Another milestone this afternoon as the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter made a successful insertion into the orbit of Mars. It was a tricky maneuver, and that has killed other spacecraft going to the Red Planet. But it's there, and looking good. As soon as the orbit is corrected for data-gathering purposes, science can begin.
You can find more about the mission here.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Leastwise I hope the "happy couple" will when they get home. Proofs came back today, and they look good.
Now to see what the bride and groom think.
Now to see what the bride and groom think.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
The Wedding Report
Well, I’m still kinda sore from yesterday as I write this, but here’s an overview of the wedding shoot. And again, why did I come out of retirement? Oh yeah, because I needed the money.
I hadn’t been feeling good for a few days anyways, just from the stress of having to shoot this wedding. I mean, I don’t want to screw it up, but I haven’t done a wedding in years/decades, and am nervous.
So I get up around 7am to get ready, doing the usual: shower, shave, etc. Put on some good clothes, gather my gear, and I’m off to the church. Arriving a little after 8am. I thought I was going to get the evil looks for being 5 minutes late, but not even the bride or groom where there yet!! So I put my stuff out of site and start thinking about how I'm going to shoot certain things.
Oh yeah - the wedding was at 10am. And I had to be there to shoot stuff beforehand.
Suddenly I realize that I left one of my lenses at home. Not usually a big deal, but this was the one the cross-screen filter fit. And I needed that filter for the unity candle and the rings later. So I had to drive like a maniac down the highway to get the lens. It took about a half-hour, and by the time I got back, the bride had finally arrived.
I’ll skip the details of the ceremony, as it was just a wedding ceremony. Everyone’s filed out of the place to the receiving line, and we’re setting up the lighting units (I was able to drag a friend of mine out of retirement as well to help with the shoot). Now, since the reception was just next door, the wedding party is back in shortly and making life really hard on us as they are rushing the shoot. That ticks us off, as you can’t rush formal portraits if you want them to look good. But we did the best that we could, and I just hope things turned out okay.
We get done, and they just go right next door to the reception, barely giving me enough time to switch lenses to catch the “entrance of the couple.” What is with this “hurry up” stuff? They (the wedding party) were making noises like “people are waiting for us at the reception...” Well, that’s what they are supposed to do. I’ll bet 99% of the people there are well aware of how long it takes photographers.
Suffice it to say it was a typical wedding reception. Well, maybe not typical, as there was no alcohol allowed, and there was no dancing (Baptist church).
And another thing: this wedding wasn’t in the “church” but in a “multi-purpose room.” And in the basement of this church, there was a “Saturday meeting” going on, and WE couldn’t make any noise upstairs at the wedding, in case we disturbed the people downstairs. What?!? Since when is a regular Saturday dealio more important than a wedding? We even had to whisper in certain areas of the upstairs, and I couldn’t take flash photos “in case the flash was visible downstairs and we disturbed them.” What a bunch of crap. But I was able to work around it. I’m just glad that it’s over, and I won’t have to go back there.
Or do another wedding. I’m back into retirement as far as weddings go. No amount of money (well, I guess it depends) will make me do another one. I’ll stick with the portraits and such. It’s much easier, less stress, and actually more lucrative.
I hadn’t been feeling good for a few days anyways, just from the stress of having to shoot this wedding. I mean, I don’t want to screw it up, but I haven’t done a wedding in years/decades, and am nervous.
So I get up around 7am to get ready, doing the usual: shower, shave, etc. Put on some good clothes, gather my gear, and I’m off to the church. Arriving a little after 8am. I thought I was going to get the evil looks for being 5 minutes late, but not even the bride or groom where there yet!! So I put my stuff out of site and start thinking about how I'm going to shoot certain things.
Oh yeah - the wedding was at 10am. And I had to be there to shoot stuff beforehand.
Suddenly I realize that I left one of my lenses at home. Not usually a big deal, but this was the one the cross-screen filter fit. And I needed that filter for the unity candle and the rings later. So I had to drive like a maniac down the highway to get the lens. It took about a half-hour, and by the time I got back, the bride had finally arrived.
I’ll skip the details of the ceremony, as it was just a wedding ceremony. Everyone’s filed out of the place to the receiving line, and we’re setting up the lighting units (I was able to drag a friend of mine out of retirement as well to help with the shoot). Now, since the reception was just next door, the wedding party is back in shortly and making life really hard on us as they are rushing the shoot. That ticks us off, as you can’t rush formal portraits if you want them to look good. But we did the best that we could, and I just hope things turned out okay.
We get done, and they just go right next door to the reception, barely giving me enough time to switch lenses to catch the “entrance of the couple.” What is with this “hurry up” stuff? They (the wedding party) were making noises like “people are waiting for us at the reception...” Well, that’s what they are supposed to do. I’ll bet 99% of the people there are well aware of how long it takes photographers.
Suffice it to say it was a typical wedding reception. Well, maybe not typical, as there was no alcohol allowed, and there was no dancing (Baptist church).
And another thing: this wedding wasn’t in the “church” but in a “multi-purpose room.” And in the basement of this church, there was a “Saturday meeting” going on, and WE couldn’t make any noise upstairs at the wedding, in case we disturbed the people downstairs. What?!? Since when is a regular Saturday dealio more important than a wedding? We even had to whisper in certain areas of the upstairs, and I couldn’t take flash photos “in case the flash was visible downstairs and we disturbed them.” What a bunch of crap. But I was able to work around it. I’m just glad that it’s over, and I won’t have to go back there.
Or do another wedding. I’m back into retirement as far as weddings go. No amount of money (well, I guess it depends) will make me do another one. I’ll stick with the portraits and such. It’s much easier, less stress, and actually more lucrative.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Wedded Bliss?
I don't know about that. All I know is that the stress I was feeling about shooting this wedding is mostly over now that it's done with.
First wedding I've shot in years. I think it worked out fine. But I know one thing...
I'm really tired and sore. I haven't done that much standing and walking at one time in months.
And - hee hee - my hand's cramped up from holding the camera nearly nonestop for 6 hours.
More later.
First wedding I've shot in years. I think it worked out fine. But I know one thing...
I'm really tired and sore. I haven't done that much standing and walking at one time in months.
And - hee hee - my hand's cramped up from holding the camera nearly nonestop for 6 hours.
More later.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
A Stressful Day
So far.
And it's thanks to a local store and their "one hour photo" idiots.
Last night I had done a test shoot with some new strobes for a wedding that I have to shoot this weekend. For a model I used a girl I know: went over to her house, set up the lights, etc.
So today I get the pictures back, and there's this 1/4 inch faded black stripe down the center of each image. What!?!?! That's all I need!! Two days from a wedding, and my main camera is broke! And I don't have a backup, since it's down for repair as well. I've got to check this out.
So I jump in the car and race downtown to the local pro lab, and roll out the negatives in the big light table. Under magnification, I can't see anything on the negatives. I ask Sasha – one of the people down there – to take a look, and she can’t see anything either. She goes and calls one of the techs down to look. While we’re waiting, Kevin comes out of the back and looks, but he can’t see anything. So what’s going on?
The lab tech arrives, and she takes the negatives upstairs and scans them in quick and prints off a couple of shots. In about 15 minutes she comes downstairs, and shows me their images.
Whew!!! Relieve sets in!! It’s nothing on the negatives – it’s the fault of the one-hour idiots. See, if you’ve ever taken your prints to a one-hour place, you will see black data on the back. It’s the codes for that picture, in case you need to have another copy made. Well, these idiots here have something wrong with the machine, and it bleeds through the whole picture, so it’s visible in the front – causing me MUCH stress as I thought my camera was broke.
But it’s not, and I can shoot this wedding on Saturday. More on that later. I need to go de-stress somehow. I could use a hug. Anyone? Anyone?
And it's thanks to a local store and their "one hour photo" idiots.
Last night I had done a test shoot with some new strobes for a wedding that I have to shoot this weekend. For a model I used a girl I know: went over to her house, set up the lights, etc.
So today I get the pictures back, and there's this 1/4 inch faded black stripe down the center of each image. What!?!?! That's all I need!! Two days from a wedding, and my main camera is broke! And I don't have a backup, since it's down for repair as well. I've got to check this out.
So I jump in the car and race downtown to the local pro lab, and roll out the negatives in the big light table. Under magnification, I can't see anything on the negatives. I ask Sasha – one of the people down there – to take a look, and she can’t see anything either. She goes and calls one of the techs down to look. While we’re waiting, Kevin comes out of the back and looks, but he can’t see anything. So what’s going on?
The lab tech arrives, and she takes the negatives upstairs and scans them in quick and prints off a couple of shots. In about 15 minutes she comes downstairs, and shows me their images.
Whew!!! Relieve sets in!! It’s nothing on the negatives – it’s the fault of the one-hour idiots. See, if you’ve ever taken your prints to a one-hour place, you will see black data on the back. It’s the codes for that picture, in case you need to have another copy made. Well, these idiots here have something wrong with the machine, and it bleeds through the whole picture, so it’s visible in the front – causing me MUCH stress as I thought my camera was broke.
But it’s not, and I can shoot this wedding on Saturday. More on that later. I need to go de-stress somehow. I could use a hug. Anyone? Anyone?
The Maestro!!!
Tonight's "Nightline" features John Williams!
And I just found this out by turning the channel to it!! And there's only 5 minutes left!
Rats!!! Rats!!! Grr!!! Arghh!!!
They asked him what his favorite scores were. He said two tracks/areas...
Ending from CE3K
Bicycles over the moon from ET.
Why oh why didn't I check the TV sooner??!!!
And I just found this out by turning the channel to it!! And there's only 5 minutes left!
Rats!!! Rats!!! Grr!!! Arghh!!!
They asked him what his favorite scores were. He said two tracks/areas...
Ending from CE3K
Bicycles over the moon from ET.
Why oh why didn't I check the TV sooner??!!!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Giving Up
Today is Ash Wednesday, the First Day of Lent
In giving something up for Lent, I find I actually can't give up Lent. So I'm giving up Candy.
And Lisa. Stephanie. Julie. Christie. Jamie. Kathy. Kate. Wendy. Lori. Laura. Brandy. Mindy. Samantha. Sarah. Patty. Sara. Diana. Elizabeth. Marcie. Holly. Melanie.
In giving something up for Lent, I find I actually can't give up Lent. So I'm giving up Candy.
And Lisa. Stephanie. Julie. Christie. Jamie. Kathy. Kate. Wendy. Lori. Laura. Brandy. Mindy. Samantha. Sarah. Patty. Sara. Diana. Elizabeth. Marcie. Holly. Melanie.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Manhunt in the City!!!
Big manhunt going on here.
A dude that shot a local cop three times (back last year) escaped from the jail about a mile from my house. There's a whole area cordoned off, and the cops - in full SWAT gear - are doing a house-to-house. This dude escaped nearly 3 hours ago.
I hope he comes near here. just come into my yard. I'll shoot the f*cker.
There were so many eyewitnesses to the dude shooting the cop, he's guilty for sure. The trial is just "procedure."
We'll see....
Monday, February 27, 2006
The Big Dilemma
What to do...
If I buy Lady and the Tramp at best Buy tomorrow, I can get a free "Tramp" stuffed doggie. If I buy it at an evil local store, I can get a free "Lady" one.
What to do, what to do.
If I buy Lady and the Tramp at best Buy tomorrow, I can get a free "Tramp" stuffed doggie. If I buy it at an evil local store, I can get a free "Lady" one.
What to do, what to do.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Why Bother?
Why do I do it? Why bother?
I bust my six (ass, for those of you who aren't military brats) keeping our website up to date, putting out monthly newsletters with the latest intel/info, and no one reads the frackin' things!!!!
Why do I do it???? It sure the heck ain't for my health!!! And it sure ain't for the glory, as I get no gorram recognition at all.
I know I don't have the answers.
I bust my six (ass, for those of you who aren't military brats) keeping our website up to date, putting out monthly newsletters with the latest intel/info, and no one reads the frackin' things!!!!
Why do I do it???? It sure the heck ain't for my health!!! And it sure ain't for the glory, as I get no gorram recognition at all.
I know I don't have the answers.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
It's a Man's Life...
"Good Lord!! I'm on Film!!!
How did that happen??!!"
Watching "Monty Python's Personal Best" on PBS. Even now, years - nee decades - later, it's still frickin' hilarious!
Solve for "c"
There was a young lady named Bright,
Whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day,
In a relative way,
And returned home the previous night.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Bored now
How bored, you ask?
I've spent the last 2.5 hours playing "Freecell" on this computer.
Pathetic, isn't it.
I've spent the last 2.5 hours playing "Freecell" on this computer.
Pathetic, isn't it.
Frackin' Cold
Wake up to the wx station here reading -2.9F. Dewpoint -18.6F. Too cold.
Hasn't risen much either. Think I'm gonna stay home all day in the warmth, thinking about 90 degree summer days.
And thinking of nothing else.
Hasn't risen much either. Think I'm gonna stay home all day in the warmth, thinking about 90 degree summer days.
And thinking of nothing else.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Warning!!!!!!!!
Ice Storm Warning!!!
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ... HAS ISSUED AN ICE
STORM WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST THIS EVENING.
THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.
FREEZING RAIN...MIXED AT TIMES WITH SLEET AND SNOW...WILL
CONTINUE INTO EARLY EVENING. ICE ACCUMULATION OF ONE QUARTER TO
ONE HALF INCH OF ICE IS LIKELY. STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS WILL
DEVELOP LATE THIS EVENING. THESE WINDS COULD BRING DOWN TREES ICE
COATED TREE LIMBS WHICH MAY RESULT IN SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
WX Warning!!
Ah, if it were only late spring or summer. The words "Weather Warning" would set me to getting the cameras ready, wx meters out, ham radio charged, all so I could go "chase the wind."
But tonight we're talking crappy weather, since it's February. And according to the local TV meteorologists, we could get "a years' worth of weather in 24 hours." First heavy snow, then freezing rain, then snow, then thunderstorms, then back to heavy snow.
And while currently - according to my home Wx station - it's 41.2 degrees, the high Saturday will barely make it into the teens.
Frickin' winter. I hate you so!!!
So, tonight's plans? basically like every night for me, but this time I'll spend some of my time putting my Beethoven CD's on my iPod. I tried last night but things became "confused."
But tonight we're talking crappy weather, since it's February. And according to the local TV meteorologists, we could get "a years' worth of weather in 24 hours." First heavy snow, then freezing rain, then snow, then thunderstorms, then back to heavy snow.
And while currently - according to my home Wx station - it's 41.2 degrees, the high Saturday will barely make it into the teens.
Frickin' winter. I hate you so!!!
So, tonight's plans? basically like every night for me, but this time I'll spend some of my time putting my Beethoven CD's on my iPod. I tried last night but things became "confused."
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