So, I got a letter from some “other” company stating I had unclaimed funds. After researching and finding my claim on the NYS Comptroller’s website, I simply mailed the office, instead of sending some company a $30 check.

Well, last night the check came and it is basically the same price as a 580EX. I’ve expressed sudden interest in this flash as I’m going to be shadowing, in a sense, Sue Egan in November. I want to have some skill with a flash and I figured I may as well get the 580EX now, as I am very intimidated by flash photography. I may just get the flash and a crapload of alkalines for now - then get some nice high powered Nimh batteries.

So thank you New York! I’ll probably give it a bit more thought, but I’ll probably be buying the flash within the week!

In January of this year, when I pulled the rather large trigger of getting a Digital Rebel XT (350D), I had no idea what to expect. Because of that, much hesitation was generated. Would I use it? How often? Is it too expensive (haha! if I only knew then how expensive owning an SLR is)? What helped me buy it was knowing that I had reached the end of what my Canon S60 could do. With it’s poor ISO performance, 15second max exposure and it’s chromatic aberrations in almost all shots, I was no longer happy with the camera that really helped me get more creative with photography. That, and Canon had a sweet rebate deal that was expiring. Oh..and peer pressure :).

Here I am, ~2200 pictures later (estimate, judging by filenames). I have a portfolio, a workflow that is, for me, very efficient and gear that suits my needs for the most part. Lastly, I’ve booked a wedding without even trying. I did not imagine that getting more serious about such a fantastic hobby would lead me to where I am today. Initially, I was concerned that wanting a certain accessory or a certain lens was just me with another “want” - nothing more. Now, I genuinely understand the why behind my wants in terms of photography. Yes, the gear is expensive, but I understand (for the most part) what makes the price so high (or so low).

This has been an incredible experience for me and one I wish I’d experienced sooner. I admit that digital is much more up my alley than film would be. You can immediately tell just how well…or how poorly you executed a set of shots.

Primarily posting this to share it with folks that can’t get to Flickr due to firewalls. The orignal of this can be seen here. I felt the need to get creative with this. Changed RGB levels, added a blurred copy of the image and blended it via “overlay.” I honestly don’t know exactly what I’m doing half the time in Photoshop, but I almost always enjoy the result.

Asked Ford to its 75,000 unioned workers. That is an impressive number of people to ask to leave voluntarily. I admire that Ford and GM are doing what they can to shift with the times, but it still doesn’t change the fact that they seem to be a long way from “getting” it.

I have come to seriously despise the fact that GM feels it necessary to take the same frame and drivetrain and send that platfrom to different car brands.  Case in pIoint:  Pontiac is said to have a “new” G5 for 2007.  That’s odd, as it looks just like the coupe version of the Chevy Cobalt - pointless?  Seems to be.  I admit that I may be lacking some knowledge in some basic financial practices and theories.  It still doesn’t seem logical.  It certainly isn’t innovative.  What it does is tell me that you can make a different body and interior for the essentially the same car.  While that may interest some, it is a deterrent for me.

Now, I understand that many companies do the same thing.  Honda does it with Acura, Volkswagen and Porsche do it, etc.  Still, they seem to make some effort to better distinguish the two.  When the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan look almost identical, minus front grille and tail-lights, you have to wonder about Ford’s ability to make cars that stand out.  That and they, like GM are behind on the Hybrid game - GM is busy making Hummers while Honda and Toyota are rolling out 40MPG Accords and Camry’s.

Ford needs to focus on Ford - quit bringing your sedans over to your sibling companies.  Make better cars for Ford first. I’d just assume never see Mercury “make” a car again.  It’s turned into a rather pointless brand.  All this said, I’ll reiterate that it is good to see Ford adapting to change and speeding up their plan to turn the company around.  I could really careless what GM does as I’ve given up on that company years ago - as long as the release the new Camaro and keep making the Corvette

This evening I start my professional R&B Dance career. I usually don’t like embarassing myself as there are people right there waiting to exploit it. This is different as it is a class and there could be people there that dance just as bad as I do. I can actually dance well, but I need a fair amount of alcohol to completely silence the inhibitions and fully realize that there is infact a beat.

Embarassment aside, it will be an opportunity for a good workout as well. I’ve struggled to find a sort of workout routine I enjoy. Nothing really grabs my attention. I do enjoy rock climbing, but some routes at the Red Barn are ridiculous because 5′4″, 103lb pro-climbers seem to create them, leaving Average Joe behind. Still, I do enjoy a good campus route - even though my entire upper body hurts afterwards. I honestly do enjoy climbing - rewarding, great workout, time to relieve stress - but the drive out there is a bother at times.

I was going to attempt a long-winded post on the current state of the American automakers, but..I’m just not in the mood