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Pratt's Mill

A million distractions go by, I realize that I hadn't done much in the way of actual shooting for too long.

I witnessed an incredible morning scene yesterday along the "arch of color" on Route 27 by the Sudbury River. Oh, if only I had my camera with me. The low air temperature and the relative warmth of the water created a low hanging fog. Add to that the morning sunlight and you had a photographer's dream.

So this morning I brought the camera along for the same ride. But the 20 degree temperature swing meant no photo opps. Instead, I went to the site of Pratt's Mill, which is right around the corner from #35. I'd been saying "gotta stop with the camera" for several weeks. Today was the day. Some interesting clouds and some still water helped create some pleasing visuals.

I hope you like them.

London England September 10, 2014

Perhaps you live in a cave or under a rock. Otherwise, most likely you know that I was in London, England last week. It was a quick in n' out. Fly out of Boston Monday night, arrive at Heathrow Tuesday morning, then fly back Thursday evening. Yes, I am crazy.

It's not often that you get the opportunity to do something that will occur only once in your lifetime and you know it. This was one. My friend for 48 years, Robert Spileos is an avid Kate Bush fan. So much so that he joined the fan club many years ago. He must be clairvoyant. It turns out that fan club members received a code to use when tickets for a 22 night stand at the Evertim Hammersmith Apollo went on sale. Tickets sold out in 15 minutes. Robert planned to buy 1 ticket and go by himself. I told him if he was able to procure a ticket, to get one for me as well. I would join him.

He got the tickets. We went. It was one of the most memorable concerts of my lifetime. I've been to a few. There are no photos from the concert here. Ms Bush made a special request to those lucky enough to be attending the shows, please no iphones, cameras, ipads etc. She didn't want anything to detract from what happened on stage. 

I now understand why. Our eyes barely strayed from the stage, making sure we wouldn't miss the spectacular visual event unfolding. We strained to hear every note, every word sung or spoken so that we would miss nothing on the auditory side. Kate's voice sounded like honey. And her vocals were augmented by 5 back-up singers. Add sound effects that went from prerecorded voices to sounds of birds singing and helicopters. It was not an ordinary concert. It was a spectacular, an extravaganza. It wasn't ordinary, it was Kate Bush.

I can't put it all into words. This review in The Guardian last week is spot on; kate bush "before the dawn"

Overall, London was very, very good to us. The entire trip was not ordinary. It was magic. Did I dream it?

Here's what happened in condensed form;

heathrow, express to paddington. tube to queensway. thistle kensington gardens, bayswater rd. that tub is trying to kill us. the victoria 10A Strathearn Pl W2 2NH. Kalamaras, Inverness Mews. Highgate Hill, Muswell Hill Road, the cabbie who took 15 pounds even though the meter read 16.80. salt caramel fudge, clotted cream fudge. Kensington Palace, Barclay Bikes, Buckingham Palace. Maharajah, Queensway St., Eventim Hammersmith Apollo, Before The Dawn, free earplugs, Ms. Bush, Gent wearing the English Settlement t-shirt, the 4 beautiful people who gave us the papers shot from the confetti blaster. Del Casa, Queensway St. (Thanks Yusef. sorry we didn't make it for lunch). Chrissie Hynde on the Beeb. David Cameron says "effin" to a group of Scottish railroad engineers widows on the Beeb. Trafalgar Square, Lord Nelson, the blue cock, Royal Guards Museum, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, House of Commons/Lords, The Eye, The Thames, Denisa at Thistle, Huxley's Heathrow (thanks Marta. I hope you got the weekend off). met folks from Germany, Albuquerque, Dallas, Ireland, Poland, Greenland, Morroco, Afghanistan, Rafak from Nigeria, Surrey and more. The Circle, District, Central, Bakerloo, Piccadilly lines. home again

I managed to take a few snaps in the short time we were in London. I hope you like them.

Some of our fine feathered friends relaxing in Kensington Gardens.

The Queen is dead. God Save The Queen

 Even in West London, Red Sox Nation

 Down in the Tube Station at (nearly) Midnight

Lovers of Today

 Man in Black in repose

That's it for now.

photos on exhibit

I didn't realize how long it's been. I haven't blogged since November.

Anyone that's ever had an interaction with me has been bombarded by my obsession with New Orleans. Give me 10 minutes and you'll know all about Mardi Gras and the African-American sub-cultures that grew out of segregation. 15 minutes and you'll know of my passion for the Mardi Gras Indian sub-culture in particular.

I managed to get some of my photos of Mardi Gras Indians displayed at the local Starbucks earlier this year (or was that last year?). But because of the location in the store, no one noticed.

Now I have 16 of my photos hanging at Nancy's Airfield Cafe in Stow MA. If you haven't been to Nancy's, it's worth the trip from anywhere. Killer breakfasts and wonderful dinners. Locally sourced ingredients and an ever changing menu.

Nancy, in addition to her culinary artistry is also a sculptor. She really enjoys the opportunity to let artists show their work in her Cafe.

She also likes to support the artists by staging a reception for them and their work. To that end, on September 14th from 3:30 - 5:00 pm, I'll be having a reception/viewing at Nancy's. Refreshments will be served,. Please come by and view my phtoss, some of which have never been seen before.

The address is 302 Boxboro Rd. in Stow.

Hope to see you there.

I went to an in-store today st FYE in the Hanover Mall. The artist is Jake Miller and more than 200  people attended. Here are a few snaps.

Barrence Whitfield and the Savages

i had the pleasure of stepping into the time machine on Saturday 9/7. I used to see Barrence and the original Savages when I was in my 20's. I once saw him walk up a wall, amongst other mind boggling moves back in the early 80's. It had been about 12 years since i last saw him on stage or off. He hasn't changed much in that time. He hasn't lost any strength in his voice, though he isn't quite as wild physically on stage as he once was. He still holds the audience in the palm of his hand from the first note, with his self effacing demeanor in between songs, and his possessed singing, shouting and screaming during each song. He becomes the song, massaging it gently and then going full throttle as called for. Now reunited with original Savages Peter Greenberg and Phil Lenker along with Tom Quatrull and Andy Jody, they are a force to be reckoned with.

Downbeat 5 @ the Middle East 9/7/2013

it's been far too long since last posting. i actually got out and did some shooting last saturday night. a killer quadruple bill of Muck & the Mires (finally got to see them after all these years), the Downbeat 5 (must've been a decade since i last saw them), Jittery Jack (fine rockabilly band) and local living legend Barrence Whitfield & the Savages (reunited with Peter Greenberg on guitar and Phil Lenker on bass).

Anyway, Downbeat 5 is co-fronted by the talented, lovely JJ Rassler and Jennifer D'Angora. She's also lovely and talented. They rocked the house. They're on Facebook if you want to know more about them.

next: Barrence