Like Shootin' Fish in a Canal

Like Shootin' Fish in a Canal
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I'm lovin' it... The shore fisherman didn't catch a single one... I keep finding more and more stripers in my pics...

Hi Mileage...

Fisherman
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I know.. the posting has been a bit sparse... but I've been traveling... Mike has been on vacation this week and what with not having a day job combined with taking the weekend off of the photo job we've actually had time to get out and about... We went down to Natick, pictures posted below and here.... then up to New Hampshire, pictures still to come.. and then Wednesday and Thursday were spent on the Cape... This is one of my favorites from that trip... You can find a few more here.

So many photos.. so little time to get them all posted...

Bonnie, Riordon and Lu' bokeh

Bonnie, Riordon and Lu' bokeh
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Of course when you go to a photography meetup you get a ton of photo's of people taking pictures.

The Motley Crew

The Motley Crew
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

No pressure here... just take a portrait of a ton of the most awesome photogs.. nope... no pressure!

Me, me and more me.

50mm and non-photographer
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I've never had my picture taken this much. Ever. Not even when I start doing some of those "self portraits" that I know you all love so much, but that's what happens when you spend the day down in Sherborn with a group of 20 or so photographers.

Saturday was the 1st (annual hopefully) Meetup of the online group that I belong to known as "Utata". That's right... those insane photo's that I take for "Iron Photographer" and "Title This".. that group. It was a little scary. Meeting all those people for the first time, even tho with most of them I can tell you who their spouses are, how many children they have, what kind of cars they drive, where they live and in alot of cases, what they had for dinner last nite because they've photographed it and posted it to Flickr.

The intimidation factor was huge as well. These are some of the BEST photographers that, whether they realize it or not, have become mentors to me. I learn so much from looking at their stuff. So there was no way I could pass up the chance to meet these people in the flesh... So.. it was off to Natick/Sherborn and I'm SO glad we went. It was a total blast. It really was amazing how 20 very different people, that have never met before, can all just show up and instantly have a connection and gel so well together. It felt more like a group of 'old friends' getting together than a group of strangers. I just wish I had had more time to talk one on one with some of them, but I guess that's what follow-up visits are for. I'd love to take the day and meet Tracy Lee from New Hampshire and pick her brain. Patrick from Revere for his awesome portraiture and Jody from LA, I swear, carries around her own portable "early evening light" and uses it just OH so freakin' well.

Anyway... it was really wonderful and I'm sure you'll see some more photo's from the meetup. Or... if you can't wait for me to post some you can surf through these here. These are all the photo's from the Meetup from everyone that was there. We all put the same descriptive tag on the photo's "That cow is a bull"... Long story.. let's just say there were alot of "city folk" there... LOL

My four cents...

My four cents...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Here's your photo to go with the entry below... shot just for you!

Gimme another reason - and my freakin' pennies!

Nope, no photo to go with this post. I did have an old shot that I've posted before from McDonald's but if I put up the same photo twice, my Southern Blonde sister gets confused so I won't do that to her. Perhaps she's been in the "slow south" a little too long? ;)

So. As you may or may not be aware, my son and his girlfriend have moved backed into the house this past weekend. All and all I'd say their moving in has been great. Alot less intrusive and crowded than I though it would be, but one side-effect has been the food situation.

Just as I was about to head to the kitchen yesterday and make my lunch I heard drawers sliding, cabinets slamming and general "I'm cooking" sounds coming from in there. I rounded the corner to find my son making sammich's for him and Sasha... I decided to have a seat at the table and chat with him as he cooked for them. When he was done I went to make my lunch only to find out that not only was he done, but so was the lovely left over steak from last nite's supper, the butt end of the crusty french loaf, and the incredibly creamy mild cheddar. Damn... a half hour late and a sammich short. So. To keep from passing out between the film developer and the camera bar at work last nite, I decided to leave for work a half hour early and swing through McDonald's to get myself some sustenance.

Anyway, I digress.. McDonald's. OY... Like anyone needs another reason to dislike them. Their food is usually enough, but no, they have to go and add really crappy customer service to the mix. But, let's begin at the beginning.

Unsuspectingly... I pulled into the lot and walked in and ordered my lunch. The least offensive thing I could think of on their menu... Chicken Selects... You know.. they are kind of like the old "Chicken McNuggets" only these haven't been pre-chewed for you. So.. I ordered up and then the fun began.

I handed the cashier my $6 and she reached into the drawer to get me my 24 cents change. Withdrawing her hand and extending it over the counter to me, I notice that it contains only 2 thin dimes. 20 cents. Puzzled, I looked at her. Apparently she was quick enough to recognize that patented "WTF" look that I've mastered so very well and she quickly stated: "I'm sorry, I don't have any pennies. Is that ok?"...

Huh?

So, talking slower now so that I could understand her as the look on my face had gone from "WTF" to "You've got to be kidding me." Which apparently I haven't mastered quite as well and some people interpret it as "I'm not that intelligent, I don't understand you, and would you say that again.. only s l o w e r . . ."

"I don't have any pennies. Is This O K ?"

I considered her suggestion and almost said "OH.. no problem.. when you get your pennies, just put my 4 cents here in the Clown House bucket as a donation."

And then my brain started up.

Uh oh... never a good sign...

Never...

It started whispering stuff like:

-"That is just SO wrong."

-"What kind of customer service is this?"

-"She's not gonna just give me a quarter and call it even?"

-"WHY is she asking me this?"

Now it's all kind of a blur from there but I believe at that point I did something uber smart.. like.. you know...

Laugh in her face.

and replied with...

"Let me get this straight. YOU don't have any pennies... So you want to short me FOUR cents? How about THIS. YOU give ME a quarter. And that way instead of shorting me... THE CUSTOMER.. FOUR CENTS... you only short YOURSELF.. ONE PENNY!"

I admit at that point... I was still laughing at her.

And her reply?

"But then my drawer will be off by a penny at the end of the night."

My mind then went into "hype-drive-beam-me-up-Scotty mode"...

In flash I contemplated at least 20 different replies to that statement. Including, but not limited to:

- "And if you short me, my pocket will be off by FOUR cents at the end of the night."

- "If your off by a penny and the Manager gives you crap about it, Honey.. you SO need a new job."

- "SO?"

I settled on the following:

"How is it MY problem that you don't have any pennies?"

At this point... to her final credit.. she came across with my freakin' quarter...

Now... I'm not dumb enough to turn my back on someone that I've just had a go round with as they are preparing anything that I intend to put into my mouth, so I was watching her VERY carefully as she packaged up my food. And what do I see and hear but my lovely cashier yappin' it up with the 'fry girl'... Now.. I didn't catch it all.. but I did catch the attitude that she added with a flourish as she said "How is that MY problem."

OH FREAKIN' MY...

Wrong answer. Wrong attitude. Wrong. Wrong. Freakin' WRONG.

"Make-it-so-Jean-Luc" and we're off to hyper-drive again. I considered the following:

- "I'd like to see the Manager. NOW!"

- "LET ME EXPLAIN A BIT ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE TO YOU IDIOTS!"

- "Ever hear the term the customer is always right? That means when you can't accommodate the customer's needs. LIKE THEIR FREAKIN" CORRECT CHANGE. You don't ask THEM to give anything up. YOU SACRIFICE THE COMPANIES PENNY..."

As she made her way back to the counter with my bag of lunch, I quickly settled on "the HIGH road."

"Excuse me, but I'm standing right here, and I heard what you just said to her. I think you should know that that was INCREDIBLY rude. I can't believe you just did that. That was just so RUDE."

Her reply, mumbled now.. was something to the effect of:

"She's the one that has to go get me pennies when she's done over there, so I was just letting her know what happened."

So.. I reiterated my stance that "Asking the CUSTOMER to take the hit when you don't have the correct change to give them is absolutely WRONG and perhaps the worst customer service I've ever had. You just have a yourself a GREAT day, now."

I grabbed my bag of lunch before she could change her mind and do something horrible to my sweet and sour dipping sauce... and walked away.

It was a freakin' PENNY. But I sure as heck got my money's worth outta that exchange.

Autumn's Visitor

Autumn's Visitor
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

It was a wonderful day yesterday. I found this guy standing on his log at the edge of the Ware River. He's probably still standing there. I know he outlasted me. I shot a full 2 Gig card of him and part of another and when I left, he was still standing there. Outlasted by a Blue Heron. Wonderful.

Jaws

Jaws
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

So many pictures... SO many... :)

So far it's just been an awesome week. My first week of no day job. WOOHOO... We went to the Big E.. well.. ok.. that was last week but close enough...

Monday I went shooting with my friend Sandra out to Shelburne Falls and the Bridge of Flowers...

Tuesday Sasha and I hopped in my little car and took a wonderful foggy tour up through Hardwick and into Petersham (I haven't even posted those pictures to Flickr as yet - I'm still working on posting the ones from Monday!)

And right now I'm downloading over 2 gigs of photo's from this mornings ride. A quick toot up to West Brookfield, across to Gilbertville and down through Grenville Park where a very accommodating Blue Heron sat on a branch and posed for me until I ran out of chip space!

Awesome...

I'm loving it!

Roll.. Roll... Roll in za Hay...

Roll.. Roll... Roll in za Hay...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

A tribute to "Young Frankenstein" (perhaps THE best movie ever) shot for another of Utata Iron Photographer's that just make me crazy! :)

This one had to have:

1. Something from the bathroom
2. Something from the fridge
3. Shot in the bedroom

WHEW!! This one was really hard!

Posted

Posted
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Spent an awesome day out shooting with Sandra.. Where this one was taken will remain a secret.. LOL ps... I stayed back in case SOMEONE needed bail money or an ambulance! ;)

Blue Morning Glory

Blue Morning Glory
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I spent a lovely day out in Shelbourne Falls, Mass shooting with my friend Sandra... I came back with a ton of shots and will upload them over the next couple of days... right now I'm just too damn tired from all that fresh air and sunshine.. oh.. and did I mention the freakin' MOUNTAIN she decided we needed to climb...

Driving Light.

Driving Light.
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

It was an amazing sight watching all the horse teams flying through the midway at the Big E.

red

red
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I'm feeling rather minimalistic today so here's my minimal effort.

Deer... I think...

Deer... I think...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

OH what fun.. I picked up a cheapo motion detector digital camera the other day and we've set it up in the woods near the house. This morning we had a deer come by for a photo shoot. I can't wait to see what else we have out there although I'm a little worried about what I might see.. LOL... coming home after dark will never be quite the same if I see something out there that shouldn't be so close to the house!

Ferris Wheel

Ferris Wheel
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

We managed to miss the Belchertown Fair this year. bummer... this is all that was left when we finally made it up there last nite.. The rides were only partially lit... A few shots were all that I could manage from the passenger seat of the Miata and yet I really like them. We had gone up to have some "Fair Food" for supper.. you know.. a healthy diet of Fried Dough with maybe some fruit for dessert (aka Candy Apples)... Instead we ended up in the Wong Garden... nope.. not a typo... Wong Garden - a chinese food place that was recommended to me by a co-worker... I must say.. you got HUGE portions for very little bucks... and if they hadn't dumped a whole crap load of MSG into the beef and broccoli (and the rice) it would have been really.. REALLY good... as it is though we had dinner at about 7pm last nite and I'm still freakin' thirsty from all that salt.. next time I'll see if they can go MSG free for me.. either that or I'll stick with the ginormous chicken fingers and the really good home-made duck sauce...

I Quit

I Quit
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

ok.. so not really "quit"... I just won't be doing web work all day long anymore... I don't really know what to call it when you've told your biggest client "No more!". Have you quit? Fired yourself? Fired your client? More than likely it's called "I've discontinued your contract.", but that doesn't sound nearly as dramatic as...

I QUIT! :)

Shut your Pie Hole...

Shut your Pie Hole...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

More of the Quabbin Twins... This was actually from a couple of weeks ago and I just haven't had time to process it... I've been up to the Quabbin a couple of times in the past week or so and they haven't been anywhere to be found. Hopefully I'll run into them again sometime soon!

Hiding in the Orchard

Hiding in the Orchard
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I took a trip up the orchard in the Quabbin this morning looking for the deer. There was just this one having some sweet apples for breakfast and she took off pretty quick when she spotted me.

..the word..

..the word..
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Just the beginning of the fall flowers. I'm really pleased with how this one turned out. It really feels good when what you picture in your mind actually comes out exactly the same in the finished picture. That rock in the background makes the perfect backdrop to the buds...

..archery..

..archery..
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

My new rod iron wall hanging... I'm not quite sure where it's final spot will be so I'm trying it in different locations both inside and outside the house. I may even go back and pick up another one. It was quite the bargain. Ocean State Job Lot had them for 15 bucks. The original price tag from kohl's was still on the packaging - $60! I may even try this as a headboard. I think 2 of them would span the mattress nicely. We'll see.

Nice Boat

Nice Boat
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Instead of my usual fake drive-in commute today, I took a walk down my driveway with the camera. I think it's time we got rid of the "Nice Boat" that lives at the edge of the woods down there.

Alternative Autumn... Revisited

Alternative Autumn...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Ok.. so this pic is one you may have seen before, it's from exactly one year ago, but I've been so busy that I haven't had time to shoot anything... so busy that I'm starting to reconsider my work schedules... so busy that that reconsideration is even including going so far as to consider quitting my day job. I haven't made any decisions as yet and I'm still considering (hopefully) ALL the options... but I do know that something has probably got to give.

I'll smile but I won't like it.

I'll smile but I won't like it.
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

The Stupid Little Angry Dog™ just has no patience for the camera.

A quick update on the new Photo Center job. Let's just say "I'm lovin' it."... I haven't folded anything or picked anything up off the floor or put anything on a hanger ALL WEEK! Woohoo... Zoning the department, which normally would take HOURS (as in 3 hours minimum).. now takes 5 minutes..

Now that's not to say that I haven't been busy, I've been wicked busy, but it's a good busy... developing film left and right.. learning the machines.. my first roll of film that I worked on even ended up being a pain in the butt that forced me to have to learn to use the black box (a light free box where you stick your hands in and manually remove the film from the roll and re-spool it into a blank cassette working completely without being able to see what your hands are doing)...

So what was the first picture on the first roll that I developed all by myself? A bouquet of flowers! Perfect... Which was alot nicer than the first customer that I waited on by myself in the new department, I've never seen anyone get quite as upset as that little old lady over the fact that we didn't have any traditional style photo albums... I guess you can take the girl outta the as* floss department, but you can't take the as* holes outta the store... How's that for a picture for ya'.. LOL

Gretchen to the Rescue!

Gretchen to the Rescue!
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

ok.. so my exposure was way off and I didn't intend for The Stupid Little Angry Dog™ to be in the shot.. but there you go.. sometimes you just have to roll with it! I was using the lawn chair as a tripod, plunked the camera down, kind of aimed at that tree in the background and hit the timer, ran like heck (cause of course on a 900 dollar camera body they only give you a lousy 10 second timer) and hurriedly laid down on the lawn. It was all too much for the dog, she took off running after me and then became concerned when I laid down. I was thrilled when I saw the shot, I don't think I could have framed it any better if I had actually tried but I messed up the ISO setting. I had been shooting in the dark woods so I had the ISO cranked up to 400 and then of course, when I moved back into the light, I forgot to reset it. damn... I might have to retry this...

The Creature....

The Creature....
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

OH.. the things you see when your out and about on a lovely day... I probably should have gotten the artist to stand beside his creation so you could see the actual scale (heh.. get it .. SCALE..) of this.. he's got to be at least 9 feet tall.. He was created by Wilbraham Massachusetts artist Peter G. Mayberry, Sr. of Mayberry's Metal Art... (hit me with an email if you want some contact info for him)... All I can say is.. now I know what I want for Christmas!

We actually lucked out and got to meet the artist and his wife, a very nice couple indeed. They very nicely invited us onto their property and showed us around his shop and the lovely gardens and rock waterfall that they have in the back yard which, of course, if full of more of his work. I'll post a couple more pics in a few. His art is absolutely wonderful and the colors that he manages to get out of sheets of metal is just amazing!

Cow Butt Bokeh

Cow Butt Bokeh
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Sung to the tune of "Beer Barrel Polka"...

The colors are a bit odd on this one, but frankly I really like the 'off hue' on this one.. all kinds of news around this place.. in a quick nutshell:

Happy Anniversary to me... 23 years! Sheesh... Where does the time go?

Happy New Job to me... You'll still find me at the Wally World... but now instead of finding me amongst the bras and panties, your gonna have to go to the PHOTO CENTER... How freakin' perfect is that? Not that that wasn't the department that I had initially applied for but sometimes you gotta take what you can get and just wait it out until there is an open slot. So... I get to deal with the stuff that I love, wear a really cool white lab coat (well, actually I suspect that are gonna be more HOT than cool.. but whatever), I'll get out at 9pm instead of 10, I was told the hours are "pretty much the same" (pretty much? uumm... ok so that's a little scary... exactly what is 'pretty much'), get to meet other photographers, and I get to see everyone's pictures!! OH and they are even gonna pay me more. The transfer is gonna happen pretty quickly. I start training next week for a couple of hours during my regular shift amongst the intimates. I do have quite a bit to learn... the photo developing equipment and the register mainly.. But... I can't wait to get started! I will miss the ladies from softines tho... but.. I can always visit... I'm sure you'll be hearing more about it in the coming days and weeks... but YAY!

A Muse

A Muse
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

A muse according to wikipedia is:

In Greek mythology, the Muses (Greek Μοῦσαι, Mousai: perhaps from the Proto-Indo-European root *men- "think"[1]) are a sisterhood of goddesses or spirits, their number set at nine by Classical times, who embody the arts and inspire the creation process with their graces through remembered and improvised song and stage, writing, traditional music and dance.

Sounds impressive, doesn't it? When I think of a muse I tend to get a little more simplistic. A muse to me is someone that inspires you, works closely with you and just generally is up for anything. That's what I'm talking about. A muse. A cohort. A partner in the crime that is my photographic vision. Someone that can smile and say "Sure, why not!" when I get out the fuzzy bunny ears, inflate a blue balloon and corral the Stupid Little Angry Dog™.

The correct applicant for this position would be one that offers to drive when at midnight I want to grab the camera, the oddly shaped zucchini that came out of the garden, a pitchfork and shovel, and head out to the local Grange Hall. Suggestions from the proper muse would be most welcome and questions such as "Should I wear the overalls or the wedding dress for this one?" are absolutely encouraged.

Applicants should be able to sprint at least one quarter mile, jump and land, unhurt, in the passenger seat of a small convertible, without scratching the paint job and while being chased by local law enforcement officials and/or random junk yard dogs. Bonus points will be given to any applicant that can do the above in almost complete darkness while wearing a prom gown, flip-flops and a football helmet.

So, if your that kind of person, I want to hear from you.

Extra consideration will be given to any applicant that shows up for their interview carrying suggestively shaped produce.

Applicants with their own wig collection will be considered for a permanent position.

This position does not include monetary compensation of any kind but I can guarantee* you a photo album that will have your grand children buzzing for years to come!

*no guarantees will be made that said photo album will not be used as exhibit A in any particular court of law.

Tobacco in the barn

Tobacco in the barn
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Well.. apparently it's not gonna let me do what I wanna do... so your stuck with the same small sized images. Unless I just say the heck with it and rebuild my entire template so that I can get more space in the main column so I can accomodate what they consider a "large" size photo... Stupid... they give you all kinds of control over everything else, but they won't let you control the width of the photo's, you get a choice of small (100 pixels), medium (240 pixels - this is what you've been getting), or large (500 pixels)... There's always something trying to eat all my time...

A Subtle Stain

A Subtle Stain
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

And once again.. it proves to be rocket science... just ignore that GIANT crappyass alignment down below...

Tobacco Harvest

Tobacco Harvest, originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura.

ok.. lets see if this setting does what I want... sheesh... this shouldn't be rocket science!

Buddies hanging out at the Fair

Buddies hanging out at the Fair
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Spotted at the Cummington Fair.

Not a Drop to Drink...

I've decided to go a little larger with the photo's here. I hope you like the new format.

Product Branding run amuck...

Product Branding run amuck...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Heh...

Change of Focus

Change of Focus
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Every now and then we all have to examine our focus. Are we looking at things the right way? The wrong way? Is there a wrong way? Are we missing something important because we're focusing on the other thing? So many questions. So few answers.

Curves...

Curves...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Not sure if this is gonna work... but... here we go:

A Subtle Stain

A Subtle Stain
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

For a Utata "Picture This" project. Where they supply the title... in this case "A Subtle Stain" and you make the photograph...

I'm not so sure this is 'subtle'... and I may remove it from the project... but I really REALLY like it....

And no... my hair is not really that red... (that's the 'stain' part of the title)... or on a larger scale... aren't we all kind of a stain on the landscape? Gee... I wonder what a real psychologist would say about this one... hhmm... a SELF portrait entitled "A Subtle Stain"...

Send help...

Soon! LOL

But I heard him exclaim, as I drove out of sight...

But I heard him exclaim, as I drove out of sight...
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

"WOW..... uh... that must really suck."

LOL

Funny the comments you hear when your driving through the Quabbin on a beautiful pre-fall morning with the top down. This comment was heard coming from a group of 3 young guys out for a hike...

What's that Lassie? Kitties in the well?

What's that Lassie? Kitties in the well?
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I'm telling you... I'm gonna go on strike. No more blogging. No more "this is what I'm up to..." posts. Nobody tells me anything anymore. Just in this last week I've found out.

Sister #1 - Has a NEW freakin' house. That they had built. So it's not like one day they just woke up and bought a new home. No... this had to have been going on for MONTHS.. MONTHS... I tell you... and now I hear that they not only have finished building but they've moved in! SHEESH... You know... if you want an official type birthday card next month I kinda at least need a TOWN name... Cripes!

Sister #2 - So sorry to hear that hubby is ill... and headed for risky surgery number TWO... uummm.. not that I even knew about surgery number ONE... you know... even tho I saw you at Brother #1's AFTER surgery number one and then again in the store... OH.. I did see pics of your puppy tho... so I guess... that's something anyway.

Sister #3 - uuummm... I'm gonna go with "no news is good news."

Brother #1 - I've heard rumors of a new motorcycle... a potential convertible purchase... and WHAT are you doing with that classic car of yours? Entering into any shows.. you know.. where I could like.. show up with my camera??

Brother #2 - Well... at least I'm getting SOME news about him... although he was in the hospital's ICU for TWO WHOLE DAYS before I even heard about it...

yup...

I'm SO gonna go on strike...

In front of the 8 Ball

In front of the 8 Ball
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I've always wanted to see inside this place. It's in a really crappy place.. In a really crappy town... So the whole thing is a little scary... I'll have to settle for a shot of the outside for now...

!

!
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

HEH!

Crabby Hummer

Crabby Hummer
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Heh.. loving the fact that these little guys are creatures of habit. He consistently lands on the same branch in my crabapple tree so I was able to set up the tripod and wait it out. He was crabby tho... I may now be deaf in my left ear. I was out on the porch on the cell and he and 2 of his arch enemies began dog fighting again. The high pitched tweet was SO loud that it really did hurt my eardrum, they had to be less than an inch from my head... Who needs Q-tips when the local wildlife is willing to deal with the ear wax for ya! Oh... and my husband may now be deaf in his 'cell phone ear" as well thanks to the high pitched squeal that came out of me when they almost rammed me in the head...

Course now the title could be used on any number of photos... most notably it brings to mind something you can get for 5 bucks at the local strip club... LOL... uh... sorry bout that! ;)

The freshest Chinese food in town!

The freshest Chinese food in town!
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Now that's some FRESH take-out!

134/49

134/49
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

So... brother Ed's ulcer is bleeding again and he's back in the ICU after having passed out from blood loss 3 times. He was several quarts low. Considering the human body contains 10 to 12 pints of blood and they had to pour 9 pints into him, I'd say this was pretty serious... I went to visit him today. He looks pretty good... considering... not that he would let me photograph him, so I had to make do with the machinery. It's a shame really.. how often do you get a chance to take a pic of an IV sticking out of someone's jugular vein... but no... no pics of Ed... the pansy! ;)

Primary

Primary
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I'm really loving this shot. Funny how sometimes the simple things work the best. We just happened to park behind this sunflower when we went to lunch yesterday, and I just knew it was gonna be an awesome shot. No cropping, just a bump in color saturation going on here. This is pretty much like I saw it when I looked through the viewfinder.

I actually printed this one up and brought it in to show the girls at the store. They loved it. While I was showing it to a couple of them a customer joined in in the viewing and said "Your camera takes nice pictures."

My reply "Thanks, your mouth says nice things."

Heh.. think about that one for a minute...

Fridays commute to work

. . .
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Hey.. it's not easy... stepping out on the porch.. seeing the rain... and stepping back into the office...

The rain really seems to bring all the hummingbirds to the feeders. I've counted six at one time now! I bought a second feeder to keep the fights at the old one to a minimum, at the time I only had 3 hummers hanging around, now the new feeder has attracted 3 more birds! It's like watching old World War II airplane dog fight film footage. I've gotten caught up in the middle of a couple of battles while out there on the cell phone... It isn't easy conducting a decent conversation when your half screaming in fright and half laughing cause you've got 4 of them flying right at your head!

Oh.. but now... That's entertainment!

Poser

Poser
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Today's commute to work was the BEST!

Ok... so I only pretend I have a commute... I leave home... drive around for a half hour or so.. and then come back home and step into the home office...

:) Works for me!

There's nothing quite as fun as being a big sister!

There's nothing quite as fun as being a big sister!
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

So... my little brother was rushed to the hospital via ambulance Friday nite. It seems he has a bleeding ulcer in his colon. So this is the card I delivered to him today... inside it says:

Hey Ed. We heard your as* was bleeding. Hope it's better soon!

Love ya!
Laura & Mike

HEH! :)

Standing Bull.

Standing Bull.
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

I asked him to sit but he wouldn't.

Ramblings of an Idiot... Did someone say "Girl Scouts"?

Conehead
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

Girl Scouts... I'm still traumatized. Well.. not by the Girl Scouts really... but by Mommy Dearest.. see.. I had all this long flowing hair down to my waist and Mommy got mad cause every time she would wash my hair I would cry. Well.. not so much when she was washing it, but afterwards.. you know... when she was taking a fine toothed comb and starting at the roots and trying to yank it through all the way to the ends in one swift motion. You know... then... then I would cry... So one day.. Mommy got sick of all that crying I was doing, sat me in the kitchen chair, put a bowl on my head, and gave me a Moe Howard hair cut. Well. Then I had to go out and sell those stupid Girl Scout cookies and one of the houses I went to said "Huh, When did they start letting little boys join the Girl Scouts." and well... That was the end of my Girl Scout career and Mommy never knew why I wanted to quit when I had apparently loved going so much, you know, when my hair was all long and pretty and flowing and when I would cry when she would wash it. So. Nope. No Girl Scout camp for me.

Whatever.

Note to self: Lay off the coffee!

Note to self: Lay off the coffee!
Originally uploaded by BayRoadPhoto/Laura

And yet... I like it... a really cool 3D effect going on here!

Blowing off some steam this morning. I was out straight from sun up to sun down yesterday and was in no hurry to log back in to work this morning. So it was a leisurely drive through the Quabbin for me!