Surprise!

"Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often."

- Mae West



One of the simple pleasures from having photography as a hobby is what can be called “surprise photography.”  This happens when the camera manages to catch something unexpected. 

The revelations from these photographs can range from the sublime to the comical, from the gross to the just plain weird.  But no matter the nature of the content, there’s always a chance to learn something new about the world.

It’s important to note some things that don’t count as 'surprise photography'.  For example photo bombing, where someone jumps into frame at the last minute to ruin a shot.  That's not surprise photography, it’s just rude.

Also if someone declares that a shadow on the wall or the mold on the refrigerator looks like Elvis, that’s not surprise photography.  That’s just wacky.

One favorite of mine is the above photograph that shows something about our amphibian friends.  Frogs fart. 

It’s a simple thing, but it does cause one to wonder a bit about the natural world.  Do frogs get indigestion?  Do they suffer from the pain of heartburn?  Frogs eat insects, so are there certain types of meals they should avoid if they’re concerned about gas?

And what about using Beano?
 

After all, a slowly spreading circle on the pond could be a giveaway for predators. Not to mention the sounds and odors.

 

Nature photography can be very prone to surprises, especially when trying to take action shots.  On many occasions I’ve been watching a peaceful scene, then a commotion starts between some of the animals milling about, and I just start shooting without really knowing what’s going on.  At least until I get home.

 

That was the case with this photograph.  There was a whole family of mallards.  Dad, Mom, and 5 young ones.  They were all swimming around when another couple swam up, no kids.  The scene I saw lasted no more than 5 seconds.  Mom took the little ones to the shore, and where Dad had been was just a lot of water splashing around.  When I got home I discovered my camera had preserved this scene. 

Over the years I've also captured scenes of other crimes.  During one incident at Gray's Lake I recorded a ring-billed gull stealing a fish from the mouth of a female mallard.  The female headed back to her mate, quacking loudly.  When she got back to her mate she turned, and started to flap her wings, pointing to the scene of the crime.

Many surprise photos at first don't seem to be real.  In this photo it appears the deer is sticking it's tongue out at me.  Over the years many critters have stuck out their tongue, or mooned me.

But after closer observation I've learned that deer, and many other animals, have a tendency to lick their lips repeatedly when nervous.  Catching that motion at the right instant looks like they are sticking out their tongue.

And then there are the photos that just make me laugh. 

 

 

So the next time you're reviewing your photos be sure and take a closer look before you delete the "bad" shots. Those may end being the ones that become your favorites.

 

And hopefully some will make you laugh.

Project Scope

"They say all marriages are made in heaven, but so are thunder and lightning."

- Clint Eastwood



The other day at work I was writing a project scope document for a new set of programs, and I wondered what a project scope document for other parts of life would be like. 

A project scope document is intended to outline what a project hopes to achieve, and more importantly what the project will not do.  It says who is affected by the project and what they will receive.  It should also give a brief history of the project.

I wondered, what would a project scope document for my marriage be like? Guess I'm just a romantic at heart.

Project Scope – Marriage of Matthew & Gina

Nov 12, 2013

1. Project Background and Description

describe how the project came about, who is involved, and the purpose

This project started as a mutual interest in photography.  After being added to a group devoted to photography enthusiasts Matthew was soon receiving numerous requests from Gina for more information on the photos he shared.

In the initial phase he was somewhat annoyed by all the questioning, but soon realized it signified that she was indeed examining his photos in great detail.

By the end of the 1st quarter a friendship had developed.  The normal process of this friendship consisted largely of an informal exchange of comments on the previously mentioned social group, along with Gina frequently defeating Matthew soundly in a game of Scrabble.

As the relationship progressed the love paradigm was established.  It became apparent that moving forward into a marital paradigm was essential for maximizing gratification.
 

2. Project Scope

define the boundaries of the project, what will be done, what will not be done

A. The marital relationship should be a source of support and comfort, of happiness and togetherness. 

B. This relationship must not be possessive, as such feelings are not fit for purpose, nor appropriate to the marriage place. 

3. High-Level Requirements

describe high level requirements, “what will we achieve”

Happiness. Outcome is dependent on many factors, primarily mutual respect and friendship.
 

4. Deliverables

what each stake holder will receive

A. Love.
B. Respect.
C. Support.
D. Comfort.
E. Friendship
F. Occasional tickling
 

5. Affected Parties

what individuals and/or processes will be affected

This project will be a life long project.  It is not expected to have a sharply defined attainable goal, but rather an ongoing pursuit of happiness.

The beta testing for this project has been highly promising.  As the project moves into the production phase an increase in contentment is expected.

 

Of course I would not seriously equate marriage with a business project.  For one thing, a business project is about making money.  Plus in most companies there's one Chief Executive Officer.

 

In a good marriage there are none.

Bathroom Tissues - Bathroom Issues

"Always go to the bathroom when you have a chance."

King George V

Today’s entry was a challenge posed to me by my wife.  Last night she said, “Here’s a good title for your next post, ‘Bathroom Tissues, Bathroom Issues.’  You could do it!”

Despite her confidence I was certainly skeptical about my ability to make such a topic interesting.  And yet, with all the urban hiking I’ve done over the years I have learned a thing or two about public restrooms.  After all, if you’re out hiking for 11+ hours you are going to go.

The first thing to be aware of is what type of location is the rest room, or comfort room as it’s also called.  Is it in a public building such as a courthouse or museum, an outdoor space such as a park, or inside a retail establishment.

Public buildings can often be the best places to make your comfort stop, especially in the cold winter months or if rain is threatening. 

To begin with the comfort rooms are kept clean to a higher standard than some other indoor locations. 

And if it is cold outside, or you need to wait for a storm to pass, there is an added benefit that in a public building there are usually no problems with lingering about for a time.   As an additional bonus perhaps you can learn something while you are there. 

If you are in a museum take a few extra minutes to stroll around.  If you wandered into the local courthouse stop by the judges offices and volunteer for jury duty.  It will be a hoot!
 

In Des Moines the Iowa State Historical museum has free admission, and some picturesque views of the city from the upper floors.  And if you’re hungry there is a local Italian restaurant in the museum!

If you are in the heart of downtown Des Moines the Skywalk system is a good place to get some respite from the cold, but is lacking in proper facilities.  The Skywalk consists of four miles of corridors and enclosed pedestrian bridges between all the major buildings.   Yet in all those miles there is only one comfort room, and it is frequently closed.

Of course there are comfort rooms in some of the restaurants and other businesses that line the Skywalk.  But those facilities are for customers only, a frequent situation for comfort rooms in many businesses.  And I for one would rather forgo the nasty looks of the staff.

And I'm just too cheap to pay $8 for a cup of hot chocolate at the coffee shop.

The easiest places to find relief are probably the many convenience stores that dot the land scape.  They are plentiful, easy to find, and generally clean and well stocked. 

With convenience stores it is generally true that the newer the building the better apportioned are the facilities.  Stores that look as if they started life in the 1950s as a gas station will often have fixtures just as old.  Some comfort rooms in the older buildings look like they also have the original dirt.

The newer convenience stores have comfort rooms that are well lit and very clean.  They  feature such amenities as hot air blowers, anti-bacterial soap dispensers, and motion activated faucets and towel dispensers.   Usually even the, ah, primary fixture is automatic.   

If you do use the comfort room in the local stores you may feel obligated to make a purchase, at least a token one.  My advice to you would be stay away from the 64 oz. fountain drinks.  That's just a vicious circle waiting to happen.

Using the outdoor facilities at the local park can certainly be a nice bit of shade on a hot summer day.  But beware!  And no, I don't mean the odors. (well, that too). Comfort rooms in parks are often closed during the winter.  It's no fun walking a mile with your legs crossed only to be confronted with a sign that says "CLOSED FOR THE SEASON."

I never knew there was a designated peeing season.

Now, depending on your particular needs the quality of the paper consumables in the comfort room can be important.  In those cases I would recommend staying away from public buildings or parks and look for a friendly convenience store.  In the store they are likey to pull product off the shelf to stock the C.R., while a publicly funded institution will tend towards the functional and austere.

So next time you're out exercising in the fresh air be assured that when nature calls you'll be able to answer, one way or two.



And enjoy being on the go.

Acting My Age

 

"When you're alone and life is making you lonely you can always go,

downtown."    - Petula Clark

 

The suggestion was put forth to write my blog tonight about the phrase acting your age.  Fair enough, but then the real question becomes what is my age?  Which age do I write about?  After all, according to relativity theory all times past, present, and future are equally valid.

 

So I decided to settle on somewhere around 14 years old.  At the time we were living in the River Hills Apartments in Des Moines.  The buildings are on a ridge just east of the river, over looking downtown.  The view, especially at night, was nothing short of stunning!

 

It was natural that downtown would become my stomping grounds.  The alleys were as familiar to me as most people find their back yard.  In many ways, the alleys of downtown were my backyard.

 

 

Many of the core buildings downtown haven't changed.  They're like old friends to me.  They may be a little worse for wear from the years, but are still familiar faces.  A little rough around the edges, but then so am I.  The old brick buildings are almost like going home again.  Almost.

 

 

Downtown has changed, but most of the real icons are still there.  Sights that long time residents would recognize instantly.  The Travelers umbrella.  The Hotel Randolph.  The Polk County Courthouse.  Old friends, still standing guard over the city.

 

 

Even the parking garages have been a destination, a haven in a storm.  They were a quick refuge from cold winter winds, and the views from the wide flat roof tops were something even a 14 year old could appreciate.

 

During one blizzard some friends and I were downtown walking around, even though the streets were closed with 3 to 4 foot drifts.  On the top floor of one parking garage we happened across a woman whose car was stuck in the snow.  We managed to get her unstuck from the drifts on the roof only to rediscover her 15 minutes later stuck in a drift in the exit.  From there she was on her own.

 

 

The rivers haven't changed much, at least not yet.  They rise and fall, and the retaining walls show their age more and more every year.  Folks still fish from the bridges, and along the river side when the river levels are low enough. 

 

At least in the last couple of years parts of the river walk have been revitalized, a few blocks in the heart of downtown.

 

Some of the old friends are long gone, as is the way with all things.  There was the army surplus store on 3rd.  The Civic Center has replaced all the buildings on that block. 

 

The JC Penney store is gone.  The building still stands, and every 2 or 3 years it changes hands as one group or another tries to find a purpose for it.  What I'll always remember is the cafeteria's cheesecake and hot apple cider.  And from time to time I'd buy a new book and a 1/2 pound of chocolate covered raisins. 

 

Then there was the book store on 6th, next to Babe's Restaurant.  The back part of the store had a novelty section, joy buzzers and plastic dog poop kind of novelties.  In the front of the store was the adult magazine section.  And you had to pass the racks of magazines to get to the onion flavored gum.

 

Ah, 14 years old was good age!

 

Not all the changes to downtown have been terrible.  The first rate theater at the Civic Center, where I've seen musicals like Wicked and Avenue Q, and musicians like Arlo Guthrie.  The ice skating plaza, the Asian Gardens, the Pappajon Sculpture Garden.  And of course the Skywalk.

 

 

Arguably the Skywalk has had the biggest impact on downtown.  A series of corridors and bridges connects most of the major downtown buildings and parking garages at about the 2nd floor level.  The Skywalk not only allows you to get from your car to your office without going out into the weather, but also offers many shops and restaurants.

 

The Skywalk has created a corridor culture in downtown Des Moines.  People come downtown, park, go to work, go to lunch, shop, have drinks after work, and finally head for home all without seeing sun or sky.  You can go downtown at 11 am on a Wednesday morning, and it seems so deserted on the sidewalks you'd think it was a Sunday.

 

Nothing stays the same, not totally.  That's why you can never go home again.  But if you're willing to accept the new while continuing to embrace the old you never need to go into the past to go home. 

 

After all, home is where the heart is.

Miss American Pie

 

Memorial

 

Fifty-five years ago, at about 1 am on Feb 3, 1959 a small plane crashed into a corn field north of Clear Lake, Iowa.  Thus ended the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, along with pilot Roger Peterson.

 

The singers had played the night before at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, and were headed to Moorhead, Minnesota.  The pilot apparently became disoriented and flew into the ground shortly after take off from the Mason City, Iowa airport. 

 

There is a memorial at the crash site now.  The first thing that strikes you when you visit the site is the thought, what a lonely place to die.  But then, where isn't?

 

 

The second thing that catches your notice are the gifts people have left behind.  An odd assortment of eye glasses in honor or Buddy Holly's signature horn rimmed glasses, records, photos, and even hotel room keys.

 

 

 

If you want to see the memorial go to Clear Lake, Iowa.  Get off Interstate 35 at the 4th street exit and head west.  Turn right at 8th street and go 4.66 miles.  The road curves sharply to the left, but turn right onto the gravel road. Take the first left, after about 500 yards, and go north 860 yards to the next intersection. 

 

The glasses mark the start of the path to the site.  Be respectful, and remember it is private property.

 

Or go to Clear Lake and ask anyone.  They can tell you. 

 

In his song "Miss American Pie", Don Mclean called that "the day the music died." 

 

He was wrong.  The music will never die.

 

Follow the links below to listen on youtube.

 

 Peggy Sue

 

Chantilly Lace

 

Donna

 



Adventures in Cooking

 

"The only real stumbling block is fear of failure.  In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude."

- Julia Child

 

Tonight I am cooking ensaymadas.  It's a Philippine pastry, a kind of brioche.  If they come out correctly a light bread with butter, sugar, and cheese baked in.  I have it on good authority that Quickmelt Ensaymadas are the brand by which all others are measured. 

 

Wish me luck!

 

So, just to review.  I don't recall ever having attempted to cook something like this from scratch, so that's the first hurdle.  Ensaymadas are a food I have never tasted before, so that's the second hurdle.  At least I have a recipe to follow, so it's not a total shot in the dark!

 

There have been other experiments with cooking over the years, some more successful than others. 

 

Recently I made brownies for a pot luck, which turned out to be really popular.  So somehow I got designated the brownie guy.  In truth the brownies were made from scratch, which is to say I scratched my head a lot while reading the box. 

 

But even cooking from a box has it's dangers.  On my first attempt to cook brownies with my oven the thermostat broke.  The oven was heating up about 75 degrees hotter than the setting.  Of course, the problem was not discovered until after the smoke detectors went off, but before any firemen arrived.

 

When it comes to food I do have my share of little quirks.  My mother had to feed a family of seven kids, so she often had to come up with novel ideas to save both time and money.  Not to mention I'm a little on the quirky side already.

 

One childhood favorite that still tempts my tongue today, peanut butter and pickle sandwich.  It sounds odd, but it's definitely worth a try.  It's a dish best served with hamburger dill chips, the new sandwich slices are too big.  Smooth or crunchy, take your choice!

 

As a young lad my siblings used to tease me about dipping celery and carrot sticks into the gravy on my mashed potatoes.  Now everyone is dipping celery and carrots, even broccoli, into sauces of one kind or another.  So really, I was a trend setter.

 

For a super sweet recipe to quickly feed a horde of hungry kids, try apple sauce and powdered sugar open faced sandwiches.  Just spread the apple sauce on a slice of bread, like jelly.  Then sprinkle with a dusting of powdered sugar.  Not too thick!  My mother once told me she got the idea from a book she read when she was a little girl.

 

Another kid crowd pleaser, easy budget stretcher is spaghetti soup.  Just add a can of your favorite brand of heat and serve spaghetti to your tomato soup.  To garnish sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.  Not my biggest favorite among her creations, I preferred to take my spaghetti and make a sandwich.  Good and messy!

 

As you may have noticed there is a bit of a pattern beginning to emerge here.  Lots of sandwiches.  To be fair I have heard that the American diet consists mainly of sandwiches in one form or another.  Think about it.  Hot dogs and hamburgers, sandwiches.  Even pizza is at it's heart an open faced sandwich!

 

For those of us who are normally kitchen challenged adding variations to these classic favorites is an easy and relatively safe form of gastronomical expression.  One of my own creations that I can highly recommend: bologna, cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard on raison bread. 

 

No, really. Give it a try, let me know what you think.  Of course if you open a restaurant and add this to your menu I will expect royalties.  Or at least name the sandwich after me.

 

Ensaymadas na gawa ni Matchinsky

 

Well, the ensaymadas are done.  I'd give them a B for taste, a C- for texture, and an A- for presentation.  It appears the yeast all committed suicide when they saw it was me cooking, so the dough didn't rise properly.  But the taste is there, so I'll count this as a victory.

 

Now go, eat. Enjoy. 

Get Your Kicks

"Won't you get hip to this timely tip

When you make that California trip

A-get your kicks on Route 66."

Route 66 by Bobby Troup

 

There is arguably no activity more American than the road trip.  The road was opened to Americans by the advent of the affordable automobile, and it was a love affair that continues today.

 

The first impetus was the novelty of the whole thing.  With today's heated leather seats and dual zone comfort controls it's easy to forget cars in those days were anything but comfortable.  With suspension systems built for horse drawn wagons, seats with little to no padding, and no heater to speak of, a ride in the family automobile was an adventure unto itself.

 

 

Colorado Mountains

 

When traveling in the family jalopy was no longer unique enough of an experience, the next call to the open road was the spectacle of nature.  America had lots of spacious skies and majestic mountains to see, and Americans wanted to see them.

 

All kinds of parks sprang up, from little unnamed picnic spots that offered a little 'local' flavor to the growth of the United States National Park system in the 1930s. 

 

America had places to go, and the means to get there.

 

 

Hoover Dam

 

Along with the new National Parks, the automobile also became a way to see the latest monuments and engineering marvels of the day.  No American could claim to be a well seasoned traveler without having been to Hoover Dam, Mount Rushmore, and the St. Louis Arch. 

 

The highway system itself became just such an engineering sensation.  The modern Interstate system was still a few years away, but the highway system was growing quickly.

 

America was on the move, and American business heard the call. 

 

Of course, I'm talking about the road side attraction.  The awesome, the quirky, and the just plain weird businesses that peppered the highways.

 

And what a variety!  Mermaid shows in Florida, and a "life" size statue of Paul Bunyan in Minnesota. 

 

Restaurants sporting unique architecture are a favorite.  They come in all kinds of shapes, from Mother Hubbard's shoe,  to a giant fish, to a coffee pot.

 

Then there are the attractions that just defy common sense.  A replica of Stonehenge made from old cars, a giant blue whale you can walk into for a view of the pond, a double decker outhouse, 20 foot high chairs, and a fence of half buried, psychedelic Cadillac cars.  They even range to the religious, like the Grotto of the Redemption, made by hand from all kinds of unique stones.

 

New York New York Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

 

Then there is the ultimate road side attraction, Las Vegas.  The famous strip is arguably the world's largest collection of roadside attractions.

 

Of all the highways in America there is one that will always stand out.  It's also known as the Mother Road, the Will Rogers Highway, and Main Street of America.  Route 66.  Stretching from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, a total of 2,449 miles.

 

Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California

 

It is fitting that Route 66 can't be contained by a single continent.  When the highway arrives at the shore of the Pacific ocean in Santa Monica it keeps going, on out to sea.  That seems fitting of the wanderlust of the American spirit.  Always looking to find what's over the horizon.

 

It is doubly appropriate that Route 66 ends in one of the greatest road side attractions of all, the Santa Monica Pier.  Food ranging from burgers and hot dogs, to fine dining at Marisol's at the end of the pier.  There are plenty of shops to find souvenirs. To top it all off an amusement park complete with a ferris wheel and a roller coaster.

 

So pack up the car, grab the kids, and hit the road.  Just remember your map, and don't worry about packing any food.  There's plenty to find along the way.  And kids, better use the rest room before we go.

 

Next stop is miles from here.