A Rough and Tumble Cowboy!

This is my nephew Geoff at Blue Skeye Ranch. I believe this was his first time on a horse and he was such a good sport. This is the second photo of Geoff this month! He is a champion race car drive competing in the VARA  (Vintage Auto Racing Assoc.) circuit around Southern California. I have shown other photos of him in his MG Midget at Fontana Raceway. He is a great young man along with his girlfriend Randi. We all laughed so much – it was a very fun day!

Remind you of Gene Autry or Rhinestone Cowboy?…

Another great day today here in Huntington Beach. The weather was a little warmer. I was looking at the school schedules at GWC and CCC for the Fall to see what I can take. I cannot decide if I want to take Flash again or try Illustrator again but with a different teacher. I took Illustrator several years ago so I could use a refresher. Larry wants me work on a family crest so that could be my project. I am going to lunch on Thursday with my friend Carol. We have a lot in common (photography, school, the dogs, etc.) which gives us a lot to talk about! I love spending time with her!

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A Great Image From the Getty

I took this photograph at the Getty Villa. They have a lot of people standing around telling you not to take photos of this and that. However, I took this image of a window and in that window was this beautiful reflection. I was up on the second floor and there were windows all around each exhibit room onto a hallway with a kind of atrium in the middle. I was very happy with the results and I hope you like it. I guess there are no rules against taking pictures of their windows!

An ancient Roman statue of a beautiful woman…

It was a good day today but a little cooler than yesterday. I made an appointment to take both Kyla and Donnan for a grooming on Friday.  Willie was just on the phone with his father (he will be 87 in August). He frustrates Willie so much it is almost funny. He is the only parent left for the two of us. He has always been a very nice man. Willie calls him at least once a day, most days twice, and Larry is over there too helping his grandpa when he can. He takes very good care of himself and he lives alone. He doesn’t drive anymore so he asks me for a ride once in a while. No problem – I will help as much as I can too.

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A Very Cute Brown Doggy

We decided to take over the care of this little dog after my mother died. It was her dog she got a long, long time ago. Isn’t he a cute little thing? He pretty much just lays by our fireplace and keeps to himself. Kyla and Donnan leave him alone and they are all very happy with the arrangement. I took this photo outside this afternoon. Donnan came out with me and watched the whole thing while Kyla just stayed in the house.

A very cute doggy who is called “the dog”…

Today was an absolutely beautiful day. I enjoyed being outside. We get a very nice ocean breeze in our backyard and it is a great place to be.  I did some more reading and playing with my Blackberry Storm today. I am starting to get the hang of it but there is still more to learn. I got 2 cds with it and I need to figure out what they are for and then look into some of the applications that are available for the phone. I believe it does a lot more than I really need it to do for me. But what the heck, it is a fun toy!

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A Storm of a Day!

Please excuse me for my post for today! But I finally got my Blackberry Storm. Verizon sent me a text message and told me I could have it for $49.99, so I could not refuse. There is a lot to learn, but it doesn’t look that difficult. I guess not that many people have one – I asked here and on Twitter and no one responded. So I did research myself. Larry went with me but he decided against it. He wanted to get Shelley a new phone so they went back later and she got the Blackberry Curve. So, here is my photo for today!

My new cell phone…

Willie’s finger is feeling somewhat better today, as long as he can keep from banging it! You are lucky with this photo today because I did take photos of his finger all bloody and oozing in the emergency room! I had my point and shoot in my purse. He was able to barbecue us a delicious steak for dinner. We also had fresh asparagus and mushrooms (I fixed those). Well, I guess this post could not get more boring so I will end it now.

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A Palm Tree Grows in Long Beach

While on Twitter this morning, I got some help with my Lensbaby problems. The main thing is I need to adjust my diopter on my camera so I can see better through my viewfinder. Well, I had a lot of very exciting things to do today, like buy dog food, go to the store, to Target, to the bank, etc. Well, in the middle of all of this, Willie slammed his finger in the car door. We eventually ended up at the emergency because it would not stop bleeding. It looked really bad. I grabbed my camera as we were leaving, and I had the Lensbaby on. So this is it for today!

A palm tree at the VA Medical Center in Long Beach…

So our afternoon did not go as planned! At least there is a part of this image that is in focus! That is a big improvement from some of my previous Lensbaby shots. I like the colors and the way it turned out. I was ready to give up yesterday but I think I will persue this type of photography. There are a lot of people on Twitter who are willing to help me and give me advice. How can I refuse and give up? Hope you have a really good week-end and stay out of trouble! By the way, Willie did break  his finger and he has a splint on it. He will probably lose his fingernail too. Not so good!

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5000 Views!

I think this is a big accomplishment for me. I hit 5000 at 12:28 P.M. this afternoon. It took 295 days. I know this is nothing to many of you, but I am very proud of myself. Thank you to all of you who have looked at my blog. Not much of a daily average, but I was just hoping I could get to 5000 by the end of my first year! I wonder where I will be at that time? Anyway, on to today’s photo.

My beautiful baby girl, Kyla…

I promise this is the last Lensbaby photo I will force on you until I get this perfected! I need to stop trying to get close-ups and take some more wide angle photos. Kyla was so good sitting and staying for me with Donnan running around! I just wish I could have gotten her to look right into the camera. She doesn’t seem to understand what I want! They both act like they don’t want their photos taken. They should be used to seeing me with a camera around my neck! Oh well, I like it!

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My First Gladiola

This very pretty gladiola is growing in Larry and Shelley’s backyard. Shelley was not aware that it was there until it started blooming. Her mother has a beautiful yard and Shelley certainly inherited her mother’s green thumb! She has some very pretty flowers. Please check out all of my latest  wedding photos. I am very proud of them. I am hoping it will help me to acquire some new business. Do you have any suggestions that could help me?

A purpily/pink gladiola…

Willie took Kyla and Donnan for a long walk today. They should be home pretty soon. We are going to have Mexican Pizza for dinner. It will be good. We are both big fans of Mexican food!  I would love to have beautiful flowers in my yard, but I do not have the patience to give them all the attention they need. I am busy enough with photography, real estate, Willie and the dogs, that I don’t think I could fit any more into my schedule. Larry would not understand this – he doesn’t think I do anything!

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Late Afternoon Summer Sunshine

Now that it is officially summer, it is time to catch some images with sunshine as the main focus. The sun here is reflecting on an aluminum chair and it has created an unusual image. I got up from my computer chair this afternoon and looked over to see this unusual reflection. I went to grab my camera so I could take the photo before the sun moved too much. Willie was here and grabbed the tripod for me. I did need it to complete the shot.

Sunshine streaming…

What do you think of this image? Willie is not too keen on it! I try to look for unusual things to photograph. I think this one qualifies. I get unusual images like this when it is spontaneous and just happens. We do not have summer weather here yet (which is fine with me). It is still more like Spring – in the mid 70’s. Kyla and Donnan were shaking in their boots last night because of some fireworks. Kyla started it and she has transferred her fear to Donnan. What are we going to do on the 4th of July? Tomorrow I will give you the link to the wedding photos. I downloaded them on Zenfolio but I want the family to approve them first. Is that ok?

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From the Peterson Automotive Museum

I took this photo a while ago at the Peterson Automotive Museum in downtown Los Angeles. It was a fun place to visit with many, many vintage automobiles and motorcycles. They even have a big display of Matchbox Cars! It was a very fun afternoon. We topped it off with a burger at Bob’s Big Boy! I cannot take any credit for the art work of this neon sign, of course. I was just glad I was able to get this photograph.

Zoom, zoom zoom…

I spoke with my computer guy Steve Dalton extensively this evening about building us a new computer. This one I use is about 6 years old now and I think we are due. It is so slow! Especially when using Photoshop and Bridge. We will talk more in a few days. There were a lot of fireworks going on tonight, I do not know why, and both dogs are shaking and panting. I don’t know why they are afraid of a little noise. We are ignoring them so as not to encourage this behavior. Donnan was under my table here and at one point turned everything off. Luckily I was not in the middle of something important!

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Another Lensbaby Attempt

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there reading this post! We just got back from a lunch time barbecue at Larry and Shelley’s. It was some great chicken that Larry cooked with his own special rub and barbecue sauce. Shelley’s mother and step father were there along with Willie’s dad. It was a beautiful day with a nice little breeze. This photo is from their back yard. Shelley pointed out to me this one very small, almost hidden bright pink calla lily. I don’t think I have ever seen this color before.

Focusing deep inside the middle of this flower…

I had taken my camera and wanted to show Shelley my new lens. She seemed  interested as was her mother, Lorraine. I was trying to focus on the stamen and I think I just about got it! I think it is actually and little deeper inside, but I am happy with it! The Dodgers are playing the Angels right now on ESPN – no score. I hope you all have had a great week-end. A new week is starting and we all need to accomplish something really good. Let us all tap into our creative side and see what we can come up with! Have a good week!

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Five Beautiful Rockettes!

I showed you the bride and groom, a few of the guests, the 5 crazy men, so I thought it only fair to give the ladies the spotlight! We had a lot of fun shooting these photos, as you can tell by the smiles on their faces! Like the guys, they had fun hamming it up in front of the camera. I think it was a good way for everyone to relax and get ready for a long night of partying!

The last of the wedding photos…

We had some very strange weather today! We woke up to dark cloudy skys and then rain. When the sun came out later, it became very humid and miserable. I went up to Bella Terra to get my friend Annette a birthday present. There were so many people there and the parking is so lousy! I would have been better off walking up there! I hope she likes what I got her. I will find out tonight!

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A Very Abstract Photograph

I know what this is because I took the photo today, but I am a little confused at the outcome. I was playing around with my Lensbaby today, and I must say I am really enjoying it. I am still trying to find where that focal point is but I am beginning to think it has something to do with me wearing glasses and not being able to see well enough without them. That distance between my glasses and the viewfinder is just too much for this type of lens. I need to learn where the focal point is in relation to where it appears to be to me. Could get confusing!

Another Lensbaby attempt…

I guess this image is open to interpretation and I will not tell you what it actually is. Unless you would like to attempt a guess at it. I will give a prize (I don’t know what yet) to the first person who guesses what it is! I think someone will be able to (has to be exact)! Anyway, to change the subject, I was looking around Twitter today and found a link to this site, basically relating to how we  spend our time and what we do with it. I liked it and thought it was something most of us could take advantage of and learn from. Let me know what you think:  http://www.lyved.com/success/a-simple-exercise-that-tells-you-all-you-need-to-know/ It is a good challenge.  Anyone willing to go for it?

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A Nice Tribute to Unconditional Love

I was finishing up the wedding photos today when Willie wanted me to take a break and go to the park with him and the dogs. I said ok, then no, I wanted to finish, and then I agreed to go. So Kyla and I went to the dog park and Willie and Donnan went for a walk around the lake. I needed to get outside so I was glad I went. I see the beautiful tribute path every time we go and have thought of taking a photo. Today I finally did. What a wonderful way to remember “man’s best friend.” I would say this was done over 20 years ago as you look at the dates. Maybe it is time to add another section?

A beautiful tribute…

All of these tiles look hand made and there are many, many of them. It gave me some practice on lens distortion and warp. It was a beautiful day today in the mid 70’s and I am glad Willie got me to go outside. As I am sure a lot of you know, time really flies when you are on the computer and life passes you by. Tomorrow is Friday, and I am hoping to drop off copies of all the wedding photos to my brother. I am going to a birthday party Saturday evening and then a Father’s Day barbecue at Larry and Shelley’s. My social calendar is so full!

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A Great Couple to Know

This is another of my nephews, Greg, with his wife of almost two years, Sarah. Aren’t they a very sweet couple? Greg is my brother Frankie’s eldest son who works at the shop with him. Greg is quite the mechanic and race car driver. He does the website for Frank Monise Motors and also plans all of the marketing. He is also very active in VARA. He is making a real change in the business and his marketing ideas are working out real well. Sarah is a phlebotomist.

A photo from the wedding two weeks ago…

It was an absolutely gorgeous day today! However, I was determined to finish the wedding photos  so I was unable to take advantage of it. Halleluah, I finished all of the photos! I just need to put them on a disc for Ryan and Sophia (the bride and groom) and them download them on a website so everyone can see them. I have emailed them several PDF’s of the photos. I am very happy with the results and I hope everyone involved is also. I feel very confident that they will like them all. I hope Greg and Sarah like this photo. I will send them a link.

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A Green Burst of Star Light

Isn’t this an interesting plant? Of course, I do not know what it is. I do like to photograph plants and flowers, however, I very seldom know what they are. I wish my mom were around to ask – she would know. I miss her every day. I took this photo at a friends yard and if I had had some scissors with me, I would have trimmed those few brown tips! I did up the green in saturation a little so they would stand out a little more. It is a beautiful plant even without that boost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever seen anything this symetrical…?

It was another great day in Huntington Beach today.  A beautiful blue sky and some white fluffy clouds.  Willie worked a lot in the back yard and the dogs always like it when he is out there with them. As soon as he comes in they are whining at the back door, “Can Willie come out and play?”  There is quite a controversy building up about BlackRapid on DPS. Check out the review and then all of the comments. Some people are becoming skeptical about the product, including me. I am not the only one who has had problems with it. I am sorry to hear it.

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Another Unknown Lily

This is my second photo this month of a lily that I do not know what kind it is. Does that sentence make sense? Well, it is a plant from my mother’s funeral 18 months ago and this is the first time it has bloomed. It is sitting on our front porch. Maybe it would like a little sun – it doesn’t get any there. Anyway, as I am sure you can tell, I took it with the Lensbaby 2.0. I tried to put the focal point at the top of the stamen but I think it is at the upper edge of the petal instead. I did not use the macro lens on this one – just the standard 4.0 aperture. One day I will learn!

A beautiful white lily…

I am just about finished with the wedding photos, and they came out really good. I did an excellent job! It has been a lot of work because I want them to be perfect. I am going to put them up on my website soon so everyone can see them. Either that or I am thinking of trying Zenfolio. New subject:  I am tired of people arguing with me and not doing what they say they will do. BlackRapid said they would reimburse me for my broken filter two weeks ago, and now they just ignore me. DirectTV won’t waive an early cancellation fee for service they were unable to provide up in Green Valley Lake. Willie was going to do a few things for me yesterday and today that he didn’t do for me. Why is everyone against me?

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