Weekly Photo Challenge: Perspective

20140309-2swee3-P1019402A challenging test of perspective: post a photo which is not what it seems to be. I am offering a view of a window frame. Windows often provide our view of the world. The frame holds the window tightly (we hope) in place. Language may be loose at times. Hence, an ad that suggests you need to replace your windows to keep out those cold drafts of air, well, the windows often work quite well. It’s often the frame that needs to be replaced. Even further, this entry in the challenge is also about chiaroscuro. The importance of light and dark in an image and the strength it adds to a photograph.

The second image provides perspective. The window frame is in an abandoned Nike Missile Control Tower atop Sweeney Ridge between San Bruno and Pacifica, California. It’s about 900 feet above sea level with a view of both the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay. The Nike site was abandoned years ago and the concrete structure an20140309-2swee3-P1019402_4-d steel components now decay in the fog and also provide a canvas for juveniles. The bottom part of the image gives a little geography lesson. The V notch in the hills seen from behind the tower is the San Andreas Fault. In this area, Sweeney Ridge is really the westerly side of the fault. The easterly side will someday be beachfront property but, unfortunately, not for many thousands of years. Unfortunately, because I live right along the easterly side of the fault, so my hopes of someday owning beachfront property will not be realized.

Posted in Images | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wanting to Improve

20140305-2ggb-ship_DSC9954vEmployment trends in the San Francisco Bay Area want to improve. The labor force has stabilized over the past 12 months and employment has steadily grown (with a slowing rate of growth, however). The January 2014 unemployment rate for the Bay Area of 6.2% is considerably better than the statewide figure of 8.1%. The state continues to see mixed job growth with some sectors improving while others decline. By example, within the state, jobs in manufacturing; financial activities; professional and business services; educational and health services; and other services grew while the construction trade; transportation and utilities; information; leisure and hospitality; and government sectors lost jobs. On a percentage basis, Napa County saw the largest growth in labor force and employment followed by the urban counties along the coast with Sonoma and Solano Counties showing the least improvement. Job growth seems to be related most closely with the tech industries. Napa is recovering on a larger percentage basis because it had fallen so far. Overall, the market seems a little mixed, but we all want to see it improve on a consistent basis. (See the SF Bay Area Employment Page above for the latest table.)

Posted in SF Bay Area Employment Trends | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lost In The Fog

20140111-HMB_DSC8935_1920

Montara State Beach, Montara, CA

January home sales in the Bay Area followed the year-end December trend. We seem to be lost in the fog. Prices keep rising with a 26%+ increase on a year-over-year basis but sales volume dropped nearly 15% over the same time. (See the Bay Area price trends page above for the most recent data on housing.)

Yup… few sales, higher priced homes… lies, damn lies and statistics. Just as REO and short sales pushed median prices down deeply during the great recession, we now seem to have higher priced properties pushing the median up to a possibly statistically insignificant level. On top of that, the median price in the Bay Area peaked in July and it is now 7% off that high point and it has declined for the last two months.

Let’s wait for a couple of months before turning off the fog lamps and clicking on the hazard lights. Have you ever driven a motorcycle in fog so thick you can only see a few feet in front of you? No fun!

Posted in SF Bay Area Housing Trends | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Where Have All the Sellers Gone?

20140217-2flo1_DSC9471It’s like blossoms in a drought… you see them, but just a lot fewer than normal. I noticed it a while ago: the corner that is normally full of poppies this time of year is barren except for a few wilted stalks. The trees are showing fewer flowers and the tree pollen is plain old lackluster.

The housing market is showing the same signs. Few listings, well below average sales but prices are still pushing higher in the Bay Area. It’s not to be unexpected with a limited supply. Prices will rise. See the Bay Area housing trends page above for the most recent data on housing.

Posted in SF Bay Area Housing Trends | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weekly Photo Challenge: Treasure

Treasure immediately invokes the image of a weat20140216-2treas1_DSC9590hered wooden chest with cast-iron bracing full of gold and jewels guarded by a leathery pirate with cutlass at the ready. As years pass, the most important treasures are memories of loved ones now departed. A faded photo means more than all the gold and jewels my pockets can hold. Miss you Mom. Love, Joseph

Posted in Images | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Wan Year End

20140204-sf_DSC9316_pano_WP

Storm clouds over Bay Area Employment???

Wan as is pallid and sickly… or so ends the Year 2013 on the employment front. Employment in the Bay Area peaked in September and the labor force reached its zenith in July. The labor force trendline is sloping downward and the employment line spent the last half of the year dithering. Don’t believe the unemployment rate. Not sure what it means anymore. (See the SF Bay Area Employment Page above for the latest table.)

Posted in SF Bay Area Employment Trends | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weekly Photo Challenge: Selfie

My phone/camera hates me. Every time I try to take a selfie it focuses on half my face or my ear and I end up with an out of f20140207self_DSC9397v2ocus blur. (Should I worry that “selfie” shows up as needing correction according to spell check?) My camera does not like taking pictures of me either. That’s why I stand behind the lens. So, nothing creative here. Just me. A photo for the back of the dust jacket of my half finished book. Happy February to you all.

Posted in Images | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Object

I’m drawn to simple images. This week I was challenged to post an image with an object as the focal point. The center of interest, 20131230_2redflow_DSC8750_0however, may be an object or it may be a graphic element. In this photo the main object (for me) is the triangle formed by the three objects that form the still life. For other observers it may be the flower or either of the two glasses or the imaginary line between the flower and the wine glass. It’s all in the eye of the beholder.

Posted in Images | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weekly Photo Challenge: Juxtaposition

A soft breeze carries you to me

Behind the wall you’ve built between us

Your beauty drives me on20130321-2yard_02_DSC3331-1920

Calling to me, whispering my name

Sweetly scented, you need me as I need you

Nature makes us partners in the routine of life

Don’t be alarmed by my buzz

I’ll cherish you always and bee quickly on my way

😉

Posted in Images | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Winter Sunset

20140121-wintersun-IMAG0665

Posted in Images | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment