11 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba
10 Temmuz 2012 Salı
9 Temmuz 2012 Pazartesi
Photo tips for watery bloggers -- Don't bring out your dead
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So... You've been following along and decided to get out there and take a bunch of pix for your blog. Well? How many did you shoot? What's that you say -- five images? For the entire weekend? Phfft...
Back when I was shooting film for my own pleasure, I'd shoot five images per day and still have only one decent shot per roll of 36-frames... if I was lucky! And I shot very little back then (compared to now) because film and processing was so expensive. When I first began to see digital images get to the point that they looked good on an 8x10 print, that's when I bought my first digital camera and discovered the problem with excess digital images.
Decades ago -- when I was in the multi-image industry -- we would go out on location and shoot dozens of rolls of film and process them as soon as we got back into the studio. As I recall, the most we ever shot in one day with two photographers and several Nikon F3 bodies was roughly 30 rolls of E-6 slide film, which then took most of a day to process and another day or so to cull.
Cull? Yes, cull. Sorting the enormous number of raw images into a pile of keepers and a pile of throwaways. And we had to be ruthless about culling and do it several times. So we're talking about four to five man-days (or more) of effort to shoot, process and cull about 1,000 images.I shoot 1,100 images in just a few hours by myself now -- and I download, post-process and cull them in less than a day.
My most recent big shoot was for the Star-Spangled Sailabration post of last Sunday. We arrived in Baltimore on the prior Thursday morning and I shot photos off and on throughout the day while we were wandering in and around the Inner Harbor. When we returned home I had 1,128 shots to go through and cull (keep in mind that I bracket everything with three exposures, so that brought the total count down to 370+ image sets to wade through). By the time I was finished, I had just 58 individual images that I considered decent enough to share on the blog. And of those, maybe just five or six that I'd consider good enough for a work portfolio, and maybe just the following three for my own cream-of-the-crop portfolio (still not sure about the top image).
The point I'm trying to make is that selecting photographs to share is very subjective. And to do it right I try all sorts of tricks:
Once I have the culling completed, I then turn my attention to post-processing.
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| No one wants to see all your outtakes... No one. |
Back when I was shooting film for my own pleasure, I'd shoot five images per day and still have only one decent shot per roll of 36-frames... if I was lucky! And I shot very little back then (compared to now) because film and processing was so expensive. When I first began to see digital images get to the point that they looked good on an 8x10 print, that's when I bought my first digital camera and discovered the problem with excess digital images.
Decades ago -- when I was in the multi-image industry -- we would go out on location and shoot dozens of rolls of film and process them as soon as we got back into the studio. As I recall, the most we ever shot in one day with two photographers and several Nikon F3 bodies was roughly 30 rolls of E-6 slide film, which then took most of a day to process and another day or so to cull.
Cull? Yes, cull. Sorting the enormous number of raw images into a pile of keepers and a pile of throwaways. And we had to be ruthless about culling and do it several times. So we're talking about four to five man-days (or more) of effort to shoot, process and cull about 1,000 images.I shoot 1,100 images in just a few hours by myself now -- and I download, post-process and cull them in less than a day.
My most recent big shoot was for the Star-Spangled Sailabration post of last Sunday. We arrived in Baltimore on the prior Thursday morning and I shot photos off and on throughout the day while we were wandering in and around the Inner Harbor. When we returned home I had 1,128 shots to go through and cull (keep in mind that I bracket everything with three exposures, so that brought the total count down to 370+ image sets to wade through). By the time I was finished, I had just 58 individual images that I considered decent enough to share on the blog. And of those, maybe just five or six that I'd consider good enough for a work portfolio, and maybe just the following three for my own cream-of-the-crop portfolio (still not sure about the top image).
The point I'm trying to make is that selecting photographs to share is very subjective. And to do it right I try all sorts of tricks:
- For the first pass at culling them, I look for proper exposure and sharpness. Since each shot has a bracket of three to choose from, two of them have to go. This step automatically culls two-thirds of all the images in one fell swoop.
- For the second pass, I look for duplicates (or near duplicates) and keep only the better of them.
- For the third pass, I look for images that tell the story I want to share.
- For the fourth pass, I begin to really dig for good composition and content. During this pass I'm looking for images that'll survive the post-processing edit that's yet to come.
- For the Nth pass(es), I keep going until I feel that anything less will detract from the series.
Once I have the culling completed, I then turn my attention to post-processing.
Photowalk in DC
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No trip down to the boat this weekend for us -- Cindy had a business trip to attend to and I shipped her out from DCA early this morning. Since I was already down close to the National Mall, I figured I'd spend the day there in the form of a photo walk, just wandering around where I saw cool looking things to shoot. I shot over 1,100 images and edited them down to just these.
The United States Botanic Garden is always a favorite to go for interesting things to see...
After many hours on foot, I finally needed sustenance -- beer! At the Capitol City Brewing Company, along with some excellent fish tacos.
A quick stop by the National Building Museum...
Then finally back to Union Station, where I'd parked the car. Union Station is undergoing repairs from the earthquake we had here in the region last August.
No trip down to the boat this weekend for us -- Cindy had a business trip to attend to and I shipped her out from DCA early this morning. Since I was already down close to the National Mall, I figured I'd spend the day there in the form of a photo walk, just wandering around where I saw cool looking things to shoot. I shot over 1,100 images and edited them down to just these.
The United States Botanic Garden is always a favorite to go for interesting things to see...
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After many hours on foot, I finally needed sustenance -- beer! At the Capitol City Brewing Company, along with some excellent fish tacos.
A quick stop by the National Building Museum...
Then finally back to Union Station, where I'd parked the car. Union Station is undergoing repairs from the earthquake we had here in the region last August.
Chesapeake lunch
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The last time we were down at the boat (it seems like forever and a day ago) we had lunch at the marina restaurant, which has an absolutely delightful deck with a huge shade tree to knock out the mid-day sun. Cindy was still prepping for her business trip with material she brought to the outside table with us and she was engrossed in detailed pencil calculations and notes, so I bided my time by shooting all the food as it was served to us.
Competition is a good thing. We have three seafood restaurants within walking distance of the boat and all of them have seriously upped their game since last fall.
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| Fat Tire on draft |
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| Steamed clams |
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| Soft-shelled crab sandwich |
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| Volcano cake for Cindy |
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| Bread pudding for me |
Running on emergency power
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We had very high winds blow through around 10:00 pm last night and the power has been out ever since.
We're running on our boat generator at present and have the fridge and home network (along with DSL Internet) going. Cell service is out. Power is out. We drove through most of town earlier this morning and it looks like the outage is covering everyone here. Tree damage and leaf debris is widespread, though we didn't see any major damage to homes.
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| Our wonderful, wonderful backup power source |
We're running on our boat generator at present and have the fridge and home network (along with DSL Internet) going. Cell service is out. Power is out. We drove through most of town earlier this morning and it looks like the outage is covering everyone here. Tree damage and leaf debris is widespread, though we didn't see any major damage to homes.
If it doesn't walk on legs - it should be a condiment
To contact us Click HERE
We finally got our power back very late last night and were quite hungry for some real food for dinner this evening. Here is where the Black Hog enters the scene. We discovered the Black Hog a few years ago and they offer the very best barbecue of any style I've ever eaten -- Carolina, Texas, Memphis or Kansas -- they seem to have them all.
If you find yourself in Frederick, Maryland anytime soon, check 'em out.
We finally got our power back very late last night and were quite hungry for some real food for dinner this evening. Here is where the Black Hog enters the scene. We discovered the Black Hog a few years ago and they offer the very best barbecue of any style I've ever eaten -- Carolina, Texas, Memphis or Kansas -- they seem to have them all.
If you find yourself in Frederick, Maryland anytime soon, check 'em out.
8 Temmuz 2012 Pazar
Don't repeal the bulb act!
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Next week, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on the "BULB Act" (H.R. 91), which would repeal the energy efficiency standards for light bulbs that Congress enacted in 2007, standards that are already helping American households save money every month on their energy bills. Let your Representative know that you oppose the repeal of this energy- and money-saving legislation.
Tell your Representative to oppose the BULB Act or other bills that repeal light bulb energy efficiency standards!
More Options, Better Bulbs, Less Energy Used
Proponents of the BULB Act claim the standards they want to repeal amount to a light bulb "ban" that limits consumers' choices. That couldn't be further from the truth.
The Facts:
• Incandescent bulbs aren't getting banned... in fact, they are getting better. Manufacturers are already making a variety of new energy-saving bulbs for homes, including more efficient incandescent bulbs.
• The new incandescent bulbs look, light, and turn on exactly like the bulbs we have been using for decades, but are 28 to 33 percent more energy efficient and are available in stores now.
• Consumers aren't required to "retire" bulbs or to purchase only CFL or LED light bulbs ---- consumers can use existing bulbs until they burn out and when a bulb burns out consumers can choose between efficient incandescent lamps or even more efficient CFL or LED light bulb options.
• The lighting industry supports this standard, along with efficiency, consumer, and environmental advocates.
Energy-efficient lighting saves consumers money, creates jobs, and benefits the environment. At a time when families are struggling with high energy costs, efficient lighting will save the average American family $50-100 every year on the electric bill (about $12 billion nationwide), and save enough energy annually to power all the homes in Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
Phasing-in energy-efficient light bulbs means more choices and more ways to save on energy. We urge you to write your Representative and let him/her know you strongly oppose repeal of the light bulb efficiency standards.
Tell your Representative to oppose the BULB Act and similar bills!
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
ACEEE
http://www.aceee.org/
Tell your Representative to oppose the BULB Act or other bills that repeal light bulb energy efficiency standards!
More Options, Better Bulbs, Less Energy Used
Proponents of the BULB Act claim the standards they want to repeal amount to a light bulb "ban" that limits consumers' choices. That couldn't be further from the truth.
The Facts:
• Incandescent bulbs aren't getting banned... in fact, they are getting better. Manufacturers are already making a variety of new energy-saving bulbs for homes, including more efficient incandescent bulbs.
• The new incandescent bulbs look, light, and turn on exactly like the bulbs we have been using for decades, but are 28 to 33 percent more energy efficient and are available in stores now.
• Consumers aren't required to "retire" bulbs or to purchase only CFL or LED light bulbs ---- consumers can use existing bulbs until they burn out and when a bulb burns out consumers can choose between efficient incandescent lamps or even more efficient CFL or LED light bulb options.
• The lighting industry supports this standard, along with efficiency, consumer, and environmental advocates.
Energy-efficient lighting saves consumers money, creates jobs, and benefits the environment. At a time when families are struggling with high energy costs, efficient lighting will save the average American family $50-100 every year on the electric bill (about $12 billion nationwide), and save enough energy annually to power all the homes in Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
Phasing-in energy-efficient light bulbs means more choices and more ways to save on energy. We urge you to write your Representative and let him/her know you strongly oppose repeal of the light bulb efficiency standards.
Tell your Representative to oppose the BULB Act and similar bills!
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
ACEEE
http://www.aceee.org/
Maryland adopts International Green Building Code
To contact us Click HERE
In 2009, the International Code Council launched the development of a new International Green Construction Code (IgCC) initiative, subtitled “Safe and Sustainable: By the Book,” committed to developing a model code focused on new and existing commercial buildings addressing green building design and performance.
Maryland will be the first state to adopt this new green building code in 2012.
The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) acts in conjunction with other existing codes, such as the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
Features of the new code include:
-a Zero Energy Performance Index (zEPI), which requires buildings to use no more than 51% of the energy allowed in the 2000 IECC.
-a 20% water savings beyond US federal standards for residential water closets.
-the addition of appliance information, radon mitigation, and commissioning documentation to ensure the health and safety of building occupants
-land use regulations that address flood risk, greenfields preservation, use of turf grass, and minimum landfill diversion requirements
The IgCC is sponsored by the AIA, ASHRAE, USGBC, and IES. It includes the ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1 (the successor to ASHRAE 90.1-2007) as a jurisdictional requirement option.
The public comment period ends 12 August 2011, and final action will take place on 6 Nov 2011. The IgCC will be fully integrated into the existing International Code Council (ICC) code family in early 2012. It will take effect in Maryland on 1 March 2012; adoption will be voluntary.
Visit http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx to download IgCC public version 2.0
In 2009, the International Code Council launched the development of a new International Green Construction Code (IgCC) initiative, subtitled “Safe and Sustainable: By the Book,” committed to developing a model code focused on new and existing commercial buildings addressing green building design and performance.
Maryland will be the first state to adopt this new green building code in 2012.
The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) acts in conjunction with other existing codes, such as the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
Features of the new code include:
-a Zero Energy Performance Index (zEPI), which requires buildings to use no more than 51% of the energy allowed in the 2000 IECC.
-a 20% water savings beyond US federal standards for residential water closets.
-the addition of appliance information, radon mitigation, and commissioning documentation to ensure the health and safety of building occupants
-land use regulations that address flood risk, greenfields preservation, use of turf grass, and minimum landfill diversion requirements
The IgCC is sponsored by the AIA, ASHRAE, USGBC, and IES. It includes the ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1 (the successor to ASHRAE 90.1-2007) as a jurisdictional requirement option.
The public comment period ends 12 August 2011, and final action will take place on 6 Nov 2011. The IgCC will be fully integrated into the existing International Code Council (ICC) code family in early 2012. It will take effect in Maryland on 1 March 2012; adoption will be voluntary.
Visit http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx to download IgCC public version 2.0
Sites for reuse, trade in, or donation
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Tis the season for yard sales! But if you haven't the time or inclination, here are some sites where you can trade in or donate your stuff to a good cause.
Gazelle.com for gadget recycling
Sell your old but working electronic gadgets! Enter the brand, model, and condition and the site makes you an offer (usually around $100 per trade-in). If you accept, Gazelle mails you a box to send it in and a free shipping label. Once the site confirms the gadget works, you can accept the money via check, gift card, or PayPal, or donate it to one of about 50 charities. Don't worry: Before the item is resold, Gazelle wipes out your personal information.
Thredup.com for kid stuff
Swap clothes or toys your child has outgrown. Browse through listings of thousands of boxes containing an average of 15 items - brief descriptions include size (for clothes) and color. Once you've picked a box, describe the items you'll be trading, and for $5 plus shipping, you'll receive your chosen box and an empty one to send in your items. The site relies on user ratings to monitor the quality of goods, and 98% of the boxes are rated 3 or 4 stars.
New local thrift store for all you fashionistas out there: www.uptowncheapskate.com in Timonium.
But don't forget old favorites like http://www.voguerevisited.com/ on Roland Ave near Hampden,
and http://www.platosclosetbaltimore.com/ on Taylor Ave near Loch Raven.
Where to donate clothes and household items (schedule free pickup online if you live in a neighborhood along one of their routes, like Rodgers Forge...)
PurpleHeartPickup.org for Purple Heart Veterans
ClothingDonations.org for Vietnam Veterans
Also don't forget the Baltimore County recycling site, with its links to electronics recycling and local reuse organizations. Did you know that you can take electronics and building materials to one of the three county landfills for recycling or donation?
And when all else fails, there's always Craigslist.
P.S. Click the Recycling tag in the sidebar to see my other posts on this topic! I'm always discovering new sites and shops to RRR.
Tis the season for yard sales! But if you haven't the time or inclination, here are some sites where you can trade in or donate your stuff to a good cause.
Gazelle.com for gadget recycling
Sell your old but working electronic gadgets! Enter the brand, model, and condition and the site makes you an offer (usually around $100 per trade-in). If you accept, Gazelle mails you a box to send it in and a free shipping label. Once the site confirms the gadget works, you can accept the money via check, gift card, or PayPal, or donate it to one of about 50 charities. Don't worry: Before the item is resold, Gazelle wipes out your personal information.
Thredup.com for kid stuff
Swap clothes or toys your child has outgrown. Browse through listings of thousands of boxes containing an average of 15 items - brief descriptions include size (for clothes) and color. Once you've picked a box, describe the items you'll be trading, and for $5 plus shipping, you'll receive your chosen box and an empty one to send in your items. The site relies on user ratings to monitor the quality of goods, and 98% of the boxes are rated 3 or 4 stars.
New local thrift store for all you fashionistas out there: www.uptowncheapskate.com in Timonium.
But don't forget old favorites like http://www.voguerevisited.com/ on Roland Ave near Hampden,
and http://www.platosclosetbaltimore.com/ on Taylor Ave near Loch Raven.
Where to donate clothes and household items (schedule free pickup online if you live in a neighborhood along one of their routes, like Rodgers Forge...)
PurpleHeartPickup.org for Purple Heart Veterans
ClothingDonations.org for Vietnam Veterans
Also don't forget the Baltimore County recycling site, with its links to electronics recycling and local reuse organizations. Did you know that you can take electronics and building materials to one of the three county landfills for recycling or donation?
And when all else fails, there's always Craigslist.
P.S. Click the Recycling tag in the sidebar to see my other posts on this topic! I'm always discovering new sites and shops to RRR.
Countdown to the 2011 Solar Decathlon
To contact us Click HERE
Are you ready for the Solar Decathlon in Washington DC next month? The EERE sure is: they've been profiling a different entry in their e-newsletter each week as they count down to the event. For instance...
Students from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville use an iPad to monitor their house's energy systems.
Florida International University's perFORM[D]ance House focuses on sustainability.
University of Maryland's WaterShed entry aims to bring attention to the Chesapeake Bay, which is the largest estuary in the USA.
The next Solar Decathlon will be held Sept. 23–Oct. 2, 2011, at the National Mall’s West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. Go check it out!
For more information, visit SolarDecathlon.gov
Join the clean energy conversation on Facebook at DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Energy Savers, and Solar Decathlon pages.
Read about the last Solar Decathlon in 2009 here.
Are you ready for the Solar Decathlon in Washington DC next month? The EERE sure is: they've been profiling a different entry in their e-newsletter each week as they count down to the event. For instance...
Students from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville use an iPad to monitor their house's energy systems.
Florida International University's perFORM[D]ance House focuses on sustainability.
University of Maryland's WaterShed entry aims to bring attention to the Chesapeake Bay, which is the largest estuary in the USA.
The next Solar Decathlon will be held Sept. 23–Oct. 2, 2011, at the National Mall’s West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. Go check it out!
For more information, visit SolarDecathlon.gov
Join the clean energy conversation on Facebook at DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Energy Savers, and Solar Decathlon pages.
Read about the last Solar Decathlon in 2009 here.
Fire In The Wind: book signing tonight at Inner Harbor
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Local author and Delegate Dana Stein to discuss his book Fire In The Wind tonight at Barnes & Noble Inner Harbor tonight 6-8pm, sponsored by Maryland's US Green Building Council chapter.
Dana Stein, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, will appear at the Barnes & Noble Power Plant on Thursday, October 13 from 6 pm to 8 pm, for readings and discussion of his novel Fire In The Wind.
The book signing is being sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the United States Green Building Council as part of its Local Author Series. The book store is located at 601 E. Pratt Street in Baltimore City.
Set in the year 2036, this short novel describes the efforts of the United States to deal with the negative effects of climate change, including coastal flooding, the loss of farmland and the uprooting of families. The central characters of the fictional piece involve a displaced farmer, a member of the National Security Council and a college professor.
More information on the book is available at http://www.fireinthewind.com/
Stein is the Executive Director and founder of Civic Works and sits on the Environmental Matters Committee of the House of Delegates.
The Maryland Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council is comprised of local businesses, organizations and individuals that offer educational programs and organize lobbying efforts to advance the development and operation of sustainable and environmentally-conscious office and industrial buildings, retail centers and related structures.
Local author and Delegate Dana Stein to discuss his book Fire In The Wind tonight at Barnes & Noble Inner Harbor tonight 6-8pm, sponsored by Maryland's US Green Building Council chapter.Dana Stein, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, will appear at the Barnes & Noble Power Plant on Thursday, October 13 from 6 pm to 8 pm, for readings and discussion of his novel Fire In The Wind.
The book signing is being sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the United States Green Building Council as part of its Local Author Series. The book store is located at 601 E. Pratt Street in Baltimore City.
Set in the year 2036, this short novel describes the efforts of the United States to deal with the negative effects of climate change, including coastal flooding, the loss of farmland and the uprooting of families. The central characters of the fictional piece involve a displaced farmer, a member of the National Security Council and a college professor.
More information on the book is available at http://www.fireinthewind.com/
Stein is the Executive Director and founder of Civic Works and sits on the Environmental Matters Committee of the House of Delegates.
The Maryland Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council is comprised of local businesses, organizations and individuals that offer educational programs and organize lobbying efforts to advance the development and operation of sustainable and environmentally-conscious office and industrial buildings, retail centers and related structures.
7 Temmuz 2012 Cumartesi
Garlic goodness
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Tis the season for planting garlic! My CSA has been sending giant cloves from a mysterious hardneck variety that I'd love to plant in my garden... if I hadn't already eaten them all.
What you need to know about growing garlic in Maryland:
http://growit.umd.edu/VegetableProfiles/Garlic.cfm
or anywhere:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/grow-it/how-to-plant-garlic.aspx
How to plant it in containers:
http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/how-to-plant-garlic-in-containers-158494
One good recipe to put it in:
Fresh tomato soup, from Simply In Season
8 medium tomatoes, peeled/seeded/chopped
4+ cloves garlic, minced
Combine in saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until tomatoes are soft.
3 cups water or vegetable juice
2 chicken or veg bouillon cubes
1 tsp sugar
2 sprigs fresh basil, chopped
Add, bring to boil, simmer 5 minutes and serve.
(photo credit http://www.cooksgarden.com/vegetables/garlic/garlic-extra-select-prod000217.html?catId=2022&trail=)
What you need to know about growing garlic in Maryland:
http://growit.umd.edu/VegetableProfiles/Garlic.cfm
or anywhere:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/grow-it/how-to-plant-garlic.aspx
How to plant it in containers:
http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/how-to-plant-garlic-in-containers-158494
One good recipe to put it in:
Fresh tomato soup, from Simply In Season
8 medium tomatoes, peeled/seeded/chopped
4+ cloves garlic, minced
Combine in saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until tomatoes are soft.
3 cups water or vegetable juice
2 chicken or veg bouillon cubes
1 tsp sugar
2 sprigs fresh basil, chopped
Add, bring to boil, simmer 5 minutes and serve.
(photo credit http://www.cooksgarden.com/vegetables/garlic/garlic-extra-select-prod000217.html?catId=2022&trail=)
Dangerously close to home
To contact us Click HERE
First up, I want to offer up a Happy Anniversary to Cindy, my wonderful wife of 22 years today. I shudder to think of where I would be without her.
She blew back into town last night, at the end of a long hard trip and I drove down to pick her up from DCA. I don't know why, but among our coworkers I'm the only one that will act as a taxi for my spouse. I arrived early enough (and hot enough) to partake a tall cool one while waiting for her flight to arrive.
Once we got back on the road to head for home, Cindy said she was really thirsty, hot and somewhat hungry. We went looking for a smoothie or milkshake, but the place we both remembered had closed.
What to do...
We lingered in front of a restaurant, Bezu, that we had never seen before and considered our choices. Finally she said she was tired of traveling and wanted something nearby; I simply guided her into the restaurant we were standing in front of and we decided on the spot that this was going to be our anniversary dinner!
I apologize for the quality of the following shots; I just had my iPhone with me and the lighting was very yellow, so the resulting images are not quite up to the standard I wanted but I still wanted to share them.
We had an absolutely delightful meal and evening there, and we both found the food to be spectacular. The prices weren't too bad either, with our bill for the night being significantly less than what we normally spend on an anniversary meal.
As Cindy said -- while she was lingering on her dessert -- this place is dangerously close to home...
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| National Airport |
She blew back into town last night, at the end of a long hard trip and I drove down to pick her up from DCA. I don't know why, but among our coworkers I'm the only one that will act as a taxi for my spouse. I arrived early enough (and hot enough) to partake a tall cool one while waiting for her flight to arrive.
 |
What to do...
We lingered in front of a restaurant, Bezu, that we had never seen before and considered our choices. Finally she said she was tired of traveling and wanted something nearby; I simply guided her into the restaurant we were standing in front of and we decided on the spot that this was going to be our anniversary dinner!
I apologize for the quality of the following shots; I just had my iPhone with me and the lighting was very yellow, so the resulting images are not quite up to the standard I wanted but I still wanted to share them.
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| Sautéed mushrooms |
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| Chilled carrot soup with lemon grass and ginger |
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| Homemade bread with tapenade |
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| Seared fish (I can't remember the name, but it was delicate and similar to rockfish) |
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| Seared Skate “Grenobloise” |
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| Crepes Alaska |
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| Glace nougat |
As Cindy said -- while she was lingering on her dessert -- this place is dangerously close to home...
If it doesn't walk on legs - it should be a condiment
To contact us Click HERE
We finally got our power back very late last night and were quite hungry for some real food for dinner this evening. Here is where the Black Hog enters the scene. We discovered the Black Hog a few years ago and they offer the very best barbecue of any style I've ever eaten -- Carolina, Texas, Memphis or Kansas -- they seem to have them all.
If you find yourself in Frederick, Maryland anytime soon, check 'em out.
We finally got our power back very late last night and were quite hungry for some real food for dinner this evening. Here is where the Black Hog enters the scene. We discovered the Black Hog a few years ago and they offer the very best barbecue of any style I've ever eaten -- Carolina, Texas, Memphis or Kansas -- they seem to have them all.
If you find yourself in Frederick, Maryland anytime soon, check 'em out.
The original Star-Spangled Banner -- Happy 4th!
To contact us Click HERE
This is it. This is the original Star-Spangled Banner that flew over Fort McHenry during the British bombardment of Baltimore during the War of 1812. It's been painstakingly restored by the experts at the Smithsonian Institution and currently resides in a special low-light exhibit within the National Museum of American History.
If you've never seen it in person, it's awe inspiring and chilling at the same time.
This is it. This is the original Star-Spangled Banner that flew over Fort McHenry during the British bombardment of Baltimore during the War of 1812. It's been painstakingly restored by the experts at the Smithsonian Institution and currently resides in a special low-light exhibit within the National Museum of American History.
If you've never seen it in person, it's awe inspiring and chilling at the same time.
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