Shots from the Lip

 There is something very positive as a result of doing a Friday morning bicycle ride later than 'normal'.  True, auto traffic is heavier at 10am than at 8am but lousy drivers I fear are afternoon drivers - they don't get out in the mornings!!! Regardless, since this is still a weekday, there is little lingering after the morning workouts by those still having to go to work and the beach is wonderfully quiet, void of runners, walkers, riders, whathaveyou.......and I am one who loves solitude.........! Sooner or later I will finish my first roll of film on my Rollei, take it to Walgreens and even before I get the results back, I will start upon a B&W roll of film.  Going on mini-photoshoots a few days each week works for me......and now that I have watercolor pencils, I hope to get back to sketching, inking, coloring on a regular, recurring basis.

 True, the temperature reading on my watch showed 31C mid-afternoon, yesterday.  I don't believe it!  There was a wind blowing - not strong but its presence was definitely felt.  And it was comfortable outside even though I was wearing a long sleeved thermal black T shirt (under a long sleeved, semi-ancient Brooks Brothers dress shirt and not thermal, lightweight long johns.  Hey, after living for years in 36-42C days in Bangkok, 31 (which I didn't really believe) in Santa Monica works for me! A couple of days more - I am taking a few pictures a day with my Rollei film camera.  The anxiety to see what the pictures are like is no longer there - when I see them, I'll see them.  Until then, though, I will still take pictures....when the roll started with (Kodacolour) is finished, I'll shoot their monochrome Tri X current day equivilant  and what for processing to be complete........I'm still anxious....but not anxiety anxious......When I see them, I'...

 17 March - St Patrick's Day......and my half-birthday.......from here on in through, I am closer to being a year older than when I celebrated last year.......no big deal..... It is going to be hot today - 31C???  When I do go out later on today, I will take off the thermal T shirt prior to going out........ Will I add more later on or leave this as is?   Only time will tell.......

  Our cherry blossoms are wonderfully in bloom.......the Japanese maple has spring buds already as does our persimmon tree.  Two days ago we froze our asses off because of the low temperature and the interminable wind that made it feel colder than the 11 degrees C outside........and it seems that the temperature is going to go up to 30C today - how bizarre! I think I am 'comfortable' with my Rollei 35AF.  I am cautiously optimistic that I loaded the film correctly and that the shutter is in operation even though there is no 'usual' shutter sound (more of a 'snap' that doesn't sound right but likely is). The grip I ordered from Amazon arrived and I used it, holding the grip (camera attached) in my left hand, right had holding my cane.  I walk easily this way and when I find something that can meaningfully (at least to me) to take a picture of, the handle loop on the came goes to my left hand so I can 'finish' the shot with my right hand free.   Obviou...

 Who knew it was the day of change from standard to daylight savings time?  Certainly not me - I found out later.....but at 5 to 11 in the morning, it sure as hell does not feel that late. The bike paths today were void of runners but there were far more cyclists out today and the weather was real nice.  I only got out once this weekend - Saturday was far too windy to ride - but one day a week is better than none. Today's the day I will overcome fear of trying and work to get my Rollei working so I can do a photoshoot.......let us see how it goes....... I had so much I thought about to write today.....alas, once again, I do not have the writing motivation - yet......ah well - time to play piano for a while.....

 Fridays on a monthly basis - 9 of them throughout the year.  11am LA Phil concerts. Sundays too - 5 operas throughout the year - 2pm matinees.   13 days on my own. After my 8am AMD treatment at 2021 Santa Monica Blvd, I walked towards the 26th Street Metro E Line station, stopping at the outdoor tables at Universal Music to have a protein bar for breakfast prior to my DTLA ride.  I anticipated my Grand Ave/Arts exit and a brief walk around the Broad Museum to the Disney.  It wasn't as brief or as simple to do this time:  They are expanding the Broad, closing paths and substituting detours, only one of which was walkable.  One can't walk?  There are busses.......and this will be through the end of the season - such is life.....it could be worse....... Regardless, an out door $3.50 cup of coffee (and a gummy) were consumed before going in and up to my seat (same as all prior this year as a season ticket holder) and experiencing Beethoven unlik...