Welcome to Texture City

originally uploaded by billaday.

This plate caught my eye late at night. There's texture on the plate and on the table that holds it. I like how the contrast came out in this shot.

Year 3, Day 192

we will miss you

originally uploaded by billaday.

The California state budget is beyond bad. There isn't enough money, and cuts are being made in education. Three of the teachers on this sign got laid off, and don't have jobs next year. My name is the only one on the sign that managed to keep a job. I'll be teaching elementary music next year. Who knew that a music degree would save my job?

Year 3, Day 191

the pool inspected at the above address has been inspected and is producing mosquitos

originally uploaded by billaday.

Aside from the pool containing a dead crow, two dead lizards, and a swarm of mosquitoes, this house we looked was perfect.

Lemme back up. We are house hunting. We are house hunting on our anniversary. And every home seems to have something wrong with it. I know we shouldn't buy a house when I think to myself, "Man, if only this place did not have the West Nile Virus..." Argh.


Year 3, Day 190

The Replacements: donations

originally uploaded by billaday.

Just one day after being on CBS-2 news, and five days after losing 13 laptops, someone donated twenty 20" widescreen monitors. Beyond stoked.

This is more of a blessing than I imagined.

Year 3, Day 189

Geoff here, on CBS-2 News

originally uploaded by billaday.

So, if you haven't heard, someone stole 13 laptops from our (non-profit) summer school program. This was very bad, since it happened two days before we started, and I'm the computer teacher.

A bunch of people came out of the woodwork to help out. A local paper ran a few stories, and then... as shown here... CBS-2 news came and did a segment on us. If you'd like to see it, the video is here: http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=106121@kcbs.dayport.com

This shot is of my assistant Geoff. He's posing for the cameraman to get the white balance and exposure set. I snuck in and took a picture of him (in the viewfinder of the really fancy, expensive camera and in real life).

Year 3, Day 188

just add water

originally uploaded by billaday.

Despite all the cool reflections that water has, I found that it's really hard to get an interesting (or even good) shot.

Year 3, Day 187

Congratulations Deacon Alan

originally uploaded by billaday.

For the last four years, he's been called Alan.

After four years of work, he's now called Deacon Alan. This is his first homily.

Year 3, Day 186