tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3767010404043920232024-02-20T11:45:13.274-06:00THE SEDENTARY TRAVELLERA BLOG ABOUT GOING PLACESJasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-22135317836895820732013-06-22T12:08:00.001-05:002013-06-22T12:08:50.240-05:00A Captured Wartime Moment <br /><br /><br />In 1970, James Speed Hensinger was a 22 year old paratrooper serving in the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Phu Tai, Vietnam. It was two years after the infamous Tet Offensive and near the end of U.S. involvement in the war. In the hills near the army camp a Viet Cong sniper was firing down nightly. According to Hensinger the rifleman would unload a magazine from his AK-47 rifle. Finding one man in wooded hills in the Vietnamese country side would've been a virtually impossible task. So they planned a blazing response for the next time the VC sniper attacked. In preparation Hensinger set up a Nikon FTN on a long exposure to capture the return fire. These amazing photographs capture a wartime moment. What you are seeing are thousands of rounds of M-60 and 50 caliber machine gun fire and 40mm explosive rounds being launched into the hillside. Keep in mind they don't know where in the hillside the sniper is hiding. The plan was to decimate the hillside in hopes of killing the sniper. Like burning down a house to kill a rat. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/22/1132.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/22/s_1132.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='193' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/22/1133.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/22/s_1133.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='188' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/22/1134.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/22/s_1134.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='189' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/22/1135.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/22/s_1135.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='188' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/22/1136.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/22/s_1136.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='188' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/22/1137.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/22/s_1137.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='189' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/22/1138.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/22/s_1138.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='188' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />The next morning a patrol was sent out. A blood trail was found but no bodies <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xe78ho_predator-jungle-destroy_shortfilms#.UcXWuMu9KK0">like this scene in Predator. </a><br /><br />Hensinger also released some wonderful photographs of the beautiful Vietnamese country side. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/22/1139.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/22/s_1139.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='189' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/22/1140.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/22/s_1140.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='188' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Meet the photographer now living in Colorado. I salute James Hensinger for sharing these wonderful photographs with us. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/22/1141.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/22/s_1141.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='190' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/06/22/1142.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/06/22/s_1142.jpg' border='0' width='220' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-74220679663825365262013-05-06T18:37:00.001-05:002013-05-06T18:37:43.179-05:00Abandoned Homes With Beds Made<br /><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nikifeijen.nl/">Photographer Niki Feijen</a> is an explorer with a camera. Like most people he wonders what's behind that "do not enter" sign. However unlike most others who view this as a trespass warning he views it as a location for which time stopped. In his series <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/theartofurbex">Disciples of Decay</a> he explores long abandoned homes complete with furnishings and made beds. Let Niki take you past that "do not enter" sign and explore homes where time stopped after families left. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2361.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2361.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='186' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2362.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2362.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='185' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2363.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2363.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='186' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2364.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2364.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='186' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2365.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2365.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='188' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2366.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2366.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='185' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2367.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2367.jpg' border='0' width='207' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2368.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2368.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='186' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2369.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2369.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='188' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2370.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2370.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='186' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2375.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2375.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='183' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2376.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2376.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='214' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/06/2377.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/06/s_2377.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='186' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-82878124502007722122013-04-24T11:41:00.001-05:002013-04-24T11:41:36.571-05:00The Apartment Time Forgot<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/24/881.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/24/s_881.jpg' border='0' width='187' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/24/882.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/24/s_882.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='175' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/24/883.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/24/s_883.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='176' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/24/884.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/24/s_884.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='186' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/24/885.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/24/s_885.jpg' border='0' width='187' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8042281/Parisian-flat-containing-2.1-million-painting-lay-untouched-for-70-years.html">For 70 years this apartment sat empty, abandoned by a woman before World War II. </a><br /><br />When she died at 91 years old her apartment was opened for the first time in 70 years. Much like Howard Carter opening King Tut's tomb it truly was stepping back into the 1930s/1940s complete with dust, cobwebs, a million dollar painting, and other treasures. Neither words nor photographs can describe this feeling. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-24548698938108740172013-04-22T09:45:00.001-05:002013-04-22T09:45:03.958-05:00Romae Natalis Beati <br /><br /><br />Happy 2,776th birthday to the Eternal City of Rome. Rome was founded by twin brothers Romulus and Remus who were conceived by the pagan god Mars who snuck into a virgin's temple both literally and figuratively. The twins were thrown into the Tiber River where they were found and raised by a wolf. There is no way I can compress millennia of Roman history in a single post so enjoy the pictures. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312567/When-Rome-The-Eternal-City-takes-step-time-celebrates-2-766th-birthday.html">Go here for the Daily Mail article for these and more pictures. </a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/22/895.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/22/s_895.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='181' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/22/896.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/22/s_896.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='184' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/22/897.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/22/s_897.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='186' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/22/898.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/22/s_898.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='186' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/22/899.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/22/s_899.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='183' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/22/900.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/22/s_900.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='189' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/22/901.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/22/s_901.jpg' border='0' width='197' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/22/902.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/22/s_902.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='183' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-39450070821749684292013-04-13T12:04:00.001-05:002013-04-13T12:04:50.458-05:00Gilmore's Florist & Gifts<br /><br /><br />Since 1937, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gilmoresflorist.com/">Gilmore's Florist & Gifts</a> has provided awesome floral arrangements for any occasion based out of Conroe, Texas. I remember as a kid going up there to visit my aunt and cousins who showed us the nursery nestled in the woods on the property behind the store. Sadly I only remember bits and pieces of exploring the forest, walking through the nursery, and family get togethers. Over time my only encounter with the store was in passing while driving to and from college. It wasn't until this year that stepped foot in the store in many years while planning my wedding. There was never any doubt to use my family's business (who did an outstanding job by the way). I tried to bring up memories upon seeing the store for the first time in years but alas I couldn't. Instead I took some pictures to share. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/13/1077.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/13/s_1077.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> Since 1937<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/13/1078.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/13/s_1078.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/13/1079.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/13/s_1079.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> Now I don't know if this register was actually used here or a prop. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/13/1080.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/13/s_1080.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/13/1081.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/13/s_1081.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />For anyone in the Conroe area who needs a floral arrangements allow me to plug Gilmore's Florist! <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-8136863082968301342013-03-25T22:47:00.001-05:002013-03-25T22:47:11.407-05:00The Crowds of Costco<br />My fiancé had a good idea when she suggested we buy a Costco membership. I'm impressed with the bargains we find. Typically we go during the week however one Sunday afternoon we felt the urge to stop in for some groceries. I was rather surprised by crowd. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2816.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2816.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2817.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2817.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2818.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2818.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> We love the samples! They make great snacks to hold one over. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2819.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2819.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> This sample was very yummy. Sadly I couldn't taste any alcohol. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2820.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2820.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2821.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2821.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> This is the checkout. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2822.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2822.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2823.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2823.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> Did you know they haven't changed the price of their hot dogs in over 20 years? I think we shall stick to weekday shopping at Costco! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-38099219665476646712013-03-25T22:33:00.001-05:002013-03-25T22:33:35.805-05:00Scenes From Giza<br /><br />They say that in life it's not the things you've done you regret. It is the things you haven't done. The chances you didn't take. Clearly Russian photographer <a target="_blank" href="http://raskalov-vit.livejournal.com">Vitaliy Raskallv</a> plans on living a life with no regrets. Here he, along with some friends, traveled to the ancient Egyptian pyramids and snuck to the top risking a prison sentence had they been caught. Mr. Raskalov managed to shoot these amazing pictures that capture a view of Giza many of us never see. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2756.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2756.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2757.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2757.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2758.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2758.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='262' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2759.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2759.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='226' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2760.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2760.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='252' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2761.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2761.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='273' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2762.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2762.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='230' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2764.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2764.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='247' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2765.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2765.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='264' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2766.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2766.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='274' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/25/2767.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/25/s_2767.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='266' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />While I don't condone trespassing to get a good shot I do give him credit for taking a chance and snapping some amazing pictures. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-64191024445464965132012-12-26T23:36:00.001-06:002012-12-26T23:36:17.455-06:00Old Town Slidell Soda Shop<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/26/3275.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/26/s_3275.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/26/3276.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/26/s_3276.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='89' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/26/3277.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/26/s_3277.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/26/3278.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/26/s_3278.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/26/3279.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/26/s_3279.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/26/3280.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/26/s_3280.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />In 1988, a 1960s replica soda shop opened in Slidell, Louisiana. The <a target="_blank" href="http://slidellsodashop.com/">Old Town Slidell Soda Shop</a><br />Hurricane Katrina closed it in 2005 however a few years later it was rebuilt and reopened. While stopping in Slidell we explored this quaint town where one of my best friends grew up we found this shop and stopped in. It looked like it holds a lot of memories of times past and continues to be a favorite hang out for those who can't get into the bar across the street. Despite that this place will always be a popular attraction in Slidell for locals and outsiders like me who drop in. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-18648998708434541032012-12-06T11:27:00.001-06:002012-12-06T11:27:50.185-06:00The Handy Way<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/06/1108.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/06/s_1108.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/06/1109.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/06/s_1109.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/06/1110.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/06/s_1110.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/06/1111.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/06/s_1111.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/06/1112.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/06/s_1112.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/06/1113.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/06/s_1113.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Don't you wish you could drive the highway and find gas for this price? I did. Too bad this station off Hwy 36 in Brazoria County is abandoned. I don't have any information about this place so from the pictures it shouldn't be too hard to guess. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-91296608183016949452012-11-29T10:32:00.001-06:002012-11-29T10:32:11.977-06:00Stopping For Cracklins<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/29/999.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/29/s_999.jpg' border='0' width='481' height='150' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />After visiting my Louisiana relatives I asked my girlfriend if she'd ever had Cracklins. With this being her first exposure to Cajun country she had never heard of Cracklins. Time to introduce this girl from California to one of Louisiana's staples. For the first time in a few years I stopped into <a target="_blank" href="http://www.donsspecialtymeats.com/home">Don's Specialty Meats</a> which sits just outside Lafayette (in Scott, LA). It was fairly busy for a Sunday morning. After a five minute wait in line we got our bag of Cracklins for the road to Lake Charles. Nothing like yummy, fried, cholesterol goodness while on the Louisiana highway. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-30536461991956117262012-11-24T08:55:00.001-06:002012-11-24T10:21:39.942-06:00Hotel Review-Ambassador Inn<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/24/887.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/24/s_887.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> Our Room <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/24/888.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/24/s_888.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/24/889.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/24/s_889.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> The Lobby<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/24/890.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/24/s_890.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> The Continental Breakfast Station<br /><br /><br />On our way back from New Orleans we made an overnight stop in Lafayette, Louisiana. The place I originally wanted was way too pricey so we kept looking. I found The Ambassador Inn off IH-10 and Ambassador Caffery. This was the exit we took to visit my grandparents. The price (in the neighborhood of $60) and the reviews were good so we decided to stay here. We checked in and decided to "check in" on foursquare as well. We were surprised when a user uploaded this picture. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/24/891.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/24/s_891.jpg' border='0' width='158' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The picture offered no other information other than the user handle of the girl who took this picture and the July date it was taken. Fortunately we didn't have this issue. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ambassadorinnandsuite.com/lafayette/index.php">The hotel's website</a> says they offer free Internet. However we could only get a connection in either the parking lot or in a dime sized spot in the corner of the room. We spent that evening with my Louisiana relatives and left in the morning. I'd recommend this as a decent, overnight place however if I were staying for a longer length of time I'd go elsewhere. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-26191459657173841662012-11-09T01:14:00.001-06:002012-11-09T01:14:42.932-06:00Vacherie Methodist Church<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/08/2739.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/08/s_2739.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/08/2740.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/08/s_2740.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/08/2741.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/08/s_2741.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />While vacationing in Louisiana we went out tour a plantation. While driving down LA 18 I noticed a rather small church standing by its lonesome. I pulled over to snap these pictures. The sign reads Vacherie United Methodist Church. From what I later learned it was established in 1948 and services were held once a month. In 1965 Betsy came along and wiped out the church. It was rebuilt in 1967. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-90059195601890633432012-10-28T13:56:00.001-05:002012-10-28T13:56:21.738-05:00Whata-Aggravating Wait For Food<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/28/1770.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/28/s_1770.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='177' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Every Sunday we stop into a local Whataburger for about half an hour for breakfast while working. Today we arrived and were surprised at the crowd. Typically there are only a few people on a Sunday morning. We placed our orders as an aggravated woman stood shaking in place demanding her food of a refund. She said she had been waiting 20 minutes. We thought nothing else of it. At least until 20 minutes later when about a dozen other people had come in from outside demanding their food or a refund. It was nearly time for us to return to our posts yet we haven't received our food yet. Usually we're done eating by now. We asked to get ours to go when a man came in and said "9:45 for just a biscuit (it was then 10:25!)" The staff didn't seem to be in a big hurry to appease the angry customers and instead kept taking orders from people not knowing they were in for a wait. Finally we got ours to go and hurried back to work. I sure hope they resolved it. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-66697818958382488022012-10-18T20:20:00.001-05:002012-10-18T20:20:21.625-05:00Frank's Restaurant in Schulenburg, TX<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/18/2420.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/18/s_2420.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='175' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Anyone who has travelled along IH-10 knows about Frank's Restaurant in Schulenburg, TX. It sits off Exit 77 along IH-10 between Houston and San Antonio as it has since 1970. Frank's was founded in 1929 and is still run by the same family. For 83 years thousands of road trippers have stopped in for the country cooking and a restroom break. I remember stopping here with my grandparents on a road trip as a kid. I remember another time stopping with my mom, grandparents, and ex wife on a road trip. Most recently I was coming back into town with my girlfriend who has only been in Texas a year. We were looking for a place to stop and eat when I saw the sign off the road and remembered Frank's. I had to almost dart across the freeway to make the exit. I enjoyed my fried chicken and she had their chicken fried steak which wasn't the best but not the worst. What was yummy was the coffee we got for the road. It made the rest of the journey worthwhile. While inside I snapped some pictures using a vintage filter to capture a nostalgic moment. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/18/2421.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/18/s_2421.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='178' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/18/2422.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/18/s_2422.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> Frank's Restaurant Today<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/18/2423.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/18/s_2423.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/18/2424.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/18/s_2424.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/18/2425.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/18/s_2425.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/18/2426.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/18/s_2426.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/18/2427.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/18/s_2427.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-29079670604449620512012-10-14T22:54:00.001-05:002012-10-14T22:54:09.133-05:00The Halloween Store<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/4059.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_4059.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I love Halloween! It's a time of creativity. It's a brief time we can choose to be someone or something else. People shed their skins and don another and celebrate a part of life often overlooked. The creative side that releases stress, anxiety, and pain that often overshadows the bright side of life. Now that time is here so I have to visit the Halloween stores looking for costume and decoration ideas. Look at some of the macabre creativity I found. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/4060.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_4060.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/4061.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_4061.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/4062.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_4062.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/4063.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_4063.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/4064.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_4064.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/4065.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_4065.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/4067.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_4067.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/4068.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_4068.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/4069.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_4069.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/4070.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_4070.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/4071.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_4071.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I love Halloween!<br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-71310276129849509702012-10-14T22:10:00.001-05:002012-10-14T22:10:49.738-05:00A Couple of Hours at the Driver License Office<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/14/3934.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/14/s_3934.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='134' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We got up early, showered, and got our coffee to go. Yet we were still late. The plan was to arrive early at the driver's license office but as with all plans it didn't go accordingly. By the time we arrived the parking lot was full leaving people coming in having to hover and swoop once someone left. We waited patiently for one spot but some jerk in a compact slipped in from the opposite side. After a few curses we got lucky on the next row. For the next two hours we tried to figure out DPS' method of madness. It seemed people that arrived after us we're getting served before. We finally got our twenty minutes of courteous service after two hours of waiting. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-23463585426977855122012-09-27T10:48:00.001-05:002012-09-27T10:48:16.099-05:00Video Gaming Antiquities <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/27/884.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/27/s_884.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I was walking through Katy Mills Mall on a Monday afternoon when this blast from the past caught my eye. Prominently displayed in a case was a collection of video game consoles from the past. On the bottom was this old Atari system. I remember being around five years old and living in a mobile home in Liberty, TX. My brother and I were in love with this state of the art masterpiece. With games like PAC Man, Space Invaders, Cops & Robbers (I wasn't too impressed with Missile Command) we protested when our parents made us go outside and play. This was considered "high tech" back in the early 80s. The system was initially released in 1977. It sported a fancy 8 bit processor, 1.19 MhZ processor speed, and 128 bytes of screen RAM. Young folks today would gasp, shudder, and wonder what kind,of dark age of history I grew up in. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/27/887.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/27/s_887.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />This next exhibit was originally released in 1983, in Japan. It arrived in America in 1985, and in my house around 1987. This surpassed Atari with its 8 bit CPU and 2 KB RAM. This was the first time a medium aside from books could take your imagination to another world. I visited the Kingdom of Hyrule, the land of Castlevania, the mystical land of Argool, and the beautiful countryside in Vietnam. Nowadays these are relics of a generation past and played only by those seeking a moment of nostalgia or true antique lovers. They will always hold a special place in my heart and in history. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-4829484189376504062012-09-08T23:46:00.001-05:002012-09-08T23:46:51.373-05:00Abandoned Dream Homes<br /><br /><br />I stumbled onto <a target="_blank" href="http://www.anothermag.com/current/view/2164/Thomas_Jorion_Forgotten_Palaces">this article</a> showcasing some wonderful photographs of abandoned places by photographer Thomas Jorian. For him it's about the thrill of the discovery which is great. I'd also want to know the story behind the homes and why they were abandoned. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/08/3199.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/08/s_3199.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='222' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/08/3200.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/08/s_3200.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='221' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /> Italian Villa<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/08/3201.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/08/s_3201.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='226' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /> Italian Antechamber<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/08/3202.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/08/s_3202.jpg' border='0' width='221' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br /> Italian Staircase<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/08/3203.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/08/s_3203.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='229' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /> Stair Case in a Swiss Palace<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/08/3204.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/08/s_3204.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='221' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/08/3205.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/08/s_3205.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='220' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /> Italian Shower<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/08/3206.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/08/s_3206.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='228' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/08/3207.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/08/s_3207.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='229' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/08/3208.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/08/s_3208.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='227' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br /> Casa Sfondo in Italy<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/08/3209.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/08/s_3209.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='228' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />To learn more about Thomas Jorian's work <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thomasjorion.com/uk/">go here.</a><br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-6888381901639619222012-09-03T22:39:00.001-05:002012-09-03T22:39:59.448-05:00A Florida Sunset <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/03/3195.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/03/s_3195.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/03/3196.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/03/s_3196.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/03/3197.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/03/s_3197.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/03/3198.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/03/s_3198.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This Florida sunset brought to you courtesy of the <a target="_blank" href="http://gatorgirltales.blogspot.com/">Gator Girl. </a><br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-43406326617473311122012-08-27T11:33:00.001-05:002012-08-27T11:33:23.026-05:00Waiting For Isaac<br /><br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/kJxKaRT0Isw" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kJxKaRT0Isw" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJxKaRT0Isw"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/kJxKaRT0Isw/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p><br />My friend shot this at Lido Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida. As Hurricane Isaac churns its way over Florida some of the locals hit the beach to watch the storm. In this video an older couple casually walk on the beach probably enjoying life in Florida. I imagine they've seen many storms and aren't worried in the least. <br /><br /><br /><br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/G-NFUrELGPk" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G-NFUrELGPk" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-NFUrELGPk"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/G-NFUrELGPk/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p><br />Standing on the beach as Hurricane Isaac approaches. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-25386558419478951032012-08-23T11:52:00.001-05:002012-08-23T11:52:16.124-05:00One Night In Cook Road Cemetery<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/08/23/1088.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/08/23/s_1088.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/08/23/1089.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/08/23/s_1089.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/08/23/1090.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/08/23/s_1090.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /> I was in Liberty, Texas on business with my girlfriend showing her where I grew up. As the sun began to sink I got an itching to drive into the old Cook Rd Cemetery. I was a little taken back at how unkempt it was. The grass was knee high and covering many of the grave stones. We cruised the road that serves as the border of the cemetery. From the window I shone my flashlight into the darkness I spotted a stone with a familiar name, Waldrop. <br /><br /> I got out and walked amongst the graves. The stone I saw was just a place marker. Nelson Waldrop's grave was a square stone by my foot. I cleared the dirt to read the inscription. I knew Mr. Waldrop had died some time in the 1990s. He was a Navy veteran that served on an aircraft carrier in World War II. I can't remember how I met him but he lived nearby and I would ride my bike to his house and listen to his stories from the war. Sadly I do not remember any of his stories. I wish I had been smart enough back then to take notes. Through him I met two more navy veterans who shared stories with me. One story was from a Mr. Jack Adams who served on an aircraft carrier that sunk in the Pacific Ocean. He told me a the story of an errant Japanese Zero pilot mistaking the American carrier for his own and attempted to land. Needless to say the Japanese pilot never lived to regret that mistake. I also met Mr. Waldrop's brother who was a Navy pilot. He told me the time he was in the air and spotted a Japanese torpedo coming toward his ship. Using his machine guns he strafed the torpedo and earned a commendation for it. I asked him "were you nervous." In true, nonchalant manner he answered "naw I wasn't nervous. The guys on the carrier, they were nervous!" Those memories played in my head while standing over Mr. Waldrop's grave. <br /><br /> I glanced to my left and saw another grave marker reading Thompson. It was a husband and wife plot. Since the wife's plot had no date of death it was clear she was still alive and I recognized her name. She was my 6th grade social studies teacher. Then I vaguely remembered how her husband had died. He was a passenger in a car. I think the car hit a truck (or vice versa) carrying a load of metal pipes and one came off the truck thought the windshield impaling Mr. Thompson. <br /><br /> When I returned to the car my girlfriend was uneased. She said while was out exploring she saw a shadowy figure pacing back and forth behind me. This got me curious so I rattled off a barrage of questions like a detective. Was it following me? Did it seem interested in me? Could it have been a shadow of something? She said it ignored me and vanished when I turned around with my flashlight. We'll never know if it was it was just a shadow of the flowing trees fueled by my flashlight waving around. Or was it something more?<br /><br /> We continued our tour when my light hit another grave stone. It belonged to Jim Clemens. 20 years ago we called him Brother Jim. He was a pastor at a Baptist Church in town. I had heard he died a few years ago. I stared at his grave stone as my mind dug deep in its archives replaying what few memories I have of his old sermons. <br /><br /> Around that time I decided it was time to go. It was night and we had an hour drive back. I took one last look into the darkness. Somewhere out there were two other graves. One was Ed Ashton who ran a daycare with his wife. He would drive an old van and picked us all up from school. He was a kind man. The other grave out there was Wade Rankin. He was a school mate of mine. For some reason I never really knew he walked up to our junior high before it started and shot himself in the head. <br /><br /> As I left that cemetery I felt 100 years old. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-34072592675249067552012-06-10T18:54:00.001-05:002012-06-10T18:54:49.314-05:00Aransas Pass Fire Department<br /><br /><br />Welcome to the Aransas Pass Fire Department. Usually when one thinks of fire department a large city comes to mind. Not everyone has the resources of places like New York, Los Angeles, or Houston. However smaller places like the AP ( as the locals call it) have one thing that her bigger sisters don't have, community. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/10/3748.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/10/s_3748.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='101' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /> The Bay<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/10/3749.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/10/s_3749.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='77' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/10/3750.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/10/s_3750.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/10/3751.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/10/s_3751.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='82' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/10/3752.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/10/s_3752.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='141' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/10/3753.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/10/s_3753.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='147' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /> These chairs look very comfortable to rest in between calls. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/10/3754.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/10/s_3754.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/10/3755.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/10/s_3755.jpg' border='0' width='224' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/10/3756.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/10/s_3756.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='273' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.aransaspasstx.gov/fire-department.php">Check out their web page here. </a><br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-7740049437928884492012-06-04T11:26:00.001-05:002012-06-04T11:26:04.498-05:00The Dive Bar Restroom<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/1280.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_1280.jpg' border='0' width='300' height='73' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Ah freedom of speech! Many consider the unfettered ability to say whatever you want whenever you want not only sacred but the truest form of expression. However some forms of expression are not always artistic but rather moronic. This post take you to a dive bar restroom ( the men's room anyhow). Scroll the walls and you can find just about every opinion imaginable littered with misspellings, grammar errors, and drunken logic. One scrawling reads "revolution!" How many grass roots movements were inspired by writing on a restroom wall? Other scrawlings inform us of how bad ass certain local bands are who can't afford a press kit at the moment. Drunken liberals scrawl their pro Obama messages to be countered by drunken conservatives. Another scrawled the 'N' word in drunken anonymity because they aren't brave enough to utter it in public. While the dive bar restroom wall maybe the purest form of free expression, some people should just shut the hell up. <br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-35562582848251895272012-05-06T13:42:00.001-05:002012-05-06T13:44:40.531-05:00Once Upon a Time in Kowloon<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2665.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2665.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='214' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We've all seen the looming, oppressive metro-jungle that symbolizes oppression, poverty, hopelessness, and survival. In addition it makes a setting for a neat story. Once upon a time this place did exist in Hong Kong. It was called Kowloon or just " The Walled City." You may have seen it in 1988, when Jean Claude Van Damme starred in <i>Bloodsport</i> or again in 1993, when Jackie Chan made <i>Crime Story</i><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2666.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2666.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='240' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2667.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2667.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='138' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2668.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2668.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Kowloon began way back in the Song Dynasty as an outpost that aided the salt trade. When the British took over the region in the early 19th century the outpost became a fort. At first the city remained in Chinese hands although the British raided the city looking for resistance fighters in 1899. After that the British mostly left the city alone save for church missionaries and curious Britons who viewed Kowloon as suburbanites view a nature preserve. Kowloon was then taken over by the Japanese in World War II until their surrender in 1945. After at refugees poured into the city and come 1947, the population had reached about 2,000 people (squatters actually). Again, the British left it alone and it wasn't until 1959, that the Hong Kong authorities accepted responsibility for the city. The population expanded again from the 1950s to the 1970s however the city was ruled by the Triads criminal gangs. The Triads opened many brothels, opium dens, and the city was a haven for criminals. In the early 1970s increased police attention and raids lowered the crime rate. After that while criminals and drug addicts were prevalent the majority of the people were able to live their lives in peaceful squalor. Some businesses managed to operate as well as numerous unlicensed doctors and dentists without the burden of government regulation as well as the threat of prosecution. In 1993, the government demolished the city (after an arduous eviction process). The city is now a park. Tourists now walk where Triads once ruled, where junkies got high, where prostitutes sold their bodies, where children played, and where people struggled day to day. Now the once walled city can be visited via photographs, via video, and via books such as <i>City of Darkness</i> by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/City-Darkness-Life-Kowloon-Walled/dp/1873200137/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336321527&sr=1-3">Greg Girard with Ian Lambot</a><br />Here are some pictures of Kowloon as it was. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2669.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2669.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='180' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The urban jungle at dusk. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2670.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2670.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='224' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2671.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2671.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='180' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />A mailman forced to deliver mail here.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2672.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2672.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='181' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Children play on the roof tops. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2673.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2673.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='179' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Displeased with the government's "compensation" while evicting the people of Kowloon. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2674.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2674.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='180' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Smoking while handling meat. Can't be sanitary but without regulation who cares!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2675.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2675.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='181' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Running his business from home. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2676.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2676.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='180' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The home life in Kowloon. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2677.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2677.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='183' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />A man and his cats in his store. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2678.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2678.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='179' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I know a complex of businesses that were modeled after this. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2679.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2679.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='169' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2680.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2680.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='137' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2681.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2681.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='176' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2682.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2682.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='181' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />TV antennas strewn along the rooftops. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2683.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2683.jpg' border='0' width='177' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2684.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2684.jpg' border='0' width='177' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2685.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2685.jpg' border='0' width='191' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2686.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2686.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='183' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2687.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2687.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='178' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2688.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2688.jpg' border='0' width='207' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/06/2689.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/06/s_2689.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='174' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Part of the park as it is today. <br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.google.com/gwt/x?wsc=bf&wsi=6a05a75e95a39d80&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2139914/A-rare-insight-Kowloon-Walled-City.html%3FICO%3Dmost_read_module&ei=fYamT7ixN6HgxAKUiqybBg">News article featuring Girard and Lambot's work. </a><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kowloon_Walled_City">Wikipedia article here. </a><br /><br />Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-376701040404392023.post-35579143482772916282012-04-26T12:13:00.001-05:002012-04-26T12:13:33.310-05:00Unsolved Murder in Katy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a nice house in a nice neighborhood. It is your stereotypical suburbia where people keep nice houses, manicured lawns, and all the dirty laundry locked away in the closet (but that's another post). Today this neighborhood lies among a busy, metropolitan area crammed with businesses and traffic. However back in 1987 this area was developing. The main road, Mason, was mostly prairie with a BBQ joint and a 7-11. People were starting to move out west from Houston to settle the Katy area. This house on Kent Falls was a model home being used by Standard Pacific Homes to lure new settlers. A young mother of two, Ester Collins worked for this company. On November 06, 1987, a home seeking couple came here and found Ester's body. Ester had been bound, gagged, and stabbed numerous times. 24 years later and detectives have virtually no leads. Her two children are still involved in trying to find their mother's killer. I drove out here one night and looked at the house. I don't know if it's my knowledge of this house's history or just the fact the street light here didn't seem to work but I had an erie feeling. I stared at the house where Ester spent her final minutes, terrified, probably hoping and praying she would survive this ordeal to see her family again. I hope one day they can find who did this and give her family some peace.Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08351350773188711876noreply@blogger.com0