Photoshop layers are fascinating

Photoshop layers are powerful tools, but some of you folks need to stop going overboard with that stuff. Much like the previous fad of HDR/tone-map everything (so glad that's over), utilizing layers to heavily manipulate an image is proliferating like crazy - especially in Internet automotive photography. Those shots end up looking more like purely digital creations rather than captures off an actual camera. 

I'm not against using layers entirely; they're lovely tools, after all. I just think a photographer should use layers in the correct manner. (There was a proper method of implementing the HDR technique, too, but that was largely ignored.)

For me, photographs are best made using a camera body with a quality sensor, excellent glass in front of it, and just slight corrections in post. It's all got to look realistic. Leave the abstract colorations and fantastical representations to instagram.  

Reading one book per month

I was once told that one should read at least one book per month. Doesn't matter what sort of book it is, be it fiction or non-fiction, story or self-help. 

Of course, we're all so preoccupied with our screens and mobile devices these days, so who's got time to read anything substantial? Even on the Internet, long-form is largely dead. It's so much easier and faster for the ADD generation to parse through sordid lists and pictures instead of reading page after page of actual words. 

It's no coincidence grammar and word usage has absolutely gone to shit. English is and can be a very artful language, but you simply don't see it much anymore. It irritates me greatly when I see slang or colloquial terms enter into what people consider journalistic pieces of writing.

Step away from the iPad, and pick up a book. Unless you're like me and you use the Kindle app on your iPad, then by all means - as you were. 

Gas prices are too damn high

Just yesterday I spend more than $60 dollars on a tank of gas, which is out of the norm of the usual mid $50s. Not sure what the heck is going on, but man are gas prices crazy lately in the Bay Area. I know refineries are switching from winter blend to the summer stuff, but does it really take that long? Prices have been at an elevated level for a couple of weeks now. 

It was one of those good writing days for me, where it only took me a few hours to punch out 1,600 words. Of course, I'm merely blogging for my own enjoyment so revisions and editing isn't as intensive as if I were writing professional for an entity. Still, just as in life, you've got your good days, and your worse days. There's nothing more frustrating than staring at the screen, struggling to get the proper sentences out of your head.  

Being frugal is tough

I think I should blink more carefully from now on because on a particularly forceful blink yesterday I absolutely destroyed one of my contact lenses. Fragile little things. It hurt the entire time I was at work. 

I've return to super miser mode a few months ago and it's nice to see my monthly spending going back to a level not seen since I was saving up on the downpayment of my current car. Still not completely sure just exactly what I am saving up for but let's just say it's rather comforting to have something on stash, instead of blowing it on car parts and electronics like I tend to do. 

Problem is, the everyday world bombards you constantly with adverts and subtle hints to entice you to part ways with your hard earned cash. It's really tough to resist at times. No wonder consumer debt is so incredibly high and savings rate so damn low in America. Heck, the economy's heath is largely predicated on us spending all we've got. Pretty insane when you think about it.

Tax day

I've already done mine months ago, of course. Granted the Federal and State governments owes me money so I didn't hesitate for a second as soon as all the W2s were in my mailbox. Even if I did owe money, I probably wouldn't have waited until the last possible day like lots of people tend to do (April 15th isn't practically a holiday without reason). Because I understand that taxes, whether I owe or expect a return, is money I've already made - it isn't something extra, nor is it some sort of penalty. If I could set up my tax forms so that I end up at absolute zero (no return but don't owe any either), I totally would. 

I suspect people that make a big fuss over tax day are those that haven't got their financial house in order. 

Black Day

Saw Captain America 2 this past weekend, and it was a fantastically entertaining movie. As a big fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I obviously enjoyed it as I did with all the other ones. You've got to head into these movies without any expectations of complex/interesting plot-lines or intense character development; all of it is merely there to entertain you. Waiting impatiently the next one, Guardians of the Galaxy, this coming August. 

Great weekend of baseball for the Giants. I still can't believe Bumgarner hit that grand slam; definitely not something you see everyday. That Crawford walk-off home-run into the water on Sunday was equally unexpected. The Giants has got an intricate and interesting offense, that's for sure. The team is currently leading the majors in home-runs collectively! Pretty crazy considering the team isn't exactly known for hitting home-runs these past seasons. 

How I get caffeinated

I prefer a nice, bespoke cup of absurdly priced coffee (or its derivatives) as anybody, and living in San Francisco I'm spoilt for choice. But like purchasing alcohol at a club, I can't help but feel like I'm dumping money into the ocean with those fancy coffee products. Once in a good while is fine, of course; a daily occurrence is questionable at best, especially if the endgame is merely to get caffeinated.

I do love and appreciate the highly artisan stuff, though.

For everyday purposes, I get my caffeine fix with my trusty Mr. Coffee machine and that industrial-sized bag of pre-ground beans from Costco. Sure it's probably the next worst coffee making method to instant mixes, but as I've said, caffeine is the important part, and I'm just trying to procure it on a daily basis as quick and efficient as possible. If I can take it intravenously, I would.