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August 31, 2005
Exposing Time
I started playing with the time exposure feature of my camera. God, I cant believe I have had it for nearly a year now and Im still learning all these features. From super macro to time exposures, Im really enjoying my decision to buy it. Of course Id still love a DSLR. *smile*
Here are my first few time exposure shots. Nothing great but I wanted to share. They were all taken last night when I thought it was the darkest.
If anyone has some suggestions or helpful hints I would definitely appreciate it. Also some knowledge on what can be done with this would also be great.
Posted by Des at 08:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 27, 2005
Feeling Down
Have you ever had a day where it seems like everyone is too busy to talk to you. Todays been one of those days for me. It seems like everyone I have called today was busy and couldnt talk, didnt answer, or there was just a huge lul in the conversation. Im beginning to take it personally. Of course I know its just an off day. Hopefully the evening will get better.
Posted by Des at 04:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Our House
This morning Josh and I purchased our tickets to fly home for the holidays. We will be flying into Buffalo the afternoon of December 17th and returning back via Buffalo December 24th. We are uncertain right now of any other details just yet but we are hoping to rent a car for our time there.
Now we have to find some friends and family who can tolorate us for a few days here and there.
On another note, the picture below is our apartment. It was a picture taken from twin peaks. Its kind of scary knowing people who go up there to view the city are so close to looking in our bedroom (bottom windows on the right.) You can even see our plastic table on the deck upstairs. Scary but kind of hot in ways ;-)
Posted by Des at 04:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 20, 2005
The Questions Answered from last weekend
So many have asked "what happened?""Did you find out?"
I guess I never updated here for those who read my blog.
I did find out what happened last Saturday night and its not as bad as I had thought.
I had apparently taken my clothes off in hopes of persuading others to do the same. They didnt!
I then passed out and Josh came to bed soon after. While I lay motionless, he had one of our friends enter our room asking for a condom. Well he got up and got out his toybox (thats where the condoms and lube were), and gave them to the other 2 so they could play.
So Im happy for them, happy that it wasnt something I should have remembered, but sad that no one got naked for pictures.
Hope that sums it up for everyone :)
Posted by Des at 11:23 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Questions Answered from last weekend
So many have asked "what happened?""Did you find out?"
I guess I never updated here for those who read my blog.
I did find out what happened last Saturday night and its not as bad as I had thought.
I had apparently taken my clothes off in hopes of persuading others to do the same. They didnt!
I then passed out and Josh came to bed soon after. While I lay motionless, he had one of our friends enter our room asking for a condom. Well he got up and got out his toybox (thats where the condoms and lube were), and gave them to the other 2 so they could play.
So Im happy for them, happy that it wasnt something I should have remembered, but sad that no one got naked for pictures.
Hope that sums it up for everyone :)
Posted by Des at 11:23 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 15, 2005
Harry Potter
Finally finished The Half Blood Prince this evening. The best of the series perhaps?
Posted by Des at 08:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Pictures
Mark Chester Photo's from Dore Alley Fair
Posted by Des at 05:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 14, 2005
Formula For Disaster
Baseball Game + Sun = heat exhaustion + cosmo's = disaster
So the game was kind of boring. Only 8 hits after the 5th inning closed. No runs as of yet. The 6th inning the Twins scored 2 runs and in the bottom of the 6th the A's scored 4. We left at that time for two reasons. 1. It was boring and 2. the sun was getting to me.
After getting the alcohol needed for the evening (citron, tropical blue pucker) the party was ready to start. It was nice to see everyone who came over and we all seemed to have a great time. Ken, Matt, Drew, Matt (the other Matt), Jay, Rick, Rob, Rick (the other Rick), and the 3 of us made for a great time. The problem is, I dont remember the ending.
Waking up this morning, I found that I had spilled a drink in the guest room, and broke a martini glass. Josh was nice enough to clean it up. I dont remember any of that. Then I find out that my pants and shirt were in the guest bedroom as well. Finally I went in there to find Josh's toy box out, condoms on the desk, and lube. Hmmmmm..... I dont remember that part either and being that Josh is in training today, I have to wait till he gets home to find out the answers.
Did I have sex? with who? Did I just take my clothes off in there and Josh had sex? Did someone else other than the two of us have sex? Things just dont make sense today.
So now Im hurting. My head is still pounding and I slept in until 11:15. For those who know me, Im usually up at the crack of dawn.
Those questions and more to be answered on the next episode of SOAP.
By the way, happy birthday to me today. I got a voice mail from my sister and my mom singing happy birthday, and a call from the CEO at work to wish me the same. The second one was just weird to me but nice. I dont think Ive ever had anyone from any job call me to wish me a happy birthday before.
Jay gave me a plant (a small tree actually) since apparently I took good care of his while he was away. Also everyone has said we need more plants. I still stand by the fact that I cant even keep a cactus alive. He also gave me three photos that he had taken at Dore Alley this year. Pictures!!!! Someone actually gave me pictures. This was a fantastic gift and something I would give someone else. For those of you who may get me something in the future, make note. I love getting photos....
So beer bust today? still not sure yet. Guess I should figure it out soon.
Posted by Des at 02:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 12, 2005
Today Part II
So work went quickly enough as it usually does. Not a lot of stress. They brought me in brownie bites and lemon cake for my birthday. It was kind of nice to be at a job where they actually show they care about their employees by acknowledging their birthday.
The last job, at CIGNA, which I shall now refer to as "that job" (for those who remember back while I was working there I had "that woman" to deal with), I was accused of being too peppy and cheerleader like when I suggested a birthday club. No one wanted to participate, even though I would have taken on the extra work to make it happen. God my life has changed so much for the better since "that job".
So after work I come home to an envelope in the mail from Excellus. After leaving the job just over a year ago, and getting everything I thought I had coming, I was surprised to see something in the mail from them. My first thought was that a friend who still works there sent something and then dismissed that idea for perhaps some kind of junk mail that would end up in the garbage. Surprisingly enough, it was a letter telling me I had enough time in there to receive a small pension. It wasnt a lot of money when I retire but just the same it was surprising to find out I had anything.
On to more exciting things. Chat Client!!!! For those of you who dont know (which is probably few), its a chat download that works with the gay.com server. The mac version has never been as good as the PC version although it looked pretty and had a few features that were different, unique and quite enjoyable. Still Ive longed for a better version. Now it seems they have it and Im quite pleased with the download. Still not quite up to par with the PC but its the closest thing yet. Im very pleased with that.
So thats about all. Heading down to Daddys tonight for a couple of drinks with Ste3ve. Ill probably make it an early evening since I have the baseball game tomorrow. I cant wait!!!!
Posted by Des at 08:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Another Week Bites The Dust
Its Friday morning and its been a busy week both at work and at home.
Im looking forward to the A's game tomorrow with my friend Rick. We're taking BART out to Oakland which will be my first time out to Oakland (and riding BART) since I was laid off at CIGNA.
Tomorrow night we are having our first get together of friends. We have about 10 people coming over for drinks and socializing. Wow we actually know people here now.
The party is sort of for my birthday Sunday but for me its been something Ive waneted to do for weeks now.
Sunday there are no definite plans but seeing how its the normal beer bust day and Josh will be intraining for a possible massage job, it seems beer bust would be a good idea.
So busy weekend and Im sure it will go by quick. Ill keep you posted.
Posted by Des at 03:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 10, 2005
Growing Up
On my way to work, sitting on the train, after the turnstile delayed my ticket for the $1.25 I put in. I ran to the train as it approached and now I sit and dream.
My childhood, kids, and the things we do. Your kids probably do these things too and you may never know.
Some of the things we did, seem dangerous today. Sliding down flights of stair on a mattress. Jumping over the railing instead of finishing the flight we were so anxious to complete. We had to get to the 1st floor as soon as possible after all, playtime was limited.
So some of the other stuff about the same age of 9. Hanging from the window that lead between the 1st and 2nd floor of the apartment. Probably (in my guess) only about 8 feet high, but to a boy about d foot high thats twice his size. Note to all kids, if you do this in front of the 5th floor window, where your mom can see, you may get caught. I did and theres nothing worse than hearing your moms voice screaming your full name.
Finally fireworks. Yes at 9 years old we were allowed to have fireworks. Ok not so allowed but if we did it wasnt a big deal (unless the cops show up). Outside our apartment they took our fireworks (my sister was smart and threw hers into the doorway.
Kids will be kids I guess regardless of time or age. Sometimes we forget that we too did possibly dangerous stuff. We grow up and forget.
Posted by Des at 09:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Growing Up
On my way to work, sitting on the train, after the turnstile delayed my ticket for the $1.25 I put in. I ran to the train as it approached and now I sit and dream.
My childhood, kids, and the things we do. Your kids probably do these things too and you may never know.
Some of the things we did, seem dangerous today. Sliding down flights of stair on a mattress. Jumping over the railing instead of finishing the flight we were so anxious to complete. We had to get to the 1st floor as soon as possible after all, playtime was limited.
So some of the other stuff about the same age of 9. Hanging from the window that lead between the 1st and 2nd floor of the apartment. Probably (in my guess) only about 8 feet high, but to a boy about d foot high thats twice his size. Note to all kids, if you do this in front of the 5th floor window, where your mom can see, you may get caught. I did and theres nothing worse than hearing your moms voice screaming your full name.
Finally fireworks. Yes at 9 years old we were allowed to have fireworks. Ok not so allowed but if we did it wasnt a big deal (unless the cops show up). Outside our apartment they took our fireworks (my sister was smart and threw hers into the doorway.
Kids will be kids I guess regardless of time or age. Sometimes we forget that we too did possibly dangerous stuff. We grow up and forget.
Posted by Des at 09:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 08, 2005
Back To The Basics
Back to the basics. The people I encounter day by day, the things I see.
This morning seems to be a mass hysteria. I get on Muni to find a man laughing hysterically all the way to Van Ness. No apparent reason except he was a bit mental.
Fine, its San Francisco, I expect to see this (or hear this) on occassion.
I exit and head up to Market to catch my bus. A woman from across the street starts laughing at apparently nothing. Im beginning to wonder am I going crazy?l
So every day I take the same train and the same bus. Theres a heavy set guy who is always on the same route. Nothing unusual except when we wait for the bus.
He makes a point to wait for the bus on one side and then runs quickly around to the other side in order to get in front of everyone else. Whats he in a rush for? To get a seat on an empty bus? Perhaps to get to the donut shop he runs into every morning when we get off at the same stop?
Posted by Des at 07:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 06, 2005
Magic Carpet Ride
While my sister was here, the 3 of us (Josh, Michele and I) went down to Pier 39. We did a "no obligation" magic carpet ride in which they made a DVD. It was so funny, we bought the DVD.
I finally figured out how to extract the audio & video and convert it to a quicktime movie. I found a nifty program called Cinematize which did all the work. The page, after compressed ended up being 5.5MB which I uploaded to my website.
For your view pleasure I present Magic Carpet Ride
Posted by Des at 01:04 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 03, 2005
More Photos
More pictures from my sisters visit.Fishermans Wharf/Pier 39/Alcatraz Golden Gate Bridge/Grace Cathedral Dore Alley Fair
Posted by Des at 06:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 02, 2005
A Week In Review
So my sisters visit was a success. We dropped her off at the airport this morning. She started to cry, which made me cry as well. It was nice to have her here for the week but really wish she could have stayed longer. I get the feeling in some ways, she wishes it was shorter lol.
The food situation went better than I expect (which means it wasnt a total disaster). I come from a family of meat eaters and I do enjoy my meat as well, however my diet nowadays doesnt consist of a lot of meat. Mostly vegitables, healthier whole foods, and rice dishes. Although Ive gotten used to some of the foods, I still enjoy meat once in a while.
My sister on the other hand is used to meat with just about every meal. You have your meat, your vegitable on the side, and something else like bread (of course its regular bread made with enriched flour).
So trying to comprimise between one extreme and the other seemed like a difficult task. It went well however its a good thing both Josh and Michele were both willing to sacrafice some things.
So lets see.. We went to China Town, Union Square, Pier 39, Alcatraz, Fishermans Wharf, we ate at Joes, Grace Cathedral (along with its Labrynth), Golden Gate Bridge, and so much more. Still there seemed like there wasnt enough time to do everything.
We had fun though and did have time to relax. We took lots of video and pictures and thanks to iMovie and iDVD, I was able to put it all on a DVD for her to take home.
So lets see. The highlights being Fishermans Wharf & Pier 39. We made a video on the "magic carpet ride" ride. Its defintely a must see video. Its funny and its a great souvenier.
China town was great. Lots of great deals on Tshirts and keep sakes. Alcatraz was very educational and I actually learned more than I expected to learn. I learned that Alcatraz was originally a different island and when the english confused it with Yuba Beuna Island (which was originally Alcatraz) and started calling it by the wrong name, it caught on and there was a huge debate as to which island was which.
It was also interesting learning how it was at one time just a place they sent minimum security prisoners to work before ever building the prison. They later used those same inmates to build their own cells. One built, they realized how many problems there were with the structure and the salt water was destroying it from within.
Later during the depression it was closed for funding, put up for sale, taken over by native americans which lead to partiers, leading to several fires (which are unsolved mysteries), and eventually the government reclaiming it and putting it up for sale again. During the time it was in use there was many famous criminals such as The Birdman, Al Capone, and Machine Gun Kelly. Eventually the government decided to make it a landmark, preserve the grounds and the history and make it into a state park.
Ok enough about that. The best thing of all was the down time we spent. Just relaxing on the deck and talking. Enjoying a stupid movie, cooking dinner, or even playing on the computer. It was nice that she could come see what life was like for me in CA.
Finally Dore Alley Fair. It wasnt as "unusual" as it has been in previous years. Does that make it unusual in its own? There seemed to be less people naked, less people getting spanked or flogged, and less people performing unnatural acts.
The biggest part of the afternoon was when the music stopped. Someone asked me what happened to the music and I just assumed they were changing DJs. After about 10 minutes of silence, there was chatter. As we looked over to where the dance floor was, there was a chain of people blocking off the area. Behind them you saw a body covered in yellow plastic. Someone had died.
There was a rumor that they jumped but from where it was unknown. The newspaper didnt have anything on it either. I still would like to know what happened.
With that all, it was still nice to see (and hang out with) some friends. From the list, Ben & Steve were there, Matt, Jay, and Rick. Of course Steve, Michele, Josh and I were all hanging out. It was nice to go this year with a larger group of people that I now know rather than in the past few years not knowing anyone.
So that sums it up. The past week in review. Back to work today and back to the normal existance. I do miss my sister though.
Posted by Des at 08:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack