New Blog

Two iPhone photos using the Pano App, which makes panoramas out of subsequent photos, matching them together. These used three photos (you can use more) and if you look closely you can tell it is not an exact match. Not only that, it's quite hard to hold a steady hand, while trying to match up the end of one photo to the beginning of another, and then holding still to take the next photo. It's a great App. Clearly much practice and patience is needed.

As you can see below, the glass bottles line up pretty well, but two tomatoes look a bit bosomy.

Number One Son suggested VB do a daily blog with just photos. VB has been giving this some thought for awhile, but just couldn't figure out exactly how (or what excuse to use). The City Daily Photo, which appealed to VB had a few drawbacks. First of all, a Cairo centric blog ( Cairo/ Giza Daily Photo,) had already been claimed. Besides, VB's not in Cairo all the time. VB couldn't do a daily photo on her Podunk Connecticut town, as it's a bucolic small, vegetative (literally - we have humans here who are vegetating at this moment!) town with not too much going on (the Association VB lives in, is another matter altogether - vegetative with a very bad, Rush Limbaugh / Glenn Beck attitude.) And, as much as she was enticed by the idea, she figured it was out of the picture. She basically does not stay in one place long enough to account for, and account as a "city photographer" (this little town doesn't account for a city, to begin with.)

Then VB read a few books, which she wrapped her little brain around. First, cause she hasn't read any in "hard copy" for quite awhile, she completed, Republican Gomorrah: Inside The Movement That Shattered The Party. If you look close enough, you'll see it on the bookshelf.

And, as much as VB loves non-fiction (in particular) political/historical/cooking books, she bought two photo oriented books which gave her a new perspective.

One is: The Best Camera Is The One That's With you, iPhone Photography by Chase Jarvis. The book is filled with photos and praise for the iPhone camera. It is a camera you can take with you everywhere. Then, after reading photojojo! insanely great photo projects and diy ideas, by Amit Gupta and Kelly Jensen, VB realized she could actually do a daily photo without being anywhere at all (anywhere important, and that's an important feature). Thus, after checking out Project 365: How to Take a Photo a Day and See Your Life in a Whole New Way, and other Photo365 sites, VB decided this is a possibility after all. According to the book (and site):

"Project 365 is about: taking one photo every day for a year."

So that's VB's goal.

VB posted a photo she took in DC as a baby step on her new blog: Vagabondblogger's Project 365, but the official Day 1 is today.

Come by and visit. VB will still be maintaining this blog for Funkengroovin items, rants, and whatever else she's been doing so far.

iPhone Apps

Two weeks ago we changed mobile carriers and went with iPhones. VB wasn't so enthusiastic, but the kids were dying to get them, and The Boss Man loved his, so VB got stuck with one too. Well, she's addicted, particularly to the Photo Apps. Below are examples of what VB's three favorites are like.

COLORSPLASH:

The Colorsplash is a bit difficult to work with. It changes your original to a black and white. You can then go in and paint one object to stand out. Skinny fingers are pretty much a requirement, even though you can change the size of the paintbrush. (VB's no damn good at this one.)

LOMO:

The Lomo is great. As with real Lomo photos they're grainy and have off colors.

Original:



LC-A Normal:



Redscale:


Black & White:

CameraBag:

CameraBag has got to be VB's favorite so far. The photos are pretty clean, and you can flip through to see numerous transformations.

Original:



Helga:



Lolo:



Magazine:



Mono:




1962:



1974:



Cinema:



Infrared:



Fisheye:


More of VB's favorite Apps are: 2 Across (crossword puzzle app), FlightTrack (airline tracking app), Amazon.com, Camera Zoom, Yelp (for finding places to eat), KitchenCalc (converts to and from UK and US measurements).

Train Ride To "The City"

When we go to "The City," we usually take the train. We drive to New Haven, park, and ride. But then we found out that we could drive to "The City" and park (all four of us) for less than the train ride. Yes even when gas was sky high, it was still cheaper for at least three people to drive to "The City," instead of taking a Metro North train. We enjoy taking the train, if we can get the express, otherwise, for those of us who live up near the Massachusetts border, stopping at every single small town takes for-ever.

Since it was just The Boss Man and VB the last time, we took the train. We did not consult the online schedules as we usually do, in advance, and had no idea how long we'd wait for the next train from New Haven. The ticket attendant said, "You're just in time. The next train arrives in six minutes." Well, that left VB no time to take photos inside Union Station - perhaps next time.

(Below): This is as good as it gets. Us running through a tunnel on our way to the upper level, outdoor terminal. It's a very shiny tunnel.

Even though Grand Central is pretty cool no commuters really hang out there. So, the next day, VB went back to Grand Central to take pictures (and she did some shopping too.) She wasn't the only one. You are either a passenger running through the terminal on your way somewhere, or a "tourist" taking pictures. The flashes going off in the terminal were continuous. VB did not use her flash, as she was trying to be really inconspicuous, but with camera in hand, it probably didn't work.

A short tour of the train from Union Station to Grand Central.

New Haven

(Below): Union Station in New Haven, Connecticut. It's pretty deserted looking. That's because it was freezing outside, and most of the passengers were waiting on the steps, inside.

(Below): The train approached and everyone inside, ran out, only to be passed up.
The train then reversed a few minutes later, with a garbled announcement on the loud speaker about some sort of technical problem.

(Below): The actual station, perched behind a commuter train.

Inside Grand Central

(Below): Grand Central, as you see it from the Vanderbilt entrance.
The people below VB are taking pictures.

(Below): Another photographer amidst the chaos.

(Below): 42nd Street entrance / exit.

(Below): As seen from the terminal area.

(Below): Ditto.

(Below): The escalator.

(Below): Time table.

Sheltering Under Grand Central’s Ceiling of Stars
"But the number-one attraction, best seen from the staircases you're not supposed to sit on, is the geometrical movements of thousands of New Yorkers crisscrossing the main concourse, proving once and for all that humans are just as good as ants in moving in all directions through huge crowds without bumping into one another. It's great people-watching on a spectacular stage."

(Below): All those people up on the steps are taking pictures, and VB is probably in a few.

Outside Grand Central - Two views.

(Below): That's The Chrysler Building in the background.

(Below): Close up of the Eagle.

Happy New Year! It Was Ten Years Ago Today

Ten years ago we had just moved to Abu Dhabi, and were frequent weekend visitors to the old Hiltonia Beach Club. April 1998, the club was closed "By Order of Higher Authority". I remember the date distinctly. It's burnt into my mind. Sheikh Zayed had decided to redo the Corniche in anticipation of the GCC meeting to be held there, the following year. The new Corniche skirted on the outer section of the Hiltonia, and the property owner decided to keep it closed for the next two years. Then suddenly, a fence went up - one of those "building fences" often seen around the Emirates. VB knew something was up, and sure enough sometime around 2001 the new Hiltonia opened, after having added a whole new beach, by hauling in sand.

Many of the old timers had gone to other clubs. Not us. Everyone in our family had a negative opinion on the other clubs, so we ended up occasionally being invited out to an island with friends or doing nothing. Except for the kids. They had plenty of friends with Sea-Doos and boats (more like yachts, really), and were entertained just about every weekend.

The old Hiltonia even had a Burger King Hut, which served the best damn hamburgers! Unfortunately, the new Hiltonia decided to go a bit more upscale, adding an outdoor grilling restaurant, and Vasco's Restaurant. No more Burger King! It was a heartbreaker, but we survived. We also survived the Russian women, who would turn a bikini into a thong; the crowd of European tourists in April; and the snooty new expats with their panamas ordering the waiters / beach boys around just before we left. We did enjoy the chilled pool and the afternoon breezes though. It was a nice place to relax.

VB's been digitizing old SLR film, and in remembrance of good times past, she's posting photos of old (uhm) Abu Dhabi Hiltonia and some old fashioned UAE recycling, to share.


The Best Damn Hamburger!


The Old Hiltonia Beach Looking Towards The Causeway.




The Old "Large Pool" with The Bridge:




The Old Large Pool, and in the background the Grassy Tanning Area: (One day a very curious Indian worker decided to climb one of the palm trees to see into the club. He happened to be peeking in on some female sunbathers, who frequented the beach on weekdays, and was in an awkward position. Only able to hold on with one hand, while getting his mojo on, he suddenly tumbled from the tree, breaking his arm! He was sent to hospital, and immediately deported.)





The moving company refused to return to pick up the excess cardboard from our move. This man was more than happy to make several trips, just to collect a few extra dirhams. This was taken through the reflective glass window, thus the strange haze and color.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Funkengroovin - Playing With Pictures

Check out DUMPR, and see the awesome things you can do to a photograph. Below are some examples. The first photo is the original VB used for the other manipulations. They offer more possibilities and you can load the photos either from your flickr account or from your desktop.


Original


Alien Vision - Invert:


Alien Vision - Volcano: (Psychedelic!)


Rubik's Cube:


Photo To Sketch:


Amazing Circles: VB likes the chrome edge.


HAVE FUN!

Funkengroovin Wednesday - Confusion Reigns Supreme

We found this bus at the Nasr City Car Market. The owners weren't around to provide information, so Vagabondblogger has tried to figure out, on her own, what exactly this is.

I posted photos on flickr, and the VW groups where I have a membership (that would be just about all of them.) Photos were posted on: VW Bugs & Buses Pool, the Aircooled Pool, VW Buses Pool, Volkswagen Beetles/ALL VW's Pool, European Vans Pool, the VW Bus Lover Pool. Two of the photos were viewed 15 and 17 times (not so much really, compared to other VW photos I've posted in the past.) No one commented.



The rear lights indicate it's made sometime after 1972.


It has 4 windows on the passenger side, and five on the driver's. One windshield and then one rear window. The doors are separated by a brace and open in the same direction, as opposed to double doors that open out to one large entrance, which some refer to as "barn doors." The vents are on the lower body. I've looked up S. African, Brazilian and Nigerian buses to no avail.

Vagabondblogger is wondering if this bus has modified side doors. That would make sense, except for the odd number of windows on each side of the bus.

If anyone knows what bus this is, please share it with the rest of us. Vagabondblogger is truly stumped.

A video of:
My Project is VW Bus T1, just recorded this past week. I'll be checking back up on him to track his progress. Good luck to the guy.

A blog with a few nice Bus photos. Check out his archives for more.
MARK SWINK

Cool idea for a party:
RedsDirt Blog made a VW Bus and a cake for a 60's theme birthday party.


Totally cool new VW 1 litre car - photos and blogpost here.

From Motor Trend Magazine:
Day One: My Frankfurt top three

1) Best Concept: Volkswagen Up! In complete contrast to many of the overwrought concepts in the Messe halls, all contorted surfaces, bug-eye headlights, and glittering "jewelry", the tiny, rear-engined VW city car is as smooth and white, and as simple and appealing, as an iPod. This is the car as product design; a modern take on a VW aesthetic that in the past has delivered iconic, timeless cars such as the original Beetle and the Mark I Golf.

Van show is best yet, and not one freaking photo!

MORE than 8,000 VW camper vans and their owners gathered in Malvern at the weekend for the largest show of its type in the world.

The Three Counties Showground was the venue for Vanfest, an annual event for enthusiasts of the iconic vehicle.

Europe Budget Tour

And so we did; and, after a false start or two, it proved remarkably easy. We bought the van sight unseen over the internet from a 300 lb, dope-smoking, ex-patriot American hippy in Utrecht, who operated out of a 300 year old townhouse filled with bad artwork, dogs and cats, and the strong smell of marijuana and cat pee. After her chief mechanic, a jolly and affable Turk, tried to spike my coffee with vodka at 9:00am on the morning of our arrival, I turned to Red and whispered, “Holey Moley! Hope we didn’t buy a pig in a poke! Hope we don’t get burned on this damn van!”

But the hippy and her staff proved as honest as the day is long, and the ‘86 VW ran sweet and true for the eight weeks we owned it.

VW 'Nazi' Subpoena Points Up YouTube Privacy Risks

Volkswagen has filed a subpoena seeking the identity of a YouTube user who posted a Nazi-themed parody of a recent VW Golf commercial. Volkswagen's move underscores the privacy risks to a blossoming community of users on sites like YouTube and Yahoo Video, and social-networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.

Men at work: Land down under!!!!

Weekend News Roundup - Prelude

A few tidbits to chew on, while you're waiting for the Weekend News Roundup. Two Opus comics that were censored from major U.S. newspapers, such as the Washington Post. You never know, even the hijab or burkini in a comic strip could cause trouble. And as for burkhas, ever wonder why the Taliban demanded that women wear them? Could it be they felt threatened? You'll have to check out the photo essay below, to see where Vagabondblogger is coming from.


CENSORSHIP:
Opus, the censored comic

Opus, Burkini comic



Violent Femmes: The Taliban's Secret Photos
A Magnum photo essay. During his coverage of the fall of Afghanistan's Taliban regime in 2002, photographer Thomas Dworzak discovered a stash of pictures showing male Taliban members in curious, effeminate poses.


If player / video doesn't work you can view it at here at Slate.

Funkengroovin - Playing With Colors

I've seen lots of VW photos in all sorts of awesome colors. Recently I've been straining my eyes, retouching old family photos, which got me to playing around with my iPhoto features. I usually take a photo and post it. I've cleaned up a few marks from photos in March at the Pyramids, but I never really got into intensive cropping or photo manipulation. I've always looked at it from a purists view - a great photo is taken by a really great photographer, someone who has an eye for it. In this day and age, anyone can be a great photographer with the right digital equipment. I've actually been considering purchasing another photo program, mostly to help with those old family photos, but also just for plain old fun. What I can't do, is make a Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flaked VW Baby, with my iPhoto effects.  The closest I get to that is my Purple Haze version, below.

BTW, this wreck is for sale. More photos on Wednesday.


Here's several versions of a wrecked VW Beetle Hood:


(L) Original Metallic Blue (R) Antiqued

























(L) Green Machine (R) Purple Haze
























(L) Black and White (R) Black and White with Color Boost




















Simon & Garfunkel - Kodachrome/Maybelline