Gitzo G2180
What good is a tripod without a tripod head? After some research I decided that the Gitzo G2180 would be a perfect fit for my Canon Vixia. Admittdley a bit pricey I decided it was better to go with a trusted brand name.
Description
The G2180 is an extremely compact and low profile fluid head. Offering a complete range of technical features combined with an exceptional size / weight to performance ratio. In order to achieve such a compact size and low weight, Gitzo developed a new and unique technical compound named soulid 238®. This special techno polymer is 30% lighter than magnesium, but just as strong, with good vibration dampening. The lightness and strength of Soulid 238® make the G2180 the perfect combination of style and high tech materials. Besides exceptionally smooth movements, high quality engineering and assembly, the G2180 features a sophisticated, adjustable and highly accurate counterbalance system. The G2180 is ideal for DSLRs with long lenses and or compact DV camcorders.
Manfrotto 055XPROB
Bored at work and feeling a bit blue I did what any red blood American would do, seek instant gratification through unbridled consumerism. Considering I had no money and massive debt I decided to use my credit cards rewards program. Imagine my surprise when I discovered they carried serious camera equipment.
I had been looking to purchase a tripod for my Canon Vixia so when I saw they carried Manfrotto it was a done deal.
Manfrotto 055XPROB
The 055XPROB makes the famous Manfrotto-patented horizontal centre column feature even easier to use. By extending the column to its highest vertical position, it can be swung round to horizontal without removing the head or disassembling the column itself, so switching between framing and positioning setups is more convenient than ever. The ergonomics of the leg angle release mechanism and the quick action leg locks themselves have also been greatly improved.
Werner Herzog Reads Where’s Waldo
I was having a shitty day at work when I noticed Paul posted this hilarious clip of Werner Herzog narrating Where's Waldo. Could you imagine a Where's Waldo narrated by Morgan Freeman? Just think Shawshank Redemption, priceless
A Tiny Apartment Transforms into 24 Rooms
Saw this the other day while goofing off at work and thought it was pure genius. Call me crazy but I wouldn't be surprised if this is what living in a studio apartment in NYC might look like in the future. Very Fifth Element. Leeloo Dallas multipass!
No More Sleepovers
Me
I know I love you cause I just told Mihoko I can't let her sleep over if she comes to NY for the weekend.
Girlfriend
She can sleep on the couch if she doesn't mind hearing us fuck in the next room.
Conclusion
Love is a funny thing.
American Ballet Theatre
I hadn't been to the ballet in over fifteen years and forgot how wonderfully spectacular an experience it can be. Perhaps it's my new found appreciation for the human form or just the splendor that is dance but watching the dancers bound across the stage was inspiring.
I've included a video below of the show we saw but I don't think it does a very good job of capturing how special an evening it was. I guess something is better than nothing?
Strictly Ballroom
Before Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann directed what I consider to be one of the best dance / romantic comedies / guilty pleasures ever made. Strictly Ballroom is a quirky and charming peak into the world of competitve ballroom dancing.
Scott Hastings is a champion caliber ballroom dancer that believes in dancing "his own steps". Fran is a beginning dancer and a bit of an ugly duckling. Together, these two try to win the Australian Pan Pacific Championships and show the Ballroom Confederation that they are wrong when they say, "there are no new steps!"
Be warned that this movie is only for people with a love for dance or a soft spot for movies like Dirty Dancing.
Hot Tub Time Machine
What should have been a guilty pleasure rental from Netflix turned into a Friday night at the theater. So, why did I pay full price for a movie I knew wasn't going to live up to my expectations? Simple, I love the 80's and I'm not ashamed to say it. Add to that my deep admiration for John Cusack's early work (Say Anything and Better Off Dead) and you can begin to understand my deep desire to plunk down $27.
So, was it worth it? Yes and no. The movie itself isn't very good and most of the jokes fall flat but somehow seeing it in a theater with a bunch of like minded individuals made the whole experience a lot more gratifying. That said when you finally receive it from Netflix, kick back a few drinks invite a few friends and prepare to have a good time.
Up in the Air
A few weeks ago I got into a discussion with my girlfriend about leaving in the middle of a bad movie. I argued that movies, like any medium, need to be examined and digested as a whole. She in turn asked me to list some examples. This turned out to be harder than I thought.
Thankfully a few days later I sat down to watch Up in the Air, a perfect example of my theory. The first hour of this film is all character development and might be considered boring by today's standards. Suddenly the movie takes a massive turn and sucker punches the audience, elevating a simple plot into something greater.
Do I think this film was Oscar worthy, no. Is it a good movie that displays storytelling expertise not often seen in movies today, yes. .
Kick Ass
What starts out as a clever and funny look at why no one has ever tried to become a costumed superhero slowly devolves into a boring poorly paced movie that has one hilarious moment and two great action sequences.
- Nicholas Cage shooting a kid in the chest. Which I saw online a month before the movie was even released.
- The scene where Hit Girl saves Kick Ass and her dad, Big Baddy.
- The final fight scene which reminded me a lot of La Femme Nikita. You know the scene in which Nikita is trapped in a kitchen behind a counter as bad guys plan to blow her up with a rocket launcher... wait a minute.
I don't understand why people think this is a great movie or why they say it is uber violent. I often times feel like I am out of touch or just a fucking film snob.
Have I Read the Comic Book?
NO, but from what I've read and heard that might be a good thing.