I Went Where?

I cannot believe I stepped inside a Walmart today. In fact, I cannot recall a visit prior to tonight. I am an adamant critic of Walmart. I will not get into all the reasons why I stopped going to Walmart.

So why did I go to Walmart? Well, I have been eyeing a brighter and thinner Nintendo DS Lite. It is a portable game console that I can use to play Nintendo's brain game, which is so popular. It is scheduled to be released on June 11, but they have been sighted in Targets and Walmarts around Minnesota, Tennesssee, and such. I thought Arizona stores might have them in stock.

Of course, I went to a Target first. I even tried a Best Buy before heading over to a Walmart. I think Karma knew I was doing a wrong thing. I am glad I did not make any purchase from a Walmart store.

Lastly, I like to mention how I felt so guilty when I was in there. In fact, I thought I was physically getting sick. Perhaps, my aversion is too strong. Nah!

My Patch Collection Is Growing ...

I have been collecting patches from places I've been visiting. It all started with the Havasupai Falls. My latest acquisition is from the Bryce Canyon National Park. It is the most colorful.

Let me know which is your favorite. Enjoy!

I Am Like Back ...

I have had the good fortune to visit Bryce Canyon over the Memorial weekend with good friends. Oh, the times I've had. I will be recounting very soon, but enjoy these pictures in the mean time.

Photos from the rim

Will She Lick It?

Here is the first in a possible series of short videos featuring my dog, Cenya. She will be asked to lick various things. Will she lick it? Watch to find out!

Fast Internet, What Fast Internet?

Buckeye

I am having an internet connection problem. I have been experiencing stoppage or intermittent internet connection. It is a big problem for someone who is addicted to checking e-mail, podcasts, vlogs, etc. Unfortunately, I think I am hooked on this stuff, because I have been going through the phases. You know, anger, denial, pleading, etc.

I finally broke down and called Cox for service figuring I troubleshot as much as I can from my side. Cox agreed that a service call is required although they keep politely threatening me with a service charge if the problem turned out to be from my side.

One positive side is their service appointment time frame got smaller. Instead of noon to 5 pm for showing, they asked for 1 to 3 pm tomorrow.

I hope to get my fast internet speed back tomorrow!!!!!

Walmart vs Hercules
From the title, one might think Walmart is the small guy, but au contraire. Hercules is a small town in California that is fighting the big corporation (Walmart) from building. Interestingly enough, the town is using often misused eminent domain to stop the big corporation. Most of the time, I hear how a state/county/city/town takes lands away from mom and pop operations to lure in big corporations in the name of furthering public interests. It is about time big corporations see the other side of the eminent domain. Way to go Hercules!!!!

What? A Paraglider?

I was taking out food scraps to my compost bin yesterday around 7 pm. I looked up at Piestawa Peak. Lo and behold, a paraglider. I ran to get my camcorder, and then started taking footages. I have never seen anyone paragliding from Piestawa Peak. Wow! Enjoy.

Paraglider Part 1

Paraglider Part 2

So I Think I Am Addicted...

Zebra Longwing

I have been in need of a media card reader for quite sometime. The reason is my hatred of changing USB dangles when downloading photos from cameras. I have been keeping my eyes on sales papers, because I am always looking for a bargain.

I finally found a deal. Fry's Electronics had a one-day sale, which included a USB media card reader for free after a mail-in rebate, yesterday. Of course, they were out of stock when I got there. No raincheck! How typical.

I found a great deal anyway. It was a Maxtor 300 gig hard drive for a measly 80 bucks. I was smitten. A nice, big hard drive for $0.27 per gig. Wow. I still could not just pick it up. I hate impulse buys. Not because it is necessarily a bad purchase, but I end up regretting most of times. Also, I already own two 160 gig hard drives. I walked around the store some and thought about the purchase. I weighed positives and negatives. I decided to make the purchase.

I am starting to take more of larger digital photos, digitizing my music collection, and editing more digital videos. This only means I do need more of bigger hard drives. I combined data from the old drives, swapped out one of the old drives with the new drive in a hard drive enclosure, and put the combined data on the new drive.

I do feel like I am addicted to getting bigger and bigger hard drives. Does anyone really need half a terabyte of hard drive space? Do I need to start a Harddrivaholics' Anonymous?

Am I Living In A Third World Country?

Thirsty Lawn

I experienced two blackouts last two weeks. I was rather upset the second time, because weather was quite warm, and I was in the midst of cooking. If the memory serves me correctly, I let out a primal scream when the second blackout happened.

I cannot say for sure this is how one feels living in places where electricity is not reliable, but I would hate to feel this helpless. I realized how much I rely on a readily available energy. I guess I am one of those spoiled Americans who has many things handed to him.

American Idol
I am not proud to admit this, but I watched bits and pieces of American Idol last night. What is the deal with Taylor saying Soul Patrol constantly while swinging his arm like Arsenio Hall? Is Soul Patrol like his posse or his dawg pound? WHATEVER!

What Is The Deal With Cheetos and Gatorades?

Princess Leia Stone Hinge?

So I was subbing today again. It was one of those days when I realized an odd phenomenon. It is a small observation so calling it a phenomenon is too much but.

Many of the students from the third hour came in with a bag of Flaming Cheetos and a bottle of Gatorade in their hands. Now, what is the deal with that? I suppose Gatorades are better than sodas? Flaming Cheetos are better than potato chips? Is this a generation gap? I just did not get the attractions these two products offer students that other snacks and beverages do not offer. Hmm. Something to consider! Wish I was an anthropologist or something.

Another Time Lapsed Video ...

It is funny (not in a ha ha sense) how we, Phoenicians, love changes in weather. I mean over three hundred days of sunshine, what is that about? I guess we get a little sick of prolonged and constantly same sunny weather.

In honor of a dusty stormy weather today, I shot an hour of footage from my backyard. Here is a time-lapsed video of the Piestawa Peak in Phoenix, AZ.

A New Chapter Begins...

Brandon, who is pictured above, is my new little brother from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona. He is a ten-year old, and quite chatty. I have been matched with him for less than a week.

For our first outing, we went to the Phoenix Botanical Garden yesterday. It was Brandon's idea to go. Who am I to say no? We were there about four o'clock in the afternoon. It was a little warm to say the least. We both got a sport drink each from a gas station on the way to the garden.

We first went to the butterfly exhibit, because it was near closing time on its last day, I think. I brought two cameras so we can both take photos. I gave Brandon a quick lesson on using a camera. We took numerous photos of various butterflies. Of course, there were not many usable photos from me. In fact, I am keeping only two. Brandon is a typical urban ten-year old. He is afraid of bees even after assurance from me that there isn't any danger. We had a leisurely fun walking around looking at fauna, flora, and people.

On the way back to Brandon's home, we stopped at a Jack in the Box and used a coupon good for two free combos courtesy of the BBBS and Jack in the Box. I took the opportunity to talk to Brandon about not being wasteful when he grabbed more napkins than we needed. Is this being mentor like? After dining, I took him home. I think it was a pretty good outing. I am looking forward to getting to knowing him better.

That brings me back to my first little. My first little brother, Josh, is graduating from his high school next week, and we are not an official match through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona. I am sad that we are not an official match, but it is nice to see a little all grown up!

This is one of my favorite photos Brandon took.

Jorge's Fourth Birthday ...

I was also at another little boy's birthday party last week. His name is Jorge. I was invited by his parents, Esteban & Maribel. It was a little hot, but it was good to hang out with friends. Here are three parts to the video I shot and edited. Enjoy!

Part 1

Part 2


Part 3

Do You Need Some Cheap Art?

This is what Chritopher Colville, my most recent photography instructor, said last Saturday verbatim. I think! As the poster reads, he is going on an Icelandic trip to work on a project partially funded. He is trying to raise some funds for his trip and is offering his future work from the future trip in advance. So no one know what exactly they will be, but the prices are incredible, his past works are great, and it is for a worthy cause. Contact him if you are interest. I am personally purchasing in case you want to know.

Celebrating May Birthdays ...

I went to Rampleys' for May Birthdays yesterday. Amy, Josh, and Pam have birthdays in May. It was a hot afternoon, but people drank cold beverages, which did not have any little umbrellas in them unfortunately, and ate appetizers. There were much food later. Mm, ribs and chicken!

While the main course was being prepared, little ones with their parents played in the pool. I captured many of their first water slide moments.