Fremont Festival of Arts

Fremont Festival of Arts is being held at the intersection of Mowry and Walnut during this weekend. There are artists, musicians, photographers, hospitality industry people, and food artists spread over 2 blocks. I had a really good time there.


The artist in the picture is Oscar Reynolds and his compositions are very soothing, and mystical. The flutes he plays require skill and concentration and his ability to play two instruments simultaneosly with such beautiful harmony is amazing!! be sure to check out his music at http://www.karumanta.com

Kitchen angels

I met this really sweet lady who makes angels out of used/thrown away kitchen utensils.

This particular angel reminds me of my mom when she used to make me breakfast. Cooking for myself has made me appreciate her a lot more :)

Now I know what to send aapi on her birthday ;)

Note to self: Must post this sign outside my swamp

Amen to that! :-P

The perfect sign for my kitchen, I dont cook very often but every once in a blue moon I do get this urge to cook for myself, and when that happens I stuff my fridge with groceries. Needless to say, the groceries wind up in the garbage bag

I met this amazing artist Tony Tafeen who makes these pieces of art using bottle tops and virtually anything that catches his imagination. He takes custom orders and can use your personal items too. The name of his business is Blue Volcano and he can be reached at t3taffy@aol.com (click on the above images for a closer look)

Gandalf the Grey

Certainly the most mysterious character from The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf was much more than a wizard. The Elves called him Mithrandir, the Dwarves, Tharkun, the Rohans named him Stormcrow. All respected him, some also feared. His origins remain unclear - he was secretive, powerful, generous, but demanding and not one to anger.

Crystal - The Faery of Creativity

In dreams and quiet moments of contemplation she inspires us with new ideas and visions. She will share her inner power with us, if we are only willing to embrace the luminous Truth - the connection of all living things, the vital energy that unites us all. This is the secret soul of creativity from which we all arise.

The Alchemist

Alchemy dates back to ancient Egypt. The alchemists were great observers of the natural world - half scientist and half mystic. Their texts are rich in symbolism - the transformation of base elements into gold being a metaphor for spiritual change. The alchemical signs for various elements are a basic blueprint which if used correctly lead to the Philosophers Stone - the source of all wisdom.
(Fremont Festival of Arts - July 30th, 2004)

Fantasy faces

(Fremont Festival of Arts - July 30th, 2004)

Rock Devil

Devils and demons are found in virtually every culture's mythology. Joseph Campbell asked us to remember that all religions serve as a mirror of our own psyches - that the angels and devils are all simply symbols for the good and bad parts of ourselves. Robert Bly insisted that there is great power to be found in the shadow side of ourselves if we can learn to focus the power there in a positive manner. Perhaps our devils have a role to play if we'll let them.
(Fremont Festival of Arts - July 30th, 2004)

Three Gargoyles

For centuries these fantastic creatures were sculpted on Medieval cathedrals to ward off evil. These fierce and mysterious protectors continue to fascinate us, even in our high-tech post-industrial age.
(Fremont Festival of Arts - July 30th, 2004)

Some other interesting signs

(Fremont Festival of Arts - July 30th, 2004)

These ducks were waiting patiently for their turn to swim in the lake. (Lake Elizabeth in Fremont, California)

Scroll your mouse over the picture for magnification.

Macromedia Flash test

I saw the magnifying glass effect at TopLeftpixel.com and found it really interesting. I didn't know how to do it in Flash at that time but I learnt it after work today. Try moving your mouse over the image for the 'magnifying' effect :)

Picture was taken in Downtown San Jose, California at a fountain infront of the Tech Museum of innovation

Disney's Epcot lagoon, Orlando Florida

Its funny how people try to beat the orange light :)
(Intersection of Fair Oaks and Tasman Dr. in Sunnyvale, California)

Talk about being politically correct :) (Intersection of El Camino Real and Wolfe road in Sunnyvale, CA)

I took this picture in downtown San Francisco, at the beginning of financial district on Market Street. (Click on the above picture for a better look)

If you happen to be on Market Street in the evening, you will see countless homeless people trying to spend yet another windy cold night out in the open. I have never seen that many homeless people anywhere else in the city, and it’s a really sad sight.

The restaurant owners in the city can not give away their left over food to these homeless people because of health laws. Instead, some of them pack their left over food in containers and in shopping bags and leave it beside the garbage can in the back alley. Every homeless person knows what time they need to gather around in the back alley of restaurants.

In the context of all this, I found it pretty ironic to see an angel on Market street. But then again, may be they stopped caring and thats how the angels turned stone cold ;)