Saturday, December 12, 2009
Rule Kamchatka, rule the world!
As I was going through my previous photos, I realized that I haven't done a board game photo shoot in a while. Risk, being the only other classic board game I own, became the subject of today. I found two angles I liked, but how I processed the photo became even harder of a decision. Do I go with black and white, sepia, or an aged look? In the end, I decided, but I really liked six different ones. So, you get all six today...
Friday, December 11, 2009
December 11, 2009 - Day 197
Despite Christmas being only a couple of weeks away, Santa already has his mind set on the World Cup, just six months away!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Rock Out You Will
I have two days of pictures to upload tonight. I am behind because last night we got to go see Metallica in concert. This was the fifth time we have seen them and they have never failed to put on a spectacular performance. They put so much energy into the concert and they really make you feel like you are part of the show rather than just being there to listen to them play some music. It really is a special event to see them and they are the subject of my day 194 photo shoot.
As for day 195, today's photo shoot subject came about unexpectedly. A friend of ours brought by a Christmas gift this afternoon. Noticing over the weekend that we were really lacking in a tree topper for our Christmas tree, he brought by this great Yoda. As our ornaments are almost half Star Wars figures from Hallmark, he fits perfectly. I have included both my choice for picture of the day and the alternate. Both of these have their pluses and minuses. The one I end up choosing is my favorite because of how close it is and how the use of shadows over the face came out. However, because I am so close and so high on the tree, I had to do this handheld. Needless to say, it is not as clear as it could have been had I been able to use a tripod. The second picture is cool because you see more of Yoda, but it doesn't quite have the striking shadows that the first has. This WAS done on a tripod and is clearer, but this was as close as I could get. In the end, I like them both.
As for day 195, today's photo shoot subject came about unexpectedly. A friend of ours brought by a Christmas gift this afternoon. Noticing over the weekend that we were really lacking in a tree topper for our Christmas tree, he brought by this great Yoda. As our ornaments are almost half Star Wars figures from Hallmark, he fits perfectly. I have included both my choice for picture of the day and the alternate. Both of these have their pluses and minuses. The one I end up choosing is my favorite because of how close it is and how the use of shadows over the face came out. However, because I am so close and so high on the tree, I had to do this handheld. Needless to say, it is not as clear as it could have been had I been able to use a tripod. The second picture is cool because you see more of Yoda, but it doesn't quite have the striking shadows that the first has. This WAS done on a tripod and is clearer, but this was as close as I could get. In the end, I like them both.
Monday, December 07, 2009
December 7th, 2009 - Day 193
Well, Hell, I mean, Sacramento, has frozen over. Yes, early this morning, we had snow. Snow in the Central Valley of California. Not in the mountains. Not at some ski resort, but here in Sacra-freakin-Mento. We heard it might be coming, and I even considered waking up SUPER early to try and catch the snow falling, but of course, I like sleep too much. But when I woke up this morning, there it was. Snow had fallen over night and it was still on the ground somewhat. Now, when I say snow, it isn't something like you East Coasters or Idaho people or whatever get. It really just looked like an excessive amount of frost on the ground. But it was definitely snow. In fact, on top of our trash can was enough that I could have made a snowball. It was kind of cool. We don't get that here. In fact, although I seem to remember some falling, but not sticking to the ground in my lifetime, one report said it was the first snow here since 1976 - 2 years before I was even born. So, yeah, it was pretty exciting. I am not ready to pack up and move to somewhere where I would have to shovel snow. Hell no. But for a brief time, it was kind of cool to see. The link to the rest of the pictures I took today is below.
SNOW!!!
SNOW!!!
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Thursday, December 03, 2009
December 3, 2009 - Day 189
While out shopping today for envelopes (yup, fun times), I drove past an In n Out restaurant. As I had my camera with me and the sign looked too nice and shiny to not photograph, I decided it would be my picture of the day. As you know, sometimes I have a difficulty deciding on what to use for the picture of the day and today is no exception. The two below are the exact same picture. I ended up going with the picture where the sky is nice and blue. For the second picture, I took the blue sky out so the picture clearly focuses on the focal point of the picture, the actual sign. I like them both, but I felt the blue of the sky was too nice to pass up.
While we are talking about In n Out Burger, I have another story. Remember John Marcotte from yesterday, the guy who proposed a bill to ban divorce in California? Well, as it turns out, he has a blog too and he has a couple articles about In n Out. As some of you may know, In n Out has a secret menu - things they serve that people order, but that aren't on the regular menu. I take advantage of that when I go. The biggest burger on their menu is the double double - two meats and two cheese. But, you can go bigger if you like. So, when I go, I order a three by three or a triple triple if we are to use the same wordings. But they have way more. Check out this post where he describes many of the other secret menu items, complete with pictures!!!
But, back to that putting on as many pieces of meat as you like. I mean, you could go crazy with this, right? Well, someone who writes on his blog took advantage of that......twenty fold. Behold, the 20x20!
I am so tempted to do this just to say I did. But, before my attempt, you have to go over and read the post about this guy's attempt to eat this monstrosity of goodness! It had me cracking up!
Thanks to badmouth.net for the great articles!
While we are talking about In n Out Burger, I have another story. Remember John Marcotte from yesterday, the guy who proposed a bill to ban divorce in California? Well, as it turns out, he has a blog too and he has a couple articles about In n Out. As some of you may know, In n Out has a secret menu - things they serve that people order, but that aren't on the regular menu. I take advantage of that when I go. The biggest burger on their menu is the double double - two meats and two cheese. But, you can go bigger if you like. So, when I go, I order a three by three or a triple triple if we are to use the same wordings. But they have way more. Check out this post where he describes many of the other secret menu items, complete with pictures!!!
But, back to that putting on as many pieces of meat as you like. I mean, you could go crazy with this, right? Well, someone who writes on his blog took advantage of that......twenty fold. Behold, the 20x20!
I am so tempted to do this just to say I did. But, before my attempt, you have to go over and read the post about this guy's attempt to eat this monstrosity of goodness! It had me cracking up!
Thanks to badmouth.net for the great articles!
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
December 2, 2009 - Day 188
So, how exactly am I supposed to play this thing with these claws in the way?!?
Transgressions
Too much going on right now for me to ignore. I know the blog started with me commenting on life, society, etc., but the last 6 months have been largely about my photography. Not right now....
First off, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger. How big of an idiot can this guy be? I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for the accident, mostly because they said alcohol was not involved. Maybe he was just a bad driver, saw a cat, whatever. Now things are starting to leak out with the biggest news/rumor being that he has been involved in extramarital affairs. The injuries could have been because of the domestic dispute that came from these revelations being revealed to his wife.
Ok, seriously, has there EVER been a celebrity who decided to have am affair who did NOT get caught? Don't these always end up coming out? I would think that as a celebrity, the chance of getting blackmailed would be too great to risk. Isn't Tiger worth like a gazilion dollars? Doesn't he think that at one point, the chance for the mistress to gain some money either by blackmail or by selling the story to the press will surface? You WILL get caught.
And let us not forget that he cheated on some former supermodel. Isn't she Norwegian, or Dutch, or Viking or something like that. Really, Tiger? I am not saying you should only stay loyal to your wife if she is hot, but this just screams idiotic. Guys, before you cheat, no, before you even THINK of cheating....no, just don't cheat. It will make it a whole lot easier. It will be interesting to see the fallout of all this from Tiger's image perspective if it all comes out to be true.
In other marriage news, I ran across a very interesting article in the paper today. Let's go back a little bit. If you remember, and if you live in California, I KNOW you have to remember this, California voted against gay marriage last year. The main argument against it was that by banning gay marriage, we would be protecting the sanctity of marriage. In the end, the "sanctity of marriage" won out. Now, a local man is attempting to hold those people who want to protect marriage to their word. Gay rights activist John Marcotte has started an initiative to ban divorce in California. The reason? If we really want to protect marriage, then divorce should be outlawed as well. If we want to protect all marriages, then we should make it so no divorces are allowed. Sure, for the most part, this is mostly a publicity stunt, but I love it. I would love if this got put on the ballot. I would love to see all the hypocritical people who want to "protect" marriage have to be forced to decide on whether they vote yes on this or go against what they originally fought for last year. Let's see just how much much these people want to protect marriage. You can't say you want to protect marriages by disallowing some people to marriage and then turn around and be involved in a divorce.
We'll have to see how both of these turn out...
First off, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger. How big of an idiot can this guy be? I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for the accident, mostly because they said alcohol was not involved. Maybe he was just a bad driver, saw a cat, whatever. Now things are starting to leak out with the biggest news/rumor being that he has been involved in extramarital affairs. The injuries could have been because of the domestic dispute that came from these revelations being revealed to his wife.
Ok, seriously, has there EVER been a celebrity who decided to have am affair who did NOT get caught? Don't these always end up coming out? I would think that as a celebrity, the chance of getting blackmailed would be too great to risk. Isn't Tiger worth like a gazilion dollars? Doesn't he think that at one point, the chance for the mistress to gain some money either by blackmail or by selling the story to the press will surface? You WILL get caught.
And let us not forget that he cheated on some former supermodel. Isn't she Norwegian, or Dutch, or Viking or something like that. Really, Tiger? I am not saying you should only stay loyal to your wife if she is hot, but this just screams idiotic. Guys, before you cheat, no, before you even THINK of cheating....no, just don't cheat. It will make it a whole lot easier. It will be interesting to see the fallout of all this from Tiger's image perspective if it all comes out to be true.
In other marriage news, I ran across a very interesting article in the paper today. Let's go back a little bit. If you remember, and if you live in California, I KNOW you have to remember this, California voted against gay marriage last year. The main argument against it was that by banning gay marriage, we would be protecting the sanctity of marriage. In the end, the "sanctity of marriage" won out. Now, a local man is attempting to hold those people who want to protect marriage to their word. Gay rights activist John Marcotte has started an initiative to ban divorce in California. The reason? If we really want to protect marriage, then divorce should be outlawed as well. If we want to protect all marriages, then we should make it so no divorces are allowed. Sure, for the most part, this is mostly a publicity stunt, but I love it. I would love if this got put on the ballot. I would love to see all the hypocritical people who want to "protect" marriage have to be forced to decide on whether they vote yes on this or go against what they originally fought for last year. Let's see just how much much these people want to protect marriage. You can't say you want to protect marriages by disallowing some people to marriage and then turn around and be involved in a divorce.
We'll have to see how both of these turn out...
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
November 30, 2009 - Day 186
Day 186 - November 30, 2009
Orko enjoying the outdoors and his new haircut! There are a couple of spots on the picture because right before this was taken, he decided to kiss the camera.
Orko enjoying the outdoors and his new haircut! There are a couple of spots on the picture because right before this was taken, he decided to kiss the camera.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
November 29, 2009 - Day 185
Well, with Thanksgiving behind us, we can officially call it the holiday season, or more specifically, the Christmas season. So, Happy Holidays everyone!
Halfway there!
I have officially reached the halfway point in my year in pictures project. Boy, am I having a fun time too! The best part is I have yet to get even remotely bored with taking pictures. There are times I get frustrated because I can't find anything that interesting to take a picture of, but it is what it is. I just have to realize that it isn't always possible to take a world class picture or for that matter, have a world class subject matter to take a picture of every single day. But hey, even some of these, "I don't know what to take a picture of" days end up pretty good.
With that being said, here are the last two days. The first picture is our gas fireplace. This is the first time we have turned it on this this season, and I felt I needed to mark the occasion.
The second picture is from yesterday. A group of us went to play some disc golf at one of the local courses. The winds yesterday were crazy and that made it quite interesting at times, but you have to just adjust. The picture of the day is of my friend Nate as he prepares to throw his disc. I took a handful of pictures so the link to the set is below. You can check us out in a tepee!
Disc Golf Set
With that being said, here are the last two days. The first picture is our gas fireplace. This is the first time we have turned it on this this season, and I felt I needed to mark the occasion.
The second picture is from yesterday. A group of us went to play some disc golf at one of the local courses. The winds yesterday were crazy and that made it quite interesting at times, but you have to just adjust. The picture of the day is of my friend Nate as he prepares to throw his disc. I took a handful of pictures so the link to the set is below. You can check us out in a tepee!
Disc Golf Set
Friday, November 27, 2009
November 26, 2009 - Day 182
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving yesterday. Jess had to work (Time and a half!!!) so I spent the large majority of the day at my parents' house. I didn't get a chance to upload a pic because once we got home at 9pm or so, we went straight to bed. We were up at 230 this morning to brave the Black Friday crowds. Got what we wanted, so I consider it a successful day.
Anyways, I had a hard time deciding on which picture I liked from yesterday as picture of the day so you get the original and the alternate. Even though they are both of the same dog, Logan, they are completely different pictures. So, like always, you get the chosen pictures first, and then the alternate.
Anyways, I had a hard time deciding on which picture I liked from yesterday as picture of the day so you get the original and the alternate. Even though they are both of the same dog, Logan, they are completely different pictures. So, like always, you get the chosen pictures first, and then the alternate.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
November 24, 2009 - Day 180
Master of Puppets
I'm Pulling Your Strings
Twisting Your Mind and Smashing Your Dreams\
Trust me, this looks WAY better if you click on it and see it big. This thumbnail does it ZERO justice!
I'm Pulling Your Strings
Twisting Your Mind and Smashing Your Dreams\
Trust me, this looks WAY better if you click on it and see it big. This thumbnail does it ZERO justice!
Monday, November 23, 2009
November 23, 2009 - Day 179
Curtain Call
So, as I am almost halfway through my year in photos, I am starting to get ideas of what to do with all these pictures. So far, I have been printing out a 4x6 of every picture at Walmart and putting them all in an album so that I have a way to preserve a memory of this photographic journey. Already, this experience has brought out things I never imagined possible. The comments and praise of some of my photos has been overwhelming. On Flickr, people have liked some of my photos enough to ask that I include them in their set of photos for all to see. I have even had two pictures purchased in poster size, framed, and hung on someone's wall. That is the ultimate compliment - someone liking your photographs enough to want them to be actual "art" on their wall. And really, any picture is available for anyone who wants one.
With all that being said, a friend of mine just brought to my attention a way to really preserve this year long experience while showcasing the photos in the best possible way. He asked, why not make them into a book? He gave me a link and I was floored. I figured I could always make them into a book, but not a quality book at a pretty decent price. Blurb makes all kinds of books including what I want, a photo book. It even has the tools to create the book to how you want it and then upload it. Hell, I can even order multiple copies and even promote it to try to sell it. Now, I don't think I am going to go that far, but I am pretty sure I will be making a book for myself. How cool to have a coffee table book of my own work?!?! Now I am getting REALLY excited!
So, as I am almost halfway through my year in photos, I am starting to get ideas of what to do with all these pictures. So far, I have been printing out a 4x6 of every picture at Walmart and putting them all in an album so that I have a way to preserve a memory of this photographic journey. Already, this experience has brought out things I never imagined possible. The comments and praise of some of my photos has been overwhelming. On Flickr, people have liked some of my photos enough to ask that I include them in their set of photos for all to see. I have even had two pictures purchased in poster size, framed, and hung on someone's wall. That is the ultimate compliment - someone liking your photographs enough to want them to be actual "art" on their wall. And really, any picture is available for anyone who wants one.
With all that being said, a friend of mine just brought to my attention a way to really preserve this year long experience while showcasing the photos in the best possible way. He asked, why not make them into a book? He gave me a link and I was floored. I figured I could always make them into a book, but not a quality book at a pretty decent price. Blurb makes all kinds of books including what I want, a photo book. It even has the tools to create the book to how you want it and then upload it. Hell, I can even order multiple copies and even promote it to try to sell it. Now, I don't think I am going to go that far, but I am pretty sure I will be making a book for myself. How cool to have a coffee table book of my own work?!?! Now I am getting REALLY excited!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
November 22, 2009 - Day 178
Exercise your brain
I am also trying out a site I have been meaning to try for a while for a different view of the picture. You can click on the pic like usual to see bigger or click the link below for a different, maybe even more stunning, view of the picture. Let me know what you think.
View On Black
I am also trying out a site I have been meaning to try for a while for a different view of the picture. You can click on the pic like usual to see bigger or click the link below for a different, maybe even more stunning, view of the picture. Let me know what you think.
View On Black
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