…Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round…
― vocalist Pete Burns of the 80s British band Dead or Alive
The picture is of the Seattle Great Wheel upon Pier 57 waterfront. I shoot while waiting in the wind on a bench for some minutes to mean something. I go for a 15-second shutter speed, low ISO setting exposure. I like the result.
– Orion T
Last Saturday, I viewed some very bright and colorful lights during the nights, the first annual Borealis, Festival of Light in Seattle.
Such was a four-day event held in the main waterside park area of South Lake Union, where a showcase of light fixtures and interesting little sculptures were scattered about, in and around the area. Some of the visuals were interactive…
That was all I got from the small stuff, but trust me, there were some cool illuminations around. That second pic above would change with the use of a “magic roller.” Cooool!
Some attendees also brought their own electrical lights…
From all that, simple minor delights to enjoy for what they are, an appreciation for the use of art in light, through intensity, shape, color, and new technology. I felt a childlike joy, in allowing my imagination slightly drift off, in some weird otherworldy dimension for the moments I had to myself among the strange sights.
Meanwhile, the most interesting and best of it all was its main event, a very huge video projection show of dazzling digital light and sound, all part of a large competition of art teams, from around the world…
I will share more about that in my next write-up, soon. I promise!
– Orion T
“I went to bed and woke in the middle of the night thinking I heard someone cry, thinking I myself was weeping, and I felt my face and it was dry. Then I looked at the window and thought: Why, yes, it’s just the rain, the rain, always the rain, and turned over, sadder still, and fumbled about for my dripping sleep and tried to slip it back on.”
― Ray Bradbury,
Green Shadows, White Whale: A Novel of Ray Bradbury’s Adventures Making Moby Dick with John Huston in Ireland
The picture is a from a recent hour at a bus stop, using a camera with just enough battery life to capture this moment in Downtown Seattle.
– Orion T
With a good mix of noise.
I love the city rain, especially in Seattle.
– Orion T
We got some snow here in Seattle, this Christmas Eve.
The day is also very cold and the moment late for many just finished up on work. For me in the last night, I spent nearly half an hour almost asleep on the Light Link rail, finally arriving in Seattle’s Capitol Hill. And behold, the night is silent with a few walking about and most shops cold. Above, the spirit of Jimi Hendrix is half covered in snow, a perfect metaphor of the liveliness carried on though this silent night…
Meanwhile, sleep well. And for the next day…Merry Christmas!
– Orion T
I was hoping for something bright in the sky, being the day for a new Supermoon event. But, the dense clouds have made seeing that too difficult. So being around the usual downtown, I settled for the biggest shining light seen every Holiday season here in Seattle, easily seen best from the Westlake Center.
This, as seen above in the picture) is the Macy’s Holiday Star, a 160-foot-tall, 60-foot-wide star with 3,800 bulbs and a large 1,000-watt bulb in the center bulb, lit from around Thanksgiving time till New Year’s Day. This giant star has been a local tradition since 1957, only skipping the 1973 year because of an electricity crisis at the time. You’ll see it high above on the corner of 4th and Pine, upon the Macy’s building.
Enjoy this light when you see it, because it’s wonderfully bright, grand, and closer to the Earth.
-Orion T
Time for a rewind, till almost a month ago in San Diego, California. The place, Ocean Beach
The place is Ocean Beach, a wonderful beachside town in Southern California. The time is of two weekday nights, with a few hours to spare before some business downtown. The temperature was fairly warm, with the nearby breeze of the mighty Pacific Ocean nearby. The time was well spent, with light drinks, ruminating, and small talk with local strangers. Such is the wonderful atmosphere of Ocean Beach, where the time is just before midnight.
Here are some pics I took between destinations on the main Newport Ave. Look…
A cool two-dimensional display, guarding a parking lot
A very colorful hostel, of which I would like to stay at someday.
A colorful place to express one’s image.
The upper interior of The Electric Chair, seen through the front window.
The front of the famous Burger spot, Hodads…right before closing.
A peek inside Hodads before closing. No space is wasted…
Another peek into Hodads before closing…
An awesome window display of one of many shops on the main street…
Another store display of Ocean Beach, but on the outside.
A cool neon sign…
An alleyway by a bar I visited. Johnny Cash and Jimmy Hendrix welcome you.
And past the stores of and streets of Ocean Beach, is an amazing pier that doesn’t close. More on that, I will share in another posting…
The winter is still maddening for the Pacific Northwest, especially here in Seattle.
There was some rain, snow, and lightning. There was no order to any of it, just a jumble of madness. Some areas were moreso on the weathering than others. Meanwhile, the main roads contained a lasting standstill of heavy vehicle traffic jams throughout the day. The air felt chilled, unwarning of the sudden hail. The evening slush was plentiful throughout the Downtown area, with leftover snow scattered about. Now the near future weather is up in the air, with no promises of any tranquility. Carry a good umbrella and warm coat.
– Orion T
Some snow late night, here in Seattle..
A pleasant surprise, differing from the sudden 4th quarter upset in today’s Super Bowl game (not a New England Patriots fan). I think more snow is on the way. I look forward to waking up and seeing more, in the morning.
– Orion T
A little leftover from the holidays, of which I have missed much.
The reasons, never mind. I was occupied with much else. Such is only that one begans to feel such things over the latent appreciation of them. Perhaps, to be preoccupied with other non-seasonal matters, the surroundings of things can distract. Yet, there are beautiful lights and things demanding of attention. That’s a lot of the holiday deco of which I was quite used to in this otherwise usual holiday season.
Yet, here I was on the way home in the Westlake Center of Downtown Seattle. The rain was heavy, and my shopping bag of groceries soaked. I stopped and looked about, considering the best direction to buy a new umberella. The, I noticed much of the decorated lights along the streets and buildings, gone. The giant Christmas tree with adorned bulbs and sparkly lights, gone. The decorated cart selling hot cocoa and chewy holiday bits, gone. Yet, there was that Seasonal carousel, still there…slowly spinning in the dense rain and darkness.
It will be gone, likely after the New Year’s time has ended. And that will be, no more holidays. In 11 months, perhaps again. But until then, just the memory we take for granted. At least I have the moment for now.
– Orion T
Just the late night here, of the first Monday of the holiday shopping season, after the Black Friday and Cyber Monday. All is quiet for the line tree standing in Westlake Center in Downtown Seattle. There shall be more busy days ahead, of dazzling lights and people scurrying about, shopping for gifts and getting into the spirit. I might be asleep, procrastinating through much of it…
– Orion T
Halloween. This time, a little cold, wet, and quiet.
This night on a Monday, with a little misty rain above. The prior weekend held plenty of spooky festivities, so there was plenty time to enjoy live the spirit ahead of the day. Today is good enough for brave and venturous trick or treaters. For all else, the night is best spent indoors, watching a fitting movie of the horror and/or suspense genre.
Here’s a personal favorite, underrated classic for anyone staying up late on any cold, quiet spooky night. Theater of Blood, starring Vincent Price as an overly passionate Shakespearean actor, planning fatal revenge on his naysaying critics. Diana Rigg co-stars. Here is the whole film:
Enjoy!
– Orion T
Late night walk through the mist on this Sunday night by Seattle’s Space Needle. All is quiet now, after a very busy weekend. I must go home and rest. Good night Seattle!
– Orion T
This night, there is much rainfall covering the Seattle Emerald City…
For those caught in the downpour, I hope you were dressed in the appropriate water-repellent attire. For me, the umbrella is the most important for the rough nights. True, it is said that real Seattleites don’t carry umbrellas. But screw that especially this night, as I carry much groceries and electronics in thin bags and small pockets. I must have my umbrella. Also, I sometimes enjoy the pitter patter echo of raindrops above and around.
What really matters, is the appreciation of the rain to the Pacific Northwest. Such brings a lovely sparkly to the streets and a peaceful night (after reaching home).
– Orion T
When your drink is done and there is nothing left but the ice. You free a cube and put it down. Study and see what makes that melt. It’s the lovely time. Enjoy it for all it’s worth..
– Orion T
Picture above take by me. With this and yesterday’s pic, I realize newer smartphones are awesome at capturing the details of small things. Try out yours if it’s at least 12mp, and fresh within recent years
TRAVELING ORION 