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OK not the first sunset of 2010 but a real nice one and it is only Jan. 4!  When I first started getting into photography the sunset photos were my favorites.  Now I hardy ever take a sunset photo...oh I took one or two last week..but I hadn't taken any in a while. 

I've missed taking sunset photos and the sun is going down a little later now.  Tonight, I was watching the clouds and as it looked like we could have a great sunset.  After I feed the horses, I checked the setting sun and decided to take a road trip.  I drove down on of the main roads that runs west to east. 

As I drove, I was looking towards the sunset and checking out good views.  I pulled over and tried to see if there was a shot and no there wasn't.  Tried again and no lucky.  I think people on the road thought I was having car trouble or was a little crazy.

The third try was a good one...so I got out of the car and took a couple of shoots.  I liked this one the best.  It was shot at F 8, IS0 100, White Blance of Tungsten and here is what I got.

Hallelujah Chorus

Then I got back in the car and looked for another good spot.  I tried a few more and then found this great giant saguaro and got out the tripod and took a few more shots...this was one I liked. Shot at F 8, ISO 400, WB Tungsten.

The Soul Train

I sent both photos to the TV news...the last several photos I've sent haven't been shown on the weather....maybe these will make tonight's show.

mmm

mmm

We The Free

It's Day 3 of 2010, Day 3 of the rest of our lives. For a lot of folks, me included, 2009 was a really rough road to travel. I personally could not remember a time in my life when I had lost so much, and felt so uncertain about the future. Well, that was then and this is NOW! I think that many people are embracing the sense of positive change that awaits us in this new decade. Today, I think that most of us just want to brush the dust off our shoulders and solider on to whatever challenges are right up that road. It's 2010, are you ready, willing, and able? I'm betting you are. I'm betting we all are.

As I get ready to go wander the streets of Chicago, on this 1 degree day with a -15 wind chill, I happy, HAPPY that I woke up in a place that still holds the hope of a better & brighter tomorrow for us all. We still have to deal with the realities of a weak economy, wars and rumors of war, the shadow of terrorism, and God only knows what else that might blindside us at 3:00am, but I think we can handle it. I am not only looking forward to what adventures this day holds for me, but also what lay behind Door No.2 on Tomorrow. I happy that I'm still alive and still free to realize the American Dream, however it may have changed over the last ten years. I'm gonna try and live my life as best I can, and try too be the best person I can be. I encourage everyone, EVERYONE I know to try and do something, anything, that will make their lives better in 2010 and beyond. Despite how things might look at times, and there will still be trials & tribulations to be faces, remember we CAN overcome them, and we WILL overcome them if we have to.

If you found yourself saying "We're in 2010, now what?" Well, I guess it's time you go find out what the Now What is gonna be. I'm gonna go take myself for a walk into Now What, now.

Last night, I went to the First Friday event at the Flat Iron Arts Building here in Chicago. It was a good way to spend New Years Day, checking out the collected works of various local Artist. As I was wandering through the building I stumbled upon the studio of photographer Bernard Colbert. After a brief conversation with Bernard, and his friend & Muse, Kelly, I asked if I could snap a few shots of them. Here they are. If you ever have a first Friday of the month that you want to get out & about in, checkout http://www.wpbfirstfriday.com.