Some things never change (Photo credit: AN HONORABLE GERMAN)
I found Devil Doggery when she posted about the Katy Perry video “All About Me“. She is a 22 year old college graduate embarking on a journey of becoming a U.S. Marine. Her MOS is combat correspondent, so it only seems fitting she start a blog about her journey.
Since I have two sons who are Marines I thought it would be interesting to follow a woman’s journey at Parris Island. On my prompting she is sending letters to her room mate who is posting to her blog. Here is the first blog post from Marine Boot Camp. (Photos are not hers, but from the WordPress Media Gallery. You know I HAVE to have photos in my blog.
It’s Sunday, which is our “relax” day, because people go to church and shit, which is fine. I don’t go because I’m not a fan of church and I kind of like being in the squad bay with only a few people (anti-social to the end, LOL). Today was an easy day, but some asshole decided it would be a good idea to fall asleep during core values, (which is this time when our senior driller instructor just sits and talks touchy-feely stuff with us). So we got our asses kicked. Rush-ups in the sand? So not fun.
But I mean, I don’t blame our SDI for what she did. We’re kind of the fuck-up platoon in all honesty… My platoon stresses me out more than the DI’s do sometimes, LOL. Actually, the DI’s don’t stress me out too much… I can handle the yelling and name-calling (like, OMG, the DI from our sister platoon was totally like, “FIX YOUR FACE, UGLY!” Rude). But these girls… Some of them, I honestly, don’t know why they’re here. I’m really kind of concerned that they’ll actually graduate, because if they don’t shape up, they’re legit going to get people killed. Others are just clueless.
And of course there are good recruits, too. I’m trying to fall into the latter category, but it’s hard since I’m not the most physically fit and I’m at the end of every formation because of my last name and my height, so I literally don’t have any of the goddamn directions. Also, I’m right near the door, meaning, I get in trouble a lot for not having super peripheral vision and seeing people walk in and out at the squad bay, because we have to announce people and open doors and shit. Me and the other girls at this end of the squad bay fail epically at it. So we get to go play in the sand together.
The food is so-so. Oh, but you’d totally love the biscuits and gravy they have for breakfast here. It would make me smile if we were allowed to smile… which is depressing to say, but we have to keep our “bearing.” But I laugh at the shit on the inside, like when one person said that New Orleans was in Illinois… Really, dude? C’mon. Some people…
But, I mean, it’s only been a week or so. There’s still time for people to get their shit together. So here’s hoping. Seriously. It would make my life easier if this platoon came together… But all’s I can do right now is my best and work on myself. And be better at opening doors.
English: Staff Sergeant Kevin L. Zetina, Platoon 2085’s senior drill instructor, bellows cadence while practicing for Company G’s final drill competition. Deutsch: Ausbilder (Drill Instructor) beim United States Marine Corps. Español: Un instructor abordando a los marines estadounidenses. A drill instructor addressing United States Marines / Not Drill Sergeant (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This young woman is in the thick of it, sounds a lot like what my boys went through. Screw up and you pay for it, on your chest, push up, more PT, more in your face. Until we hear from her next time. Go over to her site and leave a comment.
I’ve always wanted to photograph a waterfall and finally got my chance. I’m so happy with it! Shot this waterfall photo at Devils Den State Park in Northwestern Arkansas on my Mother/Daughter camping trip. I climbed out on the rocks, quite a feat since I’m afraid of heights, and a flat rock acted as my tripod.
ISO 100, f/20, 75mm, 1.3 sec Canon Rebel XS (click for larger image)
Only took two photos since the sun was going behind the trees and after looking at the results in the camera I was more than pleased. Being from Nebraska I don’t have much of an opportunity to practice waterfalls photography.
Editing notes: Almost none, opened in Lightroom 4, straightened a few degrees, adjusted white balance for a little more warmth, that was it!
Tips For Good Waterfall Photography
Set your camera on Manual or Shutter priority
Experiment with long exposures starting at 1/2 second and going up from there. The longer the exposure the smoother the water effect
Increase your aperture as high as it will go to reduce over exposure in sunny conditions (this photo was taken on a cloudy overcast day)
Use a neutral density filter on sunny days for really long exposures
If you don’t have a tripod, or a good place to set up find a sturdy rock
To avoid blur if you don’t have a shutter release set the automatic timer
What Equipment Do You Need to Photograph a Waterfall
Photography doesn’t need to be complicated, nor does it need to cost a lot of money. The shot above was done with a very simple DSLR Canon Rebel camera sitting on a rock on shutter priority and the self programmed timer. You know the setting, set it for 2-10 seconds, run and get in the photo. It was a cloudy day so I didn’t have to worry about sun glare. The conditions were perfect, I had a perfectly placed flat rock and perfect weather.
However, conditions are not always perfect and having the right photography tools on hand can make it easier to get the photograph you envision. I’ve always wanted a Gorilla pod, one just because they look cool, but other reasons is they are so very flexible and you can wrap them around a tree limb.
I have since purchased a Neutral Density filter and this will act lessen the sun glare and bright spots and enhance the ambient colors. Works great for sunrises and sunsets to bring out color.
Timing – pick the right time of the day to do your waterfall photography and you can definitely give yourself more options to use longer shutter speeds. Around sunrise and sunset are obvious times as light is less bright. Also overcast days are …
This is the final post in a series on outdoor photography for Cru staff attending IBS and national staff training in Fort Collins, Colorado. Many staff will head to Rocky Mountain National Park on their free time, hoping to find great …
In continuing story of my Dad’s Korea War82nd Airborne experience here is an ad I found in a large envelope where he kept clippings from his time in the 508th. After doing a little searching I found this was published in Modern Mechanix magazine.
1950s Army Airborne Ad
The original is yellowed, badly wrinkled, and the bottom corner torn. Since my dad graduated from Ft. Benning in June 151 I can only think he saw this ad and was proud of being part of the finest fighting outfit in the world.
“The Mark of A Man!”
The paratrooper’s wings of the U.S. Army Airborne are the mark of a man! Those who wear this distinctive insignia belong to the finest fighting outfit in the world.”
When I first started blogging it was purely for a learning experience for a new business venture. I never thought I would grow to love blogging and find such a supportive community. I’m two shy of 100 followers and I have to admit I love watching my stats as I get on average of 50-60 views per day. May not seem like a lot, but I have a sad face when it’s only 20 views in one day.
Thank you to Seasons Girl for nominating me for my first of what I hope are many more badges to place on my site. I’m honored and a little behind on recognizing you but as I’ve said before “Life Happens”
In accepting this award, I need to complete the following:
1. Link the award to the person who gave it to me.
Here again, I get an opportunity to be grateful for this nomination. I love to travel, so the nominating Sunshine blog lets me travel to Virginia tantalizing life of Season’s Girl
2. Answer the questions about myself. (See below)
3. Nominate 10 bloggers for the award.
4. Link my nominees to the post and comment on their blog, letting them know about the award.
The Questions:
Favourite Number: 7, probably because God rested on the 7th day, I love a day of rest, to have a guilt free day where I don’t have to do any work.
Favourite Non-Alcoholic Drink: Milk. Yup, still love milk, nothing beats a cold glass of milk and Chips A Hoy cookies.
Favourite animal: Dog, I’ve always had dogs and now have two Brody, a Jack Russell and Leah our Boxer puppy.
Facebook or Twitter: Facebook hands down, have been on since summer of 2007 I can say, I’m addicted. Since I grew up in Connecticut Facebook has reconnected me to so many high school friends. I have created deep friendships with classmates I never got to really know in high school.
My Passion: Besides my family,…it’s easy photography and photo editing, oh and eating, and taking pictures of food, and bragging about my family.
Favourite Day of the Week: Saturday! I can sleep in and wake without an alarm clock.
Favourite Flower: Tulips, they are just so graceful
My 10 Nominees: I am thrilled to nominate the following for hours of interesting reading, and for taking me on voyages of the mind over the last two years. I have been honored to share your world.
A Girl, A Camera, A Challenge, Although her 365 project is finished, we have become friends on Facebook and continue our love of photography there. She has a great eye and also a love of poetry. Her second site is Appearing Closer, where object REALLY are closer than they appear, very very cool site. (this counts as one link, not eleven)
Nebraska Wheatie, Tracie is a local Nebraska blogger, Mom four beautiful girls (one is my daughters friend), president of the Wheat Harvestors Association
All I’ve Got is a Photograph: Bonnie is one of my original 365 Bloggers and one of my top commenters, Thanks Bonnie for all the kind words, you always put a smile on my face.
Brett Erickson Photography: Ready for some amazing eye candy photography? Head over to Brett’s site, he never fails me when I go on my WordPress Reader.
Russel Ray Photography: Are you noticing a trend here, more photography and a great blogger and participant in the WordPress world. Another perk, he resides in San Diego which is familiar territory with me having two Marines and visiting that area a few times.
Donald Reese Photography: If you love country, rural life, farming and a smattering of the Amish living you will love Donald Reese’s treasure trove. Be warned, you will be lost for hours.
Notsofancynancy Nancy touches on many every life subjects but is passionate about documenting her Dad’s WW II experience from letters she has found. This is poignant to me as I have recently found my Dad’s pictures from the 82nd Airborne and am now on a mission to document and learn more from his WW II days.
A Cord of Three Strands: A military wife on her way to be a Proverbs 31 woman and a wife of noble character. Her husband is a Marine and I’m enjoying her journey.
Martini’s and Mini Vans : Although this is #10, it’s not last, this hip Mom is fighting the battle to stay hip, even with a mini van and kids in tow. A literary collection of extremely well written essays. One other perk, she’s from the Omaha area. I always love reading about local people. I feel more connected. You rock Danielle!
I’ve finally removed hundreds of old photos from nearly a dozen “magnetic” glue photo albums. Not quite acid free. My Mother thought she was doing a good thing in the 1980’s by organizing and putting them into albums, when in actuality they would have been better off in the desk drawer in the original envelopes.
There aren’t many photos of me when I was little, so I want to preserve what few photographs I have of my childhood. They were so stuck I had to use the pointy end of a fondue fork to pry them off and carefully unstick the back. The paper came off on some, but at least now the family memories are back in a shoebox, in a cool dark location in the closet so I can start on the photo restoration part of the project..
At first glance the photos look to be in pretty good shape, but it only takes one scan and a white correction on levels to see how far these photos have faded. I am using Photoshop to adjust the color and white balance to bring back the vibrancy. The white border is the perfect point to select in either layer curves or adjustment levels.
I have just started scanning the snapshots, but the really old photos from the late 1800’s and early 1990’s I’m going to have professionally scanned at Hamilton Color Lab, where I work, they do professional photo restoration. My home scanner will only capture so much detail and they are too important to trust to a Best Buy over the counter scanner.
Photo Story: Here I met my brother for the first time. We were both adopted through Children’s Services of Connecticut. As you can see, although my brother Lance was a baby, he wasn’t a newborn when he went to our parents. My birthday is Sept. 21, 1965, yet I didn’t go to my adoptive parents until January 20, 1966. Along with photos I now have my adoption records, certificates, and letters from the agency. Still don’t know if I will search or not. Even after witnessing my husband and his son’s adoption reunion.
