Bryce’s B-Day Photos

Last Sunday was my nephew Bryce’s second birthday party.

I met my father in Atlanta on Saturday night. He and I had dinner and a great evening of conversation, even meeting Tim at Carrabba’s. The next day was the party. Mom and Terry also came down for the event. There were at least a dozen others at Gymboree to celebrate by running and jumping and crying and screaming. Everyone seemed to have a great time, including yours truly. Sponge Bob even showed up on the cake.

Happy birthday, again, Bryce. Photos are posted in the gallery (the password is SarasotaFL).

Update: I have now uploaded photos from Connor’s birthday party on 2/21 (same password as above). Also see Jack’s new gallery.

Last Sunday was my nephew Bryce’s second birthday party.

I met my father in Atlanta on Saturday night. He and I had dinner and a great evening of conversation, even meeting Tim at Carrabba’s. The next day was the party. Mom and Terry also came down for the event. There were at least a dozen others at Gymboree to celebrate by running and jumping and crying and screaming. Everyone seemed to have a great time, including yours truly. Sponge Bob even showed up on the cake.

Happy birthday, again, Bryce. Photos are posted in the gallery (the password is SarasotaFL).

Update: I have now uploaded photos from Connor’s birthday party on 2/21 (same password as above). Also see Jack’s new gallery.

World.Lit: (Re)Visioning Literary Education Online

The challenge of teaching a sophomore literature survey has traditionally been one of textual literacy: a successful student’s learning to think about and discuss the survey’s primary texts. Those taking an online literature course have the additional challenge of learning and applying digital literacies even before they can concentrate on the real course material. This case study will examine how I approached these issues with World.Lit. I briefly review assignments that have worked for my approach, and some that have not, and point to my web site LitMUSE for specific assignments and policies that have developed over several years of teaching World.Lit.

Read More

I got it today: a new Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM lens. This is the last one I needed to complete my starter professional kit. Couple it with the Canon EF 15-35mm f/2.8 L USM and the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM, and I have coverage from 16mm to 200mm – even further if I use the latter lens on my 30D. In fact, for the upcoming wedding shoot in Vegas, I plan on wearing the 24-70mm full-time on the 5D and the 70-200mm on the 30D. The 16-35mm will likely be for my own use in the Nevada desert.

I’m sure I’ll have more to say as I test this new beauty. Stay tuned.

Happy Happy to Cheryl

Last Friday (I know I’m late posting) we celebrated Cheryl’s 51st birthday. We went to dinner at Bonefish Grill (I won’t go back, but that’s a story for another entry — let me give you a hint: do not take your camera into their restaurant), then returned to our house for dessert and presents. Autumn made an interesting pound cake and chocolate-covered strawberries. I have photos for the evening posted on the gallery with the usual family-only password. Photos from her 50th birthday party are also still on the gallery, in case you missed them.

Happy birthday, again, Cheryl. Many happy returns. (Well, maybe not to Bonefish.)

Last Friday (I know I’m late posting) we celebrated Cheryl’s 51st birthday. We went to dinner at Bonefish Grill (I won’t go back, but that’s a story for another entry – let me give you a hint: do not take your camera into their restaurant), then returned to our house for dessert and presents. Autumn made an interesting pound cake and chocolate-covered strawberries. I have photos for the evening posted on the gallery with the usual family-only password. Photos from her 50th birthday party are also still on the gallery, in case you missed them.

Happy birthday, again, Cheryl. Many happy returns. (Well, maybe not to Bonefish.)

Heather & Chris

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of photographing the newly engaged Heather & Chris on Monica and Dan’s porch. This is where they met a couple of summers ago, before Heather began at Macon State. Heather is a colleague of mine, and Chris is the editor of the 11th Hour. They have kindly asked me to be the photographer for their wedding. I included both serious photos and silly, fun ones in their engagement gallery. Hopefully, there will be more to come as we head toward the big day.

Seriously, I’m honored to be included, guys. Autumn and I can’t wait to travel to Vegas for the festivities. So, if I have not said it yet, congratulations. I’m happy for you both.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of photographing the newly engaged Heather & Chris on Monica and Dan’s porch. This is where they met a couple of summers ago, before Heather began at Macon State. Heather is a colleague of mine, and Chris is the editor of the 11th Hour. They have kindly asked me to be the photographer for their wedding. I included both serious photos and silly, fun ones in their engagement gallery. Hopefully, there will be more to come as we head toward the big day.

Seriously, I’m honored to be included, guys. Autumn and I can’t wait to travel to Vegas for the festivities. So, if I have not said it yet, congratulations. I’m happy for you both.

Contacts

Since I have been more active lately — bicycling, running, etc. — I thought I would try some contact lenses.

My eye doctor suggested I try disposables, since I do not plan to wear them everyday. I had a brief appointment last week, and this morning I had a training session about how to put them in and take them out. After a couple of failed attempts, I managed to get the lenses in my eyes. Then I had to take them out — a breeze. Then, put them back. Well, with practice I should be able to do it much faster.

Since I’ve been wearing glasses most of my adult life, just walking around without them seems a bit odd. Unnatural. I’m sure I’ll get used to it, especially when I need to wear a motorcycle helmet, or when I’m running a marathon. (It could happen.)

I’ve also gotten used to how my face looks with glasses and what those glasses seem to signify. Will not wearing glasses change the way I perceive the world? Well, it will certainly make using a camera easier.

(BTW, I’m giving my best Jack Bauer look in the photo. He’d never where glasses.)