A placed called "home"

It's slowly approaching upon two years since I detatched myself from the hometown I had always know. San Diego had served me quite well, and since I'm no longer there - I look upon it quite fondly in many ways.

Though, as many of you know, I have since moved to the wonderful Long Beach, California. Sure, if you've listened to early 90's rap (think, Warren G and Snoop Dogg) you might have some preconceived notions of what this city means. I know I did.

But, as a city who is tied for #1 (with San Jose) for their current efforts towards recycling and composting, a city whose harbors supply the demand of nation, and who's people are as diverse as a food connesiour's food palate can be, I have enjoyed calling this "home," for awhile.

There's a grit to the city, a worn in feel. And certainly, there's history.

One examples of that history is how Long Beach (and one it's sub-communties called Lakewood) had gone about naming their streets years ago. Mine is one such example. And since you should well know I'm a huge fan of NPR, I'm going to give them the credit and let their words speak on the history of the street I call home:

Before the Internet, before TV, the medium of choice for most Americans was radio. D.J. Waldie, author of "California Romantica," says you can find some of the stars of radio on Lakewood's street signs. Waldie says a small portion of Lakewood, developed during the Second World War was called Radio Park.

"Because so many of the streets had connections to radio personalities. There's an Autry Avenue..."

As in Gene Autry. The singing cowboy from Texas starred in almost a hundred movie westerns. But from 1940 to 1956, the Autry was host of a national radio show: "Melody Ranch." In later years, Autry left his mark in Southern California broadcasting, owning KMPC, KTLA, and the Angels baseball team.

we've been dating for awhile...

Howdy, my name is Josh and I love taking pictures. Scratch that, I really love taking pictures.

That phrase shouldn't be a suprise to anyone who's ever been around me for more than 10... possibly 13 seconds. If I have a camera handy, you're gonna see me with the familiar one eye closed, cringed face, and sludged shoulders trying to achieve some angle to snap a picture of you... or some random sight that catches my eye just right. I don't know where this love first budded, but I can tell you most assuredly how it has been watered over the years.

When I was little, I quite easily remember numerous moments of a camera being handed to me. Like bread to a needy child on one of those starving children commercials, my hands went out to reach for the camera with the same hunger. Thankfully, the curiousity was never stiffled, never told to wait, not even for a moment. The camera was put in my hands and I was told to "go ahead." One Christmas I was even told "have fun" when I was even given my own film camera - a Canon point and shoot camera that allowed me to change from landscape, to large portrait, to panaramic film size. With it's dark black and titanium coloring, I took that toy from youth trip to San Francisco vacation to youth trip countless times.

From that simple point and shoot, I graduated to a Pentax film SLR camera that took me on many of my college journeys. And, quite often time, the costly film and development was seen as a more worthile, frankly enjoyable, activity than heading to the grocery store for a liquor run with friends.

As the digital age is well upon us, I have most definately hopped on board, leaving that Pentax to a spot in my trunk where it is always a handy backup. Thankfully I've had some gracious friends, Seth and Ing, who have thrown me a life preserver to stay afloat - loaning me their camera anytime I've wanted to play paparazzi. Further, some "school and church related" photos have been taken using a brand spankin new digital SLR I was able to pickup for our school's yearbook coordinator... AKA, me.

Yet, this blog is not only for reflection, but also for rejoicing. I have a camera of my own now - one that I will no longer have to question the validity for taking it places. She, a Cannond 40D, has been mine since October and we've been getting familiar with eachother. With her, I will have the freedom to "go ahead" as my father helped me to do years ago. The lens will have freedom to travel, and as a favorite Dr. Suess book shares to us, so I will share with the lens and say, "oh the places you'll go," with me.

But here is where you must, nay, should participate in the blog:

1. She needs a name. She's my lady, we've been dating for awhile, and she needs a name that suits her beautiful figure.

2. Please tell me something you'd like to see a picture of. Obscure and challenging ideas are welcomed.

3. And if you're curious to see where I've gone already - feel free to click here: My Photos