I had a busy day today. I did manage to sleep in until about 10am which is a record for me. Usually I can get past 8am before I’m up and wide awake. I had a busy week at work though so I know I was tired. Anyhow, the coffee was on and I needed to get out of the house for a while. I started my day by heading out to Best Buy. This town frustrates me sometimes. It’s not a good town for a tech geek like me to live in because technology is just not that important to people around these parts. Tractors and Monster Trucks are. Anyhow, I’m trying to get a good idea on price for upgrading the stereo system in my car. It works great right now but I can’t listen to my iPod while driving and since I did away with physical CD’s nearly 2 years ago now, I don’t have any CD’s that I can stick in the dash. I had a stereo that supported my iPod in my last car and I loved it and it didn’t cost much either. I went into Best Buy today prepared to spend a small amount of money to upgrade my car but, as is typical up here, the parts needed to install a new system were not available and it would be another week before they got them back in stock. So, it didn’t happen. I’ll put it off another week and have to waste more of my time waiting.
After that, I decided to get my hair cut. Always a trip to go into Supercuts. One thing I don’t do is high end salons. If I ever have to pay more than $20 with tip for a hair cut, that will be the day I start cutting my own hair. I don’t need it styled, I just need it cut. Anyhow, got that done and then it was home to play with the dog and maybe clean the house.
I played with the dog but the house is still a shit hole. I decided that I was going to visit Meijer to get a few new pictures printed for my dining room wall. I’ve got 3 nice framed pictures that I’ve taken up on the wall and it’s time for a change of scenery so I spent a few hours going through my recent pictures looking for replacements. I settled on 3 new pictures and loaded up the SD card and headed off to Meijer land to have them developed. You all know I hate Meijer. Once again, it’s the only grocery store of any quality in this little town so EVERYONE goes there. It’s always crowded, the parking lot is a disaster, and I can never get out of there without having to wait at least 30 minutes in line and spending $100! I went to the kiosk to pick out my pictures and options and submitted them for processing. It was going to take about 30 minutes so I decided to grocery shop. I went back to pick them up after 30 minutes and was accosted by the Meijer Photo Lab people. They wanted me to prove that I was the photographer, that my pictures looked too professional and that they would only release them to me if I signed an affidavit claiming that I was in fact the photographer. Normally I get my photography printed through my hosting web site and I’ve never had this issue before. I didn’t know whether I should be flattered that they thought my work was that good, or offended that they thought I was a thief. I decided to sign their release (which absolved them from legal issues if someone were to challenge my copyright), they put it in a little file along with maybe a dozen others then informed me that it might be a good idea for me to make sure my copyright is obvious, like a logo or something on my pictures. So off I went. Somewhat flustered that I had to prove something that was mine, was actually mine!
Tonight I’ve been sitting on my computer investigating copyright laws and how they apply to digital photography. I’ve always been pretty careful with my photography. I don’t sell it but I have left open too many loop holes that might allow someone else to try and sell it and claim it as their own. Tonight I decided to turn off the print option for my web site. This won’t eliminate the problem but it will prevent people from trying to order prints of my work without my permission. I’m also going to work up a small copyright notice that I can attach to my photos that will enforce the digital data already stored in the picture file. It seems that the more people see my work, the more people tell me I ought to be doing something with it. I’m not sure I’m there yet. Maybe soon.
Anyhow, here is one of the pictures that drew the attention of the Meijer Photo Lab.
Like it or not, being single with a decent, stable job has it’s advantages. Those of you who visit here often, know that I usually start my blog posts this way when I’ve made a purchase of some sort. This year, there are 3 bigger purchases that have intended to make. The first one is my car. My folks were generous enough to allow me enough time to obtain my 2010 bonus at work before paying them for the car. That’s my first big one and it will consume most of my bonus checks. Very much justified since this new car will easily last me another 8-10 years and that means another 8-10 years without car payments (fingers crossed). Awesome. My second purchase this year is going to be a keyboard. Some time ago, I decided that after having spent all but the last 10 years of my life pursuing music in one way or another, I had really better do myself a favor and not forget any of it. One way to ensure that I won’t soon forget how to sight-read, how to compose, or how to sing is to purchase an instrument that will help me do maintenance. I have decided this year to allow myself a $300-$1000 budget to purchase the necessary equipment to keep myself musically in shape for the foreseeable future. Again, a long term investment that is well worth the money. Many of you all knew about those planned purchases.
Finally, after spending the last 2 years developing my amateur photography skills and capturing over 20 Gigabytes of photos (that’s over 5000 pictures) in just those 2 years alone, and after countless people informing me that I’m wasting my time selling paint and that I should be selling my photography, I decided to upgrade my camera to the real deal. Tonight I purchased my first DSLR camera via a package deal from Best Buy (the only place left in town that stocks anything). For those of you who considered my previous photography to be pretty good, the photos you will see coming out of this new thing will blow your mind. That’s just my impression based on a few pictures I’ve taken tonight with it. The difference in quality, resolution, contrast, and just about everything else is very noticeable. This camera uses actual mechanical optics rather than digital technology to reproduce the image which gives it a huge advantage over any digital camera out there. This camera, along with the additional zoom lens I purchased with it will allow me to capture in much more detail the things I enjoy taking pictures of, mainly the lake, the woods and Gavin the Wonder Dog! For you family out there, it is very similar to Andy’s camera that he had with him this past summer.
For those of you who want to know, I purchased the Canon EOS Rebel T1i that came with the EFS18-55mm standard lens and I also purchased the EFS55-250mm zoom lens. Of course I got the extra battery and a new SD card as well. Big features on this camera include an integrated flash with the option for the external flash, auto-focus, image stabilization, Canon’s newest image processor, a 3″ LCD screen as well as a TON of features to set up pictures manually or automatically. It also allows for the addition of an entire family of lens’s as I develop my skills. While it’s not considered a “PRO” camera, it is an intermediate level camera and it’s likely to far exceed my own ability to use it which means I can easily grow into it and expand it’s features as I learn more how to use them. So, tomorrow or Sunday, assuming I get a little good weather up here, I’ll be heading out to take some pictures with my new camera and I’ll post them to leelanauaphotography.com for you all to see. As an added bonus for me, I’ll be selling my old camera which will recoup some of the cost for this new one, anyone interested should send me an email.
So, there you have it, 3 big purchases and guess what…this year, (Mom and Dad because I know you want to know) I’ll even be able to save a considerable amount of money and put it in the bank where it belongs right? I’ll be putting the first payment for the car in the mail to Iowa very soon (we’ll talk first).
Finally, I’ve had a reasonably relaxing weekend. Of course tomorrow I head back in to hell for what will likely turn into a 6 day work week. We begin a major re-set in my department tomorrow morning, there is a ton of work to be done and only 1 week to do it. I’m going to have to be a cheerleader most of the week and that is indeed exhausting work.
Today I packed up the dog and headed out to the lake. The sun has been out for the past few days, something exceedingly rare this time of year and I figured I would take advantage of it today by bringing my camera along. I ended up going down to a beach I had not been to in quite some time. It was further south than I usually go but still on Good Harbor Bay, just down the road further. It was quite nice. There were a few people out today but because of the Super Bowl and my complete lack of interest in sports, it was pretty quiet overall. Gavin was able to run around off the leash for a while and I spent some time trying to capture a few good pictures. I’ve uploaded a new gallery at leelanauphotography.com, just click the picture below to check it out.
The folks are off to Iowa for about 6 weeks tomorrow morning. They’ve decided to spend some time away from here this winter since it’s easy to get really stir crazy this time of year. We still have a good 3 months of shitty weather before spring starts to hit, I really hate this time of year up here. Luckily, my job keeps me quite busy so it’s hard for me to care much. Mom and Dad will be staying with Sarah, Brian and Christopher and I’ll be interested to hear how that all works out. I love my folks to death but given the choice, I would not choose to have them live with me for any extended amount of time. I’m pretty sure my folks would say the same about me. Our family dynamics are a bit much to tolerate day in and day out. And, at my age, and their age, that’s the way it should be. Christopher will be spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa for 6 weeks, and, that’s the way THAT should be too! He’s a lucky kid, even if the only words he can say are “doggie” and “LOOK”. We’ll see if Grandpa can teach him a few words during his stay.
I have made a new purchase since my last entry in this blog. Last week, I broke down and bought a Wii so that I too could join the ranks of 30 something’s who are sick of being out of shape but who don’t want to join a gym. I have always enjoyed video games even though I suck at them and I like the concept of being more involved in them rather than just sitting on a couch with a controller. The Wii promises to at least get me off my ass for a little bit each day. Eventually I’ll buy the Wii balance board and Wii Fit Plus game so that I can actually start getting in shape. Sadly, they are sold out nearly all over the country and it’s going to be several weeks before they get back in stock. Oh well, I’ll be busy enough at work.
Bonus time at work is fast approaching. Profit Sharing checks are handed out Feb. 16th and my Managers bonus is due in mid March. Crazy thing about my job is that I make more in the first 3 months of the year than I do the next 8 months of regular work just because of bonuses. It’s nice to get big fat checks but it’s also dangerous because it’s easy to just go out and spend it. If I had this job at any other time in my life, I’d be broke all the time but fortunately I’ve learned how to manage my money in much healthier ways so I’ll be able to save what is necessary but I’ll also be able to go out and get a few toys to play with. This year I am buying a keyboard and I’ll write more about that when the time comes. So for now, enjoy the new gallery.
I finally got around to uploading the holiday pictures from Christmas. You can see them at leelanauphotography.com. Not much new going on right now in the northwoods, at least nothing I care to write about right now. I have the weekend off, I’ll write later on. Enjoy the pictures!
Uncle David teaching Christopher to be a nerd. He got up on my lap without prompting indicating that even though I only see him a couple times each year, he clearly knows who the “cool” uncle is!! haha.
Well, I made it through the crazy Black Friday madness at work and things are settling down now for the Christmas Holiday. I spent my day off today out at the lake decorating the parents Christmas Tree and enjoying some meatloaf. Really Mom, you ought to make that more often. It was good and it doesn’t appear to have taken any more effort than a frozen Lasagna. I’m preparing now to head off for the annual trip to Eau Clair Wisconsin for my company’s yearly training seminars. I’ve always got mixed feelings about these things. On the one hand, I am thankful that for a huge company they still take the time to make sure their managers know about the products they are selling. On the other hand, it’s all crammed into a 2 day period consisting of 16 hour days each day. By the end of it I am whipped and as the years go on, I don’t come out knowing anything that new or exciting. Oh well, it’s 2 days away from the rednecks up here I guess.
Lots of interesting things going on in politics although I don’t have the energy to report on much of it. Eventually I’ll get around to writing another prophetic post blasting the religious right and the drag your heals left. It’s exhausting. I’ll leave you with a couple pictures below. Hopefully I’ll find more time to write soon.
As you can obviously see, I’ve once again changed the theme on my blog. I’ve decided for now to go simple but I’ve been playing around with more complicated themes and options that eventually I’ll try out on you. As I’ve said before, I change the themes because I get board with them and I like new things. I think it’s pretty neat that this sort of platform even exists.
Tonight I am going to have dinner with my former in-laws. Jirar’s folks are up here in the northwoods and we have planned a dinner at our favorite local dive. It’s always good to see them and it’s nice that they’ve kept in contact with me. Tomorrow, I am going to spend the day cleaning out my car (likely doing so out at the lake house so Gavin can play). I need to unload the Malibu soon so that I can take possession of my new car and finally start driving it. I have to get rid of my current car though first. Any of you readers looking for a used car under $2000? If so, let me know and I’ll consider your offers.
Not much else going on lately. Fall is upon us and the weather has been shitty. I guess I should expect it but this is my favorite season, I just wish it would not rain for a few days and be in the upper 60’s (rather than the low 40’s). I’m going to also get out tomorrow and take more pictures. Hopefully I’ll have a new gallery uploaded soon on my web site but for now, here is a nice picture you can use as your background on your computer!
What a great few days! I just returned from an 800+ mile journey through some of Michigan’s most amazing places in the Upper Peninsula. On Thursday morning, I loaded up in my parents car along with Gavin the Wonder Dog and we embarked northward for a 3 day journey across Michigan’s true great north country. Over the next day or so I’ll be uploading tons of pictures (over 800 were taken) of the trip. I’ve been looking forward to this trip for some time. I’ve not been to the UP as an adult and one of my goals this year was to take some really spectacular pictures. I got those on this trip and then some. Be sure to check out the galleries.
For this post, I’m going to just let the pictures speak for themselves. Click on over and enjoy. If you have never been to this part of the country, you need to visit.
Fall is in the air in Northern Michigan. Trees are very slowly starting to turn and the smell of leaves burning lingers. I love this time of year, especially here in the northwoods. It’s so different from the city in so many ways and it makes me glad that ended up here. Those pleasant thoughts are of course shattered each time I walk into work and have to deal with idiots. At least I can look forward to my days off. I’m getting ready this week to head even further north with the folks to Pictured Rocks up on Lake Superior. The weather does not look like it’s going to cooperate fully with our trip however it should not be a total wash out. The only day I’m really concerned with is Thursday. That is the day we intend to head out on the water to do the tour of the Pictured Rocks lakeshore. I’ve done this boat cruise once before. Throughout most of the summers during my jr. high and high school days, my folks took my sister and me up to the UP for a few days. The last time I did this cruise I think I was perhaps 15 or 16, I know I had just begun driving and my folks let me drive most of the trip for practice. Back then, I never thought much to take pictures. This time however I’ve got the gear and the motivation to hopefully capture some great photos of a spectacular shoreline. I’ll post them here as well as on leelanauphotography.com once we return. We are also going to go to Taquanamin Falls state park. I’ve also been here but that was much early, maybe 11 or 12 years old. I remember rowing in a little boat across a river to get to some of the falls. I doubt we will do that again but I’m excited to see this park again. In all, it should be a good trip. Gavin the Wonder Dog is coming with us so that should make it pretty interesting as well. He’s not been on a road trip in quite some time so I’m curious to see how well he travels.
Not much other news right now. This was a really busy weekend at work and I’m glad it’s over even though I don’t really have a day off here until I leave for the UP. I have to work a half day tomorrow afternoon and then all day on Wednesday. Somewhere in there I need to find time to pack and get ready to head out early on Thursday morning.
This afternoon, I’ve made a huge batch of chili and so now I’m off to enjoy a bowl of chili and maybe a movie on TV. I’m just not much of a movie buff anymore, there are so few that I enjoy. Anyhow, hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying the day.
It’s interesting to me, now as a 35 year old, that whenever the family all gets together now it’s all about the kids that 10 years ago didn’t exist. Even in my photography, I subconsciously gravitate towards taking pictures of the kids in larger quantities than I do the rest of us and I think that’s the natural progression of families….especially when they are all together. Today the whole crew was over at the cottage for our annual summer get together and we had a great day weather wise finally. It was a little chilly but the sun was out, the liquor was flowing, and the smiles were abundant. I’ve uploaded a new gallery to leelanauphotography.com with lots of pictures and I’ve captured some video as well which I will have to edit before I can get it up on line. I’ll post it here once I’m done playing with it.
Christopher turned 1 year old this past week and he is sure growing up fast. He’s an exceptionally happy little boy and it’s clear that he’s got a pretty awesome set of parents. It’s too bad they live so far away but that makes getting together just that much more important and special. I don’t have much else to write tonight, the gallery pretty much says it all so enjoy. Hover over the slide show for a link to the gallery.
Well, as you can see there is a new theme that I am trying out on this blog. As you know, I can’t stand to have things look the same forever. It gives me a headache. I’m not sure if I will keep this one or not but until I have time (maybe this weekend) to play around a bit more, this one will have to do. I’ve uploaded a great new gallery tonight at leelanauphotography.com featuring the Cherry Blossoms of 2009 (among other things). Be sure to check it out. I had a nice day off today out at the cottage. Mom and I went for a drive with Gavin up to the Northport area and stopped at Peterson Park. It’s still a little cold up here for what is fast becoming late spring however I was able to get some great pictures. Gavin is now snoring loudly sprawled out on my bed, exhausted from a day of hiking and swimming. Doesn’t take much.
The folks are off to Iowa in a couple days and leaving me to fend for myself over the Memorial Day holiday. I’m not sure yet if I will venture out to the cottage or not this weekend. I’m not really sure I want to deal with the droves of people who will arrive for a few days and then disappear until the 4th of July when they will come back. It seems crazy that people spend all this money on a lake house and only use it a few days out of the year. I know people have to work, it just seems strange.
Not much else going on right now. I am slowly working on a new web site but I’ve not yet come up with a name for it or a general theme. I don’t want it to detract from my readership on this site so it has to be something completely different. I’ve got to figure out what I have time for and what I want to explore. I picked up a web hosting package in December for $20 for 2 years (SUPER cheap)…frivolous spending since I didn’t need it and now I’ve had it for 5 months and not done anything with it. We’ll see. Maybe I should create an autobiographical web site….from Birth to Old Fart…the life and times of David the Dork….haha.
Here is a picture from the new gallery. Check it out.
