Hand in hand bear

The Nikon D5000, plus a new 10-24mm lens

Nikon announced a new consumer-grade digital SLR this morning: the D5000. Contrary to expectations, this is not a replacement for the D40; instead, it sits squarely between the D60 (which, with the discontinuation of the D40, now becomes Nikons low-end SLR) and the D90. The D5000 appears to be a lot like the D90: same 12-megapixel sensor, 11-point autofocus and HD movie capacity, as well as compatibility with the GP-1 GPS unit and the MC-DC2 remote (I knew they wouldnt have released those for just one camera). On the other hand, its a lot like a D40 or D60: no top LCD, no second dial, no ability to autofocus AF lenses, no commander mode for the built-in flash, no ability to use an external battery grip. And then theres the D5000s swivelling rear LCD, which no other Nikon DSLR has. The D5000 is considerably more expensive than the D60: when both are bundled with the 18-55mm VR lens, the D5000s Canadian MSRP is $430 more than the D60s. On the other hand, its a lot closer to the D90s price point: the D5000 with the 18-55mm VR lens is $220 less than a similarly equipped D90; that gap drops to $200 when both are bundled with the 18-105mm VR lens. I wonder how many buyers wont opt for a D60 (to save money) or a D90 (to add features) instead. Early previews: Digital Photography Review, PhotographyBLOG. Meanwhile, Nikon also announced a new wide-angle lens for DX cameras: the AF-S DX Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED goes a little wider than my 12-24mm f/4 lens, and is slightly cheaper (by $80 according to the Canadian MSRPs). Its equivalent to a 15-36mm lens on a full-frame camera, and is probably the widest zoom were ever going to get on a DX camera.

The bay, the shrimp and you - a seafood dining trilogy

In 1993, Chef Nancy Longo, Baltimore’s Pierpoint Restaurant created a national event, “Save the Bay”, at the National Aquarium. Celebrity chefs came to Baltimore for this amazing gathering: chefs Alice Waters, Paul Prudhomme, Jimmy Sneed, Jan Birnbaum, Roberto Donna, Mark Miller, Jasper White, Larry Forgione, Stephan Pyles, Marty Cosgrove and the 2nd year add Barbara Tropp, Susan Spicer – a stellar cast. All came, all here to make the world aware of what was happening on our planet and in our waterways.What incited this event was Chef Longo’s experience with shrimp; shrimp that she noticed were glowing one evening at service under her counter. These shrimp were from Texas and after investigation Longo determined that there had been nuclear testing in the area. Good reason to always rinse your shrimp very well before cooking with them.The second reason for her commitment to bring the ills of the bay to national and world attention was having a lymph gland in her arm removed after being punctured and infected by a fish fin. Chef Longo was invited to speak before congress and ABC Prime Time.Yes, 1993 was a long time ago butIs our bay cleaner? What fish are endangered? Are our shrimp still glowing? The pollution of our waterways is not new problem and complete resolution has not come. The National Aquarium has created a three part program for the environmental, sustainable caring public - Fresh Thoughts: A Seafood Dining Trilogy to help enlighten and engage all with what is happening with seafood today.THIS WEEK: Wednesday, April 29: Shrimp – Getting the Best, Preserving the EnvironmentEnjoy a prepared shrimp dish that can be easily duplicated at home. Dredging the bottom of the sea using destructive trawl nets has depleted shrimp populations and endangered others. However, today there are ways to enjoy local, farm-raised shrimp that taste spectacular and are eco-friendly. Meet the founders of Marvesta Shrimp, a successful, local business, and hear their story, plus see Marvesta shrimp prepared during an engaging cooking demonstration.Featured Entrée: Grilled Marvesta ShrimpTime: 6:30 – 9 p.m.Cost: $65 for members, $75 for non-membersReservations: 410 576 3869I’ll be there because the subject is important to me in many ways. I hope you’ll come, look for me and come say hello.Third in the series is:Tuesday, June 23: Tilapia – Fish & Family FunThis fun-filled outdoor food-fest partners our popular "Beyond the Boardwalk" with a good old-fashioned family grilled fish feast. Sample local micro-brewed beers and enjoy fresh catches that kids will love. Plus, participate in exciting activities on the pier!Featured Entrée:Tilapia TacosGrilled fillets of farm-raised tilapia marinated in olive oil, lime juice, chili, and garlic. Served with soft tortillas from Lilly's Market, lime-cilantro cream, pickled red onions and jalapenos, tomatillo salsa verde, salsa roja, guacamole, chopped tomatoes, shredded cabbage, and queso Chihuahua.Time: 5:30 – 8 p.m.Cost: $45 for members; $55 for non-members; $25 for childReservations: 410 576 3869RockfishThe first installment of these dinners was on March 4: Rockfish – A Tale of Replenishment. The story of how we have helped but not yet finished bring the Chesapeake Bay back.I love rockfish, I used to fish with my father, and rockfish and yellow perch were the fruits of labor. I guess it is unusual for a girl to become her dad’s fishing pal but it was something he loved and I loved our time together. I could bait a hook as well as the next fellow. There is nothing like fresh rockfish, just out of the Chesapeake Bay. They say spend more time with your children, may I suggest you take them fishing-enjoy the glee and excitement at their first catch. Real Kodak moments.Feel free to reach out with questions, comments or an invite to go fishing. The photograph is of my mother fishing on the Susquehanna River in Loch Haven, Pennsylvania.

Crowley and Markey: disinterested and dumb

From the Times Newsweekly:Those in attendance asked about the possibility of opening a new supermarket in the area, eyeing the former site of a Rite Aid pharmacy at the corner of Metropolitan Avenue and Tonsor Street as a prime location. Prior to becoming a drug store, it was noted, the location had been a Key Food supermarket.Attendees said they had heard conflicting rumors that the site would instead be developed into condominiums. Crowley indicated that since the site is commercially zoned, such a project would require the owners of the site to secure a zoning variance, which must undergo a public review process.According to MWEBA President Kathy Hamilton, the idea of building a new supermarket at the Rite Aid site was raised previously at a civic meeting last year. Representatives of then-State Sen. Serphin Maltese had stated they would reach out to a local supermarket chain in the hope of opening a new franchise locally.But since the senator was voted out of office last November, Hamilton said, those plans seemingly went by the wayside. Nevertheless, residents in attendance at last Thursday's meeting stressed the need for opening a new retailer in the neighborhood.Carolina Gill, a spokesperson for Assemblywoman Markey, said that the legislator would reach out to her colleague in the State Assembly, Catherine Nolan, regarding soliciting a grocery store chain to come to the Maspeth/Ridgewood area. Even so, she noted, it would likely be difficult to lure a potential client into the area due to the current economic crisis.Gill suggested that the organization launch a petition drive and gather signatures of local residents to demonstrate to supermarket chains the community's desire for a new grocery store.Regardless of the concerns, Crowley stated that she would reach out to supermarket chains to discuss the possible opening of a new location in the Maspeth area. The fact that any potential residential development would require the owners to secure a variance provides "all the more reason" to build a grocery store there and slow the development of condominiums. These people need to become more in touch with their communities. We have a bunch of elected officials who have no idea what is going on in their districts and are dumb as door nails.With respect to zoning, Crowley doesn't know what the hell she is talking about because the corner of Tonsor (as well as the rest of that stretch of Metropolitan Avenue) is zoned R6B (with a C2-4 overlay).The Rite Aid site on Metropolitan Avenue was suggested as a potential location for a school by CEC24. In fact, Elizabeth Crowley was at the meeting when the SCA's Mary Leas talked about the site as one the agency is interested in.So why are these nimrods misleading their constituents by yammering on about a supermarket?

Symptoms of Body Detoxification: What To Watch Out For

Are you planning a body detox? Although it can be the start to a new, healthier lifestyle, there are certain symptoms you may experience during the course of the detox. You should be aware of these and not let them discourage you from continuing this important step towards better health. At first you may feel so poorly that you want to revert back to your old habits. You may also feel the detox is not working because suddenly you feel worse than before you started it. Irritability and fatigue are two of the most common symptoms. Even though you will be better off if you stick to it, at the beginning you may not feel better at all. Many people are not willing to tolerate the discomfort, and they give up on the program. Some of the symptoms of a body detox may include: - Tiredness and lack of energy - Irritability - Sleeping difficultiesnot able to sleep or sleeping too much - Muscle weakness and fatigue - Lack of motivation (more&) best way to detox, body detox, detoxification, health benefits of a saunabest way to detox, body detox, detoxification, health benefits of a sauna

An Update

Hello, faithful readers
As Ive hardly heard from most of you, owing to my rather abrupt disappearance from the blog world, I thought Id post a quick update on what has happened since the previous posting, oh so many moons ago.
After a few more months of travel, I made it back home safe and a little too sound. I loafed around my parents home for a while and took stock of things. The biggest difficulty I had was remembering how to speak English with other English speakers. A year of speaking to foreigners has a strange effect on the dialect, as you tend to use the barest vocabulary imaginable, and sometimes even deliberately mangle the grammar by simplifying it, so as to not confuse those who only know a few sentences.
I soon reacquainted myself with Western life, which turned out to be a little like slipping back into a warm bath from which you only made a desultory effort to get out of the water. I think Ill get up now& ohh, ahh, maybe not. Progress was rapid; I was back to wasting time reading web sites and newspapers in no time.
It was time to get a job. A friend called me up from New York. His company was hiring. Two days later I was on a plane. Back on the IT scene with a vengeance. We worked hard and lived a New York life. It was sweaty, great fun, and just what I needed after a year of meandering.
The company then offered me an assignment in the India office, and I accepted. Which brings me to today, where I write this from an apartment in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, in a room with a bed, a desk, two chairs, and an electrical system that appears to be haunted by ghouls.
I plan to start blogging again, which is not the same thing as actually blogging again, but you know, the best laid plans, etc. Over time Ill post the rest of my journal entries from my trip, which include more India, as well as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar, as well as a couple places in the UK. I am also posting pictures sometimes.

World powers accept warming limit

Developed and developing nations agree global temperatures should not rise more than 2C above 1900 levels, a G8 declaration says.