Scottsdale Gun Club

This week, Jim and Howard went shooting at the Scottsdale Gun Club. They couldn't stop raving about it. Jim ended up getting a Standard membership. I went shooting there with Jim and James on Saturday.

This particular gun club is one of the largest and most exclusive in the nation. It is the only one where you can rent a machine gun. They have public and members-only indoor ranges, as well as a Tactical Shoot House. There is also a members-only recreation area with a pool table and large screen TV.

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Olympics bans blogs?

The Associated Press (USA Today, Wired) has reported that, according to a International Olympic Committee rules, Olympic athletes, their coaches and others may not publish firsthand accounts nor photographs, including on the Internet, to protect the rights of broadcast rightsholders and the accredited media, unless they have a preexisting web site. However, the official News Access Rules for Turin 2006 only says:

Non-Rights Holders may broadcast via the Internet all or portions of press conferences that take place in the MPC, by audio, without any territorial restrictions, provided that there is a delay of at least thirty minutes from the conclusion of the press conference. Rights Holders may broadcast via the Internet all or portions of such press conferences, by audio, without any territorial or time restrictions.

The news seems to be exaggerated. Unfortunately, the AP article doesn't give a source other than the IOC for their statement. If what the article says is true, I would boycott the Olympics for free speech. In any case, the AP should clarify their source.

Also posted to my work blog.

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Camera Everywhere

I take my camera everywhere. Unless it's a "photography-free" day, my Olympus C-5050 Zoom is in my purse and spare rechargeable batteries are in my pocket. I've taken pictures in public bathrooms and while having medical procedures. The other day, I was in the shower and asked my husband for the camera. At first, he wouldn't bring it to me, until I explained that I wanted to take pictures of the spiders on the wall.

The last time someone asked me what kind of photographs I like to take, I had a hard time answering because I like to capture whatever strikes my fancy, whether it be a color, a pattern, an animal or a person. I generally prefer taking pictures of non-human subjects, unless I'm in a very public place, because I don't have to worry about model releases, or just making people mad. Likewise, I generally keep photos of people private for only friends and family to view on Flickr, unless they're not immediately recognizable, it's taken in public, or I have their explicit permission to post them. I also specifically enjoy taking macros and abstracts. I prefer found moments to staged still lifes. I've posted my two most favorited photos in this entry. Feel free to stop by and, hopefully, enjoy my photos on Flickr.

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Catfish and Barbecue Ribs

Last week, my husband and I were out shopping at Randall's Firearms & Accessories in Glendale. We didn't want to try to drive home during rush hour, so we decided to have dinner near there. Next door to the gun shop is Restaurant 28, a small, unassuming restaurant at 5025 W Olive Ave. There are only four tables. We voluteered to move to one of the two person tables when a larger party of four came in.

We had been looking for a restaurant that serves beef ribs since the Bill Johnson's on our side of town became Pacific Sea Food Buffet. The barbecue sauce on our ribs at Restaurant 28 was very flavorful without being too spicy. We were sopping it up with our well done french fries. If you do want to add a bit of hot, you can use the Louisiana Tabasco Peppers in Vinegar available on every table. I was amused that the bottle says, "One Drop Does It," but the serving size is 23 peppers! I didn't try the catfish which is their specialty, but several people attested to its deliciousness. We did have apple crumble and butternut squash pie for desert which were yummy.

If you're hankering for Southern flavor served fast and friendly in a family atmosphere, try Restaurant 28. No, there aren't 27 other restaurants. 28 refers to the number of years between when the owners of the shop originally met and when they married. It's a cute story of a country boy and a city girl. Ask them to tell it to you when you stop by.

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Bone Scan

Friday, I had a bone scan to rule out s stress fracture in my ankle. I arrived at the hospital at 7:30 AM to check in at registration. I waited a few minutes, then filled out some paperwork and was led back to Radiology.

At 8 AM, I received an injection and they completed a preliminary scan of my ankles. When I was on my back for the bone scan, the technician put a rubberband around my feet to help them stay straight. I found it odd that they let me keep my shoes and bandage on while doing the scan. I guess they don't stop the detection of the radiation with which I was injected. Then, I left and went to breakfast with my husband, who had taken the day off to keep me company, while the radiation worked its way through my body. If you've never been to Mesquite Grill and Sports Bar, I highly recommend it, especially their pancakes.

We returned to complete the bone scan at 11 AM. They scanned my entire body, then scanned my ankles in two positions. I was able to take photos after they released my arms from a velcro closed wrap that helped me stay still while they were scanning the rest of me and handed me my camera. the side view was more difficult to take because I was on my side and had to keep my feet still while trying to get a photo of the scan display. The Radiologists were very friendly and seemed amused that I was taking pictures of them taking pictures of me. I should get the results by the middle of the week.

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The Best Pancakes

This morning between procedures for my bone scan we went out to breakfast at Mesquite Grill and Sports Bar. Mesquite Grill is small diner in an industrial section of Gilbert at 75 W Baseline Rd. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch. All menu items are available when the diner is open. Jim found the Mesquite Grill years ago when a friend, the Prosecutor at the Mesa Justice Court down the street, recommended it. We go there about once a month for pancakes. Their pancakes are the best we've had. They are fluffly, chewy and crispy all at once. I also especially like their home fries and bacon. We tried the french toast today. It was okay, but a little dry. The prices at Mequite Grill and Sports Bar are very reasonable. If you're in the area and have a hankering for pancakes, stop by and try them. You'll be delighted.

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BugGuide.net Rescued!

Bug fans everywhere had a scare yesterday when Troy Bartlett announced that due to personal reasons he was planning to shutdown BugGuide.net, one of the best Entomology references available online. BugGuide.net is a photo and data sharing web site where users can contribute photographs and request identifications. A barrage of "Oh No!" responses followed. The loss of BugGuide.net would truly have been a loss to the scientific community, as well as amatuer bug enthusiasts like me. Luckily, this morning Troy followed up with a post that he is working on transitioning the web site to ownership by John VanDyk, a Systems Analyst in the Iowa State University Department of Entomology. Bug fans everywhere can breathe a heavy sigh of relief.

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X-Ray

Yesterday, my doctor's office called and asked me to schedule a bone density scan to rule out a stress fracture which may not have been picked up on my x-rays last week. I stopped by today and picked up my x-rays to bring to my appointment on Friday. I don't think they'll find anything. I'm pretty sure that it's ligament damage because my ankle has felt worse as the swelling goes down and as I put less pressure on it.

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Pronunciation of Squircle

I started an active discussion today in the Squared Circle group of Flickr by asking how to pronounce squircle, a word created on Flickr to describe a photo of a circle in a square frame where the circle approximately reaches the borders of the frame. Last night I was talking with my husband and friends about a squircle I shot the last time we were out to dinner. We ended up debating whether squircle was pronounced with a soft C or a hard C. We were split along gender lines. The men preferred squirckle. The women preferred squirsle. So far, the Squared Circle group seems to be leaning toward the hard C pronunciation.

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Ankle Update

Thanks to everyone who has left comments and sent me emails asking how my ankle is. The results of the x-ray were negative for a fracture, so it's probably a ligament problem. I'm still following doctor's orders, taking it easy and wrapping and elevating my ankle. My ankle has been doing better in terms of swelling, but it is hurting a bit more.

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Yellow Lantana Trio

This week, I found a Lantana camara flower at work that is very unusual because it is growing in a trio, instead of a doublet. Here is the yellow lantana trio.



Below is a typical yellow lantana flower growing as a doublet.

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Swollen Ankle

When I lived in Tucson 7 years ago, I competed in Pro/Am (Professional/Amateur) latin ballroom dancing. It took a long time, but Jim finally came around and we started taking lessons about 3 weeks ago. He was reticent for a long time, but once he started, he found that he really enjoys it. It's one of the few things we've found that we both enjoy that brings us closer together. He has natural rythm and has been learning very quickly. We already look good together doing East Coast Swing.

For our second lesson about three weeks ago, I used 3" heels to dance in. When I started dancing, I felt a small crunch and a pain in my right ankle. I'm afraid that I've reactivated a bad ankle injury from high school. Since the lesson, my ankle and foot have been swollen. It was particularly bad this weekend when our air conditioning was out. The swelling has gone back down a bit since then, but I'm having a hard time wearing my sandals. I don't have pain when I walk, but my ankle and foot are tender to the touch.

I finally went to the doctor today. The doctor thinks I may have a stress fracture. I was given a prescription for Ibuprofen and a referral to go get an xray. I went to EVDI and had my ankle xrayed and filled my prescription. I haven't recieved the results of the xray, yet. The recommendation is to stay off my feet as much as possible with my foot elevated above my heart and with my ankle iced. I hope that this resolves fairly easily because I had just started getting more exercise with the renewed ballroom dancing and being actively interested in photography.

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Wet in Arizona

I took the waterdrop photo just off the end of our porch this afternoon. It has been unusually wet, as well as hot, here in Chandler over the last couple of weeks. My backyard has been so wet that it is growing mushrooms. Yesterday, I looked in the backyard and thought that there were golf balls in the middle of the lawn. When I went out to check, I found that there were mushrooms growing. Since yesterday was a photograph-free day, I didn't take any pictures of them then. After the rain last night and today, several mushrooms were in full bloom.

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Sleep Study

Last year, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea after a sleep study at American Sleep Diagnostics in Chandler. In February, I had Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction surgery to help my breathing and clear my Sinusitis. This was a follow up sleep study at Banner Desert Medical Center Sleep Center to see if I still needed the same level of air pressure delivered by my CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine.

The Sleep Center is very security conscious since people come and go at odd hours. My appointment started at 9 PM and I left at about 7AM. To get in after 5 PM, you have to get buzzed through the outer door after announcing yourself. The main door leads to a small exterior courtyard, primarily a smoking area, which then leads to the door into the Sleep Center. There is a small parking area specifically for the Sleep Center by the main door.

When I arrived, I was led to the room I would be sleeping in to change into my bed clothes. The room was very comfortable. The bed was queen size. I brought my own pillows, but there were plenty there if I hadn't. There was also a small private bathroom with a shower attached. I brought my favorite book to reread, but there was a television in the room if you prefer to watch until you're sleepy. The camera that watched me while I slept was mounted over the door and pointed at the bed.

After I signaled that I had finished changing by opening the door to the room, the nurse came to go over the sleep questionnaire that I had completed ahead of time and brought with me, then wire me up for the study. It takes abuot 20 minutes to get wired. I had the nurse take this picture of me all wired up. It looks uncomfortable, but it's not too bad. You can turn easily in bed. Most of the inconvenience is in the sticky gel under the pads that you have to get off the next day. The belts around your chest and abdomen to measure breathing are fairly loose.

Normally, they monitor you for about 2 hours, then wake you up to start you on a CPAP or BiPAP with a mask if it shows you need it. A CPAP uses continuous air pressure. A BiPAP uses different levels of air pressure for breating in than for breathing out. At first, using the mask was like trying to fall asleep with my head out the car window. Now that I'm used to it, I find it easier to sleep with a mask than without one. The Positive Air Pressure helps to keep your airway open while you sleep. During my first study, I was waking up every three minutes to breathe. Without using my CPAP, I don't get much REM sleep. I tend to be a bit confused and tired all the time, which, as well as being unconfortable and unhealthy, interfered with my ability to my job.

Although I ususally got to sleep after midnight, I fell asleep at about 10:30 PM because I had been exercising earlier out taking photographs of bees and butterflies. When I don't use my CPAP machine I sleep very lightly. I woke up about 1:30 AM hearing a voice in the corridor and my index finger was itching due to the oxygen monitor taped to it, which doesn't show in the photograph. I took off the tape, let my finger air a bit, then put it back on. After reading for about half an hour, I fell back asleep. I had to measured longer than usual to capture enough REM sleep without the mask. When it was time to put the nose mask on, the nurse came in and removed the breathing monitor in my nose, then I wore a nose mask the rest of the night. At 7 AM, the nurse woke me up. It took a few minutes to get all of the wires off. She helped wipe off some of the water solubale gel, but I was eager to get home and take a shower, although I could have taken one there. I got dressed and headed home. It'll take at least a week to get the results of my sleep study. She did say that needed lower air pressure than the level that my CPAP is currently set to. It's important to not use too much pressure because that can also induce another type of sleep apnea called Central Apnea. I'll make and appointment to go see my doctor n a couple of weeks to review the results and have my CPAP machine adjusted.

Having my sleep apnea diagnosed and using my CPAP machine has made a very important difference in my life. I am alert and clear-headed during the day and have much more energy to enjoy life. I encourage anyone who feels overly tired during the day to get themselves checked for sleep apnea and make the effort to get used to sleeping with a mask if needed.

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Angel Sweet Gelato

My latest food find is Angel Sweet, a gelato retail shop at Chandler Blvd and Dobson Rd here in Chandler, AZ. I've been back three times since a friend introduced us to it about a week ago. Gelato is a frozen dairy food like ice cream with less fat and less air. It is creamier than ice cream with the flavorfulness of sorbet. If you like ice cream, you'll be hooked.

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Bullets & Bees

This weekend we went to the Rio Salado Sportsman's Club at Usery Mountain in Mesa to go shooting. My husband brought mostly his rifles, including a new one to scope in, and a friend brought his handcannon. I spent most of my time shooting photos of my husband and friends shooting. I managed to catch one of each step of firing the handcannon and an excellent pistol shot in my Guns set. I also found several cactuses that were flowering with beautiful pink flower rings after the monsoon last week. The cactuses were swarming with ants and having their pollen collected by bees. The cactus flower photos are in my Flowers set. I also submitted the ant and bee phtotgraphs to BugGuide.net.

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