daverea.com

For as many digital photos as I take (there are 11,188 files in our server’s “digital photos” folder right now), snapping one that I feel is really good – espcially when it captures an unstaged, unrepeatable instance in a fleeting moment – is truly rare. Maybe I set too high a standard for my own photography, or maybe it’s the evevitable result of having one of “the masters” as your dad, but I tend to aim a pretty critical eye at my through-the-lens “work”.

That said, I think that this is one of those few-and-far-between damn good shots:

Springtime Smile [click to enlarge]

I shot this while out on a photo-walk with Dad, during our family’s recent trip to the Outer Banks. As we walked back to our rental car, I noticed movement in the tree out of the corner of my eye, and turned just in time to see the girl pull her heels up the trunk. As she smiled up at (presumably) her boyfriend, it felt like minutes elapsed as I dragged my 20D from its perch around my neck. As luck (sheer, unadulterated, dumb luck) would have it, the metering mode and exposure settings from my sunset shots (from moments earlier) were undisturbed. Though I snapped 5 or 6 shots, the only one that made the grade was the one you see here.

…when Keith and Alex were finally going to get married, wonder no more! For new photos have been posted to the gallery:

Balan/Tabakman Wedding

Enjoy!

Dear Credit Card Companies,

Thank you for your frequent and varied offers to extend credit to my wife and me. In addition to making our mailbox seem more full than it really is, your offers let us know that – any time we want to become a part of the American public’s debt problem – we’re welcome in your flock. Your kindness is much appreciated.

However, we did have one small request. Since your offers consistently state that you have a fervent desire to save us money, please consider printing your application letters on shredder lubricating paper – our shredder gets a tremendous workout in preventing people from stealing our identities via your correspondance, and this small effort on your part could eliminate a lot of work on ours.

Fondly,
Dave Rea

PS – I bought the 3-year protection plan on my shredder, so if you don’t want to print on the lubricating paper, that’s OK – I’m sure the plan is underwritten by a card-issuing bank, so I’m gonna screw you either way.

No, it’s not a Volkswagen. But there is a turbo under the hood. And a 2.8L V6.

Long-time readers of daverea.com (wait, I have those?) can probably remember all the venting (ok, well, outright bitching) I’ve done here when it came to my good ‘ol Oldsmobile Intrigue. Between the transmission problems, electrical gremlins (most-likely somewhat self-induced), and “gonna-think-for-you” climate control, there was always plenty of content to draw from whenever I felt particularly pragmatic. But for all her oddities, the Intrigue never once left me stranded. She was a good beast.

But even good beasts have to be put out to pasture on occasion. And as of last week, much to Henry Ford’s dismay, a black car no longer graces our garage. The replacement? A 2007 Saab 9-3 Aero in Silver…

[click to enlarge]

I’d been waiting to post until I got a good photo. And today on my way home from work, I diverted towards Victor to stop off at a supplier’s office. Lo and behold, along my alterate route home, was my very favorite prop for photos of fast cars: the twisteez sign! (With no “fake” speed limit square below, at that!) And make no mistake: this car loves twisteez. Add to that mix the fact that Kelly’s camera just happened to be in the glove box, and you’ve got yourself a blog photo!

Oh, and to all you Saab owners out there: Now I know why y’all like ‘em so much!