Not everything stays in Vegas as the popular saying goes. These images are the lucky ones that came back. You see, on the second day of our three day trip, I accidently opened the back of my F5 exposing at least a quarter of the film. Thankfully the images burnt weren't that great to begin with. And in case you're wondering, yes, this was my first trip to Vegas. I've always heard good things, but was never turned on by it mainly due to two reasons. First, I don't drink or smoke and second, I physically can't dance. You see, my right knee pops every time I make the effort to dance. Lets face it, most people my age don't go up there for your usual old timer sight seeing adventure like I happen to do where ever I go.

Be that as it may, a friend of mine invited to go in part to celebrate his buddy's twenty first birthday and for me to get out of California. Make no mistake, I've been out of the country to visit family down in Oaxaca and Tijuana before, but I've never been outside the state to visit another state. So naturally I accepted the invite and off we went. I mean, I would of gone regardless where our final destination would of been.

The drive wasn't bad at all as I'm used to the drive down to Tijuana. We made a quick stop in Baker at that Alien Jerky place and hooked my self up with an alien flying saucer driver's license. Which sadly was stolen and or lost in my own home, which was not cool at all. Honestly the rest of the trip is blur, not many highlights to speak of to be honest.... well, there was one. A long walk under the city lights all dressed up, tie an everything with the beautiful and intelligent birthday girl by my side discussing politics along with our crazy escapades.

GEEKY TECH INFO: Nikon F5 with a 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor lens, manual exposure for the shadows, using Fuji 160S film. Film was developed & scanned at La Cañada Camera. 

Gosh where to start with eSteph? Well, for starts, tonight was the first time I've seen her in eight years. I met her back in tenth grade when I use to hang with the skaters down the block in my old neighborhood. At the time, I fooled myself into picking up a skateboard and learning how to ride, pull off tricks and look cool on it. All to impress a classmate at the time, both failed attempts I may add. I wasn't much a lady killer then, wait.... I'm not much of lady killer these days either, sucks.

Any who, the party was to be hosted at her parents place which happens to be a very well kept day care by day. So if you happen to have a kid, no time in your schedule to look after them due to work and happen to live in the greater South Central L.A. area, give eSteph a buzz and have her hook ya up! I was quite exited to see her again and you know me, always finding an excuse to visit the hood. Wonderful and happy memories burst through my head every time I drive down the streets of South Central. 

I met wonderful people at the party and even made a few future connections for some upcoming film projects I'm working on. As some of you may already know, before Synthetic Color was conceived I ran a lone project called Ominous Films nine years ago. Another failed attempt on my part, as I quickly realized movie making wasn't for me. Gathering what I know now from my photography projects, I'm slowly pushing myself into getting back into filming and hopefully one day starting another website showcasing the few movies I have planned in my head. 

GEEKY TECH INFO: Nikon D200 at apeture priority using an SB800 flash bounced from a low ceiling with a 35mm f/1.8 Nikkor lens.