Another Great Day Off

School was closed today so we had a great family day together. I got to go to Lily's gymnastics class for the first time. For day's now she's been saying, "Daddy come 'nastics." She had lots of fun running and jumping and swinging. We then visited the public library. From there we went to a park out in the Thousand Oaks/Oak Park area. There Lily got to go down the slide, ride a see-saw, and go on the swings. I think the swing was her favorite because she did not want to get off when it was time to leave. The picture above confirms how much she enjoyed the swing. Doesn't she look cool in her shades?

Calm in Chaos

Perhaps a bit dramatic of a title but I'm finding images like this to be relaxing during a stressful transition. When I was a kid I had no idea teachers worked as hard as we do. I still enjoy it, but my gosh is it busy.

The Wonders of Editing

I had some free time on Sunday and decided to run out to shoot some pictures. I know, surprise surprise. I had no idea what to shoot and just drove around hoping to feel inspired somehow. It never happened and I ended up in a spot I've been several times on the same mission. I came home feeling like I got nothing good and was tempted to delete my memory card without loading a single image into the computer. The first image below looked dull, flat, and blown out on the camera back. Loaded into the computer it looked the same, only bigger. So I tried pushing the colors a bit which helped. Then I wondered how the sunflare would look in black and white. I really like how it came out. I'm glad I didn't dump it after all. Following are a few others I felt came out at least half-way decently.

Rainy Day

It's raining today. I had originally planned on getting out and shooting some pictures. Julianne is over a friends house and I'm home with Lily. In my last post I asked for suggestions for what I should shoot next. Robin suggested the neighborhood so she could see where I live. Christy suggested macro shots. Since it's raining, I did go outside but not into the neighborhood. I figured showing things in the backyard qualifies for showing where I live. And I did have my macro lens on.

I immediately headed for the morning glories which were delicately sprinkled with water.

Then I noticed the leaves and the detail inside the reflection of the droplets.

How I didn't walk into this I don't know. I barely caught a glimpse of it spread out completely across the new section of lawn in our side yard. You really should click on the image below to see it larger.

It's creator was not readily in sight until I saw her escaping toward the patio cover.

Not too bad for a rainy day at home. :)

Final "Day Off" Pictures

Have I dragged these pictures out far enough? This is what happens when one doesn't get as many opportunities to shoot. I'm saving the best (in my opinion) Lily picture for Julianne to post on her blog. Hopefully I'll get a little time tomorrow to replenish the empty vault of unposted images. I have no idea what I'll go shoot. Any suggestions?

Rest

I spent a day at training today. Hopefully all went well with the substitute in my classroom today. I'm hoping that no news is good news. It was really nice to be done when the clock said we were done. No books to bring home. No extra hours of planning. In fact it was so nice I think I'll do it again for the next two days. Gotta love a three day training after a day off. :)

I couldn't decide which version to post so you get both. I love the bold color in the top one even though the background is blown out. But I also love how the almost complete lack of color emphasizes the patterns and the detail.

Finally, More Pictures

No posts in a week. Obviously things are still busy. But today was a day off work so I HAD to bring my camera anywhere we were going to go. First we went to Lily's music class which provided a good opportunity to shoot. I got quite a few of her having fun. But I opted not to take pictures of her during her brief meltdown. Everyone got up and marched around in a circle in the room. Lily demanded to be picked up and when it didn't happen soon enough, the flood gates opened.

Next we took a trip back to Underwood Family Farms to see animals, flowers, and pumpkins. Since life is still quite busy, rather than dumping all my pictures into one post as I usually do, I'm going to spread them out a bit. Who knows when I'll get the chance to shoot again. And I also end up posting all the good shots here before Julianne gets a chance to post them on her blog. So for today you get one from music class and one from the farm.

Those of you that are here from the Wordless Wednesday link, sorry, I'm NEVER wordless when it comes to my pictures. :)

Too Busy

Life has been busy. Work is kicking me in the behind. I'm enjoying being back in the class, but geeeesh is it a lot of work. Tomorrow night is back to school night and I'll get to meet many of the parents. I always look forward to this. It's an informal gathering where we look at the curriculum, talk about expectations, homework policy, etc. But it's also a chance for parents to size me up so I hope I make a good impression. I think most parents care about two things from a teacher: 1) that the teacher knows what he/she is doing; and 2) that the teacher cares about the students. I'm pretty confident I'll pass both of these tests. Although not quite as organized as I'd like, I do have a pretty good grasp on what I'm doing. And I think it's obvious that I care about the kids.

I apologize for not visiting my regulars in a while. I hope as I get settled into the semester I can spend more time seeing what everyone has been posting. I have not had much time to shoot lately so here's one from the archives that I don't think I've had the opportunity to post previously.

Fun n' Games

Lily and I have this game. I pretend to be asleep. She gets right up in my face and yells, "DADDY!!!" I act startled and tell her she scared me. She laughs. Repeat 20 times and you get the idea of how this game goes. Well just recently she decided to be the recipient. Here she is in the living room pretending to be asleep on her giant Elmo pillow. This time it only repeated twice. She prefers the role of the scarer rather than the scared.

Spared

When I'm not hosting photo projects with participants from all over the globe, I live a pretty simple life. By choice. We spend lots of time at home which we enjoy. Yesterday found me out back doing yard work. I trimmed the tree line on our back fence. While cutting the downed branches into smaller pieces, I found several praying mantises scurrying to avoid a trip to the green recycling bin. I individually gathered them onto small branches and returned them to the remaining tree limbs still intact. One of them decided to thank my by offering to pose for me. Off I ran inside the house to get my camera and macro lens. Here's a sample of our brief photoshoot.

Show Me...YOU!

Welcome to Day 7 - Show me...YOU!

As previously stated this would entail "a self portrait; your hands; your feet (I know some of you will be all over this one!); a shielded view of you; any way you want to portray yourself will work here."

Once again I had no idea what I'd do for this one. As a photographer, I am so much more comfortable behind the camera rather than in front. So this is one of the last things I thought I'd shoot and post. But I'm doing it for a reason. Not vanity, that's for sure. As I'm getting closer and closer to being ready to get my photography business off the ground I recently invested in studio lighting equipment. That along with the idea for this post gave me an opportunity to take these pictures. I'm including a wide view so you can see the lights and how I set them up. Take note of the bath towel hanging on the entertainment center! I still have to order my backdrop and support. Then I'll be ready for clients and income.

I can't believe this is the last day of this project. I want to thank each and every participant. I also thank all the visitors to my site and to the sites of those who participated. It's been great fun. I hope you all enjoyed it and felt at least a little bit challenged.

Show Me...something that relaxes you

Many possibilities came to mind. Family. Vacations. Photography. Exercise. But something lead me to go in a different direction. Music. I love music, as most people would agree. I grew up on 70's rock. Many people are shocked to learn my all time favorite group is Led Zeppelin. But I hardly listen to them these days. I still LOVE the music. Lyrically I have some issues. Fortunately I have no idea what they're singing about in many of the songs. These days I tend to mostly listen to contemporary Christian music. Usually we have our MP3 player shuffling through our catalog of Christian selections as seen below. Or sometimes Julianne's mix of country music.

I rarely play my guitar these days. It's set up on its stand about a yard to my right. Lily likes to come in and strum it. Funny how just seeing it there is relaxing to me.

Come back tomorrow (the last day) to Show Me...YOU. (e.g. a self portrait; your hands; your feet (I know some of you will be all over this one!); a shielded view of you; any way you want to portray yourself will work here)! For all the details from the week, click here.

Show Me...A View...

So many of you dug deep for yesterday's post. The pictures were great but I really enjoyed reading the stories behind the pictures. We're in the home stretch here. I love that so many of you have been participating the whole way through.

Day 5 - Show Me...your favorite view from anywhere in your home

This was easy. Easy to think of. I was a little worried capturing the image for obvious reasons. Taken just a few hours ago, this is a view that just melts my heart. Our routine at bedtime usually has Julianne holding Lily as we say our prayers. Julianne was at choir tonight so it was just Lily and me. We said our prayers, we gave kisses, and then she hugged me. But this time she hugged me with her face on my left and then gave a second, unexpected hug, on my right. Delightfully I exclaimed, "Oh I get a hug on both sides tonight!" She looked at me and repeated, "Both sides" with the biggest smile. I told her I loved her and without me asking, her eyes caught mine as she said, "I love you, Daddy."

Sleep well baby girl.

Come back tomorrow to Show Me...something that is relaxing to you! For all the details for tomorrow and the rest of the week, click here.

Show Me...An Object of Sentimental Value

Welcome to Day 4 of my Show Me...Project. Today, for some of us might get personal. This is where the story behind the object can really make the photograph take on new meaning. That's certainly true in my case.

Below you see an audio cassette. More specifically, an audio cassette from an old telephone answering machine. I've kept this in my nightstand drawer for 19 years now. From home to home, nightstand to nightstand, it's been there. I have not listened to it in at least 15 years I'd say. Contained on this tape are what were most likely my father's last words. I can't bring myself to listen to it again. But I can't, nor do I want to, get rid of it. It's a short message, and I remember it as clearly today as when it was received on June 2, 1989. The only temptation to listen to it is to hear his voice again. I wish I had other recordings besides this. What visually appears to be a dull and obsolete object is my chosen object of sentiment. I long for the day I'll hear his voice again.

Follow the label "My Father" below to read more about and see pictures of him.

The accompanying song today is Finally Home by MercyMe. It goes perfectly with this post I think.

Come back tomorrow to Show me...your favorite view from anywhere in your home! For all the details for tomorrow and the rest of the week, click here.

Show Me...Your Front Door

I'm blown away by what I'm seeing everyone come up with. And I'm loving reading the stories behind the pictures. I'm so happy to see so many of you visiting each other's blogs.

So, welcome to Day 3 - Show Me Your Front Door

I found shooting the front door much easier than doing my kitchen. Not sure why. But I'm pleased with how these came out. Hope you enjoy then. I'm looking forward to visiting more of your work.

Laying down, looking up

My L.A. Dodgers key in the deadbolt

From the inside looking out through the sidelight

My political opposite, Raven (she'd tell you the same thing!) asked if everyone should add to Mr. Linky each time or just once. Personally, I find it helpful each time a new post is up to see a new addition to Mr. Linky. It just saves time from revisiting a blog that does not have anything new yet. But you know me by now, I'm flexible. I think I've visited everyone's posts thus far.

Come back tomorrow to Show me...an object or objects of sentimental value! For all the details for tomorrow and the rest of the week, click here.

Show Me...Your Kitchen

Welcome to day 2 of the Show Me Project. I'm so glad so many of you are enjoying this. I had no idea how it would go over.

Day 2 - Show Me...Your Kitchen

I have other shots planned for most of the week. This one was my toughest to plan. So today you get a rambled mixture of kitchen shots. By now most of you know I love close ups. Me loves me macro!

I had no choice but to post a shot of our grind n' brew coffee maker

No no no, I haven't taken to drinking. This is an empty bottle of Mona Vie.
Good stuff but a wee bit pricey.

They looked so good together

Lily's refrigerator farm featuring Farmer Tad.

Come back tomorrow to Show me...your front door! For all the details for tomorrow and the rest of the week, click here.

Show Me...Your Mailbox

WELCOME to the Show Me...Project! I'm very excited to be hosting this.

Day 1 Show Me...Your Mailbox

Why a mailbox? I have no idea. I like mailboxes although we have quite a boring one. I did this one months ago but wanted to follow my own rules and not dig through my archives. It was a challenge for me to shoot a boring object in a creative way but I love how this came out.

This is my first time using Mr. Linky so I hope it works. I encourage you to visit each others posts. I'm excited to see what everyone comes up with.

Come back tomorrow for Show me...your kitchen! For all the details for tomorrow and the rest of the week, click here.

"Show Me..." Project

Well it's finally here. My very first photo project. I've been wanting to do this for some time now. I wanted to do something challenging but I wanted to keep it simple enough for lots of people to participate should they so choose. With that in mind, I decided to pick common objects to photograph. But I wanted to challenge people to shoot them in creative ways.

It begins tomorrow, Sunday, September 7 and concludes Saturday, September 13. I'd love for you to participate all 7 days but don't feel obligated. The rules are not rigid for two reasons: 1) most of you would break them! and 2) I want you to be creative. I'll ask you to try to shoot specifically for the project rather than looking for past images you've taken. But again, I'm not going to hunt you down if you don't do that. You may post one photo or a series; add comments (I love to hear the stories behind the images) or be wordless.

So here is the daily break down:

• Sunday - Show me...your mailbox

• Monday - Show me...your kitchen (e.g. the whole room or a portion; favorite kitchen appliance; gadget; something you cooked/baked...anything pertaining to your kitchen)

• Tuesday - Show me...your front door

• Wednesday - Show me...an object or objects of sentimental value. This is not a requirement but I'd love to hear the story behind the object(s).

• Thursday - Show me...your favorite view from anywhere in your home.

• Friday - Show me...something that is relaxing to you.

• Saturday - Show me...YOU. (e.g. a self portrait; your hands; your feet (I know some of you will be all over this one!); a shielded view of you; any way you want to portray yourself will work here)

If you know others that might enjoy this pass on the news. I want everyone to have fun with this and I'm really excited to see what everyone posts.

I picked a horrible time to begin this as I just started teaching again this week. My schedule is hectic but I promise to do my best coming to comment on all your posts. Please take some time and visit each other's posts.

Mr. Linky will be up on my first post very early tomorrow (12:01 a.m. pst). So come back tomorrow and add your link. Have fun and be creative!

This Old Shed

This image was taken years ago on my very first digital camera, an Olympus C3000Z. This is an old tool shed in a garden at my friend's in-law's home in Koblenz, Germany.

REMINDER
Be sure to check back on Saturday, Sept 6 for the details of my photo project I'll be hosting. Click here for preliminary details.

California Dreaming

Today we went to my mom's house for a Labor Day bbq. We had a great visit and great food. Lily got ice cream so she was in heaven. My mom has been car sitting for the past few months. A friend of a friend is keeping a Saab Turbo convertible in her garage for the summer. She asked if I would periodically take it out for a spin. So I graciously (foaming at the bit) accepted her request. I miss having a convertible. I had a Jeep Wrangler and a Mustang LX back in the late 80's/early 90's which were both convertibles. Hopefully I'll have one sometime again. So until such time, today I was dreaming.

REMINDER
Be sure to check back on Saturday, Sept 6 for the details of my photo project I'll be hosting. Click here for preliminary details.