I'm not one who has a hard line opinion on whether cell phones deter from one's ability to operate a motorized vehicle or not.  There are the studies that support the theory that drivers using a cell phone while driving are less capable to operate their vehicle than those who do not.   There are also the studies that say there is no difference in whether one uses a cell phone or not.  I'm sure we've all had that near death experience with the crazy driver on the cell phone.  Regardless of which side of the debate you sit on, here in California we will all need to start using hands free devices if we want to use our cell phones in the car.

California hands-free law and teen driver cell-phone ban

Autos – Hands-free driving laws are being enacted all over the United States.
California has 2 new laws going into effect on July 1st, 2008. One of the laws (SB1613)
allows a driver to use a cell-phone if there is a hands-free device used. The other
California driving law is Senate Bill 33 (SB33). Senate Bill 33 bans drivers under
the age of 18 from using cell-phones while driving.

So recently my wife and I have been having discussions as to which hands free devices we should use.  Being the gadget guy that I am, I enjoy the idea of purchasing a new bluetooth headset.  Yes it is funny when you see people talking on them and it looks like they are talking to themselves, and I can't help but feel for the people who wear them all the time in their ears even when not in use and think that they look cool.  Sorry Dad!  Despite the potential for social awkwardness, I have enjoyed using bluetooth headsets.  I just wish that I hadn't left my last one in my pant pocket as the pants were being washed.  DOH!!!

My wife does not like blue tooth because she prefers using a wire headset piece.  She prefers this over bluetooth because she feels that the sound quality is better, not to mention the fact that they cost $20-$30 bucks compared to $100-$160 for a good quality blue tooth head set.  Let's just say she doesn't like the fact that my last one was destroyed and I am looking for a new one to be a law abiding citizen.  (At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

For the cost sensitive folks out there that are looking for a good, cheap and viable alternative, here is the solution:

I know what I'm getting for my birthday!

 

A couple of weeks ago my wife went in for her yearly eye exam and I decided to get my eyes checked also.   I've been a bit concerned about my vision because lately I've been experiencing dry, itchy eyes and blurred vision.  I've always been happy about my vision.  I've never needed glasses and have always had 20/20 vision, so the thought of needing to wear glasses was a bit sad for me.  As I waited for my appointment, I looked around the waiting room at the many different glasses that they had displayed and I thought about all the times my friends and family complained about having to wear glasses:  how uncomfortable they could be pinching your face and nose, falling off when playing sports, how they would always fog up when eating hot soup or ramen, blindly looking for your glasses in the middle of the night so you could read the clock and so on and so on. 

I was finally called into the exam room so they could test my vision.  Initially everything looked good.  I was able to read all the letters and numbers on the eye chart.  They hooked me up to some fancy machine where your head is locked into place and you face this large white bowl looking thing and your task is to click a button when you see a yellow dot come into view. 

Then I met with the optometrist to go over my results.  She asked me a bunch of questions and sat me at the eye exam machine and concluded that my symptoms were signs of fatigue due to extensive computer use.  So the good news is that I still have 20/20 vision, but I have to wear glasses when I work on the computer.

You know what they say.... when you get older the vision is the first to go.   I am definitely getting older.  It takes me twice as long as it used to to get warmed up when playing sports, and I have to stretch out or else there is a good chance of injury.  My favorite car to drive is our minivan because it can carry everything that we need to take the twins out.  When we go shopping, everything we buy is for the twins, and now my vision isn't quite how it used to be.  Next thing you know, I'll start getting applications in the mail to join the AARP, American Association  of Retired Persons. 

Speaking of the twins... they are growing up so fast.  They are rolling so well.  Christian is starting to show signs of crawling and we think that it will be any day now when he starts.  He is rotating his body to face things that he wants to grab and he is wiggling backwards to move.  It is kind of crazy how I take my eyes off of him for just a few seconds and the next thing I know he has moved to the other side of the room.  I'm not quite sure how he does it but he does it.  Jin and I will have to start baby proofing the house.  "Sigh"...  It's crazy how fast kids grow up!

Here are a few recent pictures of Christian and Chloe:


Christian loves to put things in his mouth.  Can you tell that He loves to eat!



Chloe just loves to smile, chat and look at people. 



Christian and Chloe at a recent birthday party with a few of their friends
from left to right:  Eli, Ethan, Aden



Oakland A's fans in training!  I just found hats that will fit them... I'll post a picture soon!




Special thanks to Pastor David Lee for this shot entitled "The Pyotographer and Son"

Helen and Scott were so busy in the last few months leading up to their wedding that we were not able to shoot an engagement session.  So because I was in Mexico an extra day due to a travel arrangement mess up, we decided to take advantage of being in Mexico and shoot their engagement session there.



Helen and Scott are such a fun couple.  They're very active and enjoy being adventurous.  They were such good sports when I asked them to climb up some rocks to take a few pictures.    When I suggested taking a picture of them running together on the beach, Helen said, "If we're gonna run then I want to race."  Sorry Helen, but Scott is pretty dang fast!



I enjoyed shooting them because their love for each other is so evident.  I think that is what makes shooting couples so much fun. 










Check out more photos from Helen and Scott's engagement session here.

Coming soon... pictures from their wedding.