User:	winter_in_asia
	Date:	2008-07-26 06:24
	Subject:	Things I didn't know I could do
	Security:	Public

A few months ago, we lined up a family / wedding shoot with a family from Texas. One of their daughters is an acquaintance from church and recommended us to her family. I didn't know it until after their session was booked, but they're *extremely* traditional in their photographic tastes. I may put up an example later, but I'm pretty pleased with the results. It sorta looks like something Olan Mills would do, but I kinda like it. And it sounds like the family will probably buy multiples of the image.

	User:	happytootum
	Date:	2008-07-25 17:00
	Subject:	Saying goodbye to Sugar
	Security:	Public
	Mood:	sad

Bill is on the way to the vet as I type this to have Sugar euthanized. We've been expecting this for awhile. She's quite old..15 or 16 we think...maybe older. She just went downhill very quickly in the last 3 weeks. Puking up lots of her food. Meowing a lot. And then she took to peeing just about anywhere in the house including a laundry pile in the kids' bathroom, beds, carpet, even a huge metal leaf full of polished stones that sits on the hearth. A couple of days ago we noticed she has some blood in her urine. We know there's nothing can be done for her. It's probably her kidneys and she's so old that anything they might be able to do would only prolong her pain and discomfort. She's quite deaf and lately seems only half there lots of the time. I think it's because she drinks so much water and then pees so much and throws up her food. She's dehydrated and is just skin and bones.

It might sound like we neglected her and denied her proper care but that isn't the case. She was frail even when we moved here 7 months ago and we just wanted to keep her comfortable as long as we could. My parents both said when they saw her that we should put her down but it's been so hard to justify that when she still has had some enjoyment in her life. She could still get around decently well, enjoyed being petted and sitting in laps. But the past few days she's just been peeing wherever and today she was meowing non-stop all day and I felt so badly that I couldn't do anything for her. So I called Bill and told him he had to take her today. I had to take care of Binx almost 2 years ago when one morning we woke up to find her unable to stand and Bill was unable to get away from work. Binx lasted a day but there was nothing they could do for her. Cystic kidney disease. It doesn't really show up until it's too late most times. I have a feeling it might be what is wrong with Sugar too.

I'm sad. I won't miss cleaning up the puke and pee all the time. I won't miss having to keep all the bedroom and bathroom doors closed and confining her to kitchen/livingroom/laundry room. But I will miss Sugar. She came to us a few years ago when Bill's aunt died and we inherited Sugar and another cat called Babycakes who was ill when we got her and didn't last very long. Olivia will miss Sugar a lot. She's always had a special relationship with her ... but I've prepared the kids for awhile for this day and they know that we'll bury Sugar in the back yard and that Sugar is going to heaven to play with Binx and Babycakes. In fact, yesterday, Olivia asked me if Sugar was going to heaven that day and I said no..not today. Perhaps tomorrow. Olivia started to SOB and collapsed into my arms and telling me that Sugar told her she wants to go and play with her friends in heaven. Broke my heart. So today the goodbyes were actually sweet and the kids are ok with the fact that Sugar won't be with us anymore but that they can talk to her anytime they like and visit her grave in the backyard. They understand that she's sick and in pain here and that in heaven she'll be able to run and play with her friends and so they said goodbye and gave her hugs and kisses and I was the one crying when Bill took her out the door.

Goodbye Sugarbowl. We'll miss you.

	User:	justplainbryan
	Date:	2008-07-25 09:49
	Subject:
	Security:	Public

I've gotta give props to the folks on my friends list who are dishing out the Haiku. Yall are writin' purty!

The English language and I have never gotten along 100 percent. In high school, I was always failing my English classes, mostly because I hate being forced to write. It was a monumental effort to break a "C" in my senior year so that I could still have a shot... at some state college or other. One of the reasons why I did so poorly in English was that every English teacher I had in high school was a pretentious douche-bag. The one exception was a certain Mr Whalen, who actually seemed like he was genuinely interested in really teaching us how awesome literature could be. He left after a couple of weeks into the semester (went back East because he couldn't take the LA smog), to be replaced by one of the worst teachers I've ever had. Not because he was tough, but because he was snotty arrogant prick.

But, yeah, not a fan of the English language in general. It's been that way ever since I was corrected in third grade for pronouncing "corps" as "corpse" (publicly humiliated too, in front of the whole class).

I don't have a problem with literature. I love reading. And journal writing (as you can tell) has become enjoyable for me, as I like the attention a good story can bring. My beef is in how illogical and downright stupid English grammar and spelling can sometimes be.

	User:	winter_in_asia
	Date:	2008-07-22 06:40
	Subject:	Welcome to pro_photos!
	Security:	Public

theamazingjosh and I decided it might be high-time to start up a posting community for just professional photographers. Everyone's welcome to watch the community, but I wanted to specifically invite all the pros on my list to join in and post pictures.

The idea is to create a community where professionals can share their work and offer constructive criticism. So long as you make at least part of your regular income from photography, you're welcome to join.

	User:	elamine
	Date:	2008-07-21 11:25
	Subject:	How to have a ball on a photo session -
	Security:	Public

So, this is the family that I wrote about on Saturday morning, and though I'm generally of the opinion that, like children, you shouldn't have favorite clients... this session was SO FUN! We met them at Jamison Square, in the Pearl, and played and played and played. Then we went for a walk to the cupcake shop, at 10:30 in the morning, and indulged in a kind of decadence that I have only dreamed of. I mean, really, who gets to eat cupcakes at 10:30? Well, we did, and they did, and it was splendid. I had so many favorites from this session that I really have no idea how I'm going to weed them down for their session tonight...

( +11 )

	User:	winter_in_asia
	Date:	2008-07-21 09:59
	Subject:	A New Shoot and iPhone Resolution
	Security:	Public

All in all, the weekend was fairly even in its pace. Saturday started off with a family shoot (go to http://thereversedlens.livejournal.com/37332.html for the results) and quickly moved into a mess of family commitments and errands.

The shoot went great. After it was over, Em put The Pea down for a nap and headed off to pick up some free berries from a friend and get the DEQ tests done on the car (Lumi). She returned just as The Pea woke up and so we gathered all our stuff and headed down to The Apple Store to finish out the debacle that had been the iPhone launch.

Apple ended up having to pay for a non-upgrade-priced phone ($499) because AT&T thought I wasn't due an upgrade. I wouldn't have been if I weren't returning my first iPhone. End line, though, we got it all worked out and finished. Hopefully AT&T won't charge me an upgrade fee or anything. And my phone works, which is good.

After The Apple Store, Em went running and I headed off to Mom's to help prep dinner. My step-dad had secured a large amount of seafood from a patient. Mom, one of her friends and I spent the next couple hours prepping a heck of a seafood feast. We ended up with the following:

- One salmon fillet, prepped in our typical style (garlic/herb butter with salt, pepper, and lemon zest)
- Blackened sturgeon
- Dungeness crab, boiled in salt water and served with melted butter and herbs.
- Two grilled sweet onions.
- Pan-fried razor clams
- Corn, Salad, Crusty Bread, etc.

It was a heck of a meal.


Sunday was pretty low-key. The Pea is having trouble staying in Nursery at church. She's getting better, but seems to be overwhelmed by circle time when all the kids get together. Sunday eve. was spent re-working photos, cruising CL for some stuff, and spending time as a family.

And here we are at Monday.

	User:	justplainbryan
	Date:	2008-07-20 08:08
	Subject:	My thoughts on "The Dark Knight"...
	Security:	Public

The post will be in two parts. The first part will not have any real spoilers, and the second part will be under a cut, as it will contain spoilers.

Jen and I went to see "The Dark Knight" yesterday. Rotten Tomatoes gave is a 94% rating and the folks on my friends list had been raving about it, so I went expecting a great movie, and I was not let down. It is true that Heath Leger stole the show with his performance, but I think there was great acting all around. I was especially surprised by Aaron Eckhart's performance. I was reading reviews that said he was the only weak point of the movie, but I completely disagree. His performance was absolutely amazing, and his casting as Harvey Dent was completely appropriate. If the was one weak point in the acting, I would say that it was Maggie Gyllenhaal, but only because she wasn't given enough diverse material to work with.

The effects were stunning, and there was one point in the movie where I sat with my mouth wide open at the sublime horror of one particular stunt (no, there wasn't any gore. The horror I felt was akin to watch a really over-the-top accident on "Wildest Police Videos"). The special effects and stunts were that good. Also, Gotham City should look VERY familar to a few people on my friends list. I know I was saying to myself "OMG, I was there!!!" more than a few times.

So, for those who haven't seen it, I definitely recommend it. I know it's a cliche, but if there is one movie you see this year, make it this one!

And now, for those of you who have seen it, ( read on, as thar be spoilers ahead! )

	User:	mandalwarrior
	Date:	2008-07-20 03:55
	Subject:
	Security:	Public

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

	User:	elamine
	Date:	2008-07-19 11:23
	Subject:	Gotta love it
	Security:	Public

We just had the most amazing family shoot. Seriously. They were playful and funny and did anything we asked them to do, including feed their children cupcakes at 10:00 in the morning! Yes, I am serious! I absolutely cannot wait to do through these photos. And it's a good thing because they're coming for their viewing in two days!

Edidt: But I have to. My baby will be home any minute is home and she needs me more than I need to look at these beautiful children.

	User:	elamine
	Date:	2008-07-18 14:22
	Subject:	Not quite newborn -
	Security:	Public

While we were at our family's lake cabin (pictures which are yet to be posted!), we did a shoot with Will's new little cousin, A. She celebrated her six-week birthday while we were there, so she's not quite newborn. But she's cute and chubbly and we couldn't resist doing some photos with her. It's too bad that she doesn't live in Portland because she would definitely be becoming a Milestones baby!

( +8 )

	User:	justplainbryan
	Date:	2008-07-18 11:03
	Subject:	Irrational mistrust...
	Security:	Public

My wife's recent admission that she can't trust anyone who doesn't really care about food reminded me of some things that evoke instant irrational (and I admit, unfair) mis-trust. They are:

People who don't blink regularly. I instantly think the person is hiding a very disturbing evil side.

People who have a last name of Cromwell. That one is just based on history.

People who have a last name that has "Saint" or "St" preceding it. I instantly judge those people as pretentious fakes.

Groups of children with straw colored haired congregating together. That one is from Children Of the Corn, though.

Clowns. That one is self explanatory.

Turks, but only because I live so close to Glendale. OK, this one isn't really true.

There are others, but I can't remember them at the moment.

ETA: My wife reminded me of a very important mistrust I forgot to mention. Men who wear bowties as part of their business attire (not part of a tux or other formal wear). I am firmly convinced they are all part of The Bowtie Conspiracy, the nefarious goals of which are known only to themselves. They wear the bowties to identify other members. There is no other reason to intentionally want to look like a loser holdover from the turn of the century in a business setting.

	User:	justplainbryan
	Date:	2008-07-18 10:26
	Subject:	This Saturday will be nice...
	Security:	Public

Jen and I have purchased center-cut seats for Batmensch at the Sherman Oaks Arclight this Saturday. Do you think it would be out of place if I wore a tux to this "gala" event? :)

	User:	winter_in_asia
	Date:	2008-07-18 08:29
	Subject:	The Who
	Security:	Public

VH1 was showing a Who concert last night. I flipped past it as Em and I were sitting on the couch.

Oh. My. Gosh.


I had enjoyed The Who's music in passing, but had never been a fan. As my musical tastes have changed and matured over time, I've started enjoying the more complex sound of bands like The Who. It's like really good indypop.

Now I just need to get me some albums.

	User:	justplainbryan
	Date:	2008-07-17 14:36
	Subject:	I'm sure I'm the only one with this problem...
	Security:	Public

You may not know this about me, but I'm not a big fan of buying sandwiches from Subway. The reason, I think, is quite unique to me.

I hate having to choose what I want on my sandwich.

When I order a sandwich, I want it to be as it is supposed to be and not special order it to death as some people do. If I'm at a restaurant and I order a BLT, I wouldn't appreciate the waiter confirming that I want bacon, lettuce and tomato on white bread. I expect that the BLT will come as it is supposed to be. I'll judge later if I liked what was in it or not.

So, you can imagine my frustration when at Subway, or really any sandwich shop (Quiznos, etc.) that assumes you know how to make your own sandwich. The real moment of inanity for me was the first time I ordered at a Subway many years ago.

I ordered the meatball sub, which seemed pretty hard to screw up. It's typically just meatballs in tomato sauce on white bread and maybe a few olives, some black pepper, and maybe even a little cheese. I assumed that everyone knew what typically would go into a meatball sub. So when the "sandiwch artist" asked what kind of bread I wanted on for my sub, I should have known I was in trouble.

"Uh, white?" I answered. What a peculiar question.

So, he takes out the white bread, and proceeds to put the meatballs in. Then he asks:

"With everything on it?"

Now, understand that, at the time, I assumed that meant "Everything that is supposed to go on a meatball sub?" so I agreed that, yes, it should have "everything".

The "sandwich artist" then proceeds to literally put EVERYTHING on it. Lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, mustard, vinegar, mayonaise, pepperocinis, carrot shreds, American cheese, etc. It was a god awful mess.

But, still being the naive sandwich orderer , I held out saying anything because I was holding on to the slightest bit of hope that my "sandwich artist" knew what he was doing, and that I would be pleased at this "new way" of making a meatball sub in the end. I paid for it, then left to go eat it.

It was not a very good tasting sandwich. It was quite terrible, in fact. It was right then and there that I realized my mistake in placing so much faith in this high school minimum wage "sandwich artist", who probably knew even less about making sandwiches than I did.

I ate the rest of my sandwich, to burn into my head this mistake I vowed never to repeat with my future meatball subs.

I eventualy returned to Subway months later, but this time a little wiser. I ordered a meatball sub, on white bread, with nothing else on it. I ordered it this way for years until I felt confident enough to experiment a little bit. Today, I can go into Subway and rattle off to the "sandwich artist" my vision of what exactly a "meatball sub with everything on it" should be:

Meatballs on white bread
Provolone cheese
Olives
Black pepper
Parmesan

I don't really order anything else from Subway. That would require more learning curves and more brain power I'm not really interested in investing. All this came up today because Jen wanted Subway for our lunch together. I was to buy the subs and go to her work to eat them in her break room. Jen wanted me to order a tuna sub.

At Subway, I ordered my usual meatball sub with my precise instructions. Then I ordered the tuna sub for Jen. The question I was dreading was then asked.

"What do you want on it?"

I looked at the sandwich artist dead in the eye and asked him very pointedly, "What do you think should go in a tuna sub?".

The kid looked at me like a deer caught in the headlights. The look all but screamed at me that I was the first customer in his entire working history at Subway that has asked him that question.

After a few seconds of staring at each other, he calls over someone who I can only assume was his manager to ask that very same question. To his credit, the manager seemed a little more "with it" in the sandwich making department, and patiently described to the kid what should go into a tuna sub. Jen was reasonably satisfied with her sub.

So there is some progress, I guess. I still won't order anything but my meatball sub though.

ETA: Come on, people! Read the whole damned entry before commenting! I learned my lesson on ordering for myself at Subway! I know how to do it now! Jesus Murphy!

	User:	winter_in_asia
	Date:	2008-07-17 07:59
	Subject:	Switching to AIM
	Security:	Public

I've found that the AIM interface on our new iPhones is much more conducive to actually communicating. If you're on my Gmail chat client or would simply like to chat with me during the day, add "ferd g burfel" to your AIM list. If I'm logged into Gmail, we'll still be able to see each other (AIM works through Gmail now), but I won't be able to see my Gmail contacts when I'm on my phone.

If any of you have AIM accounts and would like to be added to my list, drop me a line.

	User:	mandalwarrior
	Date:	2008-07-17 06:31
	Subject:
	Security:	Public

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

	User:	justplainbryan
	Date:	2008-07-16 09:11
	Subject:	Periodic user name audit...
	Security:	Public

Why did you choose the user name you have on LJ?

Mine was a holdover from my Straight Dope Message Board days. Justplainbryan came about because my girlfriend (who is now my wife) dragged me to a Straight Dope meetup (called a Dopefest) before I actually became a member. People would always come up and ask me "who are you on the boards?", naturally assuming that I was a member of the Straightdope and that I had a user name. I answered that I was Bryan. Just plain Bryan. I think esprix even made a name badge for me that simply said "Just Plain Bryan". After that first Dopefest, I decided I should maybe join The Straight Dope. After all, some of them seemed like "My Kinda People". While appying, I was asked what I would like my user name to be. The answer was pretty obvious at that point.

	User:	justplainbryan
	Date:	2008-07-15 19:11
	Subject:	Stylin'...
	Security:	Public

Here is a pic of that well known Hip-hop B-Boy, Z-Lane. Notice the hat. We don't put it on that way. He does that. It's not by accident, because he does it deliberately using a mirror.

	User:	justplainbryan
	Date:	2008-07-15 16:08
	Subject:	The Great Oracle speaks...
	Security:	Public

I posted this as a comment in someone else's journal, but I wanted to put it in my LJ for posterity:

"The irony will probably be that our grandchildren will look at us as 'weird' for thinking we're smart without the aid of cybernetic augments.

We will further be 'weird' because our generation will generally be vehemently opposed to cybernetic augmentation and creepy 'hive' youth activities.

In fact, we'll be opposed and creeped out by all emerging 'hive' culture."

	User:	elamine
	Date:	2008-07-15 10:47
	Subject:	A Garden Wedding -
	Security:	Public

H & D's wedding was this weekend-- a perfect, beautiful day here in the Northwest. They held the ceremony in their tiny courtyard, which suited their small party perfectly, and the entire celebration was just, well, perfect. They've been together since high school, just doing life and looking forward to being together, and seeing them move on into their life was an intimate and moving experience for everyone involved.

( +21 )