kobe diem?

it took a bit of searching, but according to this article, kobe likes to seize the day. i guess it's kind of his thing to sign carpe diem after his autograph, but i doubt many basketball fans are fluent in latin... confusing, strange, and oddly fitting. way to go vitamin water.

anyway, the real reason for posting this picture is the amazing amount of firewood stacked around this sign. i've always wondered about this place. is there a big need for firewood in pasadena? does anyone ever buy wood here?

andrew and the cicada

meet andrew. he likes bugs. likes them so much that he's been working on a phd in entomology. he found this little guy shedding his old skin on the morning of his brother's wedding (the wedding which i was involved in back in pennsylvania... it's been a busy summer, try and keep up) and decided to let it crawl around on his shoulder - eventually leading to the bug reaching his face (andrew says it's because they try and reach the highest point of whatever they are crawling on). hope you aren't too squeamish!

mezbaan indian cuisine

pasadena has several really great indian restaurants. i've never been to this one but i'm enticed by the banner advertising a lunch buffet. it's located in an area of old town that we don't get to very often, so i'm sure that is part of the reason we've never gone.

above the 210

i like the irony of this picture. empty tracks, a busy freeway, and the constant summer haze over it all. i can't wait for the sky to clear a bit as fall arrives.

for now i'm heading out of town once again. flying east to once again be involved in a wedding (the third one this summer!!). this time my good friend steve is getting married in ontario. i'll be posting more from pasadena and may sprinkle a few from canada while i'm on the road, or once i get back. comments are always welcome, but i may not be able to respond as quickly as i would like to.

big tujunga canyon road

on a crazy route suggestion of my friends ryan and alethia, i took a bike ride earlier this week that turned out to be one of the most difficult i've ever undertaken. tim and i set out early monday morning and headed out to sunland, ca where we turned into the mountains following big tujunga canyon road. what we faced was 15 miles and almost two hours of gradual climbing - almost 1500 feet of altitude change, winding up the mountain sides.

we ran out of water along the way, and were cursing ryan and alethia by the end, but we were also blessed with some amazing canyon views, and a very quick and fun 10 mile decent down hwy 2 back to la canada and eventually pasadena. almost 50 miles of intense riding is a crazy way to start off a monday morning.

one final image

here it is, the last image i'll post from my trip to the east coast. the bike trip was possible because I was asked to participate in the wedding of my college friend peter (congrats you two!). here we see a covered bridge in lancaster county (where the wedding took place), with the silhouettes of the wedding party at the end of the tunnel.

tomorrow i'll start posting images of pasadena. if you missed the link when i posted it earlier, you can see more photos from my trip right here.


10,000! - i'd like to say thank you to all of my loyal blog readers. sometime this morning this blog will surpass 10,000 visitors. in less than a year this thing has grown beyond anything i could have ever imagined. thank you all so much!

enough to take my breath away

my favorite image from the bike trip. this one is from our campsite at janes island state park on the eastern shore of the chesapeake. aside from a little cropping, this hasn't really had any editing done to it.

dolles salt water taffy

the size of the seagull in this shot completely took me by surprise. i was hoping to capture the scene on the boardwalk in rehoboth beach in delaware and the classic looking taffy sign, but the bird swooped in to my viewfinder. i like it!

this is another image from the recent bike trip. a few more pictures will follow and then i'll get back to posting about pasadena.

calm after the storm

we took cover to avoid the storm brewing above us as we biked through maryland. it included hail, rain, and some strong wind, and left us with some incredible sky above this farmhouse.

click here to see what we looked like on the other side.

photo request #7: images of fuller seminary

petrea over at pasadena daily photo recently mentioned that i needed to feature my very own school more often. she's right of course, so i'll delay the bike trip photos one more day in favor of some friday neon and an image of fuller's student center.

a few notes about fuller theological seminary:

- largest multi-denominational seminary in the world
- almost 5000 students from 67 countries
- 108 christian denominations represented
- in addition to the main campus in pasadena there are 6 extension sites across the western usa

if you want something "uniquely pasadenian" featured on this blog, please drop me a line or make a comment. i'd be happy to oblige if i can figure out a way to take the requested image.

economic roundtable with congressman schiff

we interrupt the planned bike trip photos with some photo-journalism. last night i had the opportunity to attend a forum on economics hosted by my congressman, adam schiff at the senior center in town. it was an interesting experience to see how people reacted to their elected official and the economic experts that were assembled for the event. the recent closure of pasadena's own indymac bank has had a huge impact on this community, as seen by the huge line of people who rose during the question and answer period (photo below). democracy in action. wonderful stuff.

bicycle trip beginnings

okay, over the next few days i'll be posting a few pictures from my recent bicycle trip. the first is a view of the philadelphia skyline taken from the ben franklin bridge where we crossed into new jersey on the first day of our journey.

if you are interested in seeing more pictures, i've created a short rundown of the trip which can be found right here. more to come tomorrow, enjoy!

working with contrast

this massive palm tree is in the trio apartment complex. i really like how the black and white makes it jump off the image.

canterbury records inc.

back home today. a great trip, but good to be back in pasadena! this image was taken last month. i love that the painter is up there painting around a sign that is missing the letter p. so much going on in this shot.

canterbury is really a fantastic record store (that actually still carries a lot of vinyl), the kind of place that has sadly become rare in a world of digital downloads and super walmarts.

three dog bakery

one of the more interesting businesses in the one colorado shopping area is this bakery specifically for our canine friends. i find it a little strange, but if we had a dog we may feel differently. this company is part of a much larger chain of stores across the usa and canada and curiously also in japan and hong kong.

the sky is big on orange grove

this plaza has been featured before, only from other angles. this picture is from shortly after we moved to pasadena, taken on our old camera, and on a bright spring day. i've played with the color a little, as well as the contrast.

il fornaio

high end italian eatery on the one colorado plaza stars in this week's pasadena neon.

bike trip update: one of the people on our ride works for the philadelphia inquirer. while we were riding he completed a new episode of his weekly video series "outdoor philadelpioa". you can see it right here.

scaffolding

criss-crossing lines of a new building in old town pasadena.

straight up city hall

another nighttime image of pasadena's picturesque city hall.

checking in from the side of the road

just a quick note from the bike trip. here we are fixing a flat along the side of the road in maryland. we've biked over 200 miles so far, with well over 100 still to come. highlights include our trip to dogfish head brewery, the cape may-lewes ferry, and weathering a hailstorm from the mens room at our janes island state park campsite.

internet options have been limited, so this is probably going to be it for now. tomorrow's post will be back to some older pasadena images. more pictures of the bike trip will be posted once i'm back home (aug. 18ish).

vroom, vroom

pasadena has a maserati dealership on fair oaks avenue. 'nuf said.

malibu coast

this picture was taken by my mom back in may when they were here for a visit. i really like the composition and how meredith, my dad, and i get lost in the rocks.

first ballgame?

i love this view of dodger stadium, it always makes me pause. when i opened the image to edit, i discovered this boy and his dad walking toward the stadium. maybe his first ballgame ever? i remember how incredible that experience was.

jake's

jake's on colorado claim to have some amazing burgers. i need to try them out. they also have billiards, which they advertise on top of the store in neon. the restaurant looks small, so the pool tables must be in the back or downstairs or something.

all saints at night

another view of all saints cathedral at night. i really like how this lights up. the banner on the church notes that they are currently celebrating their 125th birthday - quite the milestone!

be aware

it's always good to be reminded of how connected we are to nature. most of the storm drains around here are marked with these warning labels.

august 5th

i can't believe it has been two years. time goes by so quickly when you are having fun! this image is our exit to the ceremony, and i think the faces in the crowd are priceless. what a fun day, i love you meredith!

sad to be leaving pasadena and my lovely wife today, but i'll be heading east to be in another wedding. my good friend peter is getting married in about a week and a half, and leading up to the wedding i'll be embarking on a cycling tour with 6 good friends from college. the blog will continue to showcase all things pasadena - that is until i get to an internet connection to post some images from our trip. if not, i'll post some when i get home.

chip off the old burrito

definitely one of my favorite fast food choices. chipotle mexican grill has quite a bit going for it besides its recent move to cut ties with parent company mcdonalds. yes it sports a trendy look, sponsors a cycling team, has delicious food, and a simple menu, but they are also committed to local produce, family farms, and naturally raised chicken.

apparently october 31 is free burrito day (as long as you wear some tinfoil into the store).

more metal

here is an image i was considering for this month's theme day. this metal cocoon sits at the corner of el molino and walnut. i'm sure there is a name for this sculpture, but i don't know it... does anyone out there know?

update: thanks to palm axis for informing me that this artwork is by mark lere.

wanna buy a hat?

this looks like the place to do so. friday neon brought to you a day late. enjoy!

august 2008 theme day: metal

the ironworkers office plaza on el molino has this very rugged sign out front. it screams metal, doesn't it? a huge steel beam.

faithful readers of this blog may notice that today is friday, and that usually means a taste of pasadena neon. i'll try and come up with something for tomorrow to fill the neon void in your life created by today's theme day post :)

138 other bloggers are interpreting "metal" today. check them out below:

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by freefalling, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Baruch, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Bandung, Indonesia by Eki Akhwan, Bandung, Indonesia by Bunyamin, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Birmingham (AL), USA by VJ, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brantford (ON), Canada by Nancy, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Ram N, Chesapeake (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Cincinnati, USA by Erik Laursen, City of the Blue Mountains, Australia by Richard, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Edinburgh, UK by Dido, Edmonton (AL), Canada by , Evry, France by Olivier, Folkestone, UK by Piskie, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA by Gigi, Gabriola, Canada by Snapper, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Hanoi, Vietnam by Jérôme, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jerusalem, Israel by Esther, Kansas City (MO), USA by Cate B, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lakewood (OH), USA by mouse, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Leipzig, Germany by weltbeschreiber, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Lynchburg (VA), USA by June, Mainz, Germany by JB, Manila, Philippines by Heyokity, Mashhad, Iran by Meead, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Menton, France by Jilly, Mesa (AZ), USA by Mesa Daily Photo, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Middletown (MD), USA by Bernie, Milwaukee (WI), USA by karl, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Scott, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Molfetta, Italy by saretta, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Nancy, France by yoshi, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Delhi, India by Delhi Photo Diary, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, New York City (NY), USA by Kitty, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Oklahoma City (OK), USA by ananda.tashie, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Owasso (OK), USA by Jennifer, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Petoskey (MI), USA by Christie, Philadelphia (PA), USA by Stephanie Craig, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Sharon, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Pretoria, South Africa by Sam-Ruth, Quezon City, Philippines by ann pablo, Quincy (MA), USA by slim, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Rancho Palos Verdes (CA), USA by Sarah Adams, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Rouen, France by Bbsato, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Schenectady (NY), USA by Buck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Zannnie, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, South Pasadena (CA), USA by Laurie, Springfield (IL), USA by Aubrey, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Ann, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tamarindo, Costa Rica by David, Tempe (AZ), USA by angie, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Villigen, Switzerland by z, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by D.C. Confidential, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,