Chalk Scribblings

2008-07-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

Closed

2007-06-27T19:07:00.001-07:00

This version of Chalk Scribblings, while it will remain posted, is now closed for business.

Please find the new, improved Chalk Scribblings at :

http://chalkscribblings.aminus3.com

I was just getting a bit frustrated with the limitations for displaying photos here.

This new site is much better, methinks.

Top of the Rock

2007-06-26T14:01:00.001-07:00

The view from the Top of the Rockefeller Centre was incredible. I'm definitely taking Gabi there upon my return to the Big Apple next month.

What I'm listening to : Il Mare Calmo Della Sera 4:42 Andrea Bocelli Romanza [English Version] Classical 3 19/05/2007 18:48

Where is the church in my life these days?

2007-06-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

St. Patrick's Cathedral, 5th Avenue, NYC.

What I'm listening to : The wheeze of my breathing with this rotten cold. I hate summer colds.

Staring Down the Barrel of a Gun

2007-06-24T04:47:00.000-07:00

This shot of the statue "Non-Violence" was taken at the UN.

What I'm listening to : nothing, everyone else is asleep. The Depeche Mode song is running thru my head, however.

A haunting face

2007-06-23T07:35:00.001-07:00

This will be the first of no doubt many taken during my NYC trip.

I chose this one first because I could not get this statue out of my mind.

What I'm listening to : Rhymin & Stealin 4:08 Beastie Boys Licensed to Ill Rap/R&B 3 09/04/2007 08:57

Jazzercise

2007-06-10T07:13:00.000-07:00

My neighbour's head, on her way to her Jazz dance recital downtown. She refused to show the rest of the costume, but let me take this picture.

What I'm listening to : Blame Your Parents 4:26 54-40 Smilin' Buddha Cabaret Rock/Pop 3 18/03/2007 10:57

Mama Bird

2007-05-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

My brother has a nest built under his deck. I was pleased with the shot, considering it's through glass.

Luckily, there aren't many cats in the neighbourhood.

Grumpy Old Man

2007-05-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

My grandfather used to be a crossing guard. Right near McGregor Arena, on Lawrence. There's a traffic light there now. This is his stop sign, or what's left of it, anyways. Still going strong, and he's been gone for a good 13 years now, and wasn't a crossing guard for a long time before he passed.

He was a grumpy old man, but he was always all right to me. I remember the poplar whistles he used to whittle, and how he used to love just puttering around the cottage lot.

What I'm listening to : Cold Irons Bound 7:15 Bob Dylan Time Out of Mind Rock/Pop

The deck builder

2007-05-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

A shot of the view up from the deck we built last summer.

Peeling

2007-05-21T19:04:00.000-07:00

This tree is right beside the cottage, and has been there my entire life, perhaps a bit longer. I'm now thinking I might outlive it, as it's not doing too well. Still beautiful to me, however.

Ready for Take-off

2007-05-21T18:36:00.000-07:00

This was taken right before he hit the gas, about 30 feet away from me - and right after I filled the memory card.....never fails - would have been an awesome shot.

What I'm listening to : Only In Dreams 7:58 Weezer Weezer Alternative 1 28/03/2007 18:36

Smoke on the Water

2007-05-21T14:41:00.001-07:00

Just got back from the cottage, which will be the theme for the next few shots at least, I figure.

Got several of the lake, and liked this one, at twilight, with the smoke from campfires swirling above the surface.

What I'm listening to : Thorn in My Pride 6:03 Black Crowes Southern Harmony & Musical Companion [Bonus Tracks] Rock/Pop 3 28/04/2007 13:27

Suburban Decay

2007-05-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

I've always loved Dave MacIntyre's pictures of Urban Decay.

So I went looking for some SUBurban decay.

Unfortunately, this shot is of my house.

What I'm listening to : It's True That We Love One Another 2:41 The White Stripes Elephant Rock/Pop 1 23/02/2007 18:52

Gardening Season

2007-05-06T14:55:00.000-07:00

I loved the way the sun was shining through these - taken in RAW, and untouched.

What I'm listening to : Backstage With the Modern Dancers 4:28 Great Lake Swimmers Ongiara Alternative 14 05/05/2007 12:47

Spring Shadows

2007-04-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

Managed to make it onto my patio today, and I was so struck by the shadows that I asked my mother-in-law to bring me the camera bag and tripod, as I was unable to get it myself.

Turned out all right in the end.

Some hiatus. :)

What I'm listening to : Happy Birthday to You (Maya as sung to her doll Daisy)

Hiatus

2007-04-17T10:49:00.001-07:00

Chalk Scribblings will be on hiatus until I can walk without risking damage to the camera.

Crap.

Cold day in April

2007-04-09T05:39:00.000-07:00

Lake Ontario, during the Easter Parade. Had to flee to the beach as the dog was losing it at the parade.

What I'm listening to : Motorpsycho Nitemare 4:33 Bob Dylan Another Side of Bob Dylan Rock/Pop

Beachcombing

2007-04-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Going way back in the archives here, to chasing a 1 year old down a Bahamian beach.

What I'm listening to : Mother and Child Reunion 2:59 Paul Simon Greatest Hits: Shining Like a National Guitar Rock/Pop 2 09/01/2007 18:29

View from a deck

2007-04-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

The view from my parent's deck, which of course was built long after I still knew anyone living in this building.

What I'm listening to : Little Bird 3:14 Emmylou Harris Stumble into Grace Country 6 28/03/2007 18:56

Self-Portrait

2007-03-29T18:20:00.000-07:00

What I'm listening to : Brothers Under the Bridge 3:59 Cowboy Junkies Early 21st Century Blues Alternative 1 22/03/2007 21:54

Morlock Holes

2007-03-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

Walking thru the park with Gabi one day, she termed these Morlock Holes.

I really don't understand why, but far be it for me to argue with my "Thomson Girl"

What I'm listening to : Thompson Girl 3:32 The Tragically Hip Phantom Power Rock/Pop 1 17/12/2006 05:53 (Ok, I fixed this one - no shuffle here)

Cake Toppers

2007-03-22T17:47:00.000-07:00

Here are Dora and Boots, from my nephew Conrad's 2nd birthday cake.

What I'm listening to : Numb 3:07 Linkin Park Meteora Rock/Pop 3 20/02/2007 17:51

Baby Photography

2007-03-16T10:52:00.000-07:00

This is probably the best baby for pictures I've ever had the pleasure of taking. He never stopped smiling.

What I'm listening to : Joking 4:27 Indigo Girls 1200 Curfews (1 of 2) Rock/Pop 5 24/02/2007 11:48

Dishwashing

2007-03-13T16:49:00.000-07:00

Was washing dishes, looked out my kitchen window, saw the sky, grabbed the camera and ran outside. Didn't want to touch the pic - thought the sky was amazing as is. Just converted from RAW.

What I'm listening to : Dirt Road Blues 3:36 Bob Dylan Time Out of Mind Rock/Pop 2 24/02/2007 22:13

The Climbing Tree

2007-03-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

I've been higher in this tree than anything on earth, except perhaps the Purple Rooster, and the CN Tower (United Way climb).

What I'm listening to : I Am John 3:30 Loney, Dear I Am John - Single of the Week Alternative

Sad eyes

2007-03-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

I've always thought Cora had sad eyes...

What I'm listening to : Underneath It All 5:02 No Doubt Rock Steady Ska 1 19/12/2006 18:31

Shelter

2007-03-11T18:28:00.000-07:00

Shelter : a haiku

Shelter from the storm

from prying eyes filled with scorn

if these walls could talk

What I'm listening to : Hypnotize 3:48 Notorious B.I.G. MuchDance 1997 Rock/Pop 1 27/01/2007 19:54

The Love Bug

2007-03-11T18:22:00.000-07:00

Herbie, and this iconic symbol in my life, are the reasons I wear #53 on every sports jersey I have. Strangely enough, every team I play for has the number available.

What I'm listening to : World Wide Suicide 3:27 Pearl Jam Pearl Jam Alternative 4 31/01/2007 04:29

Ventilation

2007-03-11T14:29:00.000-07:00

The first in a series of shots taken at my parent's place. I tried to pick things that haven't really changed since I moved out for good (I hope), about 9 years ago now.

What I'm listening to : Nobody's Listening 2:58 Linkin Park Meteora Rock/Pop 2 23/02/2007 20:54

The Great Hall

2007-03-09T15:12:00.000-08:00

Had just read about this installation, when I actually managed to come across it. Beautiful and majestic art installation.

What I'm listening to : Toccata & Fugue in D. Minor (BWV 565) 9:25 Bach The Essential Classical

Weston Family Largesse

2007-03-09T15:06:00.000-08:00

At the Science Centre, checked out the new Weston wing. This was installed as kind of a bubbly glass effect. Quite neat.

A RAW image, heavily edited and played with effects. I think it's a cool pic.

What I'm listening to : We Dance Alone 3:56 Beck The Information (Bonus Video Version) Alternative 8 25/02/2007 09:04

Regal Bearing

2007-03-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

Like me, the king of all he surveys. Feel free to snicker. On a photographic note, starting to play with some RAW images here. After 90% of my shots were crap, it's time to read the manual.

What I'm listening to : Disco Science 3:31 Mirwais Snatch - Soundtrack Sound Track 1 11/12/2006 17:23

Mother and Child Reunion

2007-03-04T15:45:00.000-08:00

I need better lenses! I need better lenses!!!

What I'm listening to : An Open Letter to NYC 4:18 Beastie Boys To the 5 Boroughs Hip-Hop 4 23/01/2007 19:02

Waste of money?

2007-03-01T19:13:00.000-08:00

You can see the amount my piano gets played, or at least, gets dusted.

What I'm listening to : Find the Cost of Freedom 2:01 Crosby, Stills & Nash (And Young) So Far Rock/Pop

Tangled Skein

2007-03-01T18:42:00.000-08:00

I've started shopping around for a zoom lens. Can't really afford it, but hey, if you enjoy taking pictures, can you afford not to get one?

This is a pic I took back in Jan - haven't really had a chance to do much with it, but hey, I like it.

What I'm listening to : Man In the Box 4:47 Alice In Chains Greatest Hits Rock

Safety Poster

2007-02-25T04:34:00.000-08:00

Well, I dropped out, but I thought I'd show off my safety poster, which I had finished.

Does this make you feel safe?

What I'm listening to : Think I'm In Love 3:19 Beck The Information (Bonus Video Version) Alternative 16 08/02/2007 17:47 (probably my current favourite song)

Archive Elephant Lake Shot

2007-02-25T04:27:00.000-08:00

This was shot in August 2005, in the narrows between Benoir and Elephant, using my old Toshiba 3.2 mp digital. I was sitting in the bow of the fishing boat at high speed, just snapping away and swallowing a few bugs while I was at it.

What I'm listening to : Elevator Music 3:39 Beck The Information (Bonus Video Version) Alternative 5 06/02/2007 07:52

Danger, Will Robinson!

2007-02-08T16:32:00.000-08:00

I'm making a poster for safety in my Design & Technology course, and I thought I'd make it with photos, stitch them all together and put some kind of catchy safety slogan on it. After cropping, I liked this one so much I had to put it up here.

What I'm listening to : When It's Love 5:38 Van Halen The Best of Van Halen, Vol. 1 Rock/Pop 2 27/01/2007 23:49

Tobogganing in the backyard

2007-02-04T12:48:00.000-08:00

I'm fortunate enough to own my own hill. It's a small one, but big enough that going down it with Maya causes me to need to brake hard before we crash into the barbeque or the brick wall. Thankfully Cora is a corner pooper, so the centre of the hill is relatively safe in that regard.

What I'm listening to : Confessin' the Blues 2:51 The Rolling Stones 12 X 5 Rock & Roll 3 14/12/2006 21:47

January Reflections

2007-02-04T12:44:00.000-08:00

The way this fella looks is the way I've felt for most of the month of January. Big, sluggish, slow.

Time to turn it around again.

What I'm listening to : One Dub 3:53 Bob Marley Songs of Freedom (4 of 4) Reggae

Birkdale Ravine

2007-01-06T14:12:00.000-08:00

On the same long walk, a couple of ducks.

What I'm listening to : My Friend of Misery 6:49 Metallica Metallica Rock/Pop

As an explanation, I'm copying the song information right out of iTunes. Name of song, Time, Band/Artist, Genre, # of times played, date and time last played. The song count got reset in October when the computer melted down. If the date and time is blank, that means it hasn't been played recently.

Cora on the run

2007-01-04T15:20:00.000-08:00

Took a long long walk thru Birkdale Ravine, working with Cora on off leash training. She's getting pretty good, and the Sr. Citizens I kept running into were suitably impressed. Sure, she almost got eaten by that German Shephard, whom I thought we were giving a wide berth but who turned out to be on an extensible leash. Other than that, a lovely day in the park, with many nice photos.

What I'm listening to : Wishing Well 3:31 Terence Trent D'Arby A Decade In Rock Rock/Pop

Shaw Festival

2007-01-03T20:30:00.000-08:00

A shot of the head of the statue of George Bernard Shaw in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

What I'm listening to : I'm Ready 3:05 Muddy Waters The Best of Muddy Waters [Chess] Blues

Elise

2007-01-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

A shot of Elise, from last nights New Years gathering.

What I'm listening to : Let's Go Get Stoned 3:03 Ray Charles Anthology Misc 1 09/12/2006 07:50

Feeling Shrimpy

2006-12-31T20:24:00.000-08:00

Watching Maya plow through this shrimp platter was something else. I loved how the camera captured the colours and texture.

What I'm listening to : Into the Groove 4:09 Madonna The Immaculate Collection Rock/Pop 1 16/12/2006 14:53

Lounge Lizard

2006-12-31T13:19:00.000-08:00

Cora likes to sleep, no question. Here she is in her favourite lounging spot, under the sofa table. Can you tell I woke her up?

What I'm listening to : Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby 1:57 Alison Krauss / Emmylou Harris / Gillian Welch O Brother, Where Art Thou? Soundtrack 1 04/12/2006 13:46

The Love Ficus

2006-12-30T10:51:00.000-08:00

When Gabi and I first started dating, I was in my first year of teaching. I had a grade 1/2, and we had plants everywhere. We were doing all kinds of growing activities.

So over the holidays, one of my classroom windows slipped open.

Needless to say, my plants didn't fare well. Something about tropicals and indoor snowbanks not being a good mix.

Gabi bought me this tree. It was much smaller then.

What I'm listening to : Caravanserai, Loreena McKennit

Vegetarian Delight

2006-12-29T21:12:00.000-08:00

Just a shot of my favourite pizza at the birthday party this evening.

What I'm listening to : Lake Fever, The Tragically Hip (iTunes on shuffle)

PhotoBlog

2006-12-29T21:03:00.000-08:00

Well, I owe Dave MacIntyre for this one.

I've decided to start my own photoblog.

This was taken at my nephew Conrad's birthday party, before my daughter trashed the chalkboard completely.

What I'm listening to - the ticking of the baby monitor.