It arrives...

Yes.

Adobe CS5 Design Premium is in my hands.

I'll be getting this up and running over the weekend.   Stay tuned!

S.

Updating...

Hey friends,

Life is screaming by but I wanted to update on the "goings-on" and bring this up to speed.

First.  My Adobe certification courses are great.  Started on Illustrator which I have some knowledge of but this is building skills from the ground up.   InDesign is the next course.  Followed by Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks.  I'm also going to take some courses in HTML, CSS and JS. 

Owen continues to double in size just about everyday.  He's a big monkey like his daddy. :P 

Personal work in sorta on hold at the moment.  Time being the biggest obstacle.  I'm thinking of returning to square one and start with the basics again.  I feel so out of practice that I can't even communicate what I have in my head onto the paper. 

Short update but better then nothing, right?

S.

Why my next computer will be a Mac...

Hello Friends,

Yes, it will be a Mac. 

Before those of you who "hate" Apple for whatever retarded reason your tell yourselves go, "OMG he's become a Mactard!  He must be completely stupid for paying for a computer that can be built for 1/4 of the price.  Etc., etc..."  A little history.

My last three desktops have been custom built Windows powerhouses that I've created.  I will continue to build my desktops for the foreseeable future.  I'm a techie who's been at the forefront of consumer technologies since I've been able to walk. 

Anyways...

It comes down to this:  Simplicity and Productivity.

Apple computers simply work and they do it well.  I've had the privilege of working on a iMac during some of the most hectic photography sessions and on-location to some of the biggest events we attend and it has always come through.  Running circles around even our custom built (not by me) Windows machines we have in the studio.  That kind of performance is worth it's weight in gold.

I have been "one of those guys" and hated on Apple for everything they put out.  Even the iPod I scuffed at.  I just couldn't see 'why' someone who fork over that kind of money for a device that was locked in and only did one thing.   Apple computers were a tool to for those who only wanted to do word processing and didn't want to learn Windows.  That has changed.   Sure, the iPod still only does one thing but it does that one thing like no other device in it's class can and Apple computers are more diverse and powerful now then ever.  They can even run Windows better then Windows can run Windows.  

I don't need endless settings anymore.  I don't need to customize every detail of every pixel of every program I choose to run anymore.  I need my machines to work.  Work right and produce results.

I'm a ghost on just about every tech blog and review site there is.  I read the comments on everything from the iPhone (Yes, I have one and LOOVVVE it) to the X-Box and I just can't understand the rants that some people come off on a company like Apple; and I use to be one of those people!   You'd think they hated Apple because it raped their mother.  I'd have to say 90% of the naysayers has never tried an Apple product. 

Anyways, I had no particular point.  I think I read a comment on a blog article about an Android phone and some troll said something that was so asinine that I just poked the wrong nerve in my brain.

Now, the only question is... WHEN will I get my Mac and with WHAT money.  Hmmm...  I need to scheme. >:D

S.

I'm back... again!

Yo,

Sorry for the looong absence.  I've been enjoying the daddy gig and my son Owen has been deemed the Best Kid in the World.  :P

Besides that I do have news.  I start my Adobe Certification courses soon.  The boss decided the flip the coin and get me started on my way.  He's also tossing in the Design Suite to CS5!  Awesome.  So, I can finally start working my way in the endeavors that I wish to pursue.  I think once I get get the suite installed and can bring some of my ideas to life I can get this blog (and soon site) up to what I want it to be.  Big changes coming soon.

More to follow...

S.

The new Daddy...

Hello friends,

Sorry for the absence.  I've been hip deep in daddy-duties that everything else has been put on the back-burners.  So, meet Owen Steven Dorsey.  Born May 22, 2010.  He's just plain awesome.   He's been taking up both my days and nights.  It's ok.  He's well worth it.

So, until further notice I'm on the daddy routine.   I'll post updates as soon as possible.

S.

Rusty...

All these years of designing on the computer has made my pencil skills a bit rusty.

I've come up with an idea for a blog mascot and thus drove me to grab the pencil and sketch pad to start refining my idea.  After about a hour I grew frustrated with myself.  I didn't realize that it's gotten this bad.  I need to break out my anatomy books, re-learn the 8 1/2 head trick and get my skills back to their previous levels.  

It's going to be fun.

S.

STOP! Children's Cancer Fantasy Event

I've been to a lot of events with David shooting and helping.  They're actually a lot of fun and you get to meet some very interesting people.  The STOP! Children's Cancer Fantasy Event is one of the largest events we do and this years event was my first.  So, of course I spent the entire five hours behind the iMac printing the pictures that David shot.  Of course this means that David was behind the camera as well.  A lot of the communities elite were there as well as artists, musicians, businesses as well as the university all coming together not only to support a good cause but to have fun while doing it.  So, I didn't really see anything except for Photoshop and those who had their picture taken... which was a few hundred people.   I wish I had taken something with my iPhone or something to help capture the night.  Ohwell.  I'm not complaining.  I love the work, but just wish I could have shared in the festivities and taken in what the event offers.  There's always next year.

S.

Pictures...

Just a quick note.  I've started to add a few of my first offerings of photography.  You can see them down in the Flickr link.  Enjoy.

S.

Stuff...

I'm sick of looking at room after room after room from the Tunica show.  I think a vacation is in order next week.

The spring anime season has started.  I caught the first episode of Angel Beats and Arakawa Under the Bridge.  Arakawa is by far one of the weirdest animes I've seen.  Angel Beats is interesting but the show just dropped you into the world so its going to be neat to see where the show goes.

In other anime news I finally started my Miyazaki collection.  :grin:

We need to move on this house soon.  Not only do we want to get the tax credit our lease is up on May 31st.  Doesn't give us a lot of time. :(

The apartment needs cleaning... badly.

iPhone 4.0 press event tomorrow. 

That is all.

S.

Dusting...

Cleaning out some old links.  Also added the Twitter.   Never thought I would use it.  Joined to try to win an iPad.  Ohwell, maybe I'll find some use for it.

Should do some irl cleaning.  This place is a mess.


Happy Easter.

S.

House hunting, picture taking and chair breaking...

Stupid chair. 

Anyways.  We continued the house hunt and we're still looking.  We've found ones that we like, but still not in a price range we're happy with yet .   We may have to 'settle' but for what I don't know yet. 

Lots of picture taking.  Gainesville Today magazine has had us running around a lot this past week.  This issue also marks the debut of my name being in the photo credits which is beyond awesome.  I know with all the work that David is going to have for me I don't know how much I'll be back in the field but I know I can cut it out there.  I should be able to get some copies of some of the things I shot and I should be able to get them up on my flikr soon.  I really need my own DSLR.  I know what I want, but obtaining the funds to get it is another thing.  I'm hoping David can help me in that aspect, but I'm not going to hold my breath. 

S.

Let the hunt begin...

Today was our first day of house hunting and we've already found one we like.   Growing family need its space.  And, of course, that means... the return of the.. dun dun duuuuun... THE MAN CAVE!

:-o

S.

Built things.

Well, actually Heather built them.  Both the Pack 'n Play and the baby-chair-bed-thing.  I just threw the boxes away.   Although, I did dismantle her old desk and tossed it.   Always fun being distructive.

Getting Owen's room  together.  She has informed me that she is about to enter the "Third Trimester" which is baby-doctor lingo for "He's Almost Here Time To Freak Out."  Which I haven't yet.  Actually, I'm really excited. I felt him kick on Sunday for the first time.  That was awesome!  Never felt a baby in the tummy before.  I feel like we should quarantine her for fear of a xenomorph.  Well, that probably wouldn't happen, but you can never be to sure...  >_>

The last thing we have to do is re-locate my desk out into the living room.  Which the current desk is made to be in a corner and, of course, we don't have a spare corners in the living room.  We've tossed around the idea of a new desk.... one that matches the decor of the living room... but as always... that costs money... and thats what we don't have at the moment.

Studio work is pretty heavy.  I have 22 houses to finish up by next Monday.  So, yeah, I'm going to be working late and possibly working on Saturday.  With all the new tech in the studio things are actually getting done faster and with better accuracy as far as color and such.   The 1D Mark IV and the new printer are performing wonderfully.  David even shot some video of a few of the houses.  Turned out great and we'll probably have it uploaded to YouTube sometime soon.  I really want to get my hands on a good DSLR, hopefully one that can record HD video, but right now I'm not being to picky.

S.

Feeling creative...

Hello again,

I'm now officially calling myself a photographer.   Ok, ok... so I'm still a rookie in the field, but David has seen me fit enough to put a camera in my hands and send me off taking photos.  Sure, I've been on many shoots with him already but I'm now starting to feel the nitty-gritty of this occupation and I'm learning so much everyday.  It's very exciting to be apart of this unique industry.

Now I just have to get my hands on my own DSLR!   Hmmm.....

Also, I've had an idea for some new blog graphics that I hope to create soon.  Maybe even a mascot. >:)

S.

I don't think it will be called the iSlate....

Hello friends.

With all the rumors and speculations around the Apple event that's being held on January 27th to announce their "latest creation" I thought, heck, I'll throw my hat into the rumor ring and talk about what I think and what I hope Apple unleashes onto the public.

Yeah, it's going to be a tablet, but not in the same sense that we know tablets right now.  I'm pretty sure that it's going to do for the "tablet" what the iPhone did for cellphones.  It will be the same touchscreen that we see in the iPhone, supporting a finely calibrated touch sensitive imput method with pinch zoom, seamless scrolling and multitouch gestures.  Also, I'm confident that copy/paste will be there out of the box. (HA!)

Since this will be a first gen tablet, the offerings will be a little on the slim side.  Maybe just one version, say a 32 gig version to start off, with larger capacities to see later in product refreshes.  It will have wifi capabilities, but I don't think it will tap into cellular networks or 3G.  Of course it will have a version of Safari to browse the internet when wifi is available. It will have many of the same applets such as a calender, calculator, email and also be able to work with MobileMe just like you would on your Mac. Perhaps greater integration with word processors and even a great new system to recognize handwriting for taking quick notes.  It will only have the Home button similar to the iPhone and perhaps a side volume button as well.  It will also have a headphone jack.  Why a headphone jack on a tablet?  Well, cause it's going to have iTunes.   In fact, I'm expecting them to roll out a brand new iTunes along with this event.  An iTunes that will have a small list of popular newspapers and magazines ready for download.  One rumor that seems to be confirmed was that Apple were in talks with some major publishers so this is the logical step from such an arrangement.   iTunes is extremely successful, the App store is growing by leaps and bounds so it's almost a given that iTunes will become the next major outlet for newsstand type media.  I'm sure you can sync your magazine and newspaper subscriptions just like you do with your favorite podcasts.

If it's powerfull enough it might go to replacing laptops altogether.  People are already ditching laptops in favor of the iPhone to do a lot of mobile computing.   It's easy to see where a larger version would just strengthen the desire to drop a laptop in favor of a tablet when you really want to compute on the go.  Of course, power is nothing with out longevity and a tablet is going to be able to survive some time on it's battery for it to be of any serious use.  Hopefully Apple will give it a large enough battery where it can handle regular everyday use for a decent period of time...say at least a week before having to charge its battery.  Oh, and yeah...the battery will not be removable.  This is Apple we're talking about here.

With all the rumors and speculations my own imagination has been set into motion of the possibilities that this tablet could bring.   One idea which is already available on the iPhone is remote camera firing and viewing of images.  This could be of great use in the studio.  We can have the camera set up remotely, and we can be off to the side or even just out of frame making adjustments or previewing the images with the customer as we take them.  Maybe even a lite version of Lightroom so we could make adjustments on the fly right there with the customer instead of having to remove the card from the camera, load on a computer then viewing the shots in Photoshop.   The time savings alone make it worth it!

Another possibility, again already available in the iPhone and other tablets are textbooks.   Having all your schoolbooks, study papers, notes, lessons all on your tablet.  Heck, even with the handwriting ability you could do your homework right on your tablet and email it to your professor.  Gasp!   Umm, sorry professor...my dog ate my tablet.   >_<

Tune into your favorite tech blog on the 27th and lets see what Apple has in store for us.  Hopefully, we're not getting hyped up over another iPod redesign.   

S.

 

In the year 2010...

Happy New Year!   Wow, has in been that long since my last post?   Yeah, I can believe that.

So much has been happening with the holiday's and the years that are new and the stuff of the things...  Cripes!  There's so much stuff to cover I don't think I can remember it all.

First off.  Baby Dorsey has been identified as a boy.  It's amazing.  Everyone, including myself, had this feeling it was going to be a girl.   I'll be announcing it on FB soon.  Although the wifie and I are extremely excited about Baby Dorsey we've had a bit of bad news come our way about him.   A health set back that brough both myself and my wife to tears.   The doctors assure us that he is still healthy and strong and will live a normal live just like any other boy.   The docs will be doing some extra monitoring during the rest of the pregnancy to make sure everything will be as good as it can be. 

With our thoughts on our little guy we've neglected just about everything else except the daily routines of work and home and I can foresee this trend continuing for some time.   I know I've had all these projects on the stove lately, but I can honestly say that they will be postponed for awhile.   I'll of course try to keep this updated as much as possible and return to them as soon as I'm able.

Anyways, that's all for now.  

S.