Point Reyes - Divide Meadow Loop

Trees on the Divide Meadow Loop in Point Reyes

Five mile loop hike from the Bear Valley visitor center to Mount Wittenberg and back. Great day for it with clear skies and a mini heatwave. Lots of tree cover and a fairly undulating climb although it gets pretty steep towards the top. Some rewarding views over Point Reyes before scrambling back down again.

Hike starts at: 38.039678, -122.799728. View in Google Earth.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Point Reyes - Divide Meadow Loop #hike #pointreyes #map A 5 mile, 1000 ft loop hike from the Bear Valley visitor center in Point Reyes, California. )

Reviews for April 2024

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Spoilers!

Podcasts

Helen Lewis Has Left the Chat

Helen Lewis Has Left the Chat

Helen Lewis Has Left the Chat is a six part survey of instant messaging, from Whatsapp parents groups to Telegram. The snippets of the worst mistakes people have made in chat are worth it alone, as is the somewhat haphazard invention of xxx is typing.

TV

3 Body Problem

3 Body Problem

After some terrible adaptations of cherished books I was pretty worried about this one. I think they nailed it. Trisolarians are now San-Ti, it's set in London and there are plenty of character and plot changes. But it's a compelling narrative that so far captures the spirit of the books without their somewhat clinical style. And I didn't see a single out of place Starbucks cup. Can't wait for the next installment.

Tokyo Vice Season 2

Tokyo Vice Season 2

Season 1 was great, if based on a maybe exaggerated book. Season 2 starts off a little slow and had the feel of a writers room that ran out of source material. Then they bring back Tozawa who is on the cusp of subverting the entire nation and order needs to be restored. From that point this is as compelling and unputdownable as the first installment.

(All images included with ITHCWY reviews are the property of their respective owners and are used to illustrate reviews only.)

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Sutro Island

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Sutro Tower from Bolinas Beach

SONY ILCE-7C 500mm f6.7 1/800s ISO100

Sutro Tower looks like it lives on a mysterious island in the fog. Shot from Bolinas Beach.

The photograph titled "Sutro Island" presents a stark and enigmatic landscape, shrouded in a gentle mist that lends an air of mystery and ethereal beauty. Centered upon a solitary landmass, the enigmatic tower extends upward, punctuating the overcast sky with its vertical linearity. The island itself seems to float on a bed of fog, its edges softened and indistinct, melding seamlessly into the surrounding haze. Below, the calm expanse of water forms a contrasting layer, grounding the view with its subtle texture and vast horizon. The monochromatic palette underscores the somber mood, rendering the scene timeless and evocative.

In terms of composition, the photograph masterfully employs a minimalist style, focusing attention on the interplay between natural and man-made elements. The rule of thirds subtly guides the composition, with the island and tower placed in the upper central third, directing the eye upwards through the mist. The balance between the open sky and the denser textures of the island and water establishes a harmonious equilibrium, drawing the viewer into this tranquil yet mysterious world. The monochrome choice enhances the mood, emphasizing form and contrast over color. While the simplicity of the scene is striking, the fog's softness might obscure finer details some viewers may desire. However, this ambiguity is also its strength, inviting contemplation and lingering intrigue.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Sutro Island #photo #sutrotower #sanfrancisco #bolinas Photo of Sutro Tower appearing to be on a mysterious island, from Bolinas Beach in Marin County, California. )

2024 Partial Solar Eclipse from Inverness, CA

Partial solar eclipse on April 8, 2024

Timelapse of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse. This was shot from Chicken Ranch Beach in Inverness, California where the eclipse was partial. This is one of the last places you would expect the weather to cooperate, but conditions were perfect. Sun closeups shot on a Sony A7C with the Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 and an ND5 filter. Sun tracking shot from the beach is from an Insta360 X3.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: 2024 Partial Solar Eclipse from Inverness, CA #timelapse #video #sun #moon #eclipse Timelapse of the 2024 partial solar eclipse shot from Inverness, California. )

Links for April 2024

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
NYTimes: This Artificially Intelligent Pin Wants to Free You From Your Phone

Nope: "To unlock the device with a passcode, hold out your hand to project a green laser onto your palm. Pulling your hand outward increases the number while pulling it inward decreases it, and you select each digit by pinching two fingers on the same hand." #ml #humane

--

Why did all the Little Chefs disappear?

Little Chef promise to swap your empty plate for our lollypop. Can't have been cheap. #littlechef

--

San Francisco’s Train System Still Uses Floppy Disks - and Will for Years

“The system is currently working just fine, but we know that with each increasing year, risk of data degradation on the floppy disks increases and that at some point there will be a catastrophic failure,” - maybe save $400M with a floppy emulator and a USB stick? #sfmta #muni #sanfrancisco

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Reviews for March 2024

Spoilers!

Books

Dead Fall

Dead Fall

Scot Harvath has little trouble killing some Wagner mercenaries in Ukraine. Throw the man some setbacks once in a while! Feels a little too soon as well to use this war as a backdrop. I'm a sucker for a series though and I will keep reading them.

System Collapse

Murderbot is [redacted]. This is book 7 and the concept of the reluctant hero SecUnit is not getting old yet. Continued breath of SciFi fresh air.

Movie

Expired

Expired

I can't believe it's not Blade Runner, but OK nonetheless.

Movies

Dream Scenario

Dream Scenario

Everyone starts dreaming about Nicolas Cage. Michael Cera and his agency are very funny and it's an interesting concept, but it runs out of steam and limps to a dark conclusion.

ISS

ISS

This was OK. Nuclear war breaks out on Earth, and this leads to the US and Russian crew of the ISS being ordered to kill each other and take over the station. There is some rationale for this later but it doesn't make much sense. Also, they seem pretty confused about what's going on given the obvious nuclear war. Also, the ISS isn't high enough for the view they get of the obvious war. Also, the Russians seem to be nuking Bakersfield for some reason. It's like their objective is disrupting our plans for high speed rail as if we can't do that by ourselves. Ignoring all that, it's entertaining enough.

Lift

Lift

Heist on a plane. Not very good.

Society of the Snow

Society of the Snow

It's that Uruguayan rugby team who crashed in the Andes and then ate each other. Great film to watch on a plane, which I did, awkwardly.

The Abyss

The Abyss

No, not that classic at the bottom of the ocean with early CGI living water. This abyss is a Swedish disaster movie where the disaster is the budget as most of the action is not falling into a hole inside a nondescript building. I think. I don't remember much.

Werewolves Within

Werewolves Within

This is exactly what you'd expect, it's funny and perfectly executed. Thank you.

TV

Beacon 23

Beacon 23

I had high hopes for this Hugh Howey adaptation but they were brutally dashed by leaden dialog and a lackluster story. The most interesting thing about it is that it was made by Boat Rocker Media and man,  did they make sure that their boats were not disturbed in any way.

Expats

Expats

My advice here would be to just watch the incredible feature length episode 5 and skip the rest of it. It's all nicely made although I was a little surprised at the contemporary setting instead of pre-handover glory days

(All images included with ITHCWY reviews are the property of their respective owners and are used to illustrate reviews only.)

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Vernal (Spring) Equinox 2024

Spring Equinox 2024

Spring starts now (03:07 UTC on March 20, 2024) in the Northern Hemisphere and Autumn for the equatorially challenged. The image above shows the precise moment of the equinox in Catfood Earth.

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MUC SFO

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

MUC SFO

Google Pixel 8 Pro 7mm f1.7 1/440s ISO21

LH458

Updated 2024-10-13 13:56:

MUC SFO

Google Pixel 8 Pro 7mm f1.7 1/250s ISO21

LH458

Updated 2024-10-18 01:45:

Here's a time lapse from the October 13 flight:

The photograph titled "MUC SFO" captures a serene moment at an airport, showcasing a large passenger airplane docked at a gate, awaiting its next journey. The scene is imbued with a sense of anticipation and calmness, with a second airplane visible in the background, adorned with distinctive branding and positioned slightly off-center, suggesting a bustling yet organized environment. The sky overhead is a soft blue, dotted with fluffy clouds, providing a contrasting backdrop to the industrial elements of the airport. The composition includes various airport structures and vehicles, adding a sense of depth and scale to the image, while the tarmac stretches out towards a distant horizon.

The composition of the photograph adheres to a central alignment, with the primary airplane acting as an anchor point in the middle. This orientation draws the viewer's eye immediately to the sleekness and grandeur of the aircraft. The converging lines created by the airplane's wings and the tarmac guide the gaze across the image, adding dynamism to what might otherwise be a static scene. The color palette is muted and natural, emphasizing the practical nature of air travel. What stands out is the balance achieved between the mechanical and the serene, though the image could benefit from a slightly warmer tone to evoke a more inviting atmosphere. Overall, the clarity and purposeful composition make this a compelling portrayal of airport life, albeit one that could enhance emotional resonance with a touch more vibrancy.

Updated 2025-03-29 14:31:

MUC SFO

Google Pixel 8 Pro 7mm f1.7 1/105s ISO21

LH458

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(Published to the Fediverse as: MUC SFO #photo #plane #muc #sfo #video MUC SFO )

KRK MUC

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

KRK MUC

Google Pixel 8 Pro 7mm f1.7 1/1,250s ISO21

LH1621

The photograph titled "KRK MUC" captures a bustling airport scene, where a large passenger airplane is prominently centered, docked at a jet bridge. The sunlight casts gentle shadows across the expansive tarmac, highlighting the pristine white exterior of the aircraft. Around the plane, several airport ground vehicles and personnel in high-visibility clothing are in motion, suggesting preparation or maintenance activities. The background reveals an expansive runway stretching towards a distant horizon, where a line of trees meets a partly cloudy sky. The bright blue above adds depth and tranquility to the otherwise industrious ground activity, marrying movement with stillness in a harmonious atmospheric blend.

The style of this photograph can be described as documentary, capturing the realism and structured chaos of airport operations. Compositionally, the photograph utilizes the rule of thirds effectively, with the airplane centrally placed while the sky and tarmac occupy the top and bottom thirds, respectively. There is a pleasing balance between the static and dynamic elements, created by the stationary aircraft juxtaposed with the active ground crew. I appreciate how the image conveys a sense of connectivity and motion, emblematic of air travel, while retaining visual clarity. However, the inclusion of more detail from the surrounding environment could add layers of context, though this may have disrupted the clean and focused narrative of the scene.

Updated 2025-03-29 12:27:

KRK MUC

Google Pixel 8 Pro 7mm f1.7 1/800s ISO21

LH1623

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(Published to the Fediverse as: KRK MUC #photo #plane #krk #muc KRK MUC )

Budapest

By Robert Ellison. Updated on Monday, January 20, 2025.

Budapest

Google Pixel 8 Pro 7mm f1.7 1/4s ISO88

The photograph titled "Budapest" captures the enchanting glow of the city as dusk settles over the iconic Széchenyi Chain Bridge. The scene is bathed in a rich tapestry of blues, with the evening sky draped in deep cobalt hues, casting a serene atmosphere over the waters of the Danube River. This historic bridge on the left guides the viewer's eye toward the exquisite illumination of Budapest's architectural jewels on the right. The distant glow of the domed structures and spires punctuates the cityscape, forming a mesmerizing contrast against the night’s silhouette. Laden with intricate lights, the reflection on the river glistens softly, while a smattering of figures on the riverside adds life and scale to this urban panorama.

The photographer employs a balanced composition, utilizing the bridge's diagonal line to lead the viewer into the heart of the cityscape. This diagonal converges towards the right, where the bright, inviting lights of Budapest come into sharp focus. The image is a beautiful play of light and symmetry, with the bridge and its accompanying street lamps guiding viewers through the scene. The moody blue lighting complements the warm tones of the city lights, creating a dynamic yet harmonious color palette. One might critique the photograph for obscuring some architectural details in shadows, but this is a minor flaw in what is otherwise a masterful depiction of Budapest’s nighttime splendor. Overall, the photo evokes a sense of wanderlust and amazement, capturing the timeless allure of the city in the twilight hours.

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(Published to the Fediverse as: Budapest #photo #budapest Budapest )