Adventures & Misadventures of Daily Living: Weekly Kodachrome

Showing posts with label Weekly Kodachrome. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Home Away from Home

It seems that I rarely take photos of myself. This shouldn't come as too much of a revelation...after all, it's hard when you're always on the other end of the camera.

I had the opportunity to be in southern Utah for the past three weeks.

I loved it. In fact, I miss it terribly now. I just can't seem to get enough of the San Rafael Swell area.

Whenever I'm there, my iPod seems to magically gravitate to a Nickel Creek playlist and I'm off, exploring the region so few ever venture into, and see the sights not seen by the majority...only rather by those who share the conviction that not all who wander are lost.

Yes, the desert is my magical place.

Therefore, for this week's Kodachrome, I decided to share a photo I took with one of my best friends, the desert.

And, in addition, I am sharing a photo a friend of mine snapped. Like I said before, I rarely seem to have photos of myself.

Adventures & Misadventures of Daily Living

Did you take a photo that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

Remember, by adding your photo into the Weekly Kodachrome meme you are agreeing to do one of the following: display the linky or button to your post, or link back to this post so that everyone gets a little more exposure for the image they’ve uploaded. Those who don’t help to ’share the love’ will have their links removed. You can find the code for the linky here.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, This or That Thursday, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Oh, and I did post over at Four Perspectives today...and it's delicious. Seriously delicious.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Sunset of Eight

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We explored the deserted missile bases scattered amongst the hillsides of a small southern Utah town. The aged remains stood in silent, mesmerizing awe as we ventured into the structures which had been utilized so many years ago.

As I noticed the sheen of light glossing over the scene before me, I felt the need to take an image reminiscent of that of last year.

I think it turned out well.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, This or That Thursday, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Kolob Canyons

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The heat was merciless in the heart of the valley, topping out at a whopping 107 degrees Fahrenheit. The sweltering temperature was even worse as I climbed into my car; I felt akin to an ultimate supreme pizza trapped in a stone oven.

I started the ignition, and drove the countless miles towards Zion National Park. The warm boils of air whipped away the blistering heat somewhat.

I took an impromptu detour and soon found myself climbing the hills and mountains toward Kolob Canyon Reservoir. As I ascended the knolls and prominences, the temperature dropped remarkably. I watched my digital thermometer fall nearly thirty degrees.

All of the windows came down, and I wriggled my fingers in the coolness.

The photo opp. the fields and hills provided? Another type of cool, but still cool nonetheless.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, This or That Thursday, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Weathering the Storm

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I switched off the music as I drove the lonely expanse of Highway 6, beyond Price. The surging grayness above me loomed threateningly as I flew past the low-lying mesas and the arroyos that were teeming with flood flow—undoubtedly from the storm further up and farther in.

Jags of lighting split the sky like a baseball a window, and the peal of thunder rolled along the desert floor like a jet continually breaking the sound barrier.

As I crossed into the vortextual tempest, rain plastered against my windshield and it was nearly all my feeble wipers could do to cut through it, to keep visibility at a bare minimum. I slowed my speed as the rain slashed even harder at the windows like something from a National Geographic documentary. It felt like being trapped under an ocean that was being dropped from the heavens.

The minutes ticked on. The rain came greater still, with flashes of lightning—and then before I knew it—I broke from the tempest, and a few miles onward, patches of indigo broke through the grayness.

The world was again calm.

The music was restored, and I continued my journey onward.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, This or That Thursday, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Missile Base Sunset

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We took the drive up the southeasterly hills overlooking the valley. We poked around the remnants of the missile bases - peering into aged buildings and places that were deserted long ago.

As we checked the final launch site on our schedule for the evening, the sun dipped itself into the creamed clouds of the distant skyline and we all stood, caught in awe, as it increasingly drenched the landscape in its richness.

Did you take a photo that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, This or That Thursday, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Canyons

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I took a long drive yesterday, and found myself surrounded by these mountains that I love so much. It was a nice respite, and I basked in their majesticness dappled in the veiled afternoon light. As the magic of the music playing surrounded me, I knew that I was home.

Did you take a photo that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, This or That Thursday, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Hot Wheels ™

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While many different photographs could claim the spot of this week's Weekly Kodachrome, this particular image seemed to reach out to me...especially as I took it while traveling to southern Utah just yesterday.

I saw the billows of black smoke reaching to the heavens from a mile or two away on the distant stretch of I-15. A moment before, a police vehicle had blazed by me as if I were at a standstill, lights and siren indicating that he had someplace to get to - and quickly

My breath caught in my lungs as I neared the fiery inferno that had once been a vehicle. I thought of the passengers, hoping upon hope that they'd managed to escape from the blazing confines in time. I drove through the plumes of throat-choking fumes, my vehicle was momentarily shielded from the sun; I then noticed the driver, standing forty or fifty feet away, watching as his mode of transportation incinerated itself.

I pulled over and watched for a moment as two firetrucks came charging to the rescue, hosing down the molten vehicle before the gas tank had a chance to explode.

I lifted my camera and let the shutter fly.

Did you take a photo that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, This or That Thursday, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Distant Roads

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I am going to be honest here...it's been busy for the past few weeks. My blog has suffered for true writing effort lately; however, there's a great reason.

I'll tell you later.

I've been so busy that I have only taken out my camera once this week, and that was for a shoot - not for fun. I missed the Weekly Kodachrome last week as well. Instead of forgoing it altogether, I thumbed through a few shots and saw this one. This was taken about two years ago when Arlene was taken ill. I remember jumping in my car - just needing to get away - and taking roads I'd never before traveled. I wasn't concerned about getting lost, because I didn't care.

I remember getting out of my car and standing on a long stretch of highway and watching the sun set. There was an ant hill nearby because I remember them crawling up my legs when I stood in one place too long.

The sun was just finishing it's day and melting the skyline.

As I watched it, I thought about endings - and beginnings which were one day sure to be. I thought about dreams I've had...and seemingly set on the back burner for another lifetime. Yet, later never seems to arrive and we set our aspirations on that dusty shelf time and time again.

Oh, I'm much too busy, we say.

And we are. But if it's really important to us, shouldn't we put in a little more effort?

In a week or two I'll probably let you in on what has been keeping me busy, but until then...follow your dreams, even if you're afraid that you might be wandering unfamiliar roads.

If the journey were worth starting, then it's probably worth finishing as well.

Did you take a photo that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, This or That Thursday, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - The Pitcher

Pin It “The pitcher is the most important player on the field, and on his skills and judgement depends half the battle in a match.”

- Henry Chadwick

Standing alone on the mound
The ball is cradled in my hand
My mitt - with its smell of worn leather
It fills my nostrils with memory
The batter approaches
He stands at home plate
A look of determination fills his eyes
The thrill of the game pulses inside me
I lean back on one leg
The ball is fired from my hand
Like a rocket, it speeds onward
I hear the swoosh of the bat
It cuts the empty air

One.
Two.
Three strikes.

My dad calls my name from the stands.
I pause, wave, and smile.

Baseball.

If you'd like to see the rest of the shots from this particular series, they may be viewed here. Also, it appears that Mindy and Rachel were the two winners from the photography contest. If you both would please send me an email to let me know the shot you'd like and the size thereof, I'd be grateful.

Did you take a photo that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Book Cliffs

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The light played off the clouds and distant cliffs as the highway stretched off into the vast expanse of the San Rafael Swell desert, like a road leading into tomorrow. I watched the puffs of gray and white drift lazily onward and finally pulled to the side of the road to gaze at these textures of light; These are the moments that truly pen a life.

Did you take a photo that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Mostly Eclipse of the Sun

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Last night I was privy to an event that only a slim corridor of the United States was in the right place for.

A mostly eclipse.

I wish now that I’d have had my powerful zoom lens, filters, and all of the other stuff that makes photography a little bit easier.

Since I hadn’t been privy to an eclipse since I was just a kid, I was impressed. I was a bit disappointed in the fact that I didn’t wind up with powers of some type like in that show, Heroes. However, I am glad that my face didn’t melt off like the Nazis’ heads did in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

I guess you could say that it was a mostly win-win situation.

By the way, remember that you only have until midnight on Tuesday to enter (and win) the current contest to win photos like these or these.

Did you take a photo that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Asphalt Admonitions

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It had been a long day.

I took an exhausted few steps as I emerged from the school, at once noticing the sun as it readied to complete it's journey into the western skyline. It was yet another reminder that I had stayed far too late.

I blew out a breath and inhaled the fresh, clean air - riddled with the scent of something that was flowering.

As I began walking the distance to my vehicle, I suddenly found myself surrounded by the chalk messages of who knows how many students. Their rainbow-colored scrawl was splayed out before me, like modern day petroglyphs. I paused and read through their various messages, pronouncements of how cool they thought they were, and the pictures they'd drawn.

That's when I saw the one that made me stop in my tracks, stand for a moment, and smile.

Some of them do get it.

Did you take a photo that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Forgotten Treasures

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The kids piled from the car and immediately began to explore the desert remnants which had been left behind, by a generation long-since gone. Beaten, rusted cars became a veritable playground with limitless potential, and the childlike dreams of making the cars run again abounded with the discovery of each empty and abandoned shell.

It made me laugh.

And also made me remember the days when I used to think the exact same thing.

Did you take a photo that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - A Moment Frozen in Time

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The glow of light sticks weaved in and out of the shadowy trees of the city park. The cries of laughter from my fifth grade students echoed beyond the playground as they played night tag. As the blur of colors mixed together I had them all stop—for just a second—and froze the moment with the click of a shutter.

Soon, the game recommenced, and a few parents even joined in. It was an exciting night to remember, and one I hope they’ll never forget.

By the way, if you didn't know, Four Perspectives is back and we've switched up the format just a teeny bit. I hope you'll come over and say hello.

Did you take a photo that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - The Hope of America

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Tuesday of this past week I had the opportunity to head to the Marriott Center and perform with over three thousand fifth graders and their teachers. I sat amongst the other attendees along with nearly every student in my class - it was a powerful feeling that took over as the lights shone down, and our voices melded into one. We raised our hands in one unified group, and I felt myself completely blown away - a feeling which always gives me hope...in America.

Did you take a photo that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - The Light of Words

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It was early evening, the sunlight wafted into the room from the front windows of my brother’s flat in Queens. As these arching rays of the sun’s last light felt their way gently about the room, I sat quietly at the kitchen table, thinking about my day in the city, about moving through the crisscrossing streets and busy thoroughfares. My fingers rested gently on the keys like a concert pianist, and these reflections sifted through the air, and the words drifted like the very light surrounding me.

I paused for a few moments, and then captured these words and phrases, the symphony of lexis, typing them into a post that will most likely never see the light of blogger…like so many others I’ve written before.

Did you take a photo in the past seven days that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays, Show off Your Shot, Your Sunday Best, and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Raised Platforms

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I sat on the sky train from the airport, riding over the tops of countless houses where people still lingered in a sleepy haze; an entire populace living out lives and stories…yet unaware that I was passing above them in the coral morning light.

The words of a Peter Breinholt song about people living slowly came to mind as I moved—a stealthy morning traveler—above them.

Down in the streets below
There are people moving slowly
Like the king of marigold
Find your way to Jericho
Like a boat upon the shore
Like the stranger at your door
Like the roses at your feet
Like the matador's defeat
Like a long and winding road
Like a river flowing
We'll go down to that ancient
Down by the road, by the trees
By the ocean
And there pretend that you're all my friends
Even though I don't really know you
So bless your soul
Go out there may somebody find you

Of course, there was probably nobody in this area who had even heard of Peter Breinholt…just like none of them had ever heard of me.

In a few minutes I exited the sky train and bought a ticket for the Long Island Railroad, but then—caught up in my own thoughts—carelessly boarded the wrong train…I soon found myself bound for the heart of New York instead of the cozy boroughs of Queens. I watched as my station passed by in a ruddy blur and fade into the distance; as the morning light intensified, it changed from deep pinks to azure and the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, coating everything with an orange cast.

I switched trains, passing by the decrepit, tagged buildings—telltale markers left behind by those since never known and forgotten. I longed to exit the railroad car then and there and start madly shooting away; however, this was to be impossible as the train would not stop anywhere near these locations.

Finally Woodside crossing again met my eyes, and I exited the train. As I walked along the raised platform, I observed the crisscross of shadows of a nearby fence adorning the concrete before me.

My first image in New York is to become this week’s Kodachrome.

Did you take a photo in the past seven days that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

You might also want to try Sweet Shot Tuesdays and Community Global for other great photo memes.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Sunset Burning

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The sun dissolved into the lonely mesas of the western skyline - igniting the lines of clouds into a Kodachrome of canvased sky. I stopped as I passed by the silhouetted tree. I climbed from my vehicle, lifted my camera, and snapped.

Did you take a photo in the past seven days that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Vegas Lights

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The temperate evening air flowed over us as my coworkers and I stood in the midst of the pulsing casino lights on the strip of downtown Vegas. The neon glow shimmered across the waters of the fountains outside the Bellagio like multi-colored beams of moonlight.

We walked to the edge of the fountain and waited—in excited anticipation as a familiar Beetles tune filled the air and dozens of spouts erupted from the body of water below us. Like plumes of lava shooting from a frothing volcano, streams of shimmering water arched into the sky—our hotel framing the background laid out on a canvas of darkness.

It was amazing.

Did you take a photo in the past seven days that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Weekly Kodachrome - Smoky Light

Pin It I began to leaf through images for the Weekly Kodachrome when I noticed the snow blustering from the heavens—swirling and eddying around the windows like the waves of a titanician ocean. It almost felt like a Christmas miracle, but one long-since overdue.

I broke away from the scene before me and continued to the task of selecting an appropriate image for the week; however, nothing seemed quite right. I decided to take a temporary break in my quest and instead began rooting through boxes. One box in particular caught my eye, and upon opening it I found myself inundated with the memorabilia of a lifetime; I dug loosely through the varied items and came across a tattered, yellow envelope. Upon further examination it proved to be the final resting place of a set of black and white negatives snapped—I can only deduce—some thirty or forty years ago by my mom.

I held each up to the light to see their images that had slept for who knows how many decades. I quickly plugged in my scanner and began to digitize the negatives.

I found myself amazed at the capture of smoky light as it drifted through the trees.

The trees which, undoubtedly, were still standing in some unknown corner of the world.

Like messengers from an otherwise angelic planet, the beams of holy light lanced downward to the forest floor. It made me smile.

Among these images I found a shot or two of my mom, a photographer who—along with my grandfather—inspired me to take my own photographic journey though life.

I can’t wait for her to see these again.

Did you take a photo in the past seven days that made you smile? If so, feel free to include it in the linky below.