Unexpected Emotion from Motorcycles

As most are aware, this past week has been an awful week in Dallas. As expected, when the funerals began, the reporting on the news begin to wear down a lot of people emotionally. Usually, one can hold up and make it through the ordeal. It's hard. It hurts. It lingers. But as you make it through one, then the second one begins and the third and fourth. Today the fifth funeral takes place in Ft. Worth with a mass for Officer Patrick Zamarripa, followed by his burial at the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery on Mountain Creek Parkway. It's a beautiful cemetery placed on top of an escarpment overlooking Mountain Creek Lake where, Dallas and Grand Prairie meet on the southern belt of the LBJ Freeway.

Still, after Officer Zamarripa's burial today, Officer Kroll's funeral that was held yesterday at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, will not be buried until Tuesday when his Detroit family will hold a service with burial in his native Detroit (Southfield), Michigan. Being familiar with Southfield area and it's infamous Southfield Freeway that splits Ford Motor Company's Headquarters with Fairlane Town Center, a large mall on the former Ford Property that sits east of the estate on Fair Lane Drive. The estate for the Ford Family, named Fairlane, near Evergreen and Hubbard area is  old Southfield, and the center of the universe known as  Michigan 12 and Southfield Freeway.  Ironically, Henry Ford Community College is in that same radii. The mile roads begin just north. Streets with names like Park Lane and Mercury Drive and Auto Club Drive, Lincoln Lane somehow just yell out FORD! The cemeteries up there are completely beautiful. They are like gardens very well cared for.  So, to me, it is fitting that the very last internment from last week will be Officer Kroll's. Then, the burials will be over. The healing is yet another thing. Most certainly, it will take a life-time for many and healing will never come for more than we will ever know. I've been there. The pain does lessen over time, but it never goes away completely. Yes, it's hard. it does hurt and it will linger on for a lifetime.

Waited for an hour to see the procession come over the bridge ramp.The procession is that of Sergeant  Michael Smith.

The sight brought an emotionally filled moment.

Then the sight of red, white and blue lights streaming in an endless line transferred to my arms as I held the camera, and with the shock mode still on, the blur is my emotional shaking from the sight. Over the years, I've seen a lot but never like this before this moment.

 

Three Planes for the President and Other Light Armor

C-17 globemaster iii based out of Charleston AFB carries the limos and other light armor.

While Air Force One pulled a sneak and slid over on 13R after the dog-leg turn onto his final (cross winds were bad) rather than his usual 13L landing, the Vice-President arrived separately on another government plane for executive branch use. The C-17 globe master iii sat parked at the far end, what looked to be on the threshold of runway 18. I have not seen that runway used since May of 2005. Highland Park, University Park and  Preston Hollow does not  like the noise! 

There were also two weather systems in the area in the early morning hours. A low level stream of moisture from the Gulf (visible between the buildings downtown) and an upper level system. By the time the Vice-President landed, the skies had already cleared leaving only strong southern pressure gradient with gusting 18-32 MPH cross winds. There was one Southwest that came in sideways from the cross winds. Always fun to see the bigger planes twist in the wind.☺ Still believe that is why Air Force One came in on 13R with the longest runway at Love. ATC ♥ calling  the shots by the book yesterday, most likely.  Usually, in past trips, he handles the shorter runway with ease. Not totally sure, but the new parking garage is being built on that side of the field. That could also have played a part in crossing over to Dal-Forth Fueling for parking. It's always a poetry-in-motion and just fun to watch. This will also end President Obama's trips to Dallas, most likely unless something else jumps off.

Hope to see the new 747-800 when our next president makes his first trip to Dallas. My one shot of  Air Force One in 2009 landing is still a super seller. I was hoping for arrival to be on 13L as always, but now we know, it didn't happen!

The Vice President's arrival on 13-L tail number 80001

Air Force One on 13-R tail number 28000

♥ ATC-Air Traffic Control

A Journey Down Harry Hines Boulevard

Many of you will not know, or care, about Harry Hines Boulevard in Dallas. It is totally unique for a number of reasons. It's wholesale stores. It's also Trading Companies, fashion stores, jewelry stores, fragrance stores, convenience store wholesalers, bazaars, handbag shops, rugs, smoke shops,  army stores, Sam Moon complex, cell phones, electronics, tires, and if that isn't enough, it runs right across its own cousin, The Asia Trading District.

If you did a mileage check, from start to finish, Eight miles might be a good round number, but it changes from week to week; never shortening and generally growing. It's one of those things where I don't need to  go inside any of the stores. I'm trying to get rid of things rather than buying more. The main reason, however, is that the signs, displays and physical decor of the building is where the camera gets a work out. Sometimes, it gets a bit of a challenge because of how the stores are arranged to the centerline of the street. In other words, zoning. I shoot from public right-a-ways and stay off private property. That's something you learn early on about not having your images in an editorial class. Still, the trip is like a carnival atmosphere, especially on the week ends. The ethnic bazaars, Hispanic, in particular, is like a mall within a mall.The outer mall being Harry Hines Boulevard.

 When I am out and about shooting, I make a note of things I see that I try to come back to later and check it out in more detail. Today, one item got checked off the list before I got sidetracked. The funeral coaches have begun to move up and down the expressways concerning the Friday night shootings in downtown of  five policemen. Four from Dallas Police. One from Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

As I drove past a local funeral home today, there were signs out in front that said, "Police Parking".  Just another reminder that this past weeks event took place just a couple of blocks from another day when shots rang out in downtown. It was 1963. There were two caskets and two funeral coaches then..Yes, we can't forget that Office Tippit, badge 848, was also gunned down when President Kennedy was shot. This time, it will take 5 funeral coaches to move and bury the remains of Dallas' Protectors. That is enough.

Today, as I started to mention, I was sidetracked for a bit watching the two helicopters  hovering over the Trinity River waiting for a funeral coach to carry the remains of one of those five officers to his home town, outside Dallas. When I first saw the choppers, I knew that they were waiting for a body to be moved. It's just one of those feelings you get inside after such events. Seeing the parking signs for police outside one funeral home probably was a mental precurser to knowing instinctively that most likely that was what they were looking for.

I'm glad I had the mental refresh. That's why I like Harry Hines Boulevard. Sometimes, I'll go downtown via Harry Hines because for me, it's a brain De-Stress type thing. Yesterday, shooting out side the Dallas Police Headquarters at the memorial for the officers lost, getting the images edited and up to the live news editors,  I was one of  six that had images running on the live news feed this morning. Still, the mental state required something refreshing today. I turned to Harry Hines for that refresh mode. And, as expected it even brought a chuckle later in the day, which I really needed.

I actually find humor in this sign. Kind of like a Rodney Dangerfield type humor. I can hear his dryness, What's he selling? Nickles?

One of two air beaters  waiting to pick up an escorted funeral coach transporting one of the five deceased  Dallas Policemen.

End of the First Half

It does not seem like the first half of 2016 is getting ready to slam the door shut in just under three hours from where I sit. So, as this first half of the year ends, we can say about the same thing Queen Elizabeth II said to the PM of Ireland: "Well, I'm still alive,anyway.Ha", the Queen said.

 In 1952, I remember watching the Queen's coronation on television. It was in black and white and I am trying to recall, but I think it was a delayed broadcast because of the time difference. Technology was not up to our speed then, but of course, then, it was the latest gig. So, The Queen has had two birthdays and I'm only going to have one. "We've been quite busy. There's been quite a lot going on." she continued. Hear, Hear! I'll second that. I broke in thee new doctors and here I though I was only going to have one new doctor!

The past couple of days  have been spent lining up work that I can do while the heat hits Texas right on schedule. One of the weather quiz questions today was: what was the lowest daytime temperature  ever recorded on July 4th in Dallas? Well, as it turned out, it was 63 degrees F in 1924. That was 92 years ago. Mom would have been only a few days old. Then, tonight, I read an article about the sun spots going away and what that means. First it starts with no sun spots for a couple of days, then none for a couple of weeks and then none for several months. According to NASA, its the beginning of, or could be the start of a "mini ice age". It's called a Minimum sun vs. a Maximum sun. It's cyclical. Sun spots run a 11-year cycle more-or-less, give-or- take a year or two or thee, here or there.

It is to be hoped that you had a good first half of 2016 and the second half will be equal or even better than the first half.

This is a little different . Usually the American Flag is displayed. However, there has been so much going on this year that I have really been looking for new material that doesn't repeat a lot of what has been said. My admiration for the Queen has been a long running admiration and passing up the parallel on so many fronts, it had to be included.

Graffiti Muralis Border Creative Genious

One of the most talented and gifted custom Muralist that I have had the privilege to see work. Last week, I was able to see Ponchaveli  finish the Mohammad Ali mural  a couple of blocks from this venue.

Last week end, while making my circuit rounds, a muralist that is noted in Dallas was working on a large mural of Mohammad Ali. It was the featured post for last week end. Today, while following the water discharge on the Trinity (the USGS has a great digital set of meters) that are published live on their website. The radar units measure the rate of discharge down stream. When the USGS Field Office in Ft. Worth was installing the units there was a post made. Ever since, especially with the rain we have experienced again this year, I have followed the "trash" pile-up that comes down from upstream parks, storm drains, ditches and the like. Yes, as one would guess, what you see along the Trinity near downtown is that very discharge of items from those sources. Today, was of special interest because the discharge rate was still very fast but the level of water had dropped some.

I did the shot of the typical pile-up points..... ever notice why the bridges have those little slots spaced evenly along the side barriers--the pile-up was deep,wide and high on the banks. It was solid for ten or fifteen feet from the bridge back upstream. As the water reached the height of the bridge, the slots allowed the water to continue to flow downstream, but all the wood and trash and what ever else (i.e., coolers, footballs,basketballs, many, many soccer balls, shoes, flipflops, milk cartons, etc.,etc.) that could be seen under the pile as well. Most of the paper labels were gone, having started their bio-degradiable cycle already.  The only labels left on the plastic bottles were the companies that use the plastic overlay labels that are sealed and glued. When done, it was on to Deep Ellum. However, today, I never made it that far east. Being in the neighborhood of the most condensed and creative art canvas in the city, it was time to check out what had changed this past week.

A very interesting thing happened. I met an artist that was just about to paint a new mural. While the site was being prepared, we talked about the other cities in Texas that have such a like venue. The artist went about his work like a pro. Making the outline didn't take much time for him to sketch the full mural outline. Filling in the full mural was going to take some time. Before next weekend, I'll try to get down there again if my route doesn't cause any delays. Each day, I allow myself about 3 hours for the 38-mile route. Sometimes, the shoot time and the drive time get out of sync and my shoot list gets stacked  up. The summer in Texas heat does limit my activities at my age and with the medication that has limits in the direct sunlight. Dehydration is a problem that can cause major problems with the meds so while I do drink a lot of water on the route, take brakes in the cool of the AC in the car, one does continue to loose that valuable hydration. Still, I could not help but think how lucky I am to have so much creative people around. The guy today even had a creative producer with him. That was a first and put this custom muralist near the top of the list of those that I will follow from now on.

Don't Mess With Texas message needs rebroadcast.

The  Flooded Trinity River's currents were discharging at a very fast rate today. You can see the current in the center ripples.

You Have Heard This Before.......

It is amazing what I discover on the way to the doctor. Today was no exception. It all started about a month ago when I received a letter from my cardio-man that he was closing his practice. At first, there was that traditional anxiety of finding a new one and all that goes with that such as that infamous clipboard with several sheets attached that all "new' patients" must fill out. Gee, why isn't that part of the medical records, I'm thinking. But, that's why health care cost is rising. Well, one of the reasons.  And, I'm also thinking, most of the practices have all gone digital with Next gen patient software to make record keeping easier. Any way,  I hadn't even seen the doctor yet when on Wednesday, I get a call from the new doctor's office asking if I could come in earlier on Friday (today). Sure. I'm just the puppet on the string so-to-speak. That is, if I wanted to see the doctor Friday as scheduled at any rate.

So, last night, I set the two alarms and headed off to bed before the evening news. I didn't want to disappoint the new doctor by being late. He wouldn't mind, I know, because he is going to charge a missed appointment fee if I'm late. I hate paying interest on interest if you know what I mean. The interesting thing is that the new doctor is around the corner and across the street from my old doctor. In fact, where I once parked, I could see the new doctor's offices on the third floor of a four sided -alphabet building. Building A, B,C,D. So, finding it wasn't going to be a problem time wise, but parking and getting into the correct wing, riding the lift up to the doctor's floor, filling out that dang clipboard and trying to lower my blood pressure  before I go in to get it checked was more of the problem.

I'm already missing the intimacy of my former doctor's office with six people on staff. When I come off the lift-- elevator-- and saw at first glance about 30 people sitting, thumbing through magazines. I'm reminded that I have now landed at the largest cardio practice in the state of Texas. There are about 800 employees on staff. It is a beehive of activity. Even the little old ladies on the walkers have new found energy in their steps. Right then, I knew that this was going to be a totally different experience just to see the doctor. No sooner had I filled out the clipboard and returned it to the woman behind the sliding glass window when the door opened where I was sitting and a nurse calls my name.  Every single step was timed out. The nurse runs an EKG ( I was new patient) and it was like the doctor didn't trust the one the previous doctor had done and included in my medical records.

The doctor came in. Introduced himself. He was the plumber--he did stents and things like that. The other guy that I would see later was the electrician....he did pacemaker implants and things like that. Oh, boy! Ask questions from a check list?  As I would give the answers, some were meet with a comment from the doctor. The most interesting to me was that when he ask if I had any hobbies or things to keep me busy I said that I enjoyed photography. Immediately, he jumps on that."Nikon or Cannon". My answer was Nikon, but I was "using an Olympus at the moment" and enjoyed it. He then mentions that his wife does photography. That word has always amazed me, too. Does. Like she was doing the dishes or laundry. At that second, I had a flash back. This was the guy that  had a Nikon around his neck several months ago and we had talked for some time about the type of photography I favor. It was obvious that he was trying to remember if he had seen me before doing  shooting walk-abouts, but wasn't going to ask in a professional setting.

As I checked out, there was a chain of events that was more than just paying for the visit and getting out of Dodge. Blood test appointments would be made, appointments would be made and cardio equipment checks would be synced with my next appointment. The appointment that I thought was going to have to be scheduled for next month on the pacer was done right then and there. It also saved me money and time. I liked that. I was out the door and was meet with a cool breeze until I walked out from under the trees and stepped onto the parking lot. Still, it wasn't that bad.The dew point was lower and the humidity was lower than yesterday and it was less pressing. So, I decided that while I was out  and about, I would go home a different way and stop at the grocery store for a few fill ins.

The complex of roads getting there were being re-built as part of the City of Dallas Roadway Project. No way, was I going back that way. I had observed on my trip earlier that the work was being done on both the north and south bound sides of the road. Making the adjustment was not a problem, other than some of the roads had expanded since my last trip down them. I'm always looking for construction cranes, however. Where there is a construction crane, what you find is not always what you expected. I was stunned to see what I was seeing. This is something that tickeled by brain for years. Why do companies  not do things like this more?

 This was amazing. It was ground-breaking. It was just plain creative and smart. And, I am sure, the employees appreciated the thought by their employer. Or, should, at least. See, what I mean?

The underside shows the electronics  involved. Some have charging station right at the base.

Another Fine Job by Ponchaveli

Yesterday, while the temperature was still under 100 degrees F., venturing out was done in a abbreviated version. There were several projects that I wanted to check to see how they have changed. It never fails. There is always a discovery that turns up as a serendipitous event. For years, I have well discovered the old biblical saying that where the Lord closes one window, He opens another. In this case, it was shoe stores. One popular shoe store near Love Field closed and yesterday, I discovered on a walk-about a very nice shoe store that I have missed somehow. And, who happened to be celebrating their two year anniversary in business. They liked the printed canvas.  I even found one print pattern on one of their shoes that I have on the canvas low cuts.

Then, as I have done for 16-years, I either walk or drive down one Deep Ellum street and this street really is a named alley. My first trip down that street (alley) was when I was doing the research for the Fortune 100 for a Deep Ellum Foundation grant. This garage door was open and the sound of voices was coming at me. As it turned out, I'm standing in the owners living room by accident. Since then, I have discovered it is a loft and a photo studio. Yesterday, as I turned onto the alley, I saw the man sitting in the alley in a chair with camera on his lap. A photo shoot was going on and the assist personnel were changing models. Work is work and while it might have been observed for a while longer on foot, I was in the car and did not want to distract. It's kind of like shooting and some wiseguy goes by on the street and blows his horn to distract or break your concentration. I didn't want to be that guy with the horn if you understand the thought here.

On the crossover from Deep Ellum to downtown, I wanted to see Jackson street as it comes out on Harwood. The news that DART might be running the new rail line underground rather than down the middle of Jackson Street had me curious. First Presbyterian Church is a beautiful architectural domed feat and it is also a very active church with Dallas' homeless. So, it makes sense to run the train subway-style rather than on-grade right through the First Presbyterian campus. The two Masonic Temples on the opposite corner agree.

I drove Jackson (which to me is more of an alley than a street) down to Lamar and then took Commerce Street across the Trinity to a place that is a source of colorful art. Some would call tags or graffiti. It's also a noted place for photographers. It is somewhat common property for shooting but there is a respectfulness between artist and photographers. That's the part I like best. It's old school respect that my grandfathers knew as a deal with a handshake. While there, a guy told me about an artist (who he did not know by name) that was just about to finish a mural of Mohammad Ali nearby. In a flash, I was on my way to check it out. I had been waiting for the so-called "break out" when someone would do a large scale mural of Ali. This was the photo call so to speak. I was stunned. Not only was the mural a living tribute, the artist, Ponchaveli, was still there. I was able to get some shots and with a signed release, submitted the image to a world-wide live feed. The image is up an running as I write this.

There is so much going on in Dallas. Things are happening all over the Metroplex. Every one is chomping at the bit to get the first shots of the "THE STAR" the new home of the Cowboys in Frisco. Friday was the last day at Valley Ranch, the home for the past 31-years. For those of you that don't know..... that's the office or where the players go to work every day. The AT&T Stadium is where the games are played. Two seperate venues. I'm more interested with what is going to happen to the old place in Valley Ranch.

Now that hot weather has set in..... it's up early in the cool of the day now and I'll be shooting with morning sun rather than mid afternoon over my shoulders. The change will show up in the images. However, I am still having focus issues with the camera at the present time. I need to call support and talk to them again about the issues, but, until then I work around it the best that I can.

The old Pythian Temple in Deep Ellum--if ever there was a building that needed to be restored to its days of grandeur, this is it! The ball room is on the 5th floor.

The barrier between downtown and Deep Ellum appears to be coming down. The real question is when? The view looks west into downtown on Elm street.

If you want to see the full image, go to my home page, click on the far right tab, scroll down to the button "alamy", click it on and either click on the dallaspaparazzo above the search box or type in Ali mural in Dallas, but for the next 24-30 hours check the live news feed first.