I belong to Utata, a Flickr group. One of the many wonderful things about Utata is the projects tossed at its members. Among the most enduring of these is “Iron Photographer.” The I.P. concept is simple: the Utata staff selects three elements (two compositional and one artistic/technical) and you incorporate those elements into an artful photograph. How you incorporate them is up to you. The results are always seriously cool and showcase hugely diverse (more…)
Archive for September, 2012
iron photographer
Posted: September 29, 2012 in PhotographyTags: creativity, Flickr, fun, Iron Photographer, Photography, Utata
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developing story
Posted: September 18, 2012 in Humorous Bits, New JerseyTags: bulk retailers, central New Jersey, construction, Costco, humor, humour, life, New Jersey, NJ, Route 1, shopping, stores
Several years ago Johnson and Johnson, the enormous multi-national manufacturer, closed a facility located in central New Jersey along the northbound side of Route 1 and sold the 200+ acres to the local township. The township dithered for a long time before finally agreeing upon a plan to construct a new town center on this acreage. Now how you can suddenly create a new town center in a 230 year old township is baffling. Especially when the township is (more…)
whatever brings you peace
Posted: September 15, 2012 in Observations and Commentary, PhotographyTags: appreciation, blessings, contentment, life, peace, Photography
whatever brings you peace
The political climate in America, magnified by the ensuing Presidential election, is such that normally sane, reasonable people now display such rancid bitterness one immediately suspects rabies has entered the house or, even more tantalizing, the zombie apocalypse has begun. The level of dissatisfaction among so many Americans who are and have always been far more fortunate than most of folks currently sharing the planet is in many ways bewildering. Yes, things can always get better. Yet living in this moment, seeking out those small pleasures which gives life its true flavor, appears lost in the ever-maddening shuffle. Times like this bring to mind a quote from Thomas Fuller, the 17th century English historian, who wrote, “Contentment consist not in adding more fuel, but in taking away some fire.”
phoning it in
Posted: September 13, 2012 in Humorous Bits, Observations and CommentaryTags: communication, conversation, future, humor, humour, iPhone, life, phones, progress, smart phones, society, technology, telephones
Smart phones. Just the name tells us we’re dealing with something designed to dispel any antiquated notions we may have about telephones and their original purpose. Had we been told 20 years ago that such a lightweight, rectangular chunk of technology could do the things smart phones routinely do many of us would have scoffed, imagining a Jetsons-like future which (more…)
simply stated
Posted: September 10, 2012 in Humorous Bits, New JerseyTags: Alabama, California, Crimson Tide, geography, humor, humour, Indiana, Kentucky, Mint Julep, moonshine, New Jersey, NJ, silly rivalries, thin crust pizza, USA
Being from New Jersey can be downright challenging. The constant barbs and insults are enough to make one think spending three hours a day at the gym, an hour in a tanning bed and another hour sculpting your hair is, perhaps, not the best use of one’s time. Pretty ridiculous, right? Yet it seems as if people everywhere are putting Jersey down, making fun of this cute little profile-shaped state. Let’s face it. Something is amiss when Alabama (more…)
Trifextra – “trick of the light”
Posted: September 9, 2012 in FictionTags: fiction, Trifextra, writing, writing challenge
The good folks over at Trifecta continue pressing forward with their entertaining writing exercises. The week’s Trifextra (their weekend challenge) is as follows.
We’d like you to read the 33 words below and then add 33 of your own words to move the story along. Have a great weekend and good luck!
The last strains of sunlight lingered in the corners, grasping (more…)
the end of meaningful discourse
Posted: September 4, 2012 in Observations and CommentaryTags: America, campaign, debate, discourse, politics, society
It is no surprise we seem to be fast reaching the end of meaningful discourse and debate in the United States, at least during the political campaign season. Any shred of dignity which those running for office may try to cling to (or at least the illusion of such) is constantly torpedoed by people who seem to believe forthright discussion about real solutions is not the answer. What counts is total humiliation (more…)
Trask Avenue 