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I hurt my lumbar spine pretty severely a while back (okay, well more like 4-5 years ago), and it has recently been acting up and becoming a rather large nuisance; making every day tasks more challenging than they need be. In response to the aggravation in my lumbar area, I've started to exercise the core of my body, more so than usual, in order to aid "recovery." I feel like it is helping, but like most other things, recovery is a process, and cannot be expected instantly.

You might also notice I've decided to let my hair grow out a little bit. The weather has been pretty balmy overall the last couple of months, and my head used to get pretty cold!

I am going to an orchid exposition tomorrow, at Fort Mason, in San Francisco. It should be a great time. Tickets are originally $15 -a little steep in my opinion! But here to save the day? Groupon, half off tickets, score! Now, I am not myself one who keeps orchids, however I am one who can certainly appreciate the beauty, intricacies, and the art behind raising orchids.

"To help us bring benefit to others through our words and actions, it is useful to cultivate an attitude of sympathetic joy in others’ achievements and good fortune. This attitude is a powerful antidote against envy, which is not only a source of unnecessary suffering on the individual level but also an obstacle to our ability to reach out and engage with others."
-Dalai Lama

*I am aware of how random, this quote is. But I wanted to share this with you all, in case you haven't seen it. I think it is an awesome quote, and that we can all benefit from it. I have memorized this quote, and I try to apply it to every day circumstances. This is relevant to me because I consider myself a work in progress. Pearls of wisdom like the one above are one of the many vessels I use to encourage perpetual mental, emotional, and spiritual growth (more on this in another post).

But back on track -I've gone ahead and decided, at some arbitrary point in time last year, that I would like to try and squeeze in a self portrait of myself every now and then. I figure this for a couple of reasons; so my strobist work does not get rusty (not that it is as polished as it is), and also to keep track of, well ... myself. At some point in the future I may very well look back at the images I have of myself ... and remember what a handsome young chap I "was," haha! You can laugh later, if you'd like. All kidding aside, it was fun to get out again and shoot a post-52 selfie.

I was not up to driving anywhere to take this picture (or anywhere else, in general). Gas is highway robbery so expensive! So, instead, I opted to find a place by foot. It was so cold (odd at first, because the sun was up!) that I did not end up wandering very far. These are the steps to Lawton Alternative School. I attended this school from kindergarten through the eighth grade (junior high for those who want to be finicky). Lots of memories surged to mind as I walked around the campus. It's been way too long. Or am I just getting old? Don't answer that. Geeze.

Strobist geeks, read on;

Lighting: Speedlite @ 1/8 bare (rocking the single strobe pony), triggered via poverty wizards

On Saturday some friends and I went to Satori Vineyards just a couple miles into Gilroy. Initially on the drive in to Gilroy, we were mildly concerned about the weather as some small raindrops found their way onto our windshield. This passed after 15 minutes or so, after which time the clouds moved on their way and the sun worked its charm. It was still a little breezy, and a bit brisk, but the sun was warm enough to provide balance to everything.
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The "Deets"
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We pulled into Satori at about 1pm. Not too many people there, just two other parties (seems one really was a party though, judging by the gal wearing the large banner that said "BIRTHDAY GIRL" across it). We quickly hunkered down at the counter and munched on colored goldfish crackers. Being that I do not drink, the duty of DD defaults to me (I don't mind), so a glass a water was what I had, which was fine. Especially being that there was a pot full of home-made french onion soup off the side! With endless cheese topping, and a home made croutons! What a kick. It was delicious. And with the slightly chilled breeze, the warm soup really hit the spot.

One thing I'm sure most people come to notice about Satori only after a brief amount of time here, is that the ambiance is completely relaxed and chill. The music they have playing in the background is soothing. Sometimes there is even live music, and you can't beat that. Everything is very colorful, and appealing to the eye (see pictures in comments). The idea behind the set up of this vineyard seems to be more about spirituality, and emanating positivity, so you will even find small random Buddah statues lying around with some other quirky [but cool] things. The staff is really wonderful, and all of them are very cheerful, talkative, and friendly, all of the time. Their grounds are very clean, and well organized, and ... simple. After spending just five minutes here, it is not hard to see why Satori is a diamond-in-the-rough sort of winery when placed next to other wineries in the Gilroy area. Truly one a kind. I mean, they have a yellow brick road (pictured below). What is not to love about that?

The next time we come here, my friends and I plan to pack lunch and make a day out of it. Camp out by the open fire pit they have, and enjoy the day. It's not hard to find a way to relax and mellow out here.

Available light

I normally arrive on campus an hour and a half before I start work on the weekdays. I do this for a couple of reasons. I've always been the early person to arrive at things. Forget fashionably late, I am unfashionably early, haha. When it comes to work, and as much as I love my job, I almost never enjoy "jumping" into the work day. Instead of arriving at work, throwing down my bag, and leaping into the oven, I'd much rather sit outside for a bit. Y'know. Enjoy the sunlight, listen to the campus bells playing @ 7:45, and reading a book whilst indulging in a cup of warm tea. THEN, I like to get my day rolling. It's all about easing into things, for me.

Oddly enough, winter never feels like it ever really came. Spring seems to be creeping up, and making itself more and more known. Just this past week, I've noticed more trees, and more plants coming into their blossoming periods. It's quite beautiful to look at and observe every day.
I will make a point to visit a Japanese Tea Garden some time in order to get some pictures of the gorgeous foliage that will soon be erupting from the nearly barren branches.

Lighting: All natural

Variety is the spice of life. Gotta change it up once in a while.

I know I do not post on here as often as I used to -and believe me, I'd really like to post more. Between work, and everything else going on, I've been keeping pretty busy. Work is great. I'm continually learning, and continually finding that my days go by as quick as when I first started.

I've recently been reading the book, Napoleon's Buttons: 17 Molecules That Changed History. I am nearly done with the book (only one more molecule to go!). It is a great book that puts many historical events into perspective. While some stories may seem a little bit "far fetched," it certainly provides some food for thought. A very interesting book. And if you are in to recreational chemistry like I am, you'll surely enjoy this read.

I cannot wait for the weather to warm up a little bit more. I'd love to get out and go camping in March, or April. I'd like to go somewhere new, and somewhere far from any cities. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be totally open to them. I may even be able to make it to Yosemite this year.

I've also taken the initiative at home to consolidate my two aquariums into one -much less work, and it was an opportunity to do some work on aquariums, which is something I really enjoy. I'll try and get a video up to show you all the tank.

I still have not decided on whether or not to jump on a Canon 135L, or an 85 1.2/1.4 lens! I am so indecisive I drive myself up the wall sometimes. Although I have been doing a little more thinking. I As far as what I am looking for in a lens; I want a telephoto that will allow me to take a picture of something, or someone while not having to get too close to them. I would want my subject to be unaware that I am taking a picture of them. Why not a telephoto zoom? They're too big, too heavy, too obvious, and I like my glass fast. I've tried taking street candids with a 50 1.4, but it doesn't cut the cake. The lens is stellar in itself, however in order to really cream the background and achieve the depth of field I desire, I find I need to be way too close to the subject to be discreet. If I wanted to be in someones face, I'd use the 35mm anyways.
The 135mm would almost always be too long indoors for my purposes, which is where the 35/50 combo would come in handy. But outdoors, I have the feeling even the 85 would not let me be as far away as I'd like ... or maybe it would. I dunno.

Snapple fact of the day: Babies are not dishwasher safe
Question of the day: How come my hand moves faster than I do up the elevator?

For all the football aficionados ... what a Superbowl game, hm? That last two minutes was pretty tense.

One of the best times, in my opinion, to get out for some pictures is immediately following the rain, or between periods of rain. Often times, I've noticed soon after dark and looming rain clouds pass, the sunlight is finally able to punch down from the sky, and work its magic. It almost seems like pixie dust was sprinkled all over the grass around me.

"The sick are not the only ones who need help."
-Dr. Chase, House
(this is a fantastic show, by the way)

BOKAAAAAAAAAHHHHH. This is your public service announcement for the day. That is all. You're welcome.

:)