To start off 2012 was pretty good.  We rang in the new year with some good friends from Rollag.  I also bought into a a cash pool for a weight loss competition with some co-workers to see who could lose the most weight from Jan 1 to Feb 28.  So far I’ve managed to lose just over 7 pounds this month.  I started back on the P90X routine 3 nights a week or so, but will try and get out and run if the weather is nice.  Between really trying to limit my portions, working out and cutting out the Captains during the week have been big helps.  I have a goal of losing some weight, and making some quick cash in the process, so it’s a pretty good motivator.

I got fed up with my office being primer white, so we picked out some nice rich colors to update the walls with.  With a little re-arranging the the office looks pretty good, and is quite a bit darker with the new paint.  This has spurred me to instal can lights, so that will be next on the ‘to-do’ list.  In time, I’ll be expanding the can lights to the rest of the house, as they look modern and I think would really improve the lighting in the house as we go thru and update colors.

As for editing and freelance work, I’ve got a big gig coming up in February that is a repeat customer, as well as some other recurring work.  I picked up a few new tools for better overall filming.  I’m also taking some added education to help give my freelance/photo work a little more of a jumpstart.  I’m trying to build up that business to bring in added recurring income for fun money or a rainy day.  Overall, I’m trying to stay busy!

While it may sound like I’m overly busy as always, things have settled down, and I’ve gotten back into a schedule which works pretty well.  I’ve even been able to take a sunday morning stroll thru Menards, Target and Cub to get groceries, and little tid bits of whatever..  Oddly, it’s a bit soothing to wander thru Cub in the morning.

Overall, if the rest of 2012 goes as January, then it will be a great year!

Short Term Goals:

• Lose 20 pounds.  I started at the 1st of th year, and have am striving for a date of Memorial day to have lost my 20 pounds.  I’ve lost 7lbs as of 1/27, so, I may be able to surpass that goal, possibly hitting 30 pounds, even if that goal falls into the summer months.  I’d like to be healthier, slimmer, and look better overall
• Obtain my conceal and carry permit.  While I have no direct need for this, or plans to carry a firearm on my person, I want to go thru the proper training, and have the permit, just because I can do this as a US Citizen.  While I’ve been able to correctly operate a firearm for the last 25 years of my life, it has been limited to a rifle.  I want to  hone in my aim a bit, and get more familiar with a handgun, just because.

Long Term Goals:

• Self-employment by age 40.  I have plenty of time to make this happen
• Read the ‘Good Book’.  While I’m not a huge fan of organized religion, I feel it’s an important book to read, and while I have my own beliefs and values, I feel it may help me to understand others, and have a more well rounded perspective on things.

I’m quite certain items will be added to this list, however, these have been in my mind for quite some time, and if they’ve stuck around that long, they should make it on an ‘official’ list.

Here’s a recap from 2011 for anyone that gives a rats hind end..

January – February: It was pretty dang cold, so we didn’t do all that much.  I worked out, edited some videos and worked on some websites..

March: We headed up north for a weekend for a Rollag work weekend.  The 75 Case was getting fitted with a new boiler, and our new bucket truck was getting finished up as well.  Good friends, good times and we managed to make it into Moorhead shortly before 94 was closed due to bad weather.  If seemed to follow us up, but we didn’t really see it!

April: This brought the MSEA steam up at Larson Welding, and the maiden run of the 75 Case.  Once again we were chased up to Fargo by bad weather, but it didn’t affect our fun.

May: May brought a the start of steam season and was kicked off my my, Eileen, our buddy Tyson and the dogs loading up in a pickup and heading to Pawnee, Oklahoma for the OST/GEA show.  We caravanned down with the boys from the Nelson Bus Barn, our neighbors at Rollag. We had the opportunity to meet an engineer at Rollag last year who was to run the Baker Engine that was restored at Larson.  The engine was originally from the OK show and was going to return there for the 2011 show.  We got ourselves a plan and made a road trip down for 5 days of new adventures.  It was a great experience that I’ll not soon forget, and was one of those rare opportunities when everything fell into place.  Being from Minnesota and having a good amount of training towards my MN steam license, but not actually having it yet, it was great to be able to get down and operate an engine on my own.  It was truly a great weekend of traveling, meeting new people and seeing new places.  On our way back, we passed nearby Joplin, MO, shortly before it was decimated by a tornado. At the end of may, I got engaged, up at Rollag with our friends around over Memorial weekend.  That was an exciting weekend, and am exited for that next chapter of life.  No date has been set yet, but all things in good time.

June: The start of the month brought the MS150 bike tour once again, Marking my 15th year on the tour, give or take a year.  I had spent a good deal of time in the spring training, between riding, running and weight training.  Overall, it was a pretty good ride., and I’m looking forward to it already in 2012.  Also, Rollag held the Steam School, of which I took part in.  I’ve been learning the ropes for the past few seasons, but it was really nice to learn some of the details and logic behind you do what you do, and why things work the way they do.

July: Of course, July starts with the 4th weekend, as well as my birthday.  We took a trip to Rollag for a weekend, and some work on the camper.  We also ran down to the Hastings Little Log House with the Nelson clan and Tyson.. He made the trip down from up north since the show was featuring his two favorite things.  Chevy and green tractors.   We had some bad heat and humidity, along with some nasty storms on Saturday night that pretty much decimated most of the flea market.  At least it took care of the humidity.

August: Of course August means Rollag and the Avery feature.  10 days of vacation from work (ok, so I still worked some) lots of great friends, and a ton of camera gear for production of the 2011 Rollag DVD.  This carried over into September, but always ends too quickly.  The weather was pretty good, the people were even better, and you can be assured I’ll be there until every year until they stick me in the ground.  Also, knocking one item off my bucket list was running a 5k.  I completed the run in a shorter time than I had planned, which was pretty awesome for me, and then we departed immediately for Rollag!

September: A short two weeks after Rollag, we head off to the Albany show, which is where most of the Rollag people go to relax after our show.  Many of the same people, some different ones.  Again, a great long weekend.  The weather was a bit chilly, but the cheese curds were a good fix for that.  Later in the month, we headed up to Askov for a little family show by some relatives.  Again, it was a whole bunch of Rollag people pitching in, and really laid back. Also, the end of the month brought the close of a new house and moving.  Add all this activity on top of editing the Rollag DVD, and I’m one busy little beaver!

October: Brought house projects, editing and the Rollag annual meeting.  I once again ran for the Board, but was knocked out at the last round of voting.  I’m starting to feel like I should be on Survivor.  Upside, Eileen got on, as well as some of our friends.  It will be a good to have a large change of thought, and see what new ideas can be brought forward while still carrying on the existing plans.

November: Editing, Editing, Thanksgiving and Editing.  We had a few folks down for turkey, and also our 3rd annual Black Friday party.  It was a pretty good time, again, nothing beats spending time with friends and family.  Especially when you have great friends and family!

December: This was an interesting month.  Of course you have the Holidays, however in order to get there, I had to wade thru my employer getting purchased, and having the purchaser also be purchased.  Also, I took a trip out to California for some business travel, met up with some friends out there, saw the Golden Gate bridge, had drinks in a museum and had a sleepover at SFO.

Overall, not too bad of a year.  I guess I still have to complain about a house that hasn’t sold, and have completely blacklisted USBank for a reputable financial institution due to some unethical practices they used earlier in the year, and other details I prefer not to discuss.  I will advise you, to find a smaller, local bank where they know your name and aren’t a bunch of crooks.  I have no regrets, and suggest you do the same.

For 2012, I have a few goals and plans.  We have some work to do in the house; move a wall, add a bathroom, bar and some cabinets.  No real plan on when those will get done, but sometime soon.  I do need to get back in the fitness routine.  I’ve started up the P90X routine again, and joined a content with co-workers where the winner stands to win some real cash for losing the most weight.  Once I get back on a track, and knock out the holiday foods, I should be good.

I’ve got another big video project starting up in February, MS150, and show season.  A big goal for this year, is to find a Ranger, and upgrade the Cushman at Rollag.  Batteries are awesome for power, quiet and such, however, with the schedule I run up there, they are dead by Saturday, as they like more than 6 hours a night to charge.  Somewhere in there we also have the Spitfire to start restoring, along with a handful of other garage projects.

One big goal I have set for myself is to get back on the track to becoming self-employed by the time I hit 40.  I have some time, but need a few things in place in preparation for that.  Starting with one of the most basic things, I’ve consolidated my freelance sites into one site:  http://timdachtera.com.

I can’t say I have many true resolutions, but goals that I want to attain over a longer term vs. most resolutions that are forgotten a few weeks into the year.

Here’s to a great 2012 for everyone.  May you reach your goals, keep your compass pointed straight ahead, not forget the past, but don’t let it hold you back from making your future.

I’ve been saying since they came out, that I didn’t need one, I had the desktop, laptop, and DROID to use, plus a handful of WinX laptops laying around.  On the flip side, I’ve recently been trying to ‘simplify’ my daily life.  I don’t have too much free time at night after supper, working on client projects etc, and continuing to sit in my home workspace vs. being social doesn’t seem wise.  On the other hand, sitting on the couch with my laptop (which also gets mighty warm on the lap) – It is a 5 year old laptop afterall.

My thought for the iPad was, something I can quickly pick up and put down, check news, gossip on FB and track some stuff at home like my foods and exercises (as mentioned to me by a co-worker) – Something I mainly track on my DROID now, which is a bit cumbersome.  I could also use it a bit with some of my video work for odd tasks such as timers and audio recording, something I currently have to lug my laptop along for.  Turns out I can keep tabs on my TV stuff at home, and watch shows via the iPad, (which might be nice sometimes, as I don’t have a TV in my workspace, or also to look up new meals in the kitchen (don’t forget the screen cover)

I could see a valid use for it at the office, using it in meetings etc to take notes.  I rarely if ever undock my laptop to take it to meetings.  Primarily because it’s always connected and doing some sort of task where I cannot drop the net connection (and WiFi isn’t an option for what I’m doing) Also, I can keep an eye on some of my tasks that I monitor during the day as well.

One big positive that a co-worker mentioned to me, was use it to review photos when you’re out shooting.  The little LCD on the back of the camera doesn’t due justice, and the last time I went shooting, again, lugging that 5yr old laptop was a pain, especially since the battery was not lasting long.  – For a weekend camping with a backpack only, light=good.

I’m sure I can find many more uses, but I’m trying to moreso justfiy the cost of it than the actual ‘having’ of it.  I’ve got a stash of spare parts I can offload on Craigslist to subsidize a portion of the cost, so I guess if I can come up with 1/2 the cost of one via selling stuff, that should be doable.

Any of you with iPads have any other great ideas of why I should have one (BESIDES Angry Birds)? – Or, do you have a reason NOT to get one..

Spark Show - Photo by Tim Dachtera

So, the last few weeks have been pretty fun, and the next few weeks are shaping up to be pretty fun as well. Here’s a little recap of what’s been, and what will be!

Running: Well, I’ve given up on the whole trying to run/ride after work at night.  There are just too many things to do.  So, I’ve opted to get my ass out of bed at 5:30am instead, and trade off between jogging and riding.  So far it’s been working, especially if I can drag myself out of bed at 5:30 on a Monday morning.  The scale did manage to tip in the favorable direction last week, so I’m quite happy about that.

Shows: A bunch of us ventured down to Pawnee, OK for the show down there last week, and it was certainly a good experience.  It was fun to travel 700 miles across the country, and still be in the company of new people who know the people you know from back home.  We were 6 Minnesotan’s that came down to run a steam engine, who talked funny according to the OK residents.  I sure had a good time running the Baker engine.  Here’s a few photos from Facebook, and video clips on YouTube.

We’ll be headed up to Rollag for Memorial weekend coming up here soon, which should be an exciting weekend for a handful of reasons.  With some new upgrades to Cushman 2.0 (we might be on v2.3 by now) for the camera boom, the new set of batteries and more camera toys to play with, this years DVD for Rollag should be pretty good. Being it our 5 year anniversary of doing the DVD’s for Rollag, we’ll be putting in some fun clips of behind the scenes and how we get the shots we get.  Also, in June, I’ll be attending Steam School, in prep to get my MN boilers paperwork, so I can run an engine if the opportunity is presented.

MS-150: The 2011 MS-150 is quickly approaching.  While I do have some funds raised, I need to get a handful more to reach my goal.  If you’d like to support me, please click this link to do so!  I’m looking forward to getting back together with a bunch of the team I used to ride with, so pending weather, it should be a good weekend!  Feel free to visit us at Grand Casino, or celebrate our return at Century College.

Stupid House: Still have the house on the market, and it just needs to go away.  It’s a wonderful house if you have no kids, or 1-2 kids that can sleep alone since the master suite is upstairs.  Huge back yard and 2.5 car garage with lots of space.  Recent paint in most of the rooms and refinished hardwood.  We just need more garage space actually, and a mortgage with no past attached to it.

Freelance: I’ve been keeping busy working on my TractionCMS platform for some of my clients that are still 100% home rolled, and also been working with a number of other clients to create new, or update old sites to some present web trends for better usability, e-commerce and improved SEO functionality.  If you know anyone who is looking for a website, please send them my way.

That’s pretty much it in my world for the moment!

It started with a local group I’ve been providing video services to requesting me to come back for a third year starting Fall, 2011 again.  I of course said yes, because it’s a great group, I’m learning while working, and I don’t mind a little extra money in the bank.

I finally resolved the issue with my recently acquired GoPro camera.  After working with their support and determining the focus was faulty, I shipped the old one back, and they promptly sent me a new one.. actually NEXT DAY.  I’m quite satisfied with the level of support I received during this interaction, and I will certainly continue raving about how awesome this little camera is.  While I haven’t had a chance to really test it, aside from a quick bike ride, and messing around the house, I’m really looking forward to using it this weekend, which brings me to the next topic.

MSEA Steam Up is this weekend at Larson Welding in Fargo, ND.  I’ll be headed up there to visit Rollag friends, and also take some photos and video for the upcoming Avery/New-Way Feature this year at the Rollag show.  I came up with a mag-mount for the GoPro, so, hopefully, I can attach it on the Prony Brake, or a steamer, basically stick it somewhere I don’t really feel face putting myself, or my FX1.

Thursday, I had the opportunity to take some photos of our staff at Jobs2Web for an upcoming redesign of our own career site.  That was a good time, and had a chance to interact with some of my co-workers beyond a “Hey, scrape this for me” conversation.  I’ll be doing some video work for them later this spring, as well as returning as the photo guy for the 2011 Collaborate event.

Recently, I flipped my listing agent for the house, and so far, we’ve had 4 requests to show the house in the next week, so lets hope that this trend continues, and the place sells quickly now that we’re entering the prime real-estate season.  I’ll be spending next weekend getting the back yard in top shape, and also refinishing the decks, so everything looks nice and pretty.

As for the fitness topic – I got out 3 evenings this week, Thursday was just a bust with rain and overall crappy weather, and other stuff to address at home before taking off.  – I hopped on the scale this week, and saw no change.. Which, I’m OK with.  I’m not going up, so that’s a positive thing.  Just means I need to keep working on the running and riding to start on that downhill slide to a slimmer mid-section.

Have a good weekend!

We have 24 hours in a day, and personally, I like to get about 7-8 hours of sleep each night, at least during the work week. That leaves us roughly 16 or 17 hours in our days. What do we do with those hours? Everyone seems to say they never have enough time in the day to accomplish what they want, me included.

I’ve actually taken to making a schedule and keeping it at my desk at home, and the fridge so I know where all my time is going, and it goes a little something like this.

0600 – Get up, shower and prep for work
0645 – Leave for work
0730 – Arrive at work granted no commuting issues
1600 – Leave work and head home
1700 – Arrive at home and workout, and chill for a few minutes if before 1700
1800 – Suppertime
1900 – Work on freelance work
2000 – Tinker on whatever I want, usually ends up being freelance and client work
2130 – Attempt to shower about now
2200 – Crawl into bed and do it all over again the next day.

So, it seems in my day, I have about 3 hours a night to work on whatever it may be.. Freelance, projects, housework. Now, I realize many people have different schedules, less free time due to carting kids around to sports, second jobs etc.

Where does that ‘free’ time in our schedule go? I know some of mine goes to wasting time just staring at the monitor, facebook and general distractions, but when I get down to it, I’ve got maybe an hour or a little better of solid time to devote to something. Granted, I try and get some time in to relax and watch some TV during the week, and not be totally consumed by work, but sometimes it seems as I never get anything done with the time I have at night.

I’d like to know where does your time go? Do you find that you never have enough time to accomplish what you want? How do you manage your time? – Whatever it may be, I’d like to hear your thoughts.

The projects were mounting all day and all night,
so the bottles of rum, were starting to feel light.

Parties and food were very abundant,
and complaining about workouts have become quite redundant.

Since I don’t get much opportunity to go out and try new places to eat, go fun places or do stuff [mainly because this time of the year it's cold out, and I am being more thrifty with my spending] I’ve decided to bore you all with more boring news on my fitness goals.

While I do admit taking the week of Thanksgiving off to finish up some projects and get stuff done, I’m back on the wagon now 110%. Being able to double my workout times at night I hope will show some serious results being able to combine both cardio and weight training in a nightly routine. I’m shooting for jogging 2-3 miles per night, and then my regular lifting pattern, which is getting close to maxing out the weights.

In addition, I’m back to cutting back most of my alcoholic libations short of maybe a rum and coke or light beer or two during the week. – My liver had it’s punishment at all the shows this summer, so I can let it hibernate for the winter. Also given up at the end of the show season, and hopefully for good is the ‘fresh air’ – Jokingly I said all summer that it was the cleanest air you’d breath at a show because it was filtered, but is still something I don’t really need.

I’m also working hard to continue improving my meals. Breakfast and lunch are not really an issue, as I have the same thing, Whole wheat toast with PB, Egg beaters with a little cheese and pre-cooked bacon and Organic 0% milk.

Lunch is usually 2 apples (AM/PM snack), turkey or chicken sandwich on wheat toast with cheese, spinach and mustard. Supper is the more difficult part, and where I usually end up derailing. Making food for two, usually results in leftovers, and I’m prone to eat them vs. put them away, since I really don’t like most leftovers and dislike throwing away food.

In addition, I also have a jug of Max Protein sitting on my desk at work which I’ll make up for a shake in the afternoon, and some Thermo and Metabo helpers as well as daily manly vitamins to ensure I stay strong and healthy as I age. Also, I’ve made a choice to cut out morning coffee or soda, which I really don’t need.

Myself, much like most people have a hard time seeing the changes in themselves on a daily basis since we see ourselves in the mirror every day. When you run into people you haven’t seen in a few months or weeks like friends and family that notice and give you a compliment, that is great. While I have my reasons for getting fit besides just the health aspect of it, I know people do it for all different reasons, and have many ways of going about it.

I’ve done Atkins, I’ve done WW, and tried a few other of the ‘fads’ that have come and gone. For me, I’ve found the best plan is to just find a routine that fits in your daily life, and a food plan that won’t make me crazy.

When I started my goal to lose weight back in late 2008, I was hovering about 245 or so, way more than I wanted to weigh. I’m currently sitting about 225, and would like to get to 200-210.. I realize I’m kind of built like a tank, so I will never be a poster boy for Twin Monthly, but I just want to get rid of that stubborn midsection and add a bit more definition. My legs and arms are doing pretty well. It’s just the middle that needs to go away.

To those of you have who complimented me, encouraged me etc, thank you.

That’s my .02 for the day..

Then summer came..

The start of the steam show season, being busy and having too many projects on deck that caused me to put my fitness aside. Now that shows are about over, projects are wrapped up and I’m having more free time, I will be getting back on the wagon. I think the biggest thing that hurt my summer were the 8 weekends at shows in various places which began with a Friday Chipotle stop on the way out of town. Don’t get me wrong, I love my burrito, but starting off with a 1600 calorie bomb on a Friday where your next three hours will be in a car, and followed by a few nights (days) of drinking more than one should to maintain a diet.. It gets to be a bunch.

Add on top of that eating here and there when you can at shows, and usually it’s a pizza, PBJ or brats and chips.. Not all that healthy. Add too little sleep on top of that and it’s just a recipe for needing a Monday afternoon nap by Monday morning!

In addition, I had so many projects going on this summer, mainly Cushman 2.1 for Rollag which consumed a few hundred hours of my life and many, many nights in the garage along with new websites for the Rollag Store and enhancements to the main site.

All in all, the excuses are many, but it boils down to me not putting my health and fitness goals at the top of the list. Partly that’s OK, because I need to get out, and have other responsibilities, but partly I could have managed time better.

SO – For this fall, now that the shows are done and I have more time on my hands, my goal is to return to working out 4 days a week, either on the treadmill, weights or that punishment called P90X. Going to go back to not visiting the Captain much or help the Miller Brewing stock.. My big pitfalls will be the days I telecommute, where I’ll have free access to the fridge and anything in the house..

How am I going to measure my progress? – Well in a number of ways. I started a group on Facebook this spring called “Loser To Some Degree” which I’m going to try and get back into posting on. I also have my Wii Fit with the balance board, and plan to use that to track my weight and BMI loss. I’m stepping back on that scale for the first time in about 6 weeks tomorrow morning (the last time we were home on a Friday) and see how bad it is. If I have either maintained, or lost weight or BMI, I will be content, otherwise, I’ll probably beat myself up a bit like normal. I also have a few ways to track on my DROID. I have a neat little app called CardioTrainer which allows me to record my workout and upload it to one of many sources, I chose Facebook. With Cardio Trainer, I can track my workouts, setup a schedule and routine and get reminders when I should be working out. For tracking what I eat, I have CalorieCounter from fatsecret.com. I can enter in my daily meals, scan the barcodes of food I eat often and setup a meal plan. This syncs with the fatsecret.com site, and also plugs into facebook to share or work with your other friends trying to watch their intake.

All in all, I think I have a good plan, and could really use a workout buddy, either near the house or via online. If money presents itself this winter, I might sign up for a trainer for a few months to help as well, but I still can’t justify the Lifetime membership since I have equipment at home (but I’d really like a membership, LTF rocks!)

Anyways, comments, remarks, bashing? Go for it.

Here’s a quick recap of what I did this summer, for anyone who cares.

We had 8 weekends of steam related activities (including one this coming weekend) to attend. Many were for Rollag, and a few other shows to help promote the Allis expo at Rollag this year. Eileen was voluntold she was the chairperson last fall, and we had a lot of work to do, cramming two years of planning into a year.

Once again, I rode the MS-150 bike tour. I believe I have been riding each year since 1996. 150 miles of biking, over two days. It’s become one of those things I just do every year because it’s not too difficult and it raises money for a good cause.

A few weekends were spent out on the St. Croix for various events such as the 4th of July and Christening party for the SCYC

We took a camping trip with our friends the Nelson’s in July (more of the Rollag family) and headed up to William O’Brien State Park in MN. Overall the weekend was pretty good, but we could have done without the douchebag in the fishing boat waking us and other nearby canoes (causing us to tip over being the closest to them)

I spent way too much time working on Cushman 2.1 for Rollag. I probably have about 300 hours in this masterpiece since I started it last December. At the end of the project, there are still things I could improve upon given more money, but it worked well for it’s debut at Rollag, and I look forward to using it again next year.

I launched a new website Valley Photography. As an avid photographer for over a decade now, I’ve dug in all my photos and am creating an online collection for sale. Prints are available in just about any size, and at a great price with standard orders capping at about 65$ for a 24×30 full color print. Portions of the proceeds from a few photos will be given to the SOS Fund (Save Our Steamers) at Rollag to aide in the repair of some steam engines at the show.

I’ve silently launched a website, as noted above SOS Fund (Save Our Steamers). This site is still needing content about the few engines that need repair, but in short it’s a donation site allowing contributors to donate to a fund that will aid in the repair of a few of the WMSTR owned engines that are currently unable to operate due to safety reasons regarding the boilers on the engines. They’re 80+ years old and have worn out to be used anymore. The site is aimed at getting the word out, and trying to use the Internet as another form of gaining awareness.

I’ve also decided that I want to finally get my MN Steam License. Having been at Rollag for 15+ years now, it’s time that I get my little white engineers ribbon. I’ve been spending a number of hours on a few of the scale engines that I have access to, and hope to take my test next June if I have the hours required (50) or else right before Rollag next August. I can’t say I have a practical use for this, nor do I own a steam engine I can run, however it does mean I can pitch in and help others with engines, and in time as I gain more experience, help other learn.

There is a ton of other stuff I’ve done this year, but it would be more boring than this stuff, so I’ll skip it. All in all, it’s been a good summer, but busy. I’ll be looking forward to not being gone every weekend, as it’s been a killer on gas!

Photo by Tim Dachtera

Photograph by Tim Dachtera

Many of you know I’ve dabbled in photography for a number of years. I’ve done portrait sittings for local Real Estate groups, parties for the Yacht Club, MLS photography via Obeo, and taken thousands of photos camping, outdoors and at Rollag.

I’ve started to collect a number of good photos that I’d like to put a price on, either for a digital copy, or by print or framed print.

I know I can manage the online digital downloads etc, however I’m a bit at a loss of where to start looking for framers or printers for the photos. Some photos are panoramas and could be broken up into 3 photos to occupy an empty wall (that is my current plan for a recent pan I’ve taken) Some would do just fine as 8×11, of which I can handle in-house. One photo actually ended up on a billboard last year.

The other question I’m coming up with over and over, – What do I charge? I know I’d need to cover the cost of materials, however I undervalue my creative talent and time big time. Granted the photos of rare sites and those that require more setup or post work would be more. I’m really at a loss of what to tack on tho..

Any suggestions welcome!

Photograph by Tim Dachtera

Photo by Tim Dachtera

Photo by Tim Dachtera

We’ll be down in the Ft. Myers/North Port area, so if you have any ideas of where to do, please let me know! I’m sure we’ll hit up a few places I went to last year such as Joe Cracker’s, but will most likely stay away from Snook Haven, unless we feel real adventurous.

Do you have a favorite place in the area to stop by? Also, we’ll be spending most of our last day in Orlando, so aside from Disney, ideas there would be great too! ]]> http://www.w00dz.com/florida-time/feed/ 0 http://www.w00dz.com/computer-hardware-reselldonations/ http://www.w00dz.com/computer-hardware-reselldonations/#comments Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:50:24 +0000 Tim http://www.w00dz.com/?p=529

Photo by Tim Dachtera

Tim's Farm on Zynga's Farmville

While I do admit I have very high standards for my mobile device and what it can/cannot do, I don’t think I’ve wanted too much from a carrier. – Transmit calls, email and data in an efficient manner. Yay. So, I’ve got the Blackberry. As a device, it’s not too bad. Granted, I’m using a three year old set of hardware, I can admit I do a lot with it. On any given day, I’m using Google Maps, UberTwitter, EmpowerEmail, http://www.beejive.com/, FaceBook, SalesForce, as well as SMS/MMS, http://foursquare.com/ and my Alarm providers app for Blackberry along with SMS/MMS messaging. It’s taken quite some time to get the Curve setup just how I want it, and working well. However, now with that much crap on it, its slowing down. Also, during the summer I use the data tethering quite a bit, since I’m out of town on weekends, and need more efficient web access than the BB browser provides (or other browser on the device)

Poking around at the Verizon store a few weeks back, I looked at the new http://tinyurl.com/m27otd, and was impressed with the much better screen, browser rendering and overall speed of the device. I wasn’t as sold on the keyboard, as there was less definition between the keys, but with any change, it’s something you acclimate to. Also, I was impressed by the better camera quality. I was slightly turned off by the new UI on the device (as with all the new BB devices) it just didn’t do it for me, and seemed a little sluggish to respond (which is something I noted in the original release of the Storm) – Granted, it’s something to get used to, and mostly just appeared to be how the navigation worked vs. the speed of the device, but something to consider nonetheless.

I figured it would be a good upgrade, just based on the browsing and camera upgrade, so I kept poking thru the store killing time. Stopping at the Moto DROID, I thought I would just tinker with it. I had given no thought to the DROID up to this point, based on a few things;

1) I have lots of apps purchased for the CrackBerry
2) I need to be able to simply sync a device with my Mac
3) I need to tactile keyboard for the amount of typing I do
4) I need to tether the MacBookPro to the device in the summer

I decided to poke around at the Motorola version vs. the other Android phones, because the DROID does include a full slide out tactile keyboard. While not as nice as the CB or Sidekick in terms of button separation, it seemed like something I could get used to in a short amount of time.

The user interface seemed very responsive and quick, including full multitasking abilities. I looked at the Google Map app, and it was much quicker than the CrackBerry, as was basic web browsing. I think not having the BlackBerry network in the mix of data transmission really helps. There are a number of free apps out on Android to handle the apps I’ve already paid for on BlackBerry, so little duplicate purchasing will be needed. I’ll miss out on my Security app, but they provide a mobile interface for monitoring as well. My big question which I need to have answered, is “will it tether” I’ve found out, that syncing my Mac with the GoogleSync platform, I can handle the updating of my phone/address book/calendar without much need to plug it into my computer anymore, other than to backup. I’m currently using this now on the Curve, and seems to be working well.

Also, I liked that the DROID has WiFi in it, which would be great at home, or elsewhere I have access to WiFi vs. eating bandwidth/battery and having less lag than on the 3G network.

However, my Devils’ advocate to this is, I can do so much more on this browser than the CB, where I might not /need/ tethering (or just sign up for the mobile broadband USB dongle and return it in the trial period)

I will be returning this weekend for more in-depth, as the GF’s contract is up for renewal as well this summer.

Pricewise, – The DROID is a little more expensive up front than the new Tour, however, the monthly service on the DOID would be about $10 less than I pay now, so that would recoup itself shortly.

Also, I’ve heard rumor of the iPhone coming to Verizon this summer. That sounds like it would be a cut-and-dry answer for me to switch, HOWEVER. – The iPhone does not have a tactile keyboard, nor does it allow multi-tasking between apps. While I believe the iPhone would be the easiest to integrate and sync with my Mac at home, I don’t see it being a viable option for me on a daily basis, just based on how much I use the device during the day. Also, battery life, iPhone battery life sucks. I’d need to charge mine pretty much most of the day with the amount of activity it gets, vs. the CB for sure, possibly DROID have extra battery packs with higher capacity (also key when I go on weekend long bike rides, without access to power)

In short, I have a little more research to do, and just more face time with the device. I realize I have a month to return and get a different phone, however, it’s a hassle, and I’d like to get something and know it’s going to meet my needs.
If you have any comments, I’d love to hear them. That being said, – I’m not open to moving carriers due to phone availability, nor am I open to a phone without a QWERTY tactile keyboard on it.