Silver Lake

This adventure was spawned from a similar one made last year. Garit, Branden, Celeste, Davy, and I went up there last year and I had my first attempt at star trails photography. The results were not horrible.

I have learned a lot since then. About light. About aperture. About shutter speed and ISO. So I wanted another adventure. We planned last night because it was a new moon. The night was almost perfect. There were some annoying, wispy clouds. But it wasn't so bad. We had a good time. This time it was Matt, Jordan, Grant, and me. We went to Silver Lake again. The stars were amazing. The company and conversation were even better.

So here are the results:

The reason there aren't more is because that one star trail shot took 30+ minutes to shoot and at least that much time (if not more) to write to the SD card. As much as I would have liked to stay up all night and shoot more, please see a previous post about turning 30. I was tired. :)

Preschool

I really love it that Emma is excited to go to school. In fact, I have seen some of the other kids in her class and they don't all seem as excited. First time away from home, from mom or dad, and it can be scary.

Emma gets out of the car and runs to her class. I guess I am proud. Just a little sad that she isn't sad to leave me behind. But kids grow up. And I am proud of my Em. She is awesome. And a good friend, too. Yesterday, she made friends with three different kids at the playground. Great kid.

Proud parent moment.

What's in your bag?

I learned about Timbuk2 about 3 years ago from Davy. Since then, I have owned several Timbuk2 bags. Some I didn't like all that much, but I have found the ones that fit my needs just right.

The first is the D-Lux Messenger.

I am usually carrying all of the items you see:

-Book
-Prescription sunglasses
-Pens (Zebra and Sharpie)
-Comb
-Velcro silencers
-earbuds
-Leatherman Micro
-Leatherman Blast
-Billfold
-Moleskine notebook
-Lunch cooler
-Stabilizer strap
-iPad
-Small flashlight
-Chapstick
-Fingernail clippers
-Floss or flosspicks
-Tide pen
-Blinky light (for safety)
-Keys
-Umbrella (sometimes)
-Bus/Trax pass

That being said, please don't rob me! Also, there is still quite a bit of space for more even with all of that in there.



This is the other bag I have. I used a Classic Timbuk2 messenger and added the Snoop Camera insert to carry my camera and gear. It does an amazing job at protecting stuff.

I plan on buying a Stork Messenger whenever it is that we have another child. These bags are virtually indestructible. Made from bomb-proof ballistic nylon and awesome weather-proofing materials.

Eventually I would like to own their travel luggage. Their products are really awesome. Now that I said such nice things, Timbuk2, can I have some free stuff? Ha!

This was shot in SLC. Some fine parkour and some fine filming.

quite the week so far.

Completely surprised on Tuesday by friends and family. Jaynann had taken pretty darn good care of me on Monday I thought that was it. But she planned an extensive get together at the park on Tuesday. I married up. Way up.

Back to work on Wednesday. I work at Deseret Book. I meet a lot of cool people. Mostly I drool over books I want to read/buy. One must admit, I have shown incredible self-restraint. I have only purchased a few books since my employment started earlier this year. Being downtown is fun. I like mass transit.

I am planning on going on a New Moon adventure. Now hold on! I do NOT refer to the books that must not be named. I mean literally a new moon. I wish to shoot the sky. My lenses aren't great, but I think I have learned a lot since my last adventure trying to capture some star trails. I just hope for a clear sky. Anyone is invited. Please. It'll be fun.

Found this cool blog via Macrumors.com. I have downloaded many of his desktop wallpapers so far. Check it out. High res, too. It is called FiftyFootShadows. Pretty good product reviews.

I really need to find the energy/motivation to capture what is in my bag. Timbuk2 has started a blog about people taking pictures of the stuff they carry around in their Timbuk2 bags. I have two bags. I think about it. Then I think about the effort. Then I go drink a Mexican Coke. Then I watch 30 Rock. Then I start all over. Davy did this once. He was the one that showed me the way of Timbuk2. Very good stuff. Very durable. I recommend the D-Lux Messenger. It holds a laptop/iPad and has some cool waterproofing features, plus a handle, plus a rear, water-proof zipper.

I will do it. THIS WEEKEND. I must show some discipline...HOLD ME TO IT, PEOPLE!

30

Yep. Today. It is kind of weird. I don't feel like I am thirty (except when I try to exercise or something ;)). But here we are. I feel like I have learned some things. I am going to share a few here:

1. Everyone is different. If someone doesn't fit "the mold" it doesn't make them less of a person. It is good to be different.

2. Time is fickle. We only have so much of it. Even the little choices we make each day can make a difference. Maybe I should save this one for a post closer to the day I die. But sometimes I feel like I wasted a day, even when I just watch something on TV instead of going outside to play with Emma.

3. Family is so important. Brothers. Sister. Mom. Dad. I love them all. I haven't always shown it. But I love them. And I am trying to be better at loving them all, all the time, unconditionally.

4. It is good to have good friends. #1 is Jaynann, of course. My bestest friend. It is fun to talk about how we met. We were friends for about 1.5 years before we even started dating. I was doing my part, dating women, finding a mate, until finally I realized that this girl with whom I was spending all of my time was the one I really wanted to be with. Some of the biggest friendships that have lasted over the years are the ones I still talk to fairly regularly: Dan, Garit, Chris, Mark, Davy, Branden, Nate E., Ryan R., Jordan, Matt, Brayden, Mike, Jake, Dan S. I would also consider your wives friends also. They are good women and seriously married down with all of you ;).

5. My religion has become even more important to me. I think in some cases I could have decent reasons to dissent. But I have had some serious evidences in my life that I cannot deny. I went through the process of becoming a seminary teacher. It is a difficult process with no promise at the end. I took a year worth of institute courses and taught several seminary classes for 1.5 years. And I didn't get offered a full time position. It was a temptation to feel a little abandoned. Why did I waste 2.5 years of my life trying to do that? But it wasn't a waste at all for me. It was exactly what I needed at that time of my life. I have no regrets or ill feelings. In fact, I have made some important friends with the people I associated with in that program. I loved the ups and downs. If my former students happen to read this: I loved all of it. I loved the ups and downs. Sometimes there were a few more downs then I would have liked, but it was worth it. The Lord knows what He is doing. Trust in Him. I have a real testimony of Proverbs 3:5-6. Brother Hardy and Brother Virgin will always be BIG examples to me!

6. Never stop learning. Whether formally or informally. I had an amazing chat with Chris Bodily recently and I just love his passion and thirst for knowledge. It makes me want to want more. So hopefully this list will continue until I die. I have always admired Hugh Nibley. That guy never stopped learning.

7. I have gone on too long now. Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I am so blessed to know you. Yes. You. Thank you.

TED

I enjoyed an older TED talk tonight with a friend. It is about wireless data transmission using the visible light spectrum. Very cool stuff. I think this needs to be implemented soon. I went with Chris Bodily to an improv show tonight (And...Go!). It was a lot of fun. More people need to get out and see that stuff. Without an audience, they won't be able to keep the space they use. Go. Go check them out. Next Saturday (Sept. 8). This was all after a DELICIOUS meal made by Jaynann. Pork Chops, brown rice and almonds and fresh herbs, ratatouille, and corn on the cob. So good. This has been a great start to Labor Day/Birthday weekend. Cheers.