Another Year in the Books!!

Happy Monday everyone...  Thats right, this past Saturday (January 23) was my birthday.  I can remember the days as a child when you couldn't wait for your birthday to come around again.  Was it because you looked forward to a birthday party? or a birthday cake? or was it the presents and gifts?  I guess as you get older, you lose touch with those emotions and you begin to think..."yeah another year older... blah blah blah."

While last year was a bigger "celebration" for the big 3-0, this year kind of seemed like one of those birthdays that was "just another day."  No big celebrations, no big plans made, no special trips, etc.  This year for my birthday I found myself sleeping in (7:45am)... only to find myself falling back asleep on the sofa again around 1pm.  The only "plans" for my birthday was a nice dinner reservation made by Melissa at da Vinci in Long Beach, CA.  Little did I know that my surprise gift that evening was a helicopter ride over downtown Long Beach.  Melissa had to tell me what we were doing before we left the house because she wanted to make sure I brought the appropriate camera with me to make sure I caught all of the scenic views.  All in all it was a wonderful evening...what began with a 15-20 flight over downtown Long Beach and the Queen Mary concluded with a spectacular dinner all planned out by my awesome wife!!!!

Here are a few pictures from our helicopter ride....have a great week and enjoy everyone!!


Details: Canon 5D Mark II, ISO 1600 f/5.6


Details: Canon 5D Mark II, ISO 4000 f/2.8 1/13 sec.


Details: Canon 5D Mark II, ISO 4000 f/2.8 1/6 sec.


Details: Canon 5D Mark II, ISO 12800 f/2.8 1/40 sec.


Details: Canon 5D Mark II, ISO 12800 f/3.2 1/50 sec.


Details: Canon 5D Mark II, ISO 12800 f/2.8 1/30 sec.


Details: Canon 5D Mark II, ISO 12800 f/3.5 1/60 sec.


Details: Canon 5D Mark II, ISO 12800 f/3.2 1/60 sec.


Details: Canon 5D Mark II, ISO 12800 f/2.8 1/25 sec.