78 rules of photography
Ivars Gravlejs wrote up, and gave examples of, 78 right and wrong ways to shoot a photo.
http://gawno.com/2009/05/78-photography-rules/
For example:
When you take a picture of a sausage, try to use a diagonal composition. It is important to show the cut which is made in 45 degree angle.
the undead are in Austin — and are city employees!
A couple pranksters changed the message on two portable road-traffic signs in Austin, TX recently. They were warning drivers, and rightfully so, of the impending zombie attack.
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/Road_signs_warn_of_zombies
Little did the hackers realize that the zombies are apparently already on the Austin Public Works payroll. See this sad-to-the-point-of-amusement quote:
"Even though this may seem amusing to a lot of people, this is really serious, and it is a crime," said Austin Public Works spokesperson Sara Hartley. "And you can be indicted for it, and we want to make sure our traffic on the roadways stays safe."
This attitude, this complete inability to laugh off a harmless (yes, harmless) prank, especially during a time of severe stress and anxiety in our nation, is just sad. Criminal charges? Indictments? Give me a break, Austin Public Works. You were 0wned on 2 whole road signs for part of one morning. Get over it and move on.
With thanks
I cannot express to you, dear reader, how much crap (both literal and figurative) 
helloheather has had to deal with over the past 8 days. I cannot describe how much work this has all been and how it continues to be. I cannot begin to illuminate you on how bad she feels in her belief that she allowed others to become sick because of us. (A belief I do not share.)
What I can tell you, however, is how grateful I am to have someone as strong and as smart and as compassionate as helloheather in my life. Someone who has taken all that this illness has thrown at her (and continues to throw at her), and yet remains dedicated, caring, optimistic, and loving.
I am blessed.
I voted! (x2)
A baby from Illinois wouldn't be much of a baby if he or she didn't vote early and vote often! Nathan is certainly no exception. 
oh the humanity!
Babysitting Lauren on Saturday. The duck didn't stand a chance, but thankfully the other animals made it out unscathed.
Febtober
Saw this in the February email from the Chicago Cultural Center:
EXHIBITIONS - Situation Comedy: Humor in Recent Art
February 4-April 9, 2006
Exhibit Hall
This traveling exhibition presents more than 60 works, including video and sound installations, paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photographs by 30 contemporary artists. These works employ various strategies involving text and image using parody, satire, slapstick and practical jokes to inject humor into the normally staid art environment
http://chicagoculturalcenter.pmailus.com/pmailweb/ct?d=Bb3A4QAuAAP-----AACOSw
All the Whos down in Whoville.
helloheather getting ready for Christmas Eve. She's too darn cute
No wedding here!
Spotted while on a walk during my lunch hour. The building used to be home to a law firm architectural firm but is now vacant.
“The Shining!” – The feel-good film of the fall.
This is really really funny.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/jwz/549733.html
The site JWZ links to has been getting hit pretty hard, so if the site is dead, I've got a mirror here:
http://www.phule.net/stuff/shining-final.mov
(9.6MB Quicktime)