Things To Fix Now That I am 36

36#1

Call this a self-evaluation or a wish list, but I will call it both. There are all sorts of things that we want to change and here are my desires now that I am a year older and wiser(?)…

Physical– During the pregnancy of our little daughter, I packed on quite a few “sympathy” pounds and never looked back…until now. I saw some photos taken of me this weekend and this needs to be addressed. Fast.

Spiritual- I think we have found a church home but for various reasons are afraid of committing ourselves in case I get a job across town. I shouldn’t allow this to stop me from growth at home.

Mental- Brain stimulus is crucial in longevity. I’m interested in picking up a new hobby that challenges my brain a bit. Learn a programming language? Logic games? Crossword puzzles? Still pondering this one.

Recreational- One of the things I miss after moving from Birmingham to Houston is the topography. There are so many trails and mountains in Bham and I tried to take advantage of these. Now that the terrain is flat and sidewalks are available, I want to get another bicycle. Ride to live. Live to Ride

Social- Tweetups, barcamps, conferences have been instrumental in meeting new people. I plan on soaking up more of these chances.

Financial- In weird economic situations like our current state of affairs here in the U.S., experience tells me that what you think is enough savings really isn’t. Do more of this.

Again, further thought and exploring will be poured into these things.

Best.Birthday.Ever.

Birthday Cake

Friday- House of Blues for photo shoot with Buddy Guy

Saturday- Wonderwife, DVD and my mother-in-law visited the Museum of Fine Arts in the museum district where we discovered that we were now members. Thanks Sherry & Steve! Mom in town from Tulsa for birthday visit with added surprise bonus- my little brother! Oklahoma Sooners rack up the single season scoring record in college football with 702 points, scored over 60 points in the previous 5 games, won the Big 12 conference title and will play Florida in the National Championship as the #1 team in the country again.

Sunday, December 7, the day: Woke up to a little hand tapping mine to and a gorgeous little girl smiling down at me. After we both smiled, she leaned in to give me two kisses and another smile. My 15 month old daughter somehow knew it was going to be a good day and she started it off right! 73 degrees and sunny in December. A little shopping with family, another trip to the House of Blues for birthday lunch. You must try the Elwood. Blackened chicken sandwich. Yummo! Houston Texans win too.

Wonderwife baked me a custom birthday cake in the shape of my Nikon D200 camera complete with lens! How very thoughtful of her, thank you! The gifts were all great but after years of celebrating birthdays with each other, WW and I were very grateful to be closer to family and celebrate special occasions such as this one. This is more important to us. Thank you to everyone for making it extra special.

 

 

Blues Legend



Blues Legend, originally uploaded by Photo Mojo.

Five time Grammy award winner Buddy Guy cranks out another jam session at the House of Blues.

December Tweetup

 

Sunday, December 7th at The Coffee Groundz cafe. Throughout the afternoon, you can expect live music, grilling, networking, socializing, drink specials and questionable OHs (overheard tweetable comments)

J.R. is an excellent host and has really introduced a lot of people to the Coffee Groundz who  otherwise might not visit. With the power of Twitter, good drinks (they serve alcohol too!) and free wifi, this place is always buzzin’.

With over a hundred attendees so far, this will get real exciting, real fast. The cafe even opens up to a spacious outdoor patio with plenty of space to mingle.

I’ll be making a brief appearance because that is my birthday and family will be in town. Tweet you there! You can also follow me on Twitter as @mojodenbow

Facebook event page is here

On Twitter: @coffeegroundz

@coffeegroundz

@jeffbalke @sheeats @cosmopolitician

Video Mojo Now In HD

 

**UPDATE**


Flip Mino HD Test from Mojo Denbow on Vimeo.

After discovering a great deal on this ultra-portable HD camera from Amazon.com, I ordered immediately. Initial tests do not disappoint but did not have enough time in the day to put it through it’s paces. Please give me feedback after viewing!!

What is very impressive to me right out of the box was the fact that this camera will store 2GB (1 hour) of HD footage. Very compact and lighter than our 1st gen 30 minute Flip camera. Here is my mobile phone side-by-side as a comparison. Amazing!

**ORIGINAL POST**

As a way to preserve memories and maintain a video blog, we have just upgraded our video mojo. Originally we purchased a Sony Handi cam but the transfer/edit process is a time suck. Then we purchased the super, easy to use 1st gen Flip camera. Now that Flip has introduced the Flip Mino in high definition for up to an hour, I had to jump on it. The deal from Amazon.com included free tripod and action mount too (great for watching me fly head over heels as I crash the bicycle).

More details and video review as soon as it arrives (next day) on Video Mojo!

Jay can has one too

Audio Mojo

D60

A list of thirteen songs played at random shuffle on the iPod. What’s in your digital jukebox?

Foo Fighters- Darling Nikki

George Harrison- While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Nirvana- Lithium

U2- Even Better Than The Real Thing

John Mayall & The Blues Breakers- The Bear

The Killers- Under The Gun

Led Zepplin- Houses Of The Holy

12:51- The Strokes

Are You Going To Be My Girl- Jet

Rocketman er..how’d that get in there? It’s not mine, I swear!

The Wind Cries Mary- Jimi Hendrix

NIN- The Hand That Feeds You

Duke Ellington- Satin Doll

Yes, this article is cross-posted from the Audio Mojo blog, why do you ask? =)

photo courtesy of  e|[d]|ge.

 

15 Months

Daphne/Daddy day was extra special because we celebrated 15 months together while Wonderwife enjoyed a much needed break. Each day brings us something new and special. she is really getting into music and has even picked up singing. What do you have in store for us this next month?

Headband Girl

photo courtesy of the Wonderwife

What's In Your Bag?

My Bag

Several people are always asking me “what kind of photo gear do you have?” which leads to this post. Here is a peek inside to the bodies and lenses that assist with my photo mojo…

Nikon D200– this is my primary camera and is quite the handful. With the metal body, longer, heavier lenses, battery pack and speed light it can literally be a pain in the neck! Quite fun to use and has really forced me to focus on details because there are no “idiot” modes like automatic settings.

Nikon D200 with 18-200 VR

Nikon D90- the 90 is one of Nikon’s latest releases that is packed with a lot of features. This is Wonderwife’s camera although I am allowed to use it on occasions!

90

 

Lens-

Tamron 70-300mm telephoto zoom/micro

Sigma 10-20mm wide angle, 24-70mm

Nikon 18-55mm, 50mm, 18-105mm, 18-200mm

Toy lens: Lensbaby, fisheye

Nikon Creative Lighting System: SB-800, SB-400

Show Off

Now that I have shown mine, it is time to show us yours! Anyone getting something nice in their stockings this holiday?