I have decided to change my blog host.
I am now at
www.michealgreen.wordpress.com
The main reason for the change is because google has been slow to make things work for the iphone. Wordpress has a nifty little application that runs on the iPhone that allows me to blog from anywhere. Including photos that I take from my phone. I am really excited about this because I think it will make my blog more of a public journal of events rather than an afterthought of an earlier idea.
Maybe it will suck and I will go back to blogger in a few weeks. Somehow I doubt this will happen.
So please update your bookmarks and igoogle pages to read the following feed:
http://michealgreen.wordpress.com
Thanks for reading...
Mike
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Meeting Reminder
It has become quite a tradition for Dalan and I to make some sort of outrageous movie for our company wide quarterly meeting. We have a meeting coming up next week and we made this little diddy as a teaser to send out to the company. The joke is that Dalan our sales manager, has started to ride his Honda Ruckus scooter to work to save on gas. This is all fine and well, except Dalan is about 6'2 250 lbs so frankly it looks funny.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Sun Valley Professional Plaza Video
This is a video that I finished today. We recently did the open house for a commercial building we built in Hurricane so I thought I would put together a quick promo video. This was a fun project because it was the first that I was able to do the logo design, photography, video and final editing. I am still very much a novice in all these catagories but im getting better (slowly!).
Monday, June 23, 2008
2008 Election Year
The candidates are as follows:
John McCain- I have loathed this person since the 2000 presidential primaries. I think he is as far from a trustworthy politician as they come. In the past eight years he has been much more interested in appearing on Saturday Night Live or the Daily Show then he has on being a Representative. If I was from the state of AZ I would be absolutely disgusted. John, I don't really care that you were a POW. Many people were POW's, and while I am so grateful for their sacrifice, I don't think that qualifies them to be President. Nine times out of ten, I would automatically vote for a republican, not this time. He is the one, and will not get my vote. (frankly, I am really disappointed in the RNC, that this is the horse they would ride. Shows me how much they (or I) have changed since Reagan.)
Barak Obama- Obviously he wont get my vote either. Not because I dislike him as a person the way that I dislike John McCain, but because his political views are opposite then mine. I must say, at least he is standing for something. Granted the change he wants is not the change I want, but I respect his commitment and accomplishments.
Bob Barr- Oh the third party candidate. This is always the fun part of the election. Most times the candidate turns out to be more of a sideshow then possible candidate. We shall see. Mr. Barr is too far right for me. His views are the polar opposite then Obama, which is too far the other direction for me. He wont get my vote.
So where does that leave me? I think many Americans feel the same way I do in this election. I am really interested in seeing the VP choices. There is a very slight chance that the choice would sway me to cast a vote, but I doubt it.
Politically, I hope its a quick 4 years, whoever gets voted in.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I'm Published!
Ok, so its not the first time I've had pictures of mine in a magazine or newspaper, but this is the first national magazine with distribution over 1 million. This scan is not great but here it is...
It even gives me photo credits on the side. It was a nice article written about SunRiver, if you are interested in it go to your local Magazine Stand and pick up the latest copy of "Where to Retire" magazine.
It even gives me photo credits on the side. It was a nice article written about SunRiver, if you are interested in it go to your local Magazine Stand and pick up the latest copy of "Where to Retire" magazine.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Revelations part 2
Magazines....
So we went back to Barnes and Noble today to kill some Saturday time. As we were walking my eye caught a glimpse of a magazine talking about the new iPhone. Naturally I stopped and picked it up and started thumbing through the pages. Something is to be said about the pretty pictures and lovely photography, however as I read the content I thought "I've read this a thousand times on the web." Then the "coup de grace", I turned the magazine over to see the price of $15.99, ouch.
Recently I have discovered the wonders of podcasts. They are free little gems that you can access via itunes. Basically a podcast is somewhat of a video or audio blog or journal. At least that's how they started. Now I watch the latest on everything from the latest geek gadgetry to the war in Iraq and everything in between. Many are professionally produced (some even in HD) and varied in content. My favorite thing about podcasts is that they are free. I would say that they have been around long enough now that you could find just about genre you like by many different providers.
So the moral of this story is that magazines are being replaced by blogs. And like I said in my earlier post, the Internet has replaced reference books. The only thing I cannot say will be replaced is a good old fashion novel. I simply cannot replace settling in for a good book. Nothing against audio books because they certainly have their place.
If you have not checked out podcasts, then fire up the computer and dive in.
So we went back to Barnes and Noble today to kill some Saturday time. As we were walking my eye caught a glimpse of a magazine talking about the new iPhone. Naturally I stopped and picked it up and started thumbing through the pages. Something is to be said about the pretty pictures and lovely photography, however as I read the content I thought "I've read this a thousand times on the web." Then the "coup de grace", I turned the magazine over to see the price of $15.99, ouch.
Recently I have discovered the wonders of podcasts. They are free little gems that you can access via itunes. Basically a podcast is somewhat of a video or audio blog or journal. At least that's how they started. Now I watch the latest on everything from the latest geek gadgetry to the war in Iraq and everything in between. Many are professionally produced (some even in HD) and varied in content. My favorite thing about podcasts is that they are free. I would say that they have been around long enough now that you could find just about genre you like by many different providers.
So the moral of this story is that magazines are being replaced by blogs. And like I said in my earlier post, the Internet has replaced reference books. The only thing I cannot say will be replaced is a good old fashion novel. I simply cannot replace settling in for a good book. Nothing against audio books because they certainly have their place.
If you have not checked out podcasts, then fire up the computer and dive in.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Revelations at the Bookstore
Barnes and Noble just opened in our town. This is a big event for me and family as we are avid readers, and usually one of us has our nose stuck in some novel. However, due to the fact that we haven't had the benefit of a good bookstore in our town or within 100 miles of us, I had not been in a good bookstore for years. Why? Amazon.com, thats why.
The first area I visited inside the store was the photography and digital video section. I picked up a book on "lighting." I thought "this will be helpful..." Much to my dismay, as I was flipping the pages I had awful memories of being in school, and being expected to learn by just reading a text book. My revelation was that there is few things I love more than a good novel. I can stand a good business book (in small doses) But "how to" books, no thanks. My brian just does not work like that. For example, in the last 6 months, I've have had the learn all the Adobe CS3 products for work. Was it hard? Yes. Was it rewarding? Everyday. If I was limited to a how to book when trying to learn those programs, I would be flipping burgers at the local burger joint as a replacement job.
This is part of what frustrates me about the public school system. It really seems like it is built around those that learn a certain way. All those who learn differently, they are labeled as "slow" or inattentive. That's total BS. But, reality. This reminds me of the book "the dip" Ive blogged about it before. I wish that book was required reading when I was in 7th grade along with the rest of the "text books" they had me read.
Thats todays rant...
The first area I visited inside the store was the photography and digital video section. I picked up a book on "lighting." I thought "this will be helpful..." Much to my dismay, as I was flipping the pages I had awful memories of being in school, and being expected to learn by just reading a text book. My revelation was that there is few things I love more than a good novel. I can stand a good business book (in small doses) But "how to" books, no thanks. My brian just does not work like that. For example, in the last 6 months, I've have had the learn all the Adobe CS3 products for work. Was it hard? Yes. Was it rewarding? Everyday. If I was limited to a how to book when trying to learn those programs, I would be flipping burgers at the local burger joint as a replacement job.
This is part of what frustrates me about the public school system. It really seems like it is built around those that learn a certain way. All those who learn differently, they are labeled as "slow" or inattentive. That's total BS. But, reality. This reminds me of the book "the dip" Ive blogged about it before. I wish that book was required reading when I was in 7th grade along with the rest of the "text books" they had me read.
Thats todays rant...
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
What are you loading?
Im sitting here next to my $900 gateway computer packed with all the best a PC has to offer, Vista, tons or ram, the works. Sitting here is about as peaceful as sitting next to a construction site. I have no programs running other than firefox, and yet the little hard drive is clicking away like Im loading my life-long history or something. What is wrong with this machine? Mind you I am not a computer novice, I have every "behind the curtains" windows program shut down to try to increase the proformance of my computer, and yet, it loads. Why...WHY!
I cannot even begin to tell you how refreshing it is to work on a Mac and have only the programs I need, running. I know, I know, not another "i love mac" blog, but I am becoming more and more convinced that I have wasted many hours of my life waiting for my PC to "load" frustrating.
I read an article today that I found quite funny. It reads like a press release from Microsoft, but in the opening few words it says how explorer 7 is "iphone like". HA, so funny. It shows again how much Microsoft has rested on its laurels as far as technology. I for one am not a Steve Ballmer fan. I think he is a good corporate person but I would not want him as the face of my company. I am a HUGE Bill Gates fan. I think he led the world on a technological revolution that will probably never be paralleled again. I really hate to see him phase himself out of Microsoft. I predict that with the transition of Ballmer taking further control of Microsoft, it will be much like Michael Eisner's disastrous job at Disney. Disney is still trying to recover from that PR nightmare. I would put my money on Bill Gates against such foes as Apple and Google any day of the week, but Ballmer I think would have a hard time overcoming even the weakest in the marketplace. He has no tact nor revolutionary vision, thus will be at least 3rd in the market in 5 years (just my opinion.) For the record, and not to sound to anti-Microsoft, I think that Google is falling into the same visionary slump that Microsoft is in at the moment. Anytime you think you are the best, and no one will ever match what you do, someone younger, faster, and less expensive will come along and dethrone you. Its the American way.
So in short, Mom, I'm sorry I talked you into that Vista machine a year and half ago, I only wish I would have had my conversion to Apple much sooner. Forgive me.
Your Son..
I cannot even begin to tell you how refreshing it is to work on a Mac and have only the programs I need, running. I know, I know, not another "i love mac" blog, but I am becoming more and more convinced that I have wasted many hours of my life waiting for my PC to "load" frustrating.
I read an article today that I found quite funny. It reads like a press release from Microsoft, but in the opening few words it says how explorer 7 is "iphone like". HA, so funny. It shows again how much Microsoft has rested on its laurels as far as technology. I for one am not a Steve Ballmer fan. I think he is a good corporate person but I would not want him as the face of my company. I am a HUGE Bill Gates fan. I think he led the world on a technological revolution that will probably never be paralleled again. I really hate to see him phase himself out of Microsoft. I predict that with the transition of Ballmer taking further control of Microsoft, it will be much like Michael Eisner's disastrous job at Disney. Disney is still trying to recover from that PR nightmare. I would put my money on Bill Gates against such foes as Apple and Google any day of the week, but Ballmer I think would have a hard time overcoming even the weakest in the marketplace. He has no tact nor revolutionary vision, thus will be at least 3rd in the market in 5 years (just my opinion.) For the record, and not to sound to anti-Microsoft, I think that Google is falling into the same visionary slump that Microsoft is in at the moment. Anytime you think you are the best, and no one will ever match what you do, someone younger, faster, and less expensive will come along and dethrone you. Its the American way.
So in short, Mom, I'm sorry I talked you into that Vista machine a year and half ago, I only wish I would have had my conversion to Apple much sooner. Forgive me.
Your Son..
Friday, May 23, 2008
ET and President Bush made me...
This is a story how ET and President Bush forced me to buy Apple TV.
About 2 weeks ago, Nickelodeon started showing promos for ET. A movie that caused me great horror as a small child, and now has passed that same fear of long necked aliens to my progeny. My 5 year old was minding her own business watching a harmless episode of Sponge Bob, when all the sudden she screams in horror. An ET commercial had just played. This really made me think twice of what is on the TV and how it is effecting my kids. I'm not so prudish as to turn my TV off and force my kids to have to communicate with each other, but I don't want my 5 year old afraid of the "Brain Guy (ET)" anymore either.
All of this coupled with the fact that President Bush gave me some money to "Stimulate" the economy, I decided it was both my duty as a father, and my duty as a American to buy an Apple TV.
I am officially an apple fanboy.
Let us count the ways...
5 ipods (2 shuffles, 2 Nanos, 1 iPhone)
1 MacBook Pro (Borrowed from SunRiver)
and now 1 Apple TV
We are just getting our feet wet with this thing, but so far I am quite happy with the results. I like being able to control all my media in one place, and being for the fact that I can now cancel my Netflix account (I loved netflix, but just could not watch enough movies a month to make it worth the money) and possibly now cancel my TV cable service, I think this will be a very good thing.
So far the Pros and Cons.
Pros
1. Easy to setup, so much so that it was delivered while I was on a business trip in New Orleans, and she was able to set it up with no problems.
2. Interface is beautiful
3. We now have control on what our kids see.
4. I'm cooler than anyone else I know because I own Apple TV and they don't.
Cons
1. Its still a new technology so the movie selection is not huge. Netflix was the same way when we first signed up, now they have every movie you have every heard of, and 1 million you haven't so im not to worried about this.
2. Apple is fighting with NBC at the moment, so the only TV show I care about "the office" is not available. Rumors are that they are close to a resolution, so im keeping my fingers crossed.
PS. Cathryn, I promise to Blog once a week, if you promise to upload photos to flickr at the same rate...Deal?
About 2 weeks ago, Nickelodeon started showing promos for ET. A movie that caused me great horror as a small child, and now has passed that same fear of long necked aliens to my progeny. My 5 year old was minding her own business watching a harmless episode of Sponge Bob, when all the sudden she screams in horror. An ET commercial had just played. This really made me think twice of what is on the TV and how it is effecting my kids. I'm not so prudish as to turn my TV off and force my kids to have to communicate with each other, but I don't want my 5 year old afraid of the "Brain Guy (ET)" anymore either.
All of this coupled with the fact that President Bush gave me some money to "Stimulate" the economy, I decided it was both my duty as a father, and my duty as a American to buy an Apple TV.
I am officially an apple fanboy.
Let us count the ways...
5 ipods (2 shuffles, 2 Nanos, 1 iPhone)
1 MacBook Pro (Borrowed from SunRiver)
and now 1 Apple TV
We are just getting our feet wet with this thing, but so far I am quite happy with the results. I like being able to control all my media in one place, and being for the fact that I can now cancel my Netflix account (I loved netflix, but just could not watch enough movies a month to make it worth the money) and possibly now cancel my TV cable service, I think this will be a very good thing.
So far the Pros and Cons.
Pros
1. Easy to setup, so much so that it was delivered while I was on a business trip in New Orleans, and she was able to set it up with no problems.
2. Interface is beautiful
3. We now have control on what our kids see.
4. I'm cooler than anyone else I know because I own Apple TV and they don't.
Cons
1. Its still a new technology so the movie selection is not huge. Netflix was the same way when we first signed up, now they have every movie you have every heard of, and 1 million you haven't so im not to worried about this.
2. Apple is fighting with NBC at the moment, so the only TV show I care about "the office" is not available. Rumors are that they are close to a resolution, so im keeping my fingers crossed.
PS. Cathryn, I promise to Blog once a week, if you promise to upload photos to flickr at the same rate...Deal?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Shadow Mountain
Yesterday I took some photos for a friend of mine that is selling her home. She is an interior designer with a flare for bold colors. I think she has done a great job staging this home, and I am sure it will sell!
Here are a few of my favorites from the session.
Kitchen Shot
Master Bedroom
Front Exterior
Here are a few of my favorites from the session.
Kitchen Shot
Master Bedroom
Front ExteriorOn a side note, I have not been blogging lately much although I have many blog worthy projects going right now. Promise I will do better....maybe
Monday, March 10, 2008
Temptations
We've just completed the Parade of Homes here in St. George. It was a great success! Its always a risk to pour so much money into a home in the hopes that #1 people will recognize your abilities and #2 someone will actually buy the home. Fortunately we have a top notch construction and design team, and yet again they have built a magnificent home that accomplished both our goals.
We traditionally have paid a professional photographer to come in and shoot the home for us, however this year I convinced them that I could take the photos and save the company some money. I now know that this was both arrogant and presumptuous.
I felt totally comfortable in my ability to use light in shooting exteriors, but knew that shooting good interiors is a completely different ballgame. I was also going into the situation with no additional lighting equipment except for natural light and my built in flash. Next time I take serious shots of an interior of a house I will invest into some lighting equipment to help bring out the colors of the shot.
These are a few of the photos that I took and had time today to do some post processing in photoshop.
Sitting courtyard
Main Living Area
Kitchen
Front Entryway
Exterior
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
BACA Bike
Here is the Motorcycle we (SunRiver) donated to B.A.C.A for them to raffle off. They had it at the office for a few moments, so I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures. (See my flicker photos for the rest of them)
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Fighting Child Abuse
Today I finished a project for B.A.C.A. (Bikers Against Child Abuse.) SunRiver donated a Harley Davidson (pictures to come later in the month) to be raffled off at the end of the year. Apparently this bike will travel the state, going to various bike shows, collecting raffle tickets.
They asked me to create a card that can be given to each person that buys a raffle ticket. It was one of my first projects I have ever done that does not involve someone with grey hair so of course I jumped at the chance. The motorcycle is being painted as I write this and as soon as it is done I am going to use it as a photography subject. I cant wait!
BACA is an organization of bikers that donate their time and energy in fighting child abuse. The first time I had heard of them was when they all showed up at the trial of the guy that kidnapped Elizabeth Smart. SunRiver has been associated with them as our drywall subcontractor is the chapter president for Southern Utah.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The Fence
This is my take on Cathryns fence picture. When I first saw it, I thought it was a very interesting photo. As I was putting some artistic flare on it in photoshop, I tried a lot of different things, then settled on this, with the background blurry and the foreground sharp. It certainly is not better than the original, just my take on it.
Friday, February 15, 2008
In Honor of Keith Blackman
Keith was a photographer friend of mine... He was one of those people that could make an instant connection with just about anyone. I only knew him for a few months before cancer took his life. He was a talented photographer and a good friend. The last time I ever spoke with him was when my wife and I were in the hospital with our new born child. He called me to let me know how much I need to cherish this time with my family because life goes fast. He died shortly there after.
Keith took this picture on assignment here at SunRiver. I think it is a very fitting shot, demonstrating his talent.
Thanks Keith for being you.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Stairway to Heav...Quail Lake
After being inspired by my sisters blog; I decided to post a recent photo that I took at Quail Lake.
For some odd reason I have always liked this set of stairs. I know that sounds odd. After all, they are just some ratty old concrete slabs buried in the ground leading from the parking lot to the lake. I can remember taking those stairs many times, both as a teenager with my family, young adult, newly married, and now as a father with my own kids. These old concrete stairs have lead me to many happy times and hopefully, many more.
In my editing of this picture, I decided to give it a dark color tone, with some highlights of the stairs and a few bushes.
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