Why? What Have You Heard?

Candlelight Becomes You

2009-12-02T23:59:00.001-05:00

Click and hold to get the lights

Smack in the middle of this string of 4 birthdays in 3 days we find one of my very favorite people in or out of Blogaritaville, Sandy Carlson. I'm not sure what lap she's just completing today, but it's not like it matters. Sandy is ageless, timeless. But that's where "less" stops applying.

I didn't really "discover" Sandy's blog Writing in Faith until early this year. I think I'd visited there a few times before then, but it wasn't a regular stop on my daily journey until early 2009. My loss. Because I was missing out. I was first drawn to her photography (naturally), but it wasn't long before I realized what a truly gifted writer she is. Her extraordinary look at ordinary life is impressive enough, but it's when she turns her hand to poetry that her writing is at its most visceral. And while it wasn't really necessary, two pieces from the series One Single Impression sealed the deal for me. Both Intersections and Folly now occupy a spot in my Permanent Links. If you don't read anything else, you need to read those two. Then you'll understand.

So happy birthday Sandy. And may it bring exactly what you want.

Ahem. Tap-tap. Is this thing on?

2009-12-02T23:59:00.000-05:00

"Sorry, no party tricks with this image"

Friday, October 9, 2009
A Nudge

"I've been duly nudged by a friend and reader, that I've been gone too long."

Apparently, it didn't take.

JC is one of my very oldest... actually check that, she is my oldest blog-buddy. The first person I ever put in my blogroll, the first blog I read regularly, and still (even though she's practically dropped off the edge of the blogging world) jump on every single post like a... like a... post-jumper-onny-thing. She's amused me with tales almost told about things like dancing on stepladders (I'm still waiting to hear the rest of that one.) and tales actually told about things like playing Crocodile Hunter with a recycling bin or Secretly buying horses. Or this gem that made me laugh so hard I had to file the link in my sidebar under "When I start feeling bad about my dating life..."

She's also tugged at my heartstrings with other stories on topics not at all amusing, and through it all she's been as real as it gets.

So today, on the anniversary of that miraculous occasion when this wonderful friend entered the world, I'm poking her again hoping to see her return to Blogaritaville. So grab some cake and trot over there and see if you can stir something up. And if not that, at least wish the girl a happy birthday, she deserves it. After all, how many people do you know that can make a sentence using the words "mumu" and "duct tape"?

For reals.

Sepia Scenes #59: "Where's Floyd?"

2009-12-02T06:00:00.006-05:00

"Haven't seen one of these in a while."
Wake Forest, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Window Views #26: "College Hill UMC"

2009-12-02T06:00:00.005-05:00

"Go Big or Go Home I Guess"
Greensboro, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Thursday Challenge #51: "Wood"

2009-12-02T06:00:00.004-05:00

"Console-ation"
Greensboro, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)
Next Week's Challenge: "Wood"

Thematic Photographic 77: "Buildings" v.7.0 - Monopoly Money

2009-12-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

"Lehigh Valley RR"
Bethlehem, PA - November 2005 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted by Written Inc.

I only spent a couple of days in Bethlehem, PA back in November of 2005, but it seemed like everywhere I looked there was another photo opportunity. The one full day I spent in town, I walked -- tripod over my shoulder -- from the business district, across the river and back snapping off shot after shot and on film no less. I often wonder if I were to return now without the limitations inherent in shooting film if the photos I got would be as good, or if there would just be (a lot) more of them to choose from... or both. I'd like to think I've gotten better over the years, but shooting film does require you to be somewhat more selective and somewhat more careful. I think perhaps I'll have to return to Bethlehem and learn the answer to this and other questions.

The World in Black & White: 12.2.2009

2009-12-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

"End of the Line"
Raleigh, NC - November 2008 (Click to embiggen)
To see more from the WBW Community of Bloggers, visit The World in Black & White

Janmadin ki Badhai Susie Ji!

2009-12-01T23:59:00.000-05:00

"Sorry, no party tricks with this image"

She's an artist, she's a trailblazer, she's a bigger Indophile than even I am, she's Susie ji -- "The Boss" to her friends. And according to G-Man, her heir apparent to the 55 Flash Fiction Throne, she's one of the Enlightened, chosen by The Illuminati themselves to wield the power of the 55. (And he should know!) Here you see her as you've never -- okay, seldom -- seen her before, in her alternate identity, an avatar of Lakhshmi, Goddess of Wealth. Did you ever wonder WTF a "yurt" is? Susie can tell you. Want to know the meaning of the word "lentiginous"? Susie can tell you. In addition to being a regular HNT hottie, she's also a vertiable font of ~~useless~~ fascinating information and I seldom visit her blog that I don't learn something... or at least smile (or leer). And today this wonderful woman I'm so far behind catching up with completes another orbit around the sun. Seems like just last year I was saying this same thing -- only a couple of days late because I didn't know when her birthday was. But not this year! Now it's on my calendar so I now don't forget ~~once my email reminder comes~~ because she's just that much of a rock star. So happy birthday, janmadin ki badhai, many happy returns and -- as they always say in Bollywood -- "All the best". (Oh, and mujhe maaf karo, yaar I had to nick one of your photos for this ~~grand, impressive~~ humble rendering of Your Worship.)

The World in Black & White: 12.1.2009

2009-12-01T06:00:00.008-05:00

"Untitled"
Greensboro, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)
To see more from the WBW Community of Bloggers, visit The World in Black & White

Thematic Photographic 77: "Buildings" v.6.0 - Department of Defenestrated

2009-12-01T06:00:00.007-05:00

"Bath Building"
Raleigh, NC - July 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted by Written Inc.

This is the Bath Building, considered by some to be the "ugliest building in Raleigh". (Personally, I beg to differ. Raleigh has much uglier buildings than this one in my opinion.) And while I'll admit that it's not exactly the most aesthetically appealing structure I've ever laid eyes on, the upper floors are probably windowless because of the building's function. Bath is one of the State Health Department's laboratory facilities, and in all likelihood the design was necessary to create lightproof space -- and possibly containment for bilogic pathogens in the event of an accident. I'm not sure exactly what research goes on here, bu tconsidering this building is only a few block from my office I'm personally happy that they're playing it safe. Even at the expense of curb appeal.

Edifice Rex #6

2009-12-01T06:00:00.006-05:00

"Yates Mill"
Raleigh, NC - December 2008 (Click to embiggen)

Edifice Rex Tuesdays on Why? What Have You Heard?

Watery Wednesday #56: Surf City Here We Come

2009-12-01T06:00:00.004-05:00

"Two Girls For Every Boy? Seriously?"
Surf City, NC - July 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Wordless Wednesday #147: Found: Nemo

2009-12-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

"Neon Fish"
Pine Knoll Shores, NC - October 2008 (Click to embiggen)

My World Tuesday #59: The Stone Chapel

2009-11-30T06:00:00.008-05:00

"A Curious Place"
Wake Forest, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Despite outward appearances, this is not a church in the usual sense of the word. In other words, there is no congregation that meets here for regular services. Once upon a time (c. 1939) the building housed St. Catherine of Siena. Now, it houses the Cloud family who are restoring and renovating the property (is anyone else hearing Arlo Guthrie right now?). But despite the fact that the chapel is now a private residence, it is still rented out for weddings and other events, and the sanctuary is open for personal prayer and meditation.

The chapel's website mentions "members", yet there is no schedule of services. The building is a private residence, though the sanctuary is open to the public for personal prayer and meditation. The more I read, the more questions I have. And to think... I just thought the place made for some neat photos.

Thematic Photographic 77: "Buildings" v.5.0 - Going Postal

2009-11-30T06:00:00.006-05:00

"Century Post Office"
Raleigh, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted by Written Inc.

You'll have to take my word for it, but this is the Century Postal Station and Federal Building on Fayetteville Street in Raleigh. In addition to housing the downtown area post office, it's also home to the local branch of US Bankruptcy Court -- easily understood since the building sits in the shadow of the Wake County Courthouse. The building was recently given a major facelift with the Federal Government kicking in $2.5 million for the project. Considering the amount of money that's been spent in this three block stretch of road in my lifetime -- or even just the last 10 years -- $2.5 million seems like a bargain.

Wordless Wednesday #146 (Tuesday Edition): Magic Carpet Ride

2009-11-30T06:00:00.005-05:00

"Too Easy"
Jacksonville, NC - December 2008 (Click to embiggen)

Ruby Tuesday #67: "So Canada"

2009-11-30T06:00:00.004-05:00

"They Look Different Down Here"
Raleigh, NC - November 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted at Work of the Poet

The World in Black & White: 11.30.2009

2009-11-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

"Deafening Silence"
Raleigh, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)
To see more from the WBW Community of Bloggers, visit The World in Black & White

Happy Birthday From the Dungeon

2009-11-29T23:59:00.000-05:00

"Mouse over to see behind the curtain!"

How often do you get to celebrate a royal birthday? Seriously. Not very damn often, I'd wager. So when we get the chance, we take it around here. And wouldn't you know it, today is just such an occasion. (You probably figured that out already though, huh?) If you were around a couple of weeks ago you might have noticed this post which was one of thousands worldwide making up this year's BlogBlast for Peace. This effort is Mimi's trademark, her legacy to Blogaritaville, her gift to the world. It's been called unrealistic among other things, and yet it keeps growing every year. Personally? I think she's onto something. In fact, it was primarily this totally idealistic effort that was primarily responsible for winning the "Queeen of Memes" the coveted Diamond in the Rockpile award last January with the citation:

"An artist in many senses of the word, 'Mimi Pencil Skirt' looks at life through a unique prism of optimism and humor, of deep-seated compassion and firmly rooted conviction. There are no secrets here. What you see is Mimi Unplugged, an unvarnished, undiluted incredible human being with a sly wit and a quick mind. You'll laugh, and occasionally you'll cry. But you'll never doubt."

I'm sure Mimi would tell ya that it's not too early to start thinking about your Peace Globe for next year. But whether you're ready to start thinking along those lines or not, you really oughta take a minute and go visit Mimi Writes. It's bad form to keep the Queen waiting you know.

Thematic Photographic 77: "Buildings" v.4.0 - Imperious and Imposing

2009-11-29T06:00:00.005-05:00

"Especially at Night"
Durham, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted by Written Inc.

Also a Gothic style non-denominaitonal chapel built in the 1930's, you'll never confuse this one with The Stone Chapel featured in yesterday's post. Of all the churches, chapels, temples and other religious buildings in the Raleigh-Durham area, there is perhaps none more identifiable that Duke Chapel. Sited on the campus of Duke University, this Gothic style cathedral is one of the tallest buildings in Durham county (at 210 ft/64 m). Though nominally non-denominational (yes it's an oxymoron, what's it to ya?) the chapel has ties to the United Methodist Church (as does the university). Plans for the chapel were initially drawn in 1925, but the cornerstone wasn't laid until 1930 (no doubt taking advantage of a wealth of cheap labor left unemployed by the Great Depression). The building opened in 1932, but wasn't called completed and oficially dedicated until June 2, 1935. It was one of the last of the original buildings to be erected on Duke's West Campus, and at total project cost of $2.3 million Depression-era dollars, probably the most expensive as well. In fact, adjusted for inflation, it's probably still the most expensive building on campus. (I wonder what it cost to build Wallace Wade Stadium?)

Single Lens Reflex #8: "Skyward"

2009-11-29T06:00:00.003-05:00

"Up The Wall"
Greensboro, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Single Lens Reflex Sundays on Why? What Have You Heard?

Welcome To Machines #6

2009-11-29T06:00:00.002-05:00

"Rubbin' Is Racin'"
Rockingham, NC - October 2001 (Click to embiggen)

Welcome To Machines Sundays on Why? What Have You Heard?

Macro Monday #39: Bumbles Bounce!

2009-11-29T06:00:00.001-05:00

"Flora Sutra"
Raleigh, NC - September 2000 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted at Lisa's Chaos

The World in Black & White: 11.29.2009

2009-11-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

"Solitude Sitting"
Greensboro, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)
To see more from the WBW Community of Bloggers, visit The World in Black & White

Thematic Photographic 77: "Buildings" v.3.0 - Reservations Recommended

2009-11-28T06:00:00.006-05:00

"The Stone Chapel"
Wake Forest, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

Hosted by Written Inc.

This charming little place, known simply as "The Stone Chapel" sits on Main Street in Wake Forest. According to the Chapel's website the original building was erected in 1939 to house the congregation of St. Catherine of Siena. It is now a private residence, but is rented out for weddings and other ceremonies and the sanctuary is open to the public for "personal prayer and meditation". A fascinating place if you ask me. (And I think I've just found the topic for my next My World Tuesday.)