Modern Art Moment: Vacation Through the Lens of a Cell Phone Camera

I forgot my digital camera. I realized this while on the plane to Oregon. Upon landing, I didn’t want to buy a spur-of-the-moment camera on a whim. I’m looking to upgrade my digicam and I want to put some real thought and research into the purchase.

Out of this oversight, a modern art project was born — “My Vacation Through the Lens of a Palm Treo 700p.” I know it’s a catchy name. It rolls right off the tongue. What can I say? I’m gifted What I didn’t take in quality, I made up in quantity. I posted over 400 pictures to my Flickr account tonight. I’m not kidding. What can I say? I got cam phone happy.

Obviously, there are some issues with the pics. First, the camera on my phone is a 1.3 megapixel rig with a constant resolution. Meh. Second, lighting conditions made for great variations in the quality of the pics. Some came out pretty OK, while others are tweaked both high and low on the light meter scale. Third, there was no zoom. All variations in distance are from me getting closer or farther away from the subjects. I’m sure there are other technical factors at play, but I’m not going there.

A few other notes. I don’t believe I will make notations on the pics as to where they were taken. In some cases, I actually know. In others, I was just pointing and shooting at scenic places. Another note is that all sense of scale and perspective is lost on most of the Redwood National Parks pics. The trees are HUGE! Without a person in the shot or some other placeholder (aka, Mr. Met or Hula Monkey from Noelle’s site), all sense of scale is lost. Again, the trees are massively HUGE!

Here’s the link to my Flickr pics from Oregon and California.

Enjoy and be well!
Greg

Oregon Update

Good day (evening), peeps!

This post is being published from The Crazy Norwegian’s Fish and Chips in Port Orford, Oregon. We’re going to have a brief visit together as it’s a SUNNY DAY today. Why is this a big deal? Well, today is the first time I’ve seen the sun for more than a few minutes since I arrived in Oregon.

It’s been rainy and drab the past two days, but this hasn’t held me back. I’ve been going about my business of packing in as much traveling as possible in a few short days. Let me simply say that a trip down the Oregon coast could last about a month. There’s soooo much to see.

CliffsNotes version of the highlights - Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock at low tide, Views from Astoria Column park, Rogue Public House in Astoria, Rogue Chipotle Ale, Ecola Park - Viewpoint and Indian Beach, Warren House Pub in Cannon Beach, Warren House’s Duckdive Pale Ale, Views from Cape Meares, Wildlife sightings at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, Yachats River House and Wine Bar, Cape Perpetua, an almost-sunset at Oregon Dunes, views from Umpuqua Lighthouse, views from Shore Acres State Park, Crazy Norwegian’s.

I’m hoping to see the moon tonight. I haven’t seen it since Monday night in North Carolina and I miss it. Maybe I have missed it…due to it’s cycle.

Regardless, I’m off to the south. (I’m not making the time I would like to make. Too much beauty…a blessing and a curse )

Redwood Forest National Park or Bust! (I wonder what “Bust” looks like, anyway)

Peace and love,
Gregory

BOS to PDX AA 1A

‘Twas a beeeauuutiful day in Boston today. I had lunch with a friend near Copley Square and was exposed to the Boston Public Library’s lovely inner courtyard. It’s most awesome and you would never know it’s in there. Shhh. Don’t tell everyone

My flight to Portland was most excellent. I flew first class from Boston to Portland - a direct flight - on Alaska Airlines in seat 1A. Needless to say, first class is very nice: lots of room, free drinks (I consciously stepped off the wagon on my flight), great food, free movie player (they use one called DigEplayer), etc. There were some beautiful views from the window seat.

Now, I sit in Laurelwood Public House in Portland before I head out to Cannon Beach. I’m enjoying a Workhorse IPA and some garlic fries. Hey! It’s vacation

My watch says it’s midnight, but I know I’m running a good three hours fast. There was sunlight just a scant 30 minutes ago. What was it doing being light out at 11:30PM?

In a few minutes, I’m going to make the drive out to Cannon Beach. With it being dark and all, the scenic views will begin tomorrow. Tonight, I’m hoping for a good moon (given last night was the full moon).

Peace and love,
Greg

Postscript

PS - I did not buy a motorcycle, and the Harley I was considering went to someone else. I could have bought it on Thursday night, but chose to give myself more time (knowing full well it could sell at any time). We’ll see what the future brings. I went to the ocean on Saturday night without a motorcycle. It was still gorgeous. The moon was brilliant.

On the bus

I’m typing this on my phone while I’m riding the C&J Trailways bus to Logan Airport in Boston. This morning, I’m off to North Carolina for two quick days of business travel. Thank you, [computer manufacturer partner].

I fly back to Boston on Tuesday night. I’m staying the night in Boston with a friend who is picking me up at the airport. Thank you, [friend in Boston].

On Wednesday, I shag my ass back to Logan to fly to Oregon. I’m heading out to enjoy the Oregon coast. I said I would, so I’m on it.

I’ll stay two nights on Cannon Beach, then shoot down the coast towards California. If I make it to Redwood National Park in Cali, I’ll be stunned. However, it’s still on my radar screen.

The two nights on Cannon Beach are courtesy of a Christmas gift. Thank you, [Christmas gift givers]. I booked the flight using SkyMiles. I suppose I can thank myself and Delta.

I get back from Oregon on Memorial Day. I have one full day in New England, then I’m off for Virginia on business. Whew.

I’ll see you when I see you

Much love,
Gregory

You heard it here first

For the first time in nearly five years, I do not own a motorcycle. My buyer came and picked up the bike tonight…three days earlier than we originally discussed.

(I’m letting this sink in. I’m breathing through it. Let’s not panic, Greg. Remember what you keep writing about attachment.)

The 2006 Harley Davidson Street Glide is all up in my grill. I can’t stop thinking about it. The itch is very strong. I feel a scratch (which will require significant “scratch”) coming.

In the words of Homer Simpson, “Shut up brain or I’ll poke you with a Q-Tip.”

Zoinks!
G

Fast and furious

Things can happen rather quickly for me these days.

(1) I posted the motorcycle on craigslist and had two buyers battling it out for the bike. The bike will has a “sold” tag on it as of today. I faxed over a bill of sale to the first guy. I did not like calling the second guy to tell him he didn’t get the bike.

(2) I went to the bank yesterday and paid $13 for an expedited title. I owed some money on the motorcycle and paid it off to get the title. I was SHOCKED to see the title at my door this morning via UPS delivery. It was less than 24 hours. I’m VERY impressed.

(3) Yesterday, I booked a trip to Portland, OR for Memorial Day weekend. I’m taking a few days off next week to head west and enjoy the Oregon coast. If I get overly ambitious or lose a marble or two, I might make it to Redwood National Forest in California. That’s pretty damn ambitious.

[I'm travelling solo. If anyone is interested in joining me, meet me in Portland, OR at 7PM on May 21st ]

(4) I had good intentions of not buying another motorcycle for a while…until…I saw and sat on another Harley Davidson Street Glide today. It’s a 2006 black cherry beauty with Rinehart pipes and other goodies. It may have to come home with me. Can you see the writing on the wall?

Jinkies!
G

 

Random Pictures

Yesterday in Lebanon, ME…I met the guy who is interested in buying the motorcycle at the skydiving drop zone where he works as a Jump Instructor…Skydive New England. Looks like fun! (Maybe I’ll jump again.)

Last weekend…at Free Comic Book Day…at the Rochester Opera House…they had a life-size Jabba the Hut…and frozen Han Solo…and Stormtroopers…I guess their Princess Leia went home sick (dammit).

When I attended a UConn women’s basketball game back in January…this guy’s hat…and the fact that he’s wearing it indoors…had me mesmerized.

From back in early December…around Christmas time…and…because I snickered like a twelve year old boy when I saw this sign…and felt the need to take this picture.

Where’s Waldo?

I dropped off the blog radar screen this weekend. So much for posting every day in May To recap, there were some decent happenings over the last few days:

+ I watched all of my Netflix movies - Walk Hard (better than expected - a two to three star movie, rather than the one to two star I expected), Lars and the Real Girl (a dark and somewhat sad comedy? can that be? that earns three-plus stars) and Dalia Lama: Soul of Tibet (biography of the DL - good stuff).

+ I sorted through my basement to determine what I’m going to keep / trash / sell. In the process, I found my old comic books. I thought I gave them away, so I was pleasantly surprised to find them among my boxes of crap…err…treasures. Recently coming off Free Comic Book Day, I may spend some time with these beauties. However, in the spirit of releasing, I’m likely going to sell them. Any collectors out there?

+ I showed my motorcycle to someone who is interested in buying it. Did I mention that I posted a listing on craigslist to sell my motorcycle? Here it is - 2005 Yamaha FJR1300. He was very interested yesterday after taking the bike for a ride. We talked price and I’m calling him today for a verbal agreement. [I'm not done with riding motorcycles. I'm simply moving on from this bike. And, no, I don't have another one lined up yet. And, yes, I did sit on a Harley Davidson Street Glide yesterday.]

+ I walked around Hampton with a friend on Saturday evening and I walked around Newburyport with a friend on Sunday night. Different friends. I love walking around, exploring, revisiting places, etc. It’s nice to “get to know” a place by walking around. This reminds me of how much I enjoyed walking the mean streets of Portsmouth in preparation for the Breast Cancer 3-Day back in late 2006. I really got to know the Portsmouth area by strolling the streets for miles and miles. What a joy!

+ I’m still experiencing heel pain from trying to run / actually running a bit last Saturday. Yes, last Saturday. I’ve never experienced this before and it sucks. However, it seems to be getting better. I think I should stretch more. A lot more. More than I think I need to stretch. And then some. Then, maybe some more for good measure.

+ I called someone about voice lessons last week. She sings at my church. I would love to take lessons from her, but she’s based out of Wilmington, MA. That’s an hour drive and that’s just not going to happen. I’ll keep looking.

+ The “confronting the brutal facts of my current reality” is still in effect. I’m keeping up with tabulating my daily information and becoming more aware. The bad news - this info isn’t painting as pretty a picture as I would like. The good news - more opportunities for growth/focus/awareness.

+ From a real mutha to all of you mothers out there, Happy Mother’s Day! (The Day After Edition)

Happy Monday!
Greg

Under the wire

I’m trying to post for today (May 8th) and struggling to get it in. I want to see the Dalai Lama in person. I’m going to check his website and see when he’s going to be close. On a related note, how much would it suck to be in exile? Seriously.
Zzzzzzzzzzz,
Greg