Friday was an 18-hour work day for me. In addition to my regular work, I took about 200 photos for an upcoming magazine article. Pretty fun stuff, but very taxing after such a long day.

Random photo #1 – my flash went wizzy and I wound up with this nonsensical light display.

Random photo #2 – at the last shoot location, I got to enjoy a superb glass of port.

Today I found a little Russian shop with some things that are pretty hard to find in the US. One of those things is kvass – a Russian/Ukrainian drink made from fermented black (or rye) bread. Sounds gross, but it’s not too bad. It’s not fantastic, but it is certainly unique and worth a few sips. So I bought a bottle of kvass and a bottle of pinapple soda.

I’m not very used to taking days off, but I’ll have to get used to it this week.

Day one – went to the beach. Had alligator for lunch.

Day two – went to a driving range and hit a lot of golf balls. Averaged between 150 and 200 yards with the driver. Donated a full bucket of golf balls to an old guy with orangy-brown teeth.

It’s hot. I’m hoping for a rain and/or lightning storm so I can take cool time-lapse photos.

After a morning of pressing chardonnay grapes at Argyle Winery, I went to the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge to take some photos. From about 70 shots, I got 15 really useful pictures. Here’s one of them.

Maybe it’s just me, but I think the cloud formation above the trees looks just like a phoenix. I see the resemblance. Do you?