Need of Stability

 So it has been some time. 

I am working for a local photo studio that also works with schools doing fall and spring photos as well as school yearbooks. Still trying to do freelance work with photography if I can get any jobs. I did get a new lens, a 120-300mm 2.8 sigma lens. I really like the numbers. I tried it out for a volleyball match and it wasn't quick enough in the focusing department for my tastes. I used it for a badminton match and it worked okay, the players weren't having much of rallies so couldn't tell. I hope to use it soon for a football game. I think that's where it will do well. Oh, and this lens has something unique that I never knew about, and that's a 105mm size filter that it could use. 

Anyways, I hope to make a few more posts about the items I'm using and what's been helping me with my day to day activities. My amazon usage is ridiculous so I have plenty to share. 

I hope you all are doing well and are striving to be the best you. 

Whoa, back again!

This is day two in a row! wow

Some photos...

Both take with nikon D300 50mm 1.8 lens

I need to get a flash

WOW

I haven't posted on here in almost 3 years, wow. lots has happened.

Teaching is giving me 12+ hours lately. All for the students. I wonder who has found this blog of mine?

Unite to fight brain tumors:

Unite to fight brain tumors:

Help the cause!

Big Update!

Sorry for all this delay. been quite busy.

Let's see, what's new is that I am now a certified teacher. technically I'm good for only a year but I gotta take one class then I'm good for two more years then I can finish 12 more credits and then I'm good for so many more years after that.

I'm enjoying teaching a lot. The kids are...interesting. check out my flickr for some of my photo updates.

But been using instagram for a lot of photo updates. a lot of fun using that app and also seeing what other people post.

A new year

So I'm actually updating this from an iPad. Very cool. I really want one! But no, I need to save my money because of these surgeries I am having.

Speaking of, I just got one done for my knee. I had meniscus repairs and a bone graft, because my tunnel from lifeblood surgery is too large (16mm) so they filled it in with cadaver bone (to 10mm). And they also took out some hardware which I interpret as them taking out the screws in my knee which just means I can now go through a metal detector at like the airport and not set itr off again. Yes, again. I have done it twice last june when my mom and I went to San francisco for her reunion. (should have explored the ity and rented a smart car).

I just went through our first but unofficial tournament with our 14r2 team. We have such a good group I can't wait to see how well we perform. But for not we know we have lots to fix before we head out for some real tournaments. First one will be in two weeks time.

Typing on this iPad is actually kinda difficult since it's not a true keyboard. I need a real keyboard if I want to fly through this post.

Anyways, I am gonna go back to my book one. Hope you have enjoyed my randomness.

I'm hungry

Sorry that was the first thing I bought of. I just need to eat before heading to practice tonight. Anyways so earlier in the year we got paid by dean for the racers photos stuff we have done. I've sold zilch but developed a good relationship with one of the Porsche guys so I got about $50 for my time from dean. Like almost 6 months later I have finally spent that money (mainly cause it was in my paypal account). I almost forgot about it except that I've been looking at stuff to buy, thank you holidays...

Anyways I got some elinchrom flash transmitter/receiver so it should be easier for me to strobe my flash fro
A nicer distance. Now all I need to complete this is a hotshoe sync so I can fire my canon flash, or since my 580 flash is almost gone I may just invest in a cheaper nikon flash since all I have to do is plug and play (also receiving a bunch of cords with units) maybe Ivan get my 580 fixed? Only and biggest problem is that the plastics are broke near the flash head where it rotates.

Also have been thinking about upgrading my camera from a 1d mkII to a mkIII. I can also get back about $1k dollars when I sell off my unused equipment and te mkII. Idk what I'm waiting for but I guess I need just the right camera and price to unload onto my credit card.

Well guess I'll pay attention to my ride on the lightrail again. I think we're getting close to my stop.

Midnight release

Waiting in line for call of duty black ops. Midnight release at gamestop by my house, 91st ave and northern. Gotta love the weather, cold, which is expected for a day in early November. It's supposed to be in the 70s all week here in Phoenix. Not sure about nights bit I would venture to say at least a 20-30 degree change from the days. I'm about 50th in line for this game. A good turnout for the line. I made sure to pickup some food before I got to gamestop. Just wished the line after the store closed at 9 moved faster. But that just makes it closer to midnight I guess. Wish I could remember to put a chair in the trunk of my car. It's a much needed tool for my life. We have so many chairs might as well keep one with me at all times.

Anyways I'm glad I have access to netflix on my phone. Been watching eureka while I've been in line. It's a little dark for reading my current book, the lost symbol, but I work tomorrow morning anyway so I will read it during the day at wallaby instead. Joel needs to hurry his but over cuz I'm cold and need my blanket or at least a hot beverage. Well I'll try and write again and give a quick review of the game.

True American?

This man is amazing. He is standing up for what he believes is the right thing. He is helping Arizona and their new law, the 1070 bill, and making a stand. He has seen another state trying to boycott another, and he is doing something about it. He has implemented his own boycott against the State of California (not the residents).

(taken from his own forum)

"Effective immediately, Paul C. Buff, Inc. will refuse any sales to any governmental agency within the State of California. When a state chooses to boycott the residents and businesses of another sovereign state, I believe it is my responsibility as a business leader to help stimulate a measured response on behalf of those damaged as a result."

Seeing as how I am from AZ you can see my biased sense. But what I think he is doing, is something that few people would actually do. He is also a concerned citizen of this country of ours. I believe this guy has actually read the immigration bill and what it is doing for this state.

What was nice too was some of the facts he wrote on his post about the State of California. They were not ones people would like to hear but he wrote that he got them from the L.A. Times. wish he wrote more on when and how he got the info but it fueled the fire for what he was writing.

You can find more information on what he wrote here: http://www.paulcbuff-techforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=557

Another thing I love from reading his post, was the fact that he is willing to also help us Arizonans out by giving us an additional discount on his items. 5% isn't much but it is something when you start buying a lot.

So before I finish here I just have one more thing to say...okay maybe two. Read his posting. From top to bottom, read the posting. And then if you have more time actually read the bill about the immigration laws. senate bill 1070.

We're doing our part in trying to enforce federal law since the government isn't doing so. Why can't we take action upon ourselves to do what's already available for the government?

St James Festival

So I have a festival coming up for my church and I was asked to help out again with the PR for the event. I want nothing more than to help my church with this event. I'm already helping out with whatever the youth group does so hopefully helping this time again with the PR I can make this event even more successful. I got to make a quick half page flier. let me know what you folks think.

also got to work with the giraffes just the other day. Here's an old photo I took from last week.

and lastly I just want to add an iphone photo I took of eric byrnes at coffee shop that I was just at

Oh, I do want to mention that I finally surpassed the milestone of a mile on the treadmill today. It's been a long long time since I've been able to run/walk that amount. Lately my left knee/shin kept acting up and would not let me finish my run. Trying to get back into the shape I was prior to my surgery is definitely going to be harder than I thought...

Well, have a great weekend everybody!

In need

I think I'm in need of something positive to happen in my life. Too many "negative" things happening lately. I'm using the term negative loosely because they are things that I could not have changed. Things will happen in life for a reason and I trust in Him to have that great reason. I just hope that when my turn comes, I will have at least experienced true love at least once. I'm still missing lots of other things in my life right now but I hope to have that happiness within my heart just once. That's all I ask.

Because of work I have seen plenty of children smile. So many adorable smiles have passed through my life lately. I'm glad they have all passed my way. I hope someday to have a child of my own that I can make smile the way these other babies are smiling at me...

I guess thinking back, I already have many positive things happen in my life. I don't need more than can't handle. There are probably others who need the positives in their lives. Or at least for those negative Nancy's to look past the bad and appreciate the good we have.

anyways, I have set up a random questionnaire thingy...go have fun at my expense, but keep it clean please :-)

http://www.formspring.me/rdimal

Been busy Lately

So I'm gonna try and write this as I edit some photos and hopefully I can post some at the end...if i can figure out how to get the pics in the bottom of the posts...

So, I got to see some of the USA Mens National Volleyball team this past weekend. They were having a clinic held at my old high school DVHS. One of my friends I played with is part of the staff there now. Pretty cool stuff. He brought the head coach and the assistant coach as well as a couple players. It was a long weekend but well worth the time. I learned a lot about guys hs volleyball. Hope I can translate some of that stuff to work for girls hs vball.

photo above: USA Mens Head Coach Alan Knipe giving instructions on a drill to kids in the clinic.

So yeah, volleyball has taken up my life again. It's making me happy. I get to stay around a sport that I really love. I'm just assisting the team but also helping out quite a bit as an assistant. Just nice I can do my part to helping pass on this sport. Maybe this will be something I can do at a university in the near future? I still gotta get better as a coach.

Work so far, at the zoo, has been fun. I really enjoy enlightening all the people I come across as well as my coworkers. They truly make my days at work worth while. I got to work Monkey Village today and was able to bring my camera for some shots. Was originally going to take shots at the giraffe deck but I didn't get to go :-( so here are some monkey photos instead!

I should be asleep...

But instead I'm updating. Wish I could remember what I said last so I don't repeat myself.

Anyways, work at the zoo is awesome. I don't mind working so many hours but then that leaves me with very little time for other things that I may need to do. I also coach club volleyball Monday and Wednesday nights with a couple tournaments on some weekends. My goal for this season is to help improve the girls decision making and to think ahead. They know how to play, they just need to work more on making the right decisions during game times. Oh, and excited. We have our first "tournament" this Saturday, or I should say today.

I was asked a question this past Wednesday..."What are my goals for this year?". What a great question. I think I'll answer that in my next post. Anyone have an idea of what I am going to say? Have any ideas of what I should say? :-P

Oh, so I want an iphone 3gs. I already have the iphone edge phone. But I want to upgrade. Yet at the same time I want to get contacts again. I miss wearing contacts but I don't have insurance for it at the moment...Which do I get?!? I did find this:

Find the best cell phone plans and more graphics at BillShrink.com

Now this didn't help me much with my decision...ideas? thoughts? I want to see, yet at the same time I want a smartphone that keeps up with me.

Eh, I will ponder this more when i get some decent sleep. Was just told that we're getting Mike and Rhondas in the AM. time to sleep so I can eat some good breakfast in the morning with the brother.

New life

Maybe? anyways, I got a job at the Phoenix Zoo. I love it. I need to turn in my paperwork to see if I can make this a more regular job than something that is seasonal. pics are up on my facebook or my flickr if you want to see some zoo pics.
flickr.com/photos/ryandimal

Turning point

So I think I will try and talk to some of my kids about doing their senior photos. It will at least give me some work to do and keep me on my toes as I try and do portraits on location somewhere, oh and learn how to light more on location.

So this weekend had a chance to head up north for a church retreat with the youth group. Didn't get many chances to take pics but I did get a couple. I'll try and get some posted up on here...


yay fall colors

I set this shot up using a wooden bench and just letting the shutter go while it was on f4, AV mode.
found a nearby building with tons of hand prints

found this spot right at the end, before we left on the bus to head back to phx. strobed with my 420ex flash with omnibounce diffuser triggered with the ST-E2.


Anyways, still job searching for something with full time hours. Found a new site, snagajob.com. applied for several jobs on there and so far nothing yet. Also found phoenixteachingfellows.org with info about teaching and also getting my masters in edu.

Still been pondering what else to do with my life. I have thoughts of going through the EMT training and certification. Lifeguarding was fun and I kinda want to continue the training and extend it by becoming an emt. Or also, since cancer has started appearing more and more in friends and family, I want to try and go back to school to see my way into cancer research. This cancer thing has to stop affecting the ones that I love. I'm lucky enough to still have my mom around...wish I could say the same about other friends parents.

So, life is full of unsuspecting surprises. I hope I get some good surprises soon.

So excited!

My little brothers new band has their first show coming up this Friday! The show is called Late Night for Lovers. they are going to be the opening act so they're trying to sell a bunch of tickets. If you happen to be in the North Glendale/NW Phoenix area hit me up and I can get my bro to sell you some advance tickets. You can save $3 by doing that or just pay $15 at the door.

Oh yeah, the band is called Hey Girl Hey. Check them out online at their www.myspace.com/hghrock website. You can hear a couple songs as well as see the guys in the band.

and for fun here are a couple shots of the band.

spent money

so I spend money yesterday at the disney store for cast members...$70...darn it. oh well. got a nice hoodie, some books for my godson, picked up a couple mugs and shot glasses, and got a cheap digital camera. Just need to get a memory stick for the camera. maybe I'll give it to my godson when i get home from Orlando.

Oh yeah, for those that don't know...I've been living in Orlando, FL for the past couple months. Working at the happiest place on earth, at yacht and beach resort and also at the boardwalk as a lifeguard. Pics on my facebook show me in costume as well as pictures that I've taken on this trip. I've enjoyed my time here. just wish I was able to take more pics for my portfolio. I guess I'll leave ya'll with a photo that I was lucky to get.

It's Time

for another post by me...no i didn't forget about you here...I'm just busy with other works...so to update, i'm looking for work. trying to get something worth my time, you know. I have this degree and so far haven't been able to do much. I hope I can find something soon. 

ok, time for pics now right? 

HI

well hello again...i think I have too many of these to keep up with the
updates...some photos