First rehearsal with the orchestra for Aida, which opens this Friday night ( get tix from phoenixopera.org ). Also my first time on the stage of an Orpheum Theatre. My grandmother, Audrey Arent performed here as Linda Preston in the late days of vaudeville. Who knows? I may be standing in her “footprints” right now!
Tag: Arizona
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Our Aloe’s First Blooms
The aloe plant in our front yard has quardrupled in size this past year, and has just sprouted its first flower buds. I look forward to documenting its progress as it unfolds.
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I’m a lensbaby baby!
I went to the Imaging USA Expo and was entranced by the Lensbaby booth. I liked everything they showed me. I was impressed by the ladies’ personability, professionalism, and product knowledge. They didn’t have to hard sell; they wowed me by simply by showing me the products, letting me touch and use them, and answering all my questions. Their booth had a style I found to be uncluttered and artistic. I splurged and bought "The Whole Enchilada" — the Composer, the Optic Kit, and the Accessory Kit — all for $419.95, tax included. Once I decided I what I wanted, they presented it to me in a black canvas tote bag, and when they ran my credit card, they didn’t even even require my signature. It was like shopping at Starbucks, but faster.
And, no, I don’t work for Lensbaby. I just like good retailers and wanted to praise Lensbaby with a positive review. Plus, I’m writing to share my excitement and say, "look for a whole new kind of photos from me. I got a Lensbaby, baby!" Yee-hah!
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Library –> Geotagged with the G1!
Why buy books when you can borrow? I love my public library!
I took this photo on my new T-Mobile G1 with Google. It automatically geotagged it before I emailed it to Flickr. For those who are wondering how to geotag photos with the G1, I’ll explain– and then you’ll see how easy it is!
When you go to the Camera app, hit the Menu button before you take a shot. Select Settings, and then select “Store location in pictures.” This setting will stick until you change it again.
For even greater accuracy; i.e. to pin your location down to Street level, go to the Home screen and pull up Apps; then select the Settings icon. Then select Security & location. Then select Enable GPS satellites and make sure it’s checked. Deselecting it will conserve battery power, but only when you’re using Maps or an app that uses Maps, such as Camera if you selected “Store location in pictures.” You can always deselect it if you want to save battery power and/or don’t care for pinpoint accuracy.
I love how effortless it is to take and share geotagged photos with the G1, and I am fully satisfied with its accuracy. My husband and I are going to the Mediterranean for two weeks, and while we’re there, I will take geotagged photos with the G1 in Airplane mode (because the GPS works even when wireless services are turned off), and when I find free WiFi hotspots, I’ll moblog them to our family website, smithersgreene.net
And when we get back home, I can’t wait to borrow another great book from the library!
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Tribute to Navajo Code Talkers
This giant sculpture at the corner of Central & Thomas in Phoenix, AZ is a tribute to Navajo Code Talkers. I didn’t know that when I took the photo the other day; I just wanted a shot of a landmark I’ve always admired but never known anything about. Yesterday, I braved the 108º heat to take a photo of the plaque. I’m sharing it because I think it’s important to know this bit of WWII history.
Here is the inscription on the plaque:
Tribute to Navajo Code TalkersThis tribute represents the spirit of the Navajo Code Talkers, a group of more than 400 U.S. Marines who bravely served their country during World War II.
Their mission: to utilize the Navajo language in the creation of an unbreakable secret code. Between 1942 and 1945, the Navajo Code Talkers used this code, and their skills as radio operators, to provide a secure method of communications vital to America’s victory.
Among many Native Americans, the flute is a communications tool used to signal the end of confrontation and the coming of peace. This tribute represents the advancement of peace for all future generations.
This is the first permanent tribute to honor the Navajo Code Talkers.
"Tribute to Navajo Code Talkers" by Doug Hyde, 1989. Commissioned through the Heard Museum by Best West Properties, Inc. and the Koll Company.
Daniel Greene 