Darn. I just got off the phone with the executive editor of Peninsula Daily News, to whom a staff writer/friend suggested I write a letter, applying for a summer job at the photo desk.

The Ed. said the vacationing photographer fill-in position was cut a year ago when the vacationing photographer retired. He also said PDN had two staff photographers already and didn't need any more interns. Damn.

Tomorrow Uncle Aaron's gonna drive me to the 6:10am Amtrak to Los Angeles, so I can make an 11.30 flight to Seattle, arriving at 2pm. Then I take a bus, a boat, and two more buses to get home.

Huge thanks to Aaron for giving me a place to stay and showing me San Diego. Had a lot of fun.

Washington is chilly and quiet. But I'm beginning to adjust.

I went to a great slideshow, about human trafficking in SE Asia, by photographer Tim Matsui last Wednesday. I enjoyed Tim's work and the after-party too. We talked about what I needed to learn most and what Tim could teach me this Summer. We decided to do a bit of wax-on wax-off off work, Mr. Miyagi style...



First off, I'll be learning post-processing techniques. This is something I need badly. I tend to import everything I shoot, leave it on my hard drive, and I don't have a system of editing in Photoshop. So... looking forward to doing that with Tim this Thursday.

Friday is even more exciting. While searching for a camera on Craigslist last week, I found a wanted AD for a photographer owning a Nikon D200 and available to shoot in LA. Sounded fun to me and I was almost a D200 owner, so I gave it a shot. I talked to the photographer, who lives in New Jersey, and booked my flight to LAX. The deal was I'd be paid $300 to shoot alongside her for the day. This would just cover the cost of my flight and one night in a hotel.

Mixed results. I can't say much right now, because I'm not sure what will happen. All I know is I have a non-refundable ticket to Los Angeles this Friday, and I'll be lugging a bunch of camera gear no matter what. After this morning's "news", I hope the bride's feet warm up quickly. Otherwise they'll be paying for a photographer who'll be relaxing on the beach in San Diego. It'll be an adventure.

I've sent a letter and mini-portfolio to the editor of a local daily newspaper. Fingers crossed. Brian Smale just returned to Seattle, so I'll be giving him a call today.