Oh boy... well... I said earlier that I have a new instructor and I didn't know what to think about what this class will turn out to be... and it looks to be about nothing... as far as learning goes. I think I am wasting my time in this class. I think what I am trying to get out here is that my instructor is new and I don't think she has a good idea on what to show us and how to make us understand what she is wanting us to do. We are suppose to be learning how users look at our designs and them being able to understand what we create. Like a website... if we create a site then it needs to be understandable and user friendly for potential viewers... so they will know how to navigate around on our site. Ok, I got that... but for heavens sake stop reading to us like this is elementary school. Last week I looked around the class and everyone had this completely dazed out look. I bet you could have heard a pin drop when our instructor took breaths in between her reading. Well... enough about that.

My other class is pretty cool but the fact that I don't know anyone makes for a boring night. My instructor is very funny and has a lot of knowledge about all kinds of things. I feel like if I had this class with more people that I know, it would be a heck-of-a-lot better. I have seven weeks left so I'm sure you will hear me gripe about it even more before it's over. Until then I rest my case.

Portraits

When I'm on a photography adventure I spend most of my time looking for that certain scene that is breathtaking or any other scene that catches my eye but one type of picture I hardly ever get are portraits. For some reason I'm just never around people at a time when I can take photos of them. I did find a few photos that I took of my brother-in-laws children but this is not the portrait photography I'm talking about. Maybe I can rig something up soon. It would be a learning experience for me. Here are a few of my favorites:

3 Girls and a camera

4th quarter begins

I am now in my 4th quarter of school and my classes are... well... let me get back to ya on that one. I have Intro to User Center Design and History of Motion Media and Mass. For my User Center class we have a new instructor. I don't know about you but I'm not one that usually likes new teachers and the way things are looking, my theory will continue to stand. It's only my second week in so maybe things will get better. For History of Motion Media, this class has potential to be a fun class but then again I almost feel like I am wasting money by going to this class. I have a really good instructor that is a cut- up but I don't know anyone in that class... so therefore I am bored. We talk about all kinds of things and even watch movies. By the end of the night I have to write a two page paper on a topic by my instructor. This class would be much more fun if I knew more students in the class. Also, this quarter is only ten weeks long so if there is going to be a quarter that I don't like so much, this is the best time.

Summer break is over

I can't believe how fast my summer break has went. It just seems like a week or two ago was when class let out for the last time for summer break to start. By all means I'm not at all dreading to go back to school. It's the stress of having a lot of homework and also working a job at the same time. I think this quarter is the beginning of my last half now that I think about it. I've been checking my schedule and it looks as if I only have a few more quarters to go after this one is over. I tell ya, the day school is over will be a sad, bitter-sweet day. If school wasn't so dadgum expensive, I'd continue on but it doesn't take long for Sallie Mae (school loan provider) to start racking up. I just enjoy being around staff and meeting new people. Their are some strange folks that attend that school... I'm telling ya... but I've also met some really good people. It's mostly been the instructors I've made friends with. Since life goes by so fast I'm trying to grasp ahold of what I'm doing because before you know it I'll be writing about how I can't believe school is finally over.

Pictures of Pearl

While I was in Lilesville the other week I took a few pictures of one of my favorite pictures of dad. I'm not exactly sure but I think this was taken around ten to twelve years ago. This picture of dad is one of those pictures that most everybody in the family has a copy of. I thought that if I could get a good enough shot of it I could put a little color in the background to make it look recent. Retouching photos can be... well, touchy for lack of better words. It's easy to over do it. You don't want your retouched photos to look fake. So for these I just colored the background on some of them and the rest I just warmed his face. Here's what I got:

The original.

Close-up of original.

More skin and shirt color.

Background color with skin and shirt color. This is by-far my favorite. The new color in the background makes it look as if was taken recently.

I used a different background color on this close-up. Not my favorite but still looks ok.

Something different for dad but I couldn't resist. Not bad at all.

Beach poster

Shelly and I had so much fun on our week long trip to the beach this year... we did pretty much everything we wanted to do. On our way back I had an idea of making a poster of events that we enjoyed while we were there and this is what I came up with. At first I thought this poster was a little cheesy but it's growing on me a little now.

Remembering the sand...

A story about how and where my passion for photography started . It was these pictures that lit the fire. Read on!

It was around the end of 2002 to the beginning of 2006 when we would hit the sand pits of the good ole country land of Pageland South Carolina. Andrews Motorsports is always closed during the winter months of January and February so it was during these times when a group of 5 guys including myself would load up and head out for a day of fellowship and wide open sand spraying. It was one of those places where you left knowing your ability of riding was tested... but in a good way. It was just a great time. I believe I can honestly say that the weekends we rode the sand were some of the best times I've ever had riding. There was just something about the sand pits that made up a super fun day of riding. In fact, these sand pits are the birth of my passion for photography. I'll never forget telling the guys that someone needs to be taking some pictures since we were having so much fun. I was the only one willing to sacrifice a little bit of riding to get some shots... so I just started sitting out a couple of motos each time we went just to take pictures. After seeing my pictures after my first day of shooting, I was a bit stunned. I had no idea of what a good photo was suppose to look like but all I knew was that I was getting the peek of the moment. Eventually I got hooked and it got harder to commit to a day of riding. All I was wanting to do was take pictures. At the time I was using Shell-Bells point and shoot camera, which I call pocket cameras since they're so small... and the rest is history. I started taking that camera out to the track when it was open and tried getting the best looking photo I could. Year after year I would continue doing the same ole thing until early 2006 if I remember correctly. We arrived at the sand pits for some riding only to find a cable across the entrance. Long story short, I think the issues with the sand pits were something that we all knew were gonna happen yet at the same time, hoped they never would. By now there is no telling what those places are like. Maybe nothing at all has changed but the fact that we can not ride there anymore was a change we all hated to see. Even though our time at the sand pits were shorter than what we wanted, I can always remember holding the throttle wide open... the deep sand ruts and the big sand waves. Here's to those times.

Here are the photos that lit the photography fire that is burning ever so strong.

Bryan (doc) Persinger throws a big sand wave as he goes through one of the many photogenic sand corners.

Right after the big sandy corner was this tricky right hand corner that was filled with ruts. Rich Field demonstrates how to exit.

When we decided to hit a motocross track instead of the sand pits, we usually came here to sand hills motocross track, which is not that far from the pits. Todd Coyler shows off some style while riding this long winding left handed rut.

Mike Andrews on a hill corner at the sand pits. Mike was good at riding in the sand and new how to get around really fast.

New shampoo

While I was at the grocery store I sniffed around for the best smelling shampoo to begin my journey of how long it takes to use a bottle of shampoo... and Suave it is. I tried not to be too girlish but I really like the fruity aroma of this one. This will probably take a while to use since I have nothing but peach fuzz on my noggin. I'm really interested in seeing just how long this will take.

Happy 4th of July

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable 4th of July this year for 2008. Shell-Bell is in Ohio visiting with her sister and friends and my mom is in Morganton visiting with her sister. Me.... oh don't worry about me... guess I'll just sit here at the house by my lonesome and twiddle my thumbs. I'm kinda bummed... can't you tell. Even when Shelly has been home for the 4th we hardly ever go out and do anything but this year I've kinda got the jitters to go celebrate. I was at the grocery store earlier getting me some grub and I see everyone lined up to see the parade. Not that a parade is what I want to see unless we were in New York or something. To top it off, I have to be a work in 30 minutes. I go in at 1 and I'll get off at 7 tonight... just in time for the whole day to be ruined. So when I get home I guess I'll fire up the chicken kabobs I bought and chill with the dog and hope nobody tries to fire off a rocket and burn down the house.

Over the weekend

What an amazing weekend. I hung out with some friends at the track Saturday but the real fun began when I took off a couple a days to spend with Mom. I use to spend a full week with her when I was working full time but since school and a part time job has taken over the majority of my life, I have little time to do anything these days... so since I had the opportunity this weekend, I made a go of it. This weekend was something I needed. I really don't know how to put it into words except for it just seemed like I was able to relive several moments in my life in one evening. After getting to moms and having a lunch fit for a king... my quest was on. Before I get to far into this story I would like to mention that the documentary movie I am putting together of my dad got a successful kickoff. I have several people in mind for interviews including myself and I hope to soon have a movie trailer made for you so you can get an idea of what I'm doing.

After lunch I went over next door to Jesse Mays house to see how she was doing and to see if she would be interested in talking about some of the things that made my dad the person he was but she was not up to it... which I totally respect. Anyone that has had the pleasure of meeting such a wonderful person will know that it is a treat just being around her sweet personality. On her behalf I will tell you a little story she remembered about dad. She said that dad was the all time ladies man... meaning that dad was so well known and was loved by so many people that he could kiss all the women of the church and they all thought nothing of it. The folks that make up Lilesville Methodist Church are just one big family. So they all know what a special person dad was to them and that he meant nothing but fun and laughter in everything he done. Thanks so much Jesse May.

Next I made my way down to see David Vaughn, a long time friend of dads. Going to Davids house was one of the many treats that made this weekend special for me. When we all use to go camping at the river, David and the rest of his family which included his wife Kay and daughters Deana and Susan would be right there with the rest of us. When we pulled up to his house I was reminded of those times. David has a big garage where his boat use to be and was where we had a many of cookouts. You know for a brief moment, I could see all of us kids running around like it was yesterday. During the interview David poured his heart out about the greatest things he could remember about dad. Thanks once again David for the interview and thanks for not letting dads legacy of kissing all the women dye. Since dad passed away, David has took up where dad left off.

After leaving Davids house mom and I decided to get some good ole home made ice cream and call it a night. A few hours before it got dark I took off like I normally do so I could revisit the places that I use to call home... or should I say my old stomping grounds. While I was out I drove back into an area where my friends and I would meet before we went riding on our motorcycles and got a little caught up in the moment. Once again there I was... looking out over the whole field and remembering back on times that seemed like yesterday. As I sat there I began to wonder why all things must come to an end and why in the world do some things have to change. Lilesville has and will always have this affect on me. As Buck McCormick said, "this is home" and I agree 100%.

So it's now Monday morning and mom has made me some grits and eggs with bacon and toast. Remember you aren't eating until you pour your grits over your eggs made sunny side up. Then you can mix it all together for one heck-of-a-breakfast. After letting that settle I was off again to explore some of the old stomping grounds that are painted in my mind and searching for that feeling of reliving the good times of the old days. I didn't make it to far though. With it being Monday there were crews out working around the places I wanted to go so I'll have to wait until next time on a weekend. I did manage to make it down to the bottom of a ravine where Sean and I use to camp and hike. It was an old creek bed that looks to be all dried up. So I just packed up and went back to the house to see mom a bit more before I needed to head out. After talking a little bit we said our goodbyes and I was off to city.

On the way home I stopped in Wadesboro to get some peaches and a cantaloupe and next thing you know I was talking to a girl that is a sister to a good friend of mine that I went to school with. He got stationed in Hawaii and then somehow landed in California in a bit of a mess. Divorced and messed up on drugs was sad for me to hear knowing this person and how cool he was to hang out with. We were music buddies all through high school and we both had dreams of becoming a rock star. Hopefully things will turn around for him and he gets straightened out.

As this story comes to an end just like all the good times in my life that I wish never did, I have to say I am proud of who I am today. I am thankful for what I have and I try to cherish everything like the old days and embrace the feeling that goes with it. To the people of Lilesville N.C , a big thanks for being the greatest people on the face of the earth and to my lost friend Chuck Lataker, that is somewhere in California, I hope you find your way back buddy. You have a friend waiting on you. Thanks most of all to mom for all that you are.