120/365 - Autumn Rain

It was a drizzly, cloudy, Autumn day. And I loved it. =)

119/365 - Chuck [For September 25th, 2010]

I've always wanted to get into this series but I've never gotten around to it. Until now.

I was browsing through Best Buy, not really looking to buy anything; just out and about. But when I saw the first two seasons of Chuck on sale for $20 each... that's one of those deals I had to snag. Most season DVD sets are $30-$50. And here they are selling two seasons for $40~ total?! That's a win in my book. ;)

Although I didn't want to spend money on yet another frivolous item I didn't need, this was one bargain I couldn't pass up.* =)

*Note: Neither I, nor anyone else, should do such things often. I can see how one could get into trouble for biting on one too many bargains! Haha.

118/365 - Disorganized Much? [For September 24th, 2010]

Guilty. This needs to be my next project - clean my desk! It seems to be a never-ending project... Never can keep up with it.

117/365 - More B&W Exploration [For September 23rd, 2010]

Cats always make for good subjects; they just don't care what you do to them... Well, at least my cat doesn't care. Haha. As long as someone is paying attention to her in one way or another.

116/365 - B&W Exploration [For September 22nd, 2010]

Another working day. Another day with no hanging out. Which meant another day without a camera or any reason to take a real photograph. So, what you have here is just me and my camera, in an attempt to photograph something worth showing as part of 365.

115/365 - Obsessed

This entry is very much like one of my previous entries. I just adore gorgeous light. =)

114/365 - A Day Off

It was my day off; one of the few during the last couple weeks. I could've spent the day catching up on things around here. And I guess I kind of did, by helping donate old clothes we weren't using anymore. But mostly, I just wanted to relax while I could, and chilled out. Went through a photography magazine I had gotten the day before. Always find inspiration in those! ;) Played some Halo: Reach, despite my hypocritical thoughts. I scored a killer deal the other day: the game + $20 gift card. It was too good to pass up! And even though I'd rather do other things besides play video games, I admit they're a great way to keep up with friends, believe it or not. Matt and I, for example, always caught up on how we're doing over a game of Madden, and now Halo. Angelo and I also got a game of Halo going, and it reminded me of when we used to play games and lots of other things before we became "adults" with priorities. Before we had any cares and agendas. We all had it so easy back then! Haha.

This is a shot of Angelo at West Beach today. It's so funny. It's such a classic, go-to spot for us that we were driving around and just ended up there; drawn to it automatically, without any discussion about where we were going. Haha.

All in all, it was a good, relaxing day off. =)

113/365 - Career [For September 19th, 2010]

Umm, I don't want to change my career... But I definitely need guidance and prayer to get there, please! =)

112/365 - Lifelong Friends [For September 18th, 2010]

Ashley and Brendan were in town to continue to plan their wedding, so of course I had to see them! ;) We hungout and had dinner at Ashley's. We also stopped by the Burge's to chat and see Mocha's new friend! Okay, so, maybe Mocha isn't as thankful as I first thought... But I'm sure they'll get along soon!

Well, I could expand a little on the subject of lifelong friends, being Ashley and Brendan, but that could take a while... And I've also written a little about them before, here, so you can get an idea. ;) Love them a lot! =)

111/365 - Sand Dollar [For September 17th, 2010]

Yet another memento from my trip to San Francisco! This is one of several sand dollars I picked up while at Ocean Beach. Countless sand dollars, scattered across the entire beach. I'm still not sure what lives in these or how they're created, but they sure are beautiful!

If you want to read more about the day I picked this up, click here! =)

110/365 - Like A Kid [For September 16th, 2010]

My cat's like a little kid. =P She has all her toys spread about the living room. Even sleeps with them! Here are a few that are sitting on the windowsill. FYI, the orange mouse is the toy she played with while in the cage at WAIF, waiting for us to come along and adopt her! =)

109/365 - Abstract

It was another working day, plus it was kind of crazy overall. Naturally, I didn't have my camera on me, nor was I able to get a good shot, like a portrait, when I did eventually pick it up.

That being said, here's an abstract shot I grabbed, sorta last minute. I hate doing that but I am keeping up with this project, pushing through the good times and bad. That's something to be proud of I 'spose! ;)

108/365 - Hypocritical Struggles

Despite growing up with them, video games aren't something I particularly care about anymore. This may come as a shock to some people, seeing as how Ryan and I logged many hours on this very Xbox 360 (another inheritance, btw), I'm one of the better Halo players in our group, etc... I'd also love to take Halo: Reach for a spin and finally play Mass Effect 2. Oh, and dare I even mention that lengthy FIFA 10 tournament we had, lasting an entire weekend? That was magnificent!! =D But even then, they don't do as much for me as they used to.

This all sounds very hypocritical, and I'll admit it is to a point, especially after putting some time on this system today. But I always think (and know) there are better things I could be doing with my time, rather than sit in front of a television for hours on end, traveling through a virtual world when there's the real world right outside the door. My priorities have also changed. Most games nowadays are $60 a piece. For $40 more, I can get a new lens for my camera. Or, what I'm finding myself doing more than anything, that's $60 I can throw in savings.

I don't know. Again, I understand this is hypocritical. There is some enjoyment to be had with video games, which is one of the reasons I played a little today. This is just one of those constant struggles I have. Not only with games, but with the internet, for another example. Granted, I actually don't spend my time searching Youtube for funny videos, or browse any of the "Fail" sites. Most of what I do on the internet is serious stuff. There are no apps on my FB. I always have a lot of photography sites up, gaining creative knowledge and inspiration to hopefully better myself with what I want to do in the field. I just spend much more time than I should on the internet, period.

Sorry for rambling and really not going in any direction with this. There's no lesson here, nor is there even a summary. Just my thoughts. Can any of you guys relate? (Or more accurately, anyone care to share? We can all relate to this. Ha.)

107/365 - Stop Everything And Take a Picture!

I was talking on the phone and watching a great Monday Night Football game (Actually, it wasn't too great, unless you liked defense. The Jets offense didn't show up, either. =P), and I literally stopped everything when I saw the way the sunset was hitting this tree. I knew I had to snap a photo!

Here's the result. =) Looks sorta fantasy.

106/365 - Football Season Has Arrived!!

With baseball season winding down, that can only mean one thing - football season is here! =D

I must say I'm quite pleased with how the Seahawks did under Pete Carrol today. Hasselback bounced back from his early interception big time and the defense took care of the rest! I saw a team that was confident and aggressive; poised to take control of the division once again! ;)

About today's photo. Believe it or not, my cat enjoys watching football, or any sport that includes a moving ball, on television. =) Haha. And, of course, she's a Hawks fan. Yes, she knows that's a "12th Man" button. (Don't question it. She knows... >_>)

105/365 - Inheritance

Given the fact that Ryan was/is pretty much my brother, I've inherited several items of his since his passing. These clothes are the latest examples.

I appreciate the offerings from his family to no end, and I know Ryan would want all his belongings to go to good use. But, it will always feel a little strange to me. This all should still be his and he should still be using them, you know?

I don't mean this to be a depressing entry; I'm trying not to let this become a moment. But, it is a part of our lives, now... I guess the best way to handle a situation like this is to save them from collecting dust in his closet and wear them proud! ;)

104/365 - "I'm A Cookie Lover!" [For September 10, 2010]

I'm a cookie lover!

So am I! =D... Ironically, this isn't a cookie, in case you were a little confused. It's a chocolate milkshake. Even more ironic is the fact it's not even one of the specialty cookie flavors that DQ was advertising on this cup, via this persuasive, smiling woman.

Eric and I got together for our second brainstorming session at DQ; a continuation of this idea... But, I believe we actually confused ourselves further this time around.  Honestly, I'm not sure either of us know what to do with this stop-motion concept. =P All new to us!

Ah well. It was a great excuse for a brief hangout session! ;)

103/365 - The Bread of life

Without blowing this entry up into a huge theological discussion, let's just say we had a great chat at Bible study, in John 6. ;) It was a small group tonight but we got into some big time topics, such as the frequency of communion and what it personally means to each of us, individually. It was interesting because I guess I've never really thought about what it means to me... I get that it's the representation of Christ's sacrifice, our belief and acceptance of it, and Him, etc... But it's just one of those things that I kind of go through the motions about in church. Not that I don't care... Just never thought about why I go up there to receive it, I suppose? It's weird, because I feel I know the answer... but maybe I don't feel the weight of glory, so to speak? Hmm hmm.

102/365 - Donut House + (No) Adventure? [For September 8th, 2010]

This photo kind of sums up the night. I could've taken the photo better in-camera, so what you see now is some weird crop. No longer compositionally sound. Disorganized. Yep. That's us! =P

Jennifer randomly called Stephen and I to go to the Donut House. She had to travel quite a ways to get there, because she wasn't in town. And then she had to drive back, of course! She put the effort into that one!

It was great seeing her, as well as Stephen. I don't see either of them much! We just chilled out and talked. We attempted to go on an adventure afterwards, of any sort, but we ended up calling it a night when the lack of feasible ideas and time constraints kicked in. Still, it was a worthwhile trip (as Donut House runs always are ;)).

101/365 - Mementos [For September 7th, 2010]

Here are a couple key chains I've collected, as souvenirs and mementos of my summer travels to Texas and California. FYI, the Texas key chain is from the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, while I got the SF one while visiting the Golden Gate Bridge (Umm... Guess that's obvious..? Haha.). Caught up with some of my closest friends in Texas, and bonded with the youth group I helped co-lead with Justin, and met some more awesome people down in San Francisco. And these moments were only a couple parts of my summer adventures... It was certainly a memorable one, for sure...

100/365 - Tempus Fugit [For September 6th, 2010]

Tempus Fugit, or "Time Flies" in Latin. Ain't that the truth!

A coworker a long time ago, around the time I graduated high school, told me that time flies once you graduate. Years later, I have to say he was right.

I think about how far we've all come and matured since high school, and all that we're doing with our lives now. The careers we're in (or what our goals are), the places we've been... This summer alone has been crazy enough. Ryan has moved on to an incredible life with our Father. Lora is back in Chicago for seminary... I've been to San Francisco and around Dallas, for a mission trip and a best friend's wedding, respectively. I went to another best's wedding shortly thereafter... I attempted secretly photographing a proposal between two incredible friends, while another amazing friend of our's recorded it on a Flip... I know there's at least their wedding next summer, and maybe another... I want to be more active in my photography and ministry the rest of the year and beyond, and eventually move to another city, in hopes of a fresh start and opportunity...

Architecture, theology and ministry, science and medical, psychology. Musicians and missionaries. Social awareness. These are just a few things we're all doing. If you were to tell me these are the lives we'd be living 5 years ago, I'd think you were out of your mind. But this is the reality. These are our amazing lives.

We're all growing up. It doesn't feel like we've been together for this long, pursuing our passions, but we have. Time has certainly flown by while we were having fun. ;)

P.S. Day 100?! Speaking of time flying by!

099/365 - Confused?.. Maybe? [For September 5th, 2010]

My cat always has this goofy look on her face! Haha. At least I think so. And since she's only six pounds (Yes, six pounds. Full grown.), her mouth is super tiny, which makes her even more adorable. =P I heart her. =)

098/365 - Drawn Towards The Light [For September 4th, 2010]

You've probably noticed the fascination I have with sunlight, especially in the last few days. That and cats. Haha. The latter I can't really help, as I'm busy working and house sitting. It's a given either Mocha or my cat will have their picture taken. =P Back to sunlight! I know I'll have to switch it up to push my abilities and creativity as a photographer, but I'll never get tired of it. ;) Just another snapshot as I'm moving from one place to another.

097/365 - Day In The Sun [For September 3rd, 2010]

It's another house sitting week(ish). Combine this with work, where I usually don't have my camera anyway, and this doesn't leave me with a whole lot of time to really get out and do "real" photography. So, I've been running around with my little point and shoot, snapping random shots and/or cool lighting effects. You may have been able to tell. Haha. I promise higher-quality photos are in the pipeline; just have to wait. Sorry! But, a photo is a photo, and in the long run, if I can capture moments and snapshots of life, in one way or another, then it's a win. =)

This here is Mocha, after a day out in the warm sunshine. Reminds me. To entertain myself while I was house sitting, I decided to count how many times Mocha meowed in half an hour. The answer? 101. Give or take a few, depending on your definition of a cat's meow. You know how many times my cat meows? If I'm lucky, two or three times, in a 24 hour period, with her own little pur/meow sounds mixed in. Hahah. Oh, Mocha...

096/365 - Redux: Life Is A Photography [For September 2nd, 2010]

Love the pure white clouds, highlighted by the setting, September sun.

095/365 - 245 [For September 1st, 2010]

Beat my old record of 241. Now 245. Holla! =D

[No, I don't sit around and play videogames all day. But when you're house sitting and entertaining a cat, well, you've gotta find some ways to entertain yourself, too. ;)]

Update 090510: It's now 246. ;)


Update 090810: 275! =D

094/365 - Hello, Rain. I Missed You. [For August 31st, 2010]

I woke up to the wind and rain today; what a pleasant surprise! I've missed these days. I know it's still summer, at least according to the calendar, and it's supposed to be sunny. But quite honestly, my summer is over, and I can't wait to move on to the fall and winter months! =)

093/365 - Brainstorming [For August 30th, 2010]

My friend, Eric, and I have been wanting to do a stop-motion video for a while now, but never seriously sat down and came up with anything. Until now. It was back to Dairy Queen for a little brainstorming! ;) I'm not sure what to expect; I'm a photographer, not a film-maker! Although, I guess technically, this project involves both photography and film.. Whatevs! Haha. It should be fun, if we do follow through with it! ;)