A Friendly Halloween Spider-Man!

Halloween is in a few days, and even though I don't dress up anymore and run around my neighborhood with a pillow-case asking complete strangers for candy, I still like to decorate. Especially when I get to carve a pumpkin! This is the first time I have been home for Halloween in the last 5 years so I wanted to at least do a little something special for the front porch. In years past I used to go all out with the fake cob-webs, multiple carved pumpkins, lights, black-lights, lanterns, spooky eyes, window hangings, and scary music. But since we live in a secluded part of our neighborhood we hardly get any kids coming to the front door with their heavy laden pillow cases. Yes, very sad, I know. Yet I did put out a few lanterns and our friendly skeleton sitting to welcome those few well dressed kids who might come knocking. And yes, I did carve a pumpkin as well. I decided to carve a Spider-Man themed one this year because on Wednesday morning (Halloween) I will be in Savannah seeing The Amazing Spider-Man at the Trustees Theater followed by a Q&A by Stan 'The Man' Lee himself (co-creator of Spider-Man)! I am very excited for that Halloween treat! Keep it REAL!

Back In Action

I was able to pick up both my camera and wide angle lens from the camera shop today. Everything is in working order and back in action. I am very excited to get out there and tear it up with my tuned-up photo equipment! New stories, new adventures, and new photos will be coming soon. Keep checking back for more content faithful readers! And, as always, - Keep it REAL!

Concerning Hobbit Morals

I have a small confession to make - I am a huge Tolkien fan! So huge in fact that in 10th grade I wrote a research paper on The Hobbit. Since the movie adaptation is coming to the big screen later this year I wanted to celebrate by resurrecting my paper and up-dating it. When I started doing this I had the idea to mail a copy to director Peter Jackson. Sure it's kind of a silly thought and probably nothing will come of it, but if something does, if I actually get a response from someone like Peter Jackson, then that will certainly be one of the coolest things to ever happen to me! So, with that in mind I prepared my paper to mail and I sent out three copies of it this week. One to Mr. Jackson himself, one to Wingnut Films (both in New Zealand), and one to Warner Brothers Studios (in California). I'm sure they get lots of fan mail so I tried my hardest to make mine as professional as possible with professional quality printing and formal cover letters for each packet so they at least should stand out from the standard mailings they get. Keep your fingers crossed for me that something cool will happen later, and if nothing happens at least I can say I was able to make my paper better and share it with all of you - so if you are in the reading mood today hop on over to issuu and give Concerning Hobbit Morals a read. And don't forget to keep it REAL!

In the Shop

So for the first time in the past 5 years I am without my trusty digital camera. I dropped it off today at my local camera repair store and should have it back in about a week or so. While in the shop (or camera garage) they will be cleaning the sensor of dust (saving me hours of photoshop work), running camera function tests, and replacing the shutter adjustment toggle switch (which is half-way broken). I'd say after 5 years of constant shooting it has held up pretty well if that is all that's wrong with it. I have also sent off my wide angle lens (see previous post) to get fixed, so in a few weeks I should have everything working again and in tip-top shape. Watch out for more great photos headed your way. In the mean time - keep it REAL!

Wide Angle Up-Date

A quick up-date on photo stuff. My wide angle lens has been out of commission for some time now. This is the lens that delivered some of my best shots like the ones to the left, but while I was in school I was always too busy to research how to get it fixed. Well, I finally have had time to do that and I will be sending it in this week to get it fixed. I also found out what the problem was, the diaphragm (the part that controls the aperture opening) is not working properly. Good thing my lens is still under warranty so I should be able to get fixed no problem. Keep your fingers crossed for me and if all goes well you will certainly see more photos taken with this lens. Keep it REAL!

Art at Marywood

So I finally got to see my artwork hanging up at Marywood Retreat and Conference Center today. These pieces were hung up back in August by my good friend Kimberly David who did a lot of work for the Center over the summer. Her work is actually still hanging up in the halls as well. Marywood is doing a lot of renovation and reformatting right now and one of the things they are trying to promote is featured art, an idea that Kimberly greatly influenced while she was there. I am very happy I was able to be one of the first of what I'm sure will be many artists to grace the walls of Marywood. If you would like to learn more about Marywood follow the link and drop by for a visit if you can. It is located in the Fruit Cove area of St. Johns, Florida. Keep it REAL!

It's My Birthday!

For the 24th time in my life it is my birthday! Let the celebration commence! I prepared this little b-day banner a while back in anticipation for my 24th birthday. It is from the book Scott Pilgrim (Gets it Together) Vol. 4. In the story the main character turns 24 and has a very funny scene at his birthday party, so funny in fact that I laughed out loud for a good minute the first time I read it. That scene is recreated here in the banner with some added flair for good measure. Plus, I photoshopped my name in where Scott Pilgrim's name was. I know I have a lot of friends who are also Scott Pilgrim fans so I might be using this poster over again in the near future to help them celebrate their birthdays. Well, I better get going but I will be in touch soon. Keep it REAL!