P52: Week 24 - A good weekend of shooting...

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P52 Week 23 : My Out Of Body Experience...

With the exception of weddings and funerals, I haven't been to church in about 20 years. That is until yesterday. I kept looking up, expecting to be struck by lightning.  Organized religion just doesn't do it for me. Like politics, I just want people to keep their opinions to themselves. Or at least stop trying to cram it down my throat. I have my reasons. And I do believe in HIM. And I believe that if you are a good person, that should be good enough. But I've been told I'm going to HELL if I don't BELIEVE. But it is that kind of thinking that just turns me off. In any event. I haven't been since my kids were very young. That was until yesterday.

 

My new boss asked me 2 weeks ago week if I would like to go to church. And I said, "No thank you. I'm not a church-goer." And he asked me again this past Friday. And I said "No Thank you". And he immediately asked again. I thought about it a second, and thought "New company, new boss.. He is asking me to join him. I figured that it wouldn't kill me, and might do me some good. So I said "Sure, where is your church?" He told me, and we planned on meeting for the 11am service on Sunday.

On Saturday, I went hiking along Lake Wiley. First time I've really been out in about 2 weeks since I slipped and pulled my leg. It was an easy 2 mile hike, and I spent a lot of time stopping and taking pictures. I know it is all Gods handiwork. And I appreciate and marvel at the beauty all around me.

I really enjoyed this hike because I'd stop and talk to other people. Or they'd stop and look at what I was shooting. People are SO friendly here. I love it! Folks here don't seem to be in such a rush, and they love to chat. Despite this lovely day, I still said to myself many times "I can't believe I have to go to church tomorrow".

Anyway, Sunday came, and I dreaded going...Thought about backing out. But my word is my word. So I went. And got to the Church and saw about 500 cars..Ug. I was there early. Too early perhaps because I kept thinking. 'Go home..." But I managed to get out of my car and go in. And again, people were very friendly. The church was broken up into 2 big rooms, and I couldn't find my boss. So I sat by myself, and chatted with the folks around me. And you know, the service was ok. I enjoyed the sermon. But, church as a whole wasn't doing anything for me. Anyway,  I went. I survived. It didn't kill me. And that's that.

Now a couple of hours later, I went out for a bike ride. Saw a park on Google earth called Freedom Park in Charlotte. It was 5 miles from me, so I decided to really test my leg and go for a ride. Now when I got to this place, I really thought I was having an out of body experience. There were so many walks of life in this park. Whites, African Americans, Spanish, Asian, straight, Gay. Everyone just getting along, and playing, picnic-ing, bike riding, walking, flying kites, and laughing. This was what heaven was to me. Just everyone getting along and living life. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. 

I had a good time riding around and exploring. I followed a trail for a few miles, and it happened to lead me to the park with the view of the skyline, that I showed a week or so ago. Hmm, I'm really getting to know the area! 

After a bit of exploring, I figured I'd better get back home. I checked GPS on my phone and saw a shorter way back home than to retrace my steps.  So, I headed on my merry way. Every now and then I'd stop and check the GPS. And voila! Phone dead..Em Lost. No one around...Good grief. Guess I don't know the area as well as I thought I did. Well, it took me about an hour and a half to find my way home. Good thing about the trip was that half of it was down hill. Unfortunately, the other half was up hill. But the best part was that I lost 4 pounds on my ride! I had gone about 15 miles, and the leg felt good. Woo hoo!

Anyway...It was an awesome weekend. Oh, by the way...I made sure to tell my boss that I was at church yesterday and figured that he must have been in the other room. He said "Oh, I didn't go. How was it?"
SON OF A B....! ;-)

So, unless I get struck by lightning, or fall down another hill, or fall off my bike, or nearly poke my eye out (Oh yeah hon...I didn't tell you about that one..did I?) , then I'll see you back here next week!

Have a simply beautiful week!
Em

PS. Does this ball make me look fat?

P52 Week 23 - Much Ado about Nothing...

When last we left our hero, he was all hobbled up after having a typical Swanson day..this time by twisting his leg up bad. Well, it has been getting better but it was a loong week, not being able to get out and get some exercise...Personal diagnosis is that I hyper-extended my knee (way to far)..
Other than going to work every day, I did manage to get out a bit this weekend. I probably over did it, but I HAD to get some errands done. What did I have to do???
Well I HAD to find a guitar store (Howren Music)  and get some new strings for my guitar...I haven't picked it up much since my Canon took up my free time. Felt real good to plug it in and play..

And I HAD to go find a camera store (Biggs Camera)...Didn't buy anything, but now I know where it is! It wasn't a wasted trip, because there was a park across the street and I had a semi unobstructed view of the downtown skyline. 

Not a great shot, but for once there weren't telephone wires in the way. 

And note to Sue (who I miss badly and can't wait for her to get here)...there is a farmers market next to Biggs Camera, so we can go shopping together on the weekends. :-)

The final killer of Saturday was going to Walmart to get a cheap lamp to tide me over until the rest of our stuff makes its way to NC. That bit of shopping wore me out...So much so that I fell asleep early that night in my easy chair...with the lamp on...Woke up early Sunday. Tried unsuccessfully to go to bed but said the heck with it and went out early in search of something to shoot.

Went down to Piedmont row near my office and found lots of cafes with open tables...You can never find a seat during the week. But on a Sunday at 6 am, you can have your pick of tables...

'Course, nothing is open that early, but you can get a seat!

I really went down to this area because of the buildings all around a courtyard and fountain..It's really pretty and I wanted to try a 'Little Planet' kind of panorama...Didn't turn out that great, but it was my first attempt.

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If you want to see how to do this, check out this link at PictureCorrect

As a last shot, I just wanted to show the crazy clouds that rolled in the other night. I was picking up some Chinese food at my new favorite restaurant. 1 minute there were Blue skies and 5 mins later, the skies were BLACK! I was afraid I wasn't going to make it home before the clouds opened up. But I had to stop and get some shots! I'm especially glad that I stopped because I found the ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE (or so they claim).

I'll check that out next weekend and see if it is my new 2nd favorite restaurant. I hope my leg heels fast because I'm going to put on 10 pounds very quickly at this rate. 

Ok, gotta get some real work done now. Lot of deadlines due tomorrow at the office...

Have an awesome week gang. Miss you!

Em

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