Pictures are not always worth a thousand words...

This time of year in London is amazing. Each morning when I open the windows to see blue sky and bright sunshine I am giddy with excitement. My path to the office takes me through St John's Wood Church Gardens, a place that I often photograph. However, I am nearly always disappointed with the photos... something is always missing but I can never figure out what 'it' is that is missing.  I've tried various compositions, angles, view points and nothing seems to fill the void. As I walked lazily along the flower petaled path yesterday trying to delay my arrival to work it dawned on me... Photos fail to capture the sounds of traffic in the background, of birds signing morning sounds, of children squealing on the playground. They don't capture the cool breeze or the warmth of the sun as you step out from the oaky shaded pathway. And they don't capture the scent of the slightly past their prime tulips that are spreading their pollen or the freshly mown lawn. Pictures can capture the color and the look but they can't capture the feel, the smell or the sounds of this peaceful oasis in the midst of morning rush hour. Days like yesterday it takes all the will power in world for me to not kick off my shoes and ignore the signs warning to 'stay off the grass' as all I want to do is feel the cool blades of grass between my toes and spend the day soaking up all that a photo can never capture.

Hello Neighbor...

Last Thursday on my way to work at a very respectable 10:15 am, I ran into one of our neighbors... Sir Paul McCartney!!!

I was cool, calm, collected as I flashed a smile and said good morning. He smiled back and returned my morning greeting.
Now for a quick look into what was happening in my head as he approached: "Huh? That guy looks kind of familiar. Who is he? Is that... No, it couldn't possibly be... HOLY CRAP! It is... that is Paul McCartney. Oh my god a BEATLE!!! Calm down, calm down. What are you going to say... Hi? No that is stupid; he probably hears "hi" all the time. Oh no, he's getting closer. Think woman think!!! Okay he is only a few feet away, smile... less teeth, say something... say something... Good Morning (out loud) Sir Paul McCartney (to myself).
As I walked away I very literally did a silly little dance and said out loud/to myself "I just spoke to a BEATLE!!!" I then proceeded to call Chris and leave a ridiculous message which he in turn played to all his co-workers.
I now walk the exact same way to work every day in hopes that I might see him again. I have a mental list of things I will say to him the next time. But I am pretty sure I will just ask him the following question: Aren't you the lead singer of Wings?