civilized ku # 4003 ~ mosquito in repose

mosquito hawk ~ Au Sable Forks, NY - in the Adirondack PARK • click to embiggen

As much as it pains me to write it, I may end up creating the new blog on a latest and greatest Squarespace template. It pains me inasmuch as I feel as thought I have been manipulated - problems / compromises galore on this current platform / template. Makes feel like I am rewarding bad behavior.

In any event, I have set up a few items and made a blog entry on a demo basis. You can check it out HERE. It may ask you to enter the site by clicking on Visitor Access and it might take you to the site home page (very much under construction). If so, just click on BLOG (in the upper right) to get to the blog.

Comments welcome and appreciated - here or there.

FYI, even more picture updates on markhobsonblog as well as a text entry (click on urinal picture to read).

Ireland / Scotland # 16 ~ miles to go before I sleep

Chas. McHugh / Nancy's ~ Ardara, County Donegal, Ireland • click to embiggen

I returned from Ireland / Scotland with approximately 1200 picture files. I had absolutely no idea that I had made that many pictures.

To date I have processed 404 files. Eventually I'll work my way through the lot of them and then I can start on the edit.

FYI, even more updates on markhobsonblog

Ireland / Scotland # 15 ~ more's the pity

An Port / "Ghost Village" ~ near Glencolmcille / County Donegal, Ireland • click to embiggen

While in Ireland and Scotland, I made only a couple pano pictures. After merging 5 individual pictures to create this pano, I regret not having made more.

FYI, more updates on markhobsonblog

Ireland • Scotland # 14 / WP updates ~ where is it headed?

dusk ~ Pennan, Scotland • click to embiggen

Now that my rambling daze is over - at least for the time being - I have some time to think. And thinking is what I'm doing.

THINKING ITEM # 1: what to do with this blog. It is apparent there are no fixes coming, re: resizing and posting issues, so I've given up hope on that issue. And, I am very displeased with the fact that when one uses the embiggen feature, the picture pops up in a window, a window over which I can not specify size and add scrolling - an issue which is now part and parcel of the goofy work around needed to post pictures. All in all, very frustrating.

I am giving thought to harvesting all of the text from the blog, deleting all of the entry pictures, keeping just the links to my Bodies of Work pictures, putting a link to WordPress and letting the whole thing be dormant. Assuming ...

THINKING ITEM # 2: that Wordpress is the best format for a new blog. At this point it might have to do. I am still exploring the free format's capabilities but I think I will have to buy into the paid subscription to get more custom control over / more features with the format.

I really like the all-picture presentation on the 'front page' of the current format I am using. However, I hope visitors will know enough to click on the pictures for more information and my commentaries (reference Item # 3). Consequently, I will most likely be trying a more conventional blogging format of single column entries with text visible. Opinions on either approach appreciated.

THINKING ITEM # 3: how much more commentary will I be posting? Current answer: I don't know but I am leaning toward letting my pictures do the talking because ...

THINKING ITEM # 4: I want to spend more time organizing and printing portfolios of my bodies of work. That is, to put more effort into getting my work in front of gallery directors. And/or writing a book, significant overview of my pictures included, about my approach, thoughts and ideas on the medium and its apparatus. Which also leads to ...

THINKING ITEM # 5: a hankering for a more focused approach to picture making. That is to write, less discursive promiscuity in order to concentrate on a specific body of work - existing or new - and by doing so, giving myself the chance to go 'deep'.

And so it goes. Just thought I'd let you know what I'm thinking.

FYI, more new pictures posted on markhobsonblog.wordpress.com

civilized ku # 4000-02 ~ another day older and another 250 miles under my belt(ed tires)

Hugo goes for the rebound ~ Jay Peak Resort, Vt. • click to embiggen

lunch ~ Jay Peak Resort, VT. • click to embiggen

wire with dead vine ~ Pittsburgh, PA. • click to embiggen

 

This weekend past was supposed to be my second weekend at home over the past 13 weeks.

Wrong.

There was an 'emergency' hockey tournament, that is playing for team on which Hugo is a not a regular member. He really wanted to play because it was with older kids - he's an '04 (birth year) and the team is an '03 team - and would be a faster paced brand of hockey. The only available hockey chauffeur was yours truly so I am now 1 for 13, weekend at home wise.

FYI, more updates on WordPress

Ireland / Scotland # 13 ~ starting the transition

tub lady ~ Adara / County Donegal, Ireland • click to embiggen

I'm starting my transition to WordPress. I've found a theme / format that I like and I have posted pictures today. Still working out the methodology of making an entry but I'm getting close. See the updates HERE

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perspective 1-3 (Ireland / Scotland # 11-12) ~ to the horizon

pittsburgh alley ~ Pittsburgh, PA •*click to embiggen*

red car ~ Pennan, Scotland • click to embiggen

dumpster with a view ~ Ardara, County Donegal / Ireland • click to embiggen

Been working on a new body of work titled perspectives.

ireland / scotland # 5-10 ~ a dram with the Queen

having a dram with the Queen ~ Dufftown, Scotland • click to embiggensome Irish ~ Ireland •*click to embiggen*sheep with red butts ~ Ireland • click to embiggenWhile we were in Scotland, we stumbled across - as opposed to out of - a bar in Dufftown which has over 250 single malt whiskies on the shelves. We were wandering around Speyside, the area around the River Spey in Moray and Badenoch and Strathspey, in northeastern Scotland which is home to quite a number of distilleries.

Even though it was just a day trip, I was sorely tempted to get a room in Dufftown so I/we could conduct some serious research regarding single malt whisky, aka: scotch. However, we had a dinner reservation in Pennan (where we were staying) that evening so temperance was the order of the day ....

... oh well, win some, lose some. Next time I'll get a room in Dufftown and spend a week in search of the perfect dram.

FYI, the guy with what appears to be blood on his hand was, in fact, painting his sheep's butts (as a form of branding) with red paint - a method of identifying one's sheep from the other guy's sheep which may be painted blue.