| Posted in »
12 years ago
2012 USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud Run
April 21, 2012
Mel, Angie, Kayla, and I finished the mud run today in Columbia. Man, I'm tired. I think we came in a little under two hours. Good times.
Harmonizing Proportion - The Rule of Thirds
April 17, 2012
This photo of Stella in Granny’s back yard is a good example of one of the basic tenets of photography: the rule of thirds. The goal is to align the elements of a scene with an imaginary grid that breaks the image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, as opposed to placing a single subject in the center of the photo. Supposedly, our eyes are naturally drawn to these lines and the intersections of these lines when viewing images, and it makes them more interesting. Most modern cameras have a setting that puts this grid in the viewing screen to help.
You can also use the rule of thirds when decorating a house. Instead of placing an object directly in the middle of a shelf, put it one third of the way from the end. Don’t hang pictures in the middle of walls, use the rule of thirds.
Of course, rules are meant to be broken, and there are many dramatic photos that defy the rule of thirds. However, it helps to learn the rule to understand when it should be broken.
"If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting."
April 16, 2012
Several months ago, Mel and I implemented a chore and allowance system for the boys, so they will learn to manage consumption with limited resources. Outside of normal gifting times (birthdays, etc.), we don’t buy them anything they don’t need.
They begin with $5 payable on the same day each week, but the money is conditional. If they do not maintain or carry out their various duties to standard, we ding them with a $1 penalty for each occurrence. I have imposed $2 fines for egregious offenses like Will maliciously kicking Haden (we have two boys, remember). On the other hand, we give $1 bonuses for the occasional outstanding behavior.
We keep track of it on the chalkboard in the sitting room. When I fine one of them, I make them write the penalty on the board to drive the point home even more.
Now, for the vital part: RESULTS
This has been more effective with Will than with Haden. They both like money, but Will’s love for cash dwarfs Haden’s. In addition to that, Haden is not as mature as Will. I think Haden thinks we’ll just buy him what he wants anyway. Will grasped the consequences in the first couple of weeks, and has really ramped up both his domestic performance and his saving habit.
Unfortunately, Haden has not learned his lesson. He still doesn’t show any initiative towards chores. Several times, he has cried over something he couldn’t afford, only to waste the following week’s scant allowance on trifles.
RM's Ankle Tape
April 14, 2012
We tailgated with a bucket of Bojangles chicken and biscuits at the Clemson spring game today. After the game, Haden got a few autographs and Rod McDowell's ankle tape.
Zombieland - We've Been There
April 12, 2012
The scene from the beginning of Zombieland... we've been there.
Washington pics
No One I Think is in My Tree
We had breakfast at Grits and Groceries this morning and stopped at the strawberry field in Due West to pick a basket of fresh strawberries.
First of the Month Phone Dump
April 1, 2012
I need to do a video dump this month, too
I seem to accumulate photos on my phone, and every now and then, I remember to check them. Sometimes, I find some photos I want to share, but they've become irrelevant to the moment. For example, it seems out of place to put up a photo in July of us playing in the snow in February. When that happens, I just have to save it for a Random Picture Friday, where it belongs. First of the Month Phone Dump reminds me to get those photos off of my phone in a timely manner! To create intrigue, I present the images of First of the Month Phone Dump without context. So dear reader, if you're left dying to know, "What is that?" or "Where is this?" well, just ask.
Posts
