March 28, 2010

Mac Attack

Mac Attack: A Modern Tale of Love, Tragedy, and Technology

   I swore I wasn't going to do it. I promised myself. I refused to become one of those Mac-centric, apple loving, I-everything crazies. Being in a creative field for business, and having studied photography and design in college, I was well versed in the benefits of a Mac over PCs for most creative work. But I was always perfectly comfortable and content with my Dell, and never saw any serious flaws or signs that it was inferior in some way. But, through the trials and tribulations of dealing with crashing harddrives, viruses, and faulty software updates, I started to reconsider switching over to Mac, and never having to deal with that stuff again. I did my homework and found exactly what I wanted, and mastered a great deal buying it online.


   At first, switching from a PC mindset to the Apple way of doing things was nothing but frustrating. I didn't understand how anything worked, or where anything was. I felt like a child trying to maneuver something way over my head, when previously I was more than competent on my Dell. There were more than a few moments when it was everything I could do to not toss my new purchase right out the window. Fortunately the realities of my bank account kept me from unleashing my rage, but secretly I bore hatred in my heart. Eventually, after a few weeks of trial and error, lots of cussing, and refusing to let a stupid computer get the best of me, I started to get it. Not only did it start to make sense to me, but I began to realize how much I'd been missing all this time. It was like a whole new world opened up to me that I didn't even know was there. Working in Photoshop was incredibly easier and all my programs merged and worked together absolutely seamlessly. It was incredible. I could feel myself slipping. I was in the middle of a full blown Mac-attack. Now, to my everlasting shame and joy, I am in a deeply committed relationship with Apple Macintosh for life.


   Now that I was completely convinced, and utterly dependent on it, the bottom fell out. Of course. The bottom of the computer didn't actually fall out, but it may as well have. My so-called master online deal turned out to not to be so much. I bought it used from another photographer because it wasn't very old and had all the software I needed already installed. Because I wasn't completely sold on Mac at the time, I didn't want to invest a huge sum of money on a new computer I wasn't sure I was going to stick with. Anyway, my Macbook stuck it out with me for a good two years, but eventually it died. 


   So, I updated and found a better, newer Macbook and managed to move all my files and programs onto my new machine. By the way, switching computers is a real pain in the tail. Especially when it's your main life line to almost everything. Not a fun process. Anyway, after all that, this last week I went to see my family in Utah. I didn't think a thing about taking my computer with me. Unfortunately, when I went to board the plane they told me there was no more room in the overhead compartments and that I would have to put my carry-on under the plane. I told them that it was a camera, lenses, and a computer and that they weren't packed to be checked luggage, and no way was I going to put them under the plane. They almost forced it out of my hand as they "helped" me check the bag anyway, asserting that it was either that or the bag would have to be left behind. They assured me it would be there safe and sound when I got off the plane at my layover. As you may have guessed, it wasn't. And when I got to Salt Lake City, it didn't show up there either. Come to find out my bag of thousands of dollars of poorly packed equipment had been mistakenly sent to the wrong city, but they did locate it. After another full day of pestering Delta, it finally showed up. So, before I left I went into their office to check through the bag and make sure everything was ok and nothing was broken. Miraculously my camera and lenses were there and in perfect condition. And as I opened the side zipper, there was my drawing tablet all by itself, without my computer. I went through the upper compartment and realized that someone had gone through all my personal items, removed them, got the computer cords and charger from under my toiletries, and then repacked everything else and sent it on it's way. I couldn't believe it. Delta said that I would have to pay to replace the stolen items, and then turn in the receipts and file a theft report and they would refund up to $3300. That wasn't going to cover the full cost of what I lost, but there was no room for negotiation. Apparently that's the maximum amount they allow for any lost, damaged, or stolen items. So now I find myself with no computer, waiting on my new one to come in the mail. And mad enough at the airline to spit nails. They forced my bag under the plane, sent it to the wrong city, lost it, and while it was in their custody, their employees stole my computer! 


     I feel like I've been on a computer roller coaster, turning over computers left and right, moving files, loosing files, recovering everything I can, organizing everything, and basically just wanting to toss the whole thing and go back to pencil and paper. But alas, I am far too spoiled by technology to ever go back. A word of warning though: don't check anything valuable under a plane. I was always worried about my bags getting lost. It never occurred to me that they might steal my stuff. Flyers beware!


Computers! Can't live with them. Can't afford to run them over with the car.

March 20, 2010

The Rest of Our Utah Excursion

As much fun as all of our touring was, I think we had an equally good time doing a bunch of nothing. We drove around small country towns, went to one of my favorite places ever, Sundance Resort (owned by Robert Redford), piddled around Park City where Jenn and Tim live, and ate some really great food. Some of my favorite times were when we were cuddled up on the couches watching movies or just talking.


My favorite brother Matt at one of the many side of the road vistas we stopped at. 


One of the friendly faces of Utah that lived just a ways down the road from us. Cute isn't he?


I couldn't pass up taking a pic of this little small town jewel. Gotta love one stop shopping.


The famous Sundance homemade lollipops in the old timey general store.


Mom and Matt playing with Yoda while we toured around Sundance.


Sweet Yoda would wait happily all day long in the back of a truck, as long as he didn't get left at home.


A very cool rustic door at Sundance Resort. 




I am absolutely crazy about all the aspen trees. They're my new favorite thing.







Even in the pale blues and whites of a snowstorm, the valley where we stayed was incredibly beautiful.



   Downtown Park City at night is really the stuff right out of movies. Ironically, it's the home of one of the biggest movie festivals in the world. But aside from it's cinematic appeal, it's full of small town charm, creative shops, artists galleries, top notch food, and all of it in walking distance from one end to the other. It's one of those towns you can wear comfortable clothes and boots and be appropriately dressed for a four star dinner. And then after eating a gourmet dinner walk around the corner to grab a homemade gellato and enjoy it while you listen to the street musicians playing their violins and hand drums. I suppose the reason I love it most is it's just one of those places you can settle into without any effort, and it feels comfortable but still exciting from the first moment I'm there.



We found some really great places to eat, and even a cafe that made biscuits and gravy. Not exactly authentic, but Jenni was so desperate for some southern food she didn't care. We ended up making a big southern family breakfast before we left though, so she's alright now.









Just like her parents, our little Stori is a musician in the making. She's almost a musical baby genius in my opinion, and her next single will be up on iTunes any day now.







   Stori loves animals, particularly her dog Yoda, more than any child I've ever known. Her "babies" are stuffed bears and puppies and the sweet way she holds them and kisses them almost makes me want to cry sometimes. Just that completely pure heart that has no fear of something bigger than her, and so much love she can't hug him or kiss him enough. I especially love the way she takes her blanket and wraps it around Yoda when he's taking a nap. It's not uncommon at all to see Yoda walking around, draped in Stori's blankey. I could easily be accused of being a little biased, but I really do believe she's just one of the most special little girls there ever was. Both she and her cousin Lealie have this light about them that beautiful and exciting and mysterious all at the same time, and any time that I get to spend with them is absolutely precious to me. I can't say how incredibly grateful I am that God has extended our family by marriage with men like Tim, and then again with babies like Stori. I've always loved my family, and they've always been one of the most important things to me. But it's so encouraging to see that as things change, they're getting even better. And now I can't imagine our lives without them, and wouldn't go back to how it was before them for anything. This visit to see them was so sweet, and so much fun, and exhausting all at the same time. Our time together is limited so we try to pack as much into it as we absolutely can, even trying to not go to bed too early or sleep too much to not miss time together. And as hard as it is to be separated from ones I love so much, I'm even more grateful that they're right where they're supposed to be, and that they're faithfully going down the road that God has laid before them. And that even though it's long distance, our two roads still get to intersect and we still get to travel them together. And that makes all of the distance and time apart bearable, knowing we're connected by love and not convenience or location. It was hard to leave, but I know it won't be too long until I see them again. Visiting is just going to have to become our new normal. 

March 19, 2010

A Train, a Frozen Lake, a Horse, & a Crater



   In doing some online research my mom and Jenni found this great train tour that takes you for a two hour ride around a beautiful frozen lake. The train was this great old steam engine with big open seating, a food car, and an open air car for outside viewing. Driving around the mountains has been beautiful, but I don't think there's a better way to see that incredible scenery than to see it from a train. 



Redwolf's sweet smile on the train tour.

The views over the lake were breathtaking. I couldn't decide if I liked this in color or black & white better.

   We all were having a great time, but no one more than Stori. She was unbelievably cute pointing at everything, so excited about each new tree or bend in the track. I remember a line out of the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" that says "Never loose your childish enthusiasm". Stori is the epitome of that to me. She never takes anything for granted, and never ceases to be excited by the beauty that constantly surrounds her. She's kind of my hero in that.

My mom and my brother Matt all bundled up in the open air car on the train. It was definitely cold, but the sun was bright and warm, and there couldn't be a better way to see the scenery.

   Jenni and I are closer than most cousins, and as she was growing up we always imagined the man she would marry. Surprisingly Tim is nothing like what we'd expected. He is so much more. I literally cannot imagine a man loving his wife more than Tim loves Jenni. As I got to know him better, I saw that he was as close to perfect for her as was humanly possible. He is strong and stable and solid, and he makes it safe for her to be a little more emotional and passionate. He is her solid, her rock. And every time I think about him, I see this funny, Godly man of integrity, that loves adventure, has a heart for young people, and more than anything loves one of the people I love the most in the world with his whole heart, and he loves her well. I couldn't be more thankful for him. And as good a husband as he's proven to be, he's an equally good father. I watch him with Stori and I see that even at her young age he is already her safe place. He makes things peaceful and stable for her too. And for a daughter I think that's one of the most important things a father can give. Needless to say, I am so grateful that God brought this man into our family, and I really can't imagine life, or our family, without him. He's probably horribly embarrassed if he reads this, but sometimes I think we should take the opportunity to proudly say how thankful we are for the people in our lives. It's too easy to let it go unsaid, and assume they know it without expressing it. Tim, we love you! 







   All in all the train tour was a huge success. If you ever get a similar opportunity, I strongly suggest you take it, and don't forget to bring your camera. You won't be sorry. After the tour, we headed to this beautiful resort area that had horse drawn sleigh rides that were big enough for us all to go together.



   John, the rancher who took us for the ride, couldn't have been nicer. He was everything you'd think of when you picture a western horse wrangler. Not a goofy caricature of a cowboy. But the strong country gentleman who loves his family, his country, his God, and his horse, complete with cowboy hat, bandanna, and chaps. He told great stories about the surrounding area and his own family's history in there. I always really enjoy hearing personal stories about an area from someone who's got a real history there. And I fell completely head over heels for our draft horse, Marty. He was pretty impressive with how strong and sure footed he was in the snow. That sleigh was not lightweight and he pulled us through the snow like it weighed nothing. Since it was the first time any of us had ridden in a sleigh in the snow, it was really fun to discover it together. We wrapped up in blankets, sang sleigh riding songs (also known as Christmas carols), and had a really good time. 



  Tim, Jenni, and Stori riding in the back of the sleigh.


   By the end of the train and sleigh rides, Stori was getting pretty tired and needed a little help from her dad to make it through the rest of the evening. But there was one more stop for us to make. Tim and Jenni took us to this amazing place called Homestead Crater. It's a huge geothermal crater that you can climb stairs 90 feet up to get on top of. Or you can go through an underground tunnel and see the crater from inside it. Apparently it's a huge scuba diving destination as it's the only warm water diving in the continental US. The water and the air were incredibly warm, and the scuba divers could swim down 65 feet to the bottom of the crater. From the inside, standing on the dock, you can look up and see the hole that makes the top of the crater high above the hot spring. It was pretty amazing to see such a natural wonder from the inside out.


   On our way home from a long day of touring and sight seeing, Tim and Jenn drove us by one more thing we couldn't miss. There is a man in Midway, UT that constructs an ice castle village every year. He builds a complex series of frames and braces out of small pipes that have multiple holes in each pipe. All of these braces are systematically hooked up to water hoses that allow water to drip and freeze in layers and sheets of ice, building up into these incredibly intricate ice castles. By the time we got there, the sun was setting and the ice, being lit from the inside, had taken on these beautiful shades of blue against the setting sun in the sky. It really was amazing. 



   After our visit to the ice village, we finally made our way home. The rest of the drive to the house was still just as beautiful as everything else we saw during the day. The early evening sky against the snow turns everything a hundred shades of blue, like an old cyanotype.


(This is the view from our front porch. Amazing isn't it?)  

 Whether it was from a train, a horse drawn sleigh ride, or the top of a crater, everything we saw and everywhere we went was a series of one magnificent view after another. I realize it could easily sound like an overstatement, but it really is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. This wasn't my first or last trip to the area, but each visit is unique and special all it's own. And this particular trip has been full of lots of firsts and little day adventures. Tomorrow I'll share the rest of our pics.

March 17, 2010

Utah!


   So my new macbook just came in the mail, and I thought I'd break it in by posting some pics of our trip to see my cousins Jenn, Tim, and Redwolf and my niece Stori. We had such a great time, despite the initial debacle with my luggage. I can't say how good it was to finally get some time together. They moved out there from here in NC this past fall, and saying that I've missed them is the understatement of the century. We had a full week of exploring Park City (one of the best small towns ever), snow tubing, bushwhacking through waist-high snow to snowboard and sled, a beautiful train ride around a frozen lake, a horse drawn sleigh ride, and lots of just hanging out and being together. Unfortunately my poor brother had an accident on his first day of skiing and wasn't able to ski the whole rest of the trip. He looked pretty pitiful limping through the snow all week on his crutches. But other than that, everything couldn't have been better. Stori has grown so much just in these past six months, and I can't believe how much she's changed and learned. It's amazing how fast they pick things up at only two years of age. It made me realize how important it really is to plan and prioritize more trips out there so I don't miss so much. It's hard being separated from the ones we love, but it makes the time in our visits together so sweet.


   Aside from the sheer joy of being with my family, the beauty of the mountains of Utah is indescribable. Everywhere you look seems like a postcard. All it needs is a postage stamp and a little caption in the snow that says "Wish you were here."



   On our drives to see something scenic, each bend in the road was even more beautiful than the last. Now I love the blue ridge mountains where I'm from more than I can say. They roll gently into each other, their different shades of blue blending like a watercolor painting, and I love the way the clouds nestle themselves down in the valleys between each peak. It's beautifully blue, and comfortable. It's home. But the mountains in Northern Utah are completely different.


   They are incredibly grand and majestic, and their sharp peaks rise straight up, piercing through the clouds. Some of them are high enough in elevation that the snowcaps never melt. They couldn't be more impressive. And framing the mountains is the brightest bluest sky I've ever seen, complete with huge billowing cotton white clouds. As much as I love my beloved blue mountains, I never fail to be completely awed by the Utah mountain ranges.




   While we were there, one morning we all got a wild hair to go exploring back in Uinta National Park. Tim, Jenn and Redwolf are all pretty avid snowboarders and wanted to find a nice hill of fresh powder to hike and snowboard down. With my brother Matt's injured feet, sledding was as adventurous of a snow activity as he could manage. So off we went, driving through the beautiful national park, scouting out clean mountain sides. I, knowing absolutely nothing about how to pick out good snowboarding snow, thought they all looked pretty great. But eventually we found one that Tim deemed good enough for us.

   As soon as he made his first steps into the snow, six foot tall Tim sank up to his waist in the fresh powder. I couldn't believe how deep it was. He and Wolf and Matt looked like a line of mountain goats as they slowly carved a little path up the side of the hill. But apparently all their hard work was completely worth it and the boarding was great. Boys being boys, they built a pretty great snow ramp just to kick it up a notch. Matt had fun scooting his way around on the sled and Jenn and Stori and I had fun falling around in the snow and cheering them on. I have to say, it was a pretty great way to spend an afternoon, and if you ever get the chance to create your own snowboard/sledding run, I totally recommend it.









Tim and their loyal Labrador Yoda hiking through the snow. 
Yoda was light enough to stay on top of the snow most of the time.







Stori and Jenni getting geared up to trek through the snow.

Stori was so excited and bundled up, ready to go, then Jenni (she'll kill me for saying this) jokingly poked at her and barely knocked her back in the snow, causing a full scale pouting meltdown. Smile to tears in three seconds or less. That's my girl lol.

Tim on his first few runs down the hill. For a make-shift snowboarding run, I was impressed.

Stori was a little more into the cuddling than the snowboarding.

I still can't get over how deep that snow was. Matt's six feet tall! Fortunately the snow was so soft that he was able to walk through it and still have some fun.

Redwolf carving his way down the hill and flying over the snow ramp. He looks pretty good doesn't he?

More Stori and Mommy lovin'. Who could resist kissing that sweet little face?



Matt flying down the hill, over the ramp, and totally wiping out in a pretty impressive spray of snow. I'd give his jump an 8.5 and his crash a solid 10. Check out his face when he's in the air. Hilarious.


Like I said before, I know virtually nothing about snowboarding, but I thought Tim looked pretty great in these jumps. The boys worked really hard building that ramp, and he totally rocked it.


And as impressive as his jumps were, his falling might have been even more so. He didn't fall much, but when he did, he did it like a champ. As I always say, if you're going to bomb, do it with gusto.

How cute is he on his little sled?

Redwolf was apparently immune to the cold, so Tim had to take advantage of the moment.
Who could resist that?

After a really fun, but long day, the girls passed out as soon as we got in the car to go home.
But not before we saw this sign:

When we were driving and saw "Nudist Ave" we just had to turn and see what was there. And then we came up on this sign, and could hardly believe it. Not exactly what you expect to find when you're driving around Utah is it?

  All in all, it was a perfect way to spend a day together. Honestly, I didn't care what we did as long as we were together. But this was just so much fun, and I'm so glad we have the memories. I have more photos to share so I'll post more soon.