Right Track, Wrong Train of Thought

Here is one of my first feeble attempts at HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography. This is a hot topic amongst us photographer types. I now consider myself a photographer, not because I'm any good at it, but because I seem to be at the point where I can throw out the jargon at such a rate that unsuspecting bystanders eye's start to glaze over as they scramble for way to make their escape. Anyway, the events that transpired for me to capture this picture are much more entertaining than the image itself.

I was bored the other day, so I told my wife I was going to go test out some new glass (photographer jargon) by going on a photo walk (photographer jargon). The city is building a light rail line through our town and it is nearing completion. So I figured it would be cool to go down and capture some digits (photographer jargon) of their progress. Since it was a weekend, there was no one in sight. So I whipped out my camera kit (photographer jargon) and started shooting. Just as I got a dozen or so images in the can (photographer jargon), I found myself face to face with not one, or two, but four (4) transit police. FOUR.

Well, after a friendly exchange of information and a quick criminal background check of myself, I was on my way back home, never to be seen at the train station with my camera again. Sheesh! What has this world come to? It's a good thing I changed my mind about going out to the airport to photograph Leer jets! Guess I'll just stick to shooting landscape, sunsets and things I want to sell on Craigslist.

Paper or Plastic Surgery?

Believe it or not, I really enjoy grocery shopping with my wife. We have recently discovered a new upscale store not too far from our neighborhood. Since both of us love to make fun of observe people, this store has been a great find, not to mention the lower prices and better selection. She shops fast, so it doesn't drag on and on. She is always moving through the store at top speed, only choosing items on the list, occasionally throwing in a little surprise or an experiment for dinner later in the week.

The pic above pretty much depicts the melancholy streak in her personality, although the cashier was so efficient, my wife didn't have time to face all the labels the same direction. But make no mistake they are now all displayed correctly in the pantry/refrigerator/freezer in our freshly Swiffered kitchen. That is actually my fault because I had a sudden intermittent moment of perfectionism when we got home. The labels, not the Swiffering. It's over now. Whew!

So you might think because I'm a Phlegmatic, I'm poking fun at this trait of my bride. Not so, Buckwheat. I have learned to cherish and appreciate this aspect of our relationship. Our whole house is always clean and organized (except for my spaces: office and west side of the garage). We can entertain guests at the drop of a hat. Plus, I always know where the spare toilet paper is and we never go hungry.

In contrast, let's check out this next pic. This is my Brother's Christmas Tree. He pulls this out of a box every December 1st at 9am, sets it on the floor, and plugs it in. Just like this. He doesn't even straighten out the limbs. As long as it lights up and spins around, he's happy. Then on December 26th at 2pm, he stuffs it back in the box and throws it in the closet for another year. Done.

PUT THAT THING DOWN! RIGHT NOW!

Somehow in my journey through life, I blew right past kids and landed right in the middle of Grandparenthood. This took a little getting used to, but I have found that my particular situation is very satisfying and a ton of fun. Let me make it clear I would never suggest this path to anyone else, it just worked for me.

There is only one grandchild on the scene for now, and this weekend, we celebrated her 5th birthday. I have noticed something over the last few years that has become amusing. All involved seem to be very generous and there are always copious presents for the child during birthdays and Christmas. But one of the presents seems to always rise to the top of the pile and get the most attention. This isn't a competition amongst relatives, it's just a phenomenon I have observed.

For example, over Christmas I got her a little remote control flying saucer with LEDs that flew all over the living room, pestering the cats and terrifying anyone with long hair. It definitely won the contest that day.

But this weekend, she received a "Bop-It" electronic gizmo device game thing-a-ma-bob that just took the cake. We must have played with this all day. The competition was fierce. Blood was shed. Tempers rose(not really, that just sounded good). By the time we were ready to go home the bar was raised so high(by my wife), we were asked to never return (that didn't happen either, but i'm using creative license, ok?)! However, it is good thing we left, so the granddaughter can play with it.

So I warn you, This thing is so addictive, never pick one up in the store. You won't put it down until you have brought it home, beat your friends and family, or thrown the thing up against the wall and shattered it.

Taco no es Bueno

I was trying to make it three weekends in a row to get some much needed white water paddling into my system, but all my buddies were either busy, sick, or too lazy to get their butts off the couch and pack up their neoprene to go. So... I just hung around the house and played with my new 75-300 lens and ate junkfood.

Speaking of food, there is this restaurant, or should I say restaurant building behind my house that has gone through no less than five owners since I moved into the hood six years ago. I don't know why anyone would look at a failed situation like this and spend their life fortune to create the exact same thing in the exact same place trying to cater to the exact same market and expect a different result. Heck, after the first establishment went under, the second one closed down before the painter could get the sign finished!

Fortunately, by the end of March, this unsuspecting restauranteur entrepreneurial black hole will be razed, along with the rest of the shopping center. Then hopefully some unsuspecting entrepreneurial developer will come in and completely alter the entire business scene so we can get some different types of businesses going under. Yeah! Maybe we'll get a video store. A tanning salon? One Hour film development. Typewriter repair shop. Fax and pager service...

UPDATE: They finally knocked this thing to the ground after taunting me for six weeks.