Daily Photos

< December 2011 >

December 1, 2011
Shakespeare has packed up and moved to Texas. There`s always a letter scene (see December 4, 2009). Yes, they`re hiding behind an armadillo. When Shakespeare introduces a character with a name like Dogberry, prepare to laugh. She doesn`t want to be kissed. But, really, she does.

December 2, 2011
If you`re sweet, you ought to be at Frost Cupcake Bar at 153 South Main Street in Springboro, Ohio. Back at ya. I never realized Neal Gittleman was so tall. As soon as a human being creates something, it begins to deteriorate. That doesn`t stop them from doing it, though. `The Imperfect Universe,` (2010, latex paint and epoxy resin on panel) by Bart Vargas, on display now through December 30 at the Dayton Visual Arts Center.

December 3, 2011
It`s against the law to shoot a bald eagle. Today was so warm, I felt guilty. It just didn`t seem right. I have a multi-faceted personality. The pathway to peace. Another of the neighbors` krazy kats (see November 18, 2011).

December 4, 2011
Suddenly, a choir sprouted from the poinsettias. Sopranos are so shy. Try doing this with your camera. They suddenly appeared during the `Hallelujah` chorus. There`s always one in every crowd (or, in this case, two).

December 5, 2011
I like my grape juice with a little foam on the top. My, how festive! There`s always someone having a worse day than you. Drive safely. Sitting inside my car, contemplating the dash through the rain to my front door.

December 6, 2011
This is NOT my home decorated for Christmas. This is NOT my home decorated for Christmas. This is NOT my home decorated for Christmas. This is NOT my home decorated for Christmas. This IS my home decorated for Christmas.

December 7, 2011
I`ve lived in the Oregon District for a long time and have forgotten just how picturesque some of the houses are. The fireplace has a pause button. Why isn`t Better Homes & Gardens calling me right now? This didn`t turn out anything like I expected. Someone left a big pile of work on my desk this morning.

December 8, 2011
After driving for a long time, I finally arrived in Ohio. My GPS never runs out of batteries. Ink, maybe. Every once in a while, I step outside of my small, local comfort zone and go someplace else - for a short time. Crank it up - the hotel pays for it. I wonder what this gizmo does.

December 9, 2011
I wonder what this gizmo does. Did you see my photograph in The Vandalia Drummer? Have you ever heard of The Vandalia Drummer? (See November 30, 2011.) Moonlight in the sky. Moonlight in my room. There was a partial elipse of the moon tonight.

December 10, 2011
Do you want more lively hair? `What? No one told me there would be an AUDIENCE!` `_________!!!` [My first `You Write the Caption` contest.] `I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky.` Do you want longer eyelashes?

December 11, 2011
Every December, the holiday concert of the Kettering Children`s Choir marks the start of my Christmas season. I`ve observed their rehearsals, and even the youngest choir members have impressive musical knowledge. Once again you are forced to wonder, `How does he get such interesting camera angles?` The concert always ends with the choir singing in the aisles, creating a personal ritual for each member. While my faults and shortcomings are too many to count, at least I`m able to take pictures that make people happy.

December 12, 2011
Baggy shorts make it hard to dribble between the legs. The coach shouts, `Back it out, back it out!` The player hears, `Put it up, put it up!` `Let me take this opportunity to share with you a few excerpts from John Wooden`s book.` `Here, let me help you with that.` Leading by 35 points, EVERYBODY gets to play.

December 13, 2011
Every year about this time, people at work try to kill me. See December 10, 2010, December 18, 2009, December 18, 2008, and December 19, 2006. Less candy, more Ben Franklin, please. I had BETTER get Mozart`s birth year right on this quiz. You`re not gonna EAT this -- with all that candy around? There never seems to be enough.

December 14, 2011
Chat noir. The Tumbleweed Connection has a new color (see November 22, 2011). Third and St. Clair streets. It`s Christmastime in the city. Who made red and green the official colors of Christmas?

December 15, 2011
If I was, then I wouldn`t have had to pay admission. The Generations Big Band performs at Jazz Central. Have you ever wondered: WHY is there music? Fly her to the moon. It sure is dark on the stage.

December 16, 2011
It seemed like a simple project: take a photograph of one human being and two cats in front of this Christmas tree. Unfortunately, the cats weren`t feeling photogenic. They made it clear they had no desire to participate. It`s only right, you know. Confusion.

December 17, 2011
Here`s where I think the game started to get away from us. Don`t foul. Santa Claus is watching. Everyone experiences rejection now and then. Number Zero zeroes in on the hoop. Be glad you can`t read the scoreboard.

December 18, 2011
Look all you want for deeper meaning. There is none. The line between art and litter grows ever more vague. Look all you want for deeper meaning. There is none. Suddenly I`m hungry for a roast beef sandwich. Look all you want for deeper meaning. There is none.

December 19, 2011
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. PROVERBS 31:10 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem. ZECHARIAH 9:9 She is not afraid of the snow for her household. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry. PROVERBS 31:21, 22 Behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves` eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn. SONG OF SOLOMON 4:1,2 Beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. PROVERBS 31:30

December 20, 2011
He`s Mister White Christmas, he`s Mister Snow. He`s Mister Icicle, he`s Mister Ten Below. THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS It`s not too late to migrate south for the winter. Look around, leaves are brown now and the sky is a hazy shade of winter. PAUL SIMON I have small feet. Aww, thanks. What a nice thing to say.

December 21, 2011
School`s out! Other holidays might be more tolerable if they were as full of music as Christmas is. He`s got a good ear for music. `Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.` The concert is in the other direction.

December 22, 2011
Guess where I am. It can be only one place. Thanks to brilliant marketing from the paper industry, we buy their goods every Christmas, only to throw them away. I could just get up and look out the window, but it`s easier to find out from the Internet if this package has arrived. Death is never very far away (see January 13, 2005). Grandma is remembered through her handwritten recipes.

December 23, 2011
We set about choosing a tree. It should be twice as tall as a boy, so a boy can`t steal the star. TRUMAN CAPOTE The Christmas tree in hyperspace. `Nope, I`ve checked it twice and your name just isn`t here.` It`s the penguin that really confuses me. There will be a wedding in this gazebo on Christmas Eve.

December 24, 2011
Something wicked this way comes. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE In the bright midwinter. He traded in his sleigh a long time ago. `Freedom from Want` by Norman Rockwell. It`s hard to know what some people want for Christmas. With other people, not so much.

December 25, 2011
After green and red, gold is a third Christmas color. In fact, gold dominates the entire color scheme here. `Is this for me?` Good things come in small packages. These gift certificates are accepted everywhere.

December 26, 2011
Taking five photos every day has become a real pane. It spells something. Can you read it? Happy Boxing Day. Sidewalk origami. Good grief, Charlie Brown!

December 27, 2011
Cold milk soothes a sore throat. How illuminating. The forecast was right: we got `less than an inch of snow.` Through an odd coincidence, I ended up with chocolate bars, graham crackers and marshmallows. What to do? I can`t let those ingredients go to waste.

December 28, 2011
Wait, it could still rattle out. Loft it, Lefty! Swish! `Stop missing shots, okay?!?!` During the week after Christmas, the Sinclair team was able to put five players on the court. No subs necessary.

December 29, 2011
This Adam Alonzo is a musician in California. This Adam Alonzo is a criminal in Illinois. This Adam Alonzo is a football player in Texas. This Adam Alonzo is an ex-public radio announcer in Ohio. This Adam Alonzo is a criminal in Texas.

December 30, 2011
For Richer. For Poorer. Mark Smarelli plays some insane vibes in Yellow Springs. His instrument was still smoldering as I took this. When I make soup at home, it comes out of a can. OFFEE

December 31, 2011
My photography has reached an all-time low. Any lower, and it would be underground. Hey -- THAT`S an idea! Happy new year. This makes me think of depth of field, hyperfocal distance, and all sorts of technical photographic terminology. Let other people celebrate new year`s eve. I plan to be sleeping in a NyQuil-induced coma long before midnight. It almost looks like it`s leading somewhere. Almost . . .

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