The Continuing Adventures of Jud

It works!

I saw at Wal-mart yesterday that UP! is now available on DVD. It will be the first of the Pixars that I didn't buy. Though Nemo was close. And Cars disappointed on the small screen- not really a great story, but the scenery on the big screen was breathtaking! Last night, however, much to my delight, I figured out how to make UP! into a decent movie!!! There is about a ten minute bit in the beginning showing Carl's whole history with his wife? Just remove it. Totally. Will improve the movie quantitatively! Maybe stick it in somewhere else, but maybe not... That part is great in and of itself, but it is totally counter-productive there. In fact, it is a much better movie than the rest of the movie! Totally different pacing and feel and after it, the rest of the movie is slow and dull and irrelevant. Of course, this still can't help the unbelievably pathetic scenic visuals that have no excuse after what was done in Cars. But I am excited enough about this that I might go buy a copy afterall. To do my own edit.

:) Jud

http://community.webshots.com/album/575231223TcULsP?vhost=community

:)

Jud

Was just over at the Publix, had to get some of that 'food' stuff, and on the way out spotted this Canadian tagged classic! I see lots of great cars in Citrus and all over Florida for that matter. I have shot a lot of them and mean to get a seperate blog up of them all at some point, but for now, enjoy this old beauty!

The most recent shuttle mission, STS 128 brought back a special passenger from the International Space Station, none other than Buzz Lightyear! In celebration, Disney announced a ticker-tape parade at the Magic Kingdom for Friday, October 4, 2009. Joining the Toy Story and ISS star would be the original Buzz, one of the 12 men to actually walk on the moon, Buzz Aldrin! I made note to be there! Additionally, the real Buzz- okay, the human one- would be doing a book signing after the parade, in Town Square Exposition Hall, so I took a spot in front of that for the parade, ready to jump to the line as soon as I had seen Buzz & Buzz pass by in the parade. But I then spotted a better location for shooting photos, so moved to the sidewalk across from the train station. The CM's provided some entertainment for the kids during the wait for the parade- people tend to grab a spot for Disney parades up to two hours before they start- and here are a bunch trying that insidious device, mastered by so few, the hula-hoop. I heard the applause and cheering start from around the corner and got ready and then it was there! I was very pleased to see Buzz was riding in a Camaro! Then the other Buzz, all on his own, driving behind him! A marching band finished it off. As wonderful as it was, it certainly was not the 'parade' I was expecting! A two-car drive-by??? If I'd had any idea, I would have video'd instead of still'd! I headed over to the line at Exposition Hall for the book signing. It was 2:55pm and the signing was to start at 4pm! The line was already out the door, down the long side ramp, and out on the sidewalk to near the front of the building! It was hot and brilliant sunshine, and the longest line I have ever waited in for anything! The man in front of me was wearing a great NASA print shirt- and I commented and we and a couple of others spent the rest of the time in conversation. He was Jim, and he works at NASA in an education program for kids called Inspire during the week, and at Disney during the weekends. I quizzed him about the education program thinking of a young future scientist son of a friend in Maine I know from the net. I was carrying three prints of photos of a sculpture I did about the Apollo 11 mission, centered about the picture of Buzz on the moon, as a gift for Buzz, and a second copy of one hoping he might sign it for me- although when I read the announcement it did say that he would not sign anything other than his book- bought there that day. But I talked to a CM and she said it would be okay to ask... In any case, my main thing was to simply meet this hero and to present him with my gift. Despite the hot penetrating sun- some folks passed around some sunscreen which I passed on- everyone was in good spirits, and the man in front of me even let me go ahead of him to make my conversation with Jim more convenient. Eventually, we moved through the doors into the building and its welcome cooler temps, and there across the room sat Buzz at a table, signing books. The CM's were running things, and it was more like an assembly line than a meet and greet, and we were instructed to have our book open to a certain page and to lay it down facing him as we approached the desk. There were a lot of people to get through so it had to be this way, but I am not sure if Buzz even saw anyone- just sign, new book, sign, new book... There were at least two CM's who were taking your camera before you approached and would take a shot of you standing in front of the desk as Buzz signed- it had been announced that Buzz would not be posing with anyone- and if he had, gosh, we would still be there! When my turn came, noting the high speed process, I quickly laid my book down, and beside it, out of the way of his moving hand, the portfolio with the pictures for him, stated these were a gift for him, and asked if he would sign my picture of him, got a grunt and immediately withdrew that request, and told him how much I admired him and how I had grown up watching him and his fellow heroes do what they did. We shook hands- something I don't think he was doing either. In any case, it was a good moment for me! After, I talked to Jim and the CM who had shot his picture had had her thumb over the lens!!! But despite his pleas, he was not allowed a re-do. He told me the name of his website, and as sure as I am that I remember it right I couldn't find it, but I did get the picture with him and did pass on the NASA.gov/inspire web site to my friend in Maine. As I said, longest line I have ever waited in at Disney: when I left it was about 4:50, and the line was still down the ramp and out to the sidewalk.

Using 8X lens hand held this is the launch of STS 128 on 2009 08 28 as seen from my back yard in Citrus County on the Gulf Coast. It goes behind some trees at times. And once the solid rocket boosters drop off, though I could see those and the main vehicle still, the camera couldn't. About 11 minutes later, unbelievably, I heard a growing rumble and went outside and it was the noise of the launch!

:)

Jud

(more)

Happy Earth Day! . I remember the first one... too bad we didn't pay more attention back then. . Drive 50. . Meanwhile, this marks the release date for Disney's newest label/film, harking back to Walt's originating the nature series on his TV program way back when we were young. The reviews say this is very good, picking up there and taking it to a whole new level with stunning photography. . I have not seen it yet, but I did note that it is being heavily promoted at this year's Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot, including an area just to the side of the fountain exit of the Mickey Store with a very large sand sculpture. I was surprised when I dropped by yesterday and saw that they had replaced the original sculpture with a new one, so here are both! . Above is the sand sculpture that was in place on the opening day of the Flower and Garden Festival, and I shot it on March 20th. .

This is what is there as of April 21st when I stopped by briefly on my way back home from the Space Coast.

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:)

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Jud

http://gigapan.org/viewGigapanFullscreen.php?auth=033ef14483ee899496648c2b4b06233c

I made it! Got up early and was there for the celebration! Just want to throw these up quick!

. Just thought I'd pass that on.

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The National Constitution Center celebrated the holidays with a gingerbread contest for kids. The contest was open to children up to age 14 and the goal was to create a gingerbread house that looked like the White House. The winner was announced on Monday: "And the winner, with 141 votes, is Patrick Hines. He will receive a party at North Bowl Bowling for twenty of his friends."

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Patrick, from Tabernacle, New Jersey explains what he used to create his winning entry: .

"The icing is made up of cream of tartar, egg whites and sugar, the windows are fruit roll-ups, and the red carpet is also fruit rollup.

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“Everything is edible. The gingerbread pieces are balanced against each other, and royal icing is used for glue to keep pieces together.

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“The snowman is made from 3 marshmallows and bits of candy; the grass is coconut tossed in a bag with green food dye; the North Portico is held up by candy canes.

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“I learned a lot about the White House while making this gingerbread house. Did you know that the window that used to be over the door under the North Portico was made by Louis Comfort Tiffany?

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“This was a really fun project and I learned a lot.”

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Congratulations to Patrick!

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[This just in from his Mom...]

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That was actually the 3rd house. .

The first one was going to have beautiful blue semi-clear windows. I had gotten hard candy and Patrick broke it up with a hammer. Well, nobody in this house had ever made gingerbread before, not even a cookie. I told Patrick not to cut the windows too big (didn’t know if I had enough candy). Well, the windows practically closed up: who knew gingerbread puffs when you cook it? What is it? A hot dog?

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We couldn't use the first house. I fed some of the raw gingerbread scraps to the dog: who knew she liked gingerbread? .

And guess who ate half of White House #2? .

By this time, I was having fantasies of The White House- as burned by the British. .

We had waited until Friday night to begin. The house had to be delivered on Monday morning in Philadelphia, but, how hard can it be making a gingerbread house? I was finding out. It kinda went like this: .

"Patrick, smaller." .

"No, Patrick, larger." .

"No, no, not like that." .

"O.K. that was good." .

"Very good trees." .

Well, by now I was checking on-line and it turns out it takes five White House Chefs five full days to create their White House; and they do it every year. Ugh. .

But I did tell Patrick he could do it; because I love history- I am not a baker or engineer: I am not equipped to supervise such an undertaking. .

Patrick overruled my choices anyhow: I wanted sticks of gum for the windows; a blue door (red, white, and blue theme); and on it went. It definitely was his house. .

I have more confidence in his abilities now. And much more respect for all those gingerbread houses. By the way, most of them are built on a frame of cardboard: Patrick’s was not: every bit of it was edible. .

Cool about the L. C. Tiffany windows, huh? Wonder where they disappeared to???

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I think Patrick got the idea of a red carpet from a picture of the recent visit of the French President. .

Don't know how I feel about the fact that my son can recite the ingredients for royal icing from memory.

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Dee

:)

Jud

Illuminations Christmas Extra

Christmas Castle Lighting