Saturday, April 30, 2011

Promises, Promises

Yesterday for training I did a 2.4 mile swim.
I took it KIND of easy and added a minute to my time for it, 1 hour 25 minutes. All done, then got some sun. I don't want to be looking like a pale ghost for next Saturday's race.

I did a little time trial swim earlier in the week and got a PR out of it (personal Record), 500 meters in 8 minutes 28 seconds. I KILLED it to get that time, so hopefully I can make that a little easier this following week where I will be just recovering and swimming. No heavy leg stuff.
That being said, I dunno... my foot and leg... I've been told by a friend who is an RN that I should have my ankle looked at. It's still the size of a large orange when it should be down to normal size by now. It's been almost 3 months...
APPARENTLY, the Orthopedic surgeon who's been treating me is ONLY interested in the broken bone... which still hasn't healed yet. The ankle, I just found out, is not a concern to him at all. I have to go to a foot specialist to look at that.
Wow.
You would think the doc would have mentioned that.
Anytime I would ask him about it, he would give a dismissive answer and say the broken bone is a bigger concern. I guess next week I'll go to a specialist and get it checked.
I'm probably doing to much... It's so hard to go easy, or just give up and do nothing at all, even IF it's for the best.
Some would call this addictive behavior. ha!

After the race next weekend, I promise to take it easy, IF that's what I must do.
AND, I won't go hard on the race... except for the swim. I want to be number one at that... especially since I'll be in last place for the "run" hobble.


KoP

Friday, April 29, 2011

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

Wow. I spend far too much time on Instagram.
Not.
I love it, and if I love it, and no harm is being done, I should spend as much time on it as my little heart desires... as long as I keep my writing up... which I haven't.
oops.



KoP

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Rascal

This one is a rascal...



KoP


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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

A Call

I got a call from my grandmother today. I haven't heard from her in a few years. I know: pathetic.

She was wondering if I had heard from my parents lately. I said no, and asked if she had spoken to them recently. She said she had talked to my mom (her daughter) about two weeks earlier and mom had mentioned that they were going to Branson, Mo on vacation.
She said she's been trying to get in touch with them, but no one answers. She called my brothers and sister and THEY didn't answer either.
Anyway, she's worried about them because of the storms that have been going on in Missouri?
I dunno...
I haven't spoken to my mom in almost a year, or my dad in over a year and a half. This is what happens when you disown your parents. Grandmaw seemed to know about the things that have transpired, but didn't offer to talk about it.
I understand.
It's a nasty, awful thing, and frankly, Dad could drive off into a raging river for all I care. It's no less than he deserves... except maybe he should have a millstone tied around his neck.

I should give Grandmaw a call sometime and just talk. I'm wrong for never doing that...



KoP

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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

5 or 6?

Instagram excuse #5 or 6 or 7.



KoP

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Monday, April 25, 2011

#3

Instagram excuse #3 ...I have to stop this madness!



KoP

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Sunday, April 24, 2011

#2

Instagram excuse #2






KoP


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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Shooting Up Galveston

The fam and I spent time in Galveston today.
We ride out around noon and got back home just before 7.
We ha a pretty good time. MIL wanted to treat us to her favorite seafood restaurant down there, Bennos Was the name I think.
It was delicious. Soft shell crabs, shrimp, more shrimp, and lots and lots of crawfish was on the menu.




After gorging myself, we went for a walk on the Strand and did the photobug routine. I enjoying walking down some of the alleys and shooting the sort of underbelly of the city. Made for some nice shots. I'll post some later.

Ok. I gotta hit the sack.

Happy Easter!


KoP

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Friday, April 22, 2011

Today we went to Brenham, Tx, home of Bluebell Ice Creameries.
Unfortunately, there were no tours of the factory since it's Good Friday. Oh well. We still checked out what we could and ate a little ice cream while we were there. I'm no big fan of ice cream... But it was still fun.

Later, we drove around Old town Brenham and checked out some antique shops. That was a lot of fun and we took a lot of photos.

Good family fun.








KoP

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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Instagram Calling

So I discovered this app for he iPhone called "Instagram".
Wow. I love it. I can waste gobs of time with it. Haha
Basically it's another social network for photos, particularly photos taken with an iPhone. They HAVE to be making a version for other phone and OS platforms. It's just too cool not to.

I haven't even gotten on FaceBook today, and actually this is being written the day AFTER it was supposed to because yesterday I was on Instagram all day.

Anyway. This was an excuse post.

KoP


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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Zoo Pics!

Right now, I'm sitting at my kitchen table watching a carpenter install a new backdoor.
It's a nice door.
I installed one myself several years ago, and I don't think I did it right. I didn't like that door anyways. It was cheap.

I FINALLY figured out what was going on with my Facebook photo gallery. I usually source pics out of there, but the new photo viewer wasn't allowing me to access the location.
And so, without further ado, here are the pics from the zoo. I like 'em.






























































KoP

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

??

Eating yogurt.
Watching MacGruber. What is WRONG with me??


KoP

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Monday, April 18, 2011

The Zoo And Photobuggin'

Amy and I went to the Houston Zoo today and shot some photos.

It's been a little while since we just went out with our cameras for fun. It's thing I worry about most with having a photography business:
Letting the job get in the way of the love of it.

Music can be and has been that for me in the past so I made the necessary changes to reverse that. I'll do the same with the photo biz if it came to it. You gotta love what you do, and not let anything take that away from you. I guess you can apply that to a lot of things in life. Money and financial success are important, but they are NOT everything.

I'll post the photos tomorrow.


KoP

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Life Lessons And Dates

I think I may go for an early workout tomorrow to get it out of the way.
Amy and I are wanting to spend the day at the Zoo. I dunno. It's just something in the air that says:
Get outside and photograph the animals!!
...and maybe eat some ice cream and do other stuff too. A Date!
It will be fun and relaxing. Tristan will be at school so we will have no worries for a few hours.

Today we need to finish mowing the yard. Tristan and I started on it yesterday, but we got a late start (it was planned that way). The weed eater trouble kept us from finishing, but I know we can knock it out in an hour.
This is Tristan's first time to mow the yard. He's definitely in training, and I will be paying him to do it. I canceled our yard service a week ago, because he needs the work experience, plus he's getting older and he's wanting to earn his way. You gotta respect that. I just hope I've shown him how to properly save and manage what he earns. This is another life lesson.
I think he's going to do just fine.


KoP


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Saturday, April 16, 2011

Mechanically Declined

I could have written last night, but I just could not think of anything to say.

I spent way more time than I intended repairing the weed eater which hasn't been used in three years. I basically had to take the carburetor off and clean it up. A lot of dry rot on these tiny little hoses connection it to the gas tank. Anyway I rigged it here and there, finally managed to get it all put back together, and was completely surprised when it started right up. Point!

By that time it was getting late and the grill was fired up. Amy and I had a nice little dinner outside with the smell of fresh cut grass in the air.

KoP

Friday, April 15, 2011

SourceCode Swim

Today, I did another swim. I'm making a habit of this. I did the Ironman distance again. It looks like Fridays shall henceforth be called: Long Swim Friday.

I was beat when I got home. I truly don't see, at least at this point, how I could immediately get on a bike for 112 miles. I'm pretty sure my nutrition was off too. The past couple of Fridays, I've started out later in the day, and the breakfast was not heavy carb like it should be. Soon, I need to start doing swim/bike bricks, when the knee gets better anyways. All said, I DID manage to shave 10 minutes off my swim time. Last Friday was 1:34 minutes, today was 1:24ish.
I'm ready for some open water!

I also managed to get the rest of the blinds hung around the house. I only have TWO more to do, but they had to be custom cut and are on special order. I'll knock that out in 30 minutes.
I think me and Tristan are going to mow the grass tomorrow. It doesn't need it, but he can use the practice.

Oh yeah, after the swim, amy and I went to the movies and watched Source Code.

COOL movie! I definitely recommend it. I mean, it wasn't as good as say: Inception, but it held it's own and kept you guessing throughout, lots of action.

Have a good weekend!



KoP

Thursday, April 14, 2011

All In A Day

I had a good swim this morning, 2000 meters of intervals.

I spent the rest of the day doing a layout for another wedding album. I've got one more to go then I'll be caught up. Ready for that... to be caught up.

I've been listening to some Les Claypool for the last couple of days. He's a bass player and frontman for the band Primus and several other band projects. His music is ker-AZY! I've been a fan for almost 20 years, but it's been a few years since I checked in on him.
I'm going to get more aggressive with my playing, in the studio if not in the band setting. Time to add a little spice to the music.

I'm watching Swamp People right now.
The guys are crazy.


KoP



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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Six More

I went to the doc's today for another follow-up and x-rays on my foot.

6 more weeks!!

I can't believe it. I'm old.
The broken bone is healing, but very slowly.
6 more weeks of no high impact activity, and I'm not complaining about this part, or heavy work, including climbing poles or ladders. The short-term disability continues...

I would MUCH MUCH rather that this had never happened. I mean, I am blessed to have a job that provides full short-term disability benefits, but it sucks not being able to train the way I want to. I won't be able to be "competitive" in my upcoming race.
I will be walking through the Run portion of the triathlon. That being the case, I will KILL the swim and the bike. I'll focus all of my training and energy on those two.
Whatareyagonnado?

In other news: I had my body fat measured this morning by a Trainer before my workout.
10% Body fat!!
I guess that's alright for a guy my age. haha I don't really think I'm that old or anything, but I think it IS pretty good for my age.

Anyway. I have some photo work to do today. Bing Bang Bong I'm on it.


KoP

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Looking Forward

Doctor's appointment tomorrow for my foot. Wonder how it will go?


KoP

Monday, April 11, 2011

Fitting Blind Cuts Backdoor

The fitting on my bike went well this morning. He seemed to know what he was doing, and ultimately the bike felt much better, not to mention it just looks cooler in the aero position. I can wait until my knee starts feeling better so I can try it out.
While I was there, I bought a couple of new tires and had the techs put them on for me.
The customer service at this bike shop is impeccable. They've made a happy customer out of me.
The old tires had well over 3000 miles on them which is way over what they're rated for. I was getting flats on almost every other ride. The new ones are sort of "armored" tire. Diggin the red pen stripe on them too.

Later, I Wen to Lowes and had new blinds cut for the rest of the house. They cut at least one incorrectly so I'm sitting here now waiting for the blind cutter lady to help me out. Ugh.
I also bought a new back door with install. They should be coming out tomorrow to come up with an estimate.
I'm looking forward to having that squared away. I installed a new backdoor myself several years ago and it's NEVER been right.
Oh, how I hate carpentry work.
Cool. The blind cutting lady just showed up.
Adios!


KoP


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Sunday, April 10, 2011

Birthdaze

Today we celebrated a friend's 39th birthday.
It's hard to believe he's younger than me.

He is a successful producer/song writer/musician who just won his 4th Grammy this year. The guy is doing well.
I'm not a name dropper or anything, but it is kind of cool to know someone who has "made it" in the music biz, ESPECIALLY when they are as cool and down to earth as this guy is.

We've been doing their family portraits for over a year now.
At the party he gave our biz a huge plug and invited everyone to check out the latest session that was already framed and on the wall.
It's good to feel appreciated.

Tomorrow morning is my bike fit. I'm pumped!


KoP

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Saturday, April 9, 2011

Reunion

Family reunions.
I spent the day at one today for the Cannons, the family on my Mother-in-law's side.
It was interesting, to some extent, meeting people whom I've never met during the 17 years I've known Amy. Definitely some nice folks. The event was homey and relaxed.
I'd like to get to know them better.
Also, there was a cat:


KoP


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Friday, April 8, 2011

Blue Moon, Super Pump, And Surprises

Welp.
Sitting here having a Blue Moon and going over the day's useless album building endeavor.

I worked, tried to work on a wedding album for some time, before finally putting it away. The software I use to build the book is provided by the print company.
I don't love it.

Oh well. I haven't been incredibly focused or anything. I just know that when my butt starts hurting from sitting for so long, it's time to assess the work done, and move on.
Assessment: Not so much.

I tried to go on a bike ride this morning with some of the guys, but my knee said "no".
I don't remember if I mentioned it the other day or not, but my knee was feeling a little squirrely after the long ride... actually, it was hurting before the ride.
What can I say? I'm hard-headed.
Anyway, the type of pain is on the side, inflammation of the tendon band or something. I will be ok if I stay off of it for a bit.
So I did the smart (haha) thing, turned and clocked in 7 little miles. Since I had already taken my SuperPump, Pre-workout, turn everything up to 11, magic muscle serum, I went back to the gym and did a swim.
2.4 miles!
That's the Ironman swim distance. I've done it before, but it's been awhile. I definitely need to build my speed, it took 1 hour and 34 minutes, but I'll get there. I literally have a full year to do that.

In other good, and surprising news:
My income tax return was deposited today... a week early, and just shy of this ridiculous government shutdown.

That is all.

Have a great weekend!


KoP

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Deadwood And Bikes

I finally watched the last two episodes of Deadwood.
Man. What a disappointment. The series as a whole was great. The ending? Anticlimactic.

Oh well.
I made an appointment for a bike setup at the local bike shop around the corner.
They're only charging $25 which is a real bargain if the guy can set it up faster, more aero, and within my physiological specs so I don't injure myself.
You can really mess up your knees and back on a bike that is not properly setup. I did a lot of work on it myself the other night, but it needs more time and a pro's eye to dial it in all the way.
I've got a ride tomorrow as it is, but I dont think it'll kill me.
We'll see.

KoP

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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Extra Special

We torture our pets on a regular basis, but holidays are always extra special.




KoP

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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

No Words





KoP


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Monday, April 4, 2011

Reacquire, Reacquaint

Today's senior class photo session went without a hitch. Easy money! It took no more than an hour and we could have been done even faster if the seniors would have shown up on time.
It's true. Senioritis is still well and alive. Ha!

I forgot to mention something awesome that happened last week:
I got my upright bass back!
It only took three years. I loaned it to a friend who needed it for a studio session. He was supposed to bring it back tithe next week, but something came to a head with his marriage or something. I'm not really sure because I never heard from him again.

I don't know how a mutual acquaintance got the bass, but a drummer friend of mine was at the house of the acquaintance and recognized my bass. My friend told me about it, I called the guy up, and he said "yeah man. I don't even know who this belongs to. It's been decorating my living room for the past three years!"

I've been getting reacquainted with it ever since.
Good to be back with an old friend.

KoP

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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Sessions

Today we had a photo session and I didn't even know about it until Amy mentioned it.
I played it off and all went well. It was a pretty cool session in that we are THEIR photographers. We did their maternity session, their newborn session, baby at home session, and now the first birthday session.
It really is about relationship, and I can see us becoming friends with this couple. I talked to him today about riding. He seemed interested.

Tomorrow we have a big session for a charter school. We're shooting the senior class photo. I think there are 100 seniors which will be the biggest group shot we've ever done. I'm pumped!



KoP


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Saturday, April 2, 2011

Yard Work

We had a work filled day at the Mother-in-law's today.
Tristan used a lawn mower for the first time today... I am slightly ashamed to say. He's 14 and I should have taught him that a long time ago. At any rate, he did absolutely great! No complaining, no whining, and he did a very good job. He made me proud. He's also excited about making a little extra money this Summer mowing yards.

I'm a little sunburned from our ride yesterday. I wasn't expecting to be exposed for as long as we were. I had rolled my sleeves up over my shoulder to avoid getting the farmer's tan and opted for the wife-beater sun burn. Haha I think I might get out to the pool tomorrow to even it out.

I should have started writing earlier. Tired. More later.



KoP


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Friday, April 1, 2011

Whoo!

To tired to write.
The ride was difficult, but excellent. We rode 117 miles!
Talk more later.




KoP



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