Student Benefits

ILife 08, $99 normally, $39 at my student bookstore. This program has enabled me to be able to take advantage of .mac's web gallery feature. It is pretty impressive. It allows me to have a professional gallery without messing around with HTML or any code what-so-ever. I have tested the waters with some shots that mostly Sue took from Zach and Janelle's wedding. I will add more in the future-I had 11 hours of school today, I'm tired! I hope to create galleries of all friends, family, events, etc that I currently have where you will actually be able to download decent files or even upload ones of your own. Check it out, let me know what you think. Here's the LINK.

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Froisland

The deed is done. A happy couple indeed. The wedding was absolutely beautiful and a really great time. Congratulations to these two and I'll be sharing some pictures in the near future. As of now, I am tired and going to bed. I start school tomorrow :)

Goin' South

Well, this Saturday is the day. The day Zach gets married. Sue and I are heading to S. Ca. tomorrow morning. Looking forward to some good times and a great friend tying the knot with a great gal. Have a great weekend.

Peter, Paul, and Mary...Minus Paul and Mary

Tonight Kayla's school was launching a new wing addition. To my knowledge they had announced that they would be singing "Puff the Magic Dragon" to honor this event. I had no idea that Peter (Peter wrote this song in 1959 I believe) would actually be singing the song. I remember seeing this trio either in St. Louis or Kansas City multiple years ago. I was maybe around 5. Nor can I remember who took me. It was either my father or mother or maybe even both of them when they were still together. Someone remind me. But I really remember them singing that song. "Puff the Magic Dragon lives by the sea, and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honnalee," or something like that. How cool. Any way...I had total freedom to shoot this concert and it was fun. Peter was a pro with all these kids. He brought 30 or so of them on stage and let them sing the song through his microphone. He was really touched that a 4 year old knew the words to his song word for word and almost shed some real tears. I'll share a few from tonight. Have a great weekend!

Penny For Your Thoughts

This was taken with my lens that I thought may be messed up. Since removing the old filter, I am getting some nice results.

The Second Year

I had to...a quick little slideshow set to some sappy music. Go ahead, turn it up.

2nd Birthday

Thanks everyone for coming, and Ava thanks you for all her great gifts. We all had a really great time especially Ava because her Cousin Jessica and Aunt Becky pushed her on the swing forever! There was no Lawn Bowling :) but we did have food, the park, an incident with the San Jose Police (someone actually showed up at 1 pm and tried to tell us that they reserved the spot we were in. Ya right! We waited there since sunrise. The police told the other group to find somewhere else to go. It's a public park, and there are no reservations.), cake, and presents.

The Mail

Patiently waiting for weeks, checking the mailbox with serious anticipation and days of disappointment, today was the day. A great party for Ava's second birthday, pictures to follow, the letter I had awaited finally arrived, the pass/fail letter from the CHP. Sue and I crossed paths as I was heading back from the park to grab some steaks to BBQ and Sue was bringing the cooked beans from the house to our picnic tables. Sue asked, "Where are you going?" I explained the above. She requested I grab the piece of paper from her pocket due to her hands being full from the load of beans she carried. I grabbed the letter with the initials CHP on the return to sender section. I admit, my heart raced. Sue requested that I walk back to our picnic section to open the letter in her presence after I had finished my task back at the house. The letter went in my pocket and I started replaying the interview in my head. Fail, Pass, what did they think of me now?

I arrived back to our picnic section, immediately sought out Sue and opened the letter. "You have obtained a PASSING score in the state civil service examination for Cadet, California Highway Patrol (CHP)."

Back into backgrounds I go. I was extremely excited and visually saw myself moving forward once again. So, those of you they contact in regards to this matter, please do not disclose my addictions to heroin and hookers!

After Dinner Park Time

2 Years Old

See ya there!

The Student

After many years and an incomplete degree later I am officially a student again. At 28 years old, I am enrolled in 4 total classes, and on the waiting list for one. The lineup includes Photography, Digital Imaging, World History, American History, and Environmental Studies. Guess I need to take some history to finish this one up. I start September 24th and regardless of the outcome with the CHP I should be able to finish this quarter without any interruption. Big thanks to Mom who has offered to cover tuition, books, and supplies. Mom says my grandfather would have wanted for me to do this and is more than happy to help see it done. Thanks Mom and I'll do you proud PoPo!

10 Years Old

Tomorrow Kayla turns 10! Double digits! Yesterday, we had a swim party to celebrate over at Kayla's Dad's house. The party was complete with steak, chicken, sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers, sides, cupcakes, cookies, etc., pinata, and a raffle (conducted by Kayla). It was a really good time and Kayla came away with some serious bounty. An IPod Nano, art supplies, clothes, misc toys, and around $160 cash.