w o r d s c o o p

Because It had to Stop

2009-11-16T17:05:00.000-08:00

Because it had to stop, because I had to stop, between the beginning and midway.

The Palm of Delight

2009-11-01T01:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Aileni for hosting this Meme. See fascinating B&W's on this link:
Monochrome Weekly.

El Dorado Nature Center

2009-10-25T00:08:00.000-07:00

The closest wilderness park to our place is the El Dorado nature center at east Long Beach. There's this short span crossing a creek where visitors stop for a while and catch a glimpse on the water below inhabited by turtles.

Thanks to Aileni for hosting this Meme. See fascinating B&W's on this link:
Monochrome Weekly.

Temporary

2009-10-18T00:21:00.000-07:00

For how long will it last? As the crystal water falls by its side and rises, the temporary log bridge will become buoyant and go with the flow. It is object imitating life. Hold on, hang on! Fastened to something perceived stronger, mightier, and buy some time; lean on someone to rely and make the most of it. And hope the source will keep a steady strength.

Thanks to Aileni for hosting this Meme. See fascinating B&W's on this link:
Monochrome Weekly.

A Fallen Tree

2009-10-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

A fallen tree or what remains of it. A tree sawed-off by the side road exposed its years of growth and age. Left alone undisturbed, it could have survived many years more than the current residents of the city. The problem with us city dwellers, we do not want to get disturbed of the voluminous leaves on the yard come autumn or at anytime. One tree lost has a quantifiable effect on the environment already. How much more trees are destroyed around the world as you read this blog?

Thanks to Aileni for hosting this Meme. See fascinating B&W's on this link:
Monochrome Weekly.

At the LAX

2009-10-08T13:20:00.000-07:00

The terminal stop at Los Angeles international airport is a busy scene of cars with travelers trying to get out of the city to destinations far and beyond, maybe for fresher air, wide expanse of green fields, magnificent mountain scapes or scenic shorelines. I just don’t know exactly where. I wish them all the best and happiness one can get on their vacation.

Thanks to Sky Watch Team of Klaus, Sandy, Ivar, Wren, Fishing Guy, Louise and Sylvia. See more skies on this link. Skywatch Friday

A Water Fountain

2009-10-06T09:38:00.000-07:00

Life owes me nothing. One clear morn
Is boon enough for being born;
And be it ninety years or ten,
No need for me to question when.
While Life is mine, I’ll bind it good,
And greet each other with gratitude.

-“Life Owes Me Nothing” by an Anonymous Poet.

Thanks to 2sweetnsaxy. for hosting this wonderful Meme.
Visit more here: Watery Wednesday

Fence

2009-10-04T01:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Aileni for hosting this Meme. See fascinating B&W's on this link:
Monochrome Weekly.

Coker Fire Smoke

2009-10-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

A billowing smoke caused by fire in a coker unit at the nearby oil refinery in the city of Wilmington early morning of Friday last week. More than 150 firefighters responded to the scene, including four choppers we were able to catch a glimpse at a great distance. The fire was put off without any injury. But surely, there was so much pollution in the air that spilled to neighboring cities including west Long Beach, where we took these photos.

Thanks to Sky Watch Team of Klaus, Sandy, Ivar, Wren, Fishing Guy and Louise. See more skies on this link. Skywatch Friday.

West Coast Sea Nettle

2009-09-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

The West Coast Sea Nettle is the subject of my Monochrome shot this week. The specie belong to large stinging jellies but are of extreme beauty and grace as they glide up and down the tank.

Thanks to Aileni for hosting this Meme. See fascinating B&W's on this link:
Monochrome Weekly.

The Sky at CalState

2009-09-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

I was at the Cal State Long Beach the other week and while at the parking lot, strolled around for awhile admiring the vast campus with well-kept lawn, trimmed shrubs and plants that stand out and perhaps give the community inspiring views and subjects to stare at.
And here's the new spanking parking structure, a boon to the student and mentors for at peak times, ground parking space is a valuable real estate and hard to grab here.
But what consumed my attention was the forty minutes or so I stayed in the place, has observed the incessant droning sound emitted by planes that passes by enroute for their landing at the nearby airport.

Thanks to Sky Watch Team of Klaus, Sandy, Ivar, Wren, Fishing Guy and Louise. See more skies on this link. Skywatch Friday

Silhouettes

2009-09-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

It is the time of day when warm bodies go high up in the promontory overlooking the city and watch the sinking shadows of trees, buildings, the distant mountains, and people as the sun slowly ends another dramatic sky show. Themselves joining the fray of countless silhouettes wanting to grasp that short moment.

This is hosted by Aileni. See fascinating B&W's on this link:
Monochrome Weekly.

The Chase for Blimp

2009-09-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

For many times, I wanted to get a good frame of the low-flying aircraft sometimes almost above our rooftop. I know it’s hovering nearby because of the low, humming sound emitted by its engine. And always, cannot get one. I’m maybe out at the backyard watering the plants, on the phone, in the kitchen, watching the news or just reading book. The sound would always prompt me to grab my digicam hoping that I can get a clear one. The limited capabilities of my camera just diminish my luck, though.

Going home from work, I chanced upon my target, luckily enough traffic light turned red so here’s the best shot of that moment.

But still I am not satisfied, I want to have my frame!

My wife has joined me in the watch for the aircraft.
One day while I was inside the house and she was watering the frontyard, she adviced me to grab the camera for there was my flying object. True enough it gave me the time for some shots and here they are.

The blimp seems parked on the tree branches, the clearest one I could take.

Then one afternoon while navigating the crowded 405 interstate from work, I chanced upon the blimp parked but getting ready for another take-off. Only I’m on the wrong side the aircraft parkway is on my left while I was driving south. This is the Goodyear Blimp Spirit of America with operation base at the city of Carson.

More beautiful skies on this link: Skywatch Friday.

The Things They Carried

2009-09-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

How could I missed reading "The Things They Carried," one thin volume of the several books assigned as summer reading for 10th graders in english class of the Long Beach unified school district, for three times. Three of my kids have read it. And my last tenth grader has just replaced it on the shelves.
Now, it's my turn.
Written by Tim O'Brien, the book has earned a lot of acclaims, good and positive reviews from newspapers and magazines of general circulation.
"Consummate artistry.... A strongly unified book, a series of glimpses, through different facets, a single mysterious, deadly stone .... O'Brien blends diverse incidents, voices, and genres, indelibly rendering the nightmarish impact of the Vietnam experience," said Andy Solomon of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
So now will I seek a quiet nook to read.

The Lighthouse

2009-09-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is the lighthouse, a conical steel tower constructed with much of the funds from the downtown Long Beach Lions club in 2000. It is a short hike up the lighthouse point which gives a good view of the scenic shoreline park, village and the rainbow harbor below the hill.

See more B&W photos on this link: Monochrome Weekly

The Pyramid

2009-09-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

The dark-blue topped postmodern building towering over the campus of the California State University of Long Beach is the Pyramid. The eighteen-storey structure has an architectural height of 57.91 meters or 190 feet. The base of the edifice is square with each side measuring at 345 feet to be a mathematically true pyramid. It was designed as a stadium using concrete as structural material with an aluminum façade.

The Pyramid was officially opened on November 30, 1994 and renamed Mike and Arlene Walter Pyramid on March 5, 2005, in honor of the benefactors.

The stadium accomodates three full basketball courts, five volleyball courts and a seating capacity of 5,000 and is also the home of the university’s 49ers teams- basketball and volleyball. Also sharing with the facility are the Pointe Conference Center and the Frog’s Fitness club.

See more beautiful skies here Skywatch Friday

The Pyramid 2

2009-09-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

View of the entrance to the building. Some error on the first name of one of the benefactors?

And a close-up view of the structure partially supporting the aluminum facade.

Concrete Balls

2009-09-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Were these concrete ball structures in there as safety net for passing shoppers from wayward vehicles or merely to enhance the facade of the store?

Check out more B&W photos on this link: Monochrome Weekly

Morning Sky & Flowers

2009-09-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Early morning sky by the frontyard.

See more great skies here: Skywatch Friday

See more beautiful flowers around the world here: Today's Flowers

Spanish Moss

2009-09-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Spanish moss adds value point of interest on its host live tree. As an ornamental air plant it needs less care or attention. Just a gentle spray of water on some days is just enough.

The Rainbow Harbor

2009-09-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

Almost synonymous with the Rainbow Marina, the Rainbow Harbor of Long Beach offers eighty seven day slips for commercial and recreational vessels for day mooring. A total of nine docks are available for specific craft assignments and purpose/usage ranging from fishing, whale watching, scuba dive and private charters, harbor tours, harbor cruises, burials at sea, weddings, corporate and romance charters, dining, boat and bed vessel lodging & breakfast, educational trips to nearby Catalina and Channel islands, the Aqua link, Aqua bus and Water taxi (will post on these later). Name it, they have it.

The Neighborhood Library

2009-08-31T16:06:00.001-07:00

A visit to the neighborhood public library, part of the Long Beach public library system, gives us a glimpse of the role it plays in the community. It has consistently given an excellent service to both students and locals. Patrons can browse the internet for there is sufficient number of desktops for web surfing, but on a limited time of usage though.
Of the twelve neighborhood libraries distributed strategically about the city, including the main located at downtown, five have wireless network connectivity so visitors can surf the net using their personal notebooks or laptops. So cool.
I do borrow books a lot and so with some members of the family. There’s plenty of manga books which are my daughter’s favorite this past summer vacation. The system also lend books for take out as well as DVD movies but with a minimal charge. And the staff are as helpful as ever I had proven it many times.

Last Summer

2009-08-30T00:01:00.001-07:00

This tree can't wait no longer for the change of season. The harsh summer sky all dried up its trunk and twigs. The '09 summer will be its last.

Check out more B&W photos on this link: Monochrome Weekly

Mailbox

2009-08-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

I belong to the crowd who haven’t been completely waned from the mailbox. Now and then would receive cards from relatives but get a steady flow of bills and unsolicited junks.
Lately, I started paying some online as epay is ecofriendly; in the long run will free me from the junks and papers to file and keep track. Think of the sizeable volume of paper waste reduction that lies ahead and trees saved. Another plus factor is the amount saved for cost of stamps.
Would one day a mailbox become extinct and simply adorn gardens instead to remind us of its defunct usefulness? And then (sic) refer to it as the good old mailbox?

A Sunset

2009-08-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Two months into wordscooping , coincides with Skywatch Friday. Happy weekend everyone.

Beautiful skies around the world on this link: Skywatch Friday

Angle of Vision

2009-08-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

“What is life but the angle of vision? A man is measured by the angle at which he looks at objects. What is life but what a man is thinking of all day? This is his fate and his employer. Knowing is the treasure of the man. By how much we know, so much we are.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The 710

2009-08-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Interstate 710, popularly referred to as The 710, is officially the Long Beach Freeway with its 23-miles length confined entirely within the Los Angeles county with its southern end in Ocean boulevard. The section here is a view of the always busy thoroughfare by the Willow street bridge; vehicles on the right side are heading south towards downtown and the port. The northern terminus ends at the city of Alhambra although there are plans to lengthen the interstate route up until the city of Pasadena.
Construction of the freeway was originally envisioned to run and follow the parallel route, in some instances, of the Los Angeles river it was first named Los Angeles River Freeway. It was constructed in 1930 as a highway and eventually upgraded to the current standard.

Spider Webs 2

2009-08-25T00:01:00.001-07:00

And more webs. I can only appreciate the intricate architectural design laboriously completed by the spiders, the silken web may have been its main source of food, protection or even a home. How many insects may have become vulnerable prey to the traps laid out?

Spider Webs

2009-08-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

In the course of our wandering through the planters in the frontyard, I noticed these tiny webs. Only goes to show and remind me it had been some time since the last upkeep or the orb weavers were quick and fast in replacing their trap soon as they are swept away. How often can one just chill out and let time pass by. But before getting rid of the delicate contraptions I took some shots even as replacements are due sooner to come for the tenants were quick in their escape.

Personal Theme Day- Lima Flowers

2009-08-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

After more than three weeks, the lima beans at the backyard are now starting to sprout flowers, and the leaves are so green and healthy as compared to the first batch I planted on small pots. The small trellis I provided is not enough though for the more than a dozen plants which are still growing and climbing. Here’s a macro photo of the lima flowers.

Beatles Festival at Queen Mary

2009-08-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Queen Mary hosts the three-day Beatles Festival 2009 which began August 21 and winds up today, the 23rd. Highlight of the event was last night’s performance of the tribute band American English at the adjacent Dome. The festival is a celebration of the 45th year anniversary of the legendary quartet’s Hollywood Bowl concert, their first ever. Fans can still catch up with the events for today that starts at 10 AM up until 6 PM. which include Beatles movies, DJ playing continuous Beatle music, Beatles karaoke, and a silent auction of Beatles memorabilia to benefit the Wounded Warriors program of California.

Urban Sky

2009-08-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Enjoy Skywatching around the world, on this link: Skywatch Friday

Baywatch

2009-08-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Other than activities which require muscle flexing, some just let minutes pass watching the watercraft vessels navigate the narrow passage by the Shoreline park. Others come with binoculars to make bay watching more interesting. Gulls also make known their presence, quite obvious. For these two baywatchers, the massive breakwater rocks seem comfortable enough.

What's Wrong With My Cable?

2009-08-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of the transition from analog to digital TV, I added a standard cable box in one room and upgraded to HD the family room’s.
Long ago, we would not be needing cable to provide us a daily fare of infotainment (information-entertainment) from boob tube (a mocking reference to old TV sets prior to the flat screens that we have now); just plain antenna positioned on the roof top or wherever so the pronged aluminum contraptions can grasp signal of frequency modulated broadcasts from local TV stations.
Anyway, the upgrade went well for sometime until last Friday evening the HD receiver just won’t receive the remote signal. On Saturday, I dialed the cable’s 1-800 number- a labyrinth of machine-recorded messages I have to pick a choice one at a time. Is it a ploy so that if I am short of patience would just hang the phone and let it go? But anyway, I went through all those choices and was able to talk to a live person in the company’s St. Louis office. He scheduled a dispatch for the nearest crew in our place and that should happen the next day though. So meantime, I have no TV. True enough on Sunday just after the hour of one, the cable guy came and replaced the HD box with a refurbished unit, and voila, I could watch TV again.
Technology has virtually made us dependent on the all important 1-800 number and the cable guy. Indeed!

Personal Theme Day: Green for Okra

2009-08-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Quite a frustration because I planted the okra seeds on the small containers with potting soil with the intention of transferring the plants when ready. But then, I let it grow for weeks on the small prep pots that now the plants look pale, dehydrated and no promise of being ”fruitful.” Check out the small “fruits” peeking at the top of the vege plants. Already, I have planted the remaining seeds directly on the ground. Will post update on this later.

Parker's Lighthouse

2009-08-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Just across the Park is the Shoreline Village on the Long Beach Waterfront where one can find the Parker’s Lighthouse. It boasts of “the freshest seafood and with spectacular water views that are equally as dazzling.”

After Fishing

2009-08-15T00:01:00.001-07:00

At the end of their expedition, this crowd offloaded their gears from the boat and gathered once more at the park . Their catch is safely iced in containers. Perhaps planning for their next fishing excursion or simply recall and share their experience with one another.

Merry Mix

2009-08-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

There really are lots of choices but because Long Beach shoreline at downtown is the most convenient and nearest body of water to throw the fishing line, just at the break of dawn and until the late afternoon, fishing enthusiasts converge at the park for an expedition or simply occupy the breakwaters and wait for the bite.
This man obstructed our line of sight for actually I was to make a shot for the guy settting up his photo equipments, tripod, and “model” on skateboard. The result was his back facing my lens, the tripod in a distance and the lady on bike.

Shoreline Sky

2009-08-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Only a hint of faint clouds in the distance, and on summer, it is welcome at the shoreline as long as enthusiasts can enjoy their sailboat and the sea.

See more beautiful skies around the world here :Skywatch Friday

Turtles in our Midst

2009-08-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

When they were first brought in from a Chinatown petshop two years ago these turtles have shell more green than today but remain keeled with a red mark somewhere behind the eyes, and maybe classified under the sub-specy of Pseudemys scripta elegans. These young reptiles, less than two inches upon hatching have a delicate sense of touch, poor hearing, good close-up vision, good sense of smell and low intelligence. Although they thrive on chopped earthworms, raw hamburger and guppies, the current diet consists of pellets from the store. They never get to learn eating shredded lettuce, just plain pellets procured from a local Petsmart store.
On weekends, I would guard them walking by the backyard. At one time, we left them for a few minutes and the duo were able to cross the neighbor’s fence, slipping their small shell in the process. So, now, more often than not, we left them to themselves but inside a spare auto tire complete with water they can waddle into.
These reptiles make a hissing sound that without looking at the animals you might pressume some snake are just nearby. But they do the hissing thing if only threatened like holding or poking at them. Other than that, they are just so peaceful if let alone. They are too shy they hid their head once poked. At over four inches in length, they have more than doubled since hatching. They could live for about fifty years, long enough to get acquainted-- pet and owner- getting attached that much length of time!
Now, watching at Andrew Zimmern of Travel Channel flip over the shell, sip the soup and chew the head of a turtle, can I ever do the same for these two?

Off with the Landline Phone

2009-08-11T00:01:00.001-07:00

Just disconnected our landline recently, not because we are going somewhere else or we have no use for a telephone, it’s because we want to cut on some financial expense, the phone included.
Everyone in the family carries a cellphone with unlimited text messaging plan; family members and other mobile phone users with the same carrier as ours we talk /chat with for unlimited time of any day of the week and without getting over and beyond the limit of our plan. And we access Yahoo messenger as part of the plan package.
So what’s the landline for?
To receive and record calls of telemarketers calling anytime of day peddling wares, services and plans, etc. And us have to delete all the garbage messages saved at the end of the day which to our personal opinion adds task uncalled for. Now we tucked the good old landline phone in the garage in a box and go on with life, free again from answering uncalled for rings, until the telemarketers find my cell number which should not be long from now.

Personal Theme Day: Green for Tomatoes

2009-08-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Aside from the grape tomatoes (below) that still gives us those small reddish fruits, we also have the regular tomatoes now starting to bloom, a few flowers, though. Still practicing the intercropping method because of the limited space, the four “trees” co-exist now with the aloe vera and grape tomatoes. I planted the seedlings in this arrangement to take advantage of the support from the aloe vera leaves instead of placing sticks. So far, the technique is holding on.

Making Memories at the Park

2009-08-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

On this our particular visit to the Shoreline Park, my camera followed the happy crowd with a newly wed couple, I presumed, and their entourage making a shoot, perhaps to be added to their mementos in the form of photos and videos.
They were oblivious to the prying eyes of visitors staring and wondering at their evident happy aura. They walked on the pavement, on the grass, with their shoes, without their shoes, in pairs, in group, just enjoying their moments. May they enjoy a long wedded bliss. Who knows, one day they would come back and bring with them bundles of joy tumbling around enjoying the park like they did now.

The Lighthouse & Queen Mary

2009-08-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

By just changing angles and locations, we get a different view and perspective of the lighthouse. It is no illusion but check out the Queen Mary and the Lighthouse on the photo below. Both stills were taken by the Rainbow Harbor on the boardwalk.

The Lions Lighthouse

2009-08-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

The most prominent landmark at the Shoreline Park’s lighthouse point is the lighthouse itself, giving out a beacon of light to all watercraft vessels entering the complex from the Pacific ocean. The structure is a good small hike uphill, but the location gives a clear view about the surrounding area.
The white conical steel tower was constructed in 2000 with much of the funding provided by the LB downtown Lions club and is managed by the city. It is also referred to as the Lions Lighthouse for Sight.

Another Wishful Thinking

2009-08-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Can we enjoy an unobstructed skywatching view when at the city? Or, am I just doing another wishful thinking.

See more Skies around the World on this link: Skywatch Friday

Fishing at the Park

2009-08-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

With the distant and partly hidden Port of Long Beach as a backdrop, these fishing enthusiasts cast their lines. The scene is repeated everyday, with an increase in the crowd during Saturdays and Sundays here at the Shoreline Park, although many charter boats for the purpose and go beyond the area.

Personal Theme Day: Green for Aloe Vera

2009-08-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

The aloe vera on our pic is about two years old, having been planted when it was just a small “seedling” detached from our first mature plant. Separating the “offspings” and replanting some on the ground, others I have to dispose for there were plenty, gave the succulent plant limited sunlight but ample space for growth. The aloe flowers are greenish-yellow and blooms on a trident like stem (Look for the brown, dry looking "stem, that's what is left of the "trident" after prunng the flowers). I should have taken pics of the flowers, maybe next time. The aloes share a common ground with our tomato plants; the tomatoes hang its branches on the thorny cool leaves of the aloes. Have to figure out, aside from being ornamental, the useful usage of the plant for us.

The Queen Mary

2009-08-02T00:01:00.001-07:00

Majestic, others prefer historic, The Queen Mary is docked permanently in Long Beach, one of the “grandest ocean lines ever built,” re-engineered into a floating hotel on a "45 lush waterfront acres." Come explore the ship and find out the elegance, amenities and entertainment possibilities within.
The ship/hotel is about a gaze throw from the Shoreline Park but accessible by driving through the South Harbor Scenic Boulevard.
The Queen’s address? It’s 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach.
For more info, the Queen Mary website has all the details that covers history, attractions, events and so much more.

Walkway Bridge Over Shoreline Drive

2009-08-01T12:01:00.000-07:00

The overhead steel bridge crossing the East Shoreline drive from the interconnected buildings of the Pike at the Rainbow Harbor provides a safe choice over crosswalking the thoroughfare below. Several shops and restaurants are also adjacent to the bridge. Walking by the structure offers a view of the surrounding area as far as one can see including the traffic that builds below. First image was taken at the side of the Cinemark movie complex.

Night

2009-07-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

At the end of the day, the front door closes with a tiny beacon of light. We are.here inside. Taking stock, gathering strength for the morn to come.

Shifting Views

2009-07-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Our sky at 7::05 PM.

Shifted the camera to the right, just a little bit, at 7:28 PM.

See more Skies around the World on this link: Skywatch Friday

The Long Beach Navy Memorial

2009-07-29T00:01:00.001-07:00

The Long Beach Navy Memorial at the entrance of Shoreline park, remind visitors once the US Navy called the city home for eight decades before its eventual departure.
It is nostalgic to some, more so with friends and relatives of families and men etched on this memorial leading them to walk through that old memory lane again.
Click the image to enlarge and read here:

Marking Time

2009-07-28T00:01:00.001-07:00

Today, Wordscoop is a month’s old, and counting.
The family also celebrates our daughter’s birthday even as I preempted posting this note last week on the 23rd, about my wife’s. Yes, these flowers were hers for that special occasion.
We really have a lot of marking times on July, my son had his on the 5th.

Personal Theme Day: Green Gladiola

2009-07-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

Late week of April, I planted the perennial gladiola corms from last year's plants and now am looking forward for some bright flowers to pop out. I remember there were blooms of yellow, pink, red, and some with mixed colors, but for this first flower spike, I just guess it could be more reddish than the other colors. Have to wait for few more days before it would burst into full bloom so I can check out what really is the real color. Nature has a way of keeping us guessing, though.
Since this post had been preempted for weeks, so no more guessing now, but enjoy the flowers, instead.

The Final Words on Wasps

2009-07-26T06:55:00.000-07:00

Only one good frame after many takes. There were many and different colors, too, but wasps didn’t stay long enough for my camera, just hovering the flowers.
This definitely closes the week's spotlight on bees and wasps.

A Boy and his Kite

2009-07-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

A little boy waiting for that gentle breeze to swift his kite to flight at the Shoreline Park.

Bees and Wasps

2009-07-24T21:23:00.000-07:00

Could it be the swarm of flying insects feeding on flowers I encountered the other day and gave me time to take a lot of takes were bees feeding from the flowers and not wasps?

Wasps and then One

2009-07-24T00:01:00.002-07:00

Passed by the busy wasps hovering on the flowers I got busy, too, taking “stolen” shots of their activity(ies). But there is one intruder. Can you see it? I can't name the flower though.

Where Are The Boys?

2009-07-23T00:01:00.003-07:00

Where are the boys?
On weekends, neighborhood boys play soccer on this field to hone skills. And they’re fun to watch. On this particular early Saturday morn not a raucous sound nearby, maybe they would arrive later and I was too early. I left the area but not after taking this shot on a porch nearby.

See more Skies around the World on this link: Skywatch Friday

Pigeons, Pigeons

2009-07-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Pigeons are not rare over the downtown-shoreline area of Long Beach. Maybe ‘cause tourists and locals keep feeding them the birds flock and thrive on this side of the city more than anywhere else in the area. I just know I’m at Broadway street and this flock is my first encounter of the day. Unmindul of passersby, they finished off the last crumbs on the pavement. Maybe, I’ll encounter some more of their feathery kins somewhere around the area.

Messing my Desktop

2009-07-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Good to have my HP Pavilion media center TV PC again after a lull of more than one week. Actually I messed up the computer by merely opening the case and taking out dust within. Should have used that compressed air canister. I was prompted at opening the desktop due to the noise emanating from the inside which noticeably vanished when dust was removed. But I may have moved something, next time I booted the computer, a smoke and burnt odor came out from the inside. Then it just conked out; it would not power up.
I referred to the knowledge base of HP (using the Sony Viao PC), which routed me to an online tech-help, an operator halfway across the globe, in a call center in India. After zeroing on the cause of the malfunction (which I very well know), I ordered a new power supply. An “HP” supervisor called to finally confirm the order and assured it would be processed within three to four days, which stretched to over a week.
This afternoon, arriving home from work, I found a package by the doorstep. My new power supply!
I went to work immediately and replaced the burnt part. Such a difficult task for a non-tech person. It took me some time figuring out how to unplug and attach the right cables with the very tight architecture of the motherboard. This experience will not stop me from tinkering the desktop, though. And I saved some bucks had I called a geek team that charges an hourly rate (Note: Power supply part is that piece with a yellow sticker).

Personal Theme Day: Potted Green Lima Beans

2009-07-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Green lima beans for its leaves and pod, but the beans inside the pod should come out white, though.

At the onset of spring, I test planted two lima bean seeds, the packet says “Beans, Lima- Fordhook Bush #22,” on a pottted soil. Now I have these not so green-leafedf lima, but was really expecting that it was a “climber.” Plant growth is quite slow and stunted, somehow unhealthy looking, was expecting the leaves should be more green than yellowish, anyhow, the flowers start coming out with some pods now with a promise of a limited, if not dainty harvest. I should have mixed ground soil on the potting soil to make the mix better. Texture of the potting soil alone if left unwatered for a day looks dry and barren. Could it be the cause of the plants’ stunted growth plus the fact the roots can not spread and cover enough space underneath? Yesterday, I transferred the plants on the ground.

Anyhow, I planted more seeds of what was left of the packet on the ground to check if it is better planting lima on the ground than potted. I checked today and the plants have sprouted, the cotyledons are now reaching out for the sun's rays. Will post an update later.

LB Convention & Entertainment Center

2009-07-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

A hurried shot taken of the building that houses the LB Convention & Entertainment Center. This huge complex by the S. Pine Avenue are interconnected buildings of the Convention Center, Exhibition Halls, Terrace Theater, Center Theater and the Long Beach Arena. Definitely, will be back sometime to really appreciate and explore the facilities open to the public and have more photos, then. Next March 2010, the US West Coast Toy manufacturers/representatives will hold a one week exhibition on this venue. See you there.

It's a Eucalyptus, or is It?

2009-07-18T00:01:00.001-07:00

Dropped by at a local branch of Long Beach public library and solicited the aid of the always helpful librarian for any ref book on trees. We browsed through the book and showed me the page on eucalyptus which should have a lot of variations. These shrubs/trees are planted throughout the city streets and on the banks of freeway exits and entrances. A stone’s throw from where we stood were eucalyptus trees on the street center island, or is it?

Metro Transit Mall

2009-07-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

The always busy Metro Transit Mall Station for the Blue Line trains, on the 1st Street corner of Pine Avenue, serves thousands of commuters daily and on time to and from Long Beach to the 7th Street Metro Station of Los Angeles.
But beware for motorists, this short strip is a no driver’s lane for the pride of Long Beach will be on hand to write tickets. Only the LB transit share the strip with the trains.

Skywatch Thru The Gum Tree

2009-07-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

For lack of puffy clouds and drab sky color, the foreground tree’s branches and the not so distant brown-reddish edge of sloping pavement compensated for some details. Photo taken about 7:33PM DST.

See more Skies around the World on this link: Skywatch Friday

The LBTransit & Visitor Information Center

2009-07-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

The lady at the counter of the Long Beach Transit & Visitor Information Center peeked through the grilled window and pointed to us the rack which contain handy guides and maps about the area. I thanked her and took one each of the brochures. The center is convenently located at 130 E. 1st Street, Southeast corner of 1st Street & Pine Avenue.

Inside a Long Beach Transit Bus

2009-07-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, I took the Long Beach Transit towards downtown, instead of driving a car, saving me two ways- gas and parking money. Parking space in downtown is expensive. Besides, the ride was comfy, too, with a friendly bus operator. The LBT has fielded fuel efficient buses, in fact, majority of the fleet now are hybrid considerably reducing its carbon emission footprint. Thanks to the vision of the management.
Photo in here is an interior of the bus which pretty much represents the general atmosphere obtained in every LBT buses.
Starting last June 2, and still on-going, the public utility bus system offers express bus service to a variety of local museums which all depart from the Transit Info Center on the Long Beach Transit Mall.

Camera, Action!

2009-07-14T00:01:00.001-07:00

The rush to open the box and test the product before reading the accompanying brochure-instruction is always my pitfall. I did it again on the flash memory videocam, see previous discussion on this link on Plants on a Tire/ Digital Media dated July 5, 2009. That was the offshoot of my comment about figuring out how to extract the pictures without installing the Picture Motion Browser.
So I calmed myself, the adrenalin and rush to test first the capabilities of the camera suppressed, I spent some minutes reading twice the slim handbook that came with the product which completely wiped out unanswered personal queries. That was easy after all. Before the purchase I browsed extensively the Sony website for info and comparison of the same and related products just to get a better perspective.

The Sony HDR-CX100 features a max still photo resolution up to 4MP megapixels with a dimension of 2304 x 1729, already huge in size and disk usage that starts at 1.52MB per shot, I eventually set it to 1.9MP after a series of tests. This setting alone with a dimension of 2016 by 1134 consumes a minimum of 803 kbytes and up, depending on the elements and artifacts captured in the photo. With a zoom capability of 10x optical and 120x digital, it was good buy for me. In comparison, digicams now are out which starts in the 10 megapixel range. I cautioned myself for web purposes, a respectable photo is one in which you can see details without sacrificing bandwidth. Besides I'm not printing poster sized pics.
For video purposes, I set the default recording to the internal 8 gb flash memory while the stills are saved on the removable 8 gig memory stick pro duo. Capturing HD action while taking still shots at the same time was a breeze.
The unit has an Exmor CMOS sensor imaging device using Carl Zeiss® Vario- Tessar® optic lens.

Here are edited sample pics , as always I prevail myself on posting large files that are overwhelmingly huge, in terms of storage and image viewable width-length dimensions. These are shots using the auto setting taken at a distance of about 30 paces. Good enough, I had a close-up of the boughs!
Oh, yes, I did not install the Picture Motion Browser, as I was able to make a work –around in the transfer of videos and photos to my media center PC, much safer though than endangering the camera unit by connecting it to the computer.

Personal Theme Day: Potted Green Onions

2009-07-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

I did some recycling here, actually it was more of re-growing thing. Each time a bundle of green onion comes fresh from the market everything is consumed of the tuber from tip of the leaf to the small bulb that comes with the stem. So I just cut off the leaves, kept it in the crisper for future use and the remaining short lower portion of the tuber devoid of roots I stick on a prepared pot of ground soil mixed with potting soil from a local outlet. So far, every time we need some of the onion leaves, we’ll just head off to the backyard and harvest some without plucking the plant off the soil. We’ve been doing that close to a year now. Few months ago, the plants had their first spring, some green and white flowers burst from a few of them only to find out that tiny seeds developed and start a new generation of tiny onions.

More on Garden Walk

2009-07-12T00:29:00.000-07:00

Just a few steps from the sitting statues, sheets of water fall from the walls the sound of which has some therapeutic calming effect on the passersby, nay shoppers, who may have roamed around, up and about, on shops and food outlets, etc., the Anaheim Garden Walk mall. It is not rare to find siting tables and benches around the area, too.

And if one tarries far longer into the night, the mall comes into the open masked with lights and shadows. The place has made a mark as it rivals equally popular and other service and entertainment venues; the address is a regular stop-over for those catching up the late night movies or simply entertain and meet friends on some cozy well appointed restaurants.

Waiting for Shoppers

2009-07-11T00:01:00.001-07:00

Thursday evening was a short drive to the Anaheim Garden Walk, our first in the place now frequented by shoppers this side of Orange county. The huge complex is host to shops, restaurants, health spa, fitness center, etc. It has an Imax theater along with regular cinemas; and the place is still in expansion mood. On the second level, two movie screens mounted overhead, outside by the promenade, continuously show previews of current and upcoming attractions.
In one of the sitting corners, we spotted these figures that attract attention from enthusiasts. Had to wait for some time before we can get a private moment for a photo shoot, albeit in a rush. Was not able to identify the master artist of the sitting figures, and next time I will take note of that, if there is one.
By 9:25PM the music pervading about the mall was joined by the sound of the Phantasmic fireworks, obviously at the Rivers of America, yes, where the Mark Twain steamboat rolls off nearby Disneyland.

Wordscoop, Wordscooper, Wordscooping

2009-07-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Summer Sun Recedes

2009-07-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

The summer sun slowly receding from the horizon that night might envelope the city as tired limbs call it a day and rejuvenates for yet the next morn’s challenge. Sweet dreams.

Visit this site for more: Sky Watch Friday

Books Inside the Garage

2009-07-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Spring has come and gone and still am saddled with a lot of stuff now “parked” inside the garage which seems more disorganized than ever.
There are books, most especially pocket books of different genre, as well as references, which either have to go to a donation center so others might enjoy the stories and knowledge within, or have to go someplace else.
Yesterday afternoon, I checked out some and found in the heap Death Be Not Proud, A Memoir by John Gunther so that I burned some eyebrow by my lampshade and started on the first part of the two part memoir. The second book in waiting, is Jill Robinson’s Past Forgetting – My Memory Lost and Found. Seems like I’ll be dealing with memoirs for some nights
But definitely books that will stay include Respectfully Quoted- A dictionary of Quotations as edited by Suzy Platt, Websters New Explorer Dictionary of Quotations, A World of Poetry, a selection by Michael Rosen and, A Little Book of Cherished Poems- Beautiful Poetry to Treasure as compiled by Kay Anne Carson. Also, Tom Ang's Digital Photographer's Handbook, a very good resource on photo editing will no doubt remain with us.
So the books in the garage will have to wait for the weekend even as I was assured by family members they'll lend a hand in the project. After all I've got a lesser number compared to theirs. Perhaps, an inventory listing is a good idea. Maybe it will give us opportunity to weigh for the last time what of the bunch will have to go and the few that should remain.

Are We Good?

2009-07-07T02:31:00.000-07:00

Just asking myself loud and clear more often than not each time we eat out, like last Saturday for my Viktor’s birthday via lunch and dinner.
Am referring to the usually inviting and friendly bistro/ trendy restaurant atmosphere that treat patrons almost family in their offerings like, but not limited to, drinks, food, soup, salad, cakes, pizza, etc., sometimes referred to as “bottomless.”

Come to think of it, colas remain popular for people of every age. Offer it as bottomless and one can get so much non-natural ingredient(s) and flavouring(s) unnecessarily in one sitting. Am not saying it’s not good, but too much of anything will border to abuse and over indulgence, and eventually bad for health. Pardon me for mentioning this if ever I sound offensive I never meant to be combative, but better read it from here, for I am not the first that may have written or ever mentioned in passing these observation; this is a friendly reminder, though.
Oh, we'll compensate on eating the greens then, but wait, what about the dressing that made the salad enticing you crave for more!
Normally a salad dressing like Caesars' may contain soybean oil, water, distilled vinegar, Romano cheese, pasteurized whole milk, culture salt, enzymes, egg yolk, buttermilk powder, salt, sugar, garlic, Parmessan cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt), onion, Worcestershire sauce (distilled vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, water, salt, caramel color, garlic powder, sugar, spices, anchovy, tamarind, natural flavor), lemon juice concentrate, xanthan gum, spices, potassium sorbate (as preservative), soy, milk and fish ingredients.
Wow, that's a lot.

Ok, let me try the Thousand Island dressing then which has soybean oil, tomato puree (water, tomato paste concetrate), water, high fructose corn syrup, vinegar, salt, red bell peppers, xanthan gum, alum, sodium benzoate,(preservative), calcium chloride, spices, natural flavors, polysorbate 80), egg yolk, salt, contains less than 2% of modified corn starch, dehydrated onion, xanthan gum, artificial color, spice, mustard flour, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate (preservatives), calcium disodium EDTA (to protect flavor), propylene glycol, alginate, and egg.
Perhaps the Chinese chicken salad dressing will taste good with high fructose, corn syrup, soybean oil, water, corn syrup, soy saucen(water, wheat, soybeans, salt, sodium benzoate as preservative) distilled vinegar, ginger puree (ginger, water, salt, citirc acid) brown sugar, contains less than 2% of sesame oil, salt, sesame seed, xanthan gum, lemon juice concentrte, garlic caramel, color, sodium benzoate (a preservative)), oinion, guar gum, natural flavor, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate dehydrated. Plus soybean wheat.
Enough words, if not "technical," gourmet terms just for a scoop of salad.
Now, the chocolate cake, please!
(I'm sorry if you have to check out for these ingredients in Wikipedia again. This calls for a second discussion, maybe.

Personal Theme Day: Green

2009-07-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

Thought I would have a Personal Theme every Monday: Today, it’s Green, for big green bell peppers. What’s on your food?

Plants on a Tire

2009-07-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

Some catchy title, but no, just placed the potted plants inside the tire “hole” after having watered the backyard. I was testing the photo capability of my phone sans no aid of focus and good light. Past pics here, including this one, unless stated otherwise, were taken using a Palm Centro only.
I used to have a Canon powershot S400 until it got dropped on the floor, would not record on the memory card anymore. (Can I get it repaired? Is the cost of repair worth it?) The replacement was a Canon digital Elph 750, borrowed by my daughter right now on vacation overseas. Still have to test a new unopened Nikon coolpix S220, a birthday gift (this July 28) for another daughter.
Was thinking of a "cheapest” SLR but the thought of using one, kind of intimidate me, I’m not into serious photography so I settled for a new Sony handycam HDR-CX100 capable of HD video and a 4-megapixel still photo, which is for me, quite a good trade off.
Yesterday, took some stills but currently figuring out how to transfer the images that resides on the hardware’s internal flash memory into the removable eight gig memory stick pro duo without the necessity of installing the accompanying program Picture Motion Browser into my computer. Already I have one that takes charge of converting all photos and home videos into either a slide show or home movie in somewhat professional presentation DVD format. (Will discuss this on a forthcoming blog.) Also, I don’t want to cram programs any more than is necessary into my main multi media computer.
The HD cam is a replacement of an old reliable, heavy weight, but am still using, digital 8 Sony DCR- TRV330, my second. The first was a JVC.
I have no idea on the plant specie(s)/ name, got any? Will check it out later. By the way, the one with flowers I just stick the stem my wife brought home from office one afternoon and let it grow that way up to now. Click on the picture for a larger image.

Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom

2009-07-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

We go unconventional this time, as we felicitate this July fourth, I say, “let a thousand flowers bloom,” in hills and valleys, in dales and fields, by the city sidewalks and park lots, near window panes and front and back yards. Here, Mums, of the Genus Chrysanthemum, are silent fireworks basking in the summer sun.

Fourth of July

2009-07-03T00:10:00.000-07:00

How can we forget it was on the (Tuesday) 2nd of July 1776 when the 13 colonies seceded from the clutch of then British empire by way of the Declaration of Independence. The deed was made public on the 4rth of July, as such we have the 233rd celebration with a holiday tomorrow.
To many this is a good conversation piece. As for an ordinary guy like me, it was history and will just let it rest that way and spare no moment ever just to argue the merits or otherwise.
What matters now is to appreciate the freedom(s) gained out of that independence.
God Bless America and Everyone else on Planet Earth.

Just Above Our Place

2009-07-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

Still have to join the "Sky Watch" group but this will not constrain our showing the sky above our place.

LA River Wall

2009-07-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles river which parallels the I-710 in most of its last few miles within the city used to soak the county from its source in San Fernando valley, San Gabriel mountains and Santa Susana mountains, about fifty one miles down its mouth in Long Beach.
It used to inundate surrounding areas because of its changing course until some portion of its route was fixed by concrete channels. In the early days, its water has been supplying the communities in and around the county. The river now suffers from agricultural and commercial pollution. In some portions the riverbed is exposed and dry; on others, shrubs and grass occupy the once healthy flowing water of the river.
Shown above is the portion at the Wardlow street bridge. The pavement is a boon to joggers and bikers for the unobstructed space on their routine.

Tribute: Remembering MJ

2009-07-02T00:02:00.000-07:00

No doubt, he left behind his body of work- his music as legacy to appreciate, draw lesson, and look up to for a long time.

Power of the Blog

2009-06-30T02:45:00.000-07:00

Somewhere near Tehran, a militant blogger and his team keeps watchful eye on the current disparaging events enveloping their beloved land pounding his keyboard translating into words the graphic insane terrifying events unfolding by the minute. Could be that many more are doing the same. Some place in the world, bloggers receive the updated feed emanating from Iran bridging the barrier of distance, time and language.
(Image credit: Saeed Valadbaygi)

Digital media on my Palm

2009-06-29T22:27:00.000-07:00

Few years back my sister sent thru snail mail a handy reference book which after continuous usage some pages just peeled off from the bind. At some point I would misplace the copy when needed that I took myself to task, OCR-scanned the pages and saved into a text file.
Using the digitizing program Dropbook, I was able to convert the file into a fresh ebook complete with notes and page numbering system.
The digital copy now resides on my Palm handheld. Then I added more ebooks– novels and info-reference stuff, including a Thesaurus sourced from the online store of eReader, now a division of Barnes & Noble. Later I expanded the memory capacity to accomodate more ebooks and digital home family videos and music.
Once in a while I would visit sites offering free ebooks. One of my favorite is that of Project Gutenberg that aim to digitally preserve documents, some rare and historical, for the generations to come. Project Gutenberg welcome volunteers to proofread ebooks in the process.
PG is teaming up as a contributing organization with other like-minded group in launching the 4th Annual World eBook Fair which begins July 4th and ends August 4th this year. The fair aims to provide free public access for a month to over 2 million eBooks titles led by the World Public Library Association. See you online, and by the way do drop some donations.

The Birth

2009-06-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

If this was in the late 80's I could quick start this piece with the line "I am a pen and am writing fast." But the line is now passé. So much techno changes has dawned upon us I could barely keep track of everything, For sure I will slowly keep on pounding the keyboards of my HP notebook in the hope of wrapping one for today.
So what's up.
Perhaps I can scrape notes about anything I can spare a few words with and hurdle a good helping of the opus into the wild uncharted constantly unfolding mega universe of webspace where black holes, white dwarfs and huge unquantified volume of undiscovered dark matter coexist with other stars- newborn, giant or red. But will also check on the sunspots and sunstorms that periodically bombard the innermost recesses of my mind and yours without forgetting the pull of unseen gravity of either Milky Way or Andromeda constantly, perhaps, tugging each other into a pantomime of marriage that began billions of years already.
Or launch a probe into the warped warbled space littered with junks- of sounds, bytes, jpegs, mpegs, etc., that couldn’t fit a waste management truck however it tries to return for there are a galaxy of us who continuously clutter and emit and inject pollution more than meet the eyes ushering an era of hurtful, heartfelt, global web warming disproportion. Consider the amount of garbage that could be extracted out of one’s brain so it would allow us to float into a state of warm lightheadedness afterwards!
Or simply aim a behemoth array of scope to the same spot where many have focused their conscious or subliminal brain and wade through the greed and hate that abound, good hearts that warm souls, grief that trigger tears, triumphs and simple joys that exude elation for spring and summer seasons.
Or just hide in my self-spun cocoon and wobble into the inebriated convulsive emptiness of holy incarceration of the physical being in this world of matter.
Now I’ll put to bed this baby, born at the end of the day, with the hope he would see the first fresh glow of summer weblight tomorrow. Let him dream good and great for a while, please, hush, pssssst, no more tiny sound for the moment ‘til he finds the first deep slumber of his gentle beginnings.