bad day, good place

[redneckrodney]

Was a really crappy weekend, ending in a really crappy morning this morning. One of those days when you just need to find a spot to sit and get things straight in your head. Luckily, I found that place, and it was only a 10 min. bike ride from my house... So do any of you have those places?http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/CRW_1193u.jpg

[budafist]

That is gorgeous! I don't know of any place like that near our house.

[Riefnu]

You mean the sterotype created by Lord of the Rings of New Zealand being the worlds biggest zen garden are wrong?!:eek: :rolleyes:


Every place has its own beauty if you look. Even a garbage dump, but remeber to bring a mask because even if someone likes the smell the smell might not like them back.

That is a nice spot though. I like those places where there doesn't look like an edge to the water.

[budafist]

lol, Hobbiton is a couple hours south of where I am.

By near our house, I mean what Rodney meant - 10 minutes or so.

[white]

Whoa I want a place like that too

[Tea]

We have a place like that. It's the river about 15 minutes from my house. We float down it on whatever flotation device suits our fancy, a few snacks, a few beverages and a few hours later...no troubles. Sadly, the river doesn't move as quickly in the winter. Snowshoes!

I think it was a weekend for crappy weekends. I hope you're feeling better.

[Red Kittie Kat]

Beautiful spot rodney :)

[sppe123]

so beautiful place

[redneckrodney]

Thank you very much for the kind comments. It really is a beautiful place. The funny thing is, however, that it is less than 200 yards away from a sewage treatment plant. How ironic is that. I love my life :(.

[redneckrodney]

Since I have started this, I think I would like to make this Rodney's photo thread for nice places on crappy days. I hope no one minds. Just so happens today was another one of those days, so I just decided to go to class. Please join me if you would like...

The entrance to my school...
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/outdoorclassroom.jpg

and these are the seating arrangements there...
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/seats.jpg

[Tea]

Cool spot. Sorry you are having a crappy day.

[redneckrodney]

Thanks Tea, it'll all be good. All those bad days eventually entitle you to some really good days. That's my story, and I will stick to it.

[redneckrodney]

To continue with my education, this is the hallway leading to my classroom...
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/guides.jpg

[redneckrodney]

And this is one of my classmates...
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/classmate.jpg

[redneckrodney]

These are the writing tablets we use...
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/writingtablet.jpg

[redneckrodney]

This is the cafeteria at my school...
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/cafeteria.jpg

[redneckrodney]

And, finally, these were my two assignments for the day...
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/class1.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/class2.jpg

It's kinda funny how something as lame as posting this can make you feel so much better. Thanks for letting me be a part of this forum.

[Red Kittie Kat]

They are beautiful Rodney ... I love the outdoor classroom :)

I hope you don't mind I made them visible vs links .. I'm too lazy to click :p

[redneckrodney]

Thanks RKK, I have done that right before. Not quite sure what happened this time, might have been the beer :rolleyes:?!!

[redneckrodney]

And here's one for Buda

[redneckrodney]

Crap,
That didn't work. I'll just do it like I did the rest. RKK, sorry but you'll probably have to fix this one too. I'm just glad I've got a place for photo therapy :o.



http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/budabunny.jpg

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao its ok Rodney ;)



I see you have photobucket ... Just make sure the link you copy looks like this:


http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/budabunny.jpg


and you should be all set :)

[garricks]

Great pix, Rodney! Thanks for posting. They made my morning brighter. :)

[redneckrodney]

Thanks garricks. It kinda helped my day a lot too. Kittie, thanks for the help getting the pics visible, and the tip on photobucket. I knew that before I started drinking. Seriously, thanks though, you have 3 three things going for you that I most admire in a woman: brains, beauty, and bacon. Actually there are two more things I admire about women that start with a B, but I prolly shouldn't say that ;).

[Red Kittie Kat]

It's ok you can say boobies .... we all like boobies around here :D


and ty darlin - you are too kind ;)

[redneckrodney]

Just so y'all will know I'm not so pathetic that all days are bad, here are a couple of my grandkids. She was homecoming queen that day, and of course he was a football star. It was a really good day.

(btw RKK, thanks for the friend thing, and I think I may have gotten it right this time)

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/emily.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/bubby.jpg

[Red Kittie Kat]

aww what great shots ... they are adorable :)

... and you are welcome Rodney :p

[redneckrodney]

Thanks Kitte,
They really are adorable (and no, I am not biased :D). Here is another shot from the same day that is totally unrelated, but I kinda like it.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/e047.jpg

(btw, you may have created a monster since you taught me to do this, 'cause I'll probably clog up your inbox)

(also, btw, thanks garricks, you know why)

[Red Kittie Kat]

hehe I won't mind ;)

[redneckrodney]

Oh yeah, (and I never thought I would say something like this), I have never seen a sexier lookiing goatee ;) !!!!

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmaooo ... well thank you :D

Yesterday was Bearded Friday ... so I held off shaving for a couple days :D

[redneckrodney]

Well Kittie, I understand that. Please, as a personal favor, go ahead and shave in the morning. The beard thing is ok I guess, but it does detract from those eyes :rolleyes:. Wait, I didn't mean for this to be a flirting thread... ;).

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmaooo Oh it's quite alright ... I promise .. I'll shave it off in the morning :D

[redneckrodney]

This is a candid I am going to print for my stepson and his new daughter. Any comments or crit before I have it printed would be appreciated.
Thanks.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/e028.jpg

[Red Kittie Kat]

I love it Rodney :)

I have a soft spot for B & W photos and little babies :)

[garricks]

Rodney, that's a GREAT shot! I love candid shots.

[redneckrodney]

Garricks and Kittie, thanks for the comments. It was a really fun shot to take, and I think it turned out ok.

(btw, Kittie, thanks for shaving today ;))

[Red Kittie Kat]

hehe You are very welcome ... It was such a refreshing feeling ... I feel years younger now :D

[Broacher]

>>I have a soft spot for B & W photos and little babies<<

Babies and women's soft spots-- see, that I finally figured out. (So my dad was a little shy about talking about those things). But the same soft spot for photo storage? I'm struggling trying to visualize this. And where do you keep your colour stuff?

[Red Kittie Kat]

And where do you keep your colour stuff?


In the windmills of my mind :D

[redneckrodney]

See Broacher,
That's why I'm trying to learn to shoot in b&w. The windmills of their mind is one thing, but...

(scurrying away to shoot more b&w baby pics)

[Red Kittie Kat]

haha :D

[sara_criss]

Hmmmmmm sad but true ….i don’t have such kind of place near to my house ….but I can feel this place by seeing this picture wowwww u really have amazing spot.

[Virgo Nightingale]

There are a couple places that look that pretty and peaceful close to my house, but they're relatively few and far between to the point that they're quite crowded with people. If I want more seclusion I have togo 20-30 minutes' drive away.

[redneckrodney]

So today my place is right here in my apartment, because the weather is nasty. Anyway, this is one of my favorite coffee table books, and I got the bright idea to try and take some photos of it. The white balance is off on purpose, because I wanted it to look a little warm. Did I go too far?

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/_MG_3908.jpg


http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/_MG_3916.jpg

[Red Kittie Kat]

It's a little on the creamy side ... but I like it :D

[redneckrodney]

WOO HOO! Has been a tremendous day. I had the sickness all weekend (aka the flu), but for a Monday has been a great day. Got a couple of new strobes, and the camera store I frequent had a lesbaby lens (which I have been wanting for quite a while). Just so happened I had the $ so I went ahead and bought it. I have since wandered around my apartment taking pics of my feet, the ceiling, the carpet, the neighbors gerbil, and a lot of things that you don't want to see and are probably NSFW. I finally found this shot, which I will call my first (and actually was my first), and am going to post it just because I am so excited. I know some things are quite off, but I took it at 8:45pm with existing light only, approximately 2 beers too late to be posting, but I still think it turned out ok.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_1361.jpg

[Red Kittie Kat]

it's out of focus



:D


I kid, I kid!!! :p

That is very cool Rodney ... I'm glad you are feeling better too :)

[redneckrodney]

Kitty,
Sometimes out of focus is what we are aiming for. Sometimes out of focus is what we see. Sometimes out of focus is how our lives are. Sometimes it's just a new lens and too many beers. I do feel better. Thanks for thinkin' bout me. (btw, it's art, dammit).

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao Rodney .. I know darlin .. I was being a smart a$$ I know what the Lensbaby is. ;)

I've seen some very cool pics with it .. yours included :p

[redneckrodney]

Oh, I knew that. I didn't think you you were bein' smart at all. I have, however, been spending the last 30 mins trying to take a picture of my screen with nothing but you on it. Trust me, that is a compliment. Just wait til you see...

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao Rodney ;)

too funny :p

[redneckrodney]

Here you go...
I don't think this is so out of focus, and it's one hot chick shot with my new lens!

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_1364.jpg

[Red Kittie Kat]

Oy Vey http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/thud.gif

:D

Thank you Rodney http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/mwah1.gif

[redneckrodney]

Sorry,
Could not resist. Sometimes even I like to have a little fun. I did enjoy it, however. Those eyes... :rolleyes:

[Red Kittie Kat]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/i_like_you.gif<----- these eyes?


:D

[redneckrodney]

Why yes, those are absolutely the ones. They keep me awake at night.

[Red Kittie Kat]

awww http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/mwah1.gif

[redneckrodney]

So...
It's NYE, and I'm sitting here after watching the ball drop by myself. Could make for a bad day I guess, but I got to spend the entire day with my 4 year old grandson, for the first time in a loooooong time. It's been a really good day and a really good place. We went to the park a played and took pictures for the longest time, and then came home and crashed for a while before his grandma came and picked him up. Thought I'd share some pics. Sorry, they're not all great, but damn he's hard to keep up with :).

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_4483-2.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_4485.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_4489.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_4515.jpg

I kinda think he looks like Tom Cruise in Top Gun in this one,

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_4503.jpg

And this is one from when we came home and crashed. We were both "zausted", as he said,

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_4537.jpg

Just as a side note, he wanted to take one of my old backpacks with him, so he could pack his things and come back next weekend and spend the night and sleep in the big bed with his papaw.

Yes, sometimes life's good.

[Red Kittie Kat]

awww how sweet is that .... he is adorable Rodney :)

I loveeee that flight jacket for him ... just too darn cute :D

I'm off to sleep off my sip of Rum & Coke :D


... Happy New Year! (((hugs)))

[urstwile]

He's very cute, Rodney. :)

[redneckrodney]

Thanks Urst. I think he is, but I may be prejudiced. I can't wait 'til next weekend when he can come and spend the night. We'll have a blast. Sleep well Kittie, 7:00 am comes early ;).

[urstwile]

Thanks Urst. I think he is, but I may be prejudiced.

Nah, he really is very cute. :)

[Tea]

Oh yea...very cute. And the black and white photo is beautiful. That's a keeper for sure too!

[garricks]

Looks like you both had a great day, Rodney...Happy New Year!

[redneckrodney]

We did. We had a wonderful day Garricks. I can't wait 'til next weekend when he fills up that backpack and comes to spend the night. Happy New Year to you too.

[redneckrodney]

Ok, he packed up that big old backpack with clothes, his PSP, a bunch of games, and here he came trotting down here on Friday evening. I think I was at least twice as excited as he was. We had the best time ever, and as a bonus two of the other grandkids came and spent some of the day Saturday with us. We had so much fun he and I talked his mom into letting spend the night Saturday too! Lots more pics to show, but just this one for now, cause he is a handsome little man (and quite the poser), and I am worn out.
More to come...

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_4451u.jpg

[Tea]

Well, if he isn't just a little heart stealer! omg he's cute!

Glad you had a great time and they are so exhausting aren't they? Whew! Get some rest.

[urstwile]

Awww, what a cutie, rodney. I'm glad you both got to spend some quality time together. :)

[Red Kittie Kat]

He is just adorable Rodney :)

I'm so glad you are getting to spend more time with him :)

[cornfed]

If that were my child, I would be grabbing that little chin all day long! That little dimple is irresistible! Everyone of my babies were subjected to my love of baby chins and his is exceptionally cute!

[MD]

Here is my beautiful place on a crappy day ... or is that a crappy place on a beautiful day?

http://www.betterlifestylesinc.com/images/pictures/toiletthreefifty.JPG

[redneckrodney]

Uh, sorry MD, he has already been there and done that...

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/hereforthepotty.jpg

(I know I could have done a much better job, but it's way too late, and then there's the beer...)

[garricks]

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/garricks/BBU%20avatars/icon_rofl.gif Rodney!

[redneckrodney]

Thanks Tea, Urst, RKK, and Garricks for the kind comments. He is a handsome man. As promised here a couple shots of two of the other grandkids who also got to come by. It really was a great day.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_4543u.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_4589u.jpg

[Red Kittie Kat]

aww you have a whole bunch of cutie pies!! :)

[redneckrodney]

Thanks Kittie. Yes I do. As a matter of fact there are 5 (count 'em five) of them. I will eventually get shots of all of them up here, but holy cow they can wear you out 1 or 2 at a time (not complaining, I love it, just sayin'...). :)

[Tea]

Great shots!

[redneckrodney]

Have been very busy of late, but managed to spend some time with the boys a couple of weekends ago. Just thought I'd share. Great weather, great day, and I sure as heck don't get to do it enough.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/_.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_5524u.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_5541u.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_5547u.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/arbjpgu.jpg

[urstwile]

Looks like a very fun day, and that last picture's awesome, Rodney. :)

[redneckrodney]

Thanks Urst. Anytime you can get sunburnt, soaked, and muddy all at the same time, you know it's a good time.

[Red Kittie Kat]

They look like they are having a blast! :D


Great shots Rodney! :)

[redneckrodney]

Thanks Kittie,
We all had a blast. Here's one more from that day, little more processing than I usually do, but I kinda like it. Nothing like 2 muddy boys acting like thugs :D
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/bubroyce.jpg

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao I love the faces ... that little one looks like he has that cat that ate the canary grin :D

[redneckrodney]

So...
Been a long time since I've posted in this thread. Just got to see the grandkids for our Christmas (yeah, I know it's late, but I'll take it anytime I can get it). We had a huuuuge time. Thought I'd share a few of the faces :D

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_0267u.jpg
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_0266u.jpg
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_0236u.jpg

It was a wonderful holiday, hope yours was too :)

[urstwile]

Nice, the kids are so cute! I'm glad you got to spend time with them at the holidays. :)

[garricks]

Adorable! And great photos, rodney. :)

[redneckrodney]

Thanks Urst and Garricks
We had the best time and the most fun. I don't get to see them much, but when I do, it's huuuuuuge for all of us.
It kinda made the holiday season for me :)

[Ned]

My fave... ;)


http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_0236u.jpg

[redneckrodney]

Thanks Ned,
That means more to me than you'll prolly ever know :)

[Red Kittie Kat]

They are so cute. You know I could want to pinch that little ones cheeks :D

He has that look of "what can I get into next" in those eyes. :p

More great portraits Rodney :)

[redneckrodney]

Kittie,
Yeah, he does. Sorry to post so many pics, but it's been a great day :). I loooooove me some babies! :D

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_0215u.jpg
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_0272u.jpg
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_0276u.jpg

And of course, they wore London completely out...
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_0376u.jpg

[urstwile]

Aww, poor pup. He does look worn out. :)

[redneckrodney]

So,
Just thought I'd post a couple pics of the "Christmas Prizes" that the babies got for me. All Miss Emily wanted for Christmas was an EZ Bake oven (I didn't even know they still made them, but they do), so of course Papaw got her one. This is what came out of it, and it was a little piece of heaven

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_0382u.jpg

Then there's the boys...
Boy howdy do they know their papaw. Check out what Bubby (no, that's not his real name, but that is what we call him) and Royce (he's the one with the gettin' in trouble eyes) got me (and yes, they did pick it out themselves). :D

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/rbraden01/IMG_0385u.jpg

'09 was a good year.

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao they know their Papaw ;)

... good food and good hats :D

I think at some point every little girl wants an easy bake oven. I always did but I never got one.

I do believe I was somewhat traumatized because I never got to have one. I must have been because I must have talked about it a lot not realizing it.

a few years ago I got a big package in the mail and when I opened it ... you guessed it .. an easy bake oven!! I was thrilled. Yep I was over 40 but it still thrilled me and healed an old childhood wound lol :p

A dear friend of mine sent it to me .... it was very therapeutic :D

You are a good Papaw Rodney xx :)

[redneckrodney]

You're a good woman Kittie (and a good friend, and not just 'cause of the EZ Bake oven). Glad you finally got your prize. Wish I could have been the one who sent it.
:D

[urstwile]

Aww, good Papaw indeed, Rodney. Those kids love you, that's obvious, consider your blessings. :)

[Ned]

You're a good woman Kittie (and a good friend, and not just 'cause of the EZ Bake oven).

Although you can't deny that any woman with an EZ Bake Oven must be good. But the difference is that Kittie was good even before that. ;)

[Red Kittie Kat]

Aww shucks you guys :o


*sticks hands in pockets and digs toe in the dirt*

[Broacher]

I really enjoyed your photos Rodney.

And I really like the idea of 'local beauty' as a photo assignment theme. Kind of like the 'local food' movement.

Maybe somebody could start a new thread in the photography forum and suggest the 'Local Beauty: 10 minute bike ride' idea. I think many of us would be surprised just how much raw beauty is in our neighbourhood, maybe just too familiar, to be properly recognized. Seek and we shall find.

[garricks]

Maybe somebody could start a new thread in the photography forum and suggest the 'Local Beauty: 10 minute bike ride' idea.

Well, there's already the "your part of the world" photography thread...

[Broacher]

Yeah, but I like restrictions. The tighter the better, for photo assignments.

Oops. I have to remember who I'm talking to, don't I?

"Biking Beauties: the 10 minutes or less challenge"

[garricks]

LOL! "Biking Beauties" means something entirely different to me... ;)

[PrintDriver]

Everything in my world is covered with snow right now. A lot of snow.
Nothing beautiful about that.
:(

[Red Kittie Kat]

Same here ... lots of snow ... and if you start a thread with Biking Beauties I'm sure we will get posted with lots of Harley Girls ;)


... and what if you don't ride a bike?


See there is always a fly in the ointment :D

[redneckrodney]

You got ointment? :rolleyes:

[Red Kittie Kat]

ummmm .... well ....


you know what I mean :D

[Broacher]

Everything in my world is covered with snow right now. A lot of snow.
Nothing beautiful about that.
:(


You need to drink more maple syrup, and maybe fry up some back bacon.


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t3iHUxmc1fA/S0IsYkq3CyI/AAAAAAAABME/Dmjjg3f5iA0/s800/100_0764.JPG


http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t3iHUxmc1fA/S0IsZH2OFCI/AAAAAAAABMI/MqJMToAYhFA/s800/100_0778.JPG


By the way, both these shots were on the Bruce Trail on the section that goes through my town. It's about a ten minute walk from my grocery store in the center of town.

[redneckrodney]

Broacher,
Thanks. I really like the shot of the frozen water, but the snow shot just makes me come back a look again and again. Kinda looks like an abstract face or something. Really good and really creative.

[nguyen_huy_hai]

Everything on photo are more beautiful!

[redneckrodney]

Small things mean a lot. I'm an avid reader of the Burn's Auto Parts Blog (no it's not what it sounds like, it's actually a kinda big deal marketing blog geared towards photogs). Anyway, there was an open assignment, and I thought, well, what the heck, I'll shoot something for it, and I'll be dogged (you'll get it if you click the link), my photo was one of the ones shown http://www.burnsautoparts.com/blog/.
Kinda made my day.

[garricks]

Congratulations Rodney, that's awesome! :)

[Red Kittie Kat]

That is awesome Rodney!!! Congratulations darlin :D

[swcompany]

You need to drink more maple syrup, and maybe fry up some back bacon.


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t3iHUxmc1fA/S0IsYkq3CyI/AAAAAAAABME/Dmjjg3f5iA0/s800/100_0764.JPG


http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t3iHUxmc1fA/S0IsZH2OFCI/AAAAAAAABMI/MqJMToAYhFA/s800/100_0778.JPG


By the way, both these shots were on the Bruce Trail on the section that goes through my town. It's about a ten minute walk from my grocery store in the center of town.
Yours are so beautiful.Why don't upload more?

[swcompany]

Everyone who lives in country with no snow will see it very beautiful and spectacular.I love snow.

[austinparkar]

Hello, this is Eye-catching place. I love it.

[redneckrodney]

So,
Was able to purchase a netbook today, and get a little bitta stuff to work on it (open office, gimp etc. thanks D-frag).
Thank the Good Lord that my cameras weren't taken with the rest of my stuff. The babies (they are still babies in my mind) came by, and we had a reallllly good day (London is just thrown in for good measure).;)

[Red Kittie Kat]

aww they are awesome shots. The kids are so darn cute and I love that bone hanging out of London's mouth :D