seattle pics

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Little Wheel Spin & Spin

With the lovely summer nights we've been having, a lot of people are heading outdoors for some fun after dark. This little ferris wheel located in the small amusement area, the Fun Forrest, adjacent to the Space Needle, is slated to go by the wayside with the other beloved kiddie carnival-style rides, and that portion of Seattle Center's campus is to be redeveloped. Perhaps we should request a Seattle Eye be considered, like London's--something that can better match the Space Needle's stature, offer youth and families some fun, and provide another means of taking in Seattle's spectacular views.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Driving Home From a Perfect Day

Winding through the hilly streets, headlights needed earlier as autumn approaches. Coming home after a perfect sunny summer day with hints of fall in the breeze. It surprises many visitors to Seattle how many hills and narrow lanes there can be to navigate to houses tucked into the curves of the topography. It affords everyday views such as this, though.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Souvenir: Portal to Thoughtful Worlds

A tiny shop on old Ballard Ave. has intrigued me for years. The window displays are always unique, thoughtful, artfully pulled together, sometimes whimsical, sometimes bizarre, sometimes pure art. The shop has no sign, no advertising, it just draws you in. Or the small, cute pet in the window does. Within are more wonderful things to see like an array of the owner's handmade cards or amazing curios from many times and places. Your only clue to finding it walking by, besides the window displays, is an aging name from a long closed business, "Frank's," embedded in the tile and terrazzo entryway, and this pet gate. The shop is Souvenir, the artist who creates it is Curtis Steiner. You've got to see his amazing interactive sculpture, "1000 Blocks," on display at the Seattle Art Museum, which can be viewed slowly or quickly here. After those mesmerizing 100 variations, you'll want to play with your own Stiener 1000 Blocks set on line here.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Sabotage

I walk around Green Lake several times a week. So, why do I often park near here? ;^) Actually I have yet to go in. My walking routine is rewarded strictly by tranquil sounds of background traffic, lapping water, rustling trees, water fowl, kids playing, runner's feet on gravel, bladers and cyclist's wheels against pavement (I don't take the iPod). I usually have camera in hand but don't shoot much, mostly just take in the scenes, colors and beauty as I pass by. Sometimes I watch the people on the trail as I walk, and I recognize some regulars who are there the times that I am (like this skater I showed you last year who does 6 or 7 laps while I walk one!). We nod at each other in passing. On this particular day I glimpsed a famous neighbor walking with spouse in the opposite direction, unnoticed and unmolested by anyone, getting to have a normal day in the sun like the rest of us. Mostly I just enjoy being with my thoughts, having the personal space. I've heard that the confections at Chocolati are wonderful, though.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Exit Lights?

Last month I showed you a pocket camera daytime view of this bench and grass hardscape that is in front of the newly opened UW Medicine Research campus in the South Lake Union biotechnology hub of Seattle. I revisited at night with my regular camera and found new charms the designers had built in, like the lighting under the bench. Reminds me of the light strips on airliners that are meant to guide you in the right direction.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

One of My Kind

This doesn't happen much outside of touristy areas when I'm photowalking the neighborhood and downtown streets, especially at night; but, I came lens to lens with one of my kind the other night. He was sitting under a street lamp on an opposing corner, doing what I was doing, trying to catch some shots of Seattle life. I laughed and crossed to speak with him after I saw through my long lens that the figure was a guy with a camera and not a street person sitting there. He must have thought me crazy at first when I emerged from the shadows, tripod in hand, and said, "One of my kind!" Actually, it turns out he's much, Much, MUCH more highly evolved than I. . . ;^) You can see his work here.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Through a Glass Darkly

Grass silhouetted in nighttime neon street scene bokeh, seen through the colored glass of a streetcar stop shelter on a beautiful summer night. Hope today is the start to a great week!