Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Eye Spy with my Eye


I see a wonderful year ahead of us. 2009? Boy, how time flies.
Do you see any big events this year?
My son will graduate from high school and start college.
I plan to run my second (and maybe third) marathon.
Our nation will have a new President.
I see 2009 as being a great year.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Somebody likes to cut trees down.

I just really like how the green, black and other colors mingle in this shot. I wish I had seen the tree before.

Monday, December 29, 2008

One less Tree in the world

I guess it would have been a better shot without my shoe in the way.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Chandelier in Chandler

I love taking pictures looking up.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Barack Obama

I just finished reading "Dreams from My Father" by Barack Obama, our next president. It's a great read and I encourage you to read it, regardless of whether you voted for him. He has lived a very interesting life to date and I couldn't put the book down.


Friday, December 26, 2008

The Aftermath

I meant to post this on Christmas Day, but life got in the way. So, here's a late post of what our living room looked like after we opened our gifts. Notice, we tried to be delicate with the rapping paper. I like to recycle it. Some paper has been used for many a Christmas. The family won't let me date it.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!


Another Google Earth assisted shot, but I did do the writing myself. In Arizona we don't get to make snow angels, but since I'm a runner I did make this by running down the street.


I have a GPS watch from Garmin. It tracks where I go by satellite. I ran, in such a fashion down a street to spell out my Christmas wish to you.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008


This picture is courtesy of Google Earth. It's a different view of Phoenix's Palm Lane, names so because of all the palms lining the street. Sharon, over at Phoenix Daily Photo took her own picture of Palm Lane. Check it out.
Click on the photo for a larger image.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Pumpkin Pie

Christmas is almost here.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Gilbert's SanTan Village

And here's Santa. He's talking with a bashful little boy right now, but my turn is next. He does talk to grown ups, doesn't he?

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Gilbert's SanTan Village

SanTan Village is like a downtown area, but it's just two years old. This is the play area for the kiddies. You can see santa's tent in the middle. The weather in December is usually in the 60's and 70's. My kind of weather.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Gilbert's SanTan Village

All decked out for the holidays. One of the nice things about living in Arizona, is shopping outdoors.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Chandler's Tumbleweed Christmas Tree

Every year Chandler collects tumbleweeds from all over the city. They make a huge Christmas tree for downtown. Do you want to see how they've done it in past years? This is a really cool webpage - Chandler's Tumbleweed Christmas Tree. Not only the pictures, but the video is a must see!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Amy's Christmas Village

It's not as big as our neighbors, but we love it.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

What's This?

Only in Chandler will you find this decoration for Christmas. Do you know what it is? check the picture tomorrow for the answer.


Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The Country Clipper Ceiling of Hats

I guess your haircut will be so good, you'll leave your hat behind.

Monday, December 15, 2008

The Country clipper

While shopping in downtown Chandler, you'll have to make time for a trim at the Country Clipper. If you don't need a haircut, at least check out the ceiling. If you can't make it to Chandler at all, then check out tomorrows photo.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Saba's Western Wear

Christmas shopping isn't complete in Arizona without a trip to Saba's Western Wear in downtown Chandler.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Friday, December 12, 2008

Chandler Downtown


It's TGIF Photo Friday. To see some more pics, go on over to Nikemom's blog. If you are into running, you'll love it.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Arizona is a cotton state

I was driving in Chandler and saw this truck. As I got closer I figured it out. It's cotton. Not sure if it's heading towards the cotton gin or leaving it. Heck, I'm not sure what a cotton gin does. Do you?


Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Tall Palms


Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Lone Butte Casino

One more shot of the casino this month. As you enter, you see slot machines. Of course. But, then your eyes see five panels of glass with water cascading down the sides. It separates the bar area from the flashing lights of the machines.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Lone Butte Casino

The new casino on the Gila River Indian Reservation is called Lone Butte. Here's a picture of the outside of the building. I took a bunch of pictures of the inside, which I'll share in January. There's just too many other pictures for this month.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Rainbow Chandler

We had a double rainbow the other day. The picture didn't come out like I had hoped, but here's one of the better shots.


Friday, December 5, 2008

Petrified Rock

As I'm walking through a Mesa park I find the unexpected. Some petrified rock. It wasn't mark or in an area that others could see it. About 50 yards away was the start on the local Turkey Trot and there were 2000 runners. I bet 99% of them didn't even know this was here.


Thursday, December 4, 2008

Fazoli's

All the Fazoli's have closed in our part of the world. In Chandler only, I've seen a TGIFridays, Baja Fresh and RedFish close. I told a client to meet me at this Fazoli's only to find it closed. Yesterday, I was meeting a client at the Baja Fresh on Warner, only to find it closed.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Planet Earth

A close up view of the globe in Mesa. I'm not sure why Central America is missing.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Chandler Christmas Village


Just blocks from my home is this Christmas Village. It is set up in a neighbors garage and you can see it on Saturday and Sunday nights. The address is 720 N. Los Feliz Dr. South east of the intersection of McClintock and Ray roads or click on the address for a map. They have signs with flashing lights to direct you to the home. It's well worth the time to see this great Christmas tradition.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Theme Day: Circles/Spheres


in Chandler's neighboring city of Mesa you can find this globe at the entrance to Leisure World, a retirement community.



Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Sunday, November 30, 2008

A view above

In a home for sale, some child had a wonderful view.


Saturday, November 29, 2008

Friday, November 28, 2008

Lifetime Fitness Sculpture

Now that we are stuffed from dinner yesterday, it's time to think about exercise. I found this sculpture outside the lifetime Fitness in Tempe. Get it? He's sculpting his body.


Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving in Chandler, AZ

When it's just the four of us we don't whip out the fancy china. But, this year we have the mother in law in town and you know the table will look fabulous. I'll have a picture of this years feast in a few days, but I wanted to have a bird picture for today.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Tempe Town Lake

A view of the lake from one of the new high rises. For those that don't know, Tempe Town Lake is in the Salt River, which is usually dry. Tempe bought inflatable dams and put them a two miles apart. Then they filled the river in between. Click on the name for a fact sheet.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Desert Ocotillo

My son, Tyler next to our Ocotillo. You can buy these at a nursery and they look like they are dead. just a bunch of sticks. But, once you plant them and water just a bit, you get green leaves and orange/red flowers at the top.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Arizona Department of Transportation

Our transportation department spends money to make the highways look good. This is colored rock in various formations. Do you think it's a wise use of taxpayer dollars?

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Arizona Ironman

I'm a runner, so I loved seeing this car recently. Not only that it's a Jaguar, which is a runner too. But, you'll see the Ironman logo on the back glass. Today is the day for the Arizona Ironman. A competition where you have to swim in Tempe Town Lake for 2.4 miles, get out and jump on a bike for 112 miles. Then, if that's not enough you have to run a marathon. 26.2 miles.

If you are nearby, you should check out the Arizona Ironman which takes place today.



Saturday, November 22, 2008

Casino Arizona

Besides yesterday's sign, you can see this sign. And in the background is the new casino being built.


Friday, November 21, 2008

Wild Horses

Right on the Scottsdale border with the Indian reservation you'll drive by this sign. I'd love to see a pack of wild horses, but I haven't yet.


Thursday, November 20, 2008

The Hidden Lake

Another view of the same lake. Here' you can see the lake, desert, the new tower at the airport and Camelback Mountain. In between is the Salt River or Rio Salado, but it's mostly dry.


Wednesday, November 19, 2008

SkyHarbor Airport Lake

In metropolitain Phoenix, which includes Chandler, most lakes are man made and are for aesthics. This one is hidden behind an office park with no real views of it. What's it for?


Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Vintage Vinyl

My daughter found a way to play records with a piece of paper, needle and a pen. You have to spin the record just right and it's best to use a record you don't really care about.


Monday, November 17, 2008

High Arch?

I needed to know how high my arch is for some inserts I wanted for my running shoes. I just stepped into the wet grass and then onto my porch. Took the picture and I had a record of it.

How high an arch do you have?


Sunday, November 16, 2008

Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk

About this time every year I happen to drive by the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. These women walk 20 miles a day for three consecutive days to raise money to help find the cure for breast cancer. I don't think they publicize the route, so you just have to be luck enough to spot them during your day. If you see them honk, flash your lights or stop, get out and cheer. I did!
Today is the final day of their journey. Thank you, all who took part in a wonderful event.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Chandler's Day of Play


A while back we had a 'Day of Play' at Tumbleweed Park. I participated by running in the 10k race. These kids enjoyed playing hockey on the grass, compliments of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Start

Just before the start of a local 5k road race.


Thursday, November 13, 2008

#13

On the thirteenth, I thought I'd show you #13 Dave Concepcion from my baseball card collection. I usually don't show other photographers pictures, but this is my picture representing my baseball collection in Chandler, AZ.