Super Moon FAIL

Of course it just HAD to be hazy and cloudy last night in Baltimore, when I was standing on a pier in Fells Point, trying to shoot the “super moon”. Never saw the moon and experienced its…super-ness, but I did manage to get a couple of halfway decent pics while standing on the pier.

Domino sugar factory dock, Baltimore, MD

Baltimore harbor, May 5, 2012

Long Time, No Blog

Sorry, sorry, sorry — I’ve been so busy working on two projects…and trying to find a job…I’ve let this blog languish. I’ll update more once the photography project gets to a point where I feel comfortable talking about it. Just know that it’s going to be amazing.

Life and Death

As you may have noticed, I spend a lot of time in cemeteries with my camera.  They’re peaceful…quiet…and full of wonderful old artwork that might otherwise be forgotten.

Yesterday’s visit to Druid Ridge did not disappoint — lots of interesting statues and bronzes, and a beautiful piece of quiet in the middle of Pikesville.

My favorite photo from the day:

Cross with statuary, Druid Ridge Cemetery, Pikesville, MD

A New Favorite

I had the pleasure of visiting Restaurante El Salvador in Fells Point (207 S. Broadway) last weekend, and immediately fell in love with the place.  Noisy and vibrant, with families and kids — it smelled good, felt good, and looked like a great place to grab something yummy.  It definitely didn’t disappoint.

I ordered platanos con crema, a beef empanada, and a cheese pupusa.  The empanada was served with curtido — pickled cabbage salad.

The plantains were fried perfectly, the black beans were pureed smooth, and it was a nice reminder of my old neighborhood in DC.  The empanada was crisp on the  outside, stuffed full of spiced beef and potatoes, and the pupusa was hot and fresh.  Everything was good, the prices were reasonable, and the service was attentive.  I can’t wait to go back.

The Erasure

Unlike other cities across America, Baltimore seems to be determined to erase its history — by demolition of buildings, homes, and yes — by the demolition of entire neighborhoods. Either by neglect, or by the wrecking ball, pieces of Baltimore are falling victim to our “red-headed stepchild” status, despite the heroic efforts of organizations like Baltimore Heritage.

I was fortunate enough to visit one of Baltimore’s old industrial buildings last weekend — here are a few photos from my visit:

Broken window

Old Scale

Gears - these are at least 5' in diameter.

Some of the lightbulbs are still hanging from the ceiling.

You Need More Art

Look no further than Open Walls Baltimore, the newest public art project in our city. Supported by the PNC Foundation and the NEA, Open Walls will transform a neighborhood surrounded by blighted homes.

St. Mary’s Cemetery

Took a few photos yesterday and added them to the portfolio — this one is my favorite:

St. Mary's Cemetery, Baltimore, MD

Rinktum Your Tiddy!

You might know about, or even share, my obsession with old cookbooks.  I’ve been collecting them for years — and I probably have culled my collection down to…50 or so.  I read them like other people read novels.  Reading old cookbooks gives you a sense as to what the world was like during the time the book was written — was the economy good?  Was the country at war?  Were people health-obsessed?

Not only are old cookbooks a window into the past, they’re a great way to find old classic recipes you never see anymore, or recipes that are more giggle-worthy than actually edible.  (Peanut loaf?  Umm…I’ll pass, thanks.)  Enter “Rinktum Tiddy”.  I found this recipe in the Good Housekeeping Book of Menus, Recipes and Household Discoveries, published in 1926.

• 1 pint canned tomatoes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• dash cayenne pepper
• 1 T chopped onion
• 1/2 lb. cheese
• 1 tsp butter
• 1 egg
• buttered toast or crackers

Heat the tomatoes and add all the seasonings.  When hot, melt in the cheese, adding it gradually while stirring constantly.  When smooth, add the butter and the egg beaten, stirring all the while.  Serve on slices of hot buttered toast or hot crackers.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll

Well not really.  But what happened to them?  When did they stop being the hallmarks of teenage rebellion?  Suddenly everything we buy at CVS is tagged for potential abuse — not cigarettes or booze — no, common household items.

Sudafed — nope, can’t buy that anymore unless you want to go to the pharmacy and show five forms of ID, swear on Jesus Mary and Joseph you’re not starting up a meth lab, and fill out a form.  Robitussin?  Yeah, you can still buy that at the regular checkout — for now — but you have to show ID, and you might get a pamphlet warning you about “Teen Cough Syrup Abuse”.  Need a can of air to clean your keyboard?  Be prepared to show ID for that, too — apparently the propellant in that canned air produces one hell of a high (and burns an alarming number of brain cells).

Come on, now, kids.  Stick to drugs, booze, and cigarettes.  Leave the damn cold medicines and canned air alone. You’re making the grownups mad.

On Life and Work

I’ve been home all this week with M2, who is sick — and of course now I’m sick, too, as small children are adept at biological warfare.  Note to terrorists — no need for smart bombs…just unleash a group of 11 year olds in various cities across America.  Cheaper than explosives, and you can pay them in ice cream later on.

Being home has given me the opportunity to think about my job, and how much I wish I didn’t have such a hellish commute.  Two hours (door-to-door) each way takes a lot out of my day — time I could be spending with M2 before and after school.  Time I think he needs from me.

When M1 was little, I spent a lot of time working — I missed holidays, birthdays, weekends, evenings, you name it.  And that will always be a big regret.  I loved the work I was doing, don’t get me wrong, but I regret the time I missed with her — she’s now 24 and I’m almost 44 — and I’m still trying sometimes to make up that time, which I know is impossible.  Do I want to be in the same position 13 years from now?

So that brings me to the dilemma — obviously we need to work, in order to pay for those pesky things like rent and electricity.  But we also need to raise our kids.  When you’re single, it’s even harder — there’s no other “me” to make sure things are getting done.  How do I strike a better balance between working/commuting and my home life?  And how do I do it in such a way that nobody, my employer included, feels shortchanged?

I wonder if there’s really a solution to this problem — telecommuting is strictly prohibited, and lower salary/more days off isn’t an option, either.  That commute doesn’t pay for itself, unfortunately, and it’s a big chunk of change — around $400 a month, when all is said and done.  Is there a way to keep my current job, and balance work/home, given these parameters?

Any suggestions are welcome — it would be great if I could have the best of both worlds, but I’m definitely open to all ideas.