Ducks won!

Hanging out at the beer stein, having a hard cider. :)

Been a while... again.....

I know, you don't have to tell me.

I post more about as often as it takes Mercury to complete a orbit of
the sun, but at least I admit it. There has been a lot going on since my
last post, and this summer was a heavy one for sure.

I lost my father, Gary Petorak, on September 15, at age 69. It's hard
to know I can't call him anymore, and I know he enjoyed his calls to me
to ask how things were going. He loved his Nascar, and listening to
scanners to hear what was going on in the neighborhood. My family all
headed up to Tahoma National Cemetery, where he was given a Navy space
in the wall for his ashes. It was hard to be there and see everything,
but it was nice for us all to put things to rest and move on. I sure do
miss him a lot, but I know that he's happy to be where he is, and to
know that we all came together to make sure he lived and made a mark on
our lives.

Here is a link to his memorial page:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=gary-b-petorak&pid=145868288

Take care all, and don't forget to tell your father you love them as
often as you can.

My Zen lunch spot.

I just entered the directions to my spot and the stopped myself and deleted it. I ain't sharing. :)

I have found myself a new project...

After finding out today that the Jeep is going to need a new drivers wheel bearing, I put plans of new stuff on hold. I did, in a moment of thought, discover a new project I am going to under take.

My first project, was the home made light box diffuser.

Then, my lovely wife made me this snoot out of a beer can and some gaffers tape.




Now, I believe the new undertaking will be the light ring:

 What does a light ring do you ask?

They generate a even light pattern around the subjects face as seen in this photo: 











I'll post more when I have the plans, and maybe some construction videos or snapshots. 

Petorak.Com, the Revival

Ok, so it was only down for like a month.. but still. Thanks to a free hosting site, all is back up and good in the world. I am working on a new design, so I'll post as I go to get any feedback along the way. I know there are some of you out there... ping.....

Goodbye Middle School, hello High School!

Tristan graduates from Middle School.  Here is proof! 

It was a long ceremony.  I forgot how much pain bleachers can cause those of us with bad backs. 

Six Funny Life Lessons | Personal Blog of Carl Pei

Six Funny Life Lessons | Personal Blog of Carl Pei: "A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, “I’ll give each of you just one wish” “Me first! Me first!” says the admin. clerk. “I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.” Poof! She’s gone. “Me next! Me next!” says the sales rep. “I want to be in Hawaii,relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.” Poof! He’s gone. “OK, you’re up,” the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, “I want those two back in the office after lunch.”
Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say."