deviantART: Popular Clear Night Sky Transportation

No Boundary

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 10:00:15 PST

© Ben Heine || Facebook || Twitter || www.benheine.com
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Seaside in Santorini (Greece), a few months ago...
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For more information about my artwork: info@benheine.com
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Some other boats:

No Boundary

A poem by Peter S. Quinn

No boundary to each travel
The sea is clear and new
Each day a new marvel
To see in sightings thru

Dreams are on the waves
And coming to the shore
All longing that life craves
That in memories we store

A night becomes fantasy
To islands that we go
When we sail on their free
Into the blue sky glow

In twilights stillness hour
When boundaries are gone
In awaking morning dower
When times of beauty carries on

No boundary to the voyage
Or callings of the billows
When we our trip advantage
In times and tide flows

Our dreams are in our finding
From shore to open road
As torrents are in grinding
With each their heavy load

Lackawaxen Pickup

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:24:04 PDT

NYSW SU99 makes a quick stop at Lackawaxen, PA to pick up gondolas from the Stourbridge Railroad. The stars dance around Polaris in the clear night sky above.

18 minute exposure.

Lackawaxen Nights

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:41:07 PST

The air was cold and still in the silent town of Lackawaxen, PA. Thousands of bright stars dance in the crystal clear winter sky above. The only sound heard was an occasional wind blowing through the dormant trees and CTC code lines. Only 73 miles from New York City as the crow flies, the world is entirely different. A peaceful place where you can actually think clearly. However, nearly 4 times a week in the early hours of the morning, this silence is shattered by the roaring of 6-axel EMD 645 based road switchers and screaming dynamic fans. This is the majority of the traffic left along this old Erie Main Line. What was one a route with endless activity of Streamlined E8's pulling luxury passenger trains between Chicago and Jersey City is now a select pack of Special Duties pulling C&D loads.

Despite the lack of 24/7 traffic along the old railroad and the extreme rarity of a daylight train to make it's way though in recent years, Lackawaxen is always a favorite stop of mine when chasing the New York Susquehanna & Western's SU99 west towards Binghampton, NY.

This photo was exposed for just over 8 1/2 minutes.

BL2 Under the Stars

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:08:55 PST

Saratoga and North Creek BL2 #52 (former BAR) purrs under the clear, cold night sky outside Saratoga Springs.

Voorheesville Night

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 21:46:01 PST

Under a full moon and a clear sky an eastbound intermodal passes Voorheesville.

Back to Badass

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:27:16 PST

Well what do you know. I went out there and took some photos of trains. Last time I did that was five million years ago, or so it feels.

We had beautiful weather today, the sun shining, not a cloud in the clear blue sky, probably for the first time this year. Or so it feels.

Left work early, took my camera, and went on a spontaneous tour. Didn't catch much, but what I did catch was quite interesting, starting with the well known green V200 from the 1950s that I've shot a few times before, the driver even greeting me by waving and blowing his horn. Now that's a nice start! Sadly though, the photos didn't turn out well, since I had only seconds to get ready before it arrived. The second victim was an Alstom FRET T 031 traveling solo, which turned out nicely, but as we know, FRETs are rather ugly. And this was the third catch, a monstrous and badass Ludmilla, rumbling through the bend in Leverkusen Opladen. Yes, I realize it's heading away from me. But I still like it. Somewhat of a typical shenanigan87 photo, containing some rubbish, some awesome, but mostly locomotive. And the Soviet-made Ludmilla is probably the most badass locomotive you can find in Germany, with some re-engined variants (class 241) producing 4000hp! Here's some sound porn in case you're interested.

Generally speaking, it was just nice to be out and about again. And I got to wear my shades while driving home. They make me feel pretty.

As for the general state of affairs, my grandmother started feeling better all of a sudden, but now her strenght is declining again. It looks like she won't leave the hospital alive, but perhaps we're underestimating her will to survive. In any case, this situation is far from solving itself. And other family issues still persist, smoldering, buried under the carpet, which is not a good place to keep them.

Work-wise, things are going well, with me getting more confident as far as handling our equipment goes. Had to go in on Saturday to install a new sample, which involves removing the previous one from our SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device), taking it upstairs, putting it in our argon-filled glovebox, taking out the new sample, and fitting it in the SQUID's sample holder, followed by new measurements. And the "putting it in the glovebox" part is rather fiddly, which everyone knows who ever stuck their arms in long rubber sleeves while the apparatus is under higher than ambient pressure. Quite fiddly. I'm sure people with a rubber fetish enjoy this kind of work.

It also feels really good if there are sudden and unexpected challenges or workloads that you manage to handle just fine. Guess that's the advantage of not having specific hours of work. You can stay at home if you think you can do your stuff alone, and you can stay at the uni all night if you prefer sleeping under your desk, everything is possible in science land. And yes, I'm a bit deranged. Also, I still take a lot of photos, but mostly with my cellphone, and they mostly end up on Twitter instead of dA, so please excuse the lack of submissions.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy a fresh pic from someone who hasn't railfanned for a while. Time to get back into the groove I'd say.

A sky so big

Sun, 17 Sep 2006 16:43:19 PDT

This plane was giving rides over the race track all day yestarday and today, It was hard to believe how big and loud it was. That's why I liked the photo, it makes it look so small.

(sorry not original comments) I wrote story on this labtop, so i have to copy and paste this portion with the regalr computer that is atttatced to the printer

Villainy wears many masks

Quincy begged her brother to get off her back. Ben was drunk again. He held her down- forcing her face into the carpet, almost smothering her with his weight. Quincy screamed at him, her arms were flailing trying to grab hold of anything that would stop him, but it was like calling into a dark, empty room.
Ben had poisoned her with his lectures about how she was just a mistake, and before her, his life had been a dream. She hadnt been able to escape this Hell she had been born into. Why did he have to go this far? Why now? Why had the boy she had loved as a child turned into the man she now feared?
Quincys voice was a void, barely audible above the sound of the stereo blasting Marilyn Masons Gothic tones. Her ribs dug into the concrete directly below the thin carpet and she stopped moving as Ben straddled her body and unsheathed the knife he carried with him at all times. Quincy dug her fingers into Bens legs to make him stop, she was preparing herself for what was to come, it happened every time he got this drunk.

Ben! Ben! Stop, Please! Her voice was shrill. The pleading didnt seem to phase him. He tore off the shirt that was used to camouflage her various scars, and he held the tip against her pale, soft skin. He laughed wickedly as he read the words aloud. Taros streaked her face as Quincy did everything in her power to break away.
Faggot, Loser, Retard, Slut, Outcast, Unloved, oh and I just love this last one: whore She pleaded with him as he began to carve something else into her unhealed back. She couldnt bare the pain anymore and her mind went blank as her fists pounded the floor for the last time.

Quincy awoke to her brothers fingers roaming through her long dark hair and turning her limp body over. Touching her stomach with the knife he wiped the bloody tool on her pale skin and laughed. She waited till she heard the stereo blast some more satanic lullabies and her brothers snoring to move.
Quincy bit her lip as she scrapped herself off the floor and stumbled to her room. She looked over her shoulder at her brother, beer in hand, asleep on the couch. Her shirt was a peppermint colored heap on the floor beside him. She closed her bedroom door and sobbed into her pillow.
Her face was red and her hair was a mess as Quincy walked into her bathroom and looked into her own brown eyes. Why was she letting him do this? She turned to look at what this word read, it was a name: It was his name: Benjamin Warner, right across the shoulder blades. Quincy reached into the basket on the bathroom counter and pulled out her specially designed tool to clean her cuts. Without, what seemed, a third arm she wouldnt be able to cover this one with a bandage.
Quincy held the tool and her eyes overlooked all the appliances in the oval shaped wicker basket. A pair of scissors used to custom cut bandages seemed to wink up at her. Immediately she turned to look at her wounds and then back at the basket. It just isnt worth it anymore she thought as she picked up the scissors and dragged it across her thin wrists. Quincy watched the crimson liquid spill onto the floor and make a deadly pattern on the white tile, it almost looked like a candy cane. For once the pain means something she thought as she dropped to her knees in the bloody embellishments and closed her eyes. Her thoughts mingled with the pulsing rhythm she felt on her wrist and she cried. A blinding light hit her and the sound of laughter kissed her fair well.

Beeping monitors and drip tubes hung around her, in shock Quincy looked around only to identify the place as a hospital room. Still medicated she tried to sit up, only to be heeded by a low voice telling her to stay put. Her mind raced, why was she here? Why was this handsome man standing at the foot of her bed? Where was Ben?
Uneasy her voice was slightly slurred as she questioned the man eyeing her every move.
Why am I here? Her voice sounded hollow in her stuffy ears.
The man sighed and placed the chart he had been reading on the bed and looked at her.

Some one brought you into the emergency about an hour ago, I just assume it was your brother Quincy found humor in the last words and inhaled quickly before she offered an explanation.
My brother doesnt give a shit about me, why would he care if I died? her words affected the man little and he contiued with disregard.
Is your brothers name Benjamin? he asked unaffected by the tears streaming down her high cheek bones.
Yes was all she could offer to the man shaking his head in disdain.
The handsome man walked over to Quincy and placed a hand on her thin shoulder gingerly.
I saw the scars on your back: Do you want help? Quincy was shocked by how sincere the man seemed. She actually felt her self want to say yes, but she couldnt: Ben was all she had.
She let her head rest on the pillow and she looked at the dank white ceiling and let the tears run into her ears.
How could you help me? she spat at him as she touched her bandaged wrist.

Once Quincy had been brave enough to stand up for herself, she was once like a soldier in the war against her brothers wrath. Now she laid in a hospital bed, broken and battered and unloved. Only hours ago she had almost shook hands with death. Ben had always told her that she wasnt worth the time she had been told this on numerous occasions. Quincy knew that when she was released from the hospital her brother would ridicule her about how stupid this was and next time, he would just let her die. The more she thought about it less she cared about him and all the Hell he put her through.

Theres homes and people that would take care of you in this condition, The man said as Quincy interjected.
A Home? A HOME? Would a home erase the memory of getting things carved into your skin? Would it actually solve my problems? I have to look at these scars covering my body every day of my life, a home isnt going to erase that, her voice quivered A home isnt going to make things better.
Im sorry, I just thought-
No you didnt. Quincys answer was bitter and short.
Just so you get off your high horse: I dont live a perfect life like Im assuming you think, I dont care about your problem. Im just doing my job The handsome man walked out of the room and closed the door behind him, Leaving a vacancy in the atmosphere that made Quincy feel guilty.
Her eyelids grew heavy and she drifted off into sleep.

The man that had been standing at the end of the bed walked by quincys room and glanced in, only to be caught gazing at the sleeping teeneager. He looked at her intentilly, at her fingers delicately curled beneath her chin, at the bandage around her wrist, crisp white and clean, and at her face smooth and flawless. She really is beautiful he thought as he walked down the hallway and concocted a way to reconcile for his arrogance.

A monitor began beeping loudly and it awoke Quincy from a sleep well deserved. She looked at the clock on the wall, and observed that she had been asleep for a few hours. Her eyes adjusting to the light slowly realized the man was standing at the foot of her bed yet again. This time he held a box in one hand and extended his other to her own resting at her side.
I feel that before, I wasnt being considerate to your . . . situation? Is that the right word? But I just wanted to say that Im sorry, his hand touched Quincys delicate fingers and she blushed.
Im sorry, can you forgive me? Quincy sank lower into the bed and smiled softly at the man apologizing.
No, because I am the one that should be apologizing, Ive just been through a lot lately, and as you can see, almost wasnt here at all Quincy said softly and looked in the mans provocative blue eyes.
Well, well make an agreement, how about that? the handsome man said.
Im your nurse, Lucas Starcher, you can call me Luke, oh and please I cant handle any more man nurse jokes, Luke laughed and watched Quincy, showing her beautiful white teeth for the first time. He felt his heart jump.
If you need anything, and I mean anything, just tap that buzzer right there, he pointed to the remote connected to a wire beside her head and Ill come a running he smiled and placed his other hand under the box he held and presented it to her. Quincys eyes grew wide as he placed it in front of her. What was this? She thought as she peeled back the paper and looked inside.
Its a book of poems about Beauty. I saw the scars on your back, and they say how ugly you are. Just know they dont reflect anything about you.
Im sorry, Luke, I dont even know you. Why did you?.... How did you?... Why?..... her voice grew weak as she read a note slipped into the first page.
Are you asking me out for a date? Is that it? , He intercepted her confused words.
No . . . I gave you my number because I know exactly what your going through. My parents died when I was about 11, I was left with my aunt. She hated me, she would beat me if I didnt clean my room good enough or something stupid like that. So I sat down one day, in the kitchen, and looked in her eyes and told her, flat out, that I didnt want to do all that anymore. So she looked at me for a minute and put a knife in my hand and saidthen dont. I couldnt fall into the pit she had already dug right behind my heals: So I went to my room, at that time I lived on the second floor, and I screamed at the top of my lungs that I hated her and then I jumped,
I dont understand, but youre here now?
Like you, I tried, I did every thing in my own power to end the Hell I was living, and then for some unknown reason God spared my life. I walked away with a broken arm, some bruises, and some stitches on my chest. After that I left.
How? Quincy finally looked into his eyes full on and realized how sincere, and understanding, this man was.
How doesnt matter, just know that once your out, your out... and no one can stop you from living your life. The number is if you ever need anyone to talk too. I didnt have anyone to help me, and I just feel that if I would have had help, things would have been different: I would have been a doctor instead of a nurse.
Why?
When I jumped from the window, I fractured a bone in my thumb, and because of that I cant hold certain objects. he sighed and it looked to Quincy that a bad memory entered his thoughts Well . . . Sleep tight
Wait she called to him when he made his way toward the door.
When can I get out?
Tomorrow morning, but you do understand that this wont just be the end of all of this?, They require therapy for all suicide attempt-es. He closed the door and waved at her through the window beside her bed. She felt like an animal at the zoo, everyone that walked past looked in on her: all of them in the same way: with disdain, all of them thinking Nothing could be that bad. Quincy rolled over on her side and starred at the book in her hands and thought Things were that bad.
She blew through the pages stopping on one that was by her favorite poet, Emily Dickinson, it was called Estranged from Beautynone can be A tear ran from her eye as she waited for morning, as well as her dismissal, to come.

Quincy walked down the street, as she did she began to feel like her old self again: sad and lonely. She dreaded going home, she was of age to leave but her brother held her down mentally, he made her feel ignorant, a retard that no one loved, as he called it. She didnt see her true beauty, a stranger identified it before herself, and it made her feel stupid . . . again. Walking down the street she rounded the corner onto a silent sidewalk and broke into a dead run. As a child running had always allowed her to free herself. It had never failed to make her better again, but she realized she was just quickening a visit with what seemed like the Lucifer himself.
Quincy stood looking up at her apartment window, the lights were off, Maybe he was gone she thought. Her hopes were dashed as she walked into the unlocked apartment. It was like he hadnt even moved: he was asleep on the couch, beer in hand. Even the bloody shirt still sat beside the couch. Only one thing was different, one of his cronies laid crossed legged on the floor, asleep. Quincy looked around the apartment. Why the Hell am I even here anymore? She thought as she walked to her room. Shocked she couldnt open the door, it was like it was locked from the inside out. A voice startled her and she whirled around.
After that stunt you pulled on me, your not staying here anymore. Your things are in the bins down stairs. Once you leave this apartment, dont plan on stepping a foot in it ever again Quincy felt anger rising. Throw me out? Her inner voice was screaming. So much tension arose in a few moments that her head was about to bust it was throbbing so much.
Throw me out!?! He forced her into a corner and held her against the wall. His face was a few inches away from her own when he spoke a second time.
I want you out now! his voice boomed and a piercing pain arose on her face as he drew back his hand. Everything pilled up when he really hit the sore spot, in her mind everything tumbled down.
Without a second blink she stood straighter and grabbed his hand.
Dont ever touch me again she said as she dug her heal into his foot and sprinted out of the apartment.
Get back in here Was all Quincy heard as she round the corner and ran down the stairwell.
No was all she whispered as she looked up at th apartment from the sidewalk.
Quincy was finally free!

Quincy laughed loudly into the phone exclaiming to Luke
It was great, you should have seen the look on his face Luke laughed heavily along with her and congratulated her, only to be followed shortly by a vacancy of words filling the other end of the line.
You still there? he cleared his throat and answered Quincys worried tone.
Yeah, I was just thinking about some things.
Would you like me to go? Quincy offered softly.
No, actually I want you here right now, with me. I guess I was just worried you werent going to use the number. Please what ever you do dont go Quincy smiled to herself and she held the phone close to her ear with both hands.
Um...I dont know how to ask this...but would you like to meet me sometime? Quincy blushed silently and answered.
Uh...yeah I think so
Soon? Quincy made eye contact with a waiter cleaning a table in the coffee shop that she stood.
I would like that, yes
Tonight? Quincy felt her heart jump into her throat and coughed hurriedly.
Um...yeah
Im sorry, I was to forward, dont say yes unless you really want to go with me
Quincy looked down at frothy design swirling in the coffee cup sitting on top of the phone book in front of her.
I really mean it.

Lucas cleared his throat as he adjusted his shirt collar: Quincy couldnt keep her eyes off of his every move. He was flawless, his black shaggy hair was perfect, his clothes were impeccable, and the smile he wore made her stomach tumble with butterflies. Quincy looked down at her plain jeans and blushed, she looked awful compared to the man directly to her left.
Lucas held the car door open for Quincy as she stepped out. He extended his hand to help her up onto the curb and kindly greeted her with another soft smile. As Quincy steadied herself, still grasping his hand, Lucas commanded her to close her eyes and keep them that way. Wearily doing what he had asked Quincy willing closed her eyes.
Soon the both of them were seated at a booth in a local restaurant called Abrahams Kitchen, by far one of the fanciest places that she had eaten at ever since her parents died.
So...I was wondering, since we both come from around the same origin, would you like to talk things over? I mean, if you dont want to, I completely understand, but sometimes talking things over, aloud, lets you hear what the real problem is. Lucas placed a hand on Quincys and looked deep into her eyes. So deep she almost felt them on the back of her neck.
Quincy crossed her legs and propped her elbows up on the table, fidgeting with a fork she politely replied.
Lucas, today I stood up to my brother who has been doing things to me since I was about 13 or 14 years old, because of you Im officially out. He cant place another hand on me ever again, she smiled at him and I would like to thank you for that She held his gaze and her cheeks turned the color of a pastel piece of pink charcoal.
Quincy, would you like to dance?Quincys blushing cheeks grew a dark rose color and she looked at him innocently.
I said, would you like to dance? Without even waiting for a reply Luke put his hand on top of hers and pulled her to her feet. Quincy dreamily let him take the lead and they waltzed straight into the center of the large, dark, dance floor.
The music wafted around them, Luke couldnt seem to keep his fingers from lacing in Quincys long dark hair and pressing her thin frame lightly against his own. Quincy felt as if she never wanted that moment to end, for the first time in a long time she felt pretty.

Quincy looked up into Lukes dark blue eyes and blushed. Without even noticing the sacred seconds had slipped away they had been swaying to no music at all. As Quincy listened with all ears to Lukes soft conversation she thought about how much emotion had filled the last few days. Ranging from the zeniths to the nadirs of the last two days she thought it over: A sickening episode of intoxicated torture from her brother Ben, to the very moment: dancing with a handsome man that thought she was beautiful.

Lukes low soothing voice roused her from her thoughts and she smiled.
Lucas Starcher, you saved my life she told him out of the blue.
Quincy Warner, will you marry me? The music seemed to stop, her heart stopped beating, her jaw dropped and just stood starring blankly into his blue eyes.
Wha, wha, what? she let go of him and took a step back.
I said will you marry me? He took a step closer and placed his hands on her shoulders.
Will you marry me?
You dont even know me, Luke, her eyes became starry and tears formed quickly.
I feel as if I known you my whole life
Luke, let me finish, please, I cant marry you, you dont really know me. Its not fair to the either of us Quincy broke away from his grip only to be captivated by an electrifying kiss.
The only thing thats wouldnt be fair is for me having to live the rest of my life knowing that you got away. He pulled her close to his body and placed his palms against the bandage on her back lightly.
Quincy Warner, I love you
Luke, in the name of God, Youve known me less then 24 hours, Its impossible for you to love me,
No, its not he held her close to his chest and tears trickled down her warm cheeks.
Luke, no Quincy, held against Lukes strong chest, felt his head drop.
Lucas, Im sorry its just that-
No, Im sorry, I wasnt logical, God why am I so stupid? He raised his hands in the air and put them behind his head, elbows sticking up toward the ceiling.
Ive got to go Quincy said as she walked away from the quiet dance floor toward the eccentric doorway of Abrahams kitchen.

Quincy laid on the park bench gazing up at the stars, she couldnt seem to get Lucas out of her head. He was handsome, witty, told great jokes, shared many of the same dreams as she did, loved the same kind of music, and was a great kisser! She placed her hands behind her neck and listened to the cars blowing by thoughtlessly. Tears filled her eyes and she lost all of her grips. Quincy began to regret insulting her brother, after all, he had given her a home and food, but quickly finding hate in him again, she sobbed. For the rest of her life she would be forced to look at the scars on her back, hideous, vulgar words plagued her skin. Thoughts of the future hit her hard; Mommy what do those words say? Mommy what does that mean? and most of all Mommy why are you crying? tears burned her raw eyes and she situated herself on the bench. Soon she found her self in a dream.

Quincys father sat behind the steering wheel of the purple mini-van, while her mother, right by his side in the passengers seat, was laughing wildly. Ben had just told a corny joke about some chicken crossing some road. Quincy being young, maybe 7 or 8, laughed along with her mother as her father held a map and a serious look. In an instant the tractor trailer was sitting on top of them: her mothers ears were bleeding and the map her father had just been reading was crumbled against his mangled chest. Quincy looked out the small hole, through the twisted metal and shattered glass, at the blue sky afternoon. The sound of some ones voice calling to her was weak and far away. The only thing it would say was Villainy wears many masks but the most dangerous is that of innocense and virtue.

The morning light hit her grotesquely; she looked awful. The eyeliner she had applied last night ran down her cheeks and her eyes were blood shot and puffy. The innocence of how last night had started washed over her in her still dreamy stance.
Quincy opened her eyes and glanced over the vastness that made up central park, and then looked blankly at the crumbled piece of paper in her hand.
Her vision grew clearer as she read the note to herself:
You need a place to stay. Im sorry about last night. It would be my honor to have you stay in my guest bedroom at my apartment. Please, I cant stand the thought of you staying out in a cold, New York City night, it would be the death of me to find that something happened to you. Please... just come...
Its on West Ninth between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Apartment 3 upstairs, Ill buzz you in.
Just please come
~Luke

Quincy looked down the side walk and then up and the clear blue sky, it was another typical New York City day. She looked helplessly at the note and sighed as she thought about the dream she had experienced last night. Quincy stood and began to look for Sixth Avenue.

Quincy knocked cautiously on the thick, cream colored, door and backed away nervously. Holding the note she looked down the hall at the elevator, she knew he was here, he had buzzed her up. She soon realized this was no apartment, quiet the contrite, this was a townhouse, only three in the building, and his was on the third floor.
Footsteps neared the door as Luke looked out the peep hole at the thin, dark haired girl standing a few feet away from him. His heart leapt up as he looked at the smooth caresses of her neck and chin, he blushed when he thought about the dream he had experienced last night.
Luke straightened his collar and opened the door to her. Quincys mind had been wandering and was brought back when a voice greeted her.
I see you found my note, Quincy he looked at the crumbled note she held in her thin fingers.
Umm...Yeah, and I would like to say thank-you she looked up from the note she was re-reading and into his dark eyes.
Well, its the truth I would die if I found out something had happened to my new friend He ushered her in from the hall and into the large, Victorian style living room and motioned for her to sit on the sofa opposite of his green lazy boy.
Thats sweet, she smiled nervously Are you sure about this?, I mean I dont want to impose. Thats the last thing I would want to do Lucas reached across the glass coffee table and pulled her hands, from her lap, and placed them in between his large, strong ones. Her heart skipped a beat when their skin touched and he said.
Thats the last thing it would be. Im just glad you came. It just killed me, when I couldnt find you after you left. Then when I got just flat out frustrated I speed down past the park and saw a thin dark haired girl asleep on a cold park bench. Her eyes were closed and the makeup she had been wearing was blurred, even in her sleep she was beautiful. So I wrote a note, in hopes that she would come find me. And it looks like she did. Im thrilled youre here. He stood, still grasping her hand and lead her down a hall decorated with book shelves full of classics and open doors leading to beautifully decorated spaces.
This is you room he said as he pushed open the door to an impeccably embellished room: A four poster bed with a red canopy starred back at her and a white vanity dresser smiled modestly.
You look like you could use some real rest, why dont you lay down and sleep for a little while. Ive got to get to work- she interrupted his unfinished sentence.
Your leaving me here? Alone?
Yeah, is that a problem?
No, its just that-
I wouldnt of offered my home to you if I didnt want you to treat it like your own
He began to exit the room, but turned and looked at her full own, taking in her simple beauty. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were red, but the way she held herself made it clear that she was a strong yet broken person, he couldnt help but let his mind wander past todays events.
Oh and if you want to change, I have a friend thats about your size: Theres some clothes in the night stand beside the bed. Ill come home for lunch to see how your doing
Um...Thank-you?
Yeah, thank-you he laughed at his own joke and left for work.
Leaving her in the room alone she looked out the window and down at the petite road that was bordered by fancy black and silver cars. Quincy couldnt believe her eyes when she rummaged through the various clothes in the deep drawers. Every single one of them seemed to be her favorite color: Teals, Turquoises and greens beckoned to her poorly dressed body. To her surprise the shirt she pulled out and selected, fit her perfectly.
After slipping on the turquoise tank top and wriggling out of her faded, dirty jeans, she crawled into the large soft bed. Quincy pulled the welcoming covers beneath her chin and smelled the crisp air that surrounded her. Luke had lied to her, this was a perfect life, she thought as she drifted off.

Quincy...Quincy? a smooth voice whispered into her ear trying to rouse her from a deep dreamy sleep.
Quincy? Spread across the bed, on her side, covers ever witch-a-way she lay in a shirt and a pair of pink panties. Her fingers drifted across her stomach, up her chest and to her eyes. She wiped them till they opened slowly. Gasping she pulled at the covers, realizing a man was standing beside the bed and looking at her over exposed body. Luke laughed to break the tension, as if he hadnt seen anything he continued.
Sorry about that, but when I knocked you didnt answer, Im home for the day-
Wait you mean its 7 already? she asked shocked, trying to straighten her tangled hair.
Um...yeah..youve been out like a light ever since I came home for lunch
Oh...well...Sorry.. go on Quincy said as she looked at him with large questioning eyes.
Well, I was wandering might you want to just stay here tonight and maybe watch a movie?
Um..I dont know? she peeked out over the covers she just had just pulled beneath her chin and slid back down under the thick blanket.
I do really like it here She smiled and looked up at Lucas: partially leaning against the bed post.
Well then thats what well do he smiled and crept to the side of the bed. Quincy looked up at him and her stomach knotted with all the emotions she was feeling at that moment. Luke looked down on the beautiful girl within a few feet of himself and asked her one question with his eyes. They awoke the next morning in each others arms.

-about one year has passed-

Quincy stood at the top of the stairs calling to Luke before he would leave for work.
Do you want some breakfast? Lucas peeked up the stares still straightening his tie.
No thanks hon Ill get something on the way to the Hospital Quincy sauntered down the steps to her boyfriend and slung her arms around his neck.
Is it really time for you to leave already? Her voice was a nasal whine as she felt his arms lace around the small of her back. Hanging onto one another he answered sadly
Im off for a few weeks tomorrow, Remember we have a date tonight?
Awww, but I wont get to see you till 8?
He kissed her lips with meaning.
Nope...6 he lifted his eyebrows up and kissed her lips again.
Im gettin off early
Mmm, well played there skip. Ill see you then Babe She kissed his cheek and patted his chest with her right hand.
Ill see you tonight then, love you The door closed and Quincy walked back up the stairs and continued hemming the skirt she would wear to tonights dinner.

The hours seemed to slip away quicker then Quincy had anticipated: Lucas was slinking into their townhouse right on the nose of 6. Quincy was caught off guard as she danced around the room sweeping and jamming to her ipod. Lucas smirked to himself as he crept up from behind and startled her. She let out a squeal.
Oh was all she could manage, her headphones and ipod dropped to the floor along with the broom as her hands covered her mouth after her high pitched yelp. Turning around with a grin she said
When will I learn to expect you on time? She placed a peck on his cheek and went to the closet. Holding up the skirt she had just hemmed she questioned Luke on his opinion.
So...Watcha think? she smiled as she placed it in front of his vision.
This look okay to you? Lukes face was covered with the largest smile as he picked up one of the various blouses spread out over the large, soft mattress.
Remember this? he held the shirt which Quincy had worn her first day there.
How could I forget? she winked at him and held up a turquoise blouse, it matched the black skirt she held perfectly. Quincy shooed Luke out of the room and slipped into her outfit, topping it off with an impeccable pair of black high heals and her very best silver earrings. She was the image of beauty tonight, and Luke told her just that when she stepped out into the hallway. Her beautiful dark hair seemed to hang around her face like an angle had kissed her cheeks personally: she was gorgeous.

Quincy Held tight to Lukes arm as he begged her to keep her eyes closed just a little longer.

The tinkling of a bell rang into the cold air as they stepped into a warm room.
Luke, Where are we? She inquired as he set her down in a padded chair.
Okay Quin open your eyes he smiled holding a picture of wings.

I dont understand wings? the corners of her perfect lips angled down.
Well, you see...These wings signify a beautiful thing, of heavenly origin, he sat in a chair opposite of her and placed the picture in her lap and continued Well, I remember the first time you and I ever went out, remember Abrahams kitchen? he smiled Well I remember you saying how bad you wanted wings, so you could fly away from it all: Your brother hurting you, the sadness of your parents deaths, just the pressure of life. And I thought why not get them....tonight he smiled and touched the picture in her lap and placed a hand on her back Theyll cover up the scars Quin A tear ran from Quincys eyes as she tried to understand what he was trying to say. She looked at the walls, covered with pictures of designs, the wings she held were the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

Quincy clasped Lukes hand as the first prick of the needle entered the scared flesh of her back. Luke looked into her eyes and kissed her lips as the tattooing began.
The wings were beginning to take shape across the name carved on Quincys shoulder blades. A tear trailed down from her left eyes and she smiled up at Luke, who holding onto her like she was going to get up and run.

As Quincy looked at her back, red from the irritation, but covered by the eccentric black and turquoise wings, she felt Lukes eyes on her. The scars seemed to be gone. Amazingly the only visible sign of any was peeking through on the small of her back: loved from the word unloved shown through meekly.
Its beautiful was all Luke said as he held up a picture to the still gazing Quincy.
Its amazing, my angel, he showed her a picture of a heart tattoo.
It Was a broken heart, stabbed and bleeding, the knife still immersed in the wounded flesh, a rope bound the bloody mess all together.
Even though its been hurt and broken, its forced to stay together. And look its healing Quincy said as she touched the picture of the fist shaped tattoo her Boyfriend held in his strong hands. The tattoo was almost so real it was hard to look at, its like it would start beating against the tips of her fingers.

Lets start over and try to do it right this time around. My life with you means everything, You are the only one. Its like a part of me is growing into the grown and my heart is being pulled toward the sky where you and your heavenly presence belong. I love you with all my heart, Quincy. Will you marry me? Luke said as he knelt on one knee and extended a shinny ring onto Quincys thin finger. Her heart was in knots as tears ran down from her dark eyes.
Yes was all she could manage as he jumped up and threw his arms around her legs and hoisted her into the warm air of the tattoo shop. Quincy giggled as he spun her around rejoicing. From that angle she could see the tattoo on his right shoulder blade, still red like her own wings.
Luke let Quincy slip out of his tight grip enough to where they hung face to face in the center of the colorful room that they stood, and kissed her lips.
The darkness has turned to light, and my angel has vowed to marry me. My life is perfect Luke exclaimed into the kiss that the two shared.
Quincy smiled and said:
You came to me in my darkest hour and now, look, youve saved my life. I am eternally grateful to you, she giggled and cried at the same time My husband

Sunny Sky, Shining Steam

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:14:45 PDT

On this clear, comfortable day on the Strasburg Rail Road, I saw engine No. 90 pull away from it's train to take a rest in the engine shed for the night.
But that didn't stop a railwayman such as myself from desisting in taking the opportunity to photograph her.

Starry Night

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:06:28 PDT

No moon, clear skies, and a good distance away from light pollution makes for great star viewing.

Day 18: Return flight

Mon, 20 May 2013 02:28:01 PDT

The last day we spent in Tokyo, visiting Ginza and hunting for the last presents for family and friends (but not in Ginza, it's too expensive. You have like Chanel, Bulgari, Louis Vuitton and Gucci side by side.).

The night before, we staid in a capsule hotel. I felt like in a Sci-Fi movie. It was all white, we got black pajamas and then the wall with the holes aka beds. The last night, we slept in an hotel in Narita. It was kinda stormy, with a lot of rain. That's why we had a little delay with the takeoff.

We flew over China and Northern Russia. The landscape was so fantastic, with a lot of snow, frozen rivers and we were lucky with the clear sky. Well, I was lucky, I was one of 2 from our group to sit near the window and I had the best seat. I didn't sleep a lot even though I was tired, I just didn't want to miss something of the view. Here's another.
The photo above was, once more, a lucky shot

And that's the end of our journey to Japan. I still have to upload a handful of photos, but that's it in general.
I hope you enjoyed the photos as much as I did.
----------------------
Photo taken by me from the airplane from Tokyo to Frankfurt, 7th of April 2013. No modifications.
For all the photos -> [link]

Delta 271 - Radiance Reflected

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 22:16:24 PST

These grey skies, streaked with purple haze, scarcely reveal the brilliant sunset that is taking place from this vantage point of 37,000 feet over the central U.S.

The aircraft had made a very brief turn from its northwest heading to a southwesterly heading, causing the sunset that had been visible from the left side of the plane, to switch to the right side of the plane.

The effect was still interesting, as the pylons of the plane began to reflect the sunset's radiance. This photo scarcely does it justice. In real life the pylons glowed brightly for seconds before fading again to this dull orange and then back again. I wasn't fast enough on the camera to catch the brief flashes of bright orange, but the effect of the setting sun can still be seen here. The pylons are the three protrusions extending from below the back of the wing in this picture.

Beyond the wing and its reflected orange glow lies a murky grey sky, with an almost clear horizon painted purple by the haze below. If you look carefully to that horizon you can see distant rivers and lakes on the landscape below.

Photo taken August 10, 2004. Stefan Ribera was with me on this flight.

Aircraft info:

Delta Air Lines
Boeing 757-232
Registration: N609DL
Cn: 22816/65
Flight: 271 from Atlanta to Salt Lake City, UT.

This photo is part of a series:

Previous photo: [link] Next photo: [link]

Seahawk

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:15:43 PST

well skies are clear as you can see from this image. But by the time night is here nothing to see . so we will be waiting still for some more astro shots.. in the mean time i was standing out the front contemplating whether or not i should mow the lawn. and i saw this in the distance. So as you do i ran inside and grab the camera and took this shot. Its an Australian Navy Seahawk which was doing a flyby of the nearby RAAF base.

D-turbo At Night

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:48:34 PDT

Got a new car, took a couple of photos, this is one of the best, clear night sky, about 1:00am came out just as I wanted

Starlit

Thu, 30 May 2013 09:49:53 PDT

My 1992 FD3S Mazda RX7 lit by Dragon-light torch under a clear night sky.

Moonlight Shadows

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 23:02:33 PDT

The moon was super bright the other night and actually had clear skies so made it into a perfect time to try some night shots with the new truck

mmm this way to death

Thu, 18 Nov 2004 23:43:18 PST

tho i hope i wouldnt get killed here..cause i took this photo..haa.lol..it is in the projects south side chicago..i want to get some more pics of the south side..thats more clear..bare with me..it was a cold rainy windy fogy night..i thought the sky might be clear..well i was wrong lol..

fishing trip 7

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:31:02 PST

..went on a fishing trip for 12 hours on a local fishing vessel with my students. The night sky was so clear & pretty with so many stars, but i couldn't manage to take a good picture ..it was so tiring, cold & i fell asleep while siting on 2nd floor for about 3-5 minutes, that's all..got to know my students better cuz we chat a lot about many things, mostly about life & non-work related stuff...precious moments

fishing trip 2

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:05:19 PST

..another fishing vessel passing by
..went on a fishing trip for 12 hours on a local fishing vessel with my students. The night sky was so clear & pretty with so many stars, but i couldn't manage to take a good picture ..it was so tiring, cold & i fell asleep while siting on 2nd floor for about 3-5 minutes, that's all..got to know my students better cuz we chat a lot about many things, mostly about life & non-work related stuff...precious moments

A New Journey

Wed, 25 May 2011 01:48:15 PDT

Woohoo! FINALLY, I can update my dA.<3 I missed you guys so much. So, this and the next pictures I'm going to upload today are from my trip to the province. (Yaaay~) It was my first time to Pangasinan...

It was really fun, despite sleeping in a house with only one room and no bathroom... and the 15-minute tricycle (motorcycle with a sidecar) ride then walking through the old rice fields to the house in the dark. My God, it was really something else. The house we slept at didn't have any neighbors for a bit of a distance.

But despite the mosquito bites, hard bed, complete darkness outside, and having to squat outside to do my 'business', it was worth it when I looked up at the night sky and saw all the stars. It was really beautiful. There were so many! I tried to picture them for you guys, but I don't have a good enough camera for it. ;( I couldn't count all the stars outside. I really wish I could've shown you guys.

And the beach... Omg.<3 Clear water, warm sand, and there were even little fish swimming around us that you could see around your legs in the water. So cute. xD But they nipped at our toes. XD

Anyways, this was taken in the bus to the province while it was speeding through the small towns. I'm so happy, my editing's improving. -does a little dance- And my picture-taking, maybe. Well, the trip took me out of my normal genre of pics. xD

Hope you guys like this and the next few pics~

Btw, I'm almost positive I picked the wrong category, so if you guys can help my categorize this correctly, I'll be really thankful.

Airplanes in the night sky

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 10:34:27 PST

- the title is not quoting that stupid song by Hailey Williams & that rapper dude. it's quoting the cover by The Ready Set. It may be the same song, but Jordan does it better <3 just thought i'd clear that up. -

Starlit

Tue, 30 Nov 2004 14:26:27 PST

Location: Central Ave Crossing, East Rutherford, NJ

Tiny white dots in the sky are stars that my camera picked up thanks to last nights beautiful crystal clear sky. The sky and ground alike are both lit up by bright stars.

Cleared to Land

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:17:46 PDT

Taken at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Lots of fun.

Boats at the Harbour

Sat, 23 Sep 2006 15:50:25 PDT

More of my night out on the harbour, the boats were just pointing at the clear sky up above so I stopped to take a picture.

Transportation I

Mon, 18 May 2009 19:57:00 PDT

As a Newark-bound jet zips through the late night sky, MNCR F40PH-2CAT #4193 awaits the clear.

Shining

Mon, 07 May 2012 05:45:51 PDT

At Fontana Dam, we had a beautifully clear night and the moon was just right. We lifted the bonnets to the sky and shone the lights up. We had a lot of fun playing with lights that night. This is one of my favorite pictures from the weekend.

death from the skies 002

Sat, 24 Feb 2007 09:07:29 PST

you know, up until I was in the eighth grade, war was always a really sort of clear-cut thing. We were the good guys. everybody else were bad guys. It was very simple. It was when I was in the eighth grade that I got turned on to Kurt Vonnegut. Before that I never had a second thought about the bombings of Germany during World War II. I really recommend a novel that he wrote called slaughterhouse five. it tells the story of the firebombing of Dresden.
[link] he wrote a lot of sort of existentialist books. He wrote some of the best antiwar novels that I have ever read. I really like his book the Sirens of Titan. There are a few other ones that he wrote that I also think are very good including Mother night, cat's cradle, and breakfast of champions.he's the sort of person that can really help will you open your eyes. Another writer that really impressed me was Joseph Heller. he also wrote an antiwar novel. It was called catch 22. it got made into a pretty good movie.

[link]

but the book was really better.
[link]

another guy that really reaffirmed for me how distorted our perception was of war was Howard Zinn. He was also in the Air Force during World War II and bombed a lot of people. he got a history degree and moved down to my old hometown in Atlanta, Georgia. down there we've always been really used to social contradiction and official lies. He wrote a book called the People's history of the United States. It's one of those books that cuts through all the garbage and talks about the history of the United States from the viewpoint of the regular folks.
[link]

fishing trip 3

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:09:39 PST

..on board fishing vessel
..went on a fishing trip for 12 hours on a local fishing vessel with my students. The night sky was so clear & pretty with so many stars, but i couldn't manage to take a good picture ..it was so tiring, cold & i fell asleep while siting on 2nd floor for about 3-5 minutes, that's all..got to know my students better cuz we chat a lot about many things, mostly about life & non-work related stuff...precious moments

fishing trip 8

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:34:13 PST

fishing trip 4

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:15:55 PST

..on board fishing vessel
..went on a fishing trip (purse seining) for 12 hours on a local fishing vessel with my students. The night sky was so clear & pretty with so many stars, but i couldn't manage to take a good picture ..it was so tiring, cold & i fell asleep while siting on 2nd floor for about 3-5 minutes, that's all..got to know my students better cuz we chat a lot about many things, mostly about life & non-work related stuff...precious moments

Road trip

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 08:52:56 PDT

Ha-Haa! An OLD photo, 2005 winter.

I was walking to home (I had been walking in a forrest with my friend) and it was dark already. But the sky was so red. We always keep camera with us, so when I saw the red sky, I took photo. It took long to have this good (others were just black), but when I managed to use the night photograph -settings, this was the next photo. Well, it's always hard to use the night photograp -thing (usually pic shakes like hell), but this is clear enough.

Then, about half hour ago I was looking my photos and found this. I made some of the basic things (contrast, lights, colors..etc.). Then I had the "Must-do-something-new-and-wild" feeling. Somehow I came up with the Road tripping thing, because the road in pic seems to move. And "to nowhere" sounded wild enough

I like this, the font is just the right. It has very cool and wild feeling in it: Travelling to somewhere you have never ever been, not knowing what's going to happen or where you're going to end. (Almost like my Turku's travel: I knew witch train and bus I had to take, but I still didn't know much, just followed the instructions.)

Road Trip (to nowhere)
December 2005 (edited 21.8.2006 - today!)
copyright: M.H '06