Record Hit Count on Flickr!!

Here's exciting news. I just checked my Flickr album. I have three pieces of artwork that have just past a landmark for my little album. "Gridiron Warrior","Poolboy", and "Ganges" have reached or exceded 100 page views each. I only hope now that everyone that viewed the photo would also go to the gallery site and make a purchase. Or, at least drop me an email and let me know if they like what they saw. But, I see progress. The future is bright.

Melancholy Memories

Ah, Vegas. It was only last month but already it feels like a lifetime ago. I've previously posted pictures of the gaudy Vegas, i.e. Harrah's, Venetian, Caesar's. But, I've not posted the pictures of the more romantic side of Vegas. This is the Belaggio fountain. The water is choreographed to the most beautiful music. The scale of the spectacle is dramatic and hard to describe unless its seen in person. I'll just say that when each jet of water goes off it sounds like a shotgun firing. Its a very powerful experience.

This picture was taken at sunset. You can see the sky glowing slightly warmer near the horizon. You can see the bluish gray clouds hovering just above the treetops. The fountain lights had just been turned on and the base of the waterworks is faintly illuminated. It was a wistful and romantic evening. Its how I choose to remember my time there. This is probably the last of the Vegas pictures I'll post. I'm about to retire this series. So, its appropriate that I end it with a picture of the fountain at sunset. This was my favorite evening in Vegas. If anyone is interested in seeing more of the Vegas pictures check out my web album by clicking on the Flickr link.

The Volcano

I can't believe I did this. The guidebook said one of the best "free shows" in Vegas is to watch the Mirage volcano erupt in the evening. It was okay. I wouldn't describe it as great.

Of course, this was the final event we attended after having walked up and down The Strip a number of times and rode the Monorail until our butts were numb.

At first we thought the volcano (actually a fountain that rumbles, turns an eerie orange, and belches flame at the very end) was scheduled to erupt every fifteen minutes. Boy, were we wrong! We saw a sizable crowd standing around the fountain staring expectantly at the splashing water. Occasionally we'd here a rumble and we'd get our hopes up. Then after almost thirty minutes of waiting (not fifteen) the steaming, splashing and rumbling really cut loose. At the last minute a few flames spouted here and there. There was a slight smattering of applause as if a real performance had occurred. I couldn't help but wonder, "Who are we clapping for? Who's grateful for the applause, the ducks?" But, I'm glad I can say I saw the Mirage fountain. Its one of those touristy things you just have to do if you're in town. Besides, this was a shared experience and my company was great.