Over 7 Years

It’s been almost 7 years since I posted to this particular blog. My original blog doesn’t exist anymore and my domains have all expired.

I’m dealing with a lot of anxiety and uncertainty and general Bad Brain Days that have me wanting to just sleep for several months at a time. I don’t know what to do to get past it. It sucks. Met with our pastor to discuss some of it and the idea of self compassion came up. It’s not something one thinks of often. We have compassion on our friends, family, kids, coworkers, etc. It comes very naturally to many of us. But having compassion on ourselves is something that just doesn’t work for some of us, myself included. I can’t be sympathetic to myself because I am myself. It’s hard to take pity or empathize with yourself. But it’s what I need. I think.

I need rest. Peace.

Books

Read as of late:

Everybody Wants to go to Heaven But Nobody Wants to Die – David Crowder
Lord Save Us From Your Followers – Dan Merchant
7 Checkpoints – Andy Stanley
Blue Like Jazz – D0n Miller

…and some other books I forget the title/author of.

Recommendations?

More posting

I will write more when I get home about the creation of the Northern Brethren Core, which is our Guild Wars guild.

Also, WordPress 2.7 is coming out! Huzzah!!

Northern Brethren

The Northern Brethren are coming back!

Northern Brethren is the Guild Wars guild that a bunch of us folks from Michigan Tech formed back in the World Preview Event in 2005. Since then, activity has fluctuated, ranging from an addicted core, to nearly dead. In our prime, we were a top ranked Guild vs Guild team, coming in at #12 worldwide. The metagame shifted a ton, and we quickly retreated to PvE play, and still enjoy it.

Today, we are in the reformative stage, figuring out how to get back in to the game and remain loyal to our GW roots (The Wikipedia article on Guild Wars used to use the Northern Brethren as a visual representation of the original six character classes).

Anyway, the new Northern Brethren site is up. Check it out, come back often for updates.

I really like the GvG log I maintained for the longest time. My favorite part, and hopefully something I can begin to update again soon.

Fake Plant, Cross Processed

Fake Plant, Cross Processed, originally uploaded by danakin.

Cross-process developing (thanks Lightroom!) of a shot of a fabric plant in the apartment.

Shot with my telephoto at 135mm. Pretty pleased with the clarity and colors (the original looks great as well, I just like this cross processed look much more).

Lomo Mailboxes

Lomo Mailboxes, originally uploaded by danakin.

Lomo mailboxes. It’s been a crummy night weatherwise (which is the way I love it).
Shot with my old Nikkor 50mm f/1.4

More on Lomo photography (Lomography) at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lomography and http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-make-digital-photos-look-like-lomo-photography/

These Tracks Don’t Lead Where You Wanna Go

These Tracks Don’t Lead Where You Wanna Go, originally uploaded by danakin.

Snapped by Jill on our way to Bayne’s Apple Farm outside of Saginaw, Michigan. These are the Dow train tracks on Waldo Rd outside of Midland, MI. A little blurry at the bottom since we were driving 45mph, but I think she did a great job getting the shot off.

Night Hearts

Night Hearts, originally uploaded by danakin.

Bokeh! Basically it’s putting a “cookie cutter” in front of a large aperature lens. The blurred points of light take on the shape of the cutout. This is my first attempt, and I’m pretty happy with the turnout. Polygonal hearts, heyooo!!!

Tree and Grill in Fall

Tree and Grill in Fall, originally uploaded by danakin.

Pilgrims

Pilgrims, originally uploaded by danakin.