Photography, Travel, and Freedom

I got an email from Koryo Tours and after weeks of on again/off again I can go/He can’t go, we’re back on.

We’ll keep you posted as more information comes in…

David :: Jul.31.2008 :: travel :: No Comments »

Title says it all:)

David :: Jul.29.2008 :: Uncategorized :: 1 Comment »

So, I’m just starting up this Flickr thing – go ahead and check my stuff out at:

My Flickr Page

It will be far less edited than my website. Easier for folks to find the photos they like for purchase. I’m also editing my website to clarify the purchasing process.

I’ve also started a new Facebook group dedicated to ME. We didn’t fight the Revolutionary War for you NOT to join it:

My Group

And of course, don’t forget to visit my main portfolio.

David :: Jul.29.2008 :: Photography, technology :: No Comments »

Big day for us photogs! LR 2.0 and CR 4.5 have been released by Adobe today. I’ll tell you, I never did play with 2.0 since I didn’t want to convert my libraries and, well, I just don’t trust public betas (though, these days all software is really a public beta).

The big thing I’m looking forward to is spanning monitor support. At home I work on a cockpit setup and it is rather annoying that with other Adobe applications I put the pallets on one monitor and work on another. I feel very constrained working on one monitor these days. So, now we have LR 2.0 to the rescue. Also, LR 2.0 has FULL 64 BIT SUPPORT!!!!!! Awesomeness! There’s also local correction ability, but probably not extensive enough to cut into their core Photoshop market. Maybe my mom would like LR 2.0 over iPhoto?

Oh yeah – EXTERNAL DISK SUPPORT!!!!! YES!!!!!

As far as I can tell, so far, CR 4.5 doesn’t add much in the way of functionality unless you’re an Olympus owner.

But, I am very excited to see Lightroom 2.0 in action (well, I’ve used the beta already, but as I stated above, not extensively).

Time for a new monitor – my ACD 30″ is ready for a dirt nap. NEC 3090, here I come. But seriously, I’m a big Lightroom whore. I’m often asked how I get “my look.” Well, aside from the secret sauce, a large chunk of my work is done in the raw processor, and this is my one of choice (though Brian Griffith’s Raw Developer will always be my standby. He’s a great guy who makes a great product. However, I find it best suited for my old Leaf 65 work).

David :: Jul.29.2008 :: Photography :: No Comments »

Downhill, downhill, downhill…

Where should I begin? Being told I answered all four of my wake up calls today (the final two resulting in my missing half of the Blue Man Group show)? The broken clock and phone in the room – the latter of which I unplugged for them to replace, only to be told when the service man got here that the problem was the phone was unplugged?

How about an hour and a half for room service? Or calling at 6pm on Thursday to have my room cleared, only to come back at 4am and nothing has been changed?

Maybe my key being demagnetized and my sitting in the hallway in front of the room waiting for someone to come up with a new key?

How about $8.95 for two Tylenol?

How about playing a $600 hand of blackjack only to have some asshole play a $25 hand, sit on 16 against the dealer’s King, dealer has a 16 and pulls a 5 (next card, for the record, was a 9) and beats my K/J?

The only bright spot here is Tao (Beach and Club). I’m quite certain I’m done with my clubbing days, but last night was quite fun. Being slapped around really was a lot of fun…hope that happens again sometime…

Actually, one other thing – Wayne Brady was terrific. See him.

If I ever do come back to Vegas, it won’t be to the Venetian.

Update: The manager of the hotel has called me a liar. He says that his people confirm they spoke to me on four separate occassions TODAY for four wakeup calls…never mind the fact that the bedside phone was broken and it was impossible for me answer from there. Apparently, I am a somnambulist. I got up, out of bed, walked down two steps, answered the phone on the steps, went back to bed, and did it again…not once, but twice…today….within six hours.

Calling for a boycott of the Venetian. You’ll get better service elsewhere – guaranteed.

David :: Jul.28.2008 :: gambling, holiday, liberty, travel :: No Comments »

After a great trip for my friend’s 30th birthday, it has come to a screeching halt. Delta has decided they don’t fly into a little weather. Read that as they don’t want to burn the fuel. I’ve been on hold with the bastards for 45 minutes at this point waiting for a supervisor. What a misery.

So, instead of my flight leaving at 2:50pm today, they’re trying to put me on a stopover in Cincinatti flight. Now, as enticing as that sounds, forgive me if I would prefer not to layover in any state between the West Coast and the East Coast.

So, Samurai David called the evil airlines he flies 1/4 million miles a year with and demanded satisfaction. I slapped them with the proverbial dueling glove and they so far have complied with my demands. Worst part is that I have to check in with the hoi poloi instead of a civilized online check in where I can avoid the disgusting masses.

(Btw, ever notice how the flight to Las Vegas is always a party, but the flight home is always the most depressing thing in the world? Pretty funny.)

So, now I’ve fought my way onto an earlier, nonstop flight – next task is to rebook the hotel for a night (acts of Jebus don’t get you an hotel voucher, fyi). Then, it is time to ratchet up the pressure on getting bumped to first (also known as the former business class). Flying used to be civilized. Now, it costs you extra to book a second bag, buy a bag of animal crackers, or get a pillow.

Domestic air travel is the worst experience in the world.

Money quote of the day: When you call up Delta airlines and wait an ungodly amount of time on hold, they bombard you with requests to help curb oil speculation. I don’t need my airline dealing in politics with the average American hick who actually believe oil speculators add, and I quote, “30-60$” to the top of crude pricing. That myth has been debunked several times already.

Delta – you’ve made my shit list for today (though you’ve generally been good to me)…Five days in the corner with a dunce cap for you.

Now, let me get back to booking another night here at the Venetian (another sub-par experience with one bright exception that isn’t really worth getting into).

Update: Delta is about to double the cost for a second bag for the hoi poloi, effective August 5th.

David :: Jul.27.2008 :: travel :: No Comments »

Wanted to apologize, loyal readers, for not posting so much the past few days. Tomorrow is my thesis defense and I’ve been quite busy preparing for that.

Just wanted to toss that out there for you guys. After I’m done, I’m off to Vegas through at least Sunday – perhaps longer, not quite sure yet. So, figure for the next week or so, posting will be light. I’m going to do my best to get a rant in later tonight and a good post tomorrow summarizing how my defense went and a wrap up about my program. I know you guys are looking forward to reading that – and I’m looking forward to writing it.

Stay safe!

David :: Jul.21.2008 :: Photography, gambling, holiday, travel :: No Comments »

Ok, this is worth the price of admission into the iPhone 2.0 world…

There is an app in the store called Shazam. You hold it up to any recorded music source for a few seconds and….IT TELLS YOU WHAT SONG IT IS!!!!!

This is the most amazing thing ever…

David :: Jul.17.2008 :: technology :: No Comments »