Clowning Around

Clowning Around, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii, December 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
72mm, 1/500 sec @ f5.5, ISO 100, -0.7 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I was walking around seeing the bubbles coming from somewhere, so I figured there must be one of those machines somewhere shooting out soap bubbles.  Well, in a way I guess there was.  Only this one was wearing a clown suit and using two giant fly swatters.  Pretty clever.

This was in the finish area of the 2012 Honolulu Marathon.  Everyone was hot, sweaty, thirsty, and tired, but this guy managed to bring a smile to people's faces.  Who doesn't love a clown?

So the next time you or someone else you know needs a little cheering up, break out that rubber nose and start clowning around.  Laughter really is the best medicine and pick-me-up.

Stud Muffin

Stud Muffin, Ewa Beach, Oahu, Hawaii, December 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
105mm, 1/30 sec @ f5.3, ISO 560, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Perhaps not the photo you were expecting from the title?

Trust me, this old man (I think he's 15 years old or something) truly is a stud muffin.  As in $500 stud fees.  I'm not kidding.  We spoke with the owner when we were visiting our daughter in Hawaii.

So what do they say -- beauty is in the eye of the beholder?  Apparently so.  Beauty, and some earning potential ;-)

Catch It ...

Catch It, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii, March 2011, Nikon D5000 with DX 18-200mm VR lens, 
300mm, 1/1600 sec @ f5.6, ISO 200, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Catch it ... and then let it go.  You must if you wish to ride it.

I love this shot, with the wind so clearly whipping the waves in the back of the frame.

This was a red-flag day, and you had better know what you were doing to be out in the water.

But if you have the skill, and the guts, you might just have some fun.

Don't cling.  Roll with it.  Go with the flow.  You know what works.  And what doesn't.

The Unfurling

The Unfurling, Akaka Falls, Big Island, Hawaii, December 2012, Nikon D600 with FX 28-300mm VR lens, 
300mm, 1/30 sec @ f5.6, ISO 720, 0 EV, no flash © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Are you managing and controlling all aspects of your life?  Checking off your to do list?  Ensuring each day is crackerjack-full of productive activities?

Or are you letting your life unfurl before your own eyes?  Are you open and receptive to opportunities that might just be around the next corner?  Are you leaving space -- precious space -- during your day for something magnificent to unfurl?

We've been conditioned by time management experts and self-help gurus to shape our lives to fit our preconceived notion of success ... only to realize later in life that we may well have been sold a bill of goods (quite literally).  

What would our life be like if we followed our nose to see just what opportunities were ever-present that ignited our creative spirit, or touched the depths of our soul, or let us express our deepest compassion.

Life has its own way of unfurling, and will do so quite nicely without any help from us, thankyouverymuch.  Can we learn (or unlearn) to accept that unfolding, and consider what is the wisest response to each situation?  

You will be surprised the degree of peace that can arise from that unknowing, that lack of control.  Indeed, it is our desire to control our world that introduces tremendous stress and suffering (when things inevitably don't follow what we had in mind).  

So resign today from your envisioned job as master of the universe.  And watch the miracle of life unfurl all on its own.  And then ... be at peace.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Day 86: Hero or goat?

Hero or goat?, Kualoa Ranch, Oahu, Hawaii, March 2011,

Nikon D5000, 35mm focal length equiv. 57mm, exposure 1/160 sec @ f6.3, ISO 200, no flash

 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Well, it seems my New Year's Resolution of a post every day came to a rather abrupt stop.  Apologies to those who came looking and found the stagnant blog.  But you know what they say ... consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds ;-)

So, I guess in the hero/goat comparison, that makes me the goat.  But at least this one is certainly adorable.  And you can formulate your own opinion of what's the meaning of the tongue.

And there is another great thing about resolutions.  Once you get over the perspective that they have to be a once-and-for-all change, you can just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and continue where you left off.  At least that's my story, and I'm sticking to it ;-)

So now we are on home leave.  Carol and I flew out to Hawaii to visit our daughter Allison who lives on Oahu now.  And then our son Gregory came out to join us for a family vacation.  The first time we are all together in almost 3 years, given our current geographic separation.  And it is awesome to get to spend that time in Hawaii.  

This photo comes from our visit to the Kualoa Ranch on Oahu, where scenes from a number of famous TV shows (e.g., Lost) and movies (e.g., Jurassic Park) are filmed.  At Alli's suggestion, we decided to rent ATVs for a 2-hour guided tour to celebrate Greg's birthday.  It was a blast.  Now we are onto Maui for a few days, and then on to Kauai for some more sight seeing.

Here's one picture of the family from the ATV tour.  Not sure if you can tell from the photo, but we all have some dust on our faces from the ride.  If you are ever in Hawaii, I'd put it on the list.

• Donations:  To 88Bikes.org to help provide transportation to under-developed countries
• Exercise: Walk along beach in Maui with Greg (75 mins); family walk along Lahaina strip (90 mins)