In a world of so many great photographers and writers, I am venturing into some unknown territories, leaving comfort zones, finally very willing to practice the art of seeing. By maintaining the practice of posting daily photos, I hope to continue learning about the possibilities that I trust are out there for the taking.
Up and out for a 6:30am Bump and Grind hike with Mary Kay. Home and out the door for a walk around the neighborhood with Ray. 7 miles today.
This photo was a lame attempt at shooting for this week’s online photo class assignment which is “Stripes”. I applied a filter to get the black and white look.
Posing for this week's class assignment, Stripes. (will not be submitting this photo for the class, but it's fun.)
I’m thinking I like my old compact camera – the Canon Powershot A650 more than the new Canon G11. I haven’t really spent time learning about the G11 but I’ve noticed more shutter lag than the Powershot. I also do not like a couple of other things:
1. The piggy backing dials are not easy to isolate and turn without sometimes turning the wrong dial. For someone with large fingers it would be really difficult.
2. This is probably my fault because of lack of understanding, but when I expose for the light sky, holding the shutter halfway down to re-frame the shot, the exposure changes to read the recomposed area.
3. The camera has a minimal right hand almost negligible nub hold, much smaller than what the Powershot A650 has, which makes it difficult to sustain a secure grip. The Canon G11 comes with a neck strap and I know why. I have almost dropped the camera many times. Not having a camera that I can quickly and securely hold is terrible for backpacking/hiking.
So, I think I’ll give Ray the G11 and continue using my tried and true Canon Powershot A650. I know the A650 so well too. I find it frustrating and time consuming using a new camera. I don’t like indecision. So now, I’m off the fence. I’m taking the Powershot A650 backpacking.
I’d planned a short hike up Bump & Grind for the MHCC Hikers, just to get in some quick exercise, realizing we’d have rain today. Thursday and Friday I received canceling emails. At 7am this morning I received a “won’t be making it” phone call. I certainly understood. It was pouring earlier this morning.
But I’d made a decision I was hiking no matter what. This decision was reinforced yesterday when I also made a decision to give up a one bag a day habit of eating Trader Joe’s popcorn. When I stood on the scale and read my weight, I knew it was time for some changes.
I pulled into the normal MHCC hiking group meeting place just to make sure someone wasn’t planning on hiking that I didn’t know about. After 5 minutes, I was on my way to hike. Me and my I-Pod Touch loaded with Black Eyed Peas, Lady GaGa, etc.
I talk about the Bump & Grind hike so here is a cloudy, misting day photo essay of the area. The hike took me 2 hours today as I stopped lots to take photos.
Length is 4 miles (2 up and 2 down), elevation gain: 1000 feet.
Driving on Bob Hope to Bump & Grind.
View down on the Target shopping center after hiking for about 6 minutes.
Clouds gave way to shafts of sunlight.
Nearing the top (where hikers are standing).
At the top.
More hikers beginning their hike as I'm descending.
I wasn’t in the mood to hike this morning. It was 44 degrees at 6:20am this morning. That’s cold for Palm Springs. It was a long pants and two fleece layer hike to start and on the 2 mile downhill return. Having a commitment to meet Connie sure makes a difference. I would have passed this morning based on the lies my head was telling me. Ray looked real cozy still sleeping all snuggled deep down under the covers.
Once I’m in the car driving to hike, I enjoy being one of very few up and about. The color in the sky always excites me. The color also always looks better at the time, than in a photo. The 10 minute drive to Connie’s took about 20 minutes because I slowed or stopped to shoot off about 10 shots with the little Canon Powershot A650.
Driving to the Bump & Grind for a hike this morning.
Connie tolerating me taking her photo on the hike.
Hiker and the most adorable dog both taking in the view.
Connie and I wanted to take this precious dog home with us.
I’m getting my 2010 Ideals down on paper. Exercise is a biggy. My clothes are beginning to feel tight again. And I’ve been eating great so I know that lessened exercise is the culprit. Since I don’t have any backpacking plans for next spring/summer I’m not religiously training like I used to. Walking around MHCC with Ray while he is recuperating may be exercise but not calorie burning exercise!
Two of the 2010 Ideals are definitely: 1. Exercise at least 5 days a week, 2. Twenty minutes of brain drain morning pages. (Artist Way by Julia Cameron)
Still not light enough to hand hold a shot of the girls hamming it up for the camera.
And what would a hike be without a shadow shot: Connie, Me and Mary Kay.
Home watching this different visitor drinking from the water Ray put out before he left for the San Fernando Valley today.
Tuesday morning: Linda, Mary Kay and Connie
Wednesday morning shots of Connie.
Connie almost at the top of the Bump and Grind hike.
Later today, Gina and Linda getting manicures and pedicures and feeling mighty feminine.
Connie got me up and back out there exercising on the bump & grind hill.
I exercized!
We did it.
We committed to doing the bump & grind Tuesday mornings.
Tried taking a handheld photo here but the light was too low.
Used the fill in flash here as evidenced by the reflection of the flash on Connie’s perspiration.
Look at the sweat on Paula’s face. That’s what caught my attention.
It’s hot out there on our local killer hill. We hiked this killer hill called the Bump and Grind yesterday also, but at 6:30am, much too late to hike these days.
When it gets hot here in the desert around this time of the year, people try to be done with any errands by 10am.
Thanks for the two great hikes Paula.