Category Archives: Photography

Picture of Today 9/3/2016, the Much Colorful Cosplay..

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The PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) returned to Seattle, bringing the unusual bunch special, colorful bunch of gaming enthusiasts together.

Though this year, the event is now PAX West (former PAX Prime), an annual convention for gamers of both the video interactive and the physical tabletop variety. Tomorrow, I will be attending the inside of the event and intend on doing much mingling and observing of a culture I enjoy taking part in.

But outside (where I was strolling by for a walk behind the convention center), there was an interesting sub-group of gaming enthusiasts among the PAX participants gathering around; the cosplayers, who dress up as their favorite characters of their current favorite fandom. Often, they gravitate towards other and court the local photographing paparazzi. With the nice weather peeking out, there were clusters of cosplayers about presenting their colorful attires.

Above, are a sub-group of cosplayers who are growing in presence with their costumes familiar to the League of Legends online MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena). I have yet to play this fascinating game, but very much enjoy the character designs that bring a worthy challenge to its fans who cosplay. The costumes are traditionally hand-made or assembled from ordered fabrics, with some parts taking great craftsmanship and skills to bring about the wonderful details.

Here, is another shot of the League of Legends gathering, taken from my smartphone..

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That’s all for now. More pics soon!

– Orion T

Picture of Today 8/23/2016, Throw your shoes up!

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Meanwhile, on Pike Street and 11th, in Seattle’s Capitol Hill district…

there are many shoes, released from their earthly bond.

…

-Orion T

Picture of Today 7/26/16, Sunset at Sunset Beach..


A nice sunset at Sunset Beach in Southern California. The day was much warm, and the winds were light for the evening. All came together nice for this time with friends. One among them took his phone out before the sunset to capture a Pokemon in the Pokemon Go game. It was a Psyduck. 

– Orion T

Picture of Today 7/19/16, Over the Mountian to The Moon…

On a plane trip earlier today, to San Diego..

Almost fell asleep..then the corner of my eye caught the striking majesty of Mt. Rainer from above. Oh, such a sight to behold! Took the pic and went back to sleep. The ride felt peaceful as I eventually woke up to the Full Moon above San Diego.

How fantastic, I thought. To think, a new adventure ahead and such sights are just the beginning..

– Orion T

And here’s another pic after my descent. What a Moon!

Picture of Today 7/14/2016, The Late Ice..


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

Picture of Today 7/13/16, Little Strange World..

A snippet of the little world around us, with much of that similar to ours. We see interesting things under construction. The workers around them play a small part, as they provide for their community, families and themselves…so I would think through observance. Soon growth will develop, and such will be noticed by the world around them in admiration. The workers I suppose will benefit, but for how long? I think as the process repeats, they and new generations could be there to partake in and around new constructions. That could be enough to live by. Such, is another cycle of life. 

– Orion T

I captured this pic at a small garden in front of the Seattle Space Needle landmark. It’s wonderful to see a small sight under a big sight, to be just as grand.

Picture of Today 7/11/16, High Reflection


“We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us.” –  Winston Churchill

– Orion T

Picture of Today 6/29/16, Hello Summer


I’m a little late waking up, and so is the summer. Yet, here we are now with blue skies and shady trees.

I hear the weather down in much of the southwest US has hit triple digit Fahrenheit. Coming from there the Southern California regions, I do not miss that sticky heat. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the summer works better on me. I now feel upper 70s, early 80s F weather, with occasional surprise showers. Such would be prefect, if I didn’t spend so much of it cooped indoors, doing grown-up things like working and figuring out finances. Still, the summer is early, and I think more of these good warm days will be waiting. I shall strive to not miss them..

– Orion T

Goodbye Spring…

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And finally the curtain closes, and the end of another long season is at hand…

What a memorable play thus far! Allow for a brief intermission, while we ponder the events of the past few months. Presidential primaries, transgender bathroom debate, tragic deaths, overhyped movies, unpredictable weather, TV season finales, the rise of VR tech, adult coloring books being a thing, and much more.

There is much to leave behind, as we look to the next act of this 2016 theater. I am on the edge of my seat!!

– Orion T

(Picture of above is from yesterday, from Edmonds (an hour north of Seattle), overlooking the Puget Sound waters.)

Picture of Today 6/9/16, Today is still Spring..

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“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!'”  – Robin Williams

Though I look forward to Summer as the extension of Spring, so it’s an extra long party. Fall will be the hangover.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 6/8/16, Broken Light…

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A big streetlight lamp in Seattle, fallen to the ground. 

Now shattered and much ignored, waiting for cleanup.

There’s a poetic thought or metaphor in that, maybe..

– Orion T

Picture of Today 6/7/16, An Empty Fountain

Into the Cultural Landscape Fountain, within the the Jim Ellis Freeway Park in downtown Seattle (near the Washington State Convention Center). Design by Lawrence Halprin, whose work can be seen in many parks and landmarks across he United States. The crazy thing about this, is that one could walk by the fountain for many days, weeks, months; and yet miss the majesty within. Such is easy to miss, but hard to forget when found. Stop when near enough in Seattle, and check it out.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 5/25/16, Let the Dark Out

The electric lights were out for about an hour in the Emerald City today..

Almost in time for a lunch break for many, as the power failure was sudden around 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM. The Seattle Fire Department reported 15 elevator rescues and 10 fire alarms responds. The cause is yet unclear, as far as I know.

What that has to do with the picture above is little. The cat cut is just a cool Japanese style art thing above on Yesler Street that remains now whether the lights are on or not. But it looks cooler on a gloomy late afternoon with less light, I think.

– Orion T

Pictures of Today 5/22/16, Breakin at the Fair..

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The best highlight of the latest annual University District Street Fair in Seattle, was the street dancing at one particular corner…

There in the afternoon, the Legion Dance Crew NW performed some sick moves with much breakdancing, some popping, and crazy flips. Joining them was Steel Will of the LA Breakers, who performed his grand finale flip over a few audience volunteers…

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Very talented folks, who made this day and this fair worth going.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 5/15/16, Locked Up



“It’s a lot easier to be lost than found. It’s the reason we’re always searching and rarely discovered–so many locks not enough keys.” 
― Sarah Dessen, Lock and Key

..

Down by the waterfront on a bridge, with the Alaskan Way Viaduct in between.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 5/11/16, a Garden Ear..

The Earth is always listening..

Never forget that.
– Orion T

Picture of Today 5/8/16, Mother’s Day in Seattle

There goes the day, mostly gray..

What matters is what one does with the time involved. For me, contacting loved moms I know, wishing them the most of this wonderful day. Also, getting much motherly advice in return for my sickness recovery (yes, yes I’ll get vitamins and soup, but it’s too warm to bundle up). 

So, Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there from here in Seattle. I dedicate the above today pic (and bonus below) to all of yous…

– Orion T

Picture of Today 4/27/16, Loose Morels

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Just one of the many things one with a filled wallet can buy from the world-famous Pike Place Market in Seattle. And here is an entry from good ol Wikipedia about this unusual and expensive fungi…

“Morchella, the true morels, is a genus of edible mushrooms closely related to anatomically simpler cup fungi. These distinctive fungi appear honeycomb-like, with their cap composed of a network of ridges with pits. Morels are sought by thousands of enthusiasts every spring for their supreme taste and the joy of the hunt, and are highly prized by gourmet cooks, particularly in French cuisine.

Morels have been called by many local names; some of the more colorful include dryland fish, because when sliced lengthwise then breaded and fried, their outline resembles the shape of a fish; hickory chickens, as they are known in many parts of Kentucky; and merkels or miracles, based on a story of how a mountain family was saved from starvation by eating morels. In parts of West Virginia, they are known as molly moochers or muggins. Due to the partial structural and textural similarity to some species of Poriferans (sponges), a common name for any true morel is sponge mushroom.

The scientific name of the genus Morchella is derived from morchel, an old German word for mushroom (this may be another source for the name “merkel”), while morel itself is derived from the Latin maurus meaning brown.”

There is some ominous warnings about the dangers of eating morels at the bottom of the wiki entry..

“Morels contain small amounts of hydrazine toxins that are removed by thorough cooking; morel mushrooms should never be eaten raw. It has been reported that even cooked morels can sometimes cause mild symptoms of upset stomach when consumed with alcohol.[49]

When eating this mushroom for the first time it is wise to consume a small amount to minimize any allergic reaction. As with all fungi, morels for consumption must be clean and free of decay. Morels growing in old apple orchards that had been treated with the insecticide lead arsenate may accumulate levels of toxic lead and arsenic that are unsuitable for human consumption”

And now you know, and knowing is half the battle!

– Orion T,

 

 

Picture of Today 4/17/16, Blue Days Ahead

  
Today in Seattle, the midday temp was around 75 degrees F. 

One here could definitely feel the warmth in the air. So much, that for the first time in 2016 I removed my jacket to enjoy much of the day outside in a t-shirt. Weather reports now point to more days coming like this. Yep, I think this is that turning point where we see summer as nearer than the winter left behind. 

We may have a hot summer ahead. After the cold and rainy stretch of last winter,  I look forward.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 4/6/16, Squirrel!

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A little friend in the park, who knows things and sees things.

We shared much in common, very busy with much to hide. We know many ways to the same destination but prefer the long way around very often. We enjoy big bags of trail mix, and take time to enjoy the calling sunlight. We pretend to be simple, though it can be easier said than done.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 3/30/16, The Reading Room at the Suzzallo Library

For a moment, one can imagine being late to the big Hogwarts graduation. Minus 10 points to Gryffendor!

Meanwhile, this is the wonderful Graduate Reading Room on the third floor of the Suzzallo Library at the University of Washington campus. The large room was a west addition completed in 1935, to the building whose initial ground floor was completed in 1926. The area is 250-feet (76 meters) long, 52-feet (16 meters) wide, 65-feet (20 meters). Henry Suzzallo, the university president previous to the time of its completion, believed that universities should be “cathedrals of learning.” With some fantastic gothic architecture styling, the Graduate Reading Room is a vision made true for the students at U-Dub. Also, a wonderful place for quiet study, thinking, and perhaps letting the mind wander.

-Orion T

Pictures of the Weekend, Outside the Sakura-Con

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Last weekend was a bit more colorful than usual..

I spent a little time outside the Sakura-Con, an annual convention for lovers of Japanese anime, manga, gaming and related pop-culture. I missed my chance for tickets inside the event, as I was a bit overly busy for much of the greater portions of the event. But outside, I had some hours to spare.

Much of the time was conversing with old friends, making new ones. We discussed emphasis on the anime and gaming pop-culture of decades past (the newer generation was more present). It was all fun, to see old characters brought to fly, thanks to the cosplaying element of the gathering.

I took some pictures, of which only some shared below. If you would like more than,please check out my expanded gallery and writings on “geek” culture at strangerworlds.com.

Here, are some chosen pics of mine for here (click on each for more into)..

That’s all for now…

Oh wait.., here’s me caught with the creepy mascots of the Five Nights at Freddys video game series!

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– Orion T

 

 

 

Picture of Today 3/25/16, Big Squirrel on Campus

 

Today, at the University of Washington in Seattle, I took time out to admire the cherry blossom trees within.

And so did many others, including Sam Squirrel. Before the bushy-tailed agent of N.U.T.S scurried about on some mysterious mission, there was time to ponder the changing of Spring since the days of barely a week ago. There seemed more rain than last year, and the air a bit colder. The blossoms seemed somewhat thinner, and the trunks with more moss. What could it all mean? Perhaps nothing, Sam ruminated. The sight of it all must simply be enjoyed for as long as the peace shall last. 

– Orion T

Picture of Today 3/21/16, Fresh Stop

 

Arrival at the new Univerity District Link Light Rail Station..

The location is new, just opened on Saturday, March 19th. The ride takes anyone from the Univeristy of Washington to the Sea-Tac Airport in one ride; which previously took at least two bus rides, traffic through downtown and the freeway, and 2-3 times the wait. To me, it’s now a pleasant 7-8 minute rush to and from the other new station in Capitol Hill. 

Still, enough time to catch up on some reading.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 3/20/16, Spring Bern

 
The first day of Spring in the rain, near the Key Arena in Seattle.

Also significant are the 17,000+ supporters here waiting for Democratic nominee, Bernie Sanders. He is due to speak nearby, to give a speech to rally his caucus support for the state of Washignton. Some friends were present, as his message resonates with the younger city crowds. While there was much excitement among the many here, I felt a certain calmness overall. Of what, is difficult to pinpoint. Perhaps, the rain and wonderful colors of the blooms above. Maybe, it was the positive vibes of those rallied here to support a message not all may agree with; also a contrast to the gatherings of another candidate much in the news lately, heavy in protests and disruptions. Or perhaps, there are some other good things worth appreciating now and on, that are in the fine details between the big deals in life.

I’m hoping for more Spring rain, at least.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 3/9/16, Between the Rains..

My favorite little tree has plenty silkish white blossoms under the gray sky today. It was quite wet from the torrenting showers throughout the day.

You’ll find this tree in the Jim Ellis Freeway Park in Downtown Seattle, next to a underpass walkway under a small road bridge that cuts through the small area. I am uncertain of it’s kind. It is wonderful enough to behold enough without further clarification, especially more between the rain.

Also, Spring is coming. I have a feeling it’s going to be a wet one. Keep your umbrellas near..

– Orion T

Picture of Today 3/7/16, Looking Up

Looking up the tallest building in Seattle, the Columbia Tower.

However, this side is the shorter part of it (overall called the Columbia Center), not sharing the full 73 stories (943 ft.) of its full height. I do appreciate it’s unconventional curved shape of this particular view. It’s the simple perspective I especially enjoyed for a minute on this otherwise mundane Monday.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 3/2/2016, Afternoon Delight

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This American Robin is a simple city bird within the noisy and complex Downtown od Seattle. Yet, it makes the most of the local city park behind the Washington State Convention Center, taking time to enjoy the small pockets of nature between the concrete floors in the shadows of the surrounding towers. For the afternoon, it goes the healthy route and eats small berries, one at a time. Soon it will flutter away, perhaps to its nest to relax and read something.

I try and do the same.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 2/24/16, the Dark Night Rises

A long exposure for a long night. Rain is happening and I must go.

The shot is from the upper Pier 66 platform, towards Seattle’s Great Wheel and Century Link Stadium. 

Sweet dreams..

– Orion T

Picture of Today 2/21/16, Full Beast Moon

A wild Full Moon suddenly appears!

Lucky I had my trusty (yet damaged from a recent drop) camera handy to capture it. I managed to get a little of that early yellow, though the sky was much brighter than pictured. I had experiment much to get this right with no tripod. And here we are, with the Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch doing a photobomb. 

-Orion T