My wife found this great golden bock. Very smooth, tasty, refreshing. 6.4% ABV. I think this is my most favorite Sierra Nevada so far. 9/10

Loading mentions Retweet

View large on black

Loading mentions Retweet

I had never had an oatmeal stout from Redhook before. I wonder if it's a new thing for them. It's pretty mellow for a stout, almost like an IPA, but darker. It's got that distinct Redhook flavor like all their styles. Nice one actually. I would definitely have it again. Not so special, but extremely drinkable, especially with food. 6/10

Loading mentions Retweet

First, a disclaimer: I'm not an Apple fanboy. I don't even particularly like Apple. But I will still get an iPad, because contrary to what a lot of people think, I do believe it's magical.

Jobs put it perfectly during the presentation; you need to hold one to appreciate how great it is. If there was no such thing as a laptop in the world and I showed you one, you would go "a tiny computer with a small keyboard that doesn't have a number pad? Bad speakers and and low-res display? And it's more expensive than my desktop machine, even though it comes with a slower processor, not to mention it gets hot and scalds my lap? No way, I don't need one". My point is, the iPad is one of those portable devices you need to own and experience yourself to appreciate its practical use.

It is in fact a revolutionary device that will change the way we live. I know Apple did not come up with a totally new concept here. But the original iPod wasn't a new idea either, there were many other mp3 players out there when it first came out. It's Apple's comprehensive thinking under the hood that made the iPod so revolutionary. The design of the physical device, the interface, Apple's content model via iTunes, affordability etc. I think with the iPad, they are following a similar model, if not a more comprehensive one.

Here are some more reasons why I am getting one:

• I need a portable device at home to browse the web. The iPhone is great outside, but it's too small for home use. And I don't want another laptop because my wife already has one. I think a tablet would be a nice complement to a laptop if you already have one.
• Perfect display for iTunes remote, to control my audio system.
• The iPad version of the New York Times application looks amazing, and it gives you an idea of what publishers will come up with in the future.
• I will actually read books on it. I know I will because I already read books on my iPhone, and it's killing my eyes. Besides, it's perfect to read other stuff like manuals, pdfs etc. And I think ComicZeal on the iPad would be quite a joy.
• Perfect for watching hulu/netflix in the bed. I know it doesn't run flash yet, but I believe non-flash video is coming soon, thanks to HTML 5.
• Finally something I can keep on the nightstand, without the fear of sleeping with radiation. (That's why I'm getting the non-3G model)
• And it's quite affordable. I will get the $599 model, which is half the price of a 13" MacBook Pro. I always go for the "middle" model, because I believe in the "optimum".
  

Loading mentions Retweet

Spinning from Tuning Slide on Vimeo.

More experimentation with the 7d, this time incorporating a more cinematic look with color grading and aspect ratio.

Loading mentions Retweet

I've had the 85mm f/1.8 for over a week now, so I thought I should offer a mini review for the "rest of us". And by that I mean if you are looking for specs, charts, sample photos, stats etc. please look elsewhere. Here's what I've got:

• Feels ok. Not solid, but not flimsy either. A bit plasticky but hey, what do you expect from a sub $400 lens? But seriously, I'm a bit disappointed, but not enough to keep me awake at night. On the plus side, it's light, and very inconspicuous.
• Fast and quiet auto-focus. I'm impressed. Works great with my 7d, and that's pretty surprising considering it's by no means a new lens.
• Serious chromatic aberration or spherochromatism, or Bokeh Fringing or LoCA whatever, who cares what it's called, it's just pretty bad. Magenta and green fringing all over the place. In pretty much all photos with high contrast. Enough for me to return it? Probably not, but I'm lucky because I usually process in b&w. And don't think that these artifacts are like the usual CA you fix in Lightroom or Photoshop. I'm talking about serious color distortion here. Still, if you know your photoshop well, you shouldn't have much problems. More information here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/canon_7d_digital_slr/discuss/72157623189524582/?search=aberration
• Pleasingly sharp even at widest. Decent blur quality. (OK, for people who speak Japanese I meant "bokeh") I have never had an L lens, so I'm pretty happy with the quality here. And who cares anyway? You should know better than relying on just DoF for good photography. Right?
• Did I mention it's less then $400?
• And here's something I shot this weekend:

  

Unless I return it (which is still a possibility) I will try to add more comments as I discover this lens. So stay tuned!

Loading mentions Retweet

Killer tone...

Loading mentions Retweet

I've always been a big fan of Sam Smith's but I hadn't tried their India ale before. It didn't disappoint. Smooth, tasty, highly drinkable. Man, those Brits really know how to brew. 7/10

Loading mentions Retweet

http://www.prada.com/firstspringmovie

Great kickstart from Prada for the new decade. Very inspired.

Loading mentions Retweet