Where the Heck is Christopher? » Photography

Goats … and Testing

chris — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:40:35 +0000

This friendly fellow greeted us bright and early in the morning when we stayed over at the Herban Living B&B for the 2008 Fall Ball. A cheery fellow, to be sure, even with the season’s first hard frost on the grass!

This is really just an excuse to test the latest-and-greatest WordPress 2.6.5, which I finally got around to installing. (I think I had 2.4.something, and was definitely a little long in the tooth compared to 2.6.5.)

The Gate

chris — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 22:58:27 +0000

The black gate is barely latched, practically inviting the observant visitor to come and sit among the quiet stones…

Rehoboth, MA

Where the grey hairs be at??

chris — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:23:56 +0000

Go, go, go, go, go, go
Go, shorty
It’s your birthday
We gon’ party like it’s your birthday!
We gon’ sip Bacardi like it’s your birthday!
…

Picture taken on February 16, looking up Wildcat Mountain. Skiers are anonymous (I don’t know them).

Dancing Generations

chris — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:08:26 +0000

When did dancing become something the adults did? You can’t bring kids to a hip-hop club, you’d be turned away at the door! But a contra dance? They are warmly welcomed.

Where dance has cultural importance, the whole family goes dancing. Grandpa, dad, mom, the kids, and even the babies. The kids are good dancers before they hit 12.

Somehow, we started this weird concept of dance “clubs” where children aren’t allowed. They grow up not dancing, and then dancing dies out of the culture when they grow up.

Do your kids a favor, and bring them dancing from the time they can barely walk. They might not be dancing when they turn 14, but you better believe they’ll remember it when they dance with their sweetheart under a warm summer moon.

Never forget the importance of touch. Brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers and grandparents and grandchildren and neighbors and visitors and guests and the occasional international transfer student all dancing together; that is dance, and it is very wonderfully human.

Do it in remembrance of the generations before you who created your culture, and brought your family and you into this world.

Dance!

First Snow

chris — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:08:34 +0000

We had our very first sticking snow of the season! This was a cause worth celebrating, which would explain why the roads were unsalted, trackless expanses of ice.

These pictures were taken on my way home from work (yesterday — a Sunday!) before the snow started. The light was a stupendous warm snow glow, which is somewhat reflected in the pictures.

Artificial Energy

chris — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:01:11 +0000

The day is long, the night longer still.
Yellow lines slide beneath me,
Abruptly hyphenating my force of will,
Changing, shifting, do I trust what I see?

Pop top aluminum can in my cupholder;
A quick thumb, a gentle sip,
Slow swallows, sugar and fizz.
Nothing yet, wait, wait for it.

Here it comes. Caffeine! Bliss!
Tired bones straighten, loose hands tighten.
Reality greets my eyes with a kiss,
Focus! Sounds sharpen, colors brighten.

The day is long, the night longer still.
Yellow lines slide beneath me,
Gently steady, quiet in the mist.
Straight, calm, I trust what I see!

Shh, there’s a moment coming

chris — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 07:00:27 +0000

My soul feels very quiet,
Still and listening.
Shhhh, there’s a moment coming,
And it is now.

Paths open, doors close.
My path? God knows.
Shh, there’s a moment coming,
And it is now.

Choices to make, some blind,
Some requiring only spine.
Shh, there’s a moment coming,
And it is now.

The wind in my heart blows,
I wonder, where does it go?
Shh, there’s a moment coming,
And it is now.

Shhhhhh, be still before the Lord.

Photograph is of the first snow of the season. Five minutes of snow, none stuck, but it was beautiful while it lasted!

Black Belt Congress

chris — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 03:08:59 +0000

Tonight, the dojo held their first “Black Belt Congress.” Due to some changes in the board membership, they have changed the initial test for Shodan. Before, a candidate needed to appear before the Board of Yudansha for review. If the Board passed the candidate, he or she would then participate in the next Shodan testing.

Now, all black belts have one vote. If no, an explanation is required. It’s a completely different system.

Tonight was the first use of this system. I took over 150 pictures, but here are the best.

Halloween

chris — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:48:47 +0000

Sweaty palms, pounding heart. There’s even a little bit of fear in there, too. It’s painfully obvious I don’t really know what I’m doing. I’m fumbling, even silly things.

It’s dark, and the air is cool. I’m ready. Let’s do this.

Ready.

Ready. My heart won’t slow down.

….and go! My engine roars under my feet, the tires chatter as I pull away. First to red, second to red, third to red…85 miles per hour, 16.6 seconds to a quarter mile.

It’s done. What a rush!

It’s Halloween, and I’m car 407, stock 2001 Jetta 1.8T, drag racing for the first time.

Best reaction time was 0.123, best quarter-mile was 16.401. No weight reduction, no MAF.

…and then my oil temperature sensor went on the fritz going home, so I was driving in limp mode with the temperature showing redline hot…I knew it was going, but that’s impeccable timing.

Fall Ball 2007

chris — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:26:23 +0000

The Fall Ball is a contra dance held annually at the Town House in Peterborough, New Hampshire. It runs 12 hours, from noon to midnight, with four bands and callers in turn. The hall is huge, and has a wonderful balcony. It’s a real pleasure to dance in, and the dancers are incredibly good.

I’d never been, before yesterday. The experience was wonderful, and I would go back in a heartbeat.

The balcony allows a large number of people to sit out, watch, and socialize. There are diners and cafes around, and it feels more like a festival. In contrast, the Dawn Dance is almost a religious experience.

For those so interested, I’ve posted a gallery of the best photos from Fall Ball 07.