Learning All the Time

As you can see, I had a big post weekend. Little did I know that I could actually have scheduled those posts so that they posted whenever I designated. That way, only one would post at a time and it would actually look like I was continually updating. My friend, Renee, told me that I could stagger the posts. So, this is my test to see if I can make this happen. I'm writing this on Monday, July 27. I want it to post on Tuesday, July 28. I'm not always successful with this computer crapola, so let's see how it goes!

Lesson 10 Compilation

This lesson was pretty cool. We created a rounded edge clipping mask, added 2 textures, added and overlay for type, and then used the burn edge technique from Lesson 9 (the one I was less than impressed with). I really liked the overlay for type because with busy backgrounds I can see where the type wouldn't show up very well. Here are my before and after pics.

Musselman Tri

Oops! Brent - I can't believe I posted about the wine tasting and completely forgot about your race. Sorry.

Kera is Brent's support crew at this race. She gets up early (4:45 a.m.) to drive to the race, helps him get into his wet suit, and waits to be sure he comes out of the water alive. Then she drives back to the hotel and helps me pack up the van so we can hustle back to the race to catch Brent coming in from the bike. Then, the long wait for him to come back on the run. Really, the only one having fun here is Brent I think! LOL!


This race is a half-iron triathlon which means there's a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run (a half marathon).

The assigned bike rack slots in the transition area had personal, inspirational messages in addition to the competitor number. This was a really unique touch.

Kera may have some pictures from the swim. Brent had a great swim, coming out of the water in 8th place (of 50) in his age group. He had a good bike too, finishing 15th in his age group. These pictures show him coming out of the transition area from his bike to start the run.

The run, however, was not so good due to hydration and fueling issues, which are always a struggle for Brent in long races. Time wise, he ended up 39th in his age group for the run.

The good news is that he finished overall in 26th place in his age group with a time of 5:53:45. He was 366th out of 875 competitors over all. Even with a bad run, he took 15 minutes off his previous time at this race. Not bad for an old guy!

Scavenger Hunt

Gwen told me last week that she thought we should have a scavenger hunt. I promised that we would have one, and let me tell you, she did not forget my promise! I made up 10 clues and put them in plastic Easter eggs. I wasn't sure how hard to make the clues or how sneaky I should be about hiding the eggs. The clues were pretty easy I thought, but I just wasn't sure. This was an outdoors hunt, so everything could be found outside and I wanted it to be a fun thing for us to do, not a frustrating one.

I was making dinner and Gwen was anxious to get started. I handed her the first clue, basically hoping she'd let me dish up dinner, and didn't the little smarty pants proceed to read the clue to me: "Oh my goodness dude, this is were I eat my food." I stood there dumbfounded as she said, "I know, Grandma, it's the picnic table." Duh. Clearly I had made this way too easy!

Gwen decided that the next scavanger hunt should have 12 clues and it needs to be a little bit harder! She is just growing up way, way too fast!

Time for the Tooth Fairy!

A few weeks ago, Gwen told me that she had a loose tooth. When she came to visit, sure enough, that front tooth was loose and the new tooth was already coming in behind it. This week, with a little help from Kera, the tooth came out. Gwen was very excited for the Tooth Fairy to come. I understand that Gwen found a gold coin under her pillow!

Before and After pics:

Pre-Musselman Wine Tasting

We managed to hit six wineries this year. Kera hadn't been to any on the western side of Lake Seneca, so we hit four there and two on the eastern side.

We like the wines from Fox Run, so we started there. They have a nice picnic area, so we took the opportunity to have our lunch outside.

Which way should we go? So many choices, so little time!

I love the gardens at Anthony Road...and they have good wine there too.

We finished up with dinner at the Red Newt. For some reason, I love this place. The name's cool, you can buy your own personal stuffed newt, and they have a great restaurant. Life is good.

Lunch With Kylie

I don't get to see Kylie all that often, so when I do, it's something to celebrate. Travis and Kylie came to Strawberry Square to join me on my lunch hour. It's fun to look out over the street and watch the traffic and people go by.

What can I say...she's just so darn cute!

Brent's 50th Birthday Bash

Happy 50th Brent!

Brent's closest friends and family gathered to celebrate. Everyone came wearing their custom-made (designed and printed by the folks from Daily Screen Printing!) Team Bart t-shirts. Sporting their Team Bart gear, baloons, streamers, and noise-makers, everyone took off on a training ride through the neighborhood.
Our event was primarily catered by Myers Family Catering, and everyone brought such yummy stuff to go with the meal. Kera's Kakes baked not one, not two, but three different cakes, all decorated with triathlon elements. Not only did they look cool, they were positively delish.
Some people couldn't wait to open gifts. Love this pic of Gwen with her chin on Grandpa's shoulders trying to move him along. Hey, it's all about the presents ya know!
Brent received incredibly thoughtful gifts...of course, they had a lot choices since Brent has a lot of interests and hobbies...exercise equipment, pirate wear, wine, music. Brent especially loved the hand-made creations.
My personal thanks to everyone. Without you all, there would not have been a party. Brent and I are both overwhelmed with your thoughtfulness and generosity.

Lesson 9 - Edge Burn

Ok, this is another one I don't really get, but again, it's subtle. It's subtlty escapes me! LOL! It's possible that I didn't get the right picture again. Anyway, the purpose of this is to subtly add darkness to the edges, drdrawing the eye toward the focal point of the picture. This seemed like a lot of work for what it is.

Before Picture

After picture.

Can you tell the difference? Too subtle? Yeah, that's what I thought too. Since no one ever comments on my posts, I figured I might as well answer my own questions! LOL!

Lesson 8 - Fonts

Lesson 7 was basically a little review test of things we've learned so far. I missed one question, which, had I thought about it longer than 2 seconds I probably would have gotten correct. Dumb.

Anyway, Lesson 8 shows how to print text onto the photo. I had some problems downloading and installing the font. I kept getting an error when I tried to extract the files, telling me there were no files. Poor Brent. He trotted up here to the office to confirm that, no, there weren't any files. After checking the message board, sure enough, someone had posted a link to another site with the same font. This time it worked. Then, I couldn't get it installed into the font directory. Yes, I followed the directions, but again, reality was a little different. But, finally, I got everything downloaded and installed and was ready for the lesson.

This also used a texture and then used a grungy font.

Before pics.

After Pic.

Lesson 6 - Through the Viewfinder

This is supposed to mimic old-time square photos. This lesson basically used all the techniques in the prior lessons. For once I really had the right picture, and I love how this turned out. Again, before and after photos.

Brent took this picture of Gwen's feet at the playground earlier this summer. He took a whole series of her - what the well dressed kid wears to the playground.

How awesome is that?!!!

Lesson 5 - Textures

This is another one I thought turned out pretty cool. This technique used 3 different textures, then was blended in soft light mode. According to Jessica Sprague, this technique is good for landscapes, flowers, or moody portraits where the figures are looking away or walking away. I chose this winter picture which was nearly black and white to begin with. Again, here are the before and after pictures.

I'm feeling very artsy fartsy!

Lesson 4 - Clipping Masks

This is pretty neat, and I can see where I would like to use this often. The photo conforms to the size and shape of the mask. Love the scuffy edges...very grunge.

Lesson 3 - Tints

Not sure what I think of this. It could be that I didn't have the right kind of picture. First, you turn the pic to sepia (which I didn't know how to do before), and use the blending mode to bring out color and contrast where 2 layers interact, letting 1 layer see through. This is supposed to produce dramatic shadows. Then, I went back in and tinted Kylie's cheeks to pink.

Here's the original picture.

Here's the final, edited picture.

I don't think I like this much. Maybe I just don't get it, or maybe I didn't pick the right picture do apply this technique to.

Lesson 2 - Brushes

This is pretty cool. From what I understand, the brush is a layer which doesn't actually go into the pixels of the photo itself.

Jessica Sprague Elements Class

I have my problems with Photoshop. I've tried several times to take some on-line classes with very minimal success. The fact is, I suck. I saw that Jessica Sprague was giving a free class with Elements (which I've had for several years and never opened) so I figured what the heck, if I fail yet again, at least I didn't pay for it! LOL!

Tonight I finally had time to check in and try to do the first class which started yesterday. I managed to download and unzip the class files with only a little trouble. Actually, I did it correctly, but I hate it when the sample they use doesn't reflect what's really going on. So I thought I did something wrong, when in fact, I did it right. I know, I'm anal (I prefer that to being Elements challenged).

Yesterday's class was on using .png files which basically create a transparency-like look which can be layered over images. The first picture is the one where I followed the instructions completely and the second was basically following the original instructions but choosing stuff of my own. The first one is okay, but I don't think you can read the words very well on the background of the pic I chose. The second one is better....I think.

Whatcha think? Pretty cool, huh?