More Evidence (Palin's dumb too!)

From Wikipedia:

In 1982, Palin enrolled at Hawaii Pacific College but left after her first semester. From there she transferred to North Idaho College, where she spent two semesters as a general studies major. From the community college she then transferred to the much larger University of Idaho for two semesters.^[11][12] During this time Palin won the Miss Wasilla Pageant beauty contest,^[13][14]then finished third (second runner-up) in the Miss Alaska pageant,^[15][16] at which she won a college scholarship and the "Miss Congeniality" award.^[17] She then left the University of Idaho and attended Matanuska-Susitna College in Alaska for one term. The next year she returned to the University of Idaho where she spent three semesters completing her Bachelor of Science degree in communications-journalism, graduating in 1987.^[11][12]

From what I can read here, that's 5 institution changes, in 6 years, for a 4 year communications degree? Woah. Also you can read her first set of un-prompted/rehersed questions here. 

Michael Pollan Quote (back to Omnivore)

"After I stepped back outside into the fresh air, grateful to escape the humidity and ammonia, I waited by the chicken door to see if any of the birds would exercise that option and stroll down the little ramp to their grassy yard, which had been mowed recently. And waited. I finally had to conclude that Rosie the organic free-range chicken doesn't really grok the whole free-range conceit. The space that has been provided to her for that purpose is, I realized, not unlike the typical American front lawn it resembles- it's a kind of ritual space, intended not so much for the use of the local residents as a symbolic offering to the larger community. Seldom if ever stepped upon, the chicken-house lawn is scrupulously maintained nevertheless, to honor an ideal nobody wants to admit has by now become something of a joke, an empty pastoral conceit. "

More than a little disconcerting, but not unexpected. Sigh...

The Evidence is Stacking Up

In favor of the idea that Palin is a religious fanatical nut. Read Me!

I really think this lady believes that the Earth was formed 6000 years ago by a big guy in the sky with a beard and that humanity started with two people screwing in a garden with a talking snake...seriously...are you conservatives out there going to vote for some like this to be a heartbeat away from the Oval Office? 

Playing With The Map

The NYTimes rules during elections because they always hook the public up with this nationwide calculator. Have fun guys. 

Here is how I think Obama might win, One, Two, or Three

and 

Here is how I think McCain will probably win, One, Two, or Three. 

And to be decided by the House: One, or Two.

Forget Two and Three- One I see it coming down to Ohio (damn those Buckeyes!) again...so it all depends on if they rig the machines like last time. 

A glimmer of good news comes from the NYTimes election center- good luck buddy, only a month to go. 

Flower Walk to the Park

Potential Tilt-Shift lens on the cheap

This might be a nice $200-$300 toy. 

Generation Why?

I've read a few articles about our generation today, and I thought I'd share them with you. 

This is an LA Times articles saying that we are a bunch of over-loved esteem over-filled souls who are losing it due to an undeserved buildup of self-confidence. I don't know that I 100% believe it, but would rather use this as an excellent example of what happens when baby-boomers write about today's "youth".

This is a New York Times article about a 30-somthing who goes to a 20-something wedding, to find a sweet and rather loveable generation, which serves more as a mirror pool rather than a source of self-entitlement. 

Finally, this is a Boing Boing post about the culture war. It isn't exactly about Generation Why? but it is about being happy as a mutant. 

In closing I'd like to say that it isn't our fault that we're calling the milk spoiled. We didn't spoil it, or try to sell it, they did- on both counts. Now, we as a generation are starting to look up and wonder, what happened to that dream they sold us? Personally, I don't find it all that suprising that people are starting to throw their hands up in the air and bitch that the baby-boomers are drinking the proverbial milkshake- from 30 years away. 

Burningman 2008 - The End (Wrap Up)

A high school friend asked me what the whole Burningman thing was about, and I replied, off the cuff-

"Burningman is hard to describe without a bunch of people who have been telling you about their experiences. Basically it is a hippy pagan festival of life that ends in the burning of an effigy called The Man. It is amazing, incredible, and life changing. I recommend that anyone who can go, does, before it is something that people ask you, "Did you go to Burningman" when you are 40."

I am happy to say that I have been to Burningman, and I plan to return. I have gotten much from Burningman, and I find that each time, it sorta sticks with you, like a residue, that permeates your soul and infests your mind. I'm a bit goofier, ready to laugh, joke around, and carefree. There is something to be appreciated to the cultural movements that occur within our society- if nothing else they give people hope for the future. 

Burningman 2008 - The Man's Fall

So this needs to be a little *.gif and it would be sweet. Would anyone with Quicktime Pro like to compile this for me? Also, Bri has a sweet set of pictures that need to be compiled of him and I doing a nice little stop action groove. 

Burningman 2008 - Save the Man!

Cosmic Variance - This Election

Please go and read this article over at the blog Cosmic Variance. 

Pretty much sums up why I am afraid of Sarah Palin. 

Here's a sample of a letter from a crazy conservative Christian:

"At the end, Democratic sympathizer Pastor Joel Hunter gave the benediction and shockingly invited everyone to close the prayer to their own (false) gods. This was surely an abomination, but it was compatible with Obama’s expressed theology, and Hunter’s leftist leanings.

God was not pleased.

And God says, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19).

Enter Governor Sarah Palin. With incredible timing, the very next day, Sarah Palin also appeared out of nowhere. Her shocking selection as John McCain’s running mate stunned the world and suddenly took all the wind out of Obama’s sails.

We quickly learned that Sarah is a born-again, Spirit-filled Christian, attends church, and has been a ministry worker.

Sarah is that standard God has raised up to stop the flood. She has the anointing. You can tell by how the dogs are already viciously attacking her. But they will not be successful. She knows the One she serves and will not be intimidated."

Burningman 2008 - Pre-Burn

Burningman 2008 - The Ultimate Handshake

Slowly make a fist......................................

Jesse on the KQED Radio

Holy crap, I was on the radio. Michael Krasny has a radio show on KQED called Forum, and today they were talking about how the budget impass in CA has ended (though not really if you ask me). I called in to say I had an idea of how to fix this, basically dock the legislature their pay for every day over the deadline. Anyway, if you want to hear it, here is the link. UPDATE: Liz said I'm somewhere between 30-40mins. 

Burningman 2008 - The Sunset to End All

Burningman 2008 - The End of All Sunsets- Prequel

The 50mm Lens

I've been seriously thinking about getting a single zoom 50mm 1.4/F lens. It would be really fast and good for low light- people hanging out, night on the town, seeing bands, fire spinning, fun times pictures. Also, I'd probably get some mad crispiness out of a lens w/ a single zoom because they tend to have less optical elements and less weird funkiness that happens at the extremes of the tele-zoom ranges. Now the problem comes to which one to choose, there are three: Cheapest Canon 1.8/F $80, Medium Canon 1.4/F $350, and Expensive Carl Zeiss 1.4/F $660.  You should only need to buy glass once, but damn half of a paycheck...? Thoughts, opinions- and where is Dave? 

Drill Here Drill Now!

Big Picture Rocks; why shouldn't we do the off shore drilling thing? I mean, hey, why not? Nothing is going to happen, honest guys. These oil guys, keep telling me that nothing will happen, and the $1,000,000 check made out to my McCampain really makes me want to believe them, I mean common guys, why not? 

Burningman 2008 - End of the Bike Tour

Yay! My 400th post ever!

Burningman 2008 - Color on Black and White

Here is a color on black and white set.  Please try to let me know which of these are your four favorites. I plan to print them and frame them. I know some of these are repeats, but I've enjoyed them so much that I wanted to make one post just for the color on bw. 

UPDATE: I had to go with all landscapes because of the frames available. So I made that blurry wings picture into a color on bw and it turned out pretty nice. The framed images look cool, went with the shark, the mantis, the bummer, and the lady in the wings. I'm going to frame the guy with the umbrella seperate cause I like him so much. 

Burningman 2008 - Tour Du Coming en de Above'

Tenessee Beach - Two Fluffs Go to the Beach