The Present - Day 150 #CY365

The magic button for opening the doors on Norfolk Virginia's light rail system "The Tide". You've got to be in the present and ready to press when it turns green or you'll find your self on the way to the next stop. iPhone 5s.

Fork & Knife

Fork & Knife, Knife & Fork - the universal symbol for food? These hang over the entrance to the snack bar at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Canon G15, 1/200 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400.

Mr. Submarine

Zero's Subs was founded in 1967 as the original sub sandwich shop in Hampton Roads Virginia. They are still "Hot and on a Roll!" Canon G11, 1/10 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

No Horseplay

I was always intrigued when Hampton Roads Transit, a.k.a HRT, decided to ban "Horseplay" from The Tide light rail platforms. I was never sure why they choose the word horseplay. I would have preferred any of the following more creative synonyms: buffoonery, capers, hijinks, rough-housing, rowdiness, shenanigans, or my all time favorite - tomfoolery.

iPhone 5, 1/390 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 50, Camera+ App

Make Me An Offer

- Say it isn't so, the Maryland Republican Party is for sale or lease. I bet you thought they sold-out years ago didn't you? Canon G1X, 1/250 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400.

The Big House

- Actor Hugh Laurie plays the bigger than life character Dr. Gregory House on the hit TV series House. In Times Square where everything is big and bright, House is really bigger than life. This billboard is at the NE corner of 46th Street and 7th Avenue. Canon G11.

Fat Tire

- The Fat Tire neon sign at Mellow Mushroom Pizza in downtown Raleigh North Carolina. Canon G1X, 1/160 sec @ f/5.8, ISO 400.

Panties in a Twist???

- The NORVA in Norfolk Virginia presents Hampton Roads fist ever all women's sketch comedy review, Panties in a Twist. I must admit, the marquee caught my eye today. Canon G11, 1/80 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Somewhere

- On Super Bowl Sunday it's 5:00 everywhere. Canon G11, 1/25 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Down to the Last "s"

- The sign on the old location of Harry's BBQ on Norfolk Virginia's Granby Street. is down to just one "s". They moved around the corner on Tazewell Street in 2007 but their old sign has remained lit for almost 5 years. iPhone 4, 1/120 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 125, Camera+ app.

Twilight Signage

- There are always amazing colors at twilight. This is why photographers call this the golden hour. This is actually civil twilight, that time after the sun has completely set but the sky still has a little illumination. The signs are lit by the street light and car headlights. Canon G11, 1/20 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 800.

No Behaving Badly

- The trademark "No Bad Behavior" sign from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. This campaign started way back in 1999 and the signs have been a fixture along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront ever since. Many people believe they refer to a city no cursing law but that's not true. They simply call attention to a voluntary code of ethics for behavior along the popular resort. Some love it, some hate it - but its definitely not a sign you see in other places. Canon G11, 1/320 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

Dixieland

- Yep - "The South Starts Here." This sign is at the Dixieland Exxon on US Highway 13 in New Church Virginia just south of the Virginia-Maryland state line on the Eastern Shore. Gas station, convenience store, and souvenir shop of all things tacky. Who knew you could put the Southern Cross on so many things made in Asia and people would actually buy them. As Jeff Foxworthy may say "You might be a REDNECK if any part of your wardrobe came from the Dixieland Exxon." Canon G11, 1/400 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200.

The Obvious

- You wouldn't think the plainly obvious would have to be said over and over again. But such is the case with safety messages. Canon 7D, 1/200 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 400.

Redundant

This seems to be just a wee bit redundant to me. Canon G11, 1/13 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 800.

Wide Open

- The 17th Street surf shop in Virginia Beach isn't just open its WIDE OPEN. iPhone 4 using Camera+ 2.3.1.

Honor System

- Took a drive out to the country - the southern part of Virginia Beach, Virginia, today and stopped at Vaughan Farms Produce stand. The stand was attended today but some days its still just the "honor system". Robert Vaughan was granted 243 acres of land in 1695 in what was then Princess Anne County. Now, over 315 years later, the Vaughans' still operate one of the oldest, continuously owned family farms in the country.

Mixed Messages

Mixed messages on the doorway of this flower shop in Virginia Beach Virginia. Open - closed, Roses 12.99/doz - no soliciting. Droid X camera phone, 1/520 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400, no flash.

The "new" Luna Maya

- Had dinner tonight at the new Luna Maya on Colley Avenue in the Ghent section of Norfolk, Virginia. The new space is five times larger than the old location and it was still packed with a 30 minute wait at 8:00 PM. The Bolivian inspired food was great as always and the vibe was amazing. This is Norfolk's new "in place" to be. Canon G11, 1/10 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 800.

Alivia's

- Alivia's Durham Bistro on West Main Street in the Brightleaf District of Durham NC. The stainless steel in the sign was nicely lit by the late day sun. I like the saturated colors of the sky and the building. Canon G11, 1/200 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 200.