I’m Ready For My Close-Up….!
I’m ready for my close-up…
Saturday, March 29, 2008
I’m ready for my close-up…
On a clear day, I can see forever…Too bad the clouds try to block the view, huh? Oh well, I’ve got sunshine on cloudy days…
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Perfect Spring Day In The California Foothills
There are some days when you would rather miss work (if you could) and enjoy the coming of Spring. Last week I had such a day. I awoke at my partner’s house located in the heart of the California foothills.
The day was so perfectly sunshiny - only a whisp of tender wind to accentuate the 70 degree weather. Birds were singing, flowers a-bloom and enthusiasm filled the air. Spring had arrived!
A certain wonderous stillness was in the air. Looking up into the sky with graditude, the sun light filtered brilliant through the trees where birds sang with vibrant joy. I whispered a “thank you, God,” and reluctantly snapped a few photos before heading back to Sacramento for work…
Timid daffodils were peeking at me like little happy creatures who had sprung up after a long long nap…
What a stark contrast, and yet an ironic similarity the large-scale sattelite and the petite flowers have: one designed by human kind; the other, one of God’s originals….
What gorgeous flower faces pop up when we least expect….!
As I climbed into my car, heading back to the city, there were more daffodils near the edge of the drive. I snapped this quick photo, and trained my thoughts on getting to work on time…oh well…
On the road again, I snapped a “Bye-bye” photo of the foothills wilderness as I vroomed back to the valley.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Finn’s Seafood For Birthday Celebrations!
In honor of my partner, Mike C., and my sister’s fiance’, Jeff, the Skiens Family and the guests of honor went to dinner at Finn’s Seafood to celebrate two special birthdays. Located in the heart of downtown Sacramento, Finn’s is a charming eating establishment noted for its seafood menu.
Tilt your head to the left and check out this photo of Finn’s interior. A charming, relaxing casual atmosphere makes way for dining without all the uptight fancy schmancy.
With a varied menu that ranged in price from $8.95 for a fish taco to $17.95 for swordfish (which I ordered), there is something for all tastes…
Arriving early, Mike, my mom, Joni, (seated to right in the photo to right) and myself (seated to left in photo to right) awaited the rest of our party…
My beautiful mother, Joni, ordered fish and chips…
…while I chose something I had never eaten before, swordfish….
Although the serving was sparce, swordfish was very tasteful, similar to a very fine and delicately cooked steak, but better tasting…(photo to left)
Mr. Skiens (my wonderful father) arrived on the scene, just in time to order his favorite entre amongst the seafood catagory - jumbo shrimp…
Tami (my beautiful sister), and her loving fiance’, Jeff, enjoyed their entre’s, too. While Tami enjoyed cioppino (photo below to right), Jeff celebrated the occasion with a plate of delicious-looking crab cakes…
Tami’s cioppino looked so delicious, I snapped a quick photo…What a great meal at Finn’s we all had, not to mention a few laughs, and a memorable occasion celebrating the birthdays of two extraordinary gentlemen, Mike C and Jeff…
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Ain’t Nobody’s Business
One of my favorite all time performers is Billy Holiday, (nicknamed “Lady Day’) who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 
7, 1915. Although her life was filled with trauma and tragedy, she left with us a distinct singing style. Holiday endured racism and drug/alcohol addiction and yet her musical collection stays popular still to this day. Holiday is credited as being the first and greatest American jazz singers. Her voice is often described as “unique, laconic, wistful, brassy.” She began singing in the 1930’s in Harlem clubs with The Benny Goodman Band. She became a sensation when she began performing at New York’s famous Apollo Club. Singers such as Macy Gray have carried on the legacy.
7, 1915. Although her life was filled with trauma and tragedy, she left with us a distinct singing style. Holiday endured racism and drug/alcohol addiction and yet her musical collection stays popular still to this day. Holiday is credited as being the first and greatest American jazz singers. Her voice is often described as “unique, laconic, wistful, brassy.” She began singing in the 1930’s in Harlem clubs with The Benny Goodman Band. She became a sensation when she began performing at New York’s famous Apollo Club. Singers such as Macy Gray have carried on the legacy.
In the 1940’s Holiday began using heroin and opium. She tragically died at the age of 44 years on July 17, 1959, as a
result of alcohol and drug abuse.
One of my favorite songs is “Ain’t Nobody’s Business.” I relate to some of (but not all) of the lyrics.
“Aint Nobody’s Business”
There ain’t nothing I can do
Or nothing I can say
That folks don’t criticize me
But I’m going to do
Just as I want to anyway
And I don’t care just what people say
If I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do
If I should go to church on Sunday
Then cabaret all day on Monday
Ain’t nobody’s business if I do…
- Porter Granger/ Everett Robbins
