Tuesday, February 10, 2009

365 Week: 6

365 Week: 6


Day 36

February 5: Happy cloud. Did you ever watch Bob Ross on PBS? You know the guy with the monster afro, who could paint a scenic landscape in a half hour? His clouds were always happy. When I saw this cloud during the sunrise Thursday morning, I thought of Bob Ross. And I was happy. But I still can't paint. 

Day 37

February 6: So I've gotten in this habit of taking at least one picture each week, by pointing the camera out the window of my Bronco, as I drive home from work. You've probably noticed -- they all look pretty much the same. I'm thinking of making it a series. Anyway, I tried that Friday, but the camera kept focusing on the dirt on my window. 


Day 38

February 7: The fence in my back yard. I have no idea how many years it has been standing. This is probably not the best fence in the world. It probably won't last more than a couple of more years. I should probably have a nice vinyl fence installed. But I love the character of my fence. 


Day 39

February 8: Self Portrait. That IS my hand.


Day 40

February 9: WARNING! SOAP BOX! 

This is not the marquee at my kids' school, but my kids are off school this coming Monday too. I have a problem with this. Some holidays are family celebrations, and some are educational. At Christmas time, we gather together and we celebrate joy and family. We should be home with our families that day. School would not be the best place to celebrate Christmas. But what about President's Day? Are kids all over the country going to spend the day thinking about all the Presidents of the United States? 

Exactly.

It's the perfect opportunity for a day long civics class.  

Actually, for my money we shouldn't have President's Day at all. They don't all deserve to be celebrated. When I was a kid (back before dinosaurs became fossil fuel) the holiday focused on Lincoln and Washington. It should be that way again. You should have to earn a holiday -- even if you are the President of the United States. 

Ok, I feel better now. 


Day 41

February 10: In the years leading up to 2002, when the Winter Olympics came to Salt Lake City, there were a lot of odd, celebratory type things going on, all over the state. In the county I live in, we had a painted buffalo (actually it's a bison -- buffalo are only in Africa) contest. Several artists throughout the county were given a blank Bison statue, and told to interpret what Utah means to them. They were displayed at the Winter Games, and since then they have been scattered throughout the county. They are moved around from time to time. You find them popping up in the strangest places. This guy is sitting on the grass (or snow) at the county courthouse. 


Day 42

February 11: Last summer my wife signed up for a magazine subscription. It was from one of those people, from some other state, who come around to your house, VERY LATE in the evening,  with the story about how hard they are working to improve their lives, and pull themselves up by their bootstraps, and can't you please help? Well, my kind hearted wife took pity and decided to purchase a subscription. Besides, it was my son's birthday, and wouldn't it be great to give him a year long subscription to SOCCER MAGAZINE?

Well...apparently, SHAPE MAGAZINE was right  above SOCCER MAGAZINE on the list, and the salesperson checked the wrong box. And the customer service phone numbers we were given get us nowhere. So now every month, my son gets a magazine in the mail, with a beautiful, bikini clad woman on the cover. 

Have I mentioned that Matthew is nine? He's not even old enough to appreciate beautiful, bikini clad women.

Sigh.

What a waste. 

16 comments:

Unknown said...

magnificent photos! You have an amazing gift! Thank you!

~AM

Pam Emmons said...

Hello, jelly donut!

Jill @ Sneaky Momma said...

Love the self-portrait with the guitar. Too cool.
When I was a first grade teacher a few years ago, we focused on Lincoln, Washington and the current president on Presidents' Day. I don't think we ever got the day off. :(

Terri said...

Oh darn, I thought you were going to tell me how to blast away my belly fat. Nice series.

I have to agree about the holiday - the big box stores go overboard with their Pres. Day sales, Memorial Day sales, and on and on. Seems like most holidays have lost their meaning these days.

Kat said...

I love Bob Ross and his happy little trees and bushes. He is awesome.

Our schools are not closed for Presidents Day. That would seem like a waste. ;)

My son (who is 5) probably would appreciate the bikini clad woman. He is always picking out scantily clad women from department store ads and telling me he thinks they are pretty. Great. Little perv. ;)

Jen Hansen said...

Hey! My mom, sister, and I used to watch Bob Ross every Saturday morning together. Now my sister watches it with her two year old daughter. When her daughter wants to color or paint she will ask "Bob Ross Mommy...peas?"
Great reading material for your son! I guess it's a good start to his sex education....who needs the boring maturation program in 5th grade?!

Michelle said...

Dude....you need to wash your windows, or at least the one you shoot out of! :)

Love the self portrait playing guitar.

Straight to Your Hart said...

I will never be old enough to appreciate a bikina clad bod....maybe not old enough, just don't appreciate not having one..crap!!

I love Bob Ross....he always seemed to be in such a magical place...need to find mine!

Gina said...

You're a great photographer. Love the guitar self portrait and the wooden fence oh, and the happy cloud. Ditto on the pres. day soapbox. But get this my son has Monday AND this Friday off in celebration of PD and I talked to a mom in the park the other day who said her kids were off all. next. week. Wha??? So, could be worse I guess. Keep the photos coming.

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imbeingheldhostage said...

That Shape magazine would just depress me!
Looks like another very artsy, creative week for you. How do you fit it all in?

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

I would equally be depressed by that magazine. I also agree about the president's day thing...why aren't the kids in school LEARNING about presidents? Hello! And why do county courthouses close on those days. Their county courthouses, not FEDERAL courthouses.

Sorry that last one was a separate rant. Ahem.

CC said...

Love the happy cloud!! And we do get President's Day off (hurray for me!!!) but we focus curriculum ahead of time on Washington and Lincoln. That might not make you feel better. But it sure makes the teachers happy. ;)

Corey~living and loving said...

Ohhhhh Bob Ross. Sugar and I just watched him paint some happy clouds this past weekend....or was it two weekends ago? no bother...it was recently. :)

great shots. Love the fence, and guitar. :)

Susan said...

I totally agree with you on the President's Day "holiday". Your argument is perfect.
Your poor son...he must be so disappointed every month.

Holly said...

So do you confiscate your son's magazine? ;)

Great photos, as usual. Really super. I remember the "happy cloud" guy because my grandmother who paints liked to watch his show.