New blog address

My blog has moved to http://earlrrichardson.wordpress.com
Stop by soon.

Hope and light

Deep in the frigid heart of winter, I need the occasional reminder that the cold and snow will pass and give way to spring. As long as the sun is shining, whether it be through a window, or in the snow, sunshine means hope. Soon, this frigid winter will give way to warmth. But until then, I'll be on the lookout for hope and light.

iPhone images

All images shot with an iPhone in the past few weeks. Any manipulation was done in the iPhone with various free and cheap plug-ins and applications. Kind of fun. I just wish the files were a little larger. Enjoy.

Questions

I've not updated this blog, nor have I shot much lately. It's been a lost summer and fall, with many questions, and damned few answers. Hopefully I'll have answers soon. Regardless, here are a few point and shoot images (my trusty, outdated G9) from the past few weeks.

Exiting the big blue ball

I was riding back from Wichita on the Kansas Turnpike on Monday with my boss. It was rainy. Everything seemed fine. In fact, it was fine, except for about 30 seconds of terror. Suddenly, we started hydroplaning. This went on for what seemed like an eternity, but in reality was probably 10 seconds. Even 10 seconds at 70mph means we likely traveled about a quarter mile, out of control and at the mercy of whatever. We were in both lanes of the turnpike, yet we avoided hitting the median barrier and then spun into the ditch.

Amazingly, we avoided colliding with any other vehicles or anything else along the highway. I figured that we were either going to roll or get t-boned by a truck. I really did believe for a second that my end was near, and I thought that there was no way I thought I would die on the Kansas Turnpike in the middle of the Flint Hills. Especially not today. Damned scary. It's a metaphor for my life the past year.

And I've spent a lot of time thinking about it this week. I'm fortunate to be alive. It's made think a lot about leaving this big blue ball and how I will be remembered when I've checked out. And how I can make the most of it while I am still here.

I need cool and green

105 degree plus weather has me hankering for the cool and green of the Rockies.