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2012-04-12 00:19:45 (37 comments, 2 reshares, 68 +1s)

I apologize for my absence. Finally back from a...er... semi-vacation. Well, two conferences back to back in a fun part of the world.

I ran out at the end of a conference to play at the happiest place on earth. Not as entertaining as it was when I was 12 but it still holds lots of surprises. Certainly has lots of photographic opportunities. :)

I still love the look of Cinderella's castle. ♥ all those beautiful turrets ♥

For my night time long exposure buddies who I've been neglecting, the lovely +Celeste Odono and wonderful +Serge Ivanov.

More to come!

#vibrantwednesday #vividwednesday +Ajay Hatti
#wetwednesday +Susanne Schweiger +WetWednesday
#wideanglewednesday +Asif Patel +Wide Angle Wednesday
#longexposurethursday +Le Quoc +Francesco Gola
#thirstythursdaypics +Giuseppe Basile +Mark Esguerra #... more »

2012-03-02 04:56:16 (19 comments, 4 reshares, 80 +1s)

From the orchid seller :)


#HowWasYourDaySweetie +C. Corey Fisk
#FloralFriday +Tamara Pruessner
#FeelGoodFriday +FeelGoodFriday +Rebecca Borg
#purplecircle +Sinead Sam McKeown +Craig Szymanski +Alexis Coram +lynn langmade
#ColorsOnFriday +ColorsOnFriday +E.E. Giorgi +Gilmar Smith +Christina Lihani +Erin Henderson

2012-03-02 04:48:15 (10 comments, 1 reshares, 43 +1s)

It's all about timing

Sigh... had I pulled out my camera 10 seconds earlier, I would have gotten another plane flying in the opposite direction. Ah well.

Happy Leap Day from Baltimore!

#G+Leap Year Day Project +G+ LeapYear 2012 - Day in the life of G+

60/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 29, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-02-28 07:38:44 (20 comments, 0 reshares, 55 +1s)

I see a stormtrooper in a tutu. What do you see?

Thank you curators!
#MacroMonday +Macro Monday by +Kerry Murphy +Jennifer Eden +Kelli Seeger Kim


55/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 24, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-02-28 07:34:57 (16 comments, 0 reshares, 51 +1s)

Ridges

Isn't it interesting to think that without contrast our cameras could not function? Without contrast, my camera has no idea where to focus. What about our own lives? Does the contrast between the happy and unhappy moments in our lives serve as a way for us to focus as well? Do our moments of triumph and sadness swirl together to create a beautiful painting on our canvas of life?

Thank you curators!!


#MinistractMonday +Ministract Monday by +Tom McLaughlan

#MonochromeMonday +Monochrome Monday by +Charles Lupica +Bill Wood and +Hans Berendsen

54/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 23, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-02-28 07:06:04 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

The Orchid Seller

Sorry all, my partner suffered a leg injury this past week so I haven't been on g+ a whole lot. I have a lot of catching up to do. Sorry!!

Every Monday we have a Farmer's Market in our office courtyard. This gentleman has developed the reputation of selling inexpensive beautiful healthy orchids. Orchid photos to follow? You bet!


Week 9: In the workplace #2012PROJECT52 +Project52-2012

2012-02-21 01:36:49 (13 comments, 1 reshares, 47 +1s)

Lemur

Here's a lemur for #monkeymonday / +Monkey Monday ! I took this a number of years ago with my first DSLR. Look +Alex Lapidus I finally dug up the photo! About time, eh? :D This might be my only photo though; the others probably should not see the light of day.

2012-02-28 07:02:37 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 31 +1s)

The Photographer
by Dean Thorpe

A normal person sees a storm, thinks help and runs away
A photographer sees that storm, and runs the other way
Off into the cold they go, the wind, the rain and more
To capture pics no matter what, of all the things they saw
Watching all the huge waves crashing, defiantly they stand
Looking out from beneath the pier, with camera in hand
Why do we do such stupid things, like photograph the snow
We can’t resist to get that pic, so off we always go
We see the world through rule of thirds, and many shades of grey
The search to get the perfect shot, continues every day

50/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 19, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project
Week 8: Other Photographers #2012PROJECT52 +Project52-2012

2012-02-28 07:16:25 (22 comments, 0 reshares, 74 +1s)

Shapes
by Shel Silverstein

A square was sitting quietly
Outside his rectangular shack
When a triangle came down -- kerplunk! --
"I must go to the hospital,"
Cried the wounded square,
So a passing rolling circle
Picked him up and took him there.

48/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 17, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-02-20 07:02:14 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 28 +1s)

Local Olive Oil and Vinegar

Love this stuff! Maybe this is the reason why we pay such high cost of living prices around here?


47/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 16, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-02-20 04:53:31 (15 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Help a clueless chicka out

Ok, last one from the San Francisco Chinese New Year parade; the San Francisco Symphony float!

Ok, I have to ask since I really don't know (& I'm embarrassed that I don't know). Who are these guys? I see drawings of the one in front all the time on Chinese goods. I can only assume he represents long life and wisdom, but I'm not positive about that. What's with the gourd flask?

I assume the one in the green hat represents fertility and prosperity? I didn't get a photo of the third guy behind the one with the peach.

2012-02-19 07:36:07 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 25 +1s)

Stone Monkey

Ok, I'll admit it. I'm posting this one mostly because it amused me. These are characters from one of the greatest Chinese classic novels, Journey to the West aka The Stone Monkey.

It amuses me to see characters set 1500 years ago come to life in the middle of downtown San Francisco. On stilts.

2012-02-19 07:10:18 (14 comments, 2 reshares, 22 +1s)

Mazu

April of last year I was in Taiwan watching a procession of Mazu followers celebrate her birthday. It surprised me to see the same god figures parading down Market Street during the Chinese New Year parade. It surprised me to learn that there was a Mazu temple here in the US as well.

Mazu is the patron saint of fishermen and sailors. Legend has it (well, this is the version I'm familiar with) that her family lived by the sea and her father and brother, as well as all the local men, were fisherman by trade. One night when she was a girl there was a particularly nasty storm. Fearing that her father and brother might lose their way, she threw on a coat and hat, grabbed a lantern and ran up to a cliff overlooking the beach. One by one fishermen arrived on the beach and said to her, "If it were not for the lantern you were holding up so vigilantly, we would have lost... more »

2012-02-19 06:10:30 (15 comments, 1 reshares, 26 +1s)

Baby Dragon

Counterpoint to my last post, this is perhaps the smallest dragon I've seen in a Chinese parade. There must have been five milling about.

Ok, 1...2...3... everyone say "awwww!"

2012-02-20 06:53:39 (13 comments, 1 reshares, 33 +1s)

Lion on the loose!

This must be the largest Chinese lion I've ever seen. It was the finale of the San Francisco Chinese New Year parade. The head had to be supported by five people and the body by 20. I was sort of out in the middle of the street when it came charging at me. Ahhhh!

For +Serge Ivanov and his new night time Chinatown obsession :)

42/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 11, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-02-17 07:39:42 (19 comments, 2 reshares, 43 +1s)

Cherry Blossoms Adrift

Pink petals passing
Scents above so high
Painted porcelain perfection
Blossoms caress the sky

Swaying silent shroud
Suitors strolling by
Pink petals passing
Lover's gentle sigh

Pastel hues falling
Slow fluttering grace
Pink petals passing
Lining streams in lace

Pink petals passing
Smoothest transit by
Soft essence floating
In most subtle lullaby

Inducing springtime slumber
Upon a satin shore
Sailing with the current
Pink petals pass before

- Mary Fumento (1999)
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cherry-blossoms-adrift


#FloralFriday by +Tamara Pruessner

2012-02-19 05:58:21 (7 comments, 2 reshares, 41 +1s)

Bingo Part 2!

This one was taken about 15-20 minutes after https://plus.google.com/u/0/117627559431013489137/posts/Ptu5JgQAhDm

If you look reeeeaaally closely you can see this sign https://plus.google.com/u/0/117627559431013489137/posts/YoCe7u4RmYp in the chaotic lights.


#LongExposureThursday by +Le Quoc and +Francesco Gola

2012-02-16 23:52:43 (20 comments, 3 reshares, 51 +1s)

Let's play landmark bingo!

How many can you see here?

I have another similar shot taken about 15 minutes after this one was taken which I will post at a later time.


Thank you curators!
#MyTownTuesday +My Town Tuesday by +Melanie Kintz and +Eric Leslie

2012-02-14 05:50:16 (19 comments, 1 reshares, 45 +1s)

♥ ♥ ♥ Have a lovely Valentine's Day my g+ friends! ♥ ♥ ♥

Thank you curators!
#MacroMonday +Macro Monday by +Kerry Murphy +Jennifer Eden +Kelli Seeger Kim

2012-02-14 22:58:08 (23 comments, 2 reshares, 55 +1s)

Alcatraz & Coit Tower

The big glowy thing is Coit Tower, the island is Alcatraz, up further is Angel Island (the chunk of land that isn't lit) and behind that (where the lights are) is probably Marin, perhaps the Tiburon area.

Coit Tower
Was commissioned by Lillie Coit, a wealthy socialite who liked to assist with volunteer firefighters since she was 15. She was known for being eccentric, smoking cigars and wearing trousers before it was socially acceptable for women to do so. She would also dress up like a man so that she could get into gambling establishments.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coit_Tower

Alcatraz - this island might be about as famous as San Francisco.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcatraz_Island

Angel Island
Perhaps mostly known for being the Ellis Island of the West. This is where the... more »

2012-02-19 03:41:50 (34 comments, 3 reshares, 57 +1s)

Sandwich

A fun shot from Treasure Island photowalk with +Alex Lapidus and +Linda Villers yesterday and a night time long exposure for +Celeste Odono and +Serge Ivanov .

Pass the mustard please!


Thank you to our curators!
#saturdayNightlight +SaturdayNightLight by +Dirk Heindoerfer
#SkySunday +Sky Sunday - Photography Theme by +Simone Linke
+PurpleCircle by +lynn langmade +Sinead Sam McKeown +Craig Szymanski +Alexis Coram
#Plusphotoextract +PhotoExtract Photography Magazine by +Jarek Klimek
41/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 10, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-02-13 06:07:36 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Color by numbers

There are a multitude of brightly painted buildings in Chinatown. I suspect it has more to do with attracting tourists than it has to do with any sort of tradition.


A big thank you to our curators!
#StreetSaturday by +Siddharth Pandit
#ColorsOnSaturday by +E.E. Giorgi +Gilmar Smith +Christina Lihani

2012-02-12 05:50:44 (15 comments, 3 reshares, 37 +1s)

Ok, can't think of anything smart to say. It's late. Goodnight all!

#floralfriday +FloralFriday by +Tamara Pruessner

40/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 09, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-02-12 05:40:23 (16 comments, 0 reshares, 43 +1s)

I considered using this photo for my shadows assignment but since I didn't, I'm submitting it for #WindowWednesday .


I think this is a condo building, but not sure about that. It's in downtown SF.

Thank you curators!
#WindowWednesday +#Window Wednesday by +Jules Hunter +Simon Kitcher and +Jason Kowing

2012-02-09 08:38:57 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 40 +1s)

Eagles and Lions and Shadows oh my!

This is the old SF Federal Reserve Bank Building (aka The Bently Reserve). The Federal Reserve Bank moved operations a few blocks away in 1983 and sold off this building to Bently Holdings who rents out this location for events. I have not seen the interior but from what I've heard, it's fantabulous!


39/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 08, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project
Week 7: Shadows #2012PROJECT52 +GPLUS::P52::2012 +Project52-2012

2012-02-07 01:44:04 (25 comments, 2 reshares, 32 +1s)

Hello Kitty!

This was a card I found in Taiwan. Is it wrong that I'm over the age of 10 and still like Hello Kitty? Come on, you've got to admit that she's cute!

Dedicated to all the Hello Kitty fanatics over the age of 10 out there!
+Lily L +Melissa Solito +Tom Anderson

2012-02-07 00:39:12 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 33 +1s)

A hair out of place


Two pieces of string walk into a bar and the bartender looks at them suspiciously. He says "Sorry, boys, we don't serve your kind here." So the pieces of string walk out again.

They're sitting in the gutter outside and feeling really thirsty when one piece of string says "Hey! I've got an idea to get me into the bar."

So he starts twisting and turning, wriggling this way and that, pulling out a few threads here and there. His mate's looking at him and thinks he's gone completely nuts.

Then the piece of string walks back into the bar. The bartender looks at him a little suspiciously again and says "Here, you're not a bit of string, are you?"

The piece of string replies "No, I'm a frayed knot."
http://www.jokesplace.com/joke/string.html

You... more »

2012-02-10 07:51:08 (17 comments, 6 reshares, 43 +1s)

Sticking Point

A big thank-you to our curators!
#MacroMonday +Macro Monday by +Kerry Murphy +Jennifer Eden +Kelli Seeger Kim
#LilyMonday +Lily Monday by +Ray Bilcliff +Bob Rutan


37/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 06, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-02-09 06:47:19 (13 comments, 1 reshares, 31 +1s)

Belden Lane

This is a tiny street (1 block long) in the financial district of SF lined with French and Italian restaurants one side and efficiencies on the other. There's plenty of outdoor seating with umbrellas and heat lamps if that tickles your fancy. One of my favorites is Plouf which is known for their heaping bowls of mussels. http://www.ploufsf.com/03_lunch_01.html. I need to go back to Cucina Italiana to remind myself what their tiramisu tastes like. Yeah, I've totally forgotten. Really.

The office building in the back is the Bank of America Center which is the second tallest building in the city.

For +Serge Ivanov 's NEON obsession ;)
And +Jessica Gray because there's Plouf in it. :D
#SaturdayNightLight +SaturdayNightLight curated by +Dirk Heindoerfer

2012-02-09 06:16:44 (27 comments, 1 reshares, 38 +1s)

Come on in!

The corner of Broadway and Columbus in San Francisco meets four distinct neighborhoods: Chinatown, Little Italy, the beginnings of the financial district and a naughty part of the city. Which corner will you choose?


#SaturdayNightLight +SaturdayNightLight curated by +Dirk Heindoerfer
34/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 03, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project
Week 6: Signs #2012PROJECT52 +GPLUS::P52::2012

2012-02-06 23:31:31 (17 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

What is this stuff?

There's sheets of this stuff screwed onto the walls on the upper half of my daughter's school multipurpose (cafeteria/auditorium). Anyone know what it is and what purpose it serves besides adding texture to the walls? They're like sheets of drywall and maybe an inch thick or so. I can't imagine these staying clean if they were up at my old elementary school where the kids threw food at the walls and ceiling to see what would stick. Cheese cubes sticks very well, btw. So do paper towels soaked in milk. Bleh!


33/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 02, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-02-03 06:51:26 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 27 +1s)

Sutro Tower

Have you ever gone to a place to take what you thought was going to be a kick-butt location and found it to have a case of the blahs? That's what happened to me yesterday. Fortunately, this was my saving grace. There's something missing here for sure, but it'll do for my 366.


32/365 +G+ 365 Project
February 01, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-02-03 06:34:38 (15 comments, 0 reshares, 39 +1s)

Sky and Sea

As I sat in the beach,
the sky cried a speech
about beauty,
and the art of a smile
the sea did agree,
and it swam to my toes
where I listened to it all,
with curiosity

the sea breathed in deep
when the sky said "The end"
I imagined that both the sea and the sky
were long time friends
that year after year,
they'd discus life and sing a many too song
So, still I sat in the sand watching their connection,
and rain fell into the sea
The sea and I clapped our hands,
its waves roared in laughter
and the sky,
went purple, pink, and blushed

I'm so glad, that the sea and sky,
let me listen to thoughts on that night
And now my heart,
feels a simple peace as I smile
goodbye to the sea on my toes,
and to the last of the moonlit sky.... more »

2012-02-04 20:07:50 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 37 +1s)

Your eyes are like jewels..

No, really. They are!


Thank you curators!

#MacroMonday +Macro Monday by +Kerry Murphy +Jennifer Eden +Kelli Seeger Kim
Week 5: Eyes #2012PROJECT52 +GPLUS::P52::2012
30/365 +G+ 365 Project
January 30, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-02-01 06:27:56 (18 comments, 0 reshares, 37 +1s)

The Impossible Dream of the Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico

Joshua Abraham Norton 1819-1880 (aka Emperor Norton) is perhaps one of the most colorful characters of San Francisco history. He was lured to California during the Gold Rush and became a wealthy businessman before losing everything trying to corner the rice market. After disappearing for a few years, he reappeared and proclaimed himself "Emperor of the United States." Beloved by the San Franciscans, he was allowed to issue his own currency (which was accepted by local merchants) and politicians had to seek his approval or risk political suicide. His funeral was attended by 10,000-20,000 locals, businesses closed for the day and flags were flown at half mast. When his remains were moved in 1934, businesses again closed and flags flown at half mast. The ceremony had an attendance of 60,000 and the... more »

2012-01-30 23:38:25 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 32 +1s)

My Shadow

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball,
And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all.

He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play,
And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close beside me, he's a coward you can see;
I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!

One morning, very early, before the sun was up,
I rose and found the shining dew on everyb... more »

2012-01-30 07:09:24 (16 comments, 1 reshares, 21 +1s)

To your health, wealth, happiness and security!

I am dedicating this photo to an outstanding member of the g+ community, +Charles Lupica. I think there are few people in the photo community who have not come across this gentleman who has done so much, curated so many themes and just seemed to be everywhere at once. Some of us suspect that he's superman's alter ego, but that's a theory to test another day. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to co-curate the #FoodFriday theme with him these past couple of months and wish him the best as he involves himself in other projects.

This photo was taken at Dongshan Fodu Gongyuan (aka "Oriental Buddha Park") in Leshan, Sichuan, China. Golden locks such as these can be found at many temples across China. It is traditional to purchase them and lock them to iron chains that are hung along stairways while saying... more »

2012-02-05 00:57:40 (21 comments, 3 reshares, 48 +1s)

Purple with Pink Polka-dots

Well, that's what I told my daughter what color dinosaurs were. Hey, you can't disprove it.

That's a pier...uh...Pier 5 I think. I lost track of the numbers. The land you see is Treasure Island which used to be a military base. Beyond that is fog and behind the fog is the Oakland Hills in the East Bay. It was amazing to me that the fog was all east of Treasure Island.

This is my absolute favorite time to take long exposure photos - when the sky is blueish-purple and the clouds are pink. The pinker the better. I'm still a girly girl at heart. Unfortunately the colors only last 10 minutes if that. Phooey.


Thank you curators for putting up with me!!
#LongExposureThursday curated by +Le Quoc +Francesco Gola
#ThirstyThursdayPics curated by +Giuseppe Basile +Mark Esguerra
#BreakFastClub ... more »

2012-01-31 00:11:53 (24 comments, 8 reshares, 80 +1s)

Dichotomy

The Transamerica Pyramid seems to just split this image right down the middle. Tall buildings and bright lights to the left, and what looks like incoming storm clouds to the left. I really didn't ask the fog to come in the way it did. Really, I didn't.

The Transamerica Pyramid was the tallest building west of the Mississippi between 1972-1974 at 850 ft tall, surpassing the Bank of America building a few blocks away.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transamerica_Pyramid
http://www.transamerica.com/company_profile/about_the_pyramid/

Thank you to our curators!

Ok, here we go again!


#LongExposureThursday curated by +Le Quoc +Francesco Gola
#ThirstyThursdayPics curated by +Giuseppe Basile +Mark Esguerra
#HistoryThursday +History Thursday curated by +Matt Shalvatis
#BreakFastClub +Breakfast Club... more »

2012-01-27 00:25:49 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

COLBY'S PHOTOGRAPHIC CIRCLE OF INSPIRATION

I have finally put together my 1st circle of photographers that I personally find inspiring. Nearly every genre of photography is represented here. These are individuals that are constantly providing photography work that speaks to me. They are hand picked and all active on G+. It includes full time professionals and amatures alike...all that create compelling photography. Everyone in this circle has less then 30k followers (although a few are very very close) and many have just a few hundred. Please enjoy...I know I have!

If you like what you find in this circle, please share it with your followers to help these individuals reach a wider audience. I will share more circles of those I find Inspiring in the future.

2012-01-27 07:05:18 (37 comments, 5 reshares, 66 +1s)

I love My City!

There's so many things to photograph in the city of San Francisco. The red and gold lights were a tribute to our beloved 49ers but shhh! Don't tell anyone, but I think it's also for the Chinese New Year. :D

[P]ort of San Francisco
This is the San Francisco Ferry Building which was the second busiest ferry terminal in the world in the late 1800's/early 1900's. Right after the great 1906 SF earthquake, the fire marshall gave directives to "save the ferry building" at all costs. He foresaw that this building was the only way in and out of the city.

This building doesn't actually sit on land; it's built on a bunch of pylons that are anchored in the sand and mud below. After the 1989 earthquake divers inspected each of the pylons and found one to be warped to the extreme but it was unclear if the damage was... more »

2012-01-26 04:58:48 (15 comments, 0 reshares, 39 +1s)

Wall-to-Wall Window-to-Window?

Some newer buildings in downtown SF SOMA. Look at all that glass!

A huge thank-you to all our curators for their tireless work!


#MyTownTuesday +My Town Tuesday curated by +Melanie Kintz and +Eric Leslie
#TodayTuesday curated by +Brian White
#ArchiTexture curated by +Ranjan Saraswati

#RepetitiveTuesday +Repetitive Tuesday curated by +Frank Schillinger

and an early submission for #Window Wednesday +#Window Wednesday curated by +Simon Kitcher +Jules Hunter and the wonderful +Jason Kowing :D

24/365 +G+ 365 Project
January 24, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-01-25 09:05:04 (13 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

Default Favorite Food

Total yummyness! Is there a food theme in my stream?

#BokehTuesday +Bokeh Tuesday curated by +Bob Baxley
23/365 +G+ 365 Project
January 23, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-01-25 05:01:25 (14 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Color Contrast


Sani ethnic group singer in the Yunnan Stone Forest in China, a couple hours ride east from Kunming. I usually prefer tightly cropped portraits, but I really love the detail on her clothing.

Our day spent in the Stone Forest was the first day it stopped raining in two weeks which also meant that it was the first day in half a month the performers got to do their thing. Fortune smiled upon us, that's for sure!

You know what? I'm not sure if I posted any photos of the Stone Forest itself. I need to fix that.

#PortraitTuesday +PortraitTuesday curated by the amazing +Laura Balc
#CandidMoodTuesday +Candid Mood Tuesday curated by +Alexius Jørgensen
#BokehTuesday +Bokeh Tuesday curated by +Bob Baxley
+All Things Green curated by the lovely +Cicely Robin Laing

A huge "Thank you!" to... more »

2012-01-24 13:49:03 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 31 +1s)

Ceramic Dragon?

Ok, skidding into the final minutes of Chinese New Year day... Sorry for the last-minute spam, all!

...so can we make up year of the Ceramic Dragon? These would be perfect. How about year of the Tile Dragon?

These are on the facade of the Bank of America Chinatowan branch in San Francisco. I went out dragon hunting in Chinatown last week and...boy were there a lot!

#MyTownTuesday +My Town Tuesday curated by +Melanie Kintz and +Eric Leslie
+Last Call Gang curated by +Christina Lawrie

2012-01-25 09:05:04 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

Light & Shadow

Ok, I admit it. I was a bad Asian yesterday. Instead of cooking a dinner large enough to feed an army, we just went out to a Chinese restaurant. This is equivalent to going out to (pick your favorite restaurant) for dinner on Thanksgiving. Ah well. I guess I need to surrender my Asian Membership Card.
My excuse was that I was at a conference all weekend long and finally got out at 5pm yesterday.

This was taken at Ming's Restaurant in Concord, California.


22/365 +G+ 365 Project
January 22, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project

2012-01-24 07:24:38 (9 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

新年快樂 / Happy Lunar New Year

Ok, I still have another 30 minutes of New Year left to post this.

This was taken last week in San Francisco's Chinatown. As you can imagine, the place was packed with people trying to shop for the new year. It's going to be a ghost town in Chinatown this week.

#MyTownTuesday +My Town Tuesday curated by +Melanie Kintz and +Eric Leslie

2012-01-23 22:43:57 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 24 +1s)

mini me

The little topiaries around the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco have always amused me. Most people walk by thinking that they're just cone-shaped bushes, but we know better; they're the tower's spawn.

Week 4: Up #2012PROJECT52 +GPLUS::P52::2012

2012-01-23 07:53:12 (24 comments, 5 reshares, 56 +1s)

Cave of Wonders

I had a difficult time choosing which photo to submit, but in the end I settled on this one, though it seems people seem to have varying opinions on this particular image. I am amused by the fact that it takes a little while to figure out what this subject is. Is it upside down? Is it a cave in a glacier? A crystal cavern? Is this a painting or a photo?

No, it's not upside down and this photo was taken at the Reed Flute Cave in Guilin, China so called because of the reeds that grow outside the cave. Yup, you guessed it; people made flutes out of the reeds. The lighting is artificial and cycles through various colors.

Slow shutter speeds and tripod absolutely required for this shot. :)

#PlusOneCollection organized by the wonderful +Ivan Makarov
+Best of 2011 - G+ Photography Book
#PlusPhotoExtract curated by +Jarek Klimek

2012-01-25 09:05:04 (18 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

Year of the Dragon

When I was little I was told that dragons ruled water which meant they lived in rivers, lakes, oceans and in the clouds. This coming year is the year of the water dragon. I really have no idea what the element component does except give the zodiac symbol a 60-year cycle.

Another thing I was told is that a family is considered very, very lucky if there are three members who are dragons. Get ready for a baby boom this year.


19/365 +G+ 365 Project
*January 19, 2012 #creative366project +Creative 366 Project