Stuff and things

So, business is going fine, I'm tired but have been sleeping a lot recently and that is helping, it's cold, and I don't think I really like blogging...

I'm a bad blogger

I know, I never blog... I just don't know what to say I guess. I'd rather call or email. I'm old. This is pointed out by David in his last blog about how only old people use email anymore, and all the young people use IM/myspace/facebook. Well poo, I don't care. And guess what munchkins? IM isn't new!!! IM has been around just about as long as email, and has been deemed a huge waste of time many, many times over. It still lingers on, and occasionally is useful, but if you want something done do you really go to IM? Wanna get really old school? Use IRC, or newsgroups. In fact, the only really new thing that social networking brings to the table that isn't present in forums, IM, email, newsgroups, IRC, etc., is a unification of the different methods, a little bit of focus (send a bulletin just to friends, not everyone) and use by more people. Now that all these people use them that aren't just computer geeks it isn't about sharing information about programming, developing, etc., it becomes gossip and general retardation. It is the same old internet, just the audience and the topic has changed. The technology is not very different.

Email is better: I can email anyone from any service (not just my myspace buddies, my facebook
buddies, etc.) IE it isn't a walled garden -- more in a bit.

I can organize my email into folders and such.

I can maintain some semblance of privacy. (if only someone would really make encryption easy...)

Myspace/facebook amount to reducing the barriers to entry (no setup, etc.) and good marketing. That's really about it.

Gah, so I've been tagged...

I don't usually do these sorts of things, but I was 'tagged' by my kid sister. What can I do, I can't say no. :)

Two Names You Go By:
1. Ben
2. Ben

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. Sandals
2. Underwear

Two Things You Would Want (or have) in a Relationship:
1. The ability to both hang out and work together. Hard to get both.
2. Occasional surprises

Two of Your Favorite Things to Do:
1. Go for a walk
2. Win

Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment:
1. A decision on which light meter to get...
2. A heater

Two Longest Car Rides:
1. Seattle to Utah.
2. Eugene to Montana (I think)

Two Favorite Holidays:
1. 3-day weekends
2. Fourth of July (Yay fireworks)

Two Favorite Beverages:
1. Beer
2. Coffee
3. Water

Two Things You May Not Have Known:
1. Osama Bin Laden's first reply to 9-11 was 'It wasn't me!' - Only fat 'fake(?)' Osama confessed...
2. velociraptors had feathers

Two Jobs I Have Had in My Life:
1. Paperboy
2. Computer repair technician

Two Movies I Would Watch Over and Over:
1. None
2. And none = sheesh, overandover? that would suck.

Two Places I Have lived:
1. Eugene
2. Portland

Two of My Favorite Foods:
1. Portobello mushroom sandwiches
2. Carrot cake

Two Places I'd Rather Be Right Now
1. Sailing
2. I dunno... it's cold out...

And no, I'm not passing it on.

Top things I Miss from Eugene

5. No Traffic! Need I say more?

4. The Strand! I still haven't found a place that's as cool of a hang-out-and-get-work-done sort of place as the Strand. They have Cosmic PIzza, good coffee, beer, couches, and Wi-Fi. What more could a Ben ask for?

3. The Bike paths! Portland is supposed to be the #1 bike friendly city in the U.S. Whatever. Sure, they have street signs for bikes (7 minutes ==> to downtown, etc.) and lots of bike lanes, they don't have many bike PATHS. Eugene's awesome bike paths through the woods are so relaxing, refreshing, and pleasant that I miss them all the time. Enjoy them if you're there :)


2. Friends! (In alphabetical order)

• Andy! I'm still seeing him quite a bit, as he's commuting up here for lots of comedy shows. Also, he's probably moving here eventually (although he doesn't know it yet), so that's even better! I am going through seriuos Hwah Hwah Hwah withdrawal up here! However, rest assured, the memes are spreading... Sarah said 'That didn't happen' just yesterday. First time I'd heard her say it. She didn't even know where she got it from... but I do! Hwah hwah hwah!

• David! He was my go everywhere with, do everything with bud for over 2 years solid and I never got sick of him. Great guy, and he's going to San Diego to explore new horizons down there! I'm happy for him getting a move-on and striking out on his own, but I'll miss him. I'm sure he'll come to visit, though :)

• Everybody else! Sorry, no time to list everyone separately. There are lots of great peeps in Eugene, and I miss you all.

1. Family! This one is actually only half-true so far. I've seen my family more after moving to Portland than before, so that's awesome. However, you're still #1. Also, I get to go on a trip with Joe to see the G-parents soon. Yay! Maybe we can go hiking or something later on with Dad, too...

Cheerio!

Random Weird things

OK, so this makes no sense to me....




And, this is what I had for dinner last night...

A picture from the Rose Festival

Portland Waterfront 2
Originally uploaded by benklusman

This was the first night of the rose festival, and there was a great, clear sky, and awesome lights. Didn't have a tripod, but the bridge rail sufficed.

Spy Pics

The Cufflink
Originally uploaded by benklusman

I had time to do a couple shoots in the studio this week. This is one of my absolute favorites that I got out of it. The guy was new to modeling, but very easy to work with, which allowed me to get the light just right. The only thing I didn't get was a highlight on his left shoulder. That strobe wouldn't fire because the other one was too tighly focused, and I don't have radio transmitters/receivers... but I'm gonna have to get some. Regardless, this came out really well. There are more from this set.