The last day of the last month of the year of the Camellia

It's time to put the Camellia to bed for a long deserved rest.

All in all she's been a good banner for the year.  I have posted here 205 days during her reign and have written 63,157 words which is up from the year of the Owl Pellet  by some 11,287.  Amazing how it piles up.  Yeah, some would say a lot of piles.  I posted 448 photographs in the past year, up from 299 the previous year.  All in all some 432 pages during the Camellia year.  Not bad!

What will the next year bring?

Who knows, we'll just have to wait to see what the first pic of 2011 will be before we can name our new adventures.  I have had fun and hope you have as well. 

I wish you all a Happy New Year with safeness, health, and dare I say prosperity.

The next to last day of this the year of the Camellia

Sorry to my friends up North, but this is the South Carolina version of the most recent blizzard!

DEC. 29TH, A retrospective of the year of the Camellia

RETROSPECTIVE 2010

We used to make resolutions that we sprung on people, friends, neighbors, and family on the night of the last day of the year.   Resolutions fraught with remorse and/or anticipation.  Resolutions lubricated with ample amounts of adult beverages.  Resolutions barely remembered the morning after the night before. 

Well, I've aged!  Resolutions will not longer do me any good even if they were richly lubricated, which they will not.

But in retrospect, it has been a decent year.  I never got to the "Doughnut hole" in my prescription drug plan.  My social security check has only lost about five dollars in the last three years due to growing charges against the prescription plan and lack of inflation (yeah, right).

The economy is still about where it was a year ago despite all the money spent by the "Morons" and charged to my grand kids.  The stock market, as an indicator of I don't know what anymore, is holding steady.  Probably due to all the buying and support by that Bernaki guy in Washington.  But as a warning, George Soros is still shorting the dollar in his rampage of the destruction of this country via his hoodlum puppets in DC.

On a local level, people still can't get a job for the most part but we have a new republican governess and hope springs eternal.

Personally, I did only four shows during the Camellia's reign.  One show was the best I have ever done, another was 300% better than the year of the Owl Pellet, another 100% better, and the third doesn't count because it was a first year show.  The rest of the sales starting with publications and wholesale were dismal.  Guess it's my pretty face that does it, or maybe just my Orwellian rants.

There are a couple of things I will strive to do better in "Eleven".  First, I will turn my underwear inside out before putting them in the laundry.  Why is it, that every time they come out of the dryer the shorts, specifically, are alwas inside out?  Not to mention the tee-shirts.  Also, if you leave dollar bills in the pockets of a pair of pants they come out all rolled up---------individually?  Both of them.  Last time I had ten dollars in my pockets, the pants belonged to someone else.

I will probably try to do more business this next year.  Remember the "Pet Rock"?  Maybe a Pet Stick would work.  Or two sticks then they could be dressed up.  Packaged nicely with camo wrapping on the box.  Probably sell well in West Virginia or some other Appalachian state.  No harm intended there.

Oh, and yeah!  I need to work on improving my art.  Forgot about that, what with all these other pressing matters to consider.  And there are those two books I want to write.  Maybe I'll just put them on CD and let the grand kids try to get them published, after I've died and became famous.  I'm not afraid of dying.  I just don't want it to happen to me.  Have far too much to do in the next "Year of the ------------"

THE 24TH DAY OF THE 12TH MONTH

Well gang, we did it again.  Made it to Christmas Eve!  The tree is up, cooking is almost all done, most presents are wrapped and the place just smells of Christmas.  Crumb crunchers are going nuts and even the dogs know that something is afoot.  Santa has given us the greatest gift of all, and that is just to be able to celebrate the birth of Christ together.  Or maybe it was God that granted that!

At any rate, I wish to offer you wishes of good cheer and hopes for another year so we can celebrate this thing all over again. 

Merry Christmas my friends

The 18th day of the 12th month

I am headed for the Eastern Shore of MD this morning early and wish I could get some of these guys all steamed up and ready to go. 

But I guess at this time of year I'll just have to settle for some Rock Fish.  A little too early for Oysters and too late for crabs, so fish it will be.

I'll be out of town till the 24th so if I don't get the chance to write, you all please have a wonderful Christimas.

The 17th day of the 12 month of the year of the Camellia

ONLY 8 DAYS TO GO KIDDIES!

The Great Smoky Mountains from 30,000 feet in sepia.

The 16th day of the 12th month of the year of the Camellia

"HOUSE"  KEEPING DETAIL

Getting closer to Christmas and I have still yet to complete shopping.  Unlike Washington, DC where there is this lame duck trying to screw us one and all, I am doing things which I feel are loving activities directed toward my family.

It never seems to surprise me the extent that a politician will sink for his/her own self aggrandizement and to hell with those he/she is supposed to do or represent.  They want to pass legislation that flies directly in the face of the last mid term election.  It's as if they are intent in thumbing their noses at us, the people. They seem to simply pass UNREAD legislation that is unneeded in the main and criminal in the least. 

What the hell is wrong with you people.  You actually let these thieves pass an almost 3,000 word taxation bill that will end up costing us Billions (yeah with a big B and yeah us), without a whimper!  And how dare they not read it before they vote.  Are you kidding me?
Then we let these fools, who have for the most part, never run a business, met a payroll, had to create a damn thing that the public would want to buy off the shelf, tell us what the economy needs. 

The real hypocrisy is that they are "expected" to act that way. but we would be put in jail for the same behavior.

Maybe the public plea should for them is to just "Go home.  Don't pass anything".  "Leave us alone until the next congress is sworn in"  At least when we get screwed it will be by a younger and hopefully prettier face.  So we maybe can  enjoy it a little better.  You don't have to kiss me first, but be at least gentle.  Simply do your damn job.  And don't make it to appear to be obvious rape, which is what is happening now.

All I can say is that there is another election in 2012 and I only hope that I am alive to see some more of these egos deflated at the poles..............regardless of their party affiliation.

People, this is what your elected officials think of you!

AND GUESS AT WHOSE EXPENSE THEY'RE LAUGHING!

ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK!

Some of you people wanted "Hope and Change".  Well how's that change working out for ya?
I saw last night where the poles were saying that congress (small c) had an approval rating of 13%. 

THIRTEEN PERCENT!

Some small third world dictators are more respected by their people than that.

Just disgusts me.  I want my Country back and congressman (again small c) you can take your arrogance and shove it.  We're going to put you out here, out of a job,  and see if you like having to look for a one.  Of course, you've already stolen enough that you don't have to do real work anyway.  Just disgusting! 

house (small h), senate (small s), doesn't make any difference.  The all took poly sci in college where they learned to screw the public and then we elected them, so they could refine their art.  Whose fault is that.  Wake up or we will become THAT third world country.

THE 15TH DAY OF THE 12TH MONTH OF THE YEAR OF THE CAMELIA

OK.  I'm fixin to get ready to wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Now don't get all tingly inside because it's not yet.

Not yet, because I still need to contribute my share to the national debt and finish my shopping.  But I am getting warmed up to it.

Last weekend, Sheri pulled together this year's tree and I took care of the outside festival on the house.  The tree is what I think is the most unique of all.  She has collected White house ornaments since they first started selling them in 1981.  The tree is completely covered with these ornaments and lights.  Pretty nice and certainly different.

So this year because we don't have a bunch of crumb crunchers running around, we decided to downsize.  A good thing because that artificial tall thing in the attic is getting pretty heavy to haul down the stairs and half of the pre-wired lights don't work.  This one is smaller and just fine.  I can't put the ornaments on it anyway, cause you just know each piece will go in the wrong place.  So best to retreat to a chair in the corner and turn  on the game whilst all that decorating is going on .  Domestic bliss and all that stuff don't you know.  We will still probably get enough stuff under the smaller tree to created the need for a second mortgage just to pay for it all.  

But we all know it is better to get than to receive.  Er, maybe that's backwards or something's not right.  Oh well you get the drift. 

Just preparin!

Nice job Sheri! And thank you.

The 14th day of the 12th month of the year of the Camellia

Ice

Even though I miss the Chesapeake Bay, I am not sure that I miss this.  After the bay freezes, at some point, it's got to break up.  Just the power of the tides piles these mini-bergs on shore.

Twenty degrees here in SC at 5 AM.

The 13th day of the 12th month of the year of the Camellia

Well, if you didn't play the lottery with 12-12-10 yesterday............neither did I.

I am just saving my money for New Years day. 

 1-1-11

Whilst looking at some of the photo's for year end filing, I came accross these river shots made in the past year.

Note the whale's head in the center of the photo.

The next best bet doesn't come until November.  11-1-11

Followed with the bestest of bets of all.  11-11-11.  Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeoooo!

THE 12TH DAY OF THE 12TH MONTH OF THE YEAR OF THE CAMELLIA

Ever wonder just what an otter sees when he is on top of the water?

As opposed to that which he sees under water!

A whole different perspective than that we usually see. 

THE 11TH DAY OF THE 12TH MONTH OF THE YEAR OF THE CAMELLIA

Just a couple of shots of something that we all drive past often, but probably never really notice!

The South Carolina State House

The State Tree

Merry Christmas Columbia

The 10th day of the 12th month in the year of the Camellia

New gallery called "Arsty Fartsy" in a "Strip mall", where I have just hung a bunch of artwork. It is on the north side of Knox Abbott drive between 9th and 10th streets.  Right across from the truck rental place,  down the street from three automobile repair places, and up the street from four fast food joints.  Only me! They are open from 2:00 till 7:00 each day.

TACKY, HUH?

I know, only I can find a gallery by that name and quality.  Well, it's better than hanging on my wall in the office and just maybe we find a victim or three.  Lets hope!  I suspect that I am the old "Fartsy" part of that name, but I have no part in the ownership, and that is a good thing.

We went to a serious Columbia Christmas Pageant at the First Baptist Church tonight.  I was afraid the place would be struck by lightning when the good Lord found that I was attending, but then again it would probably have just been payback.  The new Governor elect, Nikki Haley and her family were in attendance so that probably held off any personal retribution.  We have gone in the last couple of years and it is a spectacular.  The topic of the mini sermon seemed to be directed  specifically to me.  The part in the Bible where the prodigal son leaves home, leaves his "Father", losses himself in sin.........But is welcomed back by the Father with his sins forgiven.  I'm working on it privately but the story just hit a little too close to home.  Forgive me Father for I have sinned.  Amen.

Oh, and by the heat pump was fixed yesterday, and it did get up to almost 70 outside.  Wouldn't ja know?  We had maintained temps above sixty inside the house for two days by closing up most of the rooms and burning copious amounts of wood in the fireplace.  Evidently the breaker switch on the heat exchanger part of the heat pump was burning itself up and had to be replaced.  So there you go.....we can dial down Christmas presents by another notch. 

God bless ya Murphy!

THE 9TH DAY OF THE 12TH MONTH OF THE YEAR OF THE CAMELLIA

HANGING COLD

The coldest two days of the year and of course the heat pump went out. 

Murphy's Law of course.  Whatever will go wrong, will!

Skip's law, Murphy was an optimist!

Just got the pump fixed so a Merry Christmas to the repairmen!

Ho----Ho----Ho!

 

The 7th day of the 12th month of the year of the Camellia

I sit here on the coldest morning since last February or maybe it was January.  We had 21 degrees in central South Carolina this morning, and I understand that the cold front extends well into Florida.  It's supposed to be in the mid teens in New Hampshire tomorrow morning, but today looks clear up there with a brisk wind and a chill factor well below my thermal underwear.

Christmas always seems to bring a dozen chores which have to be done before noon each day and when I write them down there always seems to be carry overs on the list from the previous day.  How did I manage when I actually had a job? Such is life I suppose, but I have neglected the blog too long.  .

This morning even the bird seems to be quiet.  Maybe he died of the cold over night.  I don't want to look because it will start him squawking, and that will last long into the night.  And I might have to get him a bowl of hot chicken soup.

The "Chee-Wa-Wa", called "McGee" , isn't moving for anything and just growls and bears his teeth at me when I approach him.

Missy, just gives me that leave me alone, I'm busy, but if you insist, look!

Maybe, I should just treasure the quiet around here.  Get another cup of coffee and go back to work on the dreaded list.  After all I do need to get ready for my nap!

The second day of the 12th month of the year of the Camellia

My father once said--------"If you feel like you are, or are going to make a fool of yourself, just don't go outside!"

Well I rarely listened to him I guess, cause here I am again. writing in the blog.

I have been going through some slides for a client and thought I would put up a few of the flight photos I have taken.  Flight shots are not as easy as pointing the camera at a bird and going click, click.  Well, maybe sometimes we do get lucky.  But for the most part we want to be in those golden hours of the day (early morn and late eve), when the light is low and the shutter tends to get slow.  Not a lot of 1/1000 of a second at those times times of day.  Hence, when we have great sunsets or sunrises, the critters flying against them tend to be silhouettes.   Then you have to get close enough to them to make it worthwhile and if you have too much flash or not enough, they just look crappy.

The geese above are coming in for a landing in a corn field on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  You can tell the time of day because of the slight yellow cast of the overall image.  The birds are backlit, but not too badly because they were below the tops of the trees in the background and the exposure could be for the birds and not setting sun.  The action  in the image is actionuated by the drops of water coming off the wings of the two birds to the left.  Yes, it had been raining and was just clearing as the flock came into the field.  The image has been cleaned up and a lot of the original fog is gone but mood was traded for the action in this case.

More of a scenic than a bird flight shot, this was taken just after an all night snow storm.  You can see the problems with backlighting as the birds being darker than the background tend to
silhouette.  Next to shooting on a foggy, rainy day, the best time for me is on a very snowy morning before all the human critters get out and mess it up.

THE FIRST DAY OF THE LAST MONTH OF THE YEAR OF THE CAMELLIA

THANKSGIVING, AND getting caught up!

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Cheri's family in Chicago.  Lisa, Ron, et. al. came in from California.  Rick and Sharon and their two girls were our host.  We flew from Charlotte, NC to O'hare and it was interesting to say the least.  I have not flown for a number of years and things have changed a little since I did my twice weekly Newark to Boston shuttles.

Of course the security thing was way different, but not what it was all blown up to be by the media.  From Charlotte, I just went through the metal detector but coming back from Chicago the stint in my chest and the zipper in my jogging pants set off alarms.  So I did do the big ex-ray machine and got felt up by some guy who didn't want to be doing it either. 

Charlotte is not a big town by New York standards, but it did show up OK through the Nikon lens.

Now bear in mind that these shots are for the most part through the airplane window.  I am sure some were wondering why I got my spray bottle of Windex out and cleaned the glass, plexi, or whatever it is you look through just before you use the little bags supplied in the back of the seats in front of you.  Actually not bad shots and one of the passengers actually asked me for some copies of the clouds.  Neat!

Chicago is a little larger than Charlotte but at least we had pretty good weather on both ends of the return trip.  Flights were delayed in NC on the trip out, due to a front moving through.  No biggie though.

This skyline shot did not come from the plane, which is probably a good thing.

The clouds from the plane were practically none existent until we got just to the west of the Great Smoky Mountains.

It was a pretty good cloud cover, but did not last after we passed over the Smokies.  The clouds broke up just in time and the mountains lived up to their name and majesty.  I've been there once and want to go back before it's all over........just unbelievable photo ops there.

Just remember that these photos will become much sharper when you double click each one.  The mountains themselves show in what I hope is an artistic rendition.

That was pretty much the travel time spent on this last trip.  I won't bore you with family goof photos, Wriggly Field, or other sites of Chi-town, like the big peanut.  Time to get back to work.  Remember, Christmas is coming and God forbid you want to buy something.  So give me a little lead time.