Goldmine

Eureka!

While searching for awesome Halloween costume gear at my in-law's house, I came across an old camera from the 1970's. YES!!!

The black case that encompassed this little gem was cracked and worn and it felt like sandpaper under my fingers. Inside was a humble Canonet QL17. The "poor man's Leica", as some critics have called it.





I love messing around with old manual cameras, especially film cameras. I feel like THAT is the essence of the art of photography. With manual film cameras there is no faking it in auto modes or Photoshop.

Don't get me wrong though. I'm all about auto focus and Av or Tv modes when the situation is appropriate, and I wont lie, I call on Photoshop to increase my color saturation on my digital pics. But when it comes down to you and a camera, and figuring out the exact combination between F stop, shutter speed and natural light, that is where the challenge is. And if you can master that, auto focus and Photoshop are just bells and whistles...or better yet, not even necessary at all.

Oh joy! I can not wait.

P.S. Stoked on the super fast F1.7 lens!!

Happy Halloween Birthday Berkley and Marisa!!!

When I yell, "Sake", you yell, "Bomb"!!



...As the old saying goes at Tokyo Delves in North Hollywood. It is pretty much an impossible feat to go to Toyko Delves and not have a good time. It's basically a wild and crazy dance party, featuring personal kegs of beer, sake, boy band tributes and mediocre sushi. But even more exciting, if you are lucky enough to visit in October, everyone is in the Halloween spirit dawning their best costume.



Our gang did not disappoint in the costume department. Popeye. Olive Oil. Kitty. Tiger Woods. Swine Flu. Jocks. Asian Tourists.











Thanks for being born Berkley and Marisa and giving us a reason to rock out at Toyko Delves!!

Revolutionary

Lucy's birthday is next month. For her first birthday ever, I'll think I'll get her what every dog is dying for this year...Snuggie for Dogs!! If you order now, it comes with a talking dog tag. The dog tag says, "I'm utterly embarrassed that my owner makes me where a Snuggie."



Don't you want to be hip and cool and get your dog a Snuggie?

How much is that Doggy...

...in the window?



Miss Lucy spends about half her time peering out the kitchen window. Apparently, it's a crazy world out there.

We are Family

My photography partner in crime, Edmund, had me take some pics of his fam last month. This is my favorite pic. Their silly boys just love having fun.


Nathan, Edmund, Noah and Jen

Mama Nature

The #1 reason to live outside of LA.

Team Gryffindor

For the past two consecutive weeks, they are the champions of Chuy's Tuesday Night Trivia.

As part of their media promotion as reigning trivia champs, Team Gryffindor had a little afternoon photo session with me. These two really know how to work the camera and know a thing or two about pop culture trivia.





















Don't even try and go up against Team Gryffindor on Tuesday night...because they will eat you alive. Especially Emily, she doesn't mess around.

Time Capsule

Last week I was going through my camera bag and came across 3 rolls of film. Yes, I said film. Kodak ISO 200 24 exposure film to be exact. I knew this film was from years ago, before I got my digital SLR.

Later that day, I made a trip down to Costco. A friend of mine works at the photo counter. As I plopped down the three little black canisters, I jokingly asked him, "Do you still develop film?" (I was also half serious.)

An hour later, I had a blast from the past. Okay, well, maybe the film was only two years old. But in this day and age, a lot can happen and change in two years.















I think I'm going to pull my film SLR back into rotation. Maybe instant gratification isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Joy Ride

Life is...



...a roller coaster.

Mad Man

Edward as a New York City advertising executive in the early 1960s.

Camera Phone

Muy Delicioso

I haven't made my famous enchiladas in awhile.

By famous, I mean, Ed and a few lucky co-workers have heard of them. I have been meaning to write out this recipe, I guess today is the day. This dish is a yummy vegetarian alternative. The enchiladas are so hearty that you don't even notice that the meat is missing.

Michelle's Black Bean and Brown Rice Enchiladas

2 cans of black beans

1 can of green chilis
2 cloves of chopped garlic
1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pack of flour tortillas (whole wheat or white)
1-2 bottles of Trader Joe's Enchilada sauce
2 1/2 cups-ish shredded Mexican cheese
1/2 cup (or 2 cubes of frozen) cilantro
1 1/2 cups of brown rice

Start by cooking your brown rice in a rice cooker. (If you don't have a rice cooker, just make it according to the package directions. But you should really get one because it makes making rice super easy.) The rice should take about thirty minutes in the rice cooker. So, as the rice is cooking, go fold some laundry or waste your life on Facebook for about 15 minutes. Now, heat your oven to 425 degrees. (That's just an arbitrary number I chose.)



In a large skillet over medium low heat, heat up the olive oil. When the oil is hot, pour the two cans of black beans into the pan. (I like to drain out some of the liquid, but not too much. A little bit of liquid prevents the beans from drying out.) Next, empty the can of green chilis and the garlic into the skillet. Give a little stir and let the ingredients simmer for about 5-6 minutes. Now, toss in the cilantro, stir. (I like to use the frozen cubes of cilantro from Trader Joe's. It's an easy way to keep cilantro around the house with out it going bad after 2 days. See picture below.)





Once the rice is done and the ingredients in the skillet are done simmering, get ready to roll up your enchiladas. In one tortilla, place a large serving spoon of rice and bean mixture and a tablespoon of shredded cheese. Roll up the tortilla and place in large 3 quart rectangular oven safe dish. Roll each tortilla in the same manner until you go through all your ingredients. (I was able to get 8 enchiladas into my dish. I had extra ingredients, so I made more and put the rest of the enchiladas in another small dish.)



Now it time for the good part! Drench those enchiladas in sauce. I used one whole bottle of sauce for the large dish. Trader Joe's has the best enchilada sauce I've ever tasted. I think the best part of this whole recipe is the sauce! If you prefer drier enchiladas, then use a little less. I used half of my other bottle for the extra enchiladas I made in the smaller size dish. Drizzle the remainder of the shredded cheese over the sauce. Place on middle rack of the oven for about 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted.



Remove from oven and let rest for about 5-10 minutes. Enjoy.



P.S. They are even better as left overs!! Yum-o!

Adventure City

I wanna be a Super Model

Today Jen and I went to the park. It went a little something like this:



















Do you want more Jen love?