railyard

180:365

------> photo by Elaine A. Russell


One of the problems with having Lupus, is that the fatigue can hit you seemingly out of nowhere... and be incapacitating. Today was one of those days. Fortunately, the family came to my rescue with help cleaning the floors... and a purchased pizza for dinner ( Papa Murphy's has the best stuffed pizza ever ).

I took this photo last December at a FlickR photo meet at the ABQ Rail yards. It is an awesome set of buildings... and just loaded with incredible atmosphere to take photos in. I loved this room full of old lockers... imagining workers congregating here before and after each shift... drinking coffee... telling stories...

an interesting view

.....................................photo by Elaine A. Russell


everything often boils down to a matter of perspective... how we; as individuals, actually see things. how we perceive things to have transpired.... how our past experiences alter things and how we remember them on a daily basis.



photographing the railyards on Saturday was an awesome experience. What some people would see as urban decay in it's most unpleasant forms.... most of us there viewed with awe and wonder. The beauty of the architecture. The sun streaming through the windows... the light shadows on the wood brick floors....the graffiti ( which I personally LOVED)... the puddles and feathers and signs of time passing.. .weather beating down... people wandering through in the middle of the night....



So much of life is like that. You hear: "... don't move there.. the neighborhood is bad".... or ..." it's nothing but a slum in that section...don't go there..." Some of the best places I have lived have been in areas where people warned us not to go. Traveling is like that as well... people will recommend certain sites to visit... not realizing how much they are missing by not exploring and discovering neat little places on your own.



Sometimes it's a matter of clearing your mind of all previous expectations and perceptions to really really see what's in front of you... what's down that winding dirt road... what's off the beaten path. ...but it's worth it.



resting and waiting

photo by Elaine A. Russell


If you ever get the opportunity to see the inside of the ATSF Rail Yards here in ABQ, I highly encourage you to go. It is the epitome of urban decay.... but it's grandeur and architecture will absolutely blow you away.
And while I am 57 shades of sore today.... it was well worth it.

99.9% of the time, the rail yards is closed to the public. It is intended to be the future home of the Wheels Museum; but for now... it sits silently... waiting... hoping..


And today... I too am taking a little break. The remodel is not moving along much at all; and it is beginning to get a little frustrating. But... we are all safe, and warm, and have a roof over our heads... so in the whole scheme of things... it is all good. Resting... waiting .. .and hoping here as well :)

floored





**all photos by Elaine A. Russell



Those of you who know me really well; know that I run, run, run and then am down, down, down. Mostly, due to the Lupus. Well; I have been busy for several days now... coupled with still getting over the flu... and yesterday I was on a photo excursion for about 8hrs.. standing or walking in the cold...
Today I am down. Floored. Exhausted. .... but very happy.

I love being able to do my art on a regular basis. And being able to do photography ALL DAY was fabulous. I do try to take time to photograph every single day... but rarely, is it an all-day event. I also had the wonderful opportunity to try first-hand some of the coolest equipment that Nikon has to offer.

This late-afternoon/ early evening... the hubby and I are doing our weekly "date" of going to get a salad or soup or something lite for supper... and then going to Barnes and Noble for a Scrabble game and coffee. It is a wonderful ritual... and it makes me happy.

*photos are from yesterday's FlickR photo meet at the ABQ Railyards

FlickR meet

photos by Elaine A. Russell



Lots going on these past few days. ... Today there was a FlickR photo meet at the Railyards. I have only been to the ABQ railyards once previously, and it was awesome. Today, the group had reserved this historical site for the entire day; so there was more time to leisurely stroll around.

Needless to say, I took a ton of photos. I took most all of them on my little Kodak... but then one of the other photographers graciously loaned me his Nikon D300 to try out. This is my "if I had enough money" dream camera ... and it was awesome to be able to play with it.

Most of the photographers had also arranged and hired models who came for specific shoots... this was not something I normally would photograph. I have done weddings, portraits and such before...but it's just not my thing. That said... I did take a bunch today because I had the opportunity to play around with some very cool equipment which included flashes and lights and such. So -- now I have photos of bikers, babes and more...Not sure what I will do with those...but it was alot of fun.
And now I am off to bed... what a great day....




Recycle Show: Part 3

The journey home to ABQ from Santa Fe was a joy. The Railrunner is a wonderful experience ...comfy, fun, and with stunning scenery. I have always loved trains. As a kid, the C & PA railroad went thru my hometown... the tracks ran right near my house ... so I got to see it everyday. In fact, my husband's grandfather was a conductor...waving to us kids at lunchtime as the train rolled through...

So-- the photos for today's post hopefully bespeak of the coolness and grandeur that is the Railrunner Station here in ABQ.

"The station reflects the architecture of the Transportation Center’s main building, which itself is reminiscent of the last big heyday of rail travel in Albuquerque. In the early 1900’s, the Alvarado Hotel, a showpiece in its day, stood right where the Transportation Center stands today. The Alvarado served as the hub of the main mode of transportation in the era – the passenger train. Today, the Alvarado Transportation Center is at the crossroads of some dramatic downtown redevelopment, ushering in a new system of passenger rail service." (http://www.nmrailrunner.com/albuquerque.asp)

coming back into ABQ

part of the old Alvarado Station section

the front facade

... and one of the archways.... looking towards a NM sunset....
* all photos by Elaine A. Russell

unfinished business

photo by Elaine A. Russell, taken at the ABQ railyards

Somehow I managed to piss off someone today... someone I hardly even know... and it was not even something I was aware of until I got a note on FlickR. weird. Weird how by doing a favor for one person, pissed off another.

It led me to think about the stuff of life. How easy it is to get one's feelings bent. How easy it is to do something completely innocent, and have it turned around. How seemingly small incidents can become so large in a short amount of time.
And yet... how small these things are in reality.... and how short time is in the grand scheme of things.

I got a call --my mother is sick and in ICU back in PA. She was in the hospital for several days, had just been discharged, and only got to spend that night at home, and ended back up in the hospital in the morning.
I am heading out sometime in the next 24hours .. and driving back there. It is 1900 miles one way... and I am going alone. Situations are such that no one is able to go with me... but perhaps it is a good thing. Everyone needs some time alone for reflection.. and this may be the best thing for me.. in a weird sort of way.

--more to come... if I can get a connection.

the raven

photo taken at the ABQ railyards by Elaine A. Russell
"And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door.
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted - nevermore!"
The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe

the railyards



-----------------photos by Elaine A. Russell


so -- went on a photo expedition today. It was a FlickR photo group outing.. and didn't exactly go as planned... * if ya wanna know -- I'll tell ya later*

Woke up early --after only 3 hours of sleep.. got to the railyards in downtown ABQ around 8am.....and spent a pleasant hour or so wandering about taking photos. Having never been before.. to this ABQ iconic place... it was feckin awesome. I see why so many people have snuck in there over the years. It is now "off limits" to the general public, and is in the paperwork stages of becoming a museum. (http://www.wheelsmuseum.org/)

Today there was a local group there that was participating in the 48hrs filmfest (http://www.48hourfilm.com/albuquerque/).
I had an incredible time, and wish to thank them profusely for allowing me to take some photos.


Then --- the hubby and I went to the Chocolate Cafe (yummy desserts !) ... where I am participating in a photo show thru the end of August. I did a canvas print of a rusty old chevy... it is near the door if you want to stop by and look. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60933-d554835-Reviews-Chocolate_Cafe_Bakery-Albuquerque_New_Mexico.html ). The show will be up thru the end of August in the cafe.

Then... went to the mall for a much needed massage. I can't say enough about the folks at Panda Break (http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=214). They were kind, conscientious, and really helped me out alot.

Now... for some motrin and food... and a shower :) ----- and maybe some CSI !!