good friday at lake park



We could have just stayed home but I don't want Ryan to get lazy. He will happily stay home and watch TV and play on the computer. I let him choose where we went. He chose Lake Park.



We left at 10:30 and when we got there, it was busy. Instead of stopping at the playground, we continued to the back. There is another playground, but it is older and meant for smaller kids. We drove some more and saw some guy setting up a remote satellite. We saw someone unloading horses from their trailer. We saw someone racing his RC vehicle around the dirt track.



We parked the car and got out. There was only one person on the track. I took photos. The boys walked around. Ryan liked it. It was car racing but at a scale he could tolerate. The noise was not too much. I took hundreds of photos hoping to get a few good shots. This was a new type of shooting for me. Tracking small vehicles is not that easy. I didn't even try any panning.







Ryan got bored so we went to the big playground. It was still crowded. They rent canoes now for $25 for 4 hours. I asked Ryan but he said no. Fine with me, I really didn't want to see any snakes or alligators. Though the Do Not Molest the Alligator sign is gone so maybe I only have to worry about snakes. Yuck.



There is a new gazebo. It makes for a nice spot for photos. I wonder if Victoria might like it. It is probably busy on the weekends with other photographers.





The playground was filled with little kids. I am sure most were wondering why my kids were there. Ryan was crawling under the plateau and looking up. A woman assumed he was looking up under the girls' dresses (There were a lot of girls in dresses) and got angry at him and me. I explained to Ryan not to do that but didn't explain to the woman about Ryan. Sometimes I just don't have the energy. (This week has been very low energy.)



When Ryan was bored, we left. We went to McDonald's & Chick Fil A then home. We went home Dale Mabry to Lutz Lake Fern to US 41 to Newberger Road to Livingston to County Line to Stetson. The homes along Newberger were large and very nice. I had never been that way.



I spent 2 hours going through the hundreds of photos. Andy stayed in his room mostly. He has been keeping the floor picked up and I am very happy about that.
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fourteen



Andy's birthday was Wednesday. It was a low-key day like every other year. Well, last year was fun but Mrs. E is not the fun person that Jessica is. (I was going to link the last year's blog post but it appears I never wrote one.)



Andy's IEP was in the morning. I brought donuts so the class could have a treat. Andy thought I was going to stay. Because Monday's home note said that they celebrated birthdays. I assumed this meant Andy & Ms. Karem and was upset that I wasn't invited. I was not ready for his birthday. I had more gifts to wrap and balloons to buy. I had made plans to meet Doyle for lunch and did not bring my camera. I negotiated with Andy that I would take him own early on Thursday after bowling. He was OK with that.



I had everything ready just minutes before the bus came. I went out that morning to Toys R Us because the gifts I did have him seemed like not enough.



Andy came home and showed me the card he got from his classmates & teachers. Then he began to open gifts. He opened the iPod Touch first and very happy. He would have been happy to stop but I made him open the rest. Ryan would check in to see what Andy got them leave for a few more minutes. Andy was opening his gifts so slowly, peeling the tape off the paper instead of ripping it off.





When Andy was done, he happily disappeared into his bedroom with his iPod Touch. Even the balloons were left in the kitchen until Friday. I realize that I didn't need to buy the extra gifts.



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no jokes during holy week



The chiropractor's office is closed for Good Friday. When Dr. B came in, I asked if he was going to spend Friday doing the stations of the cross. He said that they would be at services doing a live reenactment. I did stop myself from asking if they would be crucifying and Jews.

"Now you know I am Roman Catholic." He mentioned that they go to St. Paul's. He asked me what parish I belong to and I told that I was no longer Catholic but my dad goes to St. Mark's.

"Why do you no longer go to church?"

"You know, the whole pope thing."

"No, I don't know. What pope thing."

"I don't like having one old man telling me what to do."

"Even the pope has one man telling him what to do."

He then handed me a pamphlet about going back to the Catholic church.

I should have known as soon as he said "...Roman Catholic." to quietly back away.

dunedin photo walk



Dunedin is a small town on the gulf coast north of Clearwater. It is a nice place to visit with lots of cute shops and places to eat.

We met at the marina and walked to the jetty. There was an aerie with an osprey family. OP could see 2 babies. The parents kept flying back and forth with food and I tried to get some shots. I am not a bird photographer. I lack the patience and a steady hand while holding the longer lens. I threw away all of my shots. They were mediocre at best.



I left OP and walked to Main Street. I had said that anyone who wanting to eat lunch could meet up at 11:30. It was close so we went to Tina's and waited. Wendy showed up. She was late and said she was looking for us.



After lunch, Wendy & I walked around and I tried to help her with her camera. We walked through the market and were disappointed in the stuff they had. There was more produce than anything else. Wendy did buy a hat and she let me take her photo as a challenge that no one gets a good shot of her.





We walked back down Main Street and then it was time to go home.

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workshop with rick



I am a fan of Rick Sammon. He has such energy that it's hard not to get excited about what he is talking about. When the opportunity came to sign up for a workshop of his in Tampa, I did not hesitate. I had a choice if going to Photography Day of listening to Rick speak for 3 hours or a full day workshop. I chose the workshop.

I do like HDR photography but maybe not for a whole day. I was glad when he said we would be working on other stuff besides HDR.



There were quite a few people and I didn't want to tag behind Rick like a groupie. I wandered off and found Sherry. We wandered about and took silly pictures of each other.



We wandered back to the center of the town and found the rest of the group. We sat and listened to a father & son singing duo and Rick asked if we could get closer and take more photos. It was hard to get close. Every time I tried, I got cut off but another photographer. It got annoying.



We had lunch at Hellas. I had pastitio which was very good. And lots of iced tea.



After lunch, we had had a lesson in flash photography. Before we started, Rick asked everyone what was the best thing that they learned today. I could not think of anything and tried to hide. He called me out and still I could not think of anything. I have heard all this before by reading his books and listening to his podcasts.



I had hoped to learn something about fill flash. But the lesson wasn't very clear. Or maybe I was too full from lunch.

Rick bounced around after that looking for interesting people to shoot. I didn't get many shots of them. I couldn't bring myself to push my way in. I could never be paparazzi.



We were done by 3. I really wanted a drink and talked a few into joining me. We went to Crabby Bill's and I had 3 margaritas. I didn't feel any effects from them. Weak and expensive booze.

I got home after 5. I put my photos in to upload and felt my back start to spasm. Must be all the carrying, bending and lifting I did all day. It was probably worth it as long as the pain doesn't last too long.
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fun friday

(Oh wow! Found an OLD draft that I published. And I finally got the photos processed too.)



I had emailed Andy's teacher about visiting the class and bringing treats. She emailed me back and said they having a birthday party and could I help.

I made 2 batches of marshmallow treats with chocolate cheerios. They were requested by Mrs. Bean. I got a venti chai and headed to school. I signed in as a volunteer and went to class.

I brought my camera as I usual and began to take some photos. A while later, I was told that I could only take pictures of Andy. Some of the kids have no media policy and Mrs Emison cannot even tell me which kids because of confidentiality. What? So why am I here?

I went with the class to PE. They were doing all kinds of things, basketball, volleyball, running, walking, and using some aerobic machines. Some of the kids were pretty entertaining and I hated not being able to take photos.

I told Ms Karem about the no media rule. She was surprised and said sotto voice to take the photos. I took some when Mrs E wasn't looking. I think Mrs E might have told me to cover herself.

The kids had helped make cupcakes and macaroni and cheese for lunch. We also had chicken nuggets. Andy only drank his juice knowing we were going to Chick Fil A later. I had a small portion of macaroni & cheese. Then the kids went outside for some socialization with the other classes at lunch. Finally back to class to watch a movie.

picnic

The ese classes had a picnic at Zephyr Park. I met them at the park.

I got there early and took done photos of the brave squirrels and ugly ducks.

Once the bus arrive, the kids wanted to eat but were led to the play area. Some kids knew about the water park and brought extra clothes. I would have brought clothes for Andy had I know they would be allowed to play.

The kids had fun and the teachers could not relax. The play area is not contained and they had to keep the kids from wandering off or getting near the lake.

The kids ate lunch then played some more. They fed bread to the ducks and birds.

senior moment



One thing I have been wanting to try is senior portraits. But I don't know any seniors.

The receptionist at my hair salon has a senior and she said her daughter did not like the photos she had taken. I offered but E was busy and I didn't push.

Last week, P called to say E was ready to let me try. I was excited and nervous. I asked Doyle along which proved to be a very good idea.

We tossed around ideas and decided to try Lettuce Lake Park. E loves the nature. The weather was nice and we started out at the shelter on Lettuce Lake. Penny brought props like balloons and a red umbrella.

We did some shots on the boardwalk. Doyle went to move the light stand and extend it over the water and the flash went splash. Oh no! Luckily I had brought my other flash so we could continue. Doyle managed to fish the flash out of the water with a coat hanger. He was going to dry it out and try it and buy me a new flash. (He dried it out and it works! I love Olympus!)

E changed clothes and we went to the tower. Doyle was really helpful with poses and ideas. Last, we went to the playground and got a few shots but it was crowded so we didn't stay long.

It was a really good experience. It helped that I have known P for a while and that Doyle was there to help. We set up another session in Ybor for the following Monday.

fun & games

Spring break.



I had planned on doing things with the boys last week. Then dad fell the week prior and I felt the need to stay close to home. At least until he felt better.

On Wednesday, dad went to the chiropractor which meant he was feeling better. Ryan announced that he was bored. I asked if he wanted to go bowling and he said yes.

Thursday I had a hair appointment and picked the boys up afterwards and we stopped for lunch then went to the bowling alley. Open bowling started at one, we got there before two and it was busy. The best deal was two hours of bowling for $24. OK. I had my camera and flash and hoped to get some good shots. After I took one, I heard "No flash photography." Dang! Even at ISO 800, I could not get enough light to take anything other than the pins.



We played the first game without bumpers. We raised the bumpers for the second game which helped, even me. Ryan watched the boy girl next to us throw the bowl without using the holes and with a wicked spin. Ryan tried to throw like that and that is where the trouble came in. Ryan has a wild throw and didn't want to get too close to the fault line. Ryan managed to get his ball in another lane and on top of the bumper. Andy came from behind and won the second game by one pin.












After 2 games, Ryan was not happy that he was not sure he would win. We quit after the few frames in the third game. The boys wanted to play the games.









I had hoped to get away with only spending $5. But the darn machine would not accept either one of my $5 bills. I used some ones. Ryan grabbed as much of the tokens as he could and spent them quickly. So many games require 4 tokens! I ended up spending $11 so the boys could win 2 cheap 25¢ toys. Going to the book store would be cheaper!