August 23, 2005
I wanted to blog about my Muir Woods trip the day I got back, but I was too sore.
Anyway, last Saturday Andrew, Sale, Greg, Anya, and myself went to Muir Woods. Kind of had to drag Sale along, working past his whole anti-social mentality, but he wanted to do soemthing before law school started, so we didn't have to twist his arm too bad. It was a lot of fun. Originally Yessica, Lynette, and Giselle were supposed to come also, but they all had to back out. Anya invited Greg at the last moment - never met him before, but he seemed nice enough. I guess he's in her dance group, and is a great cook. Andrew talked about a fancy apple pie he made at Anya's little apple soiree last weekend. He was the post hiker-looking among us - had the whole REI boots and backpack thing going on.
Anyway, we made it to Muri Woods, got in, and started on a seven mile or so hike that lasted about five and half hours, including our lunch break. Two miles were over flat ground - the main little loop that is set up like a boardwalk so everyone has accessibility to it. After that though - up and down inumerable switchbacks and decently steep slopes. I didn't realize how bad of shape I am in - I felt it after hiking. Still, I can't wait to do it again.
For me, the best part was really getting to work out with my new camera. I'm still figuring out all the f-stop/aperature/shutter speed/white balance/bracketing/depth of field/ISO/AE lock/etc ad infinitum stuff on the camera. I think I got a couple good shots in though. You can look at them, starting here. I think I have 16 or so shots posted from the hike.
More later - I need to get to bed. Hawaii is coming up soon, and there is a ton of stuff to do before leaving. Adios, mi amigos.
August 15, 2005
Hawaii is go!
Yeah! Last night we actually got the tickets ordered, so it's a for sure thing now. I'm looking forward to shooting many sunsets and other scenery. This last saturday I had a basic (kind of) photography class, and I learned a good bit better how to utilize shutter and aperature and ISO - so hopefully, my pictures will start to look amazing. I also picked up a circular polarizer and a star filter. Cross my fingers and hope I get some nice shots.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to that, but I'm overwhelemd by how much stuff needs done between now and when we leave - work stuff, computer stuff, house stuff, preparation stuff, grandma stuff, packing stuff, camera stuff, cleaning stuff, stuff stuff - there's a lot of stuff to do. one thing at a time though - I have to be careful not to pull my usual and get so overwhelemed that nothing gets done (till the last minute, when I rush everything, and don't do nearly as good a job as I could have done if I'd planned, stayed focused, and worked consistently). I don;t know why, but it seems I always have to do things the hard way.
...if only I could actually do what I imagine doing...
But it's like they say (not sure who, attribution is ify at best) - "The smallest action is better than the greatest intention."
Time to act...
Yeah! Last night we actually got the tickets ordered, so it's a for sure thing now. I'm looking forward to shooting many sunsets and other scenery. This last saturday I had a basic (kind of) photography class, and I learned a good bit better how to utilize shutter and aperature and ISO - so hopefully, my pictures will start to look amazing. I also picked up a circular polarizer and a star filter. Cross my fingers and hope I get some nice shots.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to that, but I'm overwhelemd by how much stuff needs done between now and when we leave - work stuff, computer stuff, house stuff, preparation stuff, grandma stuff, packing stuff, camera stuff, cleaning stuff, stuff stuff - there's a lot of stuff to do. one thing at a time though - I have to be careful not to pull my usual and get so overwhelemed that nothing gets done (till the last minute, when I rush everything, and don't do nearly as good a job as I could have done if I'd planned, stayed focused, and worked consistently). I don;t know why, but it seems I always have to do things the hard way.
...if only I could actually do what I imagine doing...
But it's like they say (not sure who, attribution is ify at best) - "The smallest action is better than the greatest intention."
Time to act...
August 12, 2005
Just got back from 40-50 minutes of standing out in the dark loneliness of the wilds of Clayton (I could hear coyotes from multiple directions) with my head craned so far back if it had started to rain I would have drowned. I got to see 19 or so meteors though - a nice display of the 2005 Perseid Meteor Shower. I say 19 "or so" because there are so many things that you think you see, but are not sure. If all those things on the fringe of my vision were meteors also, that number would be bumped up to over 30 - but I can't say for certain. It could just be my imagination, or a crimped nerve from staring up too long. Mostly though, the ones I saw I saw quite well - about half a dozen of those were really beautiful --- bright streaks that raced across the sky and left trails that hung in the sky a full half second, burning there ephermal existence into your memory.
I love watching shooting stars. And don't get started about using the proper terminology - I don't want to. One makes a wish on a shooting star, not on the debris of a comet that is burning up as it enters the earth's atmosphere. I didn't really have any wishes to make, but still, I like to think about it. I like to wish I had wishes.
Well, till next time --- but if you missed it this year, you're out of luck for next year - next year there's going to be a moon...
I love watching shooting stars. And don't get started about using the proper terminology - I don't want to. One makes a wish on a shooting star, not on the debris of a comet that is burning up as it enters the earth's atmosphere. I didn't really have any wishes to make, but still, I like to think about it. I like to wish I had wishes.
Well, till next time --- but if you missed it this year, you're out of luck for next year - next year there's going to be a moon...
August 05, 2005
Well, it's been about a month, time for me to put down a new post.
Topic of the day: Dating.
You know what...I give up. Actually, I decided to give up about a month ago, but I met someone right in the middle of making that decision, so I decided to see that through, and it didn't go anywhere romantically (I do have a new friend - I want more than just another friend though). I don't know - I probably should have seen it coming. I guess I had an idea of the eventual outcome in the back of my head, but like when I play chess or poker, I forget to play with my head and get caught up in the moment. I get told I over analyze, but that's the only way I stay alive, the only chance I have of winning. Staying in the poker analogy, relating it to life, it's like I only have a small pile of chips in front of me - I have to find the right hand to go all in on, before I get blinded down to nothing. Only, even when I get dealt suited face cards, the 3,4,5 that comes on the flop gives someone else a straight. Oh well - I only have a couple of chips left, so I'm going to sit it out for a few hands. Maybe I should just cash everything out. I don't know.
Anyway, sorry about all the poker talk - tonight was poker night so it's on my mind. I won last week with ten guys, but tonight was first out with only six. Last week I was focused, this week neither my mind nor my heart was in it. C'est la vie.
You know, I should start making a list of the turn-down lines. I could write a book someday. Everything always ends with a friendly note, but a rejection is still a rejection. The ones that live close enough I still talk to and am friends with, but still...
Anyway, the latest was "It wasn't a date, but if it was, it would have been the best date I've ever been on." I don't quite get that one. I mean, on one hand it's good because it puts the relationship squarely and without doubt in the "friend zone." But, to me anyway, it would have felt better to have it be a date, and then just have her not choose me. I don't know - my mind is worn out on the subject. From what I can tell the guy she chose is pretty amazing. I can see why I lost, but it still doesn't make losing any easier. The sting of death might be gone for me, but the sting of defeat still causes me to wince.
The long and short of it is that this old boy is benching himself. There are only three things that I've been looking for, and I can not, I repeat, CAN NOT, get all three of them together. It's like I'm trying to put three magnets together - north and south poles attract just fine, but a third magnet has to be either north or south, and so it always will repel away from one of the others. It's just physics.
For me, I guess it's just life.
Hopefully I have another play or two in me before the game ends. For now though, I'm just drinking my gatorade.
Topic of the day: Dating.
You know what...I give up. Actually, I decided to give up about a month ago, but I met someone right in the middle of making that decision, so I decided to see that through, and it didn't go anywhere romantically (I do have a new friend - I want more than just another friend though). I don't know - I probably should have seen it coming. I guess I had an idea of the eventual outcome in the back of my head, but like when I play chess or poker, I forget to play with my head and get caught up in the moment. I get told I over analyze, but that's the only way I stay alive, the only chance I have of winning. Staying in the poker analogy, relating it to life, it's like I only have a small pile of chips in front of me - I have to find the right hand to go all in on, before I get blinded down to nothing. Only, even when I get dealt suited face cards, the 3,4,5 that comes on the flop gives someone else a straight. Oh well - I only have a couple of chips left, so I'm going to sit it out for a few hands. Maybe I should just cash everything out. I don't know.
Anyway, sorry about all the poker talk - tonight was poker night so it's on my mind. I won last week with ten guys, but tonight was first out with only six. Last week I was focused, this week neither my mind nor my heart was in it. C'est la vie.
You know, I should start making a list of the turn-down lines. I could write a book someday. Everything always ends with a friendly note, but a rejection is still a rejection. The ones that live close enough I still talk to and am friends with, but still...
Anyway, the latest was "It wasn't a date, but if it was, it would have been the best date I've ever been on." I don't quite get that one. I mean, on one hand it's good because it puts the relationship squarely and without doubt in the "friend zone." But, to me anyway, it would have felt better to have it be a date, and then just have her not choose me. I don't know - my mind is worn out on the subject. From what I can tell the guy she chose is pretty amazing. I can see why I lost, but it still doesn't make losing any easier. The sting of death might be gone for me, but the sting of defeat still causes me to wince.
The long and short of it is that this old boy is benching himself. There are only three things that I've been looking for, and I can not, I repeat, CAN NOT, get all three of them together. It's like I'm trying to put three magnets together - north and south poles attract just fine, but a third magnet has to be either north or south, and so it always will repel away from one of the others. It's just physics.
For me, I guess it's just life.
Hopefully I have another play or two in me before the game ends. For now though, I'm just drinking my gatorade.
