An Utter Waste of Time

The Digital Darkroom.

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:00:15 -0600

It is looking more and more like I am going "all-in" when it comes to the digital photography thing. Although it goes without saying that I need to learn a lot more about the philosophy and technique that goes with the art, I need to build some kind of virtual darkroom. I have let my computing hardware fall behind and it is becoming painfully obvious that I need a major upgrade. So, here is my first attempt to make a list of things I need to get my digital darkroom up to snuff.

1. Quad Core Windows Vista Ultimate PC with 1 500GB hard drive for programs and 1 750GB hard drive for data only.

2. Drobo backup device with 1.5 TB of storage.

3. Dual 24" Flat screen LCD Monitors

4. WACOM graphics tablet

5. ~~Adobe PhotoShop CS3 Extended~~ Purchased June 2008

6. Adobe Lightroom 2

This is in addition to the lens and flash hardware that is on a completely different wish list. Taken together everything will probably add up to a nice down payment on a bigger house. However, since this is just a wish list I don't have to think about that right now.

What am I missing? This is just a first pass and I assume more things will come to mind as I think of them. I should have enough HD space to hold me over for a while and the Drobo is just about infinitely expandable. Print is done at the local photography store so there is no need to buy a printer at this time. The PC will also be used for other things including a media center and Netflix streaming device.

Wish lists are great aren't they?

Spelunking

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:20:37 -0600

Spelunking, originally uploaded by Shadowhelm.

I don't exactly know how I got this soft shot at the zoo over the weekend, but I kind of like how it looks.

Digital Vacation

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:42:00 -0600

I thinking about taking a break from writing anything on this site for a while. It has gotten kind of boring lately and more of a chore than an enjoyable pastime. There probably won't be much other than new photos here on a regular basis at least through the rest of the summer. Then again maybe it is just the typical Monday humbug and I will feel differently later.

Since my last post I have:

Been invited to a monthly poker game where I met a whole bunch of really nice chaps and stayed up way too late on a Friday night only to miss winning $70.00 by a few bad turns of the cards. I have to say though, it was the most enjoyable loss of $10.00 I have had in a very long time

Watched a movie I was really looking forward to only to be turned off by its unbelievable preachiness and lack of subtly. Pixar, you don't have to hit us over the head with you message and then cram it down our throats. Humanity ruins everything it touches, including itself. Yeah, we get it.

Had my faith restored in the Supreme Court. In an unexpected move, SCOTUS actually did it's job and ruled on the letter of the law and upheld the 2nd Amendment instead of legislating from the bench. I wish this happened more often.

Watch my Wii die only to see it reanimate itself 30 minutes later.

Found out that you can actually buy $100+ pillows. I wonder, how much better one might sleep on a $100 pillow?

Taken around two hundred pictures and haven't processed a single one.

Done some even more inconsequential stuff than what has been listed above.

How's that for an update?

Kids say the darndest things...that can get you arrested

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:41:47 -0600

The Magic City Flickr Group (which I recently joined) is having an impromptu portrait taking seminar/lesson/thing this afternoon in my hometown of Helena, AL. Since photography has become my latest obsession, I am attempting to make the meeting in order to both learn a few things as well as get to know other photography professionals and enthusiasts in the area. One of the things suggested to bring to the meeting is a portrait subject. I thought my daughter would be a perfect subject so I asked her if she wanted to come along. She said sure (she normally likes hanging with her dad) and I just assumed that would be all I would hear about it until I picked her up this evening. I was wrong.

My wife called me this morning to inform me that as soon as Emily got to school this morning she went running to her teacher to tell her what we would be doing this evening. The following is apparently what she told the teacher:

"Miss Alexis, guess what? This afternoon after daddy picks me up he and a bunch of his friends from work are going to meet to take pictures of me!"

If that doesn't sound like a pedo bear situation I don't know what does. I can only imagine what went through the teacher's head after hearing that statement.

Thanks goodness my wife was still in the room. After an initial moment of shock, my wife explained the real situation to the young teacher. I can only hope that the explaination was believed. I guess I will know it wasn't if I am not allowed to go on any of the field trips or talk to any of the other kids. I guess a phone call from local authorities would also be a telling sign that the clarification was not believed.

Gotta go, I think my phone is ringing...

Get off my lawn RELOADED

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:22:15 -0600

I did something the other day that sort of surprised me. I was sitting at a McDonalds letting my daughter have some nuggets when I became the "outraged parent". Well, I wasn't outraged as much as I was mildly concerned. This particular location (the new one near the Target in Alabaster) has a television in the main seating area and playing on the TV for two full episodes on Monday was Family Guy. I love Family Guy. I probably watch at least one episode if not more every day as several channels on my Dish Network service carry the show in syndication. It is completely nonsensical, mysogynistic, crude, rude, and pedantic and I love every minute. The show, however, is 100% not for young children. The episode that was on in the restaurant, for example, centered around Peter pressuring his wife to have sex with him at his office. Lois finally gives in (she always gives in, she is just that kind of gal) and they throw down on the floor right in front of Peter's mentally challenge cubicle mate. Maybe I am old fashioned, but I just don't think that is something my 4 year old needs to see out in public.

My first reaction to what was on the TV was "Cool, Family Guy!" but that quickly dissolved into "Wait, this should not be on here." Not only was it on, but one of the teenage employees was sitting there watching the show. I struggled with my feelings on this subject for the rest of the meal. I am certainly not a prude but I eventually decided that I should at least tell the management about the show because maybe they just didn't know. As we were leaving I walked up to the counter. There were three people there, an older white lady, a young black male, and a young white male. I asked them if they knew what was on the TV and I got blank, glass eyed stares. I told them it was Family Guy and that the show often had content like simulated sex acts and that it might not be the best thing for their customers. Again, blank stares. Then, Captain Genius of the Starship Losertini spoke up. "Oh, I have never seen Family Guy. I am not allowed to watch it." This was the young white guy who appeared to be in charge. I found it strange that his TV time was still monitored at his age and then he dropped this gem on me: "Yeah, I am 20 years old and I am still not allowed to watch Family Guy or The Simpsons."

"Oh holy hell," I thought. I knew right then that I was wasting my time. This guy was the legendary "living in mom's basement" guy I have heard so much about. I never met one of these elusive creatures in the wild and though maybe they were an urban legend. I found out otherwise.

"Look, it doesn't really bother me so much, but other people might get offended by the show. You probably should change the channel, " I said and began making my way toward the door.

As I was leaving I caught a glimpse of the brain trust looking at each other. Captain Genius then said, and I kid you not, "I don't think we can change the channel."

The TV was picking up the over the air broadcast from channel 68. Changing the channel could not possible be a difficult task. I foresaw a bright future in the food preperation industry for Captain Genius. I am pretty sure the other guy knew what was going on because he had that look of understanding in his eye but he deferred to the Captain. I left them to sort out the crisis and exited the restaurant.

I am not sure if what I did qualifies me as old and out of touch, but I am glad I said something. Again, it was not an issue of me being offended or upset, I can promise you it was not the first time my daughter has seen Family Guy, but I really felt they needed to know what was on the TV. There are so many people out there ready to sue over the slightest thing that I honestly wanted to save the restaurant that hassle. Plus, no matter how much I personally enjoy the show, I am not usually in the mood for bondage humor (Lois is a real team player in that regard) when I am out with my 4 year old. Some things are just not for the general public's consumption.

One final note: If you are over 16 and have not seen The Simpsons or Family Guy my heart goes out to you. Just do me one favor. Don't take up taxidermy. It happened to Norman Bates, it can happen to you.

Jumbled

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:37:10 -0600

My mind is jumbled right now. Lots of little thing floating around but nothing very clear. No clear direction, no clear goal, nothing but tiny thought flitting across the surface of my consciousness.

There are things I want, no need to change in my life but I lack the will power to make that happen.

I find I am missing old friends while straining to make new ones.

I desire something new but I am afraid of change.

I want to be a different person but I don't want to lose myself in the process.

I want to run, I want to hide I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside.

Ok, that last one was a U2 Lyric.

See, I told you things are jumbled.

I feel that change is coming but I can't figure out if I am supposed to sit back and let it happen or jump up to meet it.

I want to be the person that rushes to meet change but my nature is the opposite.

I don't know if I am lazy or afraid but I am too proud to admit that the answer is "both".

I am not sure what is worse, not living up to your potential or waking up to the possibility that you never had that much potential to begin with.

I came to realize something while writing this (if you can call it "writing") which is that the great thinker and sage, Theodore Geisel, understood the place I am in today and wrote about it. He described a place, called "the waiting place" where people do just that, wait. Observe:

The Waiting Place...

...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

It's funny to think about how cliche that book has become but how utterly right the good doctor was on so many things. Now, if only he had writing about how to get out...

Summer Swing

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:16:04 -0600

Summer Swing, originally uploaded by Shadowhelm.

I took over 200 photos during a trip to Desoto Caverns but this picture on the swing at a local park ended up being the best one that I have looked at so far. Let me know if it is too dark. I am having a bit of trouble judging exposure on my work monitor because I can't seem to get it calibrated just right. More to come later.

This makes me cry

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:36:00 -0600

I have spoken before of my love for Henry's speech before the Battle of Agincourt in Shakespeare's Henry V. It is with great sadness then that I must report that Sony has employed the rousing words of the great bard to sell video games.

Exhibit 1:

I think I am crying inside.

Things that suck - Part I

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:30:06 -0600

So, you are all geared up for a few hours of alone time before the wife and child get home from their Thursday night adventures. Your iced cold drink is on the coffee table, you laptop is booted and ready to rumble, the AC is kicking and the couch is comfortable. Everything for an evening of BSG season 2 is ready to roll but it things aren't as good as they seem. You pop the disk sent loving by Netflix into the DVD player and stretch out on the couch. After a short pre-roll you launch into the menu and hit "Play All". Then, everything breaks down. The title sequence rolls and the "Previously on Battlestar Galactica" kicks in and you recognize none of it. WTF?! Lee Adama and President Roslin were in jail but they escaped? Helo and Starbuck are on New Caprica with a bunch of human survivors? Admiral Adama is no longer in charge of Galactica? When the fuck did all of this happen?

You fumble with the remote to jump out to the menu to see if maybe the disk started on the wrong episode only to find out that the entire disk is wrong. NOOOOOOOO!!!! Neflix shipped me Season 2 Disk 2 in the Disk 1 pouch! Those COCKSUCKERS!!! After all the good things I say about the company I still get the shaft. A perfect evening RUINED I tell ya!

Ok, maybe that is going a little overboard but it was disappointing. The good news is I reported the error to Netflix and they are shipping a new disk no questions asked. I should have it no later than Saturday. All in all that is pretty good service. I'd still like to get my hands on the person responsible for mixing up the envelopes though!

I don't believe....this bullshit.

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:35:48 -0600

Alabama Senator Hank Erwin is the worst kind of moron politician. This guy once remarked that the Katrina disaster was God's retribution for the gulf coast's "sin". Well, now he is supporting the idea of an "I Believe" license plate for the good citizens of Alabama. I can't even begin to discuss why this is wrong so I will take the logical and academic route.

These kinds of tags are a drain on taxpayer dollars and should be discontinued. I am talking about ALL special tags. "But those tags are paid for by the extra dollars the licensee must pay right" you might say and you would be wrong. Some of the extra costs are covered in that fee but not all. Thing about the extra time it takes DMV workers to get the special tags, solicit and approve the designs, advertise the availability of new tags, etc., etc., etc. Do you really thing $50.00 a tag covers all of those costs? What about the distractions caused by personalized and logo tags on our nations roads? Of course let's not forget how much more difficult it is to recognize where a tag originates. This can't be good for law inforcement. By that reasoning alone these kinds of tags should be eleminated and we should go back to the days of one design per state.

Let us assume, however, that my solution is a bit too draconian for your tastes. What happens when we approve the "I Believe" branded tag. Can I get one that says "I Don't Believe"? How about "Allah Saves" or "Pastafarians Unite!"? You can bet the answer is going to be no. Open up that floodgate and where does it stop?

The government has a right to tax citzens for the construction, use, and maintenance of infrastructure which includes roads. Car licensing serves this purpose. Government, however, really has no business in helping citizens express personal messages. This includes favorite imaginary deity, favorite sports team, favorite video game or any thing else. Any moron can put on a bumper sticker so why should taxpayers be saddled with the burden of personalizing license plates? Let Lerory put an "I Believe" sticker on his F-150 right next to his "Roll Tide" sticker. Problem solved. He gets his message across and the government doesn't have to deal with it. Plus, bumper stickers are cheaper than license tags so it is a win/win. Actually, the people that have to read this stupid shit while driving down the highway lose but we'll just ignore that fact for now.

I guess this is an important issue for Hank Erwin. My only hope is that he can settle this quickly so maybe he will have time toward other,s econdary issues like quality education for our children and clean air and water for the citizens of Alabama. Really Hank, go on ahead with your religious grandstanding. The kids can wait. No hurry.

Lazy Summer

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:31:41 -0600

I haven't really had anything to I cared to blog about lately. Sure there has been incidents like the dirty diaper tossed into my grocery cart and the unidentified fungus explosion in my backyard, but overall things have been quiet in the old homestead these past few weeks. Summer has set in and I am just haven't felt like spending too much time on the computer.

I have mostly been experimenting with my camera as well as making some other rash purchasing decisions (like a new copy of Photoshop CS3..education pricing thank goodness) to support my new, favorite hobby. I am the type of person who passionately loves something and becomes totally consumed with it for very short periods of time but ends up abandoning it for the next greatest thing. Note the guitar, unfinished model of the starship Enterprise, the $50.00 books on web design, etc. that are all collecting dust in my closet unplayed, unpainted, and unread. I hope my interest in photography sticks because I really am enjoying creating pictures that people comment on. It hasn't happened much, but it has happened and it is a nice feeling when someone complements you on something you created. I am very much an amateur with little ability but I feel like this is a creative art that maybe I can get a handle on.

I have started posting some stuff to Flickr and you can check out my photostream of on the left sidebar. I don't know why I didn't use this site before. I am considering buying a pro account, but haven't pulled the trigger on that one as of this writing. Any more undiscussed purchases and I might not be able to sit down due to the ass kicking administered by my wife.

So, plan on seeing more photos here and probably less written material. I can't write very well anyway so no big loss.

Surprise

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:12:09 -0600

Surprise, originally uploaded by Shadowhelm.

I really like this photo. I had to crop it a little to get rid of the dead space, but it is still pretty cool in my opinion. I wanted to get some more shots but she learned quick and quit looking into the hose while her mom was crimping it off. Next time maybe I will try it on the dog.

Emily at the Pool

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:52:28 -0600

Emily at the Pool, originally uploaded by Shadowhelm.

Remember the days when relaxing in the pool was the only thing on your "To-Do list"?

Sam The Storyteller

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:53:28 -0600

Sam The Storyteller, originally uploaded by Shadowhelm.

This is a picture of Sam. I don't know his last name because he did not give it. Sam spends a lot of his time at Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham, Alabama. I stopped there today on the way back from lunch to take some pictures and Sam engaged me in stories about his days as a freedom fighter during the civil rights movement. He told me about how the park was first built and many other things. I don't know if any of it was true or not, but it sounded credible enough. At the end of my time with Sam he asked me for some change and I gave him what I had. It wasn't much but he was welcome to it. At the very least he kept me entertained which is much more than most panhandlers do around town.

There is a lot of history in Birmingham, much of it ugly, but still fascinating. The things people can do to each other boggle the mind. It all goes back to our primitive survival instincts so in some ways we are innocent of our sins. Our capability for rational thought, however, reduces much of the forgiveness that human cruelty might otherwise be due. Humans may be the only beings capable of rational thought, but that doesn't mean we are good at it yet. Sam's stories reminded once again of how irrational we can be.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:29:39 -0600

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, originally uploaded by Shadowhelm.

Here is another Flickr shot. I am posting this directly from Flicker. The image is one I grabbed at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on June 9, 2008. This is the JPEG version that the camera snapped along with the RAW file. I like the idea of RAW + JPEG, but it sure is a memory hog. I should have opened my aperture up a little bit to completely get the yellow part of the flower in focus. Again, another learning experience.