Well here it is almost mid-term and I am still hanging in there. I have learned so much about my camera and the art of taking pictures. I can't remember the last time that I used the Auto button, which is a sign of a true photographer - they say. I still have so much to learn, but I am not frustrated as I look through the view finder now and I am more sure of myself when I look at something and try and understand what it is I want to capture. Sharing my photos with my niece and my class mates is exciting as we each discuss our ideas and help each other improve. Recently I posted three of my photos on the college web site for review by other campus members. This is the test of test when other past and present photographers have the opportunity to see and critque your pictures. So far I haven't received any comments - what is the saying, no news is good news, but I am truly hoping for some good comments to help me improve my style.
More than once is the time I have looked at the work of other photographers and I wonder if I will ever get as good as they, the colors, the scene, the topic. Some are so beautiful and inviting. As we have found out my niece and I are two different photographers. As she calls it, I am an objective photographer and she is a subjective photographer. She is so much more happy photographing a person or animal while I love scenery, architecture, and engineering items.
Talking about my niece, which is the topic of my post - last night was not only eventful it was wonderfully rewarding.
In a previous post I wrote about how I was the victim when my niece was talking to me and I got yelled at for talking.
Last night I laughed my butt off - while the instructor was talking she was wandering around the room, and the next thing THE WHOLE CLASS heard was, "WHAT IS THAT? - SOLITAIRE?" Yep, yep, yep BINGO!!! right between the eyes. Tiff got caught playing Solitaire on her computer while the instructor was talking. I couldn't help it I jumped out of my seat and in total exuberance I shouted "YES!! YES!!" I was laughing so hard. She got caught! There is justice and the whole world heard it. I have been vindicated. Of course she denies all of it but she lives with so many others in Eqypt (On Da Nile).
And THEN, oh gosh it gets so much better - a short time later THE WHOLE CLASS hears, "DON'T TELL ME THAT IS A CELL PHONE?" Oh the photo gods were smiling down at me last night. Our friend Deja sitting behind us was caught using her cell phone. And Laurie, the instructor, is not bashful about sharing her feelings with the whole class so she proceeded to embarrass Deja about using her cell phone while she was talking.
It was such a WONDERFUL evening in class and I am still in a happy mood today. Last night WAS GIRL'S NIGHT OUT!!!!! The score is Men 1 Women 2. It is a fine day at sea Cap'n.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
THANK GOODNESS I AM GOOD
I recently read the blog of my niece and pondered the results of her conversation with my princess (great niece) concerning her yellow flag for talking in class. Now of course I don't disagree that it is a worthy lesson the teacher was trying to impress on Hailey, after all we occasionally have had to rein her in (gee I made a pun Raine/rein) when she is constantly interrupting while others are talking. I think this is a "growing up thing" since she is not the only one at that age and even older when seeking attention over others. But to get back to my story, I was about to say that I experienced the same issue recently.
I was sitting in class Monday minding my own business and truly focusing on the instructor when my classmate started talking to me. I was caught in a predictament do I continue focusing on the instructor and be rude to my classmate or take the time to acknowledge and interact with my classmate? After all I try and understand the need for attention.
Evaluating talk or not talk - show love and interest or good student attributes I decided to acknowledge my classmate.
BAM!! right between the eyes the instructor narrowed her comment to me requesting me not to talk while she was explaining something. DID YOU GET IT....? ME not to talk! Why I always get caught and placed in these embarrasing situations I don't know but I truly believe part of it is because my classmate IS A GIRL and girls always get away with everything.
And things never change (reminiscing back to my grade school days) because my classmate instantly put on that innocent "what were you thinking of?" look, ignored me like the plague after that.
Next time I am going to sit next to Jim cause guys don't do this to each other.
I was sitting in class Monday minding my own business and truly focusing on the instructor when my classmate started talking to me. I was caught in a predictament do I continue focusing on the instructor and be rude to my classmate or take the time to acknowledge and interact with my classmate? After all I try and understand the need for attention.
Evaluating talk or not talk - show love and interest or good student attributes I decided to acknowledge my classmate.
BAM!! right between the eyes the instructor narrowed her comment to me requesting me not to talk while she was explaining something. DID YOU GET IT....? ME not to talk! Why I always get caught and placed in these embarrasing situations I don't know but I truly believe part of it is because my classmate IS A GIRL and girls always get away with everything.
And things never change (reminiscing back to my grade school days) because my classmate instantly put on that innocent "what were you thinking of?" look, ignored me like the plague after that.
Next time I am going to sit next to Jim cause guys don't do this to each other.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU TALKIN' ABOUT
f-stop, shutter speed, white balance, AV, Tv, Flash drive, RAW, RAW-JPG - WAIT! my brain is going on overload. I took this class for fun not to memorize a foreign dictionary. I have 1,289 buttons on my camera, an instruction manual the size of a dictionary and a brain the size of the pea.
Trying to keep up with all the new terms I have to learn and all the buttons I have to push to make an image come life is giving me a migraine.
Whatever happened to my wonderful one button Brownie insta-matic? Aim And Shoot. Yep that's what I want RETRO!!!!
Last night I couldn't even access my programs because everything was in Arabic. I am writing frantically to keep up with the directions from the professor who keeps turning out the lights so I have to try and write in the DARK!
My eyes have RED circles that look like one of those twirling discs people use to hypnotize the unwary, my hair has cowlicks stticking up all over and I really need help.
So I lean across my desk to ask my classmate if she could give me a hand.
Unfazed she looks at me with that quizzical, are you kidding me, you can't get this look, while she is busily typing away on her personal Blog Site and looking at the web sites of other photographers, SHE HAS ALREADY PRINTED HER PHOTOGRAPHS while I am still trying to find mine.
With half a heart she reaches over, pushes a button and all of sudden my computer lights up the screen starts rolling lights are flashing, web sites are scrolling and Eureka!! There it is. Just like the professor said it was.
I don't like her, my class mate. ;~)
She never takes notes, she never reads assignments, says she is too busy taking pictures, she already has 2,139 pictures enough to finish the course and I am stuck on 36 all of my dog lying down and standing up.
I don't like her, my classmate. ;~)
But you know what? I am stuck with her because she knows which button to push to make my computer work.
Trying to keep up with all the new terms I have to learn and all the buttons I have to push to make an image come life is giving me a migraine.
Whatever happened to my wonderful one button Brownie insta-matic? Aim And Shoot. Yep that's what I want RETRO!!!!
Last night I couldn't even access my programs because everything was in Arabic. I am writing frantically to keep up with the directions from the professor who keeps turning out the lights so I have to try and write in the DARK!
My eyes have RED circles that look like one of those twirling discs people use to hypnotize the unwary, my hair has cowlicks stticking up all over and I really need help.
So I lean across my desk to ask my classmate if she could give me a hand.
Unfazed she looks at me with that quizzical, are you kidding me, you can't get this look, while she is busily typing away on her personal Blog Site and looking at the web sites of other photographers, SHE HAS ALREADY PRINTED HER PHOTOGRAPHS while I am still trying to find mine.
With half a heart she reaches over, pushes a button and all of sudden my computer lights up the screen starts rolling lights are flashing, web sites are scrolling and Eureka!! There it is. Just like the professor said it was.
I don't like her, my class mate. ;~)
She never takes notes, she never reads assignments, says she is too busy taking pictures, she already has 2,139 pictures enough to finish the course and I am stuck on 36 all of my dog lying down and standing up.
I don't like her, my classmate. ;~)
But you know what? I am stuck with her because she knows which button to push to make my computer work.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
CHEEP DATES # 2
Recently I returned from a wonderful and fun-filled vacation to Las Vegas. I took a dear friend there for her birthday and it was her first time. As with any place I have seen and I have the wonderful opportunity to re-visit and see through another person's eyes this was no exception. It so rewarding to watch someone share the same delight I experienced.
However, staying consistent with one of my earlier posts it should not come as a surprise I still enjoy the Budget Plan and always seek ways to minimize my financial impact.
Thus was the case in Las Vegas and I whole heartedly recommend it to anyone that has the fortitude to just say "No!"
Looking for tickets to shows we came across a ticket desk advertising show tickets so naturally we wondered in that direction. Unbeknownst to us this was a Sales Gimmick desk. It was a vacation time share promo.
So here is the deal-for $40 CASH they will give you vouchers for a show and gaming tokens. My suspicious mind say's Yeah Sure! but since this was Las Vegas and gambling is the game in town I decided to go ahead. We were trucked as so many cattle, to a waiting conference hall with the typical high pressure - totally UnFunny-sales staff and mangerial hammers.
To make a loooong story short the end result is this, we spent 3-hours of our non-vital time to listen to the sales spiel, meet with two high pressure hammers, then a final "No" at the receptionists desk and the trip back to our hotel where we cashed in our gaming voucher for SLOT machine credits (this is important because they gave us cash) $75.00 and our two free show tickets $58.00 each.
So for a $40 gamble our winnings amounted to $151 and once again I had accomplished a Bargain Basement Date!!!!
However, staying consistent with one of my earlier posts it should not come as a surprise I still enjoy the Budget Plan and always seek ways to minimize my financial impact.
Thus was the case in Las Vegas and I whole heartedly recommend it to anyone that has the fortitude to just say "No!"
Looking for tickets to shows we came across a ticket desk advertising show tickets so naturally we wondered in that direction. Unbeknownst to us this was a Sales Gimmick desk. It was a vacation time share promo.
So here is the deal-for $40 CASH they will give you vouchers for a show and gaming tokens. My suspicious mind say's Yeah Sure! but since this was Las Vegas and gambling is the game in town I decided to go ahead. We were trucked as so many cattle, to a waiting conference hall with the typical high pressure - totally UnFunny-sales staff and mangerial hammers.
To make a loooong story short the end result is this, we spent 3-hours of our non-vital time to listen to the sales spiel, meet with two high pressure hammers, then a final "No" at the receptionists desk and the trip back to our hotel where we cashed in our gaming voucher for SLOT machine credits (this is important because they gave us cash) $75.00 and our two free show tickets $58.00 each.
So for a $40 gamble our winnings amounted to $151 and once again I had accomplished a Bargain Basement Date!!!!
FIRST DAY PERSPECTIVE
What is interesting is to follow the Blog of my classmate (niece) and her first day of school and my perspective of my first day of class.
Note if you will, I am more pessimistic ( my hero is Eeyore) our professor bored me. Well not completely but quite a bit of the times and I remembered how when I was an active student, I had profs I enjoyed and profs I could easily have done On-Line. This one falls in the middle. However, on an optimistic note, I am excited about some of the things she has indicated we will cover. My input was I am interested in traveling and portrait photography but fail to have a perspective and interpretive eye when I am looking at something, I know what I want my photograph to state I just don't always capture that. She, the professor, promises to cover this as well as the many things my classmate talked about in her Blog.
I recalled last night while I stayed up past my bedtime reading my assignment for tonight how many times I did this for 3 and 4 classes, and here I am doing this just for one class - but wait! I am changing my student status to AUDIT where pass or fail is not an issue. Wheeeee I can turn out the light and go to bed. So much for Chapter 3, I'll try and capture you during my lunch break. MAYBE - there is still the weekend.
In truth (dang-it) I really did enjoy myself and I do look forward to this quarter with high expectations. Secretly, it was so much fun watching my niece going through the Freshman phase. She was a delight to be with. Don't tell her though.
Note if you will, I am more pessimistic ( my hero is Eeyore) our professor bored me. Well not completely but quite a bit of the times and I remembered how when I was an active student, I had profs I enjoyed and profs I could easily have done On-Line. This one falls in the middle. However, on an optimistic note, I am excited about some of the things she has indicated we will cover. My input was I am interested in traveling and portrait photography but fail to have a perspective and interpretive eye when I am looking at something, I know what I want my photograph to state I just don't always capture that. She, the professor, promises to cover this as well as the many things my classmate talked about in her Blog.
I recalled last night while I stayed up past my bedtime reading my assignment for tonight how many times I did this for 3 and 4 classes, and here I am doing this just for one class - but wait! I am changing my student status to AUDIT where pass or fail is not an issue. Wheeeee I can turn out the light and go to bed. So much for Chapter 3, I'll try and capture you during my lunch break. MAYBE - there is still the weekend.
In truth (dang-it) I really did enjoy myself and I do look forward to this quarter with high expectations. Secretly, it was so much fun watching my niece going through the Freshman phase. She was a delight to be with. Don't tell her though.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
GOOD MEMORIES
You know how sometimes things revisited bring back good memories? That is what happened to me yesterday. In 1987 I finally completed enough credits to receive my Associates Degree this after having transferring from another school and having to retake many courses in order to receive local accreditation.
I now can remember there were times I wanted to quit, times I became so frustrated and fearful because I couldn't seem to grasp a particular subject, the anxiety that went with every final exam, the many times I survived on 3, 4 and 5 hours worth of sleep because I was also working full time. And then that most exhillerating, rewarding feeling that came with, as Reese Witherspoon so eloquently put it in "Legally Blond", "I DID IT!" I graduated and surprizingly graduated as an honor student.
Since 1987 I have not returned nor set foot on any campus and with no regrets.
But yesterday, my niece, Tiffany and I signed up for fall quarter at Olympic College. We will be taking a Photography class, but that is insignificant to the good feelings she and I experienced as we walked into the registrars office filled out the usual submission forms discussing class numbers, room numbers, student ID numbers like two NEW Freshman entering a new experience for the first time.
And THEN the walk across the campus while our own thoughts and fond memories of our individual experiences returned when we were active students came back to wash over our emotions and our faces.
As we entered the Student Union and Book Store it was like "I'M BACK!" and it felt so good and so right.
I now can remember there were times I wanted to quit, times I became so frustrated and fearful because I couldn't seem to grasp a particular subject, the anxiety that went with every final exam, the many times I survived on 3, 4 and 5 hours worth of sleep because I was also working full time. And then that most exhillerating, rewarding feeling that came with, as Reese Witherspoon so eloquently put it in "Legally Blond", "I DID IT!" I graduated and surprizingly graduated as an honor student.
Since 1987 I have not returned nor set foot on any campus and with no regrets.
But yesterday, my niece, Tiffany and I signed up for fall quarter at Olympic College. We will be taking a Photography class, but that is insignificant to the good feelings she and I experienced as we walked into the registrars office filled out the usual submission forms discussing class numbers, room numbers, student ID numbers like two NEW Freshman entering a new experience for the first time.
And THEN the walk across the campus while our own thoughts and fond memories of our individual experiences returned when we were active students came back to wash over our emotions and our faces.
As we entered the Student Union and Book Store it was like "I'M BACK!" and it felt so good and so right.
Monday, July 28, 2008
BUDGET DATES
When I was in the Army, as most service persons seeing Europe, depending on your agenda required considerable investment and finding cost savings was a must. Several books were written advertising "See Europe on $5.00 A Day.
I believe this became the start of my frugal attitude in many things I do today one being dating. And this then is where I am taking you today. I will share with you a perfect day of dating on $5.00.
Bear in mind this may only be a one shot deal with the same woman (or man), but hey let's face it think of how many different people you can meet using my method.
Now also bear in mind that one of two end results will occur. There will probably not be a middle road either you will find the right person that will go out with you again, or the person you are taking on this special date will never see you again and you can bet you ain't getting a good night kiss on the door step afterwards.
So let us begin this special day.
I had invited my friend to share dinner, a concert and a movie with me this past Saturday. Excited and looking forward to a pleasant day I did my usual shower and shave broke out the special Armani deodorant and cologne saved only for special occasions, spent the required 15 minutes ensuring my part was perfectly straight and all straglers were waxed down or pulled out. I then got out the trusty ear mower and shaved the inside of each ear, women hate smuggling up to a bush poking out of ear lobes. Next came the tweezers and scissors first using the scissors I made sure that the bugger encrusted hair protruding from my nostrils was neatly trimmed back beyond eyesight, took the tweezers and plucked out the worst of my eye brow bush. Handsome and feeling spry I selected an appropriate color and appealing shirt with complimentary pants, socks, and shoes.
I was immaculate and ready for the KILL! I am definitely under the belief my dates deserve this extra preparation and trouble after all as I mentioned earlier, this may be my one and only chance to score.
Before leaving it is important to make a first impression, so I always try and bring a bouquet of flowers, thank goodness I have several rose bushes to fill this need just a matter of pulling out the trusty Swiss Knife on the way out the door and snipping off the older of the roses - this accomplishes two things first off it helps prune the bushes for new budding flowers and second it eliminates having to cut and throw away, and if you peel off the outer layer of the blossom it looks like a fresh healthy flower and your date will never know the difference. Besides it is the thought that counts.
Now on with the date. I pick up my friend she mushes over the flowers - whew thank goodnes. Next I tell her we will be going to a new restaurant I just read about - actually I read about it in my recent BLUE envelope of Value Coupons. Armed with my buy one get one free coupon I take her to this new Fast Food restaurant. To maintain the excitement I brag aboout others have given excellent accolades to this eatery and the food. They have sepcial sandwiches and fries you can't buy anywhere else. Sometimes you can tell from this first experience how the rest of the evening will go. Next I take my friend to a concert, this evening we will be listening to Irish and Celtic music something I know she enjoys and of course the ambience is wonderful. It is one of the weekly FREE concerts on the Boardwalk where we can grab a table and enjoy our dinner while we listen.
Afterwards I had promised her a movie in a romantic setting. In our downtown we have an old empty Penney's building and during the summer you can climb the stairs to the roof and watch a movie in the open. We had the best seats in the house, I brought camping chairs, if she wanted treats they had a snack bar set up where she could buy some popcorn and soda, I wasn't hungry, and a beer garden if she wanted to celebrate the evening. The best part is the movie AND the parking is free.
When the evening was over I took my date home she got out of the car and as a gentleman I walked her to the door. Waiting for a kiss I let her know what a wonderful time I had and would like to see her again - she something not quite descernible like call me. Hmm, problem she didn't give me her new phone number nor did she remember to kiss me goodnight.
BUT the best part of the evening, with dinner and a bottle water, I walked away slightly over five dollars $5.21 and had money left over for a beer before I went home to bed alone.
I believe this became the start of my frugal attitude in many things I do today one being dating. And this then is where I am taking you today. I will share with you a perfect day of dating on $5.00.
Bear in mind this may only be a one shot deal with the same woman (or man), but hey let's face it think of how many different people you can meet using my method.
Now also bear in mind that one of two end results will occur. There will probably not be a middle road either you will find the right person that will go out with you again, or the person you are taking on this special date will never see you again and you can bet you ain't getting a good night kiss on the door step afterwards.
So let us begin this special day.
I had invited my friend to share dinner, a concert and a movie with me this past Saturday. Excited and looking forward to a pleasant day I did my usual shower and shave broke out the special Armani deodorant and cologne saved only for special occasions, spent the required 15 minutes ensuring my part was perfectly straight and all straglers were waxed down or pulled out. I then got out the trusty ear mower and shaved the inside of each ear, women hate smuggling up to a bush poking out of ear lobes. Next came the tweezers and scissors first using the scissors I made sure that the bugger encrusted hair protruding from my nostrils was neatly trimmed back beyond eyesight, took the tweezers and plucked out the worst of my eye brow bush. Handsome and feeling spry I selected an appropriate color and appealing shirt with complimentary pants, socks, and shoes.
I was immaculate and ready for the KILL! I am definitely under the belief my dates deserve this extra preparation and trouble after all as I mentioned earlier, this may be my one and only chance to score.
Before leaving it is important to make a first impression, so I always try and bring a bouquet of flowers, thank goodness I have several rose bushes to fill this need just a matter of pulling out the trusty Swiss Knife on the way out the door and snipping off the older of the roses - this accomplishes two things first off it helps prune the bushes for new budding flowers and second it eliminates having to cut and throw away, and if you peel off the outer layer of the blossom it looks like a fresh healthy flower and your date will never know the difference. Besides it is the thought that counts.
Now on with the date. I pick up my friend she mushes over the flowers - whew thank goodnes. Next I tell her we will be going to a new restaurant I just read about - actually I read about it in my recent BLUE envelope of Value Coupons. Armed with my buy one get one free coupon I take her to this new Fast Food restaurant. To maintain the excitement I brag aboout others have given excellent accolades to this eatery and the food. They have sepcial sandwiches and fries you can't buy anywhere else. Sometimes you can tell from this first experience how the rest of the evening will go. Next I take my friend to a concert, this evening we will be listening to Irish and Celtic music something I know she enjoys and of course the ambience is wonderful. It is one of the weekly FREE concerts on the Boardwalk where we can grab a table and enjoy our dinner while we listen.
Afterwards I had promised her a movie in a romantic setting. In our downtown we have an old empty Penney's building and during the summer you can climb the stairs to the roof and watch a movie in the open. We had the best seats in the house, I brought camping chairs, if she wanted treats they had a snack bar set up where she could buy some popcorn and soda, I wasn't hungry, and a beer garden if she wanted to celebrate the evening. The best part is the movie AND the parking is free.
When the evening was over I took my date home she got out of the car and as a gentleman I walked her to the door. Waiting for a kiss I let her know what a wonderful time I had and would like to see her again - she something not quite descernible like call me. Hmm, problem she didn't give me her new phone number nor did she remember to kiss me goodnight.
BUT the best part of the evening, with dinner and a bottle water, I walked away slightly over five dollars $5.21 and had money left over for a beer before I went home to bed alone.
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