Long Beach Transit Photographs

I am thrilled to be a part of the reopening of the Long Beach transit Mall in downtown Long Beach.  In the next few weeks, work will be completed on the project including eight canopy shelters, serving an average of 20,000 commuters daily.

Eight selected photographs that I took of Long Beach will be on display in and around the new mall to coordinate with the "nautical" theme expansion.  I spent about four months walking on the beach each night and a few mornings with my point and click camera capturing everything I came across on the beach. Images from these moments will be blown up and installed around the mall so people can experience the beach without actually being at the beach.  I look forward to the completion and encourage you to use public transportation.  You never know what you might come across.

The photos from this blog are some I took during those months, but you will have to see the chosen ones once they are installed in a few weeks.

The press Telegram writes, "After months of work, improvements to the Long Beach Transit Mall downtown are nearing completion.
Eight canopy shelters and public art should be completely installed in the coming weeks and transit operations will move back from Ocean Boulevard to First Street on Sunday, said spokeswoman Marcelle Epley on Monday.
Last August, Long Beach Transit announced that it would begin a $7 million modernization of the regional transit hub on First Street between Long Beach Boulevard and Pacific Avenue.
The Transit Mall, which serves an average of 20,000 commuters daily, has grown since opening in 1982 and now accommodates passengers taking Long Beach Transit buses, Metro Blue Line trains and buses and Torrance Transit.
Funded with federal stimulus money, the project will feature improved night lighting, upgraded landscaping and newly designed bus shelters with public art.
Done in partnership with the Arts Council of Long Beach, the public art will feature photographs by Long Beach photographer Alison Turner and nautical-theme poems by Long Beach poets, as well as poets from Long Beach literary magazine, Pearl."

For the full article, click HERE

Dog Art Weekend

My weekend was filled with viewing and appreciating art. More specifically, art including our canine best friend.

Friday and Saturday was "Art goes to the dogs" hosted by Paige Bauer at the 2nd city council art gallery in Long Beach, CA.  There was an array of beautiful photographs, paintings, sculpture and instillations everywhere you looked in the space.  I was fortunate to display my photograph of a corgie and an Airstream titled,"Dixie." Being camera shy, I took this photograph of another person being interviewed in front of "Dixie."

On Saturday evening, I went to the closing reception of "Dogs Dogs Dogs" at the 1650 Gallery in Echo Park.  I brought Max along to this reception since they had Santa there to take photographs with and I knew he was ready to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas.  I saw him whispering in his ear but he wanted to keep it a secret from me.  I wonder what Max wished for...

Here are some snapshots I took with my point and shoot camera.  I look forward to seeing the photograph of Max with Santa that the professional took on hand.  Along with the Santa photo shoots, they actioned photographs to benefit "Dogs without Borders" to help homeless pets in the Los Angeles area.

The Florida Panhandle

Max and I left Savannah to head south towards the gulf.  We took a few South Georgia backroads to see the sights to end up in our final destination for the day of Tallahassee. The back roads can be an experience.  I always hope to find people who match the surroundings but sometimes, the people aren't out and about as much as their "treasures" are.  I found a row of old cars on the side of the road so I had to stop to take some photographs.  As I was doing so, I started feeling pain in my feet and ankles.  As it turned out, I was standing on an ant pile and they decided to feast on my feet while I was admiring the rusty cars.  I did the slap your ankles and feet dance and continued to take pictures.

From there, Max and I headed in a direct route to the water and coasted along that trail until we reached Destin.  We met up with Rich, Eleanor and their daughter, Emma at Henderson State Park in Destin for some camping. This photograph is of them at the Alumapalooza event last June.

I never really know where I will end up each day so it was nice to receive a suggestion from Rich to join them camping at the state park.  It was beautiful.  The beach water was a clear blue green, the sand was so white and fine that it squeaked under your feet and everywhere you looked, you were surrounded by beauty.  I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised.

Lucky me, Rich and Eleanor invited me over to their Airstream for dinner and I happily accepted.  The meal was delicious.  It was nice to be inside of their trailer during the night as the sun was down.  After chatting for a few hours, I returned to my tent home for the night.

And for the record, I know this area is called the "pan handle" of Florida but what kind of pan is that anyway?  I see how Oklahoma is shaped like a pan, but Florida?  Humm....more like an insect net handle or a ladle handle?  Maybe I am missing something.  No matter what the name, the beaches are a beautiful sight.

Provincetown, MA

I love Provincetown.  I fell in love with the area when I was lucky enough to spend the month of September here last year.  I briefly visited the town in the summer but I think the fall is the best time of year to be here.  The crowds are thinner, the air is crisp and the town is just the same as it always is...diverse and quaint.

Each part of Cape Cod has its own personality and I am drawn to ptown each year.  I love the rows of cottages as you approach the town and if you decide to drive through commercial street at 1 mile an hour, you will get a glimpse of what the town is about.

Once you are out of the car and mingling with the surroundings, you will get a sense of what I am drawn to.  You can stroll the street a mile and see some amazing works of art from locals and semi-locals.  You won't see a Starbucks or any other chain coffee or fast food restaurant which is a breath of fresh air.  Everyone in town is free to be who they are, when they feel like it.  It's not uncommon to see people expressing their love openly or seeing someone strolling down the street in leather pants with nothing else on in 50 degree weather.

My favorite place to eat for breakfast is at the Far land market.  I stop there at least once every other day to pick out some goodies and if you want an amazing breakfast at a low price, you better get there before 11:30a.m!

All of the beaches are beautiful and I have always been drawn to Race Point.  In fact, I took a photograph of the ranger station each day during my stay last year in September.  It never gets old.

I've always said that this is the perfect place to live if you are able to survive the winters.  Here is a small collection of some of the photographs I took while in Ptown with my camera phone.

A Visit Home And The Long Beach Roller Derby Take 2

Last weekend I flew home to get some love from my friends and attend some local Long Beach events.  In June, I went to my first Long Beach roller derby to take a few photographs at the event and was lucky enough to be asked by "Z" to display and sell some of those photos at their LBRD booth at the event.  I was honored to be a part of this special night.

I wrote about my first bout HERE, and the second one didn't disappoint.  Thank you to photographer and Derby coach, Lindsey Karnopp for including my images at the roller derby booth for sale. If you haven't been to a roller derby, I suggest that you go to one in your area.  It's sure to please.

It was nice to go home and visit friends after being on the road.  Max and the car stayed in Spokane while I traveled for a few days in Long Beach.  I made the rounds to visit as many people as I could and am fortunate that they made the time to see me.

It was a nice break to be back in my home base but now it's time to head back on the road.  Max and I look forward to the adventure the next few months.  For more pictures from the Roller Derby, click HERE.

The Long Beach Roller Derby

In the midst of getting ready to leave to drive around the country, I thought it was a good idea to get out for some local entertainment, or how the derby describes it is, "girl on girl traction."  Lucky for me, the Long Beach Roller Derby was having their second bout so I had to go watch this exciting event!  I missed the opening night since I thought it would be ok just to show up.  Big mistake.  For the second time, the event sold out.  I learned my lesson and bought the tickets early.

When I arrived, the line to get in was pretty long.  I snapped pictures of the crowd and this little girl caught my attention.  She was so interested in the roller girl, but hiding behind her parents as she watched her skate away.

The moment I walked in the door, I knew I was in for a fun night.  They had vender booths, food stands, and live music to entertain the crowd as we waited patiently for it to begin.

I walked around the rink and searched for a spot to sit down.  Once the announcer made it clear that it was ok to sit on the floor up to the red line, that's exactly where I went.  I sat on the corner of the red line on the floor next to the seats of the players.  I think I grabbed the best seat in the house, outside of the players seats.

I really didn't know what to expect but I have to say it was fun even though, for the most part, I didn't know what was going on.  I caught up with some of the rules as the night progressed and if you can't follow along, it's ok...you'll still have fun.

I enjoyed taking pictures of the women playing and a part of me was nostalgic watching them out there.  I played college basketball and coached women's basketball after college and I miss the comradery of being on a team. It's so nice to see these ladies out there having a great time, and looking especially put together while doing it.

If you've never been to a roller derby bout in person, I would recommend it.  It's fun for the entire family.  I bet afterwards, you will want to dust off your quads and give roller skating another try.

I have too many photographs to show here...for more of my photographs from the night of roller derby action, click HERE.

Thank you for the fun night ladies!  I hope you are not too sore today.

"Hello, Can I Take Your Picture?"

It's been a while since I went out and spent the day taking pictures.  I thought it was about time to go out and see what I could find.  Today, I went to Huntington Beach and to do my usual snapping away at things that looked interesting, but this time I was going to get out of my comfort zone of hiding behind the camera and actually walk up and talk to people. I know, scary...right?

It's not that I don't mind talking to people, it's just that you never know what you are going to get when you approach someone who is enjoying the day and who really didn't count on some woman coming up and asking to take their picture while they relax on the beach.  I was completely surprised that every person I asked said yes.  When you think about it, being at the beach in a swimsuit is one of the most vulnerable places to be for many people.  I prepared myself for the, "get out of here lady!" or, "can't you see that I don't want to be bothered!" response.  Perhaps because it was such a beautiful day that people didn't mind the attention.  Whatever the case, it I was appreciative of it.

It really was a beautiful day.  I enjoy taking pictures of everyday people living their life and I certainly came across a mix of personalities.
The way it should be.

Many asked why I wanted to take their photo and I explained to them that I like to take pictures and that I was doing it for practice, which is true.  On my upcoming travels, I look forward to engaging with people more than I have in the past.  I want to learn about their life, hear stories and document the "American life."  The lives that many of us don't read about in the news or watch on television.  I wanted to do that with my American Life Today blog, but this time I will run into people that might not have computers to share their story.

I look forward to sharing more images of, "hello, can I take your picture." Who knows, I might run into you!  In that case, please say yes.

You can see more pictures from my day by clicking HERE.