Foto Friday

Most weeks I'll be honest, my Foto Friday project ends up being, crap its Friday what can I go take pictures of. Instead of what its intended purpose was, to get me to take pictures during the week. So this week I gave myself a goal. I was going to take a picture of the sunset from the same spot (as much as possible) at the same time, and hopefully come up with some good shots.

Well, I got some ok ones, but what I really got was a lot of frustration. For one thing, it took me till the third day to realize that if I had waited about 15 minutes, I would get more of the colors I was hoping to achieve. And so wouldn't you know it, after I figured that I didn't have one more night that led to a good shot.

I guess that is part of the learning process especially when taking pictures outdoors. For one you can never rely on the weather. And when it comes to lighting you usually have such a limited amount of time, its kind of about luck. And I guess practice just so you can learn from your mistakes.

Sunday


Monday

Tuesday


Wednesday it rained for several hours. I loved the rain, but it meant the sky was just dark, no sunset.

While walking out to my car Thursday after work, there was the weirdest cloud with an almost perfect straight line across the sky. It was just odd.


Thursdays I go pick up Will so I wouldn't be able to take a shot in the same spot. On the drive back I started thinking of where I could pull off and take a shot at the same time. It was getting near the time and I wasn't in a great place, but I knew I couldn't wait so I got off the freeway. I debated about which way to go, then changed my mind went the other way and there only ended up being about 5 mins of color and they happened when I was stuck at a stop light. I so badly wanted to just jump out of my car in the middle of the road, but I wasn't feeling quite that desperate. By the time I found a spot that wasn't blocked by buildings, the beautiful colors were gone. At least there were some unusual clouds so it wasn't a complete waste.

I was hoping that tonight I could end with something dramatic, but it was overcast all day and it just got dark, no sun. I guess a fitting end to my experiment. I definitely will try it again, and hopefully get a little bit more of what I was looking for. Not a complete waste though.

Storm

I love rain storms. I wish we had a lot more of them. But maybe they are so special because they aren't that common. Besides the frequency, the one thing I don't like is how short they are. If you're in a rain storm in Utah, just wait a few minutes, it will pass. I was at my parents house tonight and at least got to enjoy it for a little while.

We can see the storm coming from the north, lighting and thunder the best kind of storms.

It was odd but after the storm reached us it actually lightened up the sky. I got just a bit of a rainbow.

I wasn't able to capture it well from the porch, but a down pour was going on right after this shot. And yet just turning around, this was the sky. Another thing about storms here, they can leave a whole part of town completely untouched.

And a few minutes later, blue skies replaced the gray.


And there sure are a lot of power lines surrounding my parents house!

Foto Friday

Today it felt like spring. My second favorite season. The signs are starting to show.

The snow has melted and Zen is helping clean up the yard.

The trees are starting to bud

The christmas tree sits waiting on the porch for the first run to the dump

Flowers begin to gather awaiting planting

And because of immense popularity at christmas, an early preview of the fruits of my mom's labors which usually appear in the fall.

I eagerly await the continuation of the season

Soup

This is the most expensive bowl of soup I've ever had, it was well worth it. For one thing it was beef stew by Marvelous Catering so it was wonderful, but more importantly it was for a good cause. Last night I took Will to the Food & Care Coalition's Bowls for Humanity. The annual fundraiser has local artists and students donate pottery bowls. For the purchase of a bowl you get a free bowl of soup.

I've wanted to go every year and always forget about it, but luckily saw a reminder this week. The event started at 6:00, we got there around 7:30 and there were only about 10 bowls left. Luckily there was one that I really liked so I still got to participate and walk away with a beautiful bowl.

On the way there I was trying to explain to Will what we were doing and how we were going to a place that is there to help people that don't have any food to eat. After discussing it for awhile Will very somberly asked me if we would ever not have food to eat. I feel very blessed that I was able to tell him no, I don't think that is something we will ever have to worry about.

We are surrounded by family and friends that would step in and help us. Even if it was just a couch or floor to stay on, I don't ever have that fear of not having a warm place to sleep and a good meal. And I actually get more than that every week in an amazing meal at my parents.

I want to just express my thankfulness for what I have and the ability to give a little bit back to others.

Foto Friday

Now that its March I might want to consider taking down my Christmas angel

I was walking around outside trying to see if there was something I could take photos of. There is a field sort of area behind our building and I decided to investigate. Part of my tree thing is that I also have a thing for everything wood. A random collection of wood found behind our building.

I can't wait till spring to be able to go on adventures a little further away than my backyard.