I Got Tired of Flipping the Bird

So I Went and Flipped a Fish

There was so much excitement today, I didn't have much time to prepare a blog.

Shortly after I woke up this morning, an earthquake hit in Mainland Japan.

From the news, I saw on TV, everything seems to be alright.

Next, the wife woke up and came into the kitchen. Usually, I escape before that happens.

We greet each other, just like most people, who are married. Good morning.

Then, she has to grab my smartphone, to look a Facebook stuff.

She still has one of those anique flip-phones and, is learning, to swipe, on mine.

Once she masters the art, I'll let her keep the thing and, buy me an iPhone 7 Plus.

She's getting fairly good at it. Even swipes newspaper and magazine stuff, to enlarge it.

While she's checking everything on Facebook, I have another cup of coffee.

Knowing, the battery of the android, will drop to 40%, I take my time getting ready for work.

Pretty soon the smartphone has 17 apps running in the background and it's overheating.

She hasn't learned how to fix that, yet. That's a good thing. I put the phone in the charger.

By the time, I get showered and ready to leave the house, it's past 9 AM.

Beautiful Blue Sky with White Clouds

After the miserable grey skies and rain, we had yesterday, I was ecstatic.

Taking a photo with the android, I thought it would be a good idea, to post it on Facebook.

That way, everybody, following me, could see Okinawa, wasn't affected by the earthquake.

Some errands, had to be run and, I considered going shooting with the camera.

The best outdoor photography, is usually done before 9 AM and, after 3 PM.

Getting a late start, I decided there was enough office work, to keep me busy.

If, enough was accomplished by early afternoon, I'd do some walking and shooting.

The Office Routine

There are two computers on my desk, a Big Mac and a Sony laptop.

Processing photos (developing and editing) keeps one computer fairly busy.

While images are cooking (batch processing) I play around on the other machine.

Emails, social networks and, various other office chores, get done that way.

When the real important things get caught up, I entertain myself, with Facebook.

People are still riled-up over the elections in the USA.  It's over folks.

Some folks are rioting, protesting, disowning and unfriending, each other over an election !

They should find some good music or, hilarious funny stuff to share.

Office Work Not My Cup of Tea

Being at a desk, staring at monitors for long periods of time probably, isn't good for your health.

So, I take breaks every once in awhile, to go outside, where I smoke and stretch.

Sunshine, gives me vitamin D and recharges my solar battery, I swear I was born with.

Each time, I went out, I wished there wasn't so much administrative stuff to do.

I shake off the office blues by doing some exercises, while soaking up some sun.

Once, I read that elderly people, should lift something over their head, 10 time daily.

It doesn't have to be heavy, just lift anything and, it's good for your circulation.

Well, I found a cement block out back and, that's what I use. Ten repetitions each time.

One thing I learned, is don't try doing it too fast.  It makes bumps on your noggin and, hurts.

Weather Changed in Late Afternoon

Once, I had something to run, down to the printing office and, took my break that way.

Instead of going to the guy on the street corner, near my work, I went for a long walk.

The sun was shining brightly on the way down there and, I was happy.

No sooner than the printing got done, the sky turned grey and, I shuffled on back.

Fooling around all day in this office can dampen a guy's mood.

Customers are waiting for some important photos, from the weekend; I'm trying to get caught up.

When times get rough, it's best to maintain a sense of humor.

Demonstrating, rioting in the streets and, flipping the bird, don't solve problems.

So, I flipped a fish, for you, instead !


Aquarium Fish Photos from Seaside Ristorante

NOTE for Those Concerned About Family in Okinawa

Okinawa is far away from any disaster area in Mainland Japan

2 Million Views -- Photo Winners Selected

There Couldn't Be Any Distractions

This time around, a new method of picking prize recipients was designed.

Outside the Bar & Cafe Brazil, I was waiting before they opened.

Lanna, a bronze skinned beauty with a heart of gold offered to help me.

Handing her a list of big words, I said, "Here's what, we'll do.

You look at the comments on Facebook and the blog and, read them.

And, pick 10 people to receive photos of the bird, based upon what they wrote."

The big words, were things like, dignified, reverent, enthusiastic and, stuff like that.

Use those big words, to describe the writing style of the winners, you selected.

She looked at me and, nervously said, "Mike, I don't speak English that well."

These were words, hardly used by anyone, these days so, I came up with Plan B.

"Go sit over there and read all the comments on my cell-phone."

She could decide, which ones she liked best and, we'd use the big words later.

This was important; my blog doesn't hit 2 million every day, you know.

She selected the 10 people whose comments, she liked best and listed them.

Then, the two of us could practice learning English, together.

A word describing, why they were chosen, would be added to the list of names.

The Lucky Winners Are

1. Bernice Wittwer: The most reverent comment

2. Shinji Ikari: The most sentimental

3. Michael Lunch Chan: The most passionate

4. Beverly Fish: The most eloquent

5. Theresa Minogue Amlong: The most Inspirational

6. Pcehs Intl Lorena Marzon: The most cheerful

7. Barry Benson: The most sensational

8. Linda Latta: The most nostalgic

9. Terumi Brandon: The most sensible

10. J.R. Sorrow: The most humorous

There's More

Special thanks must be given, to some other helpers, assisting last night.

Lanna's big sister and brother-in-law, gave excellent support.

Sister, sort of did technical director things and, kept us moving along.

Yuri, the bar owner controlled lighting and photographed us.

There, I am in my customized tuxedo and, watch Lanna.

She even, blows a kiss to all the lucky contestants.

What a doll !

NOTE

 

Those who wish to receive the photo via email, please contact me privately.

And, let me know which way you'd like me to flip the bird.

LIKE Bar & Cafe Brazil on Facebook

Flip the Bird When the Weather Doesn't Agree With You !

This is one of the reasons I like to shoot RAW files with my camera.

I have plenty of RAW photos so, when it's too cold, windy and cloudy outside, I stay inside and, flip birds.

Today, I decided to try something different with this Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle.

First, I created a JPEG that was overexposed by a value of +2.

Then, I made another one, underexposed, by -2.

The photos were re-named IMGP6670L, 6670M and 6670H for Low, Medium and High.

Blended together in Adobe Photoshop Elements, I got an HDR photo.

It seemed like the photo would look better with the critter flying from left to right.

All I did was hit Image, Rotate, Flip Horizontally and it was done.

I flipped the bird !

Working with an older version (Elements 8) I'm looking at doing an upgrade.

Right now, they are all the way up to Elements 11 and have plenty of new features.

More about HDR Photography

Over 27,000 Visits to Photography Tips

Okukubi River Ecotour: Travel Photo Thursday

Here is a photo I had plenty of time to compose.  I was standing on the bridge crossing the Okukubi River. The kayakers, on an ecotour paddled towards me from the opposite direction.  They would pass directly under me to get to the mangroves the tour guide was taking them to see.

As they approached, I pointed at my camera and flipped them the OK sign. That's kind of my informal way of asking, "Mind if I take your picture?"  They flipped the OK sign back at me, smiled, and nodded in the affirmative.

That's great but, I didn't want photos of a buncha giggling tourists paddling boats and flipping me the peace sign so, I waited for them to pass under the bridge and start acting naturally.

Ecotourism can be a good thing, I think.  It's an industry that can educate people, bring them closer to nature and help the economy in places where there is no real economy to speak of. 

Some folks in the travel industry use the buzz word "Ecotourism" to fill up their bank accounts, pollute remote corners of the earth and destroy or disturb nature and wildlife.  That's a bad thing.

The Okukubi River is in my hometown Kin Cho Kin Okinawa, Japan.  You can get a free tour of the area. I'll take you there. We can stand on the bridge exactly where I was when I took this photo and shoot some more.  All I ask in return is a small favor.

If we see any Ecotourists acting irresponsibly would you mind helping me flip them some birds ?

This is my weekly contribution for Budget Travelers Sandbox TRAVEL PHOTO THURSDAY