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2013-05-20 05:51:50 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 22 +1s)

MURANO (ITALIA)

2013-05-20 01:25:30 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Added photos to The Selfy Sunday Project.

2013-05-20 01:06:59 (16 comments, 0 reshares, 22 +1s)

I realized it's been a while since I've done a selfy.  It's not an easy thing when you've been struggling against yourself for months, but here it is anyway.  New doctors, new pills, new hope that perhaps I'll find 'me' again.  We shall see.

/off to try and figure out how to add this to +Selfy Sunday 

2013-05-18 22:36:30 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Would you spend $20 on a piece of drivel like this?  You can, you know.

2013-05-18 03:28:09 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Hey +Barilla!  Why the heck did you take the eggs out of your no-bake lasagna recipe?  Two beaten eggs - that's the binder that allows the cheeses to become homogeneous.  You can't count on the little bit of moisture in the ricotta for at.

The no-bake noodles are still awesome though.  I'd probably never bother making lasagna if I didn't have them.

2013-05-16 02:46:29 (20 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

Check this out!

I've been invited by the nice folks over at www.viewbug.com to judge a photo contest!  Between now and Sept. 5th you can submit any photo that exemplifies the color Orange.  If you know me, that means "bring it".  I'm super-excited to see what people do, and hope to see most of my photography friends there as well :)

-note: I'll only be judging a short list of entries, and I don't play favorites ;)

2013-05-15 04:21:14 (10 comments, 1 reshares, 31 +1s)

(Working title) Can't See the Forest For the Trees

Working with an image graciously donated by +David Buckwalter, now that I have a color printer running again.

Speaking of which, I'm still accepting photos for collaboration.  For the most part these are just for G+ consumption.  If you think you've got something that would look cool, tag me in :)

2013-05-15 02:33:50 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

This is a pretty cool thing.  First time I've seen a 3D printer available for retail.  It's got a large build capacity (8"x8"x8") for it's class, and unlike some you don't have to assemble it yourself.

Now, there are some drawbacks, mind you, that kept us from getting this model for work.  (We got the Makerbot Replicator 2 for $2200).  First, the stage (the bit that your things are built on) isn't heated.  My research indicates that anything over around 4" across is subject to warpage, especially with a thinner base.  Second, it's open air, which means any air currents can affect cooling and possibly lead to slump or, again, warpage.

But, I looked at 20 some-odd machines before we bought ours, and this is certainly one of the best sub-$1500 models, and a good running for anything under $5K.  

What to do with it, though? There... more »

2013-05-14 05:30:34 (10 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

The Hand of Fate

Thanks to +Paulissa Kipp for the intricate, and challenging artwork.  It took a couple of takes before I decided that this is where I wanted to go with it - straightforward on the surface, but the undertones speak so loudly.

I believe this is her original piece, but she can correct me if I'm wrong.  I've had trouble getting access to a color printer until recently.
https://plus.google.com/116071275946594200077/posts/GQQeX1gFHU5

2013-05-13 03:35:26 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Unfortunately, I've lost the original post so I can't do a re-share, but this is just awesome.

2013-05-13 00:39:28 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Well, jeez.  24 hours later...

We lost power yesterday afternoon, and when the power came back, the internets didn't.  Stuff happens, right?  So, I decided to sleep on it.

This morning was no joy either, so I put in a rare trouble call to my ISP and after a good half-hour we determined that my ports were probably blown.  Both of them - the dedicated line for the server AND the line for my wireless router.

Thankfully the server was a quick NIC swap (I had a spare on-hand) but the router required a bit more than I would have liked to spend today at Frys. Ah well.

The important thing is that we're back up, and I'm going to be spending the next few days investigating surge arrestors for my external lines :P

2013-05-11 23:50:44 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Ah, the first power outage of the season.  I'm enjoying the quiet, but we'll see how long the UPS systems last.

2013-05-14 17:28:19 (20 comments, 0 reshares, 24 +1s)

Work In Progress

I think this merits a re-shoot.  I really want to get the shadow out of the picture, for starters (it's not always apparent in the viewfinder).   I'd like to increase the contrast too, but I'm not sure how that's possible yet.  We'll see.  Thirdly, she needs a pony-tail to minimize the hair.

Anyway, Can't See the Forest  Take One.

2013-05-07 03:08:56 (15 comments, 1 reshares, 28 +1s)

Serengeti

I had the occasion to dig through some of my older stuff while putting together a bio piece for an opportunity that wandered by.

So anyway, this is a reshare from last Summer for #portraittuesday , mixing portraiture and some of my opaque projector work.  

+PortraitTuesday is an awesome event hosted by +Laura Balc and +Tana Teel.  I really ought to join more often :P

2013-05-06 01:09:22 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Pardon the intrusion, but I was asked again today if there is a place where my photos are for sale.  Many of them certainly are in the galleries of http://www.squareheadphotography.com/.  If you've seen something I've posted that you'd like on your walls, look no further, and please use the coupon code gplusrocks to shave a bit off the final price.

Thanks,
Olav

2013-05-05 04:35:27 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

So I was greeted with this yesterday (Friday) morning and it led me to ponder...

Obviously, I don't know Omar, or his family, or even the circumstances that led for his bright star to alight in the parking lot of my office complex...

But there he was - or at least the final words of his family - drifting in and out of the flowers that edged a lightly used parking lot on the fringes of town.

Where he came from, what brought about his demise, I'll never know.  His final rise into the heavens, and subsequent arrival will remain a mystery.

So RIP indeed Omar, and I hope that wherever you are you know that you were loved enough that someone chose to symbolically send you into the heavens.  At least your star found some flowers to nestle in.

(as a side note please don't do this.  At the best it's littering)

2013-05-04 22:15:34 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

I made this my cover photo here a while back, so it's high time I added it to my site.  

I'm also testing a new commenting system for Wordpress called 'Google+ Comments' which effectively mirrors comments from this share and on my own website into one thread (as far as I can tell).  There's similar functionality for FB and Disqus (which I also use) so I'm hoping for awesomesauce.  (Edit - thanks to +Erica Joy for the clue-in)

2013-05-04 05:13:26 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

For some reason, I'm having a difficult time getting excited about The Fourth, now that Disney owns it.

2013-05-04 03:48:46 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 6 +1s)

I made this my cover photo here a while back, so it's high time I added it to my site.  

I'm also testing a new commenting system for Wordpress called 'Google+ Comments' which effectively mirrors comments from this share and on my own website into one thread (as far as I can tell).  There's similar functionality for FB and Disqus (which I also use) so I'm hoping for awesomesauce.  (Edit - thanks to +Erica Joy for the clue-in)

2013-05-02 04:02:19 (15 comments, 1 reshares, 24 +1s)

It's a crummy cell phone photo, but the moment couldn't be missed.  30 seconds prior, they were 2" apart from spooning.  What goes on in their minds, one can only wonder...

2013-05-02 02:49:35 (35 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

I freaking hate writing bios.  Even when I have help.

2013-04-30 03:23:21 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

R/T at +Zachery Jensen:

"If you know what you're doing the camera is a tool, if you don't, you're a tool."

Truer words....

2013-04-30 02:22:44 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 15 +1s)

Each Time, I Die a Little Inside

I'm pretty sure this one has to be one of my California State Fair entries, and I've decided that just for fun, I'm going to give away a copy of each one I choose to submit.  So, look for a couple of others in the next day or so (the deadline is Friday)

So if you'd like to have this on your wall - for free, anywhere in the world that I can legally ship to - I have but two rules:
One - comment on this thread.  I use random.org to generate numbers, and it's just a halluva lot easier if I have to pull names from one place.
Two - share this post.  I hate it too, but I've found to my expense that if I don't require it, no one will.  There's a 20 minute window on G+ posts and I'd like to make sure people have the chance.

And that's it.  This is one of my favorite photos, and thinkit&#... more »

2013-05-03 02:29:00 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Cliff House

This 8-sec single exposure of what is arguably the best place to watch the sun go down in San Francisco is another of my favorites from the last year or so, and will likely be my second entry in the California State Fair.

So, I'm giving away an 8x10 copy of this one too, matted and signed. Like the other one (https://plus.google.com/u/0/113330053950020592701/posts/TaUQwKsPh1u) the rules of entry are simple.  Just comment here and share the post.  You don't even have to have me in your circles.  I'll pick a winner randomly from everyone that has done those two things early next week (probably Sunday, but it's going to be a busy weekend).  This one is also open to anyone anywhere in the world that I can legally ship to.  

edit - if you entered to win the other one, you can enter this too, and vice-versa.  However, you can'twin b... more »

2013-04-28 21:26:17 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 16 +1s)

Cliff House

This 8-sec single exposure of what is arguably the best place to watch the sun go down in San Francisco is another of my favorites from the last year or so, and will likely be my second entry in the California State Fair.

So, I'm giving away an 8x10 copy of this one too, matted and signed. Like the other one (https://plus.google.com/u/0/113330053950020592701/posts/TaUQwKsPh1u) the rules of entry are simple.  Just comment here and share the post.  You don't even have to have me in your circles.  I'll pick a winner randomly from everyone that has done those two things early next week (probably Sunday, but it's going to be a busy weekend).  This one is also open to anyone anywhere in the world that I can legally ship to.  

edit - if you entered to win the other one, you can enter this too, and vice-versa.  However, you can'twin b... more »

2013-04-28 20:11:44 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 6 +1s)

Each Time, I Die a Little Inside

I'm pretty sure this one has to be one of my California State Fair entries, and I've decided that just for fun, I'm going to give away a copy of each one I choose to submit.  So, look for a couple of others in the next day or so (the deadline is Friday)

So if you'd like to have this on your wall - for free, anywhere in the world that I can legally ship to - I have but two rules:
One - comment on this thread.  I use random.org to generate numbers, and it's just a halluva lot easier if I have to pull names from one place.
Two - share this post.  I hate it too, but I've found to my expense that if I don't require it, no one will.  There's a 20 minute window on G+ posts and I'd like to make sure people have the chance.

And that's it.  This is one of my favorite photos, and thinkit&#... more »

2013-04-28 03:11:29 (22 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

What I Did Today

I got a wild hare up my arse while Kat was napping, and decided to tackle the transition between the patio and what will eventually be the garden path.

Three hours and 240 pounds of concrete later (not to mention digging and forming)  there's this.   It looks innocuous, but the form is at a 15-20 degree grade (the back is about 3" higher than the patio) and to make matters worse, there's that pesky lower grade-level drain, meaning I couldn't just pour and screed, but rather had to hand-trowel a natural grade across the entire 2x3' area.  Hampered, of course, by the fact that my last mix came out too wet, so I had to fuss with it for an hour until it was ready to think about setting.  Whee.

But that's done, and I can start thinking about the "easier" pours.

2013-04-27 20:27:09 (14 comments, 1 reshares, 36 +1s)

Sometimes I take 'nice photos' too.  Just to keep everyone on their toes.

With +kat Folland 

2013-04-27 05:47:46 (17 comments, 0 reshares, 22 +1s)

I just typed all this, and at the end it seemed like a separate post was in order.

People ask me where I was born, I say a trailer park in TN.  Most people ask where I'm from, and I just say that I was a Navy brat, so I come from all over.  Ask me to identify with a place, and I'll unequivocally say the Philippines though.  

The three years I lived there defined me more than most any other place out together. I learned there that it's okay to be happy with what you have, and that it's okay to strive for more, but that that won't change your happiness, just your comfort. I learned there reverence for those passed, at least partially from the lessons that their lives taught.  I learned what it's like to truly be a minority in a land where many people had never even seen blond hair - and I also learned that it's a curiosity, but not something to judge aper... more »

2013-04-27 05:06:29 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

Mock me if you will, but I love the punk vibe in this +William Shatner piece.  I got the album as a gift, but I've sold at least two from this.

2013-04-27 02:37:33 (16 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Since anniversaries are a hot topic around the house today, I remembered an amusing story.

My parents are coming up on their 41st anniversary, but my mother has celebrated the day once more than my dad has.  Not by choice, the day never existed for him.

Seems he was on an aircraft carrier that crossed 0deg Latitdude, 0deg Longtitude right at midnight.  He literally went from the 28th straight to the 30th.

2013-04-26 04:30:19 (17 comments, 0 reshares, 43 +1s)

+Angela Donaldson here's the other one I was thinking of.  The sun is actually just off frame to the right, but this is where the magic was happening.  Same rocks off Sutro Baths in San Francisco, just a wider shot.

2013-04-26 04:21:49 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 14 +1s)

+Angela Donaldson here's one of two for the colors at Sutro Baths that weekend.  I zoomed in on this one because I liked how the birds were all admiring the colors too.

2013-04-26 03:28:14 (10 comments, 3 reshares, 4 +1s)

Cliff House

This 8-sec single exposure of what is arguably the best place to watch the sun go down in San Francisco is another of my favorites from the last year or so, and will likely be my second entry in the California State Fair.

So, I'm giving away an 8x10 copy of this one too, matted and signed. Like the other one (https://plus.google.com/u/0/113330053950020592701/posts/TaUQwKsPh1u) the rules of entry are simple.  Just comment here and share the post.  You don't even have to have me in your circles.  I'll pick a winner randomly from everyone that has done those two things early next week (probably Sunday, but it's going to be a busy weekend).  This one is also open to anyone anywhere in the world that I can legally ship to.  

edit - if you entered to win the other one, you can enter this too, and vice-versa.  However, you can'twin b... more »

2013-04-25 04:16:14 (22 comments, 11 reshares, 38 +1s)

Cliff House

This 8-sec single exposure of what is arguably the best place to watch the sun go down in San Francisco is another of my favorites from the last year or so, and will likely be my second entry in the California State Fair.

So, I'm giving away an 8x10 copy of this one too, matted and signed. Like the other one (https://plus.google.com/u/0/113330053950020592701/posts/TaUQwKsPh1u) the rules of entry are simple.  Just comment here and share the post.  You don't even have to have me in your circles.  I'll pick a winner randomly from everyone that has done those two things early next week (probably Sunday, but it's going to be a busy weekend).  This one is also open to anyone anywhere in the world that I can legally ship to.  

edit - if you entered to win the other one, you can enter this too, and vice-versa.  However, you can'twin b... more »

2013-04-25 02:41:57 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

Each Time, I Die a Little Inside

I'm pretty sure this one has to be one of my California State Fair entries, and I've decided that just for fun, I'm going to give away a copy of each one I choose to submit.  So, look for a couple of others in the next day or so (the deadline is Friday)

So if you'd like to have this on your wall - for free, anywhere in the world that I can legally ship to - I have but two rules:
One - comment on this thread.  I use random.org to generate numbers, and it's just a halluva lot easier if I have to pull names from one place.
Two - share this post.  I hate it too, but I've found to my expense that if I don't require it, no one will.  There's a 20 minute window on G+ posts and I'd like to make sure people have the chance.

And that's it.  This is one of my favorite photos, and thinkit&#... more »

2013-04-24 03:36:56 (57 comments, 25 reshares, 34 +1s)

Each Time, I Die a Little Inside

I'm pretty sure this one has to be one of my California State Fair entries, and I've decided that just for fun, I'm going to give away a copy of each one I choose to submit.  So, look for a couple of others in the next day or so (the deadline is Friday)

So if you'd like to have this on your wall - for free, anywhere in the world that I can legally ship to - I have but two rules:
One - comment on this thread.  I use random.org to generate numbers, and it's just a halluva lot easier if I have to pull names from one place.
Two - share this post.  I hate it too, but I've found to my expense that if I don't require it, no one will.  There's a 20 minute window on G+ posts and I'd like to make sure people have the chance.

And that's it.  This is one of my favorite photos, and thinkit&#... more »

2013-04-23 03:01:12 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

I was going to announce a giveaway tonight, but I cannot brain, so hopefully tomorrow.

2013-04-22 05:13:23 (106 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

I'm dangerously close to rounding out 35K followers and I've realized there are a couple of things.

First, talk to me.  I meet most new people in my threads, or the threads of my friends.  Since Google took away the Incoming stream, I haven't figured out any other way to figure out who wants to be social around here.

Second, I haven't mentioned this in a while, but the challenge of sending me a random prop is still an ongoing thing - send me something and I'll incorporate it into a photograph.  If it's awesome I'll cut you a print.

Likewise, I'm still taking submissions for projector art.  I'm behind on things I think should be in color, but it's still a going concern.  PM me with an idea and you'll get credit here and anywhere else I feel it's worth posting.

Finally, I'm still offering 27% off on printswith... more »

2013-04-22 02:49:20 (25 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

This weekend's project was a resounding success.  Getting the grill on it's new home did wonders for opening up that part of the patio.  Once I move the 360 pounds of dry concrete left over it'll be even better.

Thanks again +Jason Kowing and +Julie Kowing and family.  We got a lot done, and will enjoy the space for years to come.  We look forward to sharing it with you too.

2013-04-22 00:14:24 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Really, one of the easiest, and most refreshing desserts.  My kids will take it over ice cream, if it's available.

2013-04-21 23:57:54 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 33 +1s)

On the Wings of Tomorrow

2013-04-21 23:44:57 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Jack Daniels infused burgers topped with Pepper Jack, lettuce, tomato and bacon.

Since this is an introductory post for me, I try and come up with one or two original (or at least my own take on) recipes a month.  My cooking style is generally unpretentious, and a bit on the brash side of things.  I hope you enjoy :)

2013-04-21 22:21:55 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Some of y'all may have seen my photo of my brand-new Jackburger yesterday - Jack Daniels infused cheeseburger topped with Pepper Jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and bacon.    I made them up for +Julie Kowing and +Jason Kowing as a thank you for helping us schlep concrete and catch up on some other yardwork.

Well, I got delayed by some server problems this morning,  so at long last, here's the recipe.  Enjoy :) 

2013-04-21 05:12:21 (16 comments, 1 reshares, 33 +1s)

Jack Burger

1/2 pound of Jack Daniels infused burger patty topped with melted Monterrey Jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and bacon, all wrapped in a toasted bun.

I've got to thank +Jason Kowing and +Julie Kowing and kin for their help in the yard today.  Making noms was the least I could do.

(I'll post the recipe tomorrow.  We poured concrete today, and I'm kinda bushed)

2013-04-20 04:54:32 (3 comments, 3 reshares, 30 +1s)

A Particular Flight of Fancy

2013-04-20 00:47:31 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Suspect in custody, medic called.

Suspicious bag a few blocks away though

2013-04-18 03:26:45 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Hey, all you homebrewers, Bonnarooers and beer geeks out there! I'm not sure if there's any interest, and I sure as hell hope there is, but I'm running an indiegogo campaign so as to start a business bringing aluminum bottles to the homebrew community! I don't know about you, but I'm tired of "No Glass Allowed" and I'm ready for a change! How about you?

Help out, spread the word, kick in a buck!

2013-04-17 03:22:13 (19 comments, 1 reshares, 25 +1s)

On Mortality

I took this photo a while back, and added the text for my expensive, but awesome photo book, but honestly there's an aspect of this photo that I never fully explored - stoicism.

You may as well know that we've had a scare. Not the first, and not the last, but enough to give us pause.  Kat's been having some inexplicable pain in her spine - not the surrounding muscle, but seemingly involving the bones themselves.  Not really a good thing under any circumstances, but it's definitely the sort of thing a Stage IIB survivor wants to tell their oncologist.  He agreed that it was something worth looking into, and with a cheery 'there's a 49% chance it's not mets (metastatic cancer)' a scan was ordered.  

Meanwhile, we wait, and are left to our own devices - and the 'what ifs'...

And suddenly mortality issta... more »

2013-04-14 23:26:05 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 32 +1s)

Head To Head and Cheek To Cheek