Spring Time SUNY Oswego

I was at SUNY Oswego a week or so a go on a job. As I walked across campus I noticed how the trees were all in bloom. So I very quickly, with almost no thought, snapped the two photos here. I did pay attention to the girl who was running and waited for her to get closer to me and the other two people walking in the photo. These are not great, artsy, or important photos other than they are informative. But it's another example of how I like to make snap shots of where ever I am. In some respects it's like keeping a journal. I will send these photos to The Image Works, a photo agency that I affiliated with. There is a market for such simple photos. But they may linger in their files and never sell. That's the way of it.


Incidentally, if you go the The Image Works web site you can type my name into the search box on their home page and see some of the photos I have on file with them.

Saturday Snap Shots

I am a chronic snap shooter. When something catches my eye I often just make a quick snap of it just to see how it looks photographed. In this digital age I can judge right away if the subject warrants more of my time. I then go about working the subject. That is, photographing it from various angles, adjusting the composition by changing lenses and that sort of thing. The following pictures were all made on the same day.

It was Saturday morning and I was sitting in a Watertown NY parking lot waiting for the music store to open. I saw blossom on a tree. Then I noticed the green trees and buildings in the distance. It was raining. I lowered the drivers side window and made those two snaps.




The music store I was waiting for to open is Musicology. I teach there on Saturdays. So, after snapping the above two photos I started looking at a music book that I had with me. The book is a collection of guitar etudes written by Mauro Giuliani. For what ever reason, I cannot analyze it, my eye was attracted to the dimples where the last page of the book meets the cover. So I photographed it. Notice how you can faintly see the music notes through the back of the page. I actually like this photo:



Later that day I get home and a cheese cake that the Better Half made was sitting on the kitchen table. Again, it looked to my eye like it needed to be photographed. So I did. Then it got eaten. It really was a lovely Saturday.

---

My Bank Account Was Robbed

I went online to check out my checking account and discovered a $500.00 bank transfer of money from my account to a PayPal account. I didn't authorize that. Just a couple months ago there was an attempt to transfer $600.00 from my account but nit was foiled before it took place. At that point I changed my user name & password on the advice of my banker. He said who ever initiated the fraudulent transfer had to know my user ID & password. So, with those changed I thought everything was fine. THis $500.00 transfer went through and my checking account was debited. So I had to call the bank, go in in person and sign some paperwork. I was also told I may need to file a police report.
Anyway, the evnt happened on April 12th. A couple days go by and just on a fluke I was going to make a purchase with a credit card I have not used in a long time. I called the 800 number to check my available credit and discovered that it had been maxed out. NOT BY ME! I have not used that card in FOREVER. So I call the bank (Chase). This is not the same bank as my checking account. Someone sent $4,000.00 from my credit card to a paypal account. Low and behold that event also took place on April 13th. Makes me wonder if I have been a victim of identity theft. The credit card issue was easy to resolve. Chase Bank was terrific in how they handled it. However, it may take 5 to 7 days before my checking account is credited with the missing $500.00
This is most disconcerting. We put our money in banks assuming it is safe. The bank is supposed to keep our money safe. It's supposed to be the one place where you will not get robbed. My money was in THIER bank. It was stolen from my account but for all intents and purposes, THE BANK WAS ROBBED! The lesson learned is: Our money is no longer safe in banks.
Now I see no choice but to close the account. Two incidents in about 3 months leaves me no choice. What a hassel.

Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale

Back in March when my mother was in the hospital my sister S happened to be coming from Arizona to Philadelphia, PA where her daughter lives. When she heard how desperate Mom's condition was she drove up here. She brought with her a case of Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale. It is a strong, rich beer made by the Yard's Brewing Co., Philadelphia, PA. The label reads: "Based on Jefferson's original recipe, this golden ale also includes ingredients that were specified and grown on his Virginia estate."
So it was that I was able to celebrate Mr. Jefferson's birthday on April 13th with that fine brew. Thank you Sister S.

The photo is a self portrait.

Updates

I snapped this photo while driving down Route 81 in the south bound lane. I just pointed the camera out the drivers side window with out looking through, keeping my eyes on the road. The resulting image had to be cropped to be usable and interesting. Thus, the file size is small which will reult in a smaller print size should I decide to make a print.

Easter Sunday went quite well. The Better Half & I put together a dinner & took it to my mother's house. Brother's A,& r and nephew T were also there. We had ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cole slaw, broccoli salad, Apple Crisp and a Rasberry Almond tart.
A month or so ago I thought my Mother would be dead by now. She has really came back. She no longer requires a daily nurse. The nurse visit is now once a week. She is talkative and seems to be very happy. She now gets around the house in a wheel chair. She also is using the bathroom unassisted. Inside the bathroom One of us just helps her stand up from her wheel chair. Then we leave her to her business. She has even been trying to use a walker. So we are thankful for her improvements.

Friday is Thomas Jefferson's birthday. This year I have aquired some Thomas Jefferson Ale, brewed by Yard's Brewery in Philadelphia, PA. We look forward raising a toast to Mr. Jefferson.

Columbus Circle Syracuse

I took these three photos within 5 minutes while walking through Columbus Circle in downtown Syracuse, N.Y.

I am teaching guitar this afternoon at Musicology in Watertown.
Have spent a good portion of the morning organizing documents and reciepts in preparation of filing my income taxes.

I played guitar at Carl's Furniture in Watertown this past Sunday. It went very well. A woman who was browsing through the store came upon me and was surprised that the music she was hearing was from a live musician. "I was thinking how I'd like to get this CD the store is playing." she said to me.