Photo Gear, Ninjas, and Drag Racing

I finally got around to getting a new camera bag. It's a Lowepro Nova 5. About 3 times the size of the bag I originally had been using. Much more room and protection for my gear. A couple of cool features with this bag is that it has a built in rain flu that you can pull out of a hidden pocket and cover the bag in case of inclement weather. The rain fly stays attached to the bag so you can't loose it. It also has built in belt loops in case you feel the need to install it on your belt (it's much too large for that) or buy Lowepro's harness set and wear it like a fanny pack, which may work okay. Here are a couple of shots of it...

click photos to enlarge




A friend sent me this photo today and I thought I would share it. You have to be carefull these days as Ninjas are everywhere!



A few months back I went to the Redding Drag Strip to try my hand at drag racing. I have always wanted to try it, but never had the opportunity. Now that I have a car that is worthy, I gave it a try. While the car is worthy, I'm not as a driver. But I had a blast, and that's why I went.

Here you will see me and my teal Cobra running against a friend with his black 03 Mach 1. Can't wait until the track opens again for the street legal drags and test and tune nights...

New additions today, Weather, Range

Today I added the Ansel Adams picture of the day in the right hand column and also a new favorite links addition of "The Obama Clock"

The weather was very nice today. Most of the day it was nice and sunny, but still cool in the low 50's. Headed out to the range to practice some. Headed out again tomorrow with a bunch of friends. Should be a blast!

Merry Christmas, Mustang and only in Berkley

First of all, I would like to wish all my readers a Merry Christmas. Here is a bit of joy I snapped last week for you enjoyment.


(click for larger view)


Most of you know that I'm a Mustang guy. I found this on the net and thought I'd share..


'Twas the night before Christmas and in the garage,
There wasn't a trace of a Chevy or a Dodge.

The presents were wrapped and the lights were all lit,
So I figured I'd mess with the Stang for a bit.

I popped the release and I lifted the hood,
When a deep voice behind me said "looks pretty good."

Well, as you can imagine, I turned mighty quick,
And there, by the workbench, stood good ol Saint Nick!

We stood there a bit, not too sure what to say,
Then he said "don't suppose that you'd trade for my sleigh?

I said "no way, Santa" and started to grin,
"But if you've got the time we could go for a spin!"

His round little mouth, all tied up like a bow,
Turned into a smile and he said "hey! Let's go!!"

So as not to disturb all the neighbors' retreat,
We pushed the Mustang quietly into the street,

Then, taking our places to drift down the hill,
I turned on the key and I let the clutch spill.

The sound that erupted took him by surprise,
But he liked it a lot, by the look in his eyes.

With Hoosier`s a' crying and side pipes aglow,
We headed on out where the hot rodders go.

And Santa's grin widened, approaching his ears,
With every up shift, as I went through the gears.

Then he yelled "can't recall when I've felt so alive!",
So I backed off the gas and said "you wanna drive?"

Ol Santa was stunned when I gave him the keys,
When he walked past the headlights he shook at the knees!

Then the big block exploded with side exhaust sound!
Santa let out the clutch and the tires shook the ground!

Power shift into second, again into third!
I sat there just watching, at loss for a word,

Then I heard him exclaim as we blasted from sight,
"Merry Christmas to all...........what a great night!!!"



While working in Berkley, I spied this contraption. Sort of a rolling Obama shrine. Certianly something you would "only see in Berkley!"


(click for larger view)

MIA again, Only in Berkley, and Ide Adobe Days

Well as you can see, I have been missing in action again. Had other things going and just haven't gotten over here to do some updating on what's going on. I have been collecting material for the blog, so I should have some stuff to read here now.



Since I have been working in Berkley (or Bezerkley as many call it) I have gathered some good tales and photos I will share here in my "Only in Berkley" on going posts.

Today, I have a photo of a guy I ran into in Berkley the other day. He seemed like a Kool Kat and was certainly a working man...


(click photo for larger size)


Yesterday, we had our annual Ide Adobe Days. I stopped by to take some photos and get there just before they were finished. I have posted the photos over at my website. You can see them HERE

New lens and New Photos

I purchesed a nedw lens for my camera. It's a Nikon AF 105mm Micro Nikkor. A nice prime lens for macro work. Unfortunatly, it's been cold and foggy here and the micro creatures that I watn to photograph are all in hibernation. It will have to wait until warmer weather I guess.

I did get out to our local shooting club today. It was our end of year dinner and shoot. We also do a Toys for Tots toy drive for local kids. We had about 65 or 70 people out today, which I believe is about 20-25 less than we had last year. All in all, it was a good day after the fog lifted some. A good time was had by all. I took some snapshots a t the event, and you can view them here
TSA end of year shoot and dinner

Weather, Christmas Parade and Thanksgiving

The weather has been un-seasonably warm here. It was around 70 degrees the whole weekend. I'm beginning to wonder if we are going to have a Winter this year...

We had our Christmas parade last night. It was warm and clear, so I decided to go out and snap some photos and see if I could figure out how to shoot the parade without using a flash. I did get some photos without the flash, but some I had to use it. That's okay too as I needed the practice with the SB-600 Nikon Speedlight. It works great! You can view the Photos here. As always, you can view them as a slide show if you scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "slide show".

www.bigfranksworld.com/frank/events/rbchristmas2008/

We had a nice Thanksgiving. Good food and some time off from work. Unfortunately, I didn't think about taking a photo of the Thanksgiving table fare. Maybe next year...

Sorry, work

Sorry all. I have been MIA for the last while. I had some out of town work and didn't have a chance to add to the blog in awhile. I'll try and work that out in the future.