Happy Birthday, Dave!

We had a wonderful meal at Tokyohana with Matt, Caryn, Dave, Skyler and Sammy tonight. Today is Dave's birthday, but we also used the occasion to finally exchange Christmas gifts - sad, but true. Christmas in July... We will do better next year. Happy Birthday, Dave!

The Magic Leaf

I caught this footage while on a photoshoot at The Arboretum at Memorial Park. It was a hot day, but The Arboretum was beautiful (I had not been there before) and I was in great company. Thanks for going with me, David, we will have to do it again. I had a wonderful morning with you.

Hello Dolly

This is footage off of the Seawall in Galveston as the outer rings of Hurricane Dolly were pushing up through the Gulf. The sea was roiling, the sky was incredibly beautiful, and the air was so thick with salt and mist off the ocean that you could literally see it. Wonderful night and a great photo shoot, as well.

Ribbon Awareness

I stumbled upon this page and it finally hit me how weird and ridiculous this movement has become. "Ribbon Awareness" seemed plausible when it was yellow ribbons for the missing or red ribbons for AIDS. Now things have gotten completely out of hand.

This info can be found at the link above. If you manage to read through them all, you will probably be quite surprised (and possibly as amused as I was) to find out what color is associated with what disease. A particular favorite is the red and yellow for hepatitis C - presumably red for blood and yellow for jaundice. Another is the green and orange ribbon, just for being so very obscure in what it represents.

Black Ribbon
The black ribbon is to show your support for melanoma cancer patients and Sleep Disorders.

Blue Ribbon
Blue ribbons are associated with ARDS, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Colon Cancer and Arthritis.

Burgundy Ribbon
Burgundy ribbons are for myeloma, hospice care, Sepsis, APS (Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome), FVL, Thrombophilia, headaches and to support the Permanently Disabled.

CDH Ribbon
Support Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) patients.

Gold Ribbon
The Gold ribbons are for childhood cancer and COPD.

Gray Ribbon
Gray ribbons are for asthma and brain tumors.

Green Ribbon
Green awareness ribbons support organ & tissue donors, Neurofibromatosis, Kidney Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Bipolar and Tourette syndrome.

Green-Orange Ribbon
The green-orange ribbon is for Ritual Abuse and Dual Diagnosis. It's a special tribute to our friend Jim. You are all welcome to wear the ribbon and support the dual diagnosed.

Lavender Ribbon
Lavender awareness ribbons are associated with cancer and epilepsy.

Light Blue Ribbon
Light blue is the ribbon to support prostate cancer.

Lime Green Ribbon
Lime Awareness Ribbon to support Lyme Disease and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients.

Orange Ribbon
The orange ribbon stands for leukemia, RSD/CRPS, hunger, and addiction recovery.

Pale Yellow Ribbon
Spina bifida awareness is symbolized by pale yellow ribbons.

Pearl Ribbon
Pearl ribbons are for lung cancer, mesothelioma and multiple sclerosis.

Periwinkle Ribbon
Periwinkle Ribbon is a symbol of eating disorders and pulmonary hypertension.

Pink Ribbon
A pink ribbon is to show your support for breast cancer patients.

Purple Ribbon
Purple ribbons are worn to show support for Alzheimer's disease, Fibromyalgia, Chronic and Intractable Pain, ADHD, Lupus and cystic fibrosis.

Puzzle Ribbon
Wear the Puzzle Ribbon to support those 'living with' autism.

Red Ribbon
Red ribbons are associated with AIDS and HIV, heart disease and substance abuse.

Silver Ribbon
Parkinson's disease and mental illnesses are represented by silver ribbons.

Teal Ribbon
Teal ribbon represents substance abuse, Myasthenia Gravis and Panic Attacks.

White Ribbon
White ribbons support diabetes and retinoblastoma.

Yellow Red Ribbon
Hepatitis C Virus.

Yellow Ribbon
Yellow ribbons represent bladder and testicular cancer , liver disease, hydrocephalus, suicide prevention, down syndrome and hope.

Hey - "Purple ribbons are worn to show support for Alzheimer's disease, Fibromyalgia, Chronic and Intractable Pain, ADHD, Lupus and cystic fibrosis." OK - I've changed my mind - ribbons are the COOLEST! Marilyn and I get to wear the same ribbon (Lupus and ADHD) - into our old age and feeble mindedness! OH YEAH!

Understanding Poverty

Ann and Ben by Finijo

While at Little Barnaby's, I was lucky enough to encounter Ann Walton Sieber and Ben DeSoto and have a brief, but very interesting conversation about homelessness and good books. They are working on a project that will premier at Diverse Works on September 12th called Understanding Poverty and it will showcase Ben's incredible photography. Check out Ben's online gallery at his website zendfoto.com.

Healing Stones

I was home sick today and generally felt like caca. I went out this evening to find dinner and ended up at Whole Foods. While eating my dinner there, I met a woman who was wearing the most interesting jewelry. She said it was labradorite and that she worked with a PhD therapist who could "talk to the stones." We had a lengthy conversation about the healing properties of stones and "stone elixirs" she used to make. She described the elixir process as "submerging the healing stone in purified water, then add other ingredients and either vodka or brandy." She says each stone has a different healing property, but I couldn't help but think that perhaps the healing was from the vodka or brandy. I shot this footage of the aquarium at Whole Foods,and I think the sight of fish swimming probably has more of a healing property than the stones we discussed.

Stinger

Stinger III by Finijo

This thing has been menacing my home for a few days now. Buzzing around, acting angry - that's how he gets his kicks. He also seems strangely fond of lights that are on - but not so fond of being whacked by the ceiling fan. This is not what you would call a bright bug.

Stinger Light by Finijo

It lurks, then it comes out and drives the cats mad. I have concerns that they will pounce on it and get stung, but then I'm a little curious about how they would react should that happen. It seems that cats should have some inner mechanism that keeps them from getting hurt in that situation.

Stinger Light II by Finijo

I finally managed to scoop him up in a cup and get him out the door, but I still don't know what it is. Anyone got a clue for me? Whatever he is, he did not enjoy being held in a cup, and he protested very loudly.

Fourth of July Fireworks

Spider Lily by Finijo

I got to see fireworks this 4th of July. I went to a party in BFE and the ENTIRE neighborhood was lit up like...well, like the 4th of July. It was incredible. I left around 1:00 AM and there were still 30 people standing out in the street setting off fireworks.

Lion King by Finijo

I played with the settings and even moved the camera around to get some experimental shots. So most of my fireworks shots, don't look exactly like fireworks, but I had fun shooting them.

Flamenco Dancer by Finijo

This shot brought to my mind a flamenco dancer, with her red dress twirling about her.

Fireball by Finijo

This looks like some kind of strange space shot or explosion. Maybe even the Big Bang for an emerging galaxy. It was a fun evening and the sky was lit up beautifully.