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Happy 4th of July everyone!
I hope everyone had Monday off. I did! Muah!
I also took Friday off, maximizing the allotted time off to 4 days. Yip!
I of course took the time off to work at home. I got soooooo much done too.
Top of my accomplishments was finishing the overhaul of the Members Only area of the site. 4 years worth of models all re-sized and re-laid out to fit with the new look. I'm a machine I tell ya!
This is the best and most seamless the site has ever been. Everything kinda moves and looks the same. Membership used to kinda be its own area, but it's look and feel are now the same as the rest of the site.
I also took a scalpel to the Jock and F-Victim area. These areas are infrequently updated, but they make nice free “extras” for the site.
I even got Vinny's layout done for the 10th of this month. Normally I am a month ahead, but with this overhaul I am running right down to the wire. Yeep!
To celebrate my four day weekend, I started off with a late night movie to see SpiderMan-2.
FINALLY - A Marvel adaptation that really grasps the emotion and drama that comic books did when I was growing up. A movie with a villain with depth and more than one side.
Ok, so it's not non stop action. Lots of emotion and longing looks. But that's what makes ya care for the characters.
Shame on the dads who brought their 4-7 year old boys to see the movie though. This is hard core violence, and the 4 or 5-year-old next to me started bawling when Doc Ock killed a bunch of doctors. Did the dad take him out of the theatre. Nope. He didn't want to miss a second. This is not a kids movie. I can understand dads wanting to share their childhood comic book hero, but this isn't the comic books they remember. Hell, even the comic books today are not like what we grew up with. They write them for 18 year olds.
Go see it though. It's great!
Friday I got up early and worked through the entire day on the overhaul. I did take time out to go the gym and had a great photoshoot with Larry. Larry epitomizes the word “twink” (and he knows it, it's part of his screen name). Got some fun photos. His body and style will balance nicely with the beefier guys that have been on recently.
Saturday I played with a new Macro lens that I am using to shoot catalog products like jewelry and very small items.
You know how I mentioned all the rain? Well, I have giant mushrooms growing up in my yard…in JULY! It's crazy!
I also added some house numbers to my newly re-built mail box. No, those aren't my real house numbers, but you get the idea. I think the box looks great. Now to see if I can get the city to reimburse me all that moola.
While searching for the house numbers, I found a cool place that has tons of knobs. With two other roommates, my little recycle bin wasn't going to cut it. So I bought another large stainless steel can. The old round one is now for recylables, and the new oval one is for garbage…so if you come over, DON'T get it mixed up!
These cans are great, but the little flip foot thing is not real stable. I've always found myself digging my fingers between the lid and the can to open it manually. So for a couple bucks I bought these cobalt blue glass knobs, drilled a hole in the lids, and ta-da! I have two ways to open my cans.
Ok, so the cans aren't exactly big news, but my mom wanted to see what they looked like, so you all have to suffer through.
Saturday was more work. I neglected cleaning house. It's getting baaaaaad. But I did get laundry done so I don't stank.
I've been spending a lot of time on the phone lately, and my 2.7 year old phone is finally just giving out. Battery last a couple hours, and wont stay in standby longer than 24 hours.
I reallllly like this phone that I got while in Vegas in 2002. It has survived many a dropping, many a throwing, and many many hours jostled around in my pockets.
I went to the gym for a short workout, but stopped by Radio Shack to get a new phone. Of course I wanted the $300 phone, but with a $150 rebate, it wasn't so bad. It has a camera, and a vid cam feature that will likely be useless. But the screens and navigation are top notch. No mystery here on how to work its features. It's a little smaller and a lot lighter. I'll have to wait and see how the battery performs.
Not happy about having to do a mail in rebate. Just a scam. Despite recently renewing my contract with Sprint for another 2 years, they said I didn't qualify for a phone upgrade. 20 minutes dealing with SOMEONE at Sprint who could see that in order for me to actually want to stay with their service and actually buy one of their endorsed phones, that I might actually want a new phone after being with them 5 years.
I hit the gym and then headed out to Bill Evans farm house. Last year, Bill and his partner Jody had their first ever “Farm Fun” event. Takes place the day before the 4th to ensure good attendance..smart guys!
Bill's been working on his pond too. It's now fully stocked with catfish, which he has to come down to feed every couple days…what a great excuse to come and relax.
The farm is about 30 miles out of the city and is a lovely drive. I did get a little lost despite perfectly clear directions.
I wore my little cowboy hat for the occasion. Yehaw.
They've also built a pier of sorts. There is a cover for it, but apparently it was “recalled” by the manufacturer. I'm trying to figure out how I can parlay this setting into a photshoot, but I cant seem to work out any angles in my head. Bill's offered it to me several times, and I'm gonna figure it out and find the perfect model for the location.
There are moo cows that wander onto his land, I think allowing this gives him a discount of some sort. This cow came over and joined the party, staring and chewing while watching us eat BBQ beef. I wonder if she knew what we were eating?
The pond water is not real clear, so its not something I could ask a model to dive into, but it does afford some other nice nature shots. There were tons of dragonflies, some quiet extraordinary, but they wouldn't sit and roost for me.
This little guy did though. I think he knew his photo was being taken as he pranced and preened for me.
After stuffing myself with BBQ, I got on my bike and tried to ride the meal off. I spent the rest of the night working on new models.
Sunday, I got a ride in and did some house work, including cleaning out the shed.
I'm was gonna try and start painting all the trim on the house that is peeling, but I couldn't find the extra paint I had on hand. I didn't have enough time to go to Homo Depot, so once again I put it off.
I did get invited to a cool party put on by a guy named Frank. He lives out in Westlake in an amazing house. The party was a fundraiser for ASA, so it was cool to go hang out at a posh pad and raise a little AND see the fireworks. JBB and I went over there about 6pm and the party was in full swing.
The house is surrounded by deck after deck at each level. And the view of the city is spectacular. We could see the 3-4 major fireworks display from this one location.
The pool was pretty amazing too, and reminded me so much of Costa Rica I was getting all homesick for the beach.
The hot tub is up on this corner deck. Neither Bill nor I brought our swimsuits, so we dangled our feet by the pool and chatted with the boys as they bobbed around in the water.
We met Martin and his posse and we hung with them most of the evening. I met a bunch of new guys. Will, Chris, Mance, Dwayne…and lots more. We all got hungry and wanted a big meal before the fireworks started. We ate at Berry Hill, which is normally quite good, but it was beyond bad. JBB's nachos didn't even have cheese on them. Guess the chef was off for the 4th of July.
We came back and the sun had just set. In the darkness I sensed a some nakidity going on in the hot tub, and there was my good ole friend Marty stirring things up. The first photo I took he was mooning the camera. Once he realized it was me taking the pics, he hammed it for the camera in this shot. What a fun shoot. This just exemplifies Marty's festive spirit. After previewing the images he was asking for copies so he could put talk bubbles on it.
Well, that is about it. On Monday I worked a bit, got my phone numbers transferred over to my new phone from the old phone (sweet!) and JBB and I went to go see SpiderMan 2 again. It was better the second time!
CYAIN7
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