my name is bishop
I am a python programmer
I am a writer
I practice zen meditation
I am a musician
I am in peak physical health
I am a photographer
I speak fluent russian


and I do not exist.........yet

Back on the Horse

January 29th, 2008 by Robert

Things have been looking good. I’ve been going to physical therapy for my hamstring and I can already fell the improvements. It will be some time before I get the go ahead to put my running shoes back on, so in the meantime, I’ve beefed up my weight training and added yoga to my regiment. Yeah, yoga. Let’s talk about yoga for a minute. If you asked a year ago if I would ever consider trying yoga, I would have said “no way”. Here I am one year later all twisted up like a pretzel. And I’ll tell you another thing, I really like it. I honestly can say I feel incredible after a yoga session. Not only that, this particular routine I’m doing focuses heavily on meditation. Multiple positive anyone? Then again, all yoga may focus heavily on meditation for all I know.

My Russian has been improving steadily too. Not only have I been doing my lessons on a regular basis, but I’ve been finding ways to incorporate the language throughout my day. For example, I often answer my co-workers questions in Russian. It only pisses them off a little. I also only count in Russian. I’ll do this a lot when I’m working out, counting reps or tracking time. It’s a great way to keep my mind thinking Russian.

I may be getting a new Camera too. My 10D has had quite a bit of dust on the mirror for the last year and every attempt I’ve made to remedy this problem has failed. This includes spending $75 to send it to Canon directly. Well, I’ve decided to cut my losses and buy the new Rebel XSi (12.2mp) when it comes out in April. It’s about time I upgraded anyways. I’ll keep you posted, but hopefully I’ll start taking significantly more photos after I make the plunge.

I’ve been doing a lot of writing too. Actually, I never really stopped. I write in my journal at least once a week, but more often several times a week. These entries can range anywhere from day to day activities, thoughts and ideas, character development, random lists, just about anything that pops into my mind. It’s oddly liberating to get all your ideas out of you head and into written form. I highly recommend it.

Python and music are next on my list. I plan to do some coding tomorrow morning when I get up. In all fairness, a lot of my time has been spent reading lately. Currently I’m in the middle of two great books; The Victorian Internet and Ben Franklin: An American Life. Both are really fascinating.

I’ve also been watching some of the open courses Yale is offering. Specifically, Professor Kagan’s Philosophy course on death. This is what makes the Internet great, free knowledge. I’m not watching online courses made specifically for the net, but an actual Yale course, taught at Yale, by an actual Yale professor, in front of a real Yale class. Life is good. I even have homework. I have to read Plato’s Phaedo before the next class.

Coincidentally enough, that link to Plato’s Phaedo takes you to M.I.T.’s site, another incredible organization that promotes free knowledge for everyone.

But now I’m just rambling, and I’m hungry, so it’s time to wrap this up.

Posted in health, music, photo, python, russian, writing, zen mind | 4 Comments »

Cowgirl

October 24th, 2007 by Robert

Cameron

Posted in photo | No Comments »

A walk in Borderland

October 24th, 2007 by Robert

Borderland

Posted in photo | No Comments »

The Thunderbirds

August 31st, 2007 by Robert

I touched these up in Photoshop, i.e., straightened, curves, levels, hue/sat, unsharp mask…

Amazing precision by the Thunderbirds

Thunderbirds in formation

Afterburn

Posted in photo | No Comments »

Boston Sunset

August 25th, 2007 by Robert

Variation of Boston Sunset

I added the frame using Flickr Toys @ http://bighugelabs.com/flickr

Posted in photo | No Comments »

Why Photography?

July 26th, 2007 by Robert

Photography has been something I’ve enjoyed for a while. Like music, this artistic ability doesn’t come so naturally to me. I have my share of decent pictures, but not near as many as I’d like.

Professional photographers have taught me a few things.

1.) Equipment doesn’t matter. When I first started to shoot, I went out and spent a small fortune on camera’s and equipment. I got discouraged when I saw beautiful pictures from people using technologically inferior equipment. Their photos put mine to shame and I didn’t know how this was possible. I had the better camera, the better lenses, and yet all my pictures were simply mediocre at best. Then I realized why…

2.) The only way to become a good photographer is to take pictures. Well duh, that’s obvious, right? What they mean this is, take a lot of pictures, and I mean a lot. That really is the only way to learn. Take thousands of pictures a week; take pictures of everyone and everything; take pictures using different methods and techniques. Just take pictures.

And this is what I’m going to do. I’m going to carry my camera everywhere I go and take pictures of everything I see.

Cameron and her camera

Posted in photo, why | No Comments »