Testing to see if this will Crosspost to Livejournal

Well it has been more than a month since I posted… wow I suck.  I managed to get another album up, oddly the newest shots I’ve taken.  Some pictures from Chris’ Birthday BBQ over the weekend.  Much fun was had as distant friends were able to make it home.  It was really great to have not only Mike and Cole home, but Jared, Vicki, and Sylas at the same time.  It think it’s probably been 4 - 5 years since that has happened… too long.  Makes me realize how much I miss them.  I took far too many pictures of the little people that were there and not enough of everyone else…  sorry to anyone that isn’t in any pics, but your just not as cute as Sylas and Robert.  ;o)

I’m attempting to patiently wait about maybe having some space to set up a studio.  Having such space would make me very happy.  I got the call on the 28th from NBCC asking if I was still coming (it was registration day) and I must say it made me very sad.  Perhaps not going is still going to work out, but there was something about going to school I really wanted… maybe even needed.  To be surrounded by a creative atmosphere of learning was a very exciting thought.  Having space to set up lights and experiment on my own time will help fill that gap, but I think I still need to find a creative group.  I’m going to look into the Fundy Camera Club, I wasn’t a fan of the idea when I first got into photography but have heard the people are very nice.  It would give me the creative group I think I need if only once a month.  With Bojan (the journalist who taught me photography) having just moved I feel like I lost a resource, even if I didn’t call upon him often.  Perhaps I shall try again to tag along with a few other Pros to learn the trade.

Anywho, I still have trips to Hopewell Rocks, King’s Landing, Wickham, Fireworks, and the Highland Games to post… man I am really behind…  Oh well gives me something to do when not shooting or playing Warhammer 40k, which I’ve done a fair bit of as of late.

I’ve discovered a few things this weekend.

1.  I am WAY behind on posting and getting various projects up.  I have the following shoots to post and talk about that will hopefully be up by the end of the week.  UNBSJ International Co-Op Student shoot, a performance from Alpine Idol, Buskers on the Boardwalk, the Highland Games from Fredericton, and possibly something else I can’t think of!  So yeah… way behind.  And I have a few trips over the next couple of weeks that will add more to get posted.

2.  Summer and the nice weather isn’t going to last forever.  My plans to do some outdoor shoots (ie: fairy tales, portraits, Bobert baby pics) has to get done sooner rather than later.  I hope to schedule a few of these things soon and weather permitting get them done!  I really need to do some work with off camera flash like the Noir pictures.  Also I’d like to get some fresh faces to shoot with too… I know there are some actor type folks out there in addition to picture happy peeps that must read this once in a while via facebook.  So don’t be shy and help a brother out!  Let me know you’d want to help out with a shoot.  I’m open to any ideas beyond the ones I have too.  Even if your just looking for a few headshot or something.

3.  The internet kinda hates photographers.  While trying to put some pics up the other day I noticed how truly horrid they looked once uploaded compared to on my monitor.  Colours got washed out and became very grey, making me a sad boy.  I managed to use a few different settings and “think” I fixed the issue… but it does have me wondering what a lot of my stuff must look like on other monitors?

Had a pretty good and active weekend.  Went rollerblading Friday night, then to the community fair that was in town for a few days.  It is smaller than the Exhibition that comes each year but somehow seems to draw a better crowd.  The rides / people and such all seem cleaner and friendlier.  We had a good time watching Marilyn on the some of the rides, sadly I was foolish and left my camera in the car.  When we were done I went up Soulle Street (not sure if that is spelt right) to take some pictures from a parking lot.  The results were kind of neat so I wanted to share.  Let me know what you think!

Saturday was filled with not much at all.  Worked an extra shift due to Free RPG day, which went pretty well.  Then just relaxed and watched some TV with Hil while working on a scalemail project I’m trying to finish up… it’s late sadly.

Sunday I went to Moncton with friends.  I had a really good time.  Cole made a yummy picnic lunch for us and it was a beautiful day in Moncton (unlike Saint John).  We just hung out chatted and went to Chapters.  Time passed too quickly and Mike had to work.  Made me realize I miss having them around… and made me realize I miss Jared and Vicki too.  Going to try to get down for Canada Day Weekend I think.  Cole is looking great!  (as is Mike but he always does  ;o)  I think we shall try to plan more trips to Moncton or perhaps a camping trip with them.  Looks like I won’t be going to school this year so I’ll need some plans to fill my time.  The thought of not going is rather depressing… but I’m not going to let it stop me.  I’m going to push on and learn on my own as many professionals have.  I might have something cool in that area in the future but don’t want to mention it in case it goes no where, but I am going to look at finding some space to set up a studio so I can have space to work in to try various creative shoots and such that I simply can not do in my living room. 

Well I’m exhausted from hockey so I’m going to bed!

This is just some rather random thoughts that came to mind while reading an article where KFC will introduce Veggie Chicken Burgers in Canada as a way to get PETA off their back.  In addition they will switch to using gas to kill their chicken instead of the usual method because gas is considered “kinder” to the chickens.

This got me thinking on two things.  First, is gas really any better for an animal than a wack to the head?  (or beheading?)  The end result is the same.  A dead chicken.  I don’t claim to be an animal rights activist or even a healthy eater for that matter.  Just seems that there should be more important things groups of people could be spending their time and money on than the manner in which a chicken, cow, or pig is killed.  Because in the end it’s dead anyway.  I mean there are tons of homeless, jobless, starving men, woman, and children in Canada and the US yet people somehow put the quality of life of a chicken above that of a child.  I don’t get it.  Same goes for supporting the starving and homeless in other countries.  Perhaps we should fix our own problems first?  *shrugs*

The second thought came from using gas to kill the chickens.  Which means gas is probably used on cows, pigs, etc… too.  It seems every day we find a new reason to pour a new chemical into the food we eat.  Both meat and vegetables/fruits.  Now I know they say all these things are safe but I can not help but wonder if there is a relation to the madness that effects society?  What I mean is if you feed a cow, bad things it gets mad cow disease.  Which deteriorates the brain.  So what the heck are all these chemicals doing to the human brain?  The amount of chemicals continues to increase as does the amount of senseless violence for no apparent reason from people who were “nice folk”.  There probably is no connection but it makes you wonder doesn’t it?  Is the decline of our society into barbaric madness caused by violence on TV and general apathy to the human condition?  Or is there a real cause changing our very chemical make up?

Like I said odd and random thoughts… but maybe something to think on?

So in an attempt to forget my school money woes while I look into a few other hopefully viable options.

Until I figure out for sure what is going on please enjoy (and comment if you so wish) on some pics I’ve taken over the last while.

First here are some from the Puppy Shower we had for Bigby, the newest member of the Grondin-Wilson household.

Next are some pictures I took last month at the Irving Nature Park during a walk.

And last is what I hope to be a return to Dailey Photos.

During the coarse of this update I found my Photo Gallery Plug-in and new theme did not play nice together.  I’ll try to figure out why and get them working together soon.  Until now… back to the old black version.

Again, been too long since anything of value was posted here.  Trying out a new theme… still not sure what I think of it.  Might change again before too long but we shall see.  Hoping a new look will help to get some new content here.  I have some pictures that I’ve taken that need to get off the memory card and make there way here.  Been super slack on that for too long.  To get my creative juices going I’m going to try another photo shoot, friends and weather permitting.  I think I found a theme that might be fun too!  Fairy Tales!  Maybe the last weekend of the month I shall try to get some people together to aid me in this project.  Have some thinking to do on what I’d like to get out of the project.  So if you are interested in helping post and let me know!  Feel free to let me know how you can help out (costumes, make-up, modelling, props, etc…).  And what ideas you have to add to the mixing pot.

I did not realize it had been so long since I last posted an update.  I feel a bit guilty about have let it go so long.  Just wasn’t much to update on I guess.

Here is what is new.  I got my new camera.  Canon 40D with a 28 - 135mm IS lens.  I am super happy with the camera and love the new lens!  Also picked up a new camera bag to go along with it.  Something a little bigger so I can carry some of my other gear around with me.  Now I just need to not feel so horrid (been sick a lot this winter) and need some nice weather to get out and get some use from the new camera.  The first full day I had it, it did get some use.  Jess, Hil, and I went to Rockwood Park in search of some nature.  We saw about 200 ducks and a half dozen deer!  I’ll post some pictures soon.

Tomorrow I plan to take in another Sea Dogs game.  Test out the 6.5 frames / second on the new camera.  There are only 2 home games left in the season.  Oddly enough tomorrow they play the PEI Rockets again… seems almost every time I go see them they are playing the poor Rockets.  Not sure if they can beat a 12 - 4 trouncing they gave them the last time but we shall see!

On the topic of school I received my acceptance letter earlier in the week.  It is exciting and terrifying all at the same time.  I’m not big on change so moving to a new city by myself to go back to school at my age is HUGE to say the least.  Having to wait til May to apply for student loans to even have an idea if I’ll be able to afford to go does not help any either…  Just have to believe that everything will work out in my favour for once.

<RANT>

Totally off topic for those that think everything should be in US pricing I suggest you move to the USA.  You are all driving me mad by asking/demanding US prices on everything from gaming products to USED books.  The silly dollar has barely been par for 6 months and obviously you have no clue about pricing, business, or anything else outside of your stingy pocket book.  Just try to support Canadian / local business while prices gradually change to meet the very recent change in exchange rate.  Or as I said kindly move out of the country.

</RANT>

Realized I had not posted in a while so I thought I should give an update.  Got my new Dell Monday but have not had a lot of time to spend with it yet.  Just trying to get things transferred over for the most part.  Really loving the new 22″ monitor and Vista isn’t so bad so far.  Time will tell though.

Good friends Phil and Jared had a good visit the other week.  Was out and about with Phil (who is an actor in Toronto) and did some head shots for him.  I think he liked what he saw on the camera.  Now I just have to get them off the memory card and into his inbox.  Should be able to do that tonight and post a few of the better ones for peeps to check out.

Been working on some Warhammer 40K (a miniature war strategy game) figures in preparation for Impossible Realities (a gaming convention) in March.  Looking forward to playing in the 500pt tournament and maybe joining forces with a couple of friends for the 1500pt tournament.  Might take some pictures of some of the figures to post here too.

Been a little while since I last updated but I’ve still been out there shooting.  Horrid weather has stopped my Picture a Day project.  It’s just too darn cold to wander about looking for something new to shoot.  However, my first Photo shoot went well I think.  In my last post I mentioned doing some Film Noir and Fantasy pictures.  The Film Noir ones I’m pretty happy with.  The Fantasy not so much.  Think I needed some more lighting and perhaps an outdoor or larger location for those.  So please check out the Film Noir pics and give me some feed back.  Some have more light then I would have liked but with only 1 off camera flash and no other moveable light I think I managed alright.  A very huge thanks to those that came out to model for me (Hilary, Greg, Chris, Barry, and Jess) with an additional thanks to Jess for the use of her place!  It was lots of fun to do and you guys made it easy to take some good pictures

Also, the pictures from the last Sea Dogs game I attended are up.  So feel free to take a look at those too!

Hrmmm… what else has been going on.  I applied online for the Foundation Visual Arts program at the College of Craft and Design in Fredericton.  Just have to send some paper work off with it as well.  Provided I get accepted and student loans work out I’ll be moving to Fredericton for 3 years in September.  1st year is for the Foundation Visual Arts.  The 2nd and 3rd year will be for the Diploma in Fine Craft majoring in photography.  I think I have finally found what I want to do… and even though moving to F’ton for 3 years scares the hell outta me I gotta get moving with my life.  I’ve been standing still trying to figure out what I want to do for too long.

And sadly I had to call Microsoft to get my Xbox 360 sent back today.  It died an early death over the weekend… on NHL All-Star weekend of all weekends… thus forcing us to play original Xbox hockey.  Don’t think I could do that again… yuck!  Happily the whole process (including shipping) is covered so I don’t pay anything for it!  Woot!  Just have to wait about a month to get it back.  Boo! 

So in the coming week / weekend I’m sure I’ll find some more things to take pictures of.  Our friend Phil from Toronto will be visiting as will my best friend Jared from Halifax.  Jess has her B-day bash this weekend too.  So providing everything turns out I should have some good blackmail pictures to post.