A new Eagle Scout

Fremont, CA

I went to a friend's Eagle Court of Honor tonight. I've known him since he was 4, so it was a real pleasure to see him achieve this award. I too am an Eagle Scout and know the joy tonight will give my friend for years to come.

Salamanders in my garden

Vallejo, CA

As I was weeding the garden today, I would suddenly see these things move and I would freak out because I thought they were snakes (and snakes scare me). Howver, eventuaully I discovered they were salamanders and there was probably 15 of them I saw today.

Bird in the moon light

Clyde, CA

I went to see a friend in Clyde tonight and saw this scene. It was cooler in person.

trees after the interview

Martinez, CA

I had an interview today in Martinez. After the interview I went for a short drive before going back to my job.

the red white and blue

Vallejo, CA

My roommates and I are very patriotic when it comes to our bathroom towels.

As found in an Elevator

Pleasant Hill, CA

What do you do on Fridays and the Elevator stops working?

bricks rising up from under

Vallejo, CA

In the process of cleaning the backyard we discovered a brick patio.

Firetruck and trailer

Oakley, CA

I bought a new lego a week or so ago.

Country and Bluegrass night

Fremont, CA

I spent most of the day in Hollister refereeing Power Wheelchar Soccer games. The drive back would have been about 2 hours, so I stopped in Fremont to join my dad for dinner. He took me to Mission Pizza and Pub where every Saturday night they have live bluegrass and country music. It was really good pizza and the music was rather impressive to.

As a side note, I HATE going to chain food establishments, but it is sometimes hard to find good food and good music at mom and pop shops. These guys did both.

A winded flower

Antioch, CA

Grr. The wind blew every time I tried to take pictures ofthis unknown plant tonight. Oh well, it grows outside my Antioch office so I'll have another chance soon.

Purdy and Pink

Vallejo, CA

As seen from my front yard.

a foggy sunset

Oakley, CA

Today the weather just couldn't make up its mind. It was foggy, sunny, foggy, overcast, sunny and then finally foggy again. Winter is such a fickle season.

quick flashing

Vallejo, CA

The tree in my front yard got flashed this evening.

Lynch Canyon

Lynch Canyon, Napa, CA

Kathryn, Nick, Joan and I went hiking at Lynch Canyon today. About halfway though our trail I saw these three trees on the otherside of the park that I (and Kathryn) wanted to photograph. The problem is, the Lynch Canyon park starts out at one point but it "V"s out and between the two parts of the park is private land. I convinced the group that no one was going to shoot us and we should transport ourselves over to the other side. We did. And we got great pictures from it. Including this one.

Dave on a swing

Napa, CA

Dave and I were on our way back from church when we saw this company that had swing on a tree. Dave just had to try it out.

My First Portrait Shoot

Fremont, CA

I had my first portrait shoot today. Never before has any one ever asked me to take their picture in a formal (and professional) setting, but today I photographed this guy. The top picture is the one he went with. The bottom one was his least favorite.

Hiking Rush Ranch

Rush Ranch, Solano County, CA

Kathryn and I went for a hike today because I had a furlough day.

(BTC)

Vallejo, CA

My roommate is loaning me her camera for a little bit. It was made in Germany in 1961 and has a rather interesting design to it. My roommate doesn't know if it works - so that is my first goal.

chasing the sun

Bay Point, CA

It is so nice that the sun is out as I drive home. It is so pretty.

Thank me

Oakley, CA

I have decided that what I lack in my life is really cute thank you cards. I got this today for a baby beanie Cindy made.

My Step Girlfriend loves me

Oakley, CA

I have been blessed this past year with a very loving Step-Girlfriend (She's my dad's girlfriend. If they were married she'd be my step mother so step-girlfriend works, right?). When she heard I was raising money for people with disabilities, she contributed. When she knew my father and I weren't spending enough time together, she cleared my dad's schedule, got us tickets to a ball game and sent us on our way. When she found out my monitor had died and my feet were getting cold, she gave me a new (to me) monitor and a new rug. She even has opened up her home to me and friends of mine for the holidays and other dinners.
Anyway, when she found out I was taking an online class this semester she gave me one of her spare laptops. I have chapters 1-4 due on Wednesday but have been super busy with my truck (and getting it to pass smog) that I have gotten behind. With her new gift, I was able to work at my office today on my homework assignments and get three chapters done. (I should mention at this point that I'm grateful to my father for programming the new laptop and for driving the monitor and rug up to me in Vallejo).
I have got to be one lucky guy to have such a loving, caring and amazing step-girlfriend.

Stuff from Dad's Girlfriend

my favorite cross

In my truck, CA

I have several crosses, but this is my favorite. Melinda sent this to me for my birthday while she was on her mission. I keep it on the dashboard of my truck, at first to remind me to pray for Melinda while she was on her mission, and now because I hear that the gangs in Antioch and Oakley won't steal from a car that they think is owned by a man of God. I am a man of God who reveres the sacrifice done by Jesus Christ, and am thankful to have this as a reminder.

it was a triple but became a double

Vallejo, CA

I only really had three goals today: Clean the garage, catch up on sleep, and catch up on school work. Some time when I was out cleaning the garage I looked up and saw a triple rainbow (Noah would be so impressed) but by the time I made it back from my room with the camera, all that was left was this bright single one and the fading second one.

--
On a side note, Melinda posted some new picture on the temple blog. Go check them out if you get a chance.

tim under

I was brushing my teeth this morning when I saw Tim in my peripheral trying to get to something on my side of the door.

Where to Sit

Antioch, CA

I'm not sure but I think the bench is there to hold the chains down and to prevent anyone from stealing the chains. I could be wrong.

(BTC - Tim)

Loki Watching Me

Vallejo, CA

Because I'm usually the first person awake in the morning and Loki is usually the first cat awake (Tim is a rather lazy cat), Loki will often come in and watch me eat breakfast and tie my shoes. Here are two shots of her, one with a flash and one without.

carving up my heart

Vallejo, CA

To get into grad school, I must take a class that involves a three dimensional art form or I must "master" a 3D art medium. The options for grad school are: ceramics, basket weaving, soap making, jewelry making or wood working. The classes offered at my junior college: ceramics. I have no desire to take a ceramics course. Just my luck - I would have a beautiful pot on the throw wheel right when Demi Moore would come up, ruin the pot and force me to watch Ghost with her. So I am attempting to "master" certain aspects of wood working instead. I have a book and I'm trying to plow my way through it.

Name that Theatre equipment!

Do you know what this goes to on stage or what group?

Do you know what these are and what they are needed for?

Name that purple plant

Oakland, CA

Woohoo! It is time for my favorite game AND my favorite ecologist is back from her mission. Ready. Set. Go! Name that plant!

not pink

Vallejo, CA

So it turns out I have an Orange tree outside in the backyard. It's a shame I can't have oranges.