Hello, I know, I have not updated for a bit.  I have a boatload of stuff to post, I have just been hammered and as such, I will catch up.  I appreciate all the hits, and the notes about my lack of attention to this.  

Thanks, see you soon.

Day 201, This guy is playing a guitar autpgraphed by Kerry King of

Day 201, This guy is playing a guitar autpgraphed by Kerry King of Slayer, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

My kids and I went to the local chili cook off. (Arlington Chili Cook off and Car Show) and they had live bands and some cool cars and motorcycles. They had some live bands and we went with our friends all on our Electras. As we are cruising through, I noticed that this guy was playing a guitar that seemed to be autographed. Sorry, I didn't catch what the name of the band was. They were playing covers and were pretty good.

When I got home and was looking at the pics, I figured out that this was signed by Kerry King of Slayer. If I had a guitar signed by a guitar legend, it would be hanging on my wall, not out doing gigs. Speaking of guitars hanging on walls, I really need to pull mine down and learn a song. I just never seem to have time for it, let alone to play with the pics that I want to post.

Here are a few more from the Chili Cook Off. Thanks for looking.

Day 200, Abandoned House, 26912 Lugonia, Redlands, California

Day 200, Abandoned House, 26912 Lugonia, Redlands, California, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

200 Days in and I find it interesting that number 200 is an abandoned house. I find abandoned buildings really interesting. This was a place that someone lived and worked at. They probably had friends over maybe kids, and it must have been a peaceful place. It was fully surrounded by orange groves. Now they are mostly pulled out. There was even a little cement pond at the side. Across the street is a new building with medical offices. This is was probably slated for new construction as well, but with the economy dumping like it has, It will probably just sit like this for awhile.

I have been addicted to Lost American and Google Earth lately. Check out his photostream on flickr, it is some cool stuff.

Lost America

His book is really cool. I definitely want to try to shoot some stuff like his.

Thanks for looking. Here are some other shots.

Day 199, Power Lines, US-95, Colorado River, Mojave Desert

Day 199, Power Lines, US-95, Colorado River, Mojave Desert, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

More from the windshield time through the Mojave Desert along the US 95.

Day 198, Vidal, California, US-95 Abandoned Gas Station Home

Day 198, Vidal, California, US-95 Abandoned Gas Station Home, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

I drive by this as I head to Needles from Blythe. I go by here once a month for my job. It is some serious windshield time, but with a camera and a book ripped and on the iPhone, I am good. I don't really mind the drive time. But it does leave me a little whipped the next day. I can tell you that I will probably shoot here again.

From Wikipedia -
Vidal, California a small unincorporated community located in southeastern California, in San Bernardino County on U.S. Route 95, 38 miles (61 km) north of Blythe, California and 55 miles (89 km) south of Needles. The town is 22 miles (35 km) west of the townsite of Earp, California and 23 miles (37 km) west of Parker, Arizona on State Highway 62. The community, which is two miles (3 km) north of the Riverside County line, lies at an elevation of 812 feet (247 m) above sea level. Vidal is 221 miles (356 km) from the city (and county seat) of San Bernardino, making it the second farthest town in the county from the county seat behind Earp. Wyatt Earp spent the last winters of his life in Vidal, working claims of gold and copper he found nearby; the aforementioned townsite of Earp is located in and around those claims.

Other Shots

Day 197, Emory Phillips, Memorial Day 2008, Riverside National Cemetary

Day 197, Emory Phillips, Memorial Day 2008, Riverside National Cemetary, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

I received an email the other day from a woman in England who was looking for some help. She had seen my post on this blog about the Riverside National Cemetery and wanted to know if I would stop by again and take a picture of a headstone for a family member. I thought that Memorial Day would be the right time to go and take my kids to do this. They were great and they cleaned the headstone, placed the flowers and the flag and held the 2 stop silk defuser to make sure the lighting was even. We had a great day and the girls got see the Memorial Day Service at the cemetery. It was packed and I think it gave us a chance to talk about things that are important but not always at the front of the pack when it comes to talk time. Death, service, the sacred not horror nature of a cemetery, the military and why we do things for others. We got more out of this then the person who wanted the picture. Thanks for asking.

Here are some excerpts from her emails. "I am an American living abroad. I am from Seattle, but moved to Poland four years ago to teach, and then to England almost two years ago. I grew up hearing about Emory Phillips, but no one really knew what had happend to him until I found his military and burial records on ancestry.com. Emory's grandfather was my great-great grandfather, so I guess that makes us cousins. My father was really pleased to find out about him, and I know he will be very touched to have a picture. Thank you so much."

This is from the email after I sent her the picture. "I wanted to let you know that I forwarded the photo to my uncle in Oregon, and he was very touched and pleased. He asked me to pass along his thanks to you for doing that for our family. I will also print it out and send it to my father who I know will be equally chuffed (Brit speak for very, very pleased)

The fact that a stranger would do something like that really touched me. I wish I had a way to thank you other than to say that I hope you know how much your kindess is appreciated. Please let your children know that they were probably the first people to ever decorate his grave like that, as no one knew he was there."

Our pleasure.

Also the out takes for the day, they were too moving to leave out. The burly biker that had his head bowed with the entire huge crowd during the invocation. He had a tear in his eye when he looked up. That was so powerful for my kids to see. The honor guard was sharp and perfect.

It was a really great day.

Thanks for looking.
EXIF Data,

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Day 196, The Big Day, Los Angeles California Temple

Day 196, The Big Day, Los Angeles California Temple, originally uploaded by solostandfound.

Here are a few from the big day. I loved how this came out. I didn't love so much some of the others. I am doing a little dodge and burn to fix and some other small manipulations. I am such a perfectionist that these things really stress me out. Not in a bad way, I like shooting them, but it is so important for me to get them right. Not for the bride, I want to make them happy, but for me, they have to be really good for me. I want to be able to hand over shots that will look good for a long time.

Well that is why my wife loves me and sometimes can't stand me. I just can't let somethings go. I want them perfect.

Thanks for looking.
EXIF Data,

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