I've been spending a fair amount of time on airplanes lately. A week after returning from Guam, I had to travel to Dallas for business. Three time zones in one week and my body was totally confused. Waking up in Dallas at 5:30 AM was rough...or was it 3:30 AM Pacific...or was it 8:30 PM Guam time?
Since I'm working on my 365 "photo a day" project, I carry my camera all the time, including on business trips. I'm actually used to getting strange looks from my colleagues, especially when I go to dinner with my camera around my neck.
Here's a picture from the window of the airplane at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Ignore all the spots in the sky....they are from my dirty DSLR sensor. My camera had a few specks of dust on the sensor. I'd been meaning to buy a blower to clean the sensor, but didn't get around to it. One night, after a few glasses of liquid courage (or liquid stupidity), I decided to blow the dust off the sensor....and ended up getting some saliva on the sensor. Not good! I then had the brilliant idea to swab the sensor with a Q-Tip soaked with rubbing alcohol. Not good! So instead of a two specks, I have an entire constellation of specks on the sensor. I finally ordered proper sensor cleaning swabs and solution. I'm fairly confident I will be able to clean the sensor....otherwise, perhaps a Nikon D700 is in my future....just kidding, dear!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
New Cell Phones
Today the kids got new cell phones...the boy, an upgrade and the girl, her first phone ever. The boy was happy, but mostly inside...where it counts, I guess. The girl almost floated away on a cloud. This picture accurately captured her extraordinary state of joy. I love this picture...makes me smile!
We got back from Guam on Tuesday morning at 5 AM and I decided to cancel my vacation day and go into the office. No sense wasting a vacation day wandering aimlessly around the house in a comatose state, trying to stay awake for fifteen more hours. I figured I could catch up on a week's worth of work e-mails, get status updates, and other brainless activities....and spend my vacation day on more productive things. By 4 PM, I'd been awake for thirty-something hours straight and was so tired, I felt like throwing up. I finally went to bed around 10:30 PM, reached a state of unconsciousness by 10:31 PM, and the next thing I knew, it was 8 AM. The best sleep ever...speaking of which, I'd better shut down now....
We got back from Guam on Tuesday morning at 5 AM and I decided to cancel my vacation day and go into the office. No sense wasting a vacation day wandering aimlessly around the house in a comatose state, trying to stay awake for fifteen more hours. I figured I could catch up on a week's worth of work e-mails, get status updates, and other brainless activities....and spend my vacation day on more productive things. By 4 PM, I'd been awake for thirty-something hours straight and was so tired, I felt like throwing up. I finally went to bed around 10:30 PM, reached a state of unconsciousness by 10:31 PM, and the next thing I knew, it was 8 AM. The best sleep ever...speaking of which, I'd better shut down now....
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Leaving Home
We left Guam today (technically, yesterday). =(
I've been to Guam four or five times now and I always have a great time on the island. It's a laid back place, where everyone runs on island time. The big cities aren't big and there isn't a whole lot to do....except relax, go to the beach, and hang out with family and friends. But that's what I love about it....the simplicity and the quality time spent together.
If I was single, I'd consider moving there to live and help my brother in-law with the business. Then again, if I was single, he wouldn't be my bro in-law...boy, life sure is complicated. That minor nuance aside, I would gladly trade my high-paying, high-stress, high-tech job in the states for a simpler life in Guam....if I didn't have a family to feed, clothe, and shelter. The only thing I really dislike about Guam is the hot, humid weather....and the mosquitoes suck (literally)!
I titled this blog entry "Leaving Home" because although I've never actually lived in Guam, every time I depart, I always feel like I'm leaving home.
This is a picture from the airplane the morning we left Guam. I loved the beautiful, dramatic colors in the sky and the reflection in the wing. I purposely underexposed the sky a little to bring out more of the dramatic colors in the sky....and used a "cloudy" white balance to add a bit more warmth to the colors.
I've been to Guam four or five times now and I always have a great time on the island. It's a laid back place, where everyone runs on island time. The big cities aren't big and there isn't a whole lot to do....except relax, go to the beach, and hang out with family and friends. But that's what I love about it....the simplicity and the quality time spent together.
If I was single, I'd consider moving there to live and help my brother in-law with the business. Then again, if I was single, he wouldn't be my bro in-law...boy, life sure is complicated. That minor nuance aside, I would gladly trade my high-paying, high-stress, high-tech job in the states for a simpler life in Guam....if I didn't have a family to feed, clothe, and shelter. The only thing I really dislike about Guam is the hot, humid weather....and the mosquitoes suck (literally)!
I titled this blog entry "Leaving Home" because although I've never actually lived in Guam, every time I depart, I always feel like I'm leaving home.
This is a picture from the airplane the morning we left Guam. I loved the beautiful, dramatic colors in the sky and the reflection in the wing. I purposely underexposed the sky a little to bring out more of the dramatic colors in the sky....and used a "cloudy" white balance to add a bit more warmth to the colors.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Celebrating Life
Mix a little family, a little friends, a little love, and a lot of tequila...and you get a ton of crazy fun! From what I've experienced, the Filipinos are extremely fun loving people. I don't understand Tagalog (well, except for body parts and cuss words), but Bud Light and tequila bring us all together, helping bridge the gap between differing cultures, backgrounds, and languages.
This is a photo of my brother in-law, JR (on the right) and his friend Chris, dancing the night away. We were just chilling outside, drinking, eating, listening to music from an iPod, and enjoying the company.
If you're ever in Guam and need some cheap entertanment, stop by and visit my brother in-law....they have free entertainment nightly...and he may even cut you a deal on a commercial washer or dryer!
This is a photo of my brother in-law, JR (on the right) and his friend Chris, dancing the night away. We were just chilling outside, drinking, eating, listening to music from an iPod, and enjoying the company.
If you're ever in Guam and need some cheap entertanment, stop by and visit my brother in-law....they have free entertainment nightly...and he may even cut you a deal on a commercial washer or dryer!
One More Day in Guam
I can't believe we only have one more day in Guam. I had a great week in Guam, spending time with family and friends. My vacations in Guam are always the most relaxing because the lifestyle and tempo is a lot slower. My Blackberry has been OFF for the entire week, which really improved my quality of life.
The home cooked meals were incredible and I think I gained a few pounds this past week. My diet starts tomorrow!
Here's a picture of Kami at Tarza, a water slide park in Tumon, Guam. We went there yesterday at her request and had a great time.
The home cooked meals were incredible and I think I gained a few pounds this past week. My diet starts tomorrow!
Here's a picture of Kami at Tarza, a water slide park in Tumon, Guam. We went there yesterday at her request and had a great time.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Laundromats
My brother in-law took over his late father's commercial washer and dryer distributorship last year. I helped him install three double-stack commercial dryers today in a laundromat in Yigo. We removed three old machines, modified the duct work, and installed the new machines. The install went pretty well and I learned a bit about dryers.
This brought back fond memories of my trip to Guam last year. When my father in-law passed away, he had just received shipment of a huge load of Maytag commercial washing machines. Upon our arrival in Guam, my brother in-law and I spent a day unloading sixty washing machines from a 20 foot trailer. We then spent several days installing dozens of these machines in local laundromats. I learned a lot about washing machines last year.
Anyway, I'm supposed to be going out tonight with my brother in-law, his cousins, and his friends. But, I'm dead tired and hope to wimp out...so I'm hiding in the air conditioned room, keeping low and cool, and planning on sleeping soon.
Not much time for photography today (the install went from 8 AM to 5 PM). Here's a quick shot of Kami fanning the mosquito repellant. We have a rosary ceremony every night and it's held outdoors. The kids light the mosquito repellant to keep the bugs away. Not the best photo, but I was too tired to spend much time on it today. Maybe tomorrow....TTFN.
This brought back fond memories of my trip to Guam last year. When my father in-law passed away, he had just received shipment of a huge load of Maytag commercial washing machines. Upon our arrival in Guam, my brother in-law and I spent a day unloading sixty washing machines from a 20 foot trailer. We then spent several days installing dozens of these machines in local laundromats. I learned a lot about washing machines last year.
Anyway, I'm supposed to be going out tonight with my brother in-law, his cousins, and his friends. But, I'm dead tired and hope to wimp out...so I'm hiding in the air conditioned room, keeping low and cool, and planning on sleeping soon.
Not much time for photography today (the install went from 8 AM to 5 PM). Here's a quick shot of Kami fanning the mosquito repellant. We have a rosary ceremony every night and it's held outdoors. The kids light the mosquito repellant to keep the bugs away. Not the best photo, but I was too tired to spend much time on it today. Maybe tomorrow....TTFN.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Cure for Boredom
If you ever find your life is boring and unfulfilling, have a couple of kids and you'll never have a dull moment again. Of course, I'd suggest you finish your schooling, get a job, and get married BEFORE you take on this endeavor. Kids, I hope you saw the big "before" in all caps...do all three of these things before you have children and you'll live long and happy lives. Don't complete all three prerequisites and...well, you're smart kids...
Okay, so back on the subject at hand. Being a bachelor earlier this summer for six weeks was pretty cool. I took naps in the afternoons, relaxed in the evenings (since there weren't any family commitments), and went hiking, fishing, and backpacking on the weekends. However, now that I'm in Guam with the family, I must say, life without them isn't nearly as fun. Just look at the two goof-balls in the photo and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Those two characters crack me up all the time.
Kids are definitely worth the hundreds of thousands of dollars required to rear them, send them to college, etc. So, kids, remember how much I appreciate and love you...and if you stick me in a nursing home when I'm old....well, you're smart kids....
Okay, so back on the subject at hand. Being a bachelor earlier this summer for six weeks was pretty cool. I took naps in the afternoons, relaxed in the evenings (since there weren't any family commitments), and went hiking, fishing, and backpacking on the weekends. However, now that I'm in Guam with the family, I must say, life without them isn't nearly as fun. Just look at the two goof-balls in the photo and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Those two characters crack me up all the time.
Kids are definitely worth the hundreds of thousands of dollars required to rear them, send them to college, etc. So, kids, remember how much I appreciate and love you...and if you stick me in a nursing home when I'm old....well, you're smart kids....
Vacation
Guam is the perfect place to vacation if you need to relax and recharge the batteries. Aside from a K-Mart and a couple of small shopping malls, there isn't much to do for family fun...except go to the beach. Okay, let me clarify, there isn't a lot of CHEAP stuff to do except go to the beach. The weather during the summer is hot and humid, so the beach is always a welcome place to cool off and beat the heat.
This is a photo taken at Inarajan Beach. I used a circular polarizing filter to increase the contrast of the clouds in the sky, cut a little glare off the water, and increase overall color saturation.
I really needed a wide angle lens to capture the beauty at Inarajan Beach today. Unfortunately, I made a boneheaded decision to leave it at home in California. With all of the family commitments in Guam, I didn't expect to have opportunities to take many scenic photos. Oh well, I was obviously wrong....
This is a photo taken at Inarajan Beach. I used a circular polarizing filter to increase the contrast of the clouds in the sky, cut a little glare off the water, and increase overall color saturation.
I really needed a wide angle lens to capture the beauty at Inarajan Beach today. Unfortunately, I made a boneheaded decision to leave it at home in California. With all of the family commitments in Guam, I didn't expect to have opportunities to take many scenic photos. Oh well, I was obviously wrong....
Monday, August 2, 2010
MoreThanWords: Special You
Here is a very thought provoking narrative...everyone should read and heed:
MoreThanWords: Special You: "The death of one person tends to affect many, Like when a father or a mother loses their daughter or sonny. Tears sometimes jerk, and sorrow..."
MoreThanWords: Special You: "The death of one person tends to affect many, Like when a father or a mother loses their daughter or sonny. Tears sometimes jerk, and sorrow..."
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Guam
It took thirteen hours in the air, but I made it to Guam in one piece...just in time for the rosary for my late father in-law. The weather is as hot and humid as I remember....and tons of mozzies to suck my blood.
It's 9:45 PM here...but my body thinks it's 4:45 AM....almost time to hit the hay!
Here's a picture of Kami working on her blog.
It's 9:45 PM here...but my body thinks it's 4:45 AM....almost time to hit the hay!
Here's a picture of Kami working on her blog.
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