Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Floating - IS Corp Downer Classic

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Sometimes the atheletes just seem to float across the racecourse. 


On a seperate note, Google has become rather atrocious in pushing their own products.  I generally write these with Firefox *cough* at work *cough*, where I do not have control over what browser is installed on the computer.  Google seems to be aggresively not making their Blogger product compatible with Firefox. Each time I navigate Blogger it reminds me to "upgrade to Chrome", it deletes what I have written, goes back  to the previous page instead of "backspace" as you would expect it to work, no longer allows me to highlight text, or select text, doesn't allow me to pick a time of day to publish, and many other slights against the user for not participating in Google's attempt at monopoly. Once upon a time, I used to write these on a very nice Microsoft product, which would automagically post these every day, but Google removed that interface loooong ago. So, if you have any ideas how to drop "el Goog" and blog through a different product, I'm all ears.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Coming Around The Bend - Downer IS Corp Criterium

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Bending, twisting, grinding it out. Criterium racing is quick (ish) and fun to spectate.


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With a careful spot, you can really feel a part of the action.Almost to the point of feeling like you'll be run over.
jon

Saturday, July 14, 2012

IS Corp Downer Classic Criterium - TOAD

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T'was a week of racing. The nice thing about participating one day is that; 1, you get to say you raced, and 2, you don't race that much. I couldn't imagine doing this for seven straight days. It would be absolutely brutal.



jon

Friday, July 13, 2012

Wide Eyed - Schlitz Park Criterium

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jon
As I switched over systems, Olympus to Canon, I had to divest and reinvest in lenses. The decision was to purchase a "normal zoom" (24-70 2.8 MkI for lens fanatics) instead of starting with a telephoto zoom, or a macro. The theory was that I could zoom via crop, and it is true to a limited sense. What it really did influence, was the framing and viewing angles I selected.  Also, 2.8 is a really narrow depth of field, and cranking the ISO is my new best friend.


And now, without comment, more pictures!


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Thursday, July 12, 2012

The S, Schlitz Park Criterium

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It is really fantastic to watch the bikers roll through the downhill S turn. Cutting each corner to create the straightest line possible, while trying to miss all the potholes and sewer grates. The form was quite rhythmic while the speed was exhilarating. Looking at it in the static form relieves the scene of the intensity. This is where I would link to a video, but my computer cannot churn HD, so that will have to wait until the next computer upgrade, tentative plans for Q3 2013

jon

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

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Like I said, over and over and over again. Each one of these men climb up the hill


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In retrospect, it is hard not to have "I think I can" stuck in my head as I imagine chugging each and every pedal push.

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Then there were my favorite spectators.  They were kind enough to offer me soda and company. I wasn't inclined to have a drink with them, but boy were they hilarious.


Jon





Tuesday, July 10, 2012

That D**N hill - Shlitz Park Criterium TOAD

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So, the best part of a criterium is that you get to see the same thing over, and over, and over again. In this case it was a hill.  A very steep hill.  I made it up, slowly, about 20-25 times.  What? It's not like I can keep count and get my assed kicked at the same time.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Run For the Money


My coworker wining on the lead "lap". I know it was just a quarter of the total mile before the full lap, but I'm going to count it.  He did end up getting a respectable third.
jon

Friday, July 6, 2012

Flowers in the Yard

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A new bloom!  I sincerely hope I can continue to keep up with my yard.



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However, I have the distinct feeling that the next bloom is going to be weed bloom.

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Some of the flowers were hiding behind giant leaves. But I found them. I find them all....




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And some just pop up nearly at eye level!

jon

Thursday, July 5, 2012

A Second Birthday Party


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I suppose a little fun from now and again is all right.  It was a nice second birthday party for Brooke, the oldest child from the Bailey's of the West.


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Almost too much giggling and fun took place. We darn near had a smile-splosion which could have taken down the whole block. 


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Brooke got to blow out the candle! Wait, you didn't think Brooke was turning two, did you?  Nope, this is just her second birthday party this summer.  How nice of her to allow us to have one in Wisconsin as well as Colorado.


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As usual, Andrew was one of the favorites.  His skills as a jungle gym are rarely in dispute.


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Especially when it came time to play with the cupcakes.



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However, it became apparent that Mr. Montes wanted to vie for the title role of jungle gym.  The girls happily obliged.



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As the sun set, and the cake was devoured we couldn't stop making as big as smiles as possible.  What a fun day for cousins.
jon













Tuesday, July 3, 2012

A Homely Women

Home is where the heart is.


First spotted on one of our river trips, the new graffiti is unsettling in its strangeness.  I know of one other, which I can't climb down to in my work clothes.  I suppose I should be more urgent with my exploration, as the "man" tends to paint over everything and it will be back to the taggers soon enough.
jon


Saturday, June 16, 2012

The Peony Palace

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From the first time I asked Kat to come outside and check out my Peonies, I knew these would be my favorite flowers.

White Peony


The gentle and delicate Peony is wonderful to look at, and even better to touch.

Pale Pink Peony


They are quite showy, almost just jumping in your face, saying "Hey, Look at ME!"

More of a bright pink Peony


But, alas, they don't last long. Long enough I assure you, but not super long. Maybe they last just the right amount of time to really be appreciated.
jon

Friday, June 15, 2012

An Artful Arts Building

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As long as I can remember the wall has been been painted with this mural. It is a wonderfully unique take on on boarded up windows. Actually, I'm not sure that is what this is, as I see students coming and going during the school year. I wonder if it is a shade replacement, this is the south side of the building after all. And a big open parking lot + big windows would really make it hot.  I'm going with that- art for cool not art for abandonment.
jon

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Graffiti Is Art and Vandalism

Waiter, there's graffiti in my graffiti


The fun thing about graffiti, or even expanded "street art", is that it always walks a fine line. A person's taste really is the divergent here. Now, I believe painting red vomit and writing "vomit" on street art probably counts as vandalism. But, I'm not going to say with certainty that the vandal wasn't making some commentary on the black and white artists interpretation of the portrait. Frankly, I find the B&W sort of uninspired and bland, but the red paint vulgar and out of place. Maybe in combination they say something greater than individually.  Also, this is the like the fourth time this poster has been vandalized. Fun.
Jon

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Play Time

No Running With Scissors


Very soon after lunch it was time for horseplay.  Which, frankly, is everyone's favorite type of play.

No Grass Stains


A few grass stains, but no serious injuries.  A rare occurrence with this crowd.

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Intensity and balance were on full display.

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And even a human carousel was created.

Spin 'round




Wheeeeeeee!

Jon




Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Engarde

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Soon it was time to move on to weed fencing.  It lasted pretty long, until there was a stick in the eye.  These games always seem to end that way.
Jon

Monday, June 11, 2012

Feats of Strength

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Logan was quick to demonstrate his strength and balance by retrieving all the boccie balls.






Sunday, June 10, 2012

Alani the Lawn Bowler

Bocce or Lawn Bowling?


To be correct, Bocci Baller.  With intensity and focus, I think she'll win this game.
Jon

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Friday, June 8, 2012

Ridin' Dirty - WORS Rhinelander Wisconsin

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Well, I successfully competed in my first mountain bike rice up in Hodag country.

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The course was alternating sandy hard pack and just plain sandy.  Any water you had was just to rinse the grit out of your teeth.

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I did pretty well for my first time, though I could have done exceedingly well if I wasn't such a wuss-bag.

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The photography portion did not go as well.  The mountain bike courses are sprawling compared to the crit races on road bikes, or cross races.  You need to do a lot more research to get the shots you want.

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I only have a "normal zoom", which means not to much reach for action shots. ( A meager 70mm ) But, it is still fun to stick your nose right on the trail.

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And it is a good reminder, with a 22 megapixel full frame monster, you can crop just about until you drop.
jon





Thursday, June 7, 2012

Trillium Trail








Now, I'd tell you where I get all these great trillium photos, but then you might be inclined to go yourself. And we can't have that, can we?


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We were quite lucky to spot this many blooms.  I had been watching all of the trillium come and go on my morning bike commute, and it seemed as if prime time had passed. But, we decided to give it a shot, and go to the most floral place we know.  And their they were, all upright and bright, the trillium were a force.

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They are such a delight, and another reminder of how fleeting flower blooms really are.  Always stop to smell the roses, 'cause they ain't rosey for long.

Jon