Details in Every Inch

(Birds eye view of the Forks River)

Fenton’s Creamery

Wy and I had a chance to go to Fenton’s Creamery in Oakland CA. I gave Wy the chance to pick out the ice cream he picked the brightest colored one with “CAAAAAANY” in it (bubble gum). The place is amazing. It has been a Bay Area staple for so long it was even featured in Pixar’s UP. (The Pixar studio is about 20 mins away)

Through the Mist

The Reincarnation of Paul Newman

BUBBLES!!

This is Wyatt’s favorite thing to do in the world. It took me forever to get this shot and I ended up wasting tons of bubble juice (sorry Wy)

I love me some Bubble Juice!

Where I’ve Been….

The Big Picture

The Berlin Reunion – The Big Picture – Boston.com

I wanted to share this to everyone!

I am just in awe that they spent the time (and money no doubt) on this project. I think it's beautiful and wanted to share it…

In the Shadow

The Gem

This picture has been in my folder waiting to be displayed for close to a year now. For one reason or another I love the image but I’ve been hesitant to post it as it needed some extra Photoshop “Love”.

It’s funny how things can come to you after months and months of racking your brain to find a solution. It came to me on how the picture needed to be tweaked after 5 minutes.

I hope you like it

Money CAN buy happiness!

I saw this online a few weeks back and it got me thinking of how I would obsess over that one “must have” in my life growing up. When I turned 16 my father and I went looking for my first car. He took the whole Saturday off to spend it with me hunting for the perfect one. We found it on the side of the road and purchased it that day. I couldn’t believe that I had my own car, although my father was quick to say (and often did) that “This was his car, he was just allowing me to drive it”

I feel like this little short perfectly captures the obsessiveness of the first “must have” in ones life. If you have 16 minutes, I highly recommend it. (Fun little trivia, it was directed by Kate Hudson)

So, what did you obsess about over for your first “must have”?

Weekend Randomness

I wanted to share some weekend randomness from hanging around the house. I don’t think they’re anything special but it’s always fun to look at other people’s feet…. right? All of these photos were taken from our backyard.

I love these… I have no idea what they’re called but they’re beautiful

If I look at this one too long I start to go cross eyed.

He’s my special boy… (sniff sniff)

Almost done… I promise honey!

I hope your past weekend was as fun and as random as mine was.

Above The Rest

Kim and I visited our good friends a couple weeks ago to see my business partner’s wife (the partner of my partner is not my partner) graduate from Oregon State University.

During the ceremony, they celebrated those who were serving in the armed forces. They these individuals stand up and they recognized them one by one. I have always had deep respect for those sacrifice who their time (and those who pay the ultimate price) for our freedom but I was deeply moved with the visual of them standing up above everyone else. I’m grateful I caught it on camera…

On a side note, taking a 7 month old to a graduation ceremony isn’t easy. As I was taking him out into the main corridor and walking him back and forth, I saw a sobbing mother at one end and a young guy who was holding his diploma over his head walking towards her. He had a massive smile on his face and when they finally met they embraced. His mother, through her sobbing said, “You did it… you did it…”

I was moved by this too. 🙂 I did not graduated from college (as you might be able to tell by my language skills) and although I know that college wasn’t right for me, I still would love to have finished to make my parents proud. I know they’re proud now… but it’ll always be something I think about.

Witnessing these two happenings was a double whammy for me. It was like watching WALL-E and Benjamin Button at the same time… I sobbed like a little girl in both. (Yes WALL-E if you can believe it…)

This post might be more revealing then you wanted…

Those Crazy San Frans

Yeah, more black and white shots. What else do you expect!?

I took these while spending the day in San Francisco with the family. I love that city but only to look at from behind the lens of a camera. Kim would move there in a second…

I’m Not There . . .

I am returning with the best “No Dumping” dog sign I have ever seen

I liked it so much I took two…

Self Portrait… If my shipping business never works out, I can become a hand model. But then I would run the risk of dying in a freak gasoline fight accident.

Wy man is so cute.

(The color one is for you Kimba)

TALENT

This is me driving in SF and was taken by my wife, Kimba. I have been amazed at how much her photography skills have skyrocketed over the last 6 months!

Software

I just got the latest version of Lightroom 2 and Photosome CS4. It’s over my head how to work some of these programs, but I’ll learn. Here’s my first adjusted photo. Not much… but I love the program.

BMW 2002 (TAKE TWO)

So today was the first time I’ve driven my car in the past 6 months. It was a monumental step in this entire project. So you know how I posted (just barely) that I just painted my car? Well, it didn’t work so well. The paint color went on well, but I screwed up on the clear coat. It was super rough and scratchy in some parts and I didn’t apply a very generous coat. So… I had to sand it all down and do it over again!!

So paint job (take two)

I’ve been under immense pressure to get this completed as we had moved this last weekend. As of yesterday the car was still in pieces and I had to move it down to our new home… I was dead set on driving it. I’ve been working non stop and I saved placing on the BMW emblems as the last item that I do before I drove it. I was nearly crying as I placed the BMW on the hood. As I pulled out onto the freeway I was as giddy as a little girl.. until I saw my first cop. (The car is not registered, SMOG tested, or in my name) But after a 15 minute drive to our new house (and 4 cop cars later) I pulled into our house with a big ol’ smile on my face.

I’m trying to convince Kim that we need to sell my Toyota car and I can just drive this full time!

Pinhole Camera

One of the many gifts that Kimba got me for my birthday (thanks again hon!) was a classic style Pinhole Camera.

This isn’t the Pinhole Camera that you put together in elementary school. This camera is serious.

The back of the box says, “PUT TOGETHER IN UNDER 2.5 HOURS!!!” WOW! THAT SUCKS! But you know? I’ve never thought I would be one of those nerdy types that likes to put complex things together… Like my friend ADAM. But I’m loving stuff like this lately!

It’s made entirely of tape, paper and 5 small plastic pieces. It says on the box, “MUST KEEP AWAY FROM ANY MOISTURE” This is going to be awesome! I can’t wait to see how the pictures turn out.

BOOM! D-U-N DONE! You load in the film negatives (YES THEY STILL EXIST!) in the back and wind them manually. To take a picture you lift up on that tab, it exposes the negative and then you slide it down to shut it! CRAZY! It’s going to be awesome, now I just need to scan in the pictures I take on this to post up here.

BMW 2002

About a year ago I had this crazy idea that I needed a project, something for my idle hands to do… and I don’t know what I was thinking. I found a 1976 BMW 2002 (2002 is the model not the year…) for sale a couple streets away from my house. It passed my test. It ran (not very well), had tires, and most importantly it was cheap. I picked it up for a $1,000. I first started on making sure it ran well. I rebuilt plenty of items mechanically on it first (What good is a car if it doesn’t run well!?) and then I focused on the cosmetics. The whole idea behind this project was to learn and have an experience…. (ugh) mission accomplished. I grew up working on cars with my father. I always thought I had a knack for it… then I realized that’s because my Dad had all the expensive tools, clean workshop, and knowledge to help me out. When I got this car all I had was a dirty storage unit and a Leatherman. I realized then that I sucked at working on cars but I wanted to learn. I’ve come a long way in one year and my emotions reached on all of the below at some point:

-Insanity
-Excitement
-Joy
-Back to Insanity
-Rage
-Doing the “Sanjaya Girl Cry” (From American Idol)

My latest project was painting the car. I grabbed a couple of rattle spray cans… it turned out not too bad! Just kidding. I thought, why pay $2,000 for a pro paint job when I probably could do an okay job myself? I did all the research and with the help of my dad (who is now serving a mission for our church back east) I got it done this weekend.

The color before was blue…ish…purple….but more purplish blue…. okay it was purple.

So after 6 months of body work and prepping I was ready…

(Notice Bear in his usual spot… if he’s not in the backseat while I’m working on the car, he ain’t happy)

I had Kim document this weekend so I can’t take credit for the photos. (She’s exploded with talent in photography this year! It’s been really exciting to see!)

I mastered the original “Duck Hunt” Nintendo Game…

“Almost as manly as Irish Spring”

For the color, I chose red. However, it came out a little different than I intended.

Besides a major problem with the paint gun on the final stage, it went well. Now all I have to do is wait a month, sand it 3 times over with high grit sand paper. WAHOO!

Stairs to Nowhere

I snuck away last time Kim and I took some friends to Alcatraz and found this empty room. The idea that they placed yellow steps in the middle of an otherwise empty and colorless room amazed me. Also, I’m returning back to my music recommendation portion of my blog. I’ve had this song stuck in my head for a few weeks now and I thought I’d be annoying and get it stuck in your head.

The Gorillaz – Every Planet We Reach Is Dead

I’m normally not a HUGE fan the Gorillaz’s newer stuff, but this song is amazing. The monotone lyrics with the hypnotic beats create a funky song. Give it a listen-

Sunset Flight

Lunch With Kim

Sand Dollars

I really don’t know what to say about this one. I love it. It was taken in Hawaii last year.

Big Weekend

I want to be… right THERE! You see where that log cabin (psh… Cabin? Honestly, who am I kidding?) balcony is? Ahh… I look back at these photos and think that this was the trip of a lifetime. This was last year when Kim and I spent a week in Telluride before Wy man was born.

I don’t know about all of you, but I need this weekend. Oh, and my song recommendation for this post is Tom Petty-I NEED A BIG WEEKEND off his new album Highway Companion.

Give it a listen… Also, I know this photo looks fake but it’s 100% FO REALS.

Sky Watcher

I love Spring. It is in full bloom here in California.
My favorite part of the day is when I get off the bumper-to-bumper smoke filled I-880 and roll down my windows because you can literally smell the flowers. I know that doesn’t sound very masculine, but I don’t care because it’s true. I’ve never lived in a place where that was possible but I can smell them from when I get off the freeway until I pull into my driveway. I get out and take a deep breath. It’s Springtime dudes, time to take off that Snuggie you’ve been wearing all winter and come join me in California!

Come on out to San Jose, you can sleep on our couch… everyone needs to enjoy this time of the year!

The Return

Hello again. I’ve been waiting for an epic picture to announce my comeback… but that’s just prolonged this post even more. I feel like short of capturing Sasquatch playing chess in the forest with Jimmy Hoffa, nothing will be good enough. So here is a picture of our giant hibiscus we have in our front yard. This thing is past my waist in height…

Follow the Yellow Line

Worn

Lately I’ve been having a re-occurring song stuck in my head, actually just one phrase of a song. “Where is My Mind?” by The Pixies.

Baby Wy has had some issues in terms of sleeping lately. It’s been ongoing for close to 4 weeks now and I think my wife is asking herself the same question, “Where is My Mind?” He seems to be fine during the days sleeping in 2 hour naps, but once night time comes around… it’s a back and forth game of soothing, crying, soothing, crying. I come home from work around 6:15, we eat dinner and “put him to bed” at 7:00… then we spend until 9:30 or so getting him to actually stay asleep. He’s almost 4 months old now… It’s just a phase and we will have a schedule soon enough. Until then, enjoy my super ADD blog and random pictures. All 2 of you faithful readers… my mom being one of them. (HI MOM!)

Broken Branch

In the heart…

Carmel-By-The-Sea

This was a small town we visited on the Ocean called Carmel. It’s a beautiful town full of ridiculously expensive shops and people who wear scarfs. (Generalization I know…) It’s a wonderful place that despite it’s beauty is still small and exclusive.

The song that goes with this picture is by the Crystal Skulls – Away from Home

Check it out… It’s a great tune.

Popcorn Popping

For those of you who do not live in California…. I’m sorry. Hold tight, It will come soon enough!

Trouble

The song of choice for this picture is Ray LaMontagne – Empty It’s an amazing song that sets the mood perfectly for this image.

This was taken last summer during one of the best summer days I’ve ever had. Kim and I woke up early and went to the beach with some good friends (left when we saw this storm approaching) and had an amazing BBQ dinner poolside.

Through the forest…

I’ve had this picture for a while and I couldn’t find a use for it for the life of me. It sat in my pictures folder for over 2 years…

It’s funny how some pictures or images might not strike you as beautiful until months sometimes years later.

I’m glad I can finally use this one.

Into the Sunset…

The Trees of Winter

Kim and I live on a tree lined street… a VERY tree lined street. It’s beautiful in the Summer and Fall but during winter months they look like death hanging over our house… waiting to fall on us at any given moment! I was in our backyard grilling our dinner when I noticed that with the contrast of the sky and the darkness of the trees it was a perfect silhouette.

You might be wondering why I did two different sizes. Well, the first one needed to be smaller to provide you with a frame of reference. That the trees on the outside needed proper space with the white sky. While the second was is suppose to surround you and be more in your face. 🙂

The New Kind of Love Day

Kim and Wyatt in our hotel room mirror

Tilt Shift Photography

Do you want to see something amazing? A friend of mine emailed this to me a few months back and I haven’t been able to forget about it or even FIGURE IT OUT. It just blows my mind… I keep asking myself, “How the H?!”

See the video below. This is what they call Tilt Shift photography. Tilt Shift photography is a trick of the eye basically to make real sized objects look miniaturized. Usually the photographer will take higher angles and use a specific lens that will significantly shorter the depth of field. By using angles, a shallow depth of field, and high contrast with the photos, it tricks the eye into thinking that’s a model version of what your looking at. What’s really trippy is when photographers take time lapse photos using tilt-shift and sequence them all together.

It’s amazing… check out the video below and you’ll see what I mean

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO

(WordPress is being lame and isn’t letting me embed it into my site – Click on the link and hit the full screen button)

Amazing stuff right? You can read more about it here and see 50 Beautiful Examples of Tilt-Shift Photography here. There is one photographer (who created the video above) and I highly encourage you to visit his site to see more of his work. CLICK HERE.

This sequence video of time lapse tilt-shift photos was done when the photographer was allowed to tag along with the Australian Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Team.

The Lone Cypress

Smooth Curves

I woke up a few weeks ago and saw these bowls that my wife had purchased for Wyatt’s room.

And I’m sorry if I’ve been more disengaged the last past 2 weeks, things have been… busy to say the least. I’ve been feeling a little guilty about it, so I had to explain myself 🙂 sorry.