An update

Spring break is almost over *Sniff* *Sniff*. Well in case anyone was interested, here are a list of things I did during my break.

- Put rocks along the far end of the pool
- Put pavers on the close end of the pool
- Move one of the flower gardens back towards the house
- Redo some of the siding on the garage
- Redo some of the facial board on the garage

I’m very proud of myself that I actually did something with myself during this break.

I don’t know if it snowed at everyone’s house, but it certainly snowed at mine today. As in sticking snow. As in here in practically April. I say we all drive our cars and hurry up this whole global warming thing. I’m tired of this cold.

Laughing Baby

A Quote from Stephen D. Eyre's book Drawing Close to God

I can even turn my own spiritual pursuits into a substitute for God. I remember spending a good part of one morning in serious study of the Scriptures. Suddenly I had a strong sense that God was sitting in a chair beside the desk. I felt a pull on my heart to put down my pen, turn to face him and just sit in quiet heartfelt worship. My response to this sense of call was irritation. I had determined that this was to be a study time. I wanted to wave away this call, grumbling, “Not now, God; can’t you see I’m studying the Bible?”

Attending church and all sorts of religious activities can have the appearance of seeking God when in fact it is another means of avoidance. Rousing worship services full of inspiring music and moving prayers are not enough to overcome this. Nor is being doctrinally correct a guarantee that we are OK. In fact, all of these can be dangerous, because they allow us to cherish the illusion that we are spiritually growing when in fact we are in spiritual darkness.

*Note: this is not an "official" recommendation of this book. I've only gotten through the second chapter

Cute Kitty

The fur on this kitten, born Sunday in Sacramento, California, seems to spell out "I (heart) (dot)." That's especially cute because the kitten's mother is named Dottie.

Brian Littrell - Wish

Good Friday

New design

Well I’ve updated the look on the blog so what do you think? I know that the music thing is messed up. It’s supposed to be much wider, but you guys will just have to deal with it until I find the humbleness to go on my knees and ask Abbie how to put it on the bottom of the page.

Out of school - for now

WOOT! I'm finished with the Winter 2008 quarter. Only one more quarter until summer! This quarter was a drag. I haven't received my grades back yet, but I know I didn't do well in physics. I probably got either a b or a b-. That teacher was so frustrating. Well know I get about a 12 day break before Spring quarter begins. I'll probably spend most of it doing yard work. And to all of your amazement, that was actually my idea.

In case any of you didn't know, I will be working again in Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) this summer. But this year I will be working with my sister, and in a smaller team that will go to smaller church on the outskirts of our county. I can't wait until this summer!

E.R. discovers the flaw of post-modernisem

Photography tips - Part 2

If you use a monotone voice to communicate with your friends, they’ll probably think you’re boring, likewise, if you use a boring foreground your audience will loose interest. Dave Gaffney in his book “50 tips to great outdoor images” says that "there is nothing more striking than an image with wildflowers splashed across a foreground". There are many cool effects you can use with your foreground. You can use it to draw the eye into the picture (like the example on top). Frame the picture (like the example on the bottom). Or just create something exiting in the foreground (like Dave Gaffney says).

Would you want to talk with a person who rambles on so much you forget what his or her main point to begin with was? Of course not! Likewise you shouldn’t include so much in your photograph that your audience looses track of your main object. On his website, ethanMeleg.com, Ethan Meleg, one of Canada’s leading photographers, says that every time he takes a picture he reminds himself that “less is more” There are many instances where you can cut things out of you photo. Maybe you take a face shot instead of the whole body. Maybe you just focus on one flower (Bottom) instead of a whole field (top).

Softball season is comming

Softball season is comming...

Any idea where I can get some?

More companies

Bible soft

If only

If only life was that easy

Basic photography tips - part 1

Well these are just some basic tips for setting up a photograph that I put together for a presentation I have coming up in my speech class. Any tips/suggestions would be appretiated. I would especially like it if someone had a really cool idea for an intro and/or conclusion.

Tip #1 Use odd numbers of objects

Our brain is almost magically attracted to odd numbers. Whether it be points in an essay or a photograph, our appreciates odd numbers. See how much more pleasing the pic. on the top is to the eye?

Tip #2: Use the rule of thirds

This is another almost “magical” brain trick: imagine your photo divided into three sections, now use those lines that divide the sections to place your main objects in your photograph on. Notice how in the photo on the top the silhouette and first wave coming in are both placed along lines? Now not every line needs something on it, but the major elements of your photograph should be placed along one of these lines.

Now when doing face shots like the one on the bottom, your main element is the eyes, so you want to place those along one of the lines (presumably the top one).