Simple Beauty, Simple Pleasure

I recently had the opportunity to wander aimlessly around the Houston Garden Center. I have recently started experimenting with my 50mm lens. It came highly recommended and I'm happy to say, it was well worth it. There's no zoom, so I have to do the leg work, so to speak.

It's really worth it - it takes great pictures without a ton of effort on my part. Sounds bad, but sometimes my best pictures have been complete luck. This lens makes it a little easier to get the picture I want, without ten million shots to get what I want. Part of that has to do with the lack of formal photography lessons on my part and a thorough understanding of exactly how my camera works.

Sometime, when I'm in one place for awhile, I plan on taking a class so I can learn how to better use my camera.

But that's then, and this is now. Here's a little bit of simple beauty to give simple pleasure:

Texas Wildflowers, Part 2

Awhile back, at the end of March, I posted about Texas Wildflowers. There was a patch near my own house that I never got a chance to photograph before I left town and was hoping it was still in bloom when I got back.

It was. It took me a few days to get down there (yucky Houston humidity, usual post-job laziness/attachment to the couch). It was worth the few honks that I got and probably a few strange looks that I didn't see.









Up next: Houston Roses

Japan Fest 2009, Part 2

The first day, I just worked all day. The second, I came back to deliver photos from Day 1 and to experience the festival at a slower pace. And I'm glad I did. I experienced two performances of Taiko Drumming (as beautiful visually as it is musically) and wandered in and out of exhibits and vendor stands.

I got my name wrriten in Japanese calligraphy:



Watched a turtle balance and sun itself simultaneously:



And tried to capture Taiko Drummers making music:









Up next: Rose Garden and Houston Wildflowers, cont'd

Japan Fest 2009, Part 1

This weekend, I spent a lot of time in Hermann Park, mostly working on and/or visiting Japan Fest. A fellow Flickr photographer ask for volunteer photographers to help him out in a booth he helps to run at Japan Fest. So I agreed to help out.

People pay a very small fee to try on Yukata (lighter version of the kimono, if I remember correctly) and we take their picture. These are mostly pictures of our props which were a lot of fun to use, but a few of my favorite shots... whether they were ones taken for the official site or just candids of other subjects.









Coming up next: More Japan Fest, Houston Wildflowers and Rose Garden

Cutest Animal In the World?

Pandas are pretty cute, but I'm partial to the big black and white ones. However, I'll settle for a darling red panda named Toby who is pretty darn cute.

His debut at the Houston Zoo was the day I left for Tosca so I didn't get to see him that day. I finally went to visit him and the new Sifaka baby the other day. I spent far too long with the sifakas, and perhaps to my detriment. Toby was fast asleep when I arrived at his exhibit. Determined to see him (I paid $10 after all, darn it) and with only loose plans with a friend for lunch, I waited him out.

It was worth the wait, because he did wake up after about 30 minutes.



He stretched really cutely.



And he ambled about, using his litterbox and munching on some bamboo.



And then he went to sleep again. Most of the hundreds of students on field trips saw this:



And had to settle for this:



He's pretty cute, but he'd be cuter if he was awake more... I know it's a lot to ask of a nocturnal creature. I just hope he's more up and about the next time I drop by.

Sifaka Family

Despite my allergies acting up (this is getting to be a very boring and annoying pattern), when I awoke very early in the day, I decided to visit the Houston Zoo. This was both a smart and stupid idea. Smart because I went before the crowds and got some great pictures of a few animals. But it was also Earth Day and therefore elementary school field trip day. YIKES.

I was introduced to the sifakas by some colleagues who love them more than I. However, I agree that they are adorable, especially when they have a newborn son. Kelyfamata was born Jan 6, 2009. I finally got to see him and it was so worth waiting for. He's quite adorable and starting to get more independent so there were times he was away from momma, cuter than can be.

When Zenobia (momma) was pregnant, she didn't get along with her mate, Dean, so it was really nice to see the whole family out on exhibit.

Here's the highlights of the 40 pictures I uploaded to flickr (downgraded from who knows how many):











Post about the world's cutest (yet sleepiest) animal next...

Food, Food and more Food

I've spent a lot of time away from Houston. (Duh, you think.) But one of my good friends, PS, has graciously volunteered to be the shuttler back and forth from various airport trips. But also, every time I return to town, he and I try to go to a Houston-based restaurant. He's lived here his entire life and I'm fond of patronizing local restaurants whenever possible. Sometimes they're old favorites. Sometimes they're new experiences. I'm a fan of all.

One of the first places... was Ninfa's.



This is perhaps the best queso in town. It can't possibly be healthy but it's SOOOOOO good. You come to Houston, we'll go there. You'll understand.

Today, I had another unique Houston experience... Freebird's. I'm not a huge fan of beans, and therefore most Mexican food. This burrito place is now my favorite place to go. They have 4 sizes and they let you customize your burrito any way you want. Including leaving beans out. I love this place.



Also found at Freebird's was this:



No kidding, it says exactly what you think. But it's not a special brownie in the way you think. It is however sinfully delicious chocolate-y goodness.

Oh, and in case you ever wanted to see what green-dyed lemonade looks like?



Don't let my mom near your lemonade on St. Patrick's Day... and she wouldn't let me dye her water in retaliation!

More soon... internet access TBD for the next three weeks...

Cooking w/ Friends

About two weeks ago, in one of my rare times in Houston, I cooked with two of my friends. One of whom is my neighbor. PS was already coming over and RM suggested cooking dinner - so we all took a field trip to the awesomest grocery store known to man, aka Central Market for supplies.

The menu item? Homemade butternut squash ravioli. It was a success despite making ENORMOUS ravioli and having too much appetizer (mozzarella cheese and prosciutto all rolled into one tasty treat). But pictures speak louder than words:

















Hungry yet?

Spring Here/Winter Everywhere Else

It never fails to amuse me that Houston has no seasons. It also never fails to irritate me either.

Yesterday was a very gorgeous day: sunny skies, a healthy breeze and cool, non-humid temperatures. So I decided to take advantage of that and visit the Mercer Arboretum. I hadn't been there in ages and, as I later realized, not with my DSLR. TIme to see what this puppy could do. It does make me want a macro lens, but since I've already bought myself a very early birthday gift, it'll have to wait until next year.

So here's just a smattering of pictures to let you know that it is Spring in Houston...











Happy Spring to all!