December 2007
778 photos, 19 blogs
Browse Archive (303 months)
Here is a short movie I put together of my HDR photos from this past year: Note that the images aren't actually in order. If you're interested, the [full resolution Quicktime movie can be found here](http://blip.tv/file/get/Eecue-2007HDRYearInReview391.mov) [~100MB]. **Update**: My friend [Steve Kesler](http://walbatross.blogspot.com/) asked me how I put this movie together. It was actually pretty straight forward. I just exported the images from my photo management application (LightRoom) and then in Quicktime I selected File > Open Image Sequence. I then selected the first image in that folder. It takes a few minutes to process the images and then I saved and uploaded in to blip.tv.
* [Seven Grand Dress Code](http://jasoncosper.com/2007/12/30/wither-seven-grand/) Looks like Seven Grand is going to start enforcing a collared shirt dress code. I've yet to go there and I always wear collared shirts so I'm not sure if it will be an issue for me, but I guess it will for boogah. (tags: [7grand](http://del.icio.us/eecue/7grand) [sevengrand](http://del.icio.us/eecue/sevengrand) [dress.code](http://del.icio.us/eecue/dress.code)) * [Curbed Awards '07: Best Photos](http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/12/curbed_awards_0_6.php) A couple of my photos made it in to Curbed LA's selects for best neighborhood photos. (tags: [curbed](http://del.icio.us/eecue/curbed) [photos](http://del.icio.us/eecue/photos))
* [7 Bad Habits of Digital Photographers](http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/12/27/7-bad-habits-of-digital-photographers/) I'm guilty of a few of these, but I never delete my photos ever and I always buy the best lenses possible. Some day I'll get that pro body! (tags: [photography](http://del.icio.us/eecue/photography) [tips](http://del.icio.us/eecue/tips) [digital](http://del.icio.us/eecue/digital)) * [4 Reasons to Never Delete Images](http://lightchasersphotography.com/blog/4-reasons-to-never-delete-images/) Don't delete your images... ever. I keep everything I shoot. Even if I don't think I'll ever need it. You never know. I once took some photos of random people at a party that I never posted. Later I found out one of them had been murdered a few month (tags: [photography](http://del.icio.us/eecue/photography) [delete](http://del.icio.us/eecue/delete)) * [The Wii Hacked](http://wiinintendo.net/2007/12/28/the-wii-officially-hacked/) Looks like people will be able to write home-brew games on the Wii now. Cool! (tags: [wii](http://del.icio.us/eecue/wii) [hacking](http://del.icio.us/eecue/hacking) [wii.hack](http://del.icio.us/eecue/wii.hack) [homebrew](http://del.icio.us/eecue/homebrew) [games](http://del.icio.us/eecue/games)) * [Daily LOLCat](http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/12/28/funny-pictures-from-anotha-motha/) Foxy... (tags: [lolcat](http://del.icio.us/eecue/lolcat) [cute](http://del.icio.us/eecue/cute)) * [Rat problems? Get feral cats!](http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-feralcats29dec29,0,1730444.story?coll=la-home-center) LAPD has come up with a novel solution to their rat problems, and I'm not talking about informants. (tags: [lapd](http://del.icio.us/eecue/lapd) [cats](http://del.icio.us/eecue/cats) [rats](http://del.icio.us/eecue/rats) [feral](http://del.icio.us/eecue/feral))
* [A Sad Day For Humanity : Bhutto Assassinated](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/27/AR2007122700122.html?hpid=topnews) Pakistan's sole hope for Democracy has been murdered just weeks before their first election in years. (tags: [assassination](http://del.icio.us/eecue/assassination) [bhutto](http://del.icio.us/eecue/bhutto) [pakistan](http://del.icio.us/eecue/pakistan)) * [Mini-RC Helicopter Mod](http://www.ifilm.com/video/2927131) I really want one of these mini remote controlled helicopters. I'll probably pick up one at some point on ebay. This mod allows you to reduce damage from crashes and also makes them easier to fly. (tags: [mini-rc](http://del.icio.us/eecue/mini-rc) [helicopter](http://del.icio.us/eecue/helicopter) [mod](http://del.icio.us/eecue/mod)) * [LOLCat of the Day](http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/12/27/funny-pictures-filecat-is-searching/) Filecat... (tags: [lolcat](http://del.icio.us/eecue/lolcat) [filecat](http://del.icio.us/eecue/filecat))
I've lived in both areas, and clearly Downtown LA is the winner... but once again, [go vote you conscience](http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/12/curbed_cup_fina.php#poll_=gzN0ITM).
* [FOX Steals Photo from Mommyblogger](http://www.sweetney.com/001944.html?=rss) I've had a number of my images jacked by various folks out there, and it is annoying, but I've yet to see anything of mine on TV. Some people aren't so lucky! [via [Digg](http://digg.com) (tags: [photo.rights](http://del.icio.us/eecue/photo.rights) [stealing](http://del.icio.us/eecue/stealing) [mommyblogger](http://del.icio.us/eecue/mommyblogger)) * [Nanotech Lowers Solar Energy Cost Below Coal](http://www.celsias.com/2007/11/23/nanosolars-breakthrough-technology-solar-now-cheaper-than-coal/) I have always thought that nanotechnology would both increase the efficiency and lower the price of solar cells. That thought is now a reality with Nanosolar's new panels. [via [Digg](http://digg.com)] (tags: [solar](http://del.icio.us/eecue/solar) [renewable](http://del.icio.us/eecue/renewable) [nanotech](http://del.icio.us/eecue/nanotech) [nanosolar](http://del.icio.us/eecue/nanosolar)) \* [Photoskin : 5mm Thick LCD Display](http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/12/photoskin-is-my.html) I need one of these. (tags: [photoskin](http://del.icio.us/eecue/photoskin) [thin.lcd](http://del.icio.us/eecue/thin.lcd) [lcd](http://del.icio.us/eecue/lcd) [wishlist](http://del.icio.us/eecue/wishlist)) \* [Tiger Team : Hacker TV Show](http://www.boingboing.net/2007/12/25/it-securitythemed-se.html) Some of my friends have been working on this TV show for Court TV for a few years now. The show is coming out in January on both TV and the web. I'm looking forward to it. (tags: [hackers](http://del.icio.us/eecue/hackers) [tv](http://del.icio.us/eecue/tv) [defcon](http://del.icio.us/eecue/defcon) [tiger.team](http://del.icio.us/eecue/tiger.team)) \* [LOLCat of the Day](http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/12/26/funny-pictures-ur-flavr-it-hurtz-me/) Ouch! (tags: [lolcat](http://del.icio.us/eecue/lolcat))
* [Windy Christmas in Los Angeles](http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-winds26dec26,0,6903112.story?coll=la-home-center) It's a warm and windy day today in LA. Winds gusting over 102mph! (tags: [los.angeles](http://del.icio.us/eecue/los.angeles) [santa.ana.winds](http://del.icio.us/eecue/santa.ana.winds) [weather](http://del.icio.us/eecue/weather)) * [Baby Spiders Freshly Hatched](http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh275/pizzler/newfamilyofspiders.jpg) This is a somewhat disturbing but creepily fun photo of a new batch of spiders (tags: [spiders](http://del.icio.us/eecue/spiders) [baby](http://del.icio.us/eecue/baby) [baby.spiders](http://del.icio.us/eecue/baby.spiders)) * [Senate Hacking](http://rawstory.com/news/afp/US_Senate_stays_in_session_to_block_12242007.html) The Democratic majority has hacked Bush's recess appointment trick by leaving a single senator in session over the holidays. [via digg] (tags: [democracy](http://del.icio.us/eecue/democracy) [hack](http://del.icio.us/eecue/hack) [senate](http://del.icio.us/eecue/senate) [recess.appoinment](http://del.icio.us/eecue/recess.appoinment)) * [Remember that list of 400 "scientists" who don't believe in Global Warming?](http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/12/24/dont-believe-inhofes-hype/) Well as it turns out most of them weren't scientists. Doh. [via [Digg](http://digg.com)] (tags: [global.warming](http://del.icio.us/eecue/global.warming) [bs](http://del.icio.us/eecue/bs) [psuedo-scientists](http://del.icio.us/eecue/psuedo-scientists) [science](http://del.icio.us/eecue/science) [politics](http://del.icio.us/eecue/politics)) * [Peruvian Kids Love OLPC](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071224/ap_on_hi_te/one_laptop_one_village) Not that I had any doubts whether kids would enjoy OLPCs, but they clearly are enjoying them. I still believe that OLPCs will change the world. (tags: [olpc](http://del.icio.us/eecue/olpc) [peru](http://del.icio.us/eecue/peru) [one.laptop.per.child](http://del.icio.us/eecue/one.laptop.per.child)) * [Going Sledding...](http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/12/25/funny-pictures-going-sledding-brb/) Lolcat of the day (tags: [lolcat](http://del.icio.us/eecue/lolcat) [xmas](http://del.icio.us/eecue/xmas) [sledding](http://del.icio.us/eecue/sledding)) * [Heathkit Still Exists and Launches HE-RObot Kit](http://deviceguru.com/2007/12/25/heathkit-reincarnates-the-hero-robot/) Do want! This is a bad ass robot! (tags: [wishlist](http://del.icio.us/eecue/wishlist) [heathkit](http://del.icio.us/eecue/heathkit) [robot](http://del.icio.us/eecue/robot) [robotics](http://del.icio.us/eecue/robotics) [he-robot](http://del.icio.us/eecue/he-robot) [herobot](http://del.icio.us/eecue/herobot) [kit](http://del.icio.us/eecue/kit)) * [Smart Drugs Become a Reality](http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-braindoping20dec20,0,6487141.story) I remember reading about smart drugs in WIRED when I was a kid. It seems that some drugs used to treat various ailments from ADD to narcolepsy are being used by poker players and test-takers to enhance their mental performance. Interesting... (tags: [drugs](http://del.icio.us/eecue/drugs) [adderall](http://del.icio.us/eecue/adderall) [provigil](http://del.icio.us/eecue/provigil) [smart.drugs](http://del.icio.us/eecue/smart.drugs) [performance.enhancers](http://del.icio.us/eecue/performance.enhancers) [mental.doping](http://del.icio.us/eecue/mental.doping) [latimes](http://del.icio.us/eecue/latimes))
I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas (or a Happy Holiday if you don't celebrate Christmas) and a Happy New Year. I hope you have had a great year and I wish you the best for 2008. Enjoy your holiday and don't forget to send joy and best wishes to your friends and family.
* [How secure are the chips?](http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-page_3_story_pmdec23,0,1266044.story) I originally posted this video almost 2 years ago for the Flexilis guys when I was at Black Hat. The Chicago Tribune is running a story about it. Looks like they picked it up from their sister company the LA Times which ran it on the 16th. (tags: [flexilis](http://del.icio.us/eecue/flexilis) [security](http://del.icio.us/eecue/security) [latimes](http://del.icio.us/eecue/latimes) [chicagotribune](http://del.icio.us/eecue/chicagotribune) [rfid](http://del.icio.us/eecue/rfid) [passports](http://del.icio.us/eecue/passports)) * [Long Term Handling of Plutonium](http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/dp/2007122114) An interesting article stemming from an EU report on what to do with Plutonium. Ideas suggested include embedding in glass for burial, combining with uranium to form MOx, breaking down with a particle accelerator, and using as fuel in a reactor. (tags: [plutonium](http://del.icio.us/eecue/plutonium) [nuclear](http://del.icio.us/eecue/nuclear) [waste](http://del.icio.us/eecue/waste) [EU](http://del.icio.us/eecue/EU))
* [People More Likely To Google Themselves This Year](http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/12/21/2228206&from=rss) I regularly google myself. It's a really dorky and self-absorbed thing to do, but I still do it. So does 3% of the internet-using population. (tags: ['self](http://del.icio.us/eecue/ "self) [googling'](http://del.icio.us/eecue/googling") [google](http://del.icio.us/eecue/google) [slashdot](http://del.icio.us/eecue/slashdot)) * [WALL-E Trailer in HD](http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/walle/hd/) I'm really really really looking forward to seeing this movie. (tags: [walle](http://del.icio.us/eecue/walle) [disney](http://del.icio.us/eecue/disney) [trailer](http://del.icio.us/eecue/trailer) [apple](http://del.icio.us/eecue/apple) [hd](http://del.icio.us/eecue/hd))
* [Year of the LED Holidays](http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2007/12/2007-year-of-th.html) Just like we've done with our Christmas decorations, many large public trees are now being lit with LEDs instead of wasteful incandescent bulbs. (tags: [wired](http://del.icio.us/eecue/wired) [LED](http://del.icio.us/eecue/LED) [xmas](http://del.icio.us/eecue/xmas) [christmas](http://del.icio.us/eecue/christmas) [tech](http://del.icio.us/eecue/tech) [green](http://del.icio.us/eecue/green)) * [Twelve Essential Photographic Rules](http://www.popphoto.com/howto/1175/twelve-essential-photographic-rules.html?print_page=y) I am actually about to let my Popular Photography sub lapse, I really only flip through it. I prefer Shutterbug. Link via hexod.us (tags: [photography](http://del.icio.us/eecue/photography) [rules](http://del.icio.us/eecue/rules))
Clearly, Downtown LA has San Pedro beat, but [vote your conscience](http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/12/curbed_cup_roun_3.php).
[](https://eecue.com/p/30741/DV-Expo---WIRED-News-Gallery.html) Two weeks ago I shot the [DV Expo](http://www.dvexpo.com/) in Downtown Los Angeles for WIRED News. The [gallery](http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/multimedia/2007/12/gallery_dv_expo) went live on the front door of [wired.com](http://www.wired.com/) today. This is the first time I've had two pieces on the front door of WIRED News at the same time. I'm really really really looking forward to my first magazine assignment, if I ever get one!
Like most people, I've been writing since I was a kid. Unlike most professional writers I never went to college. I guess that makes me somewhat of a hack. I have been blogging for roughly 5 years now. In that time I've gone from writing on my personal blog, to writing for [LAist](http://laist.com/), to writing for [blogging.la](http://blogging.la/), to [blogdowntown](http://blogdowntown.com/) and now to [WIRED News](http://www.wired.com/). When I first started writing for LAist, I was excited. For some reason I thought my stories were going to be edited by an editor. As it turns out, the editors at LAist, don't actually do any editing. At blogging.la, the editorial policy is clear: there is no editorial policy. When I started writing for [Eric Richardson](http://ericrichardson.com/) on blogdowntown, he did edit my work, which I found helpful. When I first approached WIRED about running some of my photo galleries, they turned down my pitches by said they would keep me in mind. At [DEFCON](http://defcon.org/) this year they contacted me and paired me with their reporter, Kim Zetter. The next time WIRED got in touch with me was to cover their [NextFest](http://www.wirednextfest.com/) show. I ended up writing captions on a little over half of the photos that ended up in the [NextFest gallery](http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/multimedia/2007/09/gallery_nextfest5). After Nextfest I covered the [ASTRO](http://www.astro.org/) show and that time I wrote the intro as well as the captions for the [entire gallery](http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/multimedia/2007/11/gallery_astro). Since then I've been doing roughly 1 or 2 galleries a week for WIRED. Being edited is a great learning experience for me. I like to compare what I wrote to what the editor and the copy-editor end up posting as the final piece. I haven't had any [humorous interaction with the copy-editors](http://greenlagirl.com/2007/10/29/copyeditors-are-fun/) like [Siel](http://greenlagirl.com/) had, but I'm guessing that the WIRED copy-editors are a little more hip than the folks editing the LA Times blog. The more I write, the easier it becomes. I've also been reading [Daily Writing Tips](http://www.dailywritingtips.com/). Today's post was a collaborative piece consisting of [34 tips from various writers](http://www.dailywritingtips.com/34-writing-tips-that-will-make-you-a-better-writer/). I found many of them very helpful and I hope you do too.
[](https://eecue.com/p/30742/EVS23-on-WIRED-News.html) Last week I stopped by [EVS23](http://www.electricdrive.org/evs23/) and shot some photos for [WIRED News](http://www.wired.com). You can [check the gallery here](http://www.wired.com/cars/energy/multimedia/2007/12/gallery_electric_cars). [Screenshot above [hosted by flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/eecue/2100513868/).]
[](https://eecue.com/p/30743/Dorkbot-Socal-Presentation.html) I have uploaded the [slides from my HDR presentation](http://eecue.com/hdr_dorkbot/) last weekend at Dorkbot Socal. I am going to be giving an HDR workshop at some point in the next few months. Keep and eye out for more info about that. [[Image hosted by flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/eecue/2096342851/)]
So a few people have asked me if there is anything in particular that I want for the Holidays. If you want to buy me a present and can't think of anything, check out my [Amazon Wishlist](http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3E4KSDYYY5ZMU). Thanks in advance!
\*UPDATE: 545 W 127th St\* Unknown liquid leak from cargo container in vacant lot; @ 50 gallons on ground; NFD - Brian Humphrey### LA Fire Department (LAFD) via TwitterMail at 21:11 \*Hazardous Material Investigation\* 545 W 127th St; TG 734-B1; FS 64, No injury; No evacuation; No further details; Ch:7,13 @8:39 PM -Bri ... You can read more on the [LAFD Twitter Page](http://twitter.com/lafd). My [SAR Team](http://cave.sbsar.org/) also has a [Cave Rescue Twitter Page](http://twitter.com/CaveRescue) as does the [San Bernardino SAR team](http://twitter.com/SBSAR).
[](https://eecue.com/p/30744/My-Multi-Geek-Personality.html) [Scott Johnson](http://www.myextralife.com) drew [this poster](http://www.myextralife.com/?page_id=5597) of 56 geeks. I went through it and clipped together a composite of the geeks that I consider myself one with. Which geeks are you?
