1st fire

We got a new fireplace screen tonight and lit our first fire. It heats the house really well.

Weekend stuff

On Friday, Bill invited me too see a photographer he knows give a presentation of his work and  his book release.

Waiting for the show.

This is the photographer, Chase Jarvis.

Bill getting a book. I like the guy in line with the 80's purple ski jacket.

Bill got the book signed to Jack.

Steak night.

Saturday, Melissa and I went to the conveyor belt sushi spot.

Egg.

I did good.

A lady in this store told us they don't allow pictures because people steal their ideas.

Look how huge his head is and how little his feet are.

I wanted this Burger King mask, but they were all warped and deformed.

This was on TV tonight.

La Palma

Contrary to what we've said or written in the past, last night we found the best mexican restaurant in the city. It's called La Palma, and it's about 1/2 mile from our house. It looks cruddy from the outside and has a light up "cocktails" sign out front.  It might be my favorite restaurant in Seattle...

The amazing holiday decorations and christmas lights make the place comfortable.

Crazy photos and a skeleton holding a giant beer bottle? Outrageous.

La Cocina. There's a wooden cocina sign and a virgin mary painting  up above.

It smells like wonderful sauteed onions and peppers even when there's nothing on the stove. Also, huge portions and stiff drinks for reasonable prices.

Vampire says "come back soon"...

phone phun

Just more stuff I shot with the phone camera...

After work cocktail.

It looked sharp when I shot it. Our bush is turning colors.

Melissa talking to her mom. It was cold tonight.

Our telephone pole...

more dog park

The dog and I had lunch in the park today. Then we went to the off-leash area.  Sorry for so many dog photos, but he's my only subject when Melissa is at work (and I was experimenting with these new photo filters).

The view from our picnic table.

Begging for "mexi-fries" (a fancy name for tater-tots).

It was cold and grey when we got there...

But warmed up quick.  Man, I love the look of these photos...

It really does look like old photos from when I was a kid. My mom has a whole album of these discolored / washed-out / yellowed photos from the 70's. 

Now it takes expensive, high-end technology to get the same look - go figure.

All for now.

Photo filters

I just downloaded some photo filters for the iPhone. These are right from the camera, no photoshop or any manipulation done...

This is the Helga filter

The lolo filter.

The 1974 filter.

The "Ansel" filter.

Cool stuff. There's a few more I haven't played with yet. Should make these blog posts a little more interesting to look at...

Market & Hogarth park

Sunday we went to the Ballard farmer's market. We got Finch a new harness, and it totally changed our lives. It attaches from the front, so he doesn't pull anymore. I can easily walk through the crowds with him now...

The new harness - he's upset because I'm in control!

Then we drove up to Everett to check out a dog beach we read about. The tide was high, so there was only a few feet of shore to play on. This is an overhead view.

Bridge over train tracks.

This train full of saw dust was just parked.

Same train, other side.

Self portrait on the bridge.

No bending over near the seals and sea lions.

Finch and Melissa exploring.

I think "urban stream" is a nice way of saying sewage runoff.

This place stinks, we're outta here...