Photo of the Day!!! #1
So this is a bee. He was drinking some food and just buzzin around. I found him at the Botanical Gardens in Austin. I had never been there before and can say that I am definitely looking forward to going back again when it starts warming up and when I can get my act together. I really need to work on my macro photography. I have to do some research.
I also dropped my camera and new lens onto the Assfault (yes, i misspelled it on purpose to give it a duel meaning thank you very much). the lens got dinged up around the edges but miraculously i think everything still works. I was kicking myself because the reason it fell was because i opened my car door so i could take a picture of a freakin abandoned chair on the side of the road. My day had barely started and I pull a dumbass move like that. Go me.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Bee Stuff
Profile of Matt Scoggin
Matt Photo of the Day!! (actually taken on Friday but since I don't see him on the weekends and I know you guys are fans of Matt I'm posting extras)
We were playing with the office shadows on Friday and this is Matt's face. It reminds me of those frames that people used to have with a black profile cutout of their child or children's head(s). They always made me think of cartoons for some reason whenever I saw them at my Meema's house. Kind of creeped me out to be honest. This kind of creeps me out to be honest. Can you imagine seeing the shadow before you see the face? Chills.
Expressions of a Happy Dog
KC Fix of the Day!!!!
I was gone most of the morning and didn't get home until 2:00pm today. KC was chained up in the front yard while Todd was fixing his car. She was sooooo excited when I pulled in the driveway. I could hear her crying and yelping. I got out of the car and Todd took her off her chain and she ran at me and just about knocked me over. She just about knocks me over every day. More on that at a later date. She gave me some kisses, rolled over my legs, then jumped up and suddenly took off running. She does this thing where mostly at random moments she will start running in large circles outside. She started doing that and this is the beginning of Lap 1. She did 3. Sometimes she runs her laps and then goes in the bushes and digs a hole. I really wish i could read her mind. Why a hole?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Finally caught her Day 20
KC fix of the Day!!!
KC sleeps on my couch. She used to be sneaky about it but now she's brazen. She stayed up there while I set up my camera. I even used the flash (the big one) and she didn't budge. The couch is now basically a fur couch. Awesome. I have the only fur covered couch in Austin. That makes me unique and awesome. thanks KC.
January 30, 2009 Stole this idea
Photo of the Day!!!
I have to give credit where it is do. My resident Blogosphere Gentleman of the Evening, Matt, came up with the idea for this shot. Basically you set your camera down on the floor, set the timer, focus on the ceiling, and then Pose! Vogue. I'm doing my best superman on top of the building cape flapping pose. Except that I a) am obviously not superman b)wasn't wearing my cape c) was standing on the ground d) have an awesome office with black ceiling tiles!
I didn't have my wide angle lens with me so you can't see the rest of me. That might be a good thing because I was wearing black jeans that have faded from too many washings and didn't match the black of the shirt I was wearing. Whatever would you have thought of me?
My hair looks almost flaming in this picture. It's not. It's brown. Plain old brown. How generic is that*?
I would like to work on this photo idea and maybe try it out with different things above me.
*Interesting Cate fact of the day: I haven't had my hair cut in over a year. I usually just do it myself. The last time that happened was I can't remember, 2008.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
January 29, 2009 My office
Photo of the Day #2:
Couldn't decide between 2 photos so you get both!
This photo is the result of a technique called Camera Toss. I'm sorry, but if you can't figure out what that means then you disappoint me severely. I will give you my "Disappointed in you" face next time we meet.
I will indulge you though since I'm already disappointed I might as well educate you. Camera tossing is when you throw your camera around in the air while the shutter is open. It sounds dangerous and it IS! I almost took out Hunter! No I didn't. I'm lying to impress you all. But it can be dangerous if you let go of the camera or hit someone upside the chin with it. You get a different picture every time you do it so it's pretty cool and pretty fun.
So this is my office - let me give you the grand tour: The blue squiggles are Hunter's computer monitor. The white straight lines in the middle are the blinds - they are actually behind the computer monitor. I think the lines in the lower left corner are a stack of plastic boxes. The thing in the upper left corner is the office spirit having a laser battle with the ghost from next door.
January 29, 2009 Under Stairs
Photo of the Day #1!!!
These are the stairs outside my office building. Or rather the under side of the stairs. They look horrible don't they? I happen to like them thank you very much. They are gritty and urban and messy. Just like me...
Okay, not really, I'm not urban. I love the texture of these stairs and the peeling paint. And even though that looks like bird crap dripping down some of the steps it's not. Because really how could a bird be that talented.
I did photoshop this to make it a bit more textured and a bit more urban. It's apparently a pretty popular technique and I guess now i've just thrown myself on that bandwagon! Damnit. I hate bandwagons too, they are always so crowded.
Just staring at the wall
Just a photo.
KC and I were waiting for Todd to pick us up at work. The sun was setting and we were having a little bonding time on the pavement next to the office garage. I liked how clear and crisp our shadows were so I started snapping a few shots. KC just wanted to cuddle in my lap the whole time so I didn't get many :)
Oh, and we eventually got picked up.
KC is a turkey butt Day 19
Daily KC Fix!!!!
KC was allowed to come to the office with me today. Todd had some errands to run and then he was crashing after another all-nighter. Yay!!!
Yay to KC not yay to another all-nighter. In fact BOO! to another all-nighter. Boo I say!
Turkey Butt Instance #1:
When we first got to the office KC stared at me expectantly. She was wanting her food. She had already been fed.
Turkey Butt Instance #2:
She sat under my desk for most of the freakin' day! I have already blogged about this little habit of hers but seriously it makes it hard to work. Sometimes i'll come back into my office after a meeting or something and I'll look for KC - can't see her anywhere. I start to panic because then I think she's in someone elses office eating french fries (see TB instance #3). But noooo, she's just under my desk, camouflaged into the floor and half covered by my chair blanket*
Turkey Butt Instance #3:
She goes into other people's offices when they have food. it doesn't matter what kind of food it is. Food is just food. All of my coworkers have been asked not to feed her human food as it is not good for dogs. Some of them actually get mad at me and say I'm mean for this rule. Arg. Today I was in my office and she left - she does that sometimes - goes to get pet elsewhere. But then Hunter came in and said "I think they are feeding KC french fries next door" So i went and stood in that office door and called her. I didn't see them feed her but I heard one of them say "Oh no, Busted". KC doesn't beg like other dogs. She silently stares at the food and drools on the floor. She won't grab it though. But if someone gives her something she will take it. Usually doesn't even chew.
*Interesting Cate fact of the day: I am always cold when I am indoors. Right now my house heat is set to 70 and yet i'm on the couch under a down blanket wearing 2 pairs of pants, slipper boots over socks, and a sweatshirt over a longsleave shirt. I think there is something wrong with me. At work I have a large fleece like blanket that I wrap around me while i'm working. I also have a pillow just in case...
What is it Matt? What do you see?
Matt photo of the Day!!!
Since Matt has been such a blog-whore lately I've decided to dedicate to him his own blog entries. In this photo he is eagerly contemplating the outdoors. He doesn't get outside much during work hours. In fact he is usually laboriously engaged in matters of the office. One can sometimes find him wandering the halls muttering something about t-shirts, forms, or Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers. He can dance really well, likes dogs, and is an all around good guy. I think he is secretly coveting my dog though.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Re-Killing Monkey Day 18
KC Fix of the Day!!!
Ack! I didn't get home until 8pm today so I missed a full DAY of KC. Horrible! She stayed home with Todd AGAIN!. She was so happy to see me today when i got home that she did 8 full rotation jump spins ( I counted). She was so excited when I got home that she did not smell Denali on me! (Denali is Michelle and Kevins adorable dog). She was so excited when I got home that she immediate grabbed some toys from her basket. She does this. She takes one out, plays with it, goes to her basket, takes another out and so on. On some days she takes all of the toys out. She is a shredder of stuffed animals. She basically disembowels them and then carries around the outer remnants for months. She is really good about not eating the various pieces as she takes apart the animals. She gently sets aside eyes, noses, squeakers, and stuffing. In this picture she is attacking Monkey. This particular remnant is the body of the monkey. His arm is lying around here somewhere...
Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
First. Why do you want the grilled cheese? Are you hungry, bored, or just curious? Can you be serious about the process or will you goof off and ruin it? If you can't take my recipe seriously then just leave now. I'm waiting, just go. For those of you foodies left get ready for some awesomeness with cheese.
Here is why I wanted a grilled cheese:
I recently went to Which Wich (sandwich shop) to order myself some dinner. I salivate at the though of a Which Wich sandwich because a) they actually have Cheez Whiz on the menu b) you can add garlic to your sandwich c)garlic and cheese whiz need no other excuse. So I moseyed about 10 minutes out of my way (by mosey i mean drove 75mpg on the toll road) and braved the frigid temperatures to get my sandwich. F-ers were closed. How pissed off was I? Very, but then i got distracted by the woman wearing her pajamas, a bathrobe and slippers walking into the Baskin Robbins muttering something about an ice cream emergency. Back to being pissed off. I was and all the way home i was wondering what ever was I going to do about dinner. I got home and started to reheat some Olive Garden pasta from two nights before. Meh. pasta does not reheat well. Scouring the cabinet i see Sliced Wheat bread. Gears start turning.. Do I? YES! I have sliced cheese and butter. Hells yeah I'm having me some grilled cheese.
On to the Recipe!!! Recipe Ho! (not an actual recipe ho but like if you were saying Tally Ho!)
- Bread. You are pretty much screwed if you don't have this. White or Wheat sliced bread works the best. you can use the grunchy granola kind that has wheat chunks in it but I wouldn't recommend that because really Why?
- Sliced Cheese. 2 SLICES. Not one, 2. You are pretty much screwed if you don't have this. Totally screwed if you also don't have bread. I used sliced American cheese because that is what i've grown up eating. You can also use Cheddar or some other foreign cheeses that can be sliced and melted. Don't use Gouda - it doesn't really work well or at all actually. Tastes good with pretzels though!
- Butter. Guess what? Screwed if don't have. blah blah. Real stick butter is the best - don't get all health nutty about it - just use the real stuff. You want it to actually taste good don't you? I like to leave my butter out for about 10 minutes before I start so it is soft enough to spread on the bread. Don't leave it out uncovered though or it might attract diseases.
- Extra Ingredients that are permitted for use: Garlic (duh), Tomatoes (if you must) Ham (then it's a Croque Monsieur and not a grilled cheese) Brocolli (haha just kidding. actually not permitted).
(interesting side note: the above image was viewed 24 times on flickr within 5 minutes of me posting it. It's a mystery as to why on earth that happened. I think it broke flickr)- If you can't tell from the picture you need a stove top. Preferably one that works. Now that's not to say other options wouldn't work. I just happen to know that a stove top cooks the bread more uniformly than say a lighter or a candle. Also much faster.
- A Spatula of some sort. I have a plastic one. I think it came from a toy chef set. It melts. It melted onto my food once. I didn't throw it away though. It still has functionality. Metal ones work well too but make sure you don't scratch your fancy griddle pan. Oh, and don't accidentally hit yourself in the face with it when it has butter on it. Cause then you get butter on your face and people look at you strangely. Yes, I am actually speaking from experience.
- A Griddlevor Skillet. Mine is from a garage. Not a garage sale. Just a garage. It works awesome. I did have to use a screwdriver on it before cooking this feast. The handle was coming off. It's dangerous to have a loose handle on cooking utensils. Don't get lazy with your stuff!
- Not pictured: Knife, plate, appetite.
1. Start buttering your bread. Butter it real nice like. Don't think you know how to butter bread. because you don't. The trick is to cover the bread entirely with butter from edge to edge (not counting the outside crusts, that would be stupid). Edge to edge butterage allows for the most intense grilling. I've seen a lot of rookie mistakes made at this stage. If you don't fully cover the bread you will not be making a true grilled cheese. It will in fact be an impostor and you could get sued for impersonating a chef. Butter one side of each slice then move on to step 2.
2. Turn on your stove burner. Set it just above low and just just below medium. you don't want it too hot or it will dictate your grilled cheese's grill-ness factor. Don't let it do that. Don't be submissive to your burner. Alpha male that beast.3. Now - turn your two slices of bread over so that the butter side is down. What? Do I imaginarily hear you disagreeing with me? Hey, I didn't ask you to read this recipe (wait, i did probably) but you know what I mean. You are supposed to be taking this seriously. No ad libbing because you are lazy or because Grandma made it different. You will do this. Butter side down you will now butter the remaining two sides of breads.
4. Place the two slices butter side down... (just checking to see if you were paying attention - all sides are butter side down!). While the first sides are browning go ahead and unwrap your cheese slices. Don't place the slices directly on the plate as they will stick and you will have a battle on your hands in a few minutes. Place the unwrapped slices back on the wrappers. Smart eh?
5. Check your bread after a minute or so - if you start to see smoke you may have waited to long and it's possibly burning. Burned Grilled Cheese not so good (unless you are into that sort of thing. Weirdo). 
If it is a nice golden brown color you may flip.6. Place one cheese slice in the corner of a piece of flipped bread. Break the other slice in half and cover the remaining exposed pieces of bread (same piece as first slice). This permits total cheese coverage. Coverage is the word of the recipe. Now is also a good time to add any of the permitted extra ingredients.
7. Check the bread after another minute. If it is starting to look brown then smoosh the two pieces of bread together. You just made a sandwich! You can start to imagine what the finished product will look like (really cause it's mostly finished and if you can't imagine then your imagination really sucks)8. Flip the sandwich for a bit until the bread has reached a satisfactory golden brown color. When you are happy with the coloring use your spatula to carefully pick up the sandwich and gently slide it on to a plate. Don't use your fingers - stuff is hot and cheese might burn you. You really don't want to have to go to the hospital with third degree cheese burns. Totally embarrassing.
9. You can now cut into the grilled cheese and watch it do that awesome thing where the cheese separates in slow motion as it drips down. Yeah, I could never make it do that. Add some good chips or a bowl of soup and you are good to go. Oh! Bonus Tip!!! For extra cheesy gooey-ness put the sandwich in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This melts the cheese just a bit more. Yum.
Enjoy!Grilled Cheese Recipe Preparation Q&A:
Q: How many purple plates did you use to prepare your grilled cheese?
A: 3.
Q: Was your grilled cheese good?
A: Insulting question. Of course it was good, jeez. Sometimes they are so good that I don't want to eat them because then they'll be done and I won't be able to eat them anymore. Makes me sad.
Q: Can I use pumpernickel bread?
A: Go away.
January 28, 2009 I froze my marbles
Photo of the Day Part 2!!!!
I figured since photo of the day Part 1 was already a photo of the day I should post another one just in case. Last night I had the brilliant idea of putting all of my marbles into a glass bowl full of water and then leaving them outside to freeze. Well, I totally forgot about them last night and remembered them this morning. I was already running late to work due to the fact that my car had turned into a giant car ice cube (ice car? carscicle?). I put the frozen marble bowl into the backseat of my car and photographed it at work while my computer was being slow and bitchy. I love my marbles. I personally hand picked these at the store for their vibrance and clarity.
January 28, 2009 Frozen Dandelion
Photo of the Day part 1!!!
I have already photographed this particular dandelion (http://catesphotoblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/january-16-2009.html) . However; today it was frozen and I had my macro lens. I shot at f2.8 to create the blurred background and floating flower effect. I am so intrigued with how object freeze. I might start freezing random household objects and study them scientifically. By scientifically I mean poke them with sticks and document with photographs.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
January 27, 2009 11:30PM - READ PM as in NIGHT
Photo of the Day!!!
Grilled Cheese Recipe (or rather instructions) coming soon. The pictures are already up on flickr but i'm tired and a bit cranky. I've been waiting for this "Ice Storm" to hit. They talk about it on the news like it's the election. "ICE STORM: 2009!" or "ICE STORM: YES YOU CAN!". It is definitely cold and there is definitely ice (my butt and the back porch stairs almost got acquainted) but it's not that thrilling. anyway - I'm excited for tomorrow morning - hoping for cool ice related photos tomorrow :) and maybe some hours off work... (non-Austinites: Austin freaks out over stuff like this - you people in New England should rightfully be laughing)
Phew! Cutting it close today. 5mins and counting until it isn't today anymore and I would have had my first true fail. I was so frustrated with today's photo of the day. not this photo but the assignment itself. I took well over 100 photos today. I would say that about 70 were of KC. 12 were of the grilled cheese i made for dinner. The rest were just shots. I was torn between this one and two others. those are on my flickr site if you are interested.
In case you are interested in the tech specs of this shot: ISO 125 280sec f/8 mounted on a tripod - no flash just the light from the outdoors.
Thank you and I'm tired. G'night
Hey Matt, you can't bite a dog!
Bonus KC fix!
Matt is a photo of the day overachiever. He wanted to be my photo of the day but I can't give him that honor. Sorry Matt.
But funny story...if you notice in the photo - Matt is wearing KC's inflatable collar. He borrowed it and that made KC anxious. Battle ensued. KC won. May Matt rest in peace (at his house with his wife, hope they have a good night) See you in the morning Matt.
She's got crazy eye Day 17
KC fix of the day!!!
KC woke up with an ear infection today. Her breed is very susceptible to them. We were so sad because her other ear had finally gotten better and now her left ear was acting up. At least they aren't both infected at the same time! I had to break out her donut (technically called the ProCollar Premium Inflatable Protective Collar but donut is easier to type). It is a most awesome invention. You weave the dog's collar through the inner loop and it Velcros shut at the gap. It is lightweight and KC doesn't mind having it on. She is very attached to her collar (if you take it off she gets anxious) so having this on must give her that extra security. It prevents her from scratching and rubbing the infected ear. The only time she doesn't like it is when she first lays down to take a nap. Then she realizes is like a built in neck pillow and falls asleep like a baby. I took her to the vet this afternoon to get her ear checked out. She had a minor infection and some dried ear wax that was most likely causing the irritation. The vet is lovely and very good with KC. She feels much better now and is donut free for now. Yay!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Bonus Post - Potato Chip Recipe (with photos of course)
Potato Chip* Recipe !!!
- 1 Potato! - sweet or white work the best
- Some cooking oil! about 3/4 of an inch worth in a frying pan. I personally use Smart Balance (Omega). Don't know why but it works just fine.
- Sea Salt
- Ground Pepper (you can use a shaker if you want but ground pepper tastes better and you get to grind something)
- Large Sharp Knife
- Tongs - metal not plastic (don't cheat and use salad forks either - you are working with hot oil and need some precise gripage)
- Frying pan
- Stove with working burners (very very key)
- Paper Towels
- Tray, casserole dish, plates (to put the chips on as they are cooling down)
2. Wash your potato. Wash it good. You don't want to eat fried dirt later. Leave the skin on
3. Start heating your oil
4. Cut you some potato. Be careful with sharp objects. Cut the potato into thin slices. Thicker slices work too if you like a little bit of a softie potato. Thinner obviously will yield the "crisp" part of the recipe. You can cut it into rounds or half moons. Squares if you want. I don't care.
1 regular sized potato actually yields quite a bit of chipage. Enough for at least 2 people if not 3.5. Your oil should be hot by now. Take your tongs and start sliding the potato slices into the oil. You want to slide them in to prevent oil from splashing onto your face, arms, hands, new shirt, or dog. Slide enough potatoes in to create a layer of potatoes in the oil.
6. After a few minutes you should start seeing the potatoes turn brown around the edges. Time to flip! (potatoes not you) Use your tongs to turn the slices over. You will see that the bottoms are a nice golden brown. Not long now!
7. After a few more minutes (maybe not even that long) start removing your chips to your pre-prepared resting area. Let them sit for a few minutes - you can start adding the second batch to the oil at this point.
8. After they have rested for a few you may now address them with the salt and pepper. Apply the pepper liberally if you like a little kick. Put about 1/2 as much salt as you think you will need. You will be surprised at how too much salt can completely ruin a chip. I don't have any pictures of the absolute end product because Todd and I ate them too fast. Enjoy!
January 26, 2009 Bonsai!!!!
Photo of the Day!!!
This is Hunter's Bonsai Tree. We aren't sure if it is dead or just sleeping through the winter. It has been like this for several months now. If you touch it the needles fall off. They also hurt like a mother#*$&@#. If you squint your eyes you can see the spider web in the way back of the tree. I've also seen a lizard and some ants hanging out back there. We refuse to throw it away in part because we believe in miracles. Maybe that's why we still water it every once in a while. Mostly it just sits in the back window being forgotten. Lonely little dead/alive/dead Bonsai.
Interesting Cate fact of the day: I thought Bonsai was spelled Bonzai. I'm very disappointed that the correct spelling involves no zed. It seems more powerful and mysterious with a z.
Let me in please, I'm done Day 16
Daily KC Fix!!!
First let me apologize for the atrocity that is this photo. I was running late for work and didn't have time to mess with exposure settings and what not.
Second: I did not forget her this time.
KC was staying home from work to be with Todd today and he had already fed her but forgot to let her outside. So i let her outside, ran around putting all my gear together and was coming back to the kitchen to let her in. I snapped this because (snif snif) she wouldn't be coming to work with me today and I didn't know what the evening would turn out like. I didn't want to miss getting a photo of her so I guess a bad photo is better than a good one??? No, it's not. I will try for something better tonight.
I let her back in and she was happy. She tried to swindle me into feeding her again. She is sneaky like that.
I do enjoy it when Todd is home for more than just the weekend but I also hate it because usually it means I have to leave KC at home instead of taking her to work with me. I'm going to go pout now.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
January 25, 2009 Thirsty?
Photo of the Day!!!
Honey! I don't think we have enough G2s!! We're almost out!
So Todd has this thing where he likes to have a large assortment of beverages in the fridge. As many as possible in fact. We have 5 different colors of G2s (orange, red, purple, pink, and green - orange, fruit punch, grape, kiwi-strawberry, and lemon-lime in case you were wondering)(G2s are actually another marketing strategy for Gatorade). We also have: Skim Milk, 2%Milk, Guinness (in a can), Cranergy, Sprite Zero, Diet Coke, Dr. Thunder (nasty), MGD Light (64 calories in a bottle - Todd's not mine), 1 Hoegaarden (mine), 1 Stella Artois (mine), Orange Juice, 1 Bottle of champagne, and water.
All of our beverages take up 2 of 3 shelves in the fridge.
Whenever my friend Michelle comes over she asks if she needs to bring her own drink. As abundant as our beverage assortment is sometimes you just need a Dr. Pepper.
Hmm, this taste like fresh water Day 15
KC fix of the Day!!!
KC will not drink out of her water bowl if the water is more than 2 hours old. I have actually caught her drinking from the toilet even though both of her water bowls are completely full (please note that one of the bowls is in the bathroom!).
I am perplexed to say the least. She eats random things she finds on the ground but won't drink "stale" water.
There are tons of KC pictures every day and it is hard to pick just one for the blog. If you want to see more of her silliness just click on the photo and it will take you to my flickr page where you can see an abundant assortment of KC.
