Microsoft may be the number one and has tons of products we use daily.  But I am sure we all have experienced issues with their software or operation system and felt helpless.  And when there is an easier, faster, cleaner alternative out there, some of us can’t wait to move on.

I recently listed my bz with Google, Yahoo, and Bing’s local listings.  It only took several minutes to do it online for Google and Yahoo.  Bing would send me a letter.  A month later I received it and was instructed to type a web address to complete.  Then a typical Microsoft experience:

First I tried my default browser Firefox and was told there is a security certificate problem and was warmed someone may try to steal my data.  Can’t do it.  Huh?!

Then Safari.  Nope, We Microsoft don’t support it.  You’d better install IE or use Firefox.  Sorry, Mac!

Knowing Firefox won’t work, I used my wife’s computer which still runs Windows.  Again, I was told the secure certificate was issued for a different web address, and again I was warned that its an indication to fool or intercept my data.  Ouch!  IE did give my two options: don’t do it, or continue (Not recommended), with a big red ‘X’ mark next to it.

I ignored the warning and actually completed the listing, but again felt quite annoyed by MS.  Why do they always do these stupid things hitting their own feet?  So narrow minded too.

I am so glad my Windows days were so far behind me, and there are so many good open source software we can choose.

Moral of the story?  If we don’t provide a pleasant and easy experience for our clients/customers, we will be dumped!

Here a few images of humpback whales from my recent Alaska trip.  Not very spectacular.  I was hoping mare splashing and jumping, but these giants just easily went through their morning business.  What I learned is that these whales swim 6,000 miles from Hawaii to Alaska to feed, then int the fall they go back to Hawaii, where they mate and give birth and basically don’t eat.  And with that, the cruise ships stop coming to Juneau, and the ‘local’ gift shop owners close their shops and go to the Bahamas.

Fay Bainbridge State Park is tucked at a quite cove of the island and that’s where I met Mei-lin, David, and their two lovely daughters Elise and Ilina yesterday morning for nice family portrait session.  Mei-lin and David were married several years ago and I had a great pleasure to photograph their union, but at that time they still lived in California.  Recently they moved back to Washington state to be close to Mei-lin’s family and I was pretty excited to have an opportunity to meet their two daughters.

To get the shots, we simply walked to the beach and let the two girls playing with water and I got some great family interaction images, and from time to time, I will ask the whole family sit together and make some family shots.  Fortunately we were able to have some very nice images before the girls were getting tired of me :-)  Enjoy!

We took a week-long break to Alaska, sort of, on a huge Norwegian cruise ship.  I said ’sort of’ because the trip will only take you to the very southern part of Alaska.  The cruising part could be relaxing if you could find a nice spot and have a good book in hand.  I brought two books with me but barely touched them.  I was either searching the whale or waiting for the right moment of sunset, but most of the time, my son was with me, so there goes the book deal.

The most memorable parts were the trip up through the fjord to see the glacier and a scenic train ride.  I joked about got to visit Alaska before the glaciers were gone.  Well, depending on what you believe in, the glaciers are retrieving.  The journey to the glacier was amazing, and even more amazing was how the captain operated this huge ship inside the narrow inlet.  When he made a 180 degree turn at the end of the fjord, I was sure the ship will either crash into many big icebergs or bump into the cliffs.

The train ride started off from Skagway into the White Pass in B.C., tracing the old gold rush trail.  The scenary was breathtaking.

The ports along the way were kind of disappointing as they are all cruise ship dependent and the same gift shops everywhere.  Juneau was a surprise…so small and not much of going on.  And I didn’t spot Sarah Palin.

docking

outsiders and local

dock for big and small

drying my wings

economy

roadside phone booth

free ride

iceberg

glacier

into the pass

into a tunnel

you are kidding

picture town of price rupert

fishing boat

prince rupert sunset

It was a busy day.  My son’s school officially ended and that means I will need to find things to do with him.  But first thing first.  In the afternoon, I sent him to an assessment for a social skill development class.  His social anxiety has been a big concern for us.  The two hours class went well.  Sigh of relief!  I was pretty encouraged and definitely wanted him to continue it.

Then in the evening, we were invited to a birthday party at 321 Bounce.  Nervous again…and it’s me because the last we were invited to a similar party, he refused to go in playing as he was a bit nervous about the air blowing noise, kids running around and stuff.  So this time, I took him there very early.  We got there at the same time as Allen, the birthday boy, his older brother Andrew (my son’s former classmate), and their dad arrived.  My son Anton was very happy to see them and by the time all the kids showed up, he was very much warmed up and relaxed.  However, he still didn’t want to go inside the big bouncing room in the beginning.  So we stayed outside watching, then moved inside juuuust by the door.  After for a while, I pretended looking for a small ball for him and slowly led him in the playing area.  We found an empty area and started bouncing up and dow, and it didn’t take long for my son to go crazy about it!  Wow!  Another hurdle passed!

And of course, this is Shoot Wedenesday and here a few images of butterflies taken at the Seattle Pacific Science Center:

It’s Father’s Day so I gave my wife a gift, a break so she can hang out with her friends and I took my son for a walk in downtown.  When we passed the ferry terminal, I thought, hmm, let’s take a ride across the sound.  So we rode the Seattle Bainbridge ferry, walked off the ship, waited for about five minutes, walked back on the ship for the ride back to Seattle.  Later we joined my wife and friends for a nice dumplings dinner.

“Hi, Dad!”

Downtown Seattle Pano View

I  met with my good friend and fellow vendor Jody at a cute restaurant in Edmonds.  Jody is the chief conspirator of Good Taste Events, a very successful wedding and event planning company.  Good Taste also run a very popular DIY where they share a lot of good tips.  Heather, one of the Good Tasters, was also there.  We had a lot of fun chatting and bouncing off ideas.

Of course this was on a Wednesday so I must make some photographs.  I went to the beach and some bright colored pails caught my attention.  It was a great summer theme.  I was just wishing the weather was sunny!

I did not go out and shoot this Wednesday…it’s too freaking hot!  The images were taken last Friday when we were talking a walk around the Ballard lock.  There was a big ship in the lock waiting to get out.  The light, colors, shapes, reflection…all looked good.

Robin and Brian’s wedding was a small and intimate event last Saturday.  The wedding was managed by Jody Taylor-Smith  of Good Taste Events and her ‘Women in Black’ team.  From the set up, to the flowers, to the hotel balcony, everything was amazingly elegant and colorful.  Robin and Brian had this orange color theme running through the whole event.

It was very beautiful.We started off by going to the water front for some bridal images.  Due to the nice weather and the game, there were a lot of people walking around at the waterfront and we had a hard time even finding a parking spot for Robin’s Mercedez convertable.  When they managed a temporary spot, the nearby water scene was not very commandable.  However, there was happen to be a ‘Learn to Sail’ sail boat coming back from its trip and the owner was very nice to allow us go onboard to get some fun images (’Titanic’ - hint, hint)

The session was followed by a sweet ceremony and then Jody’s team showed their magic -setting up a beautifully decorated table for the reception on Hotel 1000’s fourth flooer open-air balcony to host Robin and Brian’s families and close friends to share the joy.It was a great way for me to start the long weekend!

Wedding consultants - Good Tastes Events (Jody and her W.I.B team)

Venue: Hotel 1000 SeattleFlowers: Aria Style

Dress/Jewelry:  Kiko House of Couture

Cake: New Renaissance Cakes

Pipe & Drape: Prop Gallery West

Invites, menus, favors: DIY Good Taste

Music: Darren Motamedy Duo

Transportation: MTR Western

Please click the link below to see more images in a slideshow!http://www.jackzyoung.com/seattle-wedding-photography-client-proof/

It’s only 9:30AM Sunday morning but Lake Washington Blvd in Madrona was already buzzing with joggers, and cyclists in their flashy outfits (you never see joggers wearing super tight, neon colored outfits with specially made shoes and backpacks and water bottles, but always the cyclists…).  How could it not be?  It’s a beautiful day.  ’Couldn’t get any better than this.’ as Brian’s neighbor observed.

So we had a pre-wedding lifestyle session with Brian, his lovely fiancee Robin and their two year old ‘boy’ Pedro.  Brian and Robin adopted Pedro when he was one and now he is living his dream chasing tennis ball along the lake!  It was such a fun session!