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Experiment 2: Strengths Finder 2.0
NYC: Everything Changes/Nothing Changes
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
This is a quick post while on vacation in NYC, as I go running around the city in a haze of nostalgia.
I’ve pretty much done nothing touristy. I’ve just been wandering about, visiting my old haunts. It’s been great! It’s been a real effort trying to get myself to relax. I spent one day pretty much just reading, and that was some effort! While Harry Potter is a truly addictive series, it was hard to sit and read because I kept thinking, “I should really be doing all kinds of ‘New-York-ish’ kinds of things!” Really, what I needed (and still need) is some thinking space where I’m not focused on work or extra projects. Phew! So it’s been great.
It’s funny, about this city, I kept looking for my old favorite restaurants and hangouts and found that a lot of them have moved or closed! Even Washington Square Park is totally uprooted right now because they’re renovating it or something. The Vegan Dosas guy who has his cart by the park wasn’t their either. The restaurant, RICE, moved, and even my bank had some emergency that required 4 emergency vehicles screaming in just as I was about to withdraw some cash. In the end, I still had Bruno Bakery. Phew! One can always count on their high-calorie, oh-so-yummy treats! Even their normally bad service was missing! I was amazed!
The Upper West Side, unlike NYU’s neighborhood, has not changed at all. It was all so familiar. So stable. So...boring. Hahaha just kidding. I also got to run through the park to take some photographs. The new header is from Central Park. 
I do miss that place!
I’ve gotten to see a lot of friends like Ian and So-Young, Jan (my professor), and all the church peeps from Advent Hope. I’ll post pics next time. That’s all for now. So far it’s been great! And really relaxing! Ah, could you ask for anything more?
A Photog-full Weekend
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
On Friday last week, I got a new lens for my Nikon D-80!
Ever since I met Ben Ho at work, it’s been a dark spiral downward into the world of super-consumerism of photographic equipment. What i really mean, is suddenly i *need* all kinds of stuff I never needed before. It’s amazing!
One of these purchases that I needed and had no idea how much I needed was my new lens: a Nikkor AF 50 mm f1.8. I never knew what I was missing until I met you, o beautious lens!
So promptly spent the entire weekend photography anything that would move. I took about 6 gigs of photos. W00t! Here are the links to the photogs that I shot:
Worship at Hollywood SDA Church
People up on stage, people in the pews, and people chowing down! I LOVE potluck!
“Kodomo no Hi” - Boys’ Day
I went to Irvine to celebrate Boys’ Day with my little nephew Joshua and his new friend Brandon. And by new, i mean brand spanking new! He was just born!
Saturday Night: Shootin’ the Breeze
After returning from Irvine, a couple of us got together just to talk, have rootbeer floats, and half-heartedly play card games. Most of these shots are actually by Kimi. I was too busy eating ice cream. Yum!
Kimi’s Photoshoot: Part A
Sunday was an all day photoshoot for Kimi. I’ve only been able to upload the first part, which were the outdoor shots. The theme was “The Neighborhood Artist.” (I’m not sure if Kimi even knew that since I just made that up on the spot! haha). The second part is a studio shoot. Thanks to Rommel, he brought all KINDS of lighting equipment! Most of them I don’t even know what they’re called! A beauty dish, a reflector, an umbrella, a snoot, backdrop, etc. My apartment could barely hold it all! I haven’t finished post-production editing on those yet, so stay tuned for more of those. You can see some of Rommel’ shots here.
Phew! What a fun weekend! I can’t wait til i get more equipment! Oh noes! I’m hooked!
Photoshoot: Marci
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
This was the most recent photoshoot from this past week. A little impromptu, but still good results!
Marci has been my friend for a very long time. This weekend I finally got a chance to photograph her. Using my normal “ghetto studio” tricks, we managed to get some very nice shots. In some of them, I think she almost looks like Jodi Foster. She has really soulful hazel eyes that just grab your attention.
Here are some of the shots from that day:
I really like this photo even tho it’s a little blurry and the lighting is weird. Mostly because her smile is so natural. Too bad it’s not in focus.
Josh the Poo Bazooka Gets a Cleanin' from Auntie Kat
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Would you believe that before today, I’ve NEVER changed a diaper before?
Yeah. Pretty amazing. I’ve managed to escape cleaning baby bottoms for 30 years. But now, with the advent of Josh, my time has come. My number was called. There was no escaping.
Luckily, it wasn’t what people keep calling a “blow out.” Doesn’t that just sound like tire trouble on the freeway? I think it was Dan who described one such blow out where it managed to escape the diaper and explode out all the way up the child’s back and into her hair.
...Like I said, I’m lucky Josh didn’t have a blow out. I think that would have stopped any future “bazooka cleaning” excursions.
Anyway, it wasn’t nearly as horrifying as expected. I’m not saying it wasn’t traumatic seeing stuff that looked vaguely like curried cottage cheese all up in the diaper, but there were thankfully many layers of “stuff” in between it and me: diaper, wipes, another diaper, latex gloves, goggles for eye protection (in case of said blow out), smock, rubber apron, those yellow full-body protection suits + helmets they had in the movie Outbreak… Yeah, I was ready!
So now I’ve officially wiped a baby’s bottom.
And boy do I feel accomplished.
Now why did people want me to do this so badly again?
Kick. Push. Coast.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
I just bought a skateboard. I’m not sure why. I just wanted to.
The only problem is that i have no idea how to ride. Yeah, that’s right. NO IDEA. Anyone want to teach me? I’d love for someone to help me *not* crack my skull open. I don’t want to do anything fancy; just to ride and not fall off. No crazy aerials or anything.
Then Lennox sent me a link to Lupe Fiaso’s song, “Kick Push.” Just thought I’d share:
And please, somebody teach me how to coast!
One of the Job Options They Never Mention in School
Friday, April 04, 2008
My cow-orker, Larry, told me about a job called “Chick Sexing.”
I know what you’re going to say! “What kind of dirty thing is she writing about?” But I say NAY my friend! It is nothing dirty at all in that manner in which you think it is dirty!
According to wikipedia, Chick Sexing or Chicken Sexing “is the method of distinguishing the sex of chicken hatchlings, usually by a trained person called a chick sexer or chicken sexer."
So if you have children who really want to broaden their career opportunities, tell them about this new job I’ve found! And when you ask little Timmy, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” you’ll be prouder than punch when he says, “I want to be a CHICKEN SEXER!”