LA (Downtown): 110 Freeway Redux

So... on my mission to re-photograph everything and everyone with my new camera I found myself passing through downtown. I had not yet shot from this particular bridge (I shot this from one bridge over). Even after I did a lens distortion correction in PS, it still looks off. Oh well. This heat is making me too sleepy to correct it. :P

LA: Santa Monica Beach

I was doing portraits around town last night. I was obviously at the beach when I snapped this test shot. Our shadows are even on the sand. hehe. I'm totally loving this camera. Whoever said equipment doesn't matter, never held one of these babies. haha.

Baking Dishes / New Camera!!!

I finally received a new camera + lens (a Canon 6D with a 24-70mm f/2.8L ii lens). I'm so friggin excited to be shooting again. I definitely need to get accessories like a bigger, more secure camera bag and stuff but I can't believe I have a working camera again!!!

Travel: San Francisco - Berkeley

I'm reverting to my old trip summary format. I'm leaving out a lot of stuff, but this is the crux of it.

• Day 1 (Friday): Since it was a last minute trip, B and I drove to SF from LA (airfare prices were in the $250/pp range already). Checked into the Hilton San Francisco (Union Square) and couldn't score a room with two queen sized beds (two conferences were going on that day). Instead got a modern room with two double beds :(. But the front desk staff offered to switch our rooms the next day :). Showered, got snacks from the Starbucks downstairs, and waited for C to arrive from dropping off his rental at SFO. We all finally met up at about 8pm (only 30 minutes late) and had dinner at the Claude lane restaurant area. We were supposed to go to Cafe Claude but the 2-hour wait forced us to settle on Claudine (which wasn't bad at all AND had no wait). After numerous tries at nearby crowded/popular/noisy bars, we finally settled on a horrible one (that shall not be named) seeing as how late it was. But we had a good time nonetheless and then crashed for the rest of the evening.
• Day 2 (Saturday): We had a looong breakfast at another hotel near our own. We then drove up to UC Berkeley to tour the campus. After riding the elevator up Sather Tower, we discovered that a Holi celebration was going on and proceeded toward it. Because C was catching a flight later on that day and since I was afraid of getting color packets thrown at my camera, we decided to watch the festivities from atop and afar. It was great fun. We continued touring the science buildings of the campus (dinosaur fossils!) before walking down Telegraph Ave to a Japanese restaurant where we had a looong lunch. Finally we dropped off C at SFO. 
• Continuing Day 2: H canceled on us. H was supposed to hang out with us that evening and spend the night at our hotel but was simply too exhausted to come out to SF. So, we called up another couple and had dinner with them at a Cajun place near City Hall (we were supposed to go to Suppenkuche but that had a two hour wait). After much discussion, we realized S had an amazing view of the city from his place on Twin Peaks AND that he had the game Apples to Apples. So that ended up being quite an enjoyable evening (upon returning to LA, I bought Cards Against Humanity + the 3 expansion sets). 
• Day 3 (Sunday): After doing a little shopping, B and I met up with a former high school classmate of his (+ gf)  in Union Square. Packed up and drove down to C's hotel to pick up a bag he left behind. Made our usual pitstop to a Fresh and Easy and then drove back to LA that night.

Travel: Las Vegas - Grand Lux Cafe

I think it's mainly because we're too lazy to leave the casino the majority of the time, but we end up eating at the Grand Lux Cafe if we're staying at the Venetian or at Palazzo at least once a trip. This here is their gnocchi with asparagus and breaded chicken. It was actually rather bland. :/

Ok, for reals, this will be my last post this week. :( See you all next week!

Travel: Las Vegas - The Valley

Oh, boy! This week is turning out to be eventful. I think the best part of trips is planning them and then seeing which amazing possibilities happened. Very, very busy right now with some coordination and totally excited. This may be my last post this week.

Travel: Las Vegas - Red Rock Canyon

Just got back from spending a few days in Vegas. I returned to Red Rock Canyon and took a few shots which I'll be sharing this week. It was the first time I had gone during non-winter weather so there is no snow in my photos. :( I'll continue tomorrow seeing as how I'm still unpacking and resting from this weekend. :)