Even though the weather has been windy, rainy, and sometimes snowy this past week it hasn’t stopped the construction of this project outside my window at work.

These magpies have been busy shuttling back and forth to their to the nest with twigs and tiny branches- which are relatively large compared to their size, and clumps of random stuff to put this together. They’re busiest in the morning, but I don’t see them much in the afternoon so maybe an expert birder can tell me where they’re going.

With the extreme wind of yesterday the top of this tree was swaying about fiercely- but the nest is still holding up solid.

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This definitely qualifies as “funny photo of the week.”  Which is not currently a feature on this blog nor planning to be one anytime soon.  

This pleasant neighborhood park is located in Grandville, Michigan, just southwest of Grand Rapids.   Along the path I found this well constructed blue sign which conveys much agreed upon advice of consuming liquids when during periods of high activity.

Staying hydrated certainly is good advice when walking, running, biking, rollerblading, or any other ing.  However I found it humorous that such warnings are necessary on this trail, which consists of a simple half mile loop around a small lake.  Furthermore the park is surrounded by houses on two sides.  So hypothetically if you DID become severely dehydrated you could stumble into someone’s walkout basement gasping for water.   Or most likely someone grilling in their backyard would see you raggedly dressed wandering half-delusionally about and call in the medivacs. 

There is also a Starbucks across the street.

But wait - one more comparison:  if you check out this map you’ll see that Heritage Park, on the left, is (sadly)  just barely one fourth the size of the nearby mall’s footprint.  Perhaps this sign should be relocated to the Rivertown Crossings Shopping Center?   In my experience its MORE difficult to stay hydrated at the mall, since the food court vendors will only give you a thimble size cup of water if asked.

In any case - stay hydrated…

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I occasionally take random photos of things I find interesting, strange, cool, or just catch my eye. Such as Chicago’s Roosevelt Metra station, this frightening U-haul, or a crap filled Target. As is the motto of Rob at Cockeyed.com “Always have your camera.”

On Tuesday, February 12th, my two co-workers and I were driving up Monaco Street in southeast Denver to lunch. At 6460 East Yale I saw this little Safeway gas station. I had never seen one before - and for some reason was fascinated that it looked just like a “BIG” Safeway. I found this structure cute in a Christmas village elf like way: The design, windows, overhang, and trim are identical to a full scale Safeway - and the disproportionate letters and logo give it an even more miniature appearance. Yes I’m a dork. I realize its just a friggen gas station, and that would have been the sum of this post. Except for what followed:

To appease my elation co-worker M.P. pulled in for gas, allowing me to step out to take a few shots. As I scouted out a good angle employee A.J. walked up to me, blocked me by standing in FRONT of me, and tersely asked what exactly I was doing. I didn’t stop to converse, but said that I just liked the building and thought it was interesting.

He became agitated at my bland answer, and I then realized that if I continued I would most likely face harassment by doing something as benign as taking a few snapshots of a gas station - the same harassment occasionally faced by those who enjoy photographing more majestic objects like bridges, airliners, and trains. Quickly processing this I then realized that in an attempt to block the sun I was actually standing on the CURB of the street, just OFF of Safeway’s lot on public property. Now it was clearly a non-issue.

Meanwhile A.J. walked back into the mini-me Safeway. I wrapped up and walked to the car as M.P. finished pumping his gas. As he started the car A.J. walked up to me on the passenger side, just after making a show of writing down my friend’s license plate number. He said that he had just spoken with his security officer (inside the “big people” Safeway I presumed,) and demanded that I delete my photos or he would confiscate my cell phone. I politely and firmly said “No. My photos were taken from the street. And while I don’t need to explain or have reason for taking photos my intentions are not nefarious.”

A.J. then said since I was not cooperating with his requests he would be forced to call the police. Um, yeah…

Hi, Denver police - some guy is taking pictures of our Safeway gas shack. Please hurry.

My other co-worker in the back seat couldn’t contain his laughter anymore, and I finally said “Go ahead and call the police. I can take a photo of any goddam thing I want from public property including you, your gas station, the sky, a bird, and your mom. Good Day.” We drove off, and thankfully there was no further escalation. As of today, February 13th, the police have not contacted my friend M.P.

This unexpected event gave us a charge jolly for the rest of the afternoon - but it bothers me that someone would actually THINK that they could prohibit one from taking photos on a PUBLIC sidewalk or street. I completely understand a business restricting photos WITHIN their private property. Usually this isn’t for knee-jerk security reasons, but rather to prevent collection of price data and retail design. For example if Target had told me to knock off these shenanigans I would comply without question. Another example is a gym extending their logical right to ban camera phones for the privacy of their members. And I haven’t argued yet about government restricting photography of self labeled “sensitive” areas like customs facilities or INSIDE high profile government buildings.

However no one (A.J.) should DARE tell someone they can’t stand on PUBLIC property and take a picture of a commercial establishment. General photography of airports, bridges, skyscrapers, and Safeway gas stations do NOT fall under the category of “security threats.” If I find something architecturally stimulating I’ll take a damn picture if I want to.

This morning I called Safeway and spoke with general manager Greg Burk. I asked him why on earth his employees would impede someone’s activity on adjacent PUBLIC property? And why your employee demanded that I surrender my personal property, (my camera phone,) and threatened me by calling the police?

Greg Burk was aware of my visit yesterday, and agreed that A.J. was out of line in asking I surrender my camera phone. However Greg explained that A.J. acted appropriately by considering police action, and that the security officer who authorized his actions was not aware that I was on public property. When prodded in further discussion he agreed that A.J. should not have harassed me or asked for my phone.

Greg was very courteous, and during my recorded call was generous enough to talk to me for almost 10 minutes. He gave expected rational for being AWARE of odd activity. But I explained that my “suspicious” behavior should also be balanced out by the fact that I was in a CAR, with a license plate, (which A.J. wrote down,) and my friend also used his credit card to pay for gas. Those elements would make it quite easy to track us to our evil lair. Furthermore any building detail could be easily viewed by the naked eye, or via Google Earth or Google Street View.

I told him its one thing to be AWARE of odd behavior, but another to overstep your bounds and harass and threaten a person with no legal grounds. For the most part we agreed, and I appreciate his attention.

It’s mortifying enough to photography hobbyists and enthusiasts when they’re wrongfully told by police and private security that they can’t photograph public structures like the Brooklyn Bridge or the Eisenhower Tunnel. Niche groups or buffs who enjoy studying things like roads and airplanes do not deserve harassment. When your personal hobbies and activities, however banal, are challenged and limited under the pretext of security - that’s just wrong.

Did I mention this is a gas station? Perhaps they should build a tiny Safeway jail for security threats like myself.

by James Van Dellen

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This was sent to me by a friend whose (American) nephew is currently working in El Salvador’s medical community.

If I receive another, or some details on this eye catching piece, I’ll follow up with more…

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My beautiful niece Lili will soon be joining the Future Gringo team contributing first hand travel reports from around the globe. That is as after she finishes celebrating her big first birthday bash this weekend.

In that year she’s traveled to North Carolina, Florida, and a few weekend road trips across the border to Canada. Not a bad start! She also has plans to come visit Colorado - so I’ll have to start hunting for some deals on snowboard lessons.

However she won’t be sending in many airport/airplane reports, as according to my sister when the wheels go up she promptly visits the sandman.

Happy Birthday Lili!

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If you haven’t completed your Christmas shopping yet there’s still plenty of gift opportunities available at your local Target!

Today I visited the location in Mission Viejo, California. I didn’t even have to scrape the upper half of the barrel to find these phenomenal gems. Perfect for under the tree or as stocking stuffers…

Let’s get started…

A huge selection of third rate software. Hello Geek Squad! From $19.99

A category five hurricane shaped candle holder. Hypnotize your next dinner party!

Gillette razor and shaving gel set. Includes three golf balls for some reason.

Oh yes lots more…

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Here’s your photo of the week.   Maybe this is why Americans don’t have passports.  Good price on eggs though.

I meant to post on this topic a month back when reading a slew of articles in the Consumerist, an excellent site for consumer issues and saving money.  They ran a series of stories about “refusing receipt checks” at retailers.    Basically rants of people who have PAID for their items at checkout, and subject to a further wait and check of their bags while having their receipts matched to their purchase.

My local Walgreens does the same thing.  Only instead of a door checker I always trip a shrill security alarm four out of five times, regardless of my purchase.   I don’t know if the sensitivity is too high, or the clerk forgets to disengage the security tag on my four dollar soap.

Personally I don’t care.  I don’t find it worth getting upset about, and usually when I’m AT Best Buy I want to get the hell out as soon as possible.  Regarding Walgreens I don’t mind showing my receipt,  but also I’m not going to stop like a dog just because an alarm goes off.  I paid for my item and I’m going to move on with my day.  I just keep walking, and I’m not going to run BACK to the store from the parking lot and hang out with the staff there.

But here’s the problem with standing up for your rights.   If you’re going to make a stink about something you can bet on being delayed.   If you want to challenge the astute minds of the TSA you had better be prepared to miss your flight.  If you want to get into an argument with a door clerk at Best Buy then prepare to make it a police issue if necessary (as described in the below posts.)  To me it’s not worth it and I’m happy to let someone else be the Rosa Parks of receipt checks.  Nonetheless I find it an interesting topic.

Here’s the Consumerist discussions:  Show your Receipts.    Adventures in Receipt check Refusals.

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Found this on sott.net, or “Sign of the Times,”- a collection of articles and scary rants predicting the end of the world and the human race.  (Good times.)

I do think the poster is interesting for its Orweillian characteristics.  I wonder if “the state is watching you” theme was intentional.  

I don’t support conspiracy theories, especially ones that cartwheel into borderline lunacy.  But I do find police and city monitoring an interesting trend, especially in the discussion of privacy rights versus the surveillance of public spaces.  But to me the realm of discussion terminates there.  Save for the marketing folks at Safeway and Visa I don’t think anyone else, especially a government agency, is tracking my life and examining the most microscopic details.  If anyone has a file on your life it’s companies and corporations trying to market to you, not secret government agencies. 

But should you want to read up on how 9/11, George Bush 1 and 2, Nazis, Freemasons, AA flight 77, Denver airport secret base, Gargamel, Crop circles, George Noory, Area 51, Waco, and Mel Gibson are all interconnected in a global secret society - then sott.net is the place to hang.

Oh and they have a podcast too!  Although I suspect most contributors are the voices inside their heads.   These guys should join forces with raptureready.com   

by James Van Dellen

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Who doesn’t love the artwork of Uhaul trucks? Their trucks highlight various scenes of American cities and towns, which provide an interesting and a visual diversion from the often monotonous highway landscapes. Even if you aren’t all that interested in seeing a photo of Lincoln’s birthplace while sweating along side a gas pump at Sunoco, it’s true some Uhaul photos and descriptions are fun and quirky too. I drove the “Roswell” Uhaul from L.A. to Denver featuring a giant alien head on the side a while back myself.

I don’t like this Uhaul however. This “United we Stand” theme features a military helicopter maneuvering towards me ready for instant obliteration via a round of automatic fire. I believe that when you scroll the words “Salute our Troops” on something - bumper sticker, t-shirt, napkin, or Uhaul - you should acknowledge that they do more than just swoop around in flying machine guns. I’d rather see some faces of the military and have us be reminded of the peace that INDIVIDUAL military members attempts to bring, rather than the collective summary of firepower that the U.S. military is often associated with. Especially an anonymous metal face of violence such as an attack helicopter.

To me this Uhaul haughtily screams “Bring It On.” How about Rosie the Riveter instead? She was nice…

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From AVING Global News Network,  some sexy photos of the Korean Air A380 interior and exterior.  As I mentioned in this post I believe the Boeing 787 Dreamliner will far surpass the A380 in sales, not to mention the 787 mid size airliner will be more adaptable to more airports and airline schedules.  But it’s still cool to see such a marvel of engineering.  Hey you can still appreciate a white elephant right?  Or Titanic size ocean liner of the sky?  I can’t think of an organ I wouldn’t sell to sit jump seat for just one short flight.

Photos (and bandwidth)  courtesy of AVING Global news.

More Interior Photos and More Exterior shots from the flight test 

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So you’re jammin’ to Pink, yakking on your cell phone while applying your makeup when this monster tumbles off a semi trailer and rolls right at you. Yikes. Straight out of Terminator 2.

This giant piece of mining equipment fell off a truck this morning on busy interstate 70. Someone explain to me why we still have mines?

The disproportionate size of this spindle almost appears photoshopped. Perhaps it will wind up on Snopes?

Photo from KUSA

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I posted on this beauty about 14 months ago, and I’m happy to say this tribute to urban non-renewal is still thriving.

I actually noticed it in January of 2006. Whatever the magic is it has been there since January and still going strong, despite some raucous windstorms too.

If you’d like to water, or decorate it for the upcoming holidays, the ghetto tree is located on Josephine Street between 14th and Colfax. Hopefully it will stand strong until Arbor Day rolls around next April.

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I was feeling a bit lazy this morning so instead of my regular bike commute I rode through Washington Park and hopped the train down to my office.

While buying a ticket at the machine this oddity stood out at me like a televangelist who’s faithful to his wife.  Anyone know what’s wrong with this picture?   If I didn’t know better I’d think it was bait.

Hey it’s just like those kids menu puzzles at Bob Evans.  Only there’s just one thing out of place here.

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Last weekend while Live Earth concerts were promoting conservation and environmental awareness from all corners of the world, the Van’s Warp Tour blew threw Denver, apparently proving that it IS possible to completely fill up a parking lot ravine with garbage.

Alas I was not at the tour as I was meandering through the Denver Museum of Nature and Science seeing the Titanic Artifacts Exhibit.  Although they could have upped the lights a bit -seeing the restored cups, saucers, steamer trunks, manifests, and ship parts that have been haunting the bottom of the ocean for the past 96 years was very interesting, especially considering that in another 100 years the remains of the Titanic will be nothing more than dust.

Kudos to my very talented photographer friend who was working the Warp Tour and managed to escape with his expensive camera gear without being trampled or looted.  And in case you’re wondering he DID check, and the nice lady pictured below was breathing.

I think I would have preferred the Superdome.

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I saw this on Crunchgear.com attached to an article about file sharing. 

I love it.  No matter what they do, or how hard they try, Blockbuster is forever engrained in the consumer mind as a greedy, inept company with ridiculous fees, overages, and surcharges.  Even now with their new mail delivery combined with the perk of exchanging them in stores, people are saying get lost, and opting for the simple trust red and white logos of Netflix.

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