I began my slow march towards the Kingdom. I wouldn't be sneaking in or trying to make my way inside under cover. I would march loudly through the Realm destroying any Raider I would come across.
I had cleared every village within the vicinity of where I made my camp for the last few years. It was a long journey before I came across a single person let alone a Raider. A lone wanderer was traveling the trail in tatters that could barely be called clothing. He was too tired to even raise his head or run off the trail to avoid me. He was broken.
"Where is it you are coming from?"
"Please Sir, do you have any food or water you can spare?"
"I do, but I need you to answer my question first."
"I was a captive of the Mudwood. I managed to escape when they were allowing us to relieve ourselves. I ran as far and fast as I could."
"How far away are they now?" I threw the man a water skin as I asked the question.
"I don't know. I have been walking for days. They must have decided that I would simply die and left me to my own demise."
"Have you altered your direction since leaving them? Have you stayed on this trail the whole time?"
"No, I turned off the trail I was on a day ago. It was leading towards the Kingdom."
"Where were you heading towards?" I tossed him some dried berries and vegetables to eat. "Make sure you eat that slowly otherwise you will get yourself sick and have to start all over again."
"I am from a village near the desert lands. I was hoping I could find my way back there."
"You are heading in the right direction, but there is little there for you. The Raiders destroyed everything, before I could destroy them. There is one small area that you could go. If you follow this trail, you will run into the area I was camped. I lived there for several years as I rid this area of the Mudwood. There is a small hut and a garden, with some horses roaming free. There is no live stock but there is a steam of clear water. It offers little in protection of the Raiders return, but I'm going to do my best to see that they don't do that."
"Thank you, I promise I will keep it in good order until you return."
"I will not be returning, but maybe someday, the people will return to their homes. Consider that your home for as long as you want it."
"Thank you again. Did you say that you rid this area of Raiders?"
"I did."
"Are you...are you The Patchwork Knight?"
"That is a name I have been called."
"You are a hero to the people. Your name is spoken in quiet by us, but we have shared your tales. The Raiders speak your name loudly, and with pure hatred. You have made a mess of the Mudwood's plans."
"How do you hear these tales?"
"The villagers that you have saved, not all of them have made it to the Palace. The ones who have been captured along the trail have told of how you saved them and defeated entire armies with your twin blades."
"They aren't twins?"
"What?"
"The blades, they aren't twins."
"Oh. The Raiders get reports from their scouts of areas that were supposed to be occupied but have been empty of everyone and everything. May I ride at your side? I can handle myself with a weapon, not as well as Knight, but well enough to keep myself alive. I would be honored to help you rid the Realm of the Mudwood."
"I believe every word you say, but I do not ride with others anymore. I would much rather you rest in that small hut and regain all of your strength. Live your life as free as you can without having to fight. Be there to help the people reclaim their lives when they return. If you can handle a weapon, you can handle tools, and you can build s new village. There are several villages within a few miles of that hut, you can explore them for tools and supplies."
"But, you can't take on the whole of the Mudwood by yourself."
"I don't plan on it. It is my hope that by the time I reach the Kingdom, that they rest of the Targen Knights will meet me there as well, and we will all rid the Realm of the Mudwood once and for all."
"We have heard no word of the Knights or the King. It is only tales of what you have done to save the Realm. I think the King is happy living in his hidden Palace."
"Watch your mouth. I know the King, and it pains him every day that he is there and not in The Kingdom. It pains him every day that his people are in peril and not all safe. I have been to the Crystal Palace, and have seen how it is overcrowded with the people of the Realm that the King has given sanctuary to. The King wants nothing more than to ride from that hidden palace and drive his blade through the ruler of the Raiders. He would fight through every one of them if his men didn't stop him on a daily basis from trying to do just that. It may seem like he is sitting pretty, but believe me, he is in turmoil over the loss of life in the Realm, not the loss of his Kingdom."
"I'm sorry. I never heard it told like that. The people ask constantly what has the King done for us, but since we don't see the action we don't, well we don't know what actions are being taken. The people know what you have done, and since they don't hear of the Knights anymore, they believe that the King has given up on us."
"He hasn't. He is desperately trying to build his army larger, and training the Knights better, and adding to their number as well. The Mudwood greatly outnumber the King and all his men, but they aren't trained as well as the King's army and his Targen Knights. This will end by the King's hand, it will just take time. The King is on his way, and I will meet him at the walls of the Kingdom to help take back all that is ours."
"I hope that is so. I would still ask you if I could ride along with you?"
"I would still deny you that death sentence. Take care of that hut, and those horses. They were not wild from the start, so they will need care from time to time."
"Here, take this extra water skin and small bag of food. I can find more along the trial as I ride. You only have a day maybe two of a walk ahead of you to get to the hut. It is at the end of this trail."
"Thank you Sir Patchwork Knight. I will do as you ask, and I will tell the tale of how I met The Patchwork Knight when he was on his way to free the Realm of the Mudwood."
"See you well sir. I will tell the tale of the lost wanderer who told me the way to go, so that I could fight for the Realm."
"I turned on my horse and rode off at a gallop. I had some Raiders that I just needed to meet, and they were a few days away.
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Thursday, January 10, 2019
I Passed
I am officially employed. I filled out all the online stuff like setting up my direct deposit, and tax information. Unfortunately they can't get me into an orientation until next Thursday, so that is my official start day. They like to do orientation with all new employees in the area, so the orientation location roams from store to store. They have to get back to me once they know where I'll be going.
I'm really happy and excited about this. I'm going to be learning a whole new set of skills, and a new area. I'll be working in retail, but on a different end than sales. It's going to be a great deal different than what I was doing before, but the skills I learned there are going to help me out at the new place.
I also got a response back from a photography job that I applied for. I have an interview with them on Monday. This is also going to be fun, if I get it. It will be with a difficult subject though. I'll basically be a school photographer. Remember when you had class picture. Something like that, but with much younger kids. There in lies the challenge. This is going to help me out a lot with my portrait photography. I think I'm pretty decent with portraits, but I need, and want to get a lot better. They do offer some training, since I will be using their equipment, which may be better than what I'm using, so the chance to use better cameras, is a definitely plus. It won't pay very much, and the schedules goes along with the school year, but it is a chance to do something I really love and get paid for it, so I'm all for the adventure.
I'll have to keep my belt tightened down, but I've been doing that for 6 months now, and have gotten quite used to it, so that shouldn't be a problem at all. I'll work my way up the ladder, the way I know I can. People always seem to always want to start at the top of things, but I want to start at the start. I want to learn everything about what I'll be doing, and then apply that knowledge to help me succeed and prosper. Things are worth working for. You don't always have to get it all at once. It isn't rewarding when you get things like that. At least not for me. This is about peace of mind and doing something that I really like doing. I think both jobs are going to be fun new adventures that are in a much better work environment than I was in before. That alone is worth the cut in pay.
Enough of the job talk, let's talk about something creative. I did get a photo of that piece that I was working on as a test for the new wand stand I plan on making for a friend. You can see what I did, and where I went wrong. I haven't had a chance to work anymore on it, but this is the basis for the whole design.
I may play around a little with the overall shape, but where I went wrong was at the top of the Deathly Hallows symbol. I got a little to grind happy and cut through where it was supposed to be solid. I leaned form that mistake, to slow it down, and take more time. I'm still going to try another option where the areas that are raised in that will be the cut out, just so I can see if it looks better than that. I do think that looks pretty cool, and would look great if done right and completed. Oh, back to that overall shape. What I'm talking about, is adding more roundness to that back side, or I may just take that extra concave bend out of it there, and take it all the way up to the arch in the area that looks like a handle. I'm not sure, when I sketch it out on the wood. I'll put lines for both ways, and see what looks best and then begin cutting. I'm going to try to work on that other test with the symbol tomorrow. If it looks decent, I'll put a picture up and you can tell me which version of the symbol you like best. It will still come down to the final opinion of my friend on what she wants, but I'll take all opinions and criticism about it, so I can do a better job with each piece that I make.
Today was the launch of a new TPR review, so you know I have a video for you. This was a place that did a Napoli style of pizza. If you don't know what that style is, you definitely need to watch the video and maybe check out the blog. This is the style that started all pizza, and this one was really good. One of my favorite pizzas that we have tried, so far.
Yes, we are a couple of nitwits, that don't speak Italian, and it is evident in this video. We screwed up the name of the restaurant more times then I could count. It is Mangia and Bevi Pizzeria Napoletana. Mangia is pronounced like manja. For some reason that was nearly impossible for us, but we got the video down, and I thought it came off pretty good. Let me know what you think.
I'm off to bed, so that I can wake up and start working on that Deathly Hallows symbol. I hope to have a picture of it for you on Sunday, but no promises. Peace in and goodnight.
I'm really happy and excited about this. I'm going to be learning a whole new set of skills, and a new area. I'll be working in retail, but on a different end than sales. It's going to be a great deal different than what I was doing before, but the skills I learned there are going to help me out at the new place.
I also got a response back from a photography job that I applied for. I have an interview with them on Monday. This is also going to be fun, if I get it. It will be with a difficult subject though. I'll basically be a school photographer. Remember when you had class picture. Something like that, but with much younger kids. There in lies the challenge. This is going to help me out a lot with my portrait photography. I think I'm pretty decent with portraits, but I need, and want to get a lot better. They do offer some training, since I will be using their equipment, which may be better than what I'm using, so the chance to use better cameras, is a definitely plus. It won't pay very much, and the schedules goes along with the school year, but it is a chance to do something I really love and get paid for it, so I'm all for the adventure.
I'll have to keep my belt tightened down, but I've been doing that for 6 months now, and have gotten quite used to it, so that shouldn't be a problem at all. I'll work my way up the ladder, the way I know I can. People always seem to always want to start at the top of things, but I want to start at the start. I want to learn everything about what I'll be doing, and then apply that knowledge to help me succeed and prosper. Things are worth working for. You don't always have to get it all at once. It isn't rewarding when you get things like that. At least not for me. This is about peace of mind and doing something that I really like doing. I think both jobs are going to be fun new adventures that are in a much better work environment than I was in before. That alone is worth the cut in pay.
Enough of the job talk, let's talk about something creative. I did get a photo of that piece that I was working on as a test for the new wand stand I plan on making for a friend. You can see what I did, and where I went wrong. I haven't had a chance to work anymore on it, but this is the basis for the whole design.
I may play around a little with the overall shape, but where I went wrong was at the top of the Deathly Hallows symbol. I got a little to grind happy and cut through where it was supposed to be solid. I leaned form that mistake, to slow it down, and take more time. I'm still going to try another option where the areas that are raised in that will be the cut out, just so I can see if it looks better than that. I do think that looks pretty cool, and would look great if done right and completed. Oh, back to that overall shape. What I'm talking about, is adding more roundness to that back side, or I may just take that extra concave bend out of it there, and take it all the way up to the arch in the area that looks like a handle. I'm not sure, when I sketch it out on the wood. I'll put lines for both ways, and see what looks best and then begin cutting. I'm going to try to work on that other test with the symbol tomorrow. If it looks decent, I'll put a picture up and you can tell me which version of the symbol you like best. It will still come down to the final opinion of my friend on what she wants, but I'll take all opinions and criticism about it, so I can do a better job with each piece that I make.
Today was the launch of a new TPR review, so you know I have a video for you. This was a place that did a Napoli style of pizza. If you don't know what that style is, you definitely need to watch the video and maybe check out the blog. This is the style that started all pizza, and this one was really good. One of my favorite pizzas that we have tried, so far.
Yes, we are a couple of nitwits, that don't speak Italian, and it is evident in this video. We screwed up the name of the restaurant more times then I could count. It is Mangia and Bevi Pizzeria Napoletana. Mangia is pronounced like manja. For some reason that was nearly impossible for us, but we got the video down, and I thought it came off pretty good. Let me know what you think.
I'm off to bed, so that I can wake up and start working on that Deathly Hallows symbol. I hope to have a picture of it for you on Sunday, but no promises. Peace in and goodnight.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
And A New Journey Begins, Maybe
I took the drug test yesterday, and it was a whole new experience. They had an oral test, where you had to place a swab in your mouth for ten minutes for it to soak up moisture or something like that. They want me to begin work right away, but the test has to clear first. The absolute earliest possible could be Wednesday night, but it is more than likely Thursday or Friday. I will have to go through orientation and then some online training as well as practical training before I officially start, but it is pretty much a done deal. Since yesterday was also the 2nd anniversary of the last time I had a drink, the only thing I take, is a low doze aspirin every morning, and that's not going to trip a drug test. I'm looking forward to this new adventure in life, and see where it takes me. Now I just have to find another job to make up the difference. I can't live off a weekend part time job, but at least it's something.
I have been going through photos like a mad man, and playing around with them until they look like something that I want to really see, and I have a new favorite, and I can't explain why. I think because it has a sense of vulnerability to it, but I'm not even sure about that. I got this in a moment when Snow was putting her hair up for a different look, and it was just the nature of the movements and how they were just so candid. I have a series of three shots in all of this, but this one, is just so perfect to me. I'm going to once again share it here first, but don't expect this to be a normal thing. I got to have some exclusivity to the CSP.
If you want to here the rest of the songs, they are on the album Under The Cover. Oh, I nearly forgot to mention his original band. J.R. used to sing for the band Dishwalla. You know them, "Counting Blue Cars"? I knew you did, J.R. is a quality person. I got the chance to get to know him when he was living here in the area. He built a studio to record, and did and album here while he was learning Kung Fu at the school I was an instructor at. He was humble and genuine, so I got along with him rather well. We pretty much fell out of touch when Myspace imploded, but I still keep loose tabs on how things are going with him. Check out his stuff. He really is a talented singer and songwriter.
That's it for me. I'm off to bed so I will bright eyed and bushy tailed to eat pizza tomorrow. Peace in and goodnight,
I have been going through photos like a mad man, and playing around with them until they look like something that I want to really see, and I have a new favorite, and I can't explain why. I think because it has a sense of vulnerability to it, but I'm not even sure about that. I got this in a moment when Snow was putting her hair up for a different look, and it was just the nature of the movements and how they were just so candid. I have a series of three shots in all of this, but this one, is just so perfect to me. I'm going to once again share it here first, but don't expect this to be a normal thing. I got to have some exclusivity to the CSP.
I just like how the whole thing came together, and it just seems to perfect to me. I'm sure I'm alone in this, but that is part of being a photographer. You do your best to capture the images that are given to you, and hope that people feel the same way about what you have done as you.
I just finished the video and the write up for the latest TPR and we are doing another one tomorrow. This is going to be our first chain. It is a local chain and it's origins are in Orlando, but a chain none the less. Technically the last one we ddid could be considered a chain, but all their locations are owned by the same ownership, so not a franchise. I believe this next one is a franchise, with independent owners, buying the name and rights to sell the product of the parent company. We have stayed away from National chains despite people asking us to do some of the lesser known ones. That is most likely because they don't realize that they are chains. I do my research, and have turned down a couple of them so far. Yes, I know my partner is supposed to be on top of that stuff, but well, you know how that goes. Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes on Thursday, and you will definitely see how it goes when it comes out in February.
It's time for Favorite Song of the Week. This is a cover of a great Queen song, and it is by someone that I actually know. I haven't spoken to him in years, because he is busy doing the music thing, and I don't like to bother people, but you may know this person from the band he used to front. They were pretty big in the 90's and early 2000's. The band still tours under the name but with a new singer now, but really, his voice was the band and when he left, they are simply a cover band of themselves at this point. Oh, did I mention that he was also the main song writer of the band? Anyway, here is J.R. Richards with the Queen classic "I Want to be Free".
If you want to here the rest of the songs, they are on the album Under The Cover. Oh, I nearly forgot to mention his original band. J.R. used to sing for the band Dishwalla. You know them, "Counting Blue Cars"? I knew you did, J.R. is a quality person. I got the chance to get to know him when he was living here in the area. He built a studio to record, and did and album here while he was learning Kung Fu at the school I was an instructor at. He was humble and genuine, so I got along with him rather well. We pretty much fell out of touch when Myspace imploded, but I still keep loose tabs on how things are going with him. Check out his stuff. He really is a talented singer and songwriter.
That's it for me. I'm off to bed so I will bright eyed and bushy tailed to eat pizza tomorrow. Peace in and goodnight,
Sunday, January 6, 2019
I Got The Job
The title says it all. That interview I went on earlier this week, was a success. I was called back on Wednesday, but when I returned the call, the HR person had already left for the day. I called back the next morning and got the word. They gave me an offer for pay, and I jumped on it. It isn't what I was making, and it won't pay the bills, but it is something coming in, instead of everything going out. It's only part-time and on the weekends, so I still have to find either another part-time job or a full-time for during the week, in order to truly survive, but I'm happy in the direction things are going.
It turns out that my experience with a fork lift and in shipping and receiving that I did at my last job, gave me the edge. It's going to be a whole new experience, and I'm going to have a lot to learn, but I'm ready for a new adventure. I do have to pass a drug screening tomorrow, which should be no problem at all, since the only thing I do, is take a low dose aspirin every morning with breakfast. Tomorrow of course will be the anniversary of my last drink as well, so they wouldn't even be able to find trace amounts of alcohol in my system.
I have already received the preliminary background check, and I'm approved through that part, there are two other parts that take a little longer to get the checks, but I'm not worried about those in the least. The only thing in my past, is an expired tag when I was in my early twenties and I took care of that the very same week.
That is a small weight lifted off my shoulders, but there is still more weighing heavy on me, but I'm going to just brush it off for now, and focus on the training that is about to come. Once that is over, I can focus back on getting another job to make up for the financial difference, or at least come close. I had no expectations of making as much as I was, so I'm truly coming in with an empty cup to anything that comes at me. This is going to all work out.
I got some other good news, I had my skateboard photoshoot yesterday, and it was a lot of fun. I still have a ton of pictures to go through, but I'm going to share two of them with you here, since the CSP still doesn't see all that much traffic. These are my two current favorites form the shoot, and I'm sure that may change as I continue going through there rest of the pictures.
I was given 244 pictures that day, and I pulled 128. I may put the SD card back in and pull others later, but for now, those are the ones I'm working with. I have about 8 finished and saved to the computer, and these next two are my favorites right now.
I'm torn on which of those I like the best. The top one took a lot of work to get it to look like that, which is the same with the bottom, one, but I like how the bottom one has a soft focus, and some motion blur. It reminds me a little of those Francesca Woodman photos. This is of course in color and not black & white or sepia, but it has a similar effect to it, and I love it. The top, I love because it is just bold and powerful, and I like taking photos that have that type of representation, especially if it's a woman. People tend to focus on beauty and daintiness, but I like that I can get a shot that has both beauty and power. The misconception that all woman are soft is just that, a misconception, and one of the things I hope my photography does, it shows that power that women have.
Ok, I'm stepping down from my soap box now. I'm posting this early, because I really have nothing to do today, except make something to eat, and then watch TV. I'll leave you to the rest of your day, and finish this like I normally do, even though it's the middle of the day. Peace in and goodnight.
It turns out that my experience with a fork lift and in shipping and receiving that I did at my last job, gave me the edge. It's going to be a whole new experience, and I'm going to have a lot to learn, but I'm ready for a new adventure. I do have to pass a drug screening tomorrow, which should be no problem at all, since the only thing I do, is take a low dose aspirin every morning with breakfast. Tomorrow of course will be the anniversary of my last drink as well, so they wouldn't even be able to find trace amounts of alcohol in my system.
I have already received the preliminary background check, and I'm approved through that part, there are two other parts that take a little longer to get the checks, but I'm not worried about those in the least. The only thing in my past, is an expired tag when I was in my early twenties and I took care of that the very same week.
That is a small weight lifted off my shoulders, but there is still more weighing heavy on me, but I'm going to just brush it off for now, and focus on the training that is about to come. Once that is over, I can focus back on getting another job to make up for the financial difference, or at least come close. I had no expectations of making as much as I was, so I'm truly coming in with an empty cup to anything that comes at me. This is going to all work out.
I got some other good news, I had my skateboard photoshoot yesterday, and it was a lot of fun. I still have a ton of pictures to go through, but I'm going to share two of them with you here, since the CSP still doesn't see all that much traffic. These are my two current favorites form the shoot, and I'm sure that may change as I continue going through there rest of the pictures.
I was given 244 pictures that day, and I pulled 128. I may put the SD card back in and pull others later, but for now, those are the ones I'm working with. I have about 8 finished and saved to the computer, and these next two are my favorites right now.
I'm torn on which of those I like the best. The top one took a lot of work to get it to look like that, which is the same with the bottom, one, but I like how the bottom one has a soft focus, and some motion blur. It reminds me a little of those Francesca Woodman photos. This is of course in color and not black & white or sepia, but it has a similar effect to it, and I love it. The top, I love because it is just bold and powerful, and I like taking photos that have that type of representation, especially if it's a woman. People tend to focus on beauty and daintiness, but I like that I can get a shot that has both beauty and power. The misconception that all woman are soft is just that, a misconception, and one of the things I hope my photography does, it shows that power that women have.
Ok, I'm stepping down from my soap box now. I'm posting this early, because I really have nothing to do today, except make something to eat, and then watch TV. I'll leave you to the rest of your day, and finish this like I normally do, even though it's the middle of the day. Peace in and goodnight.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
The Patchwork Knight (Chapter 60)
I rode for three days straight, only resting long enough for the horse to rebuild it's strength. I stopped by streams as often as I could so that it could water while it rested. I rode at a good pace but not a full gallop, I wanted to gain ground and I wouldn't have done that in a full out run. It would have tired the horse too much.
My hope was to reach the Kingdom by the nightfall. I would see for myself what the Mudwood looked like in all of it's glory. I would see the enemy for what it is, before I would slowly take it down, one piece at a time.
My hope was to reach the Kingdom by the nightfall. I would see for myself what the Mudwood looked like in all of it's glory. I would see the enemy for what it is, before I would slowly take it down, one piece at a time.
***
The walls of the Kingdom weren't as I remembered them. Bright and alive with color. These walls were dark and charred by burning and death. People were hustling around from one place to another like in the days that I visited, but most of them hung their heads low to avoid eye contact with any of the Raiders that paroled the streets. The streets were full of mud and filth, the once clean and beautiful city that surrounded the castle was a cesspool of waste. The arena where I myself once fought to gain a spot in the Knights Academy had fallen to ruins. I sat in what was left of the old waiting area under the seats of the arena until nearly sunrise.
I snuck out of the Kingdom the same way I had gotten in, through a drainage sewer on the eastern side of the walls. I slowly made my way back to the thicket where I had left my horse and supplies. I was distraught by what I had seen inside the walls, but my fire was renewed. I would see the Mudwood fall. I stayed in that thicket for the remainder of the day, and rode out at sunset. I simply chose a direction and went straight. I would start in the outlands and fight my way back to the Kingdom. I would thin the hourde as I went.
***
It was a matter of days before I came across the first destroyed village. It had been burnt to the ground as so many others had. This would be the starting point for my war on the Mudwood. It was near the Western desert, and more than likely one of the first villages attacked by the Mudwood. They had not returned to this area for a very long time. It was evident in the dust and sand that had built up on the remains of the huts. A small stream ran past the village. It had fresh water, and plentiful vegetation along its bank. I would not need for food.
Every day, I would ride out in the morning and search for villagers or Raiders along the trails near by. When I would come across villagers, I would tell them of the Crystal palace and how to get near it. I wouldn't give them the exact location for fear that if they were captured they would give the information to the Raiders. When I found Raiders, I would follow them to their camps, where I would wait just out of sight of them until night fall. When the sky was full of black I would walk into the camp and began my path of destruction. I cut down every man that tried to stand before me. When their camps were destroyed, I would gather all their horses and supplies and train them behind me. I would never have to go to far before I would find more villagers in hiding and give the horses and food to them and tell them the direction they should go. I gave the men that vowed that they could fight any weapons I had scavenged from the camps. so that they would have a chance if they came across any Raiders along the way.
I never heard if they had made it or not, but I would get whispers along my travels. I would hear from other villagers that would say they have heard of The Patchwork Knight, and how he was guiding villagers to safety. I would tell them all the same thing. I was only giving them a chance to make it there. I was no guide, my purpose was to destroy the Mudwood, and I would stop at nothing less. I would ask them from time to time, to take a message to Rolf and the other Targen Knights. I would tell them to let them now that I am doing well, and that I hope to see them when this is all over. The looks would always be strange from those who I would ask to relay this message, but they all said they would get the message to it's destination.
After a few years, I would come across fewer and fewer villagers, and see more and more Raiders. My objectives change appropriately, and I began focusing on scouting battalions and war bands, and then wiping them from the dirt they stood on.
I became more bold in attacking the Raiders. I would no longer wait until late in the night when they were all asleep. I would stroll into their camp as soon as they had finished lighting their campfires. I need more of a challenge each time I engaged them. It had become to easy to finish them off each time.
I would walk in, announce who I was, and then let my swords slash through the air until they tasted blood. I would no longer gather their supplies. I would burn it all in the fires they had made, and release all the horses to run free across the land.
It was time to begin my march back to the Kingdom.
Thursday, January 3, 2019
I Changed The Temperature
I went out and was given some more photos yesterday. It was another sunset, but I was armed with new knowledge on how to get different type of shots with the camera and it worked like a charm.
I had never played around with the white balance before. I knew about it, and what it's there for, but I never thought to adjust it in order to get different effects in shots. I read an article about shooting christmas lights, and they mentioned it in there, but I thought why not use that for other shots, and so I put it to use. I also used another technique where you pump up the ISO and speed up the shutter speed, and that also worked out great. Playing around with the white balance allowed me to get different colors in the picture. It basically changed the temperature and tint of the image. Temperature refers to the warmth or coolness of a photo. The warmer the photo is, the more reds and oranges you are going to see in it. If it's cooler than you will see more blues and greens. Just by changing one thing, you can get a wildly different photo.
The first picture is a preview of one that will go up on the CSP Instagram next week, the second one went up today. These were both shot with the same settings with the one difference being the white balance. The top is more likely what you will get when the camera is set for natural day light. The second one is what you will get when you set it for indoor tungsten lighting. Quite a difference right? Yes, both of these have been processed and I have tweaked the colors and what not, but the basic foundation of each photo is there. I didn't alter these all that much.
I did play around with the Lensball while I was out there, and I even tried out a new thing in Photoshop, but I have to work on it, to really get it right, but in the mean time, here is what I got just playing around.
I used a stand to hold that Lensball up in the air, but I haven't quite mastered getting it completely out of the shot yet, so this is really a work in progress. I do like the idea of this photo, but it isn't quite there yet, and I really need to work in Photoshop more so that I can get better with it. Elie helped me out, and I watched a video tutorial as well. There is a ton of information out there if you just look for it. The problem is, that there is a ton of information, and you really need to watch those videos two or three times to really get all the information to stick. Once it sticks, I'll be able to really get rid of that stand and get the photo that I really want. In the meantime, I tried my best to make it look like a shadow, but I pretty much failed at that as well.
News on the job front. I received a call this evening from the head of HR that gave me the interview on Tuesday. He left a voicemail asking me to call him for a follow up, but when I called him back he had already left work for the day, so I'll have to try again in the morning. I'm taking this as a pretty good sign. I'm actually getting a follow up call. That at the very least means that I am in the running still. I'll take it. It's better than anything that has happened in this area so far. Now if I could only get the TPR to start paying off. That is one of those, "all the hard work will pay of eventually" type of things. If it is supposed to, it will come.
Oh, I started on a prototype of the new wand stand that I'm making for Elie. I cut the piece out, and shaped it. All that went well. I worked on cutting out a design in the piece, and that is where things went wrong. I got a little carried away, and eliminated too much wood from and area and ruined the whole thing. The good news is, that I leaned quite a lot from that screw up. Deep down I knew that was going to be a test piece and wouldn't end up a part of the final piece. This was only to see if I could do that things I wanted to do, for it to look really cool. Although I failed on this attempt, it told me that I will be able to do what I need to do, and it will be much better the next time I do it. Even the screw up isn't that bad looking, but it is a failure. I don't have picture of it, but I will get one for Sunday, so that you can see what it is I was trying to do. I will use this piece as a template for all the other pieces I need to cut out, so it has a dual purpose, and is still good for something. I'm really excited to know, that I can truly pull this off. I had my doubts, because what I want to do, isn't easy, and I really don't have the right tools to do it, so trial and error or going to teach me how to do it without those tools. This is going to be a lot of fun, and I can't wait to get it almost done. I say almost, because I'm going to need both the wands before I can fully finish it, and those won't be around for some time. I can get the base done, and get it all assembled without the wands, but the key element of the actually small stands that the wands will be propped up on, will need to be fitted. I can't just use my wand to do it. Although one of the wands is going to be one exactly like mine, but the other is quite a bit different and will need it's own unique way of sitting on the platform and leaning on the stand. So, I can get the bulk of the work done and then fine tune it once the wands are purchased and in my hands for fitting. Who knew, I would be able to make some decorative wand stand. It sure wasn't me.
Any way, it's getting late and there is a lot in this little post for you to digest. Peace in and goodnight.
I had never played around with the white balance before. I knew about it, and what it's there for, but I never thought to adjust it in order to get different effects in shots. I read an article about shooting christmas lights, and they mentioned it in there, but I thought why not use that for other shots, and so I put it to use. I also used another technique where you pump up the ISO and speed up the shutter speed, and that also worked out great. Playing around with the white balance allowed me to get different colors in the picture. It basically changed the temperature and tint of the image. Temperature refers to the warmth or coolness of a photo. The warmer the photo is, the more reds and oranges you are going to see in it. If it's cooler than you will see more blues and greens. Just by changing one thing, you can get a wildly different photo.
The first picture is a preview of one that will go up on the CSP Instagram next week, the second one went up today. These were both shot with the same settings with the one difference being the white balance. The top is more likely what you will get when the camera is set for natural day light. The second one is what you will get when you set it for indoor tungsten lighting. Quite a difference right? Yes, both of these have been processed and I have tweaked the colors and what not, but the basic foundation of each photo is there. I didn't alter these all that much.
I did play around with the Lensball while I was out there, and I even tried out a new thing in Photoshop, but I have to work on it, to really get it right, but in the mean time, here is what I got just playing around.
I used a stand to hold that Lensball up in the air, but I haven't quite mastered getting it completely out of the shot yet, so this is really a work in progress. I do like the idea of this photo, but it isn't quite there yet, and I really need to work in Photoshop more so that I can get better with it. Elie helped me out, and I watched a video tutorial as well. There is a ton of information out there if you just look for it. The problem is, that there is a ton of information, and you really need to watch those videos two or three times to really get all the information to stick. Once it sticks, I'll be able to really get rid of that stand and get the photo that I really want. In the meantime, I tried my best to make it look like a shadow, but I pretty much failed at that as well.
News on the job front. I received a call this evening from the head of HR that gave me the interview on Tuesday. He left a voicemail asking me to call him for a follow up, but when I called him back he had already left work for the day, so I'll have to try again in the morning. I'm taking this as a pretty good sign. I'm actually getting a follow up call. That at the very least means that I am in the running still. I'll take it. It's better than anything that has happened in this area so far. Now if I could only get the TPR to start paying off. That is one of those, "all the hard work will pay of eventually" type of things. If it is supposed to, it will come.
Oh, I started on a prototype of the new wand stand that I'm making for Elie. I cut the piece out, and shaped it. All that went well. I worked on cutting out a design in the piece, and that is where things went wrong. I got a little carried away, and eliminated too much wood from and area and ruined the whole thing. The good news is, that I leaned quite a lot from that screw up. Deep down I knew that was going to be a test piece and wouldn't end up a part of the final piece. This was only to see if I could do that things I wanted to do, for it to look really cool. Although I failed on this attempt, it told me that I will be able to do what I need to do, and it will be much better the next time I do it. Even the screw up isn't that bad looking, but it is a failure. I don't have picture of it, but I will get one for Sunday, so that you can see what it is I was trying to do. I will use this piece as a template for all the other pieces I need to cut out, so it has a dual purpose, and is still good for something. I'm really excited to know, that I can truly pull this off. I had my doubts, because what I want to do, isn't easy, and I really don't have the right tools to do it, so trial and error or going to teach me how to do it without those tools. This is going to be a lot of fun, and I can't wait to get it almost done. I say almost, because I'm going to need both the wands before I can fully finish it, and those won't be around for some time. I can get the base done, and get it all assembled without the wands, but the key element of the actually small stands that the wands will be propped up on, will need to be fitted. I can't just use my wand to do it. Although one of the wands is going to be one exactly like mine, but the other is quite a bit different and will need it's own unique way of sitting on the platform and leaning on the stand. So, I can get the bulk of the work done and then fine tune it once the wands are purchased and in my hands for fitting. Who knew, I would be able to make some decorative wand stand. It sure wasn't me.
Any way, it's getting late and there is a lot in this little post for you to digest. Peace in and goodnight.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Leaping Into The New Year With A Roar
It’s a brand new year. My grandmother used to say, "Whatever you do on the first day of the new year, is what you will be doing all year.". I made sure I did all the things that I hope to do in this year. I wrote, I took some photos, and processed a few of those photos, I did a little woodwork, I rode Saki, and I rode my skateboard. Those are all things I hope to be doing quite a lot of in this coming year.
I also had a job interview today. I don't want to be doing that all year though. I thought the interview went very well, but I wasn't offered the job right away. The gentleman interviewing me, said that he had more interviews to go, and would let me know next week sometime. The pessimist in me says that was just a polite way to tell me that I didn't get the job, and he would let me know in a week. This would only be a part time job, and wouldn't pay my bills, but it would be the start of something coming in instead of everything just going out. It would also only be on the weekends. I'm fine with that, for right now, but as I said, I'm thinking that I don't have the job, so the search will continue. It is exhausting though. This is the first company that I applied to that actually called me in for an interview. The one that was almost a done deal, has yet to get in touch with me, so I'm counting at as a no go as well. I can only wait and see right now.
Let's get to those pictures, I took them of my favorite subject, Saki. I rode to that empty abandoned parking light by the Space Center, so I could get that nice background of the river. I am going to share one photo with you and it's the one I posted on Instagram on my normal account, not the photography one. The reason is, that I took this photo with my phone, and then when I got home I went to a lot of trouble to process it in Lightroom, to get an even better image. I played around with the tint, and the exposure, and I even isolated Saki, so that I could make it more pronounced in the photo. Basically I over exposed Saki, so that it would be highlighted against the rest of the surroundings. It was a lot of effort into a photo that I'm not even highlighting as one of my best, but in the end, it came out really well, and I also learned a few things about processing a different image other than my camera. This is when I was really hit by the limitations of a JPEG versus RAW image. I knew that JPEGs had limitations built into them, but I had never seen this limitations until today, and it was a little mind blowing. Here is the image so you can see what I finally came up with.
If I didn't tell you that there were limitations with that photo, you wouldn't know, and it is really hard to explain them, but once I got in and started moving things around, I noticed how the colors moved. I noticed how the shadows and lines weren't as crisp. I know that part of that is that it was my phone versus a camera, but it is also those built in parameters that JPEGs have. It was a truly eye opening experience, and one that tells me just how lucky I am that I get to take these photos, and get to play around with them in this way.
Elie told me about a series that is on Netflix, called Tales by Light, and it is about photographers and how they chase shots and tell stories with them. I was watching one of them today, and he said something very interesting, and I really liked his view on this. He said that he doesn't take photos, he is given them. It all comes down to what the subject will give you, and I really liked that, so I no longer take photos, I'm given them, and I will appreciate everyone with a little more zeal than I may have done before.
This reacquaintance with photography, has opened up so much more within me. The one thing I wanted most to do in photography, was to be able to take a landscape photo that was worth a damn, and I finally did that by taking a new approach at it. That new approach allowed me to see things through new eyes, and by doing that, I look at the world with new eyes. I see things that I didn't necessarily see before. I look at angles and say, "if I had my camera, I could get this shot.". I plan on going to a bunch of those places, and getting that shot. I would love to do this for a living, but I know, I have to get a whole lot better before that will be even close to happening, and I have a long way to go. Every single shot that I take now, and love, I know can be better with more experience and knowledge. I can always improve, and that is what this year is all about. Not just in photography, but in everything else. I made a big change last year, by leaving a job that was security, and I chased some dreams. I'm still working on those, and I'm not letting them go, but I have a solid foundation to build on with them. I will see those dreams come true, and with those dreams coming together, more dreams will pop up, but the definite consistent things in my life that will always make me happy are, Morty, Saki, and my camera. The next time you see me in person, don't be surprised if I ask to take your photo. Yes I said take, but I also said ask. I want permission to be given that photo. If I do get that shot, I promise you, it will be one of the best ones you have ever given to a photographer, and I will share it with you freely. Peace in and goodnight.
I also had a job interview today. I don't want to be doing that all year though. I thought the interview went very well, but I wasn't offered the job right away. The gentleman interviewing me, said that he had more interviews to go, and would let me know next week sometime. The pessimist in me says that was just a polite way to tell me that I didn't get the job, and he would let me know in a week. This would only be a part time job, and wouldn't pay my bills, but it would be the start of something coming in instead of everything just going out. It would also only be on the weekends. I'm fine with that, for right now, but as I said, I'm thinking that I don't have the job, so the search will continue. It is exhausting though. This is the first company that I applied to that actually called me in for an interview. The one that was almost a done deal, has yet to get in touch with me, so I'm counting at as a no go as well. I can only wait and see right now.
Let's get to those pictures, I took them of my favorite subject, Saki. I rode to that empty abandoned parking light by the Space Center, so I could get that nice background of the river. I am going to share one photo with you and it's the one I posted on Instagram on my normal account, not the photography one. The reason is, that I took this photo with my phone, and then when I got home I went to a lot of trouble to process it in Lightroom, to get an even better image. I played around with the tint, and the exposure, and I even isolated Saki, so that I could make it more pronounced in the photo. Basically I over exposed Saki, so that it would be highlighted against the rest of the surroundings. It was a lot of effort into a photo that I'm not even highlighting as one of my best, but in the end, it came out really well, and I also learned a few things about processing a different image other than my camera. This is when I was really hit by the limitations of a JPEG versus RAW image. I knew that JPEGs had limitations built into them, but I had never seen this limitations until today, and it was a little mind blowing. Here is the image so you can see what I finally came up with.
If I didn't tell you that there were limitations with that photo, you wouldn't know, and it is really hard to explain them, but once I got in and started moving things around, I noticed how the colors moved. I noticed how the shadows and lines weren't as crisp. I know that part of that is that it was my phone versus a camera, but it is also those built in parameters that JPEGs have. It was a truly eye opening experience, and one that tells me just how lucky I am that I get to take these photos, and get to play around with them in this way.
Elie told me about a series that is on Netflix, called Tales by Light, and it is about photographers and how they chase shots and tell stories with them. I was watching one of them today, and he said something very interesting, and I really liked his view on this. He said that he doesn't take photos, he is given them. It all comes down to what the subject will give you, and I really liked that, so I no longer take photos, I'm given them, and I will appreciate everyone with a little more zeal than I may have done before.
This reacquaintance with photography, has opened up so much more within me. The one thing I wanted most to do in photography, was to be able to take a landscape photo that was worth a damn, and I finally did that by taking a new approach at it. That new approach allowed me to see things through new eyes, and by doing that, I look at the world with new eyes. I see things that I didn't necessarily see before. I look at angles and say, "if I had my camera, I could get this shot.". I plan on going to a bunch of those places, and getting that shot. I would love to do this for a living, but I know, I have to get a whole lot better before that will be even close to happening, and I have a long way to go. Every single shot that I take now, and love, I know can be better with more experience and knowledge. I can always improve, and that is what this year is all about. Not just in photography, but in everything else. I made a big change last year, by leaving a job that was security, and I chased some dreams. I'm still working on those, and I'm not letting them go, but I have a solid foundation to build on with them. I will see those dreams come true, and with those dreams coming together, more dreams will pop up, but the definite consistent things in my life that will always make me happy are, Morty, Saki, and my camera. The next time you see me in person, don't be surprised if I ask to take your photo. Yes I said take, but I also said ask. I want permission to be given that photo. If I do get that shot, I promise you, it will be one of the best ones you have ever given to a photographer, and I will share it with you freely. Peace in and goodnight.
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