December 31, 2011

contrast

One of the things I love about New Orleans is what a study in contrasts it is. From have to have not, or from tourist trap at one point to a genuine historic hole in the wall 10 feet away, or from party in the street to peaceful desolate street one block away. These are some scenes from wandering the quarter on New Years Eve Eve. Happy New Year.

December 30, 2011

mississippi surprise

On the way to New Orleans from Mississippi, my pal Stephen took a detour to show me the Pinecote Pavilion at the Crosby Arboretum in Picayune. Pinecote was designed by E. Fay Jones, an Arkansas modernist architect who was an apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright. His work is said to have a Wrightian feel, and he often used materials that reflected their surroundings. Pinecote, an open air pavilion that he described as an "asymmetrical shed," seems to float on the water while blending harmoniously into the surrounding trees. As the sun moves over the course of the day, so do patterns created by light and shadow interplaying with the elements of the building. It is most impressive when illuminated at night, but unfortunately not open to the public then. Seeing such a brilliant piece of architecture in the middle of Mississippi was a pleasant surprise, but I'm learning its apparently not as rare as you might think.

December 29, 2011

nola daze

I'm in New Orleans now for a few days. Almost immediately I fell into my typical schedule when traveling, especially in Europe. I spent most of the night working, then decided to go out for beers really late (after all, bars don't close here) which of course led to being out until really early, and then sleeping half the day. Its a vicious cycle. But so it goes. And in an effort not to completely break it, but still get a new blog post in, here are just a few basic pics from around where I'm staying in the French Quarter. Time to get out and about before it gets any later...

December 28, 2011

defibrillating

Ironically enough, I'm on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi at the moment, the same place I left off in my last blog posts. I didn't do so well at my last attempt at reviving the blog, so after 5 months of near silence, its time for another try. I'm actually en route to New Orleans for New Years after spending Christmas in Virginia and West Virginia. Many of you are familiar with My Dad's Weimaraners Phantom and Edn. Phantom is 15 1/2 now and still hanging on. The hardest part was leaving her yesterday without breaking down. It's the third time in a year that I've left teary-eyed thinking I probably wouldn't see her again. I think she likes proving me wrong. Dad's annual Christmas greeting from the dogs is also a tradition for those who follow the blog, so below is a link to this year's card as well as a link to earlier blog posts that featured the cards (including a link to all the previous year's versions as well.) This year's card is more of a journal of Phantom's last year. Be warned, its a bit of a tear-jerker.
  • Dad's 2011 Christmas Card from the dogs
  • previous observed post about the cards & index to earlier years cards