beach photoshoot

After our unborn child had its picture taken we decided to have ours taken, too. Near sunset we made our way to Corona Del Mar for a portrait session on the beach. A pro photographer would be shooting this time, instead of me.

We arrived a little early and enjoyed walking the beach in our bare feet. Emma, who’s had a thing against the ocean since getting splashed one time, enjoyed herself. Perhaps she’s given up the grudge.

The photographer arrived a little after we did and directed us to pose, pose again and then – pose some more. She really seemed to enjoy Emma… she couldn’t stop laughing at all of the “cute” expressions she made. (We think she’s cute, too, in case you were wondering.)

I was a little dissapointed, to be honest. The pro was using my camera, my lens and my flash. (Well, she had the 550EX as opposed to my 420EX, but the difference is minimal.) I guess I was expecting a little bit more from a pro. You know, some L-series zooms or a sweet, sweet prime.

But, no. Her gear was my gear. My gear was her gear. Ah, well. Such is life.

At any rate, I snapped a few pictures, too, so we’ll compare next week and see just how pro a pro is!



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alton brown in mission viejo

Our favorite “celebrity chef” Alton Brown was in town yesterday so, of course, we had to attend. He was doing a cooking demonstration and signing autographs at The Shops at Mission Viejo.

We’d seen him once before at the LA Times Festival of Books back in 2002 when Marla was pregnant with Emma. He cooked ribs and signed our copy of “I’m Just Here For The Food.” We figured Emma would definitely need to meet him for real this time. On the menu: beef jerky (made with a box fan) and funnel cakes. How can you go wrong with that combination?

The mall was packed, but after waiting in line for hours we finally were able to get our Sodium Chloride Containment Unit signed. (Emma entertained herself decorating cookies (and eating icing galore) while Mommy and Daddy took turns standing in line.)

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o.n. williams

O.N. Williams

O.N. Williams
02/11/25 – 05/28/04

My grandfather, O.N. Williams, passed away early on the morning of May 28, 2004. We held the funeral on Memorial Day, Sunday, May 30.

The cemetery was covered with American flags for Memorial Day, which was a fitting backdrop for eight aging World War II veterans who honored Papa with a 21-gun salute and Taps. It left me wondering, “Who will honor them when their time comes?”

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