Michele

Bob.dino, you are totally correct. Thanks very much for catching that. I didn't put the Http in front, and I've got it bookmarked, so just click in. At least I think that's what's wrong, no HTTP...and no hyphens. I've edited it now. Appreciate the link... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

You're right, I could get the 1.4...but I've had nothing but softness from another extender I have...and so I'm somewhat burnt on that. Still, it's something to consider...cost wise, it's a bit more expensive, but it's also a tad more versitile... In any event, I haven't the cash, so it's not something I need to decide right now anyway. LOL! Yeah, watch it with that rental stuff...it gets under your skin, and you then sit there, and look at what you have...and are dissatisfied with it. Why do you think I want the 800? that's professional glass there...like newspaper, television type of professional...but I want it.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Mike, you're right, the Omnibounce is good...but if I can make do for now with what I have so I can save for some glass crack, then that's what I've got to do...but someday, my friend...someday! I want the distance, frankly. Because I like to shoot wildlife and things flying around in the sky (jumpers), my measly 75-300 doesn't do for me. I love that lens, don't get me wrong, but I want the distance a lot! Shoot, I was considering the 600, and the 800; both L glass. Both a down payment on a house. So... Well... Maybe I'll just have to get both. Yeah, like that's gonna happen anytime soon... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I dunno...when it's over, it's over all the way. I just don't care who she might be, and at no time in my life have I ever even felt the urge to call an ex's new flame and say anything. NW said it: it's always a two way street...and there's always going to be perspectives and opinions. I hope that they find who they are best with, as I hope I do as well. In the meantime, no sense in gossiping and tearing down someone. It's boring, time consumptive, and silly. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

1010, I agree about the flash. I was thinking about getting something less expensive, but decided to go full bore. I love, love, love it. I had to learn it all as well as learn to shoot, but I've got a decent handle on it. A photo tip...if you're somewhere you really wish you had a diffuser but there is none in sight - it's at home in your photo trunk - you can use a "rain coat" device or...and very apt for this board, a bit of a light panel of a parachute...or, a tissue - but remember to use white, or you might get some interesting color swapping happening (yes, I forgot and used a pink tissue; when processing that series, I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out why everything had the slightest, wee bit of pink floating...LOL! *[it was so faint it was an easy adjust in PS, but still...shouldn't have been there in the first place!]). I now use the rain coat to diffuse when in a jam. Not perfect, but if I need it, I'm glad I've got it! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

He was up for Emmies at different times during Seinfeld, but never got the nod nor the award. I think he should've gotten it for the episode "The Bookstore", but I'm not one of the voters. LOL. I'll pass along the appreciation. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

What's going on is that Bob is learning that Gracie isn't a threat...and soon there will be a bond beginning. I had three cats and a dog when I was with my ex. The dog, Sammi, was rottie/weimeraner/dobie mix (I think); when she'd run she'd scare small children, and their mothers would pick them up screaming. Sammi was just running and playing, but people thought she was attacking. Anyway, all my cats, Tron, Penny and Bitch Kitty, were older when my ex and I got together. before too long, the dog would bring kibbles to the cats when they were sleeping on the sofa. The cats would use her as a step-stool to get onto the counters and the top of the television...and yes, on cold nights you might find Sammi sleeping with three cats draped around her or on her. Dogs and cats get along well, if left alone to figure things out for themselves. A swipe here, a bite back there, a growl for a hiss, and then they're friends. Love them both and let them work it out, don't interfere unless there's blood, and don't worry about the nips and posturing unless, as I said, it's dangerous. They'll get it figured out, and be fine. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks for the idea...no, Taco Bell is definitely not something I'm going to rely on at all. IslandCOOL!!!!!!!! how are you, darling? I haven't seen or heard from you for ages! I will look into your suggestion, but at the moment, I'm doing pretty well with Spirotein and milk, w/a banana and some of that coffee flavoring (sugar free) to help with the taste (thanks again for that one, Mike!). Let's see how it goes...I just have such a hard time eating in the morning. My Dr. says to get something in my system within an hour of waking, and COFFEE doesn't count...but it hasn't been too long, so we'll see how it goes. Great to see you here, darlin. Miss your laughing eyes. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Isn't that a great shot? I love the lighting there. Finally nailed it after twiddling with lights and reflectors. He wasn't going to use it as a headshot, but...well...he saw what I saw, and for some roles it's perfect. So he's using it. Yes, Dad is Uncle Leo. The shot you've attached is one of the headshots he had done about 20 years ago...I told him he was due for more, and I'd take them. He laughed, and said "I don't promise to use them, dear..." but he is using them. He chose two others to get printed up, but likes the one I attached for certain, more intense roles than what he's recently been doing. And yes, I'm oodles proud of my father. He rocks...and he really is "Uncle Leo" in real life. We went to the Getty Museum on Mother's Day, just me and him, and had a contest to see who could wish mothers Happy Mother's Day first. He's such a nut...and so am I. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks. It was weird with that shot - I saw it, took it, chimped it, and said "nah, not gonna look good big..." but left it in the camera...got home, downloaded, played around a bit with some levels of colors, and this thing jumped out at me. I swear someone else took it while I wasn't watching, 'cause it sure surprised me to find it in the camera! LOL. Yes, I use filters, too. Even though I can play around with filters in PS, for me, the less fiddling in PS the better - both for the quality of the print (should I decide to print something or someone buy one), as well as for the purity of planning, shooting, and getting what you saw when you saw it. The filters in my bag right now are polarizer, yellow, and the half/half one for sunsets/sunrises. I have tons of fun layering them, but I think I need to expand my filter collection. They're somewhat cheap, so it's not too problematic - not like wanting the lens I'm drooling over right now: it's L, it's 100-400, and it's $1500+....so I keep drooling...shooting wildlife with that one will be a blast, so someday, I'll manage to get one. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I haven't got it consistent, either....not yet. I still am putting together all the pieces of the puzzle, and hope that someday I will be far more consistent than I am now. One of the beauties of digital is that you can shoot, shoot, shoot and delete those you don't like. I have a huge card in my camera - I can shoot something like 600 RAW, and not think twice. And the other wonderful part is you can look at the EXIF info (I forget what that stands for), and it will show you what settings you were on when you took that great shot. It's no longer having to keep track of what you did on X frame on Y roll...it's embedded into the shot so it's an easy look up. And that, frankly, is one of the best features for digi v. film that I needed. Yes, pick people's brains, but don't hesitate to shoot what you see. Use the programmed stuff for a while, read the EXIF data, and start to experiment with it. The most important thing is being able to see the shot just before it happens, and clicking right on time. I'm not too good at that yet, either, but I'm getting better. And in no way am I holding myself out to be any sort of expert. I know less about photography than I do about skydiving...and that's sayin' something! ROFL. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Last bit...my favorite shot of my father, and two macros: a spider and a grasshopper, both in my garden. Enjoy! Ciels- Michele Not sure what happened...but two didn't come up properly. I've deleted them and I'll redo them in the morning, if I remember, and repost. Sorry... ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Very nice stuff, Scott! I love the light quality in "Stoney Creek." What was the post on that? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, Mike. I have lots of fun with photography, and still have so very much to learn. I can't wait until I know more about things, and be able to replicate results I see with my own subjects and techniques. Not yet though; I'm still so new at all this... As requested, I've attached a group of skydiving related stuff...since I don't jump a camera, it's all landings. I don't even have the numbers or currency to begin to think of shooting while jumping... Enjoy! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, Icon. I sell some of my stuff over at TotallyPhotos.com (under the name of Noni Michele), and have had some nice success. The stuff I posted here are either not released, or smaller/lower quality versions. I'll have to check out your link...that would be nice, you know? Have a place I can park some of my stuff without it being for sale. I appreciate the link. Someone asked me to post some skydiving stuff, so let me resize/resample them, and I'll get them up here. And yes, Carol, POT.N is a great, educational site. Again, primarily for Canon, but tips for photo and composition, lighting stuff and all that can be applied to any camera, film or digi. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Some shots attached...realize I had never really done anything before getting the 20D last June...hope you enjoy. I have others, just no web site to put them up on. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I love my "nifty fifty." I don't do lots of portraitures, but it's a joy to play with when I do - mostly my family, and the occasional nude/semi nude (at their request). I do lots of sports and animal stuff, so don't use the 50 often...but there have been times where it's been invaluable. Keep in mind that wide angle really only is useful for large shots, and thus is limited in that regard. One of my favorite sites on the 'net for learning more about photography is http://www.photography-on-the.net. It's a Canon based site, but not sponsored by Canon. You can get tons of tips, share photos and get critique, and learn tons and tons of new stuff there. They also have a great used-for-sale section, where you can pick up a Canon 300 or 350 for relatively cheap (and far more trustworthy than Ebay). You can also buy used lenses that are in good condition, too...and all the accoutrements to go with your kit. I shoot a Canon 20D. When I'm shooting sports (like skydiving or motorcross) I use my long lense - an 75-300. I have a 35-80 and a macro, too. I'm still learning a ton, and being able to fool around in PS helps a lot because I can see the results if I had exposed things differently, or used a different light source. I don't know a ton yet - the learning curve is still accelerating - but if you have questions I'd be more than happy to try and help. Ciels- Michele Edited to correct url. And 'cause Bob.Dino is smarter than me! ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I don't believe, Narcimund, that I was defending the video before I'd seen it. My comment was more directed at those who have a strong belief in a government conspiracy theory. There will be no evidence strong enough to change their opinion...primarily because it's already been formed, strongly held, and is now part of their view of how the world works. And yes, I had seen some coverage (not Fox nor MoveOn...) about it before I made my post...therefore, your comment directed towards me being delusional is unwarranted, and utterly unlike you. I knew it was the old video from the gate camera, and a series of other frames that were taken, and didn't show very much at all. Why have you suddenly decided to prejudge everyone's comments before getting information? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Nothing will satisfy those who willfully reject objective evidence. The conspiracy theorists will say whatever they need to retain their belief that the Government, Illuminati, Tri lateral commission, aliens, or HAARP created this event. It's sad, really. Go monitor some conspiracy sites; it's fascinating reading, if for no other reason than to educate yourself on what some people think, and what sort of paranoia they cling to. It's about control...or lack of it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I've known a few in my past...women who got jealous and wigged out; there was a lawsuit over one guy - actually, not a lawsuit over him, but since she was my boss, and wanted to date him and he was dating me, she figured "what the heck. I'll just fire her!" so she did. So I sued. Interesting occasion, won the suit, and dated the guy. Recently, at about 3 am, some strange woman came to my door, demanding that (I can't remember the name; let's call him "Joe") Joe come out, she knew he was there, she would come in if he didn't come out, who was the bitch he was sleeping with, threatened to wake the neighbors and tell them about the bitch...rattling the door knob and demanding to be let in. My neighborhood can get really quiet about 3 am...and she was not quiet. Nor, frankly, was I. I told her she was at the wrong house, pissing off the wrong woman, and if she valued her happy ass she'd take it off my stoop before I decided she was a danger to me and mine. Strangely enough, she bailed... I know some psycho women, but I've also known some psycho men. And they are equally disturbing to deal with. Jenn, I don't think you're psycho... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Good Lord. I'm gonna grab my GOOD bag, and run for the hills...the world has apparently entered a different dimension, and I just don't know what else to do! (LOL, teasing you, Quade.) Actually, Quade, you are similar in some of your positions to those that I hold, so I'm not surprised. Now if BillV comes along and says good things, I just don't know what to do but be skeered...wery, wery skeered...(again, joking...). As for me, I like what I heard, but like GM said, I would like to know what sort of laws would be implementing to enforce the hiring of illegals. That, imo, would be what gives that new position a bit of a bite. We'll see...but it's a good start. For trying to slice it down the middle, he didn't do a bad job at all. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Borscht? LOL! My Dad would love that cat. Lessee... Simon: doesn't really eat people food, but will lick the salt of Wheat Thins and other chips. He loves to sit in the kitchen window and watch me cook. Esse: eats whatever you'll let her. Including bananas. She loves to lick plastic, too. Charlotte: has a huge preference for milk - but only from your glass. If you put it in a dish, she won't touch it. Abby: Well, as long as it's left over, she'll eat it. She won't touch freshly made stuff. Pie: Doesn't eat in public, so I don't know. Penguin: pretty much anything, as long as I'm not giving it to her. If I lay it on the ground, she will eat it once I've left the area...but will not take it from my hand (run a search for "Penguin" posts by me to read her story...). HOWEVER: all that being said, they all love french fries. I don't often bring them home (rarely get fast food), but if and when I do, they all have to have their own fry before I can eat in peace. I do my best to not allow them human food - it can be very, very bad for them (kill them over time, in some cases), and so they tend to stay on good quality dried cat food as well as canned. But sometimes, I can't help giving them something. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

If you're referring to me, I haven't dismissed it, nor do I. I was just pointing out the ironic juxtapositioning that I found funny. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Good grief. Teaches me to proof-read! LOL, yes, you're correct. What I meant to say was more along the lines of something on the order of 40% of scientists (that being a very broad brush, to be sure) believe in a deity, and that is a neat thing. Sorry about that. And thanks for understanding I meant something different. I didn't realize we had restricted the conversation to the Abrahamic vision of God. I thought we were discussing God in general. Spinoza's God is rather different at first blush than Abraham's God, to be sure. But underneath, at it's base level, is the belief in God...and that is more what I'm pointing out. What I find encouraging is that some scientists, despite all the study and all the doctrine that works to prove God doesn't exist (in any form), do believe in God. To me, that's exciting. That is a glorious happening, not because of the particular sect's rules that they follow, but that they still have the ability to have awe, to notice God does indeed live in the details, that God exists and that there are things that are numinous. For me, that's a really "neat" thing. I'd never heard of Project Steve... [quuote]That maybe true, in the sense that there are plenty of problems still to be fully understood by science which is good because I'd be out of a job if there weren't. For the most part though, the fundamentals are relatively well understood even if some of the theories don't quite tie up. But with regards to god, an all powerful being the messes with the fabric of the universe from time to time, you think they'd have spotted something. That was my point. Plus if god did mess with the universe from time to time, science would be stuffed since you'd never be able to predict anything. What if - and just humor me for a moment - answers to some of the most important questions still left to be answered are never able to be answered? Once all other factors are made clear, what if there's still that final step which just can't be explained? Your comment reminded me of opposing quotes from the two men we were talking about: Einstein and Hawking. Einstein said something to the effect that "God does not play dice," and Hawking says something to the effect of "God does play dice, and sometimes, he rolls them blind" (paraphrasing really badly...sorry...). To me, that means that Hawking sees that there are things which just cannot be predicted, and that in some areas, 1+1 doesn't always equal 2, inasmuch as what was expected to occur from two events is just not what happened. And that, I think, is fascinating. There is so much left to be understood, explored, discovered that to rule out God at this point is denying a possibility, and operating from a prejudiced viewpoint. The old saying "if you look for a bogey man, you'll find one" is apt here: if you look for God, you'll find him. Similarly, if you look for the absence of God, you'll find that, as well. Wouldn't it be best to approach with no conclusions and see what occurs? To me, that's the challenge...to not have a prejudiced position when exploring things...and see what one can find. Fair enough. Perhaps I've understood what I've read incorrectly; I'm far from perfect, and without a college education. So when I read something, I have been known to misunderstand it. I'll see if I can't find something that backs my understanding, and see where it goes. As for it being taught that way to fit certain agendas, I don't have a clue. As I said, this is something I've read over the years, so couldn't apply that thought to me. However, the subject of agendas is fascinating. One could argue that you have an agenda, as do I, and all other folks. Some have the agenda that God does not exist, and formulates all their teachings thusly. Same with those who believe God does exist; they formulate their teachings a certain way. What I've not ever understood is why aren't subjects presented objectively, and let the learner make their mind up? I came up in a time before the internet. I clearly recall a teacher telling me God didn't exist...in class, while we were discussing molecular weight. I don't recall how the subject came up, but it did indeed come up; and not with my instigation. But I remember thinking that that particular teacher wasn't teaching me to formulate my own thoughts and conclusions; he indeed was teaching an agenda. While that's not a clear representation of what I am trying to communicate, it did start me on the road to consideration of being taught someone else's opinions and thoughts; even on the mundane subject of molecular weights, there was opinion mixed with fact. And that colored my view of all instructors - and I also understood how difficult it was to separate the two... It came up again in a biology class. I tried to get permission to do a project involving mice and alcohol consumption, breeding those who preferred alcohol with others who preferred it, and seeing if perhaps one could find a commonality in future generations of alcoholic mice...the whole thing was well thought out - I was 15, but I managed to get all the bases covered. I had approval from my parents - they would've funded the experiment, and as it was a project for class (for a final grade; I figured I could get one generation down the line, perhaps two) they thought it was a great one. My biology instructor told me that I could not do it because it involved alcohol and presented a moral dilemma. I never did understand the moral dilemma part, but apparently he did. I was assigned to cross polinate flowers and see what sort of genetic hybrid would work. I did it, was completely unsuccessful at creating a different color of flowers, and lost interest in science because of that. So in my experience, there are instructors who have agendas, both pro and con God. That is such a personal subject that it should not ever be taught - neither pro nor con - and allowed to be left to the child's finding and exploration in a school setting. Similarly, both the Big Bang theory and creationism should be taught in school, given equal weight and time. Regardless of the teacher's personal opinion, and with no pressure to believe one over the other. Kids are not stupid; they will discover what they believe on their own, and should be encouraged to come up with their own opinions about something...not regurgitation of an instructor's opinion. And yes, I so went off track there...sorry. Back to the subject... I'll check out your recommendation. I can't promise to do the math - I can balance my checkbook, but there has been no other use of math since I left school...so there would be a learning curve that I don't know I'll make it through. But I will read, I promise that. And I'll let you know what I think... I am not sure I can agree with you at all. Maybe God is the ultimate mathematician, the ultimate imaginer, the ultimate engineer, and the ultimate geometrist...and created levels upon levels upon levels, so that as one discovered that the earth was not flat, man then discovered that there was gravity; and then that discovery spawned many other scientific discoveries, such as molecules. Those i turn then discovered...and on and on until quantum physics and on and on until...as one of the scientists I quoted, the mind of God is discovered. And that, my friend, is amazing and exciting and very fascinating. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

What I find ironically funny is that a koranic verse has apparently appeared on the side of a Christian symbol.