It's In The Mail!

It came in the mail today! A package from NYIP! It is not my lessons, but the free stuff I got for signing up with them. It was a big, heavy box with five photography books. "Neil Leifer: Portraits" - a big hard cover coffee table book with all the famous people Neil Leifer photographed. "Ansel Adams and the Photographers of the American West" - another big hard cover 250 paged coffee table book. "On Assignment Photographs by Jay Maisel" - a smaller paperback book with photos from this photographer. I guess these three books will give me some inspiration.

The next two books look really useful. "2008 Photographer's Market" - where and how to sell your photographs. It lists 1,450 places that will buy your photos and is a thick paperback book. Cannot wait to start to read this book. And the last book is a small paperback called "The Photojournalist's Guide To Making Money". This is a smaller paperback book - 240 pages, but cannot wait to flip through it.

Where are my lessons? I want to start!
=)

Sunny Day At Smith's Point

Took the kids to Smith's Point to kick off the Memorial Day 6 day weekend! Here's a little secret - Smith's Point Park does not charge for parking after Labor Day till Memorial Day. Parking is now $12.50!!! I remember back in the days when it was $6. We went on the last day before they started charging. If you get a Green Key Card from Suffolk County they only charge you $5 for parking. One more Smith's Point tip - if you get there before 6am - you do not have to pay for parking either.

At Smith's Point is FINS - Fire Island National Seashore. There is a Ranger Station and a nature walk. Went with the kids on the Nature Walk, then sat by the ocean for awhile. Another tip for Smith's Point is to park all the way on the west side of the parking lot and follow the crosswalk towards the ranger station. Then follow the boardwalk to the ocean or take the nature walk which ends at the ocean. This is the "Surfer Beach". There is a lot of beach here and a lot less teeny boppers. The beach in front of the pavilion is smaller due to erosion. They brought sand in to replace what got washed out to sea, but the sand is more like dirt. Plus all the teeny boppers hang up there.

For family fun - go to the west end of Smith's Point. The kids will also get a kick going over the drawbridge to get to Smith's Point. There is also a snack bar, bathrooms and The TWA Flight 800 Memorial.

Smith's Point's web site is http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/departments/parks/Smith%20Point%20County%20Park.aspx

FINS web site is http://www.nps.gov/archive/fiis/SmithPointCountyPark.htm

Check both these sites out because they hold events and classes. Most of them are free too - you just pay for parking.
=)

Bumble Blossoms

I went to a baby shower last week and they served the most delicious dessert. It is called Chudleigh's Bumble Blossoms and they got them at Costco. They are these pastries that are just yummy! The crust is great and it has apples, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. These little treats are individually wrapped and you bake them in the oven. You do not even need whipped cream cause they are just sweet by themselves. Look for them in the frozen dessert section in Costco in Holbrook.
=)

Rumor Has It........

I was just in Marshalls in Patchogue - The Bayport Bubble does not have everything and I must venture out sometimes. But I found out in The Gateway Mall the old Linens and Things is going to be a Home Goods Store! Very exciting because the closest Home Goods store is in Stony Brook - way out of The Bayport Bubble. It should be opened by November - just in time for Christmas. I'll keep you posted!
=)

Go Home Early Before A Six Day Weekend

Bayport Bubble People - don't forget tomorrow is the "Go Home Early Drill". I find it funny - the kids get let out of school early the day before they have six days off for Memorial Day Weekend. The drill is from New York State to prepare children for an emergency dismissal. I guess it's a good idea? How much of a problem is it for the school to tell the children that they are going home early? The kids will be so excited they get to leave school early - the building will be excavated in two minutes!
=)

I Got It!

I received some mail today from New York Institute of Photography - guess they cashed my check. They gave me the lowdown on the lessons and my first unit is in the mail - on it's way to me. It will include a DVD and CD plus assignments. There are a total of six units with about six lessons in each unit. I also have my very own instructor - Chris Corradino. He seems to have excellent photography credentials. He is available to me via phone, email, fax and mail. Chris will be critiquing my photos via audio CDs. I hope this is all as good as it seems because I want to brush up on my photography skills. I have been very actively practicing photography, but the last class I took was in college about 15 years ago. There are also a bunch of lessons on starting a photography business. But I am still going to Google Chris Corradino to see what he is all about.
=)

Are Banana Chips Healthy?

I just got done eating half a bag of banana chips. Do you think they are healthy for you? They are very good - so that is why I don't think they are any good for you. =)