The Bon Marche Holiday Star

It's up!! The star is up! It must have been put up yesterday during the day because I've been checking.

Day Three

No change yet. I think the lights are being strung on the tree and I know how long that can take. I don't envy whoever has to do that job.

Day two

Day one of the Westlake Christmas Tree

Psalm 118:24

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. "

George has decided that this is his new sleep spot. 

Fremont – Center of the Universe – My exploration part 1

The Rocket in Fremont.

Lenin

Space

Seattle Center

I spent some time at Seattle Center taking photos.  I still need to learn how to use my camera because some of the photos are over exposed. 

 

Near the Pacific Science Center is this area with sea animal sculptures and a fountain. They are kind of hidden but are fun to find.  Don’t really know what the pig with wings is all about.

I love the arches at the Pacific Science Center. 

 

 

This photo is  not one I would have been able to get with my old camera.   I love my new camera.

 

The area near the EMP used to have the large Fun Forest rides, such as the River Ride and the big roller coaster. But no more.  It looks so desolate and sad.

 

Janelle aka Little Miss

New toy

I got a new toy yesterday. A Nikon D40.  I am very excited to finally  have a digital SLR. Now to learn how to use it to the best of my ability.  I took a few photos today and I am excited again about taking photos.  My little Powershot is a great camera, but after spending some time using the manual settings, I realized the limitations. But wow! What  a difference with the Nikon.  So here are some of the pictures I took today. If you click on the photos, you can really see the noise in the Canon photo and not so much on the Nikon.

My Canon Powershot S3 IS – 1/40 exposure, f/5.6. Not sure of ISO

Nikon D40 – 1/40 exposure, f/5.6 at ISO 250

View from Dr. Jose Rizal Park on Beacon Hill

 

This shot is what makes my Nikon so cool!!  It was taken with only the light from the lamp: 1/50 exposure, f/5.6 at ISO 200.  My Canon would have a fit if I tried to take this picture. It sure wouldn’t come out this way.

 

Some other pictures with the same light, but with exposure of 1/8, f/5.6 at ISO 400. 

 

  

I think I’m going to have fun with this camera. Now I need to find some better subjects.

Easter Sunday

I had high hopes when I woke up this morning that the sun would stick around all day.  It was not meant to be.  I’m glad I was able to get these shots this morning while the sun was out.   I love spring. 

Happy Easter.

 

 

Contemplation

Early Spring

I prefer the really pink blossoms, but this was such a beautiful tree, I had to get a shot.

These trees are on Roy Street and when they bloom, it is amazing. But they don’t last very long which is sad.

Rawrrrr…

Get that mouse!!

My name in lights

I was playing with Janelle and the laser pointer the other night. I realized that with the slow exposure option on my camera, I could try to create a picture of my name written with the pointer. I was successful! 

It looks like my name is standing on the carpet.

The girl

More pictures of the girl, Janelle. 

Miss No-Name

I found my kitty and she is at home with me now. :)

The pictures aren’t all that fantastic, but for now, they will do.  She is a sweetie and is very loving. Now I just need a name for her.  She responds to Jaenelle, but it is a cumbersome name.  I’ll think of something.

Architectural details

Today was probably one of the better days to see the blue roof on one of the buildings downtown.  The gray sky helped make the blue pop out just a little bit more.  I am curious to see what it looks like against a blue sky so I’ll have to make sure to go down to 9th Avenue again during the spring.

Before my movie at Thornton Place Regal Cinema, I had coffee and a scone at the Jewel Box Cafe.  They have very beautiful furniture and the most intriguing wall sconces.

 

I really like the flowers coming out the top of this light fixture.  I was too lazy to get up and get a better picture without the chain. 

Shark Attack!!

Bugs Bunny doesn’t know what is lurking behind him but the genie’s reaction to the shark is priceless.

Teri and Jarred were nice enough to think of me on their trip to San Jose and brought me back a San Jose Shark. I have him hanging out on my refrigerator, petrifying my other magnets.

Crazy things to make from packing materials

These lips started out as packing material for one of our desktops.  I was playing with it and the more I squished it around, the more it looked like a mouth. I had to add the fangs just for laughs.

I’ll save it for Halloween.

Nothing says Christmas like a Rock Star Tree.

 

topped by a red Santa Flamingo. :)

 

Oh, the fun to be had on the 25th floor.

A beautiful sunrise

What do they say about red skies?

Red sky at night, sailors delight.
Red sky in the morning, sailors warning.

  Well, these skies were pink so I wouldn’t worry about anything.

 
Smith Tower

 
Looking north up 6th Avenue towards Two Union Square, Union Square and Park Place Building.

A new discovery

I don’t usually walk west on Roy, but today I decided to go on an adventure.  I discovered how close Kinnear Park is to my home and what beautiful views it has to offer.

This is the lower park looking up Queen Anne hill towards the main part of the park.   It is such a lovely area surrounded by trees.

Some views from the park, upper and lower Kinnear.

 

 

The outside of this apartment building reminds me of the old merry go rounds. One day soon I plan on taking close up pictures of the facade.

 

Magnolia and the marina

 

The upper part of Kinnear has many places to sit and enjoy the scenery. One cool discovery was the tower.   I think it’s the rest rooms, but they added access to the roof and the view is just wonderful, as can be seen by the pictures that follow.

 

 

Once I was done exploring the park, I started to walk down W. Olympic Place back towards my apartment. The view towards the Space Needle was quite spectacular.

 

When I was getting ready to cross 6th Ave. West, I saw this very cool looking house. So I hiked up the hill to get a closer look.

 

This is the view from in front of the house.

 

Then, being the crazy girl that I am, I decided that since I was only two blocks away, I would just go ahead and walk to Kerry Park.  Let me tell you the hills are almost vertical. It was a hard climb, but I made it.

There were plenty of people out at Kerry Park, looking out over the city and watching the sunset.

If you look closely, you can see the roof of the apartment building I was at on New Year’s Eve.

A telephoto picture of the P-I globe from Kerry Park. I love how much my camera can zoom in.

Once I was done taking pictures, I ended my adventure by walking back down Queen Anne hill.  It was a great walk and I plan to do it again.