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Sunday, September 30, 2012

H.O.G. Wild! (274/366)

Did you ever have an urge and you knew you were not going to be happy until you fulfilled it?  Today was that day.  Dan and I had been craving wings so after some errands we all headed to Quake Steak and Lube.  We all indulged and here I am at 7pm still full.  No dinner tonight and the only thing I might have is a 100 calorie Ice Cream Sandwich.

We love the food here but I love all the cool memorabilia they have all around the restaurant and this Harley caught my eye today.  Hanging from the ceiling and spinning around so you can check out all it's angles, it just screamed to be photographed.  I indulged again.

Four wheels move the body.  Two wheels move the soul.
~Anonymous


Saturday, September 29, 2012

Q&A (273/366)

Today the kids got their last reward as part of the Bucaroos Kids Club with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  It was a "question and answer" session with Pirate players.  Our first set of players were rookie, Brock Holt and Chase d'Arnaud.  It was great to hear all the interesting questions the kids (and their parents, I am sure) came up with.  Who was your favorite Muppet?  Who was your favorite Pirate?  When's your birthday? : )

None of the questions were screened so even some of the tough ones came up.  How did you feel about the No Hitter last night?  What is Pirate's management doing to prevent another losing season?  Kudos to all the players for answering honestly.  As fans, it's nice to know what they are thinking too.  My personal favorite was the food differences between the minor and major leagues.  PB&J vs Lobster...LOL

So why Chase d'Arnaud as the photo choice when we saw 5 different players?  Well the lighting in the Press Room is less than desirable even with a good camera so shadows tended to be an issue as they all had their hats on.  Most of my shots of Jeff Clement, he looks like Batman as his hat kept giving his eyes a masked look.  I had the same issue with Brock Holt.  Eric Fryer and Chase both managed to keep their hats up to avoid the "Batman" look, but it was Chase's smile the won me over.  That and his lover for photography.  You need to share some of those shots with us Chase!  And  if you ever want to do a Photowalk around Pittsburgh, just let me know.  My 7D is always ready!

The only thing fair in life is a ball hit between first and third!






Friday, September 28, 2012

No-No (272/366)

We were down to our final two games of the season and we were sure hoping we would see wins, but no, that was not to happen.  After a dicey 1st inning, AJ Burnett settled in, only allowing 1 run and 6 hits.  But Homer was just a wee bit better.

At 9:35pm, Brandon Phillips made the final out, catching a pop-fly by Alex Presley and it was done.
Not quite the way we wanted to see a No Hitter, but with the way our season has gone since the middle of August, I guess it was to be expected.

However, being the fans that we are, we will be back on Sunday for our final game of the season, cheering on the Bucco's and we always have next year.

Let's Go Bucs!!!


Thursday, September 27, 2012

Love/Hate (271/366)

Today's challenge was Love/Hate and there is nothing I have this kind of relationship with than my body and food. I love food and it hates me. It always manages to find the worst places to adhere itself too.

Then of course there is my love/hate relationship with the scale because of my relationship with food.

One of these days, I will learn to balance these two into a healthy relationship.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

I Love Fall (270/366)

Had dinner out tonight in one of my favorite local restaurants, Atria's.  A co-worker from Salt Lake City was in for training and we had to introduce him to the famous Pot Roast Nachos that Atria's is famous for!

So it was good food and even better company and I just loved all the fall decorations.  This is truly my favorite time of year.  Cooler weather, the lovely colors, the hearty food, what's not to love!

Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.
~William Cullen Bryant



Tuesday, September 25, 2012

iPhone FTW! (269/366)

Well today was a day and not in a good way.  Last night I was prepping my camera so I had everything ready for today when the kids did their baseball clinic on the field at PNC.  I charged the battery, made sure I had all the paperwork, lenses, etc.  Then I forgot that I needed my photo challenge pic and a blog shot and took a few pics and NEVER PUT THE MEMORY CARD BACK IN THE CAMERA!

And of course, I have not fully unpacked all my near gear so did I have a spare card?  Of course I did, but it was home....DUH!  Thankfully I was close enough to get a few good shots with the iPhone and managed to preserve some of the moments.

Time to get my act together and get my bag fully packed.  We have flag football tomorrow and then a baseball game!

A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow!
~George S. Patton



Monday, September 24, 2012

Three Of My Favorite Things (268/366)

Today was a day where I had very little motivation to take pictures.  I didn't even know what the photoaday challenge word was till 8pm tonight.  Then I had to try to find 3 things that were sorta, kinda creative.

I told you early on that some days would be GREAT and other days, I might need to apologize for whatever I might post here.  Today falls somewhere in between.

My "Mother's Bracelet" which I love but need to have sized.  It's a little too big.  My mother's engagement ring from my father and my BFA ring that I wear daily.  My friend Dawn and I exchanged them at a college graduation.

Tomorrow should be a bit more interesting as the kids get to take the field for a baseball clinic at PNC Park.  Even when the game is not interesting, I manage to find something interesting in and around the ball park!

These are a few of my favorite things......




Sunday, September 23, 2012

Toro! Toro! (267/366)

So we finally had a moment to try out the new Toro lawnmower we bought a month ago.  It's going to take a little getting used to.  I was so used to just pushing the other mower that I am not used to having some self propel to it.  It did do a nice job and it was great not having to rake!  Of course now I need to buy big green garbage bags because the mouth of the bag doesn't work well with our standard 14 gallon bags.  Too much mess.  Either that or I need yet another garbage bucket or a compost pile...LOL

Now I purchased this mower (my first one ever) after a good review from an online friend and the only thing I wish it had was swivel wheels.  It seems a wee bit tough to turn as we go up and back on the lawn.

So I think it did a good job on the lawn (go ahead Chris Merrick and tell me I cut too short....lol).

And Bob, here's your video:

http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?ns=1&feature=vm-privacy&video_id=ZyPUmxQkopE

We fought the lawn, and we won!





Saturday, September 22, 2012

Shiver Me Timbers! (266/366)

I saw a post earlier this week from a fellow G+er that we had Pirates in our midst, and not the ones with the balls and bats!  So after Shannon and I attended Field Day at PNC we took a stroll along the North Shore River Walk and discovered what looked to be two Pirate ships (but how could this be, our Pirates were in Houston, not doing so well)? 

There was a ton to do today so we didn't have time to explore them fully but they offered a few cool photo ops and since they will be here through October 3rd, we will get to explore them fully very soon.
So for now, this is just a taste!

Fellow Pittsburgher's, these are right outside the Del Monte building on the North Shore River Walk. $8 for adults and $6 for kids under 18.  Most days till 6pm!

Now and then we had hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates.
~Mark Twain


Friday, September 21, 2012

Cool Dude! (265/366)

Tonight was the final install of the ceiling fans.  Shannon wanted her's to be colorful.  As if she needed anything more in her current Zebra room with hot pink accents. It was another very busy day and I just did not get out to take any pictures, so fun with the ceiling fans it was!

Sometimes, it's all about the colors, dude!





Thursday, September 20, 2012

Gobbler! (264/366)

One thing I loved when we first moved here was that we were 5 miles from Heinz Field and PNC Park and yet we had dear and turkey in our backyard.

I managed to stop traffic tonight so I could take a few of the lovely Gobblers that grace our neighborhood.  OK so it was just one car but there I was....parked smack dab in the middle of our street with my camera out and just shooting away.  I got quite the look when I put the car back into gear and finally headed off to Dan's game.

How many days till Thanksgiving??

Gobble, gobble





Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Water Tower By Moonlight (263/366)

The water tower in Green Tree has been in more than a few of my shots over the year, but tonight, with the moon, I wanted to make it the main focus.  The sky had wonderful colors that went along nicely with the chill in the air.

Follow your inner moonlight; don't hide the madness
~Allen Ginsberg



Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Sunset in Green Tree (262/366)

Well we woke up to a steady and heavy rain shower that lasted till about noon and then was intermittent throughout the rest of the day.  But a thank you to Mother Nature for giving us this special sunset.  We were driving home from CCD and the kids both commented on how beautiful it was and that I needed to get my camera out when I got home.

I did but I decided on this iPhone shot over the tennis courts so you can get a full appreciation of the sky in all it's glory!

Love comforteth like sunshine after rain.
~Shakespeare



Monday, September 17, 2012

Touchdown! (261/366)

Got to sneak out of the office early to watch Daniel in his 2nd flag football game.  Mr. Shuck, who teaches 5th Grade at our elementary school runs a flag football league in the beginning of the year with our 4th and 5th graders.  Dan's team is the Jets and today they were playing the Steelers and unfortunately took a loss despite playing well!

This is the team captain and her 2nd quarter touch down run!

I am liking the way the 7D is handling movement and with 4th and 5th graders, there is no lack there of that during a football game!

The reason women don't play football is because 11 of them would never wear the same outfit in public.
~Phyllis Diller




Sunday, September 16, 2012

Light Up The Sky! (260/366)

Tonight, as Green Tree closed it's Octoberfest, we decided to attend the fire works.  I wanted to test out the new 7D but without a tripod, there were very few good shots.  In fact, I would be hard pressed to say there were any good ones, but you live and learn.  I need to add a good tripod to my next shopping trip.

I did like this one out of all of the shots, despite the lovely street light pole in the middle, but hey, you work with what you got!

Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst!
~Katy Perry


Saturday, September 15, 2012

Beechview-Seldom Seen Greenway (259/366)

Took a little drive today to this spot a fellow photographer told me about.  I thought we were going somewhere that might involve trespassing, but that was not the case.  It was a nice little walk in till we could get to the flat area near the water and it was time to have some camera fun!

Lots of wildflowers and flowing water but definitely too much trash for such a pretty area.  Apparently this area was dedicated to Edward E. Smuts who's vision was to preserve Pittsburgh's wooded hillsides. Twenty-two acres of this Greenway was given as a living memorial to Mr. Smuts by The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

I will definitely take time to come back here again as the leaves start to change or perhaps when the white stuff starts to fall.

Established by the City of Pittsburgh
July 15, 1985




Friday, September 14, 2012

Sick Day/ISO Play (258/366)

Dan is getting a cold and stayed home today thanks to the germs that came back to school along with our kids.  Since I had a quiet Friday night (minus a 12yo) we have just been enjoying our time quietly.

I broke out the camera to play with the ISO settings and Dan, sitting right there, was the subject of my test.  My old Rebel maxed out at 1600 and the noise was very noticeable.  I took the 7D up to 5000 tonight and was pretty pleased with the results.  This one was shot at 3200.

So much to learn and I am loving it!


Thursday, September 13, 2012

Summer's Finale (257/366)

I finally got home tonight at a reasonable hour and despite the wicked blister I am now sporting on the bottom of my right foot, I got out and did some shooting today.

We still have lovely color in the garden and despite a few flowers that didn't make it.  These are one of the few final blooms of our Blanket flowers and I hope that next year these get a lot bigger than they did this year.

So here's to the final week of Summer.  It was grand and we are already looking forward to our time together next year!

And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong, after the boys of Summer are gone.
~Don Henley







Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Together (256/366)

Today's photo challenge word is "together" and I could think of nothing better than me and my new camera.  Since it arrived, I have taken pictures every day and I am just loving it and all the great things it can do.

Now, the key is to find more time to get out and take more pictures and sheesh, I need a hair cut!

My camera and I.....Perfect Together!




Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Hero (255/366)

A single star from the flag that draped my father's casket. He was a Korean War Vet but it was something he never really talked about. Today's photo challenge word was hero. How appropriate on this day of remembrance.  I look forward to the time when my fireplace and mantel is ready and I can display this in a spot of honor.

You are my hero Daddy!

A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson



Monday, September 10, 2012

What In The World? (254/366)

Just having a little fun with the Olloclip and Snapseed.  The rose bush outside my gym has the largest dead bulbs that they almost looked like aliens or a big spider!

Sometimes, you just have to say.....WTF?




Sunday, September 9, 2012

Cutch (253/366)

This is what a Home Run looks like going off the batch.  Andrew McCutchen gave us the lead in the 1st inning today but we were unable to capitalize and lost, even after a dramatic bottom of the 9th.

This has been a great season for the Pirates, except for the last 30 days or so.  I would just like to see them make it to the Wildcard round and have a winning record.  There is still time and lots of baseball to be played.

Let's Go Bucs!


Saturday, September 8, 2012

Sunset (252/366)

Today ended much better than it started.  It was humid and sticky when we got home from the game last night and I was awoken about 4AM to the sound of a downpour and thunder.  Got up at 8AM to see the rain had started again and we had more torrential rain during the morning.  Bad enough to keep us home for the day.  

Now I know Dan would have rather been playing baseball today but I was happy for the downtime.  I wasn't real thrilled with what I was doing, but hey, we do what we have to do.

As the day improved and the humidity dropped it was wonderful to open all the windows and get some fresh air.  I was also enjoying the beautiful sunset.  I was hoping for one last night at the ballgame but just too many clouds.  Sometimes I think the camera gives me a lesson in patience.

Peace.....is seeing a sunset and knowing who to thank.
~Unknown


Friday, September 7, 2012

No So "Sweet Sixteen" (251/366)

It was a decent series again the Astros and the Cubs should be the same but you wouldn't know it by the way we played tonight.  AJ Burnett was going for his 16th win, but due to a comedy of errors, (and a dozen runs) it was not to be.

It didn't stop me from taking pictures though.  However, from where I was sitting I did miss a few great catches by the Cubs.

So let's hope we got that mess out of the way and get back to playing some serious Bucco's baseball!

Let's Go Bucs!!!



Thursday, September 6, 2012

The Bee And The Bush (250/366)

Decided to spend a little time in the garden tonight and play with the camera.  Mother Nature never fails to give me something worth photographing.

I had fun trying to capture the bumblebee as the sun was setting.  I was going for an "in flight" shot but I think the bee was hungry and my patience (and the steak on the girl) were both on time constraints.  Then of course there was the lawn that needed to be mowed.  After the day I had, I felt wonderful to just take a few moments for me.

I am sure there will be many more opportunities in the garden, especially as Fall comes upon us and then there is tomorrow ; )  Cubs vs Pirates and I can test out both the new camera and both of the new lenses as we sit in left field, right on the foul pole!

I go nature to be soothes and healed, and to have my senses put in order.
~John Burroughs







Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Bright (249/366)

Today's challenge word and I was anxiously awaiting my new camera before I took a shot.  B&H did not disappoint as the whole package showed up by 9:30 this morning just as I was finishing a conference call.

Now as much as I wanted to play with it, I had to wait because right now, there is too much to do. IAbout 10:15 my co-worker and fellow photographer, Michelle, walked by my office, saw the box and could not believe I had not opened it yet.  So, I did but just a few things so I could charge the battery and be able to use it lunch.

Our receptionist has a beautiful bouquet of flowers on her desk and I knew that would be my shot.  Now it will take a few days to get used to where all the controls are but I know I am already in "love".

If your pictures are not good enough, you are not close enough.
~Robert Capa


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Dewing the Dew (248/366)

Rain Delay, free food and booze and a creative co-worker leads to interesting things happening until the game starts.  It was a free night of Pirates baseball and despite dropping their last 4 games, at the moment of this post, we are up 6-0 in the top of the 8th.

So here's to our Bucco's doing the Dew and giving us a win!

The Jolly Roger is ready.....let's raise it!!!


Monday, September 3, 2012

The Artist Known As Daniel (247/366)

I finally completed half of a project I have been wanting to do for about two years now.  In a sideboard in my living room is a drawer.  A drawer full of nothing but art from my kids.  Now you know that the minute you try to "recycle" those pieces of art, the owner will be having a fit.

This is how I solved the problem of too much art, not enough space.  In my new office I have two large walls just ready for decorating.  One the right wall, I have the two new 20x30 canvas prints I had done recently from my trip to California.  On the facing wall, will be two of these art mosaics, one for both of  my kids.  This is Daniel's.  I think it's an outstanding way to enjoy their creativity for many years and make space in my sideboard again.

Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.
~Pablo Picasso






Sunday, September 2, 2012

Father (246/366)

In my Twitter Photoaday challenge, the word today was Father.  I wish I could have been taking a photo of my Dad for the post but that's not possible.  He is very busy these days, hanging with his mom, my sister and her husband.

I pondered a few photo choices or bringing back an old photo but I like to keep the challenge true and make sure I take the photo on that day.  While we were grocery shopping, Shannon notices a jar of pigs feet and I can't help but smile and she says, "Ewwwww, who eats those things?"  "Your Grandfather did?" and that's when I explained to the two of them the funny story of their grandfather.

My grandmother used to make him pickled pigs feet and they would be in a bowl in this nasty jelly.  They were the most disgusting thing you could ever see, but he loved them.  And you know what he loved more than actually eating them?  He used to love to take one and eat it right in front of us gnawing at it like an animal, just to gross us out.

It's silly the things that spark memories.....


Saturday, September 1, 2012

ONE TEAM (245/366)

After all the scandal last year and the Sandusky trial this year, I wasn't sure what we would be walking into when we headed to the Penn State Football home opener.  I lucked into the 4 tickets through work and decided to take the kids.  I was thinking about the Pitt Game which was tonight, but I am glad I chose not too.  By the time we got home, it was raining and thundering.

Now it has been ages since I have been to a college football game.  I grew up attending Staff Day with my dad and brother at Princeton University and we loved the football game that always followed the food extravaganza.  However, Ivy League Football has NOTHING on what we saw today.  In fact, I am sure the tailgating and the amount of fans we saw today would put most NFL fans to shame.

I told the kids, "We are not in PNC Park anymore".  In fact, you could have fit 3 times the crowd we usually have at a Pirates game into Beaver Stadium.  100,000+ going strong, cheering on their Nittany Lions.  "WE ARE.....PENN STATE" was heard as we entered the interior of the stadium and walked to our seats.  It was almost overwhelming and at the same time, you could almost feel the pride that the students, alumni and fans had for their team and their school.

I took so many shots that it was hard to pick just one, but I felt this one conveyed what we saw and felt today.  One Team.  One School.  One Community.

And not a single note of "Sweet Caroline" was to be heard, which I think was just silly.

Where it began
I can't begin to knowing
But then I know it's growing strong
~Neil Diamond