Old habits die hard. I could park close to the museum in a University parking garage but I'm so used to parking somewhere a bit further away for free. It's a hold over from early to mid-career when I had to watch every dollar I spent. Always trying to figure out how to save something to prepare for buying a house, putting a kid through college and hopefully saving enough to eke out a decent retirement. Breaking a habit is tough. I guess I'm still holding on to that "scrimp and save" mentality. When I decided to go to the Blanton Museum in the early afternoon it was just plain hot. But I found that parking space on LaVaca St. and I just couldn't help myself.
But, if you park too close to wherever it is you are going you might miss some fun stuff along the way. I'm thinking printed newspapers are just about extinct...
I might have missed a bright red pickup truck in front of a mint green building. But I didn't. Good shoes. The right hat. Perfect sunglasses. Curiosity.
It's queen Nefertiti. But I forgot to read the placard on the wall to see who the artist was. My bad...
Always check your camera settings if you are coming from a bright sun situation into a much darker museum environment. I still had the Q2 set for 1/250th of a second, f5.6. Thanks to Auto-ISO I was able to stumble through the process. But I did end up with an ISO of 6400. Hello noise.
Given the heat and humidity, and the fact that it was Tuesday and not a holiday, I thought the museum would be nearly empty of people. I was wrong. It was well attended. I think people are just tired of hunkering down, waiting for cooler weather. The museum was nice and chilly. It would have been even better if they'd been finished with a renovation of the café...
I meant to take the new Fuji MF camera with me but I thought it might add too much size and weight for a long slog on foot. I opted for my favorite, current point-n-shoot camera. A Leica Q2. Grows on me a bit more every time I take it out... Slow burn.
Part of the recent renovation of the courtyard/plaza space included these giant, fluted, shade constructions. On every visit to the museum I try my hand at how to photograph them better. I've got a ways to go.
On the way back to the car I had a long, long wait in the burning sunlight until I got a walk sign for the crosswalk. As I was standing at the intersection I thought to myself that this building across the street from me might be the most boring bit of architecture I've come across in a while. But I'm no expert. Far from it. I can't even keep the edges parallel.
Loving the idea that World Peace might be obtainable through the delicious Tex-Mex cuisine. Sadly, the restaurant is now closed for good. We might never know if salsa and tortilla chips might be tools of our own salvation. Not just something fun to munch on with Margaritas.
Don't mind me, I've just been out in the dusk watering various potted plants. Gotta keep my flora buddies alive....
Tomorrow morning, after swim practice, I'm determined to get the Fuji out into the real world. See you after that.
People with gardens in hot dry places seem to be looking at more drought tolerant plants. My guess is most desert plants are not so good for the shade necessary in urban environments. How long before someone comes up with artificial trees — with small solar panels for leaves?
ReplyDeleteRichard, That's a very cool idea. The trees with mini solar panels on them. I'd buy. Smart.
ReplyDeleteL.A. had many cell phone towers disguised as palm trees, no reason you couldn't do the same with solar panels. Might be a good way to power houses that have small or north-facing rooflines. hmmm....an investment opportunity.
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