Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Man on the street: Oh, what a happy man he was


© 2014 Rob Castro

Juzno:  What is your name?

Mack:  It's Mac.

Juzno:  Is that your real name?

Mack:  No, it's really Makuling Makabunot.

Juzno:  Why are you happy?

Mack:  I was able to solve Zeno's Paradox.  Contrary to the evidence of one's senses, the belief in plurality and change is mistaken, and in particular that motion is nothing but an illusion.




Friday, June 20, 2014

Thought of the Day



© 2014 Rob Castro

Juzno: A penny for your thought?

Hank:  "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

Gallery http://www.justanobserver.com
Blog http://www.juzno.com

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Farmer's wife ... dignity in labor


I like taking candid photos of people but once in a while a subject will make eye contact that can enrich the overall image.  She was busy at work and realized that I was about to take her picture so she gave me a nice smile.  Then she quickly gave me her business card indicating that she also does windows, plumbing and federal income tax returns.  Who would have known that?

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Which of these beers will you drink?


Photo © 2014 Rob Castro

Continuing with our lunch at 38 Degrees Ale House and Grill : Rose and I tried the Bruery Bois beer (15.0% ABV) and Alpine Hoppy Birthday pale ale (5.25% ABV). The Bois is Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Ale brewed has a pleasant chocolate aftertaste. They only serve it in 5 oz glass because they don't want the customers to get smashed right away. The waiter gave me a look of uncertainty at my skinny constitution when I ordered it and wasn't sure if I should have one. Rose ordered the Alpine Hoppy Birthday, which is definitely lighter. I tried both and ended finishing the Bois but not the Alpine. Cheers.


 — with Rose Castro at 38 Degrees.

Lunch Excursion at Alhambra


Photo © 2014 Rob Castro


Rose thought that it would be fun to check out 38 Degrees Ale House and Grill at Alhambra. The Tuna Tartar was one of the food we tried. Washed down with Alpine Hoppy Birthday pale ale and The Bruery Bois beer. Splendid. Retirement life is good. Cheers. — with Rose Castro at 38 Degrees.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Happy Father’s Day Letter from Mimi


Dear Dadoo,

Happy Father’s Day! I’m sending this letter with my picture showing a happy face, celebrating this special day with you. I am so glad to be your adopted canine daughter, and I’m grateful for the many ways that you cared for me, which you showed by:

a) Teaching me manners and how to be a good girl. You taught me when to bark and when not to bark, how to use a pad to eat my bone, and even gave me cues as to when to leave things alone.

b) Training me well in dancing and in modeling. My turns and poses have improved so much, thanks to that spotting technique that you showed me by placing a “treat” in a spot that you want me to focus. Now, if I could only apply this to do some “fouettés” then I can be the most famous “bowwowina.”

c) Spending time with me. I really enjoy hanging out with you in the backyard—you with your cigar or pipe and reading your books on philosophy and theology while I gnaw at my bone, enjoy the wind on my face and just watch the day go by.

Thank you for being a great dad.

With a luv, luv, luv,
Mimi

P.S.
Can I send this to you before father’s day so I can be sure that you will include me when you dine and celebrate that special day? To my readers, please like if you are a canine with a special human dad.


My Dear Mimi,

Thank you for the very nice photo of yourself and Mamoo.  It is nice because I took that picture.   It is the only one out of 12 shots that made it during developing the film roll.  This was the second film roll that I developed after a long hiatus from film photography.  The first one ended up with also one decent shot out of the 12 from the other film roll.  I'm beginning to see a pattern.  Perhaps at the rate that I'm going, I'm going to exceed the work of Ansel Adams who once said that "twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop."  On the other hand, Henri Cartier-Bresson did say that  "your first 10,000 photographs are your worst."  Who am I to believe?  At any rate, once I am confident with my film photography I will impart whatever I know to you.  I am quite sure that you will make a great photographer. 

Keep up the good work.  I am really proud of you. 

Your loving dad,

Dadoo


The Joker


© 2014 Rob Castro

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Juzno Old School


 © 2014 Rob Castro

I am going back to film.  Yea, old school.  For some reason, my Hasselbald 500 CM was aching to get back into action. But I need some practice on developing the film.  This one was shot using an expired Kodak TMAX 100. All the 12 shots on the film roll were badly developed.  Maybe it was my fault or maybe it was due to the expired film.  I did everything according to the industry standard procedure: Kodak D-76 Developer and some re-used Stop bath and Fixer; 6 and a half minutes with 10 seconds agitation every 30 seconds.  The resulting frames were atrocious but this one came out special in my opinion.  I like it.  I think especially this one look artsy.  Who is going to judge?

More smelly film photos to come.

Blog http://www.juzno.com/
Gallery http://www.justanobserver.com/

Friday, June 06, 2014

Katharine Hepburn and the African Daisies


© 2014 Rob Castro

Perhaps I am pleading a helpless case. After all things are not looking good. Under the law the guilty will be guilty forever. Or until they make enormous contributions to some multi-term politicians with nothing to lose by tossing a few last minute endorsements for grabs. So and so is a potentially great artist and so we should give him or her a grant to pursue the dreams of what artists long for. These moneys are after all swindled from the tax payers who have no idea where their tax moneys are going to. But what if one does not have any political clout? He will be guilty as charged. There will be no justice.

“Who is after me?” I asked my attorney.

“Nobody. You are paranoid,” he said.

“Yes,” I replied. “That is why we are going to Africa.”

“Why Africa?”

" I need to get hold of some rare African Daisies."

“You are an evil bastard.”

I felt into silence. It is always wise to let somebody take control. But I got to get my hands on those daisies.


Blog www.juzno.com

Gallery www.justanobserver.com

Wednesday, June 04, 2014

Distinguished



© 2014 Rob Castro

Luigi:  You want to take my picture?

Juzno:  Yes, sir.  I think you look distinguished.

Luigi:  Ah, yes.  In fact, there was a time when women would swoon whenever I passed them by.  I was considered the Rudolf Valentino in those days.  I wore fine dress suits and fancy shoes.  I only drank the finest wines and dined in high class restaurants.  Ah, yes.  those were the days.

Juzno:  What happened?

Luigi:  I discovered who I really am.

http://www.justanobserver.com

Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Lucy in the Sky


© 2014 Rob Castro

Juzno:  I dig your colors.  You must be a product of the sixties.

Lucy:  Yeah, I was born sixty minutes ago.

Juzno:  I see.

http://www.justanobserver.com

Monday, June 02, 2014

Dignity


dig·ni·ty

noun

the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.


"a man of dignity and unbending principle"