May the Force Be With You!

The family went to the Star Wars Exhibit this weekend at the Boston Musuem of Science. We had a blast. Here are some pictures that I took with the new camera. I am still learning the camera but I did get a few nice shots. All the exhibits were behind glass so I took all my pictures without flash. The exhibit ends in a couple of weeks and is all sold out. It goes to Ohio next. I ended up making a Star Wars Exhibit DVD movie with music, animations of the photos I took and text. The kids were embarrassed to show anyone but I think it came out pretty cool! I took about 50 pictures R2D2 and C3PO were there.

Happy Easter, Feliz Pascoa

I wish all my family and friends a peacefull Easter. Feliz pascoa para os meus tios, tias, primos e primas em, Brazil, Cananda, Portugal e USA. Estes fotografias forum tiradas hoje na nossa casa. A Susan faz um jantar muito gostoso. E tradicao comer fiambra na pascoa. Os meninos tentaram achar os ovos que estavam escondidos no jardim. O nosso cao Eli tambem tentou achar or ovos que estavam cheios de chocolate.

What kind of traveler are you?

Our trip through life is different for each of us. We each have different perspectives on how we see and live life. Some see things sooner than others. Some see things only later in life when it is too late. What type of life traveler are you?

The Business traveler
Is here to get the job done. Although he travels he sees nothing except the airport, hotel and the work site he goes to. The person is focused primarily on work, getting ahead and survival. He has little time or other resources available to enjoy and see what life and places have to offer. Travels when required to get his job done.

The Tour traveler
Is too cautious in life and only takes paths that are well known and low risk. Similar to the tour traveler who needs all the details taken care of and predetermined before the trip. This person sees some of what life has to offer but doesn't live life to it's full potential. Sees only places that are common and known to even the least adventurous.

The Non traveler
Doesn't travel. Fears traveling. This person never gets started in life or doesn't know what life has to offer. He often worries about what can go wrong in life.

The Road Trip traveler
Travels and goes where ever and when ever the resources he has allows him to go. Enjoys even the smallest trips and places he goes.

The Student traveler
Travels because he stumbled on cheap airline tickets. This is the optimistic traveler. Goes where life takes him. Not knowing or caring where he is going but knowing that he is going somewhere.

Perhaps we are all these types of travelers at different stages in our lives. Do you know of any other types of travelers that are a good metaphor for your trip through life?

It's Been Such a Long Time

After dinner tonight, I went out to take some photo's at night. Cruising in the Murano with Guided By Voices playing loud on the Bose stereo and the windows wide open. It brought me back to those Friday nights in high school when I use to go out cruising with my friends in my friends old Duster! We would drive down to Newport to hang out. I remember being in the back seat of the car with Boston playing on the stereo. The stereo was so loud you couldn't hear yourself singing. Not a worry on your mind, completely caught up in the moment. Feeling good that the weekend and the good weather had arrived. So for a fleeting moment I had that great feeling tonight as I was driving to the place where I wanted to take some photos.

Of course just like when I was in high school, I got approached by the police asking me what I was doing pulled over by the side of the road. I told him I was taking pictures of the power plant smoke stacks. He asked why? How the hell am I suppose to respond to that. I thought.. "Well because I wanted an excuse to get out of the house and feel like I did when I was younger"... mmm no. I didn't think it was a good idea to say that. He probably would have arrested me on the spot. I told him "for art". Yes I know what you are thinking sounds kind of fruity. But hey a technical guy needs some sort of creative outlet. Since there isn't a whole heck of a lot of creativity happening at work. The police man then said that after 9/11 you are no longer allowed to take pictures of power plants. I didn't know that. I had already taken 2 pictures before he showed up. So I got in my car and headed up.

Anyways here is the picture of the water way. I wasn't taking a picture of the power plant. It just happened to be in the distance background. I have a secret photography goal that I will not share with you until I meet my goal. This photo was one of first pictures that I have ever taken at night.

Mortality

We stopped by the graveyard today on the way home from Susan's mom's house. Susan suggested I take a picture of the statue pointing to the sky. I took that shot and then some others of the grave stone monuments. Many of these are from the 1800's. Many of the gravestones had American flags next to them. The flags identify the people who have served in the military for this great country. The flags are placed by the gravestones by retired veterans. Afterward our visit, I went out to a Trustees of the Reservation property at sunset. While I was walking I came across about a dozen deer and a wild turkey. You can see the deer in some one of the pictures. As we age become like our parents and our parents become like our grandparents. These stages in life come faster than you expect. It seems as though life accelerates as you get older. I think more and more about making the most of the time I have on this earth as I get older. This song by U2 often helps me keep life in perspective.

Visiting Gloucester Massachusetts

I went to Gloucester Massachusetts this weekend. I took some pictures at the visitor center. The round circluar embedded glass pictures were taken along an ocean walkway at the visitor center.
The other pictures were taken along the coast. Hope you guys like them. If you look closely you can see my reflection in the glass beads taking the picture. It was a pretty gray and cold day. The fishermen were working on Saturday preparing their nets and boats to go fishing. Many of the local fishermen and residents are Portuguese immigrants. Many have left the industry because it simply is too difficult to make a living. Those fisherman that still fish do so because they love the ocean and where they live.

Hanging out on the kitchen floor

Don't all families hangout on the kitchen floor? Ours does. My wife was giving our dog some love and then all the kids joined in. It only took me 5 pictures just to get this one. ;-) This camera isn't a point and shoot and I am still learning.

Legos and Star wars

The two favorite past times of my son are Legos and Star wars. I remember growing up and going over to my neighbor's house to play Legos. They weren't as cool as they are now. Here is Obi Wan Kanobee's ship built by my son.

Chicken Vindaloo

Indian food is one of my favoriates. One of the best places to get Indian food in Massachusetts is Gourmet India at the Food Court at the Burlington Mall. Yes I know you are asking yourself the question "Is he serious?" Yes I am. This place has freshly baked nahn bread. They have a very large customer base because of all the High Tech companies in the vicinity. My favoriate dish is Chicken Vindalo with Sag Paneer. Chicken Vindaloo has many of the same ingredients that are used in many Portuguese dishes. It includes garlic, oil, vinegar, tomatoe base, browned onions, salt and a mix of Indian spices. Here is the recipe I use. I made the dish for my parents this weekend. We visited them this past weekend.

Feels Like Christmas

This past Friday I awaited the UPS man like a little kid waiting for Santa to show up Christmas Eve night. I finally got my new camera after a failed first attempt. My first order was "DENIED" by my credit card company because the charge was done over the phone and was suspect. The camera company gave my camera to someone else who was waiting for a camera too. I ended up putting my pre-order in at Amazon and was told that the camera wouldn't show up until may. Well SURPRISE! It shipped out this past Wednesday and arrived Friday. I no longer have any lame excuses for my poor photos. I went for a walk this morning at Coolidge reservation. At the highest point in the reservation there was a group of pine trees. The pine cones reminded of the stages of life. The youngest pine cones were bright brown. The older ones were further in the tree and grey. The oldest ones had fallen to the ground to become seeds for the next generation of pine trees. It rained at dusk. The sun poked beneath the rain clouds to make this rainbow.