Needs Updating for the Holidays!

Yep, now that the Season is upon us, it's about time to have this site reflect some of the good things happening.
Yesterday was sparkling tasting at Gloria Ferrer, lunch at Hop Monk in Sonoma and shopping around the Plaza, with a stop at Basque Boulangerie cafe and bakery for a pick me up.

Railroad Regatta Fun in Photos!

Despite the heat, the Regatta and Hand Car Races held in Railroad Square, Santa Rosa was a lot of fun and an exciting display of creativity.
Some photos to illustrate my point:


Entry after the race...


Waiting for the starting gun.
Bicycle and hand powered:


Cupcake cars are battery powered:

Daddys provide the power:

Oregon Coast Adventures!

Back from our trek (with the doggies) along the central Oregon coast, our first visit, and I have lots of photos to pass along and some recommendations for places to eat and stay, all coming in the next few days.
Meanwhile, a couple highlights:
Newport was worth the visit for many reasons, among them



Rogue Brewery, a beer drinker's paradise.










Fries from Local Ocean Restaurant, which Kay maintains are the best she has ever eaten










A real fishing harbor













A great spot for Breakfast, Stephanie's Cafe


















And of course, lighthouses, this on at Yaquina Head


















All photos taken with my Nikon Coolpix 5700, a true work horse of a camera.


And speaking of cameras, here's a favorite photo location near Bandon, OR:

Tomorrow is Talk Like A Pirate Day!

Yarrrr!!!

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/

Today's Unexpected News

GDP Declines 1 Percent In 2Q, Better Than Expected

WASHINGTON — The economy shrank at an annual rate of 1 percent in the spring, a better-than-expected showing and more evidence that the recession is drawing to a close. Many analysts believe the economy is growing in the current quarter, but they caution that any rebound will not be accompanied initially by rising employment.

Nothing happens in this country finanacially that is expected. No wonder things are in such bad shape. Where do we get a new crop of analysts who can replace the current, inept ones?

Thought For the Day

"I think it is very hard because [Democrats] don't have the message machine the Republicans do," said George Lakoff, a UC Berkeley linguistics professor who has advised some Democrats on how to sharpen their message. "The Democrats still believe in Enlightenment reason: If you just tell people the truth, they will come to the right conclusion."

More Food Experiences

And what would summer be without that traditional Wisconsin dish, Paella?
Well, the seafood is traditional anyway. Savor the photo below. I can still smell the satisfying aroma of saffron joining the shrimp and sausage wafting on the summer breeze (just after a violent downpour of rain and hail).
Laura Bingner, gracious host and wife of brother-in-law Eric of Ft Atkinson, WI is responsible for this incredible dish. She used saffron she purchased in Barcelona, Spain couple years ago when Kay and I joined her and Eric for travels in France and Northern Spain.
With trusty Nikon camera in hand, I captured the visual beauty before we went on an eating rampage!

Bastille Celebration in Paris

I couldn't be in Paris last night, but thanks to my friend (and former tenant) Jonathan Wellons, I have a photo or two. Look for him on Facebook if you want to see more.

Gas Price Gouging Returns

The price of gas has gone up here in Sebastopol and environs 2-3 cents per gallon everyday of this week. We are now averaging $2.87 per gallon, while at the beginning of the week it was $2.71.
There have been no major news events that justify the traders and speculators raising the price of oil, in fact as far as I can see, the price of oil is the same today as it was Monday.

And of course the corporate media has too many shiny objects to dwell on at the moment to concentrate on the "why" of the price increases, so profiteering continues unabated.

Glad I have a new bicycle, a Trek Navigator, to use and which allows me to thumb my nose at the gas stations as I pass them by.

Book recommendation: "Incendiary" by Chris Cleave. Mother who lost husband and son in a terrorist attack in London writes a letter to Osama bin Laden detailing the affect on her life.
It's very humorous, as unlikely as that sounds, and well told original story.

And just because I haven't posted one in a while, here's another of those exciting "goats on a roof" photo:



These goats are found in Door County, Wisconsin.

Friday Wrap Up

New bicycles are fun to ride. Trek Navigator 3, Comfort line lives up to its claim: very comfortable to ride and gear shifts work splendidly. We rode to breakfast at the Parkside Cafe in Santa Rosa on Memorial Day, a round trip distance of about 20 miles.
Photo taken with my trusty old Coolpix 5700.





Visited Photographer buddy Kevin Berne's new studio in Oakland this week. He's gearing up for an open studio event the first two weekends in June, but took the time to give me a tour. We hope to do some lighting seminars there for wanna be video pros, or for folks who put a lot of video up on social sites and would like them to look more professional.
His site is kevinberne.com and has some great images on it. You can also get the dates for the Open Studio days.
Couple views of the studio, courtesy Kevin:

Stevie Ray Vaughn Statue in Austin

Thought this was a nice tribute. South side of river. Near Threadgills.

Favorite Photoshop Photo of the Day:


El Rushbo never looked better:

See more examples of conservatives in clown face here:



http://www.flickr.com/photos/30835791@N07/sets/72157614241935013/

Spring Has Sprung: Photo To Prove It Here:

Kay enjoys the wisteria while it lasts. Delicate, fragrant but short lived.
Photo taken downtown Sebastopol by my trusty Nikon D70s, set on raw resolution which automatically gives me a jpg work print and fill flash boosted by half a stop. I have not processed the image so the exposure is a little hot.

Sebastopol's Paris Connection- Who Knew?

Picture below is of a major Paris thoroughfare....Sebastopol Blvd. Took this shot back in 05 when Kay and I were in Paris together for the first time. It's near the Pompedieu center (I'll check that spelling and get back to you), not too far from the Louvre.
Consider this your geography lesson for the day.