Thursday, June 30, 2011

Economic Disaster













I'm trying to fathom why it is that the State of California is doing everything in its power to destroy what remains of its economy, destroy people's lives, and completely ruin all that remains in the way of successful business.

I'm really not happy with what's been going on (polite understatement) in California. Lot's of bloggers that I know decided today to pull up stakes and leave. They were earning a living as part of Amazon's Associate program, and paying state income taxes accordingly.

Thanks to Moonbeam, these folks have had their income reduced to zero. They don't blame Amazon.... They know who's at fault and taking the steps needed to ensure their livelihoods. 

Brown, who doesn't even have to pay is own rent is a snake for hire... bought and paid for by unions and special interests.

Enough is enough.... California is a one party state... time to end that, restore some sanity (if it isn't already too late).

California has run out of other people's money.  The experiment was a failure....  Let's not continue with it and expect different results.

Round of Fun

Round of Fun by Damian Gadal
In the summer sun

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

When there was a future

When there was a future by Damian Gadal
What's striking about the era we're living in is the lack of optimism...

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Face Painting

Face Painting by Damian Gadal
We got the chance to go behind the scenes and watch things come together.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Spotted

Spotted by Damian Gadal
I did try working with my flash. It's one of those things that requires lots of practice.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Behind the colours

Behind the colours by Damian Gadal
I made it to the parade.... proved to be as challenging as ever.  Even though I got there early an more or less had full access to the parade participants, and had brought along my flash, my shy and nervous nature got the best of me.  I only took a few shots before the parade, such as this one.

One thing I've got to learn is to take my time (as much as is permitted) and take advantage of a great shooting opportunity.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Friday, June 24, 2011

Summer Expressions

Summer Expressions by Damian Gadal
The solstice parade is tomorrow.... I'm not sure how sunny it will be, but it will be an opportunity to capture some nuttiness.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Honest, I do

Honest, I do by Damian Gadal
Spent the first day of summer in the mountains and it felt just as it should. Hot.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Yellow Reflections

Yellow Reflctions by Damian Gadal
you've changed so much,
your face and mine...
in decades doubled..
a broken cadence of time...
a reflection unknown...
our days but tears in the rain...

Nautical Silhouette

Nautical Silhouette by Damian Gadal
Looking back, things seemed simpler...

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Your last stand

Your last stand by Damian Gadal
I've been playing with processing Black and White images... mostly our of boredom. I have to admit that it's fun, and something I need to work on.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Big and tall

Big and tall by Damian Gadal
I've got this Photoshop Express program for my iPhone and am loving the little things it does. Or should I say app? Either way, give it a try if you've got an iPhone. It's free...

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Monday, June 13, 2011

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Twitter

Twitter is an amazing and evolving piece of technology.  It's is not to be underestimated.  More and more, I find it to be an invaluable resource, especially for news.

For too long the media has distorted and sensationalized the news.  It's become corrupted by political agendas and personal bias.  It's little more than a circus show.

Not so with Twitter when disaster strikes.... it brings out the best in people who pull together to get out important and valuable information, and get it out quickly.

At such times, people set aside trivial interests.  They rise above all for the common good.

These are historic and evolving times.  Let's keep putting our technological resources to good use.

RĂ©alisant mon espoir

RĂ©alisant mon espoir by Damian Gadal
Before we hit the crossroad

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Inside View

Inside View by Damian Gadal
June is a third over and I've not been able to get out and shoot. Something needs to be done about that.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Back to the future

Back to the future by Damian Gadal
I went to my niece's high school graduation yesterday. A young woman, all of eighteen, gave a profound and stunning commencement speech.

In essence, she said her class is inheriting the greatest debt burden in the history of the nation, given to them by their parents and grandparents.

A dim future, one that our current leaders are completely incapable of dealing with.

She said that in order to turn the future around, her class needed to take the reins of their destiny as soon as possible.

She believed that time for new ideas is now, and to borrow from Ronald Reagan, that though "we can't help everyone, everyone can help someone".

Our youth are indeed well aware of the state of the world, and know that it's up to them to do something about it.

There is hope on the horizon.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Before the harvest

Before the harvest by Damian Gadal
I've got to hit the road today.... perhaps, with some luck, I'll be able to do a little shooting.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Looking Back

Looking Back by Damian Gadal
Ok.... I thought it was about time to change things up, and gave my blog a much needed facelift.

I've been wanting to do longer posts, but circumstances beyond my control (life) are preventing me from spending the time I'd like on my blog.

And I know the font's a little large, but these old eyes (mine) aren't what they used to be.  I like being able to see what I've written..... makes it easier to correct all the typos.

Also, the tag cloud is now a label cloud... not sure if I like that or not, but it's neat and organized....

Up and Away

Up and Away by Damian Gadal
To where the winds take us.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Friday, June 3, 2011

Thursday, June 2, 2011