Nez....

Happy Birthday to Mike Nesmith! Mike's 62 today (born 12/30/42). Nesmith is best known as the son of the woman who invented liquid paper, but he also was part of the 60's pop supergroup The Monkees, as well as work pioneering the music video world.

Arched

My older daughter, Christmas morning, doing some knitting on Christmas morning....

Climbing

My son playing at Miner Park, taken last February. Playing around with selective coloring.

Police, Police Give Me A Chance........

6 years ago today (12/28/1998) Atlanta Rhythm Section singer Ronnie Hammond of the is shot twice in the chest by a Macon police. He allegedly lunged at an officer with a broken guitar handle and a hammer. Police were responding to reports that the singer was trying to commit suicide.

Ouch. But at least he survived.

A Spot To Sit and Think A Bit....

So, sit I did. Or should I say sat? This is the lobby of a Hyatt Hotel in Shaumburg, IL, the Chicago suburbs. We were there for meetings, and I finished a while before my wife. So I hung out here, and pondered.

Never Reaching The End.........

Happy Birthday to Mike Pinder, keyboardist and vocalist for the Moody Blues. (12/27/1942)

On a related note, for Christmas I recieved a dics of Moody-Bluegrass (thanks Hank!). This is a "Nashville Tribute" to the Moody Blues, featuring bluegrass versions of Moody Blues' songs. I was a little worried (who wouldn't be), but it's actually very cool, featuring muscians who are willing to list their names on the liner notes (unlike the similar-concept "Pickin' On" Lynyrd Skynyrd disc I have)... Some real names too, like Tim O’Brien, Larry Cordle, John Cowan, Sam Bush,.... It's definitely a fun disc, though I'm still a bit troubled by the mere concept of a Bluegrass version of "Legend Of A Mind"......

Ard!

Kinda of says it all, huh? You have to say it like a pirate, though: ARRRRRRRD!!!

Christmas Birthdays:

Besides the obvious, here's some music people with Christmas Birthdays....
Cab Calloway (Bandleader) - 1907 in Rochester, New York
O'Kelly Isley (Isley Brothers) - 1937 in Cincinnati, OH
Jimmy Buffett - 1946 in Mobile, Ala.
Barbara Mandrell - 1948 in Houston, TX
Annie Lennox (Eurythmics) - 1954 in Aberdeen, Scotland
Shane McGowan of the Pogues - 1957 in Kent, England

D70!

The very first photo taken with my brand new Nikon D70 DSLR! OK, so it's a boring picture. That's not the point. It's a D70!! This was just the initial "make sure it works" shot. I did crop it and convert to B&W to emphasize the graphic elements.... I'll be reading the manual on this baby to figure out how to make it do all it's tricks. then I'll turn them all off and use Manual Mode!!!

Wim O Weh, Wim O Weh

43 years ago today (1961), "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" becomes the first African song to hit Number One on the U.S. pop chart. The American version, recorded by the Tokens, is a translation of a South African folk song known as "Mbube" and "Wimoweh."

More Holiday Cheer....

With my son, everything works back to super heros (or occasionally dinosaurs). So Batman hangs just above Spiderman on our tree, keeping the gifts safe from whatever trouble may come our way.... Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Serene Solstice, Cool Kwanza...... Hope you have a good one of whatever you celebrate!!

Intruded Upon

This Robin was guarding her nest and eggs, and wasn't at all happy when I poked my camera into the pine tree to capture the moment. Nikon FM2, scanned, cleaned up in Photoshop Elements.

Train, Tain, Take Me On Out Of This Town.......

On this day (12/23) in 1979 The band Blackfoot cracked the top 40 with their song "Train, Train". Like MTB's "Searching for a Rainbow", this southern rock classic would peak at #38. A great song, written by Shorty Medlocke and featuring him on harmonica. Shorty was the father (some sources say grandfather) of Blackfoot leader Rickwy Medlocke, a pre-stardom member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, who rejoined Skynyrd during their post-crash incarnations.

Merry Christmas, etc......

Whatever holiday you celebrate this time of season, I hope you have a happy one!! We're in the Christmas spirit, and getting closer to ready. It's supposed to snow today, then get cold, so it looks like a white Christmas is a possibility!! Kodak LS443 digital, Effects in Printshop Elements 2.0.

Fire On The Mountain

Ok, I'm a day late.... It's that time of year. On yesterday's date (12/20) in 1975, Marshall Tucker Band's song "Fire On The Mountain" hit the top 40 charts. It would only make it to 38, but isn't really pop material anyway (unlike Donna Summer's "Love To Love You Baby" also hitting the charts 12/20/75, and peaking at #2). I remember years ago (maybe 35 of 'em), as a child, driving through the Kanawah River valley at nigh while there was a foerst fire along the ridge, and watching the flames along the top of the mountain..... "Fire On the Mountain", indeed.

Mom....

This is the first Christmas since my Mom passed away (9/11/04), and I'm wishing she was still here. I was digging through a box of old photos last night and came across this one. A candid from the "Castlehedge" days, in the kitchen, just chatting. Probably taken around 1987-89. Not a glamour shot, but real. Nikon FM2 35mm SLR, scanned, cleaned up in Printshop Elements 2.0.

Living In The Past...

37 years ago today (12/20/1967) the band Jethro Tull was formed by vocalist/flautist Ian Anderson and bassist Glenn Cornick, in Blackpool, England. The band was named after the 18th century inventor of a number of farm implements. Anderson & Cornick had been in the John Evans Blues Band, Evans would later join Tull as Keyboard player...

Brrrrrrrrrr........

It's cold here in the heartland, in the low teens and windy today. So, I decided to post a shot of Mendenhall Glacier, just outside Juneau, Alaska. This shot was taken from the area of the visitor center. The lake is frozen.... Kodak LS443 digital, Effects in Printshop Elements 2.0.

I remember finding out about you.....

"Day After Day" by Badfinger hit the charts today in 1971 (12/19). This is another of those outstanding songs from the early 70's, and made it to #4 on the pop charts. A great band that looked to be on the verge, with "Day anfter Day", "No Matter What" and "Come and Get It", they would fade quickly from the charts, perhaps doomed by the business end of rock and roll.

Back Door

An oldie, from the Dexter house. The first place I lived after school, site of the first couple of "Inappropriate theme" parties. This was the gateway from the house to the wiffleball field, or the way to take out the trash. I guess you had to be there. The picture is from the early 80's when I took a photo course at the Smithsonian. I think the assignment was "door". Nikon FM2 SLR, scanned. Cleaned up in Printshop Elements 2.0.

Frozen Harbor

March 2002, I had the opportunity to take a businees trip to Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska. On morning, we were running early on the way to KPU, and stopped at the docks in the center of town. I thought this was pretty cool (cold, actually) with the glaze of ice over the water. Heavy use of Buzz simplifier effects here, trying for a painted look....

Scottish Tape

The assignment was to create a photograph with the theme "Tape Dispenser". This is an "almost, but not quite good" attempt. But I thought it was interesting enough to post here. Trying to capture the curve of the dispenser, with the plaid background to accentuate the "Scotch" in tape. We'll see if I can come up with something better by next week . My biggest problem is that my digital camera died, so this was shot with my 6 year old 1.3 MP camera. Which doesn't do close ups very well. This shot simply doesn't have the "oomph" to display at the size necessary for the task. Oh well....

See the Man With The Stage Fright.......

Born this day (12/9) in 1943, Rick Danko, bass player for The Band. Danko would've been 61 today, except he died in 1999..... Happy birthday anyway, to one of my favorite bass players.

Walking Down This Rocky Road.......

Short Mountain way, near Maryville, TN. At the home of the Tennesee family. Taken last year at Thanksgiving.

Starts and Stops

Today (12/8) has been a busy day in rock history.
Happy Birthday Jim Morrison (1943) of the Doors, and Gregg Allman (1947)!! These guys are both icons of 60's/70's rock. On the other hand, John Lennon (Beatles, in case you don't know) was killed on this day in 1980. Also, the Grateful Dead formally disbanded on this day in 1995 following the death of leader Jerry Garcia.

Cades Cove

One of my favorite places in the world, Cades Cove, on the North Carolina side of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. This shot is from 7/02, when we took a family vacation down that way. This is from my old Kodak DC210, cleaned up in Photoshop Elements, Effects are Buzz Simplifier and Virtual Photographer-Mountain

You came and you gave without taking...

Thirty years ago today (12/7/74), Barry Manilow's first hit entered the Top 40. "Mandy" would go on to reach #1, and launch BM as a pop force. Manilow, of course did NOT write this song, despite his 1975 hit "I write the songs" (which he also didn't write).

Day Of Infamy

63 Years ago today (12/7/1941), Japan bombed the US military base in Peal Harbor, Hawaii, killing over 2,400 (and wounding another 1,200). As noted at TheHistoryChannel.com; we knew that a Japanese attack was probable, but did nothing to increase security. I had the opportunity to visit the Peal Harbor memorial several years ago, and the overriding message was the cost of not being prepared, and not taking the rising threat seriously enough. Today's photo is from a Pearl Harbor re-enactment at the Scott AFB air show, summer of 2003.

Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow

That's got to be one of my favorite song titles from the psychedellic era. This is from Strawberry Alarm Clock, on the same album as the hit Incense & Peppermints. I wonder what they meant, though? Not quite like "Rainy Day Crossroad Blues".....

Slice Of Life #8327

We were sitting at the dining room table, at the in-laws' house, during our Thanksgiving visit... My wife was talking to her mom, discussing their (the in-laws') pending move, and she (my wife) asked if they would be taking the ceiling piece above the light fixture (which is apparently an antique from someplace...). So I took a picture of it.

Don't want to discuss it

Don't want to discuss it, I think it's time for a change, You may get disgusted, And start thinkin' that I'm actin' strange. In that case I'll go underground, Get some heavy rest, Never have to worry, About what is worst and what is best . . . hit it: Oh, oh, Domino
Van Morrison's masterpiece Domino was released on this day (12/5) in 1970. This top 10 song (#9) was Van's best chart performer in through the 70's.

Winter On The Way...

Snow on pine needles... This shot is from last winter, and was actually taken just outside a hotel in metro Chicago where we'd been for a Sewing Machine sales meeting. I managed to not catch the paring lot or the building, looks like it could be in the middle of the wilderness!!

Cell Block Number Seven

31 years ago today (12/2/1973), members of the Who were arrested after trashing their hotel. A little wound up after a show at the Montreal Forum, I suppose... John Entwistle's song "Cell Block #7" immortalizes the incident...

Gotta Get Away....

"Gotta get away from this day to day running around...." This is the last shot from our Thanksgiving trip to Lake Arrowhead, GA. This is the hind of hillside that's (sadly) rather uncommon around home....

Radios Appear

Happy Birthday, Eric Bloom (12/1/1953)!!! As frontman for Blue Oyster Cult, E.B. is part of some of the fun-est rock music of the late 70's. I saw these guys a couple of times, but the best was at the old Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, when their equipment truck had a problem, and they went on using the warm up band's stuff. We were in the 1st row of the balcony, and watched them building a new drum set while the (rather bad) warm up played. BOC was no-frills that night, but they really clicked. I enjoyed them much better this way than later, when they had their laser show, motorcycles on stage and all the other flash. "And don't forget my dog, fixed and consequent"

Lake Arrowhead

This is a view of Lake Arrowhead, from the road to my in-laws' place. A great place to spend Thaksgiving, along with my wife's family, and had a god time with the crew. It was a swan-song of sorts, as they moved back closer to Atlanta this week.

The monkeys seem willing to strike up the tune

Hitting the charts today, 11/30, back in 1974: "Bungle In The Jungle" by Jethro Tull. Bubgle peaked at #12. Even though I like Jethro Tull, I awlays thought this particular song was kinda stupid. But it's got some great flute in it.....

Go Instead Where There Is No Path........

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail" Ralph Waldo Emerson. Stomping around some woods last week, near Waleska, GA.

...And Party Every Day!

Kiss's anthem "Rock and Roll All Night" made it's debut on the charts this day (11/29) in 1975. For some reason, I was never much of a KISS fan, seeing them mostly as a freak show. Take away the makeup, and there's not much left. BUT, legions of fans disagree, and this song made it all the way up to #12 on the pop charts.

Cousins

My son and one of his cousins, taking a walk near their grandparents' house at Lake Arrowhead, GA.

Misty Morning

The view from our bredroom window, from the in-laws' house at Lake Arrowhead, near Waleska, GA. There was a mist from the lake, up through the trees; very nice. A good Thanksgiving visit, all of the wife's family were there, except the one niece who is in Hong Kong.....

I Got A Brand New Pair Of Roller Skates......

You Got A Brand New Key....... On this day (11/27) in 1971, Melanie's chart topper made it's debut. It didn't hit #1 until 12/25, and hung out there 3 weeks, ushering in 1972.... This is one of those songs that really confused me as an 11 year old. I kind of figured I was missing something, but durn if I knew what. I'm still not sure I get it: "I asked your mother if you were at home, She said, yes .. but you weren't alone, Oh, sometimes I think that you're avoiding me, I'm okay alone, but you've got something I need"

Sit A Spell

This old chair has been hanging out in my in-laws' back yard for several years. Just being rustic, I suppose. Anyway, I took this shot 2 years ago, played around with the effects last week, and was SUPPOSED to post it before heading down to their place for Thanksgiving. Better late than never, I suppose.........

Must Of Got Lost?

J Geils Band debuted on the Top 40 on this day in 1974 (11/23) with "Must of Got Lost", which peaked at #12. Meanwhile, Paul McCartney's "Junior's Farm" also hit this charts 11/23/74, and went all the way to #3...

Mudslinging

I managed to get the pickup stuck in the mud this weekend, hauling leaves to dump in the gulley behind our church. My lack of 4-wheel drive, compounded with my "street tires" and recent rains doomed me. But with some help from Pastor Chris, and some mocking from the youth group, we were able to get it out without too much trouble.

Prairie Grasses in the Wind

Baldwin Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, Baldwin, IL. A bit over 2 years ago, I made a trip down to Baldwin Lake for a meeting at the power plant there. I had a few minutes after the meeting to wander around the adjacent wildlife area. Pretty nice place, I enjoyed watching the grasses blowing in the wind.

Trio of Top Ten Tunes

Hitting the charts on this day (11/21) in 1970: "Black Magic Woman", by Santana (#4), "Does Anybody Know What Time It Is" by Chicago (#7) and "No Matter What" by Badfinger (#8). That's a pretty good week! Meanwhile, reaching #1 that week was "I think I Love You" by The Partridge Family......

Laurel Highlands in November

It seemed like a good idea at the time....... Way back when I was fresh out of college (early 80's) a small group of us (living in Washington, DC), decided to take a backpacking trip the weekend before Thanksgiving, in the Laurel Highlands area of West-Central Pennsylvania. We left after work on a Friday, headed for the hills. Of course, it was snowing heavily by the time we got to the car drop, with a flashlight hike to the camp site (after midnight). The next morning, we werre all tired, frozen, and generally NOT in the mood to hike all day. After some medicinal hot chocolate, we aborted the trip, and headed to Pittsburgh for a warm Saturday night with the folks.

The Color of Time......

#1 hit on this day (11/20) in 1967: "Incense and Peppermints" by the Strawberry Alarm Clock. Aothough you'd never know it, these guys weren't 1-hit-wonders, as their follow up "Tomorrow" actually hit #23 in Jan/Feb 1968.... The most important thing about this band is that it featured Ed King, who would later go on to be a member of the southeren rock masters Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Red Roofs Over Westport

The view from my hotel room during last week's DRAS school. From the 7th floor of the Sheraton Westport. looking over Westport Plaza. On an ugly gray afternoon.

Well No One Told Me About Her........

In 1977, on this day (11/19), Santana hot the charts with a remake of "She's Not There", the 60's hit by the Zombies. Santana's version peaked at #27. I also have a punk version by "UK Subs", but I don't think it charted

Time To Change Partners...

This is a shot from before the Homecoming Dance at our local high-school (last month). Many of the kids gather in the park by the Edwardsville Library for photos, usually around the fountain. My younger daughter and her crew were part of the crowd, and I was challenged with portraiture! This shot came out of that session, and is by far the most interesting picture of the night. In the spirit of full disclosure, it was actually taken by my son (at 4 1/2 years old!)........ It made me think of the Stephen Stills song.

The Joker...

Seems like just the other day we were talking about Little Stevie Miller for "swingtown". On this day (11/17) in 1973, Steve Miller Band hit the charts with "The Joker", which made it all the way to the Top Of The Charts.

On The Road Again...

Hotel room still life. Sheraton Westport, St. Louis area. Handheld in natural light. Kodak LS443 1/30 Sec, F4.0. Cropped, slightly desaturated in PSE2.0

I don't mind, 'cause it means that much to me

Yes, there was a lot of good music in the 70's... Entering the charts today (11/16) in 1974, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" the Rolling Stones' remake of the motown classic. It peaked at #17.

In The Flow Of Things

Intake Building for the St. Louis water system. Shot taken from the old Chain of Rocks bridge over the Mississippi river. This is the old Rt. 66 river crossing, and is now open for hiking/biking....

Problems w/ Photo Today.....

Sorry no picture yet today, I'm having some very odd problems with blogger's posting module. It keeps adding characters to my url, so it won't work. Will try from a different computer in a bit.

Good Feneces Make Good Neighbors....

Fence-line on a drizzly day, old town Glen Carbon, IL. This shot was originally posted on Better Photo last month. I received a lot of good comments, but only made runner-up in the contest. This is just across the street from my son's preschool. Also across the "other" street from the old Labor Local building.

Hello Old Friend

Hitting the charts today, back in 1976:
Eric Clapton, with "Hello Old Friend", which peaked at #24
and Electric Light Orchestra, with "Livin' Thing", which made it all the way to #13.

A Walk In The Woods

My older daughter and my son on a walk in the woods. This is the trail up McAddams Peak, above Pere Marquette lodge, near Grafton, IL. Taken last fall, late October. Kodak LS443, 1/60 f-4.0. Effects in Printshop Elements, Buzz Simplifier, Virtual Photographer.

Shakey!

Happy Birthday to Neil Young!! Born this day (11/12) in 1945! One of the most intense personalities in music, and he just keeps rockin!

Top Forty...

11/12/1977, Steve Miller Band enters the top 40 for the last time in the 70's, with Swingtown. It would peak at #17.

Embarrassed?

The Embarras River, east central Illinois. I was driving from Indianapolis home to St. Louis area today, and took a side trip at the Greenup exit. Just following the "brown signs", looking for a Lincoln Log Cabin, and I crossed this river. Had to stop and look around. Then I had to go to the next rest stop and look at the big state map on the wall to see where I'd been!!

Play it for Duane and Barry.......

11/11/72, Bassist Berry Oakley of the Allman Brothers Band is killed in a motorcycle accident in Macon, Ga., three blocks from the site of Duane Allman's motorcycle death the previous year.

How You Gonna See Me Now

Hitting the top 40 this date (11/11) in 1978: "How You Gonna See Me Now" by Alice Cooper. Co-written with Bernie Taupin (Elton John's co-writer during his best period), its Alice's ode to coming home from rehab. This rather atypical song made it all the way to #12...

Flood Damaged Barn

A few years ago, and a few years after the Great Flood of '93, the family took an excursion to go Eagle Watching upriver fro St.Louis. I had taken my Nikon FM2 with its zoom lens, to use as a telescope of sorts. Just outside Harden, IL we passed this old barn, which clearly had seen better days. I couldn't resist pulling off the road, and running back to take a shot.

Another Grim Day in Music History.....

It must be something about November. Recent posts have noted #1 songs from the 70's debutting on the charts this month. 11/10/79 brings us 2 more: "Do that To Me One More Time" by The Captain & Tennille, and "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes. At least Rupert Holmes didn't end up with a TV show...

Born on the Bayou?

Happy birthday to John Fogarty, born on this day 63 years ago (11/9/1941). John was the heart and soul of Creedence Clearwater Revival, of course.

A Touch of Country in the City....

11/9/1974, Atlanta Rhythm Section hits the charts with Doraville, their homage to their hometown just outside Atlanta, Ga. A great song, that only made it to #35. I never heard this one until after ARS hit big with "So Into You".

Oh well.....

Abandoned farmhouse, near Odell, IL. This place is right along the intersate, between St. Louis & Chicago. I stopped my pickup on the side of the road for this shot. Nikon FM2 35mm SLR, scanned print, effects in PSE2.0

Comin' Round The Bend

Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock, NC. This is a great little theme park in the mountains of Western NC, complete with the narrow guage railroad. We went there when quite a few times I was a young'un, and took the girls there back in the mid 90's when this picture was talken.

Have you done your share of coming down?

Debuting today (11/7) on the Billboard charts, back in 1970: "Share The Land" by the Guess Who, featuring Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman.

Branches

Another shot from Watershed Nature Center, yesterday. I thought the bare white branches against the pure blue sky was pretty dramatic. Added a bit of Buzz Simplifier. Kodak LS443, Photoshop Elements

Cattails

Not to be confused with cat-tales! What a pretty day today, sunny and warm, at least for November. A perfect opportunity for a Saturday morning walk with my 4 y/o son. So it was off to the Watershed Nature Center, and a little exploring. Kodak LS443, Photoshop Elelments 2.0

Stairwell, Drake

Stairwell, Aliber Hall, Drake University, Des Moines, IA. Drake is one of the schools my older daughter is considering, in fact she's already been accepted for fall '05!! She and I went up for a campus visit this summer, and she suggested this picture. I really liked it, with the strong curved lines and pastel colors, and the block glass background.... This is one of the few pictures I've ever posted to Better Photo that didn't get ANY comments!!! But it did make Semi-semi-finals, so it can't be TOO bad! Of course, one of my most popular (comments wise) photos that month didn't even make runner-up! Just goes to show, I suppose. Kodak LS443, Simplified in PSE2.0.

Rock & Roll Dudes...

Songs debuting on the the Billboard charts 11/4/1972:
"Rock and Roll Soul" by Grand Funk Railroad and the "All The Young Dudes" by Mott the Hoople. Quite a pair of Classic rock hits, though neither was a monster on the pop charts. R&R Soul outperformed "Dudes", reaching #29. Mott barely made the Top 40, peaking at #37...

Cataldo Mission, Northern Idaho

The oldest standing building in Idaho, 24 miles east of Coeur d’Alene. Built between 1848 and1853, a joint effort between Jesuit missionaries and native American Catholics. It is now a National Historic Landmark. Photo taken mid morning on a cloudy day, just a few minutes before rain settled in. Handheld, 1/180 sec, f-4.7. Digital Darkroom in Photoshop Elements: Crop, levels, resize, unsharp mask

On the Charts - November 3

Entering the Billboard charts 11/3/1973 - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John. Peaked at #2
And on 11/3/79 it was Dreaming, by Blondie. Which only managed #27....

Ain't Bobby So Cool.....

9 years ago today, Hootie and the Blowfish and Bob Dylan reach an out of court settlement for the group's unauthorized use of Dylan's lyrics in their song "Only Want To Be With You".... I'd've though Dylan would've been happy for the publicity, I wonder how many copies of "Blood on The Tracks" were sold becuase of Hootie's blockbuster song?? Which really is a pop gem, btw.

Early Morning Blues and Greens....

Upper Potomac River, early in the morning. From the front of a canoe. A purely peaceful moment, just after we pushed off, headed downstream towards Little Orleans. This is an oldie, taken with my Nikon FM2 SLR, scanned from the original 8x10 print.

Election Day

Yep, it's election day in the good ol' USA! Time for everyone who's eligible to go out and make your informed choices about who'll be our leaders for the next little bit. Keep On Rockin' In the Free World........

Moving Out....

I came in to work today, and was informed that I'm relocating.... Part of a ripple effect of an expansion in our engineering group. I suppose it's not a bad thing, I've been in the same spot for 3.5 years, whicis probably a record over the past 22 years. But it sure is a pain in the rear, tring to boxup, and sort and figure what's going to go where.... an maybe do a little work on the side. SIGH. The picture is from the the first race at Gateway International Raceway out here. It was CART series, I think 1998. I went with a friend in the tire business, had a great time. Nikon FM2 35mm SLR.