Da Goddess

« December 2007 | Main | February 2008 »

January 29, 2008

Cameras, Photos, and Deals, Oh My!

Some extremely nice person wrote to ask me about the photo shoot I just did. While I'm pleased with most of the images, I see where I'm lacking and what I have to reshoot. I was having issues with my camera early on and I was so uncomfortable because I felt extremely unprofessional. No backup camera. Nothing. All I had was a quick fix plan that I prayed would work. It did. But I was still left feeling like I had failed to complete my assignment properly.

When I look at the photos (see link above), I have a few favorites. I'm also picking apart everything that's wrong with them. I can usually critique my own work fairly well, although I tend to pick things apart more than most people would.

So what do I see? Imperfect color balance. Sure, I can do some post-production work on them, but it's not true to life color that I would like. I see digital noise and loss of sharpness due to 1) my camera's limits and 2) aging equipment. It happens with fixed-lens cameras. There's no way to properly clean sensors or between glass. It just can't be done unless you have someone take the whole thing apart (which costs as much as a replacement cam).

I also see a limited field. I can't just pop on a wide-angle lens and compensate for close quarters.

Even with all those criticisms, I am proud of some of the portraits. If you knew this band, and their energy, the little bit of playfulness in a few shots makes perfect sense. I'm proud that I managed to get any of that when I think of how I had to stop shooting to fix my fussy camera. I mean, I lost some of the momentum with the band. I lost the immediacy. They started wandering off. It's not how I operate. Had my camera functioned properly, I would have kept shooting and the guys would have stayed focused and loose. Do those two terms even belong in the same sentence? Well, yes. It's a precious thing that happens when you're on a roll.

Immediate solution to immediate problem: retake the headshots. Maybe borrow a better camera for the group shot.

Longterm solution: get new gear.

I mentioned briefly a while back that I'd had an offer to help me get a new camera. There are stipulations and the like, but it's a viable plan. But only if I have help.

So here's what was offered to me.

I have to raise money -- through donations. All funds raised can only be put toward new gear. I can't pay rent or bills with that money. The whole idea being that a good camera will allow me to earn money to pay for the necessities. All funds raised will be matched, dollar for dollar, by people who believe in my photography. I also have to come up with a print portfolio (which I've started) to show potential clients. I'm responsible for developing my own clients (and I've already had, thanks to this last job, referrals to other bands and to a community events planning board). If I raise more money (coupled with the matching funds) than I need to buy the camera I want, I must use those funds to invest in lenses and other essentials.

Which cameras am I looking at? The Canon Rebel XTi and the Nikon D40x. Both are approximately 10MP and come with a 2GB card and 18-55mm lenses. One offers a bonus 55-200mm lens. If I go through Costco, I'm looking to spend between $650-800 on the camera itself. In store, the price is comparable. I will eventually need to look into more lenses and lighting, but I can likely borrow until then. I'm also looking at other vendors, but few can match the bulk rate discount Costco does. I could drop to 6 or 8MP and spend less, but photography trends dictate the need for better resolution NOW. (I just missed another magazine opportunity because of my puny 3.2MP situation.) I'm approaching this as an investment in my future ability to earn a living outside of nursing. I'm not looking to remain a hobby photographer. And I'm not looking to invest way out of my range because I'm realistic. I know I can work with either camera and produce quality results. If I can manage to do good work with crap, imagine what I can do with better gear! I also want to keep costs down to be able to raise the money needed in a shorter time frame.

I'm serious as hell about making this happen. I don't have a husband to help me out of my current situation. Nor do I have a house against which I could take a loan. I'm not asking for reasons of vanity or entitlement. I want to make life work for me instead of working against me (or feeling as such). I can't wait for my work comp case to settle. I can't wait to win the lottery (I don't even play). I have to make it happen and this is my chance.

As I've mentioned to a few people, asking for help is very hard for me to do. However, I feel some opportunities are worth taking the risk. This is worth the risk.

It's a doable plan, but only if I get those donations. Do you believe in my eye? Do you like what you see? Brother (sister), can you spare a dime?

Update: I've adjusted my goal a bit after being yelled at for not considering sales tax and shipping (I've found I can get a better price on a camera and two lenses by going through a company my friend uses). For once, I'm heeding advice from those who know and those who are interested in me getting the best deal possible. They speak, I listen.

Posted by Da Goddess at 01:08 AM | Comments (6)

January 27, 2008

Da Goddess and the Blustery Night

It's super windy. As in W.I.N.D.Y.

Not unlike the night Winnie-the-Pooh met Tigger. Owl's house is blowing to and fro in the most perilous way. (I'm really glad I live on the bottom floor of this complex.) All the creatures in the Hundred Acre Wood are a little unnerved. (I'm a little unnerved, if only because wind always reminds me of tornadoes.) And Pooh hears something. So he decides to let the strange noise in.

Tigger pounces Pooh.

Tigger: [Sitting on Pooh's stomach] Well, who are you?
Winnie-the-Pooh: I'm Pooh.
Tigger: Oh. Well, what's a pooh?
Winnie-the-Pooh: You're sitting on one.

I don't have any strange noises per se, nor am I Pooh, but I do feel a song coming on. And what a fine song it is.

The Wonderful thing about Tiggers
Is Tiggers are wonderful things
Their tops are made out of rubber
Their bottoms are made out of springs

They're bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy
Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun
But the most wonderful thing about Tiggers is
I'm the only one.

The wonderful thing about Tiggers
Is Tiggers are wonderful chaps
They're loaded with vim and vigor
They love to leap in your laps.
They're jumpy, bumpy, clumpy, thumpy
Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun
But the most wonderful thing about Tiggers is
I'm the only one
Tiggers are cuddly fellows
Tiggers are awfully sweet
Everyone else is jealous
That's why I repeat
The wonderful thing about Tiggers
Is Tiggers are wonderful things
Grrrrrrr!

Posted by Da Goddess at 05:57 AM | Comments (0)

Train to Happy Town

Geico has some great commercials. Yes, indeedy, they do. Little Dude and I are currently stuck on the one where the Pips "tell the story" about a woman's accident.

Woman: Blah blah blah blah blah.

The Pips: Ohh ooh, fender bender.

Woman: Blah blah blah

The Pips: Rental car smells like sunshine!

Woman: Blah blah blah blah blah

The Pips: Take a train to Happy Town, woo woo!

...

The Pips: Woo woo...

LD and I amuse ourselves by singing this narrative to one another. Our timing is impeccable. And, really, for him being a kid and me being absolutely devoid of all musical talent, that's a pretty remarkable accomplishment.

As I was dropping him off at his dad's house 12 hours ago, we were singing and laughing and having a good ol' time. I had a board meeting for the blues society, then had a photo shoot with a band, followed by a three band party (send off), and a super bonus surprise of an act. Quite honestly, I had no clue (or at least I didn't remember) this other act was performing in the evening. I haven't been out of the house for three weeks. This was a big day for me. I started off in such a good mood. Had a great time with everything. Really. I mean, I actually danced for the first time in three and a half years. Granted, it wasn't massive booty shaking sort of stuff, but I did get out on the dance floor and move to the music (brought to you by none other than Jack Daniels). One song. One dance. Nothing major. Just fun. I was in Happy Town.

So why can't my foray to Happy Town last more than a few hours? I beg of you to tell me why I must pay for a couple hours of happiness. Why?

I returned home (with a half dozen donuts I'd won in a raffle) only to find my roommate had blocked the door with three big, heavy boxes. I could open the door a few inches. Despite the fact I knew I'd pay even more for it, I mustered all my strength and gradually pushed the door open a few more inches, moved the end table by the door over as much as I could, and eventually squeezed my way in.

WTF?!?!?!!??

You know, the guy goes out to the doctor's office and doesn't return for a day and a half, two days. No phone call or anything. No warning (other than saying he's going to the doc's). Sometimes I can't even pick LD up from school without the car because of this. Fine. I make a call and keep my cool. He needs to blow off steam or go let loose? Fine. I get that. But then I go to an event that he's fully aware of (along with a general time frame) and show up an hour or two late and get boxes in front of the door? And nasty notes? W. T. F.?

All my happy fun feeling runs right the fuck out of me. Gone.

My son acts more mature than this.

Where the hell are the Pips when I need them?

Posted by Da Goddess at 01:10 AM | Comments (2)

January 24, 2008

All I Want For...Um...Today

The minute I saw it, I fell head over heels in love with this delightful, eco-friendly "trophy" from Cardboard Safari. There are three designs and each is available in small, medium, and/or large. Prices range from $14-48.

I've always loved dimensional art. I'm practically swooning over these! Thanks to Chris Jessee and Luis Rodrigalvarez from Virginia for creating such fun art pieces.

From the website:

Cardboard is a 100% recyclable, non-toxic, environmentally friendly product. Our raw cardboard is made locally, further reducing the impact on the planet.

All of Cardboard Safari's animal figures are designed and manufactured in the United States, free from unsafe foreign toxins and waste products

.

Found via George at Design Canteen via his other blog - Project 365 via my big addiction, the fabulous Project Rungay.

All very confusing, I know. But let's just assume I never intended to be predictable. Hey, it's a rainy Thursday and I don't feel well. I take joy wherever I can find it.

Posted by Da Goddess at 09:43 AM | Comments (0)

January 20, 2008

Goodbye Josephine

From the San Diego Zoo:

We regret to announce that 47-year-old Sumatran orangutan Josephine, who lived at the San Diego Zoo for 14 years, died January 17. Josephine was diagnosed with heart disease and had been under veterinary care and management to treat her condition for several years. In January 2007 she underwent a procedure to drain fluid accumulation from around her heart. Although the procedure provided her immediate relief from pain and increased her quality of life, it only extended her life for a short time. Since then, despite drug treatments, the heart fluid had returned on a few occasions and she had difficulty recovering from the procedures that prolonged her life. Her condition had continued to deteriorate despite these measures. On January 17, Josephine went to the veterinary hospital to have her condition evaluated. Due to her age and advancing health issues the animal care staff made the difficult decision to euthanize her.

Josephine was one of the oldest orangutans living in the U.S. She was Satu's mother and Cinta's grandmother. She was well loved by staff and Zoo visitors alike. She will be sorely missed. Please take a moment to share your sympathy with animal care staff who have cared for her over these many years.

Josephine was one of my favorite apes. Sweet, curious, and friendly, she would often sit at the window with visitors. I spent many hours there with her and will miss her terribly.

Posted by Da Goddess at 09:09 AM | Comments (0)

January 18, 2008

Harpy Boy

Some guys are harpier than others, don't ya think?

Another local musician with oodles of talent. Makes ya wonder what's in the water when you consider how many great musicians we have here. Sadly, the water hasn't worked any wonders for me.

Posted by Da Goddess at 05:16 AM | Comments (2)

Not Scott

One of our local guitarists, who happens to be incredibly talented, looks a lot like Scott Baio. This means I can't stand anywhere near him for long because someone will inevitably comment, "Oh, it's true! Joanie really does loves Chachi." Yes, they're adults, but the temptation is apparently too great for them to pass up.

Anyhow, here's a photo from my archives.

Posted by Da Goddess at 05:06 AM | Comments (0)

January 17, 2008

The Upside To Illness

Is there one? Apparently so. No one touches my food, for one thing. Including me most of the time. I've had to force feed myself soup and crackers and such, occasionally regretting it within minutes.

The downside, of course, is feeling like shit and missing Little Dude. He's been at his dad's since I got all fevery and blechy. The kid doesn't need to get this. He did miss school the other day because he had a slight fever, but has thus far avoided the worst of the wretchedness around here.

I slept about 15 hours yesterday and it felt damn good. My fever starting to abate a bit and I don't hate life as much as I did. I only wish I could rid myself of this plague quicker. From what I've seen and heard from others who've had it, I'm progressing at the normal rate.

Totally unrelated to anything sickly, can someone please explain to me how my trackbacks continue to be spammed when I went and shut trackbacks down on every single entry (it was a monster project, but I did it)? From what I can see, the new spam is back dated and back doored somehow. Stupid spammers.

Posted by Da Goddess at 09:08 AM | Comments (2)

January 11, 2008

Pppphhhttt....It's Jodi's Fault

She memed. And I liked.

Generate a fake band and its first album:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.

2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

Alternate versions below the fold

Posted by Da Goddess at 05:36 AM | Comments (2)

Living History

From Memorial Weekend 2007: This gentleman (Luke) is a living history volunteer at the Old Pt. Loma lighthouse. He served as both docent and engaging entertainment. Little Dude loved the stories as well as being able to hold the gun, try on articles of clothing, and dig through the satchel.

Just another cool San Diego "secret".

By the way, the reason the lighthouse is called the "old" lighthouse is due to the fact that after it was built the fog and low clouds often obscured the powerful light it gave off. If you read the extended entry you can get the full scoop.

The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is a reminder of simpler times - of sailing ships and oil lamps and the men and women whom day after day faithfully tended the coastal lights that guided mariners. In 1851, a year after California entered the Union, the U.S. Coastal Survey selected the heights of Point Loma for the location of a navigational aid. The crest seemed like the right location: it stood 422 feet above sea level, overlooking the bay and the ocean, and a lighthouse there could serve as both a harbor light and a coastal beacon.

Construction began three years later. Workers carved sandstone from the hillside for walls and salvaged floor tiles from the ruins of an old Spanish fort. A rolled tin roof, a brick tower, and an iron and brass housing for the light topped the squat, thick-walled building. By late summer 1854, the work was done. More than a year passed before the lighting apparatus - a five foot tall 3rd order Fresnel lens, the best available technology - arrived from France and was installed. At dusk on November 15, 1855, the keeper climbed the winding stairs and lit the oil lamp for the first time. In clear weather its light was visible at sea for 25 miles. For the next 36 years, except on foggy nights, it welcomed sailors to San Diego harbor.

The light had only a short life because the seemingly good location concealed a serious flaw: fog and low clouds often obscured the beam. On March 23, 1891, the keeper extinguished the lamp for the last time. Boarding up the lighthouse, he moved his family and belongings into a new light station at the bottom of the hill. Today you can see the "New" Point Loma Lighthouse from the Whale Overlook, 100 yards south of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.

Posted by Da Goddess at 05:19 AM | Comments (0)

January 10, 2008

One More To "Out"

My brain has melted and run right out my ass. Or something like that. Screw this being sick crap.

I forgot one item on my "Out" list...

Fedoras. I don't care if Brit, Justin, Jessica, and half the population of Hollywood and/or whatever the music capitol of the world is, the point is: they're so last week it's not even funny.

In case you've not seen a single photo of any celeb in the last year and a half, the vast majority of them are sporting what is, in my opinion, a great hat. And they're doing it a grave injustice.

The fedora has become the new do rag (although Hulk Hogan never got the memo that he's out of style) and neither item should be showing up on the pages of Variety, People, or Us. It's over and done with, so let's give it a rest, m'kay?

When SHOULD a fedora be worn and who should wear one? Blues and jazz musicians can wear them. Cute little old men. Nattily dressed detectives a la The First 48. Dashing leading men like Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. Real cool cats with tattoos and classic cars. On stage, on camera, out to dinner. But not your run of the mill media circus celebs. The fedora is a topper with a sense of history and character, both of which are seriously lacking in La La Land.

So, remember, unless you're on my very short list, resist the temptation to cover your pate with one. Go play with sequined headbands or something. Please. Leave my fedoras alone.

Posted by Da Goddess at 12:55 AM | Comments (0)

January 09, 2008

Maybe It's The Fever Talking

But...

I am officially declaring the following things are no longer cool or interesting (as if some ever were):

• Tramp stamps, or as Barney said on How I Met Your Mother: "You know, a ho tag. Ass Antlers. A Panama City license plate." Seriously, if you're going to get a tattoo, pick a different location and a more interesting design than the typical angel wings, butterfly, fairy, etc. We're through with looking at lower backs and cookie cutter images. Quit insulting tattoo artists with your lack of imagination and us with your need to say you like to do it doggy style.
• Paris, Britney, Lindsay, J-Lo, Brangelina, Tom, and every other overexposed attention whore. In order to get more press, they've resorted to sex tapes, psychotic breaks, foreign adoption, and acting as spokesmodels for high priced cults. They're done. DONE, I say. D.O.N.E. We don't care, so quit with the media coverage.
• Wrestling. Enough already! The staged antics and pseudo drama of wrestling is so over the top it practically screams "watch me or I'll body slam ya". No longer is it good vs. evil, but bad guy against even badder guy. Each year, the shows ramp up the stunts to the point where you're no longer watching guys (and gals) in spandex, but a three ring circus act, occasionally with explosions and sex scenes. Huh? Yeah. I don't watch it, I just read about the stupidity. Whatever happened to the good old days of Gorilla Monsoon, Ox Baker, Chief Jay Strongbow, and countless others? You know, the days before steroids and multiple camera. There was a certain artistry to what old school wrestlers did (yes, I know this because my "adopted" uncle's father was a wrestler and boxer long, long ago and I used to comb through scrapbooks filled with articles and photos). Now it's muscle-bound thugs prancing about, posturing, and attempting to prove what bad asses they are. No more. No thanks. Buh-bye!
• Network programming execs with their heads up their butts. These ass clowns don't seem to understand a couple of simple concepts. 1) We can't watch every show on TV -- try as we might -- and are constantly forced to abandoned much beloved shows because the executards have decided to take on a juggernaut in certain time slots. Why do they think so many viewers end up watching episodes online? 2) We resent them messing with our viewing habits. 3) Ratings will continue to decline because we'll refuse to play their games.
• Copycat Programs. Mythbusters rocks, Smash Lab mocks. That's but one example of what I mean. While I appreciate the whole idea of making science exciting (hey, I like seeing my son trying to think a few steps ahead and predicting outcomes -- that's what science is all about), Smash Lab comes across as a poorly executed clone with more explosions. Mythbusters has the 4:1 male/female personality ratio and Smash Lab went 3:1. It's true that our favorite myth busters can tackle just so much, but c'mon, Discovery, surely you could have tried a little harder! I could offer up another dozen shows to gripe about, but that would take ages.
• Nick@Nite. The Fresh Prince has gone stale. It seems as though we have had night after night of "blocks" and marathons of Will and the gang. We know every episode by heart. Can we please have a little variety? Wait, we're not asking, we're demanding! We want something else. I'll even take more episodes of the Jeff Foxworthy Show to escape from this hell. Or better still, if I want to watch a rapper on the telly, I'll check out Snoop Dogg's Father Hood, fo' shizzle. But seriously, we really don't need more than two episodes of any show in a single night except on special occasions. Bring back Newhart, Mad About You, Designing Women, Car 54 Where Are You?, My Mother The Car...anything.
• Scientology. Not even considered a "religion" in most countries, Scientology is nothing more than a cult for everyone who lost faith in JZ Knight and Ramtha. Don't remember that? It's okay. I don't think Linda Evans does either. Back to Scientology though. A creation of a sci-fi writer. Aliens. Levels. Psychiatry bad, invisible braces for adults good. As if outward appearance is all that really matters. My own child called it utter stupidity. Nuff said.
• "Open the eyes of my heart" again and I'll throw up. Please, dear God, call upon Your contemporary Christian composers to write new songs and let's do away with all these commercials advertising the same old songs over and over and over and over and over and over again. "I could sing of Your love forever" myself, but 1) You'd lose followers and 2) it's been done to death. Let's put all these songs on the cross and move on.
• Speaking of music, let's do away with all the breathy ingenues, plastic pop princesses, and hackneyed wannabes. As well, let's ditch the crappy compilations, especially those with songs reworked so they're kid-friendly. Our children deserve better.
• Oprah. Anything Oprah-related.
• The flu. I'm already sick of it. Get it? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha heh...he...[insert death rattle here]

I'm obviously much sicker than I anticipated. Or perhaps it's more like illness brings out my true nature. Whatever. I'm going to ask Granny for some of her tonic while Jed and Jethro are off hunting for possum.

Posted by Da Goddess at 01:45 AM | Comments (4)

January 07, 2008

A Little of This and a Little of That

Things found inside the gift shop at Cabrillo National Monument. One is obviously chain mail (to represent part of the uniforms of the Spanish explorers) and the other, well, can you guess what it's from?

Posted by Da Goddess at 08:45 PM | Comments (4)

Inching Forward

Little Dude and I found this wriggling piece of what appeared to be string several months ago. I was curious and had to pick it up. I was surprised to find an inchworm as I've never actually seen one on concrete, let alone since I've been in California (30+ years).

We gave him a ride on a twig and set him down gently in the bushes, but only after making him pose for us.

Posted by Da Goddess at 08:09 PM | Comments (4)

And So It Ends

Damn, that didn't last long at all.

Weirdest part of living where I am when it rains: there's a tree just outside the living room window that sort of stores up water and then it all comes pouring out at once. It sounds a lot like a horse peeing.

Best part of rain in So Cal is when you see everything turn bright green. After the fires, the green is especially vibrant.

The county/state did a good job with placing sandbags. Had to run out to the doctor's earlier and was pleased to note the bags I saw had done the job.

I must rest now. I do believe I'm getting whatever it was the roomie had. I'm hoping like hell a lot of sleep will knock it out quickly. I can't afford to be too sick. Blech. Don't even get me started.

And apparently rest is not going to be possible at the moment. Temp 101.9º. Joints aching. Face red. Not a single comfortable position in which to repose. Double blech.

Posted by Da Goddess at 03:36 PM | Comments (2)

January 06, 2008

And So It Begins

They said it would be windy. They said there'd be lots of rain. For the last couple days, none of the predictions had proven correct. Locals kept hoping we'd miss out on the worst of the worst, at least until after the Chargers won their game.

Well, the Bolts won and a few hours later, it's here.

The wind blew my front door open. It's become gradually cooler. And the rain is coming in a little more steadily with each passing moment.

Rancho Bernardo, where I used to live, and one of the communities hit hardest by the October fires had 1.51 inches of rain from today's storm. Most places got around an inch, with lots more expected overnight.

I think tomorrow should prove very interesting. If there's power (yep, it's flickering already), I'll attempt some photos or something.

Posted by Da Goddess at 10:52 PM | Comments (0)

January 04, 2008

Reverse 911

Got my first official Reverse 911 call this afternoon. We're being warned of the high probability of flooding once this big storm hits us. While my neighborhood isn't necessarily at risk, parts of our little city are.

Now, if only those who truly are in the high risk areas will heed the warnings.

A big round of applause for whoever came up with and implemented the Reverse 911 system. It's proven very effective and it's much appreciated!

Posted by Da Goddess at 06:14 PM | Comments (0)