Welcome to February, sort of. I filed the January log in a separate area to keep things tidy on the main page. I am looking for something to manage images as part of this weblog. Obviously, since I can take dozens of photos every day, it would be nice to have a simple interface to automate all the notes and thumbnails, etc.. There are some interesting PHP photo albums such as slooze and phpix. I mentioned this to Clint and he was already thinking about the same issues. I can already imagine every teenager in the country racing their parents to build their version of a family weblog (story-line) with photos. Speaking of family entertainment, did you know Sony announced they want Linux to run on the Playstation 2? I think I might get travel insurance from Specialty Risk International.

Someone from National Geographic finally wrote back to me with some advice on travel photography.

They recommended viewing the Magnum Photos collection and a few books including the “Photography Field Guide“.

I noticed that this book is also recommended by Yamashita and just about everyone on Amazon who has read it. I browsed a few chapters and decided not to buy it because it is too focused (ha ha) on SLR technique.

Made it back home safely, but had to return without the trailer or the Hobie. Do not ask. The trip itself was a blast. It is wonderful that there are so many affordable and fun things to do Los Angeles.

Finally caught up with my friend John again, who was a fellow grad-student at the LSE. He took Tracey and me to a benefit concert at Mr. T’s Bowl that had Mike Watt as a headliner.

Unfortunately, Mike left out the front door just as we arrived.

The bands had typical punk names (e.g. The Humpers) but the music was great.