Farmer's Market Food: 2

I really like fresh fruit. 
Bing Cherries anyone?

Ohh....RASPBERRIES!

Farmer's Market Food: 1

OK...I know these aren't portraits.  But, it's my blog.  Now and then I need a change.
The food at the farmer's market is very good!

Cinnamon Roll anyone?

Cherry Tomato?

Beans and potato?

Mushroom?

Another Gig

This farmers market usually has a larger group playing on a loading dock stage.  I really liked this group but I was frustrated with the photos.  It was almost impossible to get a shot without "noise" in the background....cables, wires, power boxes, edges of signs, mic stands, etc.

Despite the noise, I do like the photos.

Meet Steve Sullivan and the Factory!  This is Steve.

He had a great voice and did some impressive blue's guitar licks.  I believe he is from New Mexico but now lives in Minnesota.   He was VERY good.

The band was having a great time, too.

I do want to know how Ensign Wesley Crusher ended up playing keyboards in this band.

I really liked the drummer.  But, with that stupid power box behind him, I could NOT get a clean photo.  Notice also the louse lighting across his chest.   I'd like to try this group again in a better setting!

A Hard Gig

I had reason to be up and running a few Saturday's ago.  So, on my travels I stopped by a local farmers market to pick up a few things.  This is a large place and crowded.  So, I don't usually go here.  I prefer a smaller and more quiet environment.

But, I do enjoy the music at this place and I wasn't disappointed.

Meet Joseph:

This is a hard way to make a living.   But, he was good.

I gave him $10 and asked if I could take his photo.  He nodded...and never stopped playing.  I got his
name at the end of a tune.

Thanks Joseph.

Words to Live By

It's been a difficult couple of weeks.  Things have been very up-in-the air at work and busy,.  So, last Friday I took a photo of this guy.

He is/was a give-away at a conference I attended this spring.  When you squeeze him, he says, "Relax.  Calm down.  Don't stress.  Take it easy" in the nicest blend of a Norwegian/Southern drawl.  I needed that. 

Thanks to the company that gave them away!

Pride 2012: A Lunch Conversation

I decided I need some food before leaving and making the trip home.  Finding a semi-healthy snack, I sat down at a picnic table.   Because it is crowded, sharing a table was quite common.

Meet Dick!

Dick is a semi-reitred teacher whose passion is to develop a Russian School of Mathematics in the Twin Cities area.  This is an after-school group that focuses on various mathematical topics.  It consists of over 200 different classes from grades K-12. 

It was a great lunch conversation! 

Thanks Dick!

Pride 2012: Political Activism

Not every booth at Pride was engaged in political activism.  For the most part, those that were policitcally focused were all grouped together.

The most interesting grouping was the Minnesota Atheists booth next to the American Evangelical Lutheran Church booth.  I stood on the dividing line between them and commented that the Pride Festival is one of inclusion and that I liked this positioning.  Two of the athiests booth personnel smiled.  None of the AELC booth members seemed to think it was funny or appropriate.  At least, I didn't get a smile from any of them.

But, tolerance, respect, and inclusion IS what Pride is about.

Meet Devon.  He traveled from Washington DC to participate. He was with the Human Rights Campaign.

Meet Art!

The Minnesota legislature is pushing for an amendment to the state constitution that limits marriage to a man and woman. A similar amendment has been attempted in a few other states.  Art was part of a group of Catholics urging a NO vote on this amendment. 

My sincere thanks to you both!

Pride 2012: Corporate Sponsors

A number of large, and some not to large, companies sponsored booths and floats during the Pride Festival.

Meet Doug and Rachel from my company!

I smiled when I saw the Delta group.  Nice car!

Finally, if you are going to have a party, you need balloons!

Thanks Doug and Rachel and thanks to all the companies that were present!

Pride 2012: Nice to have Support

There had been some speculation that the OWS folks may be planning a disruption during the Pride Festival of certain companies booths or floats.

It was nice to see those companies working closely with law enforcement to ensure everyone had a nice time in a safe environment.

Meet Mary and Jon!

These two police officers were quite willing to let me take their photograph and they seemed to be having a nice time chatting with the booth folks and people walking around.

Nice job!

Thanks Mary and Jon!

Pride 2012: Wanderings Continued

Wandering around a bend where there weren't any booths, I ran into this young lady.   I liked her hair style so I asked whether I could take her photograph.   She graciously said that I could.  The path wasn't the best background for a photo.  No matter how I framed it, there were people in the background, an asphalt path or a fence.  So, we moved just off the path where I could use a pine tree as the background.

I took the first photo and showed it to her.  She vetoed it immediatly!  Too much forehead!  So, we did another photo with her looking through her hair to the left.  I really like this photo..and so did she!

Meet Alex:

About 45 minutes later I ran into Alex again.  This time she was with her mother!  They were both kind enough to let me take a photo of them together.  But this time, I managed to capture what I wanted with just one photo!

Thanks Alex and Amy!   Actually, in left to right order, that should be, Amy and Alex!