The memories remain

I understand progress, but it still hurts to see one of my old schools reduced to rubble. I took these pictures a couple of years ago, precisely because I knew it was inevitable the old school building would be replaced. I'll never forget the times (good and bad) I had at Dubose Middle School.

My feathery poser

 A few months ago I was over in Port Aransas shooting some pictures. I happened to come across this little Sea Gull, who allowed me to get somewhat close to it, and proceeded to groom itself. To it, it was grooming, to me it was posing. Oh well, I shot these pictures of it while it was "doing it's thing."

Unexpected gift

I was in my hometown of Alice, Texas not too long ago and decided to drop by the city's reservoir that late afternoon to snap some pictures. I wasn't expecting much, but I so happened to come across some beautiful scenery and light. And so goes the axiom which says nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'm so glad I had my camera and I'm so glad I decided to venture out to the lake that day. Here is one of the pictures I took that day. This is the only place I've posted this particular photo. See more of my photos at  http://www.flickr.com/photos/mdeanda67/

Pulling the curtain back

Not too long after "going online" for the first time in 1992. Ahhhhh, the memories: BBS's, Global Gallery, CompuServe and the screeching of my 300 baud modem. OK, OK, wake up! I learned to be very cynical about Internet posts and content. That was pretty easy for me, given the fact that I'm a cynical person to begin with. It's a bit curious to me that I have always looked at the Internet and consumed it always with a grain of salt. However, when it came to television, I tended to be just this side of blindfold- gullible  Why? I don't know. I've never really thought about it enough to analyze it. I guess it has something to do with the fact that I was always a TV child. I just loved watching TV all the time. I didn't like to read all that much so, TV was my escape. Maybe some times too much of an escape. Nevertheless, I think the eyes of childhood carried over into adulthood somewhat and, right or wrong, I think my belief that whatever is on TV must be real. Right?

The sands of time forces a certain amount of maturity on a person. Some more than others. I am no different. When I learned how the world works, that was it. Just about anything that came before me was looked upon with a jaundice eye and trust was given very sparingly. So why after 45 years of living did I get hoodwinked? Well, let me briefly explain. I know that Reality TV is not really reality. Yes, we all know. If you don't know, sorry to tell ya, it's not. BUT! I bit. There is a show call Operation Repo which appears on the TruTV network. I know that these shows are edited major league to create conflict and drama. But, I thought that the actual content was "real." I remember watching a particular show where Lu, the main character, had his tow truck demolished by a reposesee and his friends. I felt so bad for the guy. He looked like he was going to die. I then found out that the show is completely staged. Operation Repo does have a disclaimer before every episode, but I always missed that part.
I think the kicker was when I found out that one of my formally favorite shows (american pickers) is also staged. http://voices.yahoo.com/american-pickers-scripting-history-11697300.html?cat=2 It's kind of embarrassing for me because I thought to myself, here I am, a pretty much seasoned person who is very cynical of people and much more of things on the Internet and TV, taking the bait.
It goes to show that despite having lived for a while and not giving trust very easily, if at all, I still got the old shook and jive. The world of entertainment has always been in the business of creating a story. Something that is not quite real, but real. It's my opinion that now, more than ever, it is more and more pervasive. From the majority of the music that's out there right now, the lack of originality in movies, none reality reality is the norm. If you are a network that is not running some sort of "reality show" you are getting lapped in the ratings. Is that good? Not to me. I just miss original, somewhat real material.

Remember when...

It's so hard to not to take things for granted. It's so easy sometimes to forget how things were "back in the day." Technology has changed so much in in such a short time. I can remember back in the 1970s listening to 8 track tapes and Vinyl records. Then, it was on the the 80s and cassette tapes. I had such a great time recording music mixes on tape for myself and my friends. I used to have a black and white TV set that had rabbit ears with foil paper on them. This tv would look great for most of the time. However, there were times when the screen would go blank. The only thing I could do to get back the picture was to hit it on either side and the picture would return. I always get a chuckle when I think about that tv. But, you know what? That was my tv. And, whatever short comings it had I could deal with it because it was all mine.

Fast forward to now, 2012. Wow, I could never imagine watching tv on a 13 inch black and white. Or, enjoying my music primarily via vinyl, 8 track or cassette. Now, to put a mix together it simply takes cutting and pasting and bam, you've got a mix. Technology is so very cool and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I can only wonder what is on the horizon. How antiquated with mp3s be in 30 years? How funny will the iPad look in 50 years from now? Time will tell, but for now this is what's cool so enjoy it I will and embrace the new tech as it evolves.

Dallas Cowboys = Frustration

I'm getting so tired of the Dallas Cowboys being an average or below average football team. I began the football season by being somewhat optimistic. But, deep down inside I was really feeling like my team was going to suffer the same fate as before. Yes, I'm frustrated. I'm also saddened. Saddened because The Dallas Cowboys are, were, traditionally one of the top rated teams in the league. Sure, in the beginning it was rough going. However, the Cowboys made their way to the top of the NFL's top teams. They didn't win a Super Bowl until 1972 but before that they were competitive. In the 70's not only were they competitive, they won 2 Super Bowls. Would have been 3 were it not for a dropped pass. Ok ok, that's another story. In the 80's my Cowboys didn't fair too well. They sunk into mediocrity. But, in just over a decade, the "Boys" were back in town winning 3 Super bowls in 4 years. And, they were competitive a few years after that run.

Now, it's been one playoff win in 15 years. My team has been relegated to one of those franchises that seems to be up and coming but just can't make it happen. The kind of team like, the Cardinals, the Falcons, the Bengals, the Seahawks. You know what I'm talking about. I never thought I'd see the day when the mighty Dallas Cowboys were on the same level as those teams. But, it's happened. And, it's really sad.

Is it the owner? Many have been saying that for years. Well, maybe. I'm starting to think so. It was he who hired Wade Phillips. Absolutely hated that decision. It was he who went along with letting Tony Romo remain the starting QB. After the second year he started I was shouting "get rid of him!" "He's not the guy!" Yet he remains. He hired Jason Garrett as the new head coach. Didn't like that choice either. Some people have said that no quality coach wants to work for Jerry Jones. Why? Because he is a meddler. I'm starting to buy into that hypothesis.

Whatever the reason, I just want my Dallas Cowboys to be winners again. Enough is enough already.

What a beautiful moon

I took a look out of my window and in addition to the wonderful sight of the ocean, I saw our beautiful moon. What a spectacular and beautiful celestial object. The moon is synonymous with romance and mysticism. It also invokes thoughts of werewolves and monsters.

To me, it siphon all of that and more. When I see the moon, the first thing I think about is Geologic Time. I think about the Hadean Eon when the moon was much closer to the Earth and how must it have looked during those times. Enormous! I think about how insignificant we, as human beings, are in the grand scheme of things. I mean, really. We are sooooooooooo insignificant it boggles the mind. We are ONE planet in a galaxy that contains about 100,000 solar systems. If you stood at one end of out galaxy and turned on a flash light towards the other end of the galaxy, it would take 80,000 years the for light to reach the other side of the galaxy. 80,000 years.

Anything and everything we do on this Earth will, in the end,  NOT MATTER. In about 4.5 BILLION YEARS we will have been long gone. The work we did, the music we made, the money we made or lost, all will not matter.

We are matter that has taken the form we see today. Mass extinction will toss our form and all other form into the next form. There is much to do yet. My goals in life are mine and I want to strive to achieve those goals for me and no one else, understanding that whatever I accomplish, I accomplish to impress me and to keep everything in perspective. Geologic Time perspective.