I scanned these images from printed photographs at 300 dpi, or higher where I decided to crop them. I then scaled them down by a factor of 2 (to an area of about 500,000 pixels each). These rather oversized `thumbnails', linking to those images, are scaled down again by a factor of 4. I did all the image processing with the Gimp program.
Suddenly Finnish, a mostly vocal ensemble that includes Natalie, performed at the annual Finnish Dinner held by the local Finnish community.
Walking up to the front of the hall.
These two were very badly exposed, as I couldn't use a flash. I've changed them to black-and-white because they were very strongly coloured.
A random part of the San Diego State University campus.
This was the last day of the semester, when Nattie and others conducted their composition at collegium.
Natalie on the steps outside the music building.
We took a trip to Palm Springs to see Raj (SinghSong on IRC). Nattie's mother and stepfather decided to go too, to visit friends. They left us with Raj at Denny's. We spent a few hours talking, drinking coffee and coke and eating chocolate and appetisers (the latter to keep the staff happy).
Me and Nattie.
I can't imagine what Raj said to induce these expressions.
Natalie and me at a fancy restaurant in La Jolla.
Don't ask how me managed to look this respectable.
Natalie's 21st birthday! A perfect excuse to eat, drink and be merry, as if one was needed. Nattie's mother arranged a party in a karaoke room.
People getting busy with karaoke and eating.
From left to right, these are Tom and Emiko (Nattie's stepfather and
mother), Aldo, Nattie, Jay, Adrienne and Ellie.
Nattie blowing out candles on the cake.
Behind her is Sandy.
Lots of people sitting down.
From left to right, these are Aldo, Jay, Adrienne, Nattie and Ellie.
Nattie gives me an odd look.
I think it's meant to be a scowl, but it's really too much like
a smirk.
Since being 21 entitles Nattie to drink, she decided to take advantage of this by buying^Wbeing bought brightly-coloured cocktails. We must thank Ellie for going with us, and driving us back home.
We pause, and I review my quote-file.
No, that isn't a strawberry daiquiri. I wouldn't drink girls'
drinks, and certainly not this girl's drinks. Not me.
Nattie with another strange expression.
Me with a strange expression (I'm sucking on a straw).
Quotes of the day:
