Blue Ridge blog

Where Form meets Fun(ction)

So my new office chair and I took a nice stroll down an ASU path today in hopes of finding a pleasant spot to take in the fresh air. I wish my eldest could have seen me. I would surely have been greeted with multiple eyerolls. As it was, the exam weary students I did encounter smiled in my direction, but probably only because I was carrying a huge lens and wheeling a freaky chair around. I was completely out of context--just like the Ron Paul supporters on the sidewalk this morning.

I needed this chair. My backside has not been happy with the gov't issue much-more-expensive seats provided at the job. While shooting dancers several weeks ago, I noticed one of these chairs sitting at a professor's desk. I read more, even all the negatives said about the exercise ball chair and because I rarely sit longer than 10 minutes at a stretch, decided to go for it.

My verdict? It is comfortable, if not a little bouncy and perfect for this Tigger-like gal who can rarely sit still for long.

And on to even happier things. A past Sunday school teacher was awarded the North Carolina Sportswriter of the Year award. Kudos to writer David Shaw for accurately summing up A.J. Carr's personality.

Carr may feel antsy in the spotlight, but you'd never know it by his gentle manner and soft, smiling eyes. As a do-it-all sportswriter for the state's second-largest daily newspaper, he possesses a journalist's version of bedside manner — the ability to put you at ease.

"Well, that's one of the most important things about this job," he said. "You want your subject to be comfortable. You want to be trusted and liked."

Indeed. A.J. Carr is not only liked, but beloved.

And look! There's D.J., aka known as David Jackson, aka "The Voice of the Mountaineers." He also was recognized at the NSSA awards as the the NC Broadcaster of the Year.

Who says good things don't happen to fine people?

Cllinton and his jewels visit ASU

First. This isn't a political blog so I neither wish to endorse or detract from President Clinton's visit to Appalachian State University yesterday afternoon. But I would like to point out that Bill Clinton has been to the High Country more than our current Governor (publicly, that is) . Just noticing....
And, I must be shallow. One of the first things I noticed about President Clinton, besides that he looks exactly like he does on t.v., was the jewelry he was wearing. He sported a handsome Appalachian 'Block A,' on his lapel. That's a good look for him and he should continue wearing it. The other was the red and blue bracelet he wore on his right hand. I looked on the internet and found there are two different stories behind the wearing of the bracelet. Go figure.

Today's Tom Sawyer...

With apologies to the band 'Rush' for the title of this post, it is none-the-less more appropriate than any other. You see, today was Earth Day and I found The Last American Man working a piece of wild cherry into a utensil on Sanford Mall. Yup. I found Eustace Conway again. Don't know him? He founded Turtle Island Preserve This quote sums him up, almost:

"Like Thoreau, Eustace has gone to the woods to live deliberately, fronting only the essential facts of life, to see if he could not learn what it had to teach, and not when he came to die discover that he had not lived. He has lived in the woods for over 20 years. He learns by visiting extremes; once when Eustace severely cut his thumb, he sewed it back together with twelve stitches, and used plant medicine."

Most outsiders adore Eustace. The rest of us appreciate his marketing genius as well as his ability to turn  hillbilly living into a commodity. Heck, even Tom Sawyer could only convince others to do his hard work for a limited amount of time. Yet City folks still queue to have Eustace allow 'em to do the really grubby hard ass work of mountaineer living after a decade and half. Still, Blogs and the mainstream media continue to be amazed at his choice of everyday life.
But, who can blame them. Eustace has an affectious personality. Personally, I like his smile. Sigh.

( A personal note to Dr. Fletcher via the BRB from Eustace Conway: Dr. Fletcher, Your photography class still stays with me after all these years. It tickles me to be able to pass this message along to you through a blog, whatever that is. The word 'blog' sounds like 'blob,' like a mass bigger than I know what to do with. Still, I hope you are well. Eustace)

App Sign Version 738...

Cliche images become that for a reason--it is the spot where, for whatever reason, people connect to a place. In Boone, the waterwheel at Geno's Lounge is a photo curiosity for many. And if you are an App State alum, the sign on Hardin Street means something to many because folks gather 'round it daily to have their photographer made in front of it. My favorite photos are of large groups which cover up the sign completely. But whatever. I was out walking around campus and noticed the blossoming tulips and desired to have take my own sweet shot of the Appalachian sign since it plays a significant role in my life. Back in the 70's when I was on a Girl Scout backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail, our van passed this sign. It was my first introduction to the university and was the moment I knew I would come to school here.
(The sign has long changed fonts and the 2007 Nat'l Championship should be added this century.)

Life of the party....

I'm working on images to post. In the meantime, please know that if'n I was going to invite anyone from Boone to a party, it would be this guy. Seriously. He knows the difference between a uvular click and an alveolar click and this fascinates me:

Leave me alone, I'm practicing my alveolar click. It ain't easy and the puppy thinks I'm crazy....

Spring hits Boone, NC...

Creatures feel spring. Spring is most intense after a long cold winter. In Boone, the first sunny day with highs reaching nearly 70 has a carnival-like atmosphere, especially around campus. It makes some folks crave beer and company...
A sure sign of spring in Boone is the outdoor scene of the Klondike Cafe and overflow crowd at the nearby Parthenon Restaurant. The Klondike is a beloved college dive. I've only been there twice. Once to drink a beer after a long ride on the motorcycle. The last to eat a cheeseburger washed down with a beer after another long ride. The verdict, it is great place for the 20-somethings.

The bottom photo is simply a stereotypical image of hippie Boone. Buildings may change, but the tie-dyes and hippie skirts will forever have a happy home here in the mountains...

From the inside looking out....

I have a huge office window. This might be a dangerous spot to place someone like me who is easily distracted by sights in addition to strong daydreaming tendencies.

From my window I watch the ebb and flow of college students as they go through the rhythms of their hourly class changes. The kids walk with purpose--a backpack slung over one shoulder with the opposite hand clutched around a cell phone crammed against the ear. Every so often, someone from the outside will have just enough curiosity to look in. I catch their eye and then smile. Mostly, the gesture is returned.

I've enjoyed three photo ops from the comfort of my desk which caused me to grab my camera and fling open the door to the outside. The first: A student wearing a leather flying cap who had made three snowballs and was walking down the sidewalk juggling.  The second, a girl with a camera who photographically studying  a nearby oak tree. I took her photo from my window but then went outside to talk a little 'shop.' And then yesterday, a pet bunny rabbit frolicked on a nearby grassy patch.

On trees and legends...

I have lots to mention, just not a whole lot of time to say it.

First, this tree shot was taken from the stairs of my deck. I had to dodge a couple of electrical lines and I wish I could have isolated it more from the glob of trees on the right, but I got what I got and that's all I got.

If'n you aren't from these parts then you might not know about Nike's commercial which features legendary games and sports figures. Apparently there is no such thing as a cupcake or a cinderella team anymore:

Give it a look-see here.

...the hallway to the Appalachian Mountaineer weight room appears much more glamorous in the movies...

I have more photos to post, but let's just see how it goes. Ok?

A different kind of Super Fly...

With the greatest of ease, a member of the Extreme Team goes for a basket at Apps home game against Western Carolina yesterday. I used my D300 yesterday to test it's ability to work under the gym lights. This shot is at ISO 3200 and the noise...what noise?
The D300 makes me wanna go to a night time high school baseball game just to test it's capabilities further.

For my Mom and Dad and anyone else interested in what I am doing in my new job:
Here's a site which posts some of my campus grab shots. Be sure to click on the view more feature photos option.
Gnumoon and I worked the Polar Plunge together. This is our future and it makes me happy.

On the home front:
Sweet husband is sewing an MC Hammer costume for my youngest's upcoming competition dance season. He's doing it because I basically refused. He's a better mother than I. Youngest is helping him, but she is a bit overwhelmed with a massive English project, math, AP exams, dance and other teenage life torments. Last night as she toiled over writing a paper, she suddenly stopped what she was doing and said in almost a pitiful tone, "I really hope these aren't the best four years of my life."
Later, she read her paper to me and all I could think was, "Wow, that's powerful." She has a gift for writing and communicating, whether it is through body movements or the written word, she has a quiet, unpretentious way of getting her point across. I pray she never loses her demeanor.
I'm gonna keep her.

Le Weekend

With the completion of my first week at my new job, I finally comprehend the previously foreign concept of 'T.G.I.F.' In my old job, the weekend was simply another workday.

What if you threw a party and nobody came?

That's how I was feeling after decorating the fir tree outside my sunroom window with several suet cages and birdfeeders two weeks ago. In my frenzied feed-the-birds moment, I was anticipating the little guests fighting for my scrumptous delights.
But I had no takers... until this morning.
I witnessed a juvenile blue jay and chickadee check out the birdie buffet.

And, we've always known he was special:

David Jackson is North Carolina's Sportscaster of the Year. David's kinda a big deal now.
Other broadcasters who have previously been named are Woody Durham and Mick Mixon.
I know his father is proud.
And I can't wait to hear "the Voice of the Mountaineers" call this game.

And last, but not least:

Blogs in the High Country continue to grow. At last count there are thirty-eight. The newest? The High Country Mom Squad maintained by Sarah Pinnix. It is a good looking and informative blog targeted mainly to the area's mothers with young children.

Now 'scuse me while I grab my camera in a search of what ever...