New digs...

I've got something new. I actually got it towards the end of December... but after some snowfall and salted roads I wanted to wait for a nice day and a washing before photographing it. I've never owned a "NEW" car before... and since this is a lease I guess I still don't. (In theory) ;) I had always bought used and it feels good to not have to worry about repairs.


The last time I posted about my Celica I had reached the 170,000 mile mark. As of December I was over 194,000 miles. It was on the verge of needing a new transmission and the sunroof started to leak badly; so it was time for something "NEW!"


There were a few things I had wanted that I mentioned in that last post. I admit that the car has a bit of "oomph" although I would love to have a bit more (I'm getting the manual transmission next time.) And I didn't get a convertible. This one doesn't even have a sunroof. But in about two years I'll trade up and possibly get more of what I want. (I just reread this and I make myself sick.)

Let's make some noise...

Awfully Quiet

I like noise that's why I'm livin' where I am.
I like the noise and confusion of a traffic jam.
I like the sound of a jet as it's shakin' my dwellin'.
I like ragin', rampagin', and screamin' and yellin'.

Sound of a fire engine headed for a fire,
Emotions so high they can't get any higher.
Goin' out of control in an outta-hand crowd.
I like noise and it's gotta be loud.

Awfully quiet on the streets yesterday.
People on the streets had little to say.
I walked the streets and barely heard a sound.
It was awfully quiet on the streets downtown.

Sometimes quiet's okay, sometimes quiet's alright.
Given the choice, I like noise, morning, noon, and night.

Awfully quiet on the trains last night.
People on the trains kept the conversation light.
I rode the trains and barely heard a word,
Quietest train I ever heard.

Sometimes quiet's okay, sometimes quiet's alright.
Given the choice, I like noise, morning, noon, and night.

It was awfully quiet and I needed some noise.
I got on the phone called up the boys.
I was jonesing so bad, I could barely hack it.
They came to the house and kicked up a racket.

They turned my place on its ear,
the boys began to riot.
It felt so good to hear
on a day that was so quiet.

I screamed and cheered them on,
And helped out where I could.
And when they all were gone,
I was feeling GOOOOOOOOOOD.
—Mighty Mighty Bosstones

A peahen... in this cold?...

I was taking some pictures on Long Island today and stopped at a mostly frozen lake. Among the birds I saw this girl that my wife insisted "...couldn't be a peacock. It must be a quail!"

I said, "Look at the head crest. It's a peacock but it has no tail feathers." I thought these birds wouldn't be able to survive a cold NY winter. But supposedly they are raised on LI and this one may have escaped or may be a resident of the park I was at.

I passed the image on to MCF and he quickly sent some internet images that confirmed it was indeed a peahen. "Who woulda' thunk it?"



I wish they would clean up all the trash along the lake :(



Check back tomorrow for another bird that has my wife and I guessing. It's a small, black feathered, white beaked, web-footed bird that was hanging out with the peahen, ducks, and geese.

I need new subject matter...

Today was sunny and rather warm for late December. But I've been sick and haven't wanted to go out much. I'm looking forward to warmer weather. In the meantime, here are some ducks.







Speaking of new subject matter... next week I will do another 5 day sequence of photos. I had some big trees removed and got 25 shots to share. You will get to see the process from start to finish in 5 shot increments for 5 days :)