Happy Valentine's Day!



Just wanted to take a moment to wish all of my readers, family & friends a Happy Valentine's Day! The photo may be somewhat cliche but I figured I would give this type of shot a try and it is special to me. This shot was taken using one of my wife's favorite books and both of our wedding bands. Our relationship has been unique. We have been "together" for at least 12 years and literally grew up together - made it through the high school experience, lived it up and both survived (and graduated) from the University of Florida, and even managed to get married right after my first semester of law school. If she isn't a saint, there is no such thing. The quoted term which is in focus to the left of our rings is "you know its love" and based on the things we have been through and the love we still share - as far as our relationship is concerned...you KNOW it is love. I am 2 months into my bar prep and just over a week away from taking one of the most important tests in my life, but I couldn't be happier or any more stress free because regardless I will always have my love.

Something wicked this way comes...



a wicked huge lens that's what! (sorry - Boston photographer Doug Levy is having an influence on me) This thing is nuts! It's bigger & heavier than my Rat Terrier (Seriously!). I had the opportunity to purchase a Nikon 300mm 2.8 AF-I ED that I managed to find on Craigslist of all places on Saturday. I cruise Craigslist for photography related listings on occassion but usually dont' find anything of real consequence, well that changed really fast at the end of last week when I found it. I definitely had the goal of upgrading my kit to have this lens as a part of it but due to the expense I didn't think that it would be a reality this soon! It is really grreat for 2 reasons - 1. it is a 300mm prime f/2.8 lens (duh!) and 2. it works with my nikon 1.7x teleconverter which will allow me to shoot at around 510mm at f/4.8 - that is a lot of reach which will help in wildlife and other shooting situations - the price of a 500mm lens is astronomical compared to this - so it is allowing me to do something that I simply couldn't have done withotu this opportunity. After some negotiation and planning the price was right and I was actually able to make it happen thanks to some savings that I had and thanks to some generous graduation gifts. Thanks everyone! You know you're dealing with some serious gear when the thing has it's own hard case! Whoa! The lens is a slightly older model but it is autofocus but other than that the focus speed and everything else is really comparable with the newer (and much more expensive) lens. After getting the lens I had a chance to bring it home and take some test shots and unfortunately I ddin't have any really intreaguing wildlife around, but I dealt with what I had at the moment. A couple of the test shots are below:







The sharpness at 2.8 and in pretty low light is just astounding. All that I expected in the lens and MORE - man I'm so excited. The only bummer about this whole thing is I really don't have time to really get out and work with it because I'm stuck spending most of my days studying! I imagine all of this will be worth it in the end and I'll have plenty of time to shoot with the new monsta (sorry Doug again) soon!

Moving on to study concerns (if anyone is really concerned). Mark Sunday (2/1) night/and Monday (2/2) morning was my lowest of the low as far as bar prep/schooling is concerned. It hasn't even been a full day since I felt this way, but it will be the last. I was just completely defeated. I let my mind and the test (at least for the moment) defeat me. It kept me from sleeping. I was done. Got up in the morning I was tired and I was done. Started class and finally realized that this is the exact thing that I can't let happen to be successful. With some calls from home and practical tips and other encouragement I was back on track and realized that I can only do what I am physically capable of doing from this day on. One day at a time, do your best, and thats all I can ask of myself. That's it - put your head down and go and look up when it is over. It's a new day, I'm feeling good and I will be ready! :-)

Super Sunday



You know what is great about having an amazing wife? Everything! You know what is also great? Having an amazing wife that is a pharmacy manager at a grocery store! She always brings home fun stuff. This Sunday wasn't very super for me at all really. I got up early after going to bed early on a Saturday night and then studied for most of the day. Wasting a nice day on the weekend like that kills me. This past week has been the worst of bar prep yet. It seems like I am always behind and regardless of how much time I spend studying I don't feel like I know anything. Hopefully this frustration and anxiety will subside with more hard work. The self doubt I mentioned earlier on is definitely creeping in a little more and I tend to worry more about the bad things that could happen instead of worrying about being prepared. Hopefully with some rest and another productive day tomorrow this too shall pass. Either way, I am ready for this to be over but I am far from giving up on preparing or giving up on myself. Now onto the positive stuff! Even after a long day of reading and studying the day was saved when my wife came home and brought us a cake to enjoy after watching the Superbowl. The game and the cake were great and it was enough to make me smile and relieve a little bit of stress for the night. This is exactly what I needed to keep me motivated and working hard! Fortunately, regardless of what happens I will always have her to brighten my day!