benjamin_e's Xanga

New Blog

Sat, 04 Aug 2007 02:00:24 GMT

Firstwatchwarrior and I joined forces and created a new blog for the purpose of posting pictures that we take.

Please check it out at http://firstwatch.blogspot.com.

Thanks!
Ben

New Camera!

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:46:24 GMT

Hi everyone!
Due to my recent decision to take up photography again after a few years of absense, I decided to purchase a Canon 20D DSLR camera. The camera came last week but was missing a charger so I had to wait until Tuesday before I could use it (yes, the waiting was painful to endure). The camera is operational now and all I can say is: "Wow, what a camera!". I'd forgotten how much fun photography can be.

Just for some historical interest, I thought I'd post a "Then & Now" picture for you all. The camera on the left is the one I used a few years ago for photography and the camera on the right is my new one. Times have changed, huh?

Then & Now

Just a short post this time (I'm on my lunch break right now). Have a nice weekend everyone!
Benjamin

Longwood Gardens

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:32:07 GMT

First, let me say a special "Hello" to everyone who is reading this sentence... Why? Because it spite of the fact I don't post very often, you have still decided to drop in and "check out the scene". Thanks for coming, hopefully your visit won't be in vain.

Well, a lot has been going on in my life since I last posted on January 27, 2007. Let me see,

I now have a job as a self employed computer programmer and consultant.
My programming studies are coming along well.
In March I went on a trip to Massachusetts to visit some good friends and while I was there I touched the Atlantic Ocean for the first time (I know, it was a long time coming, don't laugh), toured the city of Boston, toured the USS Cassin Young battleship, and well, just had a great time!
In the beginning of April, I started renting my own, private office for my programming work. Finding this office has been a real blessing from the Lord and it has been working out great for me!
In May, I was summoned for Jury Duty in Lancaster County, PA. Although I didn't get selected to serve on a Jury, it was all a very interesting experience for me just the same.
In June, I went on a trip to Jamestown, VA for the Vision Forum Jamestown 400 celebration. Wow, what an event! For more details, check out the June section of my sister's blog.
In July, I took my two older sister's to Longwood Gardens as a birthday present (see below and my sister's blog).
Also in July, I decided to take up photography again after a few years of being away from it. So far it has been going well and I've been throughly enjoying it. Hopefully later this week my photography efforts will be getting a big boost. What am I talking about? Well, come back to my blog later this week or next week and maybe I will have the answer posted for you.

That is a brief summary of some the things that have been going on in my life recently. There have been ups and downs, joys and trials over the past few months, but the Lord has been faithful to me through it all and I praise and thank him for that. What an awesome God we serve!

And now, I shall post some pictures from the trip I took with my dear sisters to Longwood Gardens. Because of the number of pictures, I split this post up into multiply sections. So when you're done the viewing the first page, click the "Next 5>>" link at the bottom of the page to go to the next page of pictures.

Enjoy.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:31:45 GMT

I know this isn't exactly the most exciting picture, but hey, I was just experimenting with putting some curves in my pictures.

Peirce-duPont House; or also know as "My Future Dream Home".

My two beautiful sisters who kindly agreed to accompany me on a trip to Longwood Gardens.

Karen looking at The Meadow. "Mother, what is the Meadow? The Meadow is a very wonderful place..." ~ Bambi

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:31:05 GMT

"Do you think what lies ahead is more interesting then what lies beneath?" All of a sudden, such serious questions are rudely interrupted, "Hey Karen and Abigail, please look over here toward me... I'm trying to get a picture!

Got it. Thanks!

"OK Ben, it's now time for you to have your turn in front of the camera... Sit down and smile." Yes Ma'am!

Girls looking at flowers in The Meadow.

Karen and Abigail discuss the finer points of yellow flowers.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:30:34 GMT

Doesn't this picture just look so peaceful?

Me posing with my awesome sister, Abigail. (I like the way the composition of this picture turned out. Good job Karen!)

My two sisters.

What a sweet sister!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:30:01 GMT

In the aubor...

No, this clock does NOT follow Daylight Savings Time.

The flower beds at Longwood Gardens are just so amazing!

LOL, I love it!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:29:16 GMT

Snack time!

A very important phone call.

Hello Sarah? This is your brother, Ben.
...
Karen, Abigail, and I are at Longwood gardens today and while we are here we would like to visit THE SPOT.
...
I have a map in front of me right now, could you please describe it to me?
...
Ok, so it was in the Conservatory at the end of the building by the two water fountains? Yes, I think we can find it.
Thanks so much, Sarah! Goodbye.

(What were we talking about?? Keep reading and you will find out once we get inside the Conservatory. )

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:29:01 GMT

Me and my faithful dog, Rover.

OK, now there are some neat looking trees!

I think water is photogenic - especially moving water. In this picture, I was trying to incorporate the photography heuristics Repetition of Pattern and Diagonal Lines. Did I succeed? You be the judge.

On the main lawn, looking toward the Conservatory. Again, in this photo I was trying to incorporate curves into the picture. I very humbly think the curves worked nicely in this picture.

Another picture of the Conservatory. Yes, I know you want to see inside it, but be patient. All in good time... All in good time.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:27:12 GMT

The fountain show!

Our view of the fountain show.

Karen surveys the road ahead. Are you starting to get the impression that Longwood Gardens is a big place? I thought you would be by now. Yes, there is still more to come.

The year: 30 A.D. - Two Roman, aristocrat ladies survey the grounds at their summer villa one sunny afternoon. "Servant! Bring some cool drinks out to the porch."