Chaos

Shrimp Boat Reflections, Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


The word of the day is chaos. It is a noun that means disorder or lack of organization. The word derives form the Greek meaning of chasm or abyss, but was extended to mean utter confusion by the 1600's.

In Greek mythology, the personification of the word, Chaos, refers to the void preceding the creation of the universe. Ovid described it as "a rude and undeveloped mass."

Chaos is also the genus name of a giant Amoeba.

In science and math, chaos can refer to randomness, or the lack of intelligible pattern.

Chaos Theory applies to many fields of science and mathematics. It attempts to explain how the most subtle influences can have significant impacts on system dynamics. In general it shows the difficulty of long term predictions, say for example in weather patterns or baseball scores.

So my picture today perhaps incapsulates some of these ideas.

Oh, and chaos often refers to the state of my hair when I first wake-up in the morning.

Methuselah Tree

Angel Oak, John's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)


A short drive from Charleston is, I think, the most underrated park in our area. It contains the venerable Angel Oak tree, which is estimated to be the oldest living organism East of the Mississippi River (at 1400 years old!). Walking beneath the undulating branches of this impressive tree gives you an indelible impression of just how large and ancient it is.

Speaking of impressions, here are a few photography links for your weekend viewing...

Enjoy these amazing aerial abstracts...

and these satellite images...

and finally, from above the earth to beneath the seas, check out these watery images from a master of the genre.

Colonial Lake

Tall Walker, Colonial Lake, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)


To continue park week, the narrow greenspace and walkway around Colonial Park offers a perfect setting for walkers and runners who seek the pleasant evening air at sundown. Large oak trees and palmettos frame Charleston single houses which line the lake.

Old Navy Base

Pavilion Canopy, Riverfront Park, Old Navy Base, North Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Located on the Cooper River, the pavilion at the Riverfront Park offers an ideal setting for outdoor concerts. A huge canopy overhangs an open space creating a striking venue for music performances. The park was developed after the navy yard closed in the 90's so that the property would not fall into disuse. In addition to the concert pavilion, a playground, a military memorial, art installations, fishing piers, boardwalks, and plenty of wide greenspaces are included in the park.

 

Washington Slept Here!

President Washington Statue, Washington Park, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)


Yes, it is true! President George Washington traveled to Charleston for a visit during his second term (one of our original tourists?). In May of 1791 Washington spent a week in town, and made quite an impression on the citizens of Charleston. They held a big party for him, because galas and festive events are a tradition here.

Years later, a park was dedicated to Washington in the heart of the city, and a statue erected in honor of our first president.

Waterfront Park Morning

Ornate Bench, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


This week I wish to feature several of the parks and greenspaces in and around Charleston. I do this as a dedication and thanks to the folks at the Parks Commission, whose vision, development and maintenance of our beautiful parks grace
 and accent our surroundings.


Charleston's Waterfront Park faces the harbor and offers splendid views of sunrises. It has two fountains, one of them being the Pineapple Fountain,
 shown here in the background.


This ornate bench is a variation on the Charleston Battery Bench, a style of outdoor seating unique to Charleston. The design dates from the 1800's, and features a cast iron motif of Lowcountry flora and fauna. At that time, the Carolina Parakeet, shown here upside down, was a common sight in the coastal plains, and was famous for appearing in large colorful flocks. The Seminole indians called it pot pot chee, "head of yellow."

Early Morning

Saint Michael's Church and Broad Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)


An early Sunday morning view down Broad Street shows how quiet a busy tourist town like Charleston can be.
 This peaceful time of day is my favorite time of day for photography.

Titus

Arch of Titus, Roman Forum, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)


1,930 years ago, the military exploits of Roman Emperor Titus were recounted in stone on this handsome arch, which spans the Via Sacra in the Roman Forum. In spite of the many centuries since then, it still stands strong. It was perhaps the most attractive of all triumphal arches, and served as a model for many that followed including the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

It was during the rein of Titus Flavius Caesar Vespasianus Augustus that the Colosseum was finally completed, and Mount Vesuvius famously erupted, burying the city of Pompeii.

When I was a kid, I had a pet frog named Titus Andronicus.
 He croaked quotes from Shakespeare.
 Oh, he was a piece of work!

Arabian Nights?

Arcade Arches, Fox Theater, Atlanta, Georgia  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


This image may conjure visions from The Arabian Nights, perhaps as a setting for an Ali Baba or Aladdin story. But it is actually a detail of Moorish architecture from historic Fox Theater, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Completed in 1929, The Fox was designed as a Shriner's Temple but later converted into an opulent movie theater. These days it provides a popular venue for performing artists. This year it will feature stars such as Il Volo, Norah Jones, The B-52s, Ringo Starr, and Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion.

For a little weekend entertainment, I have included below three photography links that I hope you will enjoy.

This girl seems to levitate like a magic carpet.

Try this for self-assignment photography.

Finally, a collection of masterworks by Marc.

My Light

Alleyway, East Bay Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Today marks the 26th wedding anniversary for me and Becky,
my spouse, friend and blog editor.
 In walking our path together these last 26 years,
she has been the light of my life,
and the joy of my soul.
 Simply put,
 I loved her then
I love her now
and I'll love her for eternity.

(I, Becky, don't think this needs to be edited at all!)

Kicking Trends

Detail of Outdoor Mural, Auburn, Alabama  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



If you step
to the beat of a different drummer,
or walk
the path less traveled,
you are the individual
who sees the trends
and rethinks them,
making your own impression.

Quest

Early Spring Mountainside, Tanawha Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


I have searched high and low,
East and West,
North and South,
in my unending quest for the perfect yodeling spot.
This outcrop of lichen covered rock
overlooking early spring blooms of Serviceberry
high above the Blue Ridge Parkway
certainly seemed a good candidate.

Yodeling works best at an open spot like this
where all the mountains and valleys can hear your echo,
and where all the birds and bees can flee for cover.

Yet this day was too windy and cold
 for a good old fashion yodel.
So my quest continues ever onward
for the perfect yodeling spot.

Mother Nature...

The Needles, Cannon Beach, Oregon  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)


Without the use of apps
She packs
Sea stacks
Down by the sea shore.

River City

Mural Triptych, Union Terminal, Cincinnati, Ohio  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on images for larger view)


Union Terminal is a classic art deco train station featuring large colorful murals in the rotunda. The mosaic murals depict the history of Cincinnati particularly as it relates to the importance of the city's ties to the Ohio River, and the development of its commerce and industry.

Cincinnati has a strong German influence, going back to the beginning of its settlement, so it is not surprising that the murals were created by a German-American artist, Winold Reiss. The main mural, seen in part here, and other murals in the station took him two years to complete, the project being finalized in 1933.

I wanted to try something different with today's post so I cropped a single vertical photograph into three images, each capable of standing alone as an individual composition.

Bad Car Day

Old Truck, Danny's Classic Cars, Elko, South Carolina  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)


Have you ever had one of those days
 when you are driving along the highway
in your shiny new sports car,
 and for no apparent reason
you have a strange urge
 to swerve off the road into an abandoned field,
where your car suddenly ages 80 years
into a rusty old jalopy with a flat tire?

Hey, me too!

Wonsqueak Weekends

Lobster Shack, Wonsqueak Harbor, Schoodic Peninsula, Maine
  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


For hardy Maine lobstermen,
the favorite indoor thing to do,
on dark and dreary weekends,
is to bake chocolate chip cookies,
and sip sleepytime tea...
 at least that's what I heard.

After you bake your own cookies this weekend,
take a moment to check out this superstar of street photography.
or
this fun collection of classic road trip pics.

Tumbler

Stairwell, Parking Garage, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


Oops... bumble, stumble, tumble,
Down the stairs I go,
Head over heels.
Hello 3rd floor.
Hello 2nd floor.
Hello Ground floor.
Whump!

Head spinning...
Stars swirling...
Seeing my world
Purple and bruised.
Ouch!

Less is More

Outdoor Art Installation, Waterfront Park, North Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Unless you prefer more...

Leap of Faith?

Shop Window Reflection, King Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved

Have you ever made a life changing decision based not on reason or logic, but on intuition or gut feeling... one where you threw caution to the wind, disregarded all your fears and reservations, and leapt into the unknown?

Was one of those life altering events ever one where you imagined yourself transparent and leaping into the side of a building while sporting fasionable swim wear?

Hey, me too!

Mysterious Monday - Seance

Dusk, Antebellum Mansion, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved

A few years ago, I attended a seance with the purpose of trying to contact a long deceased relative of mine... my great, great, great, great uncle Wild Bill Hickok. Many legends surrounded this supposed lawman of the Wild West, including the wrestling of bears. So I wanted to ask him if it was really true he wrestled grizzly bears.

While calling upon his spirit, the seance table began to lift off the ground and slowly turn. The lights in the room dimmed, and mist began swirling around me. When I heard strange thumping sounds, my eyes grew wide with astonishment 
and my hair stood on end.

Suddenly the spirit of Wild Bill manifested itself. In a bone chilling voice, he neither confirmed nor denied the bear wrestling stories. He did however advise me against playing poker, especially sitting at a table with my back facing the door... especially in a saloon... and especially while holding a hand of aces and eights, 
the dreaded dead man's hand.

Since that night, I gave up saloons, hard liquor and gambling. Now I only drink sarsaparilla and play an occasional game of tiddlywinks. But I decided to continue the family tradition of wrestling grizzly bears, which by the way, is much more dangerous than I thought it would be.