On The Road Again...

Today I spent most of the day driving back to Arizona (or packing/unpacking as a result of the trip). It was raining as I left San Diego and very windy even after the rain stopped (causing crazy dust storms), so most of the drive wasn't very conducive to stopping for photos.

It did get me thinking that I'd really like someone to come up with a camera that is built in to regular passenger cars somewhere around the front windshield area. There were a few shots I'd love to have gotten along the highway where it wasn't safe to stop. Since I couldn't stop for those, I got this shot when I made a pit stop in Gila Bend.

I've driven through Gila Bend and by this store a lot, but this mural never caught my eye before. I'm not sure if it's because I'm usually going through Gila Bend this direction closer to dark, the way the light was hitting it this time, or just me being more observant since I'm doing Project 365. Either way, I'm glad I stopped here (after my pit stop at Burger King)!

Cow Parade!

It's taken me a while to get the photo for today up because I took literally hundreds of photos today and choosing my favorite was extremely tough. Why? Because I spent a large part of the day tracking down cows that are part of the Cow Parade La Jolla Art Exhibit.

You can read more about it here (http://www.cowparadelajolla.com/).

It's something that's taken places in other cities before, but it's new to San Diego (the exhibit runs from March 15 through June 15). Basically, 40 local artists got blank white cow statues that they were able to alter to fit their vision. Each cow is sponsored by a local business as well. At the end of the exhibition, the cows will be auctioned off and the proceeds donated to charity. I have a few favorites, but nowhere to put them, so I won't be bidding, but I enjoyed photographing the ones I was able to get to this time around :-)

I still haven't gone through all my photos, but I figured I better get this posted so I choose one of my favorites so far (I had many). This is actually the first cow I visited!

If you're interested in seeing the rest of the cows, I plan to post the entire parade (or at least those I was able to find and photograph) on my other blog (http://lilikoi44.blogspot.com) sometime this weekend!

Got All Your Marbles?

I went to the Spring Harvest Festival (an arts & crafts fair) at the Del Mar Fairgrounds today. There were lots of things I wanted to take pictures of at the festival, but there were "No Photography" signs everywhere :-(

I bought quite a few things at the festival, but I didn't buy anything from the booth where I got this card. The huge banner up at the booth really caught my eye and I was itching to take out my camera (I had it with me after all), but I resisted and grabbed a business card for later. Of course, this shot is pretty out of focus because by the time I got around to taking the photo, it was late and I was tired.

Anyway, I love interesting business names, and I'm definitely adding this one to my list. It's an interesting product too! Jewelry with interchangeable marbles (all pieces come with a bag of marbles). You can make your jewelry match any outfit! And they've even started making marbles out of some more precious materials. Check them out online at http://www.gotallyourmarbles.com/

Bird of Paradise

I got this shot when I was walking around the yard to get a cobweb-free shot of the bench from yesterday. The bird of paradise plants in my parents yard are always so interesting because if you looked at them from a distance, you'd never see this one flower. Most of the flowers on this particular plant (and the others as well) are in the last stages of their life, so they aren't particularly beautiful in the traditional sense.

Thinking about them while postings got me thinking about how these plants in my parents' yard really represent the cycle of life. On one bird of paradise plant you have the older blooms that are starting to turn brown and die, the fresh, young blooming flowers like this one, and even more that are just waiting to bloom but aren't quite ready yet.

I'm really glad I found this one particular flower today!

Backyard Bench

I took a walk around my parents yard again today for my photo. I actually held off on posting because there is one thing about this photo that gets to me (and did when I took it).

What is it? The branch/leaves/cobweb in front of the leg of the bench. I've taken other pictures of the bench (with all that stuff removed) since I took this photo, but it was a different day and I had other photos for those days. Therefore, I decided to use it (imperfections and all) for today. I'll post my other shots of the bench (de-cobwebbed) on my other blog later this coming week!

Purple Hillside

As I was leaving to run some errands today, I noticed this bank of purple flowers between two neighbors homes. I couldn't resist, so I went over to take a few shots. While I was there, I almost caught a hummingbird on film, but my camera was still processing my shots of the hillside. I was really bummed because the hummingbird fluttered in front of me longer than ever before!

Through the Coral Tree Branches

Here's another photo from my parents backyard. I took this as I stood under their coral tree and looked up at the sky in the late afternoon.

Backyard Garden

I got quite a few great shots today, so I'm having a hard time deciding which to use as my photo of the day. I eliminated one because I decided since I used a photo of Sophie yesterday, I better use a non-Sophie photo today.

The others are all various shots of my parents backyard. It's not going anywhere, so you'll probably see more of it as the week goes on!

Bath Time for Sophie!

Since next week is my spring break, I drove to San Diego with my mom today to visit my parents. I wasn't inspired by anything in particular along the drive, so I got this shot of my parents' cat Sophie after our arrival. She wasn't too happy with me since I kept interrupting her bath with the flash, though. Oh well! I'm sure you'll see more shots of Sophie throughout the week (if not here then on my other blog as "left overs" from my chosen daily photo shots).

Bottle Brush in Bloom

Many plants are in bloom in Phoenix these days. I love the colorful displays, though it's often too bright to get good shots for most of the day.

Here is a close up of one of my bottle brush plants in bloom from my front yard.

Desert Garden at PVCC

Today was my last class at Paradise Valley. I think I'm going to miss my Thursdays there, but I'll be glad to have some less hectic Thursday afternoons. Here's a desert garden which I walked through to get to my car.

Best Barbecue Ever!

My mom is in town visiting this week, so we went to our favorite barbecue restaurant: Bobby Q's in Phoenix, Arizona. It was wonderful as usual. If I lived closer, I'd probably need a bailout myself because I'd eat there so often!

My mom and I just happened upon it by chance on one of my preliminary trips to Phoenix to find an apartment before I moved permanently in the summer of 2007. It was the closest restaurant to the hotel, so we tried it. We've been back more times than I can count. Even my dad (who loves barbecue) said recently he needed to come visit because he hadn't had his Bobby Q's fix in a while :-)

If you're ever in Phoenix, be sure to check it out!

My First Scorpion

Today's picture represents a first for me since I have been in Arizona...The first scorpion I've seen. Thank goodness it was dead! My mom is visiting and she found it dead in a box in my garage. I'm just glad my pest control seems to be working (and that it wasn't found inside the house).

Clouds Over the Hills

When I got out of class today, I noticed the shadows of the clouds over the hills in the distance. I took quite a few shots with my point and shoot (the only camera I had with me) of the hills and just the clouds in the sky.

Canal Wildflowers!

Yesterday, I stopped in a strip mall to look at something I plan to shoot later for my daily photo when I noticed all of these beautiful, colorful wildflowers growing in the canal behind it. The light wasn't the best and I already had my shot for the day, so I decided to go back today!

Bo's Funky Stuff

Summer spotted this "antique" store when we were in Glendale at the Chocolate Festival. She had realized by then that I have been looking for businesses with interesting names. I missed it the first time around (we were on the chocolate factory shuttle), and by the time we went back it was too dark. Since I was out that way running an errand today, I stopped to see if I could get a shot of the sign. It was a bit challenging since the tree blocks part of the sign from across the street. I had to take this by standing in an empty parking spot on the street right in front of the store.

Daytime Moon

The moon truly intrigues me. I love the way it looks every time I see it, and I wish I was better at taking photos of it. This is my most successful attempt so far. I can't believe it turned out even this well without a better zoom lens. Of course now I can't help but think what it would look like if I had had a better lens!

Tree at Last Light

Today was my second to last Thursday at Paradise Valley for my professional development course. I got a few good shots once again tonight and had to make a tough decision. I decided on this one because it was the most unexpected. I was all the way back at my car, ready to leave, when I noticed the way the light was hitting the tree right across from my car. The last light from the setting sun completely changed the coloring and the way the tree looked!

Another Church Sunset

Wow, another sunset over the church photo in the same week. I had taken a couple of photos while at work earlier today, but even before the sun set, I knew it was going to be a great one. I rushed home (and put off an errand) just to get some photos!

Museum Piece

Desperation struck once again tonight, and I finally decided on this decorative plate my sister bought me for Christmas one year. She got it at the Brooklyn Museum in New York. The light wasn't great and because the surface is so reflective, it didn't make the best subject, but such is life!

Sunset Over Church

I was really intrigued by the cloud patterns and the way the sky looked this evening when I got home. The sun was a bit bright behind the church, but I was able to get the right angle for the building to block most of it!

Cherie on Canvas

Today was another desperate day. I walked around the house and was still uninspired. I came to my study and saw this canvas on the wall. Cherie was one of my favorite subjects to follow around and photograph when she was still around. I miss her so much! I figured if I can't take a picture of her, I'd take a picture of a picture. I had this canvas made for myself and my family the year we lost her.

Backyard Sunset

Once again, I had a really hard time deciding on my photo for today. I think part of it was because I was out and about quite a bit today. In the end, I decided based on the criteria of what I would or wouldn't be able to re-create or go back and take pictures of later.

This is the sunset from my back yard. I have a limited range within my view that isn't obscured very obviously by telephone poles and the like. I had to move around to hide a couple behind the trees as well. Here's my favorite.

Fore!

I saw this car when I was coming out of the store after buying groceries tonight and thought it would make a good picture of the day. It also reminded me of a comic strip with a math joke in it (the kid yells out square root of 16 instead of fore when playing golf...get it?) Yes, I realize I am a math nerd :-)

Paradise Valley Art Studio

It's Thursday which means it's my day out at PVCC for my professional development class. I always seem to find great things to shoot there. I had seen a sign I thought about using this week, but on my way out to the sign, I discovered this Art Studio. I couldn't believe that I've walked by this place for the last 3 weeks and never really noticed it! Of course I had to make my way behind the bushes to get the shot, so that doesn't help!

I have a few other shots I like from this evening at PVCC, so I'll be posting them all over at my other blog (http://lilikoi44.blogspot.com) once again.

Flowering Tree

I saw these flowers on the trees on my way to get my mail Monday and was intrigued. Unfortunately, I waited too long to get the shot and the light wasn't right then. I almost waited too long again tonight, but the light was shining through a gap between the houses across the street and right onto one of the two trees. The blue sky was a great background for the shots (even though I had to crouch to get it as the background rather than the house just behind it).

I also learned today to be careful taking pictures of unknown trees. This one turned out to have thorns which of course I didn't notice until I got too close and got poked!

Backyard Water Feature

I was really tired when I got home from work tonight, so I decided to just walk around the backyard and take some photos. I decided to use this shot of the corner of my yard that has the water feature.

Cotton Ball Clouds

The clouds caught my eye as I drove into my garage today, so I ran inside to get my DSLR (I only carry my point and shoot to school with me). I took fewer photos than usual because I ended up talking with my neighbor for a while, but I got this shot and was happy with it!

Scottish Highland Athletic Games World Champion!

I had (am still having really) a hard time choosing today's photo. I spent a large part of my day watching Summer successfully defend her Scottish Highland Athletic Games Woman's World Champion title. I really wanted to get some great shots of her competing, but to do that I really, really need a much better zoom lens (my family is getting sick of me saying that because I complain about it all the time for many reasons). I have a 70-300mm telephoto lens for my film camera, but it's not a Canon and is therefore not compatible with my digital camera :-( And did I mention I kinda stink at people photography?

Anyway, I also got some interesting cloud shots, and I drove by this restaurant (which happens to be Scottish!) that I've been wanting to take a photo of for a while. Those who know me well know that me and lots of choices tends to mean long delays while I ponder my options :-)

In the end, I had to go with one of Summer with the caber (even though it is a distant shot). She turned it all 3 times! And the one time I decided to take a picture, she turned that sucker so fast it was over before I was ready for it to be over. I'll post the whole sequence of her throwing at my "other" blog (http://lilikoi44.blogspot.com) if you're interested!

Take Out

Instead of taking picture of dinner tonight, I decided to take a picture while waiting for dinner! As you can see, I got take out from Island's restaurant for dinner :-)

Stuff to Grade

As usual, I have lots of grading to do this weekend. Here it is all stacked together!

Statue at PVCC

I saw this statue last Thursday as I was leaving the Paradise Valley Community College campus after my professional development class. I rushed out right after my class today to make sure I had enough light to get the shot.

Top Chef

I fell asleep watching TV and didn't get some stuff done that I wanted to for work. Oh well, I still got to watch Top Chef!

Tapioca!

Since I haven't been feeling well, I've been craving comfort foods. Tapioca is one of my favorite comfort foods. My grandmother used to make it for me when I was sick. Mine isn't quite as fluffy as hers, but I still love it.

This is actually the second time in the last 4 days that I've made tapioca (from scratch). I started thinking about it when I saw the movie New in Town on Friday because tapioca is pretty prominent in the movie :-)

Candles

I'm still not feeling well, so I just walked around the house to find anything I haven't taken a picture of before. Not too inspiring, but here's a candle display out on one of my end tables in my living room.

Grading Exams

I haven't been feeling well, but I have lots of stuff to do over the long weekend. Part of today was spent grading math exams. The other part I spent sleeping!

Scott's General Store

I had to return some books to the library today and as I was driving back, I saw this general store. It caught my eye because the building is so different than those around it.

When I was leaving I noticed that there is another building behind the store that is a bit sketchy (and I'm convinced it is a strip joint since there was a painted silhouette of what looked like a woman to me on the door. The name of the place behind Scott's General Store is Hidaway Jack's (if I remember correctly).

Islands!

I wasn't sure what to take a picture of today, and when I drove by Islands on my way home from a movie, I stopped to take this picture. It didn't quite turn out as I'd hoped, but once again I was out without my DSLR so I could only get the shot with my point and shoot.

Paradise Valley Campus Sculpture

Since it's Thursday, I had my professional development class again. I get out right at 6pm, so the light is fading fast when I get the chance to take photos. Unfortunately, I'm in such a rush to get there in time from my last class, that I don't have time to take photos before class.

I saw the sculpture in this photo last week, so I made sure to go right out to it to get a decent shot before it got too dark. I already found another sculpture for next week as I was leaving campus today!

Sunset Over Neighborhood Church

I wasn't sure what to shoot today, so I stayed behind in my office and took some photos of multi-color pencils I was sharpening as extras for exams the following day (we have no pencil sharpeners in our classrooms so I bring extras). As I was driving home, I noticed the cloud formations looked interesting to the west, so I parked my car, took out my camera, and walked around the neighborhood. I took some different angles of this same shot, but I chose this one for my daily photo. This is the same church as in my photo from last Sunday.

Sunset at Estrella Mountain

I had to rush back to campus tonight because I left my jump drive in a classroom. Of course in my rush back, I grabbed only my wallet (and not my purse or camera). On my way back out of the parking lot, I noticed the sun setting through the trees and thought "What a great shot!" Of course I sped home, grabbed the camera and drove back. I knew it wasn't likely that I'd get back in time (though I live less than a mile away), and I was right. But I did get this shot! I've thought about shooting these cacti at this campus entrance for a while, but was waiting for the right circumstances!

From the Front Door

I had a dentist appointment today where I got 2 cavities filled and my teeth cleaned, and it was quite rainy most of the day. As a result, today's photo isn't quite as inspiring as the last few days. When I got home (with my completely numb mouth), I took my camera out the front door and just decided to shoot what I saw as I stepped out!

Church Across the Way...

I can see this church from my front window. I've wanted to get a good shot of it for a while now, but the light is never right when I have the time and inclination to get the shot. As I was leaving to run errands (gotta love Home Depot), I looked over and thought today might be my best chance! It's been stormy here, and the clouds make for some nice sky shots.

Luckily, I had my camera so I just pulled over to the curb next to the house (I had already backed out of my garage) and took some shots. Of course, I had to wait while the sun peaked in and out behind the clouds, but it was worth it!

Chocolate Festival

Today, Summer and I went to the annual Chocolate Festival in downtown Glendale, AZ. It was ridiculously crowded and I kept stopping to take photos of everything (even a lot of non-chocolate festival related things). One of the things we did was take a tour of a local candy factory. This is a shot of the outside as we were waiting in line to get in to do the walk-through tour.

I have lots of other chocolate festival photos that I plan to post later on this week at http://lilikoi44.blogspot.com so feel free to go check them out!

Naked Tree!

I decided to take a walk around campus today after I took my things to my car. There are some things I've been wanting to shoot, but unfortunately, the light wasn't quite right today. Here's one that I was happy with, though.

I've had a fascination with the "naked" trees lately. You'll probably notice that once I post all my alternates to my blog at http://lilikoi44.blogspot.com

Sunset Through the Trees

I'm taking a professional development class at another community college in our district on Thursdays, and when I came out of class tonight, I had the makings of some great sunset photos. I spent probably 30 minutes taking various photos in different directions. It really intrigues me living at the edge of a time zone. As the sun is setting it tends to be a lot darker to the East than to the West (more so than it ever was in California where I've spent most of my life).

I had a really hard time deciding what photo to use today. In fact, as I type this, I'm still thinking about changing my mind. Since this is actually a catch up post where I'm posting after the actual day I took the photo, I can say that I had 3 days in a row where I'm in the same situation! It's fitting given my comments above that I was struggling with one shot towards the west and one towards the east. This is the one towards the west.

Of course this means that I'll be posting the rest of the photos over at my other blog yet again. Feel free to check them out at http://lilikoi44.blogspot.com

The one from today that I shot towards the east contains a cameo by the moon and will be over at my other blog as soon as I finish catching up here :-)

Take a Guess!

Can you guess the subject of this photo?

I bought a new blouse recently and wore it for the second time today. I really love the colors and have gotten quite a few compliments on it, so I decided to take a shot of part of the shirt for today's photo :-)

Playplace!

I was out doing errands tonight when this McDonald's Playplace sign caught my eye. I only had my point and shoot camera with me, and I really wish I had my DSLR. Oh well, it came out decent and I can always go back another night!

Working Late...

I found myself working late in my office tonight grading journals. I took a break to take this photo (and clear off my desk a bit). It also reminded me to flip my calendar from January to February. My first few shots still show January...

Superbowl!

Other than grading papers, the biggest highlight of today was watching the Superbowl. I haven't been living in Arizona long, but I was rooting for the Cardinals. Either way, it was a great game and very exciting in the end!

I also learned it's not very easy to take good pictures of my TV.