Six Sore Feet

(Who looks like he needs a drink?)

Guess who walked all the way to Altadena yesterday? Altadena and back.

It wasn't me.

Guest photographer John Sandel documented the trek with his iPhone. He claims that while he and Boz were taking in the tourist attractions a passerby walked directly up to him and put his finger over the camera lens.

It also deserves mention that both our intrepid travelers were invited in to shop at Altadena Hardware.

I suspect our model will be snoring on his bed outside my office door all weekend. That's okay. For being such a loyal trouper he deserves his breakfast in bed.

Love Bucket

This shot was an accident. Imperfect, but I love it.

The things that could be said about this shot, a dog-lover knows: A dog is fine company. Ushering a dog through life is a privilege. There is no joy like that of a happy dog. Et cetera.

We have about forty nick-names for Boz. Today it might be fun to share dog nick-names in the comments. I'll start us off with a few here. Let's see...

Pooh-Dawdle. (Boz tends to lag behind at every opportunity.)
Bark Gable. Gary Pooper. (Boz has movie star looks.)
The Poo, the Pooper. (Well, everybody uses a variation on those.)

Creative Record

An impression of a leaf in mud on the sidewalk. Gone with the rain, its image fleeting as a thought quickly written then erased.

It reminded me of a picture John took of last summer's sidewalk art, created in the same spot by a neighborhood Mondrian. With only sun to wash it away it faded slowly, and we got to enjoy it for a long time. But now it's gone just the same.

I love photography for many reasons, not the least of which is memory-keeping.

Hey, cool: today PDP is mentioned on The Greensward: Civitas.

iPhone Wednesday #2 - The Counter

A super-clean lunch place in Studio City featuring "custom built burgers," The Counter was new to me when I stopped by a couple of weeks ago for take-out. The music was loud (visit their website with your speakers on for the gist), so you know me--I didn't stay. But the burger I escaped with was excellent.
Other bloggers known to do iPhone Wednesday are Kim at Seattle Daily Photo, Chuck at One A Day - Mostly Seattle and Ming at Bangor Daily Photo. No guarantees of an iPhone shot, but whatever you find there you'll likely enjoy.

Forgive me, readers, for I have strayed outside the holy realm of Pasadena. But 2010 is a new era and you never know what your intrepid blogger will do. You can't tame me, I tell ya!

Home Shopping: Even Now

The sign in the window says NO TRESPASSING in more ways than I thought possible. What it means is, "the bank owns this house and don't even think about messing this up. Don't EVEN. Just have your agent call so you can buy the damn thing."

Maybe you should. I hear it's a good time to buy, if you have the means. I dared--yes I EVEN--to peek in the windows. You're going to have hardwood floors, a fireplace, wood trim and a healthy lemon tree in the side yard. That much I know.
I also know there are at least two sweet little old ladies on the block, and at least one guy who looks pretty good with his shirt off.










Late-breaking news: One of my Facebook friends, Iranian photographer Amir Sadeghi, was arrested yesterday at the office of Farhang-e-Ashti newspaper, his place of work, for having published images of the security clampdown on protesters last December 27th. More on Overdog.

Zen Monday: #83

Zen Monday is the day you experience the photo and give us your thoughts rather than me telling you what I think the photo's about. There's no right or wrong. It means what you think it means, or what you want it to mean.

I look for a photo worth contemplating or, failing that, something odd or silly. And I stay out of the comments box to avoid influencing the intellectual path of the discussion. Because you know, when I get in there it all goes downhill.

As I post each new Zen Monday photo I add a label to last week's to identify it if necessary. Remember, last week Zen Monday was Tuesday.

Confession: I didn't take this photo in Pasadena.










for clarification

The Best Camera

I never thought I'd leave the house yesterday. We were safe and comfortable.

But during a lull between storms we realized we were out of coffee. At least one person in our household must have coffee at a certain time of day, so a hurried excursion was organized. I grabbed my wallet and iPhone and out we went.

On the way back, because I didn't have my camera, we were treated to the most extraordinary light.

The Canon would have done better. Even the Olympus would have given more clarity. But Chase Jarvis is right. The best camera is the one that's with you.

For information on the soCal flooding and mudslides of the past few days, please check in with Tim at Altadenablog, Debbi at Altadena Above It All and Kathy at KCH blog. This time around I can even recommend a traditional news outlet.