Photo-a-day 2016.12.31 (fin)

Fireworks

New Year's fireworks from the Space Needle in Seattle, WA

Technically, taken from my new Sony a6000 camera (instead of the Sony RX-100 III of all the other photo-a-day pics), and technically taken after 12/31. Oh well.

Also, an announcement:  This will be my final photo-a-day picture. 

I have decided to close this project so I can focus my energies on other goals. This project is always fruitful because I can look back on the year and know generally what I was up to throughout the year. So while I will miss having that for 2017, I still have plan to keep up my photography skills, especially since I am still learning how to use my new mirrorless camera =)

Happy new year everyone!

Photo-a-day 2016.12.30

Lunchbox Laboratory

Custom burger at Lunchbox Laboratory. This is the vegan black bean patty with pepper jack cheese, grilled onions, fried egg, and avocado

Photo-a-day 2016.12.29

Christmas tree reflection

From the lobby in my office building

Photo-a-day 2016.12.28

5th Ave lighting

Holiday lights are still up on 5th Ave in Seattle, WA

Photo-a-day 2016.12.27

Greetings from Austin

Greetings from my hometown

Photo-a-day 2016.12.26

Amaebi

Amaebi from Keepers Sushi in Sugar Land, TX

Photo-a-day 2016.12.25

Peking duck

Peking duck for Christmas Day dinner, from Jade Garden in Sugar Land, TX

Photo-a-day 2016.12.24

Retail decorations

As seen inside the Galleria mall in Houston, TX. Very festive, many other neat holiday lights throughout the mall

Photo-a-day 2016.12.23

Seafood roll sampler

Seafood roll sampler from Garbo's in Austin, TX

From left to right - crab roll, lobster roll, shrimp roll. Crab could have used a bit more flavor, but both the lobster and shrimp were really tasty and the bread was done really well.

Photo-a-day 2016.12.22

Morning red glow

Photo-a-day 2016.12.21

Crab deviled eggs

Crab deviled eggs during Crabby Hour at Etta's Restaurant

I rather liked this. Much crab, very soft, wow.

Photo-a-day 2016.12.20

Strung lights

Wandering the neighborhood and playing a bit with camera

Photo-a-day 2016.12.19

New specs

After almost 7 years free from corrective lenses thanks to LASIK, it was time to get computer glasses. As much as I wasn't crazy about wearing glasses again, the light filtering really DOES help with computer monitors...

Photo-a-day 2016.12.18

Code Names

Playing the game Code Names

Photo-a-day 2016.12.17

Candy Cane Lane

Candy Cane Lane - small street in a neighborhood of Seattle, WA that puts up decorations and this giant centerpiece annually. This is my first time visiting. I think their participation has gone down from when they first made themselves famous...

Photo-a-day 2016.12.16

Piggy balloon

Gift received for my birthday. Awesome balloon

Photo-a-day 2016.12.15

Urban lights

Photo-a-day 2016.12.14

Unnecessarily long receipt

This receipt was literally longer than my arm, and it was for 7 grocery items. Seriously???

Photo-a-day 2016.12.13

Clow key ornament

From SmallRiniLady

For those who do not know, the clow key is from Cardcaptor Sakura, a manga/anime from CLAMP that ended around the year 2000. Apparently they are creating a sequel manga as well as a new anime in the works. ほえー！

Photo-a-day 2016.12.12

Plant sticker

Acquired from some booth at the Austin Renegade Craft Fair, unfortunately I do not remember from which vendor...

Photo-a-day 2016.12.11

Paper crafts

Paper crafts art by SmallRiniLady at the GeekCraft Expo

Photo-a-day 2016.12.10

Candy display case

Candy display case at Lolli and Pops

Photo-a-day 2016.12.09

Holiday party pic

Photo-a-day 2016.12.08

Makeshift snow protector

Photo-a-day 2016.12.07

Holiday cookies

Photo-a-day 2016.12.06

Building the corner

The entire office has been watching this building go up, and we have collectively wondered why they hadn't built the corner yet, then we collectively gasped as we saw them actually working to finish the corner... after 3 months or so...

Photo-a-day 2016.12.05

Room rearranged

Everything but the computer desk and kitchen table moved around. It feels narrow again, yet somehow spacious. We'll see in the next few weeks how I feel about it.

Photo-a-day 2016.12.04

Le Pichet

Grande Assiette dish of the charcuterie in Le Pichet, Seattle, WA

Big plate o' meat variety. I enjoyed the variety for sure. Can't name exactly what all of these are - there were two salamis, two terrines (one chicken one pork), beef tongue, two sausages, and ham aka prosciutto aka jambon

Photo-a-day 2016.12.03

New toys

Black Friday plus cyber Monday equals new toys. 

If it's not clear, that's the Sony a6000 mirrorless camera with two lenses, Final Fantasy XV for PS4, and 3 new beads for my fancy charms bracelet (two from Ohm and one from the Austin airport).

Not pictured from my buying spree: two orders of camera accessories, a NAS HD, portable charger, cable modem, body lotion, and miscellaneous clothing I bought over the weekend in store... yea, my bank account was a little injured

Photo-a-day 2016.12.02

Tendon bao

Tendon bao from Lionhead in Seattle, WA

Photo-a-day 2016.12.01

Carved out ship

Carved out ship on display at the MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry) in Seattle, WA

Photo-a-day 2016.11.30

Tonkotsu shoyu ramen

Tonkotsu shoyu ramen from Hokkaido Ramen Santouka in Bellevue, WA

One of the best places in town for ramen. Great flavors all around, good broth, good chew in the noodles, flavorful and tender meat. 

My only gripe would be that the fish cake's flavor got lost in the broth and felt unnecessary in the bowl, and generally I love fish cakes

Photo-a-day 2019.11.29

Extra moist brisket

Extra moist brisket from Rudy's BBQ

While it's a chain restaurant, I always find myself coming back because they're fast and relatively consistent with their food preparation. No crazy 3hr lines like some other famous BBQ places in town, and their extra moist brisket is tender and flavorful. Yum

Photo-a-day 2016.11.28

Shrimp cocktail

Shrimp cocktail from North by Northwest

Of the three dishes we had, this picture came out best. The other dishes we had were grilled ribeye (tender tender meat) and grilled duck breast (that came with really awesome roasted and charred brussel sprouts)

Photo-a-day 2016.11.27

Blue Genie Art Bazaar

Wandering in the Blue Genie Art Bazaar in Austin, TX

I had no idea this existed in all my time living in and visiting Austin. Pretty neat if you're looking for unique gifts and crafts

Photo-a-day 2016.11.26

Z'Tejas trio appetizer

The trio appetizer from Z'Tejas in Austin, TX

Salsa picante, guacamole, and chile con queso. Still one of my favorite appetizers in the area, because chips should never be lonely.

Photo-a-day 2016.11.25

Torchy's Tacos

Damn good tacos from Torchy's Tacos in Austin, TX (Spicewood branch)

Queso and chips, crossroads and democrat tacos, and refried pinto beans. Um, yum.

Photo-a-day 2016.11.24

Snow pea leaves with crab meat

From Ho Ho Chinese BBQ in Austin, TX

Still one of the best dishes they have (used to be the chef for Din Ho BBQ)

Photo-a-day 2016.11.23

Amazon biosphere

Amazon's balls - er, I mean biosphere, still under construction

Photo-a-day 2016.11.22

Sideways plant

It can't figure out which way to grow, sideways or upwards?

Photo-a-day 2016.11.21

Festival of Trees

Seattle Festival of Trees at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel

Photo-a-day 2016.11.20

Kipling gorilla

Photo-a-day 2016.11.19

Church hall

Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra playing at the First Free Methodist Church

Photo-a-day 2016.11.18

Cupcakes display

Photo-a-day 2016.11.17

Playstation 4 Slim

Hello new toy

Photo-a-day 2016.11.16

Birds hanging out

Photo-a-day 2016.11.15

Houseboat recital

Houseboat recital by Arthur Breur

Photo-a-day 2016.11.14

Protest march

Anti-Trump protesters marching into Pike Place Market

Photo-a-day 2016.11.13

Chocolate tasting

Booth at the NW Chocolate Festival, a massive display of chocolate vendors where you discover just how quickly you can get sick of chocolate samples yet still want to try more

Photo-a-day 2016.11.12

Bowling balls

Color coded and sorted. Nicely done.