Photoshoot at Work

Cancer Survivor Memorial in Hermann Park by Finijo

Today, my co-worker, Pedro, had us all out at the park taking pictures for our newsletter. It was a gorgeous day, so I snapped a few shots of some landmarks. I have always been fascinated by this memorial for cancer survivors. Upon closer inspection, it is an interesting, but odd statue. The child appears to be walking on legs that do not belong to him, and the man is strangely effeminate in his stance. There are also a younger woman and an old woman peering at the advancing trio, as if they can't quite believe their eyes.

Hermann Park Gazebo by Finijo

I love the ironwork on this gazebo. It is delicate and strong at the same time. Our photos came out great and the newsletter is also shaping up nicely. This was a very nice way to start our work day.

Carlos Runcie-Tanaka: FRAGMENTO

CARLOS RUNCIE TANAKA, Tiempo detenido / No Olvidar, 1997-2006 (photo by finijo)

I went to see the Carlos Runcie-Tanaka exhibit, Fragmento, at The Station Museum of Contemporary Art with Saibe today. The morning started with breakfast at Tacos-a- Go-Go and editing one of his stories. This exhibit is different from the others I have seen at The Station Museum, in that it was serene. Beautiful Asian music played and the installations had a calming effect when viewed. The funereal scene (shown above) caused a reverential feeling, like what I was viewing was sacred.

CARLOS RUNCIE TANAKA, Huayco / Kawa / Río, 2003-2006 (photo by Finijo)

The ceramic balls shown above brought to mind a Japanese Zen garden of sand and stones. Walking among the ceramic balls, the sense of tranquility was visceral. The lighting was perfect and the music only enhanced the feeling.

CARLOS RUNCIE TANAKA, Manto, 1978-2006 (photo by finijo)

According to the Station Museum website:

Carlos Runcie-Tanaka is an artist with superb artistic skills, compelling visual
insights and a profoundly spiritual sense of mystery. He was born in Lima, Peru;
his heritage is Peruvian, Japanese and English. Lima is the multi-cultural
capital of Peru on the Pacific coast of South America. With over eight million
inhabitants, Peru’s demographic consists of Indigenous people, Europeans,
Americans and Afro-Peruvians.

Galveston One Year Post Ike

Galveston Stairs by Finijo

I visited Galveston a year after Hurricane Ike left his mark on the island. The day was windy and cool and quite beautiful. It was like most days in Galveston, but the clean up since Ike is almost complete and there is so much new construction that you would hardly believe that the devastation that took place just a year ago even happened.

Kettle House by Finijo

This is one of my favorite structures on the island. I am not even sure how it came to be, but this

is what I could find out about the Kettle House from the Galveston Shuttle:

KETTLE HOUSE, GALVESTON TEXAS - According to the “Weird Texas” by Wesley Treat, Heather Shade and Rob Roggs, the Kettle House in Galveston was “supposedly erected by a gentleman who used to build storage tanks for oil companies.” Neighbors no little of the man, but the house house has been there over 50 years and has survived Hurricane Ike. No one lives there even though a man is sometimes seen there making improvements only to disappear for months again.

Ike's Truck by Finijo

This truck can be found on what is left of a pier off of Seawall Blvd. heading West on the island. It has been there since the storm and the pier is in need of repair before it will be retrieved. In spite of a sign saying that that pier will be open again soon, it does not look like anything has been done there since Ike, other than to erect a fence to keep people off of it.

Birds Recycle by Finijo

If you click on this photo, you will get an idea of how well nature adapts after a natural disaster and how well it manages to deal with the waste we leave behind. Someone is out a truck, but now many birds call that truck home. I almost hope they leave it out there. It would be a shame to see them lose their home.

Galveston Blooper

Galveston Blooper by Finijo

I took this footage by accident during a trip to Galveston. I didn't realize the video setting was on, so the shot I meant to take is the one that I finally settled on at the end of the footage. I will get the hang of it eventually.

Art Opening with Dawn

Oriole by Finijo

Dawn and I scheduled one of our dinners out, but then she got a better idea. A former employer of hers, Jim Blackburn (an environmental attorney who does really good things in Texas) sent out an e-mail about an art opening he was having, so we went to the opening before dinner.

Heron by Finijo

The show was held at The Art League (next to Inversion Coffee House) and it was titled: Birds: A Collection of Verse and Vision by Jim Blackburn and Isabel Scurry Chapman. Ms. Chapman painted birds native to Texas on cigar boxes and Mr. Blackburn wrote poetry about each bird and it all connected with the conservation that is so close to his heart.

The Grackle by Finijo

After the opening, we went to Barnaby's for Dinner. Ryan was our waiter and he was both funny and charming, as usual. Dawn is now a fan of Barnaby's burgers - which are arguably some of the best in Houston. We need to schedule more of our outings, but we always seem to get caught up in our day to day lives and just don't make time like we should. Maybe we will do better in the coming year...

Patty Visit for Patsy's Wedding

Patsy's Rhinestone Wedding Hair by Finijo

I got a call today from Patsy telling me that Patty was in town for her wedding. Patty had come all the way from West Virginia and I was very excited to be able to surprise her during her visit. Because of the festivities I only got to spend a little over an hour with them, but I got to sit with them while they got their hair done for the wedding (which was planned in a Cowgirl theme). I really do need to plan a trip to West Virginia to visit Patty and about 45 cousins up on a mountain...

Little Rock 2009

Crisp Morning Swim by Finijo

I was surprised at how cool it was in the evening and how chilly it was in the morning. The pool stayed warm, though. I have always enjoyed Arkansas early in the morning - the smells, the sounds, and the way the world looks when the sun is coming up and you are drinking a cup of coffee. Add to that an early morning swim, and it doesn't get much better.

Connor Night Swim by Finijo

This photo shows another surprise of the trip. The gawky teenager we sent to work for David four weeks before had somehow begun to look like a young man by the time we came to pick him up. The hours of manual labor resulted in his developing man muscles and even in his growing what seemed like a full inch.

The Mansion by Finijo

This shot is at the far end of one of the two ponds that David installed in front of the mansion. Connor, Marilyn and David are walking up the driveway and feeding crackers to the fish on the way to view the house. The last time we saw it, it wasn't quite finished. Now all is complete, except the furnishing.

View to the White House by Finijo

This is a view from the bedroom balcony over the living room and outside down the driveway to the smaller house and pool. I like the way the light looks coming through the windows across the wood floors. It is a spectacular room.

Livingroom Interior by Finijo

This photo shows the living room back to the mid-level bathroom and the stairway up to David's bedroom and office area. I think he must have used half a forest for the paneling and floors of his new home.

Master Bathroom by Finijo

This is one of the best features of the house. He outdid himself in the design of this room. A garden jacuzzi tub, dual sinks, and the incredible shower with 4 shower heads.

Ecstasy by Finjo

This is what bliss looks like in the form of water. There is a rain head above, a shower head aimed at your noggin, another aimed at your chest and a fourth shower head that hits you right in the bum. Until you have felt a multi-headed shower, I think you cannot fully understand the appeal. It is hard to make yourself turn off the water and leave.

Working in Memphis

View from Club Window by Finijo

We had a lot of fun in Memphis when we visited Steve, Gina, and Ada (we always do). One of the days we were there, Steve had to work, so I decided to go with him and get caught up on some work of my own. This is the view I had all day as I worked.

Steve and Craig by Finijo

We all had breakfast at The Crescent Club in the morning, then Gina took Marilyn and Connor back to the house, and I stayed behind at the club with Steve and his partner, Craig. They conducted interviews and made phone calls and programmed...and laughed a lot, for a couple of guys hard at work.

Crescent Club E-Lounge by Finijo

Spider vs. Toothpick

Spider vs. Toothpick by Finjo

We took David out to eat before heading to Memphis to visit Steve. On the way out of the restaurant, Connor removed the toothpick from his mouth and tossed it (like the good country bumpkin that we raised - NOT), and was amazed when the toothpick defied the laws of gravity and hung in mid air. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the toothpick had landed and stuck in a very large spider's very large web. We all watched enthralled as the spider (who seemed quite vexed at Connor's littering in her home) rapidly worked to remove the toothpick from her web. She literally carried it to the edge and then dropped it off. It took her about a minute and we all stood their gawping at her while she took out the trash. Charlotte was "Some Spider," and I only wish that I had thought to get the deed on video.

Trip to Bountiful

Trip to Bountiful by Finijo

This video is of the driveway leading up to my brother's home. To the left, you will see the mansion that he is building to live alone in. To the right, you will see the smaller house he now occupies. The mansion is complete, but he has not yet furnished it. We took this trip to pick up Connor who worked for David's tree service for a month and earned a thousand dollars, which will be put in savings for college for him. He worked like a dog for a month and learned a lot more than he would have, if he had been allowed to sit at home and mainline Cartoon Network all day. I think it was a rough visit for him, probably rougher for David, but all in all, it gave them a chance to get to know each other and bond and a chance for Connor to become just a little more independent than he was this summer.

Another realization was had by Marilyn and I during this trip. It turns out that Connor loves living in the country. We raised him in the city, because we were raised in the suburbs, and were dissatisfied with being so disconnected from "the world" out there. Our parents were raised in cities, and wanted to give us the security of the suburbs. Connor will likely raise his children in the country, and they in turn will want to give something else to their children...the cycle never ends.

Road to Little Rock

Road Trip Reflection by Finijo

Marilyn and I drove to Little Rock on an incredibly gorgeous day. It's a beautiful eight hour drive from Houston to Little Rock, and we always enjoy the trip. Not only is it scenic, but we travel well together alternating music and talking.

View to Little Rock by Finijo

We are lucky that Connor is a good traveler, too. From the time he was 6 months old, till now, he makes the journey more enjoyable. We are in agreement, though. Eight hours is about the longest we want to drive - anything longer starts to feel like work.

Berripop Meyerland!!

Berripop Meyerland! by Finijo

I am not sure how long it has been open, but today I was finally able to get some Berripop yogurt at the Meyerland location. Since I was introduced to this wonderful treat by Karim and Louis a few months ago, I have been terribly addicted to the tart flavor of the raspberry/pomegranate yogurt and the fresh fruit (I prefer the combo of blackberry, kiwi, and strawberry). Now I get to have it whenever I want, without driving ten miles away! I have to apologize to Piccomolo (which is across the street from the new Berripop location), because my preference is for yogurt, not only because it is a bit healthier, but the consistency just does it for me.

Cedar Creek Cafe

Cedar Creek Cafe by Finijo

Today I met up with Karim and Louis and we went to the Cedar Creek Cafe for a leisurely lunch. I loved the atmosphere - very Austin-esque, which always appeals to me. This cafe, bar and grill is part of the Creek Group, a group of restaurants that describes their concept on the website as, "The Creek Group is a charming group of cafes dedicated to the ‘country folk’ mentality. Slow down, kick your feet up and listen to some good ol’ country & blues and have a good laugh. It’s like fishin’ without the pole. "

Cedar Creek Stage by Finijo

I ordered a Greek Salad with Salmon and have been thinking about it ever since. I will be back, and will likely order the same thing. The menu has a lot of variety, but it is typically American fare. They even have "meatless" burgers in the form of tuna, Boca Burgers, and Bella burgers.

Cedar Creek by Finijo

Just past this creek is a parking lot that hosts a farmer's market some weekends. This is the perfect place to enjoy your friends and a meal and just chill. I would bet that the atmosphere becomes a bit more beer fueled and kinetic at night, but for a lazy Saturday afternoon, Cedar Creek Cafe, Bar & Grill is just perfect.

Birthday

Rudyards by Finijo

For my birthday, I went to Rudyards with Marilyn and Saibe for Boo Town's story night. I always call it "Adult Story Time," but that makes it sound naughty. What Boo Town does is offer writer's the chance to submit stories and have them read by actors in front of an audience. The concept is pretty cool, and the outcome is often hilarious (sometimes unintentionally so).

Rudyards Stage

This photo shows where the magic happens. I am hoping that Saibe will soon produce some work for presentation by Boo Town. He is a talented young writer of some pretty gruesome fiction, and needs to get his work out and take his talent more seriously. It was a nice way to spend my birthday and a lot of fun, also. I definitely recommend Boo Town.

Casting Reflection

Casting Reflection by Finijo

Around midnight I cast reflection upon my life. It seemed like a good time to look inward to see what I would find. What I found was not unexpected, but I suppose any time we take the time to really look at ourselves, we find that we are wanting in many aspects of our life and our selves. My casting reflected problems with communication, a partnership that lead to the problems with communication, my unwillingness to recognize that my problem is coming from within, my need to look deep within myself to deal with the deepest needs of my nature, and a need to concentrate on my own life, because an old way of life has died. I am searching - I guess I am always searching. I cast runes from time to time, not as a way to divine my future, but as a way to reflect on my life from another perspective. I usually find that it helps me gain insight, and tonight was no exception.