Almost a month, and no new blogs. Well, I've been busy traveling miles and miles in a minivan, meeting amazing people, and learning tons. That is to say, I was in Las Vegas last week enjoying the NPPA's Convergence '09. I gathered together an unlikely crew of six- five boys and one girl (me).
It was an odd mixture, and admittedly, I was frustrated at times... But we got through it, and I was determined to get everything I could out of the convention... So I did.
I also learned how much I dislike Vegas, and how much of a bad idea it is to have a night on the town until 4am, then to rise again at 6:30 in order to attend a talk promptly at 8am. But I am apparently young and resilient, and I somehow managed it.
That aside, I had an amazing time, and I did learn tons. On our drive home, I had a few long and feverish conversations with both Adrian and Daniel in turn about our plans on how we intend on leading the charge within our field in the next few years. The discussion was spurred by our quiet observance of the abrupt changes that have suddenly started to sweep our field with such intensity, one can almost taste the panic in the air. All you have to do is follow The Denver Post on Twitter and receive updates about such tedious things as families "battling snakes" and a woman being arrested out of state due to her obsession with rabbits to realize something is sorely wrong.
But THAT rant could take all night, and as I have to get up in 6 hours to go to Loveland in the morning, I will set that subject aside for now, and simply share a few photos from our trip.
Oh, but lastly, I must say that strangely enough, my favorite photos are not from Vegas itself. I did partake in a Shootout, but I failed pretty badly. But instead of getting down on myself, I thought, "why did I lose?" I felt that I could have easily competed with the winners, but I obviously couldn't that day. So I discovered what kind of a person/shooter I am. I found that I NEED to prepare for everything. I simply walked out onto the strip without a plan and I am NOT adept at street photography. I get distracted by the smallest, stupidest things and will literally sit there and photograph them for twenty minutes before realizing that whatever it is, it's not that great. So, out of losing, I learned that I have to do research, and have a SET subject. In these situations, I usually do well enough. OK, I'll shut up now...
Here is my ALMOST moment that was a "meh" photo for me that obviously did not make the winner's cut:
And another one, this one once again, not the best photo, but I loved the diversity of the crowd:
Meanwhile... at the Hostel...
I know caught Daniel at a very flattering moment, but I love this photo. Mainly because of all the people chilling out. It was a great representation of life at that youth hostel. A big community. We would drink together in the evenings, see each other in passing, and we even all went out together on Friday night.
On our way back, we spotted a column of smoke not far off the highway, and obviously, we pulled off to investigate... We climbed a 5 minute hike up a small foothill, and found people burning trash below us. Not the most interesting, but the smell definitely transported me right back to Haiti and Cambodia, so it was weird smelling it and seeing it in Utah, with golf courses speckling the landscape not far off...
On the way back, I began getting sleepy, so I pulled off somewhere in Utah, and we inevitably explored our surroundings for a good 45 minutes...Steve up on the rock:
Adrian
Daniel decided that he needed to take a dip in the Colorado when we passed it... So we found a bridge, pulled over, then everyone took out their cameras and waited while he decided if it was worth it to brave the current and the cold water.
After about 10 minutes of teeth-chattering indecision, Daniel finally decided to take the plunge. I had reassured him that since I was the best swimmer there, I would go in after him if things went badly.
But I couldn't do anything about the temperature of the water..
He made it out. But not completely unscathed.
And because the light was so beautiful, we thought it was a good time for a group portrait.
And another one, this one once again, not the best photo, but I loved the diversity of the crowd:
I know caught Daniel at a very flattering moment, but I love this photo. Mainly because of all the people chilling out. It was a great representation of life at that youth hostel. A big community. We would drink together in the evenings, see each other in passing, and we even all went out together on Friday night.
On the way back, I began getting sleepy, so I pulled off somewhere in Utah, and we inevitably explored our surroundings for a good 45 minutes...Steve up on the rock:
Adrian
After about 10 minutes of teeth-chattering indecision, Daniel finally decided to take the plunge. I had reassured him that since I was the best swimmer there, I would go in after him if things went badly.
But I couldn't do anything about the temperature of the water..
He made it out. But not completely unscathed.
