365 days???

I have been reading a lot of camera and photography forums. Probably more than I should. Sometimes I think I should just get out and take pictures and quit reading about taking pictures. In most of the forums I read they discuss and give "topics" for a 365 photography project. A photo a day. What I am wondering is, can I take on this challenge? Will it completely burn me out? Will I get frustrated with it and just abandon something I really really enjoy? I am tempted in the hopes that it will improve my photography skills. That would be my goal. Maybe I'll do it.....still contemplating.

I can't wait!!!!!

We're going to see Rush in concert!!!!!!!

I have to admit I am fairly new Rush fan. I had heard everything about this band and it wasn't very good. Things like, "Eww. No thanks." "Nerd band" "He sounds like a girl" So, when Russel said one of his favorite bands was Rush I remembered the reviews I had heard in the past. I knew I had heard some of their songs on the radio but I was lazy in expanding the diversity of my music. I asked him to let me take them for a test drive and he gave me some CDs to try. Then we went to the Drafthouse to watch Rush:Beyond the Lighted Stage. I really started enjoying their music.

Russel was also kind enough to lend me a book that he mentioned when we first started dating. It was written by the drummer Neil Peart after his wife and daughter passed away and how he simply got out on his motorcycle and rode. It was an awesome book. I would suggest it to anyone. Here is the link from Amazon: Ghost Rider. I moved on to the next book called Roadshow. I really started to like his writing style. Then I went back and started reading Traveling Music and I have been trying to get through that for a few months now. I just haven't had the time to read much since I have been spending a lot of time with my camera.

So, now that I have been swept up by the "nerd band" with a lead singer who, "sounds like a girl" I am completely excited about seeing them in concert. I didn't know what I was missing.

And of course I have to list my favorite songs:

1. Presto

2. Workin' Them Angels

3. The Spirit of Radio

4. Subdivisions

5. The Working Man

6. Marathon

7. Tom Sawyer

8. Time Stand Still

9. Freewill

10. YYZ

I can't wait to hear them in person. I am even more excited than I was about going to see Journey in concert and that's saying a lot.

Remember the old days?

So, it might not be the old days for some but I have been watching some "classic" 70's and 80's TV series like The Incredible Hulk, Star Trek, Alien Nation and 21 Jump Street. All of them have some serious cheesy-ness but 21 Jump Street is tops it. Of course most people think about Johnny Depp as a superior actor who is diverse, cool and sensative. 21 Jump Street was pretty early in his career. I am always pretty critical of shows about cops, because hey, that's what I do. Maybe that's the way they did it "back then," but wow, we definately do it differently today. In the pilot episode Johnny Depp is involved in a pursuit of a vehicle which just committed an armed robbery. He gets on the radio and directs his radio traffic to "Control." Ummmm air traffic control? Command control? Janet Jackson control? It just caught me as something pretty funny.

While I am on the subject of things that bother me about movies and tv series, I have to say the absolute worse is when they have a diabetic character who starts going into some type reaction because, "they need their insulin" Ok folks, here is the deal: Panic Room did it wrong. Steel Magnolias did it right. I would have thought that Jodie Foster was smarter than that.


Now most people would complain that most movies aren't accurate because of science, or cars blowing up on impact and things like that. Yeah I don't care about that stuff as long as it's spoon-fed, mind numbing action. Just hide the wires and get the small stuff right.

I remember sitting down religiously to watch these shows with my mom. She was a big movie buff, especially sci-fi. I remember as a kid, I loved watching The Incredible Hulk with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. I covered my eyes and just couldn't watch when Bill Bixby's eyes turned scary green, but it was awesome. I think my absolute favorite was watching Star Trek, the original series and The Next Generation with my mom. We were both really concerned that there wasn't a Vulcan like Spock when the Next Generation came out, but I think we quickly warmed up to Data who was the "logical" replacement. Still, Spock holds a very special place in my heart.

So, in a world full of reality shows that suck and aren't really representative of the REAL world I long for the days of good shows full of cheesy-ness. The Real Housewives of "Generic" County??? Really? Keeping up with the Kardashians? Who are these people and why do we gravitate towards watching people with a lifestyle that isn't real? The Biggest Loser? Wait, let me finish eating my jelly donut before I criticize that one.

How about a list of the worst and the best? Ok maybe just a short list.

THE WORST TV SERIES AND MOVIES EVER!

Magnolia

Shallow Hal or anything with Jack Black

Anything with Jim Carrey

American Beauty

Rosemary's Baby

A Christmas Story- once was enough

The Thing

The Thaw
Manos: The Hands of Fate - even Mystery Science Theatre couldnt help this one out.
Crash
Jersey Shore
Keeping up with the Kardashians
Real Housewives...
The Biggest Loser


So many more that suck


THE BEST TV SERIES AND MOVIES EVER!
Aliens
The Terminator
Star Trek 2009
Halloween (Original)
The Color Purple

Places in the Heart

Glory

Lonesome Dove
The Thorn Birds

Gone with the Wind

The Shawshank Redemption

Schindler's List

The Green Mile

Apollo 13

Platoon
Man on Fire
Die Hard
Vertigo
Psycho
Rear Window

Cops series

Star Trek orginal series
The Incredible Hulk series
Forever Knight series

Alien Nation series and movies

A Haunting series

So many more that are great.

Those are my thoughts for the night. Time for bed.

Tribute photo

I have been meaning to try and re-create a photo that moved me as soon as I saw it. I was reading a book by Neil Peart who is the drummer and lyricist for the band Rush. His wife, Carrie Nuttall, is a photographer and took a very simple but moving photograph of Neils hands holding his drumsticks. I suppose I saw myself looking through the camera lens and seeing Russel's hands holding his drumsticks. So, that was the inspiration for my re-creation of her awesome photo. I also have to thank Russel for his patience with my amateur photography skills and holding a pose for quite a long time.

You can view the photo on Carrie Nuttall's website: http://www.carrienuttall.com/ 

Here is my tribute photo.

Acts of kindness from "Little Brother"

I first met Matt in 2001 at work. He was a tiny little thing, very young and all of the single girls were, shall we say, curious about him. I had already been with the department for about 3 or 4 years so I knew most of the younger generation didn't stick around long unless you were like me and had some nepotism going on. Matt and I worked together on the evening shift and he tried his hand at dispatching. He caught on quickly and the officers seemed to like him. He fit in great with me, Larry and Jonezy. We made a great team. Then for some weird reasons I decided to go to night shift. I was single with no life and a night owl. Matt and I didn't work much together for a few years and just saw each other at shift change. Fast forward a few years and when I returned to UT he and Kathy helped me settle back into the groove of things on day shift. This was the first time I worked day shift at the department. Since Larry and Jonezy have found other career paths our new team was made up of me, Kathy and Matt. It felt like home again.

Matt and I are sort of gadget heads. We both love electronics. Computers, mp3 players, car stereos, dvd players, ipods, anything and everything electronic or that I could break. Matt would always help me when I managed to break my computer or it had a virus or it needed more memory. Every time he helped me I learned how to do it myself so I wouldn't have to bother him the next time I broke something. Most of what he learned was from trial and error or stuff he taught himself. Always impressive in my book. I went through several computers through the years and Matt managed to make them last as long as possible. He even installed a new car stereo in my truck that my dad bought me. Everything Matt did for me was for free. He never asked for one red cent! I would try to help out when he went out of town and needed a puppy sitter.

Ipods: Yeah I have had my fair share of hatred of all things Apple, but destroying my first Ipod touch was my own fault. I managed to dump a 32 oz. Monster Energy drink in my purse where my Ipod was. I cried! I cried some more. Then after that I really really cried. I bought that all by myself and I was so happy with that Ipod. I loved it. I didn't have the money to get a new one and of course it wasn't under warranty anymore. Matt had a go at it and tried to open it up and dry it out. That didn't work and Apple doesn't make their products repair friendly. I was just going to have to deal with not having this luxury item for a while and maybe pick up some overtime so I could afford another one. One day while Kathy and I were working a weekend shift Matt stopped by. It was a little out of the ordinary to see him because all of us enjoy being away from work on our days off. Matt walked up to me and asked a very strange question. "Do you believe that good things happen to nice people?" I think my smart-ass response was, "Only in the movies Matty." He pulled out a brand new 32 gb IPod Touch. I could not believe my eyes! I could not believe that he put together a little scheme without me knowing involving himself, Kathy, Robin and my boyfriend, Russel. They all pitched in and bought me a new one. I cried again....happy tears. Tears of disbelief. I couldn't stop saying thank you to everyone. It turned out he got Russel's phone number from my cell phone and called him to recruit him as co-conspirator. Sneaky sneaky!

Kathy always referred to Matt as "Little Brother" because thats what he is to us here in our little work family. So, I started calling him my lil brother also. And Matty as well. Well, for the past few months I have been looking at new computers even though I can't afford one. My computer is about 5 years old and though Matty has kept it running all of those years I could tell she was slowing down and it was time for an upgrade. Again...no money so I was content with just making it last as long as possible. I received a text message from Matty on my day off asking if I was going to be at work the next day. Hmmm, felt like a trick question or a trap. I told him I was and he said he thought he may know a way to make my computer run better. I said thanks and I was curious to see if he found some new software or hardware that would help my poor girl run better. When we all got into dispatch he pulled out his laptop computer and put it in front of me and said, "Now you won't have to worry about your computer running slow anymore." WHAT????? Wait!!!! I asked him what he meant. He said he was done with electronics forever. Ummmm yeah right Matty! You lie worse than I do. :-) Then he pulled out a shiny new Alienware laptop computer. Instant melt for us gadget people. But wait! He just put his awesome "old" computer in front of me and told me it was mine.
That's not all he did. He gave Kathy a nice Bose Surround Sound system. He was casually cleaning out his closet and found something he wasn't using. Wow. Lil brother. You have outdone yourself here. You always do.

So, I don't have much to offer but I will write about your kindness and your thoughtfulness and what a great person you are. I am blown away by you sometimes and I will try to raise my level of kindness and thoughtfulness to your level. Thank you Matty. I couldn't ask for a better friend, co-worker, and lil brother.

In training...

I am in my own little training bootcamp right now. I am trying to learn the in's and out's of my new hot-rod beautiful wonderful camera. I have started taking notes and practicing on whatever I can focus on. I have started a flickr account to upload the pictures I am happy with.

Feel free to take a look and critique. http://www.flickr.com/photos/57976175@N08/

I am thinking I will probably have to resort to buying a dummies guide but I am ok with that. Long long ago I took a photography and dark room class in high school, but I have long forgotten all of that stuff. Of course that was back in the day when film was all you had. Now you are in a realm of megapixels.



Can you see my bottom toofs?



Get that camera out of my face!!!!!

I am anxious to get some days off and really practice. I am sure my Fraggles and Dinah are tired of the flash going off in their faces.

Ready, Set.....wait!

Yeah, I am not ready for the new year. Today I happen to be putting off paying my bills. I know it's already the 5th and I should just work on it and get it done.

I also found out that I should wait until Mid-to late February to file my taxes because of the late tax law changes...quoting from their website,  "The Internal Revenue Service announced today the upcoming tax season will start on time for most people, but taxpayers affected by three recently reinstated deductions need to wait until mid- to late February to file their individual tax returns. In addition, taxpayers who itemize deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A will need to wait until mid- to late February to file as well." http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=233449,00.html

I am not ready yet! I still need a few more months to get ready. I guess I will grudgingly be pulled into 2011 whether I am ready or not.

Warning warning warning....

I had a wonderful Christmas. I wish I could have given more to more people but I am happy with what I was able to do. Christmas day Russel started feeling a little under the weather and even though I was housesitting, I wanted to check in on him and make sure he was doing ok and didn't need anything. Well, I got sick kissing Santa Claus.

I am a full blown biohazard now. I wanted to call in sick to work but since we're still on the holiday schedule there is no one available for coverage. I will do my best to stay conscious and aware but no promises!

Computers hate me...

If you know me, you know that me and computers generally don't get along. We have a love-hate relationship. When I touch a computer or any electrical device they seem to break. Not to the extreme in this picture but pretty close. I had some time off from work and I ended up working on computers the entire time. The home computer got a virus that is pure evil. I was unsuccessful at trying to cure it so...windows re-install will be coming soon. My aunt called me and needed help with her laptop because it wouldn't connect to the wireless.

While I was working on those two issues my portable external hard drive died. That had the back-up for all of the other computers. I cried and then Russel came in to save the day. He was able to recover the data from my hard drive and keep it safe until I could get another one. I promised I would never ever make weird faces or make fun of Linux again. So, here it is...I love Linux...mostly Tux but THANK YOU LINUX! for saving my butt twice already. Thank you Russel for everything!



Tux as Captain America.

My co-worker Matty came to the rescue to help me troubleshoot the problem with my aunt's computer so hopefully that will be up and running shortly. Thank you Matty.

Hopefully I will be able to get another portable hard drive soon. Until then iTunes...my other nemisis is at a standstill. Maybe if I ever get another computer I won't run into evil software problems.

I can almost hear Russel saying, "Let's install Linux on it!"

The Heavens...Take 1!....and Action!

My new goal is to get an outstanding picture of the Milky Way.

Last night was the Geminid Meteor Shower. Russel helped me set up his tracking mount for his telescope so I could try to piggy-back my sister's camera and getting the phenomenal shot of the Milky Way. FAIL!!!!!

Yeah my first attempt was pretty bad. And of course when I am around something will either get broken or scratched or not work. Two out of three of those things happened. I am hoping my next attempt will be better. I was so excited because the previews in the viewfinder of the camera were turning out really nice. When the pictures were downloaded they were out of focus and I was so entirely disappointed. I don't think the camera settings were right and I didn't double check the focus before shooting away about 5 gigs of memory.

There were some great things that happened last night so it wasn't a complete fail. I got to hang out with a really cool guy and watch "falling stars" all night. That really cool guy made me hot chocolate with marshmellows on top when it was pretty darn cold outside. Really, even though the pictures turned out crappy, I had a great night. Thank you Russel, your patience sometimes amazes me.

Here is the salvaged first attempt. The streak at the bottom is an airplane trail. I didn't capture any of the meteors....but maybe next time.

Catching Up

I haven't blogged in a while. I feel like I am just getting caught up. Laundry doesn't seem to want to wash itself. The computers all decide to die all at once and get infected with spyware. The truck likes to stay dirty unless I help her out and give her a bath every once in a while. I did get to go see the Lago Vista football semi-final game at the UT stadium the other night. I am disappointed that they lost to Cameron Yoe, but I had a great time. I felt like I got a do-over from high school. Russel was with me and when we got there my sister gave me some "spirit balloons" Russel made me a dog out of one and I attached it to the end of one of the others. I was hoping it was going to be a lucky dog but she didn't give much luck.

I was there with the cutest guy and I didn't have to wear a yukky uniform or march at halftime. I could just sit back and enjoy the game and I didn't have to worry about anyone talking in the hallway if I kissed him at the game. :-) It was awesome.

I also managed to get all of my Christmas gifts wrapped and ready to go. I can't wait to give Russel his gifts. So, I am off to see what else I can accomplish....

The heavens scooting by...

The other night Russel set up his telescope so I could be captivated by the heavens again. I decided to set up the camera and attempt some more star trail pictures. I didn't think that they turned out very well while I was taking them. The camera somehow moved (I blame user error or the evil camera fairies) so I figured I wasn't going to get anything that even looked like a star. I went ahead and downloaded them and stacked them just to see how horrible they turned out. I was pleasantly surprised. Russel says its time to move on to the next level of astrophotography. I am thinking I should stick to what I know. :-) Just kidding. You may have to look closely to see the small streaks.



Cassiopeia streaking around the sky




The bright streak is Jupiter.



A simply wonderful weekend

I had a simply wonderful weekend. Russel took me on a flight for the first time. It was so much fun and exciting. I loved every minute of it. We flew over his parents house and we could see his mom and dad waving which was really cool. I have to say, I did wave back even though I knew they couldn't possibly see me. It's going to be hard to top this great day. Here are some pictures from our flight.







Russel getting ready to start his checklist



It's smaller than it looks.





The plane





The Lake



Runway 2-9



Really cool vintage plane that landed after us.



I love this picture

Russel's parents watching us fly over.



Larger Font

For those of us who can't quite see the tiny font this is usually typed in, I went back and enlarged some of my previous posts. I hope this helps. :-)

Vertigo

I absolutely love this photo of James Stewart and Kim Novak from the Alfred Hitchcock film Vertigo. Russel introduced me to this movie and I really enjoyed it. The cars were fantastic, even if you look in the background of many of the shots. The only thing I didn't think was cool was that he should have fallen in love with Midge at the end. Afterall she was the one who went to visit him in the hospital and she was crazy enough to put herself out on the line with her "self portrait." To borrow Russel's thoughts on the portrait...it could have been used on the cover of a romance novel.

I identified with her goofyness and her quick wit and less with the main character played by Kim Novak. So, thanks Russel, I enjoyed it. My world continues to grow. :-)

The first Christmas song of the season...

Today I heard it....I knew it was coming I was just hoping it would be closer to Christmas. I try to avoid Christmas music because it irritates me, unless it is played on Decmber 25th and its tasteful. Of course the local music station insists on being the #1 carrier of these recyled tunes and playing them 24/7 until January 1st. Someone cursed me and had it tuned in, in the women's locker room at work. So what was it you ask? I suppose I lucked out because it was one of the better ones. "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"

So, now that I have that pesky Christmas shopping out of the way, I can go back to being a Grinch and saying Bah Humbug just for my enjoyment in watching the Christmas Elves cringe in disbelief. Carry on, Carry on.

Proud....very proud

Russel and his instructor Larry

Russel is officially a private pilot. I am so proud of him. I was so excited on my way to the airport and I didn't have anyone to really call and tell because everyone was at work. I called Mrs. Schultz. Of course, I didn't even realize I would be "stealing his thunder" so to speak but it was very cool to share that excitement. Sorry Sweetie. I can't wait to fly with him and take lots of pictures. Congratulations Babe. I love you!

Holiday Rush

It seems to me this year the holidays are rushing by. I got so excited about Halloween and then as soon as that came I start seeing Christmas commercials and the threat of playing non-stop Christmas music on the radio. UGH! I can listen to Christmas music on Christmas eve and Christmas day. I don't think I can take an entire month and half of non-stop Christmas tunes. The music is still the same no matter which singer is singing it.

Bob Dylan is probably the worst of them. Bob....seriously? Oh Come All Ye Faithful was supposed to be spiritual not sounding like you drug yourself off the bathroom floor and straight into the studio. If you want to torture your relatives make sure you order this one and put it in the shuffle mix for Christmas dinner. I can't wait to try it on my relatives. Ha. 

So between the horrible football schedule of 3 football games in 3 weeks including the A&M game on Thanksgiving, the scheduling of the housesitting jobs over the holidays and working on Christmas shopping within my budget I am ready for the holidays to be over. I usually feel that way though.

Maybe one day the holidays will be nice, relaxing and enjoyable. Of course that would mean a trip to Switzerland from November 1st-January 10th. LOL.

....With Love

I just finished reading this awesome book. I was pretty much on the edge of my seat the whole time. It's not a very long book but it was well written and worded in a completely honest way. It is a tear jerker. Here is a spoiler though, He lived happily ever after.

...One of my least favorite things to do

Having a garage sale is one of my least favorite things to do. I am generally not a very good salesman and I don't like interacting with people who will try to talk you into selling a $50.00 item for 50 cents. I have considered putting some of the items on ebay, but thats a pain in the rear. Still, I might resort to doing that depending upon how this garage sale goes. So, I will be spending my days off sitting out in front of my house waiting for no one to show up and buy the things that only I think are treasures. Wish me luck, I am not optimistic.