On a recent comment, oneowner and I discussed Topaz’s Legacy plugins . . . which prompted me to play with a few I haven’t used in a while. The photos I used to play with the plugins were those of the recent bird post (HERE).
The first candidate was the Gray Catbird . . .
My aim was to transform photos into drawings. I think the above is me using Impression 2. I liked the results, so I continued.
This is a quick reminder that the voting for the SDS Challenge Pride Stories ends at Noon, January 6, 2022. We had a quick flurry of votes before it came to a screeching halt well short of our typical volume for this challenge . . . but, then, we still have seven days (six if you don’t count today) to pick up the slack.
If you are new to the SDS Challenge, a little background.
Three writers will each write one story a month, going down the list of deadly sins. The stories can be anywhere from 666 words to 6,666 words in length, although those numbers are not set in stone (and Perry has blown them out of the water and into orbit). If ambitious, the writers will provide accompanying graphics. These stories will not be anonymous because some writers may want to use the same characters for each story and write a series — or book — encompassing all seven sins. Finally, interpretation of the titular sin is up to the writer. Meaning, each ‘sin’ can take multiple forms.
Disclaimer: The writing challenge has no restrictions, and the stories will likely span a wide gamut of genres. Most of the stories fall in the PG-rating range, with a few perhaps pushing into the soft R-rating. Some readers might find a few of the stories disturbing because of the topics, language, and/or plot points, and if so, stop reading and move on.
If you want to read the Seven Deadly Sins submissions for the Sin of Pride, and then vote, your gateway is THIS POST <<link. There, you’ll find links to each of the three stories and a poll for you to vote after you finish them (if you be so moved).
I’ve been too lazy to post stuff, and for that, I’m sorry. I have a number of new photos (and videos) I want to share, photo series I want to finish presenting, and, of course, the next installment of the Seven Deadly Sins Challenge; the Envy stories.
This post, however, is just to tell you all that is coming . . . eventually. Oh, remember Bagel Faces from a few post ago? Well, I kept playing with them . . .
They might look the same, but these have been run through Topaz’s Impression plugin. It modified the bread-like complexion and made them more . . . well, more face-like. or so I think.
I think I’ve figured it out . . . people are tired of these reminders. Basically, the constant reminders about the “V” stories block voting deadline is just an irritant. Don’t worry, I’m not here to remind you there are twenty-four hours remaining before the voting window closes — although, you know, that’s true when this post goes live — but rather to tell you a few corny one-liners.
What did the fish say when he hit the concrete wall?
“Dam!”
What do Eskimos get from sitting on the ice too long?
Polaroids.
What’s the difference between roast beef and pea soup?
Anyone can roast beef.
What do you get when you toss a hand grenade into a kitchen in France?
Linoleum blown apart.
Anyway, if you’ve already voted for a favorite story, the writers thank you. If you haven’t voted, and you spent time reading this, you now have less than 24 hours before the voting round ends. Links to the stories and the poll for voting for “Alphabet Challenge V-Stories” are HERE(link) Votes will be accepted until Noon (Central Time) on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
So, a more birds . . . .
This was taken from the lanai of the condo we rented while in Kailua Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. The bird is flying up to grab seeds from the upright pod. The pod contains a lot of seeds, and they are light enough to get blown all over the place. I know I shared the seeds in a post but I can’t find it right now.
Around this point of a voting block, we see a bit of a rush in voting, and the “V” stories block is no different. The last two days typically see big moves by one or more of the stories, usually those that were lagging.
. . . and we are at the last two days of voting.
Going forward, I plan fewer reminders (reminders take a fair amount of time, and daily reminders don’t seem to make a difference in the voting), and I’ll bunch them up near the end of the voting block. Again, between generating the photos for these posts and spending time putting them together, the effort related to these posts impinges on time I would rather use to work on other posts. Mind you, it’s not like these take hours but . . . no, actually, in aggregate, they do.
Anyway, if you’ve already voted for a favorite story, the writers thank you. If you haven’t voted, you have less than 48 hours before the voting round ends. Links to the stories and the poll for voting for “Alphabet Challenge V-Stories” are HERE(link) Votes will be accepted until Noon (Central Time) on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
So, a dash of red . . . .
This was taken from the lanai of the condo we rented while in Kailua Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.
Wow . . . just yesterday we had the beginning of the new year, and it’s now the second day already! These days are going by so fast it’ll make your head spin, and before you know it, BAM! . . . the year will be over.
Not to mention, only three days left to vote for your favorite of the “V” stories. I mean, just yesterday, there were four days left, and now one day has disappeared. Poof! Gone.
If you’ve already voted for a favorite story, the writers thank you. If you haven’t voted, did I mention there are only three days left? Links to the stories and the poll for voting for “Alphabet Challenge V-Stories” are HERE(link) Votes will be accepted until Noon (Central Time) on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
Again, I’m looking back a few years for these photos . . . .
This was taken in the parking lot of the Costco in Kailua Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.
I hate starting the year off with a reminder there are only four days left in the “V” stories voting block. However, as everyone winds down from the holidays, perhaps this is the perfect opportunity for people to relax, read a story or two, and cast a vote.
And, if that’s what you did (or plan to do), the writers want to add their thanks to their wishes for a great 2021. Links to the stories and the poll for voting for “Alphabet Challenge V-Stories” are HERE(link) Votes will be accepted until Noon (Central Time) on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
I dug back a few years for these photos . . . .
This was taken from the beach located approximately 7 miles north of Kailua-Kona, Kohanaiki Beach Park — also referred to as Pine Trees Beach — located on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.
The “V” stories voting block wishes you a Happy New Year Eve Celebration . . . . . […]
The “V” stories voting block asked me to intercede on its behalf. Apparently, it doesn’t know why it’s in the doghouse with voters. I tried to explain this is a bad time of year — and a bad year overall — but this voting block is really insecure and would have none of it and wanted me to plead readers for more reading and voting.
Now, me, I don’t like doing that. I figure these stories have to stand on their own, and if there’s no word-of-mouth traffic generated by the few readers we’ve had, well, then, there’s nothing I can do about it . . .
. . . except thanking them who voted for standing up for their favorite of the three stories. Links to the stories and the poll for voting for “Alphabet Challenge V-Stories” are HERE(link) Votes will be accepted until Noon (Central Time) on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
Just a few photos today . . . .
The photos in this post are all from the lanai of the first condo we lived in while on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.
The “V” stories voting is likely to stall as people celebrate various religious holidays, and that’s perfectly fine.
For them who take the time to read our stories and vote for their favorite, thank you in advance. Links to the stories and the poll for voting for “Alphabet Challenge V-Stories” are HERE(link) Votes will be accepted until Noon (Central Time) on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
Today is Christmas and to them who celebrate it, I wish a Merry Christmas . . .
Now, you might be asking “You be an atheist! What are you doing wishing people a Merry Christmas?”
The “V” stories voting block is off and running . . . Once again, we have three decent stories vying for the attention of discerning readers. One thing I would ask of readers . . . if you like a particular story, in addition to voting for it — and if you feel like it — get friends and family to read it (and also read the others in case they don’t agree with you).
No matter how you come to them, if you are a reader of our stories and someone who votes, thank you in advance for casting a vote for your favorite of the three. Links to the stories and the poll for voting for “Alphabet Challenge V-Stories” are HERE(link) Votes will be accepted until Noon (Central Time) on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
Just a few photos today . . . .
The photos in this post are all from the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area<<link in the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.
A gentle reminder before exploring sausage-making . . .
If you are a reader of our stories and someone who votes, thank you in advance for casting a vote for your favorite of the three. Links to the stories and the poll for voting for “Alphabet Challenge U-Stories” are HERE(link) Votes will be accepted until noon, Chicago time, on Wednesday, December 16th.
So, on with a fairly quick post about how the sausage gets made. We begin with this photo (as shot on Nikon D200 with a Nikon 80-400mm VR lens) . . .
I mean, it’s not a bad photo. It’s a little soft and overly bright, but it was the middle of the day in Colorado, the sun beating down something fierce. Well, first we crop and sharpen using Topaz Sharpen AI.
I’m not going to mention the current progress . . . embarrassed, I am, and not by riches . . . Doh! I doggoneit done gone and mentioned it! Look, all I want to say is . . .
If you are a reader of our stories and someone who votes, thank you in advance for casting a vote for your favorite of the three. Links to the stories and the poll for voting for “Alphabet Challenge U-Stories” are HERE(link) Votes will be accepted until noon, Chicago time, on Wednesday, December 16th.
I’ve had a couple of busy days, but this afternoon — evening, really — I grabbed my camera, attached the Nikon 80-400mm lens, and went to sit outside for a spell (66° it was … nice, it was).
Since all I wanted to try a few different settings, I just shot random and mundane things.
I’m writing this a day before publication (since I’ll be busy) so I don’t know how the views/votes for the “U” stories is progressing. Not well, I’d wager. Not a big deal since we have enough votes to declare a winner (one vote). OK, OK, I know a few readers are still planning to vote, so I’m assuming by the end of the round, we’ll have at least two votes. If we get three votes, I can hope for a three-way tie.
If you are a reader of our stories and someone who votes, thank you in advance for casting a vote for your favorite of the three. Links to the stories and the poll for voting for “Alphabet Challenge U-Stories” are HERE(link) Votes will be accepted until noon, Chicago time, on Wednesday, December 16th.
OK, so these are the last photos from a Still Life contest I had entered. I mean, I had more, but this rounds up the ones I thought worth-while sharing.
Two things about this set of photos. One, I’m not going to explain what you are looking at. Two, I’m presenting them in reverse order of how much I like them.
I mean, like all parents, I’ll say I like each one as much as the others, but, you know, in a different way.
The “U” stories are still struggling to generate views (let alone votes). Not sure what’s going on, but I assume it has a bit to do with the world going to crap, the holidays, and COVID-19 parked on everyone’s minds.
As this is, has been, and will be an effort just for the fun of it, it means the drastic reduction in readership is of no practical consequence . . . other than to the fragile egos of the writers. Poor sods are anxiously following the poll and watching their self-esteem shrivel-up. It’s actually worse for the other two writers than for me since I’m not the one mailing out notices to friends and family. Anyway . . .
If you are a reader of our stories and someone who votes, thank you in advance for casting a vote for your favorite of the three. Links to the stories and the poll for voting for “Alphabet Challenge U-Stories” are HERE(link) Votes will be accepted until noon, Chicago time, on Wednesday, December 16th.
I’m continuing with photos from a Still Life contest I had entered. Today’s photos can be said to be loosely related; not quite a theme, per se, but at least peripherally related.
Yes, them be toothpicks for people with very big gaps between their teeth (or massive cavities). OK, OK . . . they’re crochet needles and a few other implements I’d be hard-pressed to name.
Disperser Tracks 