Bauble Delight

Christmas Baubles galore!

This blogsite will end on December 31st, 2009. A new updated blogsite is now up and running. Please change your links and visit the new address - northmetrophoto.com.
I thank you for your support!

Anticipation

A trip downtown to Macy's 8th floor auditorium display with Dan and Mitch to view 'A Day in the Life of an Elf'. This was a repeat of last year's Christmas display theme. I am not sure why this one remained the same for this year; perhaps the poor economy? Let us hope for a new spectacular Christmas display next year.

For more than four decades, the 8th floor has brought Christmas delight and memories to generations of families at the then Dayton's. This is an annual event for so many families - the chance to visit downtown Macy's, view the Christmas display, Christmas shop and dine either at the Oak Room or Skyroom restaurants up on the 12th floor. A tradition of decades.

Elf Land

Mickey , Dan, Mitch and I were photographing Christmas displays at Mall of America



"Hey everybody, over here, it's Santa!"



"Dangit, I broke my candy chain!"

Ninemile Creek

Ninemile Creek as it flows through Bloomington, MN

Oh Christmas Tree

The east rotunda at Mall of America is adorned with oversized Christmas trees. Photo taken by Mrs. DL - Canon A710 IS.

End of the Line

The new North Star Line delivers commuters to downtown Minneapolis at the new Twins Stadium, Target Field. The train runs mornings and evenings only. I only wish the train ran a few times during the day. I could scoot downtown in the early morning and be home by early afternoon.

Sarah Palin Book Signing Tour

I had the pleasure of spending the day at Mall of America with Dan, Mickey, and Mitch to practice our photo-journalism skills at the Sarah Palin Book signing. The photography was difficult from such long distances due to barracades to keep order and the crazies from causing harm. The lighting was dark, I was forced to elevate the ISO to 1600 and use f5.6 at 300mm.

No matter which spectrum of politics is present, she certainly is news. Big news. The news media and the late night 'comedy' shows are doing a great job of keeping Sarah Palin in the headlines. Without them we may hear little about Mrs. Palin.

The crowds were thick at the Mall, the security was thicker. As a centrist, I am left wondering what it is about Sarah Palin that the Repubs see in her as a candidate. I also wonder why the Dems have such a visceral hatred for her. She certainly spurs controversy wherever she goes. One partisan dumbass with malice in his heart - Jeremy Paul Olson, was arrested for throwing tomatoes toward Mrs. Palin. This incident reminds me as a kid back in the fifth grade when we used to act out in the school cafeteria by throwing food. Some people never grow up and remain adult children. (No offense toward children intended)

I can not understand this disrespect and hatred toward my fellow man. We have enough hate in this world as it is without hating anyone who thinks differently from the partisan leadership. What happened to the parties of progressiveness, peace and tolerance? I am beginning to believe they never existed.

One conclusion comes to mind; free speech is honored and respected only when it conforms to partisan rhetoric and politics.

Where in Downtown...

...Minneapolis are we?

Deer Hunting

"Shouldn't we be wearing blaze orange?" the woman says to me as they pass by.  I reply, "Don't worry I won't shoot you."   Well, I did, photographically speaking.



I went deer hunting with my camera at Coon Rapids Park Reserve.  I saw a nice 10 point buck, but he wanted nothing to do with me.  The doe's on the other hand seemed more sociable and wanted to pose for me.  Isn't that the way it typically is?

Tough Times

Times are tough as the economy continues to be unsettling. Despite this fact, our elected do-nothings in office are doing what they do best; diverting their attention elsewhere. Typical wag the dog policies.

Call Box

More rusty crap. The call box is all but inoperable, but retains it's use as a photographic subject.

Sky Crane Removal

Mitch, Dan, and I spent a few minutes watching these guys high up in the air working on the removal of this sky crane.

I Found It!

I'm not sure what our little terrier Winston found, but he was determined to chase the scent down the rocky ravine to water's edge.

Stand By Me

The morning Mitch and I went searching for the NorthStar Commuter Rail Line and reminded me of the movie Stand By Me. It was an adventure being chased down by a freight train on the bridge. OK, we weren't really chased down, there was a wide platform area a safe distance away from the tracks. But care was taken to remain a safe distance away. In the movie, the 3 kids were looking for a dead boy; we witnessed 3 opossums crossing the rails at a very wrong time. Creepy similarity. After our brief detainment by the transit authorities for being at a place where we shouldn't have been, we met up with Dan to further the days adventure.

Breakfast at Hell's Kitchen downtown was disappointing; over priced and lack of substance. I've been more satisfied with a box of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, a mixing bowl, and a carton of milk. However, second breakfast at Macy's Skyroom on the 12th floor made up for the poor first breakfast. Yet the adventure continued.

Have a look at Mitchster's PoleCam tm in action, the last venue of our adventurous day.

Urban Grit

Time to take out the trash in a Minneapolis back alley.

Lane Confusion

I shudder to think about driving in this area. The lanes switch over each other while dodging Light Rail commuter trains.

Traffic Dance

Directing traffic looks like fun when you have a glowing wand.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is the big day of our Thanksgiving feast. Thanksgiving is the greatest Holiday we have. It's all about pure gluttony, napping, and football. nothing to wrap or exchange, just eat, eat, and eat. I would have liked to show a typical Thanksgiving dinner, but at this time, I am too busy grazing at the dinner table.

Instead, I show you a burger from Burger Jones in Minneapolis. This is the 'White Trash Burger' - chicken-fried bacon, fried cheese curds, and plenty of Velveeta on a hamburger with lettuce and tomato. As a side, there were two kinds of fries; maple-bacon sweet potato fries and Parmesan waffle fries.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner; practice proper plate management and remember to pace yourself, you have all day.

I 35W Streaks

Streaking south on Interstate 35W into Minneapolis. This is the new 35W bridge in it's blue glow.

Color Format

The color of autumn enhanced with an off camera flash.

Light Pods

Repeating perspective inside Orchestra Hall.

Pink Lemonade

Amazing to see what kind of trash lies along the banks of our rivers and streams.

Industrial Light

The gritty feel of an industrial site with it's harsh lighting makes for interesting photos. no, not a pretty picture, but interesting in it's own right.

Leafdom

Leaves hold steadfast as autumn wanes and winter approaches.

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/125
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
Metering Mode Partial Metering
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 300.0 mm
Image Quality RAW
Off camera flash
Radio Slave Transmitter, Receiver Set

PoleCam!

High Altitude Photography



Mitchster in action. Remote Shutter Releasing

Mitch, Dan, and I tested out Mitch's engineous new PoleCam tm. It worked out great! Although quite a bit of a scare hoisting it up and bringing it back down to earth when fully extended to 26 feet, (8 meters). There is considerable wobble fully extended. i am anxious to see the shots from PoleCam.

Color Me Graffiti

More graffiti seen along the banks of the Mississippi River.

Skipping Down Nicollet Mall

Heading north on the Nicollet Mall

Great Distances

We still have wide open spaces where the dinosaur used to roam.

Ninemile Creek Curtains

South in Bloomington Minnesota, Ninemile Creek flows into the Minnesota River. Along it's course are many mini rapids as seen here.

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/4
Av( Aperture Value ) 25.0
Metering Mode Partial Metering
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 30.0 mm
Image Quality RAW
Tripod mounted

Antiqued

No longer needed, the kerosene lamp sits proudly on a shelf.

Hennepin Avenue Icon

Yesterday, Mitchster and I wandered about Minneapolis near the Mississippi River. Check out his Bright Colors in a Brown World post.

The old Grain Belt Beer sign has been standing here on Nicollet Island since 1940 shortly after the prohibition nonsense. Early on at night, the sign used to flash the letters. Currently, the sign is up for sale and hopefully, we will enjoy viewing it flash once again. Historic Grain Belt Beer sign up for sale | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

Lasagna

For all you foodies out there. Last weekend, I made lasagna to accompany a bottle of Gabbiano Chianti Classico, ceasar salad with anchovies. (You can not have a ceasar salad without anchovies, it's a faux pas).

Both images were taken using an off camera flash. I am using the Cactus V2s radio slave set; about 1/5 the cost of the Pocket Wizard.

Thistle While You Work

Prickly, take care on the curves of the bicycle path at Elm Creek Park Reserve. Otherwise you're in a world of hurt.

Yesterday, Alleen Brown wrote an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Life section. The article is called "A Day in the Life: Who is Minnesota?".

Thanks to Alleen for this article and bringing attention to fellow bloggers.
Dusty Lens • St. Paul Real Estate Blog • Debbie Does Duluth • Homes MSP Real Estate Blog.com • Mitchster • Painted Fish Studio • Cheleblog • Pearl, Why You Little… • Anti-Supermom • Strong Towns Blog • Voix de Michèle • What Would Dad Say • Simplicity in the Suburbs • Weapons of Mass Distraction • AncienTrails • Norwegianity • A Heathen’s Day • Twin Cities Naturalist • Sweven Volant • Is That All You’ve Got? • Day in the Life of an Idiot • MN Progressive Project • Café Cyan by Cafe Cyan • One Year of Beauty • Minneapolis Metblogs • You Are dumb • The Deets • Stray Hawkeye • I Was Told There Would Be Bacon • Powderhorn365 • Hockey Wilderness

Light Stand

Downtown Minneapolis is filled with repeating patterns and textures.

Moody Blue

Nothing like a sunset to end a hectic week.

Blue Line

LED lighting illuminating the new 35W bridge.

Late Autumn

This evening, I have a date with a rake. The downside of autumn is yard cleanup.

1965

That is a long time to sit in one place and not move an inch.

View from the 10th Avenue Bridge

Blacktop Ribbon



Downtown Minneapolis and the 10th Ave. bridge over the Mississippi River as seen from the Northern Pacific Bridge No. 9 walking bridge.


10th Avenue Freeze Out
Bruce Springsteen and the E street Band

Minneapolis Gothic

Minneapolis City Hall and Hennepin County Courthouse

Monochrome weekly

Logarithm

An important feature of logarithms is that they reduce multiplication to addition, by the formula: log(xy) = log x + log y ...

I prefer the simple rhythm of this log in the woods.

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Daylight Savings Time ends!

Remember to set your clocks, we are now back on Standard Time. Don't forget to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors as well.

Today, we end this silliness of Daylight Savings Time and I wish we would simply let time alone without interfering. As I see it, the only real objective to switching time each spring and fall is to exercise our digital clock time changing skills. Though the home computer may be automatic, we must contend with the various VCR's, (for those of us still using the electronics of the 1980's), clock radios, wrist watches, pocket watches, thermostats, microwaves, stoves, coffee makers, water softeners and countless other electronic gadgets that keep time.

Heck, I just checked my water softener and I am still on Standard Time from last year. Inevitably, the clock in our vehicles will no doubt remain unchanged until sometime in January.

But we're all in this together. Today we all run around trying frantically to change the blasted time in the multitude of digital clocks in our homes. And quite possibly consulting the owner's manuals to try and figure out just how to change the blasted time on the affected appliance. I suggest the coffee maker first. We're going to need plenty of caffeine to figure all this out.

Good luck, we'll need it! Maybe next year we will put an end this time changing nonsense.