Friday, May 31, 2013

Pride, Organization or OCD

Another very long day today.  Wide awake at 4am.  I had to head out early to get to Riverside, and of course I was low on gas.  About halfway there I needed coffee and gas, luckily for me there was a Circle K. 

After gassing up I went inside to grab a coffee.  Immediately, I had the sense that something was odd.  Then I realize this is the cleanest store I have ever been in.  It was bright and at first glace very orderly.  I said good morning to the lady behind the counter.  She was polite and cheery enough.  Then I realized this place wasn't just orderly... but in fact very scarily organized.  Nothing, I mean nothing was out of order. 

Then I looked at the creamers and coffee stirrers, perfection, everything was in a pattern, all the creamers facing each other.  The donuts next to that were also placed in a pattern.  I turned around to the clerk and said "wow this please is really organized".

She said  'yeah my coworker "Noway" is OCD'.  That was an understatement.  For my own sake, I tweaked the Equals, just so I could be less freaked out.

Then I mentioned to the clerk the Splenda was low.  She told me "Noway was in a panic about it, they short stocked him...he will probably have a breakdown tonight.... I will have to work a double tomorrow."

At least she won't have to reorganize anything.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

10 Minutes in my Neighbor's Yard

Ok so finally I was home in the morning and the sun was out.  In the morning for me was about 6 hours after my day started.  The dog was up and so was I.  At 3:45 with a couple days left to get everything done, there was no way I was falling back to sleep.  Tomorrow already has an alarm set for 4:30am so tonight for this blog, I will be short and fast.

....That's what she said.....

At about 9:30 after my 35th email sent and my 10th phone call taken/made.  I grabbed the 5d, I always forget how much I love that camera until I shoot it, and the 100mm Macro lens.

My neighbors to the right have the best flowers. This time is was their Gladiolus, that I finally noticed.  Last time it was of course their Birds of Paradise.(see http://greggvscamera.blogspot.com/2013/02/birds-back-in-paradise.html)

However, since I finally noticed them on Saturday I have not had the right light to shoot them.  The specific flower as I have come to learn was the Priscilla Gladiolus.  They are beautiful.  Jamie said they were there last year as well, but I didn't notice them....either stick in a "guys don't pay attention" joke here or maybe this taking a picture thing might be working and I am noticing more of life's beauty.

So of course I was laying on their grass when my neighbors pulled up and ruined my surprise!!! It's ok, I will still give them the pretty poster print ;-) .  Anyway, I got my shot, I was done for the day...see the second photo.

I was about to head back in when a long came a bumble bee and yes we had our new photo for the day.   The first one, the official one, The Pollination.

Of course as we talked about tennis and Mark's 144 mile an hour serve when he was younger, and his subsequent back injuries now, another dragon(lizard) appeared, so of course I have to add him to the blog. I only wish I could show you the push ups he was doing.   He hung in there for me while I made three different camera position changes.

This posting has me now back on the ground 5 feet from him.  If I have to name this dragon, like the ones before, he would have to be "pumping dragon".

Enjoy all three.


 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

You Can't Always Get What You Want

Did you ever notice how some bands just "get it" more than others.  Take the Beatles for example, they wrote a song "All you need is Love" and "Every body's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey", ok maybe not that one.  But you have to trust John Lennon, after all he was the Walrus.

Ok think about the Rolling Stones, They have songs "Time Waits for No One" and of course they knew that clearly because they had another song "Time is on my Side".  Plus they made it easy for every guy by writing the song "Let's spend the Night Together".  Speaking of which, always be careful if you cut Serrano Peppers, no matter how much you wash you hands you should never .....rub your eyes.

But I digress....On my drive to San Diego today I talked to my mom.  She told me many days she doesn't understand my blog....I am thinking she isn't getting this one either.  But before I left today I wanted to photograph my neighbor Mark's Amazing flowers, but it was cloudy and overcast.  What the Hell it is June yet!!  Mom that is a reference to the weather in Southern California in June it is always cloudy, we call it June Gloom, I am sure I will write about it next month.

I was so mad....not that I had to talk to my mom.  Again, I know Mom, dumb joke. 

Anyway I had my camera with me to take some super secret photos of a new product from my company.  But I will face a firing squad if I post those pictures too soon. 

But my flower!!!!  By the time I get home the sun will move and the flower will be in the shade!!!

Remember my friend Sandy's desk???  Go back to January 24th (http://greggvscamera.blogspot.com/2013/01/second-happiest-place-on-earth.html) , I saw Sandy today, she was at the Office, she saved the day!!! Or at least she saved the Blog's day with the new addition to her desk......

See the Rolling Stones again..."You can't always get what you want....sometimes you get what you need"!!!! Thanks Sandy....Thanks Mick.

 

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Ear Issue

As I was telling you a couple weeks back, I had my first bad issue flying, an issue that cause me to reach for the air sick bag.  I have still been feeling crappy since then.  I feel like my head is in the clouds.. yes more than normal.  I have a lot of pressure in my head and my right ear has been giving me problems and I have a pretty ongoing headache.

Wow, I hope Tiger Woods isn't reading this he would lump me in with Sergio Garcia.  (For my mom, Tiger called Sergio, another golfer, a whiner.)

I have been trying to get to the Doctor's for a couple days now.  I also think it is time for another MRI on my back and to do something about that mess.  Golf, Harely, Golf, Harely in 4 consecutive days pretty much sent me the final message.

But what had me going to the doctor today was the major dizziness I woke up with this morning.  I figured it was time to go.  I explained to the doctor the issue I was having, about the last couple weeks and some history I have with concussions from Playing hockey.  I told him about the pressure in my ear.  He is thinking it might ultimately be a Eustachian tube issue.  My Friend Irene called me "baby ears", what is up with that!

The doctor also thought it was a good idea today to maybe flush out my ears, get anything that might be restricting my ear drum from resetting especially during depressurization that happens when the airplanes land.

I guess maybe he was on to something......



Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day

First of all I need to say "Thank You" for all those that served in our country's armed forces, Especially my Dad(retired US ARMY) and my Brother Wayne(New Jersey Police Officer). Plus my buddies Greg and Don.

Today's picture needs a bit of explaining.  First thing, it is a photograph(actually 2), no typing.  The flag is my flag hanging on our house with a little photoshop work to pop the textures then to lower the opacity so the words stand out.

The words...yesterday I told you about the Chaos that was the backyard.  When we bought the house there was a lot of "decor" items that we hated that needed to be removed or replaced.  The spiritual references on the 2nd bathroom mirror didn't last a day.  The pen marks on the ceiling fan was our favorite.

But something that lasted, that will always be in this house, are words stenciled above the door in the downstairs bathroom.  They are the words on the photo below....once I removed the paint in photoshop.

God Bless American and all who Serve.


Sunday, May 26, 2013

Sprout

When Jamie and I bought the house the best way we could explain the previous owners' landscaping scheme was "chaos".  I think I have explained and even shown a couple of shot from/of our backyard before.  It is the typical small California backyard.  Well from time to time I suffer from a bit of OCD, the chaos got to me one weekend last June and Jame and I ripped out every bush and shrub in the back yard except for the huge Banana tree that I showed you guys on the blog on March 6th.

We replaced everything with very small Pygmy Date Palms and Sago Palms, very structured very OCD organized, again this was about a year ago.  Well, pictured below is the first unexpected sprout from one of the Date Palms.

The reason that was the picture of the day was the picture I planned for today never happened.  I planned to take a photo of the scorecard from my first golf round at 90 or below.  I went golfing with some customer/friends today.  Despite a tough front nine, I started to click on the back nine which feature two birdie par 3s.  All I needed to do was Par one of the last two par 5s and bogey the other and I break 90.....well a 7 and a 6 on 17 and 18 are no way to finish.  So I took a bad picture of a palm tree.

There was one funny moment today.  Jamie and I took Toni to see the Great Gatsby today.  While I wasn't up for the theme of the movie, it was pretty good.  But what made it funniest for me was every time someone kissed in the movie, Toni quietly covered her eyes, I think I even heard her mumble "gross", once.

Now for the first time in public....or on the Internet, I introduce "Sprout".

Saturday, May 25, 2013

The 65 Mile Sausage

This was a rarity in our house.  An entire weekend with nothing to do.  Both Jamie and I checked the schedule three times to make sure we haven't missed some hidden soccer game.  But sure as shootin(not sure why I just typed that), there was nothing on our schedule. 

Well we planned something...sleep late, although some people in our house don't have that gene.

Fortunately Toni and I at least ketp to the paln and slept late.  But Jamie made a huge sacrifice for Toni and I, she made Bacon, for those that know her, you know how big of a sacrifice that is....

To save her and continue on our Meatquest, Toni and I decided to send Jamie to the gym.  Since the Harley was uncovered from yesterday's ride we decided to take a ride to the dealership.  Note to non-Harley owners, when you own a Harley, one of the favorite destination is the Dealership.  At Irvine Harley they have a free barbeque on the weekends.  Which made the reason for the ride that much better.  Free Food!!!

According to Mapquest Orange County Harely is exactly 9 miles.  Well you see in Southern California there is this Ocean, and we thought that might have to be part of our ride.  Well 65 miles and one gas station stop later, we made it to the dealership for our free hamburger.....except because we were an hour and thirty minutes late, the only thing left was Sausage....well worth the compromise.

The picture today could only be one thing, but with a vegetarian fiance' I choose something better.




Friday, May 24, 2013

SPC U.S. Army William J. Gilbert

For those who have been following this blog you know the most important post to me was on March 13 (http://greggvscamera.blogspot.com/2013/03/usaf-veteran-robert-rowe.html).  As much respect as I have for USAF Robert Rowe, today he now as company, both on this blog and in heaven.

Shortly after posting the blog on March 13th I joined the Southern California chapter of the Patriot Guard.  Today was the first, of what I hope, will be many rides with the group, although I hope the most rides are the "Bringing the Troops home" type rides or like in Robert's case having the honor of escorting them to their final resting place after they have lived long happy lives surrounded with friends and family.

Unfortunately, today's Mission was not that kind.  Today I was part of the Patriot Guard that escorted one of our fallen heroes, SPC U.S. Army William J. Gilbert.  William, 24, died May 14, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

SPC William J. Gilbert, 24, of Hacienda Heights, Calif., was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.   

SPC Gilbert is survived by his wife Monica and his baby daughter Mikayla Ann born May 21st.......yes 3 days ago.

I couldn't count, but I believe there was more than 100 bikes in the escort.  It was an honor to be a part of this mission.  One of the pictures may require a bit of explanation....The teddy bear. 

When a child or children are left behind, the team not only dresses the bear and bestows their parent's dog tag, but every member of the group, one by one, gives the hug to the bear that we would like to give to the child.  It is amazing to see some of the toughest guys you would meet hug this teddy bear.

God Bless SPC William J. Gilbert and his family.  God Bless America and those who serve.  Come home soon.


 


Thursday, May 23, 2013

Carbeque

In Southern California our traffic is so bad and people are such bad drivers that we actually had to come up with the term "Sig Alert" which is defined by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) as "any unplanned event that causes the closing of one lane of traffic for 30 minutes or more".

Today we had on the 5 South and unplanned event that closed traffic for 30 minutes are more.  The reason, is our second vocabulary word for the day, CARBEQUE!!!

Of course, Carbeques are one of the causes of another fun event in Southern California....Brush Fire! 

The morons driving this car had the trifecta....The Carbeque that sparked the Brush Fire and caused a Sig Alert.

Plus some moron stopped on the opposite side of the road pulled out my, I mean their camera and shot it!!!

2 Pictures, the Carbeque and the Brush Fire.

 
 

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

$25 Lobster Dinner for 2

I love Costco!  Sometimes.  Jamie and I believe there is some magical force that turns us temporarily invisible when we go there.  It is amazing, but we cannot tell you how many people cut in front of us, almost run us over or just randomly stop in front of us when we walk in that store.  We try to wear bright colored clothes when we go there, but it doesn't help.

Anyway at lunch time today I made the Costco run, we were out of paper towels, plates and toilet paper...I got tired of holding it in! 

They really have the nicest floral section.  They always have such beautiful Roses, and Jamie deserves Roses, if for no other reason, for the "holding it in" comment above.  Plus I have been remiss getting her a bunch for all the other reason. 

Besides the floral section, Costco has the best deal on Lobster Tails.  If you have not tried them, 2 for $18, you should try them.

Obviously tonight's picture is dinner.  For the friends that went to Barcelona with us, we tried to make the Catalan Bread (http://greggvscamera.blogspot.com/2013/04/just-bread-tomato-and-olice-oil.html) ...no such luck, you can't make a Spanish Bread dish with French bread.

BTW...to my friend Brian Dreyer...I have enough shells now to make Lobster Stock for Our Famous Lobster Bisque.




 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Pulling at Our Heart STRINGS

OK, maybe not.  But tonight was a break from all the sports and onto more cultured activities.  Toni had her 5th grade music concert.  She has been learning Violin this year and as you can imagine she absolutely loves it!!! It is her favorite thing!!!  OK, again, maybe not.  Plus she is not the biggest fan of her music teacher because he doesn't like Pitbulls.

Anyway, it was very interesting to see how the kid progressed through the year.  The thing that I was most amazed by was that they got over 100 5th graders to dress alike and remember to bring their violins.  Playing the music together well that was simply a miracle! 

I am sure I am just saying this as a parent, but Jamie and I both agree, we heard Toni over all the other kids and she simply play the best out of all the whole orchestra.....OK, maybe not.






Monday, May 20, 2013

Now I missed Summer and it is already Fall

Ok so last week I was writing about the weather and how somehow I missed Spring and went directly to Summer(http://greggvscamera.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-did-i-miss-spring.html) .  Well, I must really be having fun because time is really flying, it is already Fall!!!  It must be or at least it is on my side of the driveway.

You see I have this beautiful Magnolia tree there, I will shoot the flowers it they bloom this year.  But it is the craziest thing...every afternoon and some mornings when I come home there are leaves all over my driveway from the tree.  But the leaves don't fall on my car or when I am home or when the car is on the driveway.  Is this Global Warming?  Where the hell is Al Gore when I need him.

Here is another odd part.  The tree is on the strip of grass between my neighbor's driveway and mine.  But yet there are no leaves on their drive way or on the grass that separates the two houses.  What freak force of nature is it that causes leaves to miraculously fall from a tree only when I am not there and at the exact time when someone next door is there to pick them up?  "Help me Al Gore, you are my last hope." (cheesy Star Wars reference)



Sunday, May 19, 2013

The Four Words Toni Hates to Hear

Today was the final day of the Legend's Tournament.  You know I coached sports for 22 years, I can count the number of times I complained about the Refs on one hand.  However, as a parent and especially at certain tournaments I seem to notice the referring .... lacks some consistency.   As far as the refs today... well they sucked!! 

Our girls had a rough time during the final game of pool play today.  They are are built for speed and ball movement, the field today which was garbage and kept the girls from getting into any kind of a rhythm, and that is without mentioning the brainiack who decided to put the Irrigation system control panel covers right at the top of the Keepers box.  We had to lay down cones so the girls would not get injured.  Nice fields Legends.

But the ref today, were simply horrible, they blew 4 calls including 2 free kicks, which may have cost the girls the game. 

However, "the refs really suck" are not the 4 words Toni hates the most.  No, for the last couple days and probably the next couple weeks, Toni will have to hear Jamie say:

"Oh look! Jacaranda Trees!!!"

This one is for Jamie, with Love.  Sorry Toni.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Bird Bath

Ok so clearly I didn't win the PowerBall Lottery today, so I guess I have to keep this thing going.  Today was the Legends Soccer tournement.  The girls did really well, the defense was lock down both games.  The offense was clicking as well.  I am still not feeling 100%, a little dizzy.  I think I have an ear infection so no big blog.  Also sending get well wishes to my Mom tonight.

Any way the girls stayed in Chino last night because we had an early start so it was just me and the animal farm this morning.  Mayabird was lonely, when I let here out of her cage she grabbed on and would let go so I took her up to the shower with me. After the shower she decided to help me brush my teeth.

Rinse and spit.

Friday, May 17, 2013

My Final Blog Post

I just want to let everyone know that today will be my final blogpost.  It has been enjoyable.  You see, I was on my way to the Atlanta Airport and when I stopped to gas up my rental car.  It was there that I purchased my $600,000,000 PowerBall ticket.  So I will be paying people to write my blog for me starting tomorrow.

Here is my ticket:

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Great Idea?

Ok, so this is a Photoblog.  It is more about the photos then it is about what I write or how well I write it.  Sometimes I am not sure how to get my message across the proper way.  Tonight is one of those times.

You see I was out at a Sports Bar tonight after a customer event, I was missing Jamie and knowing she is not going to be home tomorrow night made it even harder to be alone.  It is a good thing I have my friends.  There is no better way to write this, so I am just going to write it.  I followed my friend Kash into the men's room, I had something to show him.....

Ok so I thought it was funny. 

What I had to show him was the best product idea I have seen in a long time.  I can't tell you how many times I have gone to the men's room and had that "splashing issue"  this product will fix this.  Ladies, for those of you not sure what I am talking about it is the Red Sponge in the picture.

Of course being guys when we came back to the table, we had to discuss it.  My pal Kash gave me one of the best pieces of advice I think I have received in the longest time...."Pee along the curve".

Thanks Kash. And thank you www.antisplash.com!! No more making the excuse..."the faucet was shooting all over the place" or the "counter top was wet and I leaned against it".


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Tough Travel Day

Doing a quick trip to Atlanta, if there is such a thing.  I thought I was over being sick, but you add the crud that I have been feeling for almost a week now, with the "Dual Pasta" dish the fine chefs of US Air create for the enjoyment of their first class passengers, with 40 minutes of turbulence.  Guess what you get???

Yes, a dash to the bathroom with "the bag" in your hand.  I have to admit I can't honestly answer which direction the Pasta dish tasted worse.

Yes, I was tempted to somehow make that my photoblog photo, but I decided against it.

Instead I took a cell picture of Andrew from Barcelona's Lobster dinner at the Palm Restaurant.  Yes I actually did have to go out to dinner with Execs and Customers.  I told Jeff it was a lot like College...."I feel better now, give me another beer!".  Except mine was a slightly safer Wedge and Lobster Bisque.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Forget my shot...Check Out Kassey Shot!!!!

I just got home and turned on the King's game while I do my blog and again Mike Richards scores a goal the second I turn the game on!  That is a great sign just like Prom night.  Sorry we goalies are a superstitious group.

Today was one of those hard days at work.  Todd and I had to support one of our best partner's at The Parson's Golf event to support the fight against Cancer.  I knew taking today's shot for the Photoblog would be easy.  I would timer shoot our foursome. 

But after that shot was in the camera, our friend Kassey took her shot which has to be my shot of the day.

Our foursome was was putting on the Par 3 5th hole, Doug and Kassey(the foursome behind us) thought it would be funny to hit into us.  Kassey hit a low line drive from 146 yards away.  It came in hot and started to skim along the turf right at the back of the green where Ed's wedge was laying. Her ball hit the club and popped right up in and came to rest  6 inches from the hole!!!

Kassey shot has to be the official blog shot, our group had to fall to 2nd.



Monday, May 13, 2013

How did I miss Spring?

In Southern California, as I believe I have mentioned before we pay a weather tax.  Well I am exaggerating, there is no official tax we pay for the beautiful weather here, however if Governor Moonbeam's office reading this I am sure it will show up on my California Income Tax next year.

Anyway, I got a phone call from my teammate Gloria yesterday, she lives in the Mountains somewhere near Syracuse and she sound a bit angry so I asked her 'what was up?'.  She told me it was snowing there and how she missed San Diego and asked me how it was in SoCal today.

Well is was freakin hot today.... and yesterday!  Then I looked down at my digital display on my dashboard. 

It is May 13, it is supposed to be Spring, you know golf weather, Harley weather.  I paid for this, where the heck is SPRING!?!?

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Mother's Day Friendly

A soccer friendly on Mother's Day...come on man???  I really need to hire our coach Carlos a Public Relations Manager.  Anyway first of all let me say Happy Mother's Day to My Mom, Jamie, Jackie, Maga and Marianne plus the rest of Mother's that follow the blog. 

A very special Mother's day to the moms of the West Coast Futbol Club and the Las Vegas Heat who had to spend the day in the 95 degree weather in Southern California.  Our girls today had their tune up game to get ready for the Legend Tournament next weekend.  The girls had to battle both the Vegas Heat as well as the heat on the field.  We welcomed a couple of new players for this weekend and welcomed back Kendall from injury... I am still waiting for Lolo before I can rest easy.

I decide to shoot the first half of the game simply to satisfy the Photoblog requirement.  While it wasn't my best picture of the day, I wanted to post one of the girls that has not been on the blog yet.

So today is Katia.  She is an amazing all around player, when she gets angry, she plays about 3 notches higher, today she played PISSED!!!  She really can play anywhere on the field.  But as a member of the Goal Keeper's family, we only want here one place...."protecting our kid".  She will get that comment.

Great job Kat.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Gross!!

If you google anatomy of the mouth you will find the Uvula, this thing that is supposed to hang from the roof of your mouth in the back.  You know the thing that Tweety bird boxes when he is stuck in Sylvester mouth.

However I am pretty sure that it is not suppose to lay on the back of your tongue.  I know mine is not supposed to be.   But last night and today feeling like crap that's where mine ends up when I swallow hard....then almost puke.

So of course I had to photograph it, it kind of looks like a red Mike and Ike that I forgot to swallow.(if you gross out easily don't look)


Friday, May 10, 2013

"But sir if I kill all the golfers they will put me away and throw away the key"

So this morning as predicted I took a couple hours vacation....I should have stayed in bed.  Beside not feeling well and getting progressive worse...more on that tomorrow I am sure.  Brian and I headed out at 5am to Golf at California Oaks in Temecula.  We got a great rate $25!!! or was it.  This is an older course in a 55+ development.  The course has a tremendous amount of potential, except to play it now is extremely frustrating.

I jumped out to a great start, front nine 39.  Then the dayquil started to wear off and apparently the grounds keepers for get about the back nine.  Forget the fact that the course is e-x-t-r-e-m-e-l-y narrow.  If you are off the fairway by less than a foot you are in very dense clover patches that grab your club head.  This is if you are lucky enough to keep your ball out of one of a thousand gopher or squirrel holes.... where is Bill Murray when you need him.

I did manage to shoot an 87 but we are not officially recording this as my first round under 90, the course is only Par 70.

I did decide to take a photo of one of the hole dwellers....

Thursday, May 9, 2013

One Track Mind

Ok maybe two track, of course there is my Harley......I'M KIDDING!!!! Some of you have seen my Jamie(not pictured here), plus the heels in Barcelona...Of course I have a 3 track mind!

Anyway, speaking of Jamie she just reminded me, after a very long day in and out of the office today, that I did not take a picture yet.  I already had FTO(Flexible Time Off) scheduled for tomorrow morning for a family event that got cancelled.  Plus I know Brian and Greg had a very early Tee Time in Temecula, so I decided to join them.  Tomorrow I will break 90....but it won't count as the course is only a Par 70 so I couldn't count it, it wouldn't be right.

And still a picture needs to be shot...it has to be something in my office or some things.

OK....This is why I can't putt, I feel like this is what I am seeing when I line up a putt.

Oh fyi, Iphone users to make this picture one step above a snap shot, I purposely displayed a real camera's ability called "depth of field".  The first ball is out of focus on purpose.  It draws your eye to the back ball.  Yes the shot was raw, untouched out of the camera, I didn't even bother cleaning the dust....Can your Iphone do that?



Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Holland

Ok maybe not, actually it was back to San Diego today.  As promised I would shoot the Windmill at Pea Soup Anderson's in Carlsbad.  I was a little rushed to get back home today plus was on the phone with my buddy Hien so I didn't have a lot of time to get the best angles.  Fortunately for me the clouds did work in my favor.

When I loaded the pictures into Lightroom I realized they weren't as exciting as I thought so I decided that NIK HDR EFEX could help a bit today.  The second picture is the original.

 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Over Valuing your Product

Living in Southern California never ceases to amaze me.  Forget the wackiness of the people or the cost of housing.  What amazes me the most is the cost of entertainment.  Take a family of 4 to any sporting event and you are out $250-$400 for the tickets  unless it is the Lakers, then they do the whole engagement ring calculation, 4 months salary for the tickets....  Go to Lego Land or Universal and it is again another $300, Disneyland, well they have Greenlight Financial and Cash Call representatives there ready to check your last 3 w-2's for financing options.

But I think I found the most over priced deal....The Carlsbad Flower Fields.  I had to go to San Diego today.  On the way back I needed to stop for gas, so I stopped at Pea Soup Anderson's, next time I will shoot the windmill.  Across the street are the Famous Carlsbad Flower fields and they have started to bloom.  I thought I would walk up and take a shot, unfortunately I realized this blog is not worth the price of admission....Check it out!!!  Really??? How much does it cost to walk through Home Depot's Garden Section?(Jamie's line).  I am thinking about planting a flower garden in the back yard to pay for summer trip to Knott's Berry Farm this year. 

Two pictures, one from over the Fence in true cheapskate fashion, the second of the most ridiculous sign in California Attraction History.




Monday, May 6, 2013

Homework

I can't believe I am 120+ days into the blog and we haven't included our friend Emily on the blog.  She hangs out with us after school on Monday and Fridays.  Plus her mom owns Roxy, Baxter's Black Lab girlfriend, you see my boy has jungle fever!

But today is not about Baxter or Roxy it is about Homework.  I was locked in my office all day today, when I finally went down around 3 pm the girls were doing homework.  Well Emily was, Toni was throwing goldfish in the air and catching them in her mouth.  We are so proud of her talents!

I felt like they needed help so I sent in the expert in to help them.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Printo de Mayo....actually de Marcho and de Aprilo

Nice Lazy Sunday, I would want it any other way, except for a bit warmer and a little less clouds.  I kind of wanted to take a ride today.  But instead we went to the gym, soaked in the Jacuzzi to regain my back after golfing and car washing yesterday, then took a nice long nap.  Nice Sunday I'd say.

I have a confession to make, while I have kept up with taking a picture every day, I was a month and some behind on framing the monthly pictures (see March 1st http://greggvscamera.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-am-i-going-to-do-with-pictures.html) .  So this evening was dedicated to printing the March and April collages on my HP DesignJet Z3100 and "posting" those on my wall.  Yes, for you Facebookers, this is how you post a picture on your wall and the friends that you have, actually visit your house to view them.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

300 Yard Drive

Today we returned to the Links.  Brian, Greg and I played a new course, Glen Ivy in Corona.  We got an early start and more importantly jumped out before a very large group so we had a nice leisurely round.  With the extra time on each hole I got to take a couple of great pictures of the landscape and the wild life. But that cannot be my post today. 

I played pretty well with the exception of a meltdown Par 3 early where I posted a 7.  Not comment.  The thing that actually pisses me off as I ended up shooting a 92.  I would have broken 90 for the first time if I didn't have that meltdown or I could sink a putt on 17 and 18.

Speaking of 18, that is my photoblog topic tonight.  This is an awesome hole.  First of all the tee box is about 400-500 feet about the rest of the hole.(see second picture)  The hole is was 424 yards,  I hit a very strong drive then gravity took over and the ball just rolled  and I was 124 away, a 300 yard drive!!! Now wait a second, I had an 86 before the tee.  All I needed to do was put it on the green and 1 putt and I break 90! 

Yeah second shot went in the water.  I know head down! Admire you work not your result...Moron.

Picture 1: Looking down on 18.
Picture 2: Looking back up to the tee box, from 300 yards away.
Picture 3: Greg Livingston's composition on 4 looking back at 3.


Friday, May 3, 2013

Recharge

Today was a crazy Friday, conference calls that started at 7am and seemed to go the entire day.  There was one little project I wanted to take care of, installing my new battery in the Harley.  By little I mean the amount of space that I actually had to work.  I wanted to make sure I did it correct so I opened the manual, under "removal of battery" it read..."unscrew terminals and remove".  What they forgot to mention was it is absolutely impossible to get to the terminals as they are below the top of the case...REALLY Harely?!!?!?!

Thanks to Jamie she worked the screwdriver as I tried to pull the battery out.  Then she walked the dog for the 25 mins it took me to get the seat back on.... I wonder why it took

so long?

Yes I also included a sunset just to take me back to a happy place.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Prom Night

Today is Junior Prom night in NJ.  I threatened Patrick, my daughter Kristin's boyfriend that I better see pictures.  Lucky for him, Officer Bonfiglio went to the "picture house" to take a couple of shots. 

I am going to hold off ranting about the fact that my dad has a very nice Canon Rebel but for some reason my brother Wayne only took pictures on an IPad.  Fortunately for me I have Lightroom and can work near miracles.

We had a very busy day here, I assaulted my Outlook Inbox and clean 600 emails out.  Jamie's assault was on the baseboards here at the house.  I kind of like having her home all day, although I am concerned about what is going to happen when she runs out of things to clean...I wonder how well she can polish chrome and a V-twin?

Anyway, after dinner and our continuing theme of Mexican food, I decided to head up to my office to work on pictures from Spain and this blog.  I was going to post pictures of Kristin at the Junior Prom, with my Brother as the contributing Photographer.  Plus the Kings game is on so I would have company in my office.  As I turned on the game, Kristin's other boyfriend, ex-Flyer Mike Richards scored.  Patrick, that better not be a theme. Remember how much desert there is between New Jersey and California.  And learn how to smile in pictures!

Tonight's picture also includes Chloe(left) and our Summer roommate Tiffanie(right).

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Wild Horses

I had to go out to the east valley today.  On the way there is a spot where every so often I see wild horses(or at least I think they are) grazing in this pasture.  I never seem to see them when I have my camera with me.  Today was the exception.  While the shot is not the best because the horse are like 1/2 mile away.  I still think they are very cool.

Like I said 4 months ago, or 122 days ago not every picture would be a great one.  Yes, 122 days ago, this is now formally my "1/3 of the way through the photoblog project" post and I haven't missed a day. 

I guess this is a good time to give some blog stats:
There have been 3,533 page views on the blog with viewers from 10 countries.  The number 1 viewed page was of course March 13th "USAF Veteran Robert Rowe", the second is March 3rd "A Job Well Done".

Thanks for following.  Please post comments.

Anyway....horses.