Stream of Unconciousness, the Mind of Zarli

Side note:  Most of you that know me or read my journal regularly know that i have a pretty decent performance car (Lancer Evolution for those that care), but i'm not really into street racing or anything.  I just enjoy driving it for the sake of enjoyment.

Went to go hang with Jolene for a while last night and have some coffee.  On the Way there (I was at the corner of Pauoa and Pacific Heights, headed west) , this truck pulled up next to me at a light and took off rather quickly when the light turned green.  He pulled out past me and i could tell his engine was supped up.  He continues to accelerate and take the right onto Lusitana.  For those that dont' know this turn, it's a sweeping right, but the road is in really bad condition and patches of porrly done contruction are still there.  Not exactly something you want to take at high speed.  many people (including me then take the next sharp left uphill onto Auwaiolimu St).

By this point i'm thinking to mysellf, "does he actually want to race me?"  So i'm am a bit tickled thinkng he's crazy.  I ease off on the gas a bit as he plows through Lusitana and i cna hear his tires squeeling as he slips from the inside lane to the outside lane.  Luckily he didn't shift completly into oncoming traffic.  My next thought was, "what a waste if he's realyl trying to race, cause even driving at my normal pace i'll catch him at the left."  There's no way a truck would take that turn at high speed w/o flipping.  So i catch up to him, and then he florrs it again after the road straightens out and i let him go.

Not sure what the heck he was thinking, but either way.. i was highly amused.
Map for Reference:

Went out with Jolene to take some pics at the beach.  I've been on this kick lately about wanting to get pictures of waves hitting the model and catching the action.  Went out with Jolene, cause she got a new bikini.  I am not very happy with the lighting at all.    There were some decent shots, but the direction and softness of the lighting was not what i had hoped.
http://ryusen.smugmug.com/gallery/8822386_eFFGD

I think in the past, i just relied on an on camera flash and semi automatic settings.  That worked for some things ok, but now i want to try off camera flashes and more manual control.  The lighting for many shots came out harsher than i wanted.  I need ti try some experiment with perhaps changing the angle of the softbox.  perhaps try and brign it more to the front of the model.  I also want to try different ideas for using the on camera master flash as a fill as well.  I need to make a list of different ideas i need to test.

Oerall, the results are a bit disapointing, but at the same time, i'm excited about trying to learn soemthing new.

Preface + was watching this episode of Top Gear where they come to the US to test out the latest in American Muscle Cars:

Addison: Challenger not so good handling.  i could have told them that :P
me: nods.  but it's so pretty
Addison: yeah nice lines.  but you know me.  it's a bout a car that corners like a beast
me: oh yeah i'm the same way... but i can like the design
Addison: it's like that cheerleader.  she's nice to look at, but i sure wouldn't wanna be her bf :P
me: maybe just ride her for a 1/2 mile or so once in a while
Addison: LAF i was wondering if you'd catch that opening :P  good man.  i can see why we are friends
me: i'm all about filling in the openings

Been a bit buys lately and LJ was not working for some reason for a while.  Decided to check at random and looks like i'm back online.  Got a bit of catching up to do.  For now,pictures since i last posted:

( Galleries under cut... )

Wilma: there will apparently be all-female mud wrestling during the first 2 weekends of the 50th state fair ^_~
Zarli: when are we going? to be honest, mud wrestling doesn't excite me. i just didn't want to disapoint you
Wilma: jello wrestling does? ^_~
Zarli: Jello is eddible
Wilma: i seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~ *thwaps*

Zarli: i dread any plot that comes from above
William: actually the reset plot is good
Zarli: impossible, it came from global

Man takes a picture of an ATM being services and is accosted by Security and then detained by the police.

Here's my double take:
1) what happened to him was just plain wrong and a violation of his civil rights.  i really hope he can find a good lawyer and sue.  The more this kind of stuff becomes public the more people will be aware that they can't just arbitrarily make up rules and enforce them with threats of violence.

2) at the same time, i think the guy could have been more polite about it.  it is generally a bad idea to antagonize the people with guns and bullet proof vests... even if you are right.  I think he could have more politely explained his case and went off on his way.

reminds me of another case in the UK, where a man was physically accosted by a security guard for taking a picture in a mall.

Was looking at some of my fireworks pics and realized this kinda look likethe FSM:
Am i a prophet or a madman?

I first got into Photography when i was a kid.  It was more because i loved playing with the camera than anything about the pictures.  I stopped when i was a teenager as i got into gaming and comics.  I got back into it when i was playing with my mother's P&S and a friend after a wedding.  We had so much fun, i decided to buy a camera and shoot her.  Here is some of what came about: http://ryusen.smugmug.com/Models/376275  Shortly after she was out of my life, i bought my first DSLR and a zoom lens. http://ryusen.smugmug.com/gallery/6550362_pCajo#416761157_6DkVZ. ; I mostly did nature and beach shots for a while, then i discovered cosplayers.  http://ryusen.smugmug.com/Cosplay

For a long time, my idea of photography was if i see something that caught my eye, i wanted to show other people.  That was cool for a few years.  Now i'm looking at my photography also as a means of personal growth.  I am trying to learn new things.  New ways to position lights from my "safe" patters i learned at first and what not.

This is where you can help.  I want people to give me assignments/homework.  They can be anything really.  I'll consider anything that the logistics aren't impossible or too difficult for me.  For example, anything where i don't have access to the people, the locations, or stuff for is automatically out.  So is there anything you've ever wanted to see me shoot?  Just respond here and i'll look into it.

Zarli: http://www.pvponline.com/2009/05/06/panic-room/ see my kind of couple!
Wilma: so what are you trying to say?  you're admitting you're a terrible person thwaps
Zarli: not!  i'm just saying, i like the how romantic and spontaneous they are
not bothered with small triffles... just enjoy each other for the moment.  wow i am so awesome! did you see how i turned one cheap gag into an actual insightful meaning on the fly? dang... i surprise even myself .)
Wilma: EXACTLY! THWAPS!
Zarli: so you agree i'm awesome?


As a side note for those that might not know, Wils and i don't really have an anniversary date.  There was this period of about 6 months or so that we slowly transitioned from just being friends to being a couple and we never really fixed a date on it.  So ever year each of us picks a particular day during the later half of the year and does something special for the other.  This usually involves lots of incredible food.

Me: is it bad that i just learned that some guy in our game club is a professional drag performer and my opinion of him has changed
+: o_O as in Dressed in Drag? eh, i mean i'm sure that would slant my view of him a bit knowing his proclivities
Me: and is it worse that this is the only cool thing i can think of that he's ever done?
+: oh haha

Thanks to Dane for taking the pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryusen/sets/72157617716950204/

These are my personal pics from the set that i shot for the promoter:
http://ryusen.smugmug.com/gallery/8112751_bfkTe/1/528896156_5HhzF

Thanks for everyone that came. The party was awesome. Pics will be up later, cause i need to get them from Dane.

Wilma's bro is playing Harvest Moon. When he lets his animals die, Cain comes and scolds him. Think Bible, Cain & Able AWESOME!


From Pheonix Wright Apollo Justice:
Scene: In the Gavinners' dressing room. The Gavinners are a rock band
whose members all have ties to the law somehow. For example, the lead
singer, Klavier Gavin, is a well-known prosecutor. One of the
guitarists, Daryan Crescend, is a police detective. Part of the decor
of the dressing room are chains that are hanging from the ceiling like
streamers. Also in the middle of the ceiling is a red ball of light.

Apollo: This place is decorated like a high-school dance. Though I
think our decorations were paper, not... chains.
Trucy: The Gavinners are into chains. It's part of their image.
Apollo: Huh, no kidding.
Trucy: Ever since they used chains on the cover art for "Gunna Lock U Up".
Apollo: They're really into the whole police thing, aren't they.
Trucy: It'd be cooler if they turned that red light on.
Apollo: ...They don't have to turn on the red light.

Tai: Crap missionaries at my house
Zarli: you're a preacher.. fight fire with fire!