Redneck with a Nikon

My five favorite photos from the Crown Royal Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, May 2nd:

Catching Up

Wow. It’s been awhile since my last post. I’m not sure I like that, mainly because I haven’t even thought about my blog. It’s like seeing it this morning is a reminder that—oh, yeah… you have a blog, dude.

Well, let’s see…. On the work front, there’s a lot to do, but I’m completely disinterested in getting any of it done. The ride is two weeks from today, but I’ve done very little of the work that needs to be done to pull it off. Not sure why I’m procrastinating like I am, but I’m strangely calm about the whole thing. We had a meeting the other night to discuss plans for next year’s 40th anniversary celebration activities; folks are really receptive to my campaign catch phrases; and my 4th quarter event ideas are lighting the imaginations of everybody. But, my heart isn’t in any of it. Perhaps I just truly need the break that my upcoming vacation will provide.

On the exercise front, I’ve had two really excellent journeys recently—last Sunday and again on Thursday—that I’m calling the Byrd & Boulevard loop. It’s two-and-a-third laps on the Byrd Park Vitacourse, then a trip back and forth across the Boulevard Bridge, returning to the Vitacourse to complete the remaining two-thirds lap. The approximate distance is 4 1/2 miles. What’s special is that I’ve been running more of it, consciously landing on my forefoot with each step (with the “running barefoot” image always in my mind). Truthfully, my shins are continuing to ache, but it seems like I can go farther before they flare up, and the pain isn’t as bad. My time still sucks, but just getting out and doing something always makes me feel better.

Pushups are meh. I did 27 for my W3 test but decided to fall back to column 2 anyway. My W3D1C2 = 12/17/13/2/0. As I said, meh.

Still love my photography course and my instructor. Three more classes to go. Time flies.

And, finally, yes—I have visions of Marrakech and London dancing in my brain, although I really need to make time to do some reading. I’m going to land in both cities without any idea of what to see or do, and I’d hate to waste what little time I’ll have at both destinations.

She Thinks My Photo’s Sexy

Okay, not sexy—but a damn fine blog post title.

She did, however, like my pictures a lot. And, I don’t think she was just saying so to be polite. She’s Swiss—from the German side, not the French. Zey do not offer compliment vizzout reason. This one, I think, captured her fancy the most:

Anyway, she had titled the assignment “Cropping the World;” as the name implies, we were charged with cropping the world (duh!) through our camera viewfinders and lenses—not in post-production (with Aperture, Photoshop, etc.) So, over the weekend, I skulked around in the backyard trying very hard to see differently. To see not just things but, instead, the various parts of things. It was fun.

She liked this one, too:

Here’s what I like, though: I’m getting it. The mystery of shutter speed and aperture and f/stops and ISO….  I’m getting it. And it’s so damn cool.

Oh, my pushups update (from Tuesday): W2D1C3 = 14/14/10/5(5)/7(8) (= on my knees)

Other news flashes:

• Spaghetti dinner fundraiser 4/21 a resounding success; and
• Arabic is not easy.

Stressing

I’m beginning to feel the pressure of the coming weeks. Work is going to be stressful on a number of fronts. On top of that, I need to find time to keep exercising while also being mindful of my diet. My photography class is going to require some time and effort, and I’ve also set a goal to learn a smattering of Arabic in advance of my trip to Morocco.
Yup.
Stressing.

My Friday To-Dos Got Done

Mostly. I didn’t get in a walk, although I had hoped to make it to the park. My day sort of got away from me. Took it off from work, as I ended the last 2-week cycle with some comp time. My dad’s visiting this weekend, so I needed to do some chores around the house. Guest room is tidy, now. Laundry’s done, so that’s one less thing to be bothered with.

Did my pushups today, since yesterday’s planned early escape from the office didn’t pan out. My results: W1D3C3 = 11/15/9/9/13. Nice work, kid.

My eyes are giving me a hard time. Floaters are still muy bothersome, but now it’s more plain ‘ol eyesight issues. Age-related—damn it. Anyway, I have an appointment to see an optometrist tomorrow at noon. Dad can tag along or stay home and just sit in the sun on the deck. I suspect he’ll choose the latter. Easy houseguest. He’s a “you go do your thing, I’ll be fine right here” kind of dad. Unlike mom. Have to entertain mom pretty much every waking hour. Exhausting they are, those mom visits.

Anyway, just some Friday thinking out loud.

Back in Class

Loved my class last night at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. I’m taking Introduction to Digital Photography. The course instructor, Regi Franz, is from Switzerland—and exactly who I would’ve chosen for my digital photography instructor if I’d had a choice beforehand. A bit disheveled, a bit frenetic. She counts in German when she’s handing out assignments, adding a dash of internationalism to an otherwise predictably central Virginia kind of student body. She’s what I imagine Annie Liebovitz would be like after a couple double lattes.

This is going to be fun.

Untitled

First, my pushups report: W1D2C3 = 10/12/8/8/12

Next, I’m looking forward to photography class. Gotta head out in about 20 minutes.

Next, I don’t like my job. That comes and goes; right now, it’s more come than go. My relationship with my primary co-worker is strained, at best. I’m trying very hard not to wear my intentions on my sleeve . . . but, today, my intentions are heavily-tilted toward the “get out when you can” side of the equation. A week ago she actually said that she sort of wished I was the boss and that she had my job. And I’m thinking—how insulting. She couldn’t even possibly begin to do my job.

And, finally, I’m dreaming of my vacation. And about the awesome pictures I’m going to be taking while on it . . . .

Almost time to leave for class.

What a Sunday! (And it’s not even noon!)

First off, it’s gorgeous—absolutely effin’ gorgeous—here in the Commonwealth of Virginia today. I seriously doubt it could be any more beautiful. There’s a slight chill in the air, but the sun is shining brightly; and the sky is the color that I imagine can only be created by the laughter of children and the angels that watch over them. Yeah, it’s that kind of day.

Anyway, beautiful 4-mile brisk walk this morning at the Byrd Park Vitacourse, then started my 100 pushups challenge (a day ahead of Team Relentless, but better for my schedule). My results for Week 1, Day 1, Column 3 (=W1D1C3): 10/12/7/7/5 (on toes; then another 5 on knees to meet the min. 9+ 5th set requirement). Great start!

Then, I went online to sign up for a 6-week photography course that starts this Tuesday night. Since I went out and bought a new Nikon D60 for our upcoming trip to Marrakech and London, I figured I should learn how to use it. And not just the automatic settings—but really learn how to use it. Today I don’t know an f-stop from a bus stop; check back in 6 weeks.

All showered and clean; time to dress now.  Heading to the country for Easter dinner with the godchildren and family.

Open ID

Okay, I’ve posted a few times on Mel’s blog, but only once has my name shown up like I want it to (Richard C.) and directed folks here (to MRTD.) If I type morerichardthandick.workpress [dot] com as my Open ID, that’s what appears as the name of the commenter. Yuck. If I type richard(lastname).wordpress [dot] com as my Open ID, my full name appears and directs people to another blog (that I’ve registered as mine but have no intention of using.) It’s not complicated; I just want Richard C. to appear, but I can’t for the life of me remember what I typed that one time to get it to show up like that. Frustrating!

Mel—if you’re reading this, I’m not schizoid. I’m just trying different things until I get my comments to post correctly.

My Own Private 100

Well, looks like there’s a bunch of us—twenty-eight at last count—who’re gonna do the One Hundred Pushups challenge, starting this weekend.

I’m an honorary, non-card-carrying, east coast member of Team Relentless . . . and I’m harboring a lot of secret doubts (oops! make that not-so-secret) that I’ll make it to like, maybe, 61 pushups (broken into five sets, of course) and end up maxing out, while all the other kids will go sailing through this 6-week hell training and end up doing, like, 117 pushups (just to really kick sand in my face.)

Grrr.

Photo from here.