So today at work I am doing several experiments that leave me with lots of time. Time that I am just sitting a thinking or whatever. So today I am thinking about the backpack trip that I am hoping to do this summer, the Wonderland Trail that encircles mount Rainer. It stared at the mountain and thought about the trail a lot while I was on my mission in Washington.
This summer I may be able to do the 93 mile trip. So I have been thinking about what I will take and how to be as light as possible with comfort still. So I have been able to do a lot of reading about lightweight backpacking techniques and I am pretty excited to try some of these out.
Without a lot of trouble I should be able to end up with a pack weight of 20 pounds without food, water and camera gear. One of the reasons for the trip is the photography, so the camera gear will be allowed to be excessive. I am even considering taking a shoot through umbrella to get some really high quality trail type portraits. It really isn't to heavy. Maybe that would be worth it.
If I go to extra trouble I may be able to even get weights down to 15 pounds or less. That would make the camera weight much more bearable. So I guess we will see!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday...
So it is funny that I now feel a bit of urgency to get my hours finished up on my EPA contract. I was thinking that I had 3 weeks to leisurely finish working 105 hours and help my wife get the house all cleaned up. Well my wife reinterpreted over the weekend what the doctor had said at the last appointment.
You will have the baby by March 15. I was thinking by like the 22 or 25. Well apparently he isn't excited about having the baby take to long so he wants to take the baby by inducement by march 15 or about 2 weeks overdue to prevent complications that may occur. So we will have it naturally by the due date, or be induced some time after wards and we will have our third kid in the next 3 weeks. I guess I realized it would be soon, but this seems to be quite sooner than my mind had been thinking about!
So this week I am going to work a lot and get about 60ish hours done on my contract and then have a regular work week the week after so that if the baby comes around then, I will be done with that commitment. I need to finish because I am going to restart the next contract March 15. So I need to use all the money up on this contract before the next one can kick in.
Things can really start moving fast on you if your not watching out!
You will have the baby by March 15. I was thinking by like the 22 or 25. Well apparently he isn't excited about having the baby take to long so he wants to take the baby by inducement by march 15 or about 2 weeks overdue to prevent complications that may occur. So we will have it naturally by the due date, or be induced some time after wards and we will have our third kid in the next 3 weeks. I guess I realized it would be soon, but this seems to be quite sooner than my mind had been thinking about!
So this week I am going to work a lot and get about 60ish hours done on my contract and then have a regular work week the week after so that if the baby comes around then, I will be done with that commitment. I need to finish because I am going to restart the next contract March 15. So I need to use all the money up on this contract before the next one can kick in.
Things can really start moving fast on you if your not watching out!
Up the Stairs...
Here is Andy Walking up the stairs by herself! She is growing up.
It is kind of dark, but it is Zach playing hide and seek...good times.
Toy Trains
Zach loves trains. So he made a similitude of one up out of his cart and dump truck, it is pretty funny.
Andy Loves her brothers toys, and so she plays with them any time she can. This is his other cart, and his train that she discovered stashed in the seat compartment. Fun times
Enjoy!
Karate Chop!
This post is a pretty funny one, our friend Derrin had our kids karate chopping magna ball bars with their heads!
Enjoy!
Chris
Enjoy!
Chris
Friday, February 20, 2009
Falls have fallen out...
Well I can tell you that I am a bit disappointed. I had great plans all lined up to hike Havasupai Falls and do some serious photography down there and so I had been planning on this for quite a while. I even had a rough time set up to do it.
So I finally called to set up reservations because it seems that March really is an off time down there so I might as well make the effort to seal the deal. Well I was in for a surprise.
I looked up the phone number, and found that getting down there was not available at all. The problem is that reservations aren't full (this is usually my great luck) but they aren't available because of major flooding that occurred last August. Wow. They are trying to get everything built back up but they aren't going to be able to open until May 1, 2009 at best. I bet they are really hurting not having the tourist dollars coming in. Wow.
So Alison and I will have to bank on the family trip down there later, which isn't a bad idea for me. Just amazing that in that narrow canyon area, there is actually flooding that occurs. They warn about it all the time, but honestly, who believes them that it will actually occur! Well it does, and in their case, when it rained, it definitely poured!
So I finally called to set up reservations because it seems that March really is an off time down there so I might as well make the effort to seal the deal. Well I was in for a surprise.
I looked up the phone number, and found that getting down there was not available at all. The problem is that reservations aren't full (this is usually my great luck) but they aren't available because of major flooding that occurred last August. Wow. They are trying to get everything built back up but they aren't going to be able to open until May 1, 2009 at best. I bet they are really hurting not having the tourist dollars coming in. Wow.
So Alison and I will have to bank on the family trip down there later, which isn't a bad idea for me. Just amazing that in that narrow canyon area, there is actually flooding that occurs. They warn about it all the time, but honestly, who believes them that it will actually occur! Well it does, and in their case, when it rained, it definitely poured!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Photography!
So lately I have been trying to expand my photographic skills. Up to now I have basically been a find a cool place and wait till it has beautiful light and take a picture. There is a bit more to it than the just clicking the shutter but I wanted to learn more about other types of photography, like people photography.
When I was younger (read until a few years ago) or before I was married mainly I had little joy in photographing people at all. Then I got married and some great kids came along and well I love photographing people. I have also photographed some weddings and really enjoyed those, much to my contrary belief. I thought I would really hate doing that.
So I realized that I like taking pictures of people and landscapes/nature. So I am trying to get better at that type of stuff. I am amazed at how simple it is, and yet complex, as I guess is the case with everything. The easily most amazing thing is doing much better lighting than on camera flash is simple, then your creativity can take you about anywhere.
Currently I am trying to put together a portable and workable studio. I now have a "tent" for shooting small things, and product type photography, usually they can be pricey but I got mine all together for about $10. I made one that was even simpler for free from a box and some paper. I wanted a bigger one that gave more options and so I spent the big bucks. I am trying to see how much I can do will only 200 dollars. I have about that much in birthday money and spending money saved up, so I am excited. I am currently working on a beauty dish which is really flattering for portraiture. I am going to get a few umbrellas and make some reflectors. The reflectors will thankfully be again really cheap, maybe only 20 dollars for very large ones that you could pay way more for.
After all this work I guess I am most excited about actually being able to shoot some sweet portraits of people. So watch out, I may be after you next to be shot!
When I was younger (read until a few years ago) or before I was married mainly I had little joy in photographing people at all. Then I got married and some great kids came along and well I love photographing people. I have also photographed some weddings and really enjoyed those, much to my contrary belief. I thought I would really hate doing that.
So I realized that I like taking pictures of people and landscapes/nature. So I am trying to get better at that type of stuff. I am amazed at how simple it is, and yet complex, as I guess is the case with everything. The easily most amazing thing is doing much better lighting than on camera flash is simple, then your creativity can take you about anywhere.
Currently I am trying to put together a portable and workable studio. I now have a "tent" for shooting small things, and product type photography, usually they can be pricey but I got mine all together for about $10. I made one that was even simpler for free from a box and some paper. I wanted a bigger one that gave more options and so I spent the big bucks. I am trying to see how much I can do will only 200 dollars. I have about that much in birthday money and spending money saved up, so I am excited. I am currently working on a beauty dish which is really flattering for portraiture. I am going to get a few umbrellas and make some reflectors. The reflectors will thankfully be again really cheap, maybe only 20 dollars for very large ones that you could pay way more for.
After all this work I guess I am most excited about actually being able to shoot some sweet portraits of people. So watch out, I may be after you next to be shot!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Holiday...
Well today is a Holiday.
I am pretty bad, without a calendar I can only guess that it is perhaps Presidents Day. Fine by me. Anyway, I came into work anyway because the day is kind of wet and murky (it was to start out with as well) and I would rather work the time now and take the time off more to my choosing at some other time. Anyway, so that is the plan. I am enjoying work, just wish as always that I made more money so I could pay my bills faster...
That is what we all wish I guess.
So I was reminded by my wife that 5 years ago we came to Vegas on a group trip to go rock climbing. We were not even dating at that point. And now we are expecting kid number 3. Things change fast. Wow. I think I am going to go home and play with kid 1 and 2. That are so much fun!
I hope that the rest of our week here in the desert isn't as rainy as it has been lately for the sake of my potential fun, but I guess it is good for the sake of our water supply. I guess we always have to pick which evil we accept.
I am pretty bad, without a calendar I can only guess that it is perhaps Presidents Day. Fine by me. Anyway, I came into work anyway because the day is kind of wet and murky (it was to start out with as well) and I would rather work the time now and take the time off more to my choosing at some other time. Anyway, so that is the plan. I am enjoying work, just wish as always that I made more money so I could pay my bills faster...
That is what we all wish I guess.
So I was reminded by my wife that 5 years ago we came to Vegas on a group trip to go rock climbing. We were not even dating at that point. And now we are expecting kid number 3. Things change fast. Wow. I think I am going to go home and play with kid 1 and 2. That are so much fun!
I hope that the rest of our week here in the desert isn't as rainy as it has been lately for the sake of my potential fun, but I guess it is good for the sake of our water supply. I guess we always have to pick which evil we accept.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Happy Valentines Day!
Hey, Happy Valentines Day! I hope all is well for everyone. Singles awareness day can be murky at the best of times. That is why I recommend marrying the special one you love. Then Valentines Day can be a bit more pleasurable. We are going to hang out, have valentines like games, maybe barbecue some food and have a fancy dinner. We will have our kids there for all of it.
Maybe the real celebration of this day will be the day before which is actually today and is Friday the 13th. I wonder why this day is connotative towards having bad luck. I have been doing pretty well with them in the past. For example...I have never had a crazy guy trying to murder me like you see in movies, and I had two of my brothers born on the day. So we consider these Fridays to be good rather than ill. I guess I got a bit sidetracked.
The real celebration is that we have a babysitter for a shorter 3 or 4 hour date this afternoon. Alison and I will go and be able to have lots of fun in the sun on this day and our friend Angela will watch the kids. I guess she fills like she really owes us because we have watched her kids twice now. Both times it really wasn't a big deal at all. So we will take her up on this date opportunity for sure!
Anyway, I am off for that action strait away!
Maybe the real celebration of this day will be the day before which is actually today and is Friday the 13th. I wonder why this day is connotative towards having bad luck. I have been doing pretty well with them in the past. For example...I have never had a crazy guy trying to murder me like you see in movies, and I had two of my brothers born on the day. So we consider these Fridays to be good rather than ill. I guess I got a bit sidetracked.
The real celebration is that we have a babysitter for a shorter 3 or 4 hour date this afternoon. Alison and I will go and be able to have lots of fun in the sun on this day and our friend Angela will watch the kids. I guess she fills like she really owes us because we have watched her kids twice now. Both times it really wasn't a big deal at all. So we will take her up on this date opportunity for sure!
Anyway, I am off for that action strait away!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Almost the weekend...
I just realized that I am usually writing about how mice it will be to have a weekend. I really don't hate the week so much, but I guess that the weekend is a really nice time for relaxation and doing whatever I want.
So this weekend we are going to attempt to have a barbecue for lunch. We were thinking of going to the park (sunset park) and grilling some hot dogs and maybe some of the park geese if they get a bit to close. Maybe I can see some new bird species along the way. I guess I will have to wait and see on that. I am excited for the valentines day activities. My wife is planning lots of fun games for the kids and a pretty fabulous dinner that I am really excited about. She does get me excited in so many ways.
I am trying to think where I will try and shoot some photographs this weekend. I have several options and hope that they turn out well, whatever I decide to do. I was thinking of heading to Red Rock Canyon which is nearby, but I am not sure if I will go there or the Henderson Bird Preserve. I was also thinking of doing some night photography of the Hoover Damn, especially of the bridge that they are putting up that will go over the gorge that houses the Colorado River. That is honestly a totally amazing project. I am amazed every time I see it.
I have also been doing quite a bit of brainstorming lately on my business directives. I have so many ideas that interest me and I honestly have way more in my head than I can actually do. So that is one of my problems. I guess the good thing is that I have lots of creativity going on in my head. For me that is the exciting thing. So I guess I just need to focus on what I can do now and what will be profitable in the future.
One of the things I am really interested in is shooting photography with artificial light. This includes portraits and landscapes. The landscapes I guess I will just be adding a bit more stuff to the mix of what I am doing and for the portraiture I am heading into totally new waters. I like the idea especially because I can shoot all the time and not have to wait for the time to get off to a far off location.
I guess that is all for now. I hope that I have more inspiration by next time!
So this weekend we are going to attempt to have a barbecue for lunch. We were thinking of going to the park (sunset park) and grilling some hot dogs and maybe some of the park geese if they get a bit to close. Maybe I can see some new bird species along the way. I guess I will have to wait and see on that. I am excited for the valentines day activities. My wife is planning lots of fun games for the kids and a pretty fabulous dinner that I am really excited about. She does get me excited in so many ways.
I am trying to think where I will try and shoot some photographs this weekend. I have several options and hope that they turn out well, whatever I decide to do. I was thinking of heading to Red Rock Canyon which is nearby, but I am not sure if I will go there or the Henderson Bird Preserve. I was also thinking of doing some night photography of the Hoover Damn, especially of the bridge that they are putting up that will go over the gorge that houses the Colorado River. That is honestly a totally amazing project. I am amazed every time I see it.
I have also been doing quite a bit of brainstorming lately on my business directives. I have so many ideas that interest me and I honestly have way more in my head than I can actually do. So that is one of my problems. I guess the good thing is that I have lots of creativity going on in my head. For me that is the exciting thing. So I guess I just need to focus on what I can do now and what will be profitable in the future.
One of the things I am really interested in is shooting photography with artificial light. This includes portraits and landscapes. The landscapes I guess I will just be adding a bit more stuff to the mix of what I am doing and for the portraiture I am heading into totally new waters. I like the idea especially because I can shoot all the time and not have to wait for the time to get off to a far off location.
I guess that is all for now. I hope that I have more inspiration by next time!
Monday, February 09, 2009
Birthday
I definitely had a great birthday. I got to have many of my favorite foods, thanks to my lovely wife. I got some great gifts that I am excite about. Most of all I had a great day playing with my kids and hanging out with my wife. I also got to take a nap with my wife. That is sadly becoming more and more rare. Argh!
Anyway, I am sad that I am not 3^3 any more, it was cool being able to say that I was 3 to the third power years old. Even worse I didn't realize I was that age until about 10 days before my birthday! My wife pointed that out to me. That was pretty cool to realize.
I also got rain the day after my birthday as a late gift. Things are going well for me!
Anyway, I am sad that I am not 3^3 any more, it was cool being able to say that I was 3 to the third power years old. Even worse I didn't realize I was that age until about 10 days before my birthday! My wife pointed that out to me. That was pretty cool to realize.
I also got rain the day after my birthday as a late gift. Things are going well for me!
Videos
Here are some pretty funny videos of our kids. They were just being random and in this case Zach was copying Andrea! I hope that you enjoy these!
Chris
Friday, February 06, 2009
Friday!
Well it is Friday and almost my birthday. Wow. I guess that I am most excited for the weekend. The weekend is going to be nice because it will house my birthday and maybe a quick day trip to the Mojave National Preserve. This is maybe going to be a cool place to visit that is only about one hour away from us here in Vegas. It is kind of a little know place and I am pretty excited to check it out. There will be sand dunes, mountains, lava tubes and a train station. Plus I will get to hang with my family all day long and be home at a reasonable time to put the kids in bed.
I am also turning 28 this weekend. I am pretty excited for that. Mainly my wife getting excited to make some cool food for the occasion. I really like it when she busts out the recipes and comes up with something new.
Well things are good here, and I am off to put gas in the car and drop off some books at the library, then home for dinner...
I am also turning 28 this weekend. I am pretty excited for that. Mainly my wife getting excited to make some cool food for the occasion. I really like it when she busts out the recipes and comes up with something new.
Well things are good here, and I am off to put gas in the car and drop off some books at the library, then home for dinner...
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