Jurassic Dark

See what I did there with the title? Jurassic DARK … as in Low Key. Get it? Okay, so I’m the only one chuckling. It’s not the first time and most likely will not be the last time that I’m the only one laughing to myself. Anyway, the title may be the best part of this week’s "Low Key" challenge for me. Don’t get me wrong, I do like the lighting and detail on my dinosaur looking lizard buddy, but … the title just slays me. I mean, come on … Jurassic DARK!!! Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

 

Grocery Shopping for the Kids

 

The September of My Years

So, I think to myself, “Details is the challenge this week, so I’ll just grab my ol’ macro lens and shoot me some flowers.” Which I did. Then, at a local festival on Friday, I noticed this interesting looking older gentleman. I say older because he looked about my age. The beard, the weathered face. I can relate. The details of his life are unknown to me, but his life experiences are vividly displayed on his face. My mind wanders about how fast life is flying by. 

♫ One day you turn around, and it's summer ... Next day you turn around, and it's fall ... And the springs and the winters of a lifetime ... Whatever happened to them all ♫ -- "The September of My Years" - Frank Sinatra

Ut-oh!

That moment you realize that eating at Taco Bell before a long hike in the woods was probably a really, really bad idea.

Hibiscus Stigma

After a quick sun shower early this morning, I swear I heard the hibiscus say to me ... "Mr. DeSpiff, I'm ready for my close-up."

How I got into radio

What did you want to do after leaving high school or graduating from college?  Did you achieve your dream or go in a totally different direction?  What’s your story?  Here is mine.

While in high school, a career in radio was the furthest thing from my mind.  It was the mid-60s, the Space Race with the Russians was in high gear, and I wanted to be part of it.  I was always good at math and science, so I decided being an aeronautical engineer would be a great way to join the team at NASA in their quest to put a man on the moon and travel to the stars.  Heck, I even had not one, but two slide rules.  I breezed through Algebra, Geometry and Advanced Algebra.  I went to summer school before my senior year to take Solid Geometry and Trigonometry in order to take a college level Calculus class before graduating high school.  But then it happened.  Calculus stopped me faster than a bug hitting my 66 Mustang’s window at 70mph.  I was completely lost.  What’s a science/math geek to do?  It’s obvious … change my career plans to … RADIO?  Let me explain.  I was a huge St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan growing up.  I would listen (on my transistor radio) to Jack Buck and Harry Caray call the games on KMOX.  I love baseball and thought I too could become a play-by-play announcer.  So, I somehow convinced my parents that by attending “Career Academy of Famous Broadcasters” in Milwaukee, that in a few short months I would become the next Vin Scully.  (I’m sure that I showed Mom and Dad some mathematical formula proving my theory.)  Well, the sports announcer thing did not pan out (that is another story,) but after graduating from Career Academy, I did land a job in radio in a small midwestern town.  And although I did not achieve my dream of shooting for the stars, I did manage to rub elbows with the stars of stage, screen, sports, and Rock’n Roll.  What a rocket ride it has been.

Spiff (I sucked at calculus) Carner

Operator

♫ Operator ... Oh, could you help me place this call? You see the number on the matchbook is old and faded ... ♫