Hipstamatic Model 10

One of the very first apps I installed as a new iPhone user back in 2014 was the Hipstamatic camera touting that “digital has never looked so analog” and I have been a fan ever since. Recently Hipstamatic has updated their camera to include several new features to enhance the experience such as:

  • Multiple exposure
  • Hard flash buttons
  • Manual mode
  • New analog viewfinder and camera menu system 
  • Delayed developing mode to simulate the wait time that one would experience when developing a roll of film.

I rarely use multiple exposure but plan on changing this in the upcoming new year. The new delay development mode will allow me to focus on shooting and enjoy the results later. 

With an exhaustive supply of lenses, film stock and flash gels the developing of images is limitless in its creativity. 

Throw in fun challenges like “Snappy Hour” to shoot one hour before sunset in the golden light and adding stamps to the daily passport and the experience just gets better and better. 

Want to see some of the results? Check out my Hipstamatic section on the photography website.

Hipstamatic Model 10

One of the very first apps I installed as a new iPhone user back in 2014 was the Hipstamatic camera touting that “digital has never looked so analog” and I have been a fan ever since. Recently Hipstamatic has updated their camera to include several new features to enhance the experience such as:

  • Multiple exposure
  • Hard flash buttons
  • Manual mode
  • New analog viewfinder and camera menu system
  • Delayed developing mode to simulate the wait time that one would experience when developing a roll of film.

I rarely use multiple exposure but plan on changing this in the upcoming new year. The new delay development mode will allow me to focus on shooting and enjoy the results later.

With an exhaustive supply of lenses, film stock and flash gels the developing of images is limitless in its creativity.

Throw in fun challenges like “Snappy Hour” to shoot one hour before sunset in the golden light and adding stamps to the daily passport and the experience just gets better and better.

Want to see some of the results? Check out my Hipstamatic section on the photography website.

Flickr Or Extinguish?

I am on the fence about renewing the Flickr backup and photo community. I could go monthly at a higher rate or take advantage of their two year plan for a cheaper monthly option. Am I using it effectively? Not for the past 6 months but I do hope to make use of it again. Hmm…

Play With The Toys You Have

Thankfully, after years of curating the perfect device and software setup I am content. I do not need the latest and greatest. With all of the “Pro” computing tools I have acquired, I can rely on years of use and design aesthetics to satisfy.

Gratefully the same applies to camera equipment. I have scaled down my digital cameras to a total of one with two lenses, two different film cameras for different uses and the iPhone.

With Christmas coming in a couple of days and an upcoming move, I am reminded of how much stuff gets acquired and not used. And why accumulate more when you don’t play with the toys you have?

Apple Journal

It’s finally here and the hype does not live up to the anticipation. It is basic and definitely not a Day One journal killer yet but it is close. Will it take me away from journaling in my FoxOS database or field notes using pen and paper? Not yet, but its on the iPhone and convenient.

Routine

I’m looking forward to getting back into daily habits such as:

  • Meditation- 10m
  • Yoga – 20m
  • Walking – 30m
  • Reading – 30m
  • Journal – 10m

Believe In Doubt

“Life is complicated. It’s filled with nuance. It’s unsatisfying… If I believe in anything, it is doubt. The root cause of all life’s problems is looking for a simple f**king answer.”

Anthony Bourdain

No simple answers- just finding, discovering, wandering.

Lost and stupid sounds great if I can get out of my own head where I frequently feel sure and smart.

Tesla

My first exposure to Tesla was a shop in the Galleria Mall featuring shiny new cars. At the time I thought this will never work because they can’t afford to have their own dealership lots and whatever orders they sold, the buyers would have to wait and have them delivered without a test drive. Well I was wrong and happy to admit it. Since then, I’ve watched Tesla expand and become the name brand synonymous with electric vehicles. 

Flash forward 15 years later and I finally had an opportunity to drive a fully electric sports car this past weekend. I love this technology and would absolutely own a Tesla given the chance.

One of Tesla’s claims to fame is an instant, seamless, and silent surge of power when you stab the accelerator. The Model 3 is a thrill ride, and on the Gulf Freeway stretch from the airport to the beach, I went from 0-100mph in about 5 seconds. With no combustible engine and no gears to shift the Tesla, silently sliced through the speedometer. I even raced a Porsche down the seawall and it wasn’t even close. Sorry, Porsche. 

Tech amenities for this rented model was pretty stocked and did not have the self-driving feature but it did include an eight-speaker audio system; a 15-inch touch screen with a web browser and navigation capabilities; and a wireless charging pad for two smartphones. Driver assists such as adaptive cruise control; automatic emergency braking; blind-spot warning; lane-keeping assist; and front and rear parking sensors are standard.

The interior has a very modern, almost austere feel because Tesla doesn’t use traditional gauges and includes only a few physical controls. The 15-inch touch screen handles nearly every vehicle setting, and you use the steering wheel’s scroll and push controls to change settings such as audio volume, as well as to adjust the side mirrors and headlights. This control setup is a departure from traditional switches and dials, and requires a bit of an adjustment. It took me twenty minutes in the rental agency lot to get the driving setup settings the way I needed which is not bad because new owners have guided instructions through the sales people. 

When it came time to recharge the vehicle all I had to do was push the “charging stations” button on the large screen and it suggested over 20 locations near me. I picked the closest one as it told me how much energy I had, how much it would use to get there and then to my final destination. Charging was a cinch and very quick with the Tesla supercharger stations. 47% charge to 100% capacity took 15m. There were 8 other Teslas parked and sipping electricity so we all hung out and chatted up our cars and how brilliant they are. 

In a short time and with advancements in already brilliant technology, I see Tesla as a threat to any competitor including the traditional fuel-powered cars that manufacturers are still putting out. The model 3 is a technophile’s dream with it’s range, performance and technology.

Tesla

My first exposure to Tesla was a shop in the Galleria Mall featuring shiny new cars. At the time I thought this will never work because they can’t afford to have their own dealership lots and whatever orders they sold, the buyers would have to wait and have them delivered without a test drive. Well I was wrong and happy to admit it. Since then, I’ve watched Tesla expand and become the name brand synonymous with electric vehicles.

Flash forward 15 years later and I finally had an opportunity to drive a fully electric sports car this past weekend. I love this technology and would absolutely own a Tesla given the chance.

One of Tesla’s claims to fame is an instant, seamless, and silent surge of power when you stab the accelerator. The Model 3 is a thrill ride, and on the Gulf Freeway stretch from the airport to the beach, I went from 0-100mph in about 5 seconds. With no combustible engine and no gears to shift the Tesla, silently sliced through the speedometer. I even raced a Porsche down the seawall and it wasn’t even close. Sorry, Porsche.

Tech amenities for this rented model was pretty stocked and did not have the self-driving feature but it did include an eight-speaker audio system; a 15-inch touch screen with a web browser and navigation capabilities; and a wireless charging pad for two smartphones. Driver assists such as adaptive cruise control; automatic emergency braking; blind-spot warning; lane-keeping assist; and front and rear parking sensors are standard.

The interior has a very modern, almost austere feel because Tesla doesn’t use traditional gauges and includes only a few physical controls. The 15-inch touch screen handles nearly every vehicle setting, and you use the steering wheel’s scroll and push controls to change settings such as audio volume, as well as to adjust the side mirrors and headlights. This control setup is a departure from traditional switches and dials, and requires a bit of an adjustment. It took me twenty minutes in the rental agency lot to get the driving setup settings the way I needed which is not bad because new owners have guided instructions through the sales people.

When it came time to recharge the vehicle all I had to do was push the “charging stations” button on the large screen and it suggested over 20 locations near me. I picked the closest one as it told me how much energy I had, how much it would use to get there and then to my final destination. Charging was a cinch and very quick with the Tesla supercharger stations. 47% charge to 100% capacity took 15m. There were 8 other Teslas parked and sipping electricity so we all hung out and chatted up our cars and how brilliant they are.

In a short time and with advancements in already brilliant technology, I see Tesla as a threat to any competitor including the traditional fuel-powered cars that manufacturers are still putting out. The model 3 is a technophile’s dream with it’s range, performance and technology.

Focused Writing

I’m continually looking for methods to utilize my devices and software to maximize productivity and today I am focused on utilizing the M1 iPad Pro. Combined with the Magic Keyboard I’ve transformed this into a dedicated writing device, much like a typewriter.

I’ve established the perfect writing environment by organizing my writing apps and customizing my settings. Currently I am using two writing platforms, the first being my very own Grey Matter database. Everything goes in here and is backed up to the cloud in .txt files. Text files stand the test of time and are readable on any device. The second platform is a subscription service (yuck) called Ulysses. iCloud based storage helps keep my chapters and verses organized and backed up.

Typewriter mode, Editor Focus and dark mode all help eliminate distractions and helps me crank out words more effectively.

When I’m ready to sit down and start writing I automatically pick up Maximus and I am great to go.

Focused Writing

I’m continually looking for methods to utilize my devices and software to maximize productivity and today I am focused on utilizing the M1 iPad Pro. Combined with the Magic Keyboard I’ve transformed this into a dedicated writing device, much like a typewriter.

I’ve established the perfect writing environment by organizing my writing apps and customizing my settings. Currently I am using two writing platforms, the first being my very own Fox OS database. Everything goes in here and is backed up to the cloud in .txt files. Text files stand the test of time and are readable on any device. The second platform is a subscription service (yuck) called Ulysses. iCloud based storage helps keep my chapters and verses organized and backed up.

Typewriter mode, Editor Focus and dark mode all help eliminate distractions and helps me crank out words more effectively.


When I’m ready to sit down and start writing I automatically pick up Maximus and I am great to go.