Today's best reads

Skepchick 10 best Skeptics. First look. Love it. Now on my Google Reader list.


Zbig Smacks Down Mornin' Joe On Talking Points Memo. Already on my Reader list.


Pharyngula - one of my regulars


Why do people laugh at Creationists YouTube video playlist.

Now, I'm off to do a little shopping.

Pavement 9

Pavement 9, originally uploaded by Stephen Foster.

One of a series.

I have been working on a photo project merely for the purpose of forcing myself to look carefully at whatever is before me. I gave myself the assignment to photograph pavements. I try to get some every time I go out with a camera.

Pavements are so mundane that a strong image relies entirely on composition - there is little of inherent interest in the scene. I hope I'm getting images upon which someone (other than myself) will spend a minute.

Follow the photo link to the rest of the series.

Love and monochrome,
Stephen

Lunch

At Wat Buddhanusorn.

Wat Buddhanusorn

Chants and prayers.

Madam, destroying a crab

She is CRAZY about crab.

Me? Clam chowder will do.

Back to School

I applied to iStockPhoto the other day. This was one of my submissions - perhaps the better of the three.

I got rejected! *SOB!* OK, just kidding.

After reading some of the material they pointed out to me, I have to agree with them. So, I'm thinking about what to do for the next shoot.

Composition And Impact

Are You Taking Snapshots?

Love and persistence,
Stephen

A new addition to my Google Reader list

XKCD Web Comics

Why I love the internet

Pharngula - Here we go again...

My response:

Of course (and it has probably been pointed out already) the uneducated character of the negative response could be further evidence for evolution - after all, it is a somewhat sloppy process and leaves behind a multitude of structures for which atrophy is a good solution.

Yers, wandering in the Forest of Probabilities,
SHF

Webography for 2008-12-18

1.0 From Calcars
1.1 Electric-car race could strain lithium battery supply
1.1.1 Interesting article. Has some links I hope to follow in more detail.
1.2 Thomas Friedman

Our holiday letter

Dear family and friends,

I hope this finds you in good health and good spirit.

It’s been a good year for us. We are well and reasonably prosperous.

Jenna (the incomparable grandchild) started kindergarten this September. She is an enthusiastic student because, I think, she is a very socially oriented person. She is also well endowed with chutzpah. Her teacher reports a talent for leadership. Somrak has the most interesting conversations with her; I hear about them in the evening. The child can think circles around any two of her adult relatives.

Supaporn, “Nam Som” is busy at Cal State University East Bay (formerly Hayward State) majoring in Psychology. She is on the fence between pursuing an MD or PhD after graduation. She is the academic power player of the family.

Suchira, “Nam Peung” is trying to keep up with Jenna. She plans to return to school at Diablo Valley College next term for either Pediatric Nursing or Early Childhood Education, it seems to change weekly. She does have a special ability to relate to young children.

David is also planning to return to DVC this next term for computer science. He is living in Pleasant Hill. He works in retail, for now; I’m waiting for his help in retro-fitting my pick-up to plug-in-hybrid electric.

Jitladda, “Nam Wan” is currently working full time in our hair salon. She looks likely to take over the business in the future when we retire. She completed her AA at Diablo Valley College this spring, in business. She and some friends bought a house last year in San Leandro – so far they seem to be doing pretty well.

Somrak is enjoying a hemi-semi (1/4) retirement. She spends some time at the salon, but mostly answers the phone and pushes the customers towards the daughters. She frequently has her driver (yours truly) take her on tour around to various scenic spots of the Bay Area. We are planning to visit the Grand Canyon in April, next year, for our 15^th anniversary.

I am keeping busy watching construction work for Kleinfelder, Inc. I just completed a project for PG&E in San Francisco. I’ve been busy with my cameras, mostly landscape photography. I’m looking for weekend work photographing weddings and events. I’m also starting a project making portraits of people at their work.

We ask for blessings of joy and prosperity for all of you for the next year.

Stephen

Photon Addicted

There is just something about light. It's a kind of magic whose meaning I can sometimes almost grasp. My full understanding will, probably, come with my last breath. Until such time, I hope someone will get what I'm seeing, even if I don't.

My best way to die would be in my own bed, surrounded by the people I love. Second best would be with my finger pushing the shutter release.

Scott Bourne on the intangibles of photography

Love and light,
Stephen

A Failure, in Principle

Moss, originally uploaded by Stephen Foster.

Many years ago, while in the halls of Academe, I was taught a technique for photography that I only occasionally remember: "start close then work outwards". In this case I failed to do so. I got this shot, which I like, but I am unsatisfied with the rest. I spent about 30 minutes at this one tree.

This was shot in Tassajara Ridge Regional Wilderness, near San Ramon, California.

Love, and exposure,
Stephen

Cat Logic

Void CatLogic()
{
100; // marker
GET XItem;
IF XItem = food EAT()
ELSEIF XItem = toy PLAY()
ELSEIF XItem = comfy NAP()
ELSE BATHE();
GOTO 100;
} // CatLogic

Love and felinaphilia
Stephen

Today's model

After work, while there is still light, I'm in Las Trampas Regional Wilderness (not very wild at this corner). I've spent some time with this tree. So far, just digital frames.

Love and pixels,
Stephen

Am I as serious about this as I thnk?

This morning I drove past an opportunity to make a great photograph. I came over a hill, on my normal commute, to a ravine vanishing downward into the fog. In my mind, the little voice was saying "stop, stop" but I did not heed the call.

I hope that the opportunity returns, but I fear that Fate has a harsher lesson for me.

All is not lost, however, I did take the opportunity to photograph Raymond Jacobsons's 1934 Dodge Coupe on Monday afternoon. That almost got away but for some last second haste on my part.

Love and regret,
Stephen

Monitor Calibration

I guess I can make a small claim to be moving into the ranks of serious digital photo editors. This is a "Spyder" and it is the hardware component of a monitor calibration sysem. I'm going to see what I've been missing.

Love and chroma,
Stephen

Thanksgiving food

Thai Pumpkin Soup and Turkey Mansaman.

Yum.

Love and abundance,
Stephen

Thanksgiving at our house.

Not this year, either. Our place is too small, too cluttered, in need of new appliances.

Someday. We keep promising ourselves.

Love and peregrination,
Stephen