31-DEC-2008
See Yah 2008!
Last day of the year. And first full year of my PaD. I did it! (Finally).
Tomorrow I can create my 2009 PESO (Will start out the year pessimistic like 2008) and rename my 2008 PESO to 2008 PaD.
My son is not feeling so hot and will not make it to midnight. The girls will try (my 11 year old won't make it, my 13 year old will keep on going past midnight). My wife will be giving up here in a few minutes, she will set her alarm for 11:45, sleep through it, and come down around 12:30 all upset that she missed it (sounds like this has happened before?).
Happy New Year.
30-DEC-2008
Busy Day at the Museum
We went to the Boston Museum of Science today via the Downeaster (Train service into Boston). I'd originally wanted to bring my 40D & gear to do some street photography, but my wife had other ideas. The LX3 made the trip (the best all around camera).
While waiting for a 3D show on the 2nd level (3rd floor, the 'level' numbering is all messed up) I took about 50 shots of this section, all hand-held. It was so busy there today, everyone was commenting on it (kids out of school, parents on vacation).
29-DEC-2008
Karate Feet
I took my son today to his Karate lessons and stayed for the entire class. I had my camera gear with me and was being a 'dad', but not distracting (thank god for ISO 1600). The Dojo is well lit, albeit fluorescent and is in an old mill. They retained the original mill flooring, slathering on a thick layer of sealant to remove the chance of splinters. The mill itself could keep a person with a camera busy for hours (days).
We head to Boston tomorrow, but I don't expect a photographic side trip (I will carry the LX3 at the very least though).
28-DEC-2008
Projects
Trying to get a little bit done around the house on this extended holiday vacation. Though this doesn't look like much, that piece of odd trim has taken me about 2 1/2 years to complete. . .
(I actually spent more time cleaning my workshop than fitting that trim)
A happy moment today!
27-DEC-2008
Roller Skating
We went Roller Skating tonight. Went to the same place that I went to as a teenager, after it had just opened (so this rink has been there a while ;). I can still get around the rink, though forward only.
Each of the kids had friends with them, so many kids that we needed to take two cars (a Tahoe and a car). I am feeling the skating right now (actually I was feeling it after I stopped). I will feel it more tomorrow morning I am sure.
26-DEC-2008
Counting the tokens [at Chuck-E-Cheese]
Took the younger two to LL Bean & Chuck E Cheese today. The goal was to pick up some stuff at Bean that I didn't want to order (save some shipping $$).
Irony = The stuff we wanted we had to order as they were out of in the store. . .
This shot is more of a "Hey, look what I did in LR [2.2]". Up until today, my LX3 workflow was a bit convoluted (it still is, right now I consider it in "transition"). I am shooting RAW + Jpg on the LX3 since there is in-camera compensation that I cannot handle in LightRoom (even 2.2 with support for .RW2 files). I am able to get close, as is shown in this photo, my rendition of Dynamic BW as a LR custom preset. It is close, but not right on. I need to do a couple of Colorchecker shots (RAW + JPG) and then try to tweak my preset from there. I honestly do not see myself shooting straight RAW from the LX3 like I do with my 40D, not yet at least.
25-DEC-2008
XMas Aftermath
We were very efficient today in gathering up all the mess and bagging it up. In fact, our family room looked neater than it had a few days ago as the kids put their things away in their rooms (usually the new stuff kicks around the house for a few weeks before getting put away).
24-DEC-2008
A Star
I was taking a few shots of this arrangement at my folk's house this evening when I realized there was a reflection coming off the star. Somehow I was able to talk my son into posing in just the right location (this with the TV on in front of him too, I was amazed I caught so many photos of him looking into the star properly).
Happy Holidays!
23-DEC-2008
Xmas Cheer
It can get a little hectic just before Xmas (like realizing you have to head into the mall for some last minute stuff).
One more day. . .
22-DEC-2008
Snow
I had to dig out a path that stretched around the house this afternoon so that we could get more LP (Liquid Propane) and Heating Oil. I also had to get access to our back deck, so if we are so inclined, we can walk a circle around our house if we cut through our garage. Because of the drifting, some parts of the path are three or more feet deep. There is nothing less than two feet deep, which is the amount about how much snow we got over the weekend (26" to be exact).
Last week at this time, I was heading home on my motorcycle. Until I get rid of the remaining 2" of snow in my driveway, my bike will remain in the garage.
21-DEC-2008
Falling [in the] Snow
I braved the storm and took a few shots today while the kids were out playing (having a ball in ten degree stormy weather, not wanting to come in). Technically I never made it outside as I stayed in our garage and shot through the door (all the better to protect my equipment).
I caught my daughter walking across the driveway and then falling into the snow. I'm not a big fan of photos during a snowstorm as all the flakes appear as dust. I think I had a slow enough shutter speed and there was enough subject motion blur to pull this shot off.
20-DEC-2008
Ornamental Bokeh
It is tough to get any kind of properly exposed shot of our tree as there are no "easy bounce" options off a ceiling in our family room. We have a cathedral ceiling with very large and very dark pine beams that cast nasty shadows. I lucked out a little on this shot though as it is more of a macro.
First good storm of the season has come and gone, we no longer see the ground it is snow, snow, snow everywhere we look. I'd wanted to get a shot outdoors today, but there were flurries all day long (at least it would snow whenever I got a free moment to use the camera).
We have another snowstorm tomorrow, winter is definitely here.
![Counting the tokens [at Chuck-E-Cheese]](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/582862/2/107473890.hSANB9UQ.jpg)
![Falling [in the] Snow](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/62/582862/2/107314949.LZGQlkI3.jpg)
