I'm somewhat of a procrastinator, just ask my wife, she will tell you. She asked me to fix the hole in our floor before the baby was born. That baby turns fifteen this year...and that hole is still there. In 1993, I had a new rear window for my truck. In 2011, that window is still in a box sitting in my garage...and my brother now owns that truck.
Well, I'm turning over a new leaf. I've had a few loved ones pass away recently, went to funerals for friend's loved ones, and experienced a few near misses. Life's too short to procrastinate.
Take a moment to tell your loved ones you love them, hug your kids, plant a mushy kiss on your wife's cheek, and go to Italy. Yes, go to Italy. My wife's dream was to go to Italy, so we're taking the family to Italy. Not "maybe next year..." Not for our 25th wedding anniversary. Not after the kids are out of high school. We're going in June. Life's too short to wait!
Tim McGraw said it best....so hear him explain it by clicking here
My photo of the day is titled, "I Miss You." Don't miss the opportunity to do or say something from your heart....you never know if you'll have another chance.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Live Like You Were Dying
Monday, March 7, 2011
The Home Stretch
I have three more weeks remaining in my 365 project. I cannot believe I've taken a photo per day for almost an entire year. It's been a long ride and I've learned a lot....but I'm going to be one happy camper when this project is completed.
If I counted correctly, my last day, Day 365, will fall on Saturday, 26 March 2011. I was thinking about heading out to somewhere special on that day to celebrate and enjoy the day....and maybe even snap a photo. =)
The theme for my photography project this week is "delicate." For today's photograph, I decided to totally ignore the theme....and headed to the Alviso Adobe Community Park to pursue another black and white image. The naturalist wasn't there today and the buildings were closed. I decided to shoot through the glass door to capture a photo of the interior of the building. I liked how the light entered the room through the distant doors and reflected off the floor.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
B&W Photography
I majored in Aerospace Engineering and for my senior project, my partner and I studied the exhaust dispersion patterns of different nozzle shapes. The theory was an oval/elliptical shaped nozzle would disperse the exhaust faster than a round nozzle. So, what does this have to do with B&W photography? Well, we needed to take pictures of the cross-section of the exhaust flow in order to determine the dispersion pattern. We used B&W film to capture the pattern and developed the film ourselves. I'm not quite sure we captured or processed the film correctly because the final photos didn't come out quite right....and we got a "C" on the project.
So, that was my introduction to B&W photography. I'm sure Ansel Adams would be proud....well, probably not. Despite my failures in my early days of B&W film photography, I've developed an interest in B&W photography. I've even considered buying an old, Nikon S2 rangefinder camera. However, if I ever shot B&W film seriously, I think I'd want to build my own darkroom so I could create the final product according to my personal vision.
I'm reading "After the Photo-Secession: American Pictorial Photography, 1910-1955" and I love the grainy, moody, B&W photos of the period. In the upcoming weeks, I plan on creating a few B&W images...perhaps a few inspired by the great B&W photographers of the past.
So, that was my introduction to B&W photography. I'm sure Ansel Adams would be proud....well, probably not. Despite my failures in my early days of B&W film photography, I've developed an interest in B&W photography. I've even considered buying an old, Nikon S2 rangefinder camera. However, if I ever shot B&W film seriously, I think I'd want to build my own darkroom so I could create the final product according to my personal vision.
I'm reading "After the Photo-Secession: American Pictorial Photography, 1910-1955" and I love the grainy, moody, B&W photos of the period. In the upcoming weeks, I plan on creating a few B&W images...perhaps a few inspired by the great B&W photographers of the past.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Dallas
I was in Dallas, Texas last week for my company's annual sales conference. The venue for Wednesday was the new Cowboy Stadium, in Arlington, TX. It's a state of the art facility and the perfect location for a Super Bowl....too bad the Cowboys were watching it on TV this year.
The new Cowboy's coach, Jason Garrett, was the guest speaker. As part of his presentation, he told a story of a Buddhist monk. Here's a seriously paraphrased version, courtesy of my very bad memory.
A Buddhist monk was walking through the woods, when he came across a pride of lions and tigers. The lions and tigers started chasing him, and he ran like crazy until he came to the edge of the cliff. He looked down and there were poisonous snakes at the bottom of the cliff. He looked back up and the lions and tigers were charging. Snakes, lions and tigers, snakes, lions and tigers...finally he decides to jump. On the long drop down, he reaches out and grabs a twig. He notices a strawberry at the end of the twig, picks it, and starts eating it. A passerby, noticing the monk's dire situation, asks the monk why he's smiling. The monk says, "because the strawberry is sweet."
So what's the moral of the story? Well, life is full of trials and tribulations, and other challenges. But, rather than stress over the lions, tigers, and snakes, you should look for the positives and be happy with the small wonders....like a sweet strawberry.
This story was a gentle reminder for me. Lately, things have been tough at work, but I'm going to try to focus on the positives.
Here's a shot of the big screen monitor at Cowboy Stadium.
The theme for my photography project this week is "shoes." Here's a picture of my gardener's size 13 shoe. I love my gardener....he does a wonderful job maintaining the yard....and even makes coffee for me and the old lady in the mornings!
The new Cowboy's coach, Jason Garrett, was the guest speaker. As part of his presentation, he told a story of a Buddhist monk. Here's a seriously paraphrased version, courtesy of my very bad memory.
A Buddhist monk was walking through the woods, when he came across a pride of lions and tigers. The lions and tigers started chasing him, and he ran like crazy until he came to the edge of the cliff. He looked down and there were poisonous snakes at the bottom of the cliff. He looked back up and the lions and tigers were charging. Snakes, lions and tigers, snakes, lions and tigers...finally he decides to jump. On the long drop down, he reaches out and grabs a twig. He notices a strawberry at the end of the twig, picks it, and starts eating it. A passerby, noticing the monk's dire situation, asks the monk why he's smiling. The monk says, "because the strawberry is sweet."
So what's the moral of the story? Well, life is full of trials and tribulations, and other challenges. But, rather than stress over the lions, tigers, and snakes, you should look for the positives and be happy with the small wonders....like a sweet strawberry.
This story was a gentle reminder for me. Lately, things have been tough at work, but I'm going to try to focus on the positives.
Here's a shot of the big screen monitor at Cowboy Stadium.
The theme for my photography project this week is "shoes." Here's a picture of my gardener's size 13 shoe. I love my gardener....he does a wonderful job maintaining the yard....and even makes coffee for me and the old lady in the mornings!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Until We Meet Again, Mr. Owyang
Mr. Owyang courageously battled cancer for two years, but the Lord called him home. Today was his Celebration of Life service. It was a beautiful service and based on the number of people in attendance and the touching comments, he was clearly loved by many. He lead his life with honor, love, caring, and a commitment to God.
While he will be missed on earth, I know we will meet again when it's my time....but God, no rush, I still have lots to do down here.
As I drove home from the service, I couldn't help but notice the incredible, fluffy clouds in the wonderfully blue sky. The beauty of His creation always amazes me. I'm looking forward to my next trip into the wilderness...
While he will be missed on earth, I know we will meet again when it's my time....but God, no rush, I still have lots to do down here.
As I drove home from the service, I couldn't help but notice the incredible, fluffy clouds in the wonderfully blue sky. The beauty of His creation always amazes me. I'm looking forward to my next trip into the wilderness...
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Happy Belated President's Day
Happy belated President's Day! I would have written this yesterday, but I was busy airing out my gear from the weekend trip to the Lava Beds National Monument. I also spent some time putting my gear away. I've been out in the wilderness quite a bit this year and have been leaving my gear at the foot of the bed between trips. My wife calls it lazy, sloppy, messy, and a few other things I can't write in a Rated PG blog. I call it "efficient"....I mean, why put it away when it has to be taken out in a couple weeks again? Anyway, I put my gear away. I've been married long enough to know that an ice axe stuck in the forehead is not a pleasurable sensation....well, it might be for the person delivering the blow...
The theme for my photography project this week is "Detail." The idea is to take a photograph of a portion of something, to show the detail. For today's shot, I snapped Kami's Nick & Nora house slippers. I've never heard of Nick & Nora, but I saw it printed on the button "eyes" and then googled it.
Disclaimer: Although this is a President's Day post, any resemblance of these slippers to the current president is purely coincidental and unintentional. Besides, I think the president has bigger ears....
The theme for my photography project this week is "Detail." The idea is to take a photograph of a portion of something, to show the detail. For today's shot, I snapped Kami's Nick & Nora house slippers. I've never heard of Nick & Nora, but I saw it printed on the button "eyes" and then googled it.
Disclaimer: Although this is a President's Day post, any resemblance of these slippers to the current president is purely coincidental and unintentional. Besides, I think the president has bigger ears....
Monday, February 21, 2011
Lava Beds National Monument
I had the pleasure of visiting the Lava Beds National Monument near the California-Oregon border and touring the Crystal Ice Cave. The National Park Service rangers lead tours of the cave on Saturdays during the months of December though March. Because of the sensitive nature of the ice cave, the tour group is limited to six people. In other words, I was one of about one hundred people lucky enough to see the cave this year. So, thanks Faye for dragging my butt up to the Oregon border for a once in a lifetime opportunity!
We drove up from the Bay Area at o'dark thirty on Saturday morning, joined the tour at 1 PM, and then camped overnight on the park grounds. On Sunday, we did a self-lead tour of Merrill Cave, and then headed home.
Photography inside the Crystal Ice Cave was challenging because it's dark and being a ranger guided tour, I didn't want to hold up the entire group while I was positioning my off-camera flash unit. I did, however, have a chance to play with my flash at the Merrill Cave. Outside the cave, the lighting was obviously better, but it was snowing and overcast...not ideal light for landscape photography.
Here are a few photos at the Lava Beds National Monument and along the drive home. Much thanks to Faye for supporting my requests to "pull over, right here," so I could photograph the pretty landscape....making the long drive home a bit longer...
We drove up from the Bay Area at o'dark thirty on Saturday morning, joined the tour at 1 PM, and then camped overnight on the park grounds. On Sunday, we did a self-lead tour of Merrill Cave, and then headed home.
Photography inside the Crystal Ice Cave was challenging because it's dark and being a ranger guided tour, I didn't want to hold up the entire group while I was positioning my off-camera flash unit. I did, however, have a chance to play with my flash at the Merrill Cave. Outside the cave, the lighting was obviously better, but it was snowing and overcast...not ideal light for landscape photography.
Here are a few photos at the Lava Beds National Monument and along the drive home. Much thanks to Faye for supporting my requests to "pull over, right here," so I could photograph the pretty landscape....making the long drive home a bit longer...
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Outdoors
I've taken a photo each day for the last 324 days straight. One thing I've determined in the last ten and a half months is I enjoy being in the outdoors and I enjoy photography in the outdoors.
My master plan is to quit my crummy telecommunications job and work at REI in ten years. In ten years, the kids should be out of college and the house will be paid off. I'll work at REI, earn a modest income (and health care benefits), and interact with outdoor-minded people all day. On my days off, I'll hike, backpack, snowshoe, paddle, and snap some photos in the great outdoors. I may even spend my free time as a volunteer for the East Bay Regional Park District...
My master plan is to quit my crummy telecommunications job and work at REI in ten years. In ten years, the kids should be out of college and the house will be paid off. I'll work at REI, earn a modest income (and health care benefits), and interact with outdoor-minded people all day. On my days off, I'll hike, backpack, snowshoe, paddle, and snap some photos in the great outdoors. I may even spend my free time as a volunteer for the East Bay Regional Park District...
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Desolation Wilderness
I went backpacking with Faye in the Desolation Wilderness this past weekend. The weather was incredible and it was wonderful, trekking through the fresh snow. We parked at the Echo Lake Sno Park and snowshoed over Echo Lake toward Lake Aloha. We settled into camp somewhere near Tamarack Lake.
Aside from the snowshoes, most of my standard three season backpacking gear is perfect for winter backpacking. I do, however, need a warmer sleeping bag, some proper snow boots, and perhaps a down jacket.
Here are a few photos from the trip. I love winter photography because the trees and rocks contrast nicely against the white snow. I'm convinced Helen Keller could have come away with some incredible shots....
Aside from the snowshoes, most of my standard three season backpacking gear is perfect for winter backpacking. I do, however, need a warmer sleeping bag, some proper snow boots, and perhaps a down jacket.
Here are a few photos from the trip. I love winter photography because the trees and rocks contrast nicely against the white snow. I'm convinced Helen Keller could have come away with some incredible shots....
Friday, February 4, 2011
Happy Belated Chinese New Year!
Happy belated Chinese New Year! I would have written this yesterday, but I was busy shopping and packing for my backpacking trip this weekend, and totally forgot. Heading to the Desolation Wilderness for three days of snowshoeing. Oops, sorry for running off on a tangent....back to the topic.
Yesterday, this Chinese lady in the office came over and wished me a happy Chinese New Year. I said, "oh thanks, I didn't know it was today...but I knew it was sometime in February...."
She was surprised I didn't celebrate Chinese New Years. I was like, "duhhh, I'm not Chinese." She said most Asians celebrate the Lunar Year. I said, "wow, didn't know that. I'm fourth generation Japanese-American, so I'm not necessarily aware of all my Asian responsibilities (except bad driving, playing the piano, and being smart)." Just kidding, I didn't really say that.
Okay, so anyway, happy day after Chinese New Years! Coincidentally, we had Chinese take-out for dinner last night. Well, that's assuming kung pao chicken and sweet and sour pork qualifies as Chinese food. I'm thinking it's like calling Chef Boyardee Spaghetti-O's Italian food....but that's another story....
Yesterday, this Chinese lady in the office came over and wished me a happy Chinese New Year. I said, "oh thanks, I didn't know it was today...but I knew it was sometime in February...."
She was surprised I didn't celebrate Chinese New Years. I was like, "duhhh, I'm not Chinese." She said most Asians celebrate the Lunar Year. I said, "wow, didn't know that. I'm fourth generation Japanese-American, so I'm not necessarily aware of all my Asian responsibilities (except bad driving, playing the piano, and being smart)." Just kidding, I didn't really say that.
Okay, so anyway, happy day after Chinese New Years! Coincidentally, we had Chinese take-out for dinner last night. Well, that's assuming kung pao chicken and sweet and sour pork qualifies as Chinese food. I'm thinking it's like calling Chef Boyardee Spaghetti-O's Italian food....but that's another story....
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