Back from Manila, and what a week it was. I arrived just as the storm Ondoy finished dumping as much rain on Manila in 24 hours as they get in a whole month. People were sleeping in the airport and hanging out at any place that was open because they could not make it home with the flood waters. The damage done to Marikina City was daunting. I was able to watch the flood waters enter Manila Bay for the next 9 days, and the amount of not only mud but of anything that could float was distressing. The muddy water from the river running into the bay was huge. I didn't get out much because of the rain and such, so there are actually no pictures, sorry to disappoint.
Luckily the second typhoon was north of metro Manila, so they didn't have another flood to worry about, though the winds along the bay were getting pretty high. All in all it was a good vacation for me, to just relax and enjoy my time with =FairyLi , but I do feel badly for those who were affected by the storms. Here is a link to the Philippine National Red Cross ( [link] ) if you would like to help out.

Anyway, this was a reminder to me not only of how fragile life can be, but how strong we can be when we come together. Some of the stories from the storms, such as the judge who used his jetski to help rescue people, or the swimmer who rescued 20some people before finally succumbing to the flood waters give me hope for humanity that I don't often feel.

I now have my cats from my ex-wife. She was no longer able to take care of them as well as they needed, since she has become very busy lately. Its a bit of a transition for both me and the cats at this point. They have to get used to the new place, and I have to get used to being woken up by cat cries as they play early in the morning, but I'm sure we will work things out.



I havn't done very much at all lately as far as photos. I have a lot going on in my head and a bit in my life, and for some reason, I just don't seem to have to drive to go and take photos. I sometimes see things that I would like to get a shot of, but just feel too lazy to be bothered about it. I hope that this changes for me soon.



If anyone wants me to make an announcement for them, let me know.

So going on another vacation soon. Back across the pond to Manila. Really looking forward to spending some relaxing time there. So at the end of the month, if I don't respond to things, i'm sorry, but i'm not really going to have much in the way of net access.

Had the family thing, and it went well. Everyone showed up and had a good time. The hot tub was a big hit, and I'm really glad that I had it fixed before the party. Its not something that I would want to do very often, cause it was a lot of work, but its not too bad every once in a while.

Work is still work, and moving along. I'm taking the vacation now because it seems like everything is settled, and all the other managers just took some time off, so everyone is refreshed, and can do their job without me for a bit. Its not like they can really get a hold of me in Manila.

The house is still a lot of work, but a lot of the things that I need to do with it now are expensive, like buying all the base board and other items I need. So those things will have to wait until after my vacation. Then I will just have to save up and spend wisely.



I finally started shooting again. Not much, and I honestly feel that because of not taking photos in a long long time, I have lost a little, and am not seeing things as well as I would like, or not getting my settings right as I shoot. I will try and do more, and hopefully get better. I also need to go to some zoo's again, as I have really been falling behind on going and supporting the local zoo's. And other than my sunsets, the animal photos are my favorite to work on.



If anyone wants me to make an announcement for them, let me know.

Wow, just spent 15 to 20 minutes chasing a bat out of the house... the little bugger was not very interested in leaving, even after I opened a screen for him. He actually flew to the screen,and tried to land on it, even though i took it out. It was actually pretty funny. So, after a few rounds, he made it through the open window and out. Now I just went around the house to find out where he might have come in at. I came up with two options, and have sealed them up, hopefully tight enough, that I won't have this issue again soon. Trapped him under a laundry basket once, the ones with the holes in the sides, and i can tell you, he was not a happy camper... and btw, they can crawl through really small holes.

So, i'm too awake to go to bed now, even though its 2 in the morning, so you all get to listen to me ramble and calm myself down. Not much else going one right now. Work is work, and nothing new there. I am planning another trip at the end of September, so that should be fun, and I need the break again.

I have one side of my family coming out to see the house and for Labor Day. It will be something like 25 people. Hope it doesn't rain, I mean the house is good size, but I really need to be able to have people on the deck to get that many people here. It will be very interesting.

I'm moving forward with a few other projects too, on a personal level. I'm very excited about them, and really hope that everything will work out fine. It just seems that with all of this there is so much to do, yet I know the things that are my priority, and will keep on them.



I finally started shooting again. Not much, and I honestly feel that because of not taking photos in a long long time, I have lost a little, and am not seeing things as well as I would like, or not getting my settings right as I shoot. I will try and do more, and hopefully get better. I also need to go to some zoo's again, as I have really been falling behind on going and supporting the local zoo's. And other than my sunsets, the animal photos are my favorite to work on.



If anyone wants me to make an announcement for them, let me know.
Sad story that I wanted to put here btw. The zoo in Boston, Massachusetts may have to close because of a lack of money, and perhaps have to euthanize some of its animals. ( [link] ) I don't know how I could help, but I hope that they find a way to keep the zoo open.

I finally got the house, am moved in, have internet, and things are finally moving along. I am very happy with the place, though I know I will have a lot of work ahead of me on it, I am actually looking forward to much of it. Sorry that I have been away for so long, and I hope that everyone can forgive me. I am just starting my summer contest, so please send me a note with something that reminds you of summer.

The move to one shop is finished finally. Things are starting to take shape, and the overall look of our new facility is fleshing out now. All the machines are in the new shop and online and running. That should really help us out to get stuff done and catch up. From our perspective, the economy is starting to pick up a little. We are seeing an increase in scrap materials, meaning an increase in production from our suppliers. Its not much right now, and this is normally the time of year that they increase anyway, but its something.
Guess thats it for now. I hope you are all doing well, and will talk to you again soon.

I'm moving forward with a few other projects too, on a personal level. I'm very excited about them, and really hope that everything will work out fine. It just seems that with all of this there is so much to do, yet I know the things that are my priority, and will keep on them.




I finally started shooting again. Not much, and I honestly feel that because of not taking photos in a long long time, I have lost a little, and am not seeing things as well as I would like, or not getting my settings right as I shoot. I will try and do more, and hopefully get better. I also need to go to some zoo's again, as I have really been falling behind on going and supporting the local zoo's. And other than my sunsets, the animal photos are my favorite to work on.



If anyone wants me to make an announcement for them, let me know.
Sad story that I wanted to put here btw. The zoo in Boston, Massachusetts may have to close because of a lack of money, and perhaps have to euthanize some of its animals. ( [link] ) I don't know how I could help, but I hope that they find a way to keep the zoo open.

Just a quick update, I finally got the house, am moved in, have internet, and things are finally moving along. I am very happy with the place, though I know I will have a lot of work ahead of me on it, I am actually looking forward to much of it. Sorry that I have been away for so long, and I hope that everyone can forgive me. I am still going to try and do the above contest, so for those who did submit a piece, I still have and am just waiting for some more to come in before I change my features.

The move to one shop is coming along nicely, if a bit slower than some had expected. (Though I will stroke my ego, and say that its right about going by my timeline and plan for the project.) Things are starting to take shape, and the overall look of our new facility is fleshing out now. All the machines are in the new shop and the last one is getting online this week. That should really help us out to get stuff done and catch up. From our perspective, the economy is starting to pick up a little. We are seeing an increase in scrap materials, meaning an increase in production from our suppliers. Its not much right now, and this is normally the time of year that they increase anyway, but its something.
Guess thats it for now. I hope you are all doing well, and will talk to you again soon.

I'm moving forward with a few other projects too, on a personal level. I'm very excited about them, and really hope that everything will work out fine. It just seems that with all of this there is so much to do, yet I know the things that are my priority, and will keep on them.



So I'm back working with *naturephotographer as an assistant admin again. For those of you who are already part of the club, please be patient, as we have a lot of stuff to work through, and will be going through some changes. For those of you who are not part, come and check it out, and if you want to suggest anything to me, I will be happy to move it up the chain.

All of my works lately have been old one's. I really need to get out and do some more shots. Seeing that its spring, you would think I would be doing it, but I guess I just don't have the energy, or am not in the mood. I'm hoping that when/if I get a new house, that I will be motivated again, and will get some new things shot. I'm just noticing that my older shots are not as good as I would like, but get frustrated thinking about going out to get new one's.



If anyone wants me to make an announcement for them, let me know.