hoping I can have a very peaceful morning tomorrow and sleep till 9...Oh, wouldn't that be nice..

Happy Friday!
Em

Thursday, June 2, 2011

2011-06-02: Motif #1

Last Sunday, after my failed attempts at getting a sunrise shot, Sue and I took a looong drive down to Rockport, Ma. I had been there many years ago, but now with camera always in tow, I wanted to get a shot of Motif #1. The old fishing shack that is the #1 most photographed building in the world. Of course, when we got there, it was high noon. The sun thought that it would be a great time to finally show up for the day and spoil my shots. As we all know, noon on a sunny day is the worst time for shots. Right? Right! But Sue and I had a great day browsing thru the galleries and gift shops, and getting some seafood for lunch. It turned out to be a perfect day (despite the sun!)


Motif #1

F/9; 1/100s; ISO-100


By the way, The Gilford Public Library is hosting our photography clubs' pictures for the month of June. If you're around, you've got to check it out!.

That's all for today folks
Em

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

2011-06-01: Sun-Kissed?

Project 365: 5 Months down, 7 to go!
So, while I was out for an early morning stroll (5am) at Hampton Beach this weekend, I tried desperately to find some sun. C'MON! No sun at all! Alas, there will be no beautiful sun-rise shots this week. So, as I was grumbling about getting up so early for nothing, I spotted something in the sand, washed up on the beach....


Sun-Kissed

Aperture: F/5 ; Exposure: 1/50s; ISO-100; 5:14am

Do you believe it? I couldn't stop laughing when I saw what it was...So yes, there was SUN after all. So to speak...

Have a bright and sunny day
Em