Sunday, December 13, 2009

October 3, 2009


October 3, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Got to work as the photographer for a child's birthday party. Was lots of fun and hope to get more opportunities

September 24, 2009


September 24, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Google Workshop for Educators in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. First time to this state and the workshop was very enjoyable. Loved working with a group of highly enthusiastic educators.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

September 19, 2009


September 19, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
On a trip to my favorite specialty food store I took many photos, but this one captures so much about my philosophy on food. This is also the reason so many of my 365 photos are of food.

September 16, 2009


September 16, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
On the menu among other things was this. Grilled asparagus with toasted hazelnuts, 60 month aged parmesan, and an over-medium egg cooked for 20 minutes on low heat.

September 15, 2009


September 15, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Since I wanted to make a few other buildings on campus with some of my students using google sketchup I needed to get some good photos to be the textures we apply once the build is finished

September 12, 2009


September 12, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
I was blocked from going onto the freeway, then I remembered there was a Freedom ride planned to go through the area. So I got out of my camera with my iPhone and not only took some cool photos, but I also got some cool video. This was awesome!!! Over 1,000 motorcyclists went by for sure.

September 11, 2009


September 11, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Since Fall is just around the corner and it never rains here, I had to get this shot of all the clouds rolling in.

September 10, 2009


September 10, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Headed to a meeting for the CUELA Board. We worked on our technology faire coming up November 14th

Sunday, September 13, 2009

September 9, 2009


September 9, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
On 9-9-09 I participated in the worldwide 9-9-09 photo moment. While I wondered what photo would be appropriate for this I realized it was permanently written on my arm.

September 7, 2009


September 7, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
The day of departure I took this photo to remember this place. The property was great, the grounds immaculate, and the staff impeccable. I would, no, I hope to return sometime soon.

September 6, 2009


September 6, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Went to the food and music festival in Vail called Gourmet on Gore. Of course with good and I mean really good food I was already in my element. Add to that the music and it was fantastic.

September 5, 2009


September 5, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
I realize flowers can be cliche, but I had to post this shot. The caption would be life and death since you get both extremes from the same flower here.

September 4, 2009


September 4, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
The view from the room in Vail and the Cascade Resort. I want to get the grounds, but since I had other days I took this photo of the patio with the plate of fruit and cheese. I was also playing with the depth of field.

September 3, 2009


September 3, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Farmer's Market today. While surverying all the fresh bounty I picked up some fresh ginger root. Lots to do with this and very versatile in many different cuisines.

September 2, 2009


September 2, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
While cooking this evening I plated these beauties and took this photo. It is amazing how much more appealing and appetizing vegetables are when they are prepared properly. Eat your veggies!!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

August 30, 2009


August 30, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
For breakfast today I prepared these quite tasty strawberry pancakes. Something about making pancakes with fresh in season fruit that makes them taste that much better. I actually made the strawberry syrup for them as well.

August 29, 2009


August 29, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
This time for dinner I decided to plate the food in a tribute to Italy, hence the colors. This is a gorgonzola spinach ravioli along side a simple marinara I made. The marinara is so easy and tasty more people should make it at home rather than buying jarred sauce.

August 28, 2009


August 28, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Lunch today consisted of this awesome tex-mex/southwestern dish. Grilled salmon on top of chipotle mashed potatoes with a grilled vegetable pineapple salsa. I washed it down with a red sangria. Too bad I cannot eat more often like this. LOL

August 27, 2009


August 27, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
While out for lunch today I had to get a photo of the dessert. It was much more visually appealing than the meal itself. This dessert was vanilla bean ice cream on top of a chocolate fudge brownie. Then drizzled on top was a chocolate sauce and a dulce de leche sauce. Decadent!!!

August 26, 2009


August 26, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Modeling audition today. This was for a T-Mobile job and if I got it, the job would have been fun to do. Not to mention paid really really well too.

August 22, 2009


August 22, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Today I had the pleasure and privilege to go to the Annenburg Space for Photography. This is a place in which there is free admission to a variety of photography exhibits. World reknowned photographers give lectures each week and on this day they had the Photograhers of the Year works on display. Many were disheartening and breath taking because they were photo journalistic.

August 21, 2009


August 21, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Today I finally got to put my crepe pan to work. I have always wanted to make my own crepes and while I made some main course style crepes I also made this. My favorite. Banana and nutella.

August 20, 2009


August 20, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Today I was given a lesson on the value of serving beer in the proper glass. This was a hefeweisen from a micro-brewery in Pasadena. It was complex and had nice citrus notes to it. Also it has to be served in a pilsner glass.

August 18, 2009


August 18, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Dinner tonight consisted of this seared tenderloin risotto with porcini mushrooms

August 17, 2009


August 17, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
For dinner today I made this beauty. Cedar planked salmon with lemon and rosemary. Very tasty.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

August 16, 2009


August 16, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Today's meal consisted of cedar planked grilled salmon. A salad of smoked/grilled corn, heirloom tomatoes, and avocado. And bulgur wheat with fresh italian parsley, tomatoes, and marcona almonds.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

August 15, 2009


August 15, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
While taking a leisurely stroll in the Marina area I noticed this willing model for one of my photographs.

August 14, 2009


August 14, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Today I had to go to the Blood Donor Facility at Cedars Sinai hospital. Needed to donate blood for a relative that has leukemia so that it will be available for her next transfusion. I intend to do this regularly from now on since I fully understand the importance to those in need.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

August 13, 2009


August 13, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Part of dinner tonight was this salad, which is one of my favorites. Fresh tomato, fresh chopped basil, burrata cheese, a 10 year aged balsamic, and a brilliant EV Olive Oil

August 12, 2009


August 12, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Went to the Farmer's Market today. A Farmer's Market is one of my favorite places to take photographs. I chose this photo because of the variety of purples in these different eggplants.

August 11, 2009


August 11, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Today's sunset.

August 10, 2009


August 10, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Today's photo is this tasty meal. Morrocan grilled chicken along with Morrocan couscous.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

August 9, 2009


August 9, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Breakfast today!! Pumpkin maple pancakes with a vanilla maple glaze and a carmelized banana and pecan topping. Yum!!!!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

August 8, 2009


August 8, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Breakfast today had a theme. Can you guess what that theme was? Two eggs over medium cooked in a white truffle infused olive oil and southern style milled white grits (not the instant junk) topped with a 15 month caved aged gruyere.

August 7, 2009


August 7, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Lunch today was beyond scrumptious. Croque Monsieur along with a cobb salad. I have not had a Croque this good since the last time I was in France.

August 6, 2009


August 6, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
While headed to the Denver airport and leaving Boulder I had to get a decent photo of the Flatirons.

August 5, 2009


August 5, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Today was the Google Teacher Academy. My role was to present the session on using Google Sketchup. I like the fact that my title was Lead Learner, because I did more learning than teaching. This cohort is going to be a welcomed addition to the GCT community. I had loads of fun and it is always refreshing when you can work with educators who are passionate and focused on their profession

August 4, 2009


August 4, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
On the day prior to the Google Teacher Academy I took a walk with two of my friends around part of the Boulder area. Even though I have been here many many times, I definitely like the Boulder area.

August 3, 2009


August 3, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
While at the BMW dealership today I had to get a photo of one of the cars I want.

August 2, 2009


August 2, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Today went for a walk around the Marina Del Rey area. Among the many photos I took this is one of my favorites. I played with the setting on the camera and a little post production tone mapping revealed this.

August 1, 2009


August 1, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
The menu today included this amazingly easy and tasty dish. Roasted green beans with garlic paste and almonds.

July 31, 2009


July 31, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Today I had to stop by the school district offices to take care of a mountain of paperwork. Of course there is no remote or electronic alternative. I cannot help but think they do that in part to save people's obsolete jobs

Thursday, July 30, 2009

July 30, 2009


July 30, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
While at one of my favorite cafes that I have posted photos from before I noticed this beauty calling me from behind the glass. I was tempted to eat the entire thing, but I thought better of it and ordered one piece to go with my triple latte.

July 29, 2009


July 29, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
As I get more and more into photography I want to refine my use of various applications and tools. I am in the process of learning and comparing the major differences between Apple Aperture and Adobe Lightroom. I consider myself proficient with both, but I need to be as good as a professional.

July 28, 2009


July 28, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Pizza pizza pizza. I was craving my favorite food so I had to pick this up. It had a slightly chewy and slightly crispy crust with a nice light texture. The cheese was gooey and good. My only criticism was the pepperoni was not as spicy as it should have been.

July 27, 2009


July 27, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Another trip to the Farmer's Market and another wonderful photo opportunity. I love the diagonal contrasts of the yellow and green here. Also the fact that each is a different type of squash.

July 26, 2009


July 26, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Since I was in the mood to cook something different I created this wonderful meal. Grilled pork tenderloin that marinated for 48 hours in a sweet vidalia onion and fig marinade. Add to that grilled asparagus, roasted beets with feta, and grits with shaved gruyere. It had a glass of Rose on the side too.

July 25, 2009


July 25, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
On a beautiful sunny summer day in Los Angeles I looked up with my camera and took this photo.

July 24, 2009


July 24, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
Lunch today consisted of this wonderful greek salad. You can tell this is a real Greek salad, because it has NO lettuce. I cannot stand restaurants that perpetrate calling any salad with feta and olives a Greek Salad.

Friday, July 24, 2009

July 23, 2009


July 23, 2009
Originally uploaded by ChocXTC
This evening I decided to put on my pastry chef hat. I made an Indian Rice Pudding. It is considered Indian because of the consistency and the spices I used. I also use Carolina Gold Heirloom rice which is an amazing rice from North Carolina