Dance After Dark Photography

This is the same place where I was nearly hit and killed last time around. This time I sacrificed a better vantage point for a little safety, sticking to the old bridge (now a fishing pier) instead of the highway. I wound up talking to a couple of kids who were fishing, an old homeless man, and later a few very interesting rednecks who showed up for some after-dark fishing. Got a pretty good view of an alligator, too, though the photos didn’t really turn out. He got spooked when I leaned over to get a better angle.

More photos in my Sunset photo gallery.

Be afraid, folks. In deference to Michael’s tender sensibilities, I took this without the aid of a mirror. I would have gone wandering with the camera today instead of resorting to my last-resort model (myself), but it was drizzling when I got home. A few things popped up, as things always do, and then it was time to cook dinner.

More here, if you’re brave enough.

Well, today I didn’t get a chance to run around with my camera. All of the photos I had on hand were a little too old to post in good conscience, so I used what I had left. That’s me and the cat, but she wasn’t cooperating. You’re stuck with me.

alternate title: Forever and a day

Dinner tonight was damn good, if I do say so myself. I marinated some strips of sirloin overnight in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lime juice, and several spices. Most notably, I used ground ancho chilies to give the beef a smoky flavor. I’d have to look at my spice rack to remember the rest. It smelled phenomenal this afternoon when I opened it up to start cooking. I seared the beef in a tiny bit of bacon grease, and then I removed the beef and sauteed onions, portabello mushrooms, fire roasted tomatoes, black beans, and sliced red & green peppers in the resulting juices. Add salt and pepper, a little cumin, and a dash of garlic powder (because I was running low on time and couldn’t do fresh). I made my own yellow rice with turmeric, garlic, and thyme.

The plates were very bright and colorful with the red tomatoes and green peppers on top of yellow rice. The onions were sweet, and the beef was very tender. (I’d seared it and only cooked the inside to medium well.) Unfortunately, there were no leftovers. I’ll have to come up with something else for lunch tomorrow.

I got contacts today, too. I thought it had been a year or two, but apparently it’s been six years since my last visit to the optometrist. My glasses were already a year old at that point, so no wonder I haven’t been able to see well with them. The difference is amazing, and I don’t just mean the fact that I have peripheral vision again. (heh)

P.S. I’d like to send out extremely belated thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. I’ve been hiding for the past month, so I didn’t get back to anyone. Individual thanks will be on the way soon, right after I return from unconsciousness. And now, I sleep.