Quarantine Project 1/21

This will be my view for the next several weeks.

Quarantine Project 2/21

This was definitely an exercise in patience. Apparently the eye-focus doesn't work well with a macro lens so it involved a lot of trial and error! All these self portraits are going to stretch my photoshop skills as well... ;)

Quarantine Project 3/21

I've never looked out this bedroom window before. The blinds have always been closed as I've never felt the need to watch the sunrise from inside. I would always go outside for that kind of thing! But times are different now... going outside is a thing of the past!

Quarantine Project 4/21

A lot has changed since 15th Century Yemen! One thing I missed the most about being gone was my awesome coffee maker. I love my dad and all, but his coffee leaves much to be desired. ;) (Sorry dad! I still appreciate you!!!) Granted, there are several amazing coffee shops in Oregon that I love, but there's something about waking up, turning on my machine, listening to the ear shattering sound of metal grinding bean, watching the near-boiling water being forced through the brown powder into my lame Starbucks mug with that beautiful crema sitting on top. Then to ruin it all with too much fake vanilla creamer! It doesn't get much better that that! I'm sure there will be more coffee photos coming soon!

Quarantine Project 5/21

I'm so disappointed in myself!!! I was working on a self portrait again and just couldn't post it. It wasn't working, and I wasn't happy with it, so I decided to post a photo of my dinner instead! ;) So lame! I do, however, love the super shallow depth-of-field of the Macro lens!

Quarantine Project 6/21

I said more coffee was coming, and I doubt this will be the last! It's nice to finally be putting my strobe lights to good use! One thing I love about going to bed is knowing I get to have coffee as soon as I wake up!

Quarantine Project 7/21

This is my Taylor 815CE. In 2015, the movers destroyed this during my PCS. Thankfully, it was insured, so I got paid but was told by Taylor that it was unrepairable. Apparently nobody told them about Gorilla Glue. :) She's not beautiful anymore, but still sounds amazing!!

Quarantine Project 8/21

I love waking up to a torrential downpour. It's not always sun and sand out here! Thankfully the rain and bad weather don't bother me, except of course when I'm flying. I'm not always a huge fan of that.

Quarantine Project 9/21

I almost rejected this photo. When I'm sorting in Lightroom, I place an X on the photos I don't want, then I delete them, never to be seen again. I didn't see it when I shot this, but I love the abstract nature and how it almost looks like two separate photos.

Quarantine Project 10/21

Back to dropping things into a cup. I'm a bigger fan of coffee and I think that photo turned out better, but cherries are fun too! And I'm a fan of this cup... what should I drop into it next?

Quarantine Project 11/21

Lunch is delivered and I'm half way there! I may just sign up for a 4th week when this is all done! ;) These guys have been great... really, everyone has been very supportive and kind. So many have asked what they can do to help. It's literally the first and only army assignment I've experienced where I know I will miss my friends and community when I leave. Looking forward to hanging out with everyone in person soon!

Quarantine Project 12/21

This happened today! Now, I've been informed more times than can count that my yard looks like excrement. I do have windows, so I can see outside. Unfortunately, my windows are incredibly dirty as you can probably tell by the soft glow in the photo. Unfortunately I can't go outside to wash them. Just like I can't go outside to mow my lawn. Thankfully someone else got tired of looking at my yard too and showed pity on us lepers. After placement of two new signs on my house (10 total now) plus those wooden contraptions in front and back to warn onlookers of the dangers leeching from my walls, they got to work! Thanks, mowermen! Much appreciated!

Quarantine Project 13/21

Big shoutout to Mike and Vickie for the snacks today! Thank you!! And thanks to my caretaker for the delivery! Nothing like taking a delicious sugar-free dessert and drizzling sugary chocolate syrup all over... but hey, it was for the photo! Rhonda, Michael, Jamey, Joe, and all the others who are supporting... you're appreciated!

Quarantine Project 14/21

I decided to hit the beach this morning for a little sunrise/coffee action in my Tommy Bahama beach chair! I didn't even have to get sweaty or covered in sand... or go to the beach! Doesn't get much better! :)

Quarantine Project 15/21

I can't say this is the most creative photo ever taken, but I do love a good macro shot! The small details that we don't typically pay attention to are everywhere!

Quarantine Project 16/21

I'm not typically one for self portraits, but this will probably be the last time I look like this in my life so I figured I might as well take advantage of the situation! I hate this animal stuck to my face, so I was really planning on getting rid of it this weekend. However, this may not ever happen again, so why not stick with it for one more week? I'll be in the slammer for 4th of July anyway, so I figure I'll celebrate my freedom by offloading the facial hair next weekend!

Quarantine Project 17/21

Pretty amazing sunset over the USS Utah tonight!! I figured now is as good a time as any to head down to the water and enjoy the last rays with a few beers and my fancy beach gear! Sure am going to miss the views from this place!

Quarantine Project 18/21

I'm getting pretty sick of all this beach nonsense so I opted for a hike today. Mt. Rainier sounded like a good idea. On my way up to Camp Muir through Paradise... Thankfully parking wasn't as crazy as normal, so no silly tourists to hold me back!

Quarantine Project 19/21

Happy 4th, everyone! Eat a burger for me!! Besides my fellow leper Kwaj peeps, is anyone else stuck inside on Freedom Day? If so, I hope your view from the back window is as good as mine! Can't beat that beautiful Chinese Sky Candy.

Quarantine Project 20/21

So, this finally happened! I must say, I don't miss the beard, but I am a little sad about the hair! ;) I've been planning this particular photo since the beginning of this silliness so I'm glad to finally have it done! I can finally feel my face again!

Quarantine Project 21/21

This is it… last night in the lockup. Jeff put the pressure on me to nail my last photo, but I’ve been struggling all day with ideas. The haircut idea is as creative as I get, so now that the shave’s been done, what else is there?!?! ;) I thought on it for a while and just decided to take a photo of what I was doing at the time. Prior to the quarantine, I hadn’t played my guitar much in many years, but it’s just one thing I’ve been motivated to pick up since I got back. I’m thankful for music, I’m thankful for the guys who’ve kept me fed and taken care of this whole time, I’m thankful for technology that allows me to connect with special people from halfway around the world, and I’m thankful for friends, family, health, and happiness. I’m looking forward to seeing you all on the outside! Only a few short weeks before I punch out of here for good so we better make them worth it! One last night, just me and John Wick, and some American Honey to celebrate freedom! If anyone is available tomorrow around lunch time-ish, sprint to the ski steps for a freedom float!