The Fabulous Mint 400

Women Drivers

2009-08-30T15:59:18Z

Focus Stacking

2009-06-07T16:03:07Z

I've made some upgrades in the photo dept. as of late and I have finally gotten a chance to spin my wheels with it a bit. First up, the upgrades: Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 180mm f/3.5 L USM Macro. The 5D is quite the pig when it comes to pixels. If you are using a Rebel (as I was before) you are going to think this camera is awesome. If you are 1D users, then you might be disappointed. The macro lens is something I've had for a week or so. I'm still getting used to it.

The new lens has given my an opportunity to try a new technique for macro photos called focus stacking. I picked up Helicon Focus to work the rendering. Basically, the idea is the same as HDR images - take multiple shots, only this time vary the focus on each bracket and have the software put them together.

So, for example, these two exposures show the limitations of depth of field for macro shots. Both were taken at f/16 with the focus placed either at the extreme foreground or background. Of course, normally you would just aim for the front, say the elephant's face and let everything else fall where it may. That's fine and all, but sometimes the bokeh blur is eliminating details that are important. So if you bracket exposures and drag the focus from foreground to background you can get all the details you want.

Pictures of nick-nacks are fine, but how about botanics? Well, they totally kick ass...

Nice to know you...

2009-06-04T13:56:33Z

Dang, it's only been six weeks since the last post. I cannot lie and pretend that my interests have not been elsewhere. But, whatever. If all three of the riders here are still willing to share some jams, so be it. It's best to just jump straight back in, whether you're lagging behind on blogging, Poker DE practice or a college assignment.

As of late, I've gotten a nice injection of tunes from my spin instructor. Yeah, sometimes it takes a young blonde female that likes to listen to Powerman 5000-type stuff to get you out of a funk. Fine. With. Me.

One of the artists shared is Incubus, which has been loaded up the Jams*. I hadn't had any exposure to the band prior to this and I have to say that I am nicely surprised, enough to be attending the concert in Chicago in July. They've got a depth that goes beyond the average pop-metal bands, and a diversity that keeps you on your toes. Anyway, those are the hits, and I think each one has merit. Enjoy.

*Of course, the Mint Jams are listen-only. If you wish to purchase the music go here.

Found on road dead

2009-04-22T14:12:34Z

Alright folks. This site has been dead for too long. All apologies to the three riders we have. My only excuse is the unrelenting daily grind and the overpowering drone it produces. I'm trying to drown it out as of late with some degree of success. So, with that, there is an awful lot of disk space that is going unused.

I've updated the Jams with some favorites that have been somewhat inspirational as of late. There is more to come:

Leona Naess
KMFDM

Feel free to supplement your playlists with streamed tunes from the Jams. Leona is a repeat for some of you. But she comes highly recommended from this rider. I cannot say enough about chicks that are well versed in strong drink and decent beats. The breathy voice works too. Check out Blue-Eyed Baby, Hurricane and Boys Like You. As for KMFDM goes, it may not be your thing. But if you've want to sound check the home stereo for sub 20Hz capabilities here is your chance: Megalomaniac, Ultra, Brute.

That's it for now. Kick it.

Of course, insert our usual disclaimer here. If you want to buy the albums use the internet.

Mr. Jefferson

2009-04-01T03:53:02Z

Brought to you by The Mike Church Show.

Gotta Love the Japanese

2009-03-26T14:51:15Z

Seriously, this is both stunningly weird and cool at the same time.

Watch it again and look at the eye for detail. At one point, Botasky has his weapon in front, slung by the strap around his neck. Fucking brilliant.

Honestly, tell me this as a game WOULDN'T top COD Modern Warfare.

Honorary Rider: Chuck Norris

2009-03-12T05:13:33Z

There are far too many reason why Chuck is an honorary rider. Add this to the long and distinguished list:

CNN: Chuck Norris for president ... of Texas

"Anyone who has been around Texas for any length of time knows exactly what we'd do if the going got rough in America," Norris wrote. "Let there be no doubt about that."

Yeah, you bring it, Chuck. You da' man.

DC Vouchers : Dead

2009-03-11T17:31:32Z

CNN: Obama, Dems wrong to kill school vouchers

... tucked into that bill is an amendment pushed by the president's former colleague in the Senate, Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin, who used his influence to essentially kill the District of Columbia school vouchers program.

Oh sure, it will be portrayed that the Democrats aren't killing the program, but the initiative calls for no new students to be allowed entry, unless approved by Congress and the District of Columbia City Council.

*Raising my hand. The current set-up of public education where tax payers give the Gov't cash and then Gov't turns around and decides what type of education tax payers can have access to is the same as if a car insurance company dictated what type of car each insured member was able to drive.

And, to get back to Martin's point about individuals waiting for the reform to come to them. Is the point of the public education system the individual or the collective group? If vouchers remove the good students from the school, which they do, doesn't that allow the education program of the school to be better tailored to fit the students that remain? So for example, if the A and B students have parents that are involved in their education and wish to participate in a voucher program that removes them from the public school that allows the public school's curriculum to be tailored to C and below students.

Today's Time Suck

2009-02-27T19:37:50Z

Julie Henderson : Body Painting is also highly recommended.

Hurt. Me. Plenty.

Today's Drive By:

2009-02-27T18:49:00Z

Clue Phone, Calling Eric Holder.

2009-02-19T21:30:32Z

Here's a clue why we cannot have a discussion about race. That's right, a $4B class action lawsuit because somebody pointed out that asian people have slanted eyes. Holy. Shit. They do? Oh my fucking god, Miley is right.

Wait a minute, people from Africa look different than people from Europe and neither of them look like people from Central America. Holy. Fucking. Shit.

Isn't it funny that identical genetic material and concentrations of elements can be geographically isolated for such a long period of time that its common combinations can look completely different? Isn't it really weird that geography, climate and isolation can so greatly alter a species' most dominant identification tool? And when you compare all the differences exhibited by humans isn't it wonderful and weird at the same time? No?

Here's another clue. We're not going to get beyond race until one of two things happen:

We stop talking about race entirely. No more mentioning that this is the first blue person for such and such a position. No more text field entries for race or ethnicity on job applications, financial documents, marriage licenses, etc.
We give up this notion of coerced diversity where a mention of one race or religion leads to an immediate listing of every race and religion across the globe.

Until either of those happen, we'll be stuck in a society where things like a holiday wish for happiness are viewed as a religious attack.

Honorary Rider: Ameneh Bahrami

2009-02-19T17:57:30Z

CNN: Woman blinded by acid wants same fate for attacker

"I don't want to blind him for revenge," Bahrami said in her parents' Tehran apartment. "I'm doing this to prevent it from happening to someone else."

No revenge? Yeah, whatever. I say: burn that fucker. Let equal retribution be the deterrent to future violent acts. You wanna stop pedophiles from sodomizing little boys? Easy. The first time you sit one of those convicted freaks on a mechanical bull with a Sunday Edition sized dildo mounted to the saddle, and televise it, every sicko in the nation will think twice about taking their shlong out of their pants. If not, it makes for great reality TV.

H.R. 45 : Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009

2009-02-18T16:24:15Z

Via:*

1. Require licensing for anybody that owns a gun.
2. Would require photographs and a thumbprint
3. Would require passage of a test that covers:
(A) the safe storage of firearms, particularly in the vicinity of persons who have not attained 18 years of age;
(B) the safe handling of firearms;
(C) the use of firearms in the home and the risks associated with such use;
(D) the legal responsibilities of firearms owners, including Federal, State, and local laws relating to requirements for the possession and storage of firearms, and relating to reporting requirements with respect to firearms; and
(E) any other subjects, as the Attorney General determines to be appropriate;

In a related note: My father-in-law has decided to bequeath a piece from his personal arsenal. With the proper paperwork processed, I'll take the legal possession of a Remington semi-auto 12-gauge shot gun, that he used as a police officer in the '68 Chicago DNC riots. Good to have a weapon with a history. The form that I have to submit for approval does require a copy of my DL, FOID and two passport photos. I suppose I do not have a problem with that on its face value. It does seem to be a wasted effort that doesn't provide anything other than a false sense of security to those who support it. The documentation doesn't ensure that I will not use the weapon unlawfully. Nor does it provide any additional aid in finding me if I do. If I already have a state ID or DL and an FOID, the extra photos are redundant. 'Feh, probably makes somebody sleep better at night.

Now, if you start to talk about unwarranted ~~search~~ inspections of personal property my dander is going to get up. If you suggest that the Fed. can seize my medical records to ensure that I am not a threat to society, I'll start to wonder where the hell I live.

As a point of order, the Mint OpenCongress page has been updated.

* Read the bill's full text here.

The SubPrime Debacle Explained via Powerpoint

2009-02-18T15:18:26Z

Via

What's stimulating about socialized healthcare?

2009-02-11T19:02:26Z

Ruin Your Health With the Obama Stimulus Plan: Betsy McCaughey

In his book, Daschle proposed an appointed body with vast powers to make the "tough" decisions elected politicians won't make...

The stimulus bill does that, and calls it the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research (190-192). The goal, Daschle's book explained, is to slow the development and use of new medications and technologies because they are driving up costs. He praises Europeans for being more willing to accept "hopeless diagnoses" and "forgo experimental treatments," and he chastises Americans for expecting too much from the health-care system.

That's right folks, just line up to the trough. There you will find hope, meaning, purpose and longevity all ladled out evenly by the all-knowing Politburo.