The Final Inspection

The Marine stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Marine squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward Marine,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

Semper Fidelis!

Author Unknown

Botanical Garden

Here is a photo from one of my recent trips to San Diego, CA.  I stopped off at Balboa Park and found this amazing view from the Botanical Garden. 

Thanks for looking.

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

Fatcow Web Hosting Review

I have finally decided to post a review of my domain host company.  If you don’t know already, I have been using Fatcow for quite some time now.  I switched over from using another company that has a very similar layout and setup and even prices.  Heck, I even noticed that when I login and try to contact support for something I need help with, it still has my auto fill in the box. 

Fatcow has been pretty good, but I have noticed that when wanting to host websites that require a little more work such as scripting or SQL events you probably should upgrade to something a little more of their add-ons than just trying to host your SQL page without their input.  I had my Wordpress site hosted on it for years and noticed that things would start to run slow now and then.  Turns out the database was getting bogged down.  I had to switch to another host for the blog site because Fatcow’s basic plan servers couldn’t handle it. 

The layouts are pretty easy and it allows me to setup an FTP folder for easier upload access from Adobe Dreamweaver and many other Web Design programs.  I know that most users probably use FTP services that are built into programs more but a lot of people prefer to have someone else do the work.  That is what is great about Fatcow because you have unlimited access to pages, subdomains and so much more. 

I want you all to go out and try Fatcow and let me know what you think.  If you have another web domain host that you have been working with then let us hear about it.  I would love to get your feedback.  By you signing up with Fatcow using the link below I will get a $25 voucher towards an upgrade. 

Host your website with FatCow!

Disclosure: I am a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products I review. I test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. I am independently owned and the opinions expressed here are my own.

Strange Orchids

I came across this very unusual Orchids while I was visiting Balboa Park in San Diego, CA recently.

Never seen them before but they remind me of a spider I came across once while in Japan.

Thanks for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

It’s Me Mario

As I was walking through San Diego recently, I noticed this Super Mario graffiti artwork on the side of a structure.  I have always been a fan of Nintendo and video games.  I just had to share with everyone.

Thanks for looking.

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

Wedding Cake–HDR

Here is a photo of a wedding cake that I did in HDR.  I am really enjoying the HDR technology and think that it makes the photos really cool.  I know that some people are saying that they think the HDR thing is going overboard but for some occasions I think it looks great.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for looking.

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

San Diego–Balboa Park HDR Hallway

I was recently in the San Diego area when I came across this hallway that I knew would be amazing in an HDR shot.  So I fired away and got this HDR shot without using my tripod. 

If you haven't been to Balboa Park in San Diego, I urge you to go.  There is just so much to see and do.  It is right next to the San Diego Zoo and actually has so many different areas due to the size of the park.

Thanks for looking.

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

American Photo Magazine September Issue

I was reading through the September issue of American Photo Magazine and must say that they might be reading my posts because the material is getting better.  I am still not pleased with the amount of material in the issue but am pleased with the type of material. 

This month they discuss and show some photography work by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott which is very fashionable.  I have always been a fan of Black and White photos and they truly have outdid themselves on these photos.  I tried to get a website of more of their work but it seems that it might still be under construction. 

There was also an article by Lori Fredrickson that discussed and showed images of Natural landmarks but in a very unusual way.  But out of the whole magazine that was mainly the only thing that interested me. 

If you read the magazine and have more information that you thought was moving or excited you then please share.

If you haven't already done so make sure to signup for the American Photo Model Shoot which will be coming to the following locations:

Phoenix, AZ – Sept 7

Los Angeles, CA – Oct 12

New York, NY – Nov 24

Atlanta, GA – Dec 7

Full day access is only $199.

Register at http://americanphotomodelshoot.com

My Intro To Astrophotography

Since I have been working with Pelco, I have been hearing my boss talk about Astrophotography and it looks cool.  I have been trying it over and over but haven't had any luck with actually getting the right shot.  I was in Nevada recently and was able to find a nice location to shoot some stars.  The photo above is what I got.  Still need some practice but I am sure I will get the hang of it.

Thanks for looking!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

Joshua Tree HDR Black and White

Here is a photo I recently took on a trip to Nevada.  I was able to pull over and snap this photo of this Joshua Tree. 

Thanks for looking!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

Walt Disney World’s Dolphin Resort

Here is a photo from inside Walt Disney World’s Dolphin Resort.  I took this photo on the early morning I checked out.  It was pretty hard to catch this lobby without anyone in it.  On some days the parks would close at 1:00AM. 

Thanks for looking!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

More Fireworks

Here are more photos from Disney World’s Epcot Center in Florida.  I also shot this one using a 30 second exposure and ISO 100. 

Thanks for looking!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

Fireworks

Here is a photo from Disney’s Epcot Center Boardwalk.  I shot this photo with a 30 second exposure at an ISO 100 and f22! 

Thanks for looking!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

Your PC On On A Virus

I was working on some computers this weekend not to mention my own.  The customer PC’s I was working on didn’t have Antivirus protection and I thought, “Why in the world would you go running around on the internet without Antivirus protection.”  That would be like running around in the HIV capital of the world having unprotected sex and hoping that you will be ok.  Get Antivirus protection people!  There are a lot of FREE programs out there that will help protect your PC from unwanted programs and viruses that are all over the web.  I always use and recommend Avast because its FREE and not to mention it doesn’t put too much strain on your system resources like some of those expensive Antivirus programs out there. 

Quick overview, if your PC is running a lot slower than it used to when you bought it and you are running Internet Explorer and notice that your Toolbar is covered with all of these different toolbars then chances are you are already infected.  Go out and get an Antivirus program that is going to protect your PC.  If your Antivirus program is not on the list below then you are wrong!

Avast
Kapersky
AVG
Norton
TrendMicro

If you have any questions or need help with your PC then just let me know and I will help you get rid of the unwanted pest.

Thanks for stopping by!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

American Photo Magazine Disappointment Again

I received my latest issue of American Photo and again I am disappointed.  The magazine is thinner and full of garbage.  I recall the issues in the past having at least some content that was interesting and engaged my attention.  I was comparing my Digital PhotoPro magazine issue to the American Photo magazine and the Digital PhotoPro has a lot more interesting content.  Even the covers are better on Digital PhotoPro. 

Lets get your feedback and see what you think.

Thanks for the feedback!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

Canon 28-135mm Lens Stuck

I was recently getting ready to shoot some photos at my son’s school when I tried to zoom in with my Canon 28-135mm lens I noticed it wouldn’t move.  I was a little concerned and then I noticed it was worse.  I couldn’t move the lens in our out.  I tried to remove the lens and adjust it without it being hooked up to the camera and had no luck.  Then I hooked it back up and it was able to work again but got locked up again.  It feels like the pieces are grabbing or something along those lines.  I contacted Canon already to see about sending it in for repairs along with my Canon 5D Mark II having issues with the USB port on it.  They said I could send it in and they would give me an estimate.  I looked online and it looks somewhere around $200 just to fix the lens and that is half the price of what I paid for it.  Ouch! 

I will be hoping someone could share their experience with this issue and give me some tips.

Thanks for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

American Photo Magazine Getting Thinner

I know that we need to cut down on the use of paper and other materials but when I received my latest edition of the American Photo Magazine, I was shocked at how much was missing.  Literally, it looks like they cut the magazine in half.  I flicked through the issue and saw a couple of articles that were of little interest. 

If @AmericanPhoto wants me to continue subscribing then they need to beef up their material. 

Thanks again for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

Village Life

This is a photo from a village just outside of San Pedro Sulas, Honduras.  We went to visit this village and see first hand how some of the villagers live.  Some homes as you can see have no walls or roof.  We actually visited a young man who was working on putting some pieces of metal on the sides to provide shelter from the rain.  He didn't have enough wood so we provided him with the wood that we had used to build the altar back in town. 

Butterfly

Butterfly

Here is a photo of a butterfly that I photographed while visiting Six Flags Vallejo, CA.  They have a butterfly exhibit that has lots of beautiful butterflies in it.

Thanks for looking.

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

My Introduction To HDR

HDR Photo at Work

Here is a photo of one of my first HDR photos.  I was at work and wanted to play with some HDR.

This is what we came up with.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

George Washington Bridge

Here is a photo from my recent trip to New York.  We were driving on the George Washington Bridge.

Thanks for looking.

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

PS, if you haven’t already signed up for the Bing Rewards Program I suggest you do.  I just achieved Gold Status and have been saving on rewards like Microsoft XBOX Points and XBOX Live Gold Membership.  Signup here!

New Mex

I was driving through New Mexico recently and I came across this huge mountain.  Right away I thought of the movie Close Encounters.  I was able to drive around a bit and get this shot.  Not really the best since the telephone poles are in the way. 

Thanks for looking!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

PS, if you haven’t already signed up for the Bing Rewards Program I suggest you do.  I just achieved Gold Status and have been saving on rewards like Microsoft XBOX Points and XBOX Live Gold Membership.  Signup here!

On The Edge

Here is a photo of a cliff formation that I photographed while driving up to Colorado.  I shot this photo while still in New Mexico.  It reminded me of the way the earth has so many different layers of colors within it.  The bottom portion is darker red and gets lighter as it gets higher.

Thanks for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

PS, if you haven’t already signed up for the Bing Rewards Program I suggest you do.  I just achieved Gold Status and have been saving on rewards like Microsoft XBOX Points and XBOX Live Gold Membership.  Signup here!

Camel Rock

Here is a very interesting photo of something I came across recently when I was visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I came across this rock that appeared to be the shape of a camel.  I pulled over and shot a couple of photos.  If you haven't seen this interesting rock I suggest you visit it.  It is located just north of Santa Fe about maybe 15 miles or so. 

Thanks for looking!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

PS, if you haven't already signed up for the Bing Rewards Program I suggest you do.  I just achieved Gold Status and have been saving on rewards like Microsoft XBOX Points and XBOX Live Gold Membership.  Signup here!

Del Mar Fountain

Del Mar Fountain

This is a video of a waterfall outside a Del Mar shopping center.

Thanks for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manny Perez

Another Project

I was recently at a church convention in Ontario, CA when I noticed that the Ontario Convention Center was full of Pelco’s Spectra cameras.  These are one of Pelco’s greatest creations.  If you watch in many commercials and movies you will see the name Pelco.  The Spectra is even in the latest movie The Avengers which can be seen aboard the air ship in the place where they keep Loki. 

Thanks for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manny Perez

What do you see in this photo?

I came across this photo at one of the hotels I stayed at while in Palm Springs last year.  I really liked the way it looked and reminded me of something.  I am going to comment on my vision in this photo after I hear from someone else who comments on it.  The person with the closest vision to mine will get a surprise.  I will give you a hint…it’s a body part.

Look forward to hearing back from you on this. 

I have been pretty busy lately.  Was recently in Las Vegas on some business and had a great time.  The weather is extremely dry there though.  I tried to drink lots of water but still ended up with dry cracked lips. 

Thanks for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manny Perez

To Infinity And Beyond…

I am a big fan of LEGO’s in case you haven't already noticed.  I love the things that can be built with them and they give children a way of building their creativeness.  This is a photo of LEGO Buzz Lightyear and Woody from Disney Pixar’s Toy Story.  This photo was taken at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, CA.

Thanks for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez