MSO = Minimum Service Obligation

For those of us who opted into Navy ROTC that meant 4 years active, 4 years reserve as a minimum obligation for taking the scholorship and the commission.  I had a fantastic time in the Navy and would go back and tell the 18 year old me to do the same thing again.  But 8 years ago today was commissioning and as of now I am eligible to become a completely free agent.

Funny thing about the inactive ready reserve (of which I am a member) is that once you reach your MSO you don’t automatically get unregistered, it requires a second ‘resignation’ to complete.  So I guess that is the next step.

I sure can’t believe it’s been 8 years…

I got another ‘can’t pass up’ deal on craigslist for a new to me lens. This one is the Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8 lens and most of the shots below are with that lens…  

I hope everyone else had a great weekend!

7,361 miles, 1,424 pictures, 12+ friends, 9 days, (x)$ = 1 Great Spring Break Trip.

We’ve been home since early last Monday morning but work has been busy, and free time filled for me at least processing the 1,424 pictures I shot over the course of the week.  I’ve been publishing in batches to both flickr and facebook, and neglecting this site.  In more multi-web portal goodness news I’ve found that I can link both my flickr site and this blog to my facebook newsfeed so I guess that makes things a bit simpler for people to find out when i’m doing new stuff.

Anyway, the trip was a huge sucess and a ton of fun.  I had alot of interesting lessons learned and observations from a photographic sense which I discussed over at photo.net and got great response from the forums there. Since I haven’t spelled it out elsewhere I will also explain my photo posting reasoning, basically people photo’s (or ones of particular interest to friends and family) go on facebook, scenery, plants, stuff w/out people goes on flickr.  I intend to use the blog here to pull out my most favorite of each category but not try to document everything.  Hope you enjoy!

My first round(s) at the craps tables is in the book and I hesitate to say that I’m actually up so far! Not much picture taking thus far though I made up for it on the drive from Kingman, AZ where we spent the night before last.  We drove over Hoover Dam coming north into Vegas. 

We didn’t have time to do the Dam justice but I was impressed by our couple of brief overlook stops. Lots of pictures to prove it as I practiced my one hand driving, no look shooting w/ focus fixed on infinity technique… Can’t wait to see the results!!!

Couple more days here in the city that doesn’t sleep (or is that NYC?), already dreading Monday morning!

Fountain Hills is a suburb of Scottsdale, known for its nice lake with a huge fountain in it (I’ll have pictures to share when I get home).  Erika, Jenny, Evan and I have been all over the Phoenix – Tempe area exploring some of the natural wonders… Desert Botanical Garden (including the Chihuly Glass exhibit).  Jenny works there actually and got us day and night access including some of the off limits areas which was great.  I’m not hopefull for my night photo’s of the glass but we’ll see how they come out.

Also today we visited a ‘ghost town/tourist trap near Superstition Mountain which was pretty neat.  The collection of degrading old vehicles near the town was the highlight for me.  Tomorrow we are planning a hike and then getting at least part of the way up to Vegas where we begin phase 3 of the trip!  The original plan called for camping at the Grand Canyon tomorrow night but as the high’s are in the 30deg range and there is a chance of snow we’ve decided to make that a future trip.

Tony & Erika

This morning we are getting ready to depart Tucson where we’ve very much enjoyed the hospitality of our friend Adam (the great singer from our wedding). In Tucson we got to see Adam in an opera – Tosca, Saturday night. This was my first opera and I thought it was great. I especially like that it is broken into three acts (two intermissions) which helps with my tiny attention span.  Also it was a very fast moving show with great performances and an interesting set.
Yesterday, at Stav’s suggestion we sought out the Titan II (nuclear missile) Silo Museum south of Tucson.  Pictures will be coming when we get home. It was a really cool spot and an interesting trip back into the Cold War days.  Pretty amusing to think of a 22-23 year old Stav going on Alert in one of those things too!  On the way back we got stopped by a really gorgeous Mission San Xavier church.  It dates back to the 1600’s and is gorgeous in the late afternoon sun (again pictures will be posted).

Today we’re headed north to Phoenix and can’t wait to see Evan and Jenny!

Erika and I had a fun weekend including some wine tasting with Zach, Karen and Melina, an 80’s themed birthday party for Joe, a cold early morning photowalk, the Porsche clutch giving out (again…), a woodworking project and dinner with the Stav’s….

All written in one sentence it seems like a busy weekend but it was actually pretty relaxed.  We met Zach and Karen at Old House Winery and then went on to an old favorite – Prince Michel for some tasty wine and good company. Melina is beautiful and is holding on to those blue eyes!  I joined my photo meetup group for a 0800 walk at Scotts Run Nature Preserve (in McLean), it was very cold but fun. Check out some of my pictures from it here.  Unfortunatly as I left the Home Depot to come home the clutch pedal ‘pin’ gave out and stranded me.  (it is being fixed and should be ready tonight or tomorrow…)  Below are a couple pictures from the wood working project which is a long time idea we had to be able to use the trunk and not always have to clear off the top to get it open.  it needs some tweaking but I’m happy with the overal appearance.

I hope everyone has a good week!

Tony and Erika

I also took a ton of pictures so here are the highlights;

This one actually links to a further gallery of pics I took when I actually dragged myself out of bed in time for sunrise at the Washington Monument. It was a gorgeous morning and really not that cold.  This shot was obviously later in the day but still a cool shot.  Here are the rest; Xmas, Pittsburgh trip (including a lovely day at the Strip District downtown), Wine Tasting at Barrel Oak Winery, Eastern Market and a few others!

Hannukah candles through my wine glass… yes the B.A.G. itself!  (xmas tree in background)

  
                Our tree with presents!               My new wine stopper, thank you Erika!!!

Ok so I’m really proud of this one, no photoshop, check out the upside down candle flames reflected off the glass into my lens…. invisible to the naked eye!!!!

Erika and I have finally gotten through the ‘editing’ stage and posted the professional pictures from our wedding which are available on SNAPFISH.

The great thing about Snapfish is you can order any prints you wish as I have uploaded them at full resolution.  Please enjoy the pictures and thank you again to everyone who helped make our Wedding such a fantastic day!

-Tony and Erika

*****IF YOU WANT THE HI-REZ (FULL SIZE) IMAGES, DON’T BUY THEM FROM SNAPFISH, JUST EMAIL ME WITH THE FILE NAME AND I’LL SEND THEM TO YOU FOR FREE.  HOWEVER IF YOU WANT PRINTS SNAPFISH WORKS GREAT AND IS COMPETITIVELY PRICED!*****