Pixelshot

We’ll all agree that one set of lunar eclipse photos can never be enough. So, here’s another set of photos to gawk at. These were taken by Ross and a 500 millimeter lens. Don’t miss the prize-winning shot at the end of Saturn’s rings. Thanks for sharing Ross and Susan! (Photos by Ross Goldberg, Jan 20, 2008).

Tip - If you mouseover the slide show you can change the settings to 1 second each.

or shattered glass at least:

“Why is there a box in the window?” you ask? “Better a box than nothing.” I say. Yes, our car was broken into and we need to keep the critters out somehow.

ahh, the joys of living in the city.

As we begin 2008, I want to take a minute to look back at an amazing 2007. It has been a momentous year for Robin and me. Here are some highlights:

Unforgettable Moment:
graduation day

Favorite gadget of 2007:
iPhone, hands down:

Some favorite iPhone photos of the year:

Favorite musical event of 2007:
Jose Gonzalez at the 9:30 club in DC.

Web site of the year:

NationalGeographic.com - what else?!

Most pleasant surprise of 2007:
(from Scott) - the hospitality of the French people, especially in Burgundy.
(from Robin) - Donated dresses from Shabby Apple to the DC 3rd ward young women.

Most Interesting random learning of 2007:
Learning how glass is blown at Jamestown

Kitchen of the year:
Russ Taylor’s rental in Burgundy France:

Quote of the year:
“I passed.” (said by Robin after seeing her bar results)

Overheard quote of the year by government employee:
“It’s not that we want to destroy the environment, it’s just… [uncomfortable pause]…” (source to remain anonymous)

High point of 2007:
Top of the Washington Monument (555 feet)

Favorite New Musical Discoveries of 2007:
Sara Bearilles
Putumayo world music series
Once soundtrack

Favorite movies of 2007:
Once
Lives of Others
Paris J’Taime

Best S&R Movies of 2007:
Berlin NYE
A User-generated Graduation
An iPhone in Paris
An Average Christmas

Longest Drive of 2007:
Phoenix to Washington DC - 3282 miles in 5 days.

Best View of 2007:
Angie and Hyrum’s Chicago living room:

Most ears of corn seen in one day:
Billions, easily, when driving across Iowa.

Favorite improvised gadget of 2007:
“Ghetto Screen” at the Brake’s

Best way to keep in touch with distant friends:
video iChat:

Most repeated line:
“Why?…Why exactly?… Be more constructive with your feedback, please.” from Flight of the Conchords: Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous.

Best Sports Event of 2007:
Easter Eggstravaganza - Winner ‘Shock and Awe’ by Hyrum Marston

–

Here’s to an even better 2008!!

Here’s a photo of our tiny Christmas tree and a bounty of gifts - but there’s a catch. These gifts are not for us or from us. They will be distributed to dozens of families that live in the DC area. There are 80 people on the recipient list!

And these are only PART of the gifts that have been given to members of the DC 3rd ward from many other places, including surrounding DC wards and families as far away as Arizona, California, and Utah. There are other piles of wrapped gifts as well as hundreds of dollars in cash donation which will be used for people in need during Christmas and throughout 2008.

Although I don’t have photos of the recipient families (I’ll try and get a few over the next few days), I can say that these are wonderful people we know and see weekly that will be touched by your gifts.

Thank you all for your donations!!! Merry Christmas!!!

Robin showed me this ad this morning and I had to take a screen shot. On the home page of the New York Times web site Apple is running a very clever “I’m a Mac” ad. What’s unique about this ad is that it links two ads on the page in perfect sync. The “PC” guy on the tall ad on the right smacks a button and the lights on the above banner ad go on and off exactly as expected. I’ve never seen linking behavior in ads like this.

Advertisers are getting more innovative these days. Impressive.

When you think of Fall colors, normally you think of the rolling hills and countryside. Yet, in the city, the colors still come out. All of these photos taken by the iPhone on my walk to work. (Photos by Scott Lunt, Nov 2007).

The anticipation is high… the air has a scent of curiosity… could there be dinosaur bones in those crates?
A new exhibit is opening this week in National Geographic’s indoor lobby display space. Word has it that it will be a dino skeleton: Nigersaurus. Exciting!

I’ll keep you posted.

Here’s something we don’t get as much of in the west, at least not in the desserts of Arizona: fall colors.

Every day, on my morning walk, I notice a little more color in the leaves (and my iPhone is always with me to capture the moment!). It feels like fall even in the middle of the concrete jungle known as Washington DC. Actually, the city is quite beautiful. And, as verified by the crispness of the morning air, it seems that fall is here at last.

16th street and U, NW

17th street - halfway to work

Leaves, mid change. Just outside of the apartment on Kalarama and 16th.

Several people have asked what I’m up to while at National Geographic. The answer is: several things. But, one of the fun responsibilities I have inherited is programming the National Geographic Video Central page. What that means is that I am spending a lot of time watching animals chasing (then eating) other animals, then deciding which ones to feature on the video page. I’ll be updating it weekly.

The NG video collection is quite incredible. Over 800 short videos to watch about lots of subjects like animals, people and places, environment, and so on. Some of my favorites are the series of videos about photography with interviews from National Geographic photographers.

And, we’ve just launched a new video experience to the public and it’s awesome. One of the best in the industry I think. Check it out!

Finally, we’re able to reconnect with some friends in the west. We’ve been planning this for a while but finally got on the Brubaker’s schedule. As I’m posting this, we’re chatting over dinner. But, here’s the catch: we’re in DC and they’re in Utah!

Another win for modern communication technology bringing people together! As Ben’s shirt says: “life is good”.