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Virus, Schmirus

3/19/2020

Are you self-quarantining? Sheltering in place? Hiding in the garage or basement?

Did you find your grocery delivery down at the end of the driveway?

Is working from home with your kids and spouse underfoot really better than being at the office with that wierdo who is two cubicles down from you?

Do you have plenty of cookies? Sodas? Hand-wipes? TP? Other essentials?

Are you rooting for them to "flatten the curve?" Do you even know what that means?

Navigating through life with the novel coronavirus – COVID19 to the cognoscenti – is starting to get interesting.

This past weekend we took the RV to Galveston Island for some solitude to try and mentally cope with the knowledge that we are part of the high risk group quaintly known as “The Vulnerables.” Nah. Not really. We were actually on the island to go to a show at the Opera House, but it was canceled.

With or without the show we were at the state park for 4 days. We took a little time on Monday to go to the beach along the Seawall to see how others are dealing with the vicissitudes of this new, bizarre, phantasmagorical, reality.

So if you are getting bored with hunkering down in front of your TV watching Price is Right and Jeopardy, then here are some ideas for you. These photos, with their captions, will show you how people in Galveston are using best practices to enjoy the beach, stay safe, and avoid the dreaded coronavirus.

Whatever you do – don't worry, be happy, and have fun!

Go to the beach. Stay far away from everyone. But share a blanket with your friend.

Bury yourself in the sand. Coronavirus cannot get you when you are covered with sand.

Run real fast and the virus won't catch you.

Fly somewhere else while using appropriate social distancing.

Rent your beach chairs, but don't use them. Stay home and watch TV.

Bundle up like it is February in Canada and sit by a post with a can of Coke.

Stay away from Porta-Potties.

Stay away from sea gulls.

Fish in the surf with your buddy, using the fog to hide from the virus.

When you go to the beach make sure you have enough stuff with you.

Enjoy all the regular beach activities – like texting each other.

Stand on a tall pole to be sure to be alone.

Go fishing to get away from people – but take your whole posse with you.

Social distancing? We're gulls. We don't do no stinking' social distancing.

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Back in School

3/12/2020

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This past January I headed back to school – as a student.

I am taking a photography course at the Glassell School of Art which is part of the Museum of Fine Arts of Houston. My goal is to improve my photography in a way such that a few of my images will perhaps go from nice to special.

The experience of returning to the classroom has been very interesting. I find myself attending class on two different levels. On the primary level I am a student, paying attention to the instructor and the lessons and trying to learn.

On a secondary level the class is a sort of meta-experience, and I find myself constantly doing a mental critique of the instruction. I sit through class thinking "I would have explained this differently" or "he needs a better example here." I have been retired seven years and the old teacher still awakens when stimulated. Fascinating.

Anyway, the class has become interesting, and I am fully enjoying myself. I am out taking pictures rather than just sitting around the house in a comfortable chair thinking about taking pictures.

We talk about our work with the instructor, and he is showing us how to work to our individual strengths. Sometimes I realize just how far I am from the photographer I would like to be, and other times I am surprised at just how close I am to that same goal.

This past week we displayed our first portfolios to the class. Each of us pinned our photos on the wall and class members all had the opportunity to comment. That was quite an experience knowing that people were going to discuss your stuff right in front of you. I am happy to report I survived.

I selected these images from about 20 or so that I displayed in class so you can see some of what I am doing. These were chosen for their variety of subjects rather than any other reason. Just click on an image to see it full size. Whether you like them or hate them, please let me know your thoughts.

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Virus, Schmirus

Back in School

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