I'm currently vacationing in California for Christmas. I took this picture in my in-laws' backyard on Christmas Eve. Another wonderful day in sunny California.

I grabbed an internet connection from a local Starbucks to check e-mail and also catch up on some business. I figured I should post something since I had the connection. I have about 5 good photos that I have taken over the last couple of days that are post worthy when I return home. So stay tuned.

This will probably be the last post until after the New Year. I'm heading to California this week and should have plenty of new pictures to post once I return.

Happy Holidays

It's funny how things work out. I bought my new camera last week. I took a flurry of new photos trying to learn all the features in the first 2 days. Nothing has really come out that I feel is worthy to be posted. Since then I haven't even picked it up. I have been just too busy with work and personal life.

It's a sad state affairs. I need to remedy that problem soon.

Here are some good photos to look at in the meantime.

Enjoy,

Beyond—Red on Blue

TopLeftPixel—Zooming Light Trails

Orbit1—Geminid

This is the very first picture from my new Canon Digital Rebel. It arrived today and I have been playing with it ever since I got home.

As an aside, its funny when you do a Google Image search for IMG_0001.jpg. You get to see all the first pictures taken from Canon digital cameras on the internet. Granted, these are not all strictly first pictures since you can reset your filename attributes at any time. But I'm sure most people don't reset the defaults. Personally, I don't plan on resetting them. Its nice to know how many photos you have taken over time, just like a car odometer. On my old Canon A75 I have taken 1905 pictures over the last 2 years.

There are many photo bloggers out there that can take pictures of anonymous people. I have a hard time doing that. I guess I feel like I'm invading their personal space and privacy. Here is an attempt on a recent trip to Ikea.

December 7th is a day that will always be remembered by my Grandparents generation. These days it is just a notation on the calendar and many people from my generation have no idea why this day is important.

Will Emma's childern have the same feeling about September 11th?

Do the people from Japan have the same memories of August 6th and August 9th or are these forgotten dates as well for this generation of Japan?

Just playing around with a long exposure and lights.

Emma enjoying a good book.

I was trying some more low light photos and Emma just happened to be sitting still for a long period of time. That is a rare occurance and I'm glad I was able to capture it.

The budding artist.

I have been keeping a wishlist up on Amazon.com for several years. Typically I just use it as a holding place to store items that I want to purchase for future reference. Ever year around this time my family asks what I want for Christmas. I can't really send them to my wishlist link, since everything on it is not really organized for that purpose and I also don't want people giving me technical books that I need to order for work.

So this year I decided to start something different. I may as well write up a blog entry that gives the actual prioritized and organized list. Most of the links are to Amazon, but I'm not saying they have to be purchased there. It just makes an easy way to link these items.

So here is my list for 2004.

Altec Lansing AHS-602 Gaming Headset

This headset is ideally suited for Gaming, but can also be used for VoIP calling as well. I have a Vonage account for my business and would love to be able to use the Software version of the phone plan. [ thanks Michele ]

The Confusion (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 2) by Neal Stephenson

I'm currently reading the first book in the series and should finish just in time for the next edition once Christmas comes around. This is actually the second time I have tried to read the first book. It is very long and I guess I was just not in the mood for a history lesson. On this reading I'm starting to enjoy the book and I have heard the series gets better in subsequent books. [ thanks Michele ]

The System of the World (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 3) by Neal Stephenson

The colossal and impressive third volume (after Quicksilver and The Confusion) of Stephenson's magisterial exploration of the origins of the modern world in the scientific revolution of the baroque era begins in 1714. Daniel Waterhouse has returned to England, hoping to mediate the feud between Sir Isaac Newton and Leibniz, both of whom claim to have discovered the calculus and neither of whom is showing much scientific rationality in the dispute. [ thanks Michele ]

Full Metal Jacket (Limited Edition Collector's Set)

Full Metal Jacket (Jackay) is one of my favorite Vietnam Movies. This is one of my cult classics.

This special edition has all the normal extra DVD features plus the soundtrack from the movie and an actually 35MM frame from the movie.

Goodfellas (Two-Disc Special Edition)

I already have the Godfather series. No true Mafia movie collection can not go without this great movie about the life of Henry Hill. Bobby D also happens to be one of my favorite actors. [ thanks Tony ]

Scarface (Widescreen Anniversary Edition)
Another great gangster movie. Al Pacino is the "OG" as Tony.

This is also the favorite movie of all the rappers. It is always prominently displayed on MTV Cribs. So I need to get prepared when MTV decides that they need to be knocking on my door.

Canon EOS 6.3MP Digital Rebel Camera with Lens 18-55MM Lens

If for some reason you win the lottery and you feel like spreading the love my way. This would be the perfect gift. [update] Well no need for anyone to get this on my list. I ended up purchasing this myself. It has been on my wishlist for months and some money came my way from my side business projects. Yeah for me!

Canon Wireless Remote Control RC1 for Digital Rebel

Now that I have my new Digital Rebel, the list of potential gift opportunities has increased dramatically. This little device is crucial in taking group shots, or taking pictures using a tripod so you don't accidentally move the camera during the shot.

Tiffen 58mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit

Description from website: Tiffen's Photo Essentals Kit packages the minimum necessary filters for your creative photography. Ultra Violet lens for UV filtration and lens protcetion. Circular Polarizer for increased contrast and color saturation. Polarizer also eliminates glare from highly reflective surfaces such as water and glass. Tiffen's exclusive 812 Warming filter for improve skintone, and to restore color warmth on overcast days.

Amazon.com Gift Cert

If you can't decide, one of these is always nice as well.

This is a good start, I reserve the right to modify this list later as I see fit. I added the link to this page on the right navigation bar on the home page.

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Here is a close up of the Chinese Screen. I'm still amazed that someone in China about 100 years ago was able to get this level of detail with just hand tools.

This is last picture of this series and I think I'm done with this subject.

Here is another angle of the Chinese screen. This window faces the East and it gets some great morning sun.