The Ten Second Amendment

SANTA FE, NM - Ain't nobody looking out for nobody on this frontier - less they bandit or pervert. You reading this scrapbook, they done cut my suspenders - goddamn lawman. I figured it this way. That pine box been coming full split.

Got a record at eleven years, 'cause some damn bugger askin' bout a apple peeler. Bag of nails since. Kicked outta schoolhouse on why I beefed a man. They take no account of a child's family ain't got no money.

Between hay 'an grass, I dicker'd for low jobs, 'til word got back on suppos'd felony. Landlords ain't wanna hear heap about it neither. No sense barkin' a knot - learn't to hobble my lip 'an cut stick.

Near ten years now 'an down to the blanket. Cracked men sneaking up 'cause they heard you plumb'd a hill o' beans, 'an they don't take no account of drifters. Ditched and bulldozed in alley court on no charge of livin' among the willows.

Justice ain't but a lick 'an promise. Them tracks was to the boot yard 'an nothing figures for it.

Carousel Incident #342838

The emergency medical team slid the injured woman onto a gurney and wheeled her away, leaving a smear of blood several feet beyond a low metal fence surrounding the carnival ride.

The officer kneeled to take a witness statement, and placed a small notebook on his knee. These two young ladies had apparently seen the entire thing.

"Zebras can't be domesticated", she said. The second girl nodded emphatically.

Max Harder (2017)

A veteran homicide detective, framed for the kidnap and murder of his wife and child, flees the country. He's recruited by a black-ops private security firm, and turns vigilante to hunt the narcotics operation he believes is responsible.

As the bodycount climbs, his killing spree is overlooked thanks to powerful allies in government and strong sympathies within international police forces.

The detective and an old enemy ultimately join forces igniting a war that will lead them to confront an even larger conspiracy.

Cookie Cheater

Years ago, I was asked to design a puzzle solver for 7th Guest in an interview. It was remarkable how job-relevant that would be. They'd later ask me to automate browsers, email, phones, etc.

These scripts could hypnotize you - I'd turn the monitors so people could watch. Folks talked about scripts in conversation like these were rascal ghosts. The ghosts had higher security access than me.

I once automated Halo multiplayer - for some contest. I fastened the Xbox controller to a shiatsu massager, and made the worlds worst bot - it didn't win. Although it too was fascinating to watch as it randomly unloaded rounds and grenades.

This is my first AppleScript - I'd worked in Windows shops. Cookie Clicker, like Automation, is a game of escalation. One click, ten clicks, hundred clicks, thousand clicks... Eventually this capitalist escalation demands a change in approach. 

"Just make it click", they say. Clicks are the gateway drug of business process automation.

Project: Robot Jeep

version 0.3

Update #3: The new frame is 4mm bitbeam plate printed in PLA-plus, which is great because it's metric now. And I have an arduino, motor-shield, and usb battery installed - had to dial-in more power to the motors. Experimentally, 5-volt at 1-amp was only enough juice to run one (type-130) motor.

I tested a fancy E-Flite 7.4-volt LiPo battery (and charger) in this video. The smaller EC2 power connectors are also nice. With the controller set to random movement, heat-sink temp peaked at 140, which is good since the whole thing melts at 205. Looks like the 114:1 gear ratio is still too fast.

The treads are not tracking smoothly - I'm getting binds and clicks around the front sprocket. I need to widen and align the front axle, and maybe print another track design. I'd rather not sand these smooth - maybe I can wear them in. =)

version 0.2

Update #2: I've added a lightweight and inexpensive Tamiya Double Gearbox under the controller - setup for a 114:1 gear-ratio. The Tamiya axle was a quarter-inch too short, so I printed a new sprocket-wheel with axle extension. I'm using a simple friction-fit to the hex-bar rear axle.

version 0.1

Here I test-fitted these 3d-printed tank-treads, and a (temporary) Parallax controller. This project was inspired by the "RC MB Jeep in 1:10" and "Simple Arduino Tank" out on Thingiverse. I've often daydreamed building a full-size jeep out in the garage - so I hope this build can scratch that itch.

Near-term, I'd like simple radio-control and a first-person-view (FPV) camera. Long-term, I'll swap-in a Arduino controller with Android, RobotOS, vision, self-navigation - the whole enchilada.

That's A Very Long Show Title

Please Do Not Judge

Proletarian Falcon

"Nerf Herder best secured reservations
at that swamp camp",
worried Walking Carpet.
Last weekend they washed at a Wal-Mart.

Silhouette Generator

[CLICK TO GENERATE SILHOUETTE]

This machine issues literally millions of crisp little silhouettes.
As brand spanking random ideas flash across the stage,
please screenshot each agreeable scene and employ as needed.
Subject to your questions and suggestions as usual.
Such unnecessary, much useful, multi purpose.

Comic: Mostly Crap

Profound Robot

. . . . . .

[GENERATE]

this tragic toy tries to truth
but baby boots bounce beneath
so said software softly sighing
what we wanted was worthwhile writing

Father Fresh & Fat

Differences Did Develop

Life or Death

Worst In The Shire

Terms Of Service Jerk

Ten-thousand hours of entertainment media is a poor teacher of how the world works. We remember some fictional bologna where we have no educated opinion. We're more skeptical of experts. We're under-prepared for elected office.

Earthrise Moon Rider

I've wanted to do this since I saw Stephen McMennamy's work. The comboPhoto is overlapping two images for creative effect. Linked by some color or shape at the boundary, the pics can create wonderful mismatches of scale and context.

We went to an afternoon rodeo and I had only my 50mm lens. I got big dirt and tiny horses in harsh moonscape light. Where McMennamy divides his images with straight lines, I bent the cut planet-shaped because it was more fun.

I made two versions of this image. The hard-line combo, to my surprise, is stronger than the more realistic photoshop. One strength is authenticity - no effort wasted trying to convince or resist being convinced. It reminds me of the classic analog-film combo before the dawn of total digital manipulation.

Backwards Cowboy Print

(click to enlarge, frame not included)

A fun backwards cowboy shot, especially the fence-framed shirt & hat. Of the dozens of images I made here, this one has the winning composition. It was taken in 2014 with the Nikon D300s at f/9, 1/320s, 50mm, and 200 ISO. It grows on me every time I see it.

Washington State Fair

Nikon D300s: 50mm, f1.8, 1/50s

PUYALLUP, WA - The State Fair had a building full of local arts and crafts on show. Much of the work is made by talented amateurs and students. Those fancy fair blue ribbons are awarded; so fancy that I should really get a picture next time.

The composition here was too busy. I was aiming for the look of a tree in winter - by using a tight frame and shallow focus depth. I think the overall effect is much more convincing in monochrome. Since the background has no competing color, my eye easily goes to the tree.

Nikon D300s: 50mm, f4.5, 1/80s

This circular pattern made me think Death Star. The subject here was also wires and texture, so I again used monochrome to eliminate competing light and color. Even a tiny bit of color in the wrong place steals focus from the texture.

Long Beach Kite Festival

Nikon D300s: 27mm, f/13, 1/640s

LONG BEACH, WA - The Washington State International Kite Festival is the largest kite festival in North America. The event every August draws more than 100,000 people.

The fog was more surreal than captured in this photo. Perhaps I could've worked the composition to eliminate that extra patch of beach on the right. With a wider lens, I'd have been able to get closer to the people and still include the kites. A wider lens would increase focus depth too, which helps this pic.

I used the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art lens here - an award-winning zoom, but it weighs more than a second camera with a landscape lens. I had to alternate my camera-strap arm from fatigue. Changing lenses on the windy beach is not recommended, so I appreciated the zoom.

We came home with great pictures, and sand everywhere.

Bellevue Lunar New Year

Leica D-LUX: 75mm, f/2.8, 1/500s

BELLEVUE, WA - When it rains here the malls get crowded. One wet day in early Feb, the Seattle Chinese Culture and Arts Association put together this indoor stage featuring various traditional and contemporary cultural demonstrations.

I did find a front-row seat, but I preferred the pics from stage-right. The big crowd made a better background than a boring black curtain. I went to ISO 6400 and prioritized a fast shutter speed.

I'm perfectly happy with the composition. I knew I wanted the lanterns on the right, to not cut off heads or feet, and to avoid the sound-board in the bottom-left. A photo like this might benefit from f/1.4 (if that was an option), to further soften that store-sign.

Leica D-LUX: 75mm, f/2.8, 1/250s

There were four of these guys in face-paint and I tried dozens of shots. This one was my favorite because both subjects are in focus and the hand-gesture. The woman on the right helps frame the shot, but again f/1.4 (if that was an option) would help throw her out of focus.

I appreciate that people act natural around the Leica D-LUX. When I shoot with the big Nikon and lens, people often turn their attention to the camera. I also helps there were a hundred other folks taking photographs at this event.

Camera Gear: Knobby By Nature

Nikon D300s: 75mm, f/8, 0.8s

Once upon a time it cost a dollar each press of the shutter. My university sold inexpensive photo-paper, and Kodak Tri-X 400 by the 100ft foot box. I got unlimited access to B&W developer and lab equipment with enrollment. My first serious camera, a Minolta X700, looked like a budget knock-off of this Nikon FM3a, but I thought it was great.

I made this photo with the D300s on a tripod above cardboard. I'm happy with the diagonal layout, but I don't like the shadows much. It was impossible to get even light around the cameras. Next time I should remember to go outdoors, and setup on white paper. 

This little Leica D-LUX is D-Lightful. Not as sharp and colorful as the Nikon D300s, but quarter the size. It has knobs, fast lens, optical-stabilization, and the leaf-shutter makes it the quietest camera I've used. Knobs let me verify and adjust without turning on the camera. There are few occasions I go into labyrinth menus, now that I've got it all setup. And it has face auto-focus.

The colors are Panasonic, and get fixed in post. We're extra sensitive to color in faces - a signal of health or disease. In my opinion, it looks good with darker skin, while light pink faces sometimes look like they caught a cold. This is a common problem - I don't know of any camera that can handle every face. My easy fix is to choose a color LUT in Luminar (or Instagram) that flatters a particular face. 

Black&White solved the problem of distracting color above. Camera makers highlight some settings in RED to draw attention. If the most distracting thing in a photograph is not the subject, or it's too busy overall, Black&White might be right for you.

When the D-LUX goes to sleep it retracts the power-zoom and forgets where it was - sadly missing physical zoom control. The [A] auto-mode button is trouble - it disables the knobs, and turns them into liars - if accidentally enabled. The [F] filter-effects button is unnecessary if you shoot RAW - it can't be customized.

The handsome (and heavy) Nikon FM3a pictured above also makes images via knobs. The family resemblance is strong, but the Nikon exposure-comp dial locks. I've got to check that sneaky D-LUX dial every single time. The Fujifilm X-Pro1 also has the too easily bump-able exposure-comp dial.

Fujifilm cameras also have the knobs, stabilization, face auto-focus, and some leaf-shutters. But I prefer the 28mm - the one Fuji didn't bedazzle with knobs. Well, if we're sacrificing knobs, I have to try that Ricoh GR that everyone raves about. 

Spaz Wipers

I've tried lots of drawing tools, and right now I really like Inkscape. It facilitates a kind of precision that resonates with my inner control-freak. Also it's super free.

How-To Pumpkin Spice

Low-Poly Jack Black

This was the result of me following a video tutorial to learn InkScape.

It's amazing that I can just become curious about a random thing and start lessons in under a minute. Now I probably watch an hour of educational video everyday. When you're curious if there is an instructional video on some obscure topic the answer is always yes.

I learned how to rebuild the lawnmower carburetor from video. My family thinks I just know things. They don't believe me when I tell them it's YouTube.