Spring, Spanish and Soccer via SLR

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

I'm not sure winter ever happened in Knoxville this year, but it appears spring is here. There are many things to love about springtime anywhere, but in Knoxville we have our own set of cool to enjoy: Rhythm and Blooms, Dogwood Arts Festival, new sculptures appearing in the city and the vibrant blooms of Redbuds, dogwoods and tulips.

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

One of the sounds I enjoy whenever I hear it is the sound of other languages being spoken on the streets of downtown Knoxville it makes us seem just a little more cosmopolitan. Most commonly that language is Spanish, but I've heard a variety of other languages, including German, French and Japanese.

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

Even though the guys who work in Soccer Taco are often found in front of the restaurant with their soccer ball, it's in the spring that I slow down enough to enjoy the easy rhythms of the ball bouncing off their feet, the Spanish words flying through the air along with the ball and the especially the laughter. They seem to feel pure joy as they kick the ball about. The day I took these shots one of them fell as he attempted a fancy kick. I was afraid his friends would hurt themselves as they all fell to the ground laughing uncontrollably.

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

I'm trying a few different moves with the camera and hope to work on it more in the near future. These shots were taken using the "sports" setting which is meant to capture action. I can actually shoot high definition video with the camera, but this is more fun.

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

These Eyes Have Seen Alot . . .

I generally try to pass on some of what I notice on First Friday and this month I bypassed that and went directly into the heavy series of posts about panhandling, so I've decided to loop back and catch a few interesting moments from that chilly evening. The temperatures must have kept people away because after two of the largest consecutive First Fridays the previous two months, this one was pretty sparse as those things go.

Friendly Bird Outside Soccer Taco, Knoxville, November 2010

One of the charms of downtown Knoxville is that while we are big enough to display the hustle and bustle of  a city, we are also small enough to slow down and be human. Or maybe it doesn't matter where you are, people sometimes stop long enough to notice the little things. The small bird and the two attending it are pictured in the entrance to Soccer Taco. I think it was eating food that they placed on the sidewalk.

Beer-hats for sale at Fizz, Market Square, Knoxville

In August I blogged about the Indie Grrls festival that settled into Knoxville for a few days. One of the photographs in that blog showed a woman wearing a slip on the outside of her clothes, talking to a local man who was wearing a beer box on his head. I've seen him since  and he continues to wear a beer box on his head. Now I have evidence that a behavior which seems extreme in July can become mainstream by November. That's right: You may also now proudly wear your favorite beer on your head. The beer box hats are available in several brands for purchase at Fizz. Now if I start seeing multiple people wearing beer box hats I'm going to know I live with a bunch of crazy people.

John Black (center with shiny head) hosts Open House

Finally, that night offered open house at John Black Studios in the Daylight Building. Steady crowds worked through the new business looking at the beautiful photographs while enjoying cupcakes from Magpies. You really should drop by and look at the photographs and talk to Amanda and John about getting a few photos of your own. Also opening to meet the public, if not to open the store, Kristen Faerber greeted well-wishers next door at Just Ripe, which hopefully will open in the next few weeks.