Tag Archives: Architectural Photography

Mostly True Stories, Places

Just a Few More Minutes in Venice, Please

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Venice is beautiful, rain or shine. The sun was warm and the sky was blue for the 90 minutes I spent there. I was fortunate. The weather changes every few hours.

IMG_8680_Gondola PrepVenice is romantic. If you find yourself in Venice with someone you love, take a Gondola ride. ‘O Sole mio…

Venice is old. Walk the cobblestone streets on stones older than the renaissance. See nightmarish masks on display in the shops. Now worn for carnival, the Medico della Peste mask became a symbol of the  ravages of black death from dark ages.

Venice is sinking. Originally built on 117 islands separated by canals, scientist think the fabled city is sinking by approximately 7 inches per century. It may be that you want to get your scuba diving certificate.

Venice is vibrant. Whether you know her as the Queen of the Adriatic, the City of Water, the City of Canals, the City of Masks, the City of Bridges, or the Floating City, the radiant colors of Venice will entice you to stop for a visit, and, perhaps, to stay for few minutes.

Mostly True Stories, Places

Eiffel Tower Lights

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The longest night of the year. Darkness. Winter. Rain. Snow.

I’m looking for, longing for the light.

A beacon from the City of Lights calls to me.

The Eiffel Tower, built in 1889, pierces the dark of night and illuminates the light of love, by day.

Over 1000 feet high, the Eiffel Tower stood as the tallest structure in the world for nearly 40 years. Originally criticized for his design, Gustave Eiffel created the iconic symbol of France which has become one of the most recognizable and most visited monuments in the world.

Last night, as I shop-vac’d nearly 100 gallons of rainwater from an outside window-well at my house, I thought, for just a moment, that I could see a beacon light piercing the clouds, lighting the way. I was back, back in Paris, standing under the Eiffel Tower, eating nutella crepes. Then, the rain turned to snow and a cold drip ran down my neck. I hate it when that happens.

Even on the longest, darkest night of the year, even in a storm, the Eiffel Tower still lights the famous City of Lights. I guess just I’ll have to look at my pictures.

The City of Light, and liberty.
The Eiffel Tower beams a welcome, across the bridge.
Two boats pass at dusk, on the Seine River.
A vintage rainy day in Paris.
The Eiffel Tower beams a welcome, across the bridge.
Mostly True Stories, People, Places

Seattle–It’s my birthday

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I was born in Seattle, at the Swedish Hospital to be exact, September 14, 19..  I’m not embarrassed to say the year; however, people think I look younger than I am. As more birthdays accumulate, I think I’d like to keep it that way.

_MGL6368_69_70_Viewpoint SkylineMy parents were pretty excited to have me. My older brother had been an only child for fifteen-plus years. My parents didn’t think they could have any more children.  When my Mom told my Dad, “It’s time,” my Dad got in the car and started driving, without my Mom–sorta like in the movies. When he came back, my Mom was packed and ready. Both my Mom and my Brother got in the car and my Dad took off. The story goes that he drove ninety-miles-an-hour all the way to the hospital. When he got to the hospital, he pulled into the service station across the street and said, “Fill-er up. And, check the oil.” It took my Mom nearly twenty hours of labor to bring me into the world, so I guess my Dad knew he had time. My Mom didn’t see it the same way, so, my arrival was marked by typically stormy Seattle weather, both inside and outside the hospital.

_MGL6318_Safeco Field Wide ShotI don’t live in Seattle, any more. My Dad has passed away, and my Mom’s memory has faded. But, I still go back, whenever I can. I’m a Seahawks fan. I’m a Mariners fan, except when they play the Dodgers, and I still think the skyline is one of the most beautiful in the world, especially when the sun shines. I’m connected to the place where I started, the place I grew up, the place I called home when I made choices that still define who I am.

Now, when I do go back, I take my camera, I suppose, to capture the images that still show up in my dreams.

Seattle Waterfront, a great place to visit.
Good food, interesting smells and entertainment make Seattle’s waterfront a popular destination.
Seattle’s Elliot Bay is an important port of entry for the maritime trade.
Cranes wait to unload a steady stream of container ships at the mouth of the Duwamish river.
Lunch at Ivars for the Tug boat captain.
I’d rather be sailing.
Somewhat troubled of late, the Washington State Ferry system is still the best and largest in the world.
If you do need a life preserver, the water of Puget Sound is still pretty cold.
Seattles favorite color–Ferry netting.
Husband and wife?
Seaweed and shoes–choose your foot wear carefully when the tide goes out.
Perfect for baseball in Seattle, the roof of Safeco Field closes in a matter of minutes.
#GoMariners
Best team in the AL West.
The famous Viaduct highway, raised above the Seattle waterfront is not a pleasant drive during rush hour.
Graphiti takes commitment when you have to climb above a freeway.
Everyone needs a home.
Purple spikes. Cool.
Too young to be homeless.
I wonder what stories are written between the lines on his face.
Artistic street performers enliven Pike Place Market.
Blues Brother or Longshoremen? Either way, the shades are cool.
I would hope the produce is as fresh as the restrooms at the Pike Place Market
Fresh produce and ethnic foods scent the air at Pike Place Market
Posters paper the walls outside Pike Place market with messages of inspiration and activity.
If you are a gum chewer, don’t throw your gum away, stick it to the wall.
Do not, I repeat, Do not miss Ivars Fish Bar. Personally, I like the clams.
If it rains, or, you don’t like the Seagulls, go inside to the restaurant–delicious.
Vibrant green moss lines the walls of the Ballard Locks
Pleasure boats pass through the Ballard Locks on their way to Puget Sound
Hiram M. Chittondon (Ballard) Locks, Seattle’s Panama Canal
Seagulls watch for spawning salmon at the entrance to the Ballard Locks fish ladder
Please boats wait as the water level of the locks drop to the level of Puget Sound, as the leave Lake Washington
Mostly True Stories, People, Places

University of Washington Graduation

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In the late summer of 1976 my senior year of high school was approaching. I was competing for the starting quarterback spot on the  football team. We had a brand new coach who didn’t know any of us, what we’d done or what we could do. Two-a-days hadn’t started yet.  I was out mowing the lawn when he called. My Mom waved me in the house.

“Hey,” he said. “Want to go watch the Husky scrimmage?”

I’d grown up listening to Husky games on the radio. I’d never been to a game. Never been on the campus. I had two college teams I followed, University of Washington and BYU.

“Sure. Absolutely.”

“I’ll pick you up in an hour.”

I don’t really remember all that much about the scrimmage. I do remember Husky Stadium. They played on astroturf. Cool. I remember the coach talking to me about college, where I wanted to go, what I wanted to do, did I want to play college ball. I knew, then, that I wasn’t going to play football; although, I had the presence of mind not to tell the coach.

I eventually won the starting quarterback spot. I respected the coach; although, learning a new system meant we were in a “transition” year. That translated to our record. We didn’t do very well.

I went to college at BYU and never went back to the University of Washington campus, until this summer–38 years later.

My son, Ryan, graduated from the University of Washington, with a Masters Degree–two Masters Degrees, in fact. His graduation brought me back, back to Seattle, back to a campus I hadn’t been to in a very long time, back to 1976–the summer before my senior year in High School.

In truth, I had been back to Seattle. Although I moved away, my parents lived there during the early years of my married life. I brought my young children, Ryan included, to visit in the summers. I think that is one  of the reasons Ryan chose UW for his graduate degrees.

Now, I was back. And, I really didn’t know very much about the campus, or the school. Things had changed, a lot, in 38 years. Although, the stadium was still there, under renovation construction.

As we walked the campus, Ryan taught us about the school I did not choose yet admired and still follow. The visit reinforced my love of education and respect for those who inspire and instill in others a desire for it.  And, as a proud parent, I basked in the glow of my son’s achievements :). He is a good, kind, intelligent and accomplished man who has blessed my life. He will be an asset to the organization smart enough to employ him. And, the campus will draw him back, as it did with me.

And, I took a few pictures.

We can only hope!
We should all have such good friends.
The heavens knew that Purple and Gold are the colors of the University of Washington.
Family grad pic, from lft to rt–back row–Rachel, Ryan, Me–front Row–Davy, Chloe, Anne.
Graduation ceremony as Ryan prepares to shake the hand of his advisor and receive his diploma.
On the floor of the hub–messages of hope if you were discouraged and looking down.
UW Hub–the place to hangout.
One of the oldest Universities on the West Coast, the University of Washington was founded in 1861.
The Alaskan Husky is the UW mascot.
Ryan poses on UW Campus in his cap and gown.
Sometimes referred to as one of the “Public Ivies” University of Washington is ranked in the top 20 of public universities.
Drumheller Fountain adds an element of peace to the brooding sky and brick buildings of UW Campus.
In the UW campus library, guess where I’d be.
Stained glass creates a feeling of academic reverence in the UW library.
A mix of color adds to the incoming light of stained glass windows in the UW library.
At home among the books, Ryan completes his graduate education.
In the halls of learning.
Hogwarts of the west?
Brick arched windows give a european castle flavor to a west coast education.
The lamp of learning glows outside the University Library.
Red, white, blue, and the green and gold of Washington state proudly wave in the vibrant azure sky of a Seattle summer day on the UW campus.
Purple and gold–UW colors.
Patriotic academician.
Ryan graduates with two Masters Degrees.
University of Washington Campus.