Andrew's Blog

I recently scanned some old negatives that I did not have prints for, and found a few treasures.
This is my image of comet (1996 B2) Hyakutaki, from March 25th 1996. The comet came within 10 million miles of Earth (only 1/10th the distance from the sun,) and the blue ion tail is clearly visible, stretching out a full 50 degrees of sky through Ursa Major (big dipper).
We were out in the Livermore hills, and was it cold enough to frost up the scope. The sky was utterly transparent.
As dawn crept up, we packed up and started back down the mountains towards town and breakfast, but pulled over when we saw the view of the comet against the hills.
I had forgotten my tripod and cable release, and so propped the camera up on the hood of my truck, and with an open iris used the lens cap as a shutter with a “20 elephants” count.
I will never forget this moment.

“As though artist God in daub and doubt
had sketched a star, and then thumbed it out.”
(Norman Nicholson)

Thanks to everyone who came by the loft to celebrate Ursula’s fourth birthday.
Much cake, many kids, much juice, many chips, many toys, many baloons, more cake….You get the picture.

Now we have a whole year to clean up!

Gotta put this shot in with the mix, of the Barbster and “the honourable Willie Brown” taken the recent birthday of Barbara’s beloved boss Arnie Laub (Lawyer,lover,bon vivant).
Arnie has the very best parties in the city, and other attendies included current mayor Gavin Newsome, assorted city supervisors, a couple of Alioto’s, a movie star or two, a Malaysian princess …and us.
There must be some mistake.

Only days away from the election and here is a shot of the lovely Barbster and our future President (oh God let it be!)at his birthday party at the SF Ritz… are we swanky or what?
Not a bad lad for an Irishman.
Good luck John.