Landon likes cake

originally uploaded by billaday.

Even though it wasn't his birthday party, Landon still got cake. And he was very happy about it.

Year 3, Day 182

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is fun again

originally uploaded by billaday.

It's been a while since a Disneyland run. Good times were had by all.

Year 3, Day 181

stripes and dots

originally uploaded by billaday.

So, I need to burn 100 dvds for my students for tomorrow. We finished rendering the project at 7pm, and I've been burning for hours now. The downside is that it's 4:30, and I have to work for 14 hours tomorrow (not counting burning 100 discs without sleeping). The upside is that I get to catch up on my photo-a-day. I've been taking daily photos, but haven't (remotely) had the time to sort, geotag, edit, and upload. Yay?

Year 3, Day 180

chipotle chicken burrito to go

originally uploaded by billaday.

Yum.

Year 3, Day 179

Wanna play it?

originally uploaded by billaday.

Here's a tip: when a 3-year-old offers to share his harmonica with you, say no thanks.

Year 3, Day 178

I'm the wise guy with the bright idea

originally uploaded by billaday.

Taking one photo every day was not my idea. It's something I do to become a better photographer (and person (?)). Anyway, there are two good friends that also photo-a-day. Though work has been beyond busy, and I haven't been uploading every day, these guys have. And since I've been a small part of their photo-a-day journey, I have that much more drive to continue my own.

So go check out Mike at http://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_soliman/

And check out Bill at http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalviaw/
Year 3, Day 177

chain gang

originally uploaded by billaday.

I rode my bike to work, then dinner. Good times. I wish I had more time for it. I wish I had more energy for it. I need to think like The Little Engine That Could.

Year 3, Day 176

teaching

originally uploaded by billaday.

If you've never taught in an elementary classroom, this is sort of what it feels like.

Year 3, Day 175

stuck behind a really, really slow vehicle on the way to work

originally uploaded by billaday.

It's a rule:
when you're late, you get stuck behind slow cars.

This morning's commute takes slow driving to a new level. I followed a bulldozer going 14 mph. Dude. Pull over. Get off the real roads. Of course, I did not dare to pass it. I might have been crushed, or destroyed.

Year 3, Day 174

drip, drip

originally uploaded by billaday.

If you're thinking of starting a photo-a-day project and you're really busy, read on. If not, then don't.

I'm pretty busy, and I photo-a-day. Most days, I don't have time to spend an hour taking photos. Most days, I don't have a desire to take photos for an hour. Nearly every day, I don't have the desire to sort, delete, edit, and upload photos. So, I take photos of things when I have a free minute. Today, I got the my car washed at the gas station, and took a picture of the windshield.

Year 3, Day 173

this shot socks

originally uploaded by billaday.

Sorry for the bad pun with the title. I'm busy, and I need to do more laundry.

Year 3, Day 172

Lactase

originally uploaded by billaday.

Ah, Lactaid. You give me the power to digest dairy. You are the superhero of enzymes.

Year 3, Day 171

a trip to the Mann Chinese

originally uploaded by billaday.

I took Daniel to the Mann Chinese to see Terminator. He had never been to the Mann. Welcome to the club.

Year 3, Day 170

a thousand dances on an empty canvas

originally uploaded by billaday.

Not gonna say much about what this photo is, but I will suggest what it could be used for: album cover.

Year 3, Day 169

love the staff parking

originally uploaded by billaday.

I really like teaching at the college level. Among the myriad of reasons, great parking is definitely one of them. I get to park really close... for free. If you've ever had terrible parking, you know how great this can be. Love it.

Year 3, Day 168

painting our perfect home

originally uploaded by billaday.

We officially started house hunting. Since most houses have photos on the internet, I find myself not taking many pictures. Even though we aren't buying this house, we did look at it. And, as it turns out, it was the only photo I took. So to make this mediocre shot a bit better, I threw it into Photoshop and applied the Alien Skin Watercolor plug-in. Kinda cool. Definitely fun to create.

Year 3, Day 167

aye matey

originally uploaded by billaday.

After a few months, I finally used my Disneyland pass. I met up with my old friend Rob!, and we hit Pirates right away. Good times for sure.

Camera choice for the day:
When hanging out with friends, I almost always bring my point-and-shoot in my pocket. This time, I also brought my dSLR with my 50mm f1.4 lens. This setup is great cuz the lens is fixed (doesn't zoom), so it is pretty small and easy to carry around. Definitely glad I brought the fancier camera. I gotta do that more often.

Year 3, Day 166

a sidewalk lunch with Chris

originally uploaded by billaday.

I'm happy with how this shot of Chris came out. His cap, mixed with Downtown Oakland's atmosphere, led me to a more vintage processing. It fits his personality, too. Check out the shot large on black. You can see the halation (glow) and the grain nicely.

Year 3, Day 165

Congratulations Divine Master

originally uploaded by billaday.

Today Annie earned a masters in divinity.

I got a bit lucky with this shot. The graduate exit line got backed up and Annie stopped right in front of me. Although... I was prepared for this shot. By testing my flash on graduates leaving earlier, I made sure I had the right amount of flash thrown at her. Luck? Talent? I once heard a Samuel Goldwyn quote:
The harder I work, the luckier I get."

And I think that I have to call my little sister O Divine Master before addressing her now. ;)

Year 3, Day 164

a formal rose

originally uploaded by billaday.

Getting ready for Annie's graduation up in Berkeley. I might need a tie.

Year 3, Day 163