Superman

...need I say more. Harry is just not quite ready to be photograhed.

Superman

Harry doesn't like to be photographed. He likes just being superman.

Alex as Superman.

Alex as Superman. Costume courtesy of Yuen and Christina. Thanks. Notice it comes with a cape, although it doesn't really let you fly.

Backyard Pathway

Backyard pathway
It took me 2 years to get to this stage. The bricks were bought from Home Depot at, I think, 49 cents a piece. It looks easy when somebody is doing it. For me, every step is difficult. Dig the soil out, level the ground, lay down the foundation layers, lay down the pavers, cut them. I borrowed a electrical tile saw but turned out too small for cutting the brick, I didn't even try. I ended up buying a big chisel and a hammer to break the pavers. I didn't cut every curve and corner in the end. Just left them the way they are. I guess it's always a work in progress. I am quite happy with the result.

Backyard Pathway

Backyard Pathway.
This is another view of the pathway. The plants there are basil, rosemary, and some yellow flowers. The bench bought brand new from Ikea, little did I know I shouldn't bother to apply a layer of waterproof. It took forever for it to get dry or realistically not too sticky. After a month, it's still a a little bit sticky but one can definitely sit on it. Hopefully it will be very very waterproof or weatherproof.

Nikon Coolpix

Nikon Coolpix. This is my Coolpix 990. It did take some great pictures and silent video. It was serviced twice by Nikon, one was a drop, and another was a drop. Seems like I couldn't keep it in my hand. The last time it failed it was out of warranty, not even the American Express Buyers Assurance program can help. So I set it aside and bought a Canon G3. In the end, I decided I could service it myself with some help from the Internet. I serviced it myself a few months ago and it went great and this is where it stands now. Another work in progress. I am in denial it can never be fixed.

Movies I saw: The Thing, Collateral, War of the Worlds, Wedding Crashers

I saw The Thing many years ago when I was a student back in Hong Kong. I rented it again via Blockbuster mail rental, which may not be the exact name, but I think it's kind of like the Netflix model anyhow. The movie holds up pretty well, I saw some of the bonus material and was impressed by the matte paintings that eventually turn into the Arctic backdrops.
The other see-again-on-DVD movie was a recent release, Collateral. Cruise plays against type and does deliver. I like the movie, the look, the tempo and the dialogue. I think it's rather underrated, although box office wise, it did make over $100M, but then again, it's Tom Cruise, we wouldn't expect anything less. I also saw his recent release, War of the Worlds. One thing I don't quite get is his jeans. Why would a character like him choose to wear a rather low rise, slightly flair jeans? I think one might even have rivets on the back pockets. I just don't quite get it. I mean it's possible. But I think it would be more 'appropriate' for the character to wear something like Carhartt or some Levi's or Wrangler....
I saw Wedding Crashers in a movie house, it's a Lowe's in Queens, I didn't expect much but I really wouldn't go to that theatre again. I saw 'The Hulk' there, and the film was not even focused. And history does repeats itself. I was in the theater watching not very focused commercials, hoping that the feature would be focused. But hell no, the feature is not focused and the picture is simply sub-par. But the funny thing is nobody seems to mind or notice. Sometimes I rather spend $10.75 to watch a movie in the city, they have better quality control. I watched Batman, and the picture is just top notch. Wedding Crashers doesn't make a whole lot of sense, even in its own manufactured environment. But it sure has its fun moments. My wife and I had a pretty good time albeit the not so focused screen....

Central Park, New York City

another one. not sharp. blame it on Jin. The hot helicopter toy Alex is playing is from Tony and Misako. thanks.

PowerRangers found in Central Park. The two rangers were having fun enjoying the Summerstage '05 event with Dan Zanes and Friends. I saw the band on Noggin.

Sunday in Central Park, Manhattan

This is a sharper one. The 18-70 is OKAY sharp. not very sharp. Or I have yet to test it. I havent' sharpened my pictures for the longest time. Just post them as is. Good expression, taken by Jin.

Bryant Park, NYC, WiFi hotspot connected

It works, like expected. When things work like expected, I think it's just great. I don't know if I have lowered my expectation or what, I tend to think if only things work as they claim it's great already. More often than I'd like to experience, things simply don't work according to their spec. I work in the IT field, sort of, so nothing really surprises me.
I bought a SanDisk Connect-Plus low power Wi-Fi card from Amazon's marketplace. The buying experience is OK, i mean the ordering experience from Amazon has always been very good. The communications between the seller and I were less than satisfactory. To cut to the chase, I did receive the card all right and it works, like expected. My only complaint is the card doesn't come with any utility for Windows Pocket PC 2003, not from the miniCD nor from their web site. I downloaded their latest driver from the website and it works. I emailed SanDisk, seems like they have no intention to release any utility for Pocket PC 2003. That said, I think their service is an OKAY. Any wifi card add-on is obsolete by today's standard anyway so I can see that there is no reason to support this product. I use a hp iPAQ hp2210.

It's almost Done

picture by Jin taken with a Nikon D70, AF-S 18-70 f1:3.5-4.5G set at auto.
I really have no complaint on my Nikkor 18-70 lens, the sharpness and all. The color rendition and the skin tones, when used with D70, are really pretty good, considering sometimes I shoot everything JPEG fine in auto with no post processing at all.

Hair Cut on July 18, 2005

Just some touch up. Photos look better when I am in front of the camera (Jin took better pictures not that I am photogenic). Photo taken with a Nikon D70, AF-S Nikkor 18-70

Harry Got A Buzz Cut

I myself need a haircut too I think.

ck one, live billboard in Times Square

ck one, calvin klein's latest live billboard campaign in Times Square. Essentially it's sex in a bottle. It didn't really stop traffic, but certainly attracted gawkers like me. I got some samples and have yet to put it on. It's summer if you must wear cologne or such, make sure they don't smell anything. I heard Japanese perfumes actually achieved that essential odorlessness.

Catherine's Six Year Old Birthday Party

Vivien and her buddies.

Caterpillar Roller Coaster Ride, Adventureland, LI

Caterpillar roller coaster ride. Jin and Alex. I am quite happy with the D70's focus speed and tracking.

Catherine, Alex and little Harry.

Catherine and Alex. The young and happy. I wish I could be this happy.
Nikon D70, AF-S 18-70.

Catherine and Alex, and Harry too...catching bubbles.

Catherine and Alex, catching bubbles.

Catherine, the happy 6 year old Birthday Girl

Catherine, the taxi driver. One of my favorite pictures of the day. Nikon D70, AF-S 18-70, aperture priority with in-camera exposure compensation +1 or something close.

Catherine and Vivian

Catherine and Vivian

Adventureland, LI

Catherine and Alex

Catherine and Alex

Catherine and Alex

Adventureland, Long Island

it was Catherine's 6 year old party. We were invited to Adventureland to have some fun. And fun we have. Jin flying high.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Jim Carrie at his most tolerable, natural, if not the best performance so far. Kate Winslet, it's always a pleasure to look at a pretty woman. Then you have a good story that actually makes sense, that is in its own way. Kristen Dunst dancing in her underwear doesn't hurt either. Enjoyable.

A Better Tomorrow

Watching A Better Tomorrow on DVD. It's not a good transfer but at least it was in its orginal Cantonese dialogue. The actors were at their best. The movie jump started Chow Yun Fat's career.

When Flushing Smells You Know it's Summer

Downtown Flushing is where I take the number 7 train to and from work. It's starting to smell as summer is heating up.