Saturday, August 31, 2013

Love is in the Air. Maybe. If You Put Down Your Effing Phone!


I wander around the city with my camera in my pocket.
I see wondrous and beautiful things and I'm sad
that my eye is not more aware; I'm absolutely certain 
that I miss twice as much as I see.
I went downtown Friday afternoon to perform a couple errands. 
Everywhere I go people are incessantly using their phones. 
I don't understand why; to my way of thinking, the only people who 
need to be available 24/7 are surgeons and POTUS.
Everything else is just noseyness and busy-work.


Friday, August 30, 2013

Gold and Salt


Last night, I left the Natatorium after a swim and 
came home with nada for today's post. For the past couple weeks, 
the weather has been hot. In the mid-90s hot. 
The light is funny, too, sort of bright and flat most of the day. 
I haven't found many nice pictures to take as a result 
and have passed opportunities because of the light - flat with little contrast. 
This morning, I took some shots of the parking lot a couple blocks away. 
At this time of the season, the trees are beginning to tire, their leaves fading 
and drooping a bit from their earlier rich, robust green selves.
Some are starting to fall away. Their tasks are done and they
cast their golden selves upon the ground, sometimes
creating little highlights on cracks in the pavement.


Thursday, August 29, 2013

Front to Back


Well, I suppose its to be expected, that I would find a depth of field 
issue at an optician's shop. I was fascinated by the view
I thought would be interesting, that of the glasses displayed in the
window at the front of the store, to all those lined
along the walls at the back. Wouldn't ja know,
I could have one view, or the other, but not both?
Damn. The image of the big glasses, looking back 
to the patterns of those along the wall 
would be so cool.


Wednesday, August 28, 2013

More Pretty


I keep thinking that, one day, I will find one of these 
flower stems full of orderly, tightly packed buds 
that will provide the sort 
of rib cage design I keep imagining for it.
I want to see them radiating from the stalk, 
leaning like a phalanx of golden horns 
playing music to celebrate the summer day.
So far, no luck.


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Textured Tuesday: Rough Leaves and Little Yellow Flowers


There are myriad reasons why these two plants, being placed 
so closely to each other pleases me. First, the rough texture of the  leaves
against the field of tiny yellow flowers just contrast so well
with each other. The big leaves sometimes catch the sun, appearing
almost like jewels in the light, framed by 
the small, lace-like blooms.


Monday, August 26, 2013

Morning Gold


Early Saturday morning, the sun boldly rose over the treeline 
just beyond the soccer field, spilling its golden, 
syrupy light across the field and into the streets beyond.
I first noticed the golden edges it created on a neighbor's house.
Across the street, the sunlight blanketed the mist
over the soccer field.


On such mornings, I stand in awe of the beauty. 
It's not that I'm enveloped by it so much as I feel as though 
I'm wading through a golden moment, enjoying
a privileged time; I am a mote in the universe and feel
happy to be bathed in its glow.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Treasure Where I Find It


It seems that as soon as one project is done, another crew comes through, 
preparing to dig up the streets yet again. They mark the curbs, 
intersections, and sidewalks with multi-hued codes, describing the orientation 
and path of yet another utility upgrade. Here, a Speedway curb
bears the air-brushed codes of three different utilities, with little flags
stuck into the ground.


Too often, the result is a patchwork of pavement
that is uneven, resulting in potholes and damage from 
winter thaws and freezes. On the other hand,
as an introvert who finds taking actual pictures of
actual people intimidating, looking at the sidewalks and
streets has opened up a whole bunch of other
opportunities for images. :-)
And, yes, I dabbled with the contrast
in Photoshop for these images.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

A Quiet Place, Out of the Sun


There are benches all around the Federal Court House building, 
some limestone, others like these, painted steel.
As the summer sun moves across the sky, seats in the shade 
are always occupied, while the others, no matter how 
comfortable, remain vacant. 


On the east side of the court house, a woman awaits 
her late afternoon bus, while bicycles bake and
gleam in the sun a few feet to her right.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Downtown Sausagefest


I saw this rolling guy party last weekend in Downtown Indy.
Called the Handle Bar, this human-powered vehicle was 
travelling the streets, while its patrons were looking
 at the sights. 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Brighten Where You Are


Near The Secret Ingredient, a women's clothing boutique 
in the 5600 block of North Illinois, the pavers around the water
company's access pipes had been replaced with concrete.
The concrete was incised with lines to represent the surrounding
pavers, then painted something on the order of
"brick red" to match the color of the sidewalk's covering.
After a while, the painting on the concrete has chipped away,
leaving this interesting composition behind.


Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Gen Con Braids


Here are a few more pictures from the 2013 renewal 
of Indy Gen Con. I wasn't prepared for 
the number, variety, and quality of the costumes. 


Next year, I will set aside time for 
a longer, more thorough visit.


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Textured Tuesday: Brushy Brick


While costumed people were all around me outside
 the Indiana Convention Center, I happened to notice 
these brushy patterns in the brick pavers near 
the main entrance. It appears that calcium deposits had
been made on the pavers over the years by water 
leaching from large planters. 



Monday, August 19, 2013

Pretty Damn Entertaining


This past week saw the renewal of Gen Con
for over forty-five years the largest of the world's 
gaming conventions. People from all over 
come to see the latest offerings in card games,
board games, computer games, anime' and
role-playing games. 

Attendees frequently attend wearing costumes
depicting their favorite characters.
Tee-shirts were the original graphic expression
of many participants' gaming identities and,
over the years has evolved into a costume parade
that entertains both convention goers
and passers by (like me!).

  

Sunday, August 18, 2013

A Manatee Among the Seal People


In an effort to, finally, bring my life-long struggle with
weight under control, in June I joined a local organization 
for masters swimmers. Indy Aquatic Masters has
training sessions at several local pools six days of the week.


While the IUPUI Natatorium is generally 
where I swim during the week, on Saturday morning 
I joined the folks for a training session at 
the Riviera Cluban old pool that was first opened 
in 1933. I say *joined* advisedly because among 
the IAM members are people who regularly swim 
triathlons and compete in meets, as well as 
several folks who have swum the English Channel. 




If I want to become one of the seals, 
I need to work hard, to use tools like the fins 
and paddles shown in the top photo 
to help improve my stroke. The man standing
to the left in the above photo is Craig, 
my coach at IUPUI. His is the unenviable task
to help me reach the goals I've set for myself, 
but he first has to get me to the point when he can
refer to timed intervals to set and check my progress.
Poor bugger.


  


Saturday, August 17, 2013

Fun! Not.


I watched the people on this ride for several minutes 
and took a lot of shots, trying to make certain that 
at least one of them might be in focus and fill up the screen 
in a semi-interesting manner. I was surprised that any 
came out. As for sitting in a little chair, suspended
by chains at the end of an arm connected 
to a central, motorized rod? Nope. Not a chance.
My enjoyment of the rides at the Indiana State Fair
is limited to looking at the bright graphics 
and colorful lights.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Walking into the Sun


When I left home this morning, and turned east 
to walk to the bus stop, I was greeted by curtains of clouds, 
extending from behind the treeline up into the heavens. 
Behind them, the sun was rising, resting briefly
on the edge of a purple cloud as its rays cast brilliant
orange rays wherever they landed.
It was a perfect, peaceful moment as I stood
on the sidewalk to enjoy all the colors of the sky
that looked like layers of multi-hued chiffon.
  

Thursday, August 15, 2013

The Face in the Sign


While standing in line Saturday at the State Fair's Dairy Bar, 
I heard giggles coming from inside a sidewalk sign.
When I looked down into the opening, I saw this young girl's 
face smiling back at me. She and a friend had
found a small spot of shade for a bit of
girl-to-girl chat while their parents stood in the heat
to get their sandwiches, drinks, and treats.


Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Inkapirka


Each year, a group of men sets up a small tent 
at the Indiana State Fair, just outside the main entrance 
to the Home and Family Arts Building.
They are Inkapirka, musicians who play music
of their native Equador, as well as their 
versions of pop music favorites.
For the duration of the fair, they will play their music,
delighting passersby and people who linger
outside on the lawn to eat lunch or 
just to pause a bit in the shade.




Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Textured Tuesday: Sun Filtered Through Trees


Saturday morning, I was downtown waiting for the bus 
to the fairgrounds. The sun was rising from behind 
the buildings to the east, filtering its way through the trees. 
I loved the shapes of the tree's limbs as they meandered 
their way towards the light, contrasted with the staid, 
predictable patterns of the buildings.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Calf Wash


On Saturday morning, these young ladies 
were bathing their calves, preparing for 
a showmanship competition later that day.
The calves were pretty, with feminine heads,
and appeared to enjoy having me scratch
their chins and ears while the girls
soaped their flanks, washed shit from their
fannies, and lathered their tails.


The task of caring for the calves was 
only one among the girls' daily chores. 
Brought up on their parents' farms, 
what appears to be a bucolic life to city dwellers
is one of routine hard work, the results of which 
put food on both their tables, and ours.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Fun Day at the Fair


Everyone's idea of what makes the Indiana State Fair 
a fun experience is different. If not, there wouldn't 
be a bunch of amusements as side shows to the livestock
and agricultural exhibits. While I enjoy the color 
and patterns, I cannot otherwise be bothered 
with the carnival rides and lures of the games;
every year, I head for the animal exhibits
and to Pioneer Village to watch demonstrations
of old farm equipment and to watch
craftsmen cut wood, make wagon wheels,
and forge metal into tires, tools, or horse shoes.

In that light, a father and daughter pose
behind a scene of a chick and a bunny while
someone takes their picture, and the woman below
catches a bit of sleep after seeing to the care
of her dairy cattle earlier that morning.


Saturday, August 10, 2013

Leg-acy


This statue of renowned and revered basketball coach 
John Wooden is located at the intersection of Georgia and 
South Meridian Streets in downtown Indy.
While I understand the respect and admiration
people felt for the man, I cannot get past the
five pair of disembodied legs surrounding
the coach's figure.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Facade


The downtown area has changed a lot 
since I moved to Indianapolis. Buildings have been torn down,
restored, and renewed. Many have been constructed
and many are being built now. 
This building, in the southeast quadrant
of the downtown area, near Virginia Avenue 
and Washington Street, has seen better days. 
Its owners have worked hard to clean it up and to make it 
another of the restored gems in its neighborhood - 
and they have done it with humor, a facade of the past 
reflecting the era of its surroundings 
while remaining its own 1960s or so self.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Lunchtime


On my way to meet friends for lunch, 
I walked past two or three separate construction sites.
Nearly all activity had come to a stop as the crews
took breaks for their own noon meals.
Even this load of metal forms could wait in mid-air
until the crane operator had his lunch.


I caught this group of supervisors in the midst of
an "important meeting", one that was,
of course, vital to the successful completion
of the building.
Every time I pass this site, I am fascinated by
the number of patterns I see. I want to
crawl among the bars, braces, and supports
that form the core of what will
become an apartment building and grocery.


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Meet & Greet: Talking ... Er, Heads


The sun was just beginning to show itself Sunday morning 
as I crossed the Washington Street bridge.
I was there as a volunteer for the Tri Indy Triathlon, 
where people were working to get the site ready 
for the competitors.
A new sculpture, called "Meet & Greet" had been 
installed since my last visit. I noticed the colored
lights changing as I approached, 
its colors  especially appealing against 
the early morning sky.
However, I couldn't help but notice that
the profiles resembled chattering penises.


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Textured Tuesday: Landscape


A tree branches off to the left in the foreground
of this rainy day landscape, as the horizon line is broken up 
a bit by a grove of trees just emerging from the mist.
Otherwise, it's seams in a bit of sidewalk.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Try, Try, Try


Sunday morning, White River State Park was 
the setting for the 6th Annual Tri Indy Triathlon
three separate competitions, with the main one 
the Olympic distance race consisting 
of a 1500 meter swim, 40K bike and 10K run.
The sun had not yet risen on the city but
officials, volunteers and entrants were busily 
preparing for the races to begin.
The top photo shows an entrant's equipment
laid out for his transition from the swimming event,
to cycling, then to running.


All competitors have made their own preparations 
before they go to the starting line for the swim,
about a mile away. Here, the area doesn't look too
busy, but filled up and was quite hectic not much later,
as the swimmers came out of the water to make
their way to their cycles.


There were about 1,500 entrants altogether 
from cities all over the Midwest. They covered the gamut
for age, as well as for body type; people from young teens 
through their 70s came with the slender builds
you would expect of runners, to the more bulky structure
of football players, or voluptuous "goddesses."
Most everyone appeared to have smooth, 
silken skin tautly stretched over their frames,
a feature I especially enjoy to see on men.


Out of the group, I did see one person I knew, 
a co-worker I barely recognized as he 
emerged from the canal in his wetsuit, 
on his way to his bicycle. I later saw him finish the
foot race, then stop to check his watch.
He'd told me he wanted to improve his own best time.
I think he did it.