Brihogan.com: Small Infection

8/25/2005

Small Infection

6:00pm-We just returned from seeing Rob at the 5:00 visit. He opened his eyes a couple times and raised his eyebrows when told a new person came in. He has an infection and is running a low-grade temp. He is on anti-biotics and being given more fluids. He been puffy since the surgery so he looks like he's got lots of fluid already but we were told a person can still be dehydrated internally. It is kind of common to get an infection after surgery we understand. The nurse said he had a good day today even though the slight fever. He has been weaned off one of the two blood pressure meds and they'll start weaning him off another before they can remove the balloon pump which is helping his heart pump. He'll probably be in intensive care for a few more days. We'll go back for the 8:15pm visit tonight and see what, if anything, has happened.

By the way, we are at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital (in Houston where it is 99-103 degrees.) There are 700+ acres of hospital buildings and medical universities here. I don't know the address of the hospital but I'll try to get it. Since Rob is in intensive care there is no way for others to phone there. There is for us but it can only be one family member and I am (Denise) the one who calls for updates in the middle of the night. When he does get into a room we'll have to see if he wants the number given out since it could/would interrupt his sleep to have the phone ring.

It has been so nice to read the comments you all have sent. It helps us so much. Rob will be very touched to read them when he's well enough. It is such a blessing to live in America were we can get the healthcare we need for our family. I keep thinking of those in other parts of the world who cannot do that for various reasons--I can't imagine how terrible that would be. We are grateful to be able to be here and so grateful for those in the medical field that can help Rob--it is truly miraculous what is being done for him. Thank you for your prayers--they help more than you can imagine--we love you all.

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Photo Contest Rules (boring)

Timing
Photos should be submitted to Brian's email by Sunday @ 8:00pm. Posting will go live ASAP. Voting will close Thursday at 3:00pm. Winner will fill out "interview" and deliver to Brian's email by Friday night.

Photo Delivery
Try to keep your photos under 1,500 pixels wide (or tall). You can use the "Large (Higher Quality)" setting through iPhoto. Your photograph should be titled; 1 to 5 words for a title.

Scoring
First place 3 points. Second place 2 points. Third place 1 point.

Handicaps / 1:321 Rule
The idea behind handicapping is to keep the competition close. It is also there so that we can practice photography with limits - since limits might make us more creative. Lastly, it is there to keep players with more resources from having too much advantage.

Since the winner will not be determined until Thursday night, the handicap will be for the following week's assignment. So, basically, the handicapping will always be a week behind.

When a photographer gets first place he will receive one handicap. Handicap is decided on by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place photographers (majority rules). Handicaps for a win must be of the "basic type". If a photographer is winning over the last place person by 3, 5, or 6 wins then he will get +1, +2, or +3 handicaps of the "extreme type".

The 321 part of the rule comes from a photographer winning 3 times, then an additional 2 times, then an additional 1 time. These wins translate to having a score of 9, 15, and 18 above the last place player.

For example, if "Player A" just won a round and has a score of 18 and "Player B" has a score of 0. Then "Player A" Would have 1 basic handicap and 3 extreme handicaps. If a player is more than 18 points over the lowest player than he will get +1 basic handicaps for every single point over 18.

Basic Type Handicaps
For practice! Basic handicaps are assigned to the photographer that has just won a round. And also assigned to photographers that are more than 18 points above the last place player. Basic handicaps reset each round. The handicap is decided on by the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place players (majority rules). Basic handicaps would be anything that are not fundamental photographing "rights". These handicaps should be fun & challenging, but not stress inducing. For example, "no flash", "No post production (other than CC)", "Must use S priority mode", "No stabilization (i.e. tripods)", "Must use manual focus", "Must shot in landscape/portrait orientation", etc.

Extreme Type Handicaps
Ouch! Extreme handicaps are assigned to any photographer that are 9, 15, or 18 points above the last place player. Extreme handicaps are reset each round. The handicap is decided on by the bottom 3 players - but not including the player being handicapped (majority rules). Extreme handicaps can include limiting fundamental photographing "rights". For example, "full manual mode (M mode and manual focus)", "No post production at all (not even CC)", "Shots only between 8 & 10pm", "No looking through viewfinder or monitor", etc.

Voting Rules
Photographers are not allowed to solicit for votes. They can link to the voting. Or, even have their own voting on their own blog/site. But, they cannot suggest which photo should be voted for. Photographers can vote once - but not for their own photo.

Ties
If there is a tie for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. Then all the players (other than the players involved in the tie) vote on the favorite (majority rules). If there are an equal number of votes, then the lowest scored individual is dropped from voting. The score for the "lowest scored individual" is the score before the round in which the tie is involved.

Assignments
Next week's assignment will be posted at the bottom of the "contest photos" post, which should be posted no later than Monday. Assignment will be pulled from several standard websites that produce "word of the day" or "assignment of the week" etc. For now, Brian will pick an assignment on a rotational bases.

Winner's Interview
These are the questions the winner should email to Brian so that he can post your victory.

What was your thought process in coming up with your photo?
What settings did you use (shutter/aperture, ISO, etc)?
Did you do any Post Production? If so, what did you do?
What tools did you use (flash, lens, meter, etc)?
What have you learned from this assignment?
What would you have done differently now that it's over?