Blog Archives
Sometimes I go to the city
I can understand why anyone who stops by here on a regular basis might think the largest town I’ve ever been to is Muleshoe, Texas (population 5,217), but I have actually gone to some larger towns. Like Brownfield – population 9,675. Or Levelland – population 13,517. Or Sweetwater – population 10,447.
And this one time? I went to Dallas.
downtown Dallas
photographed 3.19.2011
Full disclosure #1: If you think I chose the town examples because their names are funny and/or descriptive, you are correct.
Full disclosure #2: I’ve actually been to Dallas more than just the one time.
The night garage
Anyone who’s followed my blog for very long has probably seen shots of the desolation that is downtown Lubbock. Like here, or here, or here.
The other night, I was looking for something interesting to shoot, and after the Truckers Chapel at the truck stop didn’t work for a night shot (don’t fret: I’ll go back in the daytime and try again), I ended up downtown. I took some really marginal photos (don’t fret: I won’t make you look at them) and then, right before I was about to give up and come home, I saw this abandoned parking garage, which is adjacent to Lubbock’s ill-fated Omni Building. In the daytime, the place is uninteresting, but at night? It takes on a whole new look.
Lubbock, Texas
photographed 9.13.2013
PS: Yes, I was in an abandoned parking garage on Friday the 13th. I’m pretty brave like that.
The day I was amused by signage
I know these two signs represented different businesses. I do.
But that certainly didn’t stop me from pondering the possibility of offering a drive-through option at the Christian Believers place.
And that made me think about how often I seem to be in line at the drive-up teller, just wanting to deposit one check and holding an already-filled-out deposit slip, stuck behind someone who is apparently filling out a lengthy loan application in the front seat of their car while I’m stuck behind them, unable to leave because there’s a car behind me.
Which led me back around to this scene: I’d probably be in line to turn in my homework (Sample essay question: What it your favorite Commandment, and why?) and get stuck behind someone who was there for their counseling session.
Which led me to take this picture, and walk on down the street, looking for more shots.
All of which has led you to think it must be really confusing inside my head. And that, of course, is an accurate assumption on your part.
Clovis, New Mexico
photographed 5.25.13
Some travel advice
Should your travels take you to Alpine, Texas, this is my advice: book yourself into room 208 at the Holland Hotel. It’s got a balcony that overlooks the main drag and (AND!) the train depot. But it also has good balcony-related scenery, like this railing, which caught the early morning light in a very nice fashion.
If you don’t like sound of frequent train whistles, though, you might want to stay someplace else. (Like Denver.) There are a LOT of trains that go through Alpine.
The bartender at the Century Grill, conveniently located in the hotel lobby, makes a very nice dirty martini. Enough of those and the train whistles won’t be a problem.
And, if you head a couple of blocks down the street, stop in at the Saddle Club. When I was there, relaxing* on the open patio in back, a photographer was shooting various menu items. At one point, he brought me over a plate with chicken skewers on it, saying, “Would you like some chicken? I haven’t even touched it!” How could I say no to a deal like that!?
Alpine, Texas
photographed 8.18.2013
*Shiner Bock. It was VERY relaxing.
First Friday Art Trail
Sometimes you have to just suck it up and ASK.
The First Friday Art Trail here in Lubbock is sort of a big deal. And I’d been wanting to have some of my work shown on a First Friday.
So I overcame the tiny bit of shyness that I’ve not yet conquered and asked Larry Simmons, the proprietor of the Tornado Gallery, if I could have a spot at a First Friday. He said yes, and so I am very happy to announce that on August 2, I will be on the Trail.
Stop by, if you’re in town.
(And my deepest appreciation to Larry Simmons for giving me a spot. Not only is he a great guy, but he is my exact birthday twin; every year on our birthdays we agree that we just keep getting better and better.
The photo above is a detail of the windows on the north side of the gallery space.)
