I've Got My Eyes on You

I guess a lot of people know I take pictures now. Everyone was asking me if I had seen this, and if so, had I taken a pic of it. I missed it the first time through, but got it on the way out. It was huge. I think it's one of those butterflies/moths that fools predators with the eyes on it's back.

Mail Chute

I found this at the Nix hospital in downtown San Antonio. I had never seen one before. Too bad it isn't in use anymore. I wonder if any are?

Catch You On the Flip Side

This is a local record store on the south side of San Antonio. It's been there forever. Back in the day when I lived on the southside we would go to this store. That logo on the window I still see on cars out and about. The only other store that seems to be as old and established as this one, at least to me, is Hog Wild in downtown. I've tried to get a good shot of that one, but haven't succeeded yet. When I do, I'm sure I'll blog about it.

How Funky is Your Rooster? How Loose is Your Goose?...

In this photo, Foghorn Leghorn let's out his frustrations by putting a random, unsuspecting theme park guest in a head lock. I think that this outburst stemmed from a combination of the heat and knowing that school starts this week. The Texas Cowgirl ignores this abuse, and smiles pretty for the camera.

"I say, I say, it's a joke son, a joke."
-- Foghorn Leghorn

181 Park and Ride

This park and ride is right past 1604 and on 181. Most other park and rides have shelters, a building where you can buy sodas and snacks and pick up bus schedules, and most important of all in the Texas heat you can enjoy the air conditioning. Some of the park and rides also have these green storage lockers for people who bike and ride. The 181 stop has this sign, an overflowing trash can and one bus bench.

A Girl and Her Skates

For some reason we've been talking about skating a lot lately. Some people remember the jam skating and the speed skating, and the times when only those special dancers were allowed on the floor. We reminisce about those old skool skating songs and how we moved out feet to said rhythmns. On this particular day we got to talking about skating again and we wanted to see the skates that were being talked about, they happened to be in her truck. She went down to get them and then a discussion ensued about the type of wheels, etc. As you can see these skates have been well used since about high school I think it was said.

Lining Up for School

For most of these kids its the first day of school. I know for one in the bunch it is. He had a hard time following he teachers directions to form a line. She kept going up and down the line and asking them to form a line, and for the most part they listened, but as soon as her attention was elsewhere they once again started losing their cohesion. These little ones are so cute—for them school is still a thing they want to do. I'm so far gone I can't even remember that feeling. :D

Making it Happen

This is the second of my annual volunteer days. This is the day when the children that were adopted out by sponsors come to pick up their supplies, clothes, etc. that were picked out, bought and waiting for them.

The group pictured above make it happen, at least they made it happen this day. This was the end of a very long day. The line started forming at 7:00 a.m. when the actual back to school packages weren't going to be handed out until 9:00 a.m. The first 30 minutes were intense with no end in sight for the long line of people waiting to go into the building and get their packages, but once it hit 9:30 a.m. it was gravy. Someone mentioned that the smart ones are the ones that wait for the line to die down to come get their packages, because then it's no waiting. I reckon I hadn't thought about it like that before.

Another group a bit bigger than this allows things to run smoothly and that's the volunteers, for the most part it's family members of the people that run this program, but some of the donors also pitch in and of course there's the regular old volunteers who do it to do it.

Adopt a Child

For two days of the year I get volunteered to help with the Adopt a Child program. This program is run by the social worker at the De Paul Family Center here in San Antonio. They match up children from some of the nearby districts who need assistance getting ready for school with donors willing to help. They get everyone from big name local companies who adopt out multiple kids to a family who wants to make sure that the kids have what their kids have, or sometimes it's just an individual that remembers what it was like to be without and so now tries to make sure that at least one less person does not do without.

Every year it's a lot of work (I think this year they did upwards of 400 kids), but in the end it's worth it. I just mainly do manual labor. We move the packages from where they are stored to their final destination. Usually it's a local church hall, but this year it was held at the De Paul Family Center because of the threat of Rain. The supplies were stored in three daycare rooms and other areas as needed.

Volunteers, volunteers is what makes this work. We had some in the morning and some in the afternoon. There was a lot of milling about and planning and changing of plans, but at the end of the day, the picture above is what resulted.

Off Kilter City

Took this shot on the way into work. It's been really rainy in San Antonio lately, so gray skies have been more the norm than blue ones. In the background you can see the Tower of Americas (heard all their elevators will be in working order soon) and that under construction stuff is going to be some huge hotel.

Shopping Center lot

Either the skies have gotten more gorgeous since I've gotten a camera, or I just didn't notice before. I took this shot cause I liked the look of the clouds. On top of this shopping center building there's also camera's and I thought, Big Brother is watching, but I reckon it's mainly to record any wrong doing in the parking lot.

Butterflies in the Sky

Well not quite in the sky, but points to anyone who can name that quote. I like butterflies and was surprised to spot this anywhere but at a kiddies doctor office. I appreciate the comfort factor, I'm all for any kind of distraction/comfort that can be had a doctors office. :D

Off Kilter Central

Just another shot of Central. This was taken in the walkway between the parking garage and the actual building. I think it was another one of those drizzly days so I had to take it quickly before my camera got wet, since there is no covering in between.

Larry's Barbacoa

This little gem is right past 1604 on 181. We mainly just eat it on the weekends, sometimes Saturday, but mostly Sunday. They do good barbacoa—not too greasy, and a lot of meaty. :D I like the cuteness of the little building. I've never been inside, but one of these days I'll go in and grab a pic of the interior.

Macy's at South Park Mall

Took a quick trip to South Park Mall today. Stopped mainly to get a look-see at the book store there. It's the only one in the south side so it's not like I have much choice. My sister stopped off and looked at the perfumes, she's been interested in the new Sarah Jessica Parker scent—which she didn't end up liking and neither did I when I got a whiff of it. I of course always do a walk by the silver jewelry. I left the mall a little lighter in the pocket thanks to the bookstore and Hot Topic, but I was glad to get out of there...it was a madhouse—maybe cause it was Saturday night who knows. :D

Southwest School of Art & Craft Navarro Campus

The title is pretty self explanatory for this pic. I've yet to be able to go across and take a look at this place—not even sure if I could get in, although I think it is open to the public. I see people come in and out of here sometimes, especially as I'm waiting to get picked up or just been dropped off. I know they are currently advertising for a Botero exhibit.

Book Cellar View

I took this shot on a visit to the Book Cellar. I hadn't been there in what seemed like a while. I was lured in by their fiction sales. I got a quick look, not enough to see if I wanted anything—well I always want something, but I had to check at home to see if I had any of the stuff I actually wanted. I've found myself with up to four copies of something because I'm overzealous about just needing to get a book. Anyway this shot is in the back area, Children's section. The window looks up some stairs up to street level. IIRC these stairs are the emergency exit ones.

If you're ever at the Central Library check out the Book Cellar in the lower level, they've got a pretty good selection of books at pretty hard to beat prices, and they even have a snack machine and sell soda's and water.

San Antonio Flag

I thought it only fitting, this being San Antonio Daily Photo that I post a picture of the City of San Antonio flag. I got this photo going into work today. Normally it's all highway but today there was a traffic snarl and we exited right after the Alamodome. I don't normally get to see this stretch so I took some photos out of the window. I'm not sure what this building is, but I liked the flag. I can't say I like the flag too much. I think it would look better without the Alamo, but what do I know. :D

Barcode on the Wall

Saw this on the wall and it reminded me of a barcode.

Skin by Design

Saw this building and sign on my walk about. It's just a bit creepy for someone who is as into Science Fiction as me. I start thinking about cyborgs, robots, androids, etc.

Cup o' Joe

This is a fairly new Starbucks. It's right off the highway so I'm sure it gets traffic both way, as people get off and on. I visited it this day because I hadn't stopped in before. I ordered an egg salad sandwich which was okay not great and a slice of the banana nut coffee cake for a total of almost $8.00. 8O

King Kong Nachos 1/2 Order

We went to Chacho's today. I wanted the King Kong nachos but the small order, which my co-workers assured me was doable. Well this is what I ended up with. I had to struggle with the tray, hoping I wouldn't drop it. I ended up opening up the patio door with my behind. I ate a few, my co-workers ate a few, but I still ended up taking most of the order home to my sisters. I also had a few sips of a Strawberry Margarita, now I'm not a drinker, and while I don't see myself going to Chacho's especially for their margarita's, I must admit it wasn't bad—I'd still prefer a medium cherry slush from Sonic's, but oh well. :D