Yoav’s Blog

So Red is finally getting somewhere with their Scarlet camera, but even though it’s a ‘nice thing to have’ it is way to expensive for playing with.

Looks like Canon’s next iteration of the mid-range prosumer camera (The Canon 60D or 7D depending on rumor) is going to have 1080/24p video mode. So it would look like a funny video camera, but it will be enough to play with. It’ll be nice to have lenses with actual real focal lengths and aperatures to play with, while still recording in a high quality digital format.

And today Canon Rumors is reporting that Canon is switching to using the CMOS chips in their new video cameras.  So obviously they are hearing people (or fear the Red).

As you’ve probably noticed by now, I decided to re-do the look of the website from a fixed-width look to a much whiter, smaller font, variable-width with 3 column layout.  So I went and got a wordpress theme whose base I liked, and made small modifications to get it where I wanted it to be.

I’ll probably be making small changes to it as I decide on more things I want and don’t want, but for now, hope this doesn’t offend your sensibilities….

the three amigos

Ok so it took multiple attempts:

1. winds were blowing the wrong way
2. too many clouds
3. superbowl
4. YAY!  Went skydiving

So yes.  It took 4 weeks for us to go, but go we did.  James, Deborah, and I finally got on a plane, and tandem jumped (no training, they do everything).

We were each instructed on how to get attached to our instructor, and how to fall.

Lucky or unlucky for me, the guy I was with was trying to have ‘more fun’.  First they train us on how to step to the ledge of the plane, lean and fall out forward, etc.  Instead he brings me to the ledge SIDEWAYS, and makes me look over the side ‘just as a peak’.   He then asks me how I like it, and of course falls off sideways, so we go backwards.  With a little bit of arms in and out, we get to control our fall…

The fall is a rush.  The view was gorgeous, and the wind blows past you FAST and HARD.  Unfortunately, it was very cold up there, and with the ‘wind chill’ my face and ears were hurting like crazy.  It was a relief when the chute deployed and we slowed down some.  Of course, that gave him the chance to spin us around.. A LOT.  Never thought you would get that much of a G force from spinning, but by the fourth spin I was sure I was going to pass out..  Thankfully he didn’t try a fifth in a row, but changed direction.

Finally, the landing was nice and simple.  Legs up on the approach, then put them down and walk at the last second.  It all went very smoothly!.  I’m hoping to have more pictures and possibly a little bit of a video clip later….

Even though I was the last off the plane, I somehow ended up on the ground earlier.  I think we held off on deploying the chute for longer — or I’m just fat….  hmmm.  Either way.. woohoo!!!

There are some pictures up in my gallery, but I learned a valuable lesson about asking someone who is used to point-and-shoots to take pics with a DSRL….

Tomorrow, finally, Obama will be inaugurated. I pity him for the number of unrealstic expectations people have (I think people expected less of Jesus).  Already he is being compared to MLK.  But I also have very high hopes for his presidency.  Thankfully, when he speaks, he seems to find a way to inspire hope (if nothing else) that things will be better.

I came across a beautiful letter he wrote to his daughters, and figured I’d link it here.  It resonates well with my hopes for the near future.

Edit: And now it’s over.  I’m still disappointed about Warren, but at least it’s over and done with.  However, I do wonder:  There weren’t any “Ask not what your country can do for you…” quotes.  And I’m wondering (to ye olde ones).  When other great presidents made ‘memorable speeches’,  was it immediately obvious that “this is a quote for the ages”?   Or did that just happen after a while…?

I was getting sick and tired of how slow this website was getting.  It appears that godaddy (my hosting provider) was being very stupid about php. So, when it came time to renew my service provider contract, I switched to bluehost. Hopefully the site will be faster to load and use than in the past.

Unforunately, there’s always a risk that something may have broken during the move.  So if something seems to not be working, I’d appreciate a heads up.