My Underutilized iPhone Camera

While I love using my Nikon (D80 or D90) I often times overlook the incredible resolution and crispness I get from my iPhone 4's camera.

Contemplating evolution (SO3 Ranch)

I'm one of those "wired in" kinda guys that will not leave his house without my phone.  This past weekend I didn't feel like lugging around my D80 while going out w/ my friends, but I felt like taking pictures.  So, while toying w/ the idea of just using my iPhone for a few weeks to capture shots, I pulled out my phone and fired a few ones.





While it does not have the control and will require quite a bit more post production to get the look I want, this phone will get the job done.

Shooting Skeet 

Nailing shots, I have learned, is being in the right place at the perfect time at the perfect angle.
If any Apple programer are out there, find me a why to set my ISO and shutter speeds and we'll be cooking w/ gas :) Though, that will be asking quite a bit coming from a point and shoot PHONE.

Poker w/ Professors

 MOST of the people reading this blog have a phone on them at this very moment.  Some may even have iPhone 4s as well. I want to challenge you all and at least twice today, while checking your email and Facebook status, shoot a picture of where you're at (let's hope it's not in the can) and upload it to FB.

You might be amazed at what you discover when you look up from your social media and actually become social.
Albeit, many may check statuses while, shall we say, indisposed, (please spare us THOSE pictures); instead while at dinner, in traffic, waiting in line at the store, fire a shot and upload what you see to your FB.  

Gib Lewis in his trophy room (SO3 Ranch)

I really look forward to seeing what people come up with and how you guys view your lives or what you think is pleasing to the eye.  

Call it a social experiment; we can see who can jump on and post a picture of where we are at and what we are doing at particular time.  Example?  At 1:37pm (CST) I will most likely be at work.  I could take a picture of my workstation, co-worker, the classified door I have to pass through and leave my phone and all recording devices behind. 

"Studying" at Half Acre Hall, Flying Saucer- Ft. Worth

Texas Sunrise

Or we could set an alarm and fire a shot 6:42pm (CST), some of us may be out with friends, getting dinner, on our way home from work, on our way to school.

Texas Sunset

So for the rest of you wired-in folks out there have fun with this little experiment and good luck playing with your cameras phones.  I hope to see plenty of interesting, quirky, inventive and imaginative pictures.  Forward this along and let's see just who is up for it. 

My Trip to Six Flags Over Texas

Last Friday, the building I work out of was closed for some reason or another.  Having the day off and not having anything really to do I treated myself to an afternoon of thrill rides at Six Flags Over Texas.

The climb

I could not remember the last time I went to Six Flags, some things change yet some things stay the same.

They recently "updated" the Texas Giant thus prompting my motivation to go.   I loved the Giant ever since I first rode it.  Many would complain about the roaring headache this wooden beast would give its riders but for me I found it pure excitement.



While waiting for in the line the anticipation of riding this incredible feat of modern engineering what I couldn't get over was how quiet the roller coaster actually is.  The rattle and squeaks that came from the old Giant were replaced by a slight whisper from the rails and fearful screams from the riders. 

From wood to steel

When I saw the 79• drop I knew I was in for some fun.  I was not disappointed.

The anticipation is palpable

The 79• DROP!

This drop started the show and the thrills continued the entire ride.  Where some rides slow down in the middle (to keep us passengers from flying off) this Giant pauses long enough to inhale before it takes your breath away again through it's high angle turns and plenty of "hang time".

Coming out of a high angled turn

"Adios"

The update created an extremely fast and exciting ride that glides like a skater over ice (yes it's that smooth).  

As I rode roller coasters a scene from "Parenthood" came to mind.  An old lady described how some people love the Merry-go-round and others loved roller coasters.  (metaphors for life)  Where the merry-go-round is fun but it's safe and not exciting. The roller coaster will surprise and excite you and is not as safe.

I came up with this metaphor while walking in the park:  We live our lives normally waiting/planning/working toward goals  (ie we wait in line).   As this line progresses we see alternatives to these goals but the steadfast will remain (deciding to skip this ride and try again later or carry forward).  Once the goal is in sight we can either choose to take a small reward or put forth the effort and strive for something better. (do we ride the middle now or wait for the front?)

High Angled Turn

The ride itself begins with the climb.  We wait, we anticipate, we regret, we have anxiety build, but there's nothing we can do at this point.

The drop is what happens to us some idle Thursday at 1:37pm when we discover our well-laid plans go wrong and we scramble to get back.  The stress that we face and hardships we endure are all part of our ride.  WE have the choice to either fight the ride, (we'll end up w/ a headache) or raise our hands and realize our path is set and enjoy it as much as we can.

'57 Bel Air Converted train

What is YOUR Theme Song?

My good friend asked me what's theme song.  I hadn't thought about it for quite a while and I told her the concept of theme song reminded me of Ally McBeal.  (no Ooga-chacka babies here). 
To answer her question my currently them song is "The Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars.

This song inspires me to take a moment for myself and relax. 

I like the idea of theme songs and often times have a soundtrack running through my head.  For the past week it has been Toby Keith's "I wanna talk about me" and "Just the way you are" by Bruno Mars.  Back when I started law school I had "Dear Prudence" - Beatles and Across the Universe Soundtrack versions running in my head.  The Prudence (juris if you mind the pun) kept my grades up, perhaps I should start listening to it again.

Theme songs should inspire us and keep us moving forward on our journey.  Like Rocky's theme did for him.  In my studies I learned about Salsa (music not food).  It's origins came from the Cuban Son as part of the practice of Santeria.  According to what I read the spirits would take over the body and force the person to move.  When you think about this Theme songs possess our bodies and vitalize us with positive energy.  It's music wonderful?  To quote Dan Koffman "not all art hangs on walls." 

What is your theme song?

The silence is deafening

My family left for Brazil last week for three weeks of cooler weather (it's winter down there).  I have kept busy though, with school during the week, mediation classes last weekend and Drill this weekend.
Having the family gone means the house is REALLY quiet.  Usually the house has my wife watching something, my son watching/playing something, and me finding some place quiet to relax after work.
Now, I have all the silence I can handle and its deafening.  My dogs are no good for conversation.  They hang out at home all day and don't watch much TV or read anything.  The other day we discussed why Jake enjoyed sleeping under the bed and why Stewie likes to sleep on it.  It turns out, Jake likes having the darkness so he can get those extra few minutes before the day starts and Stew likes the comfort.
To-MAY-toes, To-MAH-Toes.
With my family gone it's not much different for me.  I'm still working and schooling like I used to, except now I get to pick what to watch on TV or play as many games of Starcraft 2 that I want.  The solitude is overbearing at times though.

I took a lazy day yesterday, I woke up and, to quote Bruno Mars:  "Today I don't feel like doing anything..." It was what I needed.  I relaxed played Portal 2 attended a meeting for the betterment of school, then had lunch/drinks w my friend Martin.
Besides the drive to and from Fort Worth (hour+ in 100 degree heat, return trip), the day was relaxing.

When I got home I return my couch and power up the PS3, flipped between portal 2 and the mavs, (don't really watch until the 5 min left of the 4th quarter.  Why do they HAVE make it so close?  Incredible game, congrats Mavs, now do it two more times.