I couldn't get more than half an hour of sleep at time last night. Not because of my overwhelming excitement over Obama's victory, though. Because of a freaking toothache. I woke up today and decided I'd try to go to work and soldier through, then call the dentist after work and schedule an appointment.

Made it through about 2 hours of work before it started throbbing more and more. Left work, called the dentist and asked if he could squeeze me in. He did. Took an xray (that...

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So Mike Huckabee has really wanted to get in touch with me lately. I've gotten at least 4 automated calls from my buddy Mike, and up until now I just hung up as soon as the recording came on. Today, I decided to find out exactly what he wanted - was it my support for John McCain, I presume?

Nope. He wants to protect the sacred institution of marriage. I don't remember all the questions, but they're all phrased in typically partisan ways.

Do you believe that marriage...

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I was in a training session all day yesterday with a few other managers, hosted by our HR Manager. She's really, really good at her job, very smart, very engaging, but she was driving me bonkers. Why?

She pronounces etc. as EKcetera. And she used it constantly!



Gah!

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So I finally caved in and signed up for Facebook last week after much sibling pressure, mainly to keep in better touch with my family and relatives. When I signed up, I had a friend request waiting for me from her (her being the ex & best friend of 12 years that I haven't spoken to in 3). I ignored it, since I remember that she sent out a mass email quite a while ago inviting a bunch of people to join and figured this was part of that. Plus I had decided that the only way I'd consider reopening...

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So I got a nice fiscal year end bonus check from work - we're actually one of only 2 stores (out of 35 in the US) to get a full payout on the bonus program, so - yay us!

With all the new DSLRs coming out recently, I had all but made up my mind to put the bonus check towards this:



The Canon 5D Mark II. But then I realized that if I get a camera that has nearly 3 times the MP...

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I can never resist the urge to do some b&w photography when in Yosemite. Here are a couple from the day after our hike, taken from Glacier Point.





The second one really gives you a nice idea of how high up Glacier Point is - notice the parking lot on the bottom?

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Holy shit.

Yesterday I did the hike to the top of Half Dome with a bunch of friends.

Got up at 4:30am.
Hit the trail at 6am.
Got to the top of half dome at 11:15am. Starting elevation 4000 feet.
Top of half dome at 8862 feet.
8.2 miles in between.
Brutal switchbacks up stairs cut into granite slabs.
Up and past 2 waterfalls.
Used gloves and cables to climb up the 65 degree slope up the side of Half Dome itself....

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So last Wednesday through Sunday I was in Crested Butte, CO for my little sister's wedding. The setting was absolutely gorgeous, and the ceremony was as well. It was a beautiful day made even more so by seeing my little sis so happy.

I wasn't the main photographer (sis wanted me to take photos but not feel like a job, either), but I did get quite a few shots I'm happy with. Although, I have to say I really am beginning to enjoy wedding photography, and looking at the main photographers...

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I've been going to the gym for a little over 2 months now. I've lost 15lbs, can see actual definition in my arms and chest for the first time in ages, have nearly doubled the weight on my reps since when I first started, and feel better than I have since high school. In fact, the last time I was at this weight was in high school.

So... yay me!

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So I recently made some nice money off of photography, and decided to treat myself to an early birthday present. I currently have these:



Axiom M3s, and love em, but decided it was time to step up to the big boys and upgrade to these:



Axiom M60s. They'll be in the...

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A couple of friends of mine got married in Zion NP last Friday, and I was there to enjoy and take pictures (thankfully another photographer took care of all the posed shots). Here are a few I really like:

Go Time


Bridal Bouquet & Dress


Bride, Groom & Bouquet...

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I've lost 6lbs since joining the gym. And I'm starting to see some decent definition in my arms and legs. Still a long way to go before I'm anywhere close to looking cut, but... nice!

I've also discovered that there's another 24hr fitness gym that's not too far away that is actually open 24hrs (my local one opens at 7am and closes at midnight), and they have an indoor basketball court with games going almost all the time. Playing some nice competitive full court 5 on 5 definitely...

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So after telling myself I should for months, I finally got off my ass and joined a gym a few weeks ago. I've been going for a little over 2 weeks, 4-5 times a week, and playing basketball on my off days to keep the cardio up. It's amazing how much better I feel. My energy level is more consistent throughout the day (I used to have at least 2 cans of Pepsi every day at work, and I've only had one in the last 3 weeks), my endurance is already noticeably better (I started off at a half hour of cardio...

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Pacific Northwest Pics

I've also added a bunch of pics from various air & space museums here (new ones start at #32) and a few more random landscapes and stuff here (new ones start on 2nd page)

Enjoy!

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Just got back today from a week long vacation in the Pacific Northwest (Washington mainly). Stayed with friends, got to hang out with corianderstem, saw and took pictures of some gorgeous scenery... good times! I still have toooons of pics to sort through before I can update my website, but here are a few to whet your appetite. Enjoy!

Rialto beach at dawn


Morning Glory on the way to the...

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