Zippy Hendirez 3.0

Monday, March 31, 2008

 

The Photo I Didn't Quite Take

One of the neat things about digital photography is how you can change what is seen based upon what your camera saw. In this case, three photos, each 2 stops of exposure apart.







Which are then combined in a program designed to create high dynamic range photographs.













So after a few clicks and moved sliders, the three rather bland photos I took in the space of four seconds...











becomes something rather fascinating to behold.

When I shoot that wedding this weekend, I'm going to try this with a shot of the bride and groom.

Zippy 8:11 PM

Monday, March 24, 2008

 

How To Get Around Pesky NCAA TV Regulations



Duke sucks.

Zippy 1:35 PM

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

 

Rain

My first bus arrived three minutes early to pick me up, but dropped me off five minutes late. So I missed my second bus and stood in the rain for the emergency reserve bus, as I call it.

It was dark and cold and damp, and I loved it. It's rare nowadays that I get to trot out all the foul-weather gear I bought and accumulated as a photojournalist.

Of course, I was damn cold by the time I got to work. But I was dry.

Then one of my going-home buses broke down. It was not my day for buses.

I've been working on Squeaky's laptop for three or four days, trying to track down why it was suddenly rebooting constantly. Turns out (surprise!) Microsoft sent out a bad Windows update, so bad that uninstalling it (which I had done before I knew it was the problem) DOESN'T FIX IT.

Of course, that only required backing up her files, then nuking the hard drive and doing a system recovery. Bill Gates friggin' owes me.

Also got a used extended life battery for my newest used laptop. Looks like it's going to be a darn good battery for the dirt-cheap I paid for it.

My new toy is a somewhat-elderly IBM R51 Thinkpad. It's got some physical issues, but it runs solid and easy. Someday I'll get me a T61, but not today.

Time to go see how the restore program's going.

Zippy 10:25 PM

Thursday, March 13, 2008

 

Somewhere Between Here And There

Yes, I still live, if barely.

Currently listening to Genesis' concert in Cleveland this summer, courtesy my brother. So far, I have to say, I'm glad I didn't shell out the cash to go see this. It's just not that impressive.

What else has been going on...we had a blizzard of sorts, dropped a foot of snow or so. Rather than sleep at work, I actually worked much of the blizzard from home, and it was much nicer that way.

Xander's now got a drum set, which I'd show you, but Blogger don't feel like uploading images right now. (Oh, wait, there it is) He has a blast with it, and almost has rhythm periodically. Despite what non-drum-owners may think, it's not that bad, and a far sight easier to listen to than when he was banging on my overturned BGSU trash can.

Squeaky's got a new job working for the university, so she makes more money, works with some cool research stuff (dude, she messes with MRSA) and gets to ride the bus to work for free. Plus, when we switch to her health insurance, we'll save a lot of money (without switching to Geico).

This has forced us to wake Boo up earlier than he's used to. Much earlier. And I'm learning what Squeaky's known for months.

Boo is _not_ a morning person.

About half the time, I dress him as he sleeps and whines, then leave him in bed so I can catch my bus downtown.

In other news, I switched anti-depressants in an effort to drive off some of the general malaise I felt the old one was causing. Which was a great idea, except that, since I'm a creature of habit and Boo's morning routine is a tad screwy, I tend to forget to take it about one day in three.

Grrrrr.

Once I get on the once-a-day version, I'll be okay, as I always took the previous one before bed.

Hmmm. Genesis is doing a good job on "Follow You, Follow Me", one of my favorites.

I've added "stock image photographer" to my resume. Mind you, I've only managed to get one stock photo Web site to take my images...and they only accepted one...but I've earned 50 cents so far off that one image!

Another $29.50, and they'll cut me a check! ;)

I figure if I can get any good at it, it's a bit more income. I just have virtually no experience in this sort of thing, so I'm trying to find things I can shoot easily around here. Which isn't all that easy, surprisingly.

Oooh, "Mama". One of the spookiest songs Genesis ever did.

Overall, life ain't bad. Sorry I haven't been the best conversationalist lately. There's no real reason--it's just seemed like there's nothing to say that I've not said before.

That hasn't changed, really. But sometimes the words need to be said, regardless.

Zippy 8:53 PM

Friday, March 07, 2008

 

Happy Birthday Xander!

Good lord, he's 3.

We're doomed.

Zippy 6:14 AM

Thursday, March 06, 2008

 

Sunny Side Up

The parking deck view as I came to work Thursday.

Zippy 8:53 AM