MittelMitte

LensHero review

2010-12-20T14:14:00.002-05:00

i love Lenshero.com. i actually thought of this idea for a website a few years back.

i plugged in my current lens and body, and it spit out a pretty good suggestion - the 18-200mm NIKKOR VR2.

thanks

Kobe Scores 61 at the Garden 2/2/2009

2009-02-04T07:48:00.000-05:00

Kobe Bryant's Sneaker Effectiveness Matrix 2008-09

2009-01-01T00:44:00.002-05:00

Celebe Look-a-like: Torri Spelling, Jennifer Carpenter, and a horse

2008-10-27T11:39:00.002-04:00

Lakers Pre-Season Hyperdunk Breakdown

2008-10-26T19:55:00.003-04:00

Lakers Pre-Season Hyperdunk Breakdown

Nike Hyperdunk Lakers Kobe Home (Eastbay actually shipped / ebay HK stores/ NikeStore / Item #324820-172)
similar worn by Vladimir Radmanović / CJ GILES
white body
purple laces
different tongue (plain yellow)
white/purple midsole
yellow swoosh, purple outline
purple bottom
eastbay actual has kobe logo/Lakers PE has yellow bar

http://store.nike.com/ind...-1/pid-193612/pgid-181672

Eastbay Picture - 3337317
white body

white laces
purple midsole
tongue has kobe logo yellow

http://www.eastbay.com/ca...CH%3A%20KEYWORD%20SEARCH/

Lamar Odom Home PE?/ DJ Mbenga
white body
white laces
white sole
purple swoosh / yellow outline
purple/white midsole

Kobe Pre-Season PE
White/White
purple circle on sole

Celeb Look-a-like: Marjorie and a MonChiChi

2008-10-22T20:39:00.002-04:00

Rajah Ball Pouting

2008-07-13T12:06:00.001-04:00

Rajah Ball Pouting, originally uploaded by luzer.

Rajah Ball Pouting

Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Rajah "the rat" Bell, Baron Davis, and others joined ESPN's Marc Stein for a charity Soccer game hosted in Chinatown, the Lower East Side.
more info

Showdown in Chinatown:
Steve Nash vs. Claudio Reyna.
Roosevelt Park, NYC
(June 25, 2008)

Marc Stein (chubby)

2008-06-28T22:51:00.001-04:00

Marc Stein (chubby), originally uploaded by luzer.

Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Rajah "the rat" Bell, Baron Davis, and others joined ESPN's Marc Stein for a charity Soccer game hosted in Chinatown, the Lower East Side.
more info

Showdown in Chinatown:
Steve Nash vs. Claudio Reyna.
Roosevelt Park, NYC
(June 25, 2008)

CelebLookALike: Big Baby Davis & George Costanza

2008-06-18T13:48:00.004-04:00

I'm not a bitter Lakers fan trying to find any way to poke fun at the C's. It I was, I would post the Brini video. Instead, here is a special, from the heart, NBA finals celeb-look-a-like starring Glen "Big-Baby" Davis and George Costanza. Both whom I dislike right now.

Drawing-A-Day: June 17th

2008-06-18T09:23:00.001-04:00

Drawing-A-Day: June 17th, originally uploaded by redmeg8.

barefoot sneaker by okat

2008-06-14T22:13:00.001-04:00

barefoot sneaker by okat, originally uploaded by _ okat.

next DIY project

Fennec fox

2008-06-12T16:14:00.001-04:00

Fennec fox, originally uploaded by floridapfe.

Baa

2008-05-23T09:30:00.001-04:00

Baa, originally uploaded by luzer.

The True Reason Behind Kobe Bryant's 2nd Half Success... Sneakers!

2008-05-22T15:06:00.005-04:00

Earning this year's MVP honor once again, Kobe Bryant carried his team in the 2nd half, bringing them back from a 20-point deficit.
from ESPN

Bryant scored all but two of his 27 points after halftime, including a go-ahead, 10-foot jumper in the lane with 23.9 seconds remaining, and the Lakers rallied from a 20-point deficit to beat the Spurs 89-85 on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

What fans might not have realized is Kobe switched sneakers during half-time: from the car-popping Hyperdunks to the light-as-air Zoom Kobe IIIs. pics below.

[edit: Bruce Bowen is a rat]

2nd half:

1st half:

Mens Room

2008-05-15T22:39:00.001-04:00

Mens Room, originally uploaded by luzer.

rwb panning

2008-05-13T00:04:00.001-04:00

rwb panning, originally uploaded by luzer.

New Look

2008-05-09T10:33:00.001-04:00

its the k2 blogger template. let me know your thoughts?

Lost in Pompeii

2008-04-23T10:52:00.001-04:00

Lost in Pompeii, originally uploaded by luzer.

Celeb Look-a-like: Matt from Hell's Kitchen & Uncle Leo from Seinfeld

2008-04-08T21:57:00.001-04:00

Found, Ignored, Bored

2008-04-07T13:10:00.001-04:00

Found, Ignored, Bored, originally uploaded by luzer.

at the Hoyt Ave Stop,

Real Biggah

www.chaimjaskoll.com

Celeb Look-a-like: Heide from The Hills VS Donna from 90210

2008-04-05T22:06:00.002-04:00

What is the healthiest part of the orange?

2008-03-17T22:09:00.002-04:00

In my line of work, people often ask "What is the healthiest part of an orange?"

Answer: the white part!

from here

Fruit juice, though tasty and refreshing, is not as healthy as whole fruit. When a whole fruit is pressed or squeezed to make juice, some of the nutrients, most notably fiber and the water-soluble vitamins, are lost in the process. While 100% fruit juice is not completely devoid of nutrients, it is undoubtedly less nutrient dense than the whole fruit that it came from. Orange juice makes a good example of the health difference when you focus on the issue of its pulp. The white pulpy part of the orange is the primary source of its flavonoids. Flavonoids are colorful pigments that support numerous metabolic processes in the body. The juicy orange-colored sections of the orange contain most of its vitamin C. In the body, flavonoids and vitamin C often work together, and support health through their interaction. When the pulpy white part of the orange is removed in the processing of orange juice, the flavonoids in the orange are lost in the process. This loss of flavonoids is one of the many reasons for eating the orange in its whole food form (even if you only end up eating a little bit of the white pulpy part).

Doesn't Jeremy Sisto (new L&O guy) look like Dana Gould (Frankie from Seinfeld)?

2008-03-17T12:13:00.002-04:00

Dana (Frankie from seinfeld)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0332344/

Sisto (Detective Cyrus Lupo from new season of Law & Order Vanilla)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005438/

Sleeveface Madonna

2008-03-16T22:43:00.001-04:00

Sleeveface Madonna, originally uploaded by luzer.

Brooklyn Museum Spectacular

2008-03-02T23:40:00.001-05:00

Brooklyn Museum Spectacular, originally uploaded by luzer.

Celeb Look-A-Likes: Anne Hathaway = A Camel

2008-02-26T11:55:00.003-05:00

come on. be honest.

Many Postings

2008-02-26T09:03:00.001-05:00

Many Postings, originally uploaded by luzer.

from RBS walk with budda

"Long Live the King the Messiah"... & Oranges

2008-02-24T22:26:00.001-05:00

"Long Live the King the Messiah"... & Oranges, originally uploaded by luzer.

walking around the open market / shook in jerusalem / machene yehudah.

taken with a nikon d80 and sigma 10-20mm wideangle lens.

Stars and Stripes

2008-01-29T16:39:00.001-05:00

Stars and Stripes, originally uploaded by luzer.

Does reading in low light hurt your eyes? YES!!!!!

2008-01-29T12:35:00.000-05:00

from http://www.howstuffworks.com/question462.htm

When your eyes are working this hard for a long period of time, the strain may cause a number of physical effects. Symptoms of eye strain include sore eyeballs, headaches, back and neck aches, drooping eyelids and blurred vision. Because you often don't blink enough when focusing on a single object, you may also experience uncomfortable dryness in your eyes. None of this damages your eyes, and all of it eventually goes away after you stop straining them. Many eye doctors leave it at that, but some note that eye strain may contribute to nearsightedness. Most people who are nearsighted were born that way, but there is evidence that prolonged eye strain can make it worse.

AJ 23

2008-01-23T10:29:00.001-05:00

Sketch of a [Mean] Model

2008-01-16T00:59:00.001-05:00

Sketch of a [Mean] Model, originally uploaded by luzer.

i sketched this model in the winter of 2007 for an art class at the 92nd st y.
this was my favourite piece the entire semester (sad).
original size 14" x 17".
she really looked ticked off, though i am upset i never got to finish it.

maybe will play around with my wacom in pshop.

Timeless

2008-01-13T00:56:00.001-05:00

Timeless, originally uploaded by luzer.

Are Macs Really More Expensive?

2008-01-08T17:21:00.000-05:00

I configured the new Mac Pro with all the fixings. My total was $27.340.90

The Dell XPS 720, only $16,853.00

Yummy Squirrel

2008-01-07T11:33:00.001-05:00

Yummy Squirrel, originally uploaded by luzer.

I was walking around the UWS yesterday with my brand new (2nd-hand) Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 ED Tele Lens weighing down on my shoulder strap/neck, wondering why i bothered carrying this monster of a lens around with me; when, suddenly saw a crowd gathering near the Museum Natural History.

Knowing NYers care not for (human) celebrities, I was surprise to see a hawk devouring a squirrel. Some viewers guessed it was Pale Male. I am not convinced (we saw another one later in the park).

sigh

2008-01-07T09:22:00.001-05:00

sigh, originally uploaded by luzer.

kobe 2k4 laser side

2008-01-05T20:47:00.001-05:00

kobe 2k4 laser side, originally uploaded by luzer.

strobist info:
testing on new nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 ED (purchased off craigslist).
sb800 set to 1/4 power w/ softlighter2 to left.
sb26 set to 1/32 hand held 6" above.

Addicted to Apple Quiz

2008-01-04T12:13:00.001-05:00

56%

Find a Ultrasound school near you

Best Present for a Husband to give his Wife?

2008-01-02T13:30:00.000-05:00

Though no longer in the running for husband-of-the-year, I still try and buy the perfect gift for my WAG, no matter the occasions.

A technique I have employed recently is to buy her a gift that, even if she doesn't love it, I, perchance, might still enjoy. This way- even if she hates it- you can still make use of it. Sometimes this is moderately successful (iMac), sometimes it fails (The Look Book), and sometimes its met with a weird, half-smiling/half-grimacing, mixed reaction (Nimrod Nation T-Shirts).

However, based on the success of the 5Wii New Year's Party, I am thinking the Nintendo Wii *might* be a success...

more to come

Green, Red, Purple

2008-01-01T03:33:00.001-05:00

Green, Red, Purple, originally uploaded by luzer.

Playing around with long shutter speeds, and my newish Gorillapod, at the first annual 5Wii New-years Party.

Needless to say, we had fun.

Thanks, hosts and models!

House, MD is Really a Tall, Bumbling Idiot (AKA Jasper)

2007-12-28T13:06:00.000-05:00

Annie Leibovitz Asks the Queen to Remove Her Crown !?!

2007-12-19T13:56:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcnPicsZ6-A

808 Columbus Ave - Rendering of "Green" Areas

2007-12-18T17:48:00.000-05:00

More Pics Here

Super saturated pond

2007-12-07T09:10:00.001-05:00

Super saturated pond, originally uploaded by luzer.

Read the Fabio Article in RADAR

2007-11-29T13:31:00.000-05:00

Fabio loves Israel, but might be crazy:

"The Israeli people have been the sacrificial lamb of history," Fabio declares. It's mid-August, and the bombs are dropping in Lebanon as we stand in the kitchen of his sprawling Spanish-style mansion in Los Angeles (his publicist asked that we keep the neighborhood a secret to deter stalkers). The so-called Harlequin heartthrob, a diehard news junkie, has had a lot on his mind lately, particularly when it comes to Middle East policy and the Iraq war.

"It's about fucking time," he says, as Fox News reports on Israel's attempt to push Hezbollah out of Southern Lebanon. "[The Jews] have been getting killed for 5,000 years. Enough is enough. The rest of the world does not give a shit, except America, because the Israelis have no oil. Everyone sticks with those Arabs—because they have the oil."

and, just weird

"I have a business mind," he explains. "I come from a business family. My father was the second man in the world to build conveyor belts. I love business, and I love people."

link

6.3 Mile Ride in the Cold...

2007-11-26T15:28:00.000-05:00

Wasn't that long a ride. But we needed to add air to our tires. And wear mittens.

96th to 116h to 59th and back - in Cold Weather
Find more Bike Rides in New York, New York

Robot vs. Yoshi

2007-11-20T14:57:00.001-05:00

Robot vs. Yoshi, originally uploaded by jocieposse.

we got puppies

Sleepy Hollow

2007-11-19T00:27:00.001-05:00

Sleepy Hollow, originally uploaded by luzer.

playing around with my nikon 105mmf28 macro

My Hills Rating System

2007-11-08T16:36:00.001-05:00

Gurls, in order of likeness
1) Whitney. Tall and dumb. Makes funny eye-faces.
2) Audrina. Brunette. But huge teeth/ears that could take over her entire face if allowed. Being used by JB(b3)
3) LC. Hooking with brody is low, considering he has glove.
4) LO. Eyes too close together. Seems dumb.
5) Hidey. Conniving, and plastic surgery, nuff said.
6) Jennbunny. Plastic surgery, and rat-ty.
Boys
1) Brody. Tall and rich. Doesn’t talk smack about another people. Allegedly.
2) Frankie. Kissed lo, surprisingly.
3) Justinbobby. Johny Depp meets Eddie Vedar meets a burette-salesman. Wears capri pants.
4) Spencer. Looks like Roy Batty (bleach-blond supervillian), with more teeth. S*x tape (alleged). Nuff said.

Look kids, Mo Rocca!

2007-11-08T13:14:00.001-05:00

Look kids, Mo Rocca!, originally uploaded by carpe icthus.

A lot more from today's (right now's) protest of Columbia University inviting Iran's president to debate coming soon.

Uploaded by carpe icthus on 24 Sep 07, 2.11PM EST.
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Negating Hate

2007-11-08T12:40:00.001-05:00

Negating Hate, originally uploaded by carpe icthus.

A Columbia University Teachers College professor rests after a rabbi affixed a Mezuzah, a Jewish symbol of G-d's presence, to her door. Earlier in the week, someone had spray-painted a swastika on her door, the latest in a series of hate crimes in the area.

This is a terrible non-sequitur, but my latest Amazon article, "There's More than Pictures in Your Pictures", is up.

What am I doing with my life?

2007-11-07T13:52:00.001-05:00

What am I doing with my life?, originally uploaded by luzer.

Still Life, Natural, Murano

2007-11-06T22:02:00.001-05:00

Still Life, Natural, Murano, originally uploaded by luzer.

walking through murano, the streets were empty.
i liked this shot.
reminds me of that infamous archie andrews comic.

Sorrento Church in HDR

2007-11-06T13:10:00.001-05:00

Sorrento Church in HDR, originally uploaded by luzer.

best in large

Set of shots taken with 3 exposures each, merged to a single High Dynamic Range shot, aka HDR.

used PhotoMatix software. Much better than Photoshop CS3's built-in HDR feature.

more info here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_imaging

Panorama Vatican Museum Courtyard

2007-11-02T02:11:00.001-04:00

Panorama Vatican Museum Courtyard, originally uploaded by luzer.

View this Panorama in 3-D

just testing out SPi-V Panorama software. basically, stitch together some shots in pshop, and point the SPi-V engine to it.

This one from the courtyard of the Vatican Museum, before you enter. the tour groups are reading about the Chapel.

Madrid Bombers: Dressed Casually?

2007-11-01T19:34:00.000-04:00

Two questions:
1) Why are the Madrid bombing suspects allowed to wear civilian clothes?
2) Why are they dressed like hip/cool euro-trash 20-somethings?

ted danson asks: how can this be a toupee?

2007-11-01T12:36:00.001-04:00

ted danson asks: how can this be a toupee?, originally uploaded by luzer.

Does Beirut Remind Anyone Else of Amelie Soundtrack?

2007-10-30T14:17:00.000-04:00

Beirut
and
Amelie

Showtime No Can Spell

2007-10-29T22:14:00.000-04:00

(thanks to bigE for the head's-up)

Capri's Shore

2007-10-26T11:57:00.001-04:00

Capri's Shore, originally uploaded by luzer.

view when you get off the boat (aka hydafoil) from Sorrento to the Island of Capri.

water and sky are a blue's blue.

see the set for more.

Wed's Random Thoughts (and CYE thoughts)

2007-10-24T10:54:00.000-04:00

- On the heels of Deborah Gibson's recent name change, it looks like Debbie/Deborah Harry has followed suit.

- CYE has gotten better this season, notably The Anonymous Donor, The Ida Funkhouser Roadside Memorial , Rat Dog (sick s*x), and Tivo Guy. The Tivo Guy was especially unique for CYE, sharing with us a more sensitive/serious side of LD, esp in lieu of Larry's recent split with his real-life wife, Inconvenient Truth's Laurie (how annoying, Larry/Laurie). Of course, filming ended before the divorce was announced. In an interview with The Associated Press in early September (after the season wrapped but before it hit the air), David played cagey when asked if his marital woes would seep into the show.
"Can't fire Cheryl," he replied.

- More CYE: Apparently Ted Danson is a real-life ocean-lover.

- Even more CYE: The Dry Cleaner's lack of side-burns once again exposes the casting director's lack of knowledge of basic ultra-orthodox Jewish practices.

- NYMAG has something to say on this.

- A description of the season finale, titled "The Bat Mitzvah," provides a tantalizing clue, however. "An upcoming Bat Mitzvah provides Larry with an opportunity to clear up his recent domestic travails," the description says.

The Death of the FauxHawk (AKA: The Rebirth of the Side-Part)

2007-10-23T16:37:00.000-04:00

hi again.

We all know the fauxhawk (wiki) had a great run. Some of out favorite celebrities got where they are today by sporting it (Beckham, Sanjaya, Collen, others). But maybe it's time we moved on to something new? Or, rather, new-yet-classic.

I am talking, of course, about the side-part.

First introduced in 1951, it seems this style-that-just-won't-quit is back with avengance. Recent celebs to sport it are:

- Dexter
- Adrian Brody
- George W.
- Mr. Rogers

The former two seems to favour a "poofy" version, explaining their higher popularity ratings than the latter. (btw, i still enjoy (over)using former/latter.)

if you are like me, i would get in while this stock is low: go home tonight and side-part. Use Gel. You will be surprised how great it will look. i guarantee it.

MM

Sunflower Pirate (& friends)

2007-10-09T11:42:00.001-04:00

Sunflower Pirate (& friends), originally uploaded by luzer.

Be Patient, Grasshopper

2007-10-09T00:17:00.001-04:00

Be Patient, Grasshopper, originally uploaded by luzer.

Vote for PE... Brand it!****

2007-09-20T16:00:00.001-04:00

Moshav Band Bass

2007-09-10T23:06:00.001-04:00

Moshav Band Bass, originally uploaded by luzer™.

On the east side of manhattan, i picked up a used Nikon 105mm F/2.8 Micro (non-VR) for $300. Wifee called and invited me to jewzapalooza 2007. I used that lens to take these shots.

Uploaded by luzer™ on 10 Sep 07, 10.54PM EDT.

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR Pics - Central Park Summerstage Beastie Boys AKA Large Lens Trouble

2007-09-07T10:34:00.000-04:00

i rented the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 vr (MSRP $1700) from adorama for $45 total for 24 hours. not a bad deal, imho.

i had read alot of security not allowing zoom/large/slr lenses in this venue, so i planned/executed this following scheme.

i walked in alone without my wife & friends. i carried my d80 body only & small 35mmf20 lens. removed the SD card, stuck in 5th pocket. gave one battery to friend, one to wife. gave huge 70-200vr to wife (she is pretty- security guards let her get away with more, i have found).

as i walked in, one security said, wait, its a large camera. he called over another guard, who said, nah, only "large" lenses are not allowed. they didnt even check my wife's bag.

when the band finally started playing, and it got dark, i reached down and pulled out my 70-200. it was huge. i didnt have a chance to practice before the show, so it got some getting used to, but, overall, i was happy with it. i was in the center of the crowd.

around 30 minutes into the show, a huge (!!!) security guard grabbed me, said in my ear "you will put away that professional camera right now!" i said "ok", and tried to enjoy the rest of the show

overall, i think its a dumb rule. simply b/c the method the (un-knowledgeable) guards use is simply based on size. so once DSLRs shrink, it will be ok? or all cameras will not be allowed? or P&Ss in the front row should be allowed?

anyhow, here are some of the shots.

CJ

Ad-Rock

MCA

Unicorn Sighting

2007-08-30T10:19:00.001-04:00

Unicorn Sighting, originally uploaded by luzer™.

shot with the Loma Fisheye Toy Camera WIFEY got for me.

2007-08-29T14:58:00.001-04:00

, originally uploaded by txiribiton.

Ad-Rock / Money Mark

2007-08-09T18:03:00.001-04:00

Ad-Rock / Money Mark, originally uploaded by luzer™.

see the rest of the photos from Summerstage 2007 @ central park w/ the Beastie Boys here

charm3

2007-07-16T10:11:00.001-04:00

charm3, originally uploaded by luzer™.

TWINKLE TOES™ Sale Items.
for recent photoshoot of Lanina's Store

Simmy n ur iPhonez

2007-07-16T09:28:00.001-04:00

Simmy n ur iPhonez, originally uploaded by Stillframe.

Go to the FOTC fan site

2007-07-10T11:01:00.000-04:00

Trying out Pownce

2007-07-09T14:44:00.000-04:00

i decided to try out pownce this week. Its a IM/Twitter replacement by Kevin Rose, AKA the guy from the puter show on cable that dated that asymmetrical girl for a while, more recently, digg guy.

check me out here

Manhattan Bike Loop - Lower Half (18 Miles)

2007-07-02T10:04:00.000-04:00

EVEN MORE REASONS TO HATE BOSTON! Beastie Boys - A Gala Event - Exclusive Instrumental Show

2007-06-27T09:44:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, August 5th, we will be performing a very exclusive and explicit, once in a lifetime GALA EVENT show to celebrate Adam Yauch's 43rd birthday @ the Boston Opera House! This goes above and beyond our usual already formal gala event. We are talking velvet seats, velvet ropes, and champagne and strawberries people. Dress to impress and take a photograph with that special someone in a wicker chair, oh what? Needless to say, proper dress is mandatory. We look forward to having you join us for this truly special celebratory evening.

August 5th - Boston, MA - Boston Opera House
Beastie Boys - A Gala Event - Exclusive Instrumental Show
Exclusive Presale Starts Thursday, June 28th at 10am (local time) here:
www.ticketmaster.com/event/01003ED9DC659E49
Password: MIXUP
Tickets go on sale to the public Saturday, June 30th at 10am (local time) here:
www.ticketmaster.com/event/01003ED9DC659E49

Thank you,

The Management

P.S. Our new album, The Mix-Up is out today, June 26.

http://www.beastieboys.com/store/

Save Darfur with Indie Music !?

2007-06-18T15:36:00.000-04:00

Bike Route: Upper West Side --> Washington Heights: MapMyRide.com (18 miles)

2007-06-12T14:14:00.000-04:00

our latest ride

Bike/Cycling Resources for Manhattan/NYC Bikers

2007-06-11T15:54:00.000-04:00

After spending a few months researching and purchasing hybrid/cruiser bicycles for me and my wife, I decided to share my list of tips. Here goes.

1) Bike Stores:
There are too many to list here, but Google has quite a few listed . I would suggest you buy from your local retailer, no matter how good the online prices are (see below for how to maximize discounts). You will save on shipping, and get the advantage of a local 2-3 year limited service warranty. I used Metro Bikes on 96th Street, but wouldn't suggest it- if you have another choice. They always seemed to busy to take care of us, didn't offer to fit us once we got the bikes, the prices are not great, the bikes were not in on time, and, in general, service was sub-par.

One store I did like (allot) is Tread Bike Shop, in Washington heights (map). If you live in the area, or can visit, i strongly recommended you do so. We stopped by for a tune-up and chat, and met patient, knowledgeable sales staff that were willing to help us, even if we didn't spend anything. The location itself was spacious, and the prices are way better than "lower" Manhattan. (tell them CJ sent you).

2) Bike Store Discounts/Tips:
I hate haggling. Mostly cause it makes me feel cheap, which i am not (really). Also cause it makes me feel like the item i am shopping for can be worth different amounts, depending on who is purchasing it. I don't like that feeling. So here are the sure-fire bike-shopping tips for the non-haggler.

a) Price match to another store in the area. You can do this online/over the phone, and is not really haggling- so doesn't leave you with a dirty feeling. I suggest price matching to Bicycle Habitat, which has its low prices listed online. I did this.

b) use coupons, from Bike Forums or Fatwallet. I didn't do this.

c) use a discount from Transportation Alternatives. They have 10% off most bike shops. I didn't do this, but wish i did.

3) Online Biking Maps:
a) NYC Bike Maps (unofficial) is, hands down, the best. its a Google mashup, and has good details (for example, this turn)

b) Official NYC Map is good, but the PDF you print would be tiny. better off getting a free one from the bike store.

4) Online Pedeometer:
GMaps Pedometer, another googlemaps-mashup, does a good job of helping you plan/review the distance of your trails. (here is our latest run).

Next time: Trek 7.3 FX / WSD 7000 reviews!!

Roy - Black Suit

2007-06-06T12:18:00.001-04:00

Roy - Black Suit, originally uploaded by luzer™.

impromptu photoshoot for one of the semi-finalist from this year's Esquire's Best Dressed Real Man - 2007, Roy (aka joaquin phoenix)

strobist info: sb800 off camera, to the left, reflecting into 36" silver umbrella

Celebrity

2007-05-30T09:31:00.001-04:00

Celebrity, originally uploaded by luzer™.

the latest from Lanina's Shop

Strobist Info:
used DIY Lightbox
sb-800 on the right pointing up, set @ 1/128
sb-26 on left, pointing down, set @ 1/64
onboard flash, manual, 1/32
no PP

Sketch of Mouth (plaster form)

2007-05-15T22:53:00.001-04:00

Sketch of Mouth (plaster form), originally uploaded by luzer™.

Taking a class at the 92nd St Y, Head First.
so far, so good.

Test Amazon Context Link

2007-05-10T14:36:00.000-04:00

Barefoot [more]

2007-05-10T09:50:00.001-04:00

Barefoot [more], originally uploaded by luzer™.

Strobist Info:
-DIY softbox
-sb800 on the left/top (50mm 1/128 iso200)
-sb26 on the right (50mm 1/164 iso200).
-Nikon D80 in manual mode fired strobes.
-glass base (for some)
-white poster board
-changed levels/sharpness in PS

more items for sale at lanina

Amy Sedaris Appearance Tonight @ BottleRocket

2007-05-09T10:44:00.000-04:00

Wine tasting and I Like You book signing at Bottlerocket Wine (5 W. 19th Street, NY), May 9th, 6-9 pm. Free; reservations not required. More info here.

Lovers on a Grassy Hill

2007-05-08T09:59:00.001-04:00

Lovers on a Grassy Hill, originally uploaded by luzer™.

Jason Schwartzman's Coconut Records, 'West Coast'

2007-05-04T15:36:00.000-04:00

Jason Schwartzman (of 'Rushmore' and Phantom Planet fame) just released a solo album under the alias Coconut Records called 'Nighttiming.' For the disc's first video, 'West Coast,' Schwartzman tapped his pal Cheryl Dunn for directorial duties and pro-skater Mark Gonzales as the subject. Since Schwartzman is currently off shooting the Ben Stiller film 'The Marc Pease Experience,' Gonzales crafted the video with rare skateboarding footage from an exhibit in Germany.

Download it at www.youngbabyrecords.com

Say thank you,Mom

2007-05-03T15:22:00.001-04:00

Say thank you,Mom, originally uploaded by luzer™.

Please vote for Corporate Greed!

2007-05-01T13:23:00.000-04:00

Washington Heights: The New Williamsburg?

2007-04-30T16:45:00.000-04:00

Looks like Modest Mouse is playing tonight at the United Palace Theatre [map]. As well as Bjork and Arcade Fire. WTF?? Does this make Washington Heights the new indie-rock play-to-be???

I wish I wouldn't have cashed in when I did....

Gogo, by Chris the photographer

2007-04-18T14:03:00.001-04:00

gogo, originally uploaded by christopher the photographer.

Another amazing shot by chris.

He describes the setup as: Photogenic Strobe (1/4th) into 36" softlighter positioned 4' above center of subject, 2nd photogenic (1/16) into 60" softlighter positioned 30degrees from subject camera right, sb800(1/16th) on ground below subject, 2nd sb800 (1/8th) shoot through shoot through reflector disc behind subject. black reflector to camera left

Photoshoot - Stan Alpert

2007-03-29T10:37:00.001-04:00

Stan 3, originally uploaded by luzer™.

[book review to follow]
Shots i took recently of Stan Alpert, author of The Birthday Party: A Memoir of Survival , for an upcoming AJL Issue. These shots are at 5th Ave and 10th St, the location where Stan was kidnapped.

no post-processing, yet.
please vote on your favorite.

From Publishers Weekly
In this tartly written memoir recalling his 1998 kidnapping, Alpert, a former assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, describes his abduction and release, and the subsequent trial of the kidnappers, with an impressive amount of detail and only the occasional note of self-congratulation for how he handled the ordeal. On the night before his 38th birthday, Alpert was forced at gunpoint into a car near his Greenwich Village apartment, blindfolded, made to relinquish his ATM and PIN, and driven to Brooklyn, where he was kept in an apartment full of oddly personable, gun-wielding youths and teenage prostitutes. In between violent threats, the criminals solicited legal advice concerning past crimes and offered him pot and sexual favors in honor of his birthday. After 25 hours, they handed their hostage $20 cab money and left him in Prospect Park. Though the second part of the account, detailing the mechanics of the arrests and sentencing of the perpetrators, along with Alpert's return to normalcy, is relatively dry and slow, Alpert delivers an honest, vivid chronicle of the suspenseful event itself in the memoir's first half. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Top 8 Reasons Kobe Should Get the 2007 NBA MVP

2007-03-28T16:20:00.000-04:00

1) He's the best player in the NBA this season. Period. (see 4 x 50+ pt games in a row, best in 50 years)
2) He should have won it last season (see 81 pts in one game, and Martin Scorsese winning later in life, best in 50 years)
3) The only reason he didn't win it 2 seasons ago was because David Stern was trying to clean up the league's image (required suits, silly NBA Cares ads), and didn't want Kobe, coming off some serious sexual-assault allegations, to represent the league.
4) He has the best selling jersey in the US & in China. Better than Yao. The Fans have spoken.
5) Kobe is always named the most difficult player to guard, by other NBA players. (link?)
6) It's an award for the most valuable player. Not the MVPOAGT (MVP on a Great Team). If it were, they should change the plaque on the trophy. I mean, should Kobe truly get punished cause Kwame has hands made of cinder block, while Diaw is a point-center? Or that Mihm, Odom, and Pretty-Boy Walton have been injured most of the season, while Amare is playing the best ball of his life? (not to mention Air-head Rado's latest stupidity)
7) It's an award for the most valuable (i.e. best) player. Not the PWTWSTMIHL (player who's team would suck the most if he left), (as some TNT analysts have claimed). If if were, Lebron should win. Or Eddie Curry?
8) Cause __insert_other_player_here__ doesn't deserve it. Mashburn said so. So did Chris Webber. He was happy to point out,

Dirk doesn't play Defense.

Nash doesn't play Defense. (see poll)

LeBron doesn't "check" Kobe. (play Defense)

additionally:

Nash is a defensive liability.

If Nash were MVP, it would stand to reason that ason Kidd the 2nd best player in the league.

Dirk is not clutch.

To summarize, let the haters hate. But, in the end, who would you rather want on your team in the 4th quarter of a playoff game? On both ends of the court? Exactly. Let you vote count.

ps. nash is a rat

We Need Better Surveillance Technology!

2007-03-13T15:23:00.000-04:00

In an age where people still find mugging senior centenarians profitable (well $31 worth of profit, at least), we need to find a better way to identify these perps than some grainy b&w elevator surveillance invented in 1980. Come on, this picture looks more like the Face-on-Mars that any human i know. Except, perhaps, Jack Sparrow. In the age of 10 Mega pixel consumer cameras and HDTV camcorders, this should not be a problem.

(Sadly, Law & Order's "enhance/zoom-in" technology doesn't exist yet. oh well.)

Proof of Dane Cook Stealing Material

2007-03-12T09:37:00.000-04:00

Life Mimicking Art, Mimicking Life

2007-03-12T09:29:00.000-04:00

I always knew he looked like a real politician. But, do you think McCoy will get the nod?
from WP
Actor Fred Thompson Considers 2008 Run
By HOPE YENThe Associated PressSunday, March 11, 2007; 11:17 PM
WASHINGTON -- Not enough "star" power for Fred Thompson in a GOP presidential field that includes some of his friends? Whatever the case, the actor and former Tennessee senator is considering getting into the 2008 race.
Thompson, who plays district attorney Arthur Branch on NBC's drama "Law n Order," said Sunday, "I'm giving some thought to it, going to leave the door open" and decide in the coming months. "It's not really a reflection on the current field at all," he said.

"I'm just going to wait and see what happens," Thompson added. "I wanted to see how my colleagues who are on the campaign trail do now, what they say, what they emphasize, what they're addressing, and how successful they are in doing that, and whether or not they can carry the ball in next November."
Thompson, 64, said he was pondering a run after former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker and other Tennessee Republicans began drumming up support for his possible GOP candidacy, citing his conservative credentials.
"I think people are somewhat disillusioned. I think a lot of people are cynical out there. I think they're looking for something different. ... and I think that they're going to be open to different things," he said.
"It will be interesting to me as I listen to people and learn and watch what's going on and what's the reaction, and the poll numbers and so forth, as to whether or not my instinct on that is right."
On the issues, Thompson said he:
_Is "pro-life," and believes federal judges should overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision as "bad law and bad medical science."
_Opposes gay marriage, but would let states decide whether to allow civil unions. "Marriage is between a man and a woman, and I don't believe judges ought to come along and change that."
_Opposes gun control, and praised last week's 2-1 federal appeals decision overturning a long-standing handgun ban. "The court basically said the Constitution means what it says, and I agree with that."
_Supports President Bush's decision to increase troops in Iraq. "Wars are full of mistakes. You rectify things. I think we're doing that now," he said. "Why would we not take any chance, even though there's certainly no guarantees, to not be run out of that place? I mean, we've got to take that opportunity and give it a chance to work."
_Would pardon former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice now, rather than waiting until all his appeals are exhausted. Thompson is a fundraiser for Libby's defense.
Thompson said he was not setting a deadline to make a decision and believes he won't be at a disadvantage if he waited until summer. "The lay of the land will be different in a few months than it is today, one way or the other."
He added, "One advantage you have in not ... having this as lifelong ambition is that if it turns out that your calculation is wrong, it's not the end of the world."
Thompson, the minority counsel in the Watergate investigation, was elected to the Senate in 1994 to fill the unexpired term of Vice President Al Gore. He was chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee and left the Senate in 2003 to resume his acting career.
Thompson has acted in films such as "The Hunt for Red October," "Cape Fear," and "In the Line of Fire."
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, who is pursuing the Democratic nomination for president, said Thompson was as qualified as anyone "to credibly throw his hat in the ring." Added Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.: "I think he makes a great president in the movies and he might make a great one in real life."
Thompson was interviewed on "Fox News Sunday"; Biden and Graham spoke on CNN's "Late Edition."

Infected Keyboard: What was it infected with?

2007-02-13T16:21:00.000-05:00

A client/contact of mine recently commented how her keyboard had suddenly stopped working. Twice. She retorted, matter-of-factly:

Maybe my computer is infecting my keyboards... Cause this is my 2nd
keyboard.

She is a brunette. For the record.

Kobe Will Be a Judge in the 2007 Slam-Dunk Contest

2007-02-05T17:53:00.000-05:00

Either as a make-up of last week's boneheaded suspension, or, as an example of Kobe finally getting credit for his hard work on and off the court, Kobe Bryant has just been announced as a judge in the 2007 Slam Dunk Contest in Las Vegas.

I believe this is the first time in recorded history that an active player has been involved in judging his "peers" (and i use that term loosely) in an all-star event.

Can't wait to see what MJ and KB have to say.

NOTE: Vince Carter will also be a judge.

full text from here

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2007 – New York’s Nate Robinson will defend his crown in the 2007 Sprite Slam Dunk competition to be held on NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by EA SPORTS™, Feb. 17 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Robinson will compete against three first-time entrants – Boston’s Gerald Green, who is an alumnus of the NBA Development League, Orlando’s Dwight Howard and Chicago’s Tyrus Thomas – for this year’s title.

Last year in Houston, the 5-9 Robinson outlasted Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala 47-46 in a dunk-off to become only the second sub-6-foot winner in contest history joining Spud Webb, the 1986 champion. Webb provided the bounce pass for Robinson’s only 50-point dunk of the competition.

Golden State’s Jason Richardson was the last player to win back-to-back Sprite Slam Dunk titles capturing the 2002 and 2003 competitions. The only previous repeat Slam Dunk champion was Chicago’s Michael Jordan, who won the 1987 and 1988 contests.

The judges of this year’s Sprite Slam Dunk competition will include Jordan, who is the all-time All-Star Game scoring leader with 262 points in 14 appearances; 1985 and 1990 Slam Dunk champion and Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins; 1997 Slam Dunk winner and starting guard for this year’s Western Conference All-Stars Kobe Bryant; 2000 Slam Dunk winner and 2007 Eastern Conference All-Star reserve Vince Carter and 11-time NBA All-Star and Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving.

There are two rule changes for this year’s competition: Upon receiving the ball from the referee, players will have a two-minute time limit to complete their dunk. If a player hasn’t completed a dunk when the two-minute clock expires, he will have two more attempts to do so. Also new this year is the use of television instant replay, at the discretion of the referee, for clarification of rules compliance.

The Sprite Slam Dunk will be broadcast live nationally as part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by EA SPORTS, which will also feature the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam; Sprite Slam Dunk; Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout; PlayStation® Skills Challenge; Haier Shooting Stars; NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas, the league’s interactive event that attracts more than 100,000 fans each year; and the 56th NBA All-Star Game.

Sprite is the world’s leading lemon-lime soft drink and has been the official soft drink of the NBA since 1994. The brand’s association with the NBA and players like LeBron James help to reinforce Sprite’s straightforward attitude and “subLYMONAL” message.

Below is a list of previous winners and the lineup for the 2007 Sprite Slam Dunk:

SPRITE SLAM DUNK YEAR-BY-YEAR WINNERS
1984—Larry Nance, Phoenix
1985—Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta
1986—Spud Webb, Atlanta
1987—Michael Jordan, Chicago
1988—Michael Jordan, Chicago
1989—Kenny Walker, New York
1990—Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta
1991—Dee Brown, Boston
1992—Cedric Ceballos, Phoenix
1993—Harold Miner, Miami 1994—Isaiah Rider, Minnesota
1995—Harold Miner, Miami
1996—Brent Barry, L.A. Clippers
1997—Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
2000—Vince Carter, Toronto
2001—Desmond Mason, Seattle
2002—Jason Richardson, Golden State
2003—Jason Richardson, Golden State
2004—Fred Jones, Indiana
2005—Josh Smith, Atlanta
2006—Nate Robinson, New York

2007 SPRITE SLAM DUNK COMPETITORS

Participant, Team Pos. Ht. Wt.
Gerald Green, Boston F 6-8 200
Dwight Howard, Orlando C 6-11 265
Nate Robinson, New York G 5-9 180
Tyrus Thomas, Chicago F 6-9 215

http://www.nba.com/allstar2007/news/spr … 70205.html

Great selection of judges.

Bryant Suspended for Striking Ginobili

2007-01-30T13:04:00.000-05:00

What a joke. I wait a full year for this night, spending time and energy getting good seats, and now ruined, for no reason...

Reasons Kobe should not have been suspended for hitting Ginobili.
1) the Lakers come to NYC once a year.
2) It was inadvertent.
3) Ginobili is a flopper and deserves it.

Kobe Bryant was suspended one game without pay by the NBA on Tuesday for striking San Antonio's Manu Ginobili in the face. Bryant was to miss Tuesday's game against the New York Knicks, leaving the Lakers without their leading scorer when they opened an eight-game road trip. The incident occurred with 2.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' 96-94 overtime loss to the Spurs on Sunday. Bryant is averaging 28.4 points, 5.5 assists and 5.4 rebounds.

UPDATE 1: Video of the hit

UPDATE 2: nba rulebook says you need intent or an elbow. this had neither.

TOP CHEF: Elia with a wig!

2007-01-19T09:46:00.000-05:00

So; i was wrong. I have predicted it would be Ilan who packs his bags. Instead, it was Cliff.
The minds over at AB
are claiming that Elia was full-headed when they attacked Marcel.

I don;t think that was true, and not sure if that supports my claim that they would shave in order to cover up their follies.

Maybe she was wearing a wig (picture over here), or, they shaved her head after, not as a cover up, but just to prove what alcohol can do.