Weird Views 10-07-08

I went to LBeach to stay with Corky for a few hours this evening. There was a gorgeous sunset, but I arrived too late for my camera to be effective.

These are the trees and houses across Marine Stadium from Corky's backyard.

Hmmmm, I thought another of the pictures looked more interesting so I manipulated it in Picasa - something I have not played with before - I generally just use Picasa to make my pictures look more real. Here I was working to make them less real. I'm not sure what this image looks like, maybe a prairie fire?

I took some more pictures deliberately moving the camera with a very slow speed. The resulting pictures reminded me of "camera tossing" which I read about several years ago. I Googled the two words and found quite a few sites. Here is just one http://www.cameratoss.blogspot.com/ I can see using this type of image for printing fabric to use in quilt making.

A lovely day at Spinnaker Bay 09-19-08

We drove to Long Beach today to sort the mail and to let Corky take his walk where it wasn't as hot as Placentia - good for his Nanny, also. It was a gorgeous day.

There is almost always something going on in Marine Stadium directly behind Corky's house. Usually water skiers and boats just cruising up and down. However, there are lots of different kinds of boat races when the Stadium is closed to everything but the race. The Drum Boat Races are interesting with big canoe like boats that have a dragon on the prow and are propelled by twelve rowers keeping cadence with the drummer. The cadence increases until I wonder how they can keep up without tangling their oars, but I haven't seen that happen. There are also private events like the Toyota water craft party (employees?) and these private parties are the only time that personal watercraft are allowed. It is all interesting to observe, but I do wish they would turn down the P.A. system!

Today was just a normal day on the water, but on the grassy sidelines there were about 35 guys and 1 gal (at the far right) doing exercises under the instruction of a coach. These are students enrolled in the courses at the rowing club located to the left near the opening of the stadium. Rowing is very popular at California State University - Long Beach, which is about a mile away. This exercise was squatting and jumping up like a frog with arms spread wide. Looks impossible to me.

Here they are resting and listening to the coach who is seated facing them. The gal is again on the far right.

The seasons are definitely changing. Here is my attempt to photograph a jelly in one of the boat basins. Sometimes in the winter there are flocks of them and sometimes only a few. I'm told it depends on the temperature of the ocean and, of course, in the boat basins which are very shallow and warmer than the ocean. The brown pelicans are also back in town.

Back at Camp Del, Corky looks out the window by sitting on a box of unfinished projects - just the right height so he can watch what is going on in the cul de sac across the street.

Relief from the heat. 06-20-08

Early morning view from back of house across Marine Stadium.

I am with Corky in Long Beach for two nights. His parents will only be away tomorrow night and I had planned to have Corky at my house. When the temperature on my patio rose to 103.3F around noon I called the Poodle Mommy and asked if I could stay two nights to escape the heat. She said the temp was 75F and yes I could stay. I was out the door!

There is rarely a heat wave here beside Marine Stadium (not to imply NEVER) - light fog in the early morning and an ocean breeze in the afternoon makes life more comfortable. Corky and I will enjoy walking and looking at the flowers. Actually I look at the flowers and Corky marks the bushes!

I'll be home Monday to continue the organizing project with the hope the high temperature will abate.

Long Beach sunset 11-25-07

I thought there would be a wonderful sunset in Long Beach Saturday evening, with the smoke rolling out over the ocean. But no luck. So here is a photo taken some time ago. The water in the foreground is the Marine Stadium, which was created in 1932 for the rowing events of the Xth Olympiad. It is still a site for rowing practice and competitions, and is open for watersking, but not 'personal watercraft' or sailing. Corky, the Poodle Prince has lovely water views from both of his houses, but he is indifferent. However, everyone else enjoys them.

At Corky's house in Long Beach, CA

This is the early morning view from the back of Corky's house which overlooks Marine Stadium, built in the 30s for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. It is a popular water skiing spot, so to get the reflections one must take pictures soon after the sun comes up.