Photography Memes and Projects

Back in 2004 I was very active in Photo Memes and Projects because they provided a challenge that spurred me to take photos. The more photos I snapped for each challenge the more familiar I became with my camera and I began seeing ordinary things differently.

One person sees a bed of flowers as "a bed of flowers" where I could appreciate its symmetry and how the variety of colors complemented each other or how the sun cast a shadow making for an interesting shot, you get the picture (no pun intended).

So seven years later I've stopped snapping photos. I still carry my camera but have stopped participating in photo memes. I'm feeling the void.

I spent this morning researching photo meme sites and deciding which ones interested me. My goal in 2011 is to participate in one photo meme each week and, just as in the beginning, simply enjoy snapping photos without getting hung up on perfection.

The more projects I participate in the more experience I will gain. As my experience grows my skill will improve. As my skill improves my confidence grows. Along the way, I will reap enjoyment from from doing something creative and allowing it to flourish!

2011 Photo Project

Are you making any changes this year?

Over the Top TV (OTT)

Back in August 2010 I bought Western Digital's WD TV Live Plus media player at Best Buy. After taking so long to decide on a media player I didn't want to wait for delivery from Amazon and luck was with me that Best Buy matched Amazon's price.

I settled on Western Digital's media player over the Roku because back then the Roku's features and pricing were more expensive than WD's. The WD TV Live Plus (and the features I mention are available only on the Plus) has:

• External USB ports for connecting an external drive for viewing photos, downloaded video podcasts or your home videos.
• Native 1080p HD viewing (meaning I can view Netflix at its native 720p), Netflix is upgrading to 1080p
• Support for HDMI, component and composite video connectivity
• Ethernet connection, wifi connectivity an option with purchase of wifi adapter

A similarly priced Roku offered:

• No external USB port
• Native 720p HD only
• HDMI support only (connectivity to older TVs not supported)
• Wifi and Ethernet connectivity

So buying Western Digital's TV Live Plus gave me more bang for the buck! Almost six months later the feature / price ratio has changed in Roku's favor as the Roku XD has reduced in price and offers:

• An external USB port
• Native 1080p HD
• HDMI, component and composite video connectivity
• Built-in wifi and Ethernet connection
• Suite of native apps for a variety of services like UStream.TV, YouTube, TWIT.TV, Revision3, Blubrry, Netflix, Amazon Video, HuluPlus, blip.TV, The Onion News Network and finally the iTunes Podcasts library among many others.

I know this because in December I wanted another media player for my bedroom and opted for the Roku XD/S which Amazon featured as a Black Friday purchase for $59.00!

Roku has an online database of channels members can elect to add (most are free) to their My Channel feature and, of all the channels I've added, the iTunes Podcast channel has proven the best. I am now able to access all of my favorite video podcasts via the iTunes Podcasts channel easily and conveniently for viewing on my television.

Most of the video podcasts I was viewing on the WD TV Live Plus media player were those I had downloaded to an external drive and then connected to the WD TV Live Plus for viewing on the TV.

However Roku makes it so convenient and easy that I no longer need to download my video podcasts, save them to an external drive and then connect the USB drive to the Roku. I simply select iTunes Podcasts channel and begin watching!

Happy New Year!

So it's obvious that I've done a lousy job of blogging in 2010 and have plenty of room for improvement. The irony is that I have at least one idea per week that I could easily expand on if I'd simply login and blog.

Why I don't do so has less to do with time and everything to do with laziness and lack of discipline. I'm a huge procrastinator whose mantra is: "I'll do it later." Of course, later never comes and blogging goes undone.

Now I'm not making a resolution to blog weekly because we know that's a sure fire recipe for failure. Does anyone you know end up keeping a resolution? No one I know has ever succeeded. Everyone I know begins with good intentions but ends in failure.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a terrific start in the New Year. There's a saying about how one ends the year defining how the New Year will progress.

I ended mine with friends laughing, eating, chatting up a storm and sober, which I feel bodes well for 2011. I spent New Year's Day with family laughing, eating, looking at photos, chatting more, playing board games and feeling loved. I appreciated having my family together in good health and spirit.

How did you end 2010 and herald the New Year?

Gorgeous Sky

I love how the morning sunlight streams through the clouds a reminder of God's glory.

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Commute: Monterey Park Atlantic Blvd.

This message has been sent using the picture and Video service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.

Commute: Now this is a heavy load!

COMMUTE: Interesting transportation