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

el mariachi

originally uploaded by billaday.

My father-in-law had a birthday party, and mariachi arrived. It was fantastic. They rocked out, and we enjoyed food and drink.

This shot was photoshopped using a plugin to emulate a daguerrotype photograph. I wanted it to have a less modern look. Hope I pulled it off.

Year 3, Day 185

a cool looking gem-type rock

originally uploaded by billaday.

Here is one reason I don't teach 4th grade... I don't know the name of this rock, er, gem. Someone tell me. I don't think it's quartz.

This shot is selective color: blue and cyan remains, the other colors go to grayscale.

Year 3, Day 184

birthday phone calls

originally uploaded by billaday.

Isabelle received many calls on her birthday. They wished her a happy birthday. She liked that.

Year 3, Day 183

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