The Beauty of the Earth

So, the favorite part about my house is the view that we have in the back. It is quite magnificent. I have spend many hours just looking out there and pondering whatever comes to my mind. It is an outlet for feeling peace, which hasn't come by easily lately with so much going on. Since I had a camera close by, here are some of my favorite shots from the past couple of weeks.

(tonight's sunset)

This has basically been one of the main things that keeps me sane now days. Just thought I would post it before I have to jump into finishing my string quartet, which may take a while to finish.

Camera!!!

So, I have always liked taking pictures. It was fun. But, it wasn't until a friend of mine introduced me to photography with a nice camera. Ever since then, I can't get myself to use my little point-and-shoot. It just won't produce the kind of image that I now know is possible with better equipment.

Initiate secret savings account and intense research.

After saving for several months and reading everything I could find about cameras, I finally decided to get one. Here are some of my favorite images from this week.

This is a leaf that fell from the tree in our front yard. It got caught on a spider web and was hanging there.

One morning when I woke up early enough to see the sunrise.

My dog. What a good lookin' pup.

The Man Files

I was enjoying my day just doing the same things I normally do each day. I composed a little music, played my horn, went to rehearsals and even went to a class. I did this for the entire month of September. I had gotten into my groove and was pretty comfortable where I was. 

However, as September turned to October, I realized that something was different. I tried to place my finger on it but could never figure it out. As I was driving up to campus to do some homework in the library, it suddenly dawned on me. "Umm... you could get in a lot of trouble. Your car registration has expired."

Oh no! How could I let this happen? I had all of September to get my safety and emissions done and renew my registration. How embarrassing. 

Without any delay, I canned the library idea and set off for the nearest mechanics shop. I took it in and they said it would be 45 minutes. "That's not too bad," I thought to myself. Indeed, it took about 45 minutes, but again, I could sense that something was wrong. "What now?!" Everything on my car had passed except for the brakes. Dang it.

Without any delay, the mechanic began punching in all sorts of numbers into his computer. "If you want, we can fix them for you today. It will take about 3 hours." In my mind I was thinking, "I don't really care how long it takes. How much money are you going to charge me?" I waited for an answer... ... $450. Wait, what? $450? I don't think so! I'll do it myself, thank you.

So, I stormed out of the mechanics shop with the determination to change my own brakes. Problem: I've never changed brakes before. Spark plugs - yes. Oil - yes. Brakes - not a clue. But $450? I don't think so. I could figure this out to minimize the cost.

Cue call to dad. He's a smart guy and has changed brakes before. He went by the store to grab the brakes we needed and decided that we would get the job done on Saturday between LDS Conference sessions. 

I've never felt like such a man before. Getting dirty, using power tools and lifting jacks. You know. Man stuff. Check it out below.

(Dirty, greasy man hands!)

Overall, this was a great experience and I had a blast doing it with my dad. It was well spend, male bonding time (not to mention that we went out to eat after the priesthood session of conference. I've never eaten so much Indian food in my life. So good).