to do list
As I'm sitting here panicking that I'm gonna run out of time to finish up my work project tomorrow, i thought of one million other things i need to tackle this summer. I need to write them down somewhere, and here is as good as any.

1. Finish up the redesign of ryan.bloghorn.com
2. Redesign my resume/portfolio site.
3. Redesign eyespy.bloghorn.com
4. Finish up the roll of slide film and get it developed.
5. Co-organize the STL euromeet.
6. A trip to savannah in sept.
7. A trip to chicago in sept as well.
8. Take old clothes to salvation army.
9. Put new tires and maybe wheels on the grey Jetta.
10. Finish installing the power cable for the iPod, and get a mount.

Oh boy I can't even re-read this it's making me exhausted.

photo shoot
Wasn't sure how this was going to work out this morning but I hauled all the equipment into the car just in case.

Sure enough an email came in just as I got to work, that we're meeting at border's parking lot at 6.40pm.

After a quick dinner Scott + his two friends, Alex, Dennis and I made our way out to Chesterfield Valley. The back parking lot was deserted, and it was there where we set up shop and started shooting away, and two hours later and being eaten alive by mosquitos, we decided to call it a night.

I think overall I'm getting better. But there is still plenty of room for improvement. Check out eyespy.bloghorn.com.

too much
At my step class this morning:
Dana the instructor: *cheerily* Hows everyone doing?
The class: *mumble mumble*
Dana (to the only dude in the class): You ready for class?
Dude: No I'm tired, all this weight that I lost, my wife is taking full advantage of it, I'm exhausted.
The class: *winch* Thats too much INFORMATION!

Dude, I don't care what goes on behind the doors, but I can't take this at 6 in the morning.

new toy
I found a new toy i would like to have, no it's not the S4 or the A3 just yet, but it's a Canon DSLR... the EOS 300D. I have been using my EOS 50 for 8 years now, so it would be a nice upgrade to the 300D. My lens will be interchangable and I will still be able to exchange lenses with my Dad's EOS 5 and my sister's EOS 10(?).

Don't get me wrong, I love my EOS 50 (aka Elan II in this part of the world) and it has never let me down. But recently i've journeyed into doing more night photography and in this trial and error period it gets really expensive to have rolls of film developed only to realized that 99% of them are of the wrong exposure. A DSLR will be nice because I can instantly correct my settings if I see something wrong with my shot.

Maybe if I start saving up now I will have enough come christmas.

my long weekend that's almost over
So here I sit, after a rather hectic 3-day weekend, trying my best to dig thru my memory in order to record down what I did - so that I can look back next year I think "man, i was young and I did all these things then...".

Saturday:

• Brunch with Colleen, Erin and Kami at 10am. I've been looking forward to this for weeks now, a good brunch with all the fatabulous ladies was indeed a great way to kick off my weekend. We ate at the Schneithorst's Restaurant and Kaffeehaus at Frontenac. Their pancake, hashbrown, and orange juice were excellent. I think when my man comes back I'll have to bring him there, he'll love it.


• After brunch we hopped over the Frontenac Plaza for a much needed walk - yes, I overate. It was a nice pleasant stroll in the mall gawking at things we can't possibly afford even at 50% off.


• The weather that afternoon was pleasant enough so I decided to tackle the #1 thing on my to-do list: to hook up my iPod Mini to my car. *warning: it gets boring and sorta technical*. Because the headunit on the 99.5+ Jetta does not have AUX, the only feasible way to hookup an external player is to plug it into the factory installed CD changer, and then trick the HU into thinking that the MP3 is actually the CD changer.


• To do this I bought a VWCDpick from k9spud.com, which is an adapter that I could plug one end into the CD changer, and it gives me two RCA jack. I then run a RCA - Mini Jack adapter, and then about 16 ft of audio cable from the trunk where the CD changer is, thru the backseat and nip/tuck it along the door sills, all the way up front into the glove compartment, and when I need to plug the iPod it, I will pull out the cable from the glove compartment. Minimal clutter.


• My next task was to run the power cables as well, but since some of my needed parts did not come in on time, it will have to wait till next week.


• Overall the sound quality is slightly better than running the tape deck method. And it only took me an hour, which means for almost anybody else it will take about 15 mins to get done. Plus I had to go back to radioshack three times to exchange the audio cable coz I kept underestimating the length I needed.


• Met up with Don, Colleen, Kami, Erin, and Al later that night at the very cool Venice Cafe. I've never been but I've heard great things about the place. I was fairly impressed and I think I might have to go back for more ;)


• And of course, we concluded the night with a real "early" breakfast meal at Uncle Bills.

Sunday:

• Started Sunday with an awesome meal as well. Erin and I had breakfast/lunch at pho grand and ordered way too much food. But it was all excellent.


• Then a new friend of mine DH called and see if I wanted to go shopping. It has been AGES since I shopped with a guy who knows fashion, so I thought it would be interesting to tag along.


• I'm not too much of a clothes shopper (since I trust my bestfriend Pearly to do mine for me most of the time), but it was a whole new experience having someone to walk around in the mall and basically telling me what is so last year vs. what's now. I must say I learned quite a bit about men's fashion in the 3 short hours we've spent walking around the Galleria and West County mall.


• Plus it was satisfying to shop without spending my own money, and yet felt like I've accomplish something.


• We also stopped by at Wolf Camera and had a 1/2 hour crash course on night photography and what we did wrong the first couple of times (underexposed, grainy...etc). I'm excited to try some of the ideas out.


• Got home feeling rather exhausted and opted not to join Don, Colleen and Kami across the river for some fireworks. I think I'm starting to regret it after hearing how great of a time they had.

Monday:

• Woke up at 7.20am. I have to clean the apt!!!


• I've realized the only way I'm motivated to clean is to invite friends over. That worked everytime


• Don, Colleen, Erin and Al came over and we made hot dogs and kebabs on the grill, and chocolate chip cookies in the oven.


• The great meal is then followed by the movie Monster.


• Monster is nothing like Monster Inc., but it was good nonetheless.


• After the movie ended I felt like I needed a pick-me-up, so Erin and I headed to the 7.30pm showing of White Chick. We laughed too hard!!


• Braved the storm and got home safe and sound and wet. Now I'm sitting here reflecting the weekend and I'm glad I spent it well - my friends are the greatest. Thanks y'all for the great times.