May 09, 2008
WTF?
Jones claimed he and his friends used shovels to dig up the body and removed the corpse's head with a garden tool, Adkins said. Jones also revealed he and the other two boys took the severed head to the juvenile's home, where they used the skull as a "bong" to smoke marijuana, the officer said.
It's bad enough these kids are stoners, but using a skull as a bong? WTF??? How on earth did these sick little shits come up with such an idea?
I won't even bother to ask where the parents were. I just want to know these kids are getting some major counseling.
Found via both Jodi and The Fat Guy.
Posted by Da Goddess at 01:15 PM | Comments (0)
May 08, 2008
Fingers Crossed
In a secret hideaway in an unidentified city, an ominous cabal of photographers gathered and plotted, not altogether unlike the Brain, to take over the world -- one photo at a time.
Okay, so maybe it was brunch at Coco's and we spent most of our time discussing the pros and cons of pbase vs flickr. Whatev. We laughed, we cried, we scared off other customers. Maybe it was the dummy at the head of the table. Or maybe it was the frequent references to fast glass, which apparently some heard as fast "ass".
I had brought with me a list of items I need to feel completely ready for anything thrown my way. On that list was a 70-300mm (or 75-300mm or even the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS -- the f/2.8 being really fast glass) lens. Now, these lenses can run anywhere from $159 to over a grand, depending on which series it's from, whether or not it's a fixed aperture, and a few other things I won't bore you with. One of the very kind gentlemen with the group said he had such a lens he'd be willing to sell me. My friend, the gear expert, said she'd happily take a look at the lens and evaluate its condition, etc. She's picking it up tomorrow and I'll be taking it on a test run this weekend. If I like it, I can have it for about 1/5 of what it'd cost brand new. ONE FIFTH. Uh huh. This is one of those lenses that start at over $1000.
At this same gathering, it was determined that I can do without an external flash for the time being (whew!) since I've become so comfortable with adjusting my popup flash's exposure. I also have a rather inexpensive diffuser I can use if I need, but it hasn't been necessary thus far.
I thought I had a line on a monopod, but that turned out to be a dead end. Le sigh.
Still, I considered how much money I'd be saving by not having to get the flash and I can apply about $100 of that to the lens purchase and the rest toward the monopod.
Thanks to a very kind someone (if I told you who, you'd never believe me -- I'm still in shock), I now have the monopod and a great quick release locking ball head. I also have a new camera case that accommodates larger lenses as well as one smaller one. I figure if I need more than two lenses, I'll just use my clip-on pouch and haul that along. Two other items were purchased: a lens cleaning kit (d'oh! didn't have one) and a remote so I can actually be running around, adjusting a scene, then SNAP! Photo done. It'll also be a blessing when I'm attempting long exposures, which I'm hoping to do quite soon (borrowing a tripod).
You know, I have this small bit of guilt when I'm buying gear. That is, until I realize that this is simply an investment in my future. And again, because of a last minute infusion of funds, I was able to pick up more much sooner than I thought possible.
I'm giddy as a schoolgirl as I contemplate the new lens purchase. My fingers are crossed that the lens is perfect and produces a quality image. We shall see. Fingers. Crossed.
Oh, and more about that dummy later.
Posted by Da Goddess at 10:58 PM | Comments (1)
May 07, 2008
Was It Worth It?
All photos taken with the 35-135mm lens. Since I couldn't shoot the stage with flash, everything's been edited more than I generally prefer. Still, I was happy with most of the results, although I'd love brighter lighting in venues across the board.
Lots of fun was had by all. The band was great and the music was rockin'. Even the opening act was good. Unfortunately, there was some sort of "sticking point" with the camera during the first part of the evening and all my early shots had to be scrapped. There was just no saving them. Sure, if I'd shot RAW, maybe. But I didn't because, to be quite honest, until I get myself Photoshop CS2 or CS3, there's really no point. The adjustments I can make with Canon software don't do nearly enough and Paint Shop Pro XI doesn't handle the files as well as I'd like.
I felt horrible that the first part of the evening's product was crap, but at least I didn't give up. Whatever the problem was with the camera (I had everything set properly -- I checked 3 or 4 times -- but the camera wasn't cooperating), it resolved and life went on.
There was a special significance in photographing the drummer. Not only is he a friend, but he's an inspiration. Picture this: California, 2007. A man -- no spring chicken, mind you -- gets the opportunity to realize a lifelong dream of playing with an internationally recognized act. His successful business can be run by his wife, sister, and son. He jumps at the chance and has been having the time of his life ever since. This wasn't where his life was headed 20 years ago when he was an addict. It wasn't even where his life was headed after he got clean and sober. It was more a case of an unrealized dream gnawing at the very fiber of his being that caused him to grab those sticks and start playing every chance he got. Sounds a little familiar, no? Substitute sticks for a camera and a back injury for the addiction, but don't even try to substitute that passion... It doesn't matter what form it takes as long as it drives you.
I keep telling myself if Dave can do it, so can I. He tells me the same thing, which is very cool. And he has echoed what many others have said about the universe giving you what you need once you give it a chance.
All in all, I'm fairly happy with the photographs and I definitely think the lens purchase was worth it.
Posted by Da Goddess at 04:08 AM | Comments (5)
May 05, 2008
Lots of Reading, I Know, But This is Important. Really.
Look, I'm in the middle of a mental (some may call it psychotic, but they'd only be half-right) meltdown with editing work and upcoming projects. My sudden burst of posting can be attributed directly to the fact I'm avoiding as much work as possible for as long as possible. That's just how I roll.
Anyhow, here's a post that MUST BE READ.
Because of our American military, America is blessed not to be ‘war-weary’. However, instead of facing a barrage of bullets, missiles, bombs, and suicide-murderers, we have an onslaught of the MSM telling us ‘we are bad Americans. We are killing all these really nice people. Those nice people hate us because we are in their country. Let’s all sing kumbaya* and then no one will be war-weary’.
Hat tip: Pam.
Posted by Da Goddess at 03:28 PM | Comments (0)
San Diego Happenings
Tonight is a benefit for Candye Kane down at Humphrey's Backstage Lounge. She's been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is without insurance. She's already had her surgery and it went quite well, but there are major bills to be paid and a fairly intense recovery period when she can't be touring and earning a living. Starts at 6:30pm and goes until...
Friday -- all day -- begins the weekend-long grand opening of the new Borders store in National City. There'll be music and book signings and all sorts of prizes handed out. Meet Oliver North and Ingrid Croce and a host of others. I think I might go Friday just to get some free candy and to see Little Dude's eyes pop out of his head as he gets a load of the size of the place. Book stores are like toy stores for the brain, you know?
Saturday and Sunday are our big days around this house. Gator By The Bay! Big time fun with great music and good people. Oh, and there's food, too. LD and I are doing double duty, working with the blues society and Soldiers' Angels. And we have to squeeze in time for photos and music enjoyment. It'll be a long weekend, but I'm packing my pain pills and planning plenty of breaks to save my back.
So now that you know where to find me, are you gonna stalk me? If so, bring presents. Or at least buy me a drink or a nosh.
Posted by Da Goddess at 02:18 PM | Comments (0)
Break Out The Cerveza, It's Cinco De Mayo
I've been getting loads of hits for people looking for info on Cinco de Mayo (although they're spelling it Cinco DA Mayo, which is totally wrong and just so we're all clear here, I prefer Dia De Los Muertos to the 5th of May -- I just don't get the same buzz off a 5th of May like I used to so I've switched to a 5th of whiskey) thus it's entirely warranted that I update a post from the borked archives of way back in Aught-Four.
I'm including an old photo after the old post, too, cuz you haven't had enough of those picture thingies lately, have you? (Surly -- at 6am -- without any alcohol...this is why I'm considered a "catch".)
Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not the date of Mexico's freedom from Spain (that occurs on September 16.) Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of Mexico's victory against the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.Old Town San Diego held its Fiesta Cinco de Mayo last weekend. [ed. note: there was another celebration this weekend, too. Funny how they seem to do it year after year at the same time.]
You can do a little celebrating yourself with some tasty food and a little cerveza.
Click below for a yummy Pork Empanada and Chipotle Salsa recipes. Enjoy!
Pork Empanada
Filling
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 12-ounce pork tenderloin, trimmed, cut into 1/3-inch pieces
1 jalapeño chili, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons sour cream
Dough
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup Masa Harina (corn tortilla mix)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, cooled
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon water
2 large eggs
Chipotle Salsa (see recipe)
Sour creamFor filling:
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork, serrano chili, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon and allspice to skillet and stir 3 minutes. Add lime juice; boil until almost all liquid evaporates, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Mix in sour cream. Season with salt and pepper. Cool.
For dough:
Butter 2 large baking sheets. Mix flour, Masa Harina, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Stir in melted butter. Whisk water and 1 egg in small bowl to blend. Add to flour mixture; knead in bowl until smooth pliable dough forms, about 2 minutes. Working with half of dough at a time, roll out on floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Using 3 3/4-inch-diameter biscuit cutter, cut out rounds. Reroll scraps and cut out additional rounds for a total of 12 rounds per dough half.Whisk remaining egg in small bowl to blend. Place 1 tablespoon filling in center of each dough round. Lightly brush edges with egg. Fold dough over, pressing edges with fork to seal. Place on prepared baking sheets. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic wrap; chill.)
Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush empanadas with beaten egg. Bake until light golden brown, about 25 minutes. Serve with Chipotle Salsa and sour cream.
Chipotle Salsa3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped canned chipotle chilies in adobo sauce (sold at Latin American markets)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cuminCombine all ingredients in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Makes about 3 cups.
Posted by Da Goddess at 06:02 AM | Comments (0)
May 04, 2008
Photos From Last Night
Taken in a dark nightclub with a 35-135mm lens, flash at low burst. Joe is a local musician who is genuinely nice and quite interesting. He kindly posed for me.
Same setup as before with flash and lens. Now, if you're wondering why the side by side or why even go with a different version, I love color, but there's a certain something about B&W that makes me happy. Of course, I didn't do the standard B&W conversion here because that would so...normal. I'm anything but.
Both of the B&W images were altered to look as though I'd used a platinum process. I like this version of B&W imaging because it's a bit warmer in tone and because it definitely has a certain "age" appeal. It also brings shadows and light into a whole different level of play. I find it fascinating. To see what a photographer who uses this process for real (as opposed to using editing software to cheaply replicate pretend results), check out Tom Millea.
Not convinced about the difference in the B&W options? I thought as much. Okay, here's what I mean. You pick the one you think has more depth and warmth. Or go with whichever one you like best.
On the left is the platinum process version of the image and on the right is a standard black and white conversion of the same color image.
Posted by Da Goddess at 02:17 PM | Comments (2)
Llama of Death and Orange Marmalade
No, it's not the name of a some crazy new band, but maybe it should be. I mean, we had prunes of the electric persuasion and alarm clocks of strawberry, not to mention ponies of stone and a million other things. Why not the Llama of Death and Orange Marmalade. If anyone decides to cop the name, please acknowledge my part in all of it. And make the music decent. That's all I ask.
Little Dude on Friday night. He was playing a game on the computer. Standard kit lens (18-55mm). Flash was adjusted for lower burst and more natural tones.
LD calls this his Llama of Death hand. I don't know why. It caused serious bouts of giggles though. You know, the sort that go on forever for absolutely no reason. Maybe it was the name. Just after this shot, I got chastised for causing him to mess up on his game. Silly me.
You get to decide which you like better: is it Rex au naturel or Rex after I've played with the color? Poor cat only wanted to nap, but I insisted on shooting and disturbing his sleep. He tolerates me only because he knows I'll go home eventually.
After two or three shots, Rex decided to turn his back on me, thinking I'd leave him alone. Not so much. I simply went to the other side of the chair upon which he was perched and proceeded to shoot. But only this one frame. Again, which do you prefer? The natural light or the color manipulation? This time around, the manipulated colors are reminiscent of cross-processing of the 60s. A little retro look for a little retro kitty.
Posted by Da Goddess at 01:38 PM | Comments (2)
Pickles! I Hate Pickles
I'm in more trouble than I thought. Instead of having to dig myself out of the lens hole by Thursday, I was just informed I have until tomorrow afternoon.
Uh...um...guess I better get out there and find some shelves NOW.
Holy &*$@*&!
Well, I knew this was going to be an issue. I just didn't know it was going to be one so soon. And you know what? I deserve this. I was too eager on my purchase (although it was a necessary one and a damn good deal). I have no buyer's remorse. No, this is more like dread at having to explain myself to someone who doesn't believe in me or what I might accomplish with my camera.
You know, I think that's what makes all of this so "dreadful" for me. I know my roommate doesn't believe in what I'm doing or hoping to do. It's disappointing for me. I'm surrounded by a lot of wonderful folks who DO, but he doesn't. It puts a distinct strain on our friendship. If he were a believer, he'd understand and support me. If he were a believer, he wouldn't be resentful of the time I spend with the camera trying to learn, to improve, to achieve. As it is, we don't go many places together anymore. For him, he feels abandoned when I take off to shoot. For me, I feel trapped in having to keep someone company when I think they should be lost in the music. Makes me wonder how this friendship ever survived to begin with. Maybe he thought the camera thing was "cute" at first, but it's become an issue since then.
Wow, that's more thought on the subject than I've given it in a long time.
I don't feel guilty about my lens purchase (and if you want to know exactly what I got and why it was such a good thing, there's a great review of the lens on eBay). Not at all. I know it was the right thing at the right time, but I know it won't be viewed that way by the roomie. I was supposed to get shelves, dammit. That'll be the sticking point. But I was also supposed to have four more days and could have pulled that off if the parameters hadn't changed without warning.
This is my pickle and it's not a particularly tasty one. Not that I like ANY pickles anyway, but you know what I mean. Figuratively, this pickle is sour and floppy and in the middle of a really yummy burger.
Phhttt.
Oh well. I hear the music. I'll have to pay the piper and I'll do it with my head held high.
Now I have to go get something to eat since I conjured up an image of a big juicy hamburger.
Posted by Da Goddess at 12:23 PM | Comments (0)
Busy Busy Buzz Buzz Buzz
Little Dude and I had a very busy week. He's been working on a report about Jackie O. (his favorite first lady at the moment) and being a super duper helper around the house.
Yesterday and Friday were all about errands, which were largely accomplished. I had to pick up four boxes of festival guides from a friend's house and needed LD to be the muscle. He did an excellent job. It was no fault of his that one of the boxes 'sploded in the trunk of the car. I saw that was inevitable when the box barely made it from my friend's front porch to the car. It happens.
After that, we headed over to Ikea. I've been put in charge of finding some bookcases or shelving of some sort. I have some ideas but I need more muscle than one little boy and a bigger vehicle to get the stuff home once the final decision is made.
By the time we got home Friday night, we were both wiped out. It was TV and snuggles, which was just fine with us. Have I mentioned lately how great a kid I have? If not, let me just say: I have the best kid in the world. Sigh. I'm so lucky. He really is a sweet guy and so much fun to be around.
Yesterday was a late start kind of day. LD slept in until about 10am and we didn't get out of the house until after 1pm. We stopped off at my sister's house where my daughter was just getting around to having her breakfast. Apparently the late start thing wasn't confined to just one household. The kids watched TV while I talked lenses with my brother-in-law. I ended up getting a lens from him and it's freakin' amazing. It's just...it is. So much for the shelving budget. But it was a good investment and a really good deal. I got this thing for a quarter of what I'd have paid if I'd bought it brand new. You can't argue with a value like that, although I'm sure the roommate will (and he should...he really should since that money was earmarked for shelves). I figure I have four days to find my way out of this mess and I'll do it. It won't be pretty, but I'll find a way out of this one.
Now, once we got the lens business done, LD and I had to take a run up to the super huge camera emporium to check out a few items I desperately need. I got three of the six and they were all on the inexpensive side. The three, that is. The remaining items are big ticket items and they'll just have to wait.
From the camera store to Toys R Us. LD brought his own money and got himself a Lego set. Indiana Jones. Oy. Until he sees the movie, he's going to be driving me nuts with questions I can't answer since I haven't seen it either. 17 days, 21 hours, and blah blah blah until it opens. Seems like forever to a kid.
Legos in hand, we traipsed on over to Payless Shoes and I picked up two pairs of shoes to go with some "work" clothes that were early birthday gifts. I can now officially look appropriately attired for photo shoots (the sort that require me to be more professional). Two less things on my super long list of business necessities that aren't actually camera-related. I'm getting there. Slowly but surely.
Once we finished, it was time to drop my son off at his dad's for a couple days. I came home, took a short nap, and then headed off to shoot a concert/celebrate my birthday a couple weeks early. I'll have those photos edited at some point later today. The show was fantastic and I ran into several people who reinforced my belief that the universe is speaking and I'm actually hearing what's being said. What a wonderful gift -- to be open and ready for opportunities. I'm glad I'm finally in a place where I can see how everything fits together. I have a lot of great friends here for helping me get here and I will always be grateful. Always.
I'm going to be a good little worker bee and get busy with my photo editing so I can prove that your faith in me was not misplaced. I may even take a nap again, but only maybe.
Posted by Da Goddess at 02:04 AM | Comments (0)
May 03, 2008
Dazed and Confused
Mrs. Mikey said our favorite patient was being stubborn. Why am I not surprised?
Mikey's had to have a little more sedation because he's not happy when they hook him up for dialysis. Seems he's ripping things out again, things that need to be hooked up. It's that whole medication haze that gets 'em every time. Most patients require a long, gradual weaning from the meds used in deep sedation. And with Mikey, well, he's special. He doesn't like the meds, he doesn't like not having control of himself, he doesn't like not knowing what's happening. That's actually pretty normal, too.
Reports are that when he's awake he knows he was in an accident, but doesn't get how bad it really was. He's also thinking Mini Mikey was with him (she wasn't). All this is part of the battle with the meds and his brain worrying about the family. In a way, it's a really good thing that he's working at coming to grips with reality. He'll get there soon enough.
Once he's properly weaned from meds, he'll be more cooperative and a little less stubborn about his lines and the treatments he's getting. It's nothing that's going to happen overnight and that's just fine. He's alive and getting well and that's just what the doctor ordered.
Posted by Da Goddess at 07:50 PM | Comments (0)
May 02, 2008
Mikey's Truck
Mrs. Mikey snapped these photos yesterday when she went down to look at Mikey's truck. The last photo is the passenger side of the vehicle without its door. There was no door left. And the bed of the truck was obviously thrown completely out of whack. The photo with the airbag doesn't show enough for you to tell that the jaws of life were used to extract Mikey, but even still, it doesn't look pretty.
Posted by Da Goddess at 12:30 PM | Comments (3)
May 01, 2008
Oooh!
This will likely make little sense to most folks, but were Acidman still alive, he'd totally get it. Gibson has created this incredible limited edition F-5 Victorian mandolin. There are only 15.
The mandolin is my favorite instrument. The sounds it can create are freakin' delicious. Each note is like a little bite of heaven. There's just no other way to describe how sweet a mandolin sounds.
I guess I better start playing the lottery so I can afford one of these babies. I can't imagine they'll be going cheap. It would be better too, I'm sure, if I could actually PLAY it. Oh well, there'll be plenty of time for me to learn while I'm waiting for my lottery numbers to hit.
...Cause there's somethin' so feminine,
about a mandolin;
the way that they feel,
the way that they ring.
Just to see slender fingers,
movin' so fluid,
made this poor heart to sing.
~ Jimmy Buffett
Posted by Da Goddess at 08:19 PM | Comments (5)
Looking Good
We just got back from the hospital and I can happily report that Mikey is looking pretty damn good! (dancing and joyous laughter)
Surgery on his arm was yesterday, natch. Today he was weaned off the vent and has stayed off. They've removed his restraints as well, which is a no brainer when you realize they really only had him in them to keep him from pulling tubes and such.
Mrs. Mikey and Mini Mikey were in good spirits. LD and Mini Mikey "did homework" while the Mrs. and I went in to see Mikey. Thank God for the ride home otherwise I don't think LD's homework would have ever been done. Oh well, kids need diversion and distraction in stressful situations and that's why LD was along for this particular visit.
Anyhow, back to the patient.
Mikey really does look good. There's some faint bruising on his left chest (seatbelt compression), a huge lump on his right arm (no break), bruises on his legs, a massive bandage and cast on the left arm from the surgical repair, and a small, open pressure sore on his right wrist from the restraints (he was writhing so much, it was bound to happen). Oh, and the really good news about the left arm is that they were able to save the graft/fistula for his dialysis! They won't be able to use it until his cast if off, but it was saved. Yay!
Now, he wasn't awake enough yet for conversation. Well, he was earlier for Mrs. Mikey, but not by the time I got there. Still, seeing is believing and I believe he's going to be back to his old self in no time.
The same can't be said for his truck, though. That was scary! I'm hoping Mrs. Mikey's photos make their way into my mailbox soon so I can show you just how bad it was and how lucky we are Mikey lived.
And there you have it. Mikey's making strides!
Posted by Da Goddess at 07:33 PM | Comments (0)
April 30, 2008
Spotted Roadside
As I headed over to the school to pick Little Dude up this afternoon, I saw a gathering over at the sign for Ner Tamid Synagogue. I figured there was some sort of dedication happening or something, but really I was focused on getting to school.
Once I had LD in the car, we headed back down the road and saw several news trucks and the reason for the gathering: graffiti. Apparently it's been there since Saturday night/Sunday morning. I've driven past this sign how many times since then? I hadn't noticed.
But since my attention had been directed to it, there was no mistaking what was scrawled on the sign. 14/88 was there amongst the rest of the scrawlings. This isn't all that uncommon, unfortunately, in this area. We've had Aryan groups here for 20+ years, thanks to the Metzger clan up in Fallbrook. It seemed like things had settled down a bit, but obviously whatever these groups were doing was much subtler over the last few years rather than not occurring at all.
This is being considered a hate crime and there is a reward offered for information leading to an arrest.
As LD said in his very concerned voice, "there's just no sense in any of this. There's no reason to act hateful toward others just because they believe in a different God. I wish we could go scrub that sign clean."
Me too, buddy.
I think what bothers me most is how little progress we've made when it comes to learning to live with each other and our differences. You know what? We're all different, yet we're all the same. Deep down, we're made of the same proteins and other amino acids. We all bleed the same color. When we die, we all end up pretty much in the same place -- in the ground, in the water, or in the air (soon to settle on ground or in water). It just doesn't make sense. And to prove how little sense this makes, check out the comment (currently only one comment is there, click "more" below to read the comment just in case it disappears) on the local NBC site linked above. Hate just breeds more hate, people. There's nothing to be gained from this.
Continue reading "Spotted Roadside"
Posted by Da Goddess at 11:23 PM | Comments (4)
