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