Inside the Ren Center and Random Facts Meme

The inside of the Renaissance Center is almost as impressive and beautiful as the outside, but more difficult to capture in the eye of a camera. I had to get a special permit to take pictures inside and still got hassled by security very meanly several times. I guess they thought I was a terrorist looking for structural ways to destroy the Ren Center, but I wasn't. I just thought it was pretty and wanted to take pictures. They wouldn't let me use a tripod so I had to shoot at a high ISO!

I am having trouble with people saying the cannot see my pictures (although they are visible to me on two browsers). If you cannot see the pictures and still would like to, click here for the first, here for the second, and here for the third.

OK, I got tagged by Marie at Montpellier Daily Photo to do the 8 random facts meme that's been going around. (I think I was tagged earlier on another blog, but I can find eight other facts). Thanks, Marie, for thinking of me. I think. LOL! :-D

These are the rules.

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.

2. List eight (8) random facts about yourself.

3. Tag eight people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).

4. Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving them a comment on their blog.


Here's 8 Random Facts about me:

1)Like Craig at North Bay Daily Photo, I don't like to follow rules. This has been both a curse and a blessing throughout my life.

2)I hate to procrastinate but do it anyway all the time. Grrrr!

3)I like cool weather better than hot weather. When other people are complaining about the cold wind, I find it delightfully brisk and exciting. Invigorating!

4)I like liver, spinach and Brussels sprouts. I dislike watermelon, cucumbers and hot dogs. I like whole grain breads etc and have since I was a child. I dislike many white breads and always have. Even as a kid, I liked the crust on bread. I liked skin on my farina and pudding. I hate the strings in string beans (which you can hardly find anywhere any more, thank goodness) and celery.

5)I like being out in the woods. Even on a yucky day.

6)I kind of like writing about scary upsetting depressing violent things, but I hate seeing it. On TV, in the movies or in real life, I don't want to see it.

7)Our TV is in the garage. Buried and not plugged in. We don't watch TV. I miss all the allusions to various TV programs.

8)Like Marie over at Montpellier, I love art, I'd like to live in the mountains or countryside, and I love to travel.

9)I like to break the rules sometimes, did I mention that already? So I'm not tagging anyone specifically either (like Craig over at NorthBay). If YOU have not yet done this, or if you can think of eight more random things you are willing to share, please do it and let me know.

Blog Action Day for the Environment

Today is international Blog Action Day for the Environment.

I have included in my Detroit Daily Photo Blog, four pictures from Detroit:

1)The first is a torn flag on a gravestone (The flag was litter)(The gravestone represents death!). It's autumn (this could be symbolic of the end of the earth if we aren't careful!). This is both an international and a NATIONAL problem, but our nation and our nation's leaders are failing to take the bull by the horns. We need to deal with our national and international environmental problems. Make your voices heard.
2)The second pile of trash contains a boot and a duck. Besides the actual litter problem, the human boot and the "dead duck" and the human boot are symbolic of what we are doing to the environment and its affect on wildlife and animals.
3)The third image is a discarded doll. Besides being actual litter, an environmental problem in itself, the doll is symbolic of what we will do to ourselves, our children and our grandchildren if we continue on our current path.
4)The third image is an old discarded record--litter. It is symbolic of the end of pleasures and joy if we continue on our current path of environmental degradation. Bird song will end, and music will end and everything we know will end. Period.

All these pictures were taken in Detroit. I think Detroit's biggest environmental issue is the automobile industry. They keep cranking out HUGE gas guzzling, polluting cars? Why? Because Detroiters and Americans BUY THEM. What can you do to help? But the smallest possible least polluting car you can find that will work for your needs.

What else can you do? Write the president, write your congresspeople. Help clean up your neighborhood. Stop smoking. Invest in environmentally friendly stocks and bonds and mutual funds. There are millions of things you can do. Don't water your lawn--it's supposed to estivate in the summer. Don't buy excess packaging. Shop at the farmer's market, patronize your local farmer. Buy local. Read about it. Every single step we take, however little, when multiplied by the many makes a huge difference. YOU and I can help! We must!

Eagle at the Detroit Zoo

Click image to view larger.

The Scott Fountain again, Belle Isle

I lOVE this fountain; hope you're not bored with it. Which do you like better, the color or the duotone? Both by me--I am practicing what I learned in that photoshop seminar I took--I need to practice or I won't remember anything. It's OK if you like the original better--I just need to practice. Click images to view larger.

Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse

Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse: Photo by Mary Stebbins Taitt, click image to view larger.

In 1927, a resolution to erect this light was adopted unanimously. It is located at the eastern tip of Belle Isle marking the head of the Detroit River on a strip of man-made land extending the upper or easterly end of the island out into the river about a quarter mile and facing Lake St. Clair.

The 58-foot shaft of Georgia marble was designed by Albert Kahn and is surmounted by a gilt, bronze lantern room reaching to the height to 80 feet. The light is 11,500 candlepower and is visible for 15 miles.

The light opened the navigation season in 1930. It was formally dedicated October 17, the fifth anniversary of Livingstone’s death. William Livingstone was a prominent Detroit resident and was president of the Lake Carriers Association from 1902–1925.

The light was erected as a gift from the Lake Carriers Association and the citizens of Detroit at a cost of $100,000. It is one of two memorial lights in the State of Michigan and is the only light in the nation constructed entirely of marble.

On the lakeside of the structure is a bronze bas relief portrait of Mr. Livingstone and a bronze table inscribed with its dedication. This light made the old Belle Isle Lighthouse, which was near the current U. S. Coast Guard Station, obsolete.

Appalachia Detroit

Yes, this is within the city of Detroit, and Detroit and Detroit Metro is a huge urban sprawl with little sign of the countryside. But it does exist in tiny pockets here and there. Right in the city. I think it's nice in a free country that people can choose how they want to live. Click view larger. image to

This photo on FLICKER.

Detroit Cobblestone

I love cobblestone houses. I sort of associate them with country living and open spaces, but here is cobblestone in the middle of residential Detroit! Sweet!

see a city sidewalk shot

Tim Burke

Detroit artist and poet Tim Burke recites a poem about babies in Iraq outside his home in the Heidelberg Project.

The Renaissance Center and People Mover

The Renaissance Center and People Mover, by Mary Stebbins Taitt. Click image to view larger. The Gem of Detroit. As I mentioned yesterday, it is really beautiful, inside and out. And yes, I did fiddle a little with this image. There was a reason for it--a few distracting items like a traffic signal and light. And some sensor spots. In the interest of full disclosure, I will post the original here for those who are curious enough to care.

Detroit Renaissance Center

Detroit Renaissance Center, the jewel of Detroit, by Mary Stebbins Taitt. Very modern and citified. Worth a visit. Click image to view larger.