Saturday, December 31, 2011

The Sun Sets On 2011

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Downtown sunset 2011-12-30 2

We close the office early on Christmas and New Years Eves. Since the holidays are on Sunday this year, we let everyone run for the exits early on Friday. By 4:45 yesterday afternoon I had long been the last rat on the ship but I was rewarded when I looked up from my desk and saw this.
There was a heavy lid of clouds over the area but it had a sharp edge, leaving just a degree or two of clear sky above the horizon. As the sun was just about to set, it looked like a cosmic-sized red stage light had been trained on downtown. My camera was in my briefcase so I started shooting madly from my office windows.

Thus ends 2011. I'm not sad to see it go. Although we had some good times - Carolyn and I visited Costa Rica and France - it was a very difficult year for our law firm, for a complex combination of reasons but mostly evil federal bureaucrats. A family member faced some serious personal challenges. I've never worked more hours. But Carolyn and I are healthy and still actually like each other after 38 years, I work with the finest group of people you could imagine, and my right index finger and camera shutter still work together in happy harmony. Thanks to all of you who have left comments and encouragements on STL DPB this year and given such interesting images to all of us. This blog will soon reach its fifth anniversary. You keep me going.

Tomorrow is picture of the year day. I'm posting a pair that go together. Not everyone will like them but I really do. (Some may remember that my original nom de blog was Strangetastes.) This evening our town has First Night, a spectacular assortment of in- and outdoor entertainment and I always get some great shots. It's freakishly warm today (forecast high of 63 F / 17 C) so the place should be hopping. Those pictures will start with Tuesday's post.

Downtown sunset 2011-12-30 1

Downtown sunset 2011-12-30 3

Downtown sunset 2011-12-30 4

14 comments:

Nathalie said...

Gosh Bob, what a spectacular way to end the year. You sure are treating us to fireworks of your own! Once again I'll have to thank you for staying late in the office.

It is nice to finish on another great view of the arch too :)

It's been a pleasure meeting you and Carolyn in 2011 and wish you both and family a happy healthy and easier year 2012.

Until we meet again!

cieldequimper said...

Thank you for the most wonderful post! And beautiful photos.

Happy New Year's Eve to you both and your families!

(Re. Hédiard: with their free shipping they are probably just about legal. EU consumer laws...)

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Happy New Year to you and your family. I am glad you will be able to make another trip to Costa Rica..

I am afraid that we were not as kind for the people who work in our office. My secretary left the office on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Julie and I returned to the office about 11 p.m. after going to a concert and an associate who works for us was still there working. I hope they have a nice holiday weekend, although in this economy it is good to be busy at work.

s.c said...

Real great sunset pictures to end the year. Especially the first one with the arch. Hope you let them coming in 2012 as you did in 2011. Have a very good 2012.

brattcat said...

these are just draw-droppingly gorgeous, bob. i, too, will be glad to see 2011 come to an end. but along with the difficult times have come such pleasures...your wonderful photography and droll comments rank right up there.

Birdman said...

Fitting images to 'kiss' 2011 Bye, BYE!

patty said...

Happy New Year, downtown looks so pretty.

Speedway said...

Farewell to 2011 with a spectacular sunset. Your pictures are beautiful and inspiring.

I hope the evil feds wither and die in their own bile.

I think I'll try to be up early to see if 2012 brings a nice sunrise. We need to get the year off to a great start.

William Kendall said...

Gorgeous shots, Bob!

Happy New Year!

Sally said...

Hi Bob. Great pictures to end 2011! We're hoping for rain on the Left Coast - its way too dry. But I am happy to hear that your weather will be cooperative for this celebratory weekend. I wish you and your family all the best for 2012. Thanks for the photos... they are my morning "pick me ups" & make me proud to be from a great city! We'll be making our way back in the 2012 summer for some family, frozen custard, and baseball. Cheers!

Wayne said...

All the best in 2012 Bob.

Kristy said...

Spectacular...bravo!

Kalyan said...

Just beautiful...

Warm wishes for a happy & fun-filled New Year...
Seasons Greetings!

Julie said...

I am happy to see the end of 2011, too, Bob. However, I have been around long enough to know that each year is full of challenges, we just are not able to see them just yet.

Let' hope for health, for joy and for laughter to begin with ...