UnSpace

Would you believe a Christmas pageant?

No birds were harmed in the creation of the above image! My sanity is another question.

Today, I played around with the camera in an attempt to create a Christmas card picture. Let's call it a learning experience. I can tick off a number of things that are wrong with this image, but I think that means I know how to fix most of them, too.

I really should give up this whole "I'm artistic" delusion, but like most bad artists, I make the mistake of thinking a doubling of effort will make up for a complete lack of talent.

Thanks to Nancy for wrangling the birds, especially the baby parakeets.

Remember to give thanks for all you have this Thanksgiving!

Homes.

Government services.

Jobs.

Worldly possessions.

Relaxation and entertainment.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the UnSpace readers. May you be blessed by God and bless others in turn.

Pittsburgh's Light-Up Night as seen from the West End Bridge.

Yeah, there's a lot wrong with this picture — and all the other ones I took last night. I've got about a year to meditate on that before I can try again. Rule #1: Bring a flashlight so I can actually see all the settings on the camera. Rule #2: Accept that I'm not a very good photographer.

Still, the photo is pretty, and I thought I'd share it.

The West End Ghost.

I also caught a picture of the West End Ghost. No, the spectral Steeler fan (with this season, is there any other kind?) was not added into the photograph later. That's what the camera saw from the West End Overlook. The ghost casts a pall over Heinz Field and PNC Park. Is it a coincidence that both Steelers and Pirates have done poorly in the 2006 seasons, what with this ghost haunting their home fields?

Of course, in a 15-second exposure, if the photographer sets the 10 second timer, runs around in front of the camera and poses, and then walks away after a count of 10 Mississipis, such a photograph would also appear to have a ghost in it.