What a week already! Monday, I’m doing some work on my PC and then knocked a beverage over onto my keyboard. In all my years of working with computers (more than 20), this is the first time I’ve ever done that. If it was water, it wouldn’t have been as big a deal but it wasn’t. After some quick disassembly and wiping off, I got the keyboard workable again however some keys and other controls stick a little.

Also this week, I noticed that the music at the office coming off my iPod seemed to be playing a shorter version of the 198 song playlist I put together. Sure enough, I was watching the iPod screen when it changed songs and is started skipping songs randomly, sometimes by the dozens. Well, something happened to it that screwed up some of the directories and now my iPod has gone stupid. 6000+ songs and it’s jacked up. When an Apple product messes up on you, the end times are near.

As I type this, I’m waiting on my newly “reset” iPod to sync back up with the music on my PC. Theoretically, this should fix it.

A few weeks ago, you’ll remember the power supply in my 2nd PC here at home died. Grrrr…

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Before I got TOO behind in my movie viewing, I headed out to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3 last night. I had seen the previous flicks in the series so I had to keep going with it. I enjoyed it although some of the dialog was a bit difficult to understand. If you go see the movie, you’ll understand what I mean. There were a BUNCH of new characters introduced (other pirates) each adding their own personalities to the mix to some degree. The visuals were great also. To me, the best part was when the ships got in close for a final cannon battle. The CG was INTENSE.

I still have to see Spiderman 3, Shrek 3 and 300. I missed 300 in the theater so I’ll be adding that to my DVD collection probably.

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When it’s early in the morning on a SATURDAY, I’m not too particular about my appearance. By the time I realized that my hair would scare off children and adults alike, I had already left my house and was on the way. The only thing I had was a bandanna so - doo-rag time.

I couldn’t believe how many people showed up Saturday morning for the balloon launch. Folks were EVERYWHERE! I could have gotten a pass for VIP parking but didn’t think I would need one because of the time of day. WRONG. I was still able to get a somewhat decent parking space despite that.

Lesa snapped this photo of me as I was doing my thing.

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After yesterday’s early morning shooting the balloons, my break in the action was short-lived as I had to head over to Huntsville to help shoot a wedding with some friends of mine. We looked like a team of paparazzi following the bridal party around but between all of us, there was some really nice shots.

Very busy times though - shot from 3 till about 10. That made for a pretty long day. I was glad to get home, take a shower and then crawl into bed.

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Just a quick post so ya’ll know I’ve not fallen off the blogging wagon again. I shot this particular photo at Point Mallard this morning as the balloons were launching for the hound and hare race. This is all a part of the Alabama Jubilee celebration we have here each Memorial Day weekend. This weekend marks the 30th anniversary.

The black, pink and white thing being inflated to the left is the Energizer bunny balloon. I’ll have more pics later including more of that one.

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It was a Mary Poppins dance recital photography extravaganza this weekend. From Friday nights rehearsal to the 2 shows on Saturday and the one show today, I’ve been on the go. There are plenty of dance numbers and plenty of kids to photograph so I spent most of the shows (approx. 3 hours each) with one of these cameras in front of my face.

Both cameras are the same - the only difference being the lenses. One I use for short range (24-70mm) and the other for long (70-200mm). This is the ideal situation as I don’t have to hassle with switching lenses, just pick up the other camera body and use the one I need at the moment.

A big thanks to my buddy Richard for shooting along with me at the Saturday night show.

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A photographer buddy of mine - Jonathan is his name also, swung by my place this evening to hang out a bit and shoot some photos of me on my drums at home. Check out one of the shots he took over on his blog. Big thanks to him for coming out AND more importantly an early congratulations to him and his fiance’ as they get married next weekend!

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my own crap breaks. ESPECIALLY something computer related. Luckily, it’s not my main PC at home but my other backup PC. I have that set up for when other people need to print something or access the internet or whatever when I have guests. My sister needs to use it and guess what? I think the power supply died in it. I did have a few extra power supplies but you know what? I gave most of them away to friends when THEIR PC’s power supplies died.  Time for a trip to the store I believe.

My tv in the kitchen seems like it’s trying to warn me to set aside some cash for a repair fund. It makes this weird humming or dull buzzing sound intermittently. Bear with a moment while I put my geek beanie on. I think its the flyback transformer going bad. That’s not something I know how to fix. Okay, beanie’s off again. I could put a flat panel TV in there to replace it. That would be quite a technology contrast as my current TV (which isn’t that old really) sits on a wood burning stove (that I don’t use) in the corner of the kitchen. Now, if something ever happens to the power during the winter, I can toss a couple of logs in there and get a fire cranked up and it gets good and warm - it also gets that fireplace smell going on. Back to the TV. A flat panel in there sounds sexy. I’ll have to put that on my list.

Anyone else watch HEROS tonight? Hiro’s dad turns out to have some crazy sword skillz. I think the finale is next week. I’ll have to be sure and catch that.

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After weeks of yapping about going for some sushi, schedules finally worked out for Sommer and I. Lunch was very satisfying. We got caught up on all that we each had going on before heading out to the remainder of our respective appointments this afternoon.

Here, Sommer’s eaten out the contents of her spicy tuna roll. You actually eat the whole thing but this was one of her last two pieces and just playing around with them. I ate the other left over one. All of it… coz that’s how I roll.

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The past few days have been busy ones for me as I’ve gotten caught up on things around the house now that it’s just me again. My parents made it safely back to the other side of the globe without any mishaps or lost luggage. When you travel that far with a lot of luggage, its nothing short of a miracle that nothing gets hosed up.

Let’s see… oh, my car is fixed now from last weeks attack from a tire retread. The body shop had my part painted and ready to install Wednesday and only needed my car for about 2 hours to get the new bumper cover in place. I’m glad that’s all taken care of. Gotta give props to my insurance company for handling my claim so quickly and the body shop for delivering on time. To recap:

Thursday, May 3: hit by HUGE tire tread just east of Birmingham ripping up my front bumper cover

Friday, May 4: brought 2 body shop estimates to my insurance agent’s office at lunch

Monday, May 7: got check from insurance company at lunch - called body shop to tell them to order my parts

Tuesday, May 8: body shop confirms they got my parts in and begin prepping and painting it

Wednesday, May 9: car back to normal by 1:30 PM

That’s how it’s supposed to work right there I tell ya.

Saturday I spent doing mostly domestic stuff in the morning then had a quick photo thing I needed to shoot at a local fishing tournament. Saw a few folks I knew there suprisingly. Later on that evening, a photographer buddy of mine was shooting an assignment at a outdoor concert and asked if I wanted to tag along. It sounded like fun so I went. Got a few quick shots of my own before heading out. This one here is of the opening act, Shannon Brown - a country music artist. She wasn’t too hard on the eyes.

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