Car Emergency Tool: BodyGard 5-in-1 - Swiss+Tech

Car Emergency Tool: BodyGard 5-in-1 - Swiss+Tech

FastTrack_To_WirelessSpeedlights.pdf (application/pdf Object)

FastTrack_To_WirelessSpeedlights.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Say cheese! Shark wins photography award

Give us a smile: The lemon shark gives a grin and picks up a Best Photography award for photographer Bruce Yates.Showing a close-up of a lemon shark's face on the surface at sunset, it was recently selected from more than 20,000 photos as winner of the Oceans division of the international Nature's Best Photography 2008 Windland Smith Rice Awards.(Photo Source: chinanews.com.cn)
Photo Gallery>>>

Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Katie gave me tickets to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers game vs. the Hartford Wolfpack.
Bridgeport pulled off the victory 3-1. The game was delayed in the 3rd period when one of the protective glass "walls" was shattered during play. First time I've seen that....

my brother Chris makes Wood Fired Pizza

Chris' Wood Fired Pizza Home

Transfer a subject into a new Background (Video) at Cameratown.com

Transfer a subject into a new Background (Video) at Cameratown.com

photography tricks and tips

December 20, 2008 -- David Pogue, writer for the NY Times, has written an article titled "Pogue's Photography Tips and Tricks." In this article he provides what he considers to be the top 5 "Best Photography Tricks of All Time ." I'm not sure if this would be my top 5 list, but his article did inspire me to think about it so I decided to write my own page of photography tips. I tried to stop at 5, then 10, and ultimately I forced myself to stop at 15 tips. These tips are mostly for users with point & shoot camera's.

My Top 15 Tips to Better Photography

1. Shoot with the sun BEHIND your subject and use the camera's flash to light your subject. This provides light around the hair and since the sun isn't shining in your subject's eyes, they won't have to squint. If you're forced to face your subjects into the sun, try having them look away, but turn their head to you on the count of three. You'll not only get eyes open, but you'll most likely capture a real smile since they'll find it funny to do what you asked.
   
   
2. Use the SCENE mode that best matches what you're shooting. SCENE modes adjust the settings on the camera to properly capture a particle type of scene. For example, when select the SPORTS or ACTION scene mode the camera will automatically increase the shutter speed in order to help 'freeze' motion, or if you select a NIGHT SCENE mode the camera will automatically slow the shutter speed down while the flash will be used to 'freeze' the foreground subjects. The slower shutter speed will help to retain background brightness that would normally go dark when you use a flash at night.
   
   
3. Turn OFF the 'digital zoom' capability of your camera. Unlike optical zoom, a digital zoom doesn't really get you closer to the scene, it just takes a smaller inset portion of the captured image and blows it up to match the resolution of the camera's image sensor. This results in much lower quality results. If you find that you really needed that extra zoom you could always "crop and zoom" later on using the photo editing software that came with the camera.
   
   
4. Say goodbye to shutter lag by half-press the shutter button. Yes, David Pogue also listed this in his top 5, and it's a great tip. When you press the shutter button of your camera down half way, the camera locks in focus and exposure. When you're ready to actually take the picture, there wont' be a delay since the focus and exposure settings are already done. There's nothing left for the camera to do except take the picture.
   
   
5. Rotate the camera to match the scene. When shooting a subject or scene that is taller than it is wide, shoot the scene with the camera in portrait position (vertically). Use the landscape (horizontal) position when shooting a scene that is wider than it is taller. It makes sense, but you'd be surprised by how many people only take 'normal' horizontal pictures.
   
   
6. Turn OFF the flash on your camera when at a sporting event. First, the range of your camera's flash is probably only 10 or 15 feet (at best) so it will never reach the players on the field. Second, if people are in front of you, all the flash will do is to overexpose the people in front of you, while everything else will be dark. Third, and most important, if the camera is told that the scene will be shot using the flash, it will set a smaller aperture and faster shutter speed to compensate. So now, whatever is dark will become even darker since the flash isn't going to reach. By turning the flash OFF, you're telling the camera to meter based on the actual lighting conditions, which in low light will force it to use a slower shutter speed and wider aperture. Just be prepared to keep the camera STEADY.
   
   
7. Keep the camera steady. Yes, your camera probably has image stabilization (hopefully optical stabilization), but that is still no substitute for a tripod or monopod when the light gets low. If you really want a convenient 'DIY' stabilizer without spending more than a dollar - check out this video .
   
   
8. Count to three - Shoot on two. Some people just can't seem to hold their eyes open for 3 seconds. Maybe it's the pressure of the count. I don't know, but I do know that if you count to three, but shoot on two, you'll have far fewer 'do overs.' If using tip #1 (have them look away until the count of three), then don't obviously shoot on two.
   
   
9. Replace the flash with a tripod when shooting indoors. There are two ways to add light to a scene, one would be to actually 'add' light, the other would be to set the camera so that it uses more of the natural light. When you use a flash to add light to a scene, the picture never looks the way it did to you. However, if you turn off the flash the camera will actually capture the scene the way you remembered it. The only caveat is that you need to place the camera down on something steady (table, tripod, books, etc.) since the camera will use a slower shutter speed in order to create a longer exposure.
   
   
10. Diffuse the harsh on-camera flash by covering it with (fresh) tissue or toilet paper. Just tear off a small piece and either hold it in front of the flash, fold it over, or use a rubber band or small piece of tape. By doing this you're helping to diffuse and spread the light, which in turns helps to create softer shadows and eliminate red-eye. Your subjects will thank you.
    
    
11. Stand back and zoom, rather than getting closer. Using a telephoto lens to capture portraits is the way most professionals do it. A zoom lens has the effect of compressing objects in a scene to make them appear closer to each other than they really are, but this also helps with facial features as well. This 'compression' helps to create a more pleasing portrait. Using the zoom when shooting portraits also helps to blur and soften the background - another reason why professionals shoot this way.
    
    
12. Break the rules. Try using the wrong settings on your camera to see how it effects your shots. Shoot with the wrong white balance setting, try a scene mode that doesn't match what it is you're shooting. Just remember to set things right once you've experimented. You'll find that some of the best shots you'll take often happen by accident. Try to learn your camera enough to know how to purposely recreate these 'accidents.'
    
    
13. Think different! Nike uses this slogan and it is so true. If you want your photos to stand out - you'll need to do something different. Try laying on the ground and shooting up - or standing on a chair and shooting down. Get up when everyone else is sleeping to capture the amazing light at sunset - also a great time for portraits.
    
    
14. Overexpose when shooting in snow. Since winter is upon us and 10" of snow just fell last night with another 10" possible tomorrow, I thought I'd share how to shoot in snow. A camera tries to meter for 18% gray. Since snow is so bright the camera will underexpose the scene, making everything look gray and dull. Use the exposure compensation feature of your camera (if it has one, most do) to overexpose the scene by one or two steps and you're snow pictures will look white and bright. Be careful not to overexposure too much as you'll start to lose detail in the snow.
    
    
15. Not sure what to do? Go green. Most camera's have a 'green' or automatic mode that makes all the decisions for you. While automatic mode can often be fooled, you'll find this to be a 'safe' setting, especially when you're not sure how to set the camera.

made some hedgehogs for gifts

a year in the life....

Photography site Photojojo has a tried and tested ultimate guide to time-lapse photograph

Photojojo's Time Lapse Video of Bryant Park from Photojojo on Vimeo.

MARTHA CLARKE'S GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS

MARTHA CLARKE'S GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS

new bed

I took the week off from work and generally I'm relaxing. I've had a deliverable or two for the home front. One was completed this morning.

Say goodbye to the bohemian-bed-on-the-floor and welcome to 12 inches of natural latex mattress (on a box and frame) off the floor. Barb really wanted the bed higher. For both of us, that first push in the morning to rise from the bed was more than needed. It was a challenge in today's bedding market to not need a step ladder to get onto a mattress to sleep. Many with pillow tops are 14 inches thick. Foundations can run 8 inches and frames another 8 inches. That can put the sitting height at 30-32 inches off the floor. That's about the height of a desk top or table.

The final decision was for a Stearns and Foster, Natural resort - Garden Grove Plush mattress, on a low profile foundation, and again on a low profile frame. So the sitting height of the mattress is about 22 inches from the floor. (we were at about 15 inches with the old mattress-box on the floor).



Latex has been around for many years and it seems to be making a comeback. Tonight we'll find out if the 15 minute try (lay) out was accurate. I hope I like it.......more tomorrow.

more catching up...Thursday November 13th, 2008

Barb calls me from the hospital...Katie's been in an accident. A friend of her was driving. Greg Kahn lost control of his mother's car and landed in a tree. Thank God, no serious injuries...just bumps and bruises...but the car is probably a total loss. Katie also lost her phone during the accident. It was finally recovered from the car late Friday.

2008 PEC

A little catching up is required.

So the week of November 3rd I was in Germany for the Purchasing Executive Committee which was held at Wellnesshotel BollAnt's im Park in Bad Sobernheim, Germany. seems to be a very popular place for weekends.

Crabby outside my room

Hiro (from Japan) on a walk through the open air museum before dinner. This was just after the Museum Director ask us to put out all but 4 torches. That would be about 12 torches to put out. I guess he was concerned we could burn down his old buildings. I really don't blame him :-)


Theis Bosse after our walk and waiting for wine and dinner......and crabby of course.

a little wisdom from the past

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative
and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them, what they could and
should do for themselves.

--Abraham Lincoln

O'Brien School of the Maasai

O'Brien School of the Maasai

puppy arrives

this letter was received with the puppy:

Hi, my name is Lily Langtree. Yes I was named after the famous burlesque dancer who was Judge Roy Beans sweetheart. I also have red hair and chubby legs. I must say that I am a very beautiful girl. I have a red head, bluetick body and redtick legs. I am 2 or 3 years old.

I had a really rough start in life. I was in a puppy mill in Georgia and then I was taken to a dog pound. I was scheduled to be euthanized the following day but a very kind lady from a rescue group saved me. She brought me to Pennsylvania along with many other purebred dogs. I was very sick. I had pneumonia, kennel cough and my throat had been cut which was badly infected. Once again I was scheduled to be euthanized. The nurse at the local vet's office called my new mom at work and told her I was here. She immediately left work and came for me, it was love at first site.

When I arrived at my new home there were other kids like me, but I had to have a bath and see a doctor before I could play with them. After my bath I went to the doctor and got a shot and was given medicine for my respiratory infection. My new mom gave be antibiotics and kept my neck clean. After 3 days I was able to play with the other hounds. My neck healed up nicely. When I went back to the vet they said I had a clean bill of health.

Mom though I may be pregnant and asked the vet to check. The doctor couldn't feel anything; I fooled then because I was past the stage of being able to feel my babies. Within the next 2 weeks my belly kept getting larger and larger. My mom was getting a little nervous so she took me back to the vet. They x-rayed me and sure enough I had 12 babies in there. My new mom almost fainted because I have 4 other friends living at her house. She called the rescue group to find out who I was kenneled with. They told her it was with a large tri-color male basset.

August 1st rolled around and mom was nervous about the delivery so she called the doctor. They hold her to bring me in around 11AM. She came home from work to get me but I was under the couch bed and I wouldn't come out, not even for cookies. I started having my babies in the living room around 1:20 the same day. At 5:20 on August 2nd I had finished. I have 12 beautiful babies, 7 girls and 5 boys.

This brings us up to the current day. I hope you love and take care of one of my babies and give them a better start than what I had. (end of letter)

So on October 2, 2008 I was examined at the Clarion Animal Hospital (in PA) and certified as one of Lily's pups, sex - Male, Species - K9, Breed - Basset Hound, Age - 9 weeks, Color - Tri, Owner - Betty Kaufman, I was Baby "D" and I was 11.3 lbs.

Steve Joseph brought me to the Schnuck house on Thursday, October 16th.



 
 
 

schnuckypuss: oreo truffles

schnuckypuss: oreo truffles

these things are great!

birthday party for Dawn

BagGames -- About Us

BagGames -- About Us

Paul Newman dies

30 Unforgettable Roles from Paul Newman

more

Yahoo! Start Wearing Purple

Yahoo! Start Wearing Purple

Southbury Training School Car show

submariner look a like from timex

there is more info on the timex site


















so I bought one. It's smaller (than the real thing across all dimensions) and the bracelet isn't as nice as the real one (put it on a velcro strap anyway). But it's accurate, comfortable to wear and it has INDIGLO. That helps these old eyes. I've used the Diver bezel twice this week to time food on the grill. This I love.

So for less than $40 USD, I think a good beater. I may still lust for other, more expense watches like maybe an Omega SM 2254 or 5513 Rolex on NATO.....whatever. This works and I'd never spend real money on those kind of watches anyway, at least not today ;-)

Thursday night

Danbury teenager killed in crash - NewsTimes.com This occurred across the street from house early Friday morning. It has been sad watching so many people stopping, mourning and leaving items at the crash site.

too funny

Hanna floods basement

Tropical storm Hanna arrived last night and quickly dumped 5 inches of rain on Danbury. It was more than the gutters and drainage could handle, resulting in 4-5 inches of water in the basement. Barb and I bailed for a couple of hours after opening up some drains and gutters to run off the water. Not too much damage done. Special thanks the Van (our cat) for alerting us to the situation (his litter pan is in the basement)

porfolio bag

I have to thank Kim at Quest Outfitters for her help with the zipper. Great service, a real pleasure

Katie's new car

2005 VW Jetta GLS...even has heated seats

maybe I'll try one

Picked this up on ebay last night. I think it is older model or version and would use this manual

Leisure and Business Travel Packing List - Travel Light with One Bag!

Leisure and Business Travel Packing List - Travel Light with One Bag!

summer's end - 2008 Newtown Labor Day parade

Practical Travel Gear

Practical Travel Gear

Katie at St Joseph's College

 
 
 

Dropped Katie off today at St. Joes. Katie's good friend Mary drove them up while Barb and I were put in charge of the Jeep filled with her stuff.

so that was Sunday....on Tuesday katie came home and enrolled at WCSU. She starts classes on Tuesday.

Bridgewater fair

a meal in Philadelphia

I didn't want to forget this dish I had while on a business trip this week.....

Maggiano’s Little Italy specializes in creating authentic Italian-American dishes served in generous portions that are meant to be shared. located at 12th & Filbert
1201 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107-2818


Braised Beef Cannelloni ~ Fresh Pasta Stuffed with Braised Beef, Asiago & Parmesan Cheeses

so one way to do this might be....

Ok here it goes: I am going to try this and let you know how it turns out.

I am going to take Giada's recipe from the food network for Stacoto with Porcini Mushrooms (pot roast) Braised beef is pot roast. I am going to make this recipe because it makes a creamy mushroom sauce with it. After letting it cool I am going to shred the pot roast and make the sauce. (see recipe).

I will then take manicotti tubes (you can make fresh pasta and roll it in that or makes your own savory crepes. I am going to mix the meat with asiago and parmesan and then stuff them in the tubes, put in a baking dish, pour over the sauce and bake probably for about 15-20 minutes or until bubbly.

another wrote...

I too had the braised beef cannelloni and loved it! I think I got close to replicating the sauce. Sorry, I don't have good measurements - the measurements below are estimates. Try this:

Sauce:

Saute 3 diced shallots on medium high.

Add about 4 finely chopped mushrooms, and chopped fresh parsley.

Deglaze pan with white wine (about 3/4 cup).

Add about 1/2 cup light chicken stock.

Add about 1/8 cup of balsalmic vinegar.

Add about 1/4 cup heavy cream.

Reduce sauce until thick, mix with pasta. Place pasta in a baking dish, pour more sauce on top, and top with cheese (parm & asiago). Broil til cheese slightly browns.

The flavor of the sauce was almost identical to what I remembered at Maggiano's. I also poured it over brussle sprouts which was great!

here is still another recipe....

Cannelloni

12 cannelloni Shells
3 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 tbsp Grated parmesan cheese
1 lb Ground beef
1/4 cup Chopped onion
1 Clove Garlic, minced
10 oz Package frozen chopped
Spinach, thawed and
Drained
1/3 cup Grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp Milk
2 Eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 tsp Dried whole oregano
1/4 cup Butter or margarine
1/4 cup Plus
2 tbsp All-purpose flour
2 cup Half-and-half
1/8 tsp White pepper


Cook cannelloni according to package directions; drain and set
aside.Combine tomato sauce and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese; spread
1 cup tomato mixture in a lightly greased 13- x9- x 2-inch baking
dish; set aside dish and remaining sauce.Cook beef, onion, and garlic
in a large skillet until beef is browned, stirring to crumble meat;
drain well. Add spinach; saute 3 minutes. Add 1/3 cup Parmesan
cheese, milk, eggs, and oregano; stir well. Stuffcannelloni shells
with beef mixture. Place filled cannelloni on tomato mixture in
baking dish; set aside.Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat;
add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Gradually add half-and-half; cook over medium heat, stirring
constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in pepper.
Pour over cannelloni; spoon remaining tomato mixture over cream
sauce. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Yield: 6
servings.


This sauce is supposed to be close to Maggiano's:

Sauce:

Saute 3 diced shallots on medium high.

Add about 4 finely chopped mushrooms, and chopped fresh parsley.

Deglaze pan with white wine (about 3/4 cup).

Add about 1/2 cup light chicken stock.

Add about 1/8 cup of balsalmic vinegar.

Add about 1/4 cup heavy cream.

Reduce sauce until thick, mix with pasta. Place pasta in a baking dish, pour more sauce on top, and top with cheese (parm & asiago). Broil til cheese slightly browns.

so this one comes really close....Suunto CORE

I've been thinking about watches again....

maybe by writing down what I want in a watch I can help this latest urge from taking hold. So I wrote down the features I consider and ranked them. Here we go...

rank - feature

1 - time
1 - date
1 - ability to change the wrist band
2 - back light or luminous
2 - read time without my 1.5 glasses on
2 - water resistant enough to swim and shower (30m)
2 - sun rise and set
2 - lunar phase
3 - second time zone
3 - timer
3 - I think I'd like one with a bracelet I'd like to wear
4 - lunar rise
4 - lunar set
4 - tide
4 - perpetual calendar
4 - countdown timer
4 - alarm
4 - temperature
4 - barometer
5 - altimeter
5 - day

wave to consider

This image is of the most famous of all Japanese woodblock prints.. It is by Katsushika HOKUSAI and was produced in 1831 and a copy today is bought and sold for many millions of yen. It is one of a series of views of Mt Fuji from different locations around the mountain.

The series "36 views of Mt Fuji" portray Mount Fuji differently in respect both of form and place. Whether seen from Shichirigahama, Tsukudajima or elsewhere, no two views are the same. Fuji is not only depicted from different viewpoints, but also at different times of the day and year. This picture, showing the mountain as seen from the open sea off mainland Kanagawa, is the third of the three masterpieces in the series. As with his pictures "Small Punts" and "Woodcutters on the Open Sea off Kanagawa", where small boats are similarly seen being tossed about by giant waves, this picture too was produced in yoko-oban format. The curvature of the waves as they break over the sailors conveys a vivid impression of the power of nature against which the power of man has little defence. In the midst of the waves Mount Fuji can be seen, small and distant, but yet majestically asserting its presence. Whether Hokusai ever actually saw Fuji from the sea, however, is very much open to question.

only one made

Seiko SBDD003 Marine Master is 46mm in Ti

sweet

the art of racing in the rain - a good book

more info here

cape cod vacation 2008

a new house on the same street we always stay on in Sandwich,
Marsh-side instead of bay-side;
finally made it to P-town,
and then to the dark knight.

got through two books,
one written by a dog;
a would be race car driver,
the other by a would be shipwright.

this would be a good bumper sticker

2004 nose bounce

Talent & Your Procurement Organization « Business & Technology Nexus

Talent & Your Procurement Organization « Business & Technology Nexus: "It can be tough staffing your organization with the right kind of people. You want smart, disciplined, well-educated individuals committed to winning while upholding the highest ethical standards.

So how do you get them? And how can you keep them?"

Procurement’s “Long Tail” - Tactical Buyers « Business & Technology Nexus

Procurement’s “Long Tail” - Tactical Buyers « Business & Technology Nexus: "ervice can be very important. I know a few friends who don’t shop at The Home Depot anymore. For them, the superior service they receive from the local Ace Hardware is more important. They are “sourcing for best value” - placing a premium on their time. Which begs an important question - whose efficiency should be maximized in a Procurement implementation? The central buying organization’s -or- the business units they serve?"

Procurement’s “Long Tail” - Supplier Programs « Business & Technology Nexus

Procurement’s “Long Tail” - Supplier Programs « Business & Technology Nexus: "Long-held beliefs in Procurement tie back to simple concepts. Know who you buy from. Negotiate tough but fair. Do business with as many different suppliers as you need, but not 1 more than that.

By attempting to understand how 'Long Tail' concepts can be applied to Procurement (see my previous post), we can begin to challenge some of the most basic assumptions around Procurement best practices."

saturday morning summer flowers

Manhattanhenge

Manhattanhenge | Star-Struck Articles | Astronomy Resources | Hayden Planetarium

For Manhattan, a place where evening matters more than morning, that special day comes on Thursday, May 29h this year, one of only two occasions when the Sun sets in exact alignment with the Manhattan grid, fully illuminating every single cross-street for the last fifteen minutes of daylight. The other day is Saturday, July 12th. These two days give you a photogenic view with half the Sun above and half the Sun below the horizon—on the grid.


more

nurse bag challenge

I used some Hawaiian print to line the last messenger bag I made. I got the material from Carol at work who had spent some time their a couple of years ago. Anyway, I was telling her about it and she asked about a bag for a nurse. I've never heard of such a thing, so like any body, I googled it. Of course I found one.

It's a little smaller than a messenger bag. About 12 x 14 x 6 inches. It has a wider bottom to help it stand up if set down. Full zipper closure instead of a flap. It's kind of a cross between a tote, messenger bag and a doctor's bag.

I thought the large outside open pocket would be good for their stethoscope. The zippered outside pocket has slips for pens and scissors. There's a pocket inside on the liner. a "D" ring on each end of the 2-way zipper so you can attach a shoulder strap.

Since it is for Carol, the Hawaiian print was used inside and out.

I guess it is a slow day when soemthing like this makes the blog

 
 

so what is wrong with this picture?

NurseMates Ultimate Nursing Bag 888132

Carol is a women I work with. She gave me some cotton print material from Hawaii a couple of weeks ago and I used it is messenger bag 5. Well we were talking yesterday and she said she would like a bag for a nurse...a "Nurse Bag". So this looks like a good Nurse Bag.....






NurseMates Ultimate Nursing Bag 888132

Mini Toolbox / Contents

Mini Toolbox / Contents
Originally uploaded by Alexander Becker

maybe a little strange, but I tripped over this 2 years ago and today went looking for it.

More information about urban kits here

New York City Waterfalls

Artdaily.org - The First Art Newspaper on the Net

Olafur Eliasson's The New York City Waterfalls Opens at Four Waterfront Locations

NEW YORK.- A major new work of temporary public art by internationally acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson, The New York City Waterfalls, will be on display in New York City from June 26 to October 13, 2008. Commissioned by the Public Art Fund, the project consists of four monumental, man-made waterfalls installed for three months at four sites along the shores of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Governors Island: one by the Brooklyn anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge, one between Piers 4 and 5 in Brooklyn, one in Lower Manhattan at Pier 35, and one on the north shore of Governors Island. The 90 to 120-foot tall installations, which have been designed to protect water quality and aquatic life, will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, and will be lit after sunset, adding a striking element to New York City's iconic skyline. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) estimates that the Waterfalls, funded with private support raised by the Public Art Fund, will contribute $55 million to the City's economy.

Shop Smart for College Sweepstakes

Shop Smart for College Sweepstakes