Don't Ask

Just-Don't-Ask.                  Photo: © Stan Banos

Snapshots On A (Fast!) Downhill Journey

You, me and a coupla million others, chief!

This time I sat on these pictures for a while cause I have the bad habit of releasing photographs unto the world before they're fully cooked. Usually, it's just the excitement of seeing something new, particularly after a long wait between pictures. Sometimes they might also be particularly timely. Unfortunately, it doesn't give me the proper time to actually notice all the unseen imperfections that remain (as opposed to the ones that I don't see at all). And it makes my editing prowess appear even less than the rudimentary level that it is.

All Photos: © Stan Banos

Just a few snapshots in San Francisco of a day in April when millions across the entire country decided to step up and voice their discontent at a cult that that has needlessly launched said country into a completely voluntary disarray of self sabotage and incompetence. I really, truly do not know how any of what Trump and his admin of yes men are doing is going to lead to the betterment of our country. A man who was voted in to fix our economy on the first day of his presidency, has instead chosen a course that most people, more knowledgeable than his "very large- a brain," agree will instead, sink, doom and seal its fate! We find ourselves at the mercy of a master plan concocted by someone with... multiple bankruptcies- a man who was literally forced to sell his name as a way to evade debtor's prison; 'advised' by the likes of a financial genius who is nothing more than an anagram of a fellow flunky and criminal.

What I do know is that I plan on retiring end of this year, and don't know if I'll have to return to the workforce when I'm even older than the seventy I'll soon be. My Social Security is less and less secure with each and every passing day, as MAGA millionaires and billionaires circle the wagons licking their lips, salivating at the chance of pocketing that needless "entitlement." And it's demise might be the one, the only thing, the final straw that finally frees the MAGA minions from the numbing mind meld of a trance they have willingly capitulated to...

3/29/25

Hope so!

"A Brain" That Controls

A bit late with this, but: A) it's such gold and B) sometimes you just have to document things for prosperity's sake- some things, people in the future will simply not believe- that 'adults,' of their own free will, purposely chose to place our country, our world, and in a very real way, our very lives under the control of this man's "very large a Brain."

AHHHHH... The Frenssshh!

The guy was sleepy is all... but a penny for the thoughts of the woman on the left.

Now, those of you not familiar with the finished product of yore... And why I'll always hold a special place for Orson in my heart, as opposed to all who lived... a perfect life!

PS- The latter link recalls to mind the late night Tomorrow tv program hosted by one Tom Snyder, a talk show program of a time when somewhat intelligent questions were asked of somewhat intelligent people- imagine that!

The Perfect Slice!

Photo: © Sean Poremba

Pizza was a way of life in old school NY- 15¢ a slice plus 10¢ for a small coke (mid-sixties)... yeah, you read right (subway an additional 15¢- OW)! Now, I ain't got nuthin' against a good taco, but good (cheap) pizza was what I grew up on, it was the universal lunch or dinner food when ya didn't have much scratch. Practically every neighborhood back in the day had a coupla good (ie- really good) pizza joints- now, it's hard to find good pizza by the slice most anywhere... even in NYC! And with all the miserable pizza chains that have proliferated, most people have no (and I mean no) idea what good pizza even looks like, let alone tastes like! Some of the stuff I've personally seen passed off as "pizza" is simply unconscionable...

So yeah, the last 20+ years have been a bit rough here in SF- at first, I figured I could find a decent slice somewhere in North Beach, the traditional Italian section. No such luck! I once sampled a slice at a new place that opened there a few years back- looked great, took a bite, not bad, took a second, what the... they put spaghetti sauce on pizza!?! Who does such a thing!?!?! 

Most places now a day don't even serve pizza by the slice, gotta get a whole freakin' pie, and granted, the quality at some restaurants can sometimes even rise to... mediocre. But what if you don't want a whole goddamn pie? What if you just want a couple of slices for lunch, ya know, so ya don't pass out on a park bench mid-day somewhere as we old farts tend to do... 

Last year, I did find a place that serves exceptional whole pizzas (Pizza Hacker- yeah, the name does not inspire confidence)- alas, it's on the other side of town. But this year, this year I found... the exception- PIZZA PONTE! Now, it's true I have to jump on the train and go under the bay to the city of Oakland just to imbibe... but this is the real deal- a true blue New York slice at its very finest!!!

Bought a regular cheese slice and it looked picture perfect, garnished with a basil leaf and gently shaved cheese. But screw the adornments, if it don't taste right... I pick it up, fold the center starting from the back and I hear and feel the bottom of the crust crack just so- a heart warmingly good sign! Take my first bite, and then another, and another- everything is in perfect harmony: sauce, cheese, crust... everything working together as it should to form the greater good! And you actually look forward with glee to eating the outer crust! I then order a pepperoni slice- oh, yeah! And I'm left contemplating a third... My friend had a Sicilian slice, which are thicker and rectangular (not to be confused with Chicago deep slice shit), said it was not the least bit heavy or doughy... Next time, a Sicilian and a regular slice it is- and I won't be left wanting (or passing out). Yeah, this is well worth the train ride!!!

Musk(Rat) Love

Photos: © Stan Banos*

The people spoke in all our nation's major cities and then some (on 3/29) as to what they think of Mr. Musk. The guy who takes such giddy, unfettered glee in firing without cause perfectly productive employees benefitting the public good, the guy who willfully cuts programs (that constitute significantly less than 1% of the federal budget) that condemn the lives of people, of goddamn freaking babies for Chrissakes, to shortened lives of pain and suffering from disease and starvation!

And now he's crying, full fledged crocodile tears about how his company is tanking in freefall and people have the unmitigated gall to do unto him what he had first done unto them... Time to get that chainsaw out again and- cut the whiney shit!!!

  Photos: © Stan Banos

*Can you spot the photographer? Briefly enters from the right (brown pork pie) at 18 seconds...

"Greed Is Good!" -GG

“The fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy..."  Elon Musk

...Republicans who shrug when told that millions will die because of the cutoff of USAID assistance to poor nations that cost a mere .3% of our federal budget. 

Four Wheeled Efficiency Failure!

Side entrance, Tesla (San Francisco) showroom.                                     Photo: © Stan Banos

I must admit I've been watching with a certain unhindered (unhinged?), almost perverted glee the sheer number of ways that Elon's masterpiece of vehicular folly can fail, disintegrate and self destruct on video.* It's as if it was purposely designed to do exactly that! Although at this point, with the absolute myriad of ways it manages to imaginatively succeed at failing, one could accurately conclude that it was more cobbled together as a sheer afterthought, or bad joke!

Musk's success and 'genius' (remember when we sincerely thought he was one) is directly attributable to having people in his employ who actually knew what they were doing- while he reaped the accolades! The Cyber Truck is the first product he had a direct hand in designing- and it ever so deftly exposes the charlatan that imagined and created it! And now that we've all peeked behind the curtain, rather, now that the curtain has been torn asunder, he has truly entered panic mode as stocks plummet, profits evaporate and the remains of his reputation dive in an uncontrolled tailspin- like a Cyber Truck desperately flailing: off road, in snow, or on the regular highway of life on a warm and sunny day...

* Have you caught the one where they slice a carrot with the edge of the driver's door? Very thin and even slices too!

Anyone Up For A Group Chat?

Topics- As usual: bake sale, church outing, next country we're bombing...

All invited!

Different Year, Different View

Photos: © Stan Banos

As per usual during the winter months, I look over the 'reserves,' and nip and tuck wherever necessary (usually more than I care to admit)- sometimes ya even get lucky and spot an almost that makes the grade (that's another post)! This photo goes back to 2017 (when people still occupied downtown SF), and I was one year into color (& digital) photography. The re-edit above of the first take below displays just how bad I was (and to a real extent still am) dealing with color balance- although hopefully getting better. I first noticed an area in the photo in need of 'repair,' and attempted to fix what I damn well knew would probably require a complete re-edit. It was only then I realized- the whole damn thing looked off! No doubt, there'll be yet more color balance mistakes along the way- and they better not take another eight years to recognize!

Words Of Comfort And Solace...

Let’s say Social Security didn’t send out their checks this month. My mother-in-law, who’s 94, wouldn’t call and complain,” he said during a Thursday appearance on the All-In podcast. “She just wouldn’t. She’d think something got messed up and she’ll get it next month.

So would I, my billionaire friend, so would I... For someone looking forward to finally taking the (SS) plunge later this year at the commencement of his seventh decade, those words fall like the warm soothing ointment of peaceful reassurance.

"A fraudster always makes the loudest noise screaming, yelling, and complaining*"

*if I could only recall who that quote so reminds me of... Freud?

RIP- NELSON!

Photo: © Lisa Wood    With Love...  10/27/2011 - 3/18/2025

Netanyahu- Mass Murderer, Serial Child Killer, War Criminal...

Obviously, this latest, unprovoked slaughter of four hundred people (130 of them, children!) is not about winning a war, it's not even about punishment, and it most definitely is not about freeing remaining hostages- it's about extermination, elimination of a people from their land so that Bibi Netanyahu can annex it!* Oh, Israel- you have learned all too well...

*All with our President's blessing!

I'll Take It!

Photo: © Stan Banos

Was on my way to one of those uniquely San Franciscan affairs called "The Brides of March," where everyone and their mom (and dad) dress up as a bride. It was a drop dead gorgeous day and a fun spoof, but with all the mugging and posing, I not surprisingly ended up with a lotta almosts, or worse.* I knew my recent keepers going to and from work during the recent weeks were no doubt gonna balance out with a string of weekend failures. Least, always seems to work that way...

Anyway, on the way home, I had the privilege of running into none other than The Honorable Dr. Sun Yat Sen. And he more than willingly posed quite patiently in the open shade for a rather handsome documentary shot (XT-1, 14mm).

*BTW- My original GR w/flash was a lot more valuable than my Q, with all those blazing white bridal gowns in the sunlight! Hope the GR IV returns its rightful flash- hopefully, I won't be in the market for one, but it really comes in quite handy for sunlight fill!

As I Was Saying...

Let's not restrict corruption solely to bribery!

DRAIN THE SWAMP!!!

Q: How do you get rid of bribery and corruption once and for all?

A: You make it legal!

(Promises Kept.)

Hope And A Prayer

Photo: © Stan Banos

I love taking pictures, with or without people; as long as it's a good image- it's all good! If it isn't centered around a certain person or persons, that just means it's strong enough to survive on its own, without the added influence of the human presence. That's an achievement in and of itself! Nevertheless, there's just something kinda special about a photograph that successfully incorporates the human visage as an essential part of its raison d'être, something that separates it from another image that can be more readily forgotten- that extra something that demands it be noticed, and hopefully remembered. Those are particularly harder to come by, and when you go without for a while, ya start getting anxious...Sometimes the person photographed doesn't project what one had hoped, sometimes, the photographer just fails to capture it. Wrong instant, wrong angle, wrong light. The subject blinks or shifts position the moment you press the shutter. It's all stacked against you, on either side of the lens.

So when that small, ever so momentary miracle of success does occur: photographer, camera, subject and all the other subtle but determining factors that pertain... When they all (in part or in whole) finally congeal to create a greater whole- it is a special moment, cause the human factor is such a fragile, fleeting element that can more often curse than bless. Most times, it's a struggle to achieve any of the above in any measure. But on those rarest of days, when luck shares your way, it can be but a single question to be asked- waiting on the bus to work as you turn your head in utter surprise... "Excuse me, can I..." 

Just remember, no guarantees- not ever. 

Petitioning The King!

Why is "tariff" the most beautiful word in the world for Donald J. Trump? The answer is easy... Tariffs = $$$, millions in his case, and for his own personal use!

Don't like tariffs? Pay the king his due- and all will be right as rain (ie- Drain The Swamp)!

SURPRISE--- NOT!!!

Republicans have long been salivating to cut Social Security for decades, and now that fearless leader is at the helm yet again, and leaving no question as to his unfettered, scorched earth policy- they may finally be able to line their pockets anew with the last vestige of dignity remaining any of us. What a paean to fiscal responsibility, patriotic duty, and triumphant moral legacy! And what a hot, flaming truckload of absolute shit to get dumped on our laps in our very hour of need... (ie- right in the very year I plan to retire)!!! Promises Kept Y'all!

The Misogynist Hit Parade

Do you have to be a confirmed and bona fide misogynist (and worse) to be a Trump appointee? Brett Kavanaugh, Pete Hegseth, Andrew Kloster (to name but a few)- all Trump governmental appointees (and let's not forget failed Matt Gaetz). Is misogyny the defining element in scoring points for the "meritocracy" called Trumpworld? And we're not even going into friends and associates- like Epstein (seven Trump flights on his Lolita Express) and the latest and possibly greatest (save Epstein himself)... The Tate Bros, those wonderfully liberated, 'Capitalists' and self professed misogynists who just happen to specialize in sex trafficking and money laundering- who were recently welcomed with open arms into our country. Who, oh who, could have possibly wielded the power to allow that travesty to occur?!?

Trump Economic Breakdown

Your Excellency, Mr. President,

We watched the report of your conversation with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, with fear and distaste. We find it insulting that you expect Ukraine to show respect and gratitude for the material assistance provided by the United States in its fight against Russia. Gratitude is owed to the heroic Ukrainian soldiers who shed their blood in defense of the values of the free world. They have been dying on the front lines for more than 11 years in the name of these values and the independence of their homeland, which was attacked by Putin’s Russia.

We do not understand how the leader of a country that symbolizes the free world cannot recognize this.

Our alarm was also heightened by the atmosphere in the Oval Office during this conversation, which reminded us of the interrogations we endured at the hands of the Security Services and the debates in Communist courts. Prosecutors and judges, acting on behalf of the all-powerful communist political police, would explain to us that they held all the power while we held none. They demanded that we cease our activities, arguing that thousands of innocent people suffered because of us. They stripped us of our freedoms and civil rights because we refused to cooperate with the government or express gratitude for our oppression. We are shocked that President Volodymyr Zelensky was treated in the same manner.

The history of the 20th century shows that whenever the United States sought to distance itself from democratic values and its European allies, it ultimately became a threat to itself. President Woodrow Wilson understood this when he decided in 1917 that the United States must join World War I. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt understood this when, after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, he resolved that the war to defend America must be fought not only in the Pacific but also in Europe, in alliance with the nations under attack by the Third Reich.

We remember that without President Ronald Reagan and America’s financial commitment, the collapse of the Soviet empire would not have been possible. President Reagan recognized that millions of enslaved people suffered in Soviet Russia and the countries it had subjugated, including thousands of political prisoners who paid for their defense of democratic values with their freedom. His greatness lay, among other things, in his unwavering decision to call the USSR an “Empire of Evil” and to fight it decisively. We won, and today, the statue of President Ronald Reagan stands in Warsaw, facing the U.S. Embassy.

Mr. President, material aid—military and financial—can never be equated with the bloodshed in the name of Ukraine’s independence and the freedom of Europe and the entire free world. Human life is priceless; its value cannot be measured in money. Gratitude is due to those who sacrifice their blood and their freedom. This is self-evident to us, the people of Solidarity, former political prisoners of the communist regime under Soviet Russia.

We call on the United States to uphold the guarantees made alongside Great Britain in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which established a direct obligation to defend Ukraine’s territorial integrity in exchange for its relinquishment of nuclear weapons. These guarantees are unconditional—there is no mention of treating such assistance as an economic transaction.

Signed,

Lech Wałęsa, former political prisoner, President of Poland

Graduation!

Photo: © Stan Banos

This is the first photo I've successfully edited in 'adult' PS after reading about one third of the Scott Kelby PS manual (videos only get me so far). I had first edited it in PSE about a year ago and the resulting image was, in a word... awful- not because PSE was so utterly lacking, but because of my pathetic color sense! I'm sure someone with considerably more experience could do the present result even better, but this version is night and day of my previous, trust me- it was so bad I'm embarrassed to post a Before/After. I can usually get color balance in the general neighborhood, but sometimes it's like that part of my brain leaves without notice and I'm left with something completely foreign to both sight and common sense. 

Well, I'm hoping it's satisfactory- particularly since I also had to get a new monitor calibrator, and after several tries and retries to get it right on first attempt, and failing miserably... I just decided to tweak it 'manually' after the fact until my library best mirrored their previous results- at least as I best remember! My previous calibration was in sync with a few prints I had commercially made with no problem, so I can only conclude it was on point or fairly damn close- and that the 'legacy' hopefully carries on... 

Looking forward to studying more of the manual and select videos, especially looking forward to using gradient masks for the sky! And being able to edit more in RAW and as a 16, as opposed to 8 bit TIFF will help relieve the banding I sometimes experienced in skies previous. Of course, this will all take more time than I currently have (why I had originally planned to do in retirement), but getting up for the challenge. One thing's for sure, I ain't gonna mess with no LR until then! I opened it up just to take a look, accidentally clicked on something or other, and next thing I knew it had reorganized one of my folders into it's own distinct filing system which took me a good hour to suss out and (re)reorganize. I gotta separate manual for that too- but one headache atta time!

SHAMELESS!

If you saw any of the Oval Office Debacle, I need not describe just how downright low and despicable Trump and Vance were in that scripted, tag team beat down, attempting to belittle the man trying to save the lives of his countrymen from the likes of the wanton serial killer next door who just happens to be Trump's best bud.

Why does everyone associated with Trump have to be a sycophant, FOX News talking head (excuse the redundancy) or misogynist? Tell me the Tate Bros recent arrival on our shores has nothing to do with POTUS! The Tates are proud, self-described misogynists with a history of sex crimes in several countries- and, of course, rabid Trump supporters......

It Always Does...

It always does...            Photo: © Stan Banos

Scary Shit!

These unvetted, uninvestigated teens have access to your info, my info... Everyone's Info- And answer to no one,
While quietly destroying the very agency set up to protect us.

Temporary Change Of Address...

That is to say, today's post is featured on a different venue! Enjoy the change in scenery while yours truly downloads photo-editing software,* starts the beleaguering process of viewing an endless array of You Tube tutorials on Photoshop and Lightroom (having ordered and thus awaiting respective manuals on each), only to begin what will no doubt be a years' long process of delving into the labyrinthine intricacies of each. Or should I say, trying how to most effectively avoid involvement with as much of either as possible...

*Hopefully, they will download and operate properly unlike the last time.

The Photo Edit Blues (Cont)...

So... I made my peace getting PSE 2025 until retirement scheduled for end of year when I would have time to graduate to PS and/or LR. That was the plan, remained the plan, until... PSE 2025 started acting up from jump! Long story short, program would freeze solid after 1/2 hr of use and it would open some DNG files in RAW, and not others... WTF!?! Support then updated a driver- which didn't fix a thing. 

So... called again and am told my files are damaged or corrupted- can't possibly be program. Of course, never, ever had these problems before PSE 2025! Both my older and most recent DNG files (from same card in same camera) can open in RAW one day, can't open in RAW the next, if they are now "damaged," as claimed- pretty obvious what damaged them!!! Not possible, I'm told. Then explain how possible!!! Cause what you're saying clearly doesn't make sense...

So... after being given the distinct impression that I'd be grasping at straws if the updated driver didn't fix the freezing, after refusing to even address that something else (like the program itself) might be amiss (rather than 'corrupted' files)- I told 'em to just give me my damn money back! Agreed- now, how'd I like to purchase the entire PS package!? Well, uhm, what kind of discount would I get for my trials and tribulations? Ten bucks per month for PS and LR- essentially, half price. 

So... WTF! Here we go- not one, but at least two programs, each thirty times more complex than PSE... what could possibly go wrong?!? Download this weekend, master the 10% of each I'll end up using round about when seventy-five (assuming I get there)...

With Friends Like...

Leaked copy of Trump "peace proposal" would be more punitive (to Ukraine!) than the Treaty of Versailles was to Germany!!!

And then there's... "BIG BALLS!"

PS- And as the video brings out- Less than 1% of the Federal Budget goes to foreign aid (not 25%).

What's that? You still haven't stopped laughing about the nuclear guys they fired!
I hear ya!

Two Phenomenal Photo Books

At this point in life, I'd feel perfectly fine leaving it at that. These are two books I would have instantly bought last century, when photobooks weren't as plentiful and I had an avid thirst to get my hands on as much quality material as I could afford. Make no doubt, these are two splendid efforts, rife with imaginatively composed images to ponder and consider- images that inspire! Failing by Mike Brodie falls along the line of the personal, on the road kinda epic; while Look At The USA: A Diary Of War And Home by Peter Van Agtmael is more the journalistic effort that covers the "War on Terror" on the battlefield, as well as the ongoing political scene back home. That said, both photographers are highly capable and creative image makers* that leave us all with exemplary photos to remember, moments of life to contemplate...

*(almost said "story tellers," which certainly wouldn't be wrong here, just that it's the most overused term most recently... overused).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Photo: © Stan Banos

Addendum: OK, OK... this is just an image I stumbled upon, folks! Admittedly, not the greatest photo ever taken- just a humble snap worthy of a quick look and a laugh... It does not necessarily reflect the views of the author.* I'm all for L-O-V-E! Something we all need more of these days when being outwardly mean, vindictive and downright cruel is routinely reinforced and... rewarded.

*And now that ya'll got me to thinking: for the record, also not into leather and S&M, or vandalism and theft either... not that there's anything necessarily wrong with that- at least for the former.

So... That's Why!

I love how Trump said that none of what Elon is doing with the federal government could possibly profit him in any way- course not! Why condemn altruism in its highest form? And why, oh why, go after something from jump that accounts for less than 1% of federal government spending?

DRAIN THAT SWAMP!!!

Twenty-six Houses Along Waldeggstrasse

I've always had a special (little) place for... special little photo books. And Otto Hainnzl's effort, Twenty-six Houses Along Waldeggstrasse, is the latest to draw my attention  It's raison d'être is simple, but intriguingly so, least to my mind- and eyes! Enjoy...

Software Solution(s)

FWIW, after much soul searching and deep rooted meditation, I've decided to stick to the original gameplan... That is, having now reacquainted myself, I will continue with the latest juvenile reincarnation of PSE for the remainder of my F/T employment (till end of year), it's latest formulation runs $100 for 3 yrs- yes, even that is now by subscription. Then, when I actually have the time and peace of mind, I will test the waters of both LR and C1; I actually look forward to trying both out in a relaxed manner, and then proceed from there- right now, waaay too many fish to fry before that eventful time. This is a pretty stressful period in life with: financial, health, parental and housing concerns all clashing for top billing, while still attending to my F/T occupation. So, I'm really quite anxious for the time when things are (hopefully) settled enough for me to indulge myself in both the above. It'll be interesting to discover which of the two I settle on after serious testing- or, if I'll continue to avoid 'adult responsibility!'

Addendum: And I still haven't properly(?) calibrated my monitor- so I just further fine tune it after the fact to the point where it mimics what I had previous. I have to assume it was OK before since I did get a coupla commercially made prints made, and they mirrored my results...

Trump X2

Well, certainly no shortage of Trumpian grand blunders, boners and BS to report! Nothing even vaguely humorous with these two however. How long before we hear of despicably deplorable conditions in which immigrants are detained in Guantanamo?

Oh, and uhh... stealing and occupying the Gaza Strip (using US troops)... Nothing but blue skies and sunshine for all regarding that one- Guaranteed (said with French Canadian accent- no, make it Cajun)! Hopefully, it's just more of the endless supply of meaningless, nonsensical shit that pours out his mouth... otherwise, he's gonna find himself neck deep in it- not that he'd ever take responsibility. And, of course, no one's bothered to ask the Palestinians who live in and own it, but heck, no reason they shouldn't be amenable...

The guy couldn't run a coupla casinos in Atlantic City, but he's gonna create the... Mideast Riviera! Just think how many tourists and high rollers are gonna flock on in and spread the wealth once the terrorist attacks, kidnappings and bombings commence- after years of all out counter insurgency/guerilla warfare...

6:20! - 6:20! - 6:20!

 This is idiocy, stupidity and just plain insanity rolled into one- and its name is... TRUMP!

Seriously, in a sane world, this would not be allowed to exist.

And if the joke wasn't on us- it'd be funny as hell!

Digital Dyslexia

I'll spare you the concurrent woes of my dental, parental and prostate woes- cause who the freak wants to hear it! So...

After ten or so years, it was time to replace ye ol' desktop- especially since Windows 11 would no longer be supported on it. So I got me a sleek, little Dell at a good price, uploaded my battle weary PS Elements 9 on it and- Boom, lights out! He just wasn't getting up... Lugged it over to the Amazon return center (as instructed), where I was curtly told they wouldn't accept it- could only return to UPS! This was after the repair man never showed, as scheduled. I'll spare you the details of the Amazon return and Dell repair phone calls- let's just say I indubitably made it unto two more training recordings...

I calibrated my monitor on the new, new desktop with a new Datacolor Spyder (my old Spyder 4 also wouldn't take to W11) and it's not quite the same... brightness, color and contrast a bit off, so do I adjust incrementally on my monitor- and have everyone else in the world adjust accordingly? Was it wrong before and right now, or vice versa?!? Or does it all even out in the long run? Damned if I know, so I'm corresponding with Mr. Datacolor Customer Service in Switzerland as to what to make of it.  Meanwhile, Windows 11 has moved everything around enough to make it that much harder to find and locate anything, as any proper update should do- and now for The Biggest Wrench in the whole shebang... what photo editing software do I now proceed with? 

The plan was to get (and learn) a serious, adult photo editing software (as opposed to my juvenile Elements version of Photoshop) upon retirement end of this year when I actually have the time and calmness of mind. Curious how many a photographer complains how overly complex camera menus are- but never a word about ever so much more complex photo editing software!?! I don't need more than1/10 of 'em, can't understand more than 1/10 of 'em, can't bear to look at any more than 1/10 of any of 'em, and yet, I'm cornered into procuring something so utterly complex and exorbitantly priced! Lightroom seems the current tried and true, but apparently not all that good with Fujifilm files; Capture One does Fuji best but either one is akin to learning a foreign language. The latter has a free, more moderately featured program specifically for Fuji I've yet to try (for fear of proving my ineptitude even with the simpler program), but I'd still need something for my Q and GR files. Which means I'll probably go back (at least in the meantime) to using the latest, greatest version of PS Elements. I just got a free trial for a week, and that has changed so much in the intervening years (surprise!), I hardly recognize it and will have to retrain on that as well! And speaking of free trials- let's hear it for those three figure, yearly subscription rates, paid updates and renewal increases...

But why limit myself!? Afterall, there's: Affinity, Luminar Neo, Darktable, GIMP, DXO Photolab 8, Raw Therapee and on and on it goes... a veritable, never ending chain of intricate, labyrinthine interfaces each more brazenly convoluted and byzantine than the former. And my tiny, pea sized cranium short circuits each and every time I just glance at a distance. Mercy! I am truly gobsmacked by these photo editing marvels who can master any of the above to create images of such precision and wonder. And I'm left wondering, how did I ever create any images worth viewing with my paltry peasant's knowledge of a handful of the most basic of tools and workflows- which is all I freaking need! Don't need AI this and that, don't need to detach and replace people's heads, don't need vectoring gradient layer masks... I thought I might be able to logically, scientifically deduce which program would best suit my needs by reading the reviews, viewing the tutorials, listing the pros and cons in order of importance, value and ease. Instead, I surrender (yet again) with a migraine wishing 'em all into the cornfield. The Joy of Photography!

Travelin' Shoes

Forget the politics, this is exactly why moving elsewhere (other than the USA) sure does seem attractive 
any ol' time...

Trump Blames DC Crash On Diversity

Yes, of course, this crash can only be blamed on DEI, that is clearly self evident for all to see- seems the Biden admin purposely installed those affected with "severe intellectual and/or emotional disabilities" in charge of things like... air traffic control- simply for the sake of diversity! Can you believe it- can anyone? More on FOX News...

So, if we're keeping count- Trump got rid of the pandemic response team in his first term (that didn't have any consequences), and he's now gotten rid of the air safety committee in his second...

Addendum: And it gets crazier still...

Watching The Tide Turn...

And this is the man the previous two videos were referencing. If you doubt Jake Barber's veracity, listen to what Dr. Gary Nolan (premier Stanford immunologist) has to say about his character- and the serious health consequences he incurred in carrying out his mission.

Equally amazing in the three videos presented is how these special ops, military he-men practically transform into peace loving, we are all connected hippies when describing the transformation they experienced when making contact with these craft.

But How Could They Keep It Secret?

The question often asked and presented as 'proof' that the very thought of extraterrestrial visitation by intelligences from any of the trillions of planets in our universe is akin to the very deepest of psychoses- the "secret" personally experienced and analyzed by millions for decades, throughout the world. The age old denial, subterfuge and condemnation is finally starting to unravel at a rather startling pace, bolstered by witnesses and participants with increasingly impressive credentials. Sorry Neil, your days are numbered, the writing's on the wall- time to start transitioning to Plan B...

It Begins...

No one gasped, no one decried, no one condemned...

1/20/2025

(actually, forward thinking 6/10/2020)

I still can't even begin contemplating another four days, let alone, yet another four years of the insanity we once had, twice over. And yet reality deigns disruption rides again...

 A bit more timely:

1/19/2025...

All Photos: © Stan Banos

FWIW- The most amazing "photo" of the day (in quotes because I didn't actually get it) occurred on the way home as I turned the corner and halfway up the block was this young couple dressed to the nines enjoined in this embrace with a kiss that would have put Hollywood to shame. Two blocks from home, and one of the most cinematic scenes I've ever witnessed! The drama, the choreography, the perfect photo- if... I... could... only... have gotten... there... in... time... ALAS!!!