Been a while

I am behind on posting, pictures, videos, and everything else I like to do on the computer in my spare time..
I need to really get on top of it..

soon

Check out my llama video

School

Well, I can't believe I'm taking mid-term tests right now. Though I seem to dread school more and more each semester, it does seem to go much quicker each time. The fact that it is already FALL completely amazes me! I may lose my mind when winter comes(just because it feels like winter was JUST BARELY HERE) I didn't take advantage of the lake this summer as I should have, but hopefully next summer will be prime lake season. (mostly since I will be married and no longer having to try to Woo girls, Cassie and I can just go places and not have to worry about sleeping arrangements or anything silly like that.

I was supposed to have spent this hour studying for a test I have to take later today, but instead I spent most of the hour researching treasure hunting stories on the internet, and wondering why Kanab has all of the treasure legends.

HDR Photography

I have recently put my mind to learning how to make HDR (high dynamic range) with my camera/computer. I have always been fond of such images, and figured I hadn't the knowledge, nor the technology to make them myself. But alas, I have figured it out, and will provide you with a sample or two. Keep in mind that these are my first images, so they are a bit rough. Also, the content is less than desirable because I wanted to take HDR more than I wanted to find something interesting to photograph, so these pictures were taken either from my car on the way to dinner, or from my front porch.
Let me know what you think of my images.. I hope to take some actually interesting photos tomorrow and so hopefully I'll soon have a better gallery.
Enjoy..

Flickr

Go to my flickr page... No one ever comments:(
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaceburgess/

Remember the Sky Hook?

Since marrying a basketball player, I've spent some time in the gymnasium messing around with a basketball. The thing I've noticed most about basketball, is how completely sick the sky hook is. The problem with the "current" NBA, is that too few players utilize this attack. I'd just like to dedicate this post to Kareem, Bird, Magic, and the few other players whose arsenal of hook's are what made them into the legends we know. Here's a few shots..

How to shoot over Michael Jordan?
The HOOK


Oh Kareem..

One of the few new hook shots.. See how it works even against two defenders? Too bad Yao doesn't have the same pizazz that Kareem employed.. The almost transparent Larry Bird

What's Wrong with this Picture?

As many of you know, we have recently sent out our wedding invitations. We took our photos at the old ghost town FRISCO (near milford.) It was later brought to my attention that a GRAFFITI PENIS made its way into one of the photos declaring our love. See if you can spot it! And NOOO this was not done on purpose, though I almost wish it was.

Belief in God and Belief in Global Warming

I am currently sitting at work, bored as anything since it is 1am and no one has even walked through the lobby at the Holiday Inn Express in about 2 hours. I started watching a few youtube videos, and ended up reading pages of comments(like I said I'm bored).
Man people's comments are ridiculous sometimes. People with screen names like, "Jesus Saves" are saying things I wouldn't repeat under any circumstances. The Democrat/Republican debate found on the comment pages of youtube is probably the most ignorant on-going conversation in the history of verbal or printed communication. I even find myself commenting from time to time(even though I say I won't) because oftentimes I'll stumble upon something too ridiculous to leave untouched.
Since all great ideas come while you are working(I guess your brain works best when you tell it not to), a great thought struck me that needs discussing.
As a christian, especially as a conservative American christian, I am often embarrased of people that hold my same ideals. At the same time, I am often embarrased of how others treat American christians, so I guess it is a two-way street. The main thought I've been mulling over is the similarities between a belief in God, and a belief in Global Warming. (for all of you who don't know me, I personally maintain a belief in God, but not much of a belief in Global Warming caused by human-driven Co2 emissions) But fundamentally, I believe these two beliefs to be very similar and worth comparing.

First, the similarities...
1. Both are prominant political issues
2. Both require a certain level of devotion in order to live in harmony with their individual "ideals"
3. Both cause people to become abnormally defensive whilst discussing, making it difficult to see eye to eye with "non-believers"
4. Neither is possible to indisputably prove. (no matter what any "scientist" or "prophet" may claim)
5. Both seem to posess a need to "spread the faith" to others
6. Both are backed with endless propaganda/scare tactics to persuade the general public
7. Both are founded upon good intentions
8. Both have self-appointed spokespeople from Al Gore to Billy Graham
9. Both are occasionally prostituted to serve some ulterior motive
10. Belief in God doesn't hinder a belief in global warming in any way, and vice versa.

Now for the differences
1. Belief in God (in America) has been labled an "at-home hobby" while Global Warming is entering into school curriculum with increasing urgency.
2. It seems the two major political parties have chosen their "favorite" of the two faiths, with Republicans selecting the bible and the Democrats siding with the EPA
(this of course is a complete generalization, and is mentioned only to show the emphasis each party gives to the argument) Also, with today's political yes-men, both parties are claiming both faiths while erasing specifics of either.
3. Believers in Global Warming want to tax me for driving a truck (haha, cheap shot I'm sorry)

What does this mean?
The purpose for this post is just to find common ground between the two faiths. Not to persuade either to believe anything other than tolerance. My problem with Global Warming, isn't that I think it is ridiculous(because I don't think we should be wasteful or destructive, but who decides how much is too much?) My problem is that just like religion has gone through spells of control, and of being controlled, I feel that Global Warming is becoming a controlling entity that will limit my ability to "disbelieve it."
Just like creationism versus evolution, I believe we should be able to believe either theory since you can't really prove anything in this world.
I'll admit that this comparison has helped me actually see the other side of the argument, because before I compared it to my own faith, I often ridiculed believers of Global Warming just for their beliefs. This is wrong. I am still completely against the idea that I should be taxed for something I don't even believe is true, and will speak my mind whenever the opportunity presents itself. But I'm in no way opposed to people driving their own hybrid cars and conserving gasoline in any way that doesn't stop me from living as i see fit.
Interesting Video
http://www.garagetv.be/video-galerij/blancostemrecht/The_Great_Global_Warming_Swindle_Documentary_Film.aspx
Interesting Article
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matthew-balan/2009/01/06/cnn-s-lou-dobbs-belief-global-warming-almost-religion