The following articles were found with tag hobbies:
jcarouth is M.I.A.
Thu Jul 10, 2008 at 20.20
I, like many bloggers in the blogosphere, have neglected my blog; if only I had a real reason for being so scarce. I suppose I could blame it on my new job, my girlfriend moving down here, and my being in a transitional phase of my life--you know, becoming an adult. Wihout further adieu, here are the happenings from the past month:
I started working at Texas A&M University in the Department of Research & Graduate Studies Systems Group. I am a programmer in a team of web application developers using PHP and Python. So far, I've been given some interesting projects and free reign to implement them using my choice of technologies/frameworks/methods. I've taken the opportunity to spend my time harnessing the power and flexibility of the Zend Framework. As of tomorrow, my first beta of a minor project will be released for testing by the department.
A friend of mine, Daniel Cousineau, introduced me to some automation tools that have revolutionized my development workflow: Phing and Xinc. Check out his blog post about how he implemented these tools in his environment. In using Xinc, I began to uncover some of its quirks and the desire to improve it took over me. I think that's the curse of being an application developer. I always think I know the best way an application should be implemented and how it should work. I could be wrong, but I'm the developer. After some banter around the Xinc Google group, I was selected to join the project. It's an honor and a privilige to work on this project.
Tonight was a meeting of the Bryan/College Station PHP Users Group. I didn't know this interest group was in existence, but thankfully I am a card-carrying member of the Agile development movement AgileBCS. Today we had a presentation on beginning steps with the Zend Framework and automating the workflow using Xinc and Phing (Daniel gave the presentation on Xinc as he is also a developer on the project). I'm happy to see the technological community growth in this area.
I'll be spending the next two weekends in Houston. Lisa has an appointment with her eye specialist on Friday, my older sister Cheryl's birthday is on Saturday, and next weekend my family from up north (Maryland) will be visiting.
Finally, I will be actually developing my new website soon. With the new experience I've had with the Zend Framework I am ready to build something fierce.
I should have some interesting technical articles soon.
- Tagged:
- college station
- hobbies
- life
Tri Phase Training: Phase 1 Week 1
Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 09.12
Tomorrow (Sunday) marks the end of my first of nine weeks in a training program created by Derek "Beast" Charlebois known as the Tri-Phase Training Program. This program is designed to promote muscle hypertrophy (i.e. bigger muscles) through three key training methods: volume, intensity, and frequency. For all of you math majors out there that computes to three weeks per phase for the total nine weeks on the program.
For the first phase the focus is on volume; meaning each week the volume of training increases. So, for example, if this week during chest day I complete 3 sets of 8 repetitions on the bench press, next week I should do 4 sets of 8 repetitions thus increasing my volume.
I won't bore you with the details of my numbers, but I will say that this program feels like it will work wonders. My main goals for the nine weeks include strengthening my weak areas (chest and shoulders), increasing the size of my arms (biceps, triceps, and forearms), and continuing my battle to decrease my percentage of body fat.
Here is a breakdown of what exercises I do on which days. One side note: because my shoulders are significantly underdeveloped when compared to the rest of my body I have changed this would-be 4 day split workout to a 4-day split plus one where the additional day is targeted exclusively at shoulder development.
Monday Back & Traps
Barbell Bent-over Rows
Lever Seated Rows
Seated Cable Rows
Lat Pulldowns
Barbell Shrugs
Dumbbell Shrugs
Tuesday Chest & Shoulders
Incline Dumbbell Press
Barbell Bench Press
Incline Dumbbell Flyes
Pec-dec Flyes
Freemotion Shoulder Press
Wednesday Shoulders
Smith Machine Military Press
Dumbbell Side Lateral Raises
Upright Rows
Dumbbell Front Raises
Dumbbell Shrugs
Smith Machine Behind-the-back Shrugs
Thrusday Legs (Upper and Lower)
Barbell Squats
Stiff Legged Deadlifts
Leg Press
Lying Hamstring Curls
Seated Calf Raises
Standing Calf Raises
Friday Arms
EZ-barbell Curls
Alternating Dumbbell Curls
Close-grip Bench Press
Lying Triceps Extensions (Skull Crushers)
Triceps Pushdown superset with Cable Curls
Barbell Forearm Curls
I also include 20-45 minutes of low-intensity cardio immediately following lifting.
For abdominal development I include two exercises at the conclusion of my regularly scheduled weight training Monday-Friday and do 3 sets per exercise up to muscle failure plus 10 repetitions. Saturday is my hardcore core day where I do an abdominal development routine including hyper extensions for the lower back (it's a major player in supporting heavy lifting you know?).
I am also slowly incorporating jogging/running into my daily life. I don't want to push myself too hard because excessive cardiovascular training will hinder my muscle progression which is not something I want to do at this time.
DJ Rob and OOB, whatever that means
Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 22.14
I saw a photo someone else had done some processing on and they termed it out of bounds (OOB). I'm not sure if this is the correct technical term, buzzword, or label for this type of processing, but I thought I'd try my hand at it using an image from my shoot with DJ Rob. I think as a basic proof of concept the end result isn't half-bad. It gives a real three-dimensional feel to the otherwise flat photo, or at least that's how I feel about it. What do you think?
DJ Rob Photo Shoot
Mon Feb 25, 2008 at 02.52
On Sunday I met with a College Station based DJ for a portrait session. The goal was to get some usable photos for his website as he is currently using a stock photo and some photos that he would like to replace. He is also looking at adding a gallery section so he needs shots. We met on campus to do a little work in Spence Park and on top of the Koldus parking structure around sunset to give us some interesting light to work with.
The first segment of the shoot was in the park on a bridge.
We then moved to the roof of the parking garage. (Side note: you cannot drive to the top of the garage without leasing a spot up there. At least they have elevators.)
All in all I am satisfied with the results. If I can remember, I'll update when the shots have been incorporated in his website.
- Tagged:
- photography
- hobbies
Wait, a Lamborghini Diablo?
Mon Feb 25, 2008 at 00.21
As soon as Carl mentioned he had a contact which could potentially produce a Lamborghini for us to shoot the organizing of our photo shoot began. After some "scheduling turmoil" we ended up having a few moments with the Lamborghini Diablo owned by a Texas A&M Aerospace Engineering professor. I conned my little sister, Becky, into volunteering to be our model for the shoot and at about 4:40pm the shooting began.
Here are the results...
- Tagged:
- photography
- hobbies
Ashley: Black Background and Cheesy Portraits
Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 14.06
Last night Michael Cummings, Ben Bailey, and I had a chance to arrange for Ashley to join us in Michael's photography studio located in historic downtown Bryan. This is the same girl that battled the cold forty degree wind on the roof of a parking garage on Texas A&M west campus. For nostalgia's sake here are two shots that I captured from our first meeting.
For more photos from that shoot check out Michael's photo set.
This time we put her in front of a black background and used a single Alien Bee 800 in a softbox as the light source. Here are the results of this segment of the shoot...
The setup for these shots more-or-less matches this shot. Michael added in the light you see on camera right fired into the umbrella.
I did learn that in choosing a background and lighting for a particular subject, it is very important to give consideration to the clothing they are wearing. For example, in this shoot Ashely is wearing black pants which disappear in several of the shots because the lack of separation from the background which, correct me if I am wrong, could have been provided with a rim light. I added that to my list of things to not forget for the next shoot.
I also learned that I should trust my instincts and use a reflector so that we don't lose her left eye in some of the poses. I do like the shadows, but I think the loss of the eye could be fixed without compromising all of the "drama" the shadows provide.
After the black background segment we headed into a different room and set up what I can only describe as cheesy senior-portrait-like photos where Ashley is laying on a white cloth. We were trying to blow out the background completely while maintaining the subject. I think I got close to the goal, but I do need a little work on the exposure. Here is what made it to the "final cut"
All said it was a productive shoot and I learned a little more about lighting in a studio and also worked on interaction with a model.
- Tagged:
- photography
- hobbies
Twelve Weeks From Sunday
Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 10.21
Finally I have a goal; a motivation factor; a reason that I cannot make excuses. I will be running the Texas Marathon Half on April 06, 2008 in Dallas, TX. It should not be too difficult for me to complete the course tomorrow, but I want to complete the course competitively. Maybe that is the athlete in my speaking but considering this is an athletic event I think it is fine to listen to him.
Since I have twelve weeks for training, it only makes sense to follow a twelve week training schedule including two preparation races (the Armadillo Dash 2008 5K in College Station, TX and the Bayou City Classic 10K in Houston, TX) and significant amounts of time in the gym stretching and stengthening. After all, the core muscules become extremely important in distance running.
I am excited about this and welcome any supporting words of encouragement. Have a great Sunday!
My Studio: It VANISHED!
Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 00.49
My short lived portrait career is now seemingly at a close for the time being. After returning to College Station I put up a backdrop (really a maroon fleece blanket my mom made that is doubling as a slipcover for this god-awful chair in my lifing room) and began experimenting with lighting and such for portraits -- more specifically self portraits. However I have recently acquired a new roommate and she will be taking over the last room in my apartment meaning my studio will not get put together.
I do, however, have the plans to make some do-it-yourself studio equipment (background stand, light stands, and diffuser for lights) out of pvc pipe and some clamp on light fixtures which I will be diving into soon (note: posts to follow), but I'll just have to find a different place to put the stuff. I'll probably end up storing it when not in use in my rapidly retreating empty space in my closet.
Anyway, I leave you with the last photo taken in my studio before the background was taken down...
- Tagged:
- photography
- hobbies
- life
My Entrance Into the World of Photography
Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 11.31
Well, I've done it; I've gone out and bought myself a shiny new digital SLR camera. I decided on the entry level D40x from Nikon (yes Cannon fans, I said Nikon) and I currently have both the kit lens (18-55mm AF-S f/3.5-5.6G II) and a telephoto lens (55-200mm AF-S f/4-5.6G).
I received the camera via FedEX on December 24, 2007 and since then I have been shooting tons of photos learning the ins-and-outs of the menu system, as well as getting used to not using a point-and-shoot on "auto" mode. It will be a new experience for me, but it is something I really enjoy and hope to be able to shoot a few events for people in the future.
Currently, there is an extra room in my apartment that I have been using as a makeshift studio for self portraits. I'm going to be making some muslin backgrounds -- thanks to this article -- and then work on some studio technique.
The only problem I can foresee is subjects. I'll have to go find some willing "models" in college station that will help me get better at studio photography. I can probably make use of the studio in the ENDS department, but they have direct light which I don't know if I should be learning how to use at the moment.
Anyway, this post has been littered with photos that I've taken over the past few days. They are all hosted on my flickr photo stream, so check them out when you get a chance (clicking any of the images in the post will take you to that photo on my flickr account).
- Tagged:
- photography
- hobbies
- life