PhreeZone's home on the web

Alright.. its time to do a catch up post since I have completely neglected this site since I got on Facebook a month or two back.

1 - I’ve decided to upgrade the gallery but I’m not sure what I am going to go to yet. No matter what it is I’ll be getting it to tie into Lightroom so I can do direct uploads from there since I am in love with that program.

2- Home repairs. The storm that rolled through weeks ago did minor damage to the house. It blew off about a dozen or so shingles and exposed some tar paper. After working with the insurance company they agreed to pay for some repairs. We manged to get them to agree for about 50% of the roof in repairs. The roof was 14 years old so it was showing some wear and the valleys were rusted. I got the check and had my dad and his friends come over and the 4 of us reroofed the house in 2 and a half days. I screwed up big time and couldn’t find a Power ladder to move the shingles to the roof so I spent all last weekend carrying the shingles up and down the ladder. In total I made around 75-80 trips up the ladder carrying between 45-90 pounds of singles on each trip. I slept like a rock after that work out. We stripped and replaced the entire roof for not more then a grand past what the insurance paid out.

 3- Home upgrades. We upgraded the shelving in the master closet for Kristi to spread her clothes out more and organize them better. Hopefully now she will get rid of some of them.

 4- 10 year HS Class reunion. I was considering going to this but the closer it got the less I really wanted to go. There were only 5-10 people total that I would have been interested in bumping into and talking for a few minutes, even less that I would have wanted to hang out at a bowling alley and spend a Saturday night with. I do reget not getting to see K and G since they were in from Seattle but this was the night I finished the roof and I was barely able to walk that evening due to the knees killing me let alone go drive for 2 hours and then hang around all night bowling or watching everyone drink. Looking through the assembled class Bio’s made me smile. Out of the entire class of about 85 only 9-10 have really moved away from the area. I’m lucky that my brother and I have both split from the area and are making a good life for ourselves. I’m even happier now that I am out of there.

5- Skydiving. I passed 1400 jumps and am really close to 1450 now. I wanted to finish the year out close to 1500 but I’ll take what I can get. I’m getting the 270’s really dialed in on the Sam, its a shame I am going to get rid of it if I can this winter and get a Katana or a Mamba. I’m finally tired of the airlocks when I have to ride the truck back or run into the hanger for a drop and go for the next load.

6- Photography. I am loving Lightroom2 more every time I use it. I need to buy it now that my trial has expired. I just bought a 580 EX II so I’m looking forward to learning about ETTL flash usage. I am also thinking about what the next purchase is going to be. I’m leaning towards the 10-22 lens or potentially the 100-400L. I’ve also decided the 70-200L f4 isn’t going to stick in the bag, its going to be replaced by its big brother the 70-200L f2.8 IS at some point. Before that I’ll get a better body to use though.

K or G, if you are reading this and are going to be back in the area again let me know via email so we can get together and catch up some time.