2013/205 & 206 Slug Bug Love

Sunday, after church, it was all about the slug bugs. First I saw a beautiful orange vintage model in the church parking lot. Before I could take out my camera, the owner came up out of nowhere, putting her key in her sweet ride. She had to be in her mid-sixties, with the energy one would expect for the owner of a beetle. "I love your car", I told her. "Thank you", she smiled at me, "I love it too". It was evident in the way the car sparkled and shined.

I watched from my rear view, wishing I had asked her if I could take a picture of her and her car. I vowed to myself that I wouldn't let another chance slip away. Thus, I stopped at Best Buy to take a few shots of the Geek Squad Bugs. I did a U-turn on busy Harbor Blvd to take some shots of a maroon slug bug that I've passed at least twenty odd times.

But the best find was at a classic car showroom that I've never ever noticed before. There as I drove by were two bright shiny vintage cars for sale. My car almost stopped in its track.

After all of that I can't believe that today, I let an opportunity pass me by. I let the pressure of fear and others get to me and when I saw an ugly, but obviously storied bug come into my path, I took the lazy way out. Instead of getting out of my car, I took a picture across the passenger seat. When I saw the shot after I got home, I was kicking myself. If I make the same mistake again, I don't deserve to have a camera.

2013/58 To Be Young and Fun

She came to me in the middle of the day with a smile on her face asking if I was going anywhere tonight. "Why", I asked, "are you wanting to have a party?"

Turns out she didn't want me going anywhere because she wanted to drive my car to Fashion Island. Why not? It was a beautiful day and even if I did go somewhere it wasn't going to be until later.

As they prepared to drive off, they asked me to take pictures. I didn't have to be asked twice. They looked so lovely, so vibrant. It did my heart good.

Oh, to be young and fun.

A Good Day

It was a good day. From lovely skies at the very beginning.

To seeing light where I never noticed before.

 It was even lovely in black and white.

It was the moment I've been longing for these past few months.

To taking my daughter some dinner at her work.

To a wonderful worship service

 To a late night donut run.

With my baby girl.

Evening Light

My car needs a bath something horrible. But the evening light makes everything look better, even a dirty slug bug.

The Desert Sun

Headed out to Palm Desert to see our Baby Love. The setting sun was spectacular,

...especially since we enjoyed it with the top down.

Putting the Top Back

When I bought my bug almost four years ago I told Brie that I would drive with the top down as much as possible. When the weather is right it's a wonderful feeling to feel the air whirl around you and catch the sounds and aromas that you miss with a hard top. Yesterday as we headed to my brother's I asked Brie if she wanted the top down. I held my breath, afraid of the response. I was happy when she replied affirmatively.

It made the stop at In-N-Out even more satisfying.

It as a lovely drive and a good day in SoCal.

My alarm was set for 5am, 6am and 6:30am. When it rang at 5am, I thought for half a second about getting up and going into the office, but I closed my eyes instead. I turned the alarm off at 6am and told myself I would get up at 6:15am. Didn't happen. 6:30am, the alarm rang again. I got up at 6:45am. 

When I came downstairs, the sun was shining and I was greeted with this sight. I was so glad I stayed home.

When the sprinklers went off, the reflection of the sun reflected off the ground. I was even happier. Happy it wasn't gray. Happy I stayed home. Happy I have a job that allows me that luxury.

For lunch I made a sandwich and sat outside reading in the patio. It felt so good.

Later in the day, both of the two meetings I was going to go into the office to attend got cancelled. I was even happier. 

At 6pm, I took my camera and went in search of the light. My top was still down from the day before. There was no reason to put it up. My happiness overflowed.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

On Wednesday the Rain Came Down

Been loving the rain this year. It doesn't go on for days, the rain does its duty and then the sun follows quickly behind, making for deep blue skies filled with clouds full of character.

Yesterday my poor little slug bug was looking pathetic as it was covered, ironically enough, in bug guts, a byproduct of all the driving I've done over the last week.

Thought of taking my poor little baby to the car wash, but I knew the rains were coming. Thought about leaving it outside of the garage last night, but made do with taking it out during lunch time. It didn't pour as much as I was hoping it would, but still she looks better than she did before.

Took a quick break from lunch to treat myself to a cafe mocha and a cinnamon bun...not the best idea.

Got myself some eye candy as I drove to Target to buy some groceries for the week.

And just in case a photo op came along down the aisles of Target...

On the way home.

Southbound on Saturday

I was on the road by 9:02am on Saturday. I was both invigorated and exhausted at the same time, part of me wanted to drive non-stop and go back to beating my record time from Orangevale to the Heights and the other part of me wanted to stick with the program and pull off every off ramp that met my fancy. I did a little of both.

Right outside of Stockton, I saw a small farm with an off ramp that followed. I pulled off the highway, turned right off the exit, stopped the car and got out.

I tried to move fast because I didn't want anyone coming out with a broom or a shotgun chasing me away.

But I was determined to use my DSLR because that's what I set out to do during this trip.

First there were cows, then a vineyard.

It's amazing how much the landscape has changed since my last trip up north.

During my editing process, I changed the blue sky to a brownish haze. I like the antique look, but it does change my memory.

As I drove home, I got some more pictures from the road with my iPhone.

I even pulled off on a vista that I've passed on every trip to and from my sisters to get some pictures. There was just one lone semi truck parked in the strip of asphalt that was hidden from sight. Having seen one too many episodes of Criminal Minds, I decided to stay the safety of my car.

Thank goodness things have changed since my first drive up there. Used to be only regular fast food and truck stop cafes. Now there are three exits with In-n-Out and four or five with Starbucks. Love how you can see bug carcasses on the windshield.

At last! The grapevine!

I was so happy to see my baby girl. We went to Old Spaghetti Factory to celebrate.

Remembering Friday

These are the things I don't want to forget about last Friday.

How my sister so graciously spent her day off showing me places that she thought I might want to explore with my camera. Our first stop, Placerville, aka Hangtown, USA.

How incredibly busy that little Main Street was. There was always, always a steady stream of traffic on the road.

Driving on the country roads, being able to stop right in the middle of the road to snap a picture, how the ride changed when we took the top down. We could smell the vegetation and hear the birds singing. How Eliz never once complained about all the pictures I took. And how people smiled and waved at us as we drove along.