AGAINN

doing it Againn … for the very first time.  before eating here, Tina and I debated what, pray tell, the term “gastropub” really means.  I mean, yeah, I get that its supposed to be pub food that actually makes your stomach murmur and smile, as opposed to standard, mindless, greasy pub fare that’s really barely a rung above venerable ol’ Mickey D’s.  but that’s like Hyundai building a car that doesn’t look like an alien with a birth defect … wait what

the world’s largest speedlite

… is what I used to take this shot with.  so big I had to gobo it.  it’s not a canon.  or a nikon.  or even a broncolor.  it’s something even more unaffordable.

habibi

just another one-off shot from New York; too many things going on today for a full post.  the title doesn’t really have to do with anything other than the fact that Russell Peters was absolutely hilarious last night.

through the looking glass

new york city is like an alternate universe in more ways than one.  one of the things I just realized I like about it (besides realizing that I like anything about new york city at all) is the layered depth to the city.  unlike DC, where everything is basically the same height a.k.a. very short, in new york there’s a landscape to the hardscape, and multitudes of transparencies and translucencies that take the world you thought you knew and cut, blend, and warp it into something new.

the black cauldron

a shot from the archives today … reminds me of one of my favorite childhood stories, the chronicles of prydain, and arawn’s hollow-eyed warriors emerging from the cauldron.  welsh mythology is full of wondrous dark stories and well worth checking out.

Tao Yuan (Pacifica Cafe), round 2

I think the one thing we can conclude right now is that food tastes better when you’re hanging out with your cousins.  last time we stopped by Tao Yuan in Kentlands was when Wendy and Laura were in town for the half marathon (here).  it took us longer than we hoped for the sequel to come out, but two weeks ago we finally managed to hit up Pacifica Cafe again, with my cousins in tow this time.

no mission this time, no hidden intent — not for me and Tina at least.  but for my mom it was a whole ‘nother ball game.  see, Tao Yuan has a few “Pre-Order Specials” on the menu.  and when they say “special”, they really know how to make it special.  you have to order these things at least 24 hours in advance.

Longwood Gardens, third take

if you thought this was going to be a flower post, you’re wrong.  well, almost wrong.  anyway, today is an exploration of some of the other bits of nature on display at Longwood Gardens, stuff that usually takes second billing but in many ways is more unique and interesting.

Distrito, and on a proper lark in Philly

tina and I spent last monday out in Philly hanging out with the very-awesome Peter Bang.  obviously we weren’t there to just hang out, but, well, we don’t want to discuss details yet.  too bad.

*update: cat’s out of the bag.  you can check out the photos here

it was one of those magical [long] weekends where you decide to not really do/think about anything and, surprise, manage to do exactly that.  granted, it had some repercussions (as in, we are still not fully moved in yet) but so what.

moonlight sonata

you can have your beethoven.  I’ll take my hyundai.

this was not the originally scheduled post.  but, well, 18-inch rims can be a little distracting.

Longwood Gardens, second take

I know there are people out there that hate flower photography.  some say it’s cliché, sappy, cheesy, and they’re right.  some say it’s easy.  and they’re wrong.  as with any other type of photography, or anything at all really, getting good is damn hard.  which is why I’m not terribly good at it.