• coffee shops

    A new “kid” on the block

    July 24, 2010
    Crazy Goat

    Yep, that’s the name of it, Crazy Goat Coffee. It’s a new coffee shop in Old Gahanna. I saw it a couple of weeks ago and finally made it down there to check it out. Here are my first impressions after one visit.

    I loved the ambiance as soon as I walked in. It offers pleasant colors, a fireplace for the winter season,  a couple of lounge chairs, and six tables comfortably seating from two to six people. There were six business people in dress suits standing at the register and the pastry case, half of them trying to make a decision on their drinks and “lowfat” pastry. I wondered if this decision would be the biggest decision they would make that day.

    There was one young lady at the register doing her best to answer questions, take orders and money while trying make their drinks. I realized it was going to take awhile. Since I patronize several franchise stores where speed is so prominent, it made me aware of how impatient I can be. I needed to tell myself to be patient and wait in line. It wasn’t too long before another barista came in to help carry the load. The young girl acknowledged me with a warm smile and let me know she would be with me in a minute. Her smile brought me a smile and an awareness I actually had more than a minute to spare. I’d wait. See what a smile does.

    I ordered a decaf mocha latte which I use as a measurement stick when going to a new place. The temperature was below my preference but I did like the flavor. I was also pleased to see my drink served in a paper cup rather than styrofoam. After a visit to their website I noticed part of their mission statement is to strive to be eco-friendly. They offer free Wi-Fi and are open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm during the week with shorter hours on the weekends. Overall it was a pleasant experience so I need to make a couple more visits. I’ll keep you informed.

    Read More
  • Art/Design,  Photography,  quotes

    Scarves

    July 21, 2010
    Scarves

    “The creative act lasts but a brief moment, a lightning instant of give-and-take, just long enough for you to level the camera and to trap the fleeting prey in your little box.”

    Henri Cartier-Bresson
    Read More
  • landscape,  sunsets

    Fried

    July 20, 2010

    Lake Pontchartrain

    As I write this post my mind is fried. Not much seems to be between the ears this evening. Every once in a while I slide into one of these places where fatigue and confusion seem to rule. Anyway I wanted to post something. This was taken back in 2007 along the shore of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans. Coleen,a fellow photographer from the pbase website, picked me up at my hotel and took me to a park along the lade for some sunset photos.

    Read More
  • Transportation

    The Silver RT

    July 18, 2010

    The Siver RT

    As I was looking back over some images from 2004 I came across this photo of my BMW 1150RT Sport Touring motorcycle. I purchased it after being laid off and broke it in with a wonderful 3 week, 4200 mile trip. There were many trips to follow this one as I found motorcycle touring to be a great experience to see this country of ours. I bought this bike after talking to an older gentleman at a campground in eastern Oregon. I had already been looking at a BMW motorcycle and after noticing his bike I walked over and started a conversation. His tent was pitched, riding gear was laid out to take on the fresh air. He was eating baby carrots, slicing up a tomato and drinking a glass of wine. He told me he was heading to Seattle on his way back from New York. His stop in Seattle included picking up his girlfriend and riding up to Vancouver then taking a ferry ride to an island for the weekend. He was 72 years old. I wanted to be just like him.  His sales pitch and life style sold me, so the following year I met up with him in Idaho at a BMW MOA rally and got to meet his girlfriend while on my silver RT.

    This campsite was in the Gros Ventre Campground just outside of Jackson, Wyoming. I have used this campground as a base for several camping/photography trips. In face I may go back and post of few images from those trips. Sadly I needed to sell the bike in 2008 and move on to other things in my life. Inside I still dream of riding one of them on a twisty mountain road. Heck I’d like to have it on any road. Maybe someday.

    Read More
  • insects

    Todays Work

    July 17, 2010
    Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains

    “All you can work on today is directly in front of you. Your job is to develop an imagination of the possible.”

    Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland

    While on a trip to the Smoky Mountains I dropped and broke my Nikon 80-400mm VR lens, a $1400 loss. Ouch! Needles to say I spent the last 3 days of our 7 day trip with nothing but two other Nikon lens, a 16-35mm and 24-85mm. Now my longest focal range dropped from 400mm to 85mm, what was I going to shoot?

    The first morning we were able to shoot in Cades Cove we were met with fog, wonderful fog. Along with the fog comes the heaviness of the morning dew, so needles to say we were pretty wet by the time we returned to the hotel. I noticed a barb wire fence covered with dew near the Tipton Place and wandered over to have a look-see. I discovered this grasshopper hanging upside down and patiently waiting for the morning sun to dry his body for the days activities. Since the 24-85mm also had macro capabilities it worked great for me to get some nice images. The fog was burning off and you can see the sun approaching in the background. This image was one of my first attempts at macro photography and spurred the purchase a nice macro lens. So, I ended up working on what was in front of me.

    Read More