DS9 Update

I brought the first season to my grandfather's for the weekend. Perfect. We watched episode after freakin' episode. I'm on the 5th disc.

Jadzia Dax is looking like an easy enough but recognizable Halloween costume. I wanted to do something more involved last year but ended up a silly rabbit. Obviously, I think about Halloween a bit too much.

Also, "If wishes were horses"? It is rare for both my grandfather and I to not know an expression. "beggars would ride". Hmmm.

DS9...A Voyage Begun...

Last year a Trekkie friend of mine got me into Star Trek. I started with the beginning of the beginning, The Original Series. I watched an entire season in one day at one point. I thoroughly enjoyed TOS. Of course, my journey into Trekkidom was official as I then began The Next Generation. My friend and I often fell asleep to TNG only to finish the next night. It was great actually getting into the series with a true Trekkie. Eventually though, I was alone in my voyage to complete the final season of TNG. Much time passed as life flew by. But many months later I finally finished Season 7, only to wait a bit longer before getting my grubby hands on DS9. My Trekkie friend was so kind to let me swap out DVD sets for Season 1 DS9.

Last night I began the first episode. As true to tradition, I fell asleep before the end of the episode (give me a break, it was a long one). Don't get me wrong, it doesn't bore me to sleep. I enjoy watching Star Trek at the end of the day curled up in bed, as it is soothing and entertaining. I watched a bit more this morning as I got ready for the day and am now about to hopefully complete the episode. Thank goodness for the convenience and pause-ability of DVDs. I do not have a television, but who would want to watch all those commercials?

Here, I hope to check in from time to time to log my progress with DS9. With only 17 minutes left in the episode, I have to say I'm impressed. The fun conversation to explain linear time and the introduction of Quark (Quark's bar t-shirt a staple in my friend's wardrobe) are stellar ways to get things rolling.

Now I'm off to grab a slice of pie (I made yesterday) and finish "Emissary".

Busy...Not Busy

*Borrowed from www.billemory.com.

I am rather busy lately, but not the kind of busy I normally am. It seems good for my health but then there is too much time to worry and think about things I'd rather not.

I feel like I imagine the little girl above must feel. Confuddled, concerned, and possibly anxiously lackadaisical.

Mindful

Just gotta try.

Here's to hoping...

Wouldn't it be lovely if your "bad taste" really just meant you were ahead of the evolutionary curve? Goodness gracious, I hope so.

Best Store Ever.

I just have to rant a little bit about how amazing Foto Care is.

In NYC there are several camera super stores we are all a little guilty of patronizing. Those stores are shit storms of confused customers and unnecessary purchases. For those looking for a real store, go to Fotocare.

I got a personal recommendation to go there to buy my first light meter. I am glad I went. It was the easiest purchase I ever made. Okay, so big deal, just a light meter. I went back to purchase my camera, accessories, and a lens. Boy am I glad I went there. Such a huge purchase should be a headache, but not at Foto Care.

Well, a nightmare befell me recently, the disaster of a bum card reader eating up my very expensive CF cards. Phooey. I figured it was the camera. I went to Foto Care not expecting them to be able to help. (Sandisk and Canon would have required a couple weeks of mail, processing, and repair.) Instead, I walked in and they solved everything. The gentleman calmly dealt with the problem. He assured me that no matter the problem, I would walk out of the store within 30 minutes with a working rig. And I did. He was willing to give me a loaner camera if he couldn't find an easier fix, but he did it all and for free!

So, I must insist on Foto Care! But, don't go in with a bad attitude. The guys there deserve respectful customers. I hate it when people come up to your counter and expect you to do favors for them. You get what you give. This store (although it may not have the same MEGA discounts) is always worth the trip. If I'm going to drop a lot of money I want to do it at a good store.

http://www.fotocare.com/

Breaking the Rules...

You can't tell from these pictures, but we broke way too many rules imposed by the old fogies. Dancing barefoot in the grass was just one part of a lovely day.

Developing.

So exciting! My roll is being developed right now.

Xpro!

Let's hope the built in light meter still works. *Fingers crossed*

Watery Schmotery

The sloppier the better.

Epic Commercials

Just passing along AdFreak's 25 Most Epic Ads That Aren't Apple's '1984'.

My favorites:

#14 Honda

#4 Johnnie Walker

#1 Pantene

Just all epic. I never thought a commercial would make me want to cry. Ha ha.

Why can't all commercials be at least half as good as these? I might actually have a TV if they were.

FILM!

I realized I hadn't taken stills on film in a very long time. I amended this situation over the weekend. I have a couple more pictures to roll off before the roll is done though. I'll scan the pictures in once I get them developed. Also, I only have my father's old Canon T50. I have very little control over it and it only shoots at 1/60. Silly camera. I hope the internal light meter still works! I only have a 50mm lens, because God only knows where my zoom is. I really should get a zoom. Why do I only have primes?

And yes, I have to pay for them to be developed. My darkroom equipment is back home. I'm sorting out the details of shipping it up here. Enlargers are not easy to ship! If it takes much longer I might just resort to building my own! Ha ha. See the clipping below.

Doodles Too

More.

Doodles

I've been sick of staring at a computer all day.

It is too noisy here to read.

Thus, doodling is back!

Subway Yawning

I was exhausted yesterday. I couldn't help yawning while hanging off a pole on the subway. I must have looked pretty pathetic. An older gentleman, quite aged, offered me his seat. How crazy is that? He obviously needed it more than me but was so compelled by my sleepy appearance. Geez. What happened to my youth? Ha ha. Luckily, TNG Season 7 has been helping me fall asleep lately.

Summer Reading...

I picked up "Visual Thinking" by Rudolf Arnheim a couple months ago. $5 from a street vendor. I hope it it not just full of hot air. Started reading...hmmm.

Get your mind off of things.

Working too hard can scatter your brain.

I came across this soothing sweet website of fun.

SHARE!

Just be nice.

I was walking to work yesterday. It was a rainy day.

I thought to myself how I wanted a better umbrella but did not want to spend money on one. I just bought one a month ago and it broke already. It was not a cheap one either.

Then two girls seemed to be holding the same umbrella. They were unique umbrellas, so I found that odd.

I took a few more steps. Then a lady asked if I wanted a free umbrella. I said, "Free? Really?" She replied, "Yes! And here is a coupon for this store." Score.

I got to work and offered the coupon to my supervisor since I thought she might shop there. She gleefully took it.

Walking home late that night I found myself behind a classy couple. They were all dressed up from a date and the lady was holding a large bowl of yellow roses. The gentlemen was struggling to hold a tiny umbrella over the both of them. I offered my extra umbrella to them. They declined since they were close to their apartment. Then a couple steps later the girl offered me a flower from her bouquet. Surprised, I asked, "Are you sure?" Then I turned to the man and asked him too. They were eager to share. I accepted. I photographed the flower and then gave it to my roommate.

How beautiful is that?

I've also decided to take a more active approach to showing how much I care for my friends. I have always cared, but not as outwardly as I wished.

It is crazy how lucky I have always been. But now, with a little effort to be a better person, even more luck seems to befall my little life.

The lesson learned, just be nice. It is springtime and everyone's spirits are up. So take the opportunity to smile. Smile at the weather, the puppies, the people. You don't need an excuse to be happy.

Texas

I always assumed I would only move back to Texas when I was ready to retire. This past week has convinced me otherwise. I finally learned what it means to call someplace home. Home was nowhere and everywhere to me before. But now when I try to think about what makes Texas home, I become speechless. I cannot find the right words to describe exactly what makes it so comfortable. Don't get me wrong. I love New York, but Texas. Now that's where I really belong. I don't get excited by a gang of overdressed New York gals. I do find a sweet old couple in cowboy boots just heart melting.

Moving the Sophistication.

I want to keep this page as a personal log. The Seeking Sophistication blog has been created as an outlet for solely that purpose.

Please visit Seeking Sophistication for more posts of this nature.

Have a lovely day.

Class. The quest begins.

What inspired this post? I am not quite sure. It seems to be a culmination of things. The classy style of ladies and gentlemen of the 1950's, '40s, '30s, and '20s need a resurgence. Fashion is not the focus, but rather a state of being. What happened to just being classy? What is so wrong with embracing traditional roles? Or possibly breaking those roles to redefine yourself with elegance? I have found myself often alone in my room just swaying to a fancy tune pondering this topic.

I want to keep up my quest for class in this blog.

I shall begin at the definition.

From www.merriam-webster.com:

classy

Pronunciation: \ˈkla-sē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): class·i·er; class·i·est

Date: 1891

b : having or reflecting high standards of personal behavior c : admirably skillful and graceful

Notice, not posh, nor expensive, fancy, luxurious, swanky, or fashionable.

It is more about being polished, sophisticated, intricate, and elegant. I feel that anyone can be classy, even the most awkwardly introverted person.

I would go on, however I must stop myself. This shall be an ongoing process and each post will hopefully shed light on a new path. Stopping now allows me to consider a few more paths for my next post.

The goal of this is to explore my torment and to share a dose of confidence. You cannot be classy without confidence.

The first step to becoming more classy. Find a song. Create a playlist. Close your eyes and imagine yourself with grace as you listen along.

Prescription: Listen to THIS. And take a bow in front of a mirror.

Not quite a science experiment...

These are a couple short tests of animation with vague limits.

Enjoy.

Also viewable here.

New Baby!

*Picture taken with a 30D.

Yes. There is a new member of my family.

She's so smart. She doesn't even drool on herself.

With a Zeiss Planar T 1.4/ 50mm lens, she is such a doll. A 28mm and 85mm are on their way too.

Oh yeah. And that's a Jeep diaper bag. How funny is that?

I guess I'll have to find a way to eat cheaper than Ramen and beans. Yikes.

Cameras galore!

My oh my!

I've been researching cameras for days on end. It is time to purchase!

DSLR + Set of 35 Primes = Ramen forever