Headboard Build

I watch a lot of HGTV and DIY type shows. One of the items often made is a DIY headboard. I have always wanted to try it out so this weekend was the time. The design changed about 12 times throughout the process including after I made the first cut.

I tried to keep it simple so I got two 4ft x 2ft plywood boards. They were thin to keep the weight down because at first it was intended to be hung on the wall.

This was the original layout/design but once the cuts were made, I didn't like how low the side panels looked so I centered them vertically.

The panels were joined together using a combination of wood strips (originally intended for hanging before design changes) and metal brackets.

Once the panels were joined, the legs were added. Then the headboard was covered with 4 layers of batting and two leftover strips horizontally across the middle. The 3/8 in staples barely made it through all the layers.

Then the fabric to cover it all. I got a cheap fabric that looks like pants so it couldn't be stretched too much. Also, the corners didn't come out too well because it's the first time. But it can be re-upholstered fairly inexpensively.

This is my bed before

Final product

We decided not to use upholstery tacks because the batting ended up being so thick. They may get used sometime in the future or upon re-upholstering. The most important thing was to be comfortable to lean against while watching TV and it sure is. 

I got a lot of help from Holly and we got great input from her mom, Elin.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 10 Review - Best running shoe ever?

Are the Mizuno Wave Inspire 10 their best shoes in the series? I've been using Mizuno's Wave Inspire series since the 5's. I thought they got too much support on my next model, the 7's, but I still liked them. The 9's were my next pair and I thought they were perfect. I was really excited when I heard the details for the 10's. Aesthetically, these are by far, my favorite. The mesh is tighter and the artwork is spot on. The colors work great together and these are the first running shoes I've worn fashionably since I started running. Support on the 10's is great. Just like the 9's, it's not overly supportive but enough to correct a pronator. The cushion is quite good and on par with the series. I'd say the 10's are softer than previous but I'm not entirely sure since I compare to a worn down pair of the previous model. Even with the soft cushion, I can still feel the ground which is great. Fit is where the current model fails in my opinion. For starters, the size seems to be off. I have had five previous models. All were size 12. These are size 12 and feel like size 12.5. My foot slides on the footbed and heel slips. I was able to correct the heel slip by lacing up the top eyelet. I can't seem to lace them up correctly. The tongue is the shortest in the series so far as well and while it doesn't bother while wearing them, it's annoying while lacing them up. With that said, the Mizuno Wave Inspire 10 is a good shoe that looks great but not as good as the previous model.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 10 Review - Best running shoe ever?

Guana Hike 2

Holly bought a new day pack and she wanted to test it so we went on a day hike in Guana River State Park. We packed some lunch and I, of course, took some camera gear. I actually only took my T2i and Sigma 50-200mm.

Because Holly had her pack and Jake had his, I didn't need mine. I only used one lens anyway.

Jake's pack didn't last too long. It was warm for him and not sitting properly. Holly ended up just taking it in hers.

Our path awaited.

Once Jake took off his pack, he found some water to cool off. There were signs that the trails were flooded but this was the only flooding we found, at first, even though we were warned by other hikers... For this photo, I tried to get the tree branch leading into the subject.

A close up of Jake in the water cooling off.

So if you remember from my previous post, which took place the day before this hike, I had some trouble photographing a cardinal. This guy didn't give any problems. I really like the depth of this photo with the bright green out of focus leaves in the lower right, the bird in focus, and the bokeh behind.

We hiked for about two or three hours and stopped for lunch by the river. There were a bunch of little crabs and Holly picked some up.

There was a nice picnic table by the water so we setup our lunch.

We really enjoyed our lunch.

After lunch we started the hike back. There was this great section of moss blowing in the wind.

Another shot I enjoy. Similar to the cardinal with the depth although the bokeh isn't as good here.

I saw this one bright yellow leaf in a forest full of green and brown. It seemed like the sun was breaking through the canopy specifically to shine on this one leaf. I tried to capture it but either the sun shifted, or I just couldn't capture it. I tried but didn't achieve what I wanted. 

The trail got muddier little by little. We crossed larger and larger puddles. Eventually we came across this.. It was flooded as far as we could see. We couldn't cross without getting wet for a good while. We didn't want to risk it so we turned back and cut through. We probably added a mile to the hike having to turn back.

Oh, we also saw a deer but those things are quick. We were maybe fifty yards from it, at most. By the time I realized it was an animal, it was running. By the time I realized it was a deer, it was in the woods. By the time I tried to get my camera, it was gone.

Missed deer, flooded trail, long hike, perfect weather, lot's of fun. Check out the full Guana Hike 2 set on Flickr.

Parks and Beach

A few weekends ago, it was a nice day and we decided to go to the park. I took my camera and came up with some nice photos. I started the day at the park with my T2i and the Sigma 50-200.

These things were all over the railings on the path to the trail.

There were a lot of cool plants.

When we got to the look out deck, this bee was buzzing around. It was fun trying to get this guy in focus.

We met a guy at the park that was watching birds and pointed us towards these baby owls.

Holly spotted a cardinal in the trees. By the time I spotted it, focused and shot, this is all I got. I thought it was a missed shot but Holly convinced me to keep it which I'm glad because I really like this one.

I liked the color of this shelf fungus.

Tacked this woodpecker for a while.

Found the elusive cardinal again. Might not be the same one.. but I like to think I got the upper hand. Specially considering they don't have hands.

After walking the trails, we went to another park up the road a bit. It was more open, not as woodsy but fun. I had never seen handicap swings. I really enjoyed seeing this.

We had lunch/dinner after the second park and decided we hadn't had enough of the beautiful day so we walked to the beach about a mile away from the house. I only took my nifty fifty 50 f1.8 to change it up and because I hadn't shot with it in a long while. I realized how much I enjoy shooting that cheap, plastic lens. Anway, as we were walking, I turned and saw this awesome scene.

Arriving at the beach, I realized I made a good choice of lens to take because the sun wasn't out much longer. I like this dry sand patch.

The sand had a bunch of cool patterns and breaks in it. These probably have a name but I just liked the lines.

More sand lines

Like a little river in the sand.

This is the county line on the beach. I think the posts were all one size at some point.

This is the top view of one of the short posts.

Holly was in her element checking out the stuff growing and living on the posts and around them. The sunset light was shining just enough to light her perfectly.

Another angle of the posts. Trying to compose some leading lines.

And finally, the last shot was a final glimpse of the sunset. This photo is very noisy because I heavily edited it. It was pretty darn dark out there at this point.

This was a great day out in great Jacksonville weather with a wonderful lady. She had her dog and I had my camera. :)


The full Parks and Beach set on Flickr

My Birthday

My birthday was March 16th. For the past 6 years, I've participated in the Gate River Run. It's a 15k road race and it's become a tradition for me. I use it as an excuse to stay in shape or not let myself get too overweight again. It's always been on or near my birthday weekend so it is my little celebration for me.

I also wanted to do something with friends. Holly was able to, at the last minute, register and run the River Run but I also wanted to go to the zoo. There was a new tiger exhibit that opened and I was excited to see. They also had the butterfly exhibit that I enjoy. The thing about the zoo is that the availability was only for Saturday after the race. We decided to go for it anyway thinking we wouldn't be too tired.

When we arrived, alarms immediately went off because we had to park in the entrance. Not near the entrance but literally on the road that leads into the parking lot of the zoo. The line to the ticket counter was long and it was warm.

Since we were going to be there for a while, I started shooting. Reflections off Holly's glasses.

More reflections. I cropped this one. Just because.

Once we finally got into the zoo, the first thing I saw was a squirrel.

We met up with Joanna and Jacob and they were excited to see us.

See the excitement?

Holly next to a Holly tree. Inception

At some point I will own a proper macro lens. I like it.

I saw this kid checking out the koi fish.

Another flower and a close up.

 I wasn't the only one getting macro/close ups of the flowers.

Such nice flowers to shoot.

As mentioned, the butterfly exhibit is one of my favorite things. It's setup like a fantasy world with butterflies all over the place. It's magical. Although there is a soundtrack that has a creepy kids laugh...

It's fun to follow the butterflies until they land somewhere and then get macros of them before they take off again. Apparently they get pretty beat up in there. This guy looks rough.

Butterfly butterflying

Along with the house on the mushrooms a few above this one, this is one of my favorites. I like how it almost looks like it's a scene somewhere but it's really just a small water fall in the butterfly exhibit.

A bench, a Holly. A stare into the distance. A piece of art.

Once done at the butterfly place, I saw this and thought it'd make for a cool photo. I wanted to push the button.

Making our way to the tiger exhibit, we saw these guys but they kept avoiding humans. They eventually stayed in view long enough to photograph.

Finally we made it to the new exhibit. It was pretty cool. Unfortunately the tigers were hiding out from the sun. As mentioned from the get go, it was pretty warm.

We were happy having seen the tigers

Monkeys always freak me out a little. They look so human-like.

This thing is hideous. Sorry.

It took me a while to get this guy in focus but I felt accomplished when I finally did. He/she was buzzing around for a good 5-10 mins.

These two were mating. I got there just after they did.. haha, get it?

I think they're going to be there for a while...

I hear the Miami Vice theme song when I see this even though I know this is not a flamingo.

I spent a while shooting this one eyed pelican. He kept flapping wildly.

Unfortunately, my shutter speed was low, 1/60, and they were mostly blurred. I'm such a noob.

Last image. Probably my favorite. I mentioned monkeys kind of freak me out. The same goes for primates. This one looks so human. She looks like she is tired from a long day. I think it's a she. Point is, I can relate.

We had a great day at the Jacksonville Zoo. They continue to improve it. The quality of the exhibits is great and the access and view to the animals is superb. I always enjoy it. The full Birthday Zoo set is over on Flickr.