Dec 31 2007
Chip Truck
We came across this earlier this month during one of our weekend outings. I like the sign… “Come in, we’re Open”.
Archive for December, 2007
Dec 30 2007
Southside Road
According to the extended forecast, there will be snow on three of the next five days, so I’m glad that I finally got out shooting. I headed down to the Southside Hills - it was beautiful and sunny, but a bit windy and more than a little cold.
These guys were headed out to sea, and I fully realize that I’m a complete wimp when it comes to the cold, because when they told me this, I thought they were nuts. The rope they’d used to tie the boat on was frozen - they were whacking the hell out of it with a sledge hammer.
Time for a visit to Tim’s if you ask me.
Dec 29 2007
Playing with Fire
You know you’re bored when playing with matches seems like a good idea.
I was hoping to get outside to take a few scenics but the storm kept me captive. Coming up with original content every day isn’t always easy, espically when it’s not even fit enough to stick your head out the window. I came up with this after seeing it at one of the Camera 35 meetings.
I like how you can see things in the smoke - one looked like a picture plant, and the other like frosty adjusting his head.
Anyway, enough of that - I’m getting out tomorrow… storm or no storm.
Dec 28 2007
Christmas Lights Winner
We saw this place in Torbay last year and headed back twice this year before the payoff.
I think this is the winner.
We checked out the Jiffy Cab stand a few times - not up to their usual standards. The crazy squiggles on Carrick Drive were never really a contender - just wacky looking. We also popped out to Kelligrews a few times to find the Gingerbread House, and were led on a wild goose chase with a few others, so I stopped taking pictures if a house wasn’t at least as good as Canada Drive.
Anyway, these guys are directly across from Tapper’s Gas Bar in Torbay, right at the top of the hill. The neighbour actually gets right into it too - a very elaborate job in it’s own right, had they not been next to this place. Check them out - they don’t have as many inflatables as Canada Drive, but if you listen carefully, you may hear the Christmas music that they’re playing.
Dec 28 2007
The Polls are closed
It turns out that, according to the "Why are you here?" pole, more than half the visitors just come to view the pics. That’s pretty much what we thought. The breakdown is 62% like looking, and 38% are into photography.
So, for each group, here are a few links.
Looking:
- Check out Keith Horlick’s collection of Old Newfoundland Photos. I just found out about that through one of the links below. I also just received for Christmas Paul O’Neill’s The Oldest City, The Story of St. John’s, Newfoundland, so those photos are of particular interest to me.
- Karen Chappell’s Bitstop, a photo-a-day blog that has been on the go for two years now.
Shooting:
- I’ve been visiting a new forum site for local photographers on-and-off for the last few days. Check it out at www.nlphotographers.com.
- Photo.net is a site I’ve been visiting for years. Any time I’ve ever wanted to ask a question, I’ve always found that it’s already been asked and answered by looking back through their forums. An excellent resource.
Dec 27 2007
The geeks
The very small amount of daylight means that our little adventures have to start very early in the morning. Our most recent road trip had us just past Tors Cove during the sunrise - the sky turned bright red for a just a minute or two, so we pulled over to get this. That’s the actual shot - no PSing there.
That’s the boys taking a few shots on the bridge at La Manche - the minion and Andreau.
Dec 26 2007
Traditions
Everyone has their own Christmas traditions. Some people go to mass, others gather to sing carols - we make fun of the table cloth.
With four boys present, my significant other’s family feast has always been a little rambunctious. Every year when we sit down to dinner on Christmas Day, our plates are sat upon the general topic of conversation. Several scenes are depicted on there with Santa carrying out various festive chores - things that, to a twisted mind, may appear lude and (in some places) even illegal.
Left: And you thought it was coal in your stocking!
Right: Mommy, what is Santa doing to Frosty?
Besides that, we of course eat more than we should. I especially like the the varied expressions on each persons face. Tony looks angelic as he awaits desert, Bev is still diving in. The minion is staring at his plate in complacency wondering if he can finish. 
And look, there sits my plate, piled high - I was already full at that point and am ashamed to say I couldn’t even finish all of my turkey.
Finally, the lady responsible for the feast, Hopie. There she sits getting the left overs ready for tomorrows meal. I was tempted to head back in this afternoon for seconds but stayed home and cooked instead. There’s still New Years day after all.
Here are some miscellaneous shots. More ornaments, and Ripley - who was quite bored with all the goings on. The other pup, Sandy was in the kitchen making a nuisance of herself. Apparently beagles love carrots… who knew?
Dec 25 2007
Port de Grave at Christmas Eve
On the suggestion of Aimee Power, we took a run out to Port de Grave on Christmas Eve.
Dec 25 2007
Kim’s Random Christmas Thought
‘Tis the only time of year when it’s socially acceptable to paint your balls.
Dec 24 2007
Old foundations and cheap tricks
When I awoke 5:30 yesterday morning I was optimistic about our trek into the abandoned community of La Manche.
The men had decided to take on the role of navigator and left me with the task of making hot chocolate. Little did they know - I would secretly spike the beverages. We arrived just as the sun was rising and eagerly started down a path - the men assured one another that it was the right direction.
Two kilometers later, and we were back up the hill that we had just descended. Taking just enough time to regain some strength, we headed down the right path. The walking was not as easy - the snow was like quick sand, with each foot step sinking half way up the knee. I’d never before noticed the weight of my boots.
Anyway, we made it. There’s not much remaining in the community - besides a new suspension bridge, there are just a few foundations and chimneys.
I ended up taking shots of bits and pieces but scenics just don’t seem to do much for me anymore. As you can see, the pictures are a little boring, so I used a very popular trick (read: abused Photoshop action) that can make pretty much any shot look “cool”.
That last shot (the boat) is from Port Kirwan.
Upon reaching the community, seeing their enthusiasm build as my own wained, I headed back early, ahead of the men - how else was I going to get all that hot chocolate to myself? They found me several minutes later… taking it easy… chocolate dripping from my chin.