Friday "My Town" Shootout--"UNDER CONSTRUCTION"

Happy New Year from Dublin, California!!

It's 2010, and with it, Gordon from St. Augustine, Florida got tapped to choose the first FMTS topic of the new year--UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Head here to see a GREAT write-up on his thoughts, then head here to see the other participants' great photos!

This was a fun topic for me; back in October, when we had to do a photo study of a building, I shot the Kolb House, which is the homestead of one of Dublin's founding families and was in the process of being moved to our Heritage Park. In October, the house had just been moved (in THIRDS, no less!) to its new home and the contractors were slowly shoring it up to start putting it back together.

What a difference 4 months make!

Here's what it looked like in early October:


And now...





Some of the surrounding farm buildings are in various stages of construction...



And of course, with construction, I have to have the obligatory orange cones...



Some more shots of the house and grounds...




What's going on? Give 'em a call! :)



Some of the farm equipment that will eventually be on display...


The paving stones starting to be placed...



A shot of the park.... and my car ;) ...


And lastly, a new life under construction... my best friend got married this week!! Cheers to them as they construct their new life as husband and wife!

Friday "My Town" shootout--Angels!

This week's FMTS theme is "Angels" chosen by Kim in Chicago.

Head here to see the other participants' fantastic shots!

My thought on the theme this week was that there are angels all around us, just not in the usual conventional ways; common, ordinary people around us, doing uncommon, extraordinary things. (makes me think of the Michael W. Smith song "Angels Unaware")

I only have one this week, but we all have angels like these in our lives:

Whenever we need them, rain or shine, day or night, they show up, ready to be angels to people really in need. When they're not saving lives, they're making our commuities better places.

Thank you, angels!

Friday "My Town" Shootout---Christmas!

This week's FMTS theme was suggested by the blogger team--Christmas Around Town! Head here to see a great write-up by Ginger.

And... head here to see the other participants great photos!

Being a musician, my holidays are dominated by musical performances. Earlier this week was the final dress rehearsal for a production of "The Nutcracker" I'm in, and I was lucky enough to actually be able to watch it, since my part was being covered in the pit!

A nutcracker sentinal stands guard at the end of the stage...


One of his infantrymen watches the action on stage...


A panorama shot of the opening... the scrim becomes transparent as the light onstage comes up...


The Nutcraker makes its first appearance. Herr Drosselmeyer demonstrates it for the anxious children...


The Nutcrakcer comes to life and prepares to battle the mice (with our two "Clara"s marking their spots!)...


The end of Act I... the Kingdom of Snowflakes...



The opening of Act II...


The SugarPlum Fairy looks a little distressed, since this is the last dress!


Ah, all better!


Finale of the Entrance to the Land of Sweets...


Clara and the handmaidens await the next dance...


...the Arabian Coffee dancers!



The Mirlitons (AKA Dance of the Reed Flutes)...


Chinese Tea...


...and the energetic Trepak! (this little guy in the middle is amazing!)


And the famous "Waltz of the Flowers"...






The Nutcracker Grand Pas de Deux...



Finale with all the dancers...



The Spanish Chocolate dancers...


And the company bow with the SugarPlum Fairy and her Cavalier front and center!


Lining up for the final exit...


And Herr Drosselmeyer makes a final appearance... was it a dream or not??