Dean's Light Box

This Week's Creative Outlet

Unfortunately, I had no time for photography this week.  But, I did get to do something I've wanted to do for quite some time:  Record CJ3 performing one of his songs in a studio-like environment.

Here's how it went down:

- Call on my mobile phone at 10:00 AM Thursday--"Hey, if I had E drop off the recording rig, would you want to lay down some tracks of Asher while I'm on tour?"

- Call on my mobile phone at 10:45 AM Thursday--"Hey, E will deliver the rig tomorrow.  Plan on it."

- Call on my mobile phone at 11:15 AM Thursday--"Hey, I'm your best friend today.  If I-80 isn't open in 45 minutes, can I crash at your place tonight?"

- Call on my mobile phone at 12:00 PM Thursday--"I'm on my way..."

Once I finish off my regular work, CJ3 grabs my little guitar with 12-year-old-strings, sets up in my tiny walk-in closed and lays down this track of his song Valentine in 3 takes.  Nicely done, CJ3!

A Rather Uninspiring Photography Week

I nearly forgot that no respectable blogger/tourist to London should neglect to post a photo of the clock tower that houses the ever famous Big Ben.  I learned that it is the bell that is named Big Ben, and not the clock tower itself which clears up years of ignorance on this important point for me.  You will note that I snapped this shot right as Big Ben counted out the hour with 12 massive sonic events.

So now I have to level with you all.  I'm rarely able to take really great photos of particularly popular landmarks like this.  And to be honest, I rather prefer images that capture a moment in time and that can tell a story or convey the feel of a place.  The boat and dock or bag-piper in last week's post are examples of my preference.  Alas, I will never make a great stock photographer.

Sometimes, you just want to document an event.  And as snow accumulation is a particularly popular topic on our family network of blogs right now, I'd like to add a photo of EV on top of the snow pile from our driveway.

No, I didn't shovel all that and fortunately, DD didn't either.  Our neighbor brought his full-size loader to move this for us--a solid 4 feet of mostly drifted snow.  Then the day after this photograph, we awoke to another 3 feet of drifted snow across the same area.  Thanks to a creative thinking friend, we're considering the purchase of snow-drift fencing that allows you to target where the drift lands.  10 feet south of the driveway would be a really nice place for a drift.

London Part II

Last week took me to Florida making the fourth straight week away from home.  And sadly, work occupied so much time I didn't find any opportunity for photography.

But, I still have plenty of London images to show.

It turns out that Downing Street (home of the prime minister) and Westminster are a short walk from Trafalgar square.  I first happened upon a horse guard and decided to cross the street for a closer look.  While crossing, a rather perturbed local turned to me and expressed his disgust with the fact that taxpayers fund these showy traditions.  I have to admit that I might have a similar opinion if the US supported a royal family and all of their associated costs.  Nevertheless, it was interesting to watch a dozen mounted guards parade in to the home of the Royal Cavalry to change shifts.

I sauntered past Downing Street, waved at the prime minister's home, and happened upon a rather impressive looking bagpipe band which put on an equally impressive show.  Here, they warmed up before their parade.

European cities typically have more interesting older architecture in many nooks.

After catching the bagpipe parade, I headed down to the walkway along the River Thames and encountered an interesting dock and old boat.

Westminster Abbey has some incredible detail work as well.  I don't know whether this is the door, but it isn't hard to imagine the newly crowned queen walking through this door after her coronation.  Why do we still care so much about the romantic aspects of a monarchy?  Maybe it's the Disney movies.

The Houses of Parliment and the clock tower (home of Big Ben) are just across the street from the Abbey.  Centuries of damp weather add a rather artistic touch to the buildings.

Another image from Trafalgar Square of one of the fountains and the National Portrait Gallery:

One more shot of the Tower of London:

You will be surprised to learn that while I strolled along the banks of the River Thames by the county building, I encountered some rogue Storm Troopers attempting to take over the county.  I pulled a Han Solo, secured the building, and returned peace and order to London.  And you thought tourists just did annoying things like take photos...

PS--The latest Dingy Room in a Nowhere Town podcast is out over at blog.caryjudd.com or iTunes, if you prefer.  Check it out to hear the first-hand story of Cary's car crash encounter with a red minivan.  You'll also get a little history on his hit single Perfect Tonight along with a previously unreleased (at least to the general public) recording of Perfect Tonight in an acoustic, mellow, thought-provoking style.