Notes from Curtis...

Below you'll find all 74 of my notes in reverse chronological order. Simply click on the post to be taken to the full article. These notes include new notes as well as old notes that I recovered from several old blogs that I've had over the years.

If you'd rather browse the notes by topic please head over to my tags page to find a list of all tags.

• What mode is best for 120fps on the Sony a6700?

  2025-02-20

  Doing an analysis on whether Movie Mode or S&Q mode is best for shooting 120fps video footage on the Sony a6700 mirrorless camera

• The stairs of Yokohama

  2025-02-16

  The first day of our two week trip to Japan and Norris gets a lot of practice climbing stairs

• Mikoda Morning Market (神子田朝市)

  2025-01-14

  I take a morning stroll through Morioka, located in Northern Japan, to the morning market enjoying autumn foliage and traditional architecture along the way.

• 2024 Year in Review

  2025-01-01

  Looking back on what happened in my life in 2024

• Bull of the Woods

  2010-08-13

  A mosquito infested trip to Twin Lakes in the Bull of the Woods wilderness

• Anniversary Adventure

  2010-04-28

  An anniversary backpacking trip to Eagle Creek in the Columbia River Gorge.

• Springtime Romp for Nettles

  2010-04-19

  Foraging for Stinging Nettles in an attempt to quell my springtime allergies.

• Bayocean Clamming

  2010-04-15

  A backpacking and clamming adventure along Bayocean Spit.

• Abiqua Falls

  2010-02-27

  A quick trip out to a waterfall framed by a columnar basalt amphitheater

• Pumpkin Patch!

  2009-11-10

  Tram and I take a trip to the pumpkin patch for the first time together

• Tokyo Underground

  2009-10-09

  A foiled attempt at going to a Daikoku car meet

• Abstract Sunset

  2009-09-12

  A quick post about a photo of a sunset on the Oregon Coast

• ...Others will be

  2009-08-19

  I reflect on my time studying abroad in Japan and what I will miss

• Something things will not be missed...

  2009-08-19

  I reflect on my time studying abroad in Japan and what I could leave behind

• Sleepless Nights, Sleepy Days

  2009-08-16

  Spending time relaxing and sleeping on trains as I was not able to sleep well at night

• Hotel Mac

  2009-08-16

  Trying to sleep at McDonalds in Kyoto. It must be a great idea right?

• Kyoto Sento

  2009-08-16

  Visits to two public baths in Kyoto and sharing my love for o-furo

• Racing the Sun

  2009-08-14

  I climb the eastern hills of Kyoto in an attempt to snap some good sunset photos.

• Walk to the Hills

  2009-08-12

  My first day in Kyoto spent doing reconnaissance on where to sleep and trying to find an "authentic" old Japan.

• High Speed to Kyoto

  2009-08-11

  Setting off on my first Shinkansen ride from Tokyo to Kyoto

• Finally at the Beach!

  2009-08-10

  I get a little too invested in snorkeling and not wearing sunscreen.

• Fruit Stand Frenzy

  2009-08-03

  A nice break at a fruit stand along the highway during a trip to Okinawa

• On our way to Okinawa

  2009-07-29

  The beginnings of a trip to Okinawa with friends.

• City Gardens

  2009-07-23

  Wandering among the suburban gardens of greater Tokyo.

• Taiko

  2009-07-23

  Playing taiko drums for the first time with my classmates

• Ameyoko

  2009-07-20

  An outing at a shopping street in Ueno.

• Tea Ceremony

  2009-06-14

  Experiencing tea ceremony as part of my japanese culture class.

• Kabuki

  2009-06-06

  A day out in Tokyo and a wonderful play that I didn't expect to be so good

• Walk to Shinjuku

  2009-05-18

  A long walk from school to get a night view of Tokyo from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

• Seating Fee

  2009-05-02

  During my cheap ass college years I complain about seating charges at Japanese restaurants.

• Crepes

  2009-05-02

  Sweets, I love all the sweets!

• お風呂

  2009-04-16

  An argument in favor of naked baths with strangers

• The Girl with Red High Heels

  2009-03-26

  Young me starting to deal with the melancholy of being separated from the ones I loved.

• Over the Great Ocean

  2009-03-24

  Embarking on my first trip outside of the United States and it was to study abroad in Tokyo for 5 months.

• 6 days 'til 日本!

  2009-03-17

  Getting ready to leave for Japan and making sure I have everything packed

• Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 Ai

  2009-03-06

  First impressions of a new (used) lens score before leaving for Japan

• Old World Deli

  2009-02-16

  Trying to be a pro yelper after eating a sandwich in Corvallis

• State Fair

  2008-09-12

  Being cynical about the Oregon State Fair and it's janky rides

• Book Review: The Roads to Sata: A 2000-Mile Walk Through Japan

  2008-08-31

  A long walk and Japan, what is there not to love?

• Book Review: Listening for Coyote: A Walk Across Oregon’s Wilderness

  2008-08-23

  A good book that made me want to thru-hike, although I never ended up doing it

• Book Review: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life

  2008-08-23

  Another book for gardening and farming nerds

• Book Review: Pot Culture: The A-Z Guide to Stoner Language and Life

  2008-08-11

  I wonder how much has changed since reading this? In Oregon I bet a lot.

• Book Review: The I Chong: Meditations from the Joint

  2008-08-11

  A good stoner book by someone who shouldn't have been in prison

• Book Review: Love Hotels: The Hidden Fantasy Rooms of Japan

  2008-08-06

  As of 2025 I still haven't actually been inside a love hotel

• Mr. Cadillac Man

  2008-07-29

  As of early 2025 I still haven't read Cadillac Desert

• Book Review: Into the Wild

  2008-07-29

  I'd say a rather mature take on a book that has the ability to bring heavy criticism or love

• Book Review: The Lady and the Monk: Four Seasons in Kyoto

  2008-07-29

  An author has a jumbled reflection on his experiences in Japan

• Book Review: Guerrilla Gardening: A Manualfesto

  2008-07-28

  I was living without a garden and reading books that inspired me to garden in unconventional spaces

• Book Review: Harvest: A Year in the Life of an Organic Farm

  2008-07-24

  A rather disappointing book with not much to say about it

• Book Review: Letters from Yellowstone

  2008-07-22

  I probably rated it higher than I should've since I have a big emotional attachment to Yellowstone

• Workin' a workin' away

  2008-07-10

  Realizing that Portland is different and thinking I'd never live there again (Ha!)

• Grueling hike

  2008-06-02

  A walk/hike on pavement with heavy boots wears me out

• Nighttime school yard

  2008-05-31

  A short walk to a school yard and a long exposure of some clouds

• Sundae

  2008-05-30

  I got tired of flowers so decided to take a photo of some street art

• Foreign Language Budget Cuts

  2008-05-30

  Oregon State plans to cut the Foreign Language School budget and it pisses me off

• Art at Fairbanks

  2008-05-30

  Any early reference to listening to podcast and finding some large pinecones

• Ducklings!

  2008-05-30

  Cute ducks in a storm runoff area of suburban Corvallis

• Walking Adventures

  2008-05-29

  Struggling to write a post as interesting as the photos I took

• Daily Green Tip #4

  2007-02-26

  Little did I know how pervasive LEDs would become.

• Daily Green Tip #3

  2007-02-26

  I still try to avoid plastic wear

• Daily Green Tip #2

  2007-02-23

  Just turn off your lights and we can save the planet!

• Daily Green Tip #1

  2007-02-22

  An insignificant tip that I actually follow to this day. One paper towel gang unite!

• Sustainability

  2007-02-22

  Proselytizing about being 'green' and doing what you can. I wish I'd taken my own advice to be respectful.

• Day at the mall

  2007-02-13

  I was more aggressively anti-mall than I am now

• Just Another Film Day

  2007-02-07

  Reminiscing on slower times as a teenager skateboarding in Portland.

• Drafting and such

  2007-02-06

  A picture of the Memorial Union at OSU and a short update on college life

• Blogging Scholarship

  2007-02-05

  I applied for a scholarship (which I don't think I got)

• Picture from the Dorm Room

  2007-02-01

  A silly photo of me in my dorm room at OSU

• Invisible Children

  2007-01-31

  Reflecting on the best way to postively impact the world

• Exercise your freedom

  2007-01-30

  Starting to mentally push back against police. I probably had smoked too much cannabis.

• Toyota (and you too Honda!)

  2007-01-30

  I was already yearning for electric cars

• China from the Inside

  2007-01-18

  My naive take on helping the environment and China's power

• Japanese

  2007-01-18

  The shortest ever post on learning Japanese

• Why am I blogging?

  2007-01-18

  Spoiler: I wanted a scholarship