{"id":1140,"date":"2011-01-03T17:17:45","date_gmt":"2011-01-04T01:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/?p=1140"},"modified":"2011-01-04T14:31:12","modified_gmt":"2011-01-04T22:31:12","slug":"happy-new-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/?p=1140","title":{"rendered":"Happy New Years!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Okay, with that over, time to post about the past week or so.  My company has a shutdown for the holidays, so effectively, between Dec 25th through Jan 1st; I&#8217;m off, sorta.  I did have two days that I volunteered to monitor my projects production systems and I actually worked on those two days, but the rest of the time was spent doing holiday stuff.  I had picked up a new Olympus E-P2 Pen camera that arrived on Dec 21st; so all pictures on my site from this point on will be a product of that camera.  The camera arrived just in time for the holidays.  Family and friend gatherings, as well as a little road trip up to Northern California.  I snapped some new pictures of my corgis.  And I was even able to squeeze some time in for work on a kit, the <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Model_Suit_Gunpla_Builders_Beginning_G\" target=\"_blank\">BearGuy<\/a>.  If you want to skip the post about my trip and go straight to the small blurb about the Bearguy, <a href=\"#1\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 089_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 089_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/images\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 029_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/thumbnails\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 029_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/bearguy_prog 029_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/bearguy_prog 029_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>December 25th<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It has been at least 10 years since I last visited Monterey, and at least 7 since I was last in San Francisco &#8211; time for a little road trip.  Earlier in the month, I booked the hotels for one night in Monterey and two nights in San Francisco.  So in the wee hours of Christmas morning, Yuki and I woke up, said good bye to Hugo and Beanie, then started driving north.  Weather was nice, a little cloudy, and by daybreak, we were in the middle of the grapevine, where I stopped to get some gas.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 024_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 024_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Over the grapevine pass and heading towards Lost Hills, we made another stop so Yuki can grab some coffee and I can grab a light breakfast snack.  We followed a white camry towards the McDonalds for a few feet until I noticed that there were no cars parked around the place nor were there any lights on; oh yeah, it was Christmas day, so I turned around and just stopped at little market attached to the nearest gas station.  The stupid white camry was still exploring the drive through of the McD to thoroughly validate that it was indeed closed.  With restroom breaks taken, coffee in hand, and a little sausage cheese croissant in hand; we were on the road again.<\/p>\n<p>At the hwy 46 junction, I got off I-5 and headed west on 46.  We passed through wine country and the 101.  The last time I was on hwy 46 was two years ago when a huge storm had closed off the grapevine and we needed to head over to the 101 as a detour.  A detour that ended up adding about 5 hours to our return trip from the annual ski gathering in Tahoe.  This time, we only traveled a few miles south on the 101 to continue with our westward trek on hwy 46 towards hwy 1.  We get on hwy 1 in Cambria, and head north.  It&#8217;s cloudy and windy, but we make our first photo stop here.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 029_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 029_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 030_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 030_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 042_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 042_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 038_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 038_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It was cloudy and fairly windy; a storm was definitely upon us, but no rain was falling yet so we took our time with a few pictures, and I&#8217;m still fiddling around with my camera as it&#8217;s still very new and I&#8217;m learning and adjusting to using it.  We hop back into the car and resume our trek northward.  Hwy 1 is definitely a fun drive especially with all the fun switchbacks that curve along the rocky coast.  We past the path up towards <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hearst_castle\" target=\"_blank\">Hearst Castle<\/a>.  Yuki has already been there and I had as well, so we skipped this little California Landmark.  The next landmark we hit was <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Piedras_Blancas_Light\" target=\"_blank\">Piedras Blancas Light Station<\/a>, but the gate to the lighthouse was closed, most likely because it was Christmas Day.  I would have liked to take a few pictures here, but I guess I can always save this for the next trip.  <\/p>\n<p>The next stop is GPS coordinates: 35.815787,-121.358779.  Since I don&#8217;t remember the name of the spot or the trails here, and my searches haven&#8217;t turned up much; so all I have for a point of reference for now is the gps coordinates.  There&#8217;s a nice little waterfall here and a few trails to explore.  A very nice spot.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 081_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 081_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 077_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 077_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 086_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 086_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>My camera has some artistic function where it does post processing for pictures.  The features are damn cool and I have been using the &#8220;diorama&#8221; function the most.  Gotta love on the spot post processing.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 059_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 059_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 087_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 087_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 088_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 088_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Not long after we left the area, the rain started in, and gradually got stronger and stronger.  We pulled into Big Sur and I originally wanted to stop here and snap some pictures, but it was raining pretty damn hard.  The park ranger at the entrance gate said they may be closing early, being it Christmas day as well as the storm, so we turned back around and headed on north.  The next spot was Point Lobos, again, the wind and rain quickly extinguished any ideas of driving in for pictures.  A few miles north of Point Lobos, we reached Carmel.  So we stopped in and attempted to check out the beach, but only managed to use the public restrooms before heading back into the quaint little town.  Most of the shops were closed.  There were a few people wandering around, and we found a little diner that was open so we parked and headed inside.  The waffle Yuki ordered was dry and fairly bland.  My patty melt was decent.  The fries were fresh and piping hot.  The shop was an odd collection of Christmas day travelers, stopping in to hide from the cold and get a quick bite to eat.  While Yuki used the restroom, I snapped some pictures from the one covered spot I found while standing outside.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 095_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 095_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 089_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 089_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The town is small and tightly knit together, which adds to it&#8217;s charm.  The storm killed any potential fun for us in town, so we acquiesced to heading up to Monterey.  Not 2 miles into that trip, and we pulled off and headed into Pebble Beach to check out the 17 mile drive.  The rain and wind limited our photography, so most of the shots here were taken from inside the car.  The seas turbulence is a great reflection of the storm&#8217;s power.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 100_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 100_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 136_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 136_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 125_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 125_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I spotted a <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Great_egret\" target=\"_blank\">Great Egret<\/a> sitting alone on top of the rocky cropping.  My lens is limited on it&#8217;s zoom capabilities, and the weather was preventing me from exiting my car to chance a closer shot, so this is the best of what I could do with what I had.  Great, now I just want to get more lenses for my camera.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 116_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 116_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The one picture I took outside of my car, Yuki held an umbrella for me while I snapped a quick shot of <em><a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Monterey_cypress\" target=\"_blank\">The Lone Cypress<\/a><\/em>, which is official symbol of Pebble Beach.  A nice late afternoon shot, but the clouds blocked the sun.  Again, something to remedy on a future excursion to the beautiful green California north.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 147_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 147_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Leaving the 17 mile drive, we headed into Monterey and checked into our hotel.  Getting settled in, Yuki climbed into bed and takes a short nap while I process the photos taken thus far.  After watching the Lakers get utterly stomped by the Heat, I take a short 45 minute nap before being woken by my alarm.  Off to dinner.<\/p>\n<p>We headed out and drive to Cannery Row for dinner at the Fish Hopper.  It was Christmas Day and this was one of the better restaurants that I had found was open.  I was not about to break my streak of never going to a Bubba Gump restaurant.  But down in Cannery Row, there were quite a few restaurants that were open, but I stuck with the Fish Hopper as I had reservations there.  The food was excellent.  Great clam chowder.  After dinner, we wandered around the area snapping a few pictures.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 151_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 151_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 153_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 153_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here are some pictures from my fiddling with the various artistic settings.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 156_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 156_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 157_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 157_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 158_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 158_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 163_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 163_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_25_2010 167_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_25_2010 167_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We returned to the hotel and just crashed out for the evening.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We woke up around 8 in the morning, packed our things, checked out, and headed back out to Cannery Row for a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  <\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 002_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 002_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Inside, a great number of the aquarium&#8217;s tanks are filled with fish and wild life that I&#8217;ve seen up close and personal on numerous dives from Laguna to Catalina.  So I concentrated on taking pictures of things that I haven&#8217;t seen.  Very odd to see eels outside of their hiding spots in the wild, so seeing a full eel out in the open is a very cool thing.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 005_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 005_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 021_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 021_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 022_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 022_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>    <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 023_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 023_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We wander around the aquarium for about an hour before heading over to the Sea Otter exhibit.  At 10:30, it&#8217;s feeding time for the otters; so we head over there around 10:15 to get a nice viewing spot.  I snap a few pictures of the otters at play.  Again, more adjusting my camera settings to grab non blurry pictures of these fast moving sea borne mammals.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 060_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 060_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 063_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 063_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 067_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 067_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>At 10:30, feeding time, and the otters are given food for a few tricks.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 092_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 092_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 096_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 096_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After the feeding, they are given frozen plastic tubes with frozen fish inside.  The otters shove their hands inside, slam the tubes against the walls of their enclosure, and even use a green play ball as a makeshift hammer to beat against the plastic tube in hopes of breaking apart the ice and getting at the fishy goodness that lies inside.  <\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 116_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 116_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 142_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 142_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 153_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 153_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I snapped a few pictures of one otter slamming their frozen tube against the window with all it&#8217;s strength.  Very amusing to watch and definitely cute as all hell.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 146_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 146_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>    <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 147_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 147_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 151_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 151_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 152_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 152_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Done with the otter feeding, we head off and explore the rest of the aquarium.  Sea horses and <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Leafy_sea_dragon\" target=\"_blank\">sea dragons<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 203_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 203_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 182_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 182_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Then the pink flamingo and penguins exhibits.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 213_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 213_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 234_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 234_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 235_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 235_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 240_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 240_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s an amazing day, the sun is out, there are a few clouds, but for all intents and purposes, the storm is gone and it is such a difference from the previous day.  I snap some pictures outside the aquarium and around Cannery Row.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 245_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 245_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 278_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 278_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 280_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 280_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 285_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 285_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 286_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 286_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 290_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 290_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 292_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 292_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 293_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 293_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After about three hours, we had explored the entirety of the aquarium.  Originally, I had allotted the entire day for the aquarium visit.  So with several hours of daylight left and such a nice day, Yuki and I headed back down to Point Lobos and entered the park.  Parking was a little tight and I found a spot, so we grabbed our camera gear and headed up the northern trail through a cypress forest.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 295_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 295_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 304_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 304_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 320_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 320_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 325_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 325_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We hiked around the Allen Memorial Grove section of Point Lobos.  At the most outer point along this trail, we saw a few humpback whales in the waters just off cypress cove.  An amazing sight.  The beauty of the area alone was something to behold, but adding in some whales, just topped everything.  Again, I&#8217;m more inclined to get another lens for telephoto purposes.  Time to save up I guess.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 332_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 332_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 346_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 346_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 349_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 349_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We completed the this one trail loop and decided to head up to Carmel.  We could have easily spent an entire day here.  It would also have been nice to stay later and have the sun dip down slightly for some dramatic lighting, but we had to get to San Francisco before it got too late.  One day, I would like to return here during the week and scuba dive here as well.  I guess I&#8217;ll just have to see about teaching Yuki to swim, then have her get an open water certification.  Diving here will definitely have to be a summer time attempt.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 380_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 380_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 386_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 386_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 390_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 390_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We do a final loop to the southern end of the park before swinging around and leaving the area.  We head a few miles north and return to Carmel.  The little town is now teeming with people and parking is considerably more difficult to find, but I find a nice spot and we park.  We headed over to Le Bicyclette and had a late lunch.  <\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 404_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 404_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 392_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 392_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 416_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 416_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After lunch, we wandered around town slowly heading west towards the beach all the while taking pictures of the lovely town.  A huge difference from the previous day where the sky was dark with clouds and the streets and everything wet with rain.  A clean crisp day, perfect for photography.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 406_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 406_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 411_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 411_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 425_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 425_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 428_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 428_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We sat at the top of the beach and watched the sun set.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 451_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 451_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 459_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 459_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>With the sun down, we headed out up hwy 1 to nwy 156, then to hwy 101 on our way to San Francisco.  We made one stop on the 156\/101 junction for gas, but didn&#8217;t stop until we got into San Francisco.  It was dark, and Yuki was tired from the day&#8217;s activities.  We got into San Francisco around 7:30 or so and checked into our hotel which was right on the boarder of the financial district and china town.  Settling in, we rested for a short while then headed down and grabbed some hyper msg laced food.  All the tourist trap souvenir shops were still opened, but all the other shops such as the markets and such were already closed.  <\/p>\n<p>We walked a little, then got into the car and I took her down to the Richmond china town area.  Most of the shops here were also closed for the day, but there were a few restaurants, cafes, and bars open.  Stopping in at the local Gengki, I picked up some egg puffs (eggetts) which is a street snack food from Hong Kong.  Yuki really likes these and all the places in LA that make them don&#8217;t make them anywhere near how they taste and feel from Hong Kong.  Upon her first bite, a huge smile envelops her face and she&#8217;s jumping up and down like a little child on Christmas morning.  Her mind is so occupied with the crispy eggy treat, she completely forgets about snapping a picture of them.  We wander the area a little more finishing off the egg puffs and return to the car.  <\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a fairly clear evening, so I head up to the Twin Peaks park area above San Francisco.  There&#8217;s little to no wind so it&#8217;s a perfect night high atop San Francisco.  I set up my tripod and start snapping pictures.  Here we get an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, and all of San Francisco between these two bridges.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 470_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 470_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 474_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 474_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 478_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 478_JPG.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_26_2010 480_JPG.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_26_2010 480_JPG.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We head back to the hotel.  Yuki is completely exhausted and passes out while I&#8217;m busy off loading the day&#8217;s pictures onto my computer for some processing.  I&#8217;m up until about 2 am before I crash out.  With not much planned for the following day, we sleep in for the first time the entire trip.  The view from our hotel room:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 002_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 002_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 060_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 060_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We woke up around 11 or so, and lazily got ready.  We headed downstairs and just walked into china town for lunch.  The cafe style food is very reminiscent of Hong Kong cafes, so Yuki is happy.  We stop by the Golden Gate bakery for their famous egg tarts and a few other baked goods.  We wander some of the shops that were closed when we arrived.  I picked up some tamiya enamel paints from the local gunpla shop, Sun Entertainment, and then we headed off towards Japan Town.  <\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 001_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 001_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 003_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 003_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Granted it was a Monday and some folks were at work, but the streets were still fairly crowded and it took us about twenty minutes to find parking, circling around the little area like sharks on the prowl.  Finally parked, we allot ourselves about an hour to wander around before heading on to the next stop.  It&#8217;s been 7 years since I last been here, and a few things have changed, but a great deal has stayed the same.  The wait for crepes was about 30 to 45 minutes so to Yuki&#8217;s dismay, we left Japan Town without crepes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 006_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 006_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 011_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 011_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 016_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 016_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The only thing I had scheduled today was the cruise to Alcatraz, and we needed to be at the pier 35 by 4:50.  It was about 3 so we still had plenty of time.  We headed to the Richmond china town and wandered around a bit here.  We dropped by Hero&#8217;s Club for which, 10 years ago, the shelves were full of gunpla kits and the display cases had tons of Master Grades built and painted.  Long gone are those days and everything on the shelves and on display are action figures.  There are a few model kits but they are old and more niche than gunpla.  We wandered back down to Gengki to get a crepe and some more egg puffs.  Yuki now has her crepe fix dealt with and we return to the car and head towards Fisherman&#8217;s Wharf.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 021_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 021_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 020_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 020_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 022_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 022_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We headed towards pier 39.  I was going to try getting by that one section of Lombard street to snap a quick photo, but the traffic, cable car, and stupid hippy in the 1976 bio diesel running mercedes 300D pretty much thwarted that idea.  <\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 024_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 024_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Not remembering exactly what pier the cruise was launching from, I just parked near the Wharf.  Getting out of the parking structure, we see pier 45, and we head up towards pier 39.  There were all sorts of cruise boats launching from pier 39 but none were with the company I booked with, so a quick look at my email told me that we needed to be at pier 35.  It was about 4:30 so we were cutting it pretty close.  We briskly walked towards pier 35 and got our tickets and got into line for the 5:05 tour of Alcatraz.  As far as I can remember, I don&#8217;t believe I&#8217;ve ever been on Alcatraz.  I&#8217;ve heard that this is one of those tours that anyone visiting SF should do, and that the night time tour was definitely a level beyond that; so tripod in hand we get onto the boat.  <\/p>\n<p>The sun is just about setting when the boat starts off towards the island.  I snap a few pictures of the skyline as well as the Golden Gate Bridge.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 033_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 033_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 042_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 042_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 046_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 046_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Alcatraz<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We get on this island and walk up the long steep ramp up towards the prison.  It&#8217;s definitely got a nice eerie feel to the place.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 059_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 059_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 064_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 064_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 065_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 065_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 067_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 067_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We make a few stops with the tour guide giving bits and pieces about the history of the prison.  At the top of the ramp, we reach the actual prison and are given free reign on wandering the place.  I set off and start snapping pictures of the cells.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 076_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 076_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 081_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 081_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 119_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 119_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There was a tour that showed how the doors to the cells closed.  The sound of the cells slamming shut and echoing off the cold walls sent chills up and down our bodies.  It was both fascinating yet frightening just hearing the noise and imagining what life was like when the prison was operating.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 122_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 122_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 126_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 126_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 118_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 118_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The prison vising area.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 112_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 112_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 113_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 113_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 116_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 116_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The administration building.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 107_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 107_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 110_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 110_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 111_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 111_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The kitchen, watch tower, and building 64<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 140_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 140_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 143_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 143_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 148_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 148_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While on the island, I a few photos of San Francisco, the city, the Bay bridge, and the Golden Gate.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 092_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 092_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 094_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 094_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 098_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 098_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Getting back to shore, we take our time walking back to the area where I had parked the car.  Snapping pictures all along the way.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 026_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 026_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 036_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 036_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 040_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 040_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It is fairly quite with a majority of the tourist gone to dinner or just out of the cold night air.  Yuki and I snap a few more pictures as we get closer to the car and then leave, heading towards the next spot.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 051_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 051_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 057_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 057_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 062_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 062_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We stop by city hall.  Normally, the hall is decked out in gold and looks amazing during the day.  For the holidays, they lit up the hall using green and red lighting.  We snapped a few pictures and Yuki uses my mini tripod and leans a little more about how to use her camera in manual mode.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 083_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 083_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 086_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 086_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After spending some time here, we got back into the car and I took her to Union Square and we snapped some more pictures.  I got a few shots of some cable cars and the surrounding area.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 131_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 131_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 149_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 149_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 153_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 153_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We head up to the place where we had lunch earlier that day for a light late dinner.  Our feet were hurting and we were fairly tired so we just drove to the place instead of walking.  During dinner we plan out our next monring, some of the places we needed to hit and grab things before driving back home.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Going Home<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We woke up around 8, packed and put most of our stuff into the car and took the car out to do our morning errands and to eat breakfast.  We don&#8217;t have to check out until noon so we left a few things in the room.  Our breakfast was less than $5 bucks.  We wandered around watching all the stores open and getting stocked for the day&#8217;s sales, as well as dropped into a few places to pick up last minute items.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 017_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 017_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 078_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 078_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 120_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 120_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The drive back was fairly simple, although I accidentally added about an hour to our drive by taking the 101 south through Gilroy route to the 5, but it provided a different view that Yuki hadn&#8217;t seen before.  Leaving just shy of 11:00 am, we got back to the house around 6:30.  Angel and Nicky came over for dinner.  A very fun trip.  The corgis apparently missed Yuki.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/12_27_2010 161_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/12_27_2010 161_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>New Corgi Pictures<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>So this past week I&#8217;ve been home so every now and then, I snapped a picture of the little monsters in the daily activities.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/images\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 011_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/thumbnails\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 011_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/images\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 019_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/thumbnails\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 019_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/images\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 021_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/thumbnails\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 021_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Hugo chewing on a compressed rawhide I gave him.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/images\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 046_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/thumbnails\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 046_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/images\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 047_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/thumbnails\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 047_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/images\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 050_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/thumbnails\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 050_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/images\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 051_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/hugo\/thumbnails\/hugo_beans_1_3_11 051_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a name='1'><\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Bearguy Progress<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>During the December build gathering, I actually started working on the Bearguy late into the gathering.  I was a little tipsy, but decided to work on the kit.  Rockband had died down, the gift exchange was over, so why the hell not.  I had seen several bearguys built up on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.fg-site.net\/\" target=\"_blank\">FG-Site<\/a>, so I have a general idea on what I want to do, and the paint scheme.  Since the head is so large, it just lends itself for a LED mod.  So my time during the build gathering was spend planning and soldering the LED assembly.  Using two blue LEDs , I soldered them with wires and assembled them in parallel.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/bearguy_prog 004_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/bearguy_prog 004_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I originally tested the assembly with a 3v button battery, but only one light was being powered up fully.  Later researching the issue, I learned that the LEDs I&#8217;m using require 4v, so my solution is to stack 3 1.5v button batteries together as the power source.  The assembly is glued to the back of the bearguy&#8217;s head.  A reed switch is added to complete the assembly.  And using a magnet, the assembly is tested out.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/bearguy_prog 012_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/bearguy_prog 012_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/bearguy_prog 013_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/bearguy_prog 013_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Next up was the sanding of nubs and filling of seams.  As this is an HGUC based kit, there are seams here and there that needed addressing.  I&#8217;m also filling in the middle area first by gluing plastic into the cavity, then using putty to fill in the spaces and level everything out.  Everything is sanded and ready for the first layer of primer to check my seam and sanding work.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/bearguy_prog 019_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/bearguy_prog 019_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/bearguy_prog 020_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/bearguy_prog 020_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/bearguy_prog 024_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/bearguy_prog 024_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>So here&#8217;s what the little bugger looks like, hopefully I&#8217;ll get some time tonight and spray on some primer to check for mistakes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/bearguy_prog 030_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/bearguy_prog 030_jpg.jpg\"><\/a>  <a rel=\"lightbox[1]\" href=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/images\/bearguy_prog 031_jpg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/thumbnails\/bearguy_prog 031_jpg.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Okay, with that over, time to post about the past week or so. My company has a shutdown for the holidays, so effectively, between Dec 25th through Jan 1st; I&#8217;m off, sorta. I did have two days that I volunteered to monitor my projects production systems and I actually worked on those two days, but [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":222,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"","ocean_second_sidebar":"","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"","ocean_custom_header_template":"","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"on","ocean_gallery_id":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[168,1,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hugo-beanie-kenken","category-my-life","category-model-building","entry","owp-thumbs-layout-horizontal","owp-btn-normal","owp-tabs-layout-horizontal","has-no-thumbnails","has-product-nav"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7qf6-io","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1140","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/222"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1140"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1140\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gamerabaenre.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1140"}],"wp:term":[{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