Orbits of a deluded mind

Last year we had to evacuate from our house in Huntsville after tornados ravaged the area nearby. Without hope of electricity for a week, we drove south of the destruction to stay with relatives. While out on the road, we happened across the former S & H Mobile Homes or better known as the Clanton Drive-In Theater (http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/16227).



( Friday night picture show, pass the pop corn [11 behind the cut] )

As mentioned yesterday, I was able to put together another abandoned site hunt today. It was an epic win. This time I brought along our friend Amy and her friend Kim. Lots of pics and some great finds.

Wow, I can’t believe how long it’s been since I wrote something substantial. It’s not been planned, it just didn’t happen. Between life events creeping up on us, trying to get the new house up to speed and other associated mayhem; blogging fell gently to the wayside for the time being. Writing, as my muse, wasn’t one of those things that needed, wanted or remotely desired being active. It merely hid in the closet napping and avoiding the general mayhem of the rest of our world. Now as things are slowly and (mercifully) steadily winding down, the muse has awoken fitfully from slumber, stretched its wearied and unsteady limbs, and now smells that change in the air that may signal fresh creativity.

Updates (in short);

1. Brenna is off to college now. In fact, we’ve made a second supply run to Montevallo yesterday to provide her with her new bank card and my old printer. She seems to be happy with college life thus far and her room-mate situation.

2. Speaking of driving to Montevallo, it was a challenge. The heavy rain, wind and low visibility made for less than pleasant conditions. In fact, south of Cullman, Tammy and I had to detour off into the boonies because the interstate highway was closed. A tractor-trailer jackknifed and blocked several lanes of north and south-bound traffic. It added an extra hour to our drive home.

3. Chris is also adjusting to new realities in the house and at school. He’s discovered he has privacy and quiet time unlike before. He’s been exploring various science (chemistry and physics) videos and wants to experiment at home. While I’m happy to foster that intense interest, I now have to find him some safe outlets. He’s also growing increasingly confident and talented musically.

4. Speaking of the house, we’re getting ready to repaint the “guest” room and probably pull out the carpet from it as well. The house is in relatively good shape but there are signs all over of many less than high quality projects done by the previous owners. The carpets appear to have been non-professionally installed. Likewise several closets have finishing and edge coverings that were miss-measured and even more poorly installed. I do have another ceiling fan to put up this evening and I bought a set of track lights to install in my (eventual) studio as well.

More to follow shortly

Some would say that I've saved the best for last. Between a long running bout of pneumonia with my partner and bronchitis for myself, I've been forced to delay posting these highlights of Kitti's portion of the Mustang set. I'm suppose to get with her again - soon to do a set of art nudes and suggest some other interesting shots as well.



( Hot car - Classic Beauty [10 behind the cut] )

As mentioned before, four beautiful women gave me the opportunity to photograph them with a sleek powerful Mustang. One of these ladies was Raven. She had modeled years before and been a performer, but several children interrupted things a bit.



( Maturity does not dim beauty )

Abandoned and empty for over 25 years, the Lyric (built in 1908 as a Vaudeville House) and it's adjacent office building are now in a state of arrested decay. The theater was purchased for preservation by a non-profit which owns the nearby and restored Alabama Theater. This summer, two assistants and I recieved permission to extensively photograph both theaters and the office tower adjacent to the Lyric. Using studio lights to illuminate the gloom, these are some samples.



( Show must go on [5 behind the cut] )

Back in December, I had the opportunity to attend and shoot a wonderful regional goth / fetish / burlesque / belly dance performance in Birmingham. In fact, I believe I’ve established a good working relationship with the producer Venus and Bacchus Productions. The show is called “Sleep When You’re Dead” and that month’s installment was charity themed, “Tits for Tots”, where donated toys and funds went to the local juvenile burn center in Birmingham. I met some great folks there and saw some tremendous dancing both on stage and the dance floor. With luck, I’ll be shooting this show as their official (paid) photographer in February.

Tribal dancers of the “Ultra Hip Review” performed twice during the evening. Passionate, silky and fiery would describe them well.