SW Roadtrip 2018

2018/11/17 by Tomas
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During my weeklong roadtrip with @tweetsandchirps, I kept a sketchbook and watercolor travel journal of our experiences and the wildlife we spotted. My full supplies list: Moleskine watercolor journal 5″x8.25″ Sable travel brushes in various sizes Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolor transferred to a generic tin Copic Multi-liner 05 Mechanical Pencil with 0.5mm blue lead I had considerably more art supplies with me for experimentation, but this list is what I ended up using in the travel journal. It’s a project I’ve wanted to do Continue reading →

Project 2017×365: 90 Days Down

2017/04/02 by Tomas
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I’m now 90 days, 3 months, or a quarter of 2017 into my self-imposed 2017×365 Photography Challenge. I’ve challenged myself to take at least one photo with the intent of improving my technique. Why am I doing this? These 365 days of “intentional” shooting with specific ideas and techniques being practiced should help develop my skills as a photographer and hopefully make my photos more engaging, meaningful, and “professional”. I desire to have my photos be considered more than a casual snapshot. Although I may take many Continue reading →

20170303×365

2017/03/03 by Tomas
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My daily photography project is really helping me see light, angles, composition, and color all in a new angle. I used to be rather afraid of color. I always felt that my eyes didn’t quite see the world in the same as everyone else, but as I finally dipped into painting with acrylics, watercolors, and the lights in photography, the world has gradually become a more colorful and interesting place.  A hallway or nook suddenly becomes more interesting with the right mood lighting, camera angle, Continue reading →

20170125×365

2017/01/25 by Tomas
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20170125 I’m going to miss my Pebble 2 when Fitbit finally kills it. There is so much about the design and practically they executed so much better than Apple Watch and Android Wear devices. Today, the emoticon design was spot on.  This isn’t a particularly difficult photo to take, but getting a glare-free shot of a watch face is not without its challenges. 

20170122×365

2017/01/23 by Tomas
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Today marks 6 years since Audrey and I started dating. We started the day with a nice breakfast at Helser’s on Alberta. I recommend the smoked salmon hash. Then we went over to Powell’s City of Books to get some light reading material. We also hit up the Backyard Birdshop for some bird-related supplies and house for chickadees. Home Tweet Home. Then we ended our day with dinner at the same exact table where we first hung out until 2am getting to know each other. Continue reading →

2016 Recap Report

2016/12/31 by Tomas
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Overall, 2016 was a rather successful year for me on so many levels. I had set several goals for the year, all of which were met with success to my own standards. Bikepacking the Three Sisters Three Rivers Route Bicycle Tour of the San Juan Islands Read 52 Books in a year Run a Marathon (in Hawaii) before turning 40 years old But there were plenty of other outings and adventures that were had like… Attempted to ride the Baby Loaf route on my fatbike. Continue reading →

2016 Reading Goal Complete

2016/12/01 by Tomas
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At the beginning of 2016, I set out to read 52 books by the end of the year. It was a slow winter for me, so nearly half those books were read in just a few months. As summer rolled in, my reading slowed down. But as we found ourselves rained-in while bike touring the San Juan Islands, I was able to get caught up on my reading schedule and blast through a few more books. By early November, I was finished with my goal Continue reading →

Cabin Lake

2016/07/17 by Tomas
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Neither Cabin nor Lake, this desert oasis made for a very pleasant weekend of birding, photography, and mountain biking on the edge where desert and high alpine forests meet. Read about Audrey’s birding adventure at the Cabin Lake Bird Blinds. I took the opportunity to ride my mountain bike around in preparation for a much longer bikepacking trip. My full photo album from Cabin Lake and Fort Rock. Full Slide Show:

A Company Retreat

2016/06/08 by Tomas
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I’m so happy I work for a company like Ride with GPS and have fun co-workers that all like to ride bicycles. It was decided that we would all take a long weekend trip out to TREO Ranch Bicycle Tours to ride some of the best routes in Eastern Oregon. Full Slide Show: There was a train derailment in the Columbia Gorge that threatened to delay our departure from Portland, but Phil (TREO Owner) was able to get into Portland the night before to make Continue reading →