Friday, June 23, 2006

Don't Contradict Yourself

I have heard some women complained or wondered out loud about why men don't take them seriously, or treat them with respect, and look them straight in the eyes. Please women! You are what you are. If you don't want men to look, then don't show. But if you like to show them, then don't complain. Women with brains do not need to show their breasts to get ahead or to get the men's attention and respect. So please do not contradict youself, it only makes you appear more brainless.
























Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Traffic Circles in Berkeley

In July 18, 2004 traffic circles in Berkeley were constructed to slow down traffic and discourage reckless driving. The cost for each circle is 20,000 dollars. Each is about 300 square feet. The city provides the soil, but the neighborhood nearby has to plant flowers, shrubs, and take care of the plants. Some people like them because neighbors and children would come out to socialize, play, and help planting flowers. But most drivers I talked to hated traffic circles. One lady said: "As a parent, I like them because they slow down traffic so it would be safer for my son to cross the street. But as a driver, I hate them because they can make you late for work." One man said: "I think they are confusing because you don't know if the other driver would go straight or turn completley around." A school bus driver said: "It's terrible and it costs too much." She also added: "It's only in Berkeley!" I wonder what firefighters think. I am not a driver, so I like these circles. In some neighborhoods where flowers and shrubs are more established, these traffic circles look beautiful. Not only trees and plants are good for the environment, they are also so pleasing to the eyes and souls.





In April of this year, they constructed these circles near my neighborhood.











These circles are about a year old, so the plants are not yet fully grown and established. I might come back next year to check on these traffic circles and plants.

COMMENT:

July 16, 2006

I liked the traffic circle shots and smiled to see the old Victorian church in the background. I used to live in West Berkeley and must have walked/driven by hundreds of times, and now to see it painted so prettily (is that a word?)--very nice. My problem with the circles is the circle arrow signs that obscure and detract from the beautiful foliage and flowers. I called the traffic dept. and asked why couldn't they paint the go-around arrows on the pavement instead of sticking four of those horrid signs in the circle. But you know bureaucrats...

Nick M.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

A Twelve Month Family Portrait-Collage

I often use old calendars, a collection of magazines, and ad cut-outs for my collage.



Bao, my twelve year old, likes comic books, dinosaurs,Toy Story, and science fiction movies.



Anh Vu, my eighteen year old, loves science since he was five. He is now majoring in Atmospheric Science at University at Davis, California.




My children and I like to go to the movies. This piece was inspired by the movie "Honey! I Shrunk The Kids."



I took this picture of Anh Vu and Bao in front of a restaurant sign in downtown Berkeley.



And we love animals.



The children and their dad.



Anh Vu loves his brother, and he is very protective of Bao.



When Bao was about two, he learned to put his shorts on and was having fun with it. And I was laughing my head off and clicking my camera nonstop.



Anh Vu, the scientist and inventor.



It is the Halloween month, so I dressed everybody up.



This month is for myself.



Finally, December is our reunion month.

COMMENT:

July 16, 2006

I enjoyed travelling through your site. My favorites were the Celtic Lullaby (Anagram Series #19/91-November posting), and the family portrait collages. Very imaginative.

Nick M.