Category: Seattle and Beyond

Some thoughts on 2018: Exploring Photography Deeper

Carl Setzer

I’ve been exploring what I want to focus on this year. I’m strongly drawn, to bettering my skills in photography.

Now, my father has always been an avid photographer, so it’s always been part of my awareness. Going further, I fell in love with photography back in elementary school. In Junior High, I started taking classes, and became one of the nerds walking the halls with a camera shooting candids for the yearbook.  And I carried on with that all the way through highschool. It was one of my career ambitions as I pondered post-highschool life.

As life progressed, though, I slipped away. I did take my camera with me on a few trips. Looking back, without any plans to publish my work, the effort seemed empty. I went from my binders of photos and the occasional album, to boxes of prints, then complete neglect: rarely shooting anything. I devalued my work. Slowly, through moves and such, my collection simply vanished. Fortunately, I still have all my old gear.

Looking back deeper: I hate that I ever entertained those thoughts, the hateful ramblings of self-doubt and internal cruelty . Now, I wish I had albums with the places I visited. Note to myself: I always regret when I give in to my self-destructive mindset. Don’t do it!

Over the past few years, my family encouraged me to re-engage. It’s been deeply enriching, though I see plenty of room for growth.

So, here I find myself: 2018 and wanting to reboot this part of my life. I’m not too sure of everything I want to try to do regarding photography yet. Clearly, though, the main thing is to take more photos. And I want to upgrade my digital gear. My main camera is an Olympus E-PL1. Non-DSLR, no viewfinder, shooting through an LCD. It’s a nice little camera, but I want to move more into a prosumer DSLR. Thinking Canon so that my son and I can share gear. I’m going to explore some classes, whether college ones or local workshops, well, I don’t know. I think the discipline of a recurring class would be good for keeping my momentum. Perhaps joining up, or starting, a photography group. Definitely will look into hitting up some local photography events.

If you have suggestions, please leave a comment. I really would value direction. 

It’s a world and community I miss. And it’s a great way to get out and explore the community.

Here’s a sampling of what I’ve created over the past year from my Flickr account.

January 2018 Highlights

City of Lynnwood Project Open House Next Thursday

Carl Setzer

These may not be the most exciting events, but they’re pretty important opportunities to understand city construction projects and know (in advance) how they’ll impact you.

 

Lynnwood Washington

PROJECT OPEN HOUSE NOTICE

2018 Paving Program – Chip Seal

Thursday, January 18, 2018

 5:30 pm  – 7:30 pm

Lynnwood City Hall, Council Chambers

19100 44th Ave W. Lynnwood WA

Project Information

Starting April 2018, the City of Lynnwood will be doing paving work to preserve streets throughout the city.  Chip sealing is a key part of the City’s preservation program to maximize the life of our roads. It is used in cities and counties across the country as a cost-effective method of pavement preservation. New technology and better mix designs have improved chip sealing products, minimizing its impacts and maximizing its effectiveness. The treatment extends the life of each road by seven to ten years and provides a new sealed surface, at a fraction of the cost of an asphalt overlay.

overlay map 2018

For more information contact Project Manager, Ngan Ha Yang 425-670-5209 or 
e-mail NYang@LynnwoodWA.gov or visit the project website.

Follow us on Twitter @LynnwoodStreets.

The meeting site is accessible to persons with disabilities. Individuals requiring reasonable accommodations may request written materials in alternate formats, sign language interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations, or other reasonable accommodations by contacting Project Manager Ngan Ha Yang at (425) 670-5209 or by e-mail at NYang@LynnwoodWA.gov by January 16, 2018. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the event sponsor through the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1.

Now There’s Tickets for the E-DUI (hands-free cell phone)Law

Carl Setzer

The six month grace period is over. Now offenders are looking at a $136 fine. The second offence is $234.

So, hands-free, or have your phone in some kind of holder (like one of these things) so you can operate it with one finger.

https://youtu.be/ikjrALr-KFU 

Celebrate the New Year, Edmonds Style

Carl Setzer

I was asked earlier today for a list of “what’s going on” New Year’s Eve in Edmonds. I hadn’t put much thought as I’m planning on spending the evening with friends (I’ll be in the Edmonds Bowl, just so you know), but thought I’d dig through my memories and the web and pull together a quick list.

First, I want to point out that Kathy Passage over at My Edmonds News has list of holiday events and such in her most recent article. She’s pretty cool: go check her out!

Anyway, I’ve pulled out a list of specifically New Year’s Eve stuff, focusing on the “ringing in 2018” (aka: out after midnight) stuff.

New Year’s Eve:
Looking for something outside of Edmonds? Well, here are a few other options for you.
Oh, and there’s New Year’s Day:
Polar Plunge! https://www.facebook.com/events/154410931849531/. This event is a long-standing tradition in our community. It took some work, but we managed to keep the event for disappearing. If you’re a fan of freezing your butt off, come join the party! I doubt that you’ll lose any butt-mass, so it’s not a recommended way to start your weight-loss resolution, but, whatever.
If you know of something I missed, please drop it in the comments and I’ll update the post. No offense shall be taken! Actually, there’ll be much rejoicing (yay.).
Wishing each of you a wondrous New Year’s Celebration and productively joyous 2018!

Memories of a forgotten Seattle 

Carl Setzer

Many memories
Walking past the empty halls
In winter’s darkness

Ages ago I lived in Seattle’s heart. The city was beginning the transformation into the economic behemoth it is now. Still the refuge of the poor, downtrodden. Suburban business professionals drifting through, vanishing as the clock struck five. The flurry of buses and cars away from us. I found myself wandering nighttime streets, streetlights and gentle rain accompanying my steps. 

So much trash, so much waste

Carl Setzer

Wow, I just tossed out a bunch of expired food. Boxes of stuff that’d migrated to the far reaches of my cabinets. I’m bothered by the waste. One thing in particular got me, though: packets.

Those little packets if sweet and sour sauce, soy sauce, all that. I put in the trash so many. I never use these, as I always have my own at home and my office.

They’re placed in the bag automatically. Along with forks and napkins, which I also have.

These items are pure waste, given for “convenience sake”. Good customer service, I guess, but not environmentally sustainable. Plus, I expect most folks are like me and have no need.

This is an area I need to give some kudos to McDonald’s. They ask if you want ketchup packets, etc, before dropping them into your bag. It saves the company money along with slowing the rate we fill those land-fills.

I’d like “asking before giving” to become the standard. Until then, I need to start telling the good folks who own my favorite take out shops that I don’t need sauce packets, chopsticks, or forks.

Seattle Area Space Fans, You Keeping Track Of Planetary Resources?

Carl Setzer

Check out this video about their Arkyd-6. One of the things I like most about this region is our vibrant aerospace and space industries.

Space is a key part of the future of humanity, and we in the Seattle area have a front-row seat.

 

 

Flowers of December

Carl Setzer

These lovely blossoms greeted my morning. Such a delight in this season of dark, cold rain. Always glimmers of beauty, of hope in the darkest of times.

Early autumn: my favorite season. December, though, with its gloomy disposition and scarce sunlight, sits at the bottom of my list. But joys still exist. This season of candles, hot cocoa, Christmas music and presents delights me deeply. Within all that, I find solace and hope for the coming spring.

The Holidays Approacheth

Carl Setzer

I find it sobering to realize one week from today is Thanksgiving. Which, for me, is when the “Holiday Season” begins.

I don’t opt to participate in Black Friday madness. I love REI’s Opt Outside campaign. Definitely the preferable choice. Either that, or, if the weather outside is frightful, then I’ll enjoy a book, movie, or a cafe.

For my family, the Tree Lighting in Edmonds kicks off the holiday season. Always the Saturday after Thanksgiving, it’s simply a charming, local family fun event. We’ve been going since my son was an infant. Santa arrives on a vintage fire-truck and lights the Christmas Tree in the middle of Centennial Plaza. Starting at 3:30 pm, hot cocoa will be served. The real fun starts at 4:00.

 

Santa will be available for photos at the tree lighting. And, around here, another standard “thing to do” is Santa photos at Alderwood Mall. It looks like they’ve already started. But, starting next week, expect lines. The closer to Christmas, the longer the line.

Bothell has a fun “Santa’s Workshop” at Country Village.

Santa and his fire truck will make their way to Mountlake Terrace on Friday, December 1st.

Just a few Edmonds/Lynnwood/Mountlake Terrace holiday activities to get your Noel on.

Quote of the Day: Bruce Lee

Carl Setzer

Bruce Lee’s wisdom, always good for motivation and focus.

This gem reminds me that we must continuously strive, push forward. It’s very easy to become complacent, to be simply satisfied.

For me, fear speaks to me at those moments. Fearing failure, laziness seems quite tempting. But I know the emptiness therein. Pushing through requires discipline, forcing through the inertia.

Know the value of that push. A worthwhile exercise of force.

Blessings upon all of you, dear readers.