Hello Friends and Family,
Link to this year's index by clicking here.
Las Vegas: Mandalay Bay |
As usual, PSW was held at the conference center at the Mandalay Bay and they offer pretty good rates for attendees, so I stayed here again. It is a wonderful hotel albeit everything seems rather expensive. My room was only $120 but even simple meals were $25 and up. Fortunately, NAPP negotiated free Internet for attendees otherwise it is $15 per day. Why is it that expensive hotels charge for Internet but inexpensive chains offer it free? One of the mysteries of life, I guess. |
One of the spectacular attractions of the Mandalay Bay is the Beach which includes this huge wave pool filled with some 1.6 million gallons of water. The building in the left background is the conference center — to get to the sessions we had to walk through the adjoining hallways that are in the center background. Attendees tend to stare out the windows, perhaps wishing they were in the wave pool instead of learning about the blur tool or techniques for masking. When I took this photo, I did not notice the gold light shining on the walkway section in the right background. Thus when I was working in Photoshop, I noticed it and had to think for a moment where this came from. I finally realized that the gold windows of the hotel were reflecting onto that area. Interesting. |
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We thought about having Johnny and Mizuki join me for the weekend — but the timing just didn't work out with schools becoming very strict about absences (he would have had to miss at least a half day of school). But I am sure that Johnny would have loved it. |
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I love having a zoom lens that goes out to 300mm — allows you to take photos without being in people's faces. They are much more natural when you can take the picture from a distance. She did not even notice me. |
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For those who are not the surfer type, the hotel offers a conventional pool where one can relax, soak up some sun and enjoy a cool (albeit expensive) beverage. |
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If you ever have the chance to stay at the Mandalay Bay, do not miss it. |
Life is good.
Aloha,
B. David
P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com