Larini 8" side exit with rear panel eliminator. Just had it installed today:



A couple more shots of the Exige:

 

(via facebook...)

It occurs to me that I never wrote about my experience at LovEvolution 2009, the San Francisco Love Parade. I'd never been to one before and didn't feel like dealing with the crowds, but I know many of the people who put on the the Tantra float and I was able to get myself onto it.

At the staging area, around 2nd and Mission, there were a lot of people but I didn't really grasp how big it was going to be:

 

Then the music started up, we got under way and turned out onto Market. It was at that moment that I began to realize that I'd underestimated the size of the event:

  

Seriously underestimated. They'd closed Market from 2nd all the way down the parade route to Civic Center:

 

It was a very interesting photographic experience in that I'm used to shooting people at parties as candids with the 100-400mm but I had to restrict myself to the 28-135mm kit lens when shooting from the float. I'm not used to having contact with my subjects and I had people literally throwing themselves at my camera:

   

It was some pretty serious fun being on a float in such a huge parade. We parked it at Civic Center with the rest of the floats and there was music until at least 7pm.



Full set here.

Still working the kinks out of my in-car video. Removing the mirror made a huge difference, of course, but the sound was still blown out by wind noise, even with the roof on. I may have to spend more than $80 and buy a camera that allows an external mic.

Here is an example of why you shouldn't try to save it when you put two wheels off. Watch the upper left of the screen and you'll see the spin start as I turn into T14:

I was driving the Mustang out clubbing last night and it really hit me for the first time: I've outgrown the fucking thing already. I'd much rather be tooling around in, say, a gently used SL600...

So yes, I've outgrown the Mustang. There I said it. Twice. Sigh.

More Water 'Out There:' Ice Found on Asteroid: "

For the first time, astronomers have confirmed that an asteroid contains frozen water on its surface. Analysis of asteroid 24 Themis shows evidence of water ice along with organic compounds widespread across the surface. The scientists say these new findings support the theory that asteroids brought both water and organic compounds to the early Earth, helping lay the foundation for life on the planet.

(...)
Read the rest of More Water 'Out There:' Ice Found on Asteroid (359 words)

Europa Capable of Supporting Life, Scientist Says: "

The global ocean on Jupiter’s moon Europa contains about twice the liquid water of all the Earth’s oceans combined. New research by Richard Greenberg of the University of Arizona suggests that there may be plenty of oxygen available in that ocean to support life, a hundred times more oxygen than previously estimated.

(...)
Read the rest of Europa Capable of Supporting Life, Scientist Says (399 words)

The LOLS-Royce:



(via Jalopnik)

Lovefest 2009 teaser shot:

Symbiosis 2009 pictures are up!

My new f/1.4 50mm performed well, both handheld and on a monopod:

  

I was only there for about 24 hours of the festival and I had to talk my way onstage past security to shoot, but the results weren't too bad:

  

Full set here.