Random Thoughts

I can't seem to find a good excuse to practice my photography. I'm really sick of taking photos of trees, flowers, indoor parties, and buildings. The photos I take even bore ME to death.

You would think that Hawaii would have lots of natural things to take pictures of. True, it does have a lot of natural wonders. But since it's like a HUGE tourist destination, every spot has had hundreds of people taking photos of the areas already. So every photo I take of a nice beach spot has had hundreds of photos taken of the exact same spot already.

So I'm thinking of taking my camera up with me on this HK and Macau trip. Finally some new things to take pictures of. However, it's possible it might rain while I'm there. Bummer.

While I'm running at the beach sometimes I see people I like to take photos of. No, not bikini clad babes. I wouldn't complain about that, but that's not "interesting" from the photography point of view. I want stuff with a statement. For instance I see this homeless person there sometimes with a giant cart and a huge umbrella sitting on the park bench. I would love to take a photo of him one day...kind of like those National Geographic shots of people. But what do I say? "Excuse me Mr. Bum. You look very hot there in your 5 layers of clothing sitting here at the beach. Will you let me take a photo of you while you pretend you don't see me?"

He'd probably come beat me up and toss my camera into the ocean.

I've been thinking of all the places I'd like to see in the world before I die. I mean, if I ever come up with a terminal disease or something, I'd like to experience all these events and places before I go. Is that morbid? I might as well list them out so I don't ever forget this list. I'll add to it as I remember them:

• Smithsonian Museums: OK, I just want to spend one whole week to geek out at this museum of all museums. Somehow I've always had a fascnation with museums. Maybe because there really isn't any significant museum here in Hawaii. Maybe it's the fascination of pressing exhibit buttons?
• Coachella: This is like one giant music and art festival that lasts for 2 or 3 days in the middle of nowhere. It's one giant lawn with multiple stages with bands and exhibits all going on at the same time. 2 people can go to this same event and yet have completely different experiences because there's SO much going on.
  
• Great Wall of China: OK. It's just a big stinky wall. Literally...dad said it smells. But somehow I gotta stand on this thing and just say I've been there. Maybe pee next to it and say "I've pee'd on the great wall of China". Yeah, then I'd spend the next 20 years in a Chinese prison.
  
• Miho Museum: Yeah, another museum. But this one is especially cool because the museum itself is like a giant architectural masterpiece designed my I.M. Pei. The same guy who made that glass pyramid in front of the Louvre in Paris.
  
• San Diego Zoo: HUGE zoo. Supposed to be one of the best.
• Louvre Museum: Now how can I be in art and never visit the Louvre?
• Statue of David: OK...not just this statue. But I want to physically stand in front of at least ONE artpiece by each of these legendary artists. Michaelangelo. Da Vinci. Picasso. and of course....Raphael. I just want to stand in front of each one for 5 minutes and just chill.
• Machu Picchu: Something about standing in a spot that's THOUSANDS of years old is awe inspiring. My cousin recently went there. I'm SO jealous.
• AC/DC: OK. Not really a place but this is the one band I have yet to see in my lifetime of seeing concerts. The ONE band I've wanted to see but never got the chance. I can say one of the great moments was meeting the Red Hot Chili Peppers in person which was my favorite band at one time. But AC/DC is in another league. Too bad they're either too old or too drunk to play much anymore.
• Sweden: OK, that's rather broad isn't it? I just want to see those lush green fields I've been seeing on TV all my life. I want to go run through the field and sing a song from Sound of Music. Wait...were they Danish?
• Aurora Borealis: Trip out on watching the sky. Closest I can get to feeling like I just took cocaine or something.
• Loch Ness Lake: I have a good feeling I'll spot that damn monster. Maybe nobody's tried luring it with a Sour Patch Kid candy I think....
• Roman Colosseum: What's my fascination with old things?
• Mardi Gras: OK, I know New Orleans is a little fucked up lately. But someday I'm sure they'll recover. I'd like be in the heart of this crazy festival and just pretend I'm as drunk as everyone else is while I'm stone sober.
• Australian Zoo: OK. Call me a sucker but I want to go see the Croc Hunter. CROIKEY!
  

I'll add more as I think of it....