Daddy's 90th Birthday

This was a full week eventhough it was only a four day work week, Presidents' Day off. I returned to work from being out will for four and half days, and needless to say, all of my work was waiting for me. Also, this week was my father's 90th birthday, monumental for sure. My brother, just back from a tour of duty in Iraq wanted to be here for our dad on his special day, so he and his daughter flew in on Thursday. My dad and I have not seen either of them since mother's funeral last year this time.

All that said, my dad had the best birthday ever, he just wish mother could have been here. He said, "I met this milestone before Mother. It's the only one I have, with her birthday before mine. I wish she were here." It was a special night and reminds me of all the blessings and riches we can some times take for granted.

This is a picture of my dad circa 1960. Happy Birthday Daddy!

Week 7 of 52

The past week was challenging for me because I was hit by a flu, like I haven't seen for some time. A flu with no fever, who knew? Anyway, I'm feeling a little defeated because I didn't do as much shooting last week. I met some fellow shutterbugs at the Greystone Mansion and Park in Beverly Hills, a place I've never been. I was feeling so poorly, those shots may not see the light of day. But on my way back from the doctor it was raining, a rare event here in LA, I decided to visit a huge sundial in Culver City Park. Because it was raining, there was no sun to cast a shadow, but the lighting was good.

This sculpture, sundial, work of art, Homage to La Ballona Creek, has always intrigued me. So I thought I'd visit it on this rainy day. The MCP: Project 52 theme for the week is "From the heart" and again my year long theme is Structure. I saw this as a combination of the both themes. "From the heart" is the gift of time that can only be given from the heart. Time is one of the few things that cannot be replaced. The sculpture has in several languages the saying "Time is a river." The dedication plaque says that it is a homage to La Ballona Creek a nearby water feature. Showing our connection to Nature by the daily movement of the sun tracked with the sundial. The passage of time, day to night, structure.

you can see my other shots at my flickr site Photography 2011. I hope you enjoy them and please leave comments.

Week 6 of 52

Week 6 MCP 52 theme - Words, for me - Structure.
This is an old hotel sign for the Californian Hotel. I don't know where that was or if it even existed. I do know that this sign sits behind a fence near the Mulholland Fountain across from Griffith Park. I saw this sign once and just loved it. Something about the words just floating there attached to nothing. I think about what it has been through and seen as it sits watching as time passes. But that's me.

The early morning light shows its age, its beauty, its craftsmanship with gentle and harsh light. This is the shot I chose for this week. I have a series of photos I've posted of the sign. Please visit the filckr Photography in 2011 site and see.

Week 5 of 52

This week, Week 5 of the 52 Project, I decided to try and follow the Theme of the Flickr Group I am following, MCP 52 Project. The theme for Week 5 was Muse. My muse comes often whenever I can empty mind and focus on something beyond me. This sunset, like many others, takes me out of myself and into the beauty that is nature, creation, God.

This was taken from Palisades Park in Santa Monica, CA where sunsets, like this one, are often breath taking.

The MCP Group's theme was Muse and my theme is Structure. The Muse is the beauty of the sunset and the structure is the repetition of day into night, sunset into sunrise. Please enjoy my photos as much as I enjoy sharing them with you. You can see my photos in my Photography 2011 Group on Flickr. If you'd like to share please join the group.

Week 4

Well, this week it was harder to shoot than previous weeks. I made and effort with this gorgeous tree and roots. It was the wrong time of day, high noon. The lighting was harsh and made great shadows.

Friday, the 28th I realized I hadn't done anything else and just started shooting. None of those are any good. Enjoy!

Settlement with LAUSD

In the works. This week there was a settlement with LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District) and layoff policies will no longer be last hired is first fired. This has many wondering just what does that mean.

In basic terms, seniority is out the window, and anyone can get the axe. Wow, no one is safe. This all stems from two years of teachers RIFs, (Reduction In Force), otherwise known as a layoff. The new teachers, usually more energetic and passionate, were let go and schools were forced to have substitute teachers fill in until a teacher was relocated and placed in that position.

LAUSD has until March 15th to set up a policy and method in which to release teachers. Wow, I really don't know what to think. What comes to mind are the words of Shakespeare and Anne Rice, "Beware the Ides of March" because, "No one is safe from nature's savagery, not even the innocent."

This all makes me think of the words of Chris Dede, "When we look back on public education, this will be seen as the 'Dark Ages'.

Week 3 of 52

These are my two favorites of the shoot I did with fellow photags in Downtown L.A. last Sunday. The streets were quiet and welcoming. I've seen some of the other photos taken that day and they did well also. I do have others that I may post because I liked them also. Enjoy