I’ve been touring through many blog sites over the past year, and I read along with a lot of them.  It’s enjoyable.

Recently I saw a nice calendar presented by another blogger / photographer.  And that provided inspiration to create my own.  So, I collected up some of my favorite Arizona scenes and just put together a nice little calendar to share with anyone who is interested.

If you’re shopping around for your 2008 calendar, you might have found it.  Below I’ve inserted a gallery of the photos I’ve included in the calendar.  If you’ve followed along for a while the shots might be familiar to you.  Hope you enjoy them!  And if you like them, why not get a copy of each in calendar form (yeah, shameless self promotion…..) 

[Show as slideshow]

For further information, click here to check out the actual calendar and ordering information.

Yesterday was another working day at the new part time job.  Busy, busy, busy.

I get to meet a lot of people, and that’s something I like.  Interacting with folks is nice, and that’s a plus.  Still, the job is exhausting, and doesn’t engage all of my fun tech skills, so I’ll keep my eyes open for any other opportunities.

But beyond my quest to find the right job, I’m glad I was working yesterday.  I helped out a very pleasant couple with some tech issues, and I got to talk to them for a little while.  They were an older couple, husband and wife.  You could tell they cared deeply for each other.

During our conversation and review of the tech stuff the husband piped up his pride in his wife.  3 years ago she was diagnosed with Leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant.  Ah, such familiar ground for me.

I told them that my mom had a transplant in 1973, and was the longest successful transplant until the day she passed in 1999.  Much of what folks deal with today in a transplant situation is based on what the physicians learned when experimenting on my mom.

Looking at the woman I wouldn’t have known that she’d had Leukemia or a transplant.  She looked fantastic!  Her hair was back, no skin issues, no further complications.  Her life, after a huge derailment, was back on track.  And she was out and about trying to figure out today’s technology.  I’m very happy for both of them.

When we finished up we all wished each other well.  And then I was thanked for what my mom did to pave the way for this woman.  No problem.  I’ve always been extremely proud of her.  And every transplant survivor I’ve ever met reminds me of how much my mother did contribute.  Sure, she wasn’t the researcher…..she took the harder role of being the research.

Little things like that make days worthwhile……..

Yesterday went too quickly.  Errands in the morning, laundry, web clients, database clients….and oh yeah, some climbing at the end of the day.

The morning felt like a constant stream of tedious little tasks.  I hit the laundry room with my laptop in hand.  Re-designing another web site for one of my regular clients.  At least laundry went quickly because I was on the computer designing the whole time.

After “fun with laundry” I headed into town to see if my database client could meet early.  They weren’t in, so I occupied myself for a little while.  No great photos though.  Too bad.

The clients were available by 1:00, so that’s good.  That allowed time to climb afterward.  Oh, and here’s a funny side note.  While I was waiting on my clients the new part time job called.  They needed someone in.  I let them know I had a meeting and couldn’t.  Here’s the deal……1 hour consulting on databases pays more than 7 hours at the new part time job.  Which option would you choose? 

Once I returned to the Airstream Andy called.  He and Brooke were parked at Bob’s.  I was still waiting for Matt.  A quick set of climbs in the Granite Dells were on our agenda.  Since Matt is still learning the Dells offers a lot more variety, and it’s an easy walk out.

Matt, Bob, & Andy climbed Perfect Idiot first.  The climb has been on Bob’s mind.  While they climbed I took photos.  No climbing there, not in the mood, and I’ve got that one down.

After the climbs were done we headed over to Time Zone Wall.  As we approached we met a guy walking up in climbing shoes alone.  Chalk bag, shoes on, he said hello and chatted for a moment.  Then he climbed right up a 5.6 with no rope, belayer, etc.  Free Climbing.

As we set up to climb the mystery free climber popped back down and we all got to talking.  Go figure, the climber was Bill Cramer (author of one of the local guide books here).  Nice guy.  Fun to meet the person who put up a lot of the climbs here!

Matt and Bob got a good bit of climbing in.  I did one lead, then stuck to taking photos.  Big fun!  Below is another gallery loaded with Matt & Bob’s climbs.

[Show as slideshow]

From yesterday’s post I’ve got 3 new favorite photos.  So I decided to re-upload them larger and put them into a little gallery.

I always have to keep photos small to fit in the blog.  But I can make them bigger in a gallery.  So, here it is. 

[Show as slideshow]

 No, I didn’t pack up the trailer and head to Pittsburg New Hampshire today.  Although while out today I felt like I was there.

Instead, I took a new trip in search of those elusive unique photos along the back roads of Arizona, and I found myself remembering so much about my time in New Hampshire’s North country.  I’d been informed that some interesting cliff dwellings existed near Perkinsville, AZ., and I decided to take a ride out and see if I could find them.  While I failed to find the dwellings, I did find something I’ve missed for a while.  A sense of real adventure, exploring, and wondering what’s around the next bend…..

Just like my time in the Great North Woods.  I remembered a lot more too.

For years I’d traveled to the Northern reaches of New Hampshire.  The first trip up was in a 1999 Jeep.  Fully loaded at the time too.  Two people, two labs, and all the gear that goes with the passengers.  Full house.  :)  Getting away from the White Mountains, exploring somewhere new, and finding places where you really are on your own in the woods…..

Trips became more frequent from 2002 forward, and a Eurovan weekender was used in place of the Jeep.  Exploring the abandoned logging roads, mapping routes for mountain bikers, and enjoying the lonely cry of loons were the activities we sought out back then.

Soon the Eurovan was replaced by an Airstream.  The Airstream I’m writing from today as a matter of fact.  One of the major pushes behind buying it was to allow my family more time in the North Woods while keeping some more of the comforts of home with us.  Kayaking, moose photography (loons too), hiking and cycling would all be supported by the Airstream.  It was a good plan, but unfortunately soon after getting it all the big life changes came rushing one after another.  We never really did get to have the next phase of adventures……

As I drove to Perkinsville today on so many lonely dirt roads I remembered the thrill of exploration in Pittsburg, NH.  Sure, Airzona isn’t the North Country, but I still saw glimpses of it in the high desert country.  And I remembered my exploration back there like it was yesterday.  It also struck me that most of my exploration years ago was on my own as well.  My spouse always seemed to have something else to do, and made trips up with me less frequently, and for shorter times.  What a washboard road can remind you of……

30 miles into the washboard riding I still hadn’t found the ruin site I was looking for, but it was ok.  Looking out from Perkinsville I saw the redrocks lining up east of me.  Blue skies, red rocks, high desert…..a stunning site.  Around one bend in the road as I started to descend the scene took me back to the first time I saw the Canadian border while plotting a bike route.  Rough dirt road, top of the land, around a curve preparing to descend.  Nobody but me out there, and nobody for miles around.  And here in Arizona I felt that again, and felt like I was home.

There were no moose on today’s trip (a standard in Pittsburg).  No loon cries either.  And the area lacks massive frigid lakes like Northern NH.  Instead I found a running river, heard the cry of hawks, waited for a few antelope to cross the road (the camera wasn’t ready), and watched a few horses enjoy their view on a hill top.

Sure, it’s not the Great North Woods of New Hampshire, but today’s trip brought all those memories up so easily that it might as well have been.  Here’s to exploring where you are!

Being accepted is always a positive thing. We all want to fit in. Well, that’s what I think at least.

This morning I found some more acceptance in the world. Dreamstime approved some more photos. Hey, that’s acceptance!

Doing the stock photography has been an interesting journey. Initially I didn’t know what works and doesn’t work as a stock photo. That’s the first thing I had to do.

Once I started to understand the needs of stock sites I really started shooting with them in mind. I’d head out and think of stock versus shots that I want for myself. There’s a huge difference.

So, here’s the process I’ve been going through…..

• Find an interesting subject.
• Shoot several hundred photos in a day.
• Come home and sort….and sort….and sort.
• Select about 10% of the photos I shot to submit.
• Submit them.
• Expect about 40% of those shots to be accepted.

Yup, my acceptance ratio is about 40% at the stock site so far. I’m not surprised. From everything I’ve read that’s pretty darned good! So, hoorah!

Want to see the latest shots that have hit Dreamstime? Click the link below.

Ah, the photo posts have been sparse the past few days.  The photos have been sparse as well.  What’s going on?  Simple.  Been busy around here.

Tomorrow I’ll be heading out with the camera again.  I’ve learned there’s an interesting set of cliff dwellings out near Perkinsville, and I want to go take a look.  So there’s the plan.  With luck I’ll have some fun photos tomorrow night!

Wednesday I’ll finally pull the trailer over to the DMV for registration.  I’ve had a few questions about registering a trailer here, and as soon as I do it I’ll post regarding the process and expense. 

Finally, I was happy to wake up to more approved shots at Dreamstime.  I think I’ve figured out what makes a good stock photo, and that’s positive.  Now I just need to start getting out with the camera again!

So, I got tagged recently.  7 things about me.  Hmmm…..since I don’t have blogging inspiration this morning I figured I’ll do this.

1. I’m a recovered economist.  No 12 step program, so that’s probably why I keep watching the economy.  But hey, I don’t work as an economist and I acknowledge that if you ask 2 economists a question you’ll get 3 answers.
2. Mint tea is ok in my book.  I’d prefer a Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla coffee with cream and sugar, but I haven’t had one since 2005.
3. Teaching people about technology is a favorite thing to do.  I enjoy showing folks that computers, networks, etc., aren’t as hard as they think they are.  Don’t believe the myth it’s beyond you, it isn’t.
4. I live in an Airstream trailer.
5. I just got 5lbs of beef jerky from Vermont Beef Jerky Company.  Ah, that’s an enviable statement.  If you haven’t tried their stuff you’re missing out.
6. Being outside hiking or climbing with friends is a favorite thing to do.  Mostly it’s just being outside.  And yup, when I’m out there I’m not in front of a computer (very nice perk).
7. I really enjoy taking photos.  Maybe you’ve already clued into that.
8. Oh no, I’ve made one more.  But it’s an important one.  I can’t stand mustard.  There, I said it. 

Now I’m supposed to tag other folks.  I’ll tag Granny J, Paula, Rich L, Joanne, & George……ah, I couldn’t think of 7 folks to tag.  Ah well.

What hasn’t changed? Good grief!

Well, the title today is in reference to my photography. A friend recently asked about my photos, and wanted to know what’s really changed.  New camera, new software, the Keebler Elves working for me….what?

It’s not the camera.  Many of my climbing shots are taken with my old EOS 10D.  Several other photos that are up on Dreamstime were shot with my SD550.  So, what really changed?

The answer is simple.  Books.  Not that I have room for them in the Airstream, but there’s the short answer.   What have I read on photography in the past few months?

• “The Digital Photography Book,” by Scott Kelby.  Not only is this a great starter book, but the author has a sense of humor.  It was a fun and easy read, and I carried it around with my camera for a while.  If you want one book on digital photography, this is it (starter book at least).
• “Canon EOS 30D Digital Field Guide,” by Charlotte K. Lowrie.  This book works for my 10D as well, only a few major features have changed.  Great guide for all the features of your camera, and how you can leverage them.
• “The Photoshop CS Book for Digital Photographers,” by Scott Kelby.  Oh yes, I told you, I really like this guy’s books.  You want to know how much I like them?  Read on……
• “The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book,” by Scott Kelby.  Oh, good grief, 3 books by the same guy.  Hmmmmm……maybe he’s worth a read???

There you go.  That’s what’s changed.  The first book really got me thinking about how I shoot, the rest helped me work with the tools I have on my camera and computer.  85% of the change is book #1, 15% are the rest. 

Oh, and no, I don’t know Scott Kelby, so I’m not selling books for him or anything. 

Well, the rest of this week will be busy.  Next week too.

Tomorrow I finally start a part time job here.  Ah yes, part time.  No benefits right now.  But we’ll see if it works up into something more.  As usual, the biggest concern with the company was I’d leave in 6 months for something better.  But for once I was listened to.  I’m staying here, and looking for any avenue to remain.  Too bad the folks with the network jobs, telecomm jobs, and IT jobs didn’t listen to me when we spoke.

Also over the next week I need to hook up my trailer and take a little ride.  No big fun trip.  I need to bring the Airstream to the DMV for an inspection.  You can’t register a trailer here without an inspection.  Talk about odd.

That means packing up, putting away, and hitching up.  10 minute drive for a 10 minute inspection.  Then back to the park, backing in again, and reconnecting everything.  Normally when the trailer gets hitched I want to go somewhere.  Maybe I’ll tow it around town after the inspection.