Busy Busy

Been a busy dude. Busy, busy, busy. In time for the holidays, I intend to unveil a collection of photographs suitable for gift giving. Keep an eye for that on Friday. Here's a quick rundown of some recent stuff I've been working on.

Yesterday morning I met Bernie at the Moritz Cowtown Cross. Check out my photos and Bernie's write up here at WestandClear.com.

Last night I shot some pictures of a gas drilling rig that popped up very close to the Bluebonnet Circle in Fort Worth. Steve-O has a great write-up/confessional that includes some more of my photos at WestandClear.com.

The Lone Star International Film Festival debuted in Fort Worth, and I was running around like a mad man for 5 days shooting pics, attending panels and catching flicks. See more photos and read all the write-ups here.

Gumball, plus some "words" to read

Gumball, originally uploaded by peteg.

I snuck my way into the Cowtown Chronicles' "studio" while Pete W, Steve, Kevin and Bernie recorded episode 12 of the Cowtown Chronicles' Podcast. It's always good to be in the company of such fine gents, and this week's podcast was spirited and informative.

Bernie talked about his recent appearance at a League of Women voters candidate's forum. Bernie is running for District 9 City Council. As a resident of the downtown district, I am one fella that's going to vote for Bernie. He's genuine and direct, a refreshing change from the entrenched, back-slapping crony types that seem to dominate Texas politics. Bernie's got new ideas, he's not afraid to speak his mind, and he genuinely cares about the future of Fort Worth. Check him out at iheartfw.com, or at the next candidates forum, Thursday, 18 October at 7 pm at the Travis Avenue Baptist Church.

Kevin, of Fortworthology.com, rants about the impending Southwest Parkway vs Light/Commuter rail. He's got some right-on analysis, and if you like hearing to a man on the verge, the podcast is worth the listen just for that. And check out his further thoughts on his blog.

Pete W clues us into the Lone Star International Film Festival which will be hitting downtown, et al, Fort Worth next month. I, for one, plan on sipping a beer with Bill Paxton.

Slip the headphones on, and have a listen at the Cowtown Chronicles. Better yet, subscribe via Itunes and catch it every week.

Also, I am kinda retarded and "writing" "words" on my "blog" isn't quite the habit that posting my photos is. It sure would have been a good idea, if yesterday when I posted the photos of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, I mentioned that Tar and I are attending the Modern 'Til Midnight event there on Friday. There's going to be extended hours, live music out in the sculpture garden, some foods, etc. St. Vincent is headlining. This seems to mean a lot to Fort Worthians, but not to me because I haven't gotten clued in. Anyway, it's going to be rad.

The Modern

The Modern, originally uploaded by peteg.

The Modern, originally uploaded by peteg.

The Modern, originally uploaded by peteg.

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

LaGrave Field

LaGrave Field, originally uploaded by peteg.

We caught the third to last Fort Worth Cats game of the season last night. LaGrave field is a really nice ballpark with views of the levee and riverside to the east and downtown to the south. The Cats were taking a beating by the 4th inning. That and the heat prompted us to bail out around the 4th inning. It was a beautiful night so we went driving with the windows down and the sun roof open. Driving along the Trinity River near 7th street we saw fireflies flashing in the night. We've never seen fireflies before, so we pulled over, killed the lights and watched the majickal critters dance in the warm evening air.

Fort Worth/Haltom City Tornado

Funnel Cloud, Fort Worth, originally uploaded by peteg.

I watched a storm cloud twist into this shape. A few minutes later it touched down in Haltom City, three miles east of here, killing one, felling trees and ripping roofs off homes and businesses. Even though this was a relatively weak tornado, I have never seen anything like this. You can read the National Weather Service assessment of this tornado here.

In a seven day stretch, concluding last Friday, there was snow, 80+ degree weather, and a tornado. I documented as much as I could on video and put together this short clip:

Storm Approaches Downtown Fort Worth, originally uploaded by peteg.

Haltom City Damage, originally uploaded by peteg.

Friends

Joe M, originally uploaded by peteg.

Kana, originally uploaded by peteg.

Tarita, originally uploaded by peteg.

Andy G, originally uploaded by peteg.

Joe M, originally uploaded by peteg.

Victor Buys Boots

Victor Buys Boots, originally uploaded by peteg.

Victor bought a pair of boots when he visited us last month.

Victor Buys Boots, originally uploaded by peteg.

Victor Buys Boots, originally uploaded by peteg.

Victor Buys Boots, originally uploaded by peteg.

Satisfied Customer, originally uploaded by peteg.

Joe

Joe, originally uploaded by peteg.

Reata

Reata, originally uploaded by peteg.

Cattle Drive

Cattle Drive, originally uploaded by peteg.

Twice a day the Fort Worth Stockyards parades a modest herd of longhorn cattle through the brick lined streets of what is now a tourism district.

More from the Fort Worth Water Gardens

Fort Worth Water Gardens, originally uploaded by peteg.

Fort Worth Water Gardens, originally uploaded by peteg.

Fort Worth Water Gardens, originally uploaded by peteg.

Tari at the Fort Worth Water Gardens

Photographer, originally uploaded by peteg.

Tari composes a shot of the cranes across the street from the recently re-opened Fort Worth Water Gardens, with the sunset sky in the background.

Fort Worth Water Gardens, originally uploaded by peteg.

Fort Worth Water Gardens, originally uploaded by peteg.

Fort Wort Water Gardens

Fort Worth Water Gardens, originally uploaded by peteg.

Sundown at the recently re-opened Fort Worth Water Gardens.

Fort Worth Water Gardens, originally uploaded by peteg.

Fort Worth Water Gardens, originally uploaded by peteg.

Downtown Fort Worth

Downtown Fort Worth, originally uploaded by peteg.

The old "tall buildings make cool angles" shot

Queen of the Kitties

Queen of the Kitties, originally uploaded by peteg.

Tar is the Queen of the Kitties

Lap Kitty, originally uploaded by peteg.

Purina Factory, Fort Worth, TX

Purina Factory, Fort Worth, TX, originally uploaded by peteg.

Main Street

Main Street, originally uploaded by peteg.

Main Street, Fort Worth, TX

Tarmac

Tarmac, originally uploaded by peteg.

(I am trying a new sharpening technique, and I am not sure I like it...Let me know what you think)

Magnolia

Magnolia, originally uploaded by peteg.

Magnolia Ave in Fort Worth, TX.

Purple Sunset

Purple Sunset, originally uploaded by peteg.

We get some interestin' lookin' sunsets in these parts.