Grand "Maker"

Still working through images from last weekend's Worldwide Photo Walk.  In Alton, Illinois.... 
So far I've processed 33 "final" images, probably not a lot more to come.  You can check them all out at the Flickr Album I made.  I'd love feedback, I have to select 1 to submit to the contest by October 12.... 

RRHOF - 2016 Nominees!

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has announced their nominees for the class of 2016.  And they are taking fan votes again, so make yourself heard!  Here's the slate, with my comments.  As I've done in the past, they're ranked by how many songs appear on my iPod:

• Yes - Finally!  I've long thought that Yes was the worst oversight in the RRHOF.  They brought progressive rock to mianstream, mixing radio hits with epic musical adventures.  I saw them twice in the late 70's, they were outstanding both times.  I have 53 Yes songs on my iPod, including all 6 classic studio releases from 1971 through 1977.  Obviously, I think they should be voted in, a no-brainer.
• Cheap Trick - Well, I'm little ambivalent here.  The first few Cheap Trick albums are solid, and "In Color" is great.  And their live "At Budokan" ruled the music world back in 1979.  But is that worthy of RRHOF?  I'm still at "maybe".  I saw them back in '79 or '80, they were a blast.  I have 51 Cheap Trick songs on my iPod.
• Deep Purple - Well, this is the band that recorded "Smoke On The Water".  What more needs said?  How about recording what many feel is the best live album of all time "Made In Japan"?  On the other handthey had a lot of turnover in personnel (especially singer), not all of their music is awesome...   Still, like Cheap Trick, I'll give them a yes. And there's 31 Deep Purple songs on my iPod.
• Steve Miller - I was frankly surprised by this nomination.  Yes, Steve Miller was really popular, as evidenced by the 30 songs on my iPod.  But really?  Few of the sangs are really memorable, I've never really thought he was influential....  I'd vote no.
• Chicago - I admit that I hadn't really thought about Chicago as a RRHOF nominee.  But now taht I think about it, I like it.  While they devolved into sweet pop songs in their later years, they were quite ground breaking at the start, with the whole rock / jazz fusion thing.  There's 27 songs on my iPod, skipping most of the later fluff.  I'd vote yes.
• The Cars - The first cars album (1978) was ear-catching.  A new sound, captivating...  GREAT.  But, I think each subsequent record went a little downhill.  Sure they pumped out some hits, but lots of bands pump out hits.  I wouldn't have nominated them.  That said I do have 21 Cars songs on my iPod.
• The Spinners - I only have 2 Spinners songs on my iPod, but I recognize the vaue / impact of these folk over the years.  I'll stick with "maybe", willing to be convinced.
• Nine Inch Nails - Well, I essentially don't know enough about NIN to make a call.  I sure see a lot of their bimper stickers....  Only 1 song on my iPod.
• Chaka Kahn - I have a lot of respect for Chaka Kahn as a singer.  But only 1 song on my iPod.  Nothing personal, but I don't see RRHOF here
• Chic  - The RRHOF desribes Chic as "
  the preeminent disco band – emphasis on the word ‘band’ – of the late 70s - See more at: https://rockhall.com/inductees/nominees/2016-chic/#sthash.OQNiiNQK.dpuf
  preeminent disco band... of the 70s".  I'm willing to accept that, but is that qualification for RRHOF?  I'll pass.  Meanwhile, only 1 song (on my iPod.
• Janet Jackson - I don't have any JJ songs on my iPod, but I recognize her import and influence.  I think she's an easy yes for induction.
• Los Lobos - I don't know these folk beyond their cover of Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba".  No songs on my iPod.  Like NIN, I can't say yes or no.
• N.W.A. - Yet another that I'm not really qualified to judge.  I'm not a hip-hop fan, don't know NWA except to know they have a strong reputation.  No NWA songs on my iPod
• The Smiths - Yet another band that I don't know.  This is my future as far as RRHOF nominees, I suppose.  Predicatbly, no songs on the iPod.
• The J.B.'s -  Primarily know as Jame Brown's backing band, and starting point for Bootsy Collins and the backbone of Parlaiment-Funkadelic.  I never realized they had some recordings as the J.B., and I don't have any of them.  I struggle with the concept of backing bands in the RRHOF, maybe they should have a separate wing for "sidemen"?  0 songs on my iPod (not counting James Brown songs).

 Somewhat predictably, we're see in a shift in the nominees.  Most of the worthy folk from the glory days are already in.  The pool of new nominees isn't so strong.  I mean, really, name the "important" bands/performers who made their first recordings in 1990.  perhaps it's just because I wasalready old and responsible in the 90's, but still....

Perhaps I'll make a post of worst oversights in Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees.  Yes would've been at the top of that list (IMHO), but I can come up with a few others.

Questioning?

Songs about questions, from my iPod:

• Question - Moody Blues
• Questions - Buffalo Springfield
• Questions 67 and 68 - Chicago
• Questions Of My Childhood - Kansas
• 13 Questions - Seatrain
• 20 Questions - Amy Rigby
• Don't Ask Me No Questions - Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions - Graham Parker
• Lover's Question - Sha Na Na
• Out Of The Question - Gilbert O'Sullivan

Nice little collection...  Who could ask for more??  Did you say "Ask"?

• Ask For Jill - The dB's
• Ask Me Now - Thelonious Monk
• Ask Me Why - Beatles
• Asking Too Much Of You - Marshall Tucker Band
• Asking Us To Dance - Kathy Mattea
• Do Not Ask For Love - Monkees
• Don't Ask Me - Joe Jackson
• Don't Ask Me Why - Billy Joel
• I Didn't Ask To Be Born - Rick Derringer

Well, that list is rather more eclectic.    But I think I like it, too.

Meanwhile, the image above is completely unrelated to the rest of the post.  It is another from last weekend's Worldwide Photo Walk.  I've posted 30+ images at Flickr, about ready to decide the rest are just chaff.

Brilliant

And Now For Something Completely Different...

So, last Saturday (10/03/2015), I participated in Scott Kelby's 8th Annual Worldwide Photography Walk.  And while it was the 8th annual walk, it was a first for me.  The first time I've done any sort of formal group photography experience.  And I survived!  I even enjoyed it, and think I came up with some decent images.

I discovered the event through a forum posting over at 365project, where I've been posting this year. Turns out there were a couple of walks near me, closest being in Alton, IL.  Long story short:  I decided to sign up, and then two acquaintances from 365 joined, and suggested we meet up and shoot together....  yikes!  Even further outside my comfy little box!

 

Anyway, It was cool and overcast Saturday, not the best light for photos, but the show went on.   Two hours of wandering Alton, lots and lots of photos taken.  I've only processed a fraction, but there's a few I'm pretty pleased with.  And a lot that are at least decent (IMHO).  I created an album over at Flickr to collect the all, check it out at: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lsqrd/albums/72157659100275559

 Verdict?  This was a good thing, I need to do more good things... 

365Project - 3/4 the Way There....

Well, 73.425% to be exact.  As of 9/30/2015.  (I didn't start until 1/6 you see).  Still plugging along, though there were a few lags in September. At least 5 or 6 that were back-posted, taken on a different day.  But that's life, I suppose.

It continues to be an interesting challenge, to take/post one picture per day for a year.  And while it may have driven occasional instances of quantity over quality, I do think that there's a lot of quality in the mix.  Looking at all on-line venues (including this one), I've posted more photos this year (so far) than 2014 and 2013 combined (plus the last quarter of 2012). 

Here's what September looked like:

Click here

So, which are my favorite five for the month?  A quick selection, listed alphabetically:

• Abum Cover Challenge #53: Oriflamme - The Loyal opposition
• Day's End
• Morning Fog
• Randomness #20,167
• Uncomplicated

Forever Autumn

"The summer sun is fading as the year grows old

And darker days are drawing near

The winter winds will be much colder

Now you're not here" - Justin Hayward 

- - -

It is still pretty green here in SW Illinois, but there's a touch of color.  And more on the way.  This lead was hanging out on the roof of my dew covered car this morning.  I decided to go w/ an effected rendering.  There's another angle of the same leaf over at 365project.  

 click below for larger version:

In The Abstract

I've posted before about the Album Cover Challenges over at 365project  Well, working on a recent one, I decided on an abstract direction.  And while I'm happy with the result, I had a couple other choices that I really liked.  But neither fit the theme as well, IMHO.

But I figured I'd share them here, hope you enjoy:

This is intentional camera movement.   I really like this one, but thought it was too "high key" for this album cover.   Larger version here.  It's a stand of trees, overexposed.

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This is the ripples following a duck, in late (low angle) light.  With reflected clouds.  There was a strong lellow/orange cast due to the sunset, but I color corrected it.

Panorama from Monona Terrace, Madison, WI

Still a few images around from last weekend's trip to Madison.  This is looking NorthEast from the rooftop area at Monona Terrace.  This was when I was looking for the Otis Redding Memorial, which I did find (and have yet to process / post).

There's a (much) larger version of this over at panoranio.  If you look closely, you can see a few swimmers around the middle of the image, and a marker-buoy  on the right edge.  Madison was hosting an Ironman competition the next morning, I think folk were "warming up" or playing around, or something.

Lake Mendota, Madison, WI

A couple more images from last weekend's trip to Madison.  This is Marshall Park, just a little place we fond while wandering.  Clock on the images for larger versions...

Cool little cove, providing a protected place for a boat ramp.

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This one is over at 365project.org

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Sailboats moored outside the cove

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And a panorama from the beach, see also at Panoramio

Purple Flower

I have no clue what the name is, but it was pretty.  From the watershed nature center, Edwardsville, IL

Capitol Building, Madison, Wisconsin

Took a quick trip to Madison last weekend.  Had a nice time, took a few photos (stay tuned!), spent some quality time with the better half.    Saturday got a little crazy, with the Wisconsin Badgers' football game, a farmers market (at the capitol) and preparations for an Ironman competition.

This image was taken from the rooftop area of the Mona Terrace Convention Center,   The Ironman registration was taking place here, it was insanely crowded.

Larger version of this at 365project. 

Still Plugging on Photo-A-Day Project

 

I'm over 2/3 of the way through my 365project, and still hanging in there.  I haven't taken a photo EVERY day, but have only missed a handful.  And made those up within a day or two. 

Still enjoying it.  BUT, while my total number of images posted on line is way way up, I think my posting here is down.  I apologize for that, will try to rebound.

And The Flames Go Higher

Just a snapshot, but I figured I'd share. I was headed back to work from a late lunch, I saw a growing smudge of black smoke. When I saw flames over the buildings, I pulled over and took a few images. 

I figured it was one of the shopping centers, maybe Hobby Lobby, but turned out to be an apartment building just past that. About 3/4 mile (1.25 km) from where I was. Fortunately no-one was hurt but there was a lot of damage.

Kind of scary to see flames going that high...
Be careful out there.  

Really, Google Maps

So, I'm trying to research a potential trip from St.Louis area to Madison Wisconsin area.  Trying to budget the drive, I went to google maps and entered the cities.  And, along with the driving time, it gives me the time via public transportation.  No matter what I try, it won't clear the public transportation from the display.   Irritates the heck out of me.  I told Google Maps that I'm driving, why do they insist on showing me the undesired (and unasked for) option of public transportation??

If I was paranoid, I'd think they're trying their hand at social engineering.  Predictably, it shows that an easy 5 hr drive turns into a 13 hour ordeal combining 2 hrs of walking (5 separate stages) with stints on City-Buses, Subway and Megabuses.  They don't mention price, but I can only imagine.

No thanks, I'll stick with the drive.  Guess I'm a bad person.