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June 17, 2004
Music
Ever since getting this Blockbuster freedom pass -- think netflix -- I've spent lots of time watching movies... lots and lots of movies, haha. Sadly, no one else in my family appreciates the independent/artistic films, so I'm left watching them by myself... which I don't mind, but it would be nice to have someone to discuss the movie with... =/
I digress though. After watching Master & Commander.. or more precisely, after listening to Yo-Yo Ma's wonderful and captivating performance of J.S. Bach's Prelude (to the Unaccompanied) Suite in G Major, I felt so inspired to play that I ran down to the local music store to pick up the sheet music! I then brushed the dust off my cello, and have been practicing since. =) The music just feels so... deep, powerful, intense yet equally calming, simple, soulful, serene... just a perfect match for my mood.
Here's a sample of Yo-Yo Ma's rendition of the Prelude... when I finally start earning positive income, I definitely plan on being a season ticket holder to the San Francisco Symphony! As well as to the Sharks... oh, and new lenses wouldn't hurt either! ;P
Posted by stevelee at 03:53 AM | Comments (3)
June 15, 2004
A change in plans...
I wondered whether it was worth writing about my Sunday... so once Will asked how come I didn't show up to the Fanime staff picnic, figured why not? You guys are all used to my boring entries anyway! Hehe. =P
So Sunday, I was all set for the picnic... I had my rolls of spam musubi (in case anyone's curious, I ended up lining the bottom of the serving platter with a mix of seaweed and other greens and arranged the musubi 3/4 propped up.. if that makes sense =P) and driving directions! But then, during Alliance Cafe one of the high school girls told me that she had a piano recital that afternoon and invited me to attend.
I know this is going to sound really cheesy and melodramatic (then again, isn't that how I normally sound? ^^;), but bear with me... just as I was about to respond that I had a picnic to attend, I looked up at her, and this... rush of feelings and thoughts stormed past me. Hard to describe it, but it felt like I was at a crossroads of sorts... I don't know her too well, but there are moments when I engage her in conversation, I see this unmistakable sadness and sometimes lonliness in her eyes... I recognize the feelings, and it makes me determined to keep an extra careful eye out for her... I refuse to let her slip through the cracks. Unbeknownst to her, she became my secret lil sis... I "adopted" 2 girls as my secret lil sisses, hehe.
But I digress... I give her a weak response: "I'll try to make it..." but I guess it's obvious to both of us that I was being pretty non-committal. After all, I still wanted to attend the picnic... and if you know me, then you know that I hate strongly dislike it when my plans/schedules change.
The selfish part of me wanted to attend the picnic, but I already knew that the right thing would be to go support her... and to make an already long story shorter, I ended up staying. And boy, was she pleasantly surprised to see me there! =) That was one of the rare times where I completely changed my plans... and had no regrets, whatsoever.
I also ended up staying for choir practice... I was really nervous about being there... I mean, who was I -- with my weak voice and all -- to sing with these people who actually had real talent?! But, just like with the piano recital, I felt a higher calling... I wanted to do this, and I knew it was the right thing to do. The guys there couldn't have made me feel more welcome or comfortable... I must've done a horrible job hiding my "deer in headlights" feelings, hehe. =P
After testing my range, the choir director determined that I was a baritone/tenor... with tenor sounding slightly more natural for me... so, I'm now a part of the church choir! =)
For a while now, I felt God calling me back to music... to use the gifts He's blessed me with -- as humble as they may be -- and, well... here I am. =)
After the recital, which took place after choir practice, I returned to church for an ordination ceremony. I took a few more pictures there and chatted for a little bit before leaving... but even during this time, I... feel that God's set more of His plans for me in motion... What exactly, I'm not sure of yet... it'll all be revealed in due time. =)
Ya know.. one definite advantage of my plans changing, is that I have a whole helluva lot of spam musubi for myself to share! *pats belly proudly*
Posted by stevelee at 03:29 AM | Comments (2)
June 13, 2004
A relaxing Saturday
Mix together lunch with the family, a refreshing walk in gorgeous San Francisco weather, phone calls with friends, making chicken katsu and lots of spam musubi (thanks Mare for the yummy recipe... and definitely fried til it's a little crisp, it's all about the texture! =P), and a couple movies...
...oh yeah, today was a good day! =D
Tomorow, I'm bringing some spam musubi to church and the Fanime picnic afterwards... I just wish I didn't do such a horrible job cutting them! Ugly... I guess I'll have to come up with some really creative food presentation to distract from it... ^^;
I notice that the perfectionist in me hasn't completely died away (I don't think something like that ever will, really)... it just found a different way of expressing itself. Like even when preparing food -- both for my church cafe and when I cook for others -- everything has to be just right. I know that others may perceive me as being slow... and maybe I am... but I try to be deliberate and think things through, so I do it right the first time. Others may not notice the extra touch (actually, my pastor did... ), but I do... and that's all that matters, right? =)
(Man, that was an awful paragraph... ahh well. So much for perfectionism, eh?? Hahaha...)
Posted by stevelee at 12:45 AM | Comments (5)
June 10, 2004
Life after graduation
...has been great, if rather unproductive! Hehe. Besides helping around the house and going to the occasional get-together with family and/or buddies, I'm slowly trying to get my act together -- catching up with friends, and sending out more resumés. Remarkably, I'm not feeling overly stressed (like I tend to get)... sure, I want a job, but me stressing out doesn't accomplish anything other than make me more of a pain to be around! Hehe. ^^;
Beyond this, I've been spending way too much time reading photography forums and drooling over lenses that I can't afford!! Haha yep, I'm doing lots of online window shopping! Hehe. =P
My 28-135IS is a nice walk-around lens, and I've caught a few good shots with it, but I'm really starting to favor prime lenses versus zoom. Sure, you lose the convenience of having a zoom, but the image quality of quality primes is stunning and unmatched by zooms... short of the uber expensive ones. You're also kinda forced to envision and compose your shot (more so) before actually taking it... Plus, everyone loves good bokeh! =)
I let one of my friends borrow my camera for a shoot and afterwards, while reviewing his pics, he would excitedly exclaim: "1.8 dude, 1.8!!!" repeatedly! Hahaha... oh, that's referring to my 50mm/f1.8 lens... probably the best bang for the buck Canon lens, period.
The lens that I'm realistically considering (meaning I won't have to pawn my first-born) are the 85mm f/1.8 or 100mm f/2.0. Here's a nice review of the lenses.
I do mostly indoor (non-studio) portrait and candid shots, so the wide-open aperture is a God-send... particularly for available light kinda work! My only concern is that the 1.6x crop factor on my camera will make the focal length too long for most cases... plus, these lenses would overlap with my existing zoom... blah. I'd also love to get the 200mm f/2.8L, but other than for concerts and the potentially first privately built and funded spaceflight, I don't see this lens getting much use.
Update: Just found a Canon EOS Beginner's FAQ!
Posted by stevelee at 06:04 PM | Comments (4)
June 03, 2004
Fanimecon 2004
I had many deep contemplations and realizations over the long weekend, but due to sheer exhaustion and/or absent-mindedness, forgot most of them. Yeah, I suck. =P
Ahhh well, some less profound observations from fanime and/or in general:
- I feel my life changing, for the better. I'm no longer snapping at my parents, and really trying to understand the true concern/intent behind their words. As an additional benefit, I feel a love/connection/care for my family that I haven't felt in a long time. I sense a change in attitude in my parents and family towards me, too. Praise God... and pray for me, that I continue striving towards becoming a light in their lives. =)
- I'm trying to let this attitude manifest itself in dealing with other people, too. I felt nearly whole: smiling and bantering with the convention-goers as they came through registration, genuinely caring for/about my friends, confident, and most importantly, being able to realize and admit my mistakes/short-comings. I can tell I was happy by looking at the way I smiled in the 1 picture with me in it. =P
I think what really helped with this attitude change is the realization that the only person I (should) have to worry about impressing/pleasing is God, and no one else. Of course, I'd be lying if I claimed that I didn't stand up a little straighter or flash an extra big smile while interacting with someone I was attracted to. ;)
- One bad thing that still hasn't changed much: I get severely grumpy/cranky when I'm sleepy. =/ At least I'm doing a better job keeping my temper in check and behaving semi-civil now... hehe. ^^;;
- Someone asked me what I liked so much about photography. My reply: "Well, I'm a very sentimental person. Each picture I take is a little piece of my life that I can look back on and reminisce. Plus, I love how photography lets me express myself: to capture and share the details and beauty that I see with my eye.
...Oh yeah, this entry was supposed to be about Fanime, eh? ;P
- I was very happy to see "the gang" again! To the point where I was sad when everyone (including myself) had to leave... I hate good-byes. *sniff*
- I took lots of pictures. Me happy. ^^ I didn't screw up as many shots this time... maybe I'm actually getting decent at this photography thing?? Hehe. Although many of my shots were... blah. I need to do a much better job composing my shots and minimizing distracting backgrounds. Such as by abandoning my "must capture whole body" mentality, and going for tighter crops of the subject! I learned quite a bit from watching other professionals and picking their brains (such as George) at the event though! =)
- Despite what you may think (if you've never gone to an anime convention before), no one who goes to these conventions is truly innocent... ^^;; No matter how young and cute they may look...
- Odd moment: while watching Battle Royale II, I hear Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" next door, accompanied by very enthusiastic cheers, laughter, and gasps. Ever-curious, I go check it out... only to find myself in the middle of a very... err, typical hentai scene. Think multiple tentacles... yeah. *barf* I just as quickly left the room, haha.
I'm by no means a prude, but geeze... that's just plain wrong! >.<
- Cute moment: Finding out that one of the staff persons stumbled upon my blog like 2 years ago, which eventually helped lead her to joining Fanimecon staff last year! Silly girl was too shy/embarrassed to tell me! Hehe.
- Hmm, I guess that's all I really have to say about Fanimecon for now.
Regardless if you're a long-time reader or just wandered in after checking my pictures, I love feedback! Anything... constructive criticism of my pictures, ideas for photo shoots (wanna model for me? I just want/need more practice!), or just to say hi! =)
Posted by stevelee at 04:18 AM | Comments (4)