I know I’ve covered this ground before, but the New York Times’ series of audio/photo essays about various NYC citizens, One In 8 Million, is infinitely fascinating whether the subject is mundane or extraordinary.
Today’s entry is about a wine taster, blinded by diabetes in the mid-90’s, who continues her wine-selection work despite her loss of sight.
When you really want something and it doesn’t materialize, disappointment comes easily. I experienced that, not for the first time, this morning. To be honest, I’m a little more bummed about it than I thought I’d be, and I’m trying to rest in the knowledge that what happens isn’t a surprise to God, but mostly I’m just feeling gloomy to the point where I’m distracted at work.
I think all of that will wear off by the end of the day, because the alternatives to what I really wanted are both very good things, each with their own distinct advantages. I could just use a little Novocaine for the ego right now, preferably in the form of no more rain, time for photography, and a visit to Penny Lane pub with friends. Maybe at least some of that will be in the cards this weekend 
You’d think it would be difficult to make a story intriguing when the outcome is a certainty. You’d think that way until you watched All the President’s Men. The visuals were decent (though not groundbreaking), but the pacing, acting, and writing easily kept me riveted through nearly 2.5 hours.
4/5
This weekend was a quiet one for me on the internet because I was camping at the White Rocks campground near Pembroke, VA.
Per’aps you’d care to see some snaps:
This does NOT look promising:
Why is it that a movie partially concerning one of the most important figures in America’s food landscape is coming from the same abysmal writer who struck out with a trifecta of crap in her last three movies (Bewitched, Hanging Up, and You’ve Got Mail)?
(via kottke)
Just don’t call it a retreat
This past weekend I had the pleasure of joining fifteen other gentlemen out in King and Queen county for what I believe was the first Men’s Weekend for City Church of Richmond. We all chilled out on the grounds of an 18th century home while enjoying the likes of a bonfire, impromptu music, and the fresh air so alien to us city-dwellers. I played the part of a Pork Roll salesman, an ATV was stuck hub-deep in some mud, and, of course, there was some mighty fellowship time.
Oh yeah, and I took some pictures:
After surviving several storms during its 10-month voyage, the junk broke in two and sank after it was rammed by a freighter just off Taiwan’s coast.
I disagree, though, with the captain’s proclamation of failure. I consider Taiwan easily close enough to maintain the plausibility of the historical claim, and it’s not as if the ship sank because of its design. I doubt many contemporary vessels would survive that kind of collision.
You can find more information about the ship’s construction and history on the project’s website. The English is a little spotty but clear enough, and the details are fascinating.
Valerie and I went on a little date night last night and, at her request, watched earth at the movie theater. This G-rated US release of the 2007 BBC documentary was geared toward children, but I’d wager 75% of those in attendance were adults.
I fell asleep about two-thirds in.
It’s not that I hate nature or children’s films, but if you’re familiar with the brilliant Planet Earth series, you’ll experience deja vu. That’s because much of the footage in the feature is re-cut from the television program. It’s gorgeous footage, of course, but I’ve seen most of it before. My guess is that that show is probably a bit too gritty for little kids, so a sanitized, 90-minute version was produced for the big screen. Wrap it all up in some soothing narration from James Earl Jones (or Patrick Stewart in the UK) and you’re all set…if you’re a child. For me, well, I’m only glad I wasn’t snoring when I dozed off in the theater.
2/5
Oh yeah, side note – I wonder whether James Earl Jones could’ve gotten away with narrating a kid’s movie after the Star Wars movies. I could just picture some little tykes freaking out in their seats as soon as Darth Vader starts talking about cute, fuzzy animals.
I eagerly await new concepts and processes. I believe that the electronic image will be the next major advance. Such systems will have their own inherent and inescapable structural characteristics, and the artist and functional practitioner will again strive to comprehend and control them.
Ansel Adams in his 1981 introduction to The Negative
I started reading The Negative recently and this excerpt has really stuck with me. I’d like to think that were Adams alive today he’d be happy to play with the latest methods of photography that technology has to offer. I’m encouraged that somebody so influential to the art and craft of photography seemed unafraid of the ever-changing face of his medium.
Feast your ears on this tasty new Deepspace5 track, and your eyes on this cool video:
“Raps” from the Stuff on Vimeo.
(via Patrick, who really oughtta put this on tasty hip hip treats)