Modeling Photography Take 4

Ninety-Five.

I went on another shoot today with EO. LH came along again and helped out again (thanks!). Today felt more "on" with EO and I think we got a much larger percentage of good images. We went to French Park and Lake Calhoun.

Later,
~Pat

Perspective Distortion

Ninety-Four.

Watched a few episodes of "Obsessed" with Mom. OCD is such a strange disorder. I also did some further research about a topic that was mentioned in the photo class last week. Perspective Distortion. I took some of my own images to show this effect:

Focal Length: 18mm

Focal Length: 24mm

Focal Length: 35mm

Focal Length: 45mm

Focal Length: 55mm

In each photo the lantern is in the same spot relative to the vent, but the vent looks to be getting closer at the higher focal lengths. This effect is also called telephoto (lens) compression. This is achieved by zooming in and moving the camera further away from the subject. Notice that I tried to keep the lantern the same size but at the larger focal lengths the vent creeps closer.

Later,

~Pat

P.S. Let me know if you think I should do more educational posts like this in the comments!

BB's Move In Day

Ninety-Three.

I helped BB move into his dorm at Bethel today. After setting up his chair and most of his technology, I met some of his suitemates. They are cool. Everyone seemed to need a Target run, so I went with. We also ate at Arby's. They taught me their ways of exploiting the survey system to get a free sandwich. (You go to the register and order something for a buck then call the number on the back of the receipt and write down the code and get a free sandwich.) We went back to his dorm, LH showed up, and we played some COD4: MW and watched a movie (Mr. Brooks). It was cool to meet and interact with his friends from Bethel (something I hadn't done till now). As I was leaving we (BB and LH) decided to go visit Phillip. I got to meet all of his suitemates too. I took this pic in BB's dorm room. It was lit by a blacklight and then I processed the hell out of it.

Later,
~Pat

Federal Crime

Ninety-Two.

These are a item that you can buy from Neocube. Phillip ordered them and they were sent to the house. He lives at Bethel already, so like a felon, opened his mail. I wanted to get a decent photo of them before we went to Bethel today to see a show and bring him some things. He was working in the great hall for welcome week and there is a show that is similar to something that the PA's and Greeters do at GAC. It was really funny and entertaining.

Later,
~Pat

The First Quarter

Ninety-One.

I am one fourth of the way through, and I have been slacking lately. But do no misinterpret my laziness as regret for starting this madness. I am glad I am doing this project and plan on finishing all 365 days. I created this composite image for today. I wanted to get a picture of a spider in the moonlight, but he was being a bad model and wouldn't hold still. Pretty boring day, mostly GTA.

Later,
~Pat

Graunts

Ninety.

Today I woke up really early and went with my grandparents and Mom to Canby, MN. Mom is making a scrapbook for my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary and one of her aunt Phyllis claimed to have one of the original wedding invitations. We drove for 3 hours. I slept the whole way there. Then we went to my graunt (a simplification for great aunt) Phyllis's house. Her house was like one of those "pieces of flair" restaurants, you know the ones with stuff all over the walls. Also lots of dolls:

 It didn't look cluttered though. While we were there, we shared some pictures with her from a computer.

We listened to the stories she had to tell and her marveling at technology. At one point I told her I could probably explain how cell phones worked, but she didn't want to know. She ended up only having a write-up from the city newspaper, but it gave us an excuse to visit the remaining siblings of my grandparents. While we were there we also visited graunt Ruth (97 years old) and graunt Mildred and I also got to meet my 1st cousin (actually double cousin) twice removed. They were very happy to have visitors. Even though I am not really close to them, I am glad to have spent time with them before the inevitable...

Later,
~Pat

Another Fan

Eighty-Nine.

I played a lot of GTA today, but I called myself through gmail. That's right, Google is providing a free phone service. Besides the whole Verizon deal, Google never ceases to impress me. I also went with AE to a DSLR class at National Camera. Most of the stuff that was covered I pretty much already knew, but it was a good experience, and if nothing else, there were free cookies! As you can probably tell, I didn't take any pics until late at night and my attempt at an epic picture of the fan didn't turn out as expected.

Later,
~Pat

Modeling Photography Take 3

Eighty-Eight.

Went on a photoshoot with EO (a co-worker of LH). We went to the sculpture garden again (LH went with and did some awesome carrying of stuff!). Here are LG's favorites:

And by LH's request:

After the shoot, I went to Bethel with the rest of the fam to return Phillip's lens to him and see how his new room was looking. (He moved in this morning.) He has a pretty sweet room; it beats Sohre as a sophomore.

Later,
~Pat

Exploring St. Paul

Eighty-Seven.

I made banana muffins today (as foreshadowed yesterday). They are great. I also went to the Lowry Lab to get a technical orientation. I learned that I have 36 dimmers to deal with and that it is not a manual board. I brought Phillip along because he wanted to go. Afterwards him and I explored St. Paul. I am not too familiar with that city, so it was good to wander. (map)

Later,
~Pat

Forshadowing

Eighty-Six.

I can't really remember what I did today. It must not have been very entertaining. But I do know what I will be doing tomorrow:

Later,

~Pat

TA's B-Day

Eighty-Five.

That is TA. He is so happy because it was his birthday. I went down to Bar Abilene to help him celebrate. I split a drink with KM. It was good to see a ton of people from school (MK, CS, AB-G, AW, RC, PH) again. Somehow I managed to erase half of the pictures I took :( so all of the pictures I took of us dancing are gone...

Later,
~Pat

Technological Irony

Eighty-Four.

DM stayed the night on the couch because he didn't feel like driving back that late. I had a meeting with LH and EO at Caribou. We scheduled a photoshoot for Tuesday afternoon. More variety for my portfolio (yay!). Dan and I watched some more Starcraft II videos and then we went with Mom and Dad to take down the canopy. DM left. I didn't really plan a photo today, but I did snap this:

This is a mini firewire to mini firewire cable inside of a VHS case. I found this to be ironic and so I took a picture of it.

Later,
~Pat

Outdoor Baseball 2

Eighty-Three.

DM called me on Tuesday asking if I wanted to go to a Twins game. I obviously said "of course". He came over around dinner time and we ate. We killed some time watching the Simpsons. Then we departed for the ballpark. We had standing room only tickets, so we wandered over to AB-G's section and stayed there the whole game.

The twins did terribly, but it was fun anyway. I also saw TI and CS who were working concessions for their church. It was kind of strange that they were in AB-G's section.

DM and I then went out to the FFG Event Center in Roseville and played a game of Dominion with my cousin IH. Afterwards we went back to my place and watched some Futurama and a few Starcraft II matches on YouTube.

Later,
~Pat

Video Game Controller Series: Part 3

Eighty-Two.

GTA: SA. That is all. Oh and putting up that canopy really late at night with EG, DG, Mom, Dad, and Phillip.

Later,
~Pat

MN Landscape Arboretum

Eighty-One.

Today my mom asked me if I wanted to go to the U of M Landscape Arboretum. I had nothing planned for the day, and knew it would be a great photo op, so I went along. Grandma also went with. I am gonna post more than one picture for today because it is too hard to choose just one.

We also went to the gift shop and I saw this book, made famous by an internet meme:

Then I saw this naughty bronze boy pushing his sister into a pond:

I also went to what is likely to be the last of summer ultimate, I was really rusty.

Later,
~Pat

Cruising The West Burbs

Eighty.

Patty and I decided to go on a driving tour around the west suburbs (as well as St. Paul). We drove around the Calhoun/Harriet area. She looked at the houses (something she enjoys to do) and I drove in an area that I am unfamiliar (something I enjoy to do). The entrance ramp from northbound 35W onto West 694 was down, so I had to find an alternate route. Lots of cruising around. We ate a late lunch, and then Patty had to leave, but she dropped me off at the Guthrie where KW picked me up. We went to GAC together for the Thrill Me project; Today was publicity photo day. LG took most of the photos and I did all of the lighting (technically all of the lights were already hung, but I picked the colors). KW and I drove back after the shoot and Mom picked me up in Colombia Heights.

Later,
~Pat

Dogs Looking Stoic Vol. I

Seventy-Nine.

Church came way too early today, everyone skipped except for me. The right screen worked today, whoo! After working I went home to nap. Patty woke me up. The rest of the family, Patty and I went over to the Gronli's house to celebrate D and T's 25th wedding anniversary. We ate pizza and cake and played bocce ball and backgammon. Afterwards we rented "The Invention of Lying". It was a terrible movie that was based on easy humor and a crummy love story. I am glad it was only a buck. I expected better from Ricky Gervais and Jennifer Garner...

Bonus pictures of Molly sticking her tongue out and looking stoic:

Later,
~Pat

Congrats TG; Welcome To The Family JG

Seventy-Eight.

Today was TG's wedding to JK who is now as of today JG! I am glad to welcome her into my extended family as a cousin-in-law! For those of you who don't know, I was a groomsman for the wedding. IH, TG, Phillip and I arrived a little to early to the hotel to get changed for pictures, so naturally we went to Culver's for TG's last meal as a free man. Then we changed at the hotel and departed for the farm where the wedding would be held. Normal wedding routine stuff: wait around, photos, wait around again, look at the animals, wait around, greet guests as they arrive. The ceremony was great, it wasn't as hot as I was expecting, so I didn't pass out. The bride and groom looked so good. Everything went fairly flawlessly, a small stumble on the "repeat after me" stuff aside (I personally thought it was too many words to remember too). Afterwards there was a reception, a great night of eating, drinking, dancing (cha-cha slide included), going on a walk w/Patty. I only took a few pictures because I had to be in most of them, but I shot Patty:

Our family is blessed to have a girl as wonderful as JG joining TG forever.

P.S. I am pretty sure I don't like tequila.

Later,
~Pat

Crash Pad

Seventy-Seven.

It rained a lot today while I waited for Patty to arrive. It let up and the sun came out soon after I inflated an air mattress. I took this picture with the deck in the background:

Patty arrived and immediately began helping me with dinner. With the help of my mother we made chicken ala king. Patty had never eaten it, so this was a new food for her. Later after Patty modeled what she'd be wearing for the wedding, the groom-to-be showed up with JK->JG. She left rather quickly because she still had a ton of flowers to deal with. TG, Patty, Phillip and I watched Futurama until it got late, and we all went to bed.

Later,
~Pat

I've Got My Tux

Seventy-Six.

Today I went to pick up my tux for the upcoming wedding of TG and JK->JG. I picked up the groom-to-be and then drove to Roseville. After trying on my tux and paying for it, we went to dinner at Granite City. I had a boneless BBQ pork chop and garlic mashed potatoes. It was delicious. I met the other groomsman N?. He seemed like a cool guy. My cousin IH got the beer sampler with his food:

That is N? in the background.

Later,
~Pat

Anthropomorphic Junk Mail

Seventy-Five.

I video taped AS's fringe show again. I also took a few stills (almost 200). Here is one of my favorite moments in the show:

One of the recurring things in this show is junk mail arriving at the older character's house. She is old and falls for many of the scams being sent to her. The junk mail comes alive on stage with the male character to the right. Here is is making a fountain of junk mail while saying things like "Your timely reply is necessary".

Weird side note: the show got out at 11pm and I actually hit traffic leaving Minneapolis. 94 was at a standstill (granted it was also down to one lane).

Later,
~Pat

Thrill Me!

Seventy-Four.

Today I woke up and MFD let me eat some of his organic lucky-charms-esque cereal. His hospitality is unmatched. After killing some time with all of the previously mentioned folk, we went to rehearsal for Thrill Me (the show that I am lighting and sound designing for). It was a blocking rehearsal and was fairly boring. After that we helped RG unload some vegetables from the farm to the caf (she was busy harvesting while we were in rehearsal). She offered us some peas, which were delicious. They were probably the best peas I had ever tasted. Then RG drove us to go vote. I ended up abstaining from voting because a giant wave of bureaucracy would have followed me if I wanted to vote absentee in the general election. Then we went to the Co-Op to eat lunch. After waiting an eternity for the sandwich guy to show up, I purchased and ate my lunch. After that I visited some other friends that were on campus for the summer. (DM, BB, RC, EC) We played a game called "BANG" it was fun. I went to rehearsal again at 7pm and saw an almost full run of the show. After that we had a production meeting and discussed everything about the show. I think it is going to be an interesting challenge to have 3 days for all things technical before we open. Hopefully my design will be good... When the meeting finally got out KW (who is doing costumes for the show) took me back up to the cities. We talked about our summers, her 3 jobs, our significant others (BK, Patty). My mom picked me up near KW's apartment. I almost forgot a pic again, but here it is:

Later,
~Pat

Peterson House in the Summer

Seventy-Three.

Today I went to Minneapolis to videotape AS's (one of the directors at school) fringe show. Since the theatre was so small the department video camera didn't have a wide enough lens to capture the far SL and SR sides. Maybe I will tape it again. After the show ended HM (the other director from school) took me to TG's house which was just down the street. I camped out at TG's house until HM had seen AG's show in the fringe festival. HM picked me up from TG's place and he drove me down to GAC with him and MR (one of the dance profs). Once I got to GAC, HM dropped me off at the Peterson House and CDM let me in. We talked for a while about how our summers were going and what we were up to. A little while later RG, KB, JZ, and MFD showed up. We had a great time talking about summer and a conversation about how myspace shows our high school lives. Kinda weird. I almost forgot to take a picture before I went to bed there, but I didn't:

Later,
~Pat

The Lowry Lab

Seventy-Two.

Church. The AL (alter-left) screen went out today, it has something to do with the video link from the splitter to the projector. So the congregation had to look left (political overtone???). After church I went to the Lowry Lab theatre to see what I will be working with for Thrill Me. Lets say that I have worked with better stuff than this.

Analog boards (light and sound). After that HM took me out for coffee at a starbucks and we talked about our summers. I am disappointed that I don't get to work with him more this year. Much later today (10pm) BB called me wanting to know if I'd come over and meet his college roommate at his house and play COD: MW2 with them and LH, I gladly accepted.

Later,
~Pat

Senior Year Begins With A Shipment

Seventy-One.

Yep, there they are, most of my books for the fall semester. A strange variety this time around. I didn't really do anything more than GTA today, except for receive an e-mail containing pictures of my GF Patty from my GF Patty. She was messing around with her hair. Hot rollers were involved. She and wanted my opinion about how it looked. Bueno.

Later,
~Pat