GM shows largest profit in its History!!

Today General Motors announced the largest profit in the history of their company. Now I do find that somewhat questionable. Why? General Motors took federal government bailout money .... money that has yet to be paid back in full. According to reports, approximately half of the bailout money is still owed to the government, or more appropriately the American people. How does a company that still owes so much money to the federal government show a profitt??!!!Really? Profit?

And then the big blow to the American taxpayers ... the employees are getting a $7000 bonus! REALLY!!! Now I would love to have a company that had been failing, let the government bail me out, and then give my employees bonuses!

I don't see what GM has accomplished as that big of a deal. Afterall, the federal government bailed them out monetarily and by tarnishing the reputation of the then #1 automaker in the US - Toyota! That's right, the 'brake/acceleration' issue was totally fabricated simply to pump up Detroit!

American automakers missed the boat over 30 years ago by not taking the Japanese invasion seriously. Had they at that time, there never would have had to be any bailout. Ford was the first to attack their quality and, by doing so, they weren't required to take any help from the American government. So today, if you want to blow a Detroit automakers horn, blow Ford's horn. They truly deserve it.

Basketball

I haven't taken many photos since our vacation in July. While at the local basketball game, I decided to try out my daughters new camera. Below are a the best of the group.

Week 10 of 52 - Doo doo doo Lookin' out my back door

Well, it's been a while since I struck out camera in hand for a photo walk.  Not really sure why!  I guess I just haven't been inspired.  And this weeks walk didn't start out as inspiration!  More of an obligation to get back in the hang of weekly photo walks.  Even though I wasn't inspired before beginning, I think I got a few nice results.

It's Spring and the Dogwoods are in bloom and the weather has been wonderful, so this week's walk is in the backyard.  I guess I take the setting for granted, but it really is a serene place when you take the time to enjoy it.  I tried to capture the beauty of the dogwood, the peacefulness of the yard and while I was at it, shoot some of the neighbors cows.

Photographing the dogwood to capture its true beauty proved tougher than you might expect.  The only thing that worked in my eyes was to isolate a few of the flowering petals and create a strong bokeh.  I think I was able to do a decent job utilizing the available light from the late afternoon sunlight.













Next came the neighbors cows.  Now I've tried unsuccessfully to photograph them before.  Frankly, I normally find it a rather boring subject.  I'm not saying the photos here are exciting, but the results are better than I've achieved before and I'm fairly pleased with them.  It basically started with pretty much the same disappointing results.  But while I was scouting my next photo location, they walked right up to the fence.  Right up until my dog Ellie rushed at them and scared them back.  But, I calmed her down and the cows returned.  Ellie even made a friend, I think.  Either that or she was scouting a future meal.  She does love steak!

I worked a little magic with post processing to make the cows pop more in black and white.  These two are a couple of my favorites.  Others are available on Flickr. 

Week 9 of 52 Photo Walks - Great Smoky Mountains

Well this weeks walk was actually several walks separated by car rides and covering a couple of days.  My work took me to Gatlinburg, TN in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.  I had been here several times in my life and looked forward to getting back there and taking a few photos.  As luck would have it, rain was in the forecast and rain it did.

I've been thinking about this taking photo for a while.  I have a picture of my girls from the same location with Gatlinburg in the background.  However, I wanted to photograph it at night.  I was in a hurry and didn't get to experiment much or try different locations on the overlook.  Oh well, that leaves opportunities for the future. 


Most of my pictures from the Smoky's are less than spectacular.  I'm not sure why that is since I love the mountains so much.  Maybe it's just the fact they've been photographed so much.  I can't remember being in them with the mountains covered in snow and it melting.  There is something so alluring to seeing the Smoky's with snow.  The snow melt also meant the streams had plenty of water in them.  The streams and rivers are my favorite thing about the mountains.  I could wander and linger around and 'in' them for hours at a time. 

The picture of water seen here are the stream you would cross if you were to hike from the Chimney Tops Trail Head.  We walked a little ways down the trail crossing two bridges over the stream.  The streams are quiet as picturesque as they seem to be in the spring or summer, but water was plentiful which proved to allow for some nice smooth pics of water movement.

On the way up the mountain huge icicle's were everywhere.  This particular one was interesting in that it jutted out away from the mountain.  I'm not sure if it was melting from the inside out or maybe slid down the hill and reattached itself to the mountain here.  This isn't the most technically correct or aesthetically pleasing picture, and is only included for it's interests.

Just before reaching the top is Morton's Overlook.  It's a beautiful overlook and a popular site for folks to have their picture taken with the beautiful mountains in the background.  It was tough getting a decent shot here as while we were stopped it was drizzling rain and it was very windy.  I managed to get off a couple of shots and the one shown here was the best.

The top is Newfound Gap.  If I remember correctly, the elevation is 5048 ft.  Threatening rain and extreme wind (calling for 30 - 40 mph, with gusts up to 70 mph) were present.  These shots were two of the best.  The second one shows the road continuing on to Cherokee, NC, our ultimate destination.

There were beautiful views of the mountains as we made our way down towards Cherokee.  An unexpected find was Mingus Mill.  The mill was built in 1886 and is powered by a small steel turbine instead of a wooden wheel normally seen powering mills of this era.  Mingus Creek is the source of the water and was flowing toward the mill even though the mill wasn't currently in operation.  It is normally in operation for about 5 months a year as a historical exhibit. 

Our next stop was Mingo Falls.  I had tried to go here several years ago, but had some unwilling participants and never made it.  No doubt due to the snow melt and rain, the water flow was much greater on this visit than it would have been in the late spring when the last visit was attempted.  I owe getting to this to Ginger as it was she who wanted to go this time.  And I'm so glad she did.

Mingo Falls is one of the largest in the Smoky's and is approximately 180 feet from top to bottom.  A small viewing platform has been built at the bottom of the falls.  It was from here the picture shown was taken.  I still believe it would have been a more beautiful setting in the spring, summer, or fall.  

The remaining pictures were taken in Gatlinburg after the rain had ceased.  These would most likely qualify as a more typical photo walk.  The first one of the bench isn't particularly sharply focused, but I just loved the composition.  The one of the puddles in the ally way is oddly alluring and is Kamlin's favorite out of the group.  I have to admit that it is one of mine as well.  The final shot is a lighted sign reflecting in a puddle.  I'm very pleased with the clarity of the reflection.

Anyway, that's a very long blog about the most recent photo walk.  As always I try to learn something about photography and my camera while shooting. 

Remember, clicking on any image reveals the full sized version.  And thanks for looking!

Later,

MG

Week 8 of 52 Photo Walks - Walking in Memphis

Well I hadn't planned on being in Memphis on Saturday, but as fate would have it .... And I didn't get to walk as long as I had wanted, or really in the area I would choose.  I imagine I will have several chances to take more walks in Memphis.

These photos come from the Mid-Town Medical area around the Regional Medical Center and Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital.  The whole time I was walking with my camera, I was nervous.  Too much of a target in that part of town.  I'm afraid the photos show it too.  I was cautiously focusing with one eye and looking over my shoulder with the other.

I look forward to getting to the Great Smoky Mountains soon and checking out the streams and the downtown area of Gatlinburg.  Hopefully, several photo walks are in the offing and I can get 'caught up'!

Thanks for looking!

Week 7 of 52 Photo Walk - Found on Google Maps

So this weeks photo walk was indeed that - a walk!  While looking around on Google Maps, I spotted a large pond not far from my house.  I was surprised to see it, as I thought I knew the land pretty well.  So with the weather feeling like spring, I struck out walking late in the afternoon to my destination.

I have to say that I recognize that I am not a landscape or nature photographer.  Even though, most of my photo walks have been nature oriented.  The issue with this walk was lighting.  The reflection off the water, the sunlight sky, and the darker 'foliage' proved to be quite a challenge.  While there are several 'good' images, there really aren't any that just jump off the screen at me.

Thanks for looking!

MG

Week 6 of 52 Photo Walks - At the game

Well, it's been a while since I posted here.  Needless to say I've gotten a little behind.  NOT only in posts, but also with photography!  For some reason, I just couldn't get motivated, photographically speaking.

This weeks 'walk' was at the District 14A Girls Semi-final.  The three images below were the most thought out prior to releasing the shutter.  There are LOTS more of the game.  I've posted some of them on facebook.

Enjoy, comment, and as always, thanks for taking the time to look!

MG