Nikolai's blog

Kanye West - All Of The Lights ft. Rihanna, Kid Cudi

2011-03-07T10:47:00.001-05:00

New video to enjoy today for music Monday.

NYC - Mindrelic Timelapse

2011-01-25T16:35:00.002-05:00

NYC - Mindrelic Timelapse from Mindrelic on Vimeo.

Crisscross

2010-10-14T14:49:00.001-04:00

Crisscross
Originally uploaded by Nikolai West

Samsung Galaxy Tab 'It's Go Time' ad

2010-09-21T19:33:00.005-04:00

Wow, the more and more I see info for the Samsung Galaxy Tab, I want to get one! I start to drool like Homer Simpson when he sees a doughnut. Even though I've been thinking about getting an Apple iPad, the Galaxy Tab is sure hard to beat. Yet, I'm still not sure which one to get. I guess I will wait until the end of the year to see what happens, depending on if the prices of the iPad drops. Most likely other tablet devices will start to arrive just in time for the Holiday season. ;)

GOVT 490 - Writing Assignment #4

2010-08-04T22:26:00.008-04:00

Movie: Pickpocket

Should all theft be bad, especially when poverty is behind it? That is the question that Michel the main character asks his friend, Jacques. In the film Michel takes up the hobby of picking pockets as a manner to express himself. He first tries his luck at the racetrack where he gets caught, only to be released since having cash is not a crime. Also, by being caught Michel ponders the morality of crime. Michel’s mother is ill and he decides to provide her with money instead of visiting. Also, Michel tries to explain how society should turn a blind eye to certain kinds of theft. Despite his friend trying to help Michel find a job, he continues to steal.

While talking with the police inspector, Michel explains his theory on stealing about “supermen” who are above the law. These “supermen” are certain skilled men with gifts and talent who should be free to disobey laws. So Michel continues this adventure as a reason to live and find his place within society. The success made him continue due to more luck than skills. Michel explains to his friend about having no work, living on nothing but that didn’t matter to him. Michel later befriends a thief who shows him new tricks, whom taught him generously and free. After the death of his mother, he ponders how we will be judged? Michel says that being judged by laws is absurd. His friend, Jeanne responds back by saying that Michel believes in nothing.

The way Michel’s obsession continues where he didn’t even care showing the money openly in public with the other thief. Jacques did not like thieves considering them to be idlers. Michel draws his inspiration for stealing from the book Prince of pickpockets by Barrington. In the book the character becomes friends with rich people only to steal from them. Michel’s friend asks if stealing from friends was right. Michel lives away from the real world, shares no interest with anyone. He leaves his friend’s behind because of his object of affection was stealing a nice watch. As his compulsion continues he fears that his luck will run out.

The director of the film focuses on the different methods the thieves use to pickpocket. Also, the different ways money is used throughout the film, showing how money passes hands from one person to another for different reasons. There are also the different sounds the director uses to emphasis the urgency and sounds of the city. During another encounter with the police inspector, the inspector asks Michel if stealing from your Mom is not stealing. That maybe the Mom and the son were pooling their resources together. Yet, Michel knew that the police were suspicious of him because he lived with no income. Michel says how knowing a deed is bad doesn’t necessarily stop you from doing it. Because for him stealing was a way to get ahead, he felt frustrated and was getting nowhere. Even though his friend, Jeanne said there were other ways of doing so than stealing. Jeanne accepted her burden saying that is how it is, that everything has a reason.
At the end of the film, Michel did not know what he was doing. He decides to leave Paris and eventually ends up in England, when the other thieves are arrested. Michel returns to Paris penniless and drifting, until he discovered Jeanne has a child and wants to help. He tries to convince her that he wants to be honest.

Yet, he goes back to the racetrack once more to pickpocket only to get caught there again. For Michel just the idea of getting caught was unbearable. While being in prison, Michel realized the connection to the world he had lost. The film showed the strange path that Michel took for him to connect with Jeanne and how love can change his whole life. Also, the film shows the faith and redemption from the spiritual void the main character had dealt with throughout the story.

GOVT 490 - Writing Assignment #3

2010-08-03T23:16:00.012-04:00

The painting I chose is Tribute Money by Italian Renaissance painter Masaccio, painted around 1427, in the Brancacci chapel of the church of Santa Maria della Carmine Florence, Italy. The size of the painting stands 255cm tall and 598cm wide and emphasizes three-dimensional space and solid, realistic human forms. The building on the right side of the painting is a display of Masaccio’s zeal for mathematics and geometry. More light is shown on the right side of the painting and shadows in the background to the left. Masaccio used a concrete way to paint the different objects in the painting and the use of linear perspective, which focuses on Christ’s head. There is a continuous narrative linked by the three figures of St. Peter, Christ and the tax collector. The figures are lined up but most of the painting is arranged in a more circular manner.

The history of the object’s creation is that Masaccio painted it as private commission for the Brancacci family’s funerary Chapel in Florence. The story of the image is taken from the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 17:24) in the New Testament and the central part of the painting shows what happens when the tax collector asks Christ to pay his dues. The Roman tax collector (with no halo) is demanding money from Jesus and the twelve apostles who don’t have the money to pay. In the fresco, the story of Jesus, Peter, and the tax collector is told in three distinct moments within the same fresco: the center of the painting is part 1, the left, part 2, and the right, part 3. The center of the fresco is where my eyes get drawn to first shows that the temple tax is required of Jesus by the tax collector. The tax collector is addressing Peter in the painting, hand gesturing in the manner of asking. Jesus points toward the lake and instructs Peter how to get the money. Peter then retrieves the money from the mouth of the fish in the lake. One the right side, you see Peter deliver the four-drachma coin to pay the tax collector with the tribute money.

The concern about money in the painting is over the dispute about taxes. There is also the connection of Peter getting money from the fish as Florence’s wealth coming from the sea. Masaccio shows how the tax does not go to the church instead goes to the Roman Empire. Peter questions Jesus about why he had to pay Rome, Jesus responded saying that man is to pay what is due to the rightful owner even if the circumstances are contrary to the Bible. By Masaccio showing the different scenes shows the conflict over having to pay a tax. The argument is over possession and what belongs to whom, Jesus tells Peter that we must respect authority. The connection in Tribute Money to the Biblical story is meant to explain the legality of paying taxes.

Stone Sour - "Say You'll Haunt Me"

2010-07-27T11:24:00.000-04:00

Stone Sour - New Music - More Music Videos

Stone Sour's brand new video, "Say You'll Haunt Me" - Awesome song and video! Enjoy!

Writing Assignment #2

2010-07-21T16:42:00.004-04:00

For my interview about money I wanted to get the views of two different generations. Since both individuals would have a different experience and use for money. The first person was my grandmother who I was amazed did not know whose picture was on a twenty. Even though she uses cash more than a credit card. She told me she ‘believes’ in money because it’s what makes the world go around. Also that money is a type of bartering system. She also mentioned the ways that money is mentioned worldwide – that it is a universal commodity. She believes that the same currency will be used worldwide in the future, for example in Europe with the Euro. Since the world is becoming so small due to globalization, possibly that the United States currency would be used more worldwide. She could not imagine a time people might not believe in money since money has been around for so long in one way or another. Money is important for her money because it is valuable because it has value that society puts on it. You either have it or you don’t.

Asking her if she thinks the government was spending her money wisely she said no, that is why we are broke, the government spending money we don’t have, and that the U.S. government owes a lot. On asking her if money is important to her she said that you have to be frugal, that money is a round-robin cycle. Also, that you have to spend it on priorities in life that is. You have to save money, for it’s a goal. Also a type of layaway system by controlling your spending, money keeps people working. Money takes a priority in life depending on your lifestyle. Everybody wants money, but you have to work for it, that all depends on what you want out of life.

The second person I asked is a friend who has a degree in Economics. He knew that Jackson was on a twenty. He believes in money because we need a form of representation of value in order to trade goods. Because there were problems in the way people used to trade goods in the past, there were many economic problems such as the division problem when we were on the barter system. For instance the problem in dividing something for certain types of goods is why we need money. There is the whole argument about Fiat currency being false and having no value, that all relates to how people value it in their mind. As long as people believe that the currency has value then it does. The notion of intrinsic value, some believe that some things are inherently worth something. The other reason money is important is because of portability in dealing with the shipping of goods, for example in dealing with metals. Money facilities and speeds up the trade of goods and services across all kinds of different trades across space and time. Money is also a way of tracking, a universal unit of accounting. By making accounting universal can also make taxing possible by a government, in order to give people what they want. Also, a fiat currency is important in order to smooth transactions.

He did believe in a time in which people might not believe in money, because of their belief system, such as with the Native Americans. They did not believe in the concept of ownership, such as the ownership of land. Ownership is linked to money, for example having enough money to buy almost anything in the world. Except there are some cultures and their concepts were you should not buy or should buy certain things. People do not believe in money and only in physical things that had a use to them. People did not believe in money when there is a hyper inflation and people did not believe in the Fiat currency due to extreme devaluation. Money itself is not important to him but the value it represents and the value he can use it economically is. He also did not believe that the government was using our money wisely.

Writing Assignment #1

2010-07-21T16:40:00.002-04:00

Some of the elements involved in the mortgage crisis of the United States after 2007 help to explain the rise and fall of the housing market. One of the ways banks were saved from further failure was from TARP funds, which is a $700 billion troubled asset relief program, put into place by the United States government to rescue failing institutions. Also the funds were put into place in order to prevent a further sinking of the economy after the subprime mortgage crash. The fund used taxpayer money in order to rescue the banks, which came into place just as the U.S. economy was getting into trouble. TARP helped to bailout banks from their toxic assets which caused banks into bankruptcy. There was criticism on use of the TARP funds by both Democrats and Republicans, which argued on rescuing failing institutions. Now banks and credit card issuers have to repay the TARP funds used to boost their health.

An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) is a mortgage rate that can go up or down through the life of the mortgage. The index rate is set up by the United States government depending on the condition of the economy. There are some risks with ARM as they are not for everyone. What happened to a lot of people during the housing boom is that they did not understand the risks involved or were misinformed. Since an adjustable rate mortgage can have a considerable more risk and payments can increase dramatically each year. There are certain clauses in ARM contracts that make it difficult for an individual to refinance or sell a home. A lot of homebuyers were enticed by the low interest rates provided by lenders and yet were ending up owning more than they could afford.

The consequences of the mortgage crisis were due to subprime lenders taking a risk on borrowers. A subprime mortgage caused a major crisis due to major delinquencies and foreclosures in the United States. Lenders decided to give subprime mortgages to homeowners who were less responsible and had bad credit. The more risky loans give a higher rate of return than the safer loans. Banks will insure the safer loans from risk for a small fee what is known as a credit default swaps (CDS). The result of the consequences has affected banks and financial markets around the world.

The banks went crazy with leverage and the over abusing of cheap credit. Banks sought good deals into better deals in order for them to make more money. The investors on Wall Street were using mortgages as investments in order to make more profit. The money the investors received is from the homeowners paying their mortgages. The investors put the mortgages they had invested into three different groups from risky to safe known collectively as collateralized debt obligations (CDO). A lender sells the mortgage to investment banks that turn puts it into a CDO, then sells pieces of that to other investors. This in turn made everyone happy and making money yet passed the risks to the next person or company in return.

Credit default swaps caused a lack of regulation which became a concern to regulators during the crisis. A CDS is used to cover many risks such as include defaults, bankruptcies and credit rating downgrades. The defaults of homeowners not paying caused them to go into default. That caused more houses to be for sell making the supply more than the demand. The effect was everyone going into bankruptcy, which explains how everyone is affected and the U.S. mortgage crisis flows in a circle. This is similar to how money flows and circulates in circles as well. Yet, two important factors that caused the outcome were greed and fraud during the mortgage crisis.

Funny ad

2010-07-17T14:31:00.000-04:00

A funny ad that I came across today. Just in case you can't get enough wine with your ordinary household cups, now you can have a super jumbo size one for your need.

Mark Ronson & The Business Intl - Bang Bang Bang

2010-07-03T23:03:00.000-04:00

【Mario】paper stop motion

2010-06-12T22:52:00.004-04:00

【Mario】paper stop motion @ Yahoo! Video

I just came across this awesome paper stop motion video today. Any old-school fans of Super Mario Bros. will appreciate this one. Just hearing the music alone brings back memories of many hours playing that classic game.

A visitor

2010-06-09T10:28:00.013-04:00

Testing out my Canon SX20 camera since it was a beautiful day on Monday. I took this photo of a butterfly stopping by to visit on that day.

"Ghost Inside" by Broken Bells

2010-06-02T19:08:00.002-04:00

"Ghostbusters" Scene Reenacted at New York Public Library

2010-05-18T20:37:00.002-04:00

New videos

2010-04-17T23:01:00.002-04:00

New videos have been posted on my YouTube channel. I've finally gotten around to posting videos from my trip to Las Vegas. The videos are highlights from my experiences of visiting the unique sights and sounds of Las Vegas. Enjoy!

Phoenix - 1901

2010-03-23T21:54:00.002-04:00

Here's a song that I've had stuck in my head lately. I'm not sure why? Maybe, because the song reminds me of my time in Las Vegas. Or, because of the car ad that has this song in it. Anyway, watch the video and have the song stuck in your head as well. ;)

Winter 2010 photos

2010-02-22T10:42:00.003-05:00

Here are some photos from my winter snow collection. These are from the recent snow storm we had between Feb 6 through Feb 11, 2010. All these were taken using my Canon SD1200 Digital Elph camera. Photos were edited using Picassa 3.

Goodbye (Live from The Armistice Tour Japan)

2010-02-11T12:43:00.001-05:00

The Muppets: Beaker's Ballad

2010-02-09T19:17:00.001-05:00

Las Vegas New Year

2010-01-06T22:08:00.001-05:00

I'm still recovering from my trip to Las Vegas. Also, trying to get my life and everything organized again. Happy New Year to everyone!

Reaching the sky

2009-12-09T00:40:00.001-05:00

Reaching the sky
Originally uploaded by Nikolai West

A panoramic view of the skyscrapers of Manhatten, NYC. Taken while walking across the Brooklyn bridge.

This photo was edited and converted to black and white using GIMP 2.6.7.

Mute Math at Sixth & I

2009-11-22T11:00:00.009-05:00

This was from their show on November 11 at Sixth & I in Washington, D.C. The show was awesome! Despite the crappy weather and unusual venue, the show made it worth while.

Seasame Street turns 40

2009-11-13T02:41:00.009-05:00

Happy 40th birthday to Seasame Street!
I remember growing up and watching the show. Check out this hilarious video I just saw that brought back old memories. Radio...yip...yip.

Digital Wallpaper

2009-09-22T18:04:00.002-04:00

Hirzberger Events - Digital Wallpaper from Gregor Hofbauer on Vimeo.

MUTEMATH - THE NERVE (LIVE IN TOKYO)

2009-08-13T23:18:00.009-04:00

This is a new live video by the band Mute Math. I can't wait to see them live again on Nov 11 at Sixth & I in D.C. If you have not heard their new album Armistice that was just released, you can find it on iTunes or on Amazon. Also, check out their MySpace page to hear some of their music. I definitely recommend for anyone to check them out, they are an awesome live band!

Spirits Awaken II

2009-07-16T10:58:00.002-04:00

Spirits Awaken II
Originally uploaded by Nikolai West

This reminds me of spirits awakening from the darkness. Even though this was done by mistake, I still think it came out surprisingly well. This was taken inside of a limo in New York City, June 2009.

Awesome movie poster - Crank 2

2009-04-23T16:16:00.013-04:00

This is an awesome movie poster for Crank: High Voltage. You can check out more about it here.

Blue Morph resting

2009-04-13T22:32:00.006-04:00

Blue Morph resting
Originally uploaded by Nikolai West

A Blue Morph butterfly resting on a leaf. This was taken at a butterfly garden in Costa Rica. Image captured using a Canon S5 digital camera.

Where the Wild Things Are - Official Trailer [HD]

2009-03-29T23:33:00.008-04:00

I thought I would share this trailer I just saw recently. It's for the upcoming film "Where The Wild Things Are", directed by Spike Jonze. Which is being adapted from one of my favorite childhood books. I think anyone that grew up in the 1980's like me would appreciate this.

Final ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ Trailer

2009-03-05T10:40:00.011-05:00

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

I haven't posted anything in a while so I figured I would put up this trailer for the new Wolverine movie. Since, I used to be a big X-Men and Wolverine fan when I was younger. Hopefully the movie will be awesome, now you can see the trailer in High-Def!

Photographer Zena Holloway

2009-01-16T10:49:00.006-05:00

Check out these cool underwater photos by photographer Zena Holloway. I just discovered these amazing photos the other day and wanted to share them with you all. I'm always looking for work to inspire me in improving my photography skills. Enjoy!

For more pics click here: Zena Holloway

Shepard Fairey X George Orwell Series

2008-12-31T22:04:00.010-05:00

I've been a fan of artist Shepard Fairey since I've seen his Obey Giant stickers a while ago. Now, it seems his popularity has grown with his recent work for TIME magazine and book covers for the George Orwell series. Fairey is also mentioned in GQ magazine as one of their men of the year for 2008. So, I thought I would end the year by posting one of his latest work on here for your enjoyment. If you would like to see more then, click here: Highsnobiety.

Water lasers

2008-12-12T10:26:00.009-05:00

Water lasers
Originally uploaded by Nikolai West

This was taken at a water and laser show at the Reserve Park in Lima, Peru. Taken in August 2008 with a Canon Powershot SD1100 IS digital elph camera.

Photographer Chenman

2008-12-09T10:02:00.005-05:00

Here is an awesome photographer from China which I just discovered today.
Click here to see more.

World's Largest Pair of Jeans

2008-12-08T20:48:00.003-05:00

Wow! I was in Peru back in August this year. I didn't even know or hear anything about this while I was there. This is an amazing project that the people did there just to break a world record. It's funny that the cranes couldn't even lift the jeans all the way up because of the weight. Could you imagine a giant wearing those pair of dungarees?

Water Tunnel

2008-12-02T19:38:00.002-05:00

Water Tunnel
Originally uploaded by Nikolai West

Graffiti of Lima

2008-10-29T22:19:00.004-04:00

Lima Graffiti
Originally uploaded by Nikolai West

Here's a new photo that I posted on Flickr recently. This is from my trip to Lima, Peru back in August. This was taken with a Canon SD1100 IS digital elph camera. Lately I've been busy editing and posting new photos up on the Internet. Enjoy!

Nasca, Peru, Nasca Lines, National Geographic photo

2008-08-12T16:03:00.004-04:00

Nasca Lines, Nasca, Peru, 1964 Photograph by Bates Littlehales. An aerial view shows the famed Nasca Lines of southern Peru. These images, enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert some 2,000 years ago, are so large they can only be discerned from the sky. Some are more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) long. One of the places I would like to visit one day, as well as Cusco and Machu Picchu in Peru.

Violet Hill (Dancing Politicians)

2008-07-16T17:35:00.005-04:00

This is a pretty entertaining video even if you like or dislike Coldplay's music. This is a video for their new single "Violet Hill".
Enjoy the dancing politicians! =P

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU

2008-07-06T10:39:00.005-04:00

Check out this amazing moving art animation on a wall. This is a new short film by Blu. Made in Buenos Aires and in Baden (fantoche)
Check out more here:
http://www.blublu.org/
http://www.blublu.org/sito/video/muto.htm

Music by: Andrea Martignoni
Produced by: Mercurio Film
Assistant: Sibe

More videos at:
http://www.blublu.org/sito/video/video.htm

Washington Monument

2008-05-31T11:20:00.001-04:00

Washington Monument
Originally uploaded by Nikolai West

Image captured on Memorial Day, May 2008 in Washington, D.C. using a Canon S3 digital camera. Some minor adjustments were made using Photoshop. Otherwise, this is the way it came out with this unusual sky color. Almost as if a storm was approaching except it was a nice day. It makes the monument even more impressive with the darker contrast of the sky behind it.

Björk - Wanderlust (2D Version)

2008-05-01T11:13:00.003-04:00

Enjoy the fantastic Wanderlust video! This is the 2d version, the 3d version will be available in physical format later in April.
Wanderlust is Björk's next single. The video was done by Encyclopedia Pictura.
Enjoy!

PLANET B-BOY OFFICIAL TRAILER

2008-04-02T20:41:00.005-04:00

This documentary is an awesome look at break dancing from around the world. It makes me remember my old break dancing days back in the 80's. Well, not that I was that good anyway, yet you should check this out!

30 Seconds to Mars - A Beautiful Lie

2008-03-05T20:57:00.007-05:00

A beautifully shot video for the song "A Beautiful Lie" by 30 Seconds To Mars. This video was filmed entirely on location in Greenland. To find out more about this video and ways on saving the global warming crises, click here.

Happy Leap Day!

2008-02-29T23:42:00.002-05:00

STUSSY SF x GHOST x LOS

2008-01-21T23:06:00.004-05:00

Check out this video of graffiti artist Ghost painting a Stussy store in San Francisco. I like the way he paints characters using spray paint. This video was shot and edited by Los, I found it today while on Complex.com's blog. Despite people's misconceptions or defenses on the art form, it's still an awesome creation and form of expression.

"Us Placers" by Lupe, Kanye & Pharrell (CRS)

2007-12-27T22:41:00.005-05:00

Awesome video for the song "Us Placers" by CRS (Child Rebel Soldier), directed by va$htie. An interesting fact is that the video is not the official one for the song. The artists had nothing to do with this video, instead child versions of each artist were used. Also, the video was made on a zero budget using friends, borrowed clothes and props.

CRS is a super-group comprising of: Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West and Pharrell. The song includes Thom Yorke of Radiohead as well. Hopefully, this won't be last we will hear of CRS, as nothing further has emerged. This is one of the hottest tracks out there lately that I've heard. The song was voted #43 on Rolling Stone magazine's best songs of 2007.

Letter A animation by Blu

2007-12-02T10:57:00.001-05:00

This is an amazing yet weird wall-painted animation by Blu.
Made at the Jonathan Levine gallery (NY), November 2007.
Check more of this artist's work at:
http://www.blublu.org
http://www.blublu.org/blog

My admiration of graffiti art

2007-11-26T10:13:00.000-05:00

My admiration for the street art of graffiti came out of a natural curiosity. While transporting back and forth to my high school far from my house passing by over head bridges. I would see the graffiti and would be curious as to who did that and how did they do it? I started to get interested in learning more about the culture and art of graffiti. As well, learning how shapes, lines and colors formed into letters and signs. I remember checking out the magazines at Tower Records and looking at them with amazement. While on my trips to Miami and New York City when I was fifteen getting a first hand look at it. As I tried my self to emulate what I saw in the magazines and walls. Except, I was never that good at it just mostly admired for what I considered art while others considered vandalism. From there led me into my interest in graphic design, photography and other forms of art. On occasion, when I do find an interesting piece that amazes me I will photograph it. For example, here is a photograph I took at the D.C. graffiti hall of fame in July 2006. If you would like to see more please go check out my photography here.

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T18:29:00.001-04:00

BMW ad (South Africa). Defining innovation.

2007-10-22T17:24:00.001-04:00

Have you seen this commercial from BMW? It is on the "Kinetic Sculptures" artist Theo Jansen. It caught my attention today and I wanted to learn more. Since I have an interest in technology and innovation. This commercial shows how these moving sculptures work just from the wind. To learn more about it check out this article from Wired here. Learn how he plans to have these "wind creatures" surviving on their own on the beach. Almost like a modern day Da Vinci project.

Timbaland - Apologize (feat. One Republic)

2007-10-10T20:07:00.001-04:00

This remixed song by Timbaland is actually from a band called One Republic. I like the song and thought this video interpretation was cool, even though it is not the official video. I've read on another web site that this video was made for only $2000.

Kanye West - Stronger x Daft Punk

2007-10-01T20:27:00.006-04:00

Check out this cool Akira inspired video. Definitely has a lot of Japanese pop culture influences in it. Check out my favorite videos under 'my links' or click here for more. Even though you might have your opinions on Kanye West or his music. You cannot deny the fact that this is one of the hottest songs out there. He's just bringing his own unique style to the world to enjoy no matter the size of his ego. Kanye even has is own blog you can check out here. Just like a lot of artists are doing nowadays as a another avenue to reach their fans.

Shadow man

2007-09-26T14:43:00.000-04:00

As promised earlier folks, here is a photo that I took while in Oregon. This was taken in the backyard of my grandparent's house. An interesting reflection of myself on the ground. With the framing of the tree's shadows surrounding me. This photo reminds me of a famous self-portrait of Ansel Adams, which you can view here. You can see another version of my self-portrait under the links labeled 'my photos' or click here.

Are robots going to change digital photography? If you don't know what I mean, then check out this article. Forget about megapixles, check out these awesome gigapixel panoramas from around the globe. This is a collaborative effort of the Global Connection Project, which is a joint project of Carnegie Mellon University, NASA, Google, and National Geographic. Which gives me some photography ideas I would like to explore with in the future. With this technology being produced gives us worldwide possibilities to explore and bring global awareness to everyone.

Human Tetris TV show

2007-09-21T12:03:00.001-04:00

If you have never seen a human version of a Tetris game, check this out! This is a hilarious idea and I wish we had something like this in the U.S. You can view more of these videos under 'my videos' or click here for my favorites. Also, I've been a bit lazy on posting anything lately. So I've decided to post this video for your amusement.

A visitor?

2007-09-10T23:20:00.001-04:00

This photo was selected as the photo of the day on a blog for Reston, VA. I was quite surprised today to find this discovery and appreciation for this photograph. My photo titled "A Visitor?" can be found on the blog Reston Citizen (http://restoncitizen.com) for Sept. 7, 2007. This was some good news to keep me inspired on taking more photos. Despite not being a professional and still developing my skills. A big thanks goes out to Joshua Davis for posting my photo.

Pond swirl

2007-09-01T13:56:00.001-04:00

A shot of the reflection from a pond filled with koi fish. It gave it an interesting swirl effect from this direction. It also kind of reminds me of a Monet painting, with an abstract feel to it. Taken in Glide, Oregon in August 2007 using a Canon S3 IS digital camera.

ASCII Art

2007-08-28T17:20:00.003-04:00

This art is done by an artist who suffered from spastic cerebral palsy & by using characters “@ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _”. I can’t figure how he could manage to do it. But it’s awesome! I had the fortunate experience of meeting Paul Smith, the typewriter artist while in Oregon. This happened years ago while I was visiting my great grandfather. While visiting I had remembered from this show called Incredible Sunday, an old show if anyone remembers? It just so happened to be that Paul Smith was living at the same place as my great grandfather. So, I got to meet Paul Smith and see his works of art in person, I even bought one from him. I just remembered this from finding this story on the Digg website yesterday.

read more | digg story

Back home

2007-08-25T10:45:00.000-04:00

Spent a short time relaxing back in my home state (of Oregon), now I'm back home. Even though the weather was a bit unreliable, I did mention to take a few photos. Some of which will be posted here shortly, after I get done editing and choosing the better ones. Some of the highlights of the trip were: getting the first chance to play a Nintendo Wii, hiking on the Wolf Creek Falls, and visiting old friends. As well as spending time with my grandparents, whom I don't get to see as often as liked. The funny thing they told me was that they saw the Simpsons movie. Which I thought was not expected at all of them but was pretty cool. Of course they would have checked it out because it was good and you can't go wrong with that.

Melting cars

2007-08-16T22:01:00.002-04:00

Yesterday as I went to the National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. I was intrigued by a unique spiral statue that greets you upon your arrival. Check it out here for a better explanation. So, inclined to get some interesting photography from this object; I began to explore different areas around it. When I got this image of the cars in the parking lot being reflected in the spiral object. It looks as if the cars are melting in the hot summer sun. Did you read about a wealthy Russian man trying to buy a B-52 bomber? If not, then you can check out the story, click here.

Something new

2007-08-12T17:10:00.001-04:00

Today I've been thinking of doing some new things in my life. Maybe I'm just bored of going to concerts, movies or stores. Yet, I need to find a job quickly to provide me with those means. Hopefully something new will come up soon. One of the things I've been contemplating is to travel to an exotic land. I don't mean to have one of those Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom type of experiences. Just something more exciting than where I've been before. For now I will just try some new foods or restaurants and see what I like. Also, I would like to experience a traditional Thai massage. That's definitely something I could go for right now. Anyway, I will keep you posted on any new discoveries that I have experienced.

Art beyond gallaries

2007-08-05T19:36:00.000-04:00

Today I discovered this talented artist named Phil Hansen and his unusual and creative way of making art. Using his own contemporary approach of "pointillism" and presenting them on the Internet. He uses different objects such as cups, pine cones and even himself and turns them into awesome pieces of art. For example, the (Bruce Lee) picture you see was done by karate chopping the side of his hand with paint. To watch a video of how it was done, click here. To see more of Phil Hansen's art, you can check out his official site at: http://philinthecircle.com. Also, be sure to check out his "Goodbye Art" monthly projects blog here. Where Phil Hansen creates a piece that eventually becomes non-existent after sometime.

Space ripples

2007-08-03T23:21:00.000-04:00

Here is a random photo I decided to post today of Lake Newport in Reston, VA. This was taken one bright, sunny afternoon in July 2007 while walking around trying to get inspired. With the sun shining on the dark water gives it an almost cosmic appeal to this shot. Since I haven't been taking too many photographs lately this is one of my newest additions, up here for your viewing pleasure. Another time I decide to get out and take some more photos I will post some of them up here. You can also view more of my photos in my Flickr gallery here.

Mute Math: Chaos Live on Craig Furgeson show

2007-08-01T13:12:00.001-04:00

Check out this live performance of the band Mute Math. No, Mute Math is not some kind of puzzle game. They are an elctro-rock outfit from New Orleans. Their music is amazing and I hope to catch them live one day. Until then, I wanted to share this with everyone. This is a video for their song "Chaos" taped from the Craig Furgeson show.

The Simpsons Movie

2007-07-28T17:11:00.000-04:00

Woo Hoo! I got the chance to see The Simpsons movie yesterday and it rocked! Actually, it was better than I thought it was going to be, to be honest. I went in the late afternoon to avoid the late night crowds on opening day. Well worth the outrageous fee since it cheered me up a bit yesterday. Anyway, if you haven't seen it you should since it is one of the best movies so far this year. Maybe I'm just biased since I've been a fan of the show since its inception. Yet, the show is one of the longest running sitcoms in television history. Click here to learn more about the factors of the shows endurance.

Blog reloaded

2007-07-27T22:49:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my renewed and improved blog! Enter the matrix people, follow the white rabbit, just kidding. I had been thinking for a while to start this I just never got around to it until now. Or more like I was too busy wasting time on other things, oh well...here it is folks, enjoy! There was just a lot of other things I had to get organized in my life first. First off, was getting my computer upgraded to increase my productivity. I had too many MP3's, photos, documents, etc. taking up space, so I needed a new hard drive badly. In addition, I had to get my car fixed (dying battery), my Ibanez electric guitar fixed (finally) and so on. So, what will this blog comprise of? It will consist of my random thoughts and stories to help keep you entertained. Or at least I will try to, that's all I can promise you.