Cork Board

University Bridge

Cameron — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 04:05:10 GMT

University Bridge

Suffices to say there was some fog this morning. Reminded me of a typical Portland day. I snapped pictures on my drive in but I knew they would be too blurry to post. Town Lake was not visible -- at all. I could not see Sun Devil Stadium or downtown Tempe. Complete white out. This photo of University Bridge is post-able though.

ASU University Center in Downtown Phoenix, AZ

Cameron — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:50:54 GMT

ASU University Center in Downtown Phoenix, AZ

So let's see, I took this photo at First avenue and Polk facing east. ASU's University Center is surrounded by construction...construction everywhere. This is the bus stop at Phoenix Central Station. The Valley Metro light rail train runs down Central avenue. So commuters can hop on the bus or train here and travel between the Arizona State University Downtown campus and Tempe campus very easily.

ASU University Center in Downtown Phoenix, AZ

Cameron — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 03:16:25 GMT

ASU University Center in Downtown Phoenix, AZ

Continuing my absolutely fascinating (not) series on Arizona State University, Downtown Phoenix campus, this photo is of the southwest corner of the University Center building at Polk and Central Avenue. I think the UC is kind of like an old office high rise or hotel and ASU has converted it into what appears to be the campus' centerpiece. The UC houses a bunch of classrooms, including my BIO 201 class that starts Monday. Yikes!

The the bookstore is the window you see in the first floor and just to the left of it is a Starbucks (of course). This is one block north of Van Buren, facing east. There is construction everywhere in this area! And it's not just ASU renovating buildings. The city has a bunch of streets torn up and there appear to be two new skyscrapers being born. If all this doesn't breath life into this part of downtown Phoenix then I don't know what will.

ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus - Parking Lot DP5

Cameron — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 03:08:47 GMT

ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus - Parking Lot DP5

So I visited the Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix campus for the first time last Friday. I had to smile when I saw my parking lot. I thought it was funny. There were plenty of open spaces, something you never see at the Tempe campus. I took classes at ASU West campus when it first opened and parking was the same way, plenty of room for everyone. Heck West didn't even use permits back then. Pick a spot, any spot.

When 10 mph is Just Too Fast

Cameron — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:53:33 GMT

When 10 mph is Just Too Fast

When 10 mph is just too fast and 5 mph might seem over solicitous. Someone at ASU Parking and Transportation Services cleverly split the difference in PS-7 (parking structure 7). I actually think it's kinda kewl. I am sure it is just a coincidence that the structure's number matches its speed limit.

Oh and yes I know they recently renamed it to "Packard Drive South Parking Structure" but that doesn't exactly role off the tongue. I have grown quite fond of this slab of cement. It will always be PS-7 in my heart. Besides, next year PTS will be gouging me $600/year to park in PS-7 (~one mile from my office on campus). I know what you are going to ask. No, the $600 does not include concierge service. At that price I figure I can call the garage whatever I want. Anyone for "Packard Drive Parking Palace" or "ASU Concrete Cash Cow"? Yiieee!

Limey's First Fruit

Cameron — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:39:43 GMT

Limey's First Fruit

Check it out, Limey has been thriving in his new pot. Within a month he had five flowers and the bees worked their magic. Unfortunately a recent windstorm broke one of his branches -- the one that had three of the flowers on it. Talk about reverse luck! Anyhoo, the other two flowers survived and I noticed last weekend that we have ourselves two baby limes!

Leopard and Deer at the Life Sciences Building

Cameron — Wed, 23 May 2007 15:24:48 GMT

Leopard and Deer at the Life Sciences Building

The leopard and deer were hanging out in the Life Sciences building this morning, watching me as I walked by on my way to my office. We were separated by glass, so feeling safe, I quietly snuck up to the window. They were kind enough to hold still while I snapped their photo. I am not sure if they should be allowed to hang out in the classrooms without a chaperon but they seemed to be getting along.

Phoenix Arizona Dust Storm

Cameron — Fri, 18 May 2007 16:13:35 GMT

Phoenix Arizona Dust Storm

Snapped this photo a dust storm rolling into the Valley during my commute home on May 8^th. It was amazing how fast the dust cloud rolled in. From the time it too me to walk from my office to my car (about 13 minutes) the cloud had come from Mesa and was entering Tempe and rolling over ASU. Then as I was heading west into Phoenix on the 202 this photo shows how the dust cloud was following me west.

Curious Bee on My Windshield

Cameron — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 19:09:23 GMT

Curious Bee on My Windshield

It was deja vu this morning. I get into my truck, fasten my seatbelt, look up and this little guy is staring me in the face. Wow third sick bee I have seen in less than a week. I am assuming they were all not feeling well. None of them appeared to be able to fly. There was the little bee that could whom survived my harrowing commute last week. Then I saw one Friday crawling around in circles on the tennis court. And then this morning's bee (pictured here).

Actually it was not immediately apparent to me if this morning's bee could fly. That was a bit freaky because despite the dust I did a double-takes to reassure myself he was on the outside of the windshield before bringing out my camera. I snapped this photo and then, not wanting to risk putting another bee through a journey like last week's, I flicked my wipers once to brush him off.

Yuppie Mug coffee cup circa 1980's

Cameron — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 23:21:28 GMT

Yuppie Mug coffee cup circa 1980's

I did not drink coffee when I was young. Unlike today, coffee was not at that in the 1980's. It was still an adult drink, an acquired taste. My mom and dad drank coffee at breakfast and like many households ours had a cupboard shelf full of crazy themed coffee cups...gifts, souvenirs, etc. The Yuppie Coffee Mug was one of them. I think it must have been a been a birthday or Christmas present for someone.

Anyhoo, I forget all about this little memory and then I am up at my dad's house recently and guess what is sitting out on the counter during breakfast? Yep, he still has the Yuppie Coffee Mug.

smart fortwo passion

Cameron — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:08:42 GMT

smart fortwo passion

Isn't it cute? Holycow I want one! The smart fortwo car is coming to the USA in 2008. This model is known as the smart fortwo "passion". According the manufacturer's web site the car will list at about $14,000. That is half the price of a Toyota Prius and better gas mileage too! Read my blog post for more details.

Thou Shalt Not Park Here

Cameron — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 03:58:16 GMT

Thou Shalt Not Park Here

This parking sign on on the wall of an out building at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Harwich, MA gave me a much needed smile. I reminded myself to look on the bright side of life.

Bank Buidling Demolition Photo 1

Cameron — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:10:12 GMT

Bank Buidling Demolition Photo 1

Fences went up around this vintage Phoenix bank building last month. I wondered -- more like hoped -- if it was being gutted and remodeled. The sign on the outside said AT&T Wireless would be coming soon. When workers added the green protective construction/demolition sheets I knew it did not bode well for the structure's future. Some might say this is progress. I am not so sure. I think it is unlikely the new building will have the architectural character to match this one.

Bank Building Demolition photo 2

Cameron — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:03:11 GMT

Bank Building Demolition photo 2

This building sits on Camelback and 20th Street. It was built around the time I was born so it has always been somewhat of a landmark to me. Banks come and go over the years. I cannot recall what bank originally occupied it. Most recently it was the home of Washburn Piano. They vacated late last year and the building sat empty. When the fences went up around it last month I wondered if it would be remodeled or torn down.

Baumanometer Blood Pressure Guage

Cameron — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:55:59 GMT

Baumanometer Blood Pressure Guage

This vintage Baumanometer blood pressure gauge is on the wall in my doctor's exam room. He said it still works. Pretty kewl. Of course if it ever breaks they will have to evacuate the building. Doh!