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Sorry everyone! Things have been a bit hectic lately, physically, logistically and mentally! So I’m going to attempt to give a decent update on he past few weeks…

Photoshop World
So this was my fifth PhotoshopWorld. Yup. I admit. I’m officially a NAPP junkie. But really, you will never find another conference with as much energy and enthusiasm as this one. Everyone who attends is just so excited to learn and have fun, and all of the instructors are so happy to share their knowledge. There is such a great vibe there, and after several years of attending, I feel like im hanging out with family when I’m there!
Every year, they have a special theme for Photoshop World. This year, it was a rock and roll theme, based on … wait for it … Kiss. Yup, really. During the keynote, these guys actually donned the 8″ platforms played in front of thousands of photoshop junkies. And the best part was. . . they were actually good. I mean REALLY good!


So shown above is actually Scott Kelby heading up the Photoshop Guys in a [somewhat] familiar song: “I… want to photoshop all night… and retouch every day…”

For the conference, we somehow managed to land a hotel room that was a VIP Suite. I dont know how, but it happened. So, of course… I couldn’t resist but adapt the “VIP” just a tad, to make it a wee bit more appropriate!

iHappy!
iPad, iPad, iPad. I saw a quote somewhere that said something like “The last time there was this much hype over a tablet, there were some commandments written on it.” Well, darn it, if Steve Jobs is the modern-day Moses, sign me up for the church of Apple!
The iPad is iMazing! Is it an oversized iPod Touch? Kind of, but much more. Now iHave a decent-sized portfolio iCan keep with me all the time. Reading a magazine or embedded video is so so nice, and the apps that are coming out for it just blow my mind. You can get the iWork programs for 10 freaking dollars. Really. I also got a drawing app called Sketchbook for 8 bucks. You literally have dozens of intuitive brushes, layered documents AND you can export to a psd.
The Scrabble app is wild also because the iPad becomes a scrabble board, but you can use your iPhone or iPod touch to “hold your chips” so your opponents wont see. You just flick them onto the board when you want to use them. And the one that probably amazed me the most was Star Walk. You hold the iPad up to the sky and move it around and it will show you all the constellations and planets that are in view. Of course you can click on them for more info as well.

Technology is beautiful! Oh, and since I set up my laptop to share wireless internet with a password, as long as the iPad is nearby, it’s online. LOVE IT!!

Heading out of CA + My first earthquake
We recently left California, after a 2+ month stay. It was great spending the greater part of the winter in comfy San Diego, but it was definitely time to move on, and there’s good stuff ahead! While we were on the road, we spent one night “en route” in a parking lot. (conveniently, that of Stone Brewery!) While we were on the bus, the thing started to shake like mad. (Ben thought some friends randomly came up and started shaking the bus.) We figured it had to be an earthquake so we called the restaurant and asked them what they felt. Sure enough, it was an earthquake, over 7.0 originating in Baja. Pretty crazy – my first earthquake!