I’ve been wearing this watch for over 15 years now.  I lost two of them already.  These are #3 & #4.  I use the calculator all the time.  I don’t know how some people can go out shopping without a calculator. 

I use stop watch and timer almost every day.  Also I frequently use tele-memo function to take short notes (where I parked, bride’s room number, etc).  This watch is a “must have” item.  People think I wear this watch to look different, trying to look “old school”.  But I really need this watch.

Casio has a newer model of this watch, but they only have 12 buttons on front panel.  My older model has 4 more buttons (a lot more calculation power). 

After years of weddings photography, I have developed some rituals.
One of them is coffee.
I always brew a fresh coffee right before I hit the road.
I have a good thermos mug that keeps coffee hot for 8-10 hours.
I always use a Minolta cup.  It’s plastic and insulated.
All my photography equipment is Canon, except for the light-meter and this cup.
I love this Minolta cup.

Anyway.
Today, when I was running tight on schedule (rainy day driving), I have realized that I forgot to brew my coffee.  I was devastated.

I went to McDonald’s and bought a cup of coffee.
McDonald’s’ coffee is pretty good, you know.
This coffee kept me company, but it was not the same.
I will never forget my coffee again.

 
McDonald’s Coffee, September 21, 2007 – Before Wedding

Next day, September 22, 2007 – Before Wedding

There is yet another ritual that I do right before the wedding.
I arrive at the wedding site and get out of the car with my Minolta coffee cup.
I set my Minolta coffee cup on top of my car and I get ready for the wedding.
Sometimes I fix my tie and put on Sun block lotion.
I do the last checkup on my cameras and take the lens caps off.
And I take a few test photographs. 
When I look for an object to take photos of, the closest object is always my Minolta cup.

Below are more pictures of my Minolta Cup.

Carpinteria

Oxnard, Heritage Square

Long Beach

Oxnard

Santa Barbara

I always drink coffee when I do any kind of work related to photography. I bring coffee when I meet wedding clients. I drink coffee in the car when I drive to the wedding site. I drink coffee when I go to the photo lab. I drink coffee when I put wedding albums together or cut mat boards.

Besides that, I almost never drink coffee.

I am a tea drinker. I have a dozen or so different kinds of tea at work. But, I appreciate good coffee. I have several different kinds of coffee. Some are vacuum packed and frozen for long term storage.

Starbucks is always good, Krispi Kreme's Smooth Blend is good.
Pete's coffee and the rest fancy ones are all good.
Sometimes I even enjoy flavored coffees (Vanilla, butterscotch toffee)

I'm not a big fan of cheap coffee.