what's the matter?

Beautiful area, but what of that ugly air hovering? ~ Seattle, WA ~ 12.08.06

short days of winter

Mt. Rainier from the North ~ Seattle, WA ~ 12.07.06

"God gave us memories so that we might have roses in December."

--James M. Barrie

precipitation

Blue sky peeks through briefly, but more snow on the way ~ near Maltby, WA ~ 11.27.06

No snow down here, snow up there ~ between Monroe and Duvall, WA ~ 11.27.06

Water droplets on a leaf ~ 11.27.06

"Now is the time. Needs are great, but your possibilities are greater."

- Bill Blackman

the sky is falling

Snow @ (approx.) 48ft. above sea level ~ 11.26.06

It's snowing! The weather people said it would, but we all know that sometimes their predictions don't always see fruition. See a (2.5MB) video of the beginning of the snow here. I say the beginning, because they're saying 1-4 inches.

I went into a store when it was just turning from pouring rain to snow. Came out 20 minutes later to a parking lot of cars covered with snow, though the roads were still clear.

just keep swimming

Deception Pass, Washington ~ 09.16.06

Cargo ship on Puget Sound, Seattle ~ 09.20.06

Cotton candy vendor, Indianapolis ~ 10.07.06

Indiana Ice mascot, Indianapolis ~ 10.07.06

"When you get to the end of all the light you know and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly." ~ Edward Teller

letting a little light in

A rainbow ~ 10.29.06

Spaceneedle ~ 11.17.06

View of a storm brewing over the Puget Sound ~ 11.21.06

Fake flowers in a window ~ 11.21.06

"So long as we are loved by others I should say that we are almost indispensable; and no man is useless while he has a friend."

- Robert Louis Stevenson

waiting for the sun

nighttime @ the hospital ~ seattle, wa ~ 08.25.06

prohibited

"Machete-wielding woman outside White House" (source: CNN.com)

I'm not sure one way or another (How could I be? Hardly a scrap of information was released.) whether this woman is mentally unstable or proving a point or what. Was she even threatening anyone? Is it illegal (or just prohibited) to carry a 13-in blade on your person? I don't know, maybe it is. But I am wondering about her intentions. By her comment, "What are you going to do -- shoot me?" I'm inclined to think that she was not doing anything illegal, just pushing the envelope.

I'm also wondering why they used the word prohibited, instead of illegal. Of course, I'm not in favor of some person causing death, or injury to others. Still, I'm curious about the facts here. Was she simply handling a machete? Use of the word 'wielding' makes it seem like she was threatening someone. You might say, why should we wait until she threatens someone? Or do you say, where will we draw the line on arresting people when they aren't breaking the law? Maybe I should ask, do we believe it's okay to arrest people on fear-based assumptions?

God forbid the day cameras are deemed a prohibited weapon ... is my point. Though you may not think of a camera as a weapon. I still wonder where will the line be drawn?

Main Entry: pro·hib·it
Pronunciation: prO-'hi-b&t, pr&-
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin prohibitus, past participle of prohibEre to keep off, from pro- forward + habEre to hold -- more at PRO-, GIVE
1 : to forbid by authority : ENJOIN
2 a : to prevent from doing something b : PRECLUDE
synonym see FORBID

Main Entry: wield
Pronunciation: 'wEld
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English welden to control, from Old English wieldan; akin to Old High German waltan to rule, Latin valEre to be strong, be worth
1 chiefly dialect : to deal successfully with : MANAGE
2 : to handle (as a tool) especially effectively
3 a : to exert one's authority by means of b : have at one's command or disposal
- wield·er noun

(source of definitions: merriam-webster.com)

trust

"Don't Believe What You See in the Papers" (source: slate.com)

We've seemingly have always known that a handful of people can sour the reputation of an entire profession. Yet, it seems still that many do not comprehend how their actions can affect others. Or maybe they just don't care. But the truth is, no matter how big or small, all action causes a ripple effect. And I can feel this one to my core. It's a good conversation to have, really. It's just the uncertainty of where it will lead that shakes me.

"Today, I will wait if the way is not clear. I will trust that out of choas will come clarity." ~ Melody Beattie

remarkable

James Turrell's Skyspace, Light Reign ~ Seattle, WA ~ 08.12.06

A friend of mine is soon to be married in James Turrell's Skyspace, Light Reign at the Henry Art Gallery on the UW campus. It's such a remarkable place, I thought I'd mention it here.

i believe

"I believe in imagining a life, and then trying to live it." ~ fashion designer Jane Hamill

do you want to?

"Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time,' is like saying ' I don't want to'." ~ Chinese philosopher Lau-Tzu

windows on the world

It was slow going through downtown this evening. Mariners game, go figure. Anyway, I shot a few architectural photos to pass the time.

08.08.06

08.08.06

let it be

Bee among lavendar ~ Redmond, WA ~ 07.29.06

truer words were ...

"If you want to catch beasts you don't see everyday,
You have to go places quite out of the way.
You have to go places no others can get to.
You have to get cold and you have to get wet, too."
~ Dr. Seuss

sleep, create, whatever ...

Too tired to sleep ~ 07.31.06 ~ created @ jacksonpollock.org

If you're interested, check out this fun web site inspired by the work of Jackson Pollock and created by someone named Miltos Manetas. Once there ... just move the mouse around and click to change colors. Experiment, see what happens! Don't like what you see? Refresh the page and start over.

something new every day

"Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn't know."
~ Daniel Boorstin

"Clear your mind of can't." ~ Samuel Johnson

simple things

Small cloud ~ Redmond, WA ~ 07.28.06

Leaf detail ~ Bothell, WA ~ 07.28.06

"Every moment spent in negativity is paid for with something truly priceless. That something is life." ~ Ralph Marston

listening to Weekend America on National Public Radio

in the waiting room

A well-loved kitty waits ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.20.06

unexpected inspiration

I saw this bit of inspiration on the side of an advertisement in a restaurant, thought I'd share:

"Gather up as many good experiences as possible. It increases your chances of being a pleasant old person..."

heavy lifting

Statue at Alki, no more ... temporarily ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.20.06

The statue of liberty replica that stood at Alki Beach Park for many years has been removed. You can read more information about it here.

coming in for a landing

Stumbled across this quote today, thought it worth pondering.
"Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these." ~ Susan B. Anthony

making lemonade

Downtown via a passing car ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.14.06

Bridge view ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.14.06

See the light ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.14.06

I shot these with the point & shoot while I was waiting in traffic Friday. As someone politely pointed out to me, my horoscope (apparently) was on the more accurate side yesterday. I was, in fact, late to work.

"The biggest conflicts you experience today are centered around getting from point A to point B. There's a lot of negative energy around transportation right now, so be prepared for delays or detours. If you're driving, give yourself some extra time to make any appointments ... ", astrology.com.


listening to Raindrops Keep falling on My Head by B.J Thomas & Burt Bacharach

right on cue

"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning to sail my ship."
~ Louisa May Alcott

Sounds like

Single sailboat on the Sound ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.09.06

Sunset ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.09.06

Sun setting ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.09.06

sailing the sky

Parasailing over the Sound ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.09.06

listening to Kodachrome by Paul Simon

the way home

Tower power ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.08.06

Clouds ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.08.06

The Puget Sound and Olympic mountains through wires ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.08.06

listening to Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

a short visit with nature

Leaf detail ~ Kenmore, WA ~ 07.06.06

Branch dance ~ Kenmore, WA ~ 07.06.06

Flower detail ~ Kenmore, WA ~ 07.06.06

I had an opportunity to be out in nature for a few minutes today. A little bit of misty rain, some birds chirping ... traffic zooming in the not so far off distance. You can view a short video, a brief moment in nature, here.

listening to Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

happy 4th

Fireworks over Lake Union ~ Seattle, WA ~ 07.04.06

I watched the fireworks tonight from a window at Swedish Medical Center. The point and shoot camera did an okay job. Held it up to the window to avoid the glare from the lights in the hallway. Shot a short video too, you can view it here. My apologies, in advance, for all the chatter going on the in background.

"The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either." ~ Ben Franklin

reflecting

Clouds reflect the sun @ 9:21pm ~ Seattle, WA ~ 06.29.06

"To love what you do and feel that it matters -- how could anything be more fun?" ~ Katharine Graham

listening to A Song For You, by Herbie Hancock featuring Christina Aguilera

patterns

Windows ~ Seattle Public Library ~ 05.10.06

listening to By Your Side by Sade.

counting blessings

Sunset ~ Seattle, WA ~ 06.21.06

room with a view

Downtown Seattle from SMC ~ Seattle, WA ~ 06.28.06

listening to Winelight by Paul Brown

positive outlook

View from a room @ Swedish Medical Center ~ Seattle, WA ~ 06.27.06

one of two things

Bird on a Wire ~ Bothell, WA ~ 06.27.06

"When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things must happen: There will be something solid for us to stand on, or we will be taught to fly." ~ Patrick Overton

listening to Ooh la La by Jeff Lorber

more

Storm over the Sound ~ Seattle, WA ~ 06.14.06

"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin

listening to More Than Fine by Switchfoot

rain delay

06.16.06 ~ Shot a little movie while waiting out the rain. You can view it here.

waiting out the rain

Rain & sun ~ Bothell, WA ~ 06.16.06

listening to Feeling Good by Nina Simone

oh happy day

Oh happy day, it's a wonder kat blogs is one-year-old today. How about a flower or two to celebrate the occasion?

Flower - Redmond, Wa - 06.07.06

Flower - Redmond, Wa - 06.07.06

No idea what specific kinds of flowers these are. If anyone knows, please share.

listening to Stitched Up by Herbie Hancock, featuring John Mayer.

get out of the box

"There are people who put their dreams in a little box and say, 'Yes, I've got dreams, of course I've got dreams.' Then they put the box away and bring it out once in awhile to look in it,and yep, they're still there. These are great dreams, but they never even get out of the box. It takes an uncommon amount of guts to put your dreams on the line, to hold them up and say, 'How good or how bad am I?' That's where courage comes in."
~ Erma Louise Bombeck

enrich the world

"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand." ~Woodrow Wilson

This quote showed up in my e-mail this morning. It was exactly the thing I needed to hear (or in this case, read). Thought I'd pass it along. : )

documenting life

Snail crossing the front step @ Jeff's ~ 05.06.06

I guess I'd never seen a snail up close and personal before. Because I ended up spending an inordinate amount of time photographing it, making a little video of it as it traveled along the step. Later in the day I witnessed it's (unintentional) death, crushed under the weight of a shoe. No, not my shoe, no video or photos of the horrific moment either. Yeah, it was just a snail ... but I winced and felt pain as I heard the crunch nonetheless.