Friday, February 12, 2010

Today's Randomness

 
It rained most of the day today. Here's a view of a downtown approach.

I managed to get a slight shot of the tail end of the lower deck of the Marquam Bridge discussed in Irondad's recent post. This is the split that causes people to change lanes to the right for I-5 south or left for 405 and ultimately west on 26. I was in my car this morning when this was taken. I can't imagine taking a shot like this on the bike.

 
I noticed this budding tree limb while walking into one of my accounts. I wonder how long it will take for that to pop out. Spring is almost here! That reminds me, I need to trim some trees.

As I was about to walk into the jail this afternoon this caught my eye. It was going about 60 and I just managed to dive out of the way after this photo. Okay, it was actually backing up slowly.

This is how it looks from where I park the Beemer when I'm at the jail.  I always like the way the light enters through these concrete frames. I have many images of this in different seasons. The reflection from the wet tracks of the cars made an interesting pattern today.

I guess there's not a real point to this post. It's just a couple of random thoughts and some images - thus the title. Steve Williams has written a few times that taking pictures is like doodling. I like that analogy because at times it is similar to random sketches.

Hope you got to ride today.

7 comments:

  1. You scared me there for a minute thinking you were riding in that mess and casually snapping photos! I love the photo of the bud and waterdrop. More signs of spring!

    In my drawing class they told us to draw every day for at least 15 minutes. It didn't matter what we drew, just that we did. Never knew what little seed might get planted with a sketch. I definitely see the comparison of photography with doodling.

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  2. I'll tell just you a little secret. Friday afternoon while in stop and go traffic I pulled out my Panasonic point-and-shoot I sometimes keep in my jacket pocket. While trying to get a couple of easy shots I came close to dumping the bike. Maybe stop and go traffic is tougher than at speed because there's a lot going on, but let's just say that temptation is now gone! :)

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  3. I'm glad everything turned out all right! :)
    I think I've mentioned it before...I just think Portland traffic is scary.

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  4. Mike:

    that is precisely the reason I have stopped taking "rolling" photos. I thought that video was safer as the camera is solidly mounted and pointing to the road ahead and all I have to do is push one button to start recording. You just edit the stuff you don't want, later.

    bob
    bobskoot: wet coast scootin

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  5. Bob,
    Yeah, that's a nice setup you have. The risk is not worth it to get a few snapshots without the camera mounted. My bike has cruise control. Sometimes I've thought that I can try some shots because my right hand is not busy but there's too much risk of something going wrong. And I really wouldn't want to hurt anyone else.

    Thanks Bob...

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  6. Kari,
    I must have had a brain freeze earlier... sorry I didn't respond to your comment. Thank you for your comment. My bike actually does great in traffic and downtown. The RT's are used by many police agencies, I think because they're an agile bike for it's size. I think any of the bikes you're looking at would do nicely downtown too. Wow, one day I might see you and Ron in Portland! Cool!

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  7. Hi Mike,
    No problem, I didn't even realize it.

    Me in the big city? I can't imagine it! :)
    The bikes are for nice rides in the countryside! You know...horses, cows and stuff. Not trains, busses and crazy drivers.

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