PhotoEscapist

Hi there!

It’s been a while since my last post.  In the middle of November I went back to work and haven’t had the time to do much traveling or photography.  I recently solved that problem by quitting my job, after nine weeks, so I could go back to college and finish my Computer Science degree.  It’s been seventeen years since I last attended formal classes, and things have changed a little.  Two of the biggest I’ve changes so far:  Class information is posted on the web and the average age of students looks to be 14 (there was no way I was that young when I went to college!).

I have a very light class load, seeing as my re-matriculation paperwork didn’t get submitted , eight credits in total.  To add to the fun, my degree program does not exist in it’s original form.  It’s divided and mutated in to two distinct new programs.  I have to work with the Department Head to see what credits are going to be good and what kind of credits I can get for work experience credit.

It’s good to be back in school, tho I’m using parts of my brain that have been idle for a very long time.  On the plus side I can positivity identify the math part of my brain is about two inches behind my right eye!

Things here are going to be pretty rocky.  Without being matriculated, I can’t get any student loans which means my savings may just make it till the new semester.  It’s going to be really close

I will have more time to get out and around again.  I’m planning on attending some local events, taking pictures and posting here.  I’m also working on another web site which I hope to unveil sometime in late spring or early summer.

I did attend a Aikido Seminar, whose benefits were donated to the relief efforts in Haiti, and should have a Post and the pictures from it up soon!

I have rejoined the working world.

The decision was made mostly because of my enjoyment of Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew.  Don’t get me wrong, the show is fine.  However, when I look forward to watching to reality TV, it’s about time to get back to the ‘real world’ (no, not that “Real World”, I stopped watching that after the 2nd or 3rd season, with Puck).

I sent out 3 or 4 resumes, interviewed with two companies and took a job with a Cash register company it the technical support department.  The whole process only took three weeks so there are some jobs out there

I’ve started two new blogs and should have a soft launch of at least one of them around Christmas (seeing as I’ve given 10 hrs of my day back to being a wage-slave).  I’m also going to turn some of my attention to Stock Photography to see if I can get a little income there.  I need to improve my ’studio skills’ a bit to make this work tho.

Watch this space for more, I’m still out and taking pictures and hitting up local events and locations to bring them to you!

Hi technorati! BV5UBJUJSUZ5

Yesterday, I received a call to action.  Mother nature demanded my attention with, a long stretch of sunny days and balmy weather.  To translate for those who don’t live in Central NY this means, two sunny days and fifty-five degree weather

Such a call can only be answered in one way, pack up the camera gear, hop in the car and go someplace. Preferably a place with trees, water and maybe pumpkins, seeing it’s fall and all.

In addition to my normal load-out, I have a new addition to the gear. A Tomtom One XL – S.  I haven’t been able to locate the power supply (car or wall) for Glenda (Magellan Roadmate 2200t) for a while and decide this may be a good time to upgrade.  I’ve had the new GPS for a week or so, but, haven’t had a chance to test it.

So we have Nature telling you to get out,  a GPS that needs testing, and it’s fall so yer pictures need trees and pumpkins…I could go to a pumpkin patch, but the ones I know are really easy to get to.  The closest is “The Hollow“.   It’s two turns and 15 mins away.  It’s beautiful, but, doesn’t suit the purposes for testing  the GPS. Where to go? Where to go? During my contemplation the great one eyed god presented a solution! It presented an ad for The “Enchanted Beaver Lake“!  Perfect!  It’s several miles away and there are several twists and tuns to get there.  They also have a Photography club!  Bonus! I knew TV had other purposes besides erasing my mind!

I grabbed my gear, loaded up the car and headed out.

The 25-30 mile trip is about 20 mins long, most of it, on the highway.  The area surrounding the Nature Center is mostly rural houses and farms.  It’s not really much of a scenic drive, but it does pay off when, you get to your destination.

My first stop was to the visitor center to sign up to be a friend of the park. To join the photo club, you have to be a Friend.  I also signed up for a parking pass, which is $10 for the year, seeing as parking is normally $2, it’s worth it in the long run.  Together, this is $45 for the year.

Next it was time to pick one of the seven trails. They range form .3 to 3 miles, most coming in at under 1 mile long. I decided on taking the longest trail “The Lake Loop”, it would give me the most opportunity to see the lake and the areas around it. Besides, how hard could 3 miles be, with 20 lbs of  photography equipment in yer backpack and with you being out of shape and carrying a few extra pounds?

Two hours and 158 pictures later, I completed the loop. There are several places to stop and rest along the route, each with a bench and many with nice views. I shared the path with walkers, amblers and a few joggers, and one photographer. It’s really a nice amble, and if you live nearby or are just visiting the area, you should go.

I may have to go back for “Enchanted Beaver Lake” to play with the 50mm f/1.4, getting pictures of the candle lit pumpkins

We really haven’t reached peak leafing season here yet, so there isn’t a much color as I would have liked.  I also need to go later in the day to get some better sun.  Other than That, I’m pretty please how the photos came out.  You can find all of them on Flickr.  Here are some of my favorites:

It’s amazing what you can find in your own backyard! With the economy the way it is and ’staycations’ being the norm, you should look to see what your local area has to offer.

Remember to get up, get out and explore, you never know what you will find.