Metro area

Rob's shots from the digi-cam.  The third one is really good.

In Paris

Over a month since my last entry, only in France have I found time to write a post.  But, I've made it safely and sanely to the holidays and will take time in the coming days to update the blog.

Website LIVE

The blog page has seen a slow down in posts because I've spent the last few weeks dedicated to the new Simplemente Madera web page.  I'm working with the in-house IT brother and we've been chipping away slowly.  The link I've given you is our Top Secret hosting section - yeah no will know about it until it's done.  Since that's going to be a while take a look if your interested.

UPDATE:  The page is now live.  Use the above link to check it out.

QUE BRUTO!

This is a small add I made for pamphlet for a 5th grade graduation ceremony.  Simplemente Madera has sponsored the graduation so they were allotted  a half page space.  Basically (for my non-spanish readers) the add says "We also know how to make quality products from raw materials".  The word for raw in spanish - bruto - also means brute, savage, or dumb-ass.  The parents will either laugh or be pissed, for that reason there's no phone number.

Things

Present to a company of things that Simplemente sells.

Island hotel

An island hotel and spa concept.  This is not my drawing, I just did the scan and presentation.

The Hamilton in me

Got lots of love for the Toyota HiLux.  I own one with Oliver and yesterday I got it back after having it in the shop for two weeks.  It was overheating only slightly but enough to be an annoyance.  We traced the problem down to a bad head gasket which I decided to replace.  They repainted the motor and told me that everything (valve alignment, piston alignment, and block) looks good.  It has nearly 300,000 kilometers (about 180,000 miles), but it drives like new.  A tank.

Classic mom

A classic portrait of my mom dealing Black Jack.  Note her pinky and my hand.  Of course I went on to lose (along with the rest of us) to our blue-blooded dealer.

Granada hospital

Driving with Franchesca in Granada on Sunday afternoon I came across the old hospital.  It's almost forgotten now, aside from a lone police officer who keeps vagrants from stealing the few remaining construction materials.  All is for naught however, a record rainy season has saturated the hospital walls and they are quickly deteriorating.  I was warned not to straggle because walls sometimes collapse without warning.  The police officer also mentioned a tunnel system that housed remains of the dead who had no family members (think lonely souls).  With sundown approaching I felt it best to leave.  When I came back to Franchesca she asked if I believed in spirits.

Low light surprise

Hiking for half an hour after sunset I arrived at a petroglyph nearby Palermo.  It was too dark to see the faces of Mauriel or Arthur, who accompanied me on the walk.  I felt like an idiot for having dragged the camera through the jungle, but then I thought I'd give the waterfall a try.  After three 10 second exposures I looked at the preview screen on the camera, and hiked home happy.

Credit due

Here are some shots of Arthur's house by Arthur.  He's a photographer and has helped me out and been a good voice of criticism.  (Note: Arthur has not signed a release)

Fútbol sunset

Ended the day on a good note in the form of penalty kicks.  Three players, a younger sibling, and a dog.

A case of the 'Mondays'

Got the truck stuck in the mud today.  Not usually an easy thing to do, however over a foot rain destroyed the dirt roads.

Cara más perdida

Had dinner with François, Brenda, and Shani.  It's been several weeks, if not months, since I last saw Shani.  I missed her birthday party (que mala honda), and I've flaked on my visits to the house.  She warmed up to me quick though, and I was glad to see her.

Rainy days, rainy nights

Lots of rain lately in San Juan del Sur left me on the sofa, camera in hand, and jiggling.  I won't admit how many I shot, but these are my favorites.  Who knows what they might become.  They remind me of tagging.

Looking for shots

Supervising the installation of Arthur's garden I took time to 'find' shots of his house.  Eventually I will come back when the garden starts taking shape and shoot these again.

Driving to La RAAN

A 1200 km round trip to La RAAN provided a memorable trek by pickup truck.