Let's Go To Lunch

Sam at Chilli's with HeatherHeather and I decided to go get lunch today, and the waitress was taking forever!

Can you see my "I'm not a happy camper look?" The lady apologized for not getting to us sooner and she told us that she had forgotten that we were in her area - Uh huh.

Heather starts the 8th grade on Tuesday. The best part is seeing your friends that you haven't seen all summer!

Funny Question

We just got back from watching "Bourne Ultimatum." I know it's kind of old, but I still wanted to see it. This was the make-up movie for her picking that sad movie the other day. She's officially cleared her debt!

Then she says this in regards to my blog:

her: Hey Sam.
me: Yes?
her: On your favorites, do you just put down just the movies you like?
me: [looking at her with this what the heck are you asking grin] Did you just hear what you just asked me? LOL
her: uh... [hides her face]

What ya doing for this long three day weekend?

Earthquake

Did you feel it? I didn't but I woke up so in a sense I guess I did. I wondered (for just a second)why I just suddenly awoke, then just rolled over. I read that there were actually two quakes (3.5, and a 3.4).

I wonder what people really fear the most: Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Fires, etc...So I guess it comes down to whether you want to know that it's coming or not.

Which natural disaster do you fear the most?

Late Night Laundry

Sam Doing LaundryI got back from "Easy Hour," and remembered that I needed to do laundry. I don't dislike doing laundry since the machine does all the work. Only thing is separating the clothes but even that's pretty easy.

The hangers are right above the machines so that everything is ready to go into the closet as soon as it's finished drying. This comes in handy, too handy at times, because I get lazy and just let them hang there until I need them. I'm sure that when I get a significant other, she'll tell me to put the clothes where they belong!

I've only had one washing accident, but I need to give Heather half the credit since she was helping me do laundry when she was four or five, and placed a BRAND NEW pink bath towel that my mom had given to her, into our whites. When the clothes finished Heather thought it was cool. I soaked the stuff until it all came out. un-timed, Day 16

Have you ever messed up your laundry?

Daily Stuff

Sam in the MirrorI didn't do much today, I was at Costco and got my tires rotated and balanced while I shopped/browsed inside, 20 minutes?. I ended up only buying the 5lb of fruit tray (FREE). I ain't saying how I got it, but I didn't steal it!

The guy couldn't find my keys so I had to hunt him down in the bays. I saw Cortez again. He said, "I'm not stalking you, ok! LOL"

I was supposed to go shopping for dress shirts today, but well, I was really lazy! One reason that I dislike getting long sleeve shirts is that if I buy the shirt that fits my neck, then the sleeves are too short. My friend said, just buy a larger shirt and have it tailored to fit.

Also have to make sure my workstation is set-up before Tuesday (my e-mail machine basically), even though I use my laptop since EVERYTHING is blocked on the workstations.
2x un-timed, Day 16

Is there a web-site you want to go to, but it's blocked at work?

Moon Question

With all the people looking at the full/eclipse moon lately, have you wondered what the odds are that someone you know is looking at it at aproximately the same time?

It's Signed

Contract I was on my way to go have some fish tacos and my friend Gabby calls me. We chat for a bit, and then I get the little beep that says call waiting. I told her that I HAD to take this call, and that I would call her back. She was okay with that.

The contract department told me that my contract was ready to be signed and if I could come and sign it today. Yes, of course. I'll be there in 30 minutes. I read all 16 pages and signed it.

I've been patient and it paid off. So, I start on Sept 4th in a new department and new floor (two floors up).

Wanna go celebrate with me?

Last Week

Sam's Sweaty Legs I couldn't think of anything for my 365, so in my uninspired mood, I saw my sweaty legs, and said what the heck...

And there is the cause of my funky "Asian Rice Farmer Tan," as someone mentioned in a previous post.

Starting on 4 Sept, I'm changing my running/walk time so my legs won't be getting any darker.

2x un-timed, Day 15

Lunar Eclipse

I was watching the moon rise yesterday on my run, and noticed how big and orangish it looked. I was ready for the eclipse having already tested the mirror lockup feature. If you haven't used it...use it for long exposures. My friend was witness to the little streak it will make without it. But, we saw the star streaks. And turn/set your "NO CF" function to not let you take a picture if you don't have a memory card in. :) I'm sitting at the top of that hill with a tripod, in the middle of the night when the realization hits. That's all I'm gonna say :) I feel like a dork! Next time...

Did you see the lunar eclipse?

Stuck in the Parking Lot

Sam stuck in parking lotI'm sitting in my car and put my car in reverse and there are two cars parked behind me and the women are chatting away. After a little bit and they haven't moved, I put my car in park and ask if they will move left or right and let me out. They gave me a weird look as if I were asking them for a million dollars.

They moved but had to give that little huff to let me know they were inconvenienced that I interrupted their conversation. I smiled and said, "Have a good day..."
2x un-timed,Day 14

You ever run into these types of people?

Declined

Empty Gas TankI was a little low on gas today so I pull into the Costco (2.639 per gallon) and after waiting a bazillion years, finally get a spot. I slide my AMEX card which is also my Costco card into the slot and I promptly get - "CREDIT CARD DECLINED!" Uh, what? It instantly triggers a memory where I played a prank on someone making them come to the front desk because their card was declined and the hotel needed another form of payment.

This wasn't a joke though. It was like someone was paying me back :) I cancelled the transaction, re-inserted the card and then paid with my VISA debit card instead. I later called the credit card company and straightened everything out; seems like auto payments don't always auto pay!
BTW, I hate the "Please say 'Cancel a card, Dispute a Charge, or Make a payment.'" prompts. I bypassed all that by saying, "CUSTOMER SERVICE"

You ever have your credit card declined?

The Freaks Come Out At Night

Sam's Moon Eye It's a full moon!!! I literally have my eye on the moon. I used the 300 mm lense with an 1.4 extender to bring the moon in tight, then I took a picture of my eye, and super-imposed the two and desaturated the eye layer. I think my eye needs to be bigger!

Took my friend out for her birthday dinner but she didn't eat! Sorry, no rainchecks!!! She says that I still owe her one, but it's not my fault that she oinked out with her girlfriend earlier! No problem, it made my dinner check smaller :)

Day 13

Do you like my moon eye?

Phone Out of Memory

Drinking Card Game Someone sent me a photo today and my phone said that it was FULL. I wondered what the heck. I promptly went to the pictures and saw that I had ton of photos but this one cracked me up the most.

You play this card and whatever two people you choose have to kiss! You can hold on to this card until the right time (enough alcohol consumed) or play it outright. You can use it to kiss someone YOU want because the rule never states that the holder can't be part of it. Another scenario is getting two people to kiss that would NEVER do this on their own...maybe two guys or two girls. LOL.

Anyway, I sent all my photos/videos to my e-mail, and now my phone is happy again ready to store images like this. :)

Do you play any drinking games?

Puzzle Guy

Sam Sliced Up Nothing terribly original here except that I wanted something different in my little project. The inspiration for this came when in the third grade a girl came up to me and ripped up a class photo of me and threw it at me while I was playing basketball during recess. I picked it up and put it in my pocket and it is now my flickr icon.

I took the photo and randomly cut out the pieces, I adjusted the layers slightly by doing a stroke, and shadow. Some of the pieces have a bevel either in or out then finally placed them on the original. I flattened the image and saved for the web.

Let me know when you guys get tired of this because this little project is actually harder than it seems, and I'm not too sure I can keep this up for another 350+ days. :)

The Break Up

Sam Running On my run today, I saw a couple talking by their car. I could see that the guy was crying and he was trying to keep the girl from leaving. I could only hear bits and pieces, but he said, "So, this is how it ends, huh?"

I circled around and ran on the other side of the street to give them "privacy." He was begging her not to leave, and she put her food in the car. I kept wondering if they would be there after each lap, and after the fifth lap, she was gone and he was left sitting on the curb crying.

So, should he have just let her go if she wanted to "leave?" If he did, then would she say, "You didn't fight for this relationship." If he didn't, then would he get the "You aren't listening to me, and are trying to control me?"

un-timed, Day 11
What do you think?

Heather Wants Pizza Hut

Pizza HutI picked up my daughter at her mom's house today so that we could eat some pizza at her favorite pizza place and then catch a movie before volleyball practice at the High School. She's going into the eighth grade so I'm sure she'll be ready by the time she gets into High School. Time is going to be the issue at the moment because she's made it on a softball travel ball team. I didn't want to say anything unless she made it. :)

Seems like Heather ate too many cinnamon sticks and didn't have room for that much pizza. Somehow I knew that was going to happen. More pizza for me, right?

I try to teach Heather something when I spend time with her to prepare her for those life situations that come up. Today, I told Heather that she shouldn't make decisions when she's upset. Just remember that, okay. It will come in handy one day. She laughed and repeated what I said so that I knew she was listening. She goes with the flow and every now and then will bring up something that I've taught her, told me how it has applied. Makes me feel good that she actually listened.

Sushi Anyone

Sam Driving to Lunch We were supposed to go to Harry's (Sushi Deli Too) for lunch and my friend says, "I forgot my purse. Can you treat me to lunch?" No problem. Since we only have thirty minutes, I drop her off in front and park the car. On my way to the restaurant, I run into one of the team moms at the door. We gave each other a hug and she told me to call her husband to get him out of the house. Pretty funny. Perfect timing as I get inside and sit down and our food is ready :)

Got my follow-up call that everything was going ok, still set for the same date. Later, I got asked to do a website (not maintain) for a church - Something simple. I said that I'd do it. As I'm driving us back, a team mom calls, and I got the eyeroll treatment from my passenger. Lucky she's not my gf. Tonight's run was pretty blah, especially having to fight with my sock.
Un-timed, Day 10

Ya like sushi?

Call Your Mom

I talked to my mom tonight for about an hour. I called to get her caught up on things going on in my life and get her advice. I was expecting a certain response but was surprised at what she said! After that I did my night run in the cool breeze.

Roller Coaster

No Trespassing Yes, I live that close to the Knott's Berry Water Park. Right over that fence is a sand volleyball court that nobody seems to be using. But the grounds crew smoothed out the sand, and got rid of all the weeds.

This just happens to be on the route that I take when I run during the day. Hmmm, I wonder if that water slide is working :)

I spoke with a couple of friends today around noon, and felt kind of bummed at the things going on, then I received an unexpected call from someone that wanted some info. It was weird how I could go from one mood to another within 30 minutes.

I went to home depot and bought a sprinkler head, since it's broken again. I think my neighbor shattered the top with his mower since he cuts his grass to putting green height. So, right now if I turn on the sprinklers, I have an old faithful right in my very own yard.
un-timed, Day 9

Google Sky

I've always been a big astronomy fan and I was glad to see that Google added Google Sky on to their Google Earth in version 4.2. I've been playing around with it and I like it. The photos attached to locations gives you some kind of bearing as to where the heck you are. Check it out!

Squiggly Lights

Blue Laser LightMy friend came over to do the route with me. I took the camera because I wanted to get a scenic downtown San Diego from the top of the hill but it was a little hazy. I ended up getting some squigglies while we were walking. I think this one looks like fiber optic cable...




Sam's InitialsI used the street light and the moon to draw my initials on the image. 2.5 seconds to draw the letters. Since I framed up the light and the moon, it only took me to do one letter to get my initials. :)

For the life of me, I couldn't get her initials. It just wasn't happening.


Random Lights

Nothing fancy here, just moving the camera around for 3.5 seconds. I wonder how many people out there actually see this when they are driving home?

You like my long exposure art?

The Hill

Sam running up the Hill I don't like this hill, and I've never felt this tired on one of those stair/tread climbers in the gym. Only time I do use the machines is when I'm waiting for one of the racquetball courts to open up and then it's a mad dash to see if I can get a court. As you can probably tell, I just use my LA Fitness membership for the racquetball. :)

Day 8

Canon Announces New Cameras

Canon 40D
Canon announces the 40D ($1300 USD) with full specs, also the 1Ds Mark III ($8000 USD). The 40D is an ACTUAL UPGRADE! Now includes the "liveview," 6.5 fps, 10+ megapixels and is the scaled down version of the 1D Mark III. ($3,500 USD), and the G9 ($500). I still use my G2.

The 1Ds Mark III, the flagship model with 21+ megapixels! I WILL try each of these new cameras out soon.

As you see can probably see it's now Canon 1Ds Mark IIIthe 1Ds Mark III, then 5D (Full Frame)...then 1D Mark III, 40D, and Rebel Series, in the separate line-ups. Anyone of these will get the shot you want, it's which one will do the task within your available budget. Let the drooling begin.

Don't you hate that as soon as you get a camera, then an upgrade is just released?

Night Run

I ran around the block tonight. I passed a couple holding hands several times. - awww. I ran without my shirt on because I'm still a little sore from the sunburn on my chest and back from running without my shirt during the day. But, my farmer tan is going away. :) Now, about my feet - dunno.

An old man was smoking on his balcony as I went by each lap, a couple was making out in their car for the entire time! They didn't even flinch after the second lap. Half moon going on tonight and very clear. A nice night for thinkin'

Here I sit after taking a nice shower with the A/C on and kicking back...I'm wide awake!!!
Un-timed

Nap Time

Sam Taking a NapI was tired so I took an uncharacteristic nap, and I put the cell phone to wake me up (30 minutes) so that I wouldn't sleep too long. Last thing I need is to stay up all night.

That glow on the bottom right is my laptop on the floor. I'm still tired...yawn.
Day 7

Nothing terribly exciting today for me. How about you?

Not Hungry

Going for a walk...Wanna come with me?

Foot Massage?

Do they have a name for this? Something similar to the "Farmer Tan?" Yes, those are my feet!
Day 6

I helped a my friend buy something for his girlfriend. It's her birthday in a couple of days and he didn't have a clue as to what to buy, so he asks me to help. The interesting part is that we had gone to dinner just recently and she gave him FOUR items to choose from. She didn't just come out and say it, but she did the woman thing and "hinted" what she wanted. I also noticed that she gave him different price ranges, too. :) Hmmm, maybe she invited me so that I could tell him...

Do you think that if it's not in someones nature, that they can change?

Night Run

Sam I was running out of time to do this for the day, so as soon as I got back from my run, I snapped a shot in the guest bathroom. It looks like the flash bounced around pretty good in there. Even with all the light you can see that I have really light brown eyes.

What color eyes do you like?
un-timed, Day 5

Busy Saturday

How Sam Pancakes How Sam eats PancakesHow Sam eats Pancakes

Dropped off Heather's softball stuff at her house for her tryout, then I headed over to get some pancakes. People think that I have an unusual way of eating them. I start by making a little hole in the center down to the bottom and filling it with warm syrup. I eat outwards until I reach the edges, or eat them all.

Went to go see a movie, and the person that selected it is soooo banned from picking another for a long time. I'm embarrassed to admit what movie it was, it was super bad...I mean really bad! :)

Had to mow, edge the lawn, and Cortez just happened to be doing a house inspection right across from my house. He comes over and we chat a bit - softball no doubt. I cleaned out the garage, and finally washed my car. As I was doing this the real estate lady from across the street came over and started talking to me. Maybe 10 minutes pass, then she gives me her card. The neighbor laughed at me since the lady said "bye" about 5 times.

This time I put less of the tire stuff on so that my rims wouldn't get all "dusty." Went to a party but left early because I just wasn't feeling social. That's it!

Do you think I eat my pancakes weird?

Restricted Call

Sam's HandIf someone knocked on your front door and you went to look, and didn't see anyone; would you open the door? You'll see why I ask in a second...

I was testing the 3200 (H) ISO setting on the camera, and the phone rang in my hand! What a trip. The number said "Restricted," and by the time that I took the picture, and put down the camera, the person chickened out or decided that maybe it was a little late and hung up. I won't normally answer a restricted/blocked call unless I'm expecting a call from someone I know.

Well, good night. I'm taking Heather's softball stuff to her house so that she'll have it in time.


So, do you answer restricted/blocked calls?
Day 4