Christmas Cookies

 

Here is a perfect excuse as to why I haven't been blogging.

My wife has finished her business travels. Since she has been home she has been cooking and baking for me and my little boy.

A few weeks ago, she made Christmas cookies. We all contributed in decorating the cookies. I even managed to make a couple a little to risque to even post.



Taken on December 14, 2008 using the Sony DSC-W120.

Evergreen Aviation Museum

Located in east McMinnville, Oregon, the Evergreen Aviation Museum is home of the Hughes H-4 (HK-1) Flying Boat. Also known as the Spruce Goose, it is the world's largest wooden aircraft flown once in 1947.

Daniel Johnston's Hi, How Are You

Daniel Johnston's Hi, How Are You
Originally uploaded by GCAUSTIN

If you've ever been in Austin and found yourself lost on the UT drag, chances are you have seen this frog. At which point, you probably really freaked out and thought you'd never see the light of day--especially with the numerous drag rats roaming around the area--or you may have smiled and felt comfortable in the city whose slogan is "Keep Austin Weird."

The mural was drawn by Daniel Johnston in the early 90s on the wall of what was once Sound Exchange.

http://www.hihowareyou.com/



Taken on May 5, 2008 using the Canon PowerShot A400.

Art City Austin 08

Picture 084
Originally uploaded by GCAUSTIN

The Art City Austin 08, the annual arts festival, which took place last weekend (April 12-13, 2008), provided guests with "a diverse array of art talent."

Artists from all over the world showcased their works to visitors. Guests were able to taste the various foods Austin has to offer. Children were able to show their art capabilities as well. And of course, it wouldn't be Austin if there wasn't live music.

For more information, visit the following website: http://www.artallianceaustin.org/art_city_austin.html




Taken on April 12, 2008 using the Canon PowerShot A400.

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower
Originally uploaded by GCAUSTIN

Built between 1887 and 1889, this famous structure was designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel. The metal structure is 1,063 feet high and weighs about 7,300 tons.

The picture was taken about eight years ago when I joined a group of students on a trip to France.

The photo was edited in pastel pink tint.





Taken with Canon 35mm camera.  Edited in Pastel Pink tint.

National Gallery of Art

National Gallery of Art
Originally uploaded by GCAUSTIN

This picture was taken at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It is of a 16th century bronze sculpture by an anonymous Italian titled, "Bacchus and a Faun."
The photo was taken with a Canon 35mm manual camera in 1997.

Fallingwater

Best known for his organic architecture--design inspired by nature--Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater is, as one would expect, breathtaking. Considered one of his great masterpieces, Fallingwater sits between tall trees, boulders, and over a creek.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater is located east of Uniontown, Pennsylvania in Kaufmann County.

Being a big fan of his work since I was young, I was excited to tour Fallingwater. While my wife was at a convention at a nearby resort, I decided to find Wright's masterpiece. After driving through winding rural roads, I was able to find the entrance into Fallingwater.

One tip: Call ahead of time and make a reservation. Also, look at a map before driving to Fallingwater.

The picture was taken with a Canon PowerShot A400 on August 22, 2006.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallingwater

Chateau de la Brede

Political and social philosopher Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brede and of Montesquieu spent most of his adult life at the Chateau de la Brede. Here at the chateau, Montesquieu worked on his theory of separation of powers. His work has influenced other notable philosophers such as Thomas Paine, David Hume, and Tocqueville. His work is also said to have influenced the design of the United States' political system and constitution.

This picture was taken during a student trip to France with a Canon 35mm camera.

The Chateau is located about fifteen miles south of Bordeaux.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Louis_de_Secondat

Grief and History on the Peace Monument

The sculpture by Franklin Simmons is located west of the Nation's Capitol. It was built to commemorate the naval casualties during the Civil War.

I took this picture during a trip to Washington, DC. For several years, between 1995 and 2000, I made several trips to the Nation's Capitol to visit friends and museums.

http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/art_arch/peace.cfm

Hartman Prehistoric Garden

I took this picture at the Zilker Botanical Garden in Austin, Texas this past summer. The Hartman Prehistoric Garden provides visitors with a glimpse of what Central Texas might have looked like during the Cretaceous period.

Picture Ornithomimus roaming in swamps covered with ferns, witch hazels, and water lilies.

Taken on January 9, 2008 using the Canon PowerShot A400.

Black and Yellow Garden Spider

I took this picture of the garden spider at the Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin, this past summer.

Argiope aurantia

Spiders fascinate me. My wife teases me because I save and feed spiders at our home. Although, I do remind her that I had no problem crushing the brown recluse I encountered under our shed.

Photo taken in Austin, Texas with a Canon PowerShot A400 on September 8, 2007

Los Ninos Heroes

After several hours of contemplating which of my photos I should first blog about, I decided to go with this one taken in 1995.

I was only a 19 year old college student visiting Mexico City with a group of students. While in Mexico City, a group of us decided to visit the Chapultepec Castle, once a military academy.

On a cliff, at the Castle's grounds, stands the Heroic Cadets Monument. The monument honors six teenage military cadets who gave their lives for their country by wrapping themselves with their country's flag and jumping to their death from the Chapultepec Castle. The story can be read at the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ni%c3%b1os_H%c3%a9roes.

The picture was taken with an old 110 film camera before a rainstorm.