Ellijay Apple Festival

Ellijay Apple Festival from Mike Mundy on Vimeo.

. . . Northern Georgia.

Video: Ellijay Apple Festival—Georgia, 2010

Monday Tiger Shark Blogging

Is that a tiger shark? Huh . . . can't quite remember.

Taken at the impressive Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

Photo: Aquarium Viewing—Atlanta, 2010

Jimmy Carter

President Jimmy Carter's Moral Equivalent of War Speech was a speech in which United States President Jimmy Carter addressed the United States on April 17, 1977.

This speech was notable because he wore a sweater, instead of a suit, and called it a fireside chat . . .

Carter called for a 10 point plan. He asked people to cut oil imports to half by 1985, but oil imports doubled in the next 20 years instead. He said people who insist on driving large cars should be forced to pay more. He said people should turn down their thermostat to 65 degrees, except at night when it should be 55 degrees.

The phrase "moral equivalent of war" may have come from the classic essay "The Moral Equivalent of War" derived from the last speech given by American psychologist and philosopher William James, delivered at Stanford University in 1906, in which "James considered one of the classic problems of politics: how to sustain political unity and civic virtue in the absence of war or a credible threat..." and "...sounds a rallying cry for service in the interests of the individual and the nation," ideas mirrored in much of Carter's philosophy.

—Wikipedia

Cutting oil imports! Paying more for large cars!!

How naïve.

Photo: Bag & Postcard Purchased at the Jimmy Carter Museum—Atlanta, 2010

Moonrise—Atlanta

As I was about to enter Abbatoir Restaurant in Atlanta I suddenly noticed this extraordinary sight before me: the moon rising over the downtown highrises.

In a panic I scrambled to locate my camera, then realized that it was hanging around my neck.

Utilizing my detailed knowledge of my camera’s completely automated technology I exposed this one photo—and this one only.

Over the succeeding days I’ve had time to contemplate just what makes this image stand out, while others, alas, so clearly fail. Some might call it fortune or luck, but for me it was simply a matter of being there, and being prepared.

Photo: Moonrise—Atlanta, 2010

Self-Portrait X 3

At the Sausalito Yacht Harbor: Mike times three. Also: a muted reflection of Mt. Tam.

Photo: Self-Portrait—Sausalito, 2010

Thursday Turkey Blogging

Turkey on our backyard fence.

Photo: Turkey—Marin County, 2008

The Fainting Couch

"This antique store on Ponce is a very odd place. I felt like an intruder inside someone's crowded attic, sifting through old photos and dusty furniture. The shop is cluttered with hand mirrors, old-fashioned phones, pictures of Marilyn Monroe, feathered hats - a variety of bizzarre merchandise. This is by far the most eccentric furniture store I have ever step foot inside of. My roommate and I stopped in here during our quest to furnish our apartment. I wound up with an interesting painting for only $25 (believe me, it looks like it's worth more). The old man who owns the shop is friendly and willing to bargain. Keep in mind the store is small and easy to pass by. I recommend it to those with a taste for unusual, old things. The Fainting Couch is certainly unlike anything at IKEA."

—Yelp

Photo: The Fainting Couch—Atlanta, 2010

Flower Pots

Taken with the Canon G9. Mike was walking around Monterey trying to navigate around a non-functioning red light when he happened upon the very old San Carlos Cathedral, the flower pots sitting in front.

Photo: Flower Pots—Monterey, 2010

Monday Cow Blogging

. . . and, a self-portrait. Taken in the mens' room at Abattoir Restaurant in Atlanta.

Ladies' room also had a similar cow, from what I heard.

Photo: Cow, Self-Portrait—Atlanta, 2010

Really Right Stuff

Really Right Stuff is a company specializing in tripod accessories. Mike stopped by their minimalist showroom in San Luis Obispo on his way from Los Angeles to Monterey. Very high-end quality stuff. Mike probably doesn't need, or want, an expensive ballhead, but still: nice.

Photos: Ballhead on Tripod, Really Right Stuff—San Luis Obispo, 2010; Sign, Really Right Stuff—San Luis Obispo, 2010

Mt. Tamalpais

. . . from the air, on our flight to Atlanta. The Oakland/Alameda area just below, I think.

Photo: Mt. Tamalpais—Marin County, 2010

Tables, Self-Portrait

Taken at the revamped and ritzy Santa Monica Place.

Photo: Tables, Self-Portrait—Santa Monica, 2010

Cypresses & Ocean

Mike has photographed from this location before. This particular morning he jogged to the spot, having noted that the fog was rapidly burning off.

Sunbeams streaming through tendrils of fog, ghostly silhouettes of cyresses in the background, and the crashing surf . . . very cool. This photo is a merge of two top and bottom horizontal shots.

[UPDATE] - I've since converted the image to black and white. Much nicer!

Photo: Cypresses & Ocean—Point Lobos, 2010

Madrone Berries

This month there has been a vast proliferation of madrone berries on the hillsides of Marin, splashing the landscape with a haze of red.

Photos: Madrone—Marin County, 2010; Madrone Berries—Marin County, 2010

Carmel Mission

Early morning fog in Carmel. Mike still has not been inside the mission there, but he was able to stick his camera lens through the gate for a shot of the mission facade. The fog-filtered light lent a somewhat sinister quality to the plants outside the wall.

Photos: Carmel Mission—Monterey County, 2010; Carmel Mission Plants—Monterey County, 2010

Monday Phoebe Blogging

At Point Lobos, amidst the tremendous waves crashing on the rocks and the hunched-over gulls Mike spied this Black Phoebe, busy catching bugs.

Photos: Phoebe & Gulls—Point Lobos, 2010; Phoebe Catching Bugs—Point Lobos, 2010

Ferrari

Mike buys his computer paper at JC Paper, which happens to be next to a storage site for Ferraris and Maseratis.

This black one is really cool . . . Mike is almost ready to get a black one, instead of the red one he had been eyeing.

Photo: Ferrari—San Rafael, 2010

Waffle Machines

. . . in the breakfast area of the Best Western on Munras Avenue in Monterey.

Yum! Mike had a waffle with two cubes of butter and plenty of maple syrup substance.

Yum!! (Machines also found in Tennessee!!!)

Photo: Waffle Machines—Monterey, 2010

Carousel

Carousel found at the Santa Monica Pier. Some back and forthing required to get a self-portrait in.

Photo: Carousel—Santa Monica, 2010

Melrose Avenue #25: Beware Hipsters

Who thinks these things up?

Photo: Beware Hipsters—Los Angeles, 2010

Exciting New Camping Acquisition

. . . a Coleman bug tent/canopy! As seen here it has been set up over the bear box in order to shade it from the punishing high-altitude Sierra sun, thus keeping the ice chest items cool.

Alas, due to a momentary lapse in attention, Mike managed to rip one of the tent thingies off while disassembling it, but Coleman has since replaced the entire unit.

Photo: Coleman Bug Tent/Canopy—Sierra Nevada, 2010

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL-1 Solo Tent

Both Mike and Keturah are currently using this pricey Big Agnes tent. (Another photo.) Mike doesn't use it that often, maybe two times a year.

The best thing about it is its extremely low weight and nice build: 2 pounds, 13 ounces. Of course, the interior is a little snug, as would be expected.

Mike has never had the opportunity to use the tent in the rain, but he has experienced heavy drizzle at Point Reyes (above photo.) So he needed to zip the tent fly shut that night, resulting in moisture not only outside the tent, but also within (from condensation.) Hm. Could the ventilation be better? Don't know.

Another problem is the zipper. There is only one zipper, at the front door/screen. The problem is that the door is pulled so tight by the tent pole hooks that it has become increasingly more difficult to zipper the door shut. Both Keturah and Mike have experienced this issue.

Photo: Big Agnes Tent—Point Reyes, 2010

Knoxville Clothesline

. . . taken from a walking path adjacent to the house.

Note the juxtaposition of the clothesline and the satellite dish on the roof. And, the absence of a fence.

Photo: Tree & Clothesline—Knoxville, 2010

Melrose Avenue #24: Free Humanity #2

Again, early morning. Compare to Free Humanity #1.

Photo: Free Humanity #2—Los Angeles, 2010

Autumn Blackberries

The blackberries of summer have ripened and are no more, alas.

Photo: Blackberries—Marin County, 2010

Sig Samuels

I found Sig Samuels via Yelp, choosing it over some closer dry cleaners due to all the glowing reviews. It doesn't disappoint!

The guys working here are always super friendly! They make conversation and always ask how you're doing. The first time I went, I wasn't thrilled by the location (at the corner of 8th & Monroe with a small parking lot in back), but now I actually find it kind of charming.

The service is quick - next day usually (even if you don't absolutely need it that fast), and they even offered same day service to us in a pinch. This time I noticed that they now take cards (Visa, Mastercard, and maybe one other?), which is great!

—Yelp

My only question is: Cold Storage?

Photo: Sig Samuels—Atlanta, 2010

Santa Monica Pier

. . . taken on the hottest day ever.

Photos: Pier—Santa Monica, 2010; Fishing—Santa Monica, 2010

Storm Clouds Over Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) – October 28, 2010

The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touchdown in Chattanooga from Tuesday's storms.

Meteorologist Tim Troutman inspected damage near Chickamauga Dam on Wednesday and determined an EF2 tornado had struck.

Troutman told the Chattanooga Times Free Press the twister probably produced winds of 115 miles per hour.

The forecaster said the tornado left a damage path about 100 yards wide and traveled for just over a mile on the ground, first touching down near the dam and lifting as it began to climb a ridge.

Hamilton County Emergency Services director Bill Tittle says the only injuries were minor and occurred in a seven-car crash as the tornado tossed fencing onto a bridge over the dam.

Mike & Hali were there! But in fact unable to catch a glimpse of the notorious twister cloud . . . but plenty of ominous clouds nevertheless.

Photos: Storm Clouds 1—Chattanooga, 2010; Storm Clouds 2—Chattanooga, 2010

Monday Pigeon & Crow Blogging

One wonders what the subject of discussion was. Most likely, they had just finished perusing National Geographic's Field Guide to Humans of North America and identified Mike as belonging to Photographicus Dorkus: a harmless, retiring species.

Photo: Pigeons & Crows—San Francisco, 2009