Curtain Theatre Lighting Grid
The Curtain Theatre renovation is moving along. Last week they put up the new lighting grid and it is very interesting. These are guys that have been doing all the work.
I’ve been on the go alot lately. Sorry for the lack of posts. / Last Wednesday we went to Fenway to see the Sox play Tampa. As often happens, we were only able to get two tickets for the three of us. Instead of messing with the scalpers, I make a small sign and stand on the corner of Yawkey Way and Brookline Avenue and hope for the best. It has always worked in the past, and Wednesday was no exception. Some guy walked past and just handed me this standing room only ticket. It was for the Budweiser Deck in right field and it was a great place to watch the game.
I stayed up here until the fourth and then Cris texted me to say that the seat next to her was still empty. So I moved down was able to sit in the shade with her and Peter in section 10 and see the end of the game from the nice new red seats. Sox lost 4-0 but it was still loads of fun. So thanks to the gentleman who made it all possible.
Saratoga
Last Friday my sister Karen and her husband Dick came up to go with us to the track at Saratoga. It was a beautiful day and after all the heat and humidity, it was a pleasure to sit in the grandstand and watch the horses run. Last year Cris, Peter, and I went and Pete was the big winner. I am not sure what his system is, but it seems to work as he came out about $60.00 ahead. This year, Dick’s friend Paul gave us some tips and they mostly worked. On mostly $1.00 or $2.00 bets, I ended the day up about $20.00. Peter chose not to follow Paul’s advice and again was the big winner, leaving the track with about $30.00 more than he came with.
I won a bit on the sixth race. Lots of fun.
PNC Park
Peter and I drove to Meadville on Wednesday so that I could be with friends for a few days. Last night we went down the 79 to Pittsburgh to catch a Bucs game. As a family, we go to ballparks whenever we get the chance and we’ve been to PNC Park quite alot. In 2002, Peter and I went to see a game and had almost the exact same seats. I was shooting with my Widelux at that time and made an image that day that I have always loved. When I shifted to digital, I stopped using that camera, but have always missed the format. So now I shoot 2 digital images and stitch them together on the computer. Pretty much the identical result. Feels a bit like cheating, but I’m not too bothered. / This is a beautiful ball park. Situated on the north shore of the river with an amazing view of downtown Pittsburgh, it just can’t be beat (unlike the Pirates who lost 15 – 5). These seats were $27.oo each, which is an incredible bargain. My only complaint is that it is almost impossible to find an Iron City Beer in the place. I had to settle for a 16 oz can of Yuengling which is arguably a better beer, but doesn’t hold the same cachet for me.
Curtain theatre
UMASS is renovating the Curtain Theatre in the Fine Arts Building and I have been documenting the progress. I enjoy photographing in dark spaces using long exposures. Here I have stitched two frames together.
Tustin Walk
Peter and I had a nice walk around the neighborhood today. It is very hot, but there is a bit of a breeze and there is always something interesting to see. Plants just grow out here, many of which I have never seen before. This round thing is about twice the size of a basketball.
This El Camino SS 396 is parked just down the street. We’ve been driving by it all week and I especially wanted to get some photos before we leave.
Watts Towers
John and Lynne took us on a mini tour of places of note in the LA area yesterday. It is amazing to watch John navigate around the area. He grew up out here and knows the streets very well. Lynne does the driving and John says things like “Why don’t you turn right here?” We always end up in amazing places. The Watts towers are a National Historic Landmark and worth a visit. Learn more about them here.
Whenever I think of Watts I am reminded of my great friend Alex’s tales of his time as a young man in the National Guard and being placed on a corner with live ammunition during the riots of 1965. Not having been given much in the way of guidance, he wasn’t sure what would happen, and fortunately for everyone around where he was stationed, not much did.
Hotel Room With a View (finally)
Cris and I are well used to having hotel rooms with crap views. Were were pleasantly surprised to enter our room and see this. It is especially nice to be able to open the window far enough to stick out the camera and get a clear shot. / I am really liking this city.
Lake Champlain flood
I am in Montreal for a few days and decided to take the more scenic route through Grand Isle, Vermont instead of the 89. The level of the lake was quite high; the road was covered in a few places. I couldn’t tell if it was unusual, but a lot of houses seemed to be having issues with water. I’ll be curious to see what it is like when I drive back home on Wednesday. There is rain in the forecast.
Clingstone story in Old House Journal
The Old House Journal with the Clingstone story is on the newsstands. It is the May 2011 issue. Click here to see the online version. Please click on the photos to see them in a pop-out window. And keep in mind that the volunteer weekend is coming up . It is a blast.
Jon Crispin's Notebook 
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