Alright, I know I am really bad about filling this in. It's been a great month or so. Exploring the island, traveling, and shooting. Spent a week on the Big Island, seeing the sites, doing a figure shoot with a beautiful woman. Yesterday, getting the chance to shoot some awesome windsurfing images.
I recently purchased the new Canon EF II 70-200/2.8 USM IS. I now have a second, favorite lens in my bag, the first being the Canon EF 10-22/3.5-4.5.  It has caused a dilemma though; do I take the 70-200 or stick with my 100-400. For now I am keeping both of them. If I am shooting specifically with a model, the 70-200 goes, if I am shooting anything else, the 100-400 goes.  I love both lenses. The Canon EOS 7D is a dream body, fast and accurate, especially now that I have figured out how to control the focus points in the camera. I am contemplating stepping up to the Canon EOS 5D Mk.III, however if I do that, it also means that I would have to pick up a 16-35/2.8 to go with it. A bit more of an investment in my passion.
 

I can not say that I agree with the organization I work with however they are restructuring, and my position is being absolved.
The result this though, looking on the bright side, will be that I will have more time to shoot.
Exploring the idea of moving out of this valley as well, that decision is somewhat made in that there will be a move; where exactly, that has yet to be determined

Spent a week in Northern California, several different locations. Had intended to visit Yosemite, however due to inclement, heavy snow, cancelled that visit. Shame too, I am guessing that Yosemite would be stunning with a layer of snow. I just didn't feel comfortable driving a rental, with no snow tires, and no chains in the wet California Mountains.
So it rained pretty much for the first three days of the trip.  I did get to visit a friend in Bodega Bay, in the rain again, but returned there the following day when the sun came out. Drove from Bodega Bay to Mendocino along Hwy 1. What a stunning drive, I would love to explore that route a bit more, when I feel I can slow down to a crawling pace.  Spent time in the Napa region as well. In the last week I believe I have driven some of the most winding, curvy back country highways of this nation. I loved the area however, could see a future permanent destination in that area.

Took a few days to get away from the mountains, spending New Years Eve in Santa Fe, NM. Unfortunately not all of the trip was fun and games as my grandmother passed away of complications of Alzheimer's in Oklahoma. We road tripped directly from Santa Fe, to Tulsa, OK; part of our trip took us on Hwy 40, through New Mexico, Texas, and of course Oklahoma. Today's Hwy 40 traces some of the same steps as the Mother Road, Route 66. While stopping for dinner in Shamrock TX, a very good steak house, though the name escapes me, I got a chance to photograph a cool, old Conoco fuel station, reminiscent of what we saw in the movie, Cars. I wonder if it in itself was an inspiration for some of the backdrop in the movie.
In the future, I hope to spend more photographic time traveling Route 66, starting from Chicago, going all the way to California. It will take quite some time to do it properly, I hope to be able to devote at least 3 weeks to the project.