{ Hobbies and Such }
As a graduate student, I don't have very much free time for hobbies.
However, I do have a passion for photography. Some of my work can be found in my gallery. One of my favorite things to do is explore my surroundings and capture pictures of people and things around me. It's like cataloguing the world the way I see it. I'm pretty sure that's what pushed me to get involved in photography; the ability to interact with my surroundings and capture moments at the same time.
I started shooting photography in early 2006 when I purchased my very first digital SLR, a Canon 400D (otherwise known as a Rebel XTI). It cost me the majority of my very first paycheck, but I fell in love instantly. I have since moved on to a Canon 40D, with a slew of lenses to boot. My arsenal currently contains a Canon 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, a Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5, a Canon 50mm f/1.8, a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 and a Lensbaby 2.0. I don't really have a favorite, but if I absolutely had to choose one I couldn't live without, I would have to say it was the 15mm fisheye, just because of how it alters the world's edges.
I shot sports for The Independent Florida Alligator for a short period of time, but soon learned that when I have to shoot photos, it's just not as enjoyable as going out and shooting whatever tickles my fancy. (I also don't think I did a very good job as a sports photographer, but that's a story for another time.)
Another thing I did for The Alligator was write a weekly column during the 2009 Spring semester, writing about everything from the Middle East conflict to the cult sensation that is the Snuggie (which I can now say I am the proud owner of). It was fun, even though when I wrote about certain topics, I generated a considerable amount of hate mail from people who didn't share my views. I guess that means I was doing my job right.
Although I don't still write for The Alligator, I update my pseudo-blog (I don't see it as a full fledged blog anymore because of how much I neglect the poor thing.) every now and then. If you're just dying to read it and get a glimpse of what goes on in my mind, it's right here, but don't say I didn't warn you. It's a hodgepodge of writing, photography and random rants and musings.
Since I had surgery on my spine due to a herniated disc last year, I have not been able to shoot photography as often as I would like. But that has freed up a lot of time for me to watch television. My most recent fix is the Food Network, without with I probably would not have wanted to learn how to cook. My new-found culinary skills have developed much to the delight of my mother, who has been constantly nagging me to learn how to cook since my seventeenth birthday.
So move over, Rachel Ray. There's a new sheriff in town.
... Okay, maybe I'm not that good. But at least I can pretend.