Portland Coast Line

Before I went to visit the light house in Portland, my friend Shannon took me to a state park to view the ocean coast. The coast link in Portland is very rocky. They do not have the typical sandy beaches.

However, a lot of people were in the Two Lights State Park enjoying the view. I snapped this photo of the coast with a couple who had set up their chairs and were just enjoying the view. I have this photo of the Portland Coast online in color as well, but I really like the feeling of the black and white.

Another Radke Mural

I have been taking note of the graffiti in my neighborhood. However, there is on artist Scott Radke, who does work that is more like a public mural.

This morning, I walked to the bank to deposit a check and was walking down Fairfield Avenue when I noticed this mural* on the wall. Given the tiny nature of Tremont proper, I was stunned that I hadn't see it before. It was a great way to start the day.


*note - unfortunately, I only had my phone and it would not take the entire mural. I was trying to be crafty by taking two pictures and photoshopping them together. Unfortunately, I moved and the perspective of the second picture changed. I am going to take another photo and update later.

Portland Light House

After my work trip to Boston, I made a small excurion 'down east' to Portland. I am not quite sure why they call going North to Maine, down east. I am also not sure Portland is far enough north to be down east.

I digress. The coastal area of Portland is very beautiful and sprinkled with light houses. The one in the photograph is Portland Head Light. My friend, Shannon, told me this light house was one of the most photographed light houses in the United States.

When I was looking around for some links for the posting, there were TONS of images, so that might be true. I took some other photos, but just posted this mobile phone pic in the meantime.

Another Little Duckling

In the public gardens of Boston, there are a set of brass duckling statues. The ducklings are meant as an homage to the book written about that. Today, when we were walking by, this little boy decided to join the little ducklings on their perpetual march into the pond.

We did get to see other cool things in the Boston Public garden including real ducklings and swans.

Keno In the Rain - Boston Style

So - did you ever wonder what happens when you get caught in the rain in Boston and your friend isn't at home?

There could be many answers to that question. For me, I headed to the Corner Bar - that is literally its name.  When I was there having a Miller Lite, I notice the Keno slips on the table. 

The only other bar I have seen that has Keno was in Annapolis, Md.  At any rate, the beer was cold and the bar was dry.  Eventually, my friend found me.  Then all was right with the world. 

The Nauti Swords

After a long day at work, a few of my co-workers and I headed to the Nauti Mermaid for a drink. I have been in this place before and really not found much inspiration.

However, tonight, I really was digging the cup full of different color fruit swords. I only had my cell phone, so this picture is super crappy (which seems to be a theme). I would almost like to take back my other camera and try to make a better photo of the same thing.

David Mead at Web Association

Most of the photos on my blog have been in a few veins - flowers, cityscapes, humor and folks around the office. Today's photo is from the folks around of the office category.

My office mate, David Mead, was a speaker at the Web Association last week.

He gave a presentation on Micromedia. I snapped this shot with my camera phone during his presentation. Due to the less than stellar zooming capabilities, he is a bit far away. However, I think see the attendees in the audience adds a bit of mood.

The Coffee Cops

OK - the quality of this picture is seriously NOT good. However, I think that it is kind of ironic. As I was driving to work today, I was thinking about the Coffee Cop photo I had shot outside of the Starbucks.

Well, I haven't really seen any cops outside of Starbucks drinking coffee in awhile. I did see an armed security guard, but that doesn't count.

As I was walking toward the building today, low and behold, there were 4 cops outside of Starbucks. I had to use my phone to shoot the photo and do it from further away. Cops don't like you to sneak up and take pictures, so I had to be covert.

I played with my phone a little bit after I took the picture because I think they heard the camera sound from my phone. Yikes, a near escape.

Charleston Gateway Walk - St. Philips Cemetery

While touring through Charleston, my friend and I decided to follow the Gateway Walk. It is a free walking tour through some very prominent landmarks.

Even better, the tour walkway cuts through a series of churches and narrow pathways. It feels a bit like you are cutting through yards when you are a kid.

This photo shows the begging of the Gateway Walk that originates at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in the cemetery.

Big 'Ole Basil Bunches

While I was at the Charleston Farmers' Market, I noticed this sign as we were leaving.

I like this picture for a couple of reasons. I not only like it because the chalk board feels a bit down home, but the language on the board helps it really connect to the fact that this is a Southern farmers market, y'all.

Marion Square Farmers' Market in Charleston

While I was in Charleston, I stayed at the Francis Marion Hotel. Directly across the street was Marion Square. On Saturday, there is a great Farmer's Market.

There was some great music, homemade pies, great artists selling their wares and, most of all, the great local farmers who brought their produce and vegetables to the market.

I shot this photo when my friend was waiting in line to buy some YUMMY peaches.

Lowcountry Townhouse in Charleston

While I was in Charleston, I walked all over town. One of the things that I really loved about the city was the brightly painted houses.

There is a famous area of town called Rainbow Row, however, I really felt that is orange townhouse was one of the best ones in town. It is also very typical and has a lovely palmetto tree in front of it.

Since South Carolina is the Palmetto State, I thought it was fitting.

BBQ - Carolina Style

I sat down to eat some real carolina bbq before i left.

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Sailing off the Coast Of Charleston

In an effort to meet my friends at an earlier time, I decided to take the Water Taxi over to Mt. Pleasant. While I was on the boat, this lovelu sail boat went by us.

I really loved Charleston and it was great to be able to be on the water and go to the beach.

View of Marion Square in Charleston

I am visiting Charletson in South Carolina. This photo was shot out of my hotel window. I am on the 10th floor of the Francis Marion Hotel. It has a great view of the city and the water. Just beyong the church is one of the bridges that go between the barrier islands.

Sign Guy Signs Keep Popping Up in Tremont

One of the things I like about the Sign Guy signs it that they are everywhere. They tend to pop up in unusual places. A lot of them are relatively hidden or in places that are bit more obscure.

The sign in the picture - I just noticed it this morning. However, I have no idea how long it has been there. This one was at the bottom of a telephone pole.

I remember having a conversation with a friend in Tremont about the signs and he had never noticed them before - he was a Tremont native. Of course, at the time, they tended to be either very high, very low or in an obscure place.

I guess it also makes me realize that most people are not very observent.

Three Little Birds in Tremont - Sort Of

I had noticed a graffiti bird in another part of Tremont. So, when I saw this one, I realized that the person probably tagged these all over the place.

I had seen a third one somewhere, but I couldn't remember where it was. I was going to post photos of all three of these birds, but just decided to post this one.

I like the juxtaposition of the brown paint and the white rusted sign. I wish I could remember where I had seen the third bird (the second is at the intersection of Literary and Railway Avenue.

West Side Market Crowd gets into Choir

When I went to the West Side Market this weekend, I stopped in the square to watch a gospel choir.

The choir invited a few of the onlookers to join the stage and sing the song they had just finished. It was really fun and everyone got involved with the choir.

I stayed around for a few more songs and enjoyed the sun, songs and wonderful afternoon.

Carving at the West Site Market Square

While I was in the West Side Market Square, I noticed this gentleman carving a can while he was sitting there listening to the choir.

Granted, I would normally not be excited about someone having a knife in Ohio City, but I think this situation was a little bit different.

I remember seeing this gentleman last summer when I was at the market. He had one of his finished canes leaning against the bench next to him.

West Side Market Saturday

I went to the West Side Market this morning to do some shopping. It is an incredible day and the weather is perfect.

When I was done inside of the market house, I walked across the street to the market square. There were lot of vendors and a gospel choir playing in the park. This picture was taken of one of the onlookers.

There was something about the market on this day that felt very much like New Orleans to me. It was really fun to be somewhere with great music where the crowd was joining in the singing and having a great time.

Patriotic Dog in Mentor Parade

On July 4th, I headed out to the Mentor Headlands to see a parade. There were lots of interesting cars, floats and baton twirlers.

However, my favorite part of the parade was this little dog that was marching with the Animal Shelter group.

The dog was on a roller because it was injured. The owner had decorated it with streamers and flags.

It was super cute!

American Republic on the River

On my walk home from work yesterday, I had the fortunate timing of seeing a boat rolling under the tressle bridge. I started shooting from a lower part of the hill, but the pictures were not coming out very well.

I hotfooted it up the hill and managed to snap this picture as it was going through the bridge.

I thought it was fitting to post this picture of the "American Republic" on July 4th.

I can't imagine any commuters get to see something this fun when they are on US480.

White Trash Adam Jams

Some times the quality of a photograph is not the most important thing. It is the need to capture an event, an important or whimsical moment in time.

This picture of Young Adam (or White Trash Adam) is just that type of picture. After an impromptu margarita party at the office last night, my co-workers and I headed to the Map Room.

As I am writing this post, I am also reminded of another random weeknight when Young Adam was jamming. I think the upcoming holiday has folks at the Optiem offices getting a little zany.