Project 365, Day 109. Dog not included (Used to show scale)

My new camera bag showed up today!

It's pretty awesome. It works as a backpack or as a roller bag. It'll hold just enough gear (which is a a lot, really), about 8 or 9 lenses, a camera body and a flash, plus assorted gear. It also has a laptop compartment, which means I can now carry a small Lumiquest soft box for the flash too!



The search for the perfect camera bag continues. This isn't it.

I didn't expect it to be, however.

I'm pretty sure there is no such thing. The flaws seem to be that there is not enough pouches/pockets to hold small stuff like batteries, cards, filters and other small stuff. Plus, I know it won't fit in the overheads in the regional jets, meaning I'll have to gate check it. Fuck. I'm just hoping this bad boy will fit in the overhead on the overseas flights. If it won't, there's gonna be problems. I refuse to check camera gear.



Oh, and the dog didn't come with the bag. She's just there to show scale.



Music tonight:
Mr. Tinkertrain by Ozzy
Stayin' Alive by The Bee Gees (Listened to this one a couple of times. Disco RULES!)
Bad Medicine by Bon Jovi

Project 365, Day 110, The Chair.

The lighting caught my eye here tonight.



This is my customizing table where I create my custom action figures.

I like the lighting. I may have to play with this again and get a shot of the desk where all the tiny parts and hundreds of containers of paint sit...



I'm quite proud of the creations that roll off this desk.


Music tonight:
Last Child by Aerosmith
Tears Are Falling by Kiss
Mr. Tinkertrain by Ozzy

Project 365, Day 111. Wild Horses

Are they wild horses?

Yeah, you know what? Probably not.

But you wouldn't know it if I hadn't fessed up. And THAT is what photography is all about.

Using images to tell a story, blurring the lines between fiction and non-fiction.






Music today:
Lover Man by Metallica
Bringing Home The Heartbreak by Def Leppard
Back In Black by AC/DC
Magic Touch by Aerosmith

Project 365, Day 108. Hyacinths and Hail

The weather can't seem to make up it's mind about whether it's spring or still winter.

It was spitting snow last night before bedtime. I was kinda hoping for a few nice warm days before I fly off to Africa again.

Guess that isn't going to happen.

Today was also my turn to shoot the hyacinths in the back yard. Though instead of doing some close up macro work, which is what I would prefer to do, I had to settle for capturing the nice little hail storm along with the flowers from inside using a telephoto lens.

Oh well. At least Sera cleaned up all of the hail that managed to fall inside while I was shooting. She eats ice cubes like they are popcorn, so the hail just happened to be nature's ice cube.



Music tonight:
A Little Ain't Enough For Me by David Lee Roth
Two Timer by Kiss
Monkey On My Back by Aerosmith
Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
Greasepaint And Monkey Brains by White Zombie
Your Mama Don't Dance by Poison

Project 365, Day 107. I Am Iron Man!

Well...

Robert Downy Jr. heard I'm a huge Iron Man fan and a photographer.

So, I got invited to get in on a photo shoot with him in the Iron Man Mark IV armor.

I did all of the lighting myself. The picture is pretty much straight out of the camera. Just a spot removal here and there and some sharpening and noise reduction. With great lighting, there just isn't a need to do much in post.

I got a few good shots, but this was the best one: (Be sure to click on the picture a couple of times to see the amazing detail!)




Damn, that was a shitload of fun!



Music tonight:
Bad Medicine by Bon Jovi
Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil
Anyway You Want It by Journey
Turn Up The Radio by Autograph
Those Shoes by The Eagles
Shoot To Thrill by AC/DC

Project 365, Day 106. Denver Starfest!

As you have already no doubt read earlier, Emily and I went to the local Sci-fi convention yesterday. We always have a good time.

It's always nice to realize, no matter how much of a geek you think you are, there is always someone that is way more out there than you.

There are always a lot of people dressed up in costumes, tons of models to look at, art, robots, and of course, my favorite...The Dealers' Room! Endless toys, posters, DVDs and other memorabilia.

It's thanks to the Dealers' Room that I have an interesting and unique collection. The first convention I went to, Jeremy Bullock the guy that played Boba Fett, was there signing autographs. I had nothing for him to sign, so I ran to one of the guys selling action figures and bought a Boba Fett figure, still on the card. Even though they told me not to ask for special requests, I asked him if he'd sign it and write "AKA Boba Fett" as well.

He thought that was pretty clever and was happy to oblige.

I suggested the idea to Emily a few years ago when she wanted an autograph from the actors who plays one of her favorite characters. She liked the idea.

Now, between us we have a pretty impressive collection. From William Shatner (Captain Kirk) to Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), the collection grows almost every year!

This year, it was Emily's turn again.



That's Levar Burton signing Emily's Geordi La Forge action figure. Only because she couldn't find an action figure of him from Reading Rainbow.

He thought that was pretty funny.



Music today:
Deuce by Kiss
Kings And Queens by Aerosmith
Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac
Hammer To Fall by Queen
Back In Time by Huey Lewis & The News
Love Ain't For Keeping by The Who
Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard

Project 365, Day 105. Two minutes of fun.

I spent one dollar on a toy at Wal-Mart today.

Not for me, mind you. But rather for the dogs.

One dollar won't buy you much fun. Turns out it's about two minutes worth.

One big green ball.

The dogs like toys, but all toys must die a horrible death at the hands (or mouths) of Hatch dogs. You could hand them a cinder block and by the time you've returned with your lawn chair to watch what they'll do with it....it's just a pile of dust and they've moved on to pooping and chasing each other.



I didn't actually time it, but it was less than three minutes before Sera had delivered the deathblow and was parading her kill around the yard like the great hunter.

I had to take it away shortly after this shot, otherwise also like the great hunter, she would have started eating her kill....


Music for today:
Already Gone by The Eagles
Big Time by Peter Gabriel
Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac
Ain't That A Bitch by Aerosmith
Hear About It Later by Van Halen

Project 365, Day 104. Out with the sort of old.

There is no such thing as the perfect camera bag.

There is only the search for one.

Some are good for shooting from but not for travel, some are just the opposite and travel well, but suck to shoot from. Some hold not enough gear, some hold too much. Some have so much padding that they weigh a ton, some have less padding, but you really have to be careful with you gear to prevent damage. Each of them have great features found only on that bag and they each have flaws.

I decided on my last trip overseas to Africa that I need a backpack that has a roller system build in, that it will hold a laptop, fit in an overhead compartment and holds just the right amount of gear.

I found a bag that I liked, so I bought it. It'll be here on Thursday, I hope.

As with all camera gear, nothing comes cheap. I have noticed that my buddy, Jason, sells off his old gear when he gets something new not only to offset the cost, but to keep the wife happy.

Smart man. I decided to follow suit.

I'm selling off my large Moose Peterson bag on ebay. Hopefully I can wade through the retards on there and get it sold to someone who will not only use it, but pay for it too.



And yes, all of that stuff fits in that bag. That's 12 lenses and two bodies.

There's still room in that bag... It's just too heavy to carry all of that stuff around and I have no intention of taking that much stuff on my next trip to Africa.

Music for today:
Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran
Stand Up by David Lee Roth
Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue
Photography by Def Leppard

Pics O' The Week #16

So springtime in Colorado means the annual return of Starfest - the local sci-fi convention. It's a three day event with Saturday usually offering the best in costumes and people-watching. However, this year, I was in in search of an autograph that I could only get on Sunday, so we went today. Got it!



It's a trade-off, really....Saturday is more people and more to see, but by the end of the afternoon on Sunday just about everything is on sale in the dealer's room, which can get you some good deals on toys and merchandise.

I don't remember the robot-building being quite as big a deal in past years, but there was a whole room full of robots this year. Several R2D2's, of course, and Robbie the Robot was well-represented, but when I saw...

...I had to snap a pic. Figured my mom would like to this one.

As always, we're looking forward to next year...and if there's something we want to see on Sunday we may just have to make it a two-day event!

Project 365, Day 103. On the way home...

Well, I had a great time in Ghana. It was awesome to actually be in Africa. I never thought that would happen when I was growing up.

I can also now say I've worked as a paramedic on three continents. I have also now been on five of the seven continents too. This leaves only Antarctica and South America, though I would like to spend more time in Australia.


It was the trip from fucking hell to get home, just so we're all clear on that.

Music today:
I Can't Drive 55 by Sammy Hagar
The Miracle by Queen
Rosewood Bitters by Joe Walsh
Young Lust by Pink Floyd
Good Man Down by Joe Walsh

Project 365, Day 102. Is that a banana or are you just happy to see me?

Ah, that joke never gets old.

Seriously though, geez, them are some fucking huge bananas! Those things are longer than my....well...they're really big...

Those are what we call wife-pleasers. What? Oh get your mind out of the gutter will you? Imagine how happy the wife would be to have a banana split made from one of those things. Shame on you.

I forgot to take a picture of the avocado that I bought. The pit inside was about the size of the avocados we get in the states. And was it tasty!

I dont know who the guy on the bike is, but that's my buddy Ahemn taking to him. He's the lab tech here in Takoradi and is always happy to pose for pictures!



Music today:
A Kind of Magic by Queen
Rock is Dead by Marylin Manson
Armageddon It by Def Leppard
Refugee by Tom Petty
Just Like Paradise by David Lee Roth

Project 365, Day 101. Playing with light.

So...

The clouds DO go leave here in Ghana. It's isn't gray all of the time. It must just seem that way because the rainy season is just about to start. Not looking forward to that in Sierra Leone, I must admit.

At any rate, the sun came out today! I went out to play with the warm afternoon light and got this shot. I'm not really sure what type of tree that is, it sort of looks like coconuts, but I dunno and I forgot to ask.



Music today:
Rock of Ages by Def Leppard
Blaze of Glory by Bon Jovi
Fallen Angel by Poison

Ah... high speed internet, how I've missed you...

Project 365, Day 100! Live from Ghana!

Actually, it's Day 101.

I didn't get a chance to post yesterday. However, I did get to shoot.

In fact, at the morning meeting, the doctor let the whole crew know that I am a photographer and if they want pictures taken, they had better come see me!

Which everyone did...

It's a good thing we didn't have patients to see, because everyone was tugging at my sleeve to shoot a picture of them next. I was able to get decent pictures of just about everyone, I think.

Yesterday morning was an interesting time. Our driver, Adams, wanted pictures of him in the ambulance, then one of the gents that checks the oxygen tank levels every morning wanted a shot of that, Edward the X-ray tech, wanted shots of his little part of the clinic and the various aspects of his job, then it was off to shoot Ahman, in the laboratory. I got a real nice shot of him looking through a microscope.

....Only to notice later, that there was no slide on the tray. Ooops. It's a nice shot, but it's pretty clear it was staged. Live and learn...

My toughest shots had to be of Edward. He works in a very dark area of the clinic shooting, developing and reading X-rays and his dark skin made it a bit of a challenge. If only I had brought a flash...

Even though he was my toughest customer, one of the shots I took just happen to be my favorite of the whole day.


Edward as he processes films in the darkroom.

I just like how that one turned out.

Check back later for today's post!

Pics O' The Week #15

So. Brian is in Ghana. This weekend I was in....Colorado Springs. It was a nice weekend, but doesn't quite compare in terms of interesting wildlife and scenery. There's not too much I can do about that.

We headed out for breakfast this morning to a little cafe in a little town west of the Springs a ways, where I figured I could at least get a couple of pictures for the day. Not a bad plan, but the icy wind was more than a match for my sweatshirt, so it was kind of a snap and run situation. They have a gazebo out on a little lake...

...and I did spy this odd fellow hanging out with the mallard ducks and Canada geese...

...but it's not exactly on par experience-wise with African lizards and the Ghana coast. Although, on the plus side, I didn't need a visa to get there.

Here's a little taste of home for my far away man....we missed you at breakfast, sweetie. Stay safe and come home when your work is done.

Project 365, Day 99. Random thoughts about Ghana.

Well, not just about Ghana, but the whole experience here.

Just random thoughts, no congruency to them and hey, a random picture to go with them!

Damn, it's hot and humid here. Did I mention it's humid? I haven't sweated this much since high school, wondering if I was going to graduate or not.

The sink in the kitchen seems to have two settings. Off and blast water everywhere.

The doctor has about the same motivation level as myself. I dig him.

Half a teaspoon of the dish washing detergent could probably last a medium sized restaurant a week without any problems. And it comes in half a liter bottle. Geez, you could probably wash ever cooking and eating implement in Africa with one bottle.

The people are really fucking nice here. Especially the folks that work here with me. I can't carry my own basket at the market.

I feel so...white. A tad out of place at times.

Every sink will splatter right at crotch level. Every time.

Carrying things with your hands is for schmucks apparently. Everyone carries stuff on their heads. It's quite impressive!

Tying your baby to your ass is the accepted form of carrying your brat.

My buddy Arthur J. Guinness is quite well represented here. Good on ye laddie!

Dogs are dogs the world over. They would rather play with a piece of garbage than any commercially made dog toy.

It's cloudy here all the time, I wonder if these people know the sky is actually blue rather than grey. It's like fricking Ireland or Scotland. (Except a lot fucking warmer!)

There are medications in my jump bag that even the doctor has never heard of. Ooookkkaaaayyy....I don't feel like an idiot now. And some of the doses of the medications I DO know? That patient better hope to Christ that the medication works right the first time. Cause there ain't gonna be a second dose.

New parents freak out when their kid gets a fever. Even here. Keep giving them fluids and Tylenol. It'll go away. I promise.

My air conditioner is the exact same unit I had in Afghanistan. Do contractors buy these damn things in bulk, or what?

The local beer is pretty tasty.

We must not be open on Sundays. The doc showed up this morning in swim trunks and a wife-beater. Yeah buddy!

They really could use a public trash can system and some city renovation programs here.

If I'm not mistaken, the clinic was constructed to not only withstand but repel an armed attack. Huh. Kinda brings bitching about health care to a new level when you argue with an AK-47 and a RPG.

My wife is really gonna want one of those red-headed lizards.

The security folks at the airport tried to hassle me for money. Way to keep that stereotype alive, gents.

If you can get a woman to look good in a photograph, you have just made a new best friend. I don't care where you are, this holds true.

I can get my favorite brand of English biscuits here! No Jaffa Cakes, but Digestives and Gingers! Yum!

Did I mention it's humid here? My trackpad on my laptop doesn't track too well with sweaty fingers.

Avocados are huge here and the beef sausage rocks! Also, milk is kept on the shelf at the market, not in the refrigerated section.

I'm glad I don't have to make a living as a fisherman here. Shit, that looks like it's a hard life.

There must be a nightclub pretty close by. There is a constant base booming from about 7PM till about midnight.

The vultures that infest the fish market aren't afraid of anyone or anything. Except puppies.

My body knows it's not in the states anymore, but I think my internal clock is trying to reset itself to Kabul time for some reason. It makes for an interesting sleep cycle not to mention when I get hungry.


That's about it for the moment. Time for the random picture. Then it's bedtime....I think. Maybe it's nap time. Or lay down and read time...

This picture is from the fish market in Sekondi. While very colorful, just the smell alone is enough to make you grateful for everything you have in your life.


Random music for tonight:
Cum On Feel The Noise by Quiet Riot
Cradle of Love by Billy Idol (Live)
Who Are You by The Who
It's Only Rock and Roll by The Rolling Stones
Drop Dead Legs by Van Halen
This Is The Life by Weird Al
Me Wise Magic by Van Halen
Viva Las Vegas by ZZ Top
You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac (Live)
Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith (Live)

Sigh...music to upload to... (I miss high speed internet...)
Barracuda by Heart
Hold Me Now by The Thompson Twins
All My Love by Led Zeppelin

Project 365, Day 98. Yes, No and NO!

I'm really kinda digging it here in Ghana.

The people seem to be really friendly, the work isn't overwhelming, the facilities are nice (awesome in fact) and there is a lot of stuff to take pictures of.

It's almost too much to mentally process. One of my drivers, Theo, took me on a tour of Takoradi yesterday. It reminds me a lot of Kabul. Not in a bad way, mind you. Open air markets, lots of colorful people wandering about and yes, it has that developing nation look to it. Unlike Kabul, everyone appears laid back and even though it looks poor, it appears there is enough to go around for everyone.

My only gripe is that I won't be able to see the rest of the country. I hear there are very nice wildlife refuges in the north. The map shows not one but TWO butterfly reserves! That sounds intriguing!

Now, the picture of the day and an explination of today's title....



Yes, that is a lizard on a BBQ.

No, the BBQ isn't on/we didn't eat him (No lizards were harmed in the making of this blog post)

And....

NO Emily, I will NOT bring him home for you! You already have a dog, you don't need an African lizard too, yes, I know he's cute and that you'd take really, really, really, really good care of him. The answer is still no. No, your pouty face will not make me change my mind. Neither will crying. (Well, that might get me, but, no, I am still not bringing him home.)

He's a bit of a fickle fellow, sometimes he'll let me get pretty close and take pictures other times he's off like a shot. He does seem to like to pose for me though, he jumped up on the grill to see what I was up to. He also has a very interesting head bob thing that he does. It looks like he's doing push-ups.

Oh and yes, there will be more pictures from Ghana. I'll be putting them up on the website when I have them edited.

This post was technically for yesterday. It sounds like the doc and I might go to the beach later today, I think I'll do some long exposure shots of the ocean for today's post... Stay tuned!


Music for (editing and writing) today:
Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones
California Girls by David Lee Roth
Lords of Karma by Joe Satriani
Rock & Roll Ain't Noise Pollution by AC/DC
Dude Looks Like A Lady by Aerosmith

Music to upload to:
I Want A New Duck by Weird Al
Forever Man by Eric Clapton
Let Me Hear You Scream by Ozzy
Africa by Toto (HA!)

Project 365, Day 97. Up in the air....

Finally.

No, finally I'm working and in Africa, not finally a new blog post. I know everyone is enjoying the pictures as well as the commentary, but have you ever tried to keep a blog updated from 30,000 feet or western Africa?

I didn't think so. So quit yer bitching.

There's a photographer. I don't like her style. It's just not my thing. She's a big muckity-muck for Adobe who makes Lightroom and Photoshop, which are two of the editing programs I use and she's brilliant when it comes to that stuff. I just don't dig her photography.

But she travels a shitload. (Even more than I do) She had this idea to take pictures out of the plane window on her travels. Now, that I think is a great idea, I have seen some cool shit from the window of an airplane, clouds, sunsets, sunrises, major cities by night, things you just don't see on a regular basis.

She wrote a book about the topic along with her photos. She seems to have deviated away from her normal style, so it's actually not a bad read.

Honestly, I was disappointed to see someone had already done this, as I had had the same idea while I was working in Afghanistan. Of course, I was even more bummed to see who it was by, so it goes.






(As always, when I post more than one shot for the day, I leave it up to Emily to pick which will be the Shot of the Day.)

These were shot on the flight from Denver to Washington DC. It was almost midnight when we left DC and I try to be unconscious for as long as possible during overseas flights, so I missed the sunrise.

The big ol purple blotch in the second one is from the combination of my polarizer and the light refracting through the plane's double windows. I'm not quite smart enough to know how to fix that in post. I needed the filter to get the deep blue sky. The third one is pretty much straight from the camera, I liked the colors and how it turned out. Only did a bit of sharpening and noise reduction to it.

The windows in the plane from Accra to Takoradi were...not clean enough to shoot out of, and the cloud cover would not have permitted good shots anyway.

I just wish I'd started doing this sooner.

Music today:
Love in an Elevator by Aerosmith
Lay Down Sally by Eric Clapton
On Fire by Van Halen
Better Than You by Metallica
On Turning Away by Pink Floyd (Live)
I Want To Break Free by Queen
I'll Fall In Love Again by Sammy Hagar
Draw the Line by Aerosmith
Foolin' by Def Leppard
(From about here on out, the music was just playing while pics were uploading. The internet is ssssllooooowwww here. But what do you want? It's Ghana)
The Confessor by Joe Walsh
I Lost on Jeopardy by Weird Al
Highway to Hell by AC/DC (Live)
The Call of Ktulu by Metallica (Live)

Project 365, Day 96. My bags are packed.

Well shit.

Weather prevented me from leaving yesterday. I was supposed to be in Africa right now.

Looks like I'll try again tomorrow.




At least my bags are packed.


Again, no music tonight, just getting the blog caught up before I leave.

Project 365, Day 95. Hurry up and wait.

I figured this blog would be hard to keep up once I got underway with my travels.

Only I didn't get underway with my travels as I had planned yesterday.

High winds prevented me from flying out of Colorado Springs to Denver, there by making it impossible to make any of my following connections to Africa. You can tell by the clouds, if you know something about cloud formations....

I shot this picture while I was waiting....



No music tonight, just trying to get caught up before I go.

Project 365, Day 94. Clean up on aisle one...

Finally.

I got a job. Looks like I fly out to Africa tomorrow. After Afghanistan (and Louisiana) how bad can Africa be? Of course, the locals are less likely to eat me in Afghanistan.

Don't look at me like that Louisiana. If I stepped out in front of a speeding Ford dually, you know I'd be the main course at dinner that very night. Dump enough Frank's or Slap Ya Mama seasoning on me and I'd taste just like that gator or whatever the hell it was you ran over last week.

Speaking of dinner...

In honor of my new found employment, Emily and I had Chinese tonight. Apparently, I spilled some of my sweet and sour sauce coming up the stairs.

That did NOT go unnoticed by Sera, who was kind enough to provide...wet clean up...
Yet another reason we don't have kids. How are we going to explain to anyone why we've taught our children to lick the carpet clean? That just seems awkward.



I love her sullen look. The look that says "All I got was the goop on the stairs. I didn't get ANY of daddy's chicken..." She reminds me of Marvin the Paranoid Android. Props to any of my geek friends who understand that reference.


Music for tonight:
Little Red Corvette by Prince
Simple Man by Lynyrd Sknyrd
One Night in Bangkok by Murry Head
Best of Both Worlds by Van Halen

Pic O' The Week #14

Sometimes, it's 9PM on a Sunday night before either of us gets around to working on a picture for the day/week. I would like to attribute this to being busy with something else really important, but if I were to be honest I'd have to attribute it to sheer laziness. Well, that, and I got a hot tip on where to buy clotted cream in Denver (Whole Foods), so Brian and I spent most of the day yesterday in a semi-conscious overdose of clotted-cream-covered scones. Mmm.....

But anyway, when it's 9PM on a Sunday night and there still needs to be a picture taken for the day, there's a fair amount of scrambling for interesting subjects. Brian pulls out the fancy gear....



Which unfortunately doesn't always provide inspiration...


I, on the other hand, tend to resort to the old standby of Hatch photography....the dogs. Of course they've been shot to death by now, so in the interest of giving you something different I present: Abstract, With Dog Face

Project 365, Day 93. Healed!

If you looked at the title and noticed the number, you might think I have skipped a day.

Naw, just got off on the numbering. It's quite a ways back and I just dont have the time to fix it right now.

I have not missed a day of shooting. Might not be until the next day that I post, but I havent missed a day yet.

Almost thought about it. It snowed today and was cold. I wasn't in the mood to go outside either.

However, today is Day 10. Stitches came out today!

It was almost as big of a production to get them out as it was to put them in. It took my eyes and Doug's hands to get them out. I did pop one of my stitches that first night. The skin had started to heal over the stitch, almost didn't get that one out.



It still looks a little rough around the edges, but it's all closed up. It'll probably scar a bit and be sore for a while longer.

Oh, I know what you're thinking. Since I'm not actively bleeding, I took the time to set up this shot better than the first picture of the open wound. Well, the only thing I did different here was add flash.

I still set up a tripod and picked out a lens and shot several test shots while I was bleeding all over the place. All in the name of art doncha know.


Music tonight:
I Want To Break Free by Queen
Lighting Up The Sky by Van Halen
Electric Head by White Zombie
Animal by Def Leppard
Let It Bleed by Rolling Stones
I Want It All by Queen

Project 365, Day 91. Immortalized in plastic!

Check it out!

Hasbro has immortalized one of their biggest fans....ok....customers...in plastic!

Me!

That's right! I have my very own action figure! I only found out today, when I came across him at Wal-Mart.

It's about fucking time too. The only people that have more of my money than Hasbro is Nikon and the US government. It's the least they could do.

The figure is a Rebel Commando from the Return of the Jedi movie. Odd. I fancied myself more of a Sith Lord or Imperial commander of some sort. Alas, I cannot complain.

He is quite the dashing handsome young rouge.

I....er....he... comes with a helmet, a cloth cammo coat, a backpack that looks like a combination of a microwave and an WWII radio set, a blaster pistol that slides into a working hip holster and an assault blaster rifle.

The rifle is a little more....bendy...than you'd normally expect in a high quality assault weapon...
That's why I have no respect for the Rebel Alliance. They are trying to take over the galaxy using crap like this. Losers.


You have to admit, for a four inch figure, the resemblance is striking...



I plan on ripping his little head off and creating a self-custom. Stay tuned for that.

I also shot a few of the lilac buds in the setting sun. I got a few nice shot and got lost in the moment, just shooting like crazy, coming up with great results.

Why is that?

I had my own personal harpist playing while I shot. Beat that Joe McNally, mister fancy pants. Bet you never had a harpist play for you while you shot. (Or had your own action figure...)



Oh, and don't mess with the bouncer. She looks like she'll tear your leg off if you mess with the harpist. Or piddle on your foot. Either way, it's a risk I don't recommend taking.


Music for tonight:
Goodbye To Romance by Ozzy
Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones
Staying Alive by The Bee Gees (Because disco fucking rules!)
Behind Blue Eyes by The Who
Hot For Teacher by Van Halen
I Want To Break Free by Queen

Project 365, Day 90. On the road.

Once again, I didn't post yesterday, but I did shoot.

I was on the road with Ma. She accompanied me to Buena Vista to keep me from eating everything in sight, as I had not eaten in more than fifteen hours for a fasting blood glucose test. That was part of my pre-deployment physical.

So was pissing in several cups and getting stuck by several needles.

The nurses took pity on me for the length of time I had to go without eating. I am not build to go that long without food. One ran out for some donuts for me. Bless you.

I took this shot on the road between Buena Vista and Salida.



While I love this lens (17-35mm f/2.8), the lens hood that it comes with is a piece of shit and broke while I was still in Afghanistan. That caused lens flare. Some feel this is an interesting artistic attribute in a picture. I find it highly annoying. I feel it's a crutch of a photographer trying to make up for the lack of ability to compose a decent picture. I think if more photographers read this blog, I'd probably catch some flack for that statement, but there ya go.

I didn't get home until after 10pm. Didnt feel like posting.


Music for tonight:
Another Brick In The Wall by Pink Floyd
Layla by Eric Clapton
19th Nervous Breakdown by The Rolling Stones
Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
I Must Be Dreamin' by Cheap Trick
Dreams by Van Halen