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Thursday, January 1, 2009

Theme day: 'Best photo of 2008'

Every month, the City Daily Photo bloggers get together (virtually!) and post a photo on one common theme. This month, it's Our best photo of 2008. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

It's open to interpretation, which is a good thing. I had no idea how to approach the theme. My camera (Nikon Coolpix 950) is particularly good with macros, and I discovered I'd taken quite a few that I posted as well as many more I didn't.

After looking through the year's photos, I decided to post one that seems to sum up best for me personally. My oldest is a sailor in the US Navy, and I was privileged to ride on his vessel. It was the ride of a lifetime! I didn't post any photos before because I feel a bit funny posting photos of a Navy ship like this. I've been assured I'm not putting the nation at risk, but I still have that Loose Lips Sink Ships fear in the back of my mind.

I'm rambling. The voyage was the dream of a lifetime - the closest I'll ever get to being an astronaut. The sailors - officers and enlisted men - were the ne plus ultra of consideration and professionalism. Even now, it brings tears to my eyes to remember how kind they were to someone who only took up room.

This photo is from the bridge, and I was thrilled to be up there. The photograph isn't much to look at for anyone else, but it rates as the best for me in 2008. Thanks to every man for going to sea in the service of his country. And thank you to Eric at Paris Daily Photo whose wonderful blog got me started. And thanks to Babooshka over at Ramsey Daily Photo for her encouragement and examples.

I can't wait to find out how everyone else interpreted the theme!

27 comments:

  1. That's awesome! Both your experience and your photo. My first thought was that it looked like you were riding on the back of a sea serpent! Alright, a whale, for those who don't share my love of sci-fi and fantasy ;)

    Happy theme day! Wishing you all the best for 2009.

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  2. What an amazing opportunity and a great kid to get you that ride -- and to serve our country. Thanks for the photo, and the compliments on my photo.

    Happy new Year!
    - Mitch

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  3. What an experience and I love the way the ship/submarine is moving through the water.

    Happy New Year!

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  4. I think this is a great picture. A chance in a lifetime ride, that we all would enjoy. Happy New Year.

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  5. Fascinating - both the story and the photograph. Sounds like you had a great ride. Great colours in the photo and that wonderful feeling of movement, Happy New Year to you, Buck.

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  6. What a thrill. I am sure it was the experience of a lifetime as well.

    I think many of us can thank Eric ( or as I like to call him...le Roi de CDPB!) for his Paris blog getting us all hooked. Thanks for stopping by my blog/blogs.
    Happy New Year to you and your family.
    V

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  7. I looked at the enlargement and it must have been a wonder to ride that wave! It must have been a huge thrill. It's a great choice, Buck.

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  8. I lost my theme day photo, actually.. I'm not excited, I think.. no good photo to post for theme day.

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  9. Great shot, and great story to go with it! I've always been a bit frightened by submarines, I think because views like this feel like we are getting sucked under by something very, very large! But then I get over it, and am simply awestruck by our ability to construct and operate such things. Perfect for the theme!

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  10. Great photo! This is a point of view not many people get to see. Happy New Year!

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  11. That's a great shot, and a great souvenir to boot.

    I hope you have a fantastic 2009!

    Sunshine Coast Daily - Australia

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  12. Your narrative beautifully conveys the excitement you felt. When I enlarged the photo I was intrigued by the circular swirl of the water by the ship. I'm pleased that you posted a photo that has deep meaning to you. Good job!

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  13. Very thoughtful pic....
    Happy New Year to you and your family !!

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  14. Buck, I'm glad you interpreted the theme the way you did - that's a great story!

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  15. This a great story and one to remember! Thanks for dropping by and your kind comment! Cheers for a very happy new year!

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  16. Cool picture, Buck! What a great photo to choose for this month's theme day!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday! Happy New Year to you and yours.

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  17. This is amazing! What a perfect choice.

    Here's wishing you a beautiful new year filled with peace, happiness, love and prosperity. Happy 2009!

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  18. Great shot Buck and I enjoyed the story as well! My dad was in the Navy and I remember going out on his ship, The Kitty Hawk, every Christmas! Great memories :)

    Happy New Year!

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  19. Great shot! I've been on a few docked Navy ships on tours open to the public but never like this. Must have been a great experience.

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  20. Very few people will experience that! You're very lucky. This makes it then your best photo indeed.

    Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo. Happy 2009!


    joy
    A Pinay In England
    Your Love Coach
    I, Woman

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  21. It must have been an exhilarating moment for you. Happy 2009!

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  22. I bet that was a great ride! My grandson did a tiger tour with my oldest and it convinced him he needed to look at another career...he couldn't believe how tight and cramped the ship was. Nice photo!

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  23. No secrets will pass by me as I have no idea what I'm looking at. But your enthusiasm breaks through making it even more intriguing. I have toured the sub seen in the movie "Red October" and my son's 5th grade class even spent the night on it. btw, you may be interested in a website I made for a coworker about his quest for finding out what happened to an uncle missing in WWII. The url is heintzelman.info

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  24. I can't believe all the wonderful and thoughtful responses this post garnered! I'm very appreciative to those who related their time aboard ship. And Hilda, you made me look twice at that photo, and I have to say that I completely agree with you - it does look like a sea serpent!

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