Saturday, October 31, 2009

October 31st

This is Ozzie
Very cool bird
Don’t know what kind
He is marooned on an island
and can live to 50.
But he’s really cool

ozzie 2

October 30th

Trade winds have returned
the vog is moving out
the waves are getting bigger
and smashing against the rocks.

surf 3

Friday, October 30, 2009

Thursday, October 29, 2009

How to buy a dslr

"I waited too long."


How I did it: I started Project 365 (a photo a day) using my point and shoot.  While it did a really nice job, there were limitations and I wanted to take it to the next level. 

I started to do research and talked to some friends.  I found I was getting too confused.  I had gotten feedback from friends that Canon was the best value.  Since its been 30 years since I had a slr, I decided that I would go for the starter level of dslr and if I decided later I needed to upgrade I would.  Since we had a vacation coming, I decided it was a good time.  Watched the sale ads and made a decision.


Lessons & tips: Know what you want to use it for.  You can get a lot camera for not a lot of money.


Resources: Canon Rebel T1i.


It took me 6 months.


It made me Happy

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

Very captivating. I’ve always enjoyed her books and she always chooses topics that steeped in controversy and difficult decisions.

The Valkyries by Paulo Coehlo

A fictionalize account of the author’s spiritual quest set in the southwestern desert. Interesting.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

October 28th

Hawaiian vacation
relaxation
beauty
view from
my chair

view from my lawn chair

October 27th

My favorite
honu-hawaiian green
turtles
majestic
flowing
swimmind under the bridge

honu 1

October 26th

Every resort
should have a mascot
a sweet black cat
in Hawaii
how appropriate
for Halloween week

resort kitty 5

Monday, October 26, 2009

October 26th I am grateful for

miles and points to pay for most of our vacation
the ability to take a Hawaiian vacation
finding a substitute nanny for Kona so we could leave on vacation
time with mrrad

Sunday, October 25, 2009

October 25th

Aloha
Welcome to the Island
The flower of the lei
fragrant
beautiful
perfect

hawaiian flower

October 24th

Early start
to the rainy season
hills are greening up
too soon
fire season is over

sonoma field

October 23rd

Rainbow tunnel
from GGB
to Marin
Newly painted

rainbow tunnel 1

October 22nd

A new hospital addition
opening soon
2 storey lobby space
depth

elcamino lobby

October 21st

An Operating Room light
New technology
LED
Interesting pattern

or light 1

October 20th

Red
A fallen leaf
On the deck
Contrast
Intense
Mother Nature cannot be outdone

red leaf 1

October 19th

Rainy days
and Mondays
always get me down
So bright colors
and interesting murals
are a good antedote.

rain on window

October 25th

nap
golf
hang out at the pool
eat
nap
golf
hang out at the pool
eat
nap
golf
hang out at the pool
spa
eat
nap golf
hang out at the pool

life is really tough on vacation. I wonder how I can fit all of those things in while I’m gazing at the beautiful ocean and amzing sunsets. Well, someone’s got to do it, so it might as well be me.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

October 24th

Eek! So much to get done before we leave for Hawaii early tomorrow morning. Last night Kona’s nanny who was going to fly out here to dogsit him called to tell me that she was really sick, running a fever of 102.6. I’ve had to scramble to find someone else to come stay with him since I really doubt she’ll be able to get on a plane today. Maybe in a few days I hope. It just so happens that the petsitter I had interviewed is still available and willing to come take care of him. Mrrad is a little nervous since he’s not met her, but our other choice is someone I do not trust. And canceling or altering our vacation is not an option. I’m going to be worrying about him enough as it is.

Kona for bath
Mani/pedi
Bank
Take in/pick up cleaning
Pick up Kona meds
Get food for Phoenix
Order food/treats for Kona
Finish laundry.
Pack.
Clean up second bedroom.
Clean and pack golf clubs.
Make vitamin packs
Write up pet/housesitting instructions.
Water plants.
Vacuum.
Clean Phoenix cage.
Put together camera/pack in camera bag
Massage.
Pay bills.
Print hotel confirmation.
Print boarding passes.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

I'm going to order one today

I’m looking at a Canon Rebel EOS T1-i with an extra lens. Its pretty much a started dslr, which is fine with me. It will be one step up from my point and shoot. I’m having trouble getting the quality of the photos that I want for some photos. Although my point and shoot will stay with me-its done great. This is just the beginning of exploring photography for me.

3/43

Guarding the car and waiting for dad.

pinky

2/43

Rainy, sitting pretty – taken on October 11, 2009
rainy 1

October 18th

Pinky
Anxiously awaiting
his master
“I’ll drive” he says
I know you don’t feel well
That’s what I’m here for.

pinky

Saturday, October 17, 2009

October 17th

Fall is here
beautiful trees
turning color
on fire
against the green of the valley

pacheco valley trees 2

After the big storm
this week
leaves fell off the tree
they look like rose petals
on the moss
a wedding?

falling leaves

Friday, October 16, 2009

October 16th

What the heck is that?
Who was holding out
for a better offer?
Oops
We’ll build around you.
Something is out of context

building sandwich

October 15th

Dinner out
with the team
after a long day of meetings
downtown La Jolla
wine and a menu
dinner 1

October 14th

Very early morning
At the airport before dawn
Big clouds over San Francisco
Above the clouds
Sunrise
from the airplane window

sunrise over SF 1

October 13th

My neighbors flowers
Blooming in October
Bright
Pink
Beautiful

october flower 2

Monday, October 12, 2009

October 12th

Some of the leaves are starting to turn red here.

red leaves 2

October 10th

My brother’s dog, Rainy.
All tuckered out
after having guests at her house
all day
especially the kids.

rainy 2

I think I can call this one done.

Yesterday was the birthday party for my mom. It was very nice. She received cards from lots of folks that she hasn’t heard from in a long time. It was very nice of my family (mostly on my dad’s side) to send on birthday wishes. She told me when I dropped her off that it was exactly the kind of day that she wanted.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

October 10th

This is my miracle rose bush. Its been photographed before but is always an inspriation. I do nothing to this bush except water it. The deer think it is their personal snack bush and they are constantly dead-heading it. It also has the most wonderful aroma, I notice it when I walk by it and its only 1 rose blooming at a time.

october rose bud 2

October 9th

From my Chicago archives
Marina City
designed by Bertrand Goldberg
Also known as the corn cobs
A very iconic building along the Chicago river

marina city 1

Friday, October 9, 2009

Weekend of October 10th

We’re having a birthday party this weekend for my mom and mrrad. I have some prep work to do for that and prepare for another long week next week. I need a vacation-only 15 days

quality time with mrrad
pick up prescription
order birthday cakes
buy gift boxes/wrapping paper
wrap mom’s gifts
menu for Sunday
shop
laundry
mani/pedi

massage

October 9th

kinda off of work today, but will still be doing some work from home. Hafta take my mom to the doctor.

take mom to doctor
pick up prescriptions
order birthday cakes
buy gift boxes/wrapping paper for mom’s gifts
decide what else to make for party on Sunday
shop
call drs. office
see doctor?

Thursday, October 8, 2009

October 8th

Jim Belushi’s characterture at Petterino’s restaurant in Chicago.

blues brother

October 7th

The connecting stairs in our new Chicago office.
I love the interplay of the curving lines.

cannon stair

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I like this author series. Simple easy read with so much depth.

October 6th

Sunset in Pacheco Valle
A contrail across the sky
Reflecting pink

sunset contrail

October 5th

Another evening in the airport.
Another delayed flight
United electronic message boards are really interesting
I love this one
Hawaii
I will be there in 19 days.
Can’t wait.

united eb 3

The other images are also really interesting.

united eb 1

united eb 2

united eb 4

October 4th

I pulled into my parking space and looked to left and saw this deer family. They moved away more quickly than I could get my camera out. I don’t know who was more startled, them or me.

deer family 1

Monday, October 5, 2009

Today is my mom's 90th birthday

How incredible is that? I finished her memory book last night but received some late entries so I don’t know what I am going to do about that. Hopefully it will arrive in time for her party on Sunday.

I’m really proud of my mom. At 90 she is vibrant and healthy and involved. Although she is starting to slip cognitively, she lives alone, still drives (scary) and takes pretty good care of herself.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Tomorrow is Mom's 90th birthday

I will be out of town, but have already ordered flowers to be delivered. We are having a family get together next Sunday so I have several things to do for that. We’re having it at my brother’s and have to provide appetizers,veggies and cakes (mrrad’s birthday is the day after my mom’s). I also have to finish her memory book today so I can upload it and have it by the end of the week (and have to pay a pretty penny for expedited shipping). I just finished writing her birthday wish. More to focus on today so I better get cracking.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Weekend of October 3rd

Another long week of travel but very little scheduled to do this week-end. Just planning on relaxing and spending quality time with mrrad.

-meet with L.-
send sympathy card to L on the loss of her son
deposit expense check
get money
pay bills
Kona bath
drop pictures off at mom’s
finish mom’s birthday book
remind family to write their contribution to mom’s birthday book

meet with potential dog sitter
make vitamin packs
work on my photo book Q3
unpack suitcase
clean up back room
water plants
personal spa hour

Friday, October 2, 2009

Star Trek

Enjoyable. Love the background of Kirk and everyone else.

October 2nds

2016 Olympic bid
Unfortunately Chicago was not successful today
But the Picasso is all decked out
To proudly show off it medal.

picasso gold medal

Thursday, October 1, 2009

September 30th

Another day.
Another airport.
One of my favorites-the United Terminal in Chicago.
I went on a private tour of this when it was built and was able to go behind the scenes. It is really a neat building.

ord tunnel 1

September 29th

Another city
Another hotel
Another hotel room
Classic hotel in Chicago
Palmer House

palmer house room 2

September 28th

A slice of my life.
Stuck on an airplane.
again

airplane