BrianS

BrianS http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/ <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2853032930/" title="_DSC5912 m3 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/2853032930_59e3d798a1.jpg" width="398" height="500" alt="_DSC5912 m3' /"></a>; 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000On Darfur: http://www.miafarrow.org/ 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:13:19 -0000 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:54:49 -0000 BrianS http://images.pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/logo http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com 100 100 Martinez Marina 9-12-08 On my way back from Benicia I stopped at the marina and found more than a dozen young black-necked http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/photos/album/48/Martinez_Marina_9-12-08 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:54:49 -0000 Pittsburg CA http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/photos/album/47/Pittsburg_CA Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:05:04 -0000 Benicia CA These shots were taken at Benicia CA on 9/13/08. Nikon D50, 50mm, 16-85mm, http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/photos/album/46/Benicia_CA Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:36:46 -0000 Sept 12, 2008 Outting I finally got myself out to get a few pictures. I hadn't been over to Benicia for several years. It's a short 5 mile trip across the Carquinez Straights. Benicia was the original California State capital (now Sacramento). It's a very middle-class city with a touristy main street lined with restored buildings and decorated sidewalks. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benicia,_CA">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benicia,_CA</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2852775846/" title="_DSC5670 m1 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2852775846_16fa60e33b.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="_DSC5670 m1"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2851945605/" title="_DSC5690 c1 m1 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2851945605_3ed6634896.jpg" width="441" height="500" alt="_DSC5690 c1 m1"></a> This is the original California capital building<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2851971137/" title="_DSC5743 m1 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2851971137_3d3ac78bed.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="_DSC5743 m1"></a> The sidewalks are inlaid with these plaques.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2852744516/" title="_DSC5681 m1 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/2852744516_b3f4d11e56_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="_DSC5681 m1"></a>.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2851908607/" title="_DSC5671 m1 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2851908607_78cd422c6c_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="_DSC5671 m1"></a> Some sidewalk decorations<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2852748672/" title="_DSC5684 m1 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/2852748672_0ef812e171_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="_DSC5684 m1"></a>. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2852750738/" title="_DSC5687 m2 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/2852750738_2ee5c71b07_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="_DSC5687 m2"></a> A few lucky people get to live at the water's edge.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2852790220/" title="_DSC5720 c1 m1 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2852790220_a9076d15ed.jpg" width="500" height="331" alt="_DSC5720 c1 m1"></a> On my way back I couldn't resist stopping at the Martinez Marina. Of course there were ducks<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2851980567/" title="_DSC5793 c1 m1 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/2851980567_2e13feb0d9.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="_DSC5793 c1 m1"></a>. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2852817108/" title="_DSC5814 c1 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2852817108_4974261c45.jpg" width="500" height="359" alt="_DSC5814 c1"></a> Then I spotted an American Avocet with a Black-necked Stilt standing together.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2851988081/" title="_DSC5885 c1 m2 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2851988081_2a44dfd074.jpg" width="500" height="249" alt="_DSC5885 c1 m2"></a> and then more Black-necked Stilts.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2852830882/" title="_DSC5925 c1 m2 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/2852830882_7a69ab6522.jpg" width="500" height="271" alt="_DSC5925 c1 m2"></a> I ended up counting a dozen of them before leaving.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2852769518/" title="_DSC5912 m2 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/2852769518_a4df019aed_o.jpg" width="1015" height="1274" alt="_DSC5912 m2"></a>There are a few more shots but I'll put them in an album.. http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/95/Sept_12_2008_Outting Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:26:32 -0000 New Golden Gate Dam <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14355823@N02/2847170938/" title="Bridge-and-Dam-1 by Brian S--, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2847170938_812d1cdee2_t.jpg" width="100" height="87" alt="Bridge-and-Dam-1"></a>With the completion of the Golden Gate Dam, more than 7 million homes in the San Francisco Bay area will now have fresh drinking water. The resulting new shoreline area will provide new opportunities for another 2 million new would-be homeowners. The completion of the dam marks a 30 year milestone in California development, thus eliminating, once and for ever, the need for expensive bridges and trans-bay tubes. The drought that has plagued the area on and off for the last century is now officially over, according to Governor Sloan. “I am proud to have led this state into a new era of prosperity.” He declared. A large contingency of conservationists opposed the Golden Gate Dam, but the rising cost of maintaining endangered species and the wasteful practice of “flushing the bay” finally gave way to more practical thinking. With the decline in oceanic shipping, due to refuse build-up on the high seas, the need for a shipping port in San Francisco bay was mostly eliminated. Both th... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/94/New_Golden_Gate_Dam Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:36:28 -0000 A Few Shorts Just a few short thoughts without titles 1. I’m keeping quiet That way you’ll never know You never liked me. My spring scent Flowery ways Will always fill the halls And eclectic visions of smiling hugging people fill the view Dynamic waves of passion Cover up The littleness that you’ll never see 2. How do we define our differences Let me count the ways On every hand, and then some I damn you for not Being me I bless you for the times you are 3. When you can see Should you pretend the path is clear The sky is always blue When those around are blind Tell them that the stench is just old roses That everyone is smiling Raise their hope 4. Whether it is nobler to stand up Or give way That is the question How can you accept the ways of others When they are wrong What inner beauty must you see To hold the beast in your arms To dirty yourself To become them http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/93/A_Few_Shorts Tue, 9 Sep 2008 13:54:42 -0000 Political Issues -- The Final List I was going to wait a few days before reposting this list, but there aren’t any more suggestions coming, so here is the “final” version. These are the digested categories (and where they were added) that Karen suggested (sorry Karen if I didn’t get these exactly as you might have wanted): same-sex marriage (religion) quality/subject matter of education (education, curriculum) multiculturalism (education, curriculum) slave traffic (International) drug traffic (policing) immigration (International) erosion of constitution (Courts) credit/lenders, credit scores (Economics) Regulation; utility, airlines, rail system, government in business (Economics) Infrastructure; utilities, rail system, business (Economics) Government in business, government vs. business (Economics) Iraq; stay, cost, medical, terrorism (International) Global warming (Environment) Freedom of press and speech (Individual Rights) Economic globalization (Economics) Karen’s suggestions concerni... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/92/Political_Issues_--_The_Final_List Sun, 7 Sep 2008 19:54:11 -0000 Political Issues During a conversation with Karen yesterday, I expressed my reluctance to get into many political discussions because points raised in one area raise questions in so many other areas. I find making a comprehensive statement can be daunting. So, I decided to make an ad-hoc list of issues that seem important to most people. I think you will agree that addressing any one issue also includes addressing several others. If a list like this helps clarify your own conversation I hope you will add your own areas of concern, since the list is by no means complete. National Political Issues Domestic Economics Housing crisis/ money lending policies Infrastructure development Oil/gas exploration and delivery Class structure (wealthy vs. poor) National debt Trade policies Religion Acceptanc... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/91/Political_Issues Fri, 5 Sep 2008 17:47:52 -0000 Another Dimension If you think you know a lot, it is because you actually don’t know much at all. Knowledge shows us how little we know, not how much we know. Like an onion, when one layer is mastered, another is revealed. But knowledge is not like an onion in that there is not final layer. As you master the final layer, another is revealed, and another. Thus another aspect of knowledge is revealed: how we proceed and accept the layers of knowledge. We travel through the plains of knowledge like time passes through our lives. Life is constant learning, and relearning. Knowledge, unlike time, is not linear or constant, but changes in all possible ways. We may learn quickly and logically once, but then get muddled and meander through the next experience. Not to say that learning one way is better than another, but the course with which we learn is noteworthy. It defines us. Educators are well aware that we all learn differently. To make things easier, they categorize learners as visu... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/89/Another_Dimension Thu, 4 Sep 2008 17:18:49 -0000 Google Chrome Well, I made the switch -- at least temporarily. I've been an IE (Internet Explorer) user and have refused to switch to Foxfire because I felt that sites should taylor their code to make IE work well. Not that I have anything against Foxfire, just that IE comes with Windows, is the most widely used, so IE concerns should be addressed first. Unfortunatelly, that isn't the case -- IE seems to get the least attention. I have been a Gmail user for some time now (no commercials, unlike Yahoo), so when I saw that Google was offering a browser (Chrome), I jumped on board. At first I was disappointed. The GUI is very plain and things are in different places (hidden) compared with other browsers. Howeveer, after fiddling around awhile I found that most everything I wanted was there. The big surprise came when I peeked at my blog. Suddenly all the comments and photos lined up properly. Everything ran more quickly. Then I tried running Hulu.com, the free TV and movie site. Everythin... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/88/Google_Chrome Thu, 4 Sep 2008 15:27:17 -0000 Vistas Yesterday morning I finally got out to take some shots with my new 16-85mm after Nikon worked on it.  It still has some problems but things work just fine at 16mm.   I started off at the near by park at sunrise. <img height="333" alt="_DSC5370 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2810375185_f4840b6c02.jpg" width="500"> Then I walked over to the duck pond <img height="369" alt="_DSC5418 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2810376091_6c08f4ca0d_b.jpg" width="1024"> Then up the way where I could get a clear shot across the old Concord Navel Weapons Station of Mt. Diablo.  A few years ago, the Weapon station (that was the main storage for bombs during the Viet Nam War) was shut down and deeded to the City of Concord.  This large field will be developed for housing and business. <img height="119" alt="_DSC5431 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2810376445_f465702e8f_b.jpg" width="1024"> I headed on down the road to the Avon Refinery.  We have a huge oil refining industry here (you'd think our gas prices would be lower, but they are some of the highest in the nation... go figure). <img height="439" alt="_DSC5459 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2810378139_410fa22bca_b.jpg" width="1024">   <img height="261" alt="_DSC5455 c2 m2" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2810377143_f4a5e3f990_b.jpg" width="1024"> Further down the road I decided to check out a spot I'd always wondered about.  Strangely, it is the parking lot of some county buildings.  From here, you are looking at the town of Pach... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/87/Vistas Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:18:58 -0000 5 Million Years to Earth (review) A friend was visiting recently and the conversation drifted to how the ending of a movie can make or break it.  I recalled how the movies "Signs" and "Powder" had been great until the end and then simply fell apart.  Then I recalled an old favorite of mine "5 Million Years to Earth," also known as "Quatermass and the Pit," where the protagonist is killed at the end and the remaining leads simply stand around in confusion with dogs barking and sirens weighing in the distance -- a very different ending from your usual Hollywood epic where couples fall in love, or the earth/universe is saved and everyone high-fives.  The 5milYr2earth ending gave an otherwise good move a feeling of intimacy and realism you don't often find.  This movie was made back in 1968 when a lot more freedom was afforded the movie industry.  The story takes what might be an ordinary si-fi event and introduces religion (good vs. evil), genetics, personality types (government/military vs. ... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/86/5_Million_Years_to_Earth_review Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:44:23 -0000 Epigenetics A few months ago I saw a PBS NovaNow program that included a short segment on epigenetics -- I'd never heard of it before.  This is that program: <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3411/02.html">http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3411/02.html</a> Last week, PBS aired a full-length Nova entirely devoted to epigenetics.  This is really important stuff because it explains a link between genetics and environment that was previously unknown.  It turns out that our DNA is surrounded by protein strands that also carry information about who we are.  They are similar to DNA but more fragile.  They can be altered by environmental factors, like what we eat, or by stress, or how we are raised.  But the remarkable thing that makes this epigenetic information so important is that it is passed on to our offspring.  So the good (or bad) things you do for yourself are genetically passed on to your children.  I'm sorry I couldn't find a reference to the full-length program I saw but the above clip te... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/85/Epigenetics Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:15:49 -0000 A Reply From Multiply I was totally surprised to get an email reply from Multiply support today.  Here is the reply, and the original letter I sent them. Hi, Bellsouth has been blocking our emails off and on for a while now and we are working with AT&T (which owns the sbcglobal domain) but if you could also advise Bellsouth about the problem that would be much appreciated. In the meantime, we would suggest using an alternative email address like Yahoo, Gmail or any other free email service. Thanks, Azariah RE: I have been trying to get a reply to my concerns about not receiving posts from my friends on Multiply. I have requested an email be sent to <a href="mailto:BrianS32198@sbcglobal.net">BrianS32198@sbcglobal.net</a> so I can know that I can receive email from you -- however, no email has arrived from you. I have requested a phone call at 925-***-**** so I can get clarification on what is happening and what I need to fix this problem, but no call has come. Perhaps you have a phone number by which I can reach you. but you seem unable to email m... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/84/A_Reply_From_Multiply Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:42:53 -0000 Multiply Gone South Well, Multiply really has gone the way of 360... South.  I can't get any email alerts anymore.  I checked for fixes but since I use Gmail I'm out of luck -- they only have fixes for Yahoo and Hotmail.  I know, I've threatened to give up on Multiply before, but this is a pretty major thing in my book.  The small group of friends I now share this space with (you know who you are) has become very important to me, but like 360, when things get to a certain point it's better to pull the plug, in my opinion.  Perhaps Multiply is only going to give the good service to paying Premium customers now and leave the rest of us dangling.  I am going to stop blogging for awhile, at least until email alerts are restored -- no I'm not going to send hours researching a fix.  As I've done before: I will check back from time to time to see if Multiply has improved (actually I'll see right away if an email alert starts working).  Until then, hang in there '... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/83/Multiply_Gone_South Fri, 8 Aug 2008 03:37:54 -0000 Social Event Long Story: In April, my pension fund sent me a letter explaining that they were in dyer straights and could not fulfill their obligation as originally agreed.  So after negotiation with the government they were allowed to reduce the amount of retirement payments for new retirees.  Plus, as an extra incentive to retire early, you could get nearly your full (reduced) amount if you retired at 62.  So, I had no reason to wait, I filed for retirement.   Now since I’m on SSI (major depression) the SSI people said my payment would be reduced when I got my retirement, but the final amount would be more than I’m getting now.  I still had nothing to loose.  So my appointment with Social Security was today.  Boy, was I surprised at what happened. The first thing the woman said was, I could no longer get SSI!  My pension alone was no where near to what I needed to survive.  So the next thing I needed to know was whether I’d still be getting Medi... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/82/Social_Event Thu, 7 Aug 2008 05:06:06 -0000 Pelicans I got over to the Martinez Marina this morning.  It was one of the clearest days we've had in more than a month -- the state (CA) has been inundated with forest fires and smokey skies.  Things are better now, at last. There seems to be an explosion of Dark-Necked Stilts and Snowy Egrets (I've posted lots of pictures of them before) --  But today there were three Pelicans at the marina and it was a nice treat for me.   <img height="373" alt="_DSC4755 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2729661162_3f7d7207cc.jpg" width="500"> <img height="396" alt="_DSC4731 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2728816547_58102f6024.jpg" width="500"> <img height="233" alt="_DSC4759 c2 m2" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/2728822853_e496117ef7.jpg" width="500"> <img height="240" alt="_DSC4758 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2729658416_579493dcfc.jpg" width="500">   <img height="336" alt="_DSC4734 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2728820801_63f87c9eef.jpg" width="500"> I didn't get any good shots of them flying but they are neat to watch.  Just a few pumps of their enormous wings and they are up and gliding around effortlessly. http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/81/Pelicans Sun, 3 Aug 2008 21:12:05 -0000 Overthrow the Government Breath a sigh of relief feds, nothing’s going to happen for a few days yet. Besides, this is a JOKE calendar event – and I will stick with that story all the way to my jail cell! Sorry dear online friends, but you’re all implicated by association. Just remember, we must stick up for ourselves as free bloggers! Even thought the blog-ways are constantly monitored we can say what we want to – at least until Friday when they confiscate my computer… Just remember the blogger’s slogan, “A free blog is not a cog!” Owe my neck, I can’t stop looking over my shoulder. Don’t forget the big rally at… you know the place – I’ll keep you posted. http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/calendar/item/10001/Overthrow_the_Government Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:43:10 -0000 Meanderings 7/21/08 Meanderings   Well, I’ve been kind of depressed lately, but more recently feeling really stupid for taking some joke calendar events seriously – which is a great idea if you… well, I don’t need Viagra nearly as much as smart pills.  Anyway, I decided to do something to get myself out a little more so I enrolled in a couple of art classes (Impressionist Painting, Drawing).  They are Adult Ed classes so everything is very casual, even fun.  I’ll post something when I have something worth posting.  I probably should be taking a photography class instead of art – somewhere along the way I got the notion that the auto-focus area and the metering area were one in the same, that one adjustment changed both.  No, they’re separate.  I don’t mind not knowing things, but assuming wrong things is embarrassing.  I bought a new coffee roast from Peet’s, 101 Blend.  I’ve hated the trend over the last year or so away from high acidic coffees, toward mellow ... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/80/Meanderings_72108 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:33:05 -0000 al-Bashir Indited Announced today, Omar al Bahir (President of The Sudan) has been indited for genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur!  <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080714/ap_on_re_af/war_crimes_sudan">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080714/ap_on_re_af/war_crimes_sudan</a> As the news story explains, millions of people in Darfur are being exterminated because of who they are.  el Bashir's regime has systematically raped and starved these people (not to mention outright killing) into near extinction.  Those who still survive have been driven into the desert (Darfur region) where they only survive with aid of international assistance.  A small UN contingency has been allowed into The Sudan to limit the atrocities, but their numbers are so small (9000) as to be useless. There are a few organizations that raise support and awareness of the Darfur crisis.  I support this one (Save Darfur Coalition):  <a href="http://www.savedarfur.org/content?splash=yes">http://www.savedarfur.org/content?splash=yes</a>  you can goggle Darfur for more.  Also, a prominent person in the fight to raise aw... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/79/al-Bashir_Indited Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:13:34 -0000 Joy's of Photography Last Fall rumors emerged about a new wide-angle Nikon lens (16-85mm) with VRII (second generation vibration reduction).  However, in April when it was finally released, the price was over $700 – way out of my budget.  But as months passed, the price dropped until this month it hit $580 – more than I wanted to pay, but much better.  Then wonder of wonders, Discover Card made the mistake of mistakes and sent me a credit card!  This is the equivalent of giving an addict dope.  I promised myself I would be good – “I will be good, I…”  But no sooner than I said that than a guy calls me up from Discover and says that $50 would be taken off my first purchase over $200.  Oh boy, new lens here I come! <img height="481" alt="DSC_3567 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/2659954492_262f1bc0de.jpg" width="500">   <img height="329" alt="DSC_3568 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2659087997_985dd3cb07.jpg" width="500"> It's a beautiful little lens and REALLY  w  i  d  e  angle. <img height="681" alt="DSC_3539 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2659097583_0d2f773388_b.jpg" width="1024"> This shot at the park is much wider than I can see with my naked eye. Unfortunately, the lens clips the dynamic range, making dark areas too dark.  I had to lighte... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/78/Joys_of_Photography Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:52:33 -0000 Thistles and Doves I got down to the park yesterday, and for the first time, strolled over to the Little League baseball park next door.  The place was empty except for a few birds. This little guy was so small and far away I couldn't get a decent shot, and I haven't a clue what it is. <img height="139" alt="DSC_2975 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2624722880_4838caff6f_m.jpg" width="240"> Then I spotted a Dove sitting on a fence -- I believe it's a Morning Dove. <img height="671" alt="DSC_2989 c1 m2" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/2624695652_e80fc35ef4_o.jpg" width="479"> As I walked along I found more on the ground -- however, the blue-gray patch on its head and the blue-gray around the eye are different. <img height="460" alt="DSC_3035 c1 m2" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/2624688240_e59e4787e3_b.jpg" width="1024"> Then I found a couple more... <img height="259" alt="DSC_3039 c1 m3" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2624695526_f73423fd5e.jpg" width="500"> The Doves were just sitting on the ground -- I didn't spot them at first since they blended in with the ground cover so well -- they were very calm, letting me walk within 30ft. On the way back I paused to get a shot of the elegant thistles growing beside the path. <img height="500" alt="DSC_2998 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2624684816_2e7a0f9907.jpg" width="482"> And finally, on the way back I found a Sparrow sitting on the little railroad track -- I think it's a Song Sparrow.<img height="190" alt="DSC_2947 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/2624667844_15e0e5439c.jpg" width="500"> http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/76/Thistles_and_Doves Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:56:15 -0000 Mt. Diablo and Vultures The heat dropped from 102 degrees a couple days before to around 85, so I asked my friend Cheryl to take a trip up on Mt. Diablo.<img height="375" alt="Pleasant Hill" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/1830342994_61fbead20d.jpg" width="500"> It's a centrally located peak with the Carquinez Straight (Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carquinez_Strait">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carquinez_Strait</a>) to the North, Diablo Valley and the Oakland hills to the East, and Livermore/Pleasanton to the South.  I've lived under this mountain most of my life.  When I was a teenager, I used the mountain roads as a race track.  And though the roads have been widened a bit, it's pretty much the same as it ever was.  Nowdays it's a State park and you have to pay a $6 toll to get in, however. <img height="453" alt="DSC_2786 c1 m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2603750732_72a4f99351_b.jpg" width="1024"> It had been so long since I'd been up there that I missed the turn and ended up in a little picnic area I'd never seen before.  It was a great little place nestled in a small valley and there were three Turkey Vultures riding around on the warm air. <img height="258" alt="DSC_2785 c1m1" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2602921835_6c5af3c932.jpg" width="500"> These birds are so majestic (except for their bald heads), they glide... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/75/Mt._Diablo_and_Vultures Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:08:19 -0000 Surfers I got out and over to Ocean Beach a few days ago.  Since it was a work day I had to leave early to beat the traffic.  I arrived about 6:00 AM, it was cool but not cold with a little fog still hanging in the air.  FYI: Ocean Beach is the big beach in the San Francisco area.  It starts at the Cliff House Restaurant ( <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_House">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_House</a> ), and what used to be the Sutro Baths (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutro_Baths">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutro_Baths</a> (when I was a kid, I went ice skating where the huge swimming pool once was)), running southward for 8 miles ending near the San Francisco Zoo. Zoo on right, ocean behind me. <img height="333" alt="DSC_2162" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2579976275_8b22db1eb3.jpg" width="500"> It's not obvious but the ocean was a foaming cauldron. <img height="333" alt="DSC_2317" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2580004739_431fd1def4.jpg" width="500"> I didn't go to the beach with the intention of shooting surfers, but shortly after I arrived they started coming.  These guys are a combination of crazy and super athletes.  People drown in these waters regularly.  Even on calm days this place can be treache... http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/journal/item/74/Surfers Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:42:10 -0000 Flowers and bees 1 I had accumulated some new flower shots so I put them in http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/photos/album/45/Flowers_and_bees_1 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:54:36 -0000 Mendocino 1 http://pissedoffbrians.multiply.com/photos/album/44/Mendocino_1 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:53:58 -0000