Today it was announced that I am moving into my support position starting next week. So what better way to finish up field service than with my final week of on call being colder than I can remember. Last night it was -14 F with a wind chill I would rather not talk about. I was out past 10pm. 9 service calls, all but one on stand alone ATMs. I had to keep counting my appendages. So far, still have 20 1/2... Repeat with me: just 5 days, just 5 days, just 5...

Black and white brings out the textures in this shot better than color, given the conditions when I took this shot...

I always try to come into the new year looking forward to what it may bring.
This year, I will be starting a new chapter at work. I will finally be moving out of the field and into a support role. Last year was a tough one for me. My body has convinced me that my time as a field tech is drawing to a close. My mind thinks I can keep up with it, my body has overruled that thought. Several nagging injuries from the year's activities have finally convinced me that it's time. The job comes with a substantial raise, although the raise does not quite make up for the loss of overtime. It's going to make things a bit tougher financially, but the opportunities will be better. This also allows me to work from home a fair amount of the time. Field service is more of a younger person's job. Other incidents in the field of ATM service have also played into my decision. My sense of self-preservation is kicking in...

I rarely get a chance to capture a decent sunset, especially when I have a camera in hand. I got this shot on a previous visit to my current obsession location when I turned around to walk away from the building. I adjusted the color levels and equalized the image and this is what I got. I really like the gradient of color in the sky.

A couple more shots. This one is between the 2 lines of silos. I thought the imposing view was interesting. The original was a bit dark, but I was able to lighten it up enough to bring some detail out.



This one has an interesting catwalk between the building and silo.

Decided to take a field trip and get some photos of the Cargil plant that I posted some Iphone pics of earlier this year. This time, I took my Canon Rebel. It was a bit too misty, gloomy and windy to get the results I wanted, but I did get some decent shots. I really like this view, even as hazy as it is. I am including the original shot as taken and one with the color removed. I thought the pic with the color removed looked like an old photograph. I have several more shots to go over... Will share if anyone is interested.

How about some classic Frank Zappa to lead us into the last few days of 2013? From his Apostrophe album...

Ah, this demonstrates the depth of my humor and depravity... Good ole' classic humor from The Firesign Theater...

Witty title aside, this is a great tune from the Dregs. Great acoustic guitar, piano violin and bass. Beautiful playing all around.

Lest everyone thinks I am going into Christmas all mushy... Ho, ho, HA!