January 31 2007

Day 31 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

WOW - 31 one days straight of photojournaling... Taking a photo each day has been a good exercise of keeping one eye open for a unique shot to serve as a reminder of a activity performed with perhaps some memories embedded to reflect on next year at this time.

I was holding out today for a picture of a snowfall here in Nashville - only God knows that the expected forecast of 1 - 2 inches would be a bust or not. Weather forecasting is just that - taking all the data available and forecasting the possible outcome, while armchair pronosticators speculate the what ifs and should I's... go to work; stay home; reschedule the doctor's appointment or run to the grocery store when there is probably enough food in our pantry to last for a week or two.

So for today's photo, nothing spectacular except clean out the Ally Dome - our satellite dish topped dog house - and batten down the windows and doors for the winter.

(See the story about construction of the Aly Dome at the WonderDawg blog)



Time for a new coat of paint and landscaping when spring rolls around -



I just slide the roof off and leaf blow the leaves and dirt out - carpet needs replacing...

January 30 2007

Day 30 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Here's a Boy Scout Catfish at the corner of Woodmont & Hillsboro in Nashville at the Boy Scout's Headquarters. One of the Scout's Law is to be CHEERFUL: A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.

This Catfish always brings a smile to my face. Part of the 2003 Catfish Out of Water City Art Festival, there are few still out of the water for public viewing around in the city. Public art at its finest!

Here's a link to see more fifty other Catfish Out of the Water...

January 29 2007

Day 29 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Every year when I get my Honda tested for emissions, I see this car parked across the street. If I had this jet powered Ford LTD, I would no longer have to worry about smog as I would be cruising above the clouds. My nickname would be "Cool Breeze" if I drove this car around town...

On another note, I asked the guy at the emissions testing station how many cars he could test on a busy day - "300". That's a lot of tailpipe probing and inhaling of exhaust fumes!

January 28 2007

Day 28 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

I love chasing after sunsets, but where I live I'm far below the horizon to fully capture a glowing sunset in a photo. The other vantage points are normally tricky as they contain not only foilage but electrical lines and telephone poles. Today, on a bone chilling day I found a great vantage point behind a Sam's Warehouse. No electrical lines to spoil the view - needless to say, I know exactly where to go to enjoy the wonder of a setting sun.

Two quotes to consider:

“If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God.” - G. K. Chesterton

“Nobody of any real culture, for instance, ever talks nowadays about the beauty of sunset. Sunsets are quite old fashioned. To admire them is a distinct sign of provincialism of temperament. Upon the other hand they go on.” - Oscar Wilde

January 27 2007

Day 27 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Pretty uneventful day - just on a mission to knock out a few errands and comtemplate upgrading Mrs. WonderDawg's 1996 Honda Civic to a 2007 Civic Hybrid model. So this photo of the day is just a placemarker to serve as the day we decided a Honda Element and Civic Hybrid, both with silver exteriors will soon grace our driveway. After we get through paying for two weddings!

January 26 2007

Day 26 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Sign, signs everywhere a sign of commerce to come... The new Nashville West Shopping Center. It was fun to watch the progress during construction of the signage. Seeing the skilled laborers assemble the steel girders, plywood forms, backerboard, scaffolding, masonry, electrical wiring and the finished metal was fascinating. The developers are building another sign at the other entrance. In my daily walks, I should make it a point to photograph the progress at the same time each day. Live blogging a time elasped construction of a sign.. Too much on my hands probably, but worth the exercise to walk the several blocks to do so...

January 25 2007

Day 25 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Ever had one of those high challenge days where the solution was just to find a rock to crawl up under? With this Project 365 Photo a Day to serve as a diary, today I see a rock shaped like the state of Tennessee. And then I'm reminded by some kind words expressed on my behalf from one end of the state to the other and points beyond via blogs, phone conversations or things that someone wrote or a photo taken that I can identify with in their struggles for this day to live out their destiny.

Today my back is killing me, my head hurts, my wallet is light and feelings were hurt, but my spirit have been lifted. I'm thankful that I have healthy relationships in my life - that encourage me, laugh with me (and at me !) and most of all, are not easily impressed with me - friendships that are solid as a rock. I am a blessed man.

January 24 2007

Day 24 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

A Tennessee Titans party bus parked for the season -

January 23 2007

Day 23 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus arrived by the downtown train here in Nashville. Yes, I stood out in the field with thirty other parents and kids to see the animals unloaded and the subsequent parade at rush hour.

I'm pretty tired however. The anticipation of the train, crisp weather, running up the hilly streets to catch a good photo and last hoofing through three parking lots to catch the parade turning on Broadway made me TIRED. I ain't no Jimmy Olsen... those elephants and horses can motor and cover some ground!

I took about 150 photos... the rest are over at The Greatest Show on Earth Flickr set. Enjoy!

January 22 2007

Day 22 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

I'm sitting on the couch enjoying the replays of the football games - the Colts were awesome over the Patriots and seeing the Saints manhandled by da Bears was not pretty. In this photo, Diggy gets freaked out by the crowd noise from football games, so she'll sit next to me and lean into me so hard that she'll fall over! Ally doesn't mind as long as she gets some couch time.

January 21 2007

Day 21 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

So the Tennessee Titans didn't make it to the BIG GAME; neither did the Cowboys, Chargers, Ravens or Eagles. Yes for 31 teams, a little rain must fall. There's only four teams left and soon, it's hard to believe - professional football season is over. Time to hang up the jerseys, put away the foam finger, pay the bar tab and move on with our lives now that football fanatics like me suddenly have fifteen extra hours off the couch. Time to hit the treadmill and get in shape for next season! Titans, Cowboys or Broncos... here's to NEXT YEAR!

January 20 2007

Day 20 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Ah done didit.. dagnabbit Deputy Dawg, Ah tooks the wrong way home and my honey bun was hollering "WONG WAY WOO!" Ah can't hep it if Ah'm got lost looking for wrasslin' by the Tennessee Fairgrounds. Ah was everwhichaways mess'd up because Ah think Ah've got somethin' in mah ah.

Next time Ah bleeve Ah gonna eat at the White Trash Cafe; Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, Ah sure do hope to - heard they have good squarsh, saar pickles, cole's law, griyuts with butter and sawt on'em and Co-cola.

Ah started to go inside, but the lady at the counter sed "I cudnt unnerstand a wurd he sed ... must be from some farn country." No beg deal; all Ah had was fiddy cent and besides, Ah was too tarred and phraisin taking this purdy picture.

January 19 2007

Day 17 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Ever had one of those days when the weight of the world was on your shoulders, pressures from all sides and multiple challenges to face? And when they all collide, it always comes on a Friday afternoon! Yet, I look around and see the burdens that my friends are carrying also - financial challenges, job worries, health issues, unmet expectations, broken relationships, winter bleakness... and yet there is great resolve to make it through to the other side - at least to where we can see light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm chasing a sunset to my challenges and for those I care for - and I see this photo that yes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As I'm standing in the parking lot reflecting on the day, with the trees and cold wind blowing, I'm reminded of Genesis 22:13, when God ordered Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, but at the last moment 'Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son'.

I am encouraged that better days are ahead and for my friends, I pray indeed that they will be encouraged as well. Meanwhile, as we're preservering, I can say to God - "I've got all the character building I can stand!" He is faithful; seldom early, but never late... Great is His faithfulness indeed.

January 18 2007

Day 17 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

New York may boast of Lady Liberty and Parisians may crowd the Louvre to see the Venus de Milo and revel in her armlessness, but only Nashville has polar bears throwing snowballs. Located at the corner of Edgehill Avenue and 12th Avenue South.

January 17 2007

Day 17 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

This dog is doing two things: (1) Giving me THE LOOK - "Don't even think of parking close to this truck" - there was a radius of seven parking spaces open around him and (2) howling for his owner to hurry out of the bank - as it was cold outside!

January 16 2007

Day 16 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

It is so cold here in Nashville - 27 degrees and it feels like 15 with the wind chill... I will have so much pent up cabin fever that myself and I'm sure every man in the West Nashville area can't wait to be drawn into the commerce and local man hangout in the new shopping center about two miles away from my house. Imagine: from left to right; Super Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, Best Buy and three more shops opening soon. "Sure honey, I'll be happy to go shopping with you! I'll meet you at Best Buy... "

January 15 2007

Day 15 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Today is one of those dreary, rainy days (and it's Monday too) where the only exciting thing my dogs can do is to sniff out the possibility of a rabbit living underneath their dog house.

January 14 2007

Day 14 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

One of the challenges put forth in this photo a day journal is to ALWAYS carry a camera on person - because surprises lurk around every corner! Taken the less traveled route home or a side street to avoid a traffic jam and a gem like this metal musician awaits you!

January 13 2007

Day 13 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Cole and Summer - Thunder's new momma and poppa from Austin Texas!

Follow the thread at: Remember Thunder and at Cole's blog.

I'll alway think of Thunder and Cole & Summer as my heartwarming Christmas Miracle Story of 2006!

January 12 2007

Bernard Harris



David & Nicole Binion

Day 12 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Tonight, we were witness to a superb night of gospel music as part of The Stellar Awards - a premier gospel event that recognizes and honors gospel artists.

We saw and heard in rapid fire two song sets of seventeen gospel artists bringing their A game and having a great time singing spiritual songs and rejoicing with high energy worship. This showcase was hosted by Central South Distribution at the Gibson Showcase.

January 11 2007

Day 11 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

After lunch today, I took a side street on the way home and ran up on this house. Curious, I got out and inquired if there was a yard sale in progress. "Not really..." but I wanted to buy anything I had better do so as the items might not be around, as they were cleaning out the house.

I was somewhat perplexed in the methodology of purging, as the placement of stuff on the lawn had a creative flair.



Permission was granted to take photos. I'm not quite sure what to make of all this treasure, especially since the mail box clearly indicated I was at the North Pole.



I'm going to add the batch to my Cruisin' Home Flickr set

January 10 2007

Day 10 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Today was one of those day that I could have sat in my jammies all day... Thanks to Apple's announcement of the iPhone, I've been scouring the web and talking to my peers in the smartphone space about the impact and innovation packed into this announced beautiful piece of hardware due out in June... while seeing if Palm responds by marrying the under acheiving LifeDrive with the Palm Treo that I'm holding in my hand.

Being in the business, I'm doing the competitive analysis while asking is it just an iPod with a phone built in? Or has Apple created a smartphone that sets the bar of innovation so high that handset manufacturers let alone software developers are scrambling to innovate at a furious pace. Processor speeds, battery life, 3rd party apps... there's so much to process and speculate on, but nonetheless, I'm on board with procuring an Apple iPhone. Thankfully, I'm on Cingular... while seeing how a unreleased product affects the overall competition by either stalling sales or accelerating rapid innovation by particularly by Palm and Windows Mobile powered smartphones.

January 9 2007

Day 9 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Elijah was over at our house showing me his FisherPrice digital camera that he got for Christmas. After shooting what seems to be 100 photos of my dog, my feet and my eyes, he was gracious enough to let me take it apart and see what was inside... A 256 SD card with 4 AA batteries capable of shooting 3000 lo res photos.

I was excited to see that he enjoyed taking photos and with an untrained eye, he took some pretty neat shots from low angles and cats running away! One day, Grandpa Woo will be talking to Elijah about the good old tech days of B&W TVs before televised three dimensional images were invented and everybody had a Apple iPhone in their Apple iMobile transport vehicle...

January 8 2007

Day 8 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Elvis is still rocking at Opry Mills...

Today is Elvis Presley's birthday - so I'm thinking the water cooler talk all across Memphis are memories of Elvis. I think it's time to gather up some friends and take a road trip to Graceland (for reasons I cannot explain). I've visited once before and it's a rare oppurtunity to see how a legend lived. How often do we ever get to walk through some famous house? There's the White House, the Monticello... I'm drawing a blank... I've brought my house from a now famous Christian musician some 22 years ago and once in a while, I'll have someone knock on the door asking to take a picture of the house.. but really there's nothing see inside other than this is where he took a shower.

Elvis Fun 'n' Games

January 7 2007

Day 7 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

After today's heavy rains (probably because God and fan base crybabies like me were crying over our favorite football team - the Dallas Cowboys - lose), our creek in our back yard was rushing its banks with over four feet of rising water - the likes of which we haven't seen in many years. It's normally a trickle with enough deep spots for our dogs to swim in.

Speaking of the creek rising...

"Can you tell me the origin of the phrase 'God willing and the creek don't rise'?"

Answer:

Benjamin Hawkins, and the phrase would be correctly written as 'God willing and the Creek don't rise'. Hawkins, college-educated and a well-written man would never have made a grammatical error, so the capitalizion of Creek is the only way the phrase could make sense. He wrote it in response to a request from the President to return to our Nation's Capital and the reference is not to a creek, but The Creek Indian Nation. If the Creek "rose", Hawkins would have to be present to quell the rebellion. I believe that the phrase is somewhere in his preserved writings.

LINK

January 6 2007

Day 6 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Chris (Megan's BF) and I were strolling around Opry Mills at the Gibson Guitar Factory when I asked him to pose as a rock star. Here he is with a $3,500.00 Les Paul... now I can't imagine paying that kind of change... especially since I'm more bent on gadget stuff. Now if Chris was taking the picture I would be holding a 17" MacBook Pro at the Apple Store in one hand and $800 cash in the other...

Anyway, here is Chris Corley being free as the breeze, and always at ease as Guitarzan (without the Jungle Band).

Git it, git it, git it, git it...OW!

January 5 2007

Day 5 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

I went to NTB Tires to fix a slow leak in a tire and saw this exhibit of someone's tire on display. Talk about having a bad day...

January 4 2007

Day 4 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

It's our daughter's 23rd birthday! L to R Me, Chris (Megan's BF), the Birthday Girl, Aunt Judy and Mrs. WonderDawg herself celebrating at the Cheesecake Factory!

January 3 2007

Day 3 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Horse statues at the entrance of "The Boulevard" - Belle Meade Boulevard in an affluent area known as the city of Belle Meade, as part of Nashville, TN metro area.

January 2 2007

Day 2 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

Flag flying half staff at Percy Warner Park in memory of President Gerald R. Ford 1913 - 2006

January 1 2007

Day 1 of 365 photos in 2007... photojournaling my way thru 2007!

My brother-in-law and I normally meet up in Chattanooga as a halfway point between Nashville and Atlanta to transport Helen, my 82 year old momma-in-law. She was a good sport to pose behind the wheel of the Porsche. Can you imagine Granny pedal to the metal in a Porsche?