Day 290 - Light

Yesterday was Earth Hour, and though my family (somewhat) observed.  This year we didn't light candles, or use our charged electronics, we just sat in the dark. I know it sounds odd, but I had a pounding headache, so I was all to happy to have an hour of dark and (relative) quiet. During that hour, I cheekily stated that my photo of the day would be a dark abyss to represent the darkness we were sitting in, and I in fact took a picture of the dark ceiling.  It would have been a black rectangle.

I sat in the dark thinking about what having electricity and artificial lights have done for us as a society.  There are a lot of benefits, but we have lost that natural rhythm of life. I can liken it to when we were children, our bodies functioned naturally, ie when to eat, when to sleep, etc. But, now with technology and life the way it is, we have conditioned ourselves to function differently, ie staying up late, working through the night, etc. While I thought more about life and the use of light to be more productive, my thoughts turned to photography.  Despite all the advances in technology, and artificial light that we can manipulate, the light photographers love the best is the golden hour... natural light at it's finest.

So, this is a picture I took during the golden hour (sunset)... a reminder of simpler times.

Day 289 - They're baaaack!

They might be annoying to some people, but the Canada Geese are a comforting sight to me.  Didn't matter where I lived in this country, they were always there.  Also, they are just fascinating to watch... even if they are hissing at you to stay away when their goslings walk directly towards you.

Day 288 - Is it finally here?

I was walking home through the muddy messy field, and noticed the ice was melting in with this interesting pattern. Spring is on it's way... maybe.

Day 287 - Comfort

I have lived here, or near here almost all of my life.  As I was staring out this window, I was amazed to see how much this place has changed over the years. Despite the changes, it still feels familiar and comfortable.

Day 286 - Journey

Saw this on the wall in the hospital and I wondered if it helped the patients get better. Does it help to see goals and their concerns? There is nothing written on this chart, but does that make a difference to the patient?

Day 285 - Thankful

Days like today make me thankful.... been in the hospital watching the porters, nurses, and doctors attend to the ill and injured.... Can't imagine what they deal with daily. I'm thankful for the work they do, even if some are difficult.

Day 284 - Building at night

I know there are a lot of people who don't like the night, for whatever reason, but I do.  It's a little hard to verbalize why it is I love the night, but I think it has to do with perspective. Not only does the world look different at night, but the quiet offers moments for reflection, if even just those few minutes as you drift off into a world of slumber.

When I saw this building lit up, I had to take a quick snapshot.  I hadn't really noticed it when I arrived at my destination, but seeing it lit up like this, it was like a piece of art.  I wish I could have really looked at it and taken some more photos, I just didn't have the time.

Day 283 - Cloudy....

This is just how I feel right now.

Day 282 - Friend, activist, writer, and consultant

So, I'm not feeling well today, so I thought I would post one of the pictures I took last night at a friend's book launch.  She had asked me to take pictures of her event, and if you have been following me, you know I have a serious lack of functional camera options.  My sister was able to borrow a friend's camera, so, I was was excited to take pictures for my friend.  But, as luck would have it, we got stuck in traffic, and ended up arriving quite late, and I was only able to take a couple of shots.  This was my favourite....

So, let me introduce my friend.  This is Farheen Khan.  She is an unbelievably strong woman who stands up for what she believes in and is not afraid to speak her mind.  She is working to empower women, and end violence against women.  She has experienced more in her years than some have experienced in a lifetime. Not all her experiences have been positive, but she uses them to empower others and allow them to share their experiences and stories.  You can read about Farheen's story in the two books she authored chronicling her journey to find happiness.  

Congrats on the second book Farheen!  I know you will continue to do amazing things in life!

Day 281 - "Hazy" Happy Heart

I've been wanting to try a technique I saw online with a plastic bag around the lens to create a hazy light leak effect.  I didn't have anyone to be my model, so I had to find something else to photograph. I found these heart paintings on the fence at the local school. This didn't again work the way I wanted, so, I'll have to try again... and maybe with a human subject and with a plastic bag as opposed to coloured cellophane.

Day 280 - Baking fun!

Been in the mood to bake recently, so that is what I did last night. And, of course, I just couldn't not take some pictures.

I had so much fun making the cookies and decorating them.  I know they will just end up in someone's stomach, but doesn't mean they can't look pretty!  I just love the fun sugar colours and all the different possible patterns.  It was really late, so I was messy.  Don't worry, I'm not going to consume all them by myself.  In fact, some went with my sister to school today, and were thoroughly enjoyed.

Day 279 - Puzzles

Do you like puzzles? I do, even when they kick my butt!  I've been staring at this particular Sudoku for 3 days, and I finally solved it this morning! Nerdy, I know, but it was so exciting!

Day 278 - Superhero?

Do you have a favourite superhero?  I've always liked Superman and Spiderman.  In high school, my friends were obsessed with Superman, as portrayed by Dean Cain. I can't say that I really like the recent incarnation of either Superman or Spiderman, but I still like the characters and what they represent.

Day 277 - Vintage Cloth Roses

I don't normally like fake flowers, but I really did like these.  Isn't it amazing, how filters makes even the most normal things look interesting.

Day 276 - It's a cookie!

Oreos... Milk's favourite cookie!  I was eating the Oreos at an event, and I had to take a picture... it reminded me of the argument I had with my Moroccan friends.  In Morocco, they use the term cookie for very specific types of cookies which does not include cookie sandwiches. BUT, Oreos are cookies!  I would not relent until they agreed with me... really I think they were just sick of arguing with me!  Now, the memory makes me smile whenever I see Oreos.

Day 275 - Reflection

This is the only other clear shot I took last night of the moon.  I really liked the reflection, even though the shot isn't prefect.  I would have liked to capture more of the reflection, so from a higher vantage point but I'm short so I couldn't. C'est la vie!

Day 274 - Resting for a moment

I saw the moon this evening, and just needed to take a picture of it.  I wanted to take a interesting shot of the moon and the planes that seem to be passing over head every 20 minutes, but alas, my camera was not cooperating.  So, I had to settle for taking a picture of the moon seemingly resting on the branches of my neighbour's tree.

Day 273 - The light at the end...

I was looking for interesting things to photograph when I was at a conference the other day, and honestly, I was much to tired to be creative.  And then there was the issue of my camera really being on it's last legs, so to speak.  Oh Canon Powershot Pro1, how you have served me well.  How I will miss thee when I when I finally have to let you go.  So, this is what one of the only shots I took.  There was a window at the end of the hall, and although I couldn't get the picture I envisioned, this did capture the essence.... there is a light at the end of the tunnel/hall.  That it doesn't matter what hall/tunnel your are in, there is a light at the end.

Day 272 - Architecture of Toronto

I was walking from a friend's office to the subway along Queen Street East, and I realized I have seen this area of the city as it has changed.  I actually don't know if I have ever stopped to really appreciate the architecture of the area before.  This is "The Carbon Bar".  I loved the use of a combination of the two tones of brick with glass, and the modern sign.  Oh, how I love this city!

Day 271 - "Sun kissed"

Today was just one of those days that I was thinking of the sun and all the fun colours of the summer. I'm not looking forward to the heat, but I am looking forward to the roads being fixed! Still thinking about my car and the pothole that attacked it!

Day 270 - Pothole 1, Me 0

I love winter, but not the havoc it wreaks on the roads.  Sigh.  This is what happens when there are a million potholes on the road, and you zig-zagging trying to avoid them. CITY OF TORONTO... PLEASE FIX THE POTHOLES.

On the plus side, I made a new friend... Maxine!  A 10-week old puppy who accompanied the CAA tow truck who came to my rescue.  Maxine kept me company as her owner changed my tire.  She is such a good puppy!

Day 269 - Travel buddy and friend

I had intended to take my camera with me when I went out today, but alas, I forgot.  So, I didn't have much time to figure out what I wanted to photograph.  I wasn't even sure what I was feeling.  As I went about finishing some things, I saw this little guy smiling at me, as usual.  I call him my best friend and the best travel buddy - always ready for an adventure when I am.  He's been with me for a more than a few years now, and has even been on many adventures without me.  He's a special little monkey and holds so many memories.  And, though I'm not ready to think about it, I know I'll be sad when I have to retire him.

Monkey even has his own Facebook Fan Page!

Day 268 - "Butterflies"

Ever get that feeling of excitement and nerves as you head into the unknown?  I get that way when I'm headed to a new place or in a new direction (in life), but also when I'm heading into a dark tunnel; to varying degrees, of course. It's that adrenaline rush of hope and fear that comes from heading into the unknown!

Day 267 - Metropolitan United Church

Just after the sunset, as I was headed to the subway to head home.  I know we have some very fascinating architecture in the city, and I have wanted to take pictures of interesting buildings.  As I walked to the subway, I was marvelling at the buildings in the area, and just had to stop to take some pictures of this church, the Metropolitan United Church.  I has been warm for a couple of days, so the snow in front of the church had melted to a icy field. I got as close as I could, without falling, and took a few shots.  I didn't stray too far from this tree, for fear of falling!

Day 266 - Warm treat on a cold day

It's that time of year again..... RRRRoll up the Rim to Win! Had to take a picture to pay tribute.  It seems that during this contest, it is Tim Horton's season! Honestly, I just needed a quick pick me up, so this did the trick.

Day 265 - Coin in my pocket

If you are like me, when you reach into your pocket and feel a coin, you can generally tell what the value by the way it feels - the weight, the impressions, the shape, the edges, etc.  Yesterday when I reached into my pocket to feel a sole coin, and an unfamiliar coin at that.  So, I actually took it out to inspect.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was a €0.10. Um.... I've never been to Europe, so how did it end up in my possession? The only explanation I could come up with, was that maybe I got it as change somewhere? But it was also the only coin I had in my pocket, so that is a little unlikely.

Random. And it continues the travel theme of my photos.

Day 264 - Dreaming of adventures

Getting ready for the day, and my eyes keep drifting to this... my passport.  Needless to say, my mind is a million miles away. Not to say, I'm not happy where I am, because I am, but I really believe we all need a little adventure in our lives.

Day 263 - Fly me to the moon...

I'm still getting the hang of taking pictures while I'm moving and the subject of my photo is stationary.... and on my cell phone. I didn't take many photos the evening I took this (a few days ago), but decided to post it as a reminder that I still have some much to learn - from being able take a photo while moving to taking into consideration obstructions that may end up being part of my image.

If you are wondering about the title, I don't know why, but when I see old airplanes I just hear Sinatra crooning "Fly me to the moon, And let me play among the stars..." I know it's a plane and not a spaceship, but something about that images of early days of flight, and their desire to go beyond what was possible in their time makes me think that their dreams didn't stop at just being able to fly, but they yearned to "play among the stars".

Day 262 - Family

Been thinking a lot about family recently, and wanted to take a picture of what I've been thinking. I was staring at my laptop trying to figure out a shot, and I noticed the W & E keys together, and that summed it up perfectly.  A family is about the we and not me... about what you are together, and being there for one another.... and there the keys were together on the keyboard.

Day 261 - Where does the road lead?

It's only been for a few months since my trip, and I'm going stir crazy.  There are so many places in the world I want to experience, and every time I look at a road, I wonder where it will lead.  Don't you ever just think of the road of life and wonder where it will lead?

Day 260 - Where my head is at...

So, I overdid it at the gym yesterday, and I can barely walk... and this picture perfectly represents how I feel right now.  Note to self, after a sleepless night, not a good idea to go hard at the gym, because I will over do it.