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First weekend up in our Maine Condo, nice to be up here. As always, set up the stereo (all-in-one with Orchard Pecan Pi + board and Purifi amp modules -> Kaya S12 speakers). This is the second all-in-one like this I modded, did a cleaner job on the back of this one....no panel scratches. Also a lovely picture of Nubble Lighthouse in York Maine with the Northern Lights; not my pic. But one of Karen and my favorite places!

Brad Mehldau - After Bach II Available almost everywhere and beyond Amazing. Favorite 2024 album so far.

Meanwhile, in a change from Eurovision

It's good to see Weird Al is still doing his thing, but I'm curious to see the original.

Marathoned the first two seasons after many years of being away. Still some of the best writing.

Since some time 2008, when I shoot film I use the voice recorder app on my phone to record the time, date, exposure settings, lens, filters, zoom in mm (if applicable) on every shot I take. It's a PITA, but it saves my sanity. I learned a long time ago I am incapable of guessing what lens I used. Take this not very interesting shot taken with Kodak Gold 200 in 2008: When I got the scans back in '08, I didn't really like it so I ignored it for 15 years. Revisiting it in 2023, I guess it was taken with my 35mm F/2, which I used a lot with film bodies at the time. I checked my notes and .... "Hadley, 7/02/08 - 8:07PM - 135mm Orestor @ F/8." I can't reliably tell the difference between a 35mm and 135mm on a full frame, in a location I know and have visited for almost five decades. Write your shit down. Future you will be very thankful.

Me too! Speaking of Cartier, a medium Santos came my way. I’ve had the large for years now, and love it (it was my everyday watch before the Apple Watch), but the Medium really has a totally different character. It almost feels vintage, whereas the large feels thoroughly modern. Almost feels like an old Galbee. On my 6.75 inch wrist, anyway. The large wears like a Speedmaster. Definitely larger than my 40mm round watches, as it should. The medium wears more like my 35.5mm cushion Seamaster, and definitely wears smaller than a 1675 GMT.

Roger Corman: 10 essential films https://www.bfi.org.uk/lists/roger-corman-10-essential-films

Rare sight in NH - northern lights visible due to a significant solar storm. It was clearly visible and photographed more impressively than it looked. Still fun.

I've been attempting to take meaningful photos at 300mm. It's been a nontrivial task. First up is some carefully edited photos taken with my (never not crap) Canon 75-300mm. A heron stepping around the pond. 75-300 @ 300mm, F/10, 1/800, ISO1600. I took advantage of the 5D4's high ISO performance to use a small aperture (the 75-300 sucks ass at anything else) and maintain a decent shutter speed. First day with the 300mm F/4 Nikkor. The subject is more native MV wildlife. This time, the wheelbarrow belonging to my (sainted, octogenarian) mother. It was holding still and well lit. The 300mm Nikkor works on a Canon body with an adapter, but it's nontrivial to use. First off, it doesn't have a hard stop at infinity focus. Many (most) old manual focus lenses have one and I find it super useful at any focal length. At 300mm, lacking a hard stop is a serious handicap. I eventually learned to deal with it. Not terribly interesting shot of Sweetened Water Farm, from my driveway. The main point of this shot (besides capturing some golden hour sun on some trees) was to demonstrate just how far back infinity focus starts with a 300mm. Bonus: (Nearly) the same view last summer, taken with my second Orestegor 300mm (which is significantly bigger and heavier than the 300mm Nikkor.) Again, not the wacky depth of field the 300mm provides. Both of these shots were taken wide open, which is to say F/4. Late afternoon sun on Jernegan pond. The 300mm Nikkor does produce a tiny bit of CA wide open. You both have to work to make it in a shot and then look for it afterward. A small plane flew overhead and I managed to capture it. Not as easy as one might imagine. There's shooting the moon, then there's shooting the moon. F/4, 1/160 with my hand on the front of the lens (steadies it a bit), ISO3200. Moments later, F/4 (I *think*), 1/160, ISO6400. More use of the 5D4's ISO performance. When I took this shot, I was very proud that I captured two herons and a duck. Upon editing I realized it was actually three herons. TBH I haven't picked up the 300mm Nikkor in a few weeks. I've been too busy editing photos from 2013 and 2023. More on that later.

Thats whats needed but, stax logic is simple: why make a better product when you can sell something worse for much more and the hifi magazine reviewers are guaranteed to say its the best thing since non-sliced, small batch, organic artisan, seeded, whole meal, bread... *sigh* between on semi and Stax we just can't have nice things.

This is how you make a car video. That bugatti looks insane. This was also filmed where I autocross.

Eurovision is delivering this year.

And on the other end of the quality scale:: So, I wrote a prompt to AI: I need a comparative sarcastic review of The Carpenters - Space Encounters 1978 and the Star Wars Christmas Special. (( It got it mostly right. I didn't feel as awful after this as I did the SW special - At least there is Karen's singing )) -- The Force Awakens...of Cheesy Holiday Cheer: A Comparative Review of Space Oddities Buckle up, space cadets, for a clash of the titans...well, maybe not titans, but two contenders for the most bizarre holiday space experience. In one corner, we have Karen and Richard Carpenter, armed with synthesizers and questionable fashion choices, blasting off on Space Encounters of 1978. In the other corner, it's the ragtag crew of the Millennium Falcon forced to endure a nonsensical holiday variety show in the Star Wars Holiday Special. Let's see who wins this battle of the bewildering. Musical Merit: Space Encounters: Karen's voice soars like a spaceship on helium, while Richard tinkles on his synthesizer like a toddler discovering a Casio for the first time. The result? Earworms that burrow into your brain and refuse to leave, but undeniably catchy earworms. Star Wars Holiday Special: Let it be known: the galaxy far, far away has some truly dreadful musicians. Imagine elevator music trapped in a broken blender. This is where musical careers go to die. Special Effects: Space Encounters: Prepare to be dazzled by…a shimmering disco ball and some flashing lights. Hold onto your metaphorical spacesuits, folks, it's a wild ride. Star Wars Holiday Special: A low-budget fever dream. Lumpy creatures cavort around in what appears to be a forgotten corner of Mos Eisley cantina. Just be thankful they don't try to sell you those itchy-looking bathrobes. Plot Development: Space Encounters: Essentially non-existent. We just kind of…float around in space with the Carpenters, pondering the mysteries of the universe (and possibly regretting our life choices). Star Wars Holiday Special: Chewbacca's family celebrates Life Day, a bizarre intergalactic holiday involving singing vegetables, a barely coherent Boba Fett cartoon, and a bar brawl almost as confusing as the plot. May the Force help you understand any of it. Redeeming Qualities: Space Encounters: So bad it's good. A campy classic that will have you laughing (or groaning) along. Perfect for those nights when you need a good dose of the absurd. Star Wars Holiday Special: Uh…well, it's a collector's item for die-hard Star Wars fans? And a cautionary tale for future holiday specials, perhaps? The Verdict: This is a close call. Space Encounters offers more entertainment value with its sheer awfulness, but the Star Wars Holiday Special wins for pure nonsensical weirdness. Ultimately, the choice depends on your tolerance for cheese and your love for the bizarre. Just remember, there's always the fast-forward button.

I would happily own this sexy beast.... https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-cartier-santos-de-cartier-dual-time-live-pics HS

Roger Corman, low-budget filmmaker who launched many careers, dies at 98 https://wapo.st/3QELIVy

Holy shit. RIP Steve Albini. Only 61. Absolute fucking legend of a producer. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/08/arts/music/steve-albini-dead.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Albini_discography