A Reflective Moment

This past weekend, I worked as a timer for 

the 2016 SwimFest, the long course championships 

for age group swimmers from clubs all over

the state of Indiana.

It is frenetic, crowded and noisy

with the shouts of family and friends

drowning out the sounds of the swimmers' 

rhythmic splashing as they swim

the length of the Natatorium's 50-meter pool.

Their slim, fit bodies belie the image

we get of the obese, couch-bound teenager;

these kids are fit, confident, and motivated. 

I am pleased to be able to help them

with my time because they also

serve to keep me motivated --

you have no idea how embarrassing 

it is to know that a 12-year-old can swim

any of their events in one-half the time

it would take me to do the same.

This pictures were taken after the meet Saturday night.

I was waiting for the bus as the sun set, 

and was able to catch the reflections of the fading light 

in the windows of the IUPUI Student Union 

building across the way.

A Bit of Macadam Plaid

Earlier this year, the street department worked 

to repave New York Street, just outside the Natatorium.

They made islands, installed new lighting, and

reoriented the stripes in some parking areas.

Of course, this has resulted in an area of nice gray

tweed, interspersed with a pattern of black and yellow

bars at right angles.It makes a fine clan tartan

for the families of all street workers,

spiritual descendants of John McAdam,

inventor of the method of paving

that led to the asphalt surfaces that now

cover our streets and highways.

July Theme Day: Look Down

The street maintenance department of Indianapolis

may not be so great at making sweet, 

tidy repairs, but they somehow manage 

to be sublime street artists 

in the Abstract Expressionist manner. 

Compositions such as these exist all over the city; 

I've taken enough of these sorts of photos 

to be able to mount a large exhibition. 

Consequently, today's theme, Look Down 

was right up my alley, so to speak.

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