Apple picking - Stuart's Apple Farm

White wedding - Camp Fowler

Speed limits...

On the way back from north Jersey, I decided to drive 50 mph (hovering just above 2000 rpm) as an effort to save gas.  It took me about two and a half hours, but I made it home.

I'm certainly guilty of seeing a speed limit sign and saying "65mph?  I can go 80 without getting pulled over!" Satisfied with the justified absence of guilt, I used to zoom about my business.  I suppose the entire Great Garden State is guilty of this phenomenon.  

However, tonight was different.  A speed limit must be renamed as a speed maximum.  No one should go faster than 65mph...ever, especially in the most densely-populated state in the world's third-most populous country.  I understand in Texas, people drive at least 80mph to different places.  It certainly aids them in traversing huge swaths of empty land in a reasonable amount of time.

In Jersey?  Well, as much as I love the state for its endless supply of candid charm, polite poise, and elegant glory...and sit on a rock if you think I'm being sarcastic...I do think our confidence in driving in perilous conditions can only....hmmm, I was going to say harm our reputations, but I instantly changed my mind.  

Driving in Jersey takes gumption, and you'd better know what you're doing and where you're going if you plan on hitting the roads.  It builds character to fluidly weave and merge without breaking the flow of traffic.  Jersey drivers are sure-footed and ever-vigilant for knuckleheads, which in turns makes us the best drivers in the country.  Defensive driving?  Well, any pee-wee football coach will tell you:  the best defense is a strong offense.  

Yes, if I decide to save gas, you can bet I'll drive 50 in the right lane WITH my hazards on if there's a heavy flow of traffic.  I'm certainly not getting in the way, and I'm for sure staying faaar away from the passing lane.

Drive on jabronis, drive on!

ABCs in NYC!

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to fulfill an artistic adventure!  I met up with Alison, one of my closest friends from my Barnes & Noble days, in Astoria, Queens. After a great lunch with Laura and Mike in tow, we bust out our cameras and went to town. We ventured on a photo scavenger hunt in Al's Astoria neighborhood.  The goal was to try and capture as many shapes of the alphabet letters
in natural objects without touching anything!  At first, it was a little tricky trying to capture an "A" in a brick wall, but throughout the day, letters bravely poked their heads out of their respective hiding places.

Al taught me a great concept of "negative space," which is the space between objects that creates a separate image.  Often, optical illusions employ negative space, for example, this goodie:

Can you spot the object that uses negative space?

Anyways, here are the winners from our photo shoot in alphabetical order.  I won't provide the letter that I was shooting for, but feel free to comment what you can see :D