From The Archives - Duke Chapel

Wayching Duke vs Wake Forest basketball tonight, it seemed like a good time to post a Duke photo.  his is the Duke Chapel from the trail down to Science Drive.  About here. This was around 1981, before the Bryan University Center was built. 

From The Archives - Spokane River Park

Not sure exactly when this photo was taken, sometime in the 1st half of the 2000's.  Somewhere in Riverside State Park, a bit downstream of Spokane, WA.  I think it's close to here.

More Deep Woods

Another image from my wanderings through the woods at Pleasant Ridge Park last week.  The trail loops behind this tree, which is leaning somewhat precariously.  I just discovered the trails here last fall, still haven't explored them very much.

Slice Of Life #4052

Wandering around the wooded trails at Pleasant Rdige Park, I came across some rusty old equipment.  I'm no expert, but I'm guessing some very old farm machinery.  Anyway, I took this photo.

From The Archives - Tuscarora Sunrise

Another from the Way-Back Machine.  From way, way back.  Taken on film (Ektachrome), back in the fall of 1977.  Tuscarora Trail, in central Pennsylvania.  This was during a backpacking trip, we had decided to camp on top of the mountain.  This was our view as we broke camp.  Beautiful, but COLD.

Slice Of Life #4041

One of the interesting little areas off the beaten track at St. Ellen Park. 

This was taken during a lunch last week.

St. Ellen park is a reclaimed coal mine. just a little way from my office. 

Slice Of Life #4038

Broken bike rack at St. Ellen Park.  Taken during lunch earlier this week.

Deep Woods

There's certain subjects that I seem to try and try and try.  And never get to what I'm visioning.  I took this today, at Pleasant Ridge Park (big version here).  I can't decide if it is good, or terrible.  Which means it's probably rotten, 'cause I really want it to be good.....

Someday, I'll get it right.

Maybe....

Kinsella Log Cabin, From behind

Pretty nice day today, so I took the opportuntiy to do a little walking at Pleasant Ridge Park.  This is where one of the "woods" trails comes out, behind Kinsella Log Cabin.

Two B's Please.....

Way back in my college days, one of my jobs was working crowd control at campus events.  Mostly football games, but also the occasional concert.  One memorable show was Jimmy Buffett, with Robbin Thompson Band as warm up act.  And interesting experience, for a laid back person, Jimmy Buffet's show was the most controlled show I worked.  Multiple levels of backstage passes, all very structured.   Except remember that he (Buffett) wouldn't go on stage on time, because students were throwing frisbees across the gym.  They had to make a "put away the frisbees" announcement.  I also rememebr that Buffett was especially pumped up caming back to the stage for his encore......

But I really don't remember a whole lot about Robbin Thompson Band.  Except that they chatted with me a bit back stage, and seemed like pretty good guys.  And they sounded pretty good, though I've never actually rememebered any of their songs. 

Anyway, I was doing some music stuff today, looking at 1980, and came across Robbin Thompson Band!  Tuns out they had an actual hite:  "Bite Eyes" which peaked at #66 in 1980.  A quick check of Youtube, and voila!!.  Then off to iTunes, and now it's part of my collection.  I may have to buy the rest of the album!

From The Archives, Part 4

This was taken in the mid 90's on film.  Early '95 or '96 IIRC,  During an eagle watching trip up to Hardin, IL.  We were up that way last weekend, but there wasn't any snow.

Rock Steady

Taken during lst weekend's outing to Grafton / Pere Marquette State Park.  We found some fun rock formations along the park's Scenic Drive.  Title sourtesy of Bad Company, of course.

From The Archives, Part 3

Ketchikan, Alaska.  Taken on a business trip, back in 2002 or 2003. 

Overlooking The Confluence

Taken from the bluffs, over Grafton, IL.  The Illinois River (coming in from the right) merges with the Mississippi River.  Taken during yesterday's day-trip up to Pere Marquette.  Larger version (and map) HERE.

One of these days I need to get up before dawn and head up this way when the sun is on the proper side of the sky.....  This was taken mid afternoon.

Slice Of Life #2783

Pretty day today, not too cool, mostly sunny.  We decided to take a drive up the river.  This is Grafton, IL, which is where the Illinois River dumps into the Mississippi.  Larger version, and map HERE.

Slice Of Life #4021

Cold, rainy day in mid February...  This is not far from my office.  Larger version here.

From The Archives, Part 2

This one could just as easily go under "Slice Of Life"....  I wasat  a meeting in the Chicago area, this was a courtyard area at the hotel.

Art?

Does this count as another abstract?  I never know.  And I hate labels anyway.....

We had a couple of inches of snow this afternoon / evening.  It made for a particularly peaceful walk with the dogs.  Later, I was playing around with my camera, and took this.  Around 8:30 pm, illuminated by streetlight.

Slice Of Life #4002

A little abstraction for today:

Taken at a red ight during my commute home.  I'm not generally big on abstract, but sometimes ya gotta get outside your box, right?

Slice Of Life #4000

Taken today at SWIC, during my son's AIM Testing....

Whitney

I suppose just about everybody has heard by now, singer Whiney Houston died yesterday.  Houston was a huge talent, and a huge success; with 29 Top 40 hits between 1985 and 2001.  And a whopping 11 chart toppers between '85 and '95.  That said, I'm not much of a fan.  Lots of respect for the talent, but I own none of those hits.  I suspect that's primarily because I had quit following "pop" music by 1985. 

All the details haven't come out, but she certainly had a lot of "issues", and it seems probable they were a factor in her demise.  It's always sad when someone loses the battle with their demons.

From The Archives!

I found an old back-up disk, simply labeled "LPL Photos".  Looks like it is 136 images, "modified" between November 2002 and March 2004.  These would be from my pre-blogger days, when I was posting on AOL's member pages.  Even though some have subsequently turned up here, many have not.  Expect to see more of these:

This one says 3/2/2003.  A snowy scene, looking north from my driveway. 

Great Songs That Missed The Top 40 - 1978

Twenty Great Songs from 1978, that did NOT make the Top 40:

Tom Petty - I Need To Know (#41)

Atlanta Rhythm Section - Champagne Jam (#43)
Wet Willie - Make You Feel Love Again (#45)
Dave Mason - Let It Go, Let It Flow (#45)
Plastic Bertrand - Ca Plane Pour Moi (#47)
Firefall - So Long (#48)

Kayak - I Want You To Be Mine (#55)
REO Speedwagon - Time For Me To Fly (#56)
REO Speedwagon - Roll With The Changes (#58)
Tom Petty - Listen To Her Heart (#59)
Le Roux - New Orleans Ladies (#59)
Cheap Trick - Surrender (#62)

Kansas - Portrait (He Knew) (#64)
Ramones - Rockaway Beach (#66)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - You Got That Right (#69)
Marshall Tucker Band - Dream Lover (#75)
Sweet - California Nights (#76)
Van Halen - Runnin' With the Devil (#84)
Ramones - Do You Wanna Dance (#86)

Talking Heads - Psycho Killer (#92)

Extreme Northern Idaho, Mountain View

This is my most popular photo at Panaramio, by a wide margin.  Nearing 1,000 views in just under 5 months.  #2 has 700 views in just over 5 months.
I wonder why?

Bare Trees, again and again and again

For whatever reason, I've long been attraced to the lines of bare trees agains a grey sky.  I've taken many (many, many) photos, dating back to high school and my first SLR.  One of these days I'll manage one that's noteworthy.  Or at least I keep telling myself that!

This is from this week, at one of the parks near my office.

Slice Of Life #3995

Old Barn on the western edge of Edwardsville, IL

Just something I saw while driving along.  Larger version, and geographic information HERE.

Great Songs That Missed The Top 40 - 1976

How were these NOT hits??  Twenty great songs from 1976

• Firefall - Livin' Ain't Livin' (#42)
• America - Woman Tonight (#44)
• ZZ Top - It's Only Love (#44)
• Foghat - Fool For The City (#45)
• Leon Russell - Back To The Island (#53)
• Bad Company - Honey Child (#59)
• Doobie Brothers - I Cheat The Hangman (#60)
• The Band - Ophelia (#62)
• Jethro Tull - Locomotive Breath (#62)
• David Bowie - TVC15 (#64)
• Wet Willie - Everything That 'Cha Do (Will Come Back To You)  (#66)
• Gary Wright - Made To Love You (#79)
• Lynyrd Skynyrd - Double Trouble (#80)
• Alan Parsons Project - The Raven (#80)
• Steely Dan - Kid Charlemagne (82)
• Bruce Springsteen - Tenth Avenue Freeze Out (#83)
• Rick Derringer - Let Me In (#86)
• Ted Nugent - Dog Eat Dog  (#91)
• Outlaws - Breaker Breaker (#94)
• Poco - Rose Of Cimarron (#94)
• 
  
  
• Another nice little playlist!

Poor Poor Pitiful Me

Ok, which some is more whiney, mopey, and ultimately irritating??

I Started A Joke - Bee Gees

          or

Alone Again, Naturally - Gilbert O'Sullivan

How about by the numbers?  "I Started A Joke" peaked at #6 1969, and spent 11 weeks on the charts.  "Alone Again" made it all the way to #1 in 1972, and spent 18 weeks on the charts.  Plus, it's 38 seconds longer.

And at least the Bee Gees made up for it a bit with some groovy dance tunes later on.  GilbertO'Sullivan?  He follwed with Claire, then Get Down and disappeared in a few blinks.

Yeah, I's saying Alone Again is worse.  Of course, I do have them both.

Great Songs That Missed The Top 40 - 1972

How were these NOT hits??

• Elton John - Tiny Dancer (#41)
• Yes - And You And I  (#42)  [OK, I get this one.  A favorite of mine, but not exactly radio friendly]
• Led Zeppelin - Rock And Roll (#47)
• Eric Clapton - Let It Rain (*48)
• Jackson Browne - Rock Me On The Water (#48)
• Alice Cooper  -Be My Lover (#49)
• Black Sabbath - Iron Man (#52)
• Simon & Garfunkel - For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her (#53)
• Alice Cooper - Under My Wheels (#59)
• Stephen Stills - It Doesn't Matter (#61)
• ZZ Top - Francene (#69)
• David Bowie - The Jean Genie (#71)
• Allman Brothers Band - Ain't Wastin' Time No More (#77)
• Loggins & Messina - Vahevala (#84)
• Allman Brothers Band - Melissa (Sweet) (#86)
• Allman Brothers Band - One Way Out (#86)
• Janis Joplin - Down On Me (#88)
• John Denver Goodbye Again (#92)
• Stephen Stills Rock And Roll Crazies (#92)
• Traffic - Rock And Roll Stew (#93)
• Simon & Garfunkel - America (#97)

 Actually, that would make a right nice little playlist.  I think I will!