boredom

cooling down

Somebody Stop Me!

Madman, driving a boat this Sunday, out of Latchi Harbor.

what a weekend!

On Saturday we went to W's Reiki Share meeting, and stayed there until around four o'clock.

We did some Reiki group-healing, a Yoga Nidra session and everything ended up with enjoying the pool (for some of us), good food and me taking some pictures (which I might post later) ...

On Sunday, we went to Latchi with a large group including my entire team, rented three speed boats, and abused them for around three hours and a half.

We dived The Blue Lagoon while the guys snorkeled around, then came back to Limassol and stopped at Si's place for some pancakes.

Here's a picture selection from Sunday (I'll post some more later):

The group:


A flagging his T-shirt:


czeck-mate:


A., driving the boat:


B on the boat:

Sunset in Latchi Harbor, Cyprus

HDR experiment with GIMP
-------------------
Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Sun Jun 24 19:49:08 2007
Shutter: 1/125 s
Aperture: F13
ISO speed: 200
Focal length: 28.0 mm
Focal length in 35mm equivalent: 42.0 mm
Lens: 28mm F2.8

EXIF data read by Exiv2 0.13
-------------------
Flash: Fill flash

re-mission, a computer game

I got an email today about re-Mission, a game done with the explicit purpose of helping young people living with cancer, to acknowledge cancer, and their fight against it.

Here's a desrciption of the game, it's purpose and effects (emphasis mine):

To be successful, Re-Mission had to be biologically accurate, meaningful to young people with cancer, and fun. HopeLab adopted a highly interactive, rationally engineered development process to create Re-Mission, working with cancer experts, cell biologists, psychologists, game developers, and young people with cancer. The result is an engaging, high-quality game in which players pilot a nanobot, Roxxi, through the bodies of fictional cancer patients to destroy cancer cells, defend against bacterial infections, and grapple with often life-threatening cancer-related side effects and challenges common among young people with cancer.

HopeLab conducted an unprecedented randomized, controlled trial (our Outcomes Study) to test the effect of Re- Mission on key health-related outcomes among adolescents and young adults with cancer. Study results indicate playing Re-Mission produced statistically significant increases in quality of life, self-efficacy, and cancer- related knowledge for adolescents and young adults with cancer. Young people who played Re-Mission also maintained higher blood levels of chemotherapy and showed higher rates of antibiotic utilization, demonstrating that Re- Mission helps patients adhere to cancer therapy regimens.

Cool!

More than that, its free and available for download (on the main webste).

Bill Bailey on Acts of God

15 links that I found interesting this evening

1. the dilbert blog (thanks B!)
2. 10 ways to open a beer without an opener (that's sure to be a winner)
3. how to ride a bike - spectacular, if nothing else.
4. Ubuntu classified as Genuine Windows (haha)
5. 14 ways to procrastinate productively - Hell Yeah!
6. the JesusFreak car; or maybe, the AntiJesusFreak car - Most of all, I liked the zen Jesus one.
7. Resisting the Temptation of Authority a psychological explanation of why submitting to authority is so tempting.
8. TSA and the Sippy Cup Incident I liked the analysis of both sides of the story.
9. Are the Hitler Parallels Too Close for Comfort?

Remember how I said I'd have 15 links of interest?

I lied.

the chips are down

Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Sun Jun 17 21:13:42 2007
Shutter: 1/25 s
Aperture: F1.8
ISO speed: 200
Focal length: 50.0 mm
Focal length in 35mm equivalent: 75.0 mm
Lens: 50mm F1.8

EXIF data read by Exiv2 0.13

houses

Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Sun Jun 17 13:58:43 2007
Shutter: 1/800 s
Aperture: F9
ISO speed: 1600
Focal length: 18.0 mm
Focal length in 35mm equivalent: 27.0 mm
Lens: 18-55mm F3.5-5.6

EXIF data read by Exiv2 0.13

up the wall

Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Sun Jun 17 12:52:37 2007
Shutter: 1/400 s
Aperture: F5.6
ISO speed: 1600
Focal length: 28.0 mm
Focal length in 35mm equivalent: 42.0 mm
Lens: 18-55mm F3.5-5.6

EXIF data read by Exiv2 0.13
------
Flash: Fill-flash

open space

Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Sun Jun 17 11:59:47 2007
Shutter: 1/800 s
Aperture: F9
ISO speed: 1600
Focal length: 28.0 mm
Focal length in 35mm equivalent: 42.0 mm
Lens: 18-55mm F3.5-5.6

EXIF data read by Exiv2 0.13

stil diving

Well ... it seems that our boat-hiring plans got canceled (being cherry season and all).

Either way, I will still go diving this weekend: P. called me, since they're doing a trip to the Zenobia.

Have a nice weekend people!

prometheus

Whoever said you can't buy happiness, was wrong ;)

I mean ... I did; three bottles to be more specific.

We (our team) went at ETKO factory to have a wine-tasting session.


We (our team) went at ETKO factory to have a wine-tasting session.

Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Fri Jun 15 11:34:10 2007
Shutter: 1/100 s
Aperture: F4
ISO speed: 200
Focal length: 12.0 mm
Focal length in 35mm equivalent: 18.0 mm
Lens: 12-24mm F4

EXIF data read by Exiv2 0.13

Dr Quantum - Double Slit Experiment

Qui est Jaques Henri Lartigue?

Apparently he was a photographer, mid of last century.

hopefully diving this weekend

This weekend we're planning to make an exit to Latchi, rent a speed-boat and go out for a bit.

Me and Si. were hoping we'd be able to rent some SCUBA equipment and dive for a bit (I've even forgotten how the post-dive syndrome feels like).

I'm not sure we'll actually get to dive, but if not, there's still the whole "we're going on a trip" thingy, and snorkeling and occasions to torture the d50 some more.

I really really miss diving though.

The Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See

not quite American Idol (Simon Cowell)

Normally I don't have much consideration for these shows (I guess this is the British version of "American Idol") and I don't watch the favorites or anything, but this video made it on top ten on viralvideochart.com and I wanted to see why.

I guess I can safely say I was ... completely blown away!

Oliver Shanti & Friends

<censored>

I won't give any details (as I don't want to put anyone in trouble) but I just got an email from a friend, who told me that whenever they try to access my pictures they see:

We apologize the site you are attempting to visit has been blocked due to its content being inconsistent with the religious, cultural, political and moral values of the United Arab Emirates.

There are two possibilities to this:
Either the United Arab Emirates censored me - hey, all I did was post some pictures of Israel (but those are near pictures of Egypt, Malta, Greece and Cyprus so I don't see that as terribly relevant), or they censored all of flickr (which seems more likely).

If they did, its a shame: there are lots of really good pictures on flickr.

sunset at Lady's Mile, Cyprus

Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Tue Jun 05 19:51:11 2007
Shutter: 1/25 s
Aperture: F18
ISO speed: 200
Focal length: 12.0 mm
Focal length in 35mm equivalent: 18.0 mm
Lens: 12-24mm F4

EXIF data read by Exiv2 0.13
(processed with Picasa2, reprjavascript:void(0)
Publish Postocessed with the GIMP)

UN

Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Sat Jun 9 16:33:35 2007
Shutter: 1/1250.0 s
Aperture: F/3.5
ISO speed: 200
Focal length: 28.0 mm

EXIF data read by DCRaw

Father's Touch Soothes Newborns

Skin-to-skin contact with the father is "optimal for the infant's well-being when the mother and infant are separated after a cesarean birth," the researchers conclude.

This is according to a study performed in Sweden.

What else can one say, but well ... doh!

Etelos CRM for Google

So ... the Etelos CRM now integtates with iGoogle. That's kind of cool, too bad we're not using Etelos CRM, because I use iGoogle all day.

Hitler's Downfall

This is F-f-f-friggin' hilarious!

Unfortunately (for me) I still understand a bit of German, so it was harder to follow (but I managed by turning the volume down).

Sunset at Lady's Mile

Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Tue Jun 05 19:53:10 2007
Shutter: 1/15 s
Aperture: F18
ISO speed: 200
Focal length: 135.0 mm
Focal length in 35mm equivalent: 202.0 mm
Lens: 70-300mm F4-5.6

EXIF data read by Exiv2 0.13

drying

Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Wed Jun 06 09:32:25 2007
Shutter: 1/30 s
Aperture: F5
ISO speed: 200
Focal length: 12.0 mm
Focal length in 35mm equivalent: 18.0 mm
Lens: 12-24mm F4

EXIF data read by Exiv2 0.13

Harbour of Hydra Island, Greece

just an amateur

Sometimes I fancy myself as an aspiring photographer. Then, I see sites like this one and realize I'm nowhere near that level: I may be aspiring, but that's it.

If I ever get to be good, I still have a long, long way to go.

The Tokina 12-24/F4 DX

A friend (Thanks F) gave me this lens to play with, for two days. These are my first experiments:

B & L during lunch

Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Tue Jun 05 12:27:52 2007
Shutter: 1/50 s
Aperture: F4
ISO speed: 200
Focal length: 12.0 mm
Focal length in 35mm equivalent: 18.0 mm
Lens: 12-24mm F4

EXIF data read by Exiv2 0.13

nature vs. concrete

Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Tue Jun 05 13:15:18 2007
Shutter: 1/320 s
Aperture: F18
ISO speed: 200
Focal length: 12.0 mm
Focal length in 35mm equivalent: 18.0 mm
Lens: 12-24mm F4

EXIF data read by Exiv2 0.13

in the shade (afterlunch)

Camera: NIKON D50
Timestamp: Tue Jun 05 12:43:56 2007
Shutter: 1/160 s
Aperture: F18
ISO speed: 200
Focal length: 12.0 mm
Focal length in 35mm equivalent: 18.0 mm
Lens: 12-24mm F4

EXIF data read by Exiv2 0.13

The Inbox of Nardo Pace

Here can be found the current inbox of Nardo Pace, a StarWars engineer.

From his emails:

Subject carbonite transport device
From Boba Fett <backpacksgotjets@bountyhunters.com>
Date A Long Time Ago 3:17 PM
To Nardo Pace <npace@empiremail.com>

I am currently transporting a bounty that has been frozen in carbonite with a device you created. I have been told to direct any questions or comments I might have your way.

This is obviously a new technology, but might I suggest adding a few security measures to the transport device's control panel? Right now anyone can walk up to this thing and flip a few switches to release the frozen prisoner. I'm thinking a number pad with a secret code would be great, or heck, even a plain old key.

Just a friendly suggestion. Oh, and thanks for the modifications you made to my rocket pack. That "ignition" button square on the back of the pack where I can't reach it is great.

On top of Athens

Idhra Island, Greece

my drawing

I believe a few explanations are in order.

Yesterday M gave me his vote of confidence saying he'd bet on me to "win the drawing competition". There was no competition, but I figured such a show of confidence deserved something in return.

So, since M keeps saying he wants a Porsche, I got him one, in "Horrible Pink". The composition shows M as an angel, crying over his Porsche after driving full-speed into a tree.

The ... almost-dog doing the deed on the back-wheel of the car represents the value of the car after the accident (Mrs I.'s choice) and the sheep-wolf represents a Mr. Becali, since M is an avid supporter of Steaua football team.

Happy Birthday!

To all my friends and my family, happy birthday!

Here's what mature IT people actually do on their birthday (in case you don't believe its our birthday, see the pictures below):

multitouch

So ... last year we had an experimental multi-touch technology prototype on youtube; then the iPhone came out and now, we're looking at the Microsoft Surface.

It seems multi-touch is the way to go ...