LJWorld.com

I have made an avocation of noticing the little things that surround us. However there are other things to notice.

I would never expect to hear an idea like this from a marketing consultant, but Randy Murray has suggested, or perhaps invented, a game similar to the "quiet" game you've tried to get your kids to play.

His suggestion is to see how long you can go without spending any money on anything but necessities.

I saw this post and it reminded me of one of my first life lessons as an adult. It was my first Christmas as a newly married enlisted man in the AIr Force. We were living far from our families. My last paycheck before Christmas was enough to pay our bills and buy groceries. There wasn't, however, enough to buy a Christmas tree for our first Christmas. We went so far as to look under the couch cushions for change, but we were well short of the $9 it would take to buy a tree on base.

Now I've heard stories from my parents, aunts, and uncles about their childhood during the Great Depression. My family was middle class and I can't recall wanting for much of anything. This was the first time I can recall not being able to afford something I really wanted. Of course it doesn't compare with what my parent's generation experienced, but it made an impression on me that stays with me still.

I have mixed emotions about Mr. Murray's suggestion, but it seems to me that it might well be worth trying.

I'd also like to mention that I found this post through StumbleUpon. I've found it to be a great way to find great sites about the things I'm most interested in.

Previous:IPS 1/13/2010
Next:IPS 1/27/2010

dancemomx2 returns to the winners circle this week. See the end of the post for the answer.

Sometimes you just like the colors and texture of the photos you take--and so it is this week.

Image #1:

DSC_5821a.JPG

Image #2:

DSC_5821b.JPG

3rd image:

sDSC_5821c.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome. Hey, this is harder than it looks....well, sometimes at least.

Are you actually reading the "fine print" I include with these posts?

Well, if you are, here's another idea. If you have something (an event or subject) that you'd like me to photograph, or write about, that you think would be of interest (or value) to others, contact me and I'll see what I can do.

Previous: IPS 1/6/2010
Next:IPS 1/20/2010

hujiko's domination continues. See the bottom of post for the answer.

Hey, no one pointed out that I was a year off with the date in last week's post. What's up with that?

OK.

Well, last week I resisted the temptation to make the first image of a pile of snow.

After the quick identification of Fraser Hall, this week the urge is somewhat irresistible.

saDSC_5666a.JPG

And, apparently, I couldn't resist.

Image #2:

saDSC_5666b.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome. Hey, this is harder than it looks....well, sometimes at least.

Are you actually reading the "fine print" I include with these posts?

Well, if you are, here's another idea. If you have something (an event or subject) that you'd like me to photograph, or write about, that you think would be of interest (or value) to others, contact me and I'll see what I can do.

http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Jan/15/saDSC_5666.JPG
Yes, I know I've done the Chi Omega fountain before, but the sculpture by Matthew Farley, "Frozen Assets", is a new (and temporary) feature.

Previous: IPS 12/31/2009
Next: IPS 1/13/2010

I wasn't clever enough to fool hujiko this week. See the end of this post for the answer.

Almost didn't get this posted tonight. Haven't been out as much with the recent bad (depending on your perspective, I guess) weather.

This week's first image should be a bit more challenging, even, than usual. Sometimes, the first image has been way too easy, so this week it's time to even things out.

Image #1:

acDSC_5651a.JPG

OK, just kidding, here is something a bit more reasonable:

sacDSC_5651b.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome. Hey, this is harder than it looks....well, sometimes at least.

Are you actually reading the "fine print" I include with these posts?

Well, if you are, here's another idea. If you have something (an event or subject) that you'd like me to photograph, or write about, that you think would be of interest (or value) to others, contact me and I'll see what I can do.

Previous:IPS 12/23/2009
Next: IPS 1/6/2009

Irish finally broke the jinx and identified the location of this week's subject. See the end of this post for the location.

I thought that I didn't have a picture this week, then I remembered that I'd wondered around town on a cold and snowy Christmas Eve. It was colder, snowier, and windier than it looks like in this week's photo.

Image #1:

caDSC_5580a.JPG

2nd image:

caDSC_5580b.JPG

3rd image:

scaDSC_5580c.JPG

The 4th, and probably final, partial image:

scaDSC_5580d.JPG

OK, here is the complete picture:
http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Jan/02/scaDSC_5580.JPG

A second view of this week's subject:
http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Jan/03/saDSC_5579.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome.

Are you actually reading the "fine print" I include with these posts?

Well, if you are, here's another idea. If you have something (an event or subject) that you'd like me to photograph, or write about, that you think would be of interest (or value) to others, contact me and I'll see what I can do.

The subject this week was the sculpture(?) in Buford Watson park. It is located near "Emergence". This page on the City of Lawrence website doesn't identify the sculpture, so I don't know exactly what it is.

Previous: IPS 12/18/2009
Next:IPS 12/31/2009

hujiko has done it again, see below for the full picture. In case you haven't noticed you can click on this (and most of my other photos) for a larger version.

This week, as I start my 3rd year (boy does that sound strange), the questions is not so much the subject of the photo, but where it was taken. Since it's the Christmas season, I'll try and avoid my normal scroogish attitude and give you a hint.

The picture was taken at dusk! Am I a nice guy or what?

So here is picture #1. Merry Christmas.

DSC_5361a.JPG

Image #2:

DSC_5361b.JPG

3rd image:

DSC_5361c.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome.

Are you actually reading the "fine print" I include with these posts?

Well, if you are, here's another idea. If you have something (an event or subject) that you'd like me to photograph, or write about, that you think would be of interest (or value) to others, contact me and I'll see what I can do.

http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2009/Dec/26/saDSC_5361.JPG
Fall evening, looking north towards the Lawrence pool from near 7th street

Two years ago today I posted the first in a series of pictures of everyday subjects in Lawrence.

Two years? I've always wanted to keep a journal, but never have. This blog, and in particular the IPS/SMTS posts are the closest I've come. I have mentioned before and still feel proud at least that I've been, for the most part, consistent and reliable in my posting.

More then a hundred posts (and even more subjects that I've photographed) later. I'm reminded of the silly old phrase, "Wherever you go, there you are." I've seen a lot of Lawrence in the last 2 years and you can't help but develop some opinions when you spend as much time doing something as I have. I noted some of them in a post last year.

One things from last year I'd like to repeat are the thanks I have for the consistently postive and friendly tone of the comments. To all of you, I cannot thank you enough for the warm feelings you've passed to me via your comments and emails.

The only new thought I have to add since those last year first occurred to me on one beautiful Sunday evening as I drove around looking for a subject. The weather was perfect, the evening sun painted the trees and streets with warm summer colors. There was, I realized, only one thing missing...

People.

No kids were playing in the parks, no one working in the yard or talking with neighbors. Except for the occasional person walking a dog, I could find no one else enjoying the beautiful evening.

It seemed like a shame then, and it is the thing I continue to notice as I make my weekly excursions around town. I know that except for this blog, I would be like everyone else, inside and missing the simple things around us.

I am not exaggerating when I say that I really appreciate the sights I've seen, the things I've learned, and the occasionnal person I've met. When I post each week I don't know if one person, or a thousand, will see or appreciate what I've done. I hope that there are some that do, but this all became a lot more fun when I stopped caring much about it.

This 2nd anniversary is something I've been looking forward to. It's given me a chance to reflect a little on the experiences I've had this last few years. I thought I'd share with you some of the posts and photos.

This was that first post.

Here are two subjects with a bit of history:
in "old east Lawrence"
and from Baldwin.

Here's a peaceful place I would not have noticed.

I spent a couple of hours taking this photo. Don't know if it was worth the time, but I enjoyed it anyway.

This subject was one of my first memories of Lawrence from my childhood

This one, I think, was one of the most deceptive.

This post had several pictures I remember well and still enjoy.

This subject was not far from downtown, and I learned more about it from the comments that were made.

This historic subject was also from Baldwin.

The most beautiful place I photographed, but not the best picture.

Some of the most beautiful places in town are those are those we are seldom happy when we visit.

Now this is my favorite, and I think most beautiful picture and, I think, my biggest "discovery".

I didn't know how Eudora got it's name.

I think this was one of the most difficult and surprising subjects.

The most unusual?, this one is a close second, though.

Finally, this recent subject has a story I still don't know.

Again, thank you all very much. Don't know if I'll make it another two years.

But I'm going to try.

Previous: IPS 12/9/2009
Next: IPS 12/23/2009

litteone identified this week's picture. Sorry I've been a little slow in acknowledging it. See the photo and answer below.

I've been out of town, so I'm a little bit late.

To be fair, which I am usually loathe to do, I must remind you that the subjects of these photos are in Lawrence and the greater Douglas county area.

I'll probably regret making the first image so large. Ah well...

sacDSC_5505a.JPG

2nd image:

sacDSC_5505b.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome.

http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2009/Dec/20/sacDSC_5505.JPG
The flea market, former motel cottages on (old) US 59 south of the Baldwin Junction.

Previous: IPS 12/1/2009
Next:IPS 12/18/2009

the_tagger identified this week's subject. See the end of this post for the answer.

This week's image was again suggested by cece_stand. Suggestions for subjects are always appreciated.

Last week's subject was an old gravesite east of the entrance to the East Hills Business Park. I wasn't able to locate any information about it. If you know anything about it, please post it here, or contact me.

I will be out of town next week. Will post a picture if I can, but if not, I'll post one as soon as I can.

This week's subject in more of a public place than last week's.

Image #1:

cDSC_5446a.JPG

The image(s) above is(are) a part of a photo I took somewhere in the area. I'll add additional parts of the picture over the next few days. You are invited to try to guess the subject and location of the photo. I'll notify the first person who correctly identifies the subject or location of the entire photo. That subject or location won't be revealed until later, after the answer is obvious. I suggest that people indicate that their guess is "Final" as opposed to just speculation and limit themselves to one final answer per person.

You can check my twitter account to see when new images are posted, or just check back here. I normally post a new picture each Wednesday evening.

Suggestions for interesting, out of the way (or not so out of the way) subjects are welcome.

The concrete buffalo on Clinton Parkway near Lawrence Avenue.

http://media.lawrence.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2009/Dec/11/cDSC_5446.JPG

First, I should ask, how many know what DARPA is? I suspect...no I fear that the answer is "not many".

If true, that is a sad testament to the state of education and science in America, but that is another story.

One of the things that DARPA does is to sponsor competitions where teams compete to solve technical problems. Previously, teams have competed to design and build computer controlled vehicles that would navigate roads, and recently even roads with traffic.

The most recent competition The DARPA Network Challenge was to locate 10 moored, 8-foot red balloons, located at random locations across the country. It took a team for MIT just 9 hours to complete this challenge. The implications and value of such a challenge are more significant than one might think.

Now that I've rambled down the path (as I normally do), let me get to the point. DARPA uses the following quote form E. Merrill Root to describe the motivation behind the DARPA challenges:

We need a renaissance of wonder. We need to renew, in our hearts and in our souls, the deathless dream, the eternal poetry, the perennial sense that life is miracle and magic

My question for each of you is this: What experiences have you had in your life which filled you with a sense of awe and wonder?