Boston from Above - Fenway Park

Boston from Above - Fenway Park 2, originally uploaded by southiejason.

After a full weekend of photos, I have so many great shots. I thought this one was appropriate today, not only because it seems to have had an inordinate number of hits on my Flickr account, but also because the Sox could use some help.

Even as a born-and-bred Yankees fan, I will admit to feeling bittersweet about where the Red Sox are now, down 3-1 to Tampa.

Gone is my hatred of them. Once they won the World Series in 2004, and then again in 2007, I realized that their success was real and I should let it go. Another few victories in the decade, and I'd even make a case for them approaching the Yankees of the late 90's.

It's still a great rivalry, and even I will admit that the Red Sox are fun to watch.

Living here in Boston, they are the most convenient team to watch. I like how they bring people together, creating ample social and boozing opportunities.

They are familiar.

And I'm a bit afraid that all of that will end tomorrow.

Even I'd be willing to extend this thing into the World Series. It would give me an excuse for a few more midweek nights out.

But clearly, Tampa came to play. The World Series everyone wanted (Sox-Dodgers) is at risk.

It looks like the natural order of the AL East is shifting yet again.

Apple Picking at Russell Orchards

Autumn activities in New England continued yesterday with a visit to Russell Orchards in Ipswitch, MA for a day of apple picking, hay rides, farm stand shopping, and farm animal gazing. Perhaps gazing is the wrong word when attempting to describe seeing a 1,000 pig. Staring of gawking might fit better.




We took two cars up north - Chris, Kevin the Texan, and me in one. Jamen, Todd, and Jamen's NC friend Jenny in the other. Traffic on 128 wasn't a walk in the orchard, as we had to contend with folks heading to both Salem and the Topsfield Fair.




Back in New York, apple picking was a simple event. Go to the local orchard, grab a bag and a couple poles, wander into the orchards, and reach the pole up to the high branches where the best fruit grew. Come home, mom makes awesome apple crisp, and on we go.

It appears that picking apples in New England doesn't always involve poles. There were none to be found at Russell Orchards, and a few of my New England friends didn't seem to know what I was talking about.




Nonetheless, we grabbed the mandatory hayride out to the apples, paid $15 for a 10 pound bag (the price of apple picking has also risen significantly since my last harvesting experience), and wandered through the well-organized rows.




While many of the tress were picked clean, we found plenty of Cortland and Macouns still remaining.




After the apple picking and photo ops, we caught a hayride back to the main area, put our manzanas in our coches, and then returned for some fruit wine and farm animals.




Who doesn't love looking at goats and 1,000 pound pigs?




Overall, this place was packed but well worth the trip - a live folk band, children running around, pumpkin patches, apples, and dandelion wine - all a great diversion from yet another weekend in the city.




During the ride back, we somehow ended up once again in Topsfield Fair traffic. The line of cars coming off 128 (in the opposite direction from us) was simply startling, enough to cower with the thought of attending that event next year.

Sunday Funday - Portsmouth NH

Posting # 600 here at Platinum Elite. Almost two years of mindless rambling!

Sunday Funday this week was a road trip to Portsmouth, NH. I've been there a few times, and most recently we stopped through on the way back from puppy acquisition in Maine a few months ago.

Kevin the Texan has not experiences a New England autumn yet (he hasn't experienced a New England winter yet either, and his eyes lit up when he saw my pics of the January '05 blizzard).

So we decided to make standard (stereotypical?) New England autumn activities part of our October weekends. Not that driving to Portsmouth is a must-do and typical, but the city is emblematic of a quaint Atlantic coast city with great photo ops, people watching, and cuisine.

It turned out to be the perfect day to wander around a place like Portsmouth. Brisk temperature, overcast (great for pictures), and not too busy.

We walked around the downtown area, stopping in a few local and a few not-so-local (Starbucks and Banana Republic) merchants before making our way to Prescott Park for photos on the water.

I transformed into a fashion photographer at the request of the group - everyone wanted a head shot on the water (?!) and my camera takes great ones. (note to self - Yes, the credit was given to the camera and not so much the photographer... will remember that around that holidays when it's time to exchange presents).

A Sunday Funday is not so fun without some booze. And the Portsmouth Brewing Company was there waiting with open arms for weary photo subjects such as ourselves. I had been to PBC before, and it's a cool place.

I ordered clam chowder and salad, and (of course) a beer sampler. Theirs contains ALL nine of the beers on tap. Excellent! My favorites were the Bottle Rocket IPA, Octoberfest, and Hop Harvest #2. I have to admit that all four Smuttynose offerings, including the Shoals Pale Ale (one of my favorites from the corner store) were not good. Very strange.

After dinner, dusk had fallen. It was time for a few evening shots, then the drive home - with one stop at the NH State Liquor Store, of course! And I'm proud to say that the streak of $150-$200 visits there had ended. 4 bottles of wine, 1 bottle of vodka - under $60.

Prudential Center from Dorchester Heights

Prudential Center from Dorchester Heights, originally uploaded by southiejason.

After work, I brought my camera and Rosie up to Dorchester Heights for an efficient bathroom break (for her), doggie play hour (for her), and some pics of the city at sunset (for me).

Easier said than done.

Technically, dogs are not allowed off leash at Dorchester Heights. The area is a National Park, and rangers often patrol the grounds passing out warnings and fines.

That does not seem to dissuade the locals all the time.

Yesterday, for example, there must have been 15 dogs running around. It's an area offset from the street, and if the dogs remain in one clump, nobody seems to wander off.

That is, except for Rosie yesterday.

Usually, she's great there. Other dogs keep her focused, and she's always checking for where I am, staying by my side more often that running into the doggie fray.

I took her off leash and attempted to take some pics of the city at sunset. The views from Dorchester Heights are terrific. With one eye on Rosie and the other through my view finder, I took this picture of the Prudential Center, looking toward the northwest.

Then I watched Rosie wander off. She jogged down toward the north-facing railing, ignoring my stern calls of her name, and then proceeded eastward, around the bend, and down the stairs to the street.

Lovely.

Luckily another dog owner was walking up at the time, and Rosie naturally stopped to sniff the dog. He grabbed her collar and I leashed her.

Every other time at Dorchester Heights has not been an issue. I'm still a bit peeved that she blatantly ignored me, yelling her name, treat in hand, not even turning to find me.

We walked home quickly on a very short leash and she was punished by having to sit on her rug without moving. It's the same rug that she peed on a few times after she moved in. The final time she peed on it was in December, two hours after a walk. I forced to lie next to her pee for an hour. That was the final pee accident in the house.

When she followed me into the kitchen twice, she heard yelling that she's not used to, and has heard just two other times, one being the aforementioned rug peeing.

I went to the gym, and upon my return - enough time had passed that we were once again friends.

The Duomo in Florence

Duomo, originally uploaded by southiejason.

September 26, 2008 - Rainy Boston

September 26, 2007 - Sunny and beautiful Florence, Italy

Chain Barrier on Boston Waterfront

Chain Barrier, originally uploaded by southiejason.

Opening the door to let Rosie hang on the deck this morning caused the September chill to rush in and put a big smile on my face.

I love the fall.

Why?

Back to school (yeah...I know), leaves changing, football, World Series, my birthday, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, New Year's, and a brand new year soon behind.

Autumn ushers out the current year, and gets us ready for the next one.

I took this photo from where we usually catch the boat to Spectacle Island, one of our favorite not-to-secret-anymore summer haunts in the city. Unless Indian Summer hits one of the next few weekends - which is quite likely - the trips to the Boston Harbor Island are probably done for the season.

This shot reminds me of those warmer summer days past, wearing a tank top, waiting for the next ship, camera in hand, and bottles of wine in cooler.

Copley Square Buildings

Copley Square Buildings, originally uploaded by southiejason.

As I often do when I'm reaching for a blog topic, I turned to my Flickr account.

It occurred to me that while I posted the Boston Skyline at Night photo a few weeks ago, I neglected to link to this one, another one of my favorites from July 30th.
Seeing the Hood blimp itself isn't THAT big of a deal. But seeing it positioned aloft at sunset between two of the main skyline landmarks of Copley Square - now that's memorable.

I wish the colors of the backdrop were a bit more stunning than the grey / pink contrast. Nonetheless, I think this is an interesting view of something that many Bostonians see daily.

Caption This - Boston Firemen

Boston Firemen, originally uploaded by southiejason.

I decided that my office is too quiet. Not much fun. Kind of dull.

We don't work in a funky loft building with brick and exposed beams (that would be where our web designers work...

Rather, we're in an office park.

Ample parking, surrounded by trees, vending machines downstairs, quiet common passageways, and neighbors in the enthralling fields of insurance and commercial banking.

So, it's time to spice things up. Make it fun.

I posted this picture on the wall at work for the Quincy Photo Caption contest #1. And even though I initiated the contest and am the judge, it doesn't mean I'm necessarily going to win.

I sought captions for a photo once before on here, and had quite response. So, why not again?

Comment and caption away!

Turtle Statue in Copley Square

Turtle Statue in Copley Square, originally uploaded by southiejason.

I must say that I love how seamlessly integrated software is these days.

Plug in my camera to my MacBook, upload photos into iPhoto (with a plug-in), tag and name photos in iPhoto, export photos directly into Flickr, and then post to Platinum Elite.

A few clicks, and here we are.

I have this weird interest in turtles. I have never kept one as a pet, but hope to someday. They just look so odd - an organism stuck inside of a shell, limbs and head sticking out.

I'm sure this isn't the first time someone has photographed the turtle statue in Copley Square, but it's the first time I have.

I think I would prefer to think of this fella as a Koopa Troopa rather than an ordinary turtle.

Boston T-Shirts

Boston T-Shirts, originally uploaded by southiejason.

Last weekend, I wandered around parts of the Common, Public Garden, and Copley Square. The weather was great, people were out and about, and it made for a perfect photography day.

Sometimes pictures are much more interesting when parts of the setting are eliminated.

The sidewalk outside of the Park Street T stop isn't particularly beautiful. The crowd of people mulling around usually includes passers by, tourists, those less fortunate, and vendors.

I took this shot of the T-Shirt vendor's cart - it's a decent representation of Boston and Cambridge in a nutshell.

Photos from Southie St. Patrick's Day Parade

Southie survived through another St. Patrick's Day Parade. I figured out that with St. Patrick's Day technically being today, it appears to be a Friday (or Thursday) night through Monday night drunk-fest for many. Not all of us are lucky enough to be off today - my upstairs neighbor must be because his music was thumping well past 12:30. Good thing I sleep through almost anything.

It must be a different perspective for those who found their ways to Southie for their first trips here (or, their once-a-year trips here). For me, it's simply parking my car on Friday night and not moving it all weekend, having friends over for after-the-parade food and drink, (and bundts), and stumbling up to Broadway for an hour to watch the Irish and Irish-for-a-Day celebrate.

The King was there....but was that water or vodka?

This was Rosie's first parade. I think she loved the attention, but was a bit freaked out by the crowd after some time. Though she watched the parade in this photo, at one point she seemed to find more interest staring at the curb behind her.

Her final blow was this firing squad's ten-gun salute right in front of us. She jumped.

This float stopped right in front of us, and was parked there for quite some time as the parade in front of them was also stopped. These kids on the float, casually tossing green lollipops into the crowd, took this moment to unleash their pent-up aggression. Their tosses became a full all-out assault of candy, with targeted full-speed throws at us.

Long day, officer?

Kind of looks like Warren Zevon with a white bears, shades, an Irish scarf, and green beret. Well, maybe it doesn't look like him....

Winner of the cute kid award - she was atop her parent's shoulders, taking it all in.

Attack Bird

Attack Bird, originally uploaded by southiejason.

No, unlike in Dubuque Iowa last May, this bird did not attack me. But it looks like it is about to.

In Kirkland, Washington (just east of Seattle), I found my way to a small park near a marina. Lots of people were mulling about in what appeared to be a great community-gathering area.

I took a number of pictures of the many ducks, seagulls, and crows that were hanging out on the rocks by the water's edge.

I set my camera on monochrome and used a slower shutter speed. As luck would have it, I was aiming right as this bird as it decided to get up and fly toward me. The slower shutter speed helps convey the wings in mid-flap.

Saturday in Seattle

After a quick stop at Best Buy to pick up a new GPS charger, we drove here - Deception Pass. It is at the North end of Whidbey Island, the fifth largest island in the contiguous 48 states.

The bridge at Deception Pass was a two-lane road with pedestrian walkways on either side and stunning views. Walking across the first time wasn't much on an issue for me, but walking back to the car, all I could think of is "wow, this path is narrow, and this bridge is quite high, and these cars are very close to me." For some reason, I kept thinking about walking across unsturdy rope-bridges across ravines in movies like Romancing the Stone.

I did not fall, nor die.

We continued south on Whidbey Island, and found our way to a campgrounds / beach area that is clearly much more frequented by locals in warmer weather, given the size of the empty parking lot. By now, the temperature had warmed up to about 50, and the sun was out. The smells and scenery were excellent, not, however, affirmed by this photo of a rock. Climbing down from this rock, I stepped in some water and had a wet right shoe and sock for a couple hours afterward.

The birds looked innocuous, but I suspected that they were plotting. I always suspect groups of animals are cooking up some devious scheme when they find man in a weakened state (my wet shoe / foot).

Eventually, we made it to the ferry terminal in Clinton, for the car ferry ride back to the "mainland." The ferry brought us to Mukilteo. I am again assuming that our trip to Whidbey Island was during the off-season, as we passed signs in Clinton indicating the approximate wait time to make it to the ferry gates from specific checkpoints along the highway (the first of which was "90 minutes"). We had no wait.

From there, we searched for food. We ended up in Bellevue, just east of Seattle across the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. Bellevue has some serious cash - everything looks new, all of the upscale retailers are there, and there are tons of high-rises going in. We ate at the Tap House Grill, which has just two locations (Bellevue and Seattle). I would love for a place like this to come to Boston. Great menu, cool decor, and 160 beers on tap.

As dinner was more of a super late lunch, we still had some time before sunset. We ended up driving around Queen Anne, an expensive neighborhood with large homes, manicured properties, and excellent views of the Seattle skyline. I wanted to make it to the water for some sunset / evening photos, but we missed much of the sunset driving back to the hotel and parking. We did make it to the waterfront, though, and I took a few shots of Quest Field.

We will be going here a bit later this morning.

And then here soon thereafter (Pike Place opens at 1pm on Sundays)

Cupcake Cake

Saturday was dinner at Brian & Kelly's. and for some reason, I had the idea to bring a cupcake-covered cake to complement their delicious French-inspired cuisine. Middle America meets Parisian gastronomy.

It was my idea, but Ryan did all of the work and decorating. I simply mixed the colors.

Naturally, when one was two boxes of cake mix prepared in the form of a double-layered cake and two dozen cupcakes frosted in pastel colors, one must break out the camera and throw down some close-ups.

Rosie knew what was going on....refined sugar on the counter within nose shot.

"Let me get a closer sniff at that. Yep, sugar." (This photo may or may not have been staged).

I still have cupcakes left. If I don't toss them, they are all going to end up in my belly, a place they don't need to be.

Basilico

Basilico, originally uploaded by southiejason.

I thought I was in the clear this flu season, but I seem to have caught some type of minor irritant. Nothing flu-like, but what started with a throat tickle last Friday night has turned into some congestion, some coughs here and there, and simply general blah-ness.

I have been sucking on throat drops for the past few days, and have enjoyed blissful sleep induced by the miracle drug, Ny-Quil.

I'm ready for the cold season to be over, and for the Spring to come.

Last weekend, I decided to print some of my photos for the frames I had purchased a while back. They were still sitting in their boxes almost a year later.

One of the photos that I framed was this one - a close-up of some of the sweet basil I was growing on my deck last Summer. I love using a shallow depth-of-field to emphasize the foreground and blur the background.

This reminds me of warmer weather, sitting on my deck, and taking in fresh air that wasn't 20 degrees or filled with sleet.

Behind the Seattle Public Market / Pike Place

I have been sitting on a free roundtrip ticket on JetBlue for almost a year. I know that because the ticket is about to expire next month.

At game night on Saturday, I happened to mention this, and that I just couldn't figure out where (or if) to go. I happened to mention Seattle as an option. Brian reminded me that I could link up with Mort & Alanna, our former Boston friends who moved there after we all traveled to Croatia together in 2005.

Good idea (although I have since found out that they will be skiing in Tahoe that weekend - bummer). I loved my last (and only) trip to the Pacific Northwest in 2004. Great photo ops, food, and day trips to fun outdoorsy places (i.e. Mount Rainier, Olympic National Forest, Bainbridge Island). I love this shot behind the sign to the Pike Place Market. Yes, I'm wearing a driver's cap.

Behind the Public Market, originally uploaded by southiejason.

JetBlue had a perfect flight schedule, leaving after work on Friday, and returning Sunday night/Monday morning on a redeye.

So, I'm headed to Seattle in a couple of weeks.

I love last minute trips!

Jamen mentioned that he could watch Rosie for the weekend, which I definitely appreciate. I will be sure to keep the fridge well-stocked with plenty of beer, just as I did for Ryan when I left for the Super Bowl.

Lunar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse, originally uploaded by southiejason.

Scene 1 - "Mrs. Obvious meets Captain Redundant"

Setting - Southie (Boston MA, USA, Earth)

Jason: (silent, with Rosie the Wonder Dog, staring up at the lunar eclipse)

Random Lady: "Hey, do you see the eclipse?"

Jason: "Yeah"

Random Lady: "We should all sing 'Total Eclipse of the Haaaaat' together"

Jason: "Yeah. In unison"

fin

Portland Lighthouse

Portland Lighthouse, originally uploaded by southiejason.

February temperatures always catch me by surprise...for some reason, EVERY February, I think we're moving into Spring, yet arctic fronts like the ones we're currently experiencing here in Boston catch me off guard. I should know better.

Nonetheless, last February - actually almost one year ago today - I spent a weekend in Portland, Maine with a friend. I had a free Hilton hotel night that was going to expire, and figured an overnight in a nearby city was a good way to spend it. Hit up the outlets in Freeport and York, grab a nice dinner, take some photos, and my favorite part - stopping at the NH State Liquor store on the way back.

Southern and Coastal Maine are not much colder than Boston, but thermometers are generally a few ticks lower. While we were fortunate to have beautiful sunny skies, it was cold.

I forget where I found this lighthouse, but I thought the shot of it on the rocky coastline captured an icon of New England quite well.

Green Line Flying By

Green Line Flying By, originally uploaded by southiejason.

For Christmas, I received a great news lens for my camera - a Canon 70-300mm zoom lens with Image Stabilizer. Unfortunately, I have not had much of an opportunity to use it around town. It's easier to take pictures when a) I have time to kill, and b) it's not frigid.

Which put me in the position I'm in today. That is - I'm leaving for the Super Bowl tomorrow, and I do not feel comfortable with this lens yet. I definitely want to have this lens on my camera during the game, as the closeness of the zoom is far superior to the 18-55mm lens I bought with the camera.

I don't think it will be much of an issue, as the field and stadium will be lit up clear as day, and I shouldn't have to worry about screwing up nighttime shots. Even with the Image Stabilizer, though, I would prefer to have had more practice.

I just cleaned off my memory card, and found this shot that I took on the same night as The Publick House escapade. I love the way it turned out - a touch eerie, and enough blur to suggest (correctly) motion.

Downtown Boston

Downtown Boston, originally uploaded by southiejason.

Last night during Rosie's final walk of the day, we went down to the sidewalk along the beachfront in Southie. The wind was really whipping around, much more than I had expected yesterday.

Perhaps if I think about summer, and browse through warmer-weather pictures, these dark, cold nights will soon become days of the past.

I took this shot last summer on a ride back from Spectacle Island, and it has received decent traffic on my Flickr site. I do love the sailboat in the foreground, and the glimpse of the low sun as it sets in the West behind the skyscrapers.