seeME

Mellowed out

2009-09-16T08:10:00.000-04:00

Moved

2009-03-18T18:28:00.000-04:00

Spring

2009-03-07T02:04:00.005-05:00

Debating to make a new blog via wordpress. They have more advantages over blogger, I just have yet to think of a good name for it. In the meantime, today was a beautiful day. Thanks to James, Tubby and Jackson for grabbing me to eat dimsum.

Coraline, Bad... 9, Good?

2009-02-24T05:34:00.018-05:00

Coraline's storyline (couldn't resist) is too slow and in the end, has very little meaning. It grabs from so many different existing cliches of a rebel girl who finally sees the light, but is too late and has to accomplish a seemingly impossible goal to save someone they love. Labyrinth? Mirror Mask? Alice in Wonderland? Pan's Labyrinth? The backup characters do not add much either as you see them, you get what what stereotype they represent, and then do not get developed. They are just simply weird.

However, because I went to see this, the trailer for a movie titled '9' was set before me. The soundtrack to the trailer is perfect, much like how The Smashing Pumpkin's The Beginning is The End is The Beginning fit the first Watchmen trailer. Welcome Home by Coheed And Cambria makes the 9 trailer that much more epic.

Go to www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/9/hd/ for an HD quality trailer.

Unblock Blocked Calls

2009-02-24T01:01:00.006-05:00

TrapCall

I have not had the chance to use this service yet, but by its looks, it does what it says. The website itself reminds me of GrandCentral, a company Google bought that allows you to select and own a phone number, which then dials your house, your cell, your skype (whatever you branch GrandCentral's number to) for free. There are also programs that can create emails or texts from voicemails you receive. We've come a long way from beepers.

And as a side blerb-
We all see sites nowadays that has an article or something of interest, and right below are hundreds of small icons for either facebook, digg, twitter, so you can spread the word of this article using those social networking sites. So as always, when a trend like that starts getting too big, a new site that combines all of those into a neat package arrives. It's inevitable. For these, its called AddtoAny. I have not even heard of more than half of these sites that this widget has icons and links to, but hey, they exist. Maybe I'll be bored enough to look at each one.

One of the Best Things I've Seen

2009-02-22T01:49:00.003-05:00

And on a related note, ish

A glimpse of hope as a species during dire times. You know when somebody is a genius? When they can explain something with the assumption that their audience does not know anything on the subject.

On a side note- Revamping my gallery so please leave me feedback. I can only get better through experience or criticism.

www.EMChan.com/gallery

Different Season

2009-02-21T02:55:00.004-05:00

Half a year ago, I remember wishing there was snow so I could go snowboarding. Its natural to want what you can't have. With the windchill, the temperature was in the teens yesterday. That only made me miss barbecues, the beach and crab season in Baltimore even more. Summer in the city is a great time, but winter is a good excuse to travel to another person's summer.

On Break

2009-02-18T13:56:00.001-05:00

Snowscraper

2009-02-06T02:17:00.005-05:00

Learn from the Best

2009-01-28T06:15:00.008-05:00

Steve McCurry. When I take pictures, I strive to take at least one that is half as good as any one of his. Granted, he has help and better equipment and lights for it and is an extrovert able to take pictures of strangers.. but that is not an excuse I use for myself. Instead I try to be as critical as possible with every picture I dare show in public. I do love the wonderful comments people have to say and am thankful. I just know I can do better. There is not one photo I have taken that is hands down amazing. Composition, framing, color, focus, background, key light, fill light, back light, subject, grain, artifacts, negative space... I go bonkers because there's always something not perfect, at least to my eye. The main thing I try to keep in mind nowadays before I click, is to have the patience for timing rather than flustering over whether or not I will get the shot at all.

Those eyes belong to one of Steve McCurry's most famous photos which can be viewed in his Portrait gallery. Another favorite is in the India gallery, with the train.

www.stevemccurry.com

Time Flies

2009-01-23T03:54:00.003-05:00

I have no idea where I put the past 7 months. Once I start trying to remember what I did last weekend, the next one is today. Not even any new pictures of recent. I have, however, become saddened looking in detail at what exactly my payout to loans will be. Deferment for Economic Hardship, here I am.

January 20, 2009

2009-01-20T07:49:00.005-05:00

Inauguration Day. There's enough being said on the news and from words floating in the wind that it just about covers how important today is.

Digging through old photos is like getting a 2nd chance at that moment. I usually snap at whatever interests me in that exact moment, but my opinion of the photo later that day may change so I don't think twice about it. Every now and then, I sift through them, usually because a theme pops into my head, letting me revisit photos that would have otherwise just sat idly, never to be seen.

This was taken at Chelsea Market, which I highly recommend the ice cream sandwich at Ronnybrook Milk Bar. You pick your cookie type and they scoop your choice of ice cream on top. A bit overpriced at $3.75, as much of the rest of their menu is, but what else is new from Manhattan?

The Return

2009-01-18T18:15:00.006-05:00

My Macbook Pro's screen was blank, took 2 weeks to get an appointment with Apple and have them fix it, while my PC had a virus. I was pissed at Apple for the laptop dying 6 months after the 1yr warranty expired for a known issue (searching online I found many who had and have the same problem) but they redeemed themselves because it was nVidia's fault, not Apple's. Then the stupid Apple-guy-who-couldn't-remember-I-was-next-and-skipped-me-twice tried to charge me $325 when the receipt said $0. Genius bar my ass

Getting on at Prince St, I somehow never noticed these in the wall... It's always nice to see art when you're not looking for it to lift your spirits. Except those ugly waterfalls a few months ago. That wasn't art, that was a waste of money and tree killers. If you want a REAL waterfall, I suggest these locations near NYC.

Movie Theaters

2009-01-04T21:46:00.006-05:00

Let The Right One In
Be aware those with ADD- it is a slow paced movie. Not your typical Hollywood film that has to have a climax. This story is just that, a story between the main characters just living their lives. Oh, and there's vampires. I do not know what the hype about Twilight is, but this one has it beat no contest.

My first time watching a movie at the Angelika and as different as it is, I am slightly disappointed. Maybe some people like hearing the projector while watching a movie, or sitting in a long narrow theater that is not too inclined, and paying the same price as any other Manhattan cineplex. I don't. If it had the feel of Village East Cinema, I would cut it some slack, but instead it reminds me of the cheap theater closest to where I grew up. You know, the one with lots of kids, can sneak into other movies and your shoes come out with a brand new bottom. What I can say positively about this place, which does matter immensely, is the company. Even as you walk past the line forming to buy tickets outside (there are 3 machines to buy by credit card inside, by the way) you can already see that the people going to this theater are the respectable kind. During the whole movie, I did not hear anybody talk or any phones go off. I don't even remember anybody getting up to go to the bathroom. And as cliche as it can get, there was clapping when the movie ended.

Daily Logos

2009-01-03T14:56:00.004-05:00

I like this idea. It's creative, free, and helpful to others.

Good Eats

2009-01-02T00:58:00.003-05:00

Photography is a hobby of mine that I love to death. If I don't have my camera every waking hour with me, I could miss THAT shot. That one shot that supersedes every shot I have taken before it. Alas, life is not always about a picture. Sure, I will be able to show others what I saw in that instant, but then it would be like missing out on the actual event. Watching the Times Square ball drop on the tube is not the same as going out in the cold with hundreds and thousands of strangers to savor 1 second out of 31,536,000. Once in a while, it feels that if I take that picture, I enjoy it only half as much if I just watch with my own eyes.

That being said, I tried a new restaurant today and have no photo of it.

Sapporo East - Manhattan - 10th ST and 1st AVE

I Like.

Other places call the dish Dynamite, but theirs has avocados in it and it is SO good. Of course, I had to try the ramen (their Tokyo one,) which reminded me very much of RaiRaiKen's shoyu ramen (deserves its own separate review.) The curry dishes are almost on par with Go Go Curry, so if you're into curry, definitely try it here. Sushi is a little above average. Worth going to since it has a little bit of everything for anybody wanting Japanese.

Almost forgot- HAPPY NEW YEAR
A brand new year of winging it

Too Busy

2008-12-31T14:58:00.001-05:00

Christmas

2008-12-25T23:43:00.004-05:00

The Holidays, because 2 of them fall within a week of each other. A time to be with close ones. Actually, every day is a time to be with close ones.

Even ghosts celebrate Christmas

Songbird

2008-12-22T23:29:00.006-05:00

Really sweet music software. It's the Firefox for music, with add-ons like one that downloads/displays lyrics of your songs. That, and everything else you'd want iTunes to do.

South Park: Woodland Critter Christmas

2008-12-21T01:27:00.002-05:00

Monster's First Snow

2008-12-19T14:20:00.002-05:00

Stupid People

2008-12-19T13:48:00.003-05:00

An ongoing series I'll have every now and then about stupid people. Imagine waiting for 20 minutes because a stupid cable van is double-parked like always. They're not even quick like a mail delivery who take maybe 2 minutes. Cableguys can sometimes be there for an hour. So while the truck is trying to plow the snow before it builds it up, a line starts forming behind the truck since now, nobody can pass because this cableguy can't hear honking.

Barcelona and Rome

2008-12-19T11:32:00.003-05:00

Click to view album

Still tuning my website's gallery that Jason is structuring. In the meantime, I posted some on Facebook.

30 Minutes

2008-12-18T17:16:00.002-05:00

Take half an hour of your time to watch this and put a different perspective on the way you make decisions.

Wolverine Origins

2008-12-16T15:42:00.006-05:00

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Trailer

Very disappointed at how ugly Gambit is.

More to Come

2008-12-15T13:43:00.003-05:00

Not quite a post, but finally able to look through Barcelona/Rome pictures. After that, have a few Killington pictures too. They all convinced me not to bring my camera up the mountain. I didn't have any bad spills, but I ended up falling a lot saving the same person time after time.

NYC Safe?

2008-12-03T08:49:00.002-05:00

Walking around without direction has come to be a pasttime of mine. However, in unknown territory it requires more attention to surroundings and using that peripheral vision. In the streets of Barcelona, wandering aimlessly, I end up near the water. In the distance I see a group of kids, about JHS age, just hanging around like kids would in a park. My attention goes to some cars driving by and boats in the marina. I turn back around to take a picture of the kids, when one of the girls, about 12, comes up to me with a clipboard. She points to something in English on the paper, and it looks like a petition. Not really caring, I sign some random name, when I notice there´s 5 more kids near me. I had forgotten that in almost every city I have been to in the Eastern hemisphere has this same social flaw. It´s the groups of kids you should be watching out for more than anything else. But chalk one up for the old people. Some old guy you would probably avoid in NY because he would be muttering to himself, comes along and starts yelling at the kids. The kids are pissed off, but start to leave. One tries to grab my camera, but as soon as I feel the tug, POOF, there´s the old guy behind the kid sticking his foot out to trip the kid. The kid let go and all the pack returned to their original area. I have no idea of what to make of all that except that it woke me up. I´ve always been on guard, especially the last time I came to Europe. I can usually spot the signs ahead of time, but I was utterly defeated this round. It makes me think of how I don´t see packs of little kids preying on tourists in NYC, or at least in my lifetime I have not witnessed it there. Thank you to that random old dude. When we started walking in the opposite direction of the kids, we parted ways. He looked at me, and shook a ´no-no´ finger.

Barcelona Day 1

Hiatus

2008-12-02T09:28:00.009-05:00

Been slacking and haven't been keeping up with the writing side of things. Will be gone to Europe for the next 2 weeks, and then weekend excursion to Killington the day I get back. Of course, my camera comes with on both trips. Even though it's an expensive toy, it wouldn't do it justice to keep it pristine and not take the risks to reap the rewards. My tool will have to survive what I put it through in order to grab the moment.

Still deciding on a nicer layout, so bare with the empty spaces on the sides of pictures.

Start the Day

2008-11-29T12:31:00.007-05:00

Shot 7 hours ago, 120 miles away.

Using a 30 second shutter, we started drawing with our phones.

The only one still active of the 3 I've seen in my life.

Cliffs in Long Island.

I cheated and crushed the blacks.

Class

2008-11-25T10:04:00.006-05:00

2008.08.31 - 1/60s - f4.5 - ISO400

Maybe it's because of the rain, or that I'm just in a mellow mood and wanted to listen to classical music. No matter your feelings or your environment, there is always music to compliment that moment in time. Same with film too. You have your adventure days, and you have your comedy days. Today, is a Pachelbel day.

Tag

2008-11-23T23:23:00.005-05:00

2008.11.23 - 1/1000s - f4.8 - ISO800

I have to put this shot up because Ross looks pregnant.

Went outside in the cold today to help finish Randall's project. I acted as moral support and consultant more than anything.

Goober

2008-11-23T00:20:00.006-05:00

One of my favorite pictures, even though its low quality. Natural sunlight flooding through windows and an open door. Friends sitting around playing a board game even though the TV is on. And Goober, who would rather play than eat, is taking a break.

2008.07.05 - 1/10s - f3.5 - ISO1600

Verrazano Bridge

2008-11-21T21:16:00.008-05:00

I don't like Photoshopping pictures, so these colors are genuinely what I saw through the viewfinder.

2008.09.20 - 1/3200s - f4.8 - ISO3200

Pirates?

2008-11-21T05:20:00.004-05:00

Unfortunately, I'm not as tuned into the world as I should be, but at least my mom works for NYT and my sister at ex-Lehmans. Overheard conversations between them usually keeps me up to date. On Nov 17th, I thought I heard incorrectly. Thieves managed to steal an oil tanker in open seas? Which, technically makes them pirates. In 2008. I still can't wrap my head around the idea that it is possible nowadays to get boarded and plundered. Then, I came across THIS website. It is a custom Google map that plots reported incidents. A huge majority occur in the waters next to Yemen. So if you know your geography, in order for the world to benefit from the Suez Canal, ships have to pass those waters outside of Yemen. You figure the UN might want to get on that small detail.

The Cathedral

2008-11-21T01:02:00.001-05:00

The Oscar-nominated animated short, The Cathedral, was created by Tomasz Bagiński. Amazing visuals and storytelling at its finest. Although I believe dialog can make or break a film, you can portray more emotion through body language, than through words alone. This is also why I prefer going out to see somebody, than talk over the phone or email.

Click to go to www.platige.com and watch.

5:07

2008-11-20T05:07:00.000-05:00

Went outside to move car for mom. First snow of the season.

Times Change. People Change.

2008-11-20T02:18:00.004-05:00

Be the change you wish to see.
-Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

"Don't you know it's gonna be alright" -John Lennon/Paul McCartney

Justin Timberlake on SNL

2008-11-19T02:25:00.009-05:00

SNL doesn't quite have the pizazz it used to have when I was 13, but its definitely still alive and once in a while, has those memorable skits that will be quoted for as long as I'm around.

Canon Rebel Commercial - Journey

2008-11-17T23:32:00.001-05:00

Nike Commercial - Fate

2008-11-17T03:33:00.002-05:00

Every now and then, something catches my eye that reminds me why I do what I do.