Fast Forward from Saturday's Parade

This is what scouts look for in a DO-DA Parade, but St. Patrick's on Greenville is just as much fun!

A participant in the Character Unit with Batman and Superman

Now this really is : For the Love of the Lake!

On this last day of winter, preparing for the little cold snap due this weekend has taken up a little bit of edit time. Prior to today, I had been a bit concerned about my red bud tree that I have pampered from seed. It currently stands about two and a half feet  with one bifurcation about half a foot in length. All the red buds are out and in full bloom. Then, as if by some magic, there are several new shoots of green on the trunk, tip and the bifurcation branch. In line with the showing of the green, my red bud tree has come through right in the nick of time. Hopefully, next year, I should have red bud blooms. The parent plant budded in the third year. Now, I just have to protect it from the possible freeze. The heat island effect should keep temperatures here in the city warm enough. But, you never know what the weather will do and it will be insulated just in case.

Now, I can get back to editing the last group of pictures from Saturday's parade.
 

More Highlights From A Parade

Dart Police at the Blackwell Crossing. The annual fleet of Budweiser Trucks are staged behind the Motorcycles

Addison Fire Department Pipes & Drums Unit

Irving Firefighters Pipes & Drums Unit. The Colony had a Unit also. These Units march as one Pipes & Drums. This year, Ft. Worth had their own unit present and marched separately. Thanks, guys! All of you !

These images are part of a week long posting from the Dallas St. Patrick's Parade. This year, there were nearly 100 units in the parade. These images were taken below Southwestern looking toward Northwest Highway.
 

Highlights of a Parade

The Ladder Company from Oak Lawn

The perfect place for that Cigar

Bag Pipes from two of Dallas' Best

The St. Patrick's Parade kicked off down it's usual Greenville Avenue today with the distinction of  a new name and a new logo. The parade is now-The Dallas St.Patrick's Parade. Outside of that the crowds were wearing the green and lined up along the barricades between Blackwell (just North of Northwest Highway and SMU Blvd.( the old Yale Street) just North of Mockingbird Lane.
It was a fun time and I boarded the DART rail with a burning suntan! It was 82 degrees and a little wind. What wasn't sunburn was wind burn.

All this week I will be posting images from the parade and they get more fun as the week expands.

 

Dallas AFI International Film Festival

Buena Vista Studios Steak-bed film truck

Some of the film companies trailers parked in Deep Ellum.
Michael, you have come a long ways from the old painted  bus: California or Bust.

Star Trailers



The Dallas AFI Film Festival is scheduled to begin April 4 and run through the 14th. It's always fun to have the excitement of seeing film crews in town filming and all the theatre venues filled with patrons screening many,many films in those 10 days.

 

So be on the look-out for the film crews filming on the streets and off and be sure to get your tickets early for the films that you want to review. And the parties will be mostly closed but you can still see some of the starts in town if your lucky.

Have fun and enjoy the shows.

 





Churchill and Napoleon: A Lesson in Two Dogs--Well,Three

The White Rock Boat House c.1934

The French and the English are connected through bloodlines that bind them  for more than two thousand years through  tribes of  Kelt's. Rome tried to conquer England in what? 46 BC by building Roman alters over the Kelt's alters. The Kelt's worshiped at those alters with little difficulty. When the Romans pulled back to Rome, the Kelt's torn down the Roman alters and continued to worship at their own alters as they had done, during and after the Roman occupation. Rome thought they had conquered the Kelt's, but what they had really done was to enforce the power of worship on the Kelt's more than ever before. Had the Kelt's been a race of people, they would have conquered the Romans in battle, spirit and mind. Riding naked on horseback with their long blond hair flowing in the wind, they had prepared for the battle by having days of drunken orgies before riding off into battle. The Druids knew how to prepare their warriors and did so regularly.

During the reign of Napoleon, the little man knew his history well. He prepared and he lead with determination. His determination. Unlike the Kelt's warriors, he dressed impressively, but his determination was none-the-less much the same and he never lost that desire to be bigger in deeds than he was in statue, though some of his statues in bronze are pretty impressive in size.

Churchill, a tenured statesman and Prime Minister, had a statesman attitude and mindset. While Churchill had some American blood, he still was that Englishman's gentleman at nature and cigar's did, indeed, make the man, but it never changed his beliefs.

Growing up, our number 3 and number 4 dogs drew their names from their personalities. Mine was a German red dachshund  named Napoleon and my brothers had a  French brown and white basset hound  named Churchill. To this day, when I see either breed, I recall easily the fun we had with those dogs in names alone. People would just walk away shaking their heads after stopping to talk and asking their names. You could see the fake smiles melt away  as they realized the dogs and the brothers were not kidding. They just didn't know how to respond to such real but shockingly unexpected answers. Their minds were not ready for what they got in honest reply. That's the way my two brothers and I are today. We laugh about it. My nephew thinks I'm hard on his dad I know, but his dad, my youngest brother, just take the banter and quips in stride as we have always done.

So, don't you see, name you dogs with a distinction in modern history A name that is or can be enshrined. I once had a friend who's dad was a big burly man with a deep voice and had that distinction of a boss-- if you know what I mean. One Christmas, she got a little white puddle puppy. When it came time to name the dog, they--the family--named it "Cheers" When asking Guido what he thought of the name---he paused and said:" The neighbors already think I'm crazy. Can't you see them when I open the door and yell out,'Cheers!' ".



 

The Stand Off!

Click on the picture and the page will open up with all the details.

This image is listed with my agent for posters, framing or canvas wrap. I just love the scene!  Two years ago, while walking the stage route for the Children's Hospital, Nieman-Marcus Christmas Parade in downtown Dallas, these two units of the parade were already in place and were waiting for the parade start. It was something that you couldn't stage, it was just happening and those are the best shots anyway.

Howling Winds and 70* F Made for Some Potpourri Shots

A hot and F-a-s-t little remote. I like this car!!

A new attraction to Fair Park! Sweet! Now promote it and keep it open!

Top O' Texas Tower at Fair Park under construction

Days like this I'd buy like peaches: A bushel and a peck! And that's a whole bunch. The docket today called for going to Fair Park.It is one of my favorite places and a grand prize within itself. Having the Texas Star year round is a jewel within a jewel and  you have not even entered any of the museums. The Discovery Gardens are amazing, the Cotton Bowl is a landmark. The Hall of State building, music hall, African American Museum building each have their own history and so much more. Now, the new ride that will be the biggest in Texas will debut  by this years State Fair.

After leaving Fair Park and doing a run-through of Deep Ellum,  it was down Grand Avenue to the Lake. There, I found a guy with one of the most amazing remote control cars. It's just plain F-A-S-T!!
He gave me a demo at the ball diamond parking lot  at Winfrey Point.

Another Post from this trip to Fair Park will be scheduled for tomorrow, Monday,Feb.18
 

A Beautiful Winter's Day

A brown feathered gull

Just a great day

A photographer trying to get closer to a log full of pelicans.

Made my lunch and packed it for a lunch at the lake. Dryfus Club.  It was so peaceful and restful to eat something besides a fast food sandwich. The sun's angle is once again at an angle where the glare on the water can be good and bad. Today, the lake was like a mirror.  After eating and clean up, the next stop was within eye sight from Dryfus,  but it takes a good two miles to get to Sunset Bay.  Once there, both cameras were unpacked and I went to the dock immediately. The birds were being fed by a couple of women. The city advises people not to feed the wildlife but people do anyway. For me, it draws  the ducks,geese, gulls and others away from the pelicans.

Today, I saw more gulls with brown feathers, one with a modeled neck. Last week, my first gull ever with brown feathers was spotted. Now, it seems there are many, many more. Charles Darwin's birthday was yesterday. He would have been going nuts!


 

In Response

The Hand of God

Mariner's at Sea

I Must Release You

 

 

Twenty-seven was to young to die.



For I will not see you grow grey hairs or

Crows feet in the corners of your bright

Eyes.

 

When your sister announced your death,

I cried as a father would, but I knew that

I must release you to go and fulfill your

Better dreams.

 

The canyon of void in my soul is dark and

Empty of your smile,laughs or pondered

Thoughts.

 

So, I released you the day before my

Birthday. I know you are here at times,

For I see whisp of your presence as you

Come and go,checking on me or just to

Be home again. Come and go as you wish

But always know that I loved you so much!

 

 

 

 

Several readers have ask about the poem mentioned in my profile. Above is the poem. It has been published in hardbound and as a beautiful note card  

Texas Sailing

Dropping the Sail

Open Water Headed Inbound

High Up on Winfrey Point Looking Down on the Marinas

Minutes beyond first bell, a loud clap of thunder hit this morning as a squall line moved passed. The sun was out by noon and it was time to get at least some walking in before ending the outing at the grocery.

The temps were in the mid 60s with a breezy southwest wind 10-12 knots. That meant the sailing clubs would be on the lake at White Rock. Beautiful day for a sail.


The shot at Winfrey Point was shot about ten days ago but gives a view looking down over the Marinas  going toward the bike bridge. That day the fog had hung over downtown for most of the day. You can still see the haze in the air.

Spotted Before Superbowl XLVII

The Famous Tail Number N1DC aka Blue Star Management,aka Mr. Jerry Jones's private plane seen  holding short of Runway 13L at Love Field today just before noon.

 

General Aviation on final approach to 13L

"The Hand of God"

Private Corporate Jet on final to 13R

Sunshine and blue sky with an above average temperatures. Who could ask for anything more? Some of the things  along the way around one half of Bachman Lake.



The cloud image appeared right over the Southwest Airlines Headquarters Maintenance Operations Building. I've seen a lot of cloud formations over the years but never something that could be compared to an Italian painter 500 years ago.










 

Bunny Outline and A Green Heart

A Green Heart at the Chinese Lantern Festival  Takes Shape

This past fair season, Fair Park held a very large area to display the Chinese Lantern Festival. It was such a success that after the State Fair ended, the display ran a few additional weeks. Now that the media calendar is beginning to search for such material, I was able to find a bunny being built and a heart. The heart I shot was green. I choose it because it fits so well with ecology. That famous money-making Cupid treat, candy, fits because even at Valentines, mint chocolate has its followers,too.

A Bunny Head Takes Shape. The electrical bulbs and wiring can be seen inside in sunlight.

 

The Beautiful Lotus Bloom in Silk on a Blue Sky
All these are lighted from the inside and were fantastic at nighttime.

And the Fans Want More!

Once in a while, a previous post generates a spike in popularity. For information: info@dallaspaparazzo.com



 

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Working Out In The Park

While waiting to receive a text that my prescriptions had been filled, it was time to  run a couple of errands. While out, lunch,though a bit late, was filled at a Subway sandwich shop while continuing to finish my errands when I saw two news helicopters hovering over LBJ at the Dallas North Tollway. Managing to get over a bock to bypass the immediate congestion and picking up the service road again,I drove the service road to White Rock Creek and parked at a small park that is used mostly for soccer games to eat the sandwich and watch the back-up on LBJ that was then backed up beyond Hillcrest Avenue. Later, it was reported that some one had jumped from an overpass to the traffic lanes below.  Somehow, all this construction on LBJ, let alone the traffic, has got to improve life and blend in with the finished High 5 to end one of the worse traffic stretches in the several states.

 Pulled in and parked, I began to chow down on my Subway sandwich when I looked up and noticed that a guy was getting gear out of his trunk. I watched him hang his punching bag and get things organized. He started his workout. As I finished my sandwich, the thought that I did not have any really good pictures of a punching bag, I got my camera set and walked over to near where the guy was working out. I didn't want to upset his routine so I waited until he got a rest point and I ask him if I could take a few shots. He agreed and went back to his workout. These shots are the last few minutes of his routine.


 

One of the best setups outdoors that I have seen.

A Left

A Right

A thank you to this man for allowing the shots and the editorial use for this blog.

A New Look for a New Year

Sung to the tune of Stars and Stripes Forever: Be kind to your web footed friends, 'cause that duck may be some body's mother!

Two American Bald Eagles at White Rock  with the former H.L. Hunt's  Mt. Vernon in the background.The mansion is a duplicate of Thomas Jefferson's, Mr. Vernon.

Deep Ellum, Texas aka East Main Street,Dallas Eclectic art,song and much more. It was also the home for a while of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Another interesting fact: The Belo Mansion on Ross Avenue in the downtown art's district was a funeral home and held the funeral service of Clyde Barrow.

We are pleased to introduce you to our new official look on our website. Work on the blog has yet to begin but it is scheduled to be updated also.

 

Christmas May Be Over But........

there are a few things that need to be cleaned up, first. I wouldn't mind cleaning this one up. This unique display is at the Sewell Family of Dealerships, Sewell Cadillac, specifically, on Lemmon Avenue across from the old Braniff International Headquarters buildings at Love Filed.

I like the ornaments. But the tree was a whopper!

Honey, where do you want me to hang this one?

 The Sewell family have been delivering quality autos and service for over  a century. They are a great family, great dealerships and our thanks and holiday wishes go out to the Sewell family and each of their employees. Have a great 2013.

Five Days to Cram Everything into 2012

that you wanted to get done.  Right now, the way it looks, I ain't gonna get it all done! That's being a bit hard on myself, I suppose. The other side of that coin is the fact that 2013 is a full year that lies ahead. It would seem that a whole year is open and had plenty of room. However, one lesson in life is that in a twinkling of an eye, a split second, a hot minute, bam! and it all can change on space smaller than a dime. So, there are no guarantees that the full year ahead will be there. Taking each day as it arrives, one-by-one, has become my  rule of norm.

It absolutely amazes me that in this day of i-phones and apps and technology linked to everything that people continue to board airplanes en mass. With a major winter storm advertised, they complain that they had to sit on the tarmac for three hours albeit waiting to be de-iced before leaving or waiting for a nest, once the plane lands because all the nest are filled with planes waiting to be de-iced. Do you see the vicious circle here?

 Why have the technology if you are not going to listen to what it is telling you? Or is it listening to what it's telling you as long as it is what you wanna hear?  Just today, I heard a reporter using the line: "Do the math." What? Don't you have an app for that?  You see, that's the problem with technology. As fast as you upload a new app, the phone changes and since that was an app you didn't use much on the old phone, you pass on up-loading the new one so when you need it again........yup! you guessed it.....you don't have that app. I'm seeing a new blame target here. Blame it on the app. Of course, you could have made the whole trip less stressful in the first place. You could have stayed home. And for those of you that actually did that........ you can blame it on Netflex's burp at the wrong time.

 Go see the family when the weathermen aren't advertising a major winter storm from coast to coast!  Use that i-phone and actually call the folks.There's  still that  possibility that there will be 2014 when everything is normal. My how time flies!

One of the four Nutcrackers at Hunt Oil

The tree at Klyde Warren Deck Park

 

HO HO HO on the First Weekend of Winter

at the Klyde Warren Deck Park in downtown Dallas. People were taking pictures by the big tree. Dogs were happy and frisky with their owners and the general ambient sound was one of happiness.
I have been down to the park four times now. Twice were during the week and both remaining trips were on weekends. The park was full of people of all ages from one end to the other. This park is also one of the best kept. I have never seen anyone in a city park with a scrub brush scrubbing a stain from a walkway tile until today. Kudos's to the Warrens and the management team to oversees the facility.

 While downtown, I checked on the Main Street Park, Belo Gardens, the lawn of the Omni Hotel, finding only families and couples  using the big display of ornaments in their second year of display as a photo backdrop. Main Streets Tree was a big disappointment. So it is safe to say that the center of downtown activity has shifted to the new park above the Woodall Rodgers Expressway. This is, of course, the first Christmas season for Klyde Warren and the theme of the big red Christmas ornaments found one place there and one across the street at the Meyerson.

My thanks to the man with the Santa hat. He was a good sport and also was a great photo op.

Merry Christmas, everyone. Watch the weather closely with the area now forecast to receive 1-2 inches in Dallas and 2-4 inches in northern Collin County northward.

A very good sport!

Could not pass up this shot with the Trammel Crow Building in the background.