Photoshop Eyeshadow & Eyelashes

I found some brushes for eyelash and eyeshadow. It is a very usually tools for edit head shot.
http://www.brushes.obsidiandawn.com/people.htm


Before:

After:

Photoshop Tutorial: Eye Make-up

This tutorial will show you how to add eyeshadow and eyeliner to your picture.


Step 1: Create a new layer then choose "color" as the blending mode for eyeliner

Step 2: Select a brush, for this tutorial I'm using Size 17 with Color "4c4912" for the eyeliner.

Step 3: Start a new layer then choose "Soft Light" as the blending mode for eyeshadow

Step 4: Select a brush, for this step I'm using Size 65 with Color "88952e" for the eyeshadow.

And the final result...

Short Lighting

Carrie #1, originally uploaded by snaperture.

Short light is type of studio lighting setup, where the face side which is further from the camera gets the main light. see the diagram for details. In this type of lighting setup, the side of the face which is toward the camera gets less light then the side facing away form the camera.

32" x 40" Softbox
20 Degree Honey Comb Grid
42" White Circular Reflector

ISO 200, 1/80 F7.1

Here is the diagram:

Photoshop Tutorial: Smooth Skin Foundation

Before



After


Here are the steps to smooth skin / apply foundation:

Create a new layer.
Use Filter Highpass and set 9.0 (Filter, Other)
Use Filter Gaussian Blur 3.0
Invert the Image (Image, Adjustment)
Change the blending mode to Overlay.
Add layer mask fill with black.
Select skin use Magic Wand Tool and fill it with White.
(you can also use brush and paint the mask white on the skin area)

Make sure don't select hair, lip, and eyes beacause you want those area to be sharp.

Season of Love

DSC_3373, originally uploaded by snaperture.

In most of my past relationships I through it was true love but in fact it’s not. If that wasn’t love than what it is? Maybe just infatuation and after the lover’s phase I felt we were nothing in common and sometimes we didn’t even know what to talk with each other. After a while our connection and communication closed and we no longer shared our life. I felt like we were apart in fact we were sleep on the same bed. Love ended and something we were confused was I in love. When time goes by, we have forgotten the feeling of love.

But than what does real love feels like? Maybe it’s when two people seem to know each other for ages. Their conversation never lacks of topics and never gets dull. People don’t have to say anything because they understand each other without words. And those silence and boring moments never feels uncomfortable. True love is when two people complete one another and putting partner in the first place. The most important things are action and communication. Love is a verb, not a noun. It requires actions and not how times you said to a person.

I know this time is "true love" because I never love one person that much before us, and I know I will never love in the same way after us. Therefore I know she is the one and my last one.
She is my best friend who I can share my thoughts, wisdom, and life with. When she is around everything feels better, everything tastes better, everything sounds better, everything smells better, and everything looks brighter.

Feels Like Home

My Family Room #2, originally uploaded by snaperture.

I have been living in my house for 2 and a half years and I never felt like home before. It was a place to get my work done and sleep. I had no purpose and desire to stay this empty big house. It felt like I was staying in someone else’s house.

When she was present this big cold house no long cold and empty but as my home. The three days she was there gave me the purpose to come home because I knew there was someone special was waiting for me. She didn’t just change my house but she re-defined, she made this house feels like home to me.

I got back from Hawaii last night and I saw her stuffs in my bathroom it warms my heart. Suddenly I can smell her present and I felt I was not alone anymore. I just can’t put it in word to describe how much this moment means to me. It feels like home to me….

I have always felt lucky for all the wonderful things and people I have in my life, but last night I felt extra blessed because of her little things in the bathroom. I wish we can make a lot of wonderful memories here in the house I finally call home now.

Turning Point

Lean On Him (for Carrie), originally uploaded by snaperture.

“Hi, I heard a lot of good things about you. Just want to drop you a line to say "HI"

We started with a smile in friendster and our course of life has been changed. It was a minor simple greet when the simple message sent, but it was a huge turning point in our life. My intention was simple, I was in the process of networking people, and I assumed the more people you meet the greater chance you can find someone that match what you are looking for. We started the conversations back and fore in friendster and email. I invited her to my white water rafting trip on 07/07/07 and no doubt it was the luckiest day in my life. The real feelings started on the following Wednesday which I asked her to go salsa lesson with me in Café Cocomo. After the first dance I never want to dance with anyone else but her. All I can hear was my heart beat when we were dance because I was nervous and couldn’t breathe. The next day we went to Chez Panisse for dinner, I bought her sun flowers and took our first picture. The weekend was the beginning of our relationship. I took her to Sausalito for breakfast and hiking in Muir Woods. It was peaceful and felt everything was so right. There was a moment that I felt everything has been written by GOD and it required no explanation. And I realize all my fail relationships were a learning curve and preparation for this one. Life is a learning process and I learn how love feels the first time.

"Give your heart and soul to me and life will always be La vie en rose"

Some Kind of Illness

It is 2:30am.

I just woke up from a dream and can’t go back to sleep. I recently met a woman she is so perfect and I can’t even spot any flaws in her. It is unbelievable and I knew it from the start because she is the one I am waiting for. Love is a wonderful amazing thing, when the least suspected and when you about to give up hope then someone walk into your life and you are alive again.

It does feel like a spring time and the feeling is too strange and illogical. I am suffering from splashes of emotions. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t breathe, and I dance the wrong steps. It feels like some kind of illness (mentally and physically) or doping. Maybe this is call "falling in love" and looks like I am falling fast and there's nothing I can do to stop it. I hope someone will catch me otherwise this is going to be hurt.

I know I am not going to give up this time and I am not afraid anymore because this time I have nothing to lose other than woke up from a sweetest dream I ever dreamt before.

However, I do enjoy this kind of illness....

La Vie En Rose

PINK092 Cypress W, originally uploaded by snaperture.

Louis Armstrong - La Vie En Rose (Life in Pink)

Hold me close and hold me fast
The magic spell you cast
This is la vie en rose

When you kiss me heaven sighs
And tho I close my eyes
I see la vie en rose

When you press me to your heart
I'm in a world apartA world where roses bloom
And when you speak...angels sing from above
Everyday words seem...to turn into love songs

Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose

Our Dance of Love

I been trying to search good poem about love and dance. This is the first one I come across.

Our Dance of Loveby Ann Marquette

We danced through our lives to different tunes, different steps.

We searched for a long time for someone special, our one true love, to share our lives.

The paths we walked were varied, sometimes far and wide, at times close and parallel to each other, without our knowing. Until one day…

Our paths crossed and we met. We began a shared dance, sometimes together sometimes separately, but always back together again.

Our hearts, our souls, heard the same music, the same tune. We found we could no longer dance through our lives without each other.

Our steps may not always match, and times may find us stumbling over or against each other. But, our souls will always hear the same heartbeat, the same music.

Our love, and God’s love in us, will keep us dancing the same path the rest of our days.

In community with our Families and Friends, with God’s grace and blessings, we share this our Wedding Day, Our Dance of Love.

Asshole driven development

This is too funny and I have to repost this.

The software industry might be the world’s greatest breeding ground for new systems of management. From Agile, to Extreme Programming , to Test Driven Development (TDD), the acronyms and frameworks keep piling up. Why?
Some say it’s immaturity: that software is still a young industry and all the change is the path to some true fundamentals. Others say it’s because software people like making things up and can’t help themselves. Well I say this: if we’re going to have dozens of models we may as well have some that are honest, however cynical, to what’s really going on much of the time.
(There is a happy list of these I’m sure, but this is the cynical one).

Asshole Driven development (ADD) - Any team where the biggest jerk makes all the big decisions is asshole driven development. All wisdom, logic or process goes out the window when Mr. Asshole is in the room, doing whatever idiotic, selfish thing he thinks is best. There may rules and processes, but Mr. A breaks them and people follow anyway.

My Japanese Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom (back view), originally uploaded by snaperture.

In both Japanese and Chinese cultures the cherry blossom is full of symbolic meaning and significance. In Chinese the cherry blossom is often the symbol of love, in contrast Japanese represents the transience of life. This concept ties in very deeply with the fundamental teachings of Buddhism that state all life is suffering and transitory.

It means both to me, I chose a Japanese style pattern, a bur smoky pattern with sharp edge cherry blossom. I knew the design is very feminine therefore I added the smoky and dark pattern as a background to make it more muscular. This is not something was gotten because a bunch of friends were getting one. This is a piece of art that I envision and it means something more than a tattoo, it is a devotion to art and my culture.

Sorry Mom I got this during Mother’s day, I know my mom won’t like it but she should loves me as who I am.

I got to EddieTattoo around 3pm and I was more ready than the last one. This time was a lot bigger than the last one and I know it would be painful and I can’t tolerate the pain. After I told Eddie what I wanted, he started to hand free drew it on my arm to make sure the design was according to my idea. When he started I regretted because it was 4 times more painful than last time. When he needled around the collar bone and armpit around I scream so hard. My hand was holding tight and I can’t breathe right because of the intense pain. The three hours seems to be forever and it was the most pain act that I ever committed. But after it was completed, there was a moment of joy and it was indescribable. It was all worth it!

It will be one more piece to complete this arm. It will be done when I forgot the pain, but now “no way Jose!”

more photos

KaBoom 2007

DSC_0538, originally uploaded by snaperture.

This was the 16th annual KaBoom music festival held from radio station KFOG. According to my friend it used to be free and this was the first year they charged $10 online and $15 by the door. Thanks for Gavin Newsom Administration for doubled the fees on KaBoom.

We got there in Pier 30 by 7:30pm and the concert is almost over, but there were more special in this concert. It is famous for the state-of-the-art fireworks, a digitally-fired, and synchronized to a World Class Rock soundtrack. When darkness falls around 9:10pm the staff turned off the light and the fireworks start. It was amazing they can slow down the firework when they played a slow track. It was the most amazing fireworks show I ever seen. It was a cold night and luckily I brought sleep bag so we won’t catch a cold. But when the firework started nothing really matters. I am sure I will grab a better site next year.

more photos

Love at First Sight, "The Alchemist"

I am reading "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, it is a bestseller that was first published in Brazil in 1988. It is a symbolic story that urges its readers to follower their dreams.

I love the story of Santiago who encountered love at first sight.

At that moment, it seemed to him that time stood still, and the Soul of the World surged within him. When he looked into her dark eyes, and saw that her lips were poised between a laugh and silence, he learned the most important part of the language that all the world spoke—the language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their heart. It was love. Something older than humanity, more ancient than the desert. Something that exerted the same force whenever two pairs of eyes met, as had theirs here at the well. She smiled and that was certainly an omen—the omen he had been awaiting, without even knowing he was, for all his life. The omen he had sought to find with his sheep and in his book, in the crystals and in the silence of the desert.

It was the pure Language of the World. It required no explanation, just as the universe needs none as it travels through endless time. What the boy felt at that moment was that he was in the presence of the only woman in his life, and that, with no need for words, she recognized the same thing. He was more certain of it than of anything in the world. He had been told by his parents and grandparents that he must fall in love and really know a person before becoming committed. But maybe people who felt that way had never learned the universal language. Because, when you know that language, it’s easy to understand that someone in the world awaits you, whether it’s in the middle of the desert or in some great city. And when two such people encounter each other, and their eyes meet, the past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the incredible certainly that everything under the sun has been written by one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love, and creates a twin soul for every person in the world. Without such love, one’s dreams would have no meaning.

How wonderful it is to meet someone you love before you knew her/him.

My First Indoor Rock Climbing

DSC_0402, originally uploaded by snaperture.

This was my first experience of indoor rock climbing in Mission Cliffs, San Francisco. This was a first time ever so we had to attend a safety course in order to allow climbing. I didn’t know that you actually need someone to belay you and it was hard to trust some newbie because my life was depended on him/her. Anyway… Luckily, staff working at the gym was happy to literally show us the ropes and the safety procedures. After the safety course we got our permit to climb. After a couple beginner routes I was tired. We had lunch in Boston Market and came back for some more climbing.
After a good lunch I tried 5.8 (still a beginner route but much harder). I was in the middle of it, so tired, my fingers clung the rock above me with my feet balanced precariously on the edge. I was just hung there without any energy to move on. I told my belay partner “I am done put the break on and I am coming down. “ I sighed. It was tougher than I thought, and my upper body muscle didn’t help me much at all. Even the first time girl was a lot better than me.
Oh well, I have to do it again sometime. Challenge is good for me.

more photos

Margarita Friday

Margarita Friday, originally uploaded by snaperture.

Today is a “Margarita Friday”, and our company serves margarita for Cinco De Mayo. Just in time I can show off my salsa move that I learned from the class to the co-workers. I was dancing with my co-worker Jamie and shown off what we had learn from the class last night. I also brought some Latin music to make it a better atmosphere. I am still drinking my second glass of margarita and I think I need to stop now.

Why What You Have Is Never Enough

This is an article from Wall Street Journal.

We may have life and liberty. But the pursuit of happiness isn't going so well.
As a country, we are richer than ever. Yet surveys show that Americans are no happier than they were 30 years ago. The key problem: We aren't very good at figuring out what will make us happy.

We constantly hanker after fancier cars and fatter paychecks -- and, initially, such things boost our happiness. But the glow of satisfaction quickly fades and soon we're yearning for something else.

Similarly, we tell our friends that our kids are our greatest joy. Research, however, suggests the arrival of children lowers parents' reported happiness, as they struggle with the daily stresses involved.

Which raises the obvious question: Why do we keep striving after these things? Experts offer two explanations.

We aren't built to be happy. Rather, we are built to survive and reproduce. We wouldn't be here today if our ancestors didn't struggle mightily to protect and feed their families. The promise of happiness, meanwhile, is just a trick to jolly us along.

"This is an incentive scheme for the benefit of our genes," argues Boston money manager Terry Burnham, co-author of "Mean Genes." "It's a very fundamental trick that's played on us, this lure of perpetual bliss."

Don't like the idea that we're hoodwinked by some hard-wired set of ancient instincts? Blame it, instead, on societal beliefs.

Working hard and raising children may not make us happier. But these beliefs keep society functioning -- and those who embrace them prosper and end up passing these values onto their children.

We're bad at forecasting. Consider a study by academics Daniel Kahneman and David Schkade.
They asked university students in the Midwest and Southern California where they thought someone like themselves would be happier -- and both groups picked California, in large part because of the better weather. Yet, when asked how satisfied they were with their own lives, both groups were equally happy.

"When you're thinking about moving to California, you're thinking about the beaches and the weather," says Mr. Schkade, a management professor at the University of California at San Diego. "But you aren't thinking about the fact that you'll still be spending a lot of time in the grocery store or doing chores. People emphasize differences that are easy to observe ahead of time and forget about the similarities."

When we predict what will make us happy, we're also influenced by how we feel today. If we buy the weekly groceries just after we've had lunch, we will shop much more selectively. The downside: A few days later, we will be staring unhappily into an empty refrigerator.
Maybe most important, we fail to anticipate how quickly we will adapt to improvements in our lives. We think everything will be wonderful when we move into the bigger house. We don't realize that, after a few months, we will take the extra space for granted.
Experience should help us avoid repeating such mistakes. But it doesn't, in part because we don't accurately recall how we really felt, says Harvard psychology professor Daniel Gilbert, author of "Stumbling on Happiness."

One example: We work devilishly hard to get that next promotion, because we're sure it will leave us elated. We forget that, when we last got promoted, it was a bit of a letdown.
With any luck, just knowing we are susceptible to these pitfalls will help.
But you might also try a reality check, Prof. Gilbert says. Suppose you think you will be happier if you move to a small rural town, adopt a child, or quit your job and become a high-school math teacher.

Don't rely on the opinions of people who live in small towns, have adopted kids or become teachers. Instead, spend some time observing these folks -- and see whether they're happy.
Becoming a teacher "sounds quite romantic," Prof. Gilbert says. "But hanging around high-school math teachers may quickly disabuse you of that notion."

SAAAG: Social Picnic

SAAAG: Social Picnic, originally uploaded by snaperture.

Finally Spring/Summer was here, this weekend was hot we had 90s on Saturday and upper 80s on Sunday. Sunday was my first BBQ of the year and I love BBQ, not only the food instead it is the people. I like social gathering activity and this Sunday was a perfect event for me.
Sacramento Asian Activity Group organized a picnic in Rancho Seco Sunday 4/29. It was a great turn out, and we had about 60 people there. I was late because I was waiting for my friend Iris to show up, but I didn’t miss any fun at all.

Rancho Seco Park is build by SMUD in the early 90s, it serve as an emergency backup water supply in case of fire for the now-closed Rancho Seco Power generating station. It was the main source of water supply for the power plant. The last time I was there was in my high school year. So that means I had not been there for more than 12 years. The park has not changed much at all, just a lot of new housing development along the way to the park.

We had many activities in this event such as BBQ (of course), fishing, kayaking, volleyball, and Texas Holdem. I marinated some of my best chicken wings and grilled for the folks too bad not everyone tried but they were good. I can’t have enough of it!

I played some valley ball, grill, and chat with new friends. It can’t get any better for a Sunday afternoon.

More Photos

Salsa Class

Salsa Class, originally uploaded by snaperture.

One two three, five six seven.

I registered a beginning salsa class in Vacaville adult school couple months ago and I got some of my co-workers join me. I always love to watch Latin Dance and last year one of my friends brought to a studio to watch live performance. After that I was hooked and been looking for a beginner class and dance party since then.

This is my first real class for salsa and it is a 5 session class. Angeline, the instructor was a tall slim beautiful 25 years old lady. I learned basic steps, turn, side steps and back steps. It was easy because I already knew these steps from last year and from a DVD lessons. So I was the pro in the class yesterday.Most of my classmates are 40-50 years old woman and I know they force their husband to take this class. Probably I am the only guy who wants to learn it. Oh well, hopefully I will learn some new move next week.

Stress = Acid Reflux

Lately I been suffering acid reflux for a while but it is not severe yet. The thing that bothered me the most is at night when I had a glass of wine before I lay down. I stopped to drink wine before I sleep now, there was a time I had acid overflow and my throat got burn and swollen.
I knew this has to do with stress; I just accepted a project for my previous client and working an extra shift at night. Physically, I can handle it with no problem, but stress from the day job and nigh job both add up. I have to change my diet and hopefully I can recover soon.
Here is my plan:

Cut down on only 1 cup of coffee a day
Cut down on wine
Cut down on soda and candy
Stop smoking

And finally I need to find a better way to release my stress.

Finding True Happiness

Hope Child "Husen" from Ethiopia, originally uploaded by snaperture.

After an exhausted Saturday, I woke up this Sunday morning to get ready for Church. My previous co-worker from HP Troy Fulton invited me to his church “New Song Christian Church” this Sunday. The church had invited a Christian musicians “Andy & Pam Allen” to play during the morning service.

I saw the World Vision booth in back side of the auditorium. It was a Sponsor a child program and it got me interested. There were many packages with a child picture on the table. It was heart breaking when I see all these poor children and think of what they have to go through each day. I want to help, but I wasn’t sure which one to pick. What country? Age? Gender? Who needs the most? Because I knew today I will make a different for one child.

During the service Pam shared their experience in Lesotho, Africa. In their visit they promised them that they would come home and tell their story to as many people as they could in order to help them. I was touch and tears were flowing out from my eyes. After the service I went to the World Vision booth and chat with Pam and she told me most people sponsor younger children and older boys always get left behind. So I ask them to pick me an older boy so I can help him. Pam’s eyes started to get red and so as I. The feeling I had in that moment was indescribable. The joy and happiness that I had was more than anything I could remember. I can’t make a different for the world they live it, but I can make a different for this child and their family. I realized I found the purpose of life and the happiness that I was searching for. The true happiness is not about yourself, instead it is about others and giving. For this event this boy and me's life were changed and we will see the world a little brighter after today.

“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” (Helen Keller)

Here is some information about the child I am sponsoring.

Husen lives with his parents, 3 brothers, and 1 sister. His parents struggle to provide for the family. His father is a peasant farmer and him mother takes care of the household. Despite their efforts, it is difficult to meet the family's needs.

Husen and his family live in a community severely affacted by the HIV/AIDS crisis. In some communities, AIDS affects the entire social structure as a generation of hardworking adults is being wiped out. Frightened children and exhausted grandparents rarely have money for food, school, or medical care. Through sponsorship, I can ensure access to these and other basic needs for Husen and his family.

Husen is in primary school and he enjoys science. He helps at home by caring for the animals. He likes to play soccer. He is in good health.
http://www.worldvision.org/Hope

A little info about Andy & Pam:
Andy & Pam live with their 5 kids in Chico, CA. They tour and work with churches – leading worship concerts and sharing music in church services, along with teaching their CALLED to WORSHIP workshops and training worship teams. http://www.andyallen.com/

Muir Woods Hike 4/21/07

Muir Woods Hike 4/21/07, originally uploaded by snaperture.

Enjoying the nature is a good way to escape from the busy stressful city life. This hike was planned three weeks ago after the Mt. Diablo Hike. I almost had to call this hike off because of the weather condition. The forecast said it would rain and I was just rolling the dice and hope the rain comes later.

It took us nearly two hours to drive to Muir Woods in Mills Valley. Once we got to Muir Woods, the first parking lot was still not full so we parked our cars and wait for the rest of the group.
Finally everyone was there 14 of us. We paid our park fee and took a group photo and start our hike. It was very crowded as we headed down the paved trail and I ensure the group as soon as we enter the next trail you will not see many people at all. We walked past four bridges which cross Redwood Creek, and started off on the Ben Johnson Trail at the fourth bridge.

Here the pavement ends and the crowds begin to dissipate rapidly. The trail also heads uphill, steadily and somewhat steeply. We turned right and took Stapelveldt and TCC. We stopped at the big rock in Van Wyck Meadow and took some group picture there.
We could have been hiked more but I knew it would rain so we turn back at Bootjack instead of going to Troop 80 then Ocean View. By the time we arrived back to Muir Wood the rain came and after the restroom break we left and went to King of Thai for lunch.

Since Saturday was a Cherry Blossom Festival, before I head back to Sacramento Janet and I stopped by Japan Town to check out the Festival. Unfortunately, it was still rain so we didn’t stay long and head back home.

“Life in Cartoon Motion”

I started a really good mood today while I am driving to the office because of Mika’s debut album “Life in Cartoon Motion”. Every time I listen to this CD, it just makes me happy. All the songs from this album are very positive and upbeat. Mika sounds like a cross over of Queen, Freddie Merecury, and Bee Gees with a modern mix to it.

I started to enjoy UK music more than what American made. It is more creative and meaningful.
I am so tried all the R&B, Garbage High School Pop, and the country sounds like they always talk about their truck. All of Mika’s lyrics touch on personal subjects and reflects our life. I love these songs and their meaningful lyrics.

“Grace Kelly” (Say what you want to satisfy yourself but you only want what everybody else says you should want)

“Any Other World” (Say goodbye to world you thought you lived in)

“Happy Ending” (This is the way that we love, Like its forever. Then live the rest of our life, but not together.)

“Big Girl You Are Beautiful” (Diet coke and a pizza please)

Mika’s music is very different and original and all of them written and produced by him.

Virginia Tech Rampage, Who Should We Blame?

Thirty-two people were killed and at least 15 injured in two shooting attacks in the cold morning of 4/16 at Virginia Tech. According to the media it was the deadliest shooting rampage in American history.

Shock, sorrow, and concern about the school safety in American and I am wonder who should responsible for this tragedy? Who should we blame?
Is it the school officials that responded not taking more serious action on the first shooting? Or should we blame the government about the gun control issue? Or should we blame the culture of America?

It is a wake-up call for the university to review their security procedures. I know for sure a small piece of freedom has been taken away from us today.

Tour of De Young

Vivienne Westwood Exhibition, originally uploaded by snaperture.

I got an invitation from Jane a few weeks ago about the Vivienne Westwood Exhibition in de Young Museum. At first I didn’t recall who is Vivienne Westwood was, but as soon as I went to de Young’s website and see the work she did I know who she is and I can’t miss this exhibition.

Vivienne Westwood is both iconoclast and global icon. In the 1970s, she electrified the world with the launch of punk fashion and went on to become one of the most inventive and influential designers of our time. Fashion to her became "a baby I picked up and never put down." Her early work was really extraordinary and unique.

I always hard to except most of the collection form a designer as fashion and I always see it as art. Maybe my definition of fashion is trends that have already been accepted by the public and the fashion world. On the other hand I think art is more personal, subjective, and less functional value. I found her early collection is overly details (I wished photography were allowed so I can show you what I mean), but I do love her early 80s punk style outrageous designs.

My Reunion Party

Audria "The Baby", originally uploaded by snaperture.

I hosted a little reunion party at my house on Saturday. I wish the weather was sunny so I can go outside and grill some wings. It was a last minute thing that I came up last weekend when I spoke to Sherry. My intention was to invite as much people who graduated from Sacramento High School as possible and have them bring their significant others to the party. However most people have changed their contact number and some of them already had plans. I didn’t want to change plan even the rain and only few of them show up because I was excited a party and I invited some of my friends and two cats already.

It was a busy afternoon; I quickly managed to clean up my house in an hour then ran to the store to buy food to be made for the party. I made roast pork loin, soba noodles, and special requested from my sister Sharon cream brulee.

Well, I had a good time. I wish more people were attending this party but this was as good as it gets.
Next time I will plan it a little bit earlier, a little more prepared, and ask them to bring more babies!

Today's Shippment

Today's Shippment, originally uploaded by snaperture.

Wow, what a exciting day? I got my Nikon D40, IPOD Shuffle, SanDisk Extreme III 2GB card, Book "The Alchemist" By Paulo Coelho, and a Starbucks Gift Card.

Maybe I just shop too much last couple week.

My Hiking Buddy - Nikon D40

My Hiking Buddy - Nikon D40, originally uploaded by snaperture.

I am so excited when I got in my office this morning. A brand new Nikon D40 is sitting on my desk and waiting for me to unwrap it.

I need a light camera for point-and-shoot and hiking. This camera will help to capture more wonderful images for this blog. Its so light weight I can carry it everywhere instead of my Canon SD600 pocket camera. I only grab my big D200 when I've got something more serious to photograph.

AAG Social Dinner @ Tex Wasabi

We had about 25 people attended this social dinner event. Thanks to Jeney, our group organizer to plan this dinner gathering. I was excited about meeting new professional Asian people in Sacramento regional. It is a wonderful social group if you like to find people with common interests in the same age group. Jeney picked a Restaurant call “Tex Wasabi” and there is so much hype about it because it owned by a reality celebrity Guy Fieri. I don’t really like fusion food at all, and this restaurant offers southern barbecue and sushi? WFT…Food was terrible and sushi is overpriced, I prefer the former greasy Chinese instead. Well, even the food was bad, but I had a good time. I met some new young professionals and met some familiar faces. The people in the group were nice and friendly. Hopefully they will join my next hiking event, and host more activity for this boring town call “Sacramento”.

My First Tattoo

My First Tattoo, originally uploaded by snaperture.

I’ve always wanted a tattoo ever since I was a kid. About a year and a half ago I started to sketch up ideas. I wanted a Japanese koi fish on my calf but I haven’t found the design I like yet. I got inspired by those full body tattoo Japanese woman and I think the art itself speak stronger than having a tattoo.

It was a warm Sunday Easter afternoon and I was supposed to pick up Karey in San Jose. I took her with me to the Bay Area to my friend’s pot luck gathering, then her friend Paul picked her up from my friend’s house.

Paul is a wonderful tall shy shinny guy who works in a tattoo shop (www.eddietattoo.com), it is a family business and he works there since a kid. When I got there at around 4:30 Sunday I was just waiting for Karey and thinking to head back home and I don’t want to drag too long in the shop. I talked to Paul’s father (I think his name is Eddie), he is a outgoing kind man around mid 50s who loves red wine. He asked me “Are you Karey’s friend who wants a Koi fish?” I was kind of shy and reply “Yes, I been thinking about it. Any good designs?” He showed me a bunch of pictures but it was nothing that I interested it. Therefore I continued my new book and not thought of it anymore. When Karey and Paul finally arrived to the shop I was excited to see them because I felt left out in the shop. Paul’s Dad asked me that have I done any tattoo before and I replied no. They looked me and told me it will be hurt for the first time and the size of the tattoo I wanted to get will be very painful.

I decided to get a little one on my upper arm and test out the water before I commit to a big one. My idea for the first tattoo was represent luck, simple, and artistic. I wanted something match my personality. I thought clover might be a good one to pick but I can’t found a nice one. So it got me really thinking…
For that moment I see a tradition Chinese BamBOo water painting in my mind and that’s what I want.

I was a bit hesitated to do a permanent mark in my arm, and I think I can back out I still can. After googled for more than 20 minutes I found the bamboo that I like. I printed out and handed to Paul and he started drawing it on top of the light table. I was ready because I already have the image of the tattoo on my arm. I rested my arm on this thing while Paul’s dad “needdles” did his work. It hurts, but pain was nothing worse than someone broke your heart. I felt more pain before and this is nothing compare to some depression I had. It went the full range from painful and unpleasant in certain areas, to almost feeling sort of good in others. It was very strange.

I am still thinking what is the psychological effect would be on me to have my first tattoo. It is sort of a life-transition in this Easter Day, I felt like a re-born last night and become a different me when I start my new day tomorrow. And now, I feel different not only my mind, but my heart and soul had been touched, and forever modified in this process.

Eddie's Tattoo 1207 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050 (408) 554-8520

Paranoia

Paranoia, originally uploaded by snaperture.

The story behind the picture:

"I woke up in a strange little town of unknown by the chilly fresh air from the river. I can’t remember a thing from how I got here only I remember the love from the past life. Why am I here? What is the purpose? I will follow my heart and explore this strange place.I got scare because there are no people around but I have the feeling being followed.
Why? I want to ask for direction, but the city is empty.
Love has been followed me along, it is just my Paranoia."

The alarm clock went off at 5:45am the early Saturday morning. Usually I am not so motivated to wake up that early but for photography it was a piece of cake. However, it turned out rather disappointed. I got a bad news from Joanne (my model) she was overly drunk the night before and cannot make it my long planned photo shoot. There nothing I can do or done but to go back to bed again.
She called me around 9 something and wanted to give me an apology, but instead I told her to go. I knew that I won’t complete this project but at least we can do part of it. The most wanted shot is a bridge shot which only can shoot it during sunrise.
It was an overcast day, a perfect day for outdoor photography. We went to Walnut Grove and about 2 hours later I got what I wanted. It was the style I wanted, the urban suspense photography. It was a new step to establish my own unique style.

More photos about this set click here.

Plants in My Yard

4x4, originally uploaded by snaperture.

I was watering my plants this afternoon and decided to snap a few shots .

I am Free

Run 4, originally uploaded by snaperture.

I feel refresh when there is a quality photography time with my friends. Every year we choose a national park to photograph. This year is Death Valley. This is one of the picture I downloaded my friend's website.

We were playing around panning moving blur. Kenneth and I were the model that time. Fun Fun Fun. (kind of funny two 30+ adults running like a kid)

Painful Migration

Finally I can start blogging in blogger. It took me more than 3 hours to move everything from friendster blog, but it is all worth it.

Lost Connection!

I saw her last night, and we ate at the same restaurant that I took her out the first time. We rented “Pursuit of Happyness” and made it a quite night of our own. She brought her cat with her and Coco was not happy at all. It was a usual night but what I felt inside was totally different. The connection has been lost and our body language has been changed. I tried to hide the eyes contact because it would be meaningless. It was a silence night and I rather keep it that way.

She recognized the same thing.

Was it the last goodbye?

Idea for the Next Photo Shoot

Here is the idea/script for my Saturday photo shoot. Joanne will help me as a model/actress to express my ideas out. It will be in Walnut Grove early morning 7:30am. I hope you can wake up in time, so I can complete this little project of mine. Check back here if you want to know what happen and how the picture come out.
"
I woke up in a strange little town of unknown by the chilly fresh air from the river. I can’t remember a thing from how I got here only I remember love from the past life. Why am I here? What is the purpose? I will follow my heart and explore this strange place.
I got scare because there are no people around, Why? I want to ask for direction, but the city is empty.
Finally I found a person and she is what I am searching for.
"

Work from Home

Today is my turn in the home office rotation. You know when guest is coming you need to clean up your home. So I did that Sunday, mostly my yard. I got some plants from Costco and planted yesterday. It was hard work but I managed to finish in three hours. Not bad at all!
I turned my live room/studio in a probable work office and we got a productive day. The homies are coming again tomorrow so it will be another day of fun in work. Even Coco loves when I work from home!

Mt. Diablo Hike (Eagle Peak)

Spring is perfect time for hiking in Mt. Diablo, a scenic 7 miles four hours easy hike in Mt. Diablo was what I need to relax my stress for work and connect with the nature. I organize the trip for the Sacramento Activity Group couple weeks ago and I got some good response from members. Together we had 8 people to hike Mt. Diablo Eagle Peak Trail.
We met in Present Hill Bart Station by 9:30am and arrived in the trail head around 10:15am.
The air was crisp it still felt like a sunny late winter days but I was perfect for this hike. I still remember last about the same time I hiked the same trail and it was hot and sweaty.
My friend Mary was a first time hiker so she didn’t prepare for anything, but this is a beginner hike so she has nothing to worry about. Along the way all the vegetation was green, in three month the mountain will change its color to brown from the hot summer months. We saw a couple snakes along the hike, and one is a baby rattlesnake. It was scary because my friend almost stepped on it, it would be bad if he did. Lucky we have Phil, who is a very experienced hiking with good eyes.
Over all, everyone wants more. I am going to plan some longer trials in the near future. I think my next hike will be in Muir’s Wood. I miss those big red woods!

Death Valley Trip Part 2

More Photos

The Sunday morning is our last day in Death Valley. Everyone was excited about Zabriskie Point, it is an elevated overlook of a colorful landscape of mud hills at the edge of the Funeral Mountains. The scenery is best at sunrise therefore we pick the spot for our last sunrise shots for this trip. We almost missed the sunrise so I was driving really fast to beat the sun. We got there around 6:15am and I quickly ran over the edge of the view point and started my setup. After a good 30 minutes shooting, Patrick suggested we shoot do a group pictures. So I told him to setup the camera, he was slow and we waited 10 minutes for him.

Finally, we headed back to the Inn and get ready to visit Mosaic Canyon. It was close by to where we stayed about 15 minutes away. We got there and started to hike the Canyon with our heavy equipment. Only the first quarter mile offers good photography so I don’t bother to go any further. On the way back I met a couple photographers, they were using large format. It was interesting, one guy wearing a reflective cape and I was wondering is he shooting aliens?

Mosaic Canyon was our last leg in Death Valley and everyone can’t wait to get back to Vegas to have a nice meal and do some shopping. Especially me, I am very picky about food. We got back to Vegas around 2:15pm. We stopped in the new LV Premium outlets, and I brought some t-shirt in FCUK. Surprisingly, it was more tired in a 1 hour shopping than a 1.5 hrs Sand Dune hike. I told Cherry shopping is not for guy hiking is!

We still had about 3 hrs before we need to check-in in the airport, so Patrick suggested visiting Wynn Casino. The only impress me in Wynn is the waitress, other than that it just a casino for rich people.
We got to the airport around 6:30pm.

Death Valley Trip Part 1

More Photos

This is our semi-annual major photography outing. Specially thanks to Henry Wong to plan this trip and Steve Kossack’s DVD.

The Death Valley trip began an early Friday (3/23/2007) morning flight to Las Vegas. I took the 7:15am UA flight to meet the guys in Vegas. After we got our rental car then we headed to eat dim sum for our first meal. We ate some awful dim sum and got our water for our trip in Ranch 99.
We made our way to Death Valley from LV (I slept most in that 2 hrs drive). Death Valley is different from what I expect in article, TV, or my though because the word "Death". It reminds me of Grand Canyon. After we check-in the Inn in Stovepipe Wells, we rested a little and started to head to Racetrack for sunset photos. We finally made it out to Racetrack Playa after a 2.5 hrs rough drive. We were off road most of the time and it was a fun driving. We finally got there and lucky it was not sunset yet so we had some time to explore the site. The hugeness and the flatness of the playa are breath taking. The most interesting thing in Racetrack is rocks slide across the ground, and it’s the wind blowing through the canyon that makes them move. You can tell it moved by the mud track trails behind some rocks. We had fun and we had dust all over ourselves. We headed by to the Inn by 9:30pm and all the restaurant were closed in Death Valley, therefore no dinner for Friday night, just beers.



We woke up at 4:30am and get ready to our sunrise destination Bad Water. Bad Water is the lowest point in North America being 282 feet below sea level. Temperatures in here can range from up to 130 degree in the summer to below freezing at night in the winter. The evaporated water leaves a dry and interesting salt formation on the ground. We took a lot of pictures in here until the sun was get too bright for good pictures.


We left around 8am and move on to our next photo spot “Devils Golf Course”. The towering columns of salt stretch for what seem like miles in this devil’s golf course. I carefully walked around and took some photos on these interesting strange rock hard formations from the ground. It was getting hot about 80 degree and I was hungry so I ask the folks to leave and get some lunch. We ate lunch buffet in Furnace Creek Ranch then headed back to Inn to get some rest.


The next photo spot is Sand Dune. We hike about 40 minutes under the hot sun and created our own trail along the hike. The dunes are most photogenic area in Death Valley so it was worth all the hard work and sweat. By the time we finish it was already dark. We hiked back to our car under moonlight. It could be very romantic if I was not with a bunch of dudes. We did a lot on this Saturday, it was somewhat painful but it was fun and good experience meeting the Death.