So I finally have something exciting to blog about, although not all of it is particularly the good kind of exciting. More on that later.
Misty and I went on a 'boondoggle' as Peter likes to call it. When I asked him what exactly a 'boondoggle' was he said they use the term at HP when someone goes on a training trip that is really for partying. (New vocabulary for you, Amy.) So in many ways this was a boondoggle, as Misty was able to leave the children for two nights and do something just for her... and I was there for moral support.
We flew out Friday afternoon to Portland, rented a car and drove down to Salem where we met up with an Alaska friend, Jen Morris. We had a good time catching up with her. It is always good to see a face from home. Then we drove on to Joani (Kroon)Curtis' house in Albany. She and her husband Mark took us out for some delectible, and maybe a little over the top, dessert. Joani and I stayed up too late talking, but Misty was perfectly happy to go to bed early with no baby monitor.
We were up early on Saturday to drive down to Eugene for a photography weekend put on by Rocky Mountain School of Photography which turned out to be excellent. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about photography. We were on overload by lunch time when we met up with Joani and her mother-in-law (her father-in-law was also at the workshop) for lunch. We were ready for more after lunch. I learned a lot about working my camera in manual setting, color, shooting low light situations, digital photography, shooting motion and landscape... and so much more. Misty's take on it "I learned so much my head is still spinning. Give me a few weeks to practice before you see a difference on the Neisen Times".
The weekend, unfortunately for you, my readers, did not have any actual photography by us... well until after the workshop ended... but that is coming. I, however, have high hopes of improving my photography and showing you great shots one day.
Saturday night we stayed at a hotel in Eugene and arrived bright and early to pack in as much learning as possible. One of the highlights was a critique the last session where the instructors talked through some photos submitted by participants. The weekend was full of great shots and learning. Now I just have to take the time to practice it.
It was also a bit of a research trip for me personally. RMSP has a summer intesive program that goes 11 weeks and teaches you all aspects of photography including how to start your own business and go professional. I have toyed with that idea some and wanted to explore it this weekend. I have not come to any amazing conclusions. But I know if I did work with RMSP they would have an outstanding program. So I am still praying about it and weighing all the pros and cons.
Now on to that exciting thing to blog about that wasn't good. As we were driving north to PDX we had an unfortunate event with the rental car that may prove to be expensive. Let's jut say the in an attempt to miss hitting a car we overcorrected, fishtailed, and ended up in the median with a popped tire, cracked front bumper, and scuffed back bumper. God was taking care of us because we did not roll or hit any other cars. Misty was great and changed the tire to the donut and we proceeded on to PDX where we were able to turn in the car, make a statement, and still make our flight. Today was the joy of insurance, that I am sure will not be over soon enough.
Anyone wishing to make donations to the Sister Boondoggle fund, please feel free to send those funds on.
And this is where the photos come in... we took pictures of the car damage.
Misty and I went on a 'boondoggle' as Peter likes to call it. When I asked him what exactly a 'boondoggle' was he said they use the term at HP when someone goes on a training trip that is really for partying. (New vocabulary for you, Amy.) So in many ways this was a boondoggle, as Misty was able to leave the children for two nights and do something just for her... and I was there for moral support.
We flew out Friday afternoon to Portland, rented a car and drove down to Salem where we met up with an Alaska friend, Jen Morris. We had a good time catching up with her. It is always good to see a face from home. Then we drove on to Joani (Kroon)Curtis' house in Albany. She and her husband Mark took us out for some delectible, and maybe a little over the top, dessert. Joani and I stayed up too late talking, but Misty was perfectly happy to go to bed early with no baby monitor.
We were up early on Saturday to drive down to Eugene for a photography weekend put on by Rocky Mountain School of Photography which turned out to be excellent. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about photography. We were on overload by lunch time when we met up with Joani and her mother-in-law (her father-in-law was also at the workshop) for lunch. We were ready for more after lunch. I learned a lot about working my camera in manual setting, color, shooting low light situations, digital photography, shooting motion and landscape... and so much more. Misty's take on it "I learned so much my head is still spinning. Give me a few weeks to practice before you see a difference on the Neisen Times".
The weekend, unfortunately for you, my readers, did not have any actual photography by us... well until after the workshop ended... but that is coming. I, however, have high hopes of improving my photography and showing you great shots one day.
Saturday night we stayed at a hotel in Eugene and arrived bright and early to pack in as much learning as possible. One of the highlights was a critique the last session where the instructors talked through some photos submitted by participants. The weekend was full of great shots and learning. Now I just have to take the time to practice it.
It was also a bit of a research trip for me personally. RMSP has a summer intesive program that goes 11 weeks and teaches you all aspects of photography including how to start your own business and go professional. I have toyed with that idea some and wanted to explore it this weekend. I have not come to any amazing conclusions. But I know if I did work with RMSP they would have an outstanding program. So I am still praying about it and weighing all the pros and cons.
Now on to that exciting thing to blog about that wasn't good. As we were driving north to PDX we had an unfortunate event with the rental car that may prove to be expensive. Let's jut say the in an attempt to miss hitting a car we overcorrected, fishtailed, and ended up in the median with a popped tire, cracked front bumper, and scuffed back bumper. God was taking care of us because we did not roll or hit any other cars. Misty was great and changed the tire to the donut and we proceeded on to PDX where we were able to turn in the car, make a statement, and still make our flight. Today was the joy of insurance, that I am sure will not be over soon enough.
Anyone wishing to make donations to the Sister Boondoggle fund, please feel free to send those funds on.
And this is where the photos come in... we took pictures of the car damage.
4 comments:
Is Misty's next career that of a stunt driver? I am glad that you are both okay. Joe only needs a polaski and a parachute to be a smoke jumper.
Love,
Mom, Shane, Kristi, Kelli and Daniel (Dakota coming soon)
Praise God for an awesome weekend, even with the wreck, no one was hurt.
How exciting for you and your options for the summer and beyond.
I can hardly wait to go on my next boondoggle. Do you have to go somewhere or can the boondoggle come to you. I just want to make sure that I use the word correctly, you know.
In response to Amy's question about boondoggle. It seems that a boondoggle can be present at any time one only needs to recognize it... and take advantage of it ;-)
I've been wondering how your "girls' weekend" was, but I just now tuned into the blog to find out. (Most days when the thought crossed my mind, I was headed east on Kellogg toward Southeast High School! Not a handy time to check my computer.)
I'm thrilled that you had such a great experience at the photo seminar. And I'm ever so thrilled to have a new word to throw around and actually practice using...as in I want to GO on a boondoggle--and I want to go right now!
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