Sorry all, new notebook,

I have been long gone from my blog as of late. I will try to make it up to you with some photos and stories here soon.

Been working out of town and have been busy.

I am going to try and put an RSS link here on the blog so everyone can just subscribe to it and then you will be able to get updats without having to check with the blog all of the time. Should be a good addition.

I purchased a new notebook a couple of weeks ago. It an HP Pavilllion dv-7 and seems to have all of the bells and whistles that a person would need. It's my first Windows Vista machine, although I have set up one or two for other people. I like Vista so far, but it seems a bit bloated and memory hungry. But wioth 4GB of RAM, a fast SATA hard drive and Vista 64bit, it seems to run good.

Don't give up on me. I'll be back here with some new stuff.

Frank

Weather, Only in Berkley and Why I carry a Gun

The weather has been incredible. It's the middle of January and it was near 80 degrees the last couple of days. Soon the crawly creatures and flowers will be out and I can ply my skills at macro photography with my new Nikon 60mm micro Nikkor lens. Bring it on!


While in Berkley this last time for work, I spied this interesting graphic scratched into the concrete around the corner from the job. While this isn't the only city you might see it in, it certainly could be seen "Only in Berkley!"

(click photo to enlarge)

I visited with a friend, David who has a technology business in Corning called California Technologies He also does photography using Nikon equipment as I do. We were doing some testing with external flash units and wireless connections. I have to say, the Nikon flash units work very well. I am thinking of getting another flash so I can use the wireless function for some portrait work and off camera macro work.


I got this in my email a couple of days ago and thought it was good.

Why I Carry a Gun

My old grandpa once said to me, "Son, there comes a time in every man's life when he stops bustin' knuckles and starts bustin' caps and usually it's when he becomes too old to take an ass whoopin'.

I don't carry a gun to kill people. I carry a gun to keep from being killed.

I don't carry a gun to scare people. I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.

I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid. I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.

I don't carry a gun because I'm evil. I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world.

I don't carry a gun because I hate the government. I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.

I don't carry a gun because I'm angry. I carry a gun so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.

I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone. I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed, and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.

I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy. I carry a gun because, when I die and go to Heaven, I want to be a cowboy.

I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man. I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.

I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate. I carry a gun because, unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am inadequate.

I don't carry a gun because I love it. I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.

"Police Protection" is an oxymoron. Free citizens must protect themselves. Police do not protect you from crime; they usually just investigate the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.

Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'."

Remember the average response time to a 911 call is over 4 minutes.
The average response time of a 357 magnum is 1400 FPS.

Weather, Freak of Nature and Valkyrie

The weather has turned bad today. Rainy and gloomy. Not much fun when you have a day off. The forecast is for a bit clearer Sky's tomorrow, but I'm not sure if I will have the day off to do anything fun. We shall see...

I had a few photos sent to me by one of my friends. I thought this one was interesting. I have seen albino deer before, and there is actually a strain of white dear. But I have never seen one like this whitetail buck in my life! Freak of nature, or something that is more common than most think? who knows...

(click photo to enlarge)


Over the weekend I went to the movies and seen Valkyrie with Tom Cruise. Since I have not studied World War II, I was not aware of this story, or the other 14 attempts of Hitler's life.

The movie was good, and the story line (based on a true story) was well written. I thought Tom Cruise did a good job in the movie. The sets and wardrobe were excellent also. Venture out to see it if you like this type of movie.

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