Consider this the equivalent of a “Please Do Not Disturb” sign, as the new A/V receiver showed up a day early and I can’t be bothered with trivia such as clients or work. Here’s how you know that you’re about to tackle a serious piece of electronic equipment: “At least 2 people”? Granted, it weighs… Continue reading Heavy Sound
Mockingbird Recording
As I sat on the front porch yesterday afternoon reading a book and enjoying the nice weather, I was aurally accosted by a loud-mouthed intruder who was so enamored with his own voice, I suspect he’d make an excellent Senator. Your browser does not support the audio element. Just kidding. Mockingbirds are too smart to… Continue reading Mockingbird Recording
Gate Completed (No, really)
I know that I previously reported that our Anti-Bunny/Tumbleweed gate was completed, and it was functional. But I still had some cosmetic details to work out, and I wasn’t sure when I would get to them, or how successful I’d be, so I didn’t say anything at the time. Well, here’s the actual completed version:… Continue reading Gate Completed (No, really)
Overdue A/V Upgrade
March was a good month, business-wise, and so I’m splurging on a new A/V receiver. This definitely falls into the category of “luxury” but it will fill several “needs”: When we built this house two years ago I wired it for 7.1 surround sound. We had the four rear speakers installed in the ceiling at… Continue reading Overdue A/V Upgrade
iPhone Camera Apps
The rumor is that the next version of the iPhone will have a 5 megapixel camera that’s capable of capturing HD video as well as better quality photos. That’s cool, but in the meantime, the camera in the 3GS is a great tool for snapshots, especially when the images are tweaked by one of the… Continue reading iPhone Camera Apps
Buzzards+Fort Stockton = Swallows+Capistrano?
One of the presumed harbingers of spring in West Texas is the return of roosting buzzards. If that’s true, then Fort Stockton has seen its last cold snap for the season, as evidenced by this iPhone video I shot last evening from my parents’ backyard: This is just a fraction of the flock of scavengers… Continue reading Buzzards+Fort Stockton = Swallows+Capistrano?
Pinnacles of Agility
Via Twisted Sifter, here are two remarkable demonstrations of clever agility, albeit in very different forms: It’s hard to say which is more impressive, but I’d like to see the guy in the second video try those tricks on a recumbent.
Photojournalism: Redefining Reality?
There’s an interesting debate going on over at PDNPulse regarding “stylized photojournalism,” which essentially involves the application of special effects to news photographs to “enhance” them or to emphasize a particular point of view. The debate is between purists who tend to believe that the camera should be used to capture newsworthy scenes without any… Continue reading Photojournalism: Redefining Reality?
The Evolution of Resolution (or, Getting A Big Honkin’ Monitor)
My new computer monitor arrived late yesterday via FedEx (and, by the way, I’d like to know why our neighborhood seems to be The. Very. Last. Destination. for FedEx deliveries) and I immediately neglected plans to do some much-needed housekeeping in order to get it connected and configured. It’s a 24″ Dell* display, and it… Continue reading The Evolution of Resolution (or, Getting A Big Honkin’ Monitor)
Random Thursday – The 1st Day of Spring on a Saturday Edition
Is this really the first day of Spring? I get confused about the date, and not just because the temperature is 50 degrees colder today than yesterday. I could Google it, but, you know…spring fever and all. Anyway, now that The Gate is hung, I’m between projects (I’m contemplating trying my hand at building a… Continue reading Random Thursday – The 1st Day of Spring on a Saturday Edition