We carved pumpkins last night and Mark and I decided to go political with it:

How lame is it that this excites me as much as Janet going on tour excites me? Reminds of of those Nsync and Britney days. Only I’m like 10 years older.

Then again, their music is beyond their years and David’s tracks also fall under Adult Contemporary and not just Pop and Jmac is borderline JT/Neyo.

So there.

They’re still EXPLOITING children. Parents outraged by using their kids without permission for their commercials. Read the article here.

Shameful.

Stand up for equality. Get bumper stickers, post signs. Visit a No on Prop 8 campaign and pick up these items for free.

This is NOT a religious issue. It’s an issue about civil rights. There is no such thing as separate but equal. How stupid does that sound?

This is about going backwards in time where discrimination plagued America.

This is about telling those people who still use the “N” word, the people who still call gay americans faggots, the people who believe their belief is better than yours, the people who think taking american’s rights away is the word of God, the people who think marriage is theirs to own… that there are alternatives to respecting belief systems.

I’m not fighting for my right to marry under your church. I’m fighting for my rights as an American to be able to love and be socially accepted.

Voting yes on Prop 8 teaches kids to discriminate.
Voting yes on Prop 8 introduces a new form of hate in their lives.
Voting yes on Prop 8 leads to hate crimes.
Voting yes on Prop 8 is not the way of Americans.

Voting no on Prop 8 teaches kids about equality
Voting no on Prop 8 teaches kids to not judge a book by it’s cover.
Voting no on Prop 8 tells them equality matters
Voting no on Prop 8 means that regardless of your religion, you truly believe that people should have the same rights. Law abiding Americans should be socially equal regardless of their sexuality, color, race or nationality.

If you have dual monitors at home like me, you’ll appreciate this Zefron doubleness.

Example:

I decided to be Troy Bolton for Halloween lol. I don’t even have plans but the wig was only 12 bucks and I have a red jersey and basketball so I figured, what the hey!

Zac Efroncutan:

Note to self. Never grow out your hair. Emo hair is meant for hot white people.

Time to hit the gym religiously.

Just saw High School Musical 3 last night and it was soooooo fun. I admit, my gay ass almost cried a few times. But as cheesy as it was, it was just PERFECT. I couldn’t help but smile and giggle when Zefrons beautiful face first graced the big screen in sweat and all the tweens (and possibly some prepubescent… gasp!! girls) squealed. How could you not at such a horny age? LOL, ok that was way inappropriate and gross, but I totally squealed and wished the whole time I was pookie hudgens.

Donates $100k to ‘No’ campaign!!!!!!

No on Prop 8
October 24, 2008

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

See google blog here

However, while there are many objections to this proposition — further government encroachment on personal lives, ambiguously written text — it is the chilling and discriminatory effect of the proposition on many of our employees that brings Google to publicly oppose Proposition 8. While we respect the strongly-held beliefs that people have on both sides of this argument, we see this fundamentally as an issue of equality. We hope that California voters will vote no on Proposition 8 — we should not eliminate anyone’s fundamental rights, whatever their sexuality, to marry the person they love.

Google co-founders Brian and Page personally donate to “NO” on Prop 8.

Silicon Valley hasn’t been a prominent player in the pitched fundraising battle over whether to ban same-sex marriage in California — until now.

Google co-founder and president Sergey Brin this week donated $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign, while co-founder Larry Page added a $40,000 donation, a Mercury News analysis of state campaign finance records show. With the contribution, Brin matches talk show host Ellen DeGeneres for the largest individual donation during the campaign’s final weeks to oppose a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

The six-figure donations by DeGeneres and Brin were among a group of large donations from celebrities and other prominent figures that recently have flowed
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into Equality California, the lead organization battling Prop. 8. Marin County resident and “Indiana Jones” filmmaker George Lucas gave $50,000, while Lucasfilm donated an additional $50,000, both this week.

Actor T.R. Knight of “Grey’s Anatomy” gave two $50,000 donations, while Monica Rosenthal, an actress in the comedy series “Everybody Loves Raymond” and the wife of series writer and executive producer Phil Rosenthal, gave $25,000.

Those large donations are among $9.2 million in large donations received by Equality California ( www.noonprop8.com ) since Oct. 6, when the dueling Prop. 8 campaigns last filed their extensive fundraising reports, according to records filed with the California Secretary of State.

THERE IS STILL HOPE. AS MUCH HATE AS THEY HAVE TO LIE TO THEIR KIDS AND NEIGHBORS AND CHURCHES, I HOPE REAL FAITH AND TRUE EQUALITY COME THROUGH. THERE IS NO SEPARATE BUT EQUAL. LOVE IS LOVE. WHAT DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT THAT?

Stand UP against discrimination and vote NO on Proposition 8.

I miss this bitch. We plan to move back to downtown next year. It’s our goal.

This video is a smash.

Mom: Have you talked to your brother lately? Is he ok?
Sister: I think so, I talked to him online the other day. He seems fine.
Mom: Oh really? He e-mailed me and said he’s chilling.
Sister: Uhh… yah, he’s “chilling” you know, relaxing?
Mom: Oh you mean he’s not sick? He’s not cold?

http://www.mymomisafob.com/

A couple shots from our shoot last week… have a few more solos lined up and then a group shot in November. I’m excited for that!

Download another new snippet of David Archuleta’s A Little Too Not Over You here. I absolutely love it! Archie is hitting the right notes and songs with this album so far. Keep it up!

Some other snippets from his new album!

Touch My Hands and My Hands zip file

P.S. The person who photoshopped the image above didn’t do such a good job getting rid of his farmers tan lol. Something he’s mentioned in a video I saw which suggests that he’s self conscious about it. Hire me team Archuleta!

We were driving down 163 yesterday just as the sun was setting and it looked amazing. I always thought sunsets along that freeway looked “Lion-King-esque” so I finally attempted to capture it in motion.

My new favorite movie. Jesse McCartney is so freakin’ good in this as is his co-star Elisabeth Harnois. The chemistry is on point and feels so raw and real. I love it. Here’s the trailer (warning, might spoil it!).

^ OMG, what is that next to him.

Today was the first time I road my vespa while listening to some tunes. It’s actually legal in CA as long as you’re only using one ear. I don’t know how important that one ear really is but whatever.

At any rate, I take some back roads to work to avoid traffic and the moment I turned down an empty road “It’s Over” by Jesse McCartney plays. Automatically I think, “Oh shit. This would be a scene in my video.” Shut up.

Wind blowing in my hair, me cruising down a long and winding road alone after a not-so-great night with the bf. It was totally a scene. Ok well… maybe wind wasn’t blowing in my hair since a) my head is shaved, and b) I’m wearing a big ugly ass gray helmet, but you get the point.

We’ve run out of words, we’ve run out of time
We’ve run out of reasons, really why are we together
We both know it’s over, baby bottom line
It’s best we don’t even talk at all

Don’t call me even if I should cross your mind
Hard enough, I don’t need to hear your voice on my messages
Let’s just call it quits, it’s probably better
So if I’m not returning your calls it’s ’cause

‘Cause I’m not comin’, back I’m closing the door
I used to be trippin’ over missin’ you, but I’m not anymore
I got the picture phone, baby your picture’s gone
Couldn’t stand to see your smile every time you dialed

Me riding my sweet vespa down an open road, wind passing through, music playing as I lip sing to it and the sun starts to rise causing some really awesome rays of light. Gay right. That’s ok because I’m gay. And that’s how it felt. Mornings are so dramatic!

Back to life. BLAH!…

I don’t know how he made it to work the next morning at 7am… but he did. Some pics from last night:

The rest here.

I got my best friend a set of frames for his birthday. We had done an impromptu shoot awhile back and since the images came out so well, I thought I’d put them to good use. The frames consist of one 11×14, 8×10s, 5×7s and 4×6s. I hope he has room on his walls!

The obsession continues… as does my shopping problem.

Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Messenger
h&m double breasted pea coat
BDG jeans from urbanoutfitters.com

I sculpted. I painted. I carved. I drew.

But ultimately fell in love with photography and design. I really should be editing wedding photos right now =P

Never used this function before but I think I like what I see. Saw someone post about it over at Dpreview and took a snap of my desk at the moment. Kinda gross.

Samuel Adams Oktoberfest. Lotion. Baby cologne. G10. Dayquil. Green tea. Can of dog food. SDHC and CF card readers. Blank CD. Edge of a macbook pro.

This thing is sweet. Who would have thought you could instantly print images from your camera through a pocketable printer that uses inkless technology? Hey, it’s no high quality print, but it’s something awesome you can bring forth to the table with clients, especially at weddings.

I made a new action for my photos specifically for my blog and who better to test on than Matt?? I think I like it. Polaroid like, but not. Perhaps this is fitting since I have my eyes set on the Polaroid PoGo!

A few photographers over at Dpreview wanted to know what I thought of both the LX3 and G10 so I kindly obliged. Thought I’d share over here:

I’ll tell you now that if you’re wondering whether to get a Panasonic LX3 of a Canon G10, it’s gonna be a TOUGH decision.

Like the LX3, I love the G10 look and build of the body. It’s almost at opposite sides of the spectrum, but not… if that makes sense. With the G10, you could really feel its sturdiness but at the same time, the look does not match the weight. It looks much heavier than it actually feels.

The LX3 looks a lot more delicate but still pretty darn sturdy and weighs more than it looks. I don’t find these to be pros or cons. Just the way they are and rightfully so.

In terms of controls, I think the Canon outshines Panasonic for me just because access to certain things like iso, exposure compensation and the wheel are so useful. However, it’s a personal preference as well. I like both almost equally but like I said, the G10 has a slight advantage.

The G10 screen is amazing. More so than the LX3 even though they almost have the exact same resolution. Canon is up by 461,000 to panny’s 460,000. It doesn’t appear to be such a small margin to my eyes for some reason. The G10 is stunning. Almost too stunning. I was a bit shocked at how dull the images looked on my apple cinema display compared to the cameras screen.

Hmm, what else? Outdoor images… I took a quick snap with the G10 in the parking lot at work. What I like about the quality of these images is that it has a dslr look to them. Straight out of jpeg mode, they don’t look over processed. The LX3, though sharp and vivid, almost sometimes looks over processed to me, especially since I love leaving the magic at the post process stage.

So if you like photoshopping to get your results, the G10 provides amazing images. If you like your images to look really fantastic straight out of camera with little work, the LX3 does the job quite well though sometimes for my taste is too much. Keep in mind, I haven’t been shooting in RAW with the LX3 since it isn’t supported and I refuse to use a program like silky pix. So results can vary.

Noise. That dreadful topic. I won’t go into too much about this but I will say that with the fast lens the LX3 offers, it beats the G10 hands down. ISO 400 and above at the same focal lengths, shutter speed, fstop, the LX3 manages to produce less noise and more detail. I might use 800iso on the LX3 but never on the G10. Proof that more megapixels doesn’t always mean better images.

That’s all I will say about noise because to be honest, I’m a little sick of the noise phenomena over compact cameras. Get a DSLR and a good lens if you’re so worried about noise and shoot in poor lit conditions frequently. Though the LX3 can handle it quite well for a compact, it’s still a compact.

However, at lower ISOs I still prefer the canon images. I might be biased because I’ve used canon DSLRs since the beginning, but I prefer that it doesn’t look overly processed. That’s not to say this panny isn’t amazing either. Just a matter of preference. Again, I have no RAW comparisons so that might be a factor.

So there you have it. Not sure if that was much help. Maybe I confused you even more. I’m sure saying, “If the LX3 and G10 were combined, it would be the perfect compact for me,” doesn’t help either, but it’s true.

Why I’m keeping the LX3:
- Body and design
- f2.0!!!
- 24mm (though I could live with the 28mm canon offers)
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Simple controls best for parties and gatherings
- Vivid and sharp images out of camera
- lower noise with more detail at 400iso and above
- Flash is pretty darn good at parties
- Little lag between photos (I think it might actually be faster than the G10)
- Autofocus is quick, even in dim lighting

Why I’m keeping the G10:
- Body and design
- Wheel
- ISO easily accessible
- Images at lower ISO are superior in my early opinion
- Telephoto range (I hate the limit on the LX3. I almost always stay wide because I find it’s telephoto range almost useless)
- 28mm is wide enough for me (had reservations)
- Automatic lens cap
- Viewfinder (borderline pro for me)
- Print button (sike!)
- Compatible with my 580ex
- Screen, it’s GORGEOUS
- Feel more like a mini DSLR than the LX3

Again, I hope this helps. I’ll be putting up some full size images from the G10 once I can get some images. It will be here (unprocessed):

Canon G10 full size samples

Which is the winner?

It depends lol.

For me, I think the Canon G10 suits my needs better. The LX3 is an AMAZING compact camera. If your main concern pocketability coupled with a wide and fast lens with better noise performance at lower iso… than that’s your way to go.

It’s simple, compact, sleek, stealth, cool and provides great images straight out of camera. If you also like to take video, than look no further. I sold my canon HG10 HD camcorder because the LX3 is THAT good. It’s no camcorder, but I’m a clip kinda guy so I don’t need to refocus or zoom while recording. It’s definitely not a camcorder by any means, but it fits what I need out of video.

So why, if i had to choose, pick the G10 over the LX3? The G10 feels more like a “mini dslr” both in function and at low iso image quality. I rarely shoot in low iso with anything but a DSLR. If I’m gonna shoot in low lighting with the intent to print, chances are I’ll take my DSLR with a fast lens.

I also like the range a lot better. I thought that the 28mm wouldn’t be wide enough for me but it is and 140mm will come in handy when I travel. Things like a dedicated iso dial is important to me. I hate having to press a button to get to a menu to adjust the iso.

I feel almost silly having two compact cameras, but the LX3 is truly a compact and if that was my main concern, that would have been my choice.

Luckily, I can keep both!

EDIT: 10.26.2008

I’ve come to the conclusion that I no longer need the LX3 and will be selling it. I don’t feel it’s up to par with the G10 in terms of controls and usability when out in the field. The G10 clearly outshines the LX3 when “getting the shot.” I feel the LX3 to be a lot more sluggish and less responsive. I also feel like the G10’s images are much more DSLR-like. Love the LX3, but I just don’t use it anymore.

New top case finally came in for my LX150. This thing was a BITCH to install. Actually, there is one bolt missing because it was so badly misaligned. I guess I’ll have them look at it when I get my first service.

So I just picked up a Canon G10. What am I thinking? I know right. I totally just bought a LX3 last month as a non DSLR camera and here I am with a non DSLR camera #2. Crazy as it may be, I’ve had my eyes on this camera for awhile. I’ve always wanted a Canon G series, but the lack of a wide angle always threw me off.

Now that this has a 28mm lens on the wide side, they reeled me in. Don’t get me wrong. I still love my LX3, this will just suit different needs and I can totally let Mark borrow the LX3 when he travels for work. I usually don’t like lending him my cameras because I’d miss it (gah! I know)… but now I can let one go and still be a happy camper.

Plus, this G10 is built like a tank. I like tanks.

Still testing the waters

She loves her bones!

I sent the letter below to people in my address book and bcc’d everyone so a discussion wouldn’t start and here is what my mom replied with.

Did you send this to me by mistake? You know pretty well, I’ll be voting no on this prop 8.

Love,
Mom

LOL. I love her.

I’m not one to talk about politics all that much because I strongly believe everyone is entitled to their opinions and I can respect that. However, this deals directly with my future and the future of many people I love and I sent this to you because I respect you. I don’t need a reply out of this and I don’t need to hear whether or not you agree. This is just me speaking for what I strongly believe in because it directly affects my future and I can’t say I didn’t try; which will make me feel better in the event this proposition passes.

So I’m personally asking you to vote no on Prop 8 not because you believe same sex couples should have the right to a marriage, but because you believe people you care about should have the same rights as you. I’m not talking about domestic partnerships either. I’m talking about the right to marry.

Marriage is recognized by the state and/or a religion (or both). People without faith marry all the time. Marriage is expected in our society and gay/non-religious people are just as capable of sustaining a permanent relationship as straight and religious people. Marriage is not, nor has it ever been, solely a religious practice. Christianity preaches that marriage was made by God to unify a man and a woman. However, many ancient civilizations (and some still existing) all pre-date Christianity – and even Judaism. Marriage has been a concept for tens of thousands of years.

Regardless of your religion, race, nationality, etc., you grow up believing that one day you will be married because it is part of our society (not just religion). Regardless of your religion, race, nationality, etc., you may also grow up to believe that a God exists.

Does this mean that because I am gay, I am no longer allowed to believe in God the same way that I am no longer allowed to think that I may one day marry?

Some countries require that a civil ceremony take place before any religious one. In the US, both ceremonies can be held together. Prop 8 wants to completely take away the right for gay couples to get married. Why are they not opposed to non-religious couples getting married under law?

You can’t just pick and choose what you want to believe from the bible. People who point to the bible for evidence against gay marriage need to read the book a little more closely. They like to pick and choose what to believe. If something effects their life in someway, they say “We shouldn’t take it literally.” But once something doesn’t effect their lives, but many others, they are all for it as long as it has nothing to do with them. They also like to say it’s an abomination. I respect the bible, I do. But I also respect my morals and the morals that have been instilled in me and use that as my true guidance… not a book that was written thousands of years ago.

Supporters of prop 8 have two arguments. The first is that marriage has been, for thousands of years, defined for men and women exclusively. I’ll tell you now that in the last THOUSAND years, views have changed for the better. Especially views on equality.

Secondly, they argue that children should be raised by a father and a mother and not by two fathers or two mothers. Let me remind you that prop 8 is solely about marriage. Even if the proposition passes, same-sex couples can still adopt or have children though artificial means. The only difference now is that these children would be growing up in households where the couple was unmarried. How is that helping the situation and/or argument? Let me point out also that I know a few kids that have been raised by single mothers for parts or all of their lives and they’ve grown up to be some pretty SPECTACULAR kids.

So again, I’m not asking you to vote no based on your religious beliefs. I’m asking you to vote no for equalities sake. I’m asking your to remember that there should be a “Separation of Church and State” and I’m asking you to vote no because you believe people you love and respect should have the same rights and privileges as you.

I for one don’t believe you should wear a plaid skirt with a satin blouse, but that doesn’t mean I think it should be illegal.

Jokes aside, whether you like it or not, there are millions of gay Americans and taking away their right to be married is nothing short of discrimination. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

I was checking out CNN and saw this poll. Not sure how long it’s been up, but still pretty funny.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a poll of any magnitude at 100% to 0%. I mean, granted the polls I frequent are from Perezhilton.com, there is usually always some douche that votes for the dumb ass. I’m just sayin’…

I’ve seriously been smiling for 5 minutes.

The F Word

Driving in my car with my 8-year-old in the back. We’re rocking out to an old Cloud Cult album when a particularly sexual, adult-themed song comes on and I skip it.

“Hey! Why’d you skip that?!”

“Because he sings about some adult stuff and it’s not for you.”

“What does he say?!”

“I can’t tell you.”

“C’mon, just tell me!”

“If I told you then you’d hear it.”

“You can tell me!”

“No.”

“Does he say ‘fart?’ He says ‘fart’ doesn’t he.”

“Yes. He says ‘fart.’”

“I knew it.”

from www.thesneeze.com

Photographer Chris Jordan turns cold, hard stats into proactive statements on economics, culture and the American way of life.

Amazing stuff

Las Vegas

I don’t like when people write my name “Mikey” or “Mickey” because it shows they obviously don’t pay enough attention. That shit is on my myspace, my work signature in emails, on my starbucks, on almost everything I sign… yet I still get “Hey Mikey”

I should just reply, “What’s up Cunt?” or maybe officially change my name to Migs. Migs Vuitton Catacutan. Done.