The Positives of Negatives...my re-entry into the world of film

It's been over a year since my last post. I know I'm always promising that I'll be more attentive and spend more time with the blog, but I disappoint you time and again. I can change! Just give me another chance, dear reader(s).

Since you've last heard from me, I've started getting into film. Or rather I should say, I started getting back into film. The old becomes new again. With Lomography selling their overpriced "cool" plastic cameras and touting their "anything is art" mentality, among other factors, film is slowly but surely making a bit of a comeback. I guess I can't complain too much about them because they're a big reason that I'm even back into film in the first place. Let's start from the beginning, shall we?

It all started one fateful day at the MoMA design store in Soho. I saw the Lomo Diana Mini and, being something of a photographer, I was immediately interested. Oh, it's so cute! It shoots film? How delightfully novel! A free ticket to the MoMA with any $50 or more purchase? Perfect!

Thus began my descent back into the world of film. As my interest in Lomography grew, I began eying the Diana F+, big sister to my Diana Mini. Then, my eyes fell upon the Lomo LC-A+. It's admittedly very retro looking in a very good way. I wanted it. Bad. My eyes then fell upon its price tag. I then did what I usually do when something is extremely overpriced but I still can't help wanting it: I went home and did some research. Along the way, I came to realize that the LC-A isn't exactly worth the money unless you're a hipster with a lot of money to burn. A couple reports of the terrible build quality of the LC-A, some comparisons with other much much much cheaper cameras, and soon, the spell was broken. I'm still in love with its looks, but the LC-A definitely wasn't for me unless I could catch one of the decent deals on ebay.

Instead, I ended up looking at one of the cameras commonly compared to the LC-A (that more often than not comes out on top), the Olympus XA. It can be had for about 1/5 of the price of the LC-A, has much better optics, and is built sturdily. As I was looking at photos of the XA, it began to look very familiar. I vaguely remembered my grandmother having a film camera that looked similar when I was a kid, some 10-15 years ago. Lo' and behold, she had an XA2 just taking up space in her closet that she was more than happy to pass down to me! Everything was still in working condition (except for the flash), and after picking up some film, I was ready to go. Photos will be up on the ol' smugmug as soon as I can finish up this roll of film.

I also cleaned up my old Canon A-1 and ordered up a couple of FD mount lenses on the cheap. I say cheap only in comparison to my Canon EF mount lenses. When those come in, the film resurgence will begin in full.

P.S. It's not that I don't like Lomography or its ideals. I just find it ridiculous that they charge such extravagant prices for cameras that have equivalents or superiors that can easily be had for less than half the price (often even less than that). Even the film on their website is waaaaay overpriced compared to any other camera store. The price is nearly doubled for every single roll of film except for their own Lomography branded film and the expired films. I love my Diana Mini and the roll of film I just got developed from it looks deliciously lo-fi, but I feel just a tiny bit ripped off when I consider how much I paid for it. What they don't tell you on their wonderfully "artsy" and "fun" website is that the two students who started the whole Lomography movement were MARKETING STUDENTS! Kudos to them for having so successfully built a business, woe is me for falling for it. I should have known better since I have a marketing degree too. Education fail.

Suck on that

Build me up, Butters pup, don't break my cap...

She loves my Sigma 30 f/1.4 as much as I do, but only the cap.  She finds it more "snugly" than the Canon ones.  Or so she says.  

After the lens cap fell on the floor.  Don't worry, she wasn't too torn up about losing it.  She just uses 'em up and tosses 'em out.  She's so cavalier about it, you'd think she was part spaniel.        

I really need to start updating more.  If you agree, say aye.  

*crickets*        

Sigh.  

Lowepro Flipside 300. Kris tested, Nichi approved.

Just brought my Lowepro Flipside 300 home and Nichi seems to find it very comfortable.  I must admit that it has just the right amount of padding for a day of shooting/napping.  

Home, Sweet Home

We came back from sunny Puerto Rico to 50 degree weather, rain, and lost baggage. Fortunately, our luggage was found the next morning and promptly delivered to me at 7:30am. Big ups to US Airways. They saved me the trouble of lugging it home myself.

Here's a little something to warm you up.



The trip was awesomeness, from running (and falling) through mud in the dark, to being called "shirley temple lady" (if I had a nickel for every time...), to eating the most delicious egg sandwich possibly in the history of sandwiches. Photos should be up on smugmug soon.

I just got the macbook working again after a little scare (BSOD!). Thanks to the geniuses at the soho apple store, it's as good as new. This blog was brought to you by the SoHo Apple Store Geniuses.

And the letter Q.

Happy Happy, Joy Joy

I finally figured out where that phrase is from. Ren and Stimpy. Oh yes, I used to watch those two glorious creatures on my picture box when I was a wee child. I still don't know what they were supposed to be, although someone once told me that Ren was a chihuahua.



I actually see a resemblance. Anyone have any ideas about what Stimpy could be? I'm gonna go with wildebeest. Or sausage.



On to the actual news. I have finally given in to peer pressure and made a flickr. If you've gone through my smugmug, then you've seen all the photos that I have up on flickr. It's kind of a highlights of the smugmug. So check it out here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tinrisky/

If you've been directed here through my flickr/smugmug/facebook, then welcome. You're amongst friends. Or more likely, you're just here by yourself. Either I don't have many readers, or you're all too lazy to comment. I'm banking on the second one. No matter, I'll just keep on keepin' on. You guys can just continue to sit on your 'tocks and enjoy.

I'm so excited...

and I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it.

Not really, about the losing control thing. I'm not much for the loss of control. However, I am extremely excited about the Puerto Rico trip coming up. Only a week to go. This time next week I'll be sleeping in a Puerto Rican hotel room, resting up for a caving adventure. Expect many photos, my dear readers/reader/nobody. Preparations have begun. By preparations, I mean shopping. More preparations to attend to tomorrow at Tanger.

In other news, I made the Incase website's flickr. Not that it's very hard, but it's exciting nonetheless. Check it out. My photos are the ones all the way on the bottom (same ones I posted in my previous blog entry):



Sweet.

Finally got the ipod touch. Ended up getting the 16gb for less than I would've paid for a new 8gb.

It. Is. Awesome.

My lovely second shooter (you know who you are), got me the Incase Slider case and Power Support Anti-glare film to keep it safe. It came jailbroken so I filled it out with some programs, and I just spent two hours last night putting album art into it. Now my coverflow is looking sweet. Here are a few pictures of my touch in its case. You may stare.

What lies beneath

Look closely (click on it for a close-up). I saw this on the Street Anatomy blog. If I ever came across someone that did this to their wife, I'd do a lot worse to them. It's a powerful ad. This is what I'll be doing in a few years hopefully (marketing, not vigilante justice).

Better (really) late than never

So my Best Buy giftcard finally came from American Express. Two months late, but I'm happy anyway. I'll be on my way to pick up a brand spankin' new Ipod Touch on Friday. I've been hoarding all my BB gift cards for this moment. Or as Lufthansa would say, "all for this one moment". Photos of the unboxing to come soon. I'm making a case for it out of an old game boy color. We'll see how that goes. I'm also sewing a case for it (yes I can sew). I'm pretty handy with my hands. Not quite so eloquent with them though. I'm in the mood for a family guy quote, so here you go:

Tom Tucker: A bit of breaking news. A local family is forced out of their home by ghosts. Who are they gonna call?
Diane Simmons (sighs): Ghostbusters, Tom.
Tom Tucker: No, Diane. Their insurance company. That's just stupid what you said.

Lois: Honey, what do you say we uh...christen these new sheets, huh?
Peter: Why Lois Griffin, you naughty girl.
Lois: Hehehe...that's me.
Peter: You dirty hustler.
Lois: Hehehehe...
Peter: You filthy, stinky prostitute.
Lois: Aha, ok I get it...
Peter: You foul, venereal disease carrying, street walking whore.
Lois: Alright, that's enough!

Lady(bug) in red

I found a lady bug fluttering around weakly in my room two nights ago. I have no idea how long it's been in there, but it looked like it was on its last leg. I couldn't bring myself to kill it, even though it was freaking me out flying around my desk and dropping down randomly. It was too cold to set it free, and I figured it would die soon if I let it outside anyway. So I captured it and put it into a water bottle that I made a bunch of slits in and had some water droplets on the side. I didn't know what ladybugs ate, so I went downstairs and picked leaves from the plants we have growing in the house. Someone has since informed me that ladybugs don't eat leaves. Well, I tried. It seemed stronger last night, but when I tried to set it free it wouldn't leave the bottle. We'll try again tonight. Pictures to come.

Some Family Guy quotes for you, my loyal reader (or maybe nobody, who knows):

Peter (after Lois tells him he's childish): "If I'm a child that means you're a pedophile, and I'll be damned if i'm going stand here and take this from a pervert."

Lois: Peter,why are we stopped?
Peter: Yeah, I'll have three cheeseburgers...
Lois: Peter for God's sakes she's havin' a baby!
Peter: Oh that's right...and a kid's meal... and uh,I, I guess I'll have fries...if I have fries is anyone else gonna have any? Cuz,uh I don't wanna be the only one eatin' them... I'll feel like a fatty.

Happy Monday!

I have a paper due Tuesday, a quiz on Wednesday, and probably some tests coming up soon that I won't remember until the day before.  The only thing happy about this Monday is that it isn't Tuesday yet.  Couldn't find any "Monday" Garfield comics, but this one is just as good.  I often have thoughts like this.  I will gladly accept your dollars.   

 

My bad

I know it's been a while since I've updated. To all my loyal readers (all two of you), I apologize. Lots have happened in these three months. Firstly, I turned 21. Yes, it's great. Now I can legally kill my brain cells. Secondly, guess where I'm blogging from right now. No...no...close...fine, I'll just tell you. My new black Macbook. It might just be the most awesome piece of tech I've ever owned. That's a lot coming from me. Photos of my set-up to come. I hear the new macbooks might be coming out soon, but until then, I think I'm in love. I'll be blogging much more often now. Lucky you.

Now here's a Dilbert for you, courtesy of my Dilbert widget. I think many of us can relate. I know I can.



I think I'll add that to my resume, "Incubator of innovations".

Spare me.

My new bowling ball. Isn't she pretty? Also picked up a bag and a pair of shoes. Don't ask about the shoes. They ain't pretty. Now I've got this urge to bowl during all my free time. More productive than napping in any case, and less expensive than my other hobby- spending money on photography equipment.

Now I need someone to bowl with. Anyone got some time to spare? Get it? Spare? 'Cause it's bowling? Man...I crack myself up.

Cute...overload...

HAPPY (early) HALLOWEEN!!!


Alligator costume. Awesome. That is the only word that comes to mind.


Mini-dragon-peeg

Photos courtesy of cuteoverload.com

Check out the site. You won't regret it. Unless you hate cute things. In which case, bah you.

Soon to come, pictures of Butters the Lumberjack.

You smell like poop.

courtesy of thesneeze.com:

Gettin' Sexy with the Ladies

I walked into the kitchen to find my wife watching "The Pick Up Artist" on Vh1. It's a reality show where they attempt to teach socially awkward guys how to pick up hot girls.

My favorite technique is the "Neg." That's making a playful "negative comment" to disarm a woman and show you're not defenseless to her beauty.

Me: "How can you watch this show?"

My wife: "I'm easily amused."

Me: "Yeah, that's 'cuz you're dumb... OH SHIT, DROPPING NEGS! Get your shirt off."

My wife: (BLANK STARE)

The shirt remained on.

I don't think I negged her hard enough. Next time I'll make fun of her family. Then make way for the sex!

If I haven't said this before, then I'll say it again, thesneeze.com is awesome.

Sigh...

I guess I should try to look on the bright side. If someone finds one, let me know.

I'm a bad, bad, blogger...

Assuming anyone actually reads this blog, I'd like to apologize for being so lax in my blogging. By lax I mean damn ass lazy. Here's a treat for all of you courtesy of the 2(x)ist show at fashion week. We were in the seats to the side of the stage so this was the best I could do. Thanks to Jeff for the invite. Our company, C3, soon to come (yay! business cards!). Enjoy.



The new fashion for men this fall. Who needs clothes? Just throw on your underwear, add a beret and a pair of wrist bands, and you're good to go. Whether it be class, a date, a night out on the town with the boys, it's versatile like that. Underwear is the new pants.

Secret Messages in my cookies.

Those of you who have never heard of the "choco cream snack" known simply as "Yan Yan", please take a moment to lament your loss.



They are so tasty that I forgive them for their misspelling of the word "chocolity". Perhaps they were just trying to be "cute". I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. They might have been trying to appeal to their audience, widely made up of elementary school children who may or may not know how to spell their own names. "Meijii", the company behind this delicious treat, has wisely included "secret messages", now known as "fun lines". I believe they teach us all valuable life lessons. Such as:



Children, stand up for what you believe in! Don't be afraid to speak up! Use exclamation points at the end of every sentence! Don't listen to your teacher. There's no such thing as "proper grammar". Fortune favors the brave, and people are afraid of other people who yell a lot. Ahhh, I feel the wisdom seeping into my pores. Also important children, do not be afraid to use strategically placed bold words and/or capitalized letters to MAKE A POINT!



Children, this message is no secret, eat healthy. Or else you'll die. Very soon. Personally I think the yanyan people should've put more thought into this message. Target your demographic people! The people who eat yanyans aren't going to be conscious about their health. Come on, we're dipping fatty cookie sticks into fatty chocolate cream here. Most of us aren't going to wash this down with carrot juice. I think a more fitting lesson would've been "dung beetle: eat crap". Meijii cookie company, feel free to use that one. You're welcome.



Life lesson number 4: Don't be fat or people will call you names.




Ah, perhaps one of the most important lessons of all. Much like this secret message, sometimes life just doesn't make any sense. At all. Or sometimes you might just be too slow to get it. Just nod and smile. Pretend you understand. Then dip it in delicious chocolatey cream and eat it.

I feel so relieved to know that children these days are receiving such vital life lessons in their food. Back in my day we had to learn this stuff from books and adults. Neither of which taste nearly as good as yanyan. Although, if books came with chocolate dip it might even the odds a little bit.



Did you know that giraffes are the tallest mammal? I didn't either. Until my cookies told me. The moral of this story: eat YanYan or perish, sweater monkeys.

And the cow jumped over the moon...

I couldn't get the cow in the picture, but the moon came out pretty nice if I do say so myself. I've heard people say that this might be one of the best moon pictures that they ever saw. "People" being me, and "say" meaning thought in my head. Taken with my brand new (used) Canon 70-200 f/4 L. The next step, buying a telescope with a camera adapter. Anyone have a spare telescope laying around?