Caught You

Shades 'o Green, Waimea Valley, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii, December 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 300mm, 1/30 sec @ f5.6, ISO 180, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Are you conspicuous or inconspicuous?  Do you like to stand out or let yourself fade into the background?  There's no right or wrong answer.  Sometimes either action is required.

But I would make one recommendation.  Ask yourself what your motivation is.  What is driving the decision?  The particular situation?  Or the ego?

And if the latter, consider trying the alternative approach.

My observation is the ego can get you into some trouble.  It might just get you caught.  Camouflage is an excellent evolutionary development.  Give it a try, especially whenever you see the ego looking for some extra attention.

Stop Counting

Time to Stop Counting, Big Island, Hawaii, December 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
76mm, 1/30 sec @ f5.6, ISO 640, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I came across this T-shirt while strolling through Kona center on the Big Island with my family.  It made me chuckle.  And think.

I really don't think of myself as being as old as my birthday would indicate.  After all, it's just a number.  Rather meaningless, actually, when you realize the standard deviation around average life expectancy.

Kinda like dog years.  Those never mapped very well either, as far as I could tell.

They say you are as young (or as old) as you feel.  I think that is absolutely true.

So in case anyone asks, I'm 33 years old (and that's actually quite a bit older than I've been in the past). Yes, I'm a bit more mature lately.  But not too much.

And if you want to apply some other yardstick to yourself,  perhaps it's a good idea to use dog years for your age.  That way you are sure to be far from "average" ... in fact, you'd be well off the charts ;-)

Impressed?

Impressed, Big Island, Hawaii, December 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
78mm, 1/30 sec @ f5.6, ISO 1600, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

So are you?  Impressed, I mean.

No, not about the photo.  Although I have to tell you I really like this shot.  I was walking by an art studio that was closed, and saw this through the window.  What you might find surprising is that the piece is actually facing away from you.  It's the "negative" if you will.  And I really like the textures and the light.

But I was talking about you.  Are you "impressed?"

You know, with preconceived notions, parental biases, cultural taboos, and the like.  I would be willing to bet that you are, even if you can't discern them (much like the proverbial fish who can't see the water).  So the question isn't whether you can be completely unbiased or objective.  But rather are you tuned into detecting your biases before they cause you or others any suffering?

Take another look that the photo.  Imagine that is your impression.  And see how there is no person there now.  Imagine you have "stepped back" from the impression you just made, and now you can walk around it and truly examine it.  Now you can look objectively at both your perfections and your flaws.  And decide where you want to change, to grow, to improve yourself.

That's all we can do.  One day at a time, one step at a time.  And if we are guided by compassion, rather than ego ... well, then we just might make some progress.

And truly, I tell you, that would be impressive!

What is your gift?

It's a Gift, Tel Aviv, Israel, January 2013, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
85mm, 1/80 sec @ f5, ISO 100, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Walking along the streets of Tel Aviv recently, and what did we come across?  Three colorful statues on a balcony appearing to sing to the folks on the street below.  Quirky?  Yes.  Unnecessary?  Perhaps.  Worthless?  Heck no.

It's a gift.  Something unique and compelling, that makes you wonder and think.  Why is it there?  What does it mean?

So what's your gift?  To the world.  To yourself.

No one else can say what it should be.  If you haven't found it yet, keep looking.  It's there, waiting for your discovery.  And the onlookers below are curious.  Just what are you all about?  Time to belt out your song for all to hear.

Spice things up

Spice Things Up, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel, October 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 50mm lens, 
50mm, 1/30 sec @ f1.8, ISO 140, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

In a rut?  Doing the same thing over and over again?

Maybe it's time to spice things up.  Try something brand new.  Surprise your partner or your friend.  They have expectations on how you will behave -- see if you can catch them off guard.

Life's too short to be boring or predictable.  And how will you grow if you never stretch the boundaries of your behavior.  Why not challenge your habits once a week?  I'm willing to bet some of the new things you try will become your favorites.

Not all of them, of course.  But that would be too predictable and boring too.  Gotta keep everyone, including yourself, guessing.

Enjoy the change.  You know what they say ... "Variety is the spice of life."  How true!

Too much drama

Storm Clouds Brewing, Herrenchiemsee, Germany, September 2012, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
27mm, 1/500 sec @ f3.5, ISO 200, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Check out those clouds.  Looks like a big storm is brewing.  Better batten down the hatches; board up the windows.  Just listen to the folks on the news, they'll tell you how bad things might get.

Or you perhaps could realize that I tweaked a few settings on my post-processing, and just made things look this dramatic.  Nothing unusual going on.  The sun will still rise tomorrow.

It's easy, if we're not careful, to get caught up in the "drama" of a given situation.  Over analyze all the possible outcomes, and worry about the worst ones.  But that's lots of needless hand-wringing.  Better to not let yourself get "hooked" by the drama.  Carry every situation as lightly as possible.  Be free to let go of any worrisome thoughts.  Stay present with what is really happening, and just take things as they come.

So what if you see a sky that looks something like what you see in this picture?  I'd just grab my umbrella.  Simple as that.

I'm happy ... Are you?

Happy Boy, Königsee, Bertchesgäden, Germany, September 2012, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
180mm, 1/640 sec @ f5.3, ISO 200, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Are you happy?  As happy as this dog?

This guy just seems so content with his big stick.  He's smiling at the camera.

You know what they say ... you're as happy as you make your mind up to be.

So I'd say take your cue from this happy boy, and smile, smile, smile.

Gotta Run

Gotta Run, Maui, Hawaii, March 2011, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
300mm, 1/100 sec @ f5.6, ISO 200, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go ...

Heading off on a trip today, where it will be warmer, and yes, beach running will be an option.

I've been slackin' (well, at least in terms of my running), so hopefully I'll get a few long and enjoyable runs in while I'm in Israel.

But for now ... let's just say ... I gotta run!  Bye.

Like water off a duck's back

Duck's Back, Sweden, September 2011, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
300mm, 1/100 sec @ f5.6, ISO 200, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Ever have someone say something to you that didn't quite sit right with you?

It might seep into your thoughts, cause you some anxiety, and create some negative energy inside you.

Or, you could just let it "roll off you like water off a duck's back."

Unless you see the comment as something worthy of your time and energy, and useful perhaps for reflection and personal growth, then I'd probably recommend the duck metaphor.

Makes life so much lighter and more blissful.

Slow Down

Slow Down, Böblingen, Germany, June 2012, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
195mm, 1/25 sec @ f5.6, ISO 1600, 0.7 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Our world, it seems, just keeps speeding up.

Information from anywhere on the planet now arrives in the blink of an eye.

No need to wait for the evening news.  CNN put an end to that long ago.

Want that new bauble?  Order by 3:00AM and have it at your door before 10:00AM.

And while we can't teleport ourselves across the globe, we can, at modest price, get just about anywhere in the world within 24 hours.  Something our grandparents couldn't have imagined.

It is really all very amazing.  And I'm not complaining -- really I'm not.  These can be real conveniences in our lives.  Or not.

The beauty can be found in the snail above.

For while the world seems to be spinning faster and faster, of course it is not.  You can still choose when to slow down your life.  That power remains with you no matter what new, amazing, shiny, computer/stereo/telephone/GPS/e-reader/camera/etc you happen to have in your pocket this month.

You still have the choice to slow down.  Boil some water and steep some loose herbal tea.  Grab a book and turn the pages one-by-one.  Walk to your local market, choose warm bread and fresh veggies and make a healthy, homemade meal.  Savor it over candlelight and conversation.

So pay heed to the lowly snail.  For no matter its destination, he may get there slowly, but get there nonetheless.

And there is something very satisfying and very beautiful when we make the choice ourselves to just slow down.

A simple flower

A simple flower, Bebenhausen, Germany, October 2012, Nikon D600 with DX 18-55mm VR lens, 
30mm, 1/125 sec @ f3.8, ISO 100, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, 

our whole life would change.

-- The Buddha --

We can glance at a single flower like this and think nothing of it.  A dime a dozen.  They grow like weeds in the summer time.

But if we begin to consider the amazing nature of this flower, how its essence is held within a tiny seed, and with nothing but some dirt, a little water, and sunlight, we have this beautiful blossom, and a process for continued reproduction and evolution.

How incredibly complex the inner workings of a flower are, turning sunlight into plant energy, the interconnection between the plant's pollen, the fertilization of other flowers, and delicate dancing of butterflies and bees to carry that pollen.

It's really unfathomable.  We know there are botanists and biologists that study such matters, and certainly they can describe these complex processes in great detail. But does anyone really know how it works?  Could any of us create such a process?

No, and in that lies the miracle the Buddha refers to in the quote above.  Sit back and enjoy the show.  For every single part of the ballet and the orchestration are simply unbelievable and truly awesome.  Such gifts for each one of us.

We are truly blessed to be able to witness them.  May we open our eyes.

Eye Am Beautiful

Eye Am Beautiful, Art show in Jaffa, Israel, date, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens,
 34mm, 1/25 sec @ f3.8, ISO 3200, -0.7 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We were walking around Old Jaffa, and came across this enormous art show in a refurbished building in the Old Jaffa port.  The quantity and variety of art was impressive.

This one really grabbed my eye (sorry ;-)  It was much larger than life-sized, and created by zillions of little applications of color, making it look something like a grainy close-up photo.  Really cool.

And paired with this quote below, I think also quite meaningful:

"When you look and look and look into another person's eyes 

you are looking at the most beautiful jewels in the universe." 

-- Alan Watts

The Con

The Laundry, Zikhron Ya'alov, Israel, November 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
200mm, 1/250 sec @ f5.6, ISO 100, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

So what do you think of this photo?  Nothing special -- just some guy hanging out the laundry to dry, right?  I'm afraid you've been conned.

I looked closely at this photo, trying to remember where (and why) I took it.  It wasn't until I went back to my photo collection to find the adjoining photo (below), that I remembered that is not a real person -- just a life size photo.  Boy, look at those hands.  To me they look like the must be coming out of that window.

The Laundry?, Zikhron Ya'alov, Israel, November 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 135mm, 1/250 sec @ f5.6, ISO 100, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

So what's the point?  Just this.

The Con game is being run everywhere.  And our senses are limited in what they can discern.  Particularly when we are expecting to see (or not see) something.  Can you keep an open mind as you go through life, and try to avoid (or at least identify) your own biased perceptions?

That person isn't who you think he is.  Nor is your neighbor.  Nor that friend that has gone off the political deep-end.  Check your own biases at the door, or the e-mail, and receive them with sincerity and honesty and openness, and then see what you can discern about their nature.  

Life is so much easier when we are not defending our positions, validating our preconceived notions, and trying to control the outcome of each interaction.   Just let it be.

Is this the best we can hope for?

Is there hope?, Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem, Israel, November 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
72mm, 1/800 sec @ f5, ISO 100, -0.3 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Jerusalem is a wonderful international city.  With a Jewish Quarter, a Christian Quarter, an Arab Quarter, and an Armenian Quarter.  It's fabulous to experience all of those cultures in such close proximity, and to realize it's been like that for hundreds of years.

But then you see the barricades, the metal detectors, the armed soldiers and the barbed wire. And it just makes me wonder:  Is this the best we can hope for?  Is this the best we can do?

Clearly, we are an afflicted species, and conflict has been in our history since we left the tree canopies and began to walk upright.   But at the same time, I see in my mind's eye the potential for civility, for compassion, for understanding, and for tolerance.

Thankfully, we have examples of luminaries that embody these principles and other timeless wisdom.  The Buddha, Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, and countless others.  We do have examples to emulate and to learn from.

I do believe the best is yet to come.  As a species we've come a long, long way.  We sometimes lose sight of our progress (and the daily news doesn't help).  So seek out those stories and lessons that give you the motivation to follow the trails blazed by the saints and sages.  May you be able to help light the path of love for those around you.

Sunbeams and Breakers

Sunbeams and Breakers, Tel Aviv, Israel, November 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
28mm, 1/800 sec @ f5, ISO 100, -0.7 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Magical.

Winds had been crazy in Tel Aviv earlier in the week.  It was still a little rough on the ocean, and the clouds were moving fast.

But when the clouds collided with the sun, the sunbeams appeared.  Just like magic.

It was like witnessing a miracle.

Apology

Apology, Amsterdam, Netherlands, August 2012, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
44mm, 1/200 sec @ f7.1, ISO 200, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

The scale is a little hard to see, but notice the herringbone walkway at the bottom of the picture.  This is some large, and apparently intensely-felt graffiti .  I love how some of the plywood fence is left natural.   I wonder if the graffiti artist suffers like the city's most famous painter -- Van Gogh.

Not for sale

Happy Buddha, Berlin, Germany, September 2012, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
178mm, 1/80 sec @ f5.3, ISO 200, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

"Happy Buddha.  Not for sale."

Well, actually it is, as you can see by the yellow tag on the bottom.  In a quirky antique shop in Berlin.

I just loved the patina along with a hint of the cherry wood desk it was sitting on.

Maybe I'll frame the picture.  Even better.  "Just look, not own."

If you knew ...

If you knew ..., Berlin, Germany, September 2012, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
52mm, 1/4 sec @ f5, ISO 1600, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I love this watercolor.  If I remember correctly, it was inside the washroom at a trendy vegan restaurant we dined at in Berlin.  In fact, I'm pretty sure this is a painting of the waitress who served us.

Can't speak German?  Me neither ;-)  But according to Google translate ...

"If you knew what I know you'd be vegan."  Love it (and so true).

Water Color

Water Color, Amsterdam, Netherlands, May 2012, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
300mm, 1/100 sec @ f5.6, ISO 200, 0.7 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

My eye doctor fine tunes my prescription by dialing in lens corrections until I can read the tiny letters at the end of the hall.  When he is nearly finished, he will make small adjustments and flip between them to let me identify the best.

He'll do this by saying, "Which one is better, number 1 or number 2 [flip] ... 1 or 2 [flip]"

I think of that when switching between yesterday's post, and today's post.  Yesterday or today.  Number 1 or number 2.  Please choose whichever is better for your life.

Same Ol', Same Ol'

Same Ol', Same Ol', Amsterdam, Netherlands, May 2012, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
69mm, 1/40 sec @ f4.5, ISO 250, 0.7 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

So how's your day going?  What are you doing?  Same ol', same ol'?

Perhaps today is the day you shake things up a bit.  Add some color to your monochrome existence.

Rather than reaching for that upper corner window, perhaps redefine success.

Instead of fitting into the cookie cutter mold, innovate and recreate.

Instead of going pre-fab, try re-hab.

Instead of watching that classic black and white movie one more time, find some roses and blossom.

Instead of counting down the days, try living the only one that counts.  Today.  Right now.

The Great Escape

The Great Escape, Böblingen, Germany, July 2012, Canon PowerShot S90, 
28mm, 1/250 sec @ f2, ISO 80, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Carol had been going through the garden on slug and snail patrol, and man, it was a bumper crop.  She put all the little critters into a large pail while she was checking out the other plants.

Well check out these felons.  They are making a get-a-way.  Can you see the one in the background, well on his way to freedom (and one of our garden plants).

Sorry to say I notice the escape while it was still in progress, so these criminals were (gently) relocated to some yummy vegetation on the other side of yard.

Sneaky buggars!

Sit, Stay, Good Boy

Sit, Stay, Good Boy, Ramstein, Germany, July 2012, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
53mm, 1/2 sec @ f5, ISO 1600, 0.3 EV, with flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I took this picture the day after we had to put Frito to sleep.  You can imagine I was missing my buddy.

I was eating dinner in some restaurant on a work trip, and the owner of this dog decided he had a good audience for a show.  The dog was very well trained, and would not move until his master told him it was OK to eat the biscuit.  The shutter speed was 1/2 second for this photo, so you can see the dog was very still.

It was great to be surrounded by other dogs after losing the best dog in the world.  You can see more pictures of Frito by clicking that link, or by visiting his Frito-a-Day blog, which is still being updated (I have lots of Frito pictures ;-).

Sun-drenched

Sun-drenched, Böblingen, Germany, August 2012, Canon PowerShot S90, 
28mm, 1/1600 sec @ f2, ISO 80, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We grew sunflowers in our yard here in Germany this year.  Not sure we'll do it again, but it was fun to see them finally bloom and really soak up the sun.  Not to mention the birds and the bees that liked visiting them as well.

They are sure eye-catching against a blue sky.  Love it.

Raised Eyebrow

Raised Eyebrow, Ramstein, Germany, July 2012, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
158mm, 1/40 sec @ f5.3, ISO 1400, 0.3 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

One of the great architectural features of some of the older buildings here in Germany are these eyebrow dormers.

I'm not sure if anyone builds them anymore given the significant labor in framing and roofing.  But here is where architectural aesthetics really pay dividends.

I think that is just beautiful to look at.

Flowers with Wings

Flowers with Wings, Böblingen, Germany, July 2012, Canon PowerShot S90, 
105mm, 1/640 sec @ f8, ISO 100, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Butterflies have been in short supply for the past 3 years over here in Böblingen, Germany where we currently live.  So we were happy to spot this fella, which I believe is a Peacock butterfly (aka Inachis io, male), right here in our own patio garden.

We really love to watch the beauty and delicateness of these "flying flowers".  They are magnificent.

Painted Water

Painted Water, Xanten, Germany, June 2012, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
300mm, 1/200 sec @ f5.6, ISO 200, 0.7 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I love how this photograph looks (to me) like an oil painting.

I was out for an evening run on a business trip and just loved how the light was hitting this small harbor of sailboats.  These are the colorful masts reflecting on the rippling water.

Pink Flamingos

Pink Flamingos, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii, USA, March 2011, Nikon D5000 with DX 
18-200mm VR lens, 63mm, 1/60 sec @ f5, ISO 1600, EV -0, with flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Yes, I am aware of the 1972 John Walters movie by the same title, and must confess to having even seen it in a theater (back at Johns Hopkins University).  And for a bonus, we had the director himself stop by for a Q&A session (he lived from Baltimore, MD).   Quite a treat in a very bizzarre way.

Changing topics, I must also note that on our recent home leave visit to Hawaii, the flamingos were missing in action.  I certainly hope they return soon.  They are quite a treat to see.

Faded Shutters

Faded Shutters, Venice, Italy, February 2011, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
27mm, 1/160 sec @ f6.3, ISO 200, EV 0, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

This is a pretty dilapidated building on one of the zillion canals of Venice.  You can see the stucco and paint peeling, and I think it would be fair to say it was an unsightly building.

And yet, with a small change in perspective, I think it makes for an interesting photograph.

Sometimes, it is all about changing one's perspective in life.  Everything is relative.  If you don't like how things are, try changing the lens through which you view them.

No Shoes Please

No Shoes Please, Piccadily St., London, UK, January 2011, Panasonic DMC-ZS7, 
25mm, 1/15 sec @ f3.3, ISO 400, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

This is a magnificent hand-made rug that was on display in a shop window in London.  I can only imagine the cost!  But it sure was beautiful.

Think of the hours and hours (probably years) of hand-work to make this magnificent piece of art.  Somehow I would have a hard time bringing myself to walk on it.  At least with shoes on.

It reminds me of a Tibetan sand mandala, the whole point of which is to be both beautiful and impermanent.  Interesting how one can get hooked on the idea of permanence.  Let's call it a spectacular lesson.

Lemme Outtahere

Lemme Outtahere, Eliezer Peri underpass, Tel Aviv, Israel, January 2011, Panasonic DMC-ZS7, 
25mm, 1/40 sec @ f3.3, ISO 80, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Tel Aviv (and Jaffa, and elsewhere in Israel) has some great graffiti artists.

This underpass pillar always intrigued me, so one day when I went out for a run on the beach, I decided to end my run with this photo.

Let's just say ... there were consequences ;-)

Playing with Fire

Playing with Fire, Lahaina, Maui, March 2011, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
255mm, 1/15 sec @ f5.6, ISO 200, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Playing with fire can be dangerous, but also quite enlightening and exciting, don't you think?

This picture was from a Luau that we did not even attend.  Instead, we were having dinner at Betty's Beach Café in Lahaina, Maui (great place BTW), and just happened to be there when a Luau was going on at an adjoining property.

Not bad free entertainment, if you ask me.  And another reason to always bring your camera.