Effective 1 May 07, all comments are screened and all family related entries are going to be screened "Friends Only." Maintaining my personal life and privacy is important.

Friending Policy
Feel free to friend me if you like, though I'd ask you to send a brief introduction comment or message. Don't get upset if I don't friend you back in return (immediately or ever). All of my photography appears on the public side of this journal. Family and private matters stay as "friends-only" posts. As I get to know 'you' either in person or in commentary, I may add you. Even if I don't add you, don't be surprised though if I should drop an ocassional comment into your journal from time to time.

LA Zoo - 2008

Last August, I had the pleasure of shooting over a beautiful summer morning with burlesque performers Bonnie Delight and Lola Lee. For almost 2 and a half hours, we worked through different poses and played off each other’s ideas. We were going for the very Victorian Gothic look in this shoot with touches of sexy. These shots are some of the color highlights. The ladies were very creative and melodramatic in their posing in keeping with the theme.





( Color Highlights (8 behind the cut) )

California Poppy Reserve - 2008

Worthy of a repost from years ago...

Organization: Organization? I gotta be ORGANIZED?

FLUNKIES, LACKEYS, AND MINIONS: Qualifications and skills

Flunkies are totally incapable of independent thought or unsupervised actions. They cannot be left alone for more than a few minutes, for fear of hurting themselves or others.


Lackeys are capable of following rudimentary instructions and marginal self-supervision for up to a day or so. The better lackeys are also capable of supervising a squad of flunkies while they break rocks into gravel, but again, only for a day or so.


Minions are capable of a far greater range of authority, self-determination, and responsibility. They can act unsupervised for days, weeks, even months at a time, largely because they are generally clever enough to call you on their cellphone if they think they're in a situation that is over their heads. They can be trusted with several squadrons of flunkies and the appropriate support staff of lackeys.


Toadies are generally used for increasing your own feelings of self-worth. Their fawning adoration helps feed the ego, and occasionally they are clever enough to come up with a good idea, for which they let you take all the credit. However, toadies have been known to cause severe cases of megalomania and a desire to rule the world, so I would generally advise against their use unless this is already your aim in life.



THE EVIL HENCHMAN'S GUIDE
( Read more... )

Snagged from dragonhearth

LA Zoo - 2008

California Poppy Resrve - 2008

Last August, I had the pleasure of photographing burlesque performers Bonnie Delight and Lola Lee. For almost 2 and a half hours, we worked through different poses and played off each other’s ideas. We were going for the very gothic Victorian look in this shoot with touches of sexy. These are some of the most Victorian images as I retouched and edited them to black and white.




( Vintage (8 behind the cut) )

California Poppy Reserve - 2008

One of the things that disturbs me about many of the recent abandonments in area is the rapid speed in which many of these houses are pillaged and often burned. In the Antelope Valley (north of Los Angeles) there’s a rumor that developer are hiring “crash crews” to systematically salvage and trash recently evicted properties is the house is in the path of potential housing developments.. While I can’t offer proof, far too many houses in this area show signs of arson with weeks or months of being cleared. This house was no exception inside, though the fire was caught very early.



( Enter the house of sorrows (14 behind the cut) )

Meercat

LA Zoo - 2008

In the 1950’s & 60’s, the Antelope Valley was full of ranches, farms and dreams. Some dreams last, others fade, some turn to nightmares. This 1950’s era ranch home was one my kids and I found on a random prowl this past January. I’m just getting around to posting it due to available time. The house was huge and appears to have been expanded several times over the decades. Unfortunately it appears to have been the site of a forcible eviction.



( Ranch style desolation (14 behind the cut) )

LA Zoo - 2008

This is the original version before Universal Music Group got ahold of them and made an artsy version.

Poppy Reserve - 2008

As you may have noticed, Live Journal is taking nominations for a user advisory board. It could be useful or it could be completely lame. At this point the only way to know is to try to be elected to the position. If nominated and subsequently elected, I will work to keep the new owners of LJ and Six Apart from ruining the community that LJ has become. I'll also try to suggest ways to improve the friending system, improvements in which moderators can manage their communities better, and improvements to the (horrid) LJ Gallery system. Most people who have seen me actively involved or managing very communities will agree that I've been a mellow and very responsible moderator or member.

This is where I ask for your support. It only takes 100 votes to nominate a candidate. Fortunately this campaign only lasts for a month or so.



Go to this entry - http://community.livejournal.com/lj_election_en/10693.html

Poppy Reserve - 2008

Just when I thought the interview last Thursday couldn't be topped, today's was amazing. The Test Manager literally drove me all around main base at Edwards meeting people (some of whom were old friends from previous programs). I know their system (helped trouble shoot it), I'm familiar with proceedures there and he more than accepted my side of the Lockheed debacle. When asked about a salary range, he didn't flinch when I told him in the high 90's. In the end, he said they had one more fellow to interview and I'd know by Friday this week. Oh did I mention I have two more interviews this week? Either way, I should be back at work doing flight test by the 1st of June.

Hey, the tide is turning back in my favor finally.

Oh the yard sale was a big success. Saturday before than Sunday, but we got a bunch of stuff sold and less to ahul to Goodwill.

Happy Cinco de Mayo
LA Zoo - 2008