Guy Walks Into a Bar Full Moon

April 2017 Full Moon Over Okinawa

It's a little bit late this month. It seemed like this, wasn't going to happen.

Normally, I get out the night before, during and after the full moon is scheduled to appear.

The evenings of the 10th and 11th, we had nothing but clouds so, it was impossible.

The meteorologists, said the sky would clear-up last night.  But, it didn't look that way, to me.

About 7:30 heavy, black clouds were blowing up the east coast of the island.

I messaged a friend and let him know, what time to start looking for the moon.

He lives south on the western coast. I hoped, he'd get some good photos if, the moon showed .

Just getting over a nasty cold, I decided beer would be better than photography.

If the moon appeared before I got too relaxed, I could go back to work and shoot it.

Positive, I made the right decision, I walked out after my first beer and looked for the moon.

Nothing but black skies, was all I saw so, another beer got in front of me.

Relaxing, while watching the movie "Jaws" was all I had left to do for the day.

In the Bar & Cafe Brasil, they have a Reserved sign in a corner of the bar, just for me.

Now, that I think of it, every bar I go to, in this town, has a special seat, just for me.

It's probably because, I look lots older than, I really am or, it could be my drinking habits.

Anyway This Guy Walked Into the Bar

He's the same guy, who wanted to know if, I could use a brand new toilet seat, a few years ago.

We've been friends for more than a few years. He knew exactly where to find me last night.

"Mike, I figured you'd be out there shooting the full moon," he said as he walked in.

He had just finished some ungodly miles of night bike riding and, was excited about the moon.

"Look, I'm watching Jaws and drinking beer, I told him. Somebody else can shoot the moon."

He kept telling me, it was the biggest brightest moon, he ever had seen.

Well, I told him, my camera shooting friend, down in Naha, would shoot it for me.

Off he went and, I finished my beer so, I could go outside and peek at the moon.

There it was. Not a cloud in the sky. I told the bartender, I had to go back to work.

Quick Moon Shots

Normally, I would climb up to the roof of my building for moon photography.

After a few beers, I didn't think it would be a good idea so, I stayed down on earth.

The tripod, camera and lenses are heavy, expensive and, not drunk proof.

A few shots were taken with 420MM of lens and 700MM of lens.

The photo above was shot with the Sigma 50-500 and a 1.4 converter and, I like it best.

A mild HDR image was created to smooth out highlights and shadows.

Everything got downloaded and put away for the night and, by 10:30 I was back in the bar.

If I ever go drinking downtown again, I think I'll buy that biking guy a beer !

Wordless Wednesday: Okurareruka--オクラレルカ--Iris

Related Post: It's Almost Okurareruka Time of Year

Fooled Around Today and Went Back to School

Mermaids Had Nothing to Do With It

Some kind of 48 hour thing hit me and, I was cooped up in the house, the past few days.

This morning I told the wife it was time for me to get out even if, it was cloudy and raining.

She worries but, I promised I'd stay in the office and do Travel Agent Academy things.

Travel Agent Academy Certificates

Every once in awhile I visit the academy and take courses to increase my knowledge.

A slow learner, it took me 17 years to complete a Bachelors Degree.

The SPG Pro means, Starwood Preferred Guest. I Guess spg.pro, up there  is cool.

These were some courses, I completed back in February. Two more were pending.

Five star hotels and resorts, aren't the kinds of places, I hangout these days.

But, I had to learn all about them and, what they offer for people who use them. Groan.

The Tests Make My Eyeballs Spit Blood

They have tricky things like pop quizzes, when you least expect them. Grr...

Then, all of a sudden, a final exam comes along and, almost every time they tell me...

YOU FAILED

Then, I jump up, pound the desk and say, "You must have taught me wrong!"

To calm down, I go outside and laugh, while I smoke a few diet cigarettes.

They have no idea, who they're messing with. I start the class, all over again.

They have Sheraton Resorts and Hotels all over the globe, I'm supposed to remember them all?

Well, I write down notes and, stuff about beaches, golf, skiing and whatnot.

Pop quizzes and final tests, come along.  And, I fail again. But, don't give up.

Even My Teeth Started Sweating

Okinawa, Japan and maybe, some more of Asia, is all I would want my customers to see.

People who want to go to Las Vegas, New York, Canada or Europe, talk to someone else !

Westin Resorts and Hotels was another one, I had to complete today.

They are high class establishments but, I liked some of the features they offer.

They feature well-being so, active folks, into fitness and health might enjoy staying with them.

Someone, who enjoys river treks and the great outdoors, would like what they have to offer.

They can hook you up so, you don't have to pack a bunch of sweaty towels in your luggage.

Again, a few failed quizzes and final exams, wouldn't discourage me.

One time, an external drive went flying off my desk. Have to check it out tomorrow.

These four certificates, were what was needed, to complete a portion of Travel Agent Academy.

What's Next ?

Once the weather clears up, I may go out and find some more mermaids to shoot.

If foul weather keeps hanging around, I may be back in school tomorrow.

It looks like United Airlines, could use a little bit of assistance, from a guy like me !

Related Post: A Mermaid and the Tsunami Warning

Flower Photos: African Tuliptree (Spathodea campanulata) in Okinawa

Beauty of a Beast

When I first saw these flowers blooming, I thought they were early Deigo Blossoms.

But, the leaves are different so, I did some research and found out what this gem could be.

Plenty of photos were taken, to help with the identification and, I got some facts to share.

1.  The plant's botanical name is Spathodea campanulata and, it's native to Africa.

Drought resistant, it can be grown in containers, indoors.

2. People around the globe, like the pretty red flowers and, started growing them, everywhere.

The plant became an invasive, in many South Pacific locations because, it grows rapidly.

3. Children love to play with the flower buds, before they open, using them as squirt-guns.

4. People in California and Arizona, can grow these trees in their yards.

5. The tree has some medicinal uses but, you should know something before, planting one.

Africans, make poison arrows from part of this tree. I won't tell you how.

If, you see a string of these red flowers at your door, someone thinks you're evil !

Get some of these beauties for your garden by checking the links. Not me !

Travel Photo: A Motobu Fisherman

Camera: Pentax KD 10

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 27MM

Exposure:  f/11   1/180  ISO 100 using camera flash

Location: Motobu, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time  SEP 13 2012  1:22PM