Moonrise, Maman, National Gallery

If I was Ansel Adams, I would have exposed for the moon in this shot and gotten some detail on the face of the moon as he did in his famous, Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico. But Ansel didn't have software and sliders and I used both to jazz up this shot of Maman.

Julia studying philosophy

 

Goldie - an Easy Racers Gold Rush

 

Rideau River Commute on Goldie

I rode the 20.35 km in 52 minutes for a 23.4 kph average. Temp was 12C, but I was comfortable behind the fairing, although I did wear socks with my Keens.

First use of Edge Bike Computer and Coffee Maker

Morning Commute - Details

The bike computer that does everything ... OK, it doesn't really make coffee.

Good day at HOPE volleyball tourney last Saturday

A great idea. For Vancouver weather, maybe.

Bike cafés brewing in surprising places

Century Rider. Go, old dude!

At 103, Octavio Orduño is a three-wheeled wonder - latimes.com

Pen Mightier than Keyboard?

Pelikan M205 Clear Demo with J. Herbin Larmes de Cassis.

As keyboards increasingly replace pens, new research cautions that the switch may come with an unforeseen price: the loss of critical brain activity central to learning that is uniquely tied to the old-fashioned act of handwriting.

More ...

Days are getting longer

 

It was a balmy -3C today. Not patio weather by any stretch of the imagination, BUT it's the quality of the light that was interesting. Spring is on the way. :)

The Market between snow storms

 

Stray pic from an old flash card. Taken durning a thaw after I hung up the bike for the winter.

You thought it was just you ...

Ink sampler

I corralled all the inks in the house, and using a broad italic nib, did an ink test on various types/finishes of paper. This is a block of Clairefontaine Triomphe which has a very smooth surface and is great for nibs with wet, juicy ink flow - although it does take an extra second or three to dry. You can see the shading in most of these inks. BTW, putting a, "t" on Sheaffer's Scrip ink is a habit I've had since the 1970s and one I'm finding exceedingly hard to break!

Natalie Goldberg's, Writing Down the Bones, is a classic book for wannabee writers and is very inspirational. I highly recommend it.

Why didn't I think of this ... ?

Take a look here - Seattle Snowpocalypse

Pay for your next bike tour, maybe ...

Story here: The Taco Bike | Santa Rosa & Wine Country Dining and Restaurants

Yep, Montblanc Killed my MacBook Pro Today

One of my fps. Not a Montblanc. I don't use a MacBook Pro either.


I just finished a 20,000+ word writing project using a fountain pen instead of a laptop which took a lot less time than you might imagine. I've used fountain pens off and on for 40 years and whenever I remember to use them, I wonder how I could have forgotten them in the first place. I can write for hours without muscle fatigue or having my hand cramp up. With the right paper and ink and if the nib is tuned you feel like you're writing on a sheet of glass. They are a beautiful and elegant way to put words onto paper.

I found this article which sums up the differences between fountain pens and laptops. Maybe there's a fountain pen in your future too, even if you don't want to completely spit the high tech hook. :)

NSFW: Yep, Montblanc Killed my MacBook Pro Today

Some day ...

Montana's Great Divide Route from Montana Office of Tourism on Vimeo.

A fun short flim by Andrea Dorfman

Rolling home - spooky piscator

Raining like crazy on the ride in this morning, so here's one from the ride home last night.

Morning commute - dawn's early light

Zzzzzzzz ...

Morning commute - Dot the "i"

Roxy Paine's newly installed 100 Foot Line at the National Gallery.

Technically my commute was over as I'd already parked my bike, had my shower and was on my way in search of my morning coffee. But the moon was in the right place and the morning sun was reflecting off the stainless steel skin of the sculpture. You have to zoom in to see it properly, though. I rather like it. :)

Morning commute - drydock

Balmy this moring. 12C. Going out this morning reminded me of driving south in the winter. The last stop was for gas in Pennsylvania and it was cold with snow everywhere. The next stop is Virginia and when you open the car door you're hit with a blast of warm, moist air. It's a brief respite in what's been a cold, wet couple of weeks.

Morning commute - darkness to light

Morning commute - river up, sculptures down

Secret to long life?

Secret to long life? - Press-Telegram

Morning commute - fall is here

Morning commute - c-c-c-cold

4 degrees :7

Morning commute - sun spot

Morning commute - a bit brighter

The temp was only 5C but it didn't feel that cold, thanks to a weak sun coming up.

Coffee with the candidate

Having coffee with Julia Ringma who is running for City Council and is an avid cyclist. If you're in Ward 8 - College, check out her blog, send her your questions, be blown away with the answers and then go vote for her in the municipal election on October 25th. And tell all your friends to do the same!

Morning commute - where'd you come from?

7 degrees out there. Nuff said.

Morning commute - slow dawn

11C degrees, slight SW wind, pretty dark but clearing and brightening. I think here are some sunny mornings left in this commuting season, before it's lights on and darkness all the way in.