Light It Up, vol. 1

In all the years I've burned brush, both recent and as a kid, I don't recall ever getting to set it off. But I got to do it this year, oh yeah!

Normally I wouldn't post un-showered shots of myself, but this one is included to give the pile some scale:

And here's the abbreviated lighting sequence. I broke 3 or 4 matches before suggesting I'd have better luck with wood matches. Even then, it took multiple strikes on a couple different matches to get one to light. What? I've never been a smoker and I don't camp.

3rd match is the charm here. The 1st two lit but went out before I bent far enough over to light the paper stuffed into the piles of branches.

I took over camera duties for the blaze, including some video I'll put up in the near future.

And back to work, cutting more branches for the fire:

As always, check with your local fire department to find out when your burn season is, if permits are required, and what the restrictions are before setting a blaze in your backyard.


Four years ago on TTaT: Holy cow, Batman! (Holy cow, indeed. Apparently I've virtually known Kapgar and Voix de Michele for at least 4 years!)

ROY flowers

A year ago on TTaT: In Lieu of a Burning Man

Beyond: A Solar System Voyage

16. Beyond: A Solar System Voyage by Michael Benson (3/5)

Cool photos of the planets. However, I felt like the author had a chip on his shoulder he was trying to exorcise in the text. (I much prefer his mind-blowing book, Far Out: A Space-Time Chronicle.)

Beyond: A Solar System Voyage is meant for young readers but the author spends an undue amount of time explaining his editorial/writing choices.

Presumably this is a simplified version of his adult book of the same name from 6 years previous. That would explain why some of the vocabulary seems advanced. The glossary is pretty minimal compared to the number of scientific words throughout the text.

Decent overall though. Looking forward to checking out some of the reference websites listed in the back:

Jet Propulsion Laboratory Photojournal
Views of the Solar System
Nine8 Planets Solar System Tour
PDS Imaging Node
Visible Earth
NASA images

Two years ago on TTaT: Shoveling playlist

Sketchbook, page 15

(Previous pages)

The process of filling a 120 page sketchbook by year's end continues:

"Metal step stool"

Two years ago on TTaT: Bears in motion, sort of

Pick me up flowers

A year ago on TTaT: Tempted Fate

Life of Art SitRep #7

A series to mark what I did to further my pursuit of a life sustained by my art each week. Committing to these posts is a commitment to action, because to have content for them, I have to do something. Every week.

If you have any sort of goal you're pursuing, feel free to share your efforts of the past week in the comments. Encouragement is also welcome.

*******

This week, I

• Shot 3 videos.
• Shot 502 photos.
• Drew 2 sketches.
• Dealt more with customer service regarding condition of scans received.
• Searched and inquired about the flower identification I want for a title, but still no luck.

Anyone recognize these?

• Entered Chris Guillebeau's Empire Building Kit giveaway.

*******

What did you do to pursue the life you want this week?


A year ago on TTaT: Also this time of year

Final winter exhibits

Well, you know, unless it snows again. Thanks for your patience with all these winter shots now that it's spring. I just really wanted to share them. The snow and ice formations have been so unusual this year.

A year ago on TTaT: Holy frijole!

Creek, exhibits C

A year ago on TTaT: Stop me

Creek, exhibits B

A year ago on TTaT: An excellent film

Creek, exhibits A

3 years ago on TTaT: Flashback: An Evening's Soiree Cycle

Sketchbook, page 14

(Previous pages)

The process of filling a 120 page sketchbook by year's end continues:

"p.97 of How to Draw Animals by Jack Hamm"

4 years ago on TTaT: Exposition

Snowprints 2, the sequel

(The original Snowprints)


A year ago on TTaT: Near bust

Life of Art SitRep #6

A series to mark what I did to further my pursuit of a life sustained by my art each week. Committing to these posts is a commitment to action, because to have content for them, I have to do something. Every week.

If you have any sort of goal you're pursuing, feel free to share your efforts of the past week in the comments. Encouragement is also welcome.

*******

This week, I

• Catalogued and sleeved 10 rolls of negatives. Removed their irritating packaging.
• Fought with Dad's old scanner for a long while and did not produce 1 satisfactory scan of negative with sprockets so abandoned that route.
• Prepped flame flower canted and regular shots for my shop, uploaded them. I'd like the flower name for the titles but haven't found it yet or settled on an alternative.



Anyone recognize these flowers? They were 2 ft. high, maybe more. Leaves are like wide tall grass blades, like daffodils have.

• Shot 304 photos. Grokked that I need to buy a better camera than the borrowed point & shoot digitals I use if I want these photos to have a life beyond cards, postcards, and the blog. Nikon or Canon? Full frame DSLR speaks to my clarity of vision but would I really lug such a thing enough to justify the expense? Or even a consumer DSLR? I really miss my analog lenses with DOF markings but doubt they'd work with Nikon or Canon bodies.
• Received wet package, made sure all of my scanned negatives were returned. Wrote email of frustration to customer service. Re-sleeved, filed most.
• Scanned 10 sketches.
• Drew 3 sketches.

*******

What did you do to pursue the life you want this week?


Two years ago on TTaT: Time to move?

Shots from The Spring Bulb Show

The Spring Bulb Show I visited last week is open a few more days. Check it out if you can!


A year ago on TTaT: Set your DVR/VCR/TiVo