Agh. I haven't been able to take the kind of photos I want lately. Either I'm busy doing something, or the lighting is off, or (like today) it's way too humid. Oh I took a picture, alright, but it's all hazy. I'm scared I'll ruin my camera pulling shenanegans like that. I really didn't know it would fog up the lens though, because I didn't realize the humidity was so high. Should've known better though, since the thunder was beginning in the west.
So, since I don't have photos to share at the moment, you get to hear me talk about the four books I'm reading! I've plowed through a few more pages of A Clockwork Orange and I'm now on page 8/175. A Clockwork Orange is a slow-go because I'm constantly looking up the Nadsat words in the glossary provided at the back of the edition I'm reading. I'm really thankful that there is a glossary, because otherwise, I wouldn't have a clue what any of the veshches* mean.
I'm on 248/561 on Catch-22, and holding steady on the other two. This means that with 342/788 on Little Dorrit and 22/783 on Ulysses I'm now to 620/2307 total, or just over 25%. I'm 256/736 or just over 33% finished with the books that are due on July 23, and I'm 364/1571 or just under 25% through the books that are due on August 1. I've really enjoyed Catch-22 so far. I'm planning to watch the movie after I finish the book. I mean, come on, Anthony Perkins, Martin Sheen, Bob Newhart, John Voight, Orson Welles, and Art Garfunkel? This has to be good.
*things
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Wedding Bell Blues (Oh wait, adjust that white balance)
Well, today was my cousin's wedding. Kind of hard to believe she's married. I figured she'd be a free-spirit, but I guess she settled down! So now Pierce and I are the only single cousins left. Pierce will probably get married someday. I guess weddings are nice, if you like that sort of thing. I personally think they're too flowery and sentimental.
Speaking of flowery, Mom tried to take some photos of the flowers (and dresses), but the purples came out blue each time...
During some song (in the wedding ceremony), Andre (the bride) and her twin, Renee, looked at each other and burst into tears. Hearing loud sobbing from the front row, I turned to see their mother boo-hooing too. Then, to my right, sat my mother, Marguerite, bawling her eyes out. I couldn't help myself. With all this emotion floating around, I broke into fits of laughter. Unrestrained, irreverent laughter. I laughed right through the prayer. I don't belong at fancy-schmancy gushy mushy emotion-riddled events such as these.
I did my duty. I chatted with the groom's brother (who bears a striking resemblance to Steven Weber), I made people sign the guestbook, I handed out programs, I blew the bubbles at the bride and groom, and I toasted Andre and Scott with a glass of champagne at the reception. But I didn't dance.
This is not to say that I didn't want to dance--I did. But Mom wanted to leave the party at 8:30 just as the party was getting started. See, the dinner took too long. Had it been a cake-and-punch affair, we could have gotten some quality dancing time in. But this was like a three or four course meal (I'd know which it was if I knew the definition of a course) and it was strung out over a long period of time. Of course, I'm an idiot and didn't know which of my three freaking forks to use for what. I probably made a real fool of myself because I'd never had such a fancy meal before. I'm not comfortable with such high-class stuff.
Anyway, they called the wedding party out for a dance, but I wasn't sure if that included me or not. I was billed as a member of the wedding party in the programs, and I was wearing a coursage, which technically associated me with the wedding party, but I hadn't been to the rehearsal and I wasn't really "in" the wedding. So I sat back. I considered dancing with Pierce, since he just looked lost and alone, but being my first cousin (and basically my twin in age), I figured it would be weird for both parties invovled, so I stayed back. I considered shelling out $2 for the dollar dance and dancing with both Andre and Scott, but that's about the time Mom decided we needed to go. It was a real bummer. I think she felt bad about leaving so early, but she didn't know what time it was. It was much darker in the reception hall than it was outside. And she didn't have a watch. I really wish we could have stayed a little longer. I at least wanted to listen to some music, if nothing else.
It was nice to meet Scott's family, and it was cool to see a couple of my former college instructors there, but the icing on the cake was that I didn't catch the bouquet. Like I say, those things aren't for me.
Speaking of flowery, Mom tried to take some photos of the flowers (and dresses), but the purples came out blue each time...
During some song (in the wedding ceremony), Andre (the bride) and her twin, Renee, looked at each other and burst into tears. Hearing loud sobbing from the front row, I turned to see their mother boo-hooing too. Then, to my right, sat my mother, Marguerite, bawling her eyes out. I couldn't help myself. With all this emotion floating around, I broke into fits of laughter. Unrestrained, irreverent laughter. I laughed right through the prayer. I don't belong at fancy-schmancy gushy mushy emotion-riddled events such as these.
I did my duty. I chatted with the groom's brother (who bears a striking resemblance to Steven Weber), I made people sign the guestbook, I handed out programs, I blew the bubbles at the bride and groom, and I toasted Andre and Scott with a glass of champagne at the reception. But I didn't dance.
This is not to say that I didn't want to dance--I did. But Mom wanted to leave the party at 8:30 just as the party was getting started. See, the dinner took too long. Had it been a cake-and-punch affair, we could have gotten some quality dancing time in. But this was like a three or four course meal (I'd know which it was if I knew the definition of a course) and it was strung out over a long period of time. Of course, I'm an idiot and didn't know which of my three freaking forks to use for what. I probably made a real fool of myself because I'd never had such a fancy meal before. I'm not comfortable with such high-class stuff.
Anyway, they called the wedding party out for a dance, but I wasn't sure if that included me or not. I was billed as a member of the wedding party in the programs, and I was wearing a coursage, which technically associated me with the wedding party, but I hadn't been to the rehearsal and I wasn't really "in" the wedding. So I sat back. I considered dancing with Pierce, since he just looked lost and alone, but being my first cousin (and basically my twin in age), I figured it would be weird for both parties invovled, so I stayed back. I considered shelling out $2 for the dollar dance and dancing with both Andre and Scott, but that's about the time Mom decided we needed to go. It was a real bummer. I think she felt bad about leaving so early, but she didn't know what time it was. It was much darker in the reception hall than it was outside. And she didn't have a watch. I really wish we could have stayed a little longer. I at least wanted to listen to some music, if nothing else.
It was nice to meet Scott's family, and it was cool to see a couple of my former college instructors there, but the icing on the cake was that I didn't catch the bouquet. Like I say, those things aren't for me.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Addicted to Academia
It just occurred to me today that I am addicted to academia. I haven't been out of school a whole year yet, and still I can't seem to stay away from my community college or my university. In fact, I went to the university today to meet with a former professor and visit the library, and this evening, I'm heading to the community college to take, yes, a noncredit course.
This is not the only noncredit course I'm enrolled in. No sir! This is the final meeting of a three-week photography course, but I'm also enrolled in an online writing course, and a one-day course in something elusive that appears to be of a scrapbooking nature. It's summer and I've enrolled in three courses? That's practically a full load (in grad school terms, that is a full load).
But wait, there's more!
As you all know, I'm currently reading Little Dorrit with none other than two of my former professors. I'm also reading Ulysses as recommended by one of the profs, and I just checked out A Clockwork Orange and Catch-22. I've been reading all kinds of literature this summer and trying to get as many MLA Top 100 novels under my belt as possible. And I've been writing. Creative writing, that is.
If I start writing academic papers, then I'll know I have it bad.
This is not the only noncredit course I'm enrolled in. No sir! This is the final meeting of a three-week photography course, but I'm also enrolled in an online writing course, and a one-day course in something elusive that appears to be of a scrapbooking nature. It's summer and I've enrolled in three courses? That's practically a full load (in grad school terms, that is a full load).
But wait, there's more!
As you all know, I'm currently reading Little Dorrit with none other than two of my former professors. I'm also reading Ulysses as recommended by one of the profs, and I just checked out A Clockwork Orange and Catch-22. I've been reading all kinds of literature this summer and trying to get as many MLA Top 100 novels under my belt as possible. And I've been writing. Creative writing, that is.
If I start writing academic papers, then I'll know I have it bad.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Snow Photography: Part Deux
Remembering the good fortune I had the last time I tried to take snow monochromes, I decided to give it a go again today. I didn't know it was supposed to snow, but when I woke up, the ground was covered with a thin layer of the stuff, so I thought it would make for some nice monos.
Got in the parents' car (mine was parked in) and headed to my favorite rural photo site, armed with camera and tripod, but foolishly, no gloves. The wind would not stop blasting that horrible arctic air on me. My feet still feel frozen. Fortunately, no spills this time, since the snow was only about an inch deep, as opposed to the foot-deep stuff we had the last time.
I hurriedly set up my tripod in between rubbing my hands together and doing a dance to try to keep from freezing. Eventually, I was able to get everything set up in a workable fashion. Just as the last time, I didn't feel like spending much time out in the field, so I hope I have a salvageable shot in the bunch. Maybe I'll have one ready for Monochrome Monday in a couple of days.
Got in the parents' car (mine was parked in) and headed to my favorite rural photo site, armed with camera and tripod, but foolishly, no gloves. The wind would not stop blasting that horrible arctic air on me. My feet still feel frozen. Fortunately, no spills this time, since the snow was only about an inch deep, as opposed to the foot-deep stuff we had the last time.
I hurriedly set up my tripod in between rubbing my hands together and doing a dance to try to keep from freezing. Eventually, I was able to get everything set up in a workable fashion. Just as the last time, I didn't feel like spending much time out in the field, so I hope I have a salvageable shot in the bunch. Maybe I'll have one ready for Monochrome Monday in a couple of days.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Snow Photography: A Farce
Though it is still pretty cold, I noticed the snow was beginning to melt off the roof. I've been wanting to take monochromes of the snow all week, but hadn't dared brave it until today.
Why I thought today would be a good day, I do not know. Maybe it was because yesterday (when I was originally going to take my monochromes) I ended up sipping a latte and eating a dried out biscotti while typing the story of how I got to the coffeehouse... in the coffeehouse. When I got home from that, it was too dark for photography.
Earlier today, I blazed a new trail, somewhat literally, getting to work. I always take this shortcut through the lumberyard parking lot to avoid making this funky sharp turn. When I turned off at the lumberyard, though, I noticed that much of it wasn't plowed--including the part I was driving through. Fortunately, I didn't get stuck.
Fast forward about three hours...
I'm finally getting around to taking these monochromes. I got out my tripod and camera and headed out into the cold. Armed with the camera case around my neck and the tripod case flung over my shoulder like a Continental soldier, I slipped around to the backyard where the packed snow path ended and abruptly turned to about ten inches of snow.
Looking down at the tracks in the snow, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and reached my destination a little earlier than intended. I realized this when a small twig poked the side of my face. Good thing I had my glasses on...
I jerked away from the tree, somewhat overreacting, though more on instinct than anything else. Forgetting that I was on a small snow-covered slope, I quickly lost my balance and toppled into the snow. This would have been funny were it not for a few things:
1) Snow is very cold.
2) I had a new tripod with me.
3) I had a fairly new digital camera with me.
4) I didn't want to have to replace #2 or #3.
5) I couldn't seem to get up.
I flailed around for a while, making a not-so-angelic snow angel, while feeling the way I assume a fish out of water feels. Or the way I feel in water. Finally, I was able to get up, but my tripod case was dusted with snow. I looked at my camera case, which was, miraculously, still around my neck. It had a sifting of snow. Still, I didn't want it to melt, soak in, and ruin my camera, so I started brushing the snow off as quickly as I could. Eventually, I had to take my gloves off. Mistake. Instantly, all the heat in my hands and fingers evaporated into the air.
Then, I just like in the lumberyard parking lot earlier today, I realized I had made a huge mistake, but I was determined to follow through with my plan. Yes, the trees were almost snow-free by this point, and yes, I was standing in nearly a foot of snow on uneven terrain, and yes, my toes did feel like they might just fall off, but I didn't let that stop me. No sir. I took that tripod out of its case, hung the case on a tree branch (not the one that got my attention earlier), and I extended the first set of tripod legs. Couldn't seem to get the second set of extensions out, but no matter, I had enough height that I could get some cool shots.
By this time, the cold had gone to my head. I basically had no idea what I was doing, but I had to get those shots. So, I anchored the tripod in the snow, twisted my camera into it, and almost took a picture of whatever happened to be in range. Then I realized that the tripod was off-center. Oh yes. This was the hilly part of the yard. I just wanted to get it over with, so I took no time focusing or even picking a real subject. I just aimed my camera/tripod duo in the general direction of some trees and hoped for the best.
About four shots later, I was ready to go back to the house. I grabbed the tripod case off the tree branch, started to put the legs back, remembered that they were now covered with snow, opted to clean them off where it was warmer, put my now-useless gloves back on, and started running for the house.
After I wiped off my tripod and bag, I decided to let it all air dry a little more. During this time, I took a look at the monochromes. They weren't the greatest. The quality was superb because of the tripod, but the framing wasn't too hot. I think I have one shot that I actually like. I'm not even sure I'll share it--might just have to keep that one to myself.
Why I thought today would be a good day, I do not know. Maybe it was because yesterday (when I was originally going to take my monochromes) I ended up sipping a latte and eating a dried out biscotti while typing the story of how I got to the coffeehouse... in the coffeehouse. When I got home from that, it was too dark for photography.
Earlier today, I blazed a new trail, somewhat literally, getting to work. I always take this shortcut through the lumberyard parking lot to avoid making this funky sharp turn. When I turned off at the lumberyard, though, I noticed that much of it wasn't plowed--including the part I was driving through. Fortunately, I didn't get stuck.
Fast forward about three hours...
I'm finally getting around to taking these monochromes. I got out my tripod and camera and headed out into the cold. Armed with the camera case around my neck and the tripod case flung over my shoulder like a Continental soldier, I slipped around to the backyard where the packed snow path ended and abruptly turned to about ten inches of snow.
Looking down at the tracks in the snow, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and reached my destination a little earlier than intended. I realized this when a small twig poked the side of my face. Good thing I had my glasses on...
I jerked away from the tree, somewhat overreacting, though more on instinct than anything else. Forgetting that I was on a small snow-covered slope, I quickly lost my balance and toppled into the snow. This would have been funny were it not for a few things:
1) Snow is very cold.
2) I had a new tripod with me.
3) I had a fairly new digital camera with me.
4) I didn't want to have to replace #2 or #3.
5) I couldn't seem to get up.
I flailed around for a while, making a not-so-angelic snow angel, while feeling the way I assume a fish out of water feels. Or the way I feel in water. Finally, I was able to get up, but my tripod case was dusted with snow. I looked at my camera case, which was, miraculously, still around my neck. It had a sifting of snow. Still, I didn't want it to melt, soak in, and ruin my camera, so I started brushing the snow off as quickly as I could. Eventually, I had to take my gloves off. Mistake. Instantly, all the heat in my hands and fingers evaporated into the air.
Then, I just like in the lumberyard parking lot earlier today, I realized I had made a huge mistake, but I was determined to follow through with my plan. Yes, the trees were almost snow-free by this point, and yes, I was standing in nearly a foot of snow on uneven terrain, and yes, my toes did feel like they might just fall off, but I didn't let that stop me. No sir. I took that tripod out of its case, hung the case on a tree branch (not the one that got my attention earlier), and I extended the first set of tripod legs. Couldn't seem to get the second set of extensions out, but no matter, I had enough height that I could get some cool shots.
By this time, the cold had gone to my head. I basically had no idea what I was doing, but I had to get those shots. So, I anchored the tripod in the snow, twisted my camera into it, and almost took a picture of whatever happened to be in range. Then I realized that the tripod was off-center. Oh yes. This was the hilly part of the yard. I just wanted to get it over with, so I took no time focusing or even picking a real subject. I just aimed my camera/tripod duo in the general direction of some trees and hoped for the best.
About four shots later, I was ready to go back to the house. I grabbed the tripod case off the tree branch, started to put the legs back, remembered that they were now covered with snow, opted to clean them off where it was warmer, put my now-useless gloves back on, and started running for the house.
After I wiped off my tripod and bag, I decided to let it all air dry a little more. During this time, I took a look at the monochromes. They weren't the greatest. The quality was superb because of the tripod, but the framing wasn't too hot. I think I have one shot that I actually like. I'm not even sure I'll share it--might just have to keep that one to myself.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monochrome Monday is Looking Like a Monochrome Tuesday...
I was a little busy today. I spent a good part of the morning working on an online job application that I still haven't finished. Thank goodness they let you save these. It seems like applications are getting longer, and some questions are difficult to answer. Most of my information doesn't fit neatly into a form for some reason. And, being far too concerned about attention to detail, I have been known to obsess over how to answer application questions to the point that I have been warned that my connection would be cut off for security purposes if I didn't show some signs of my presence soon. Finally, I just decided to quit for the time being and pick it up tomorrow.
Then, SC called because she wanted to go out to eat with me... which led to a trip to see BW at work... and another trip to the library. All in all, our little trip to go eat took about three hours, counting all the stops. I have a Monochrome Monday subject, but I haven't taken the picture, yet. For some reason, I'm kind of tired, so I think I'll just put it up tomorrow, as well.
Then, SC called because she wanted to go out to eat with me... which led to a trip to see BW at work... and another trip to the library. All in all, our little trip to go eat took about three hours, counting all the stops. I have a Monochrome Monday subject, but I haven't taken the picture, yet. For some reason, I'm kind of tired, so I think I'll just put it up tomorrow, as well.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Photo Safari, Part II
This is actually the picture I wanted to post for Monochrome Monday, but I foolishly didn't label any of the pictures, so I ended up with a different one from the same area. I have another that I rather like, but I might save that for another day.
Birthday
Well, today was my birthday. I went out to eat with my parents, went to the mall, and then came home and opened gifts. We ran into a local newscaster at the mall. My dad said, "Well, there's a familiar face," and the newscaster got a strange expression on his face as if he were thinking, Should I know this guy? I guess I need to say something, and then he said, "Hey, how's it going?" and playfully patted Dad on the back. It's fun to freak out even local celebrities.
BJ, I apologize for having not yet finished Se7en to write a movie review on it. Lately, I've been so sleepy that I haven't been able to watch movies at night like I generally do before writing reviews. However, that being said, I do intend to finish it (and hopefully soon). I also bought The Good Shepherd today. I don't usually buy movies unless I know for sure that I like them. But I took a chance on this one. Hopefully I will produce a review of it soon, as well. Oh yes, and if I can get Blogger to cooperate, I also plan to post more pictures soon.
BJ, I apologize for having not yet finished Se7en to write a movie review on it. Lately, I've been so sleepy that I haven't been able to watch movies at night like I generally do before writing reviews. However, that being said, I do intend to finish it (and hopefully soon). I also bought The Good Shepherd today. I don't usually buy movies unless I know for sure that I like them. But I took a chance on this one. Hopefully I will produce a review of it soon, as well. Oh yes, and if I can get Blogger to cooperate, I also plan to post more pictures soon.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Randomness...
I am still digging this awesome November weather. This morning, I sat outside and read some William Faulkner. I finished Light in August, and now I'm on Sanctuary. I also played around with taking some pictures (I'm considering photo memeing) in sepia tones and black and white.
This afternoon, around 3:00, my boss called with a little bit of work for me to do. So from 3:30-4:15 I was editing! As soon as I got home, my cat Peyser jumped up in the chair with me and proceeded to climb up my back! This made for difficult blogging (but he's gotten down, now).
Not much else going on at the present, but I just wanted to note that I had a pleasant day.
This afternoon, around 3:00, my boss called with a little bit of work for me to do. So from 3:30-4:15 I was editing! As soon as I got home, my cat Peyser jumped up in the chair with me and proceeded to climb up my back! This made for difficult blogging (but he's gotten down, now).
Not much else going on at the present, but I just wanted to note that I had a pleasant day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
.JPG)
