Deserted Auto Dealer, Mountain View, California

I spotted this empty parking space while driving home on El Camino. It looked very out of place in the forever booming Mountain View. I made a mental note to take a photo of it.

Mitty in Wash Basin

Out-of-focus, but Mitty looks so cute.

What to Do When You Can't Sleep

Curtains, Chinchih said they were very Halloween-looking.

Show Me Your Teeth (Dentist Appointment)

Hmmm, let me think about how to deal with these teeth.

Gee, did they ever take care of their teeth?

Time to apply some power tools.

Ha, Ha, now the fun part starts...

Knightley and Mulligan Reunited in "Never Let Me Go"

With Knightley and Mulligan in the lead roles, it's just too good to be true. I even spotted Sally Hawkins and Charlotte Rampling in the trailer. Gosh, who's the casting agent?

My Night Wandering Continued...

Outside 24 Hour Fitness

Tire Store near 24 Hour Fitness

Gas Station at Night

I have been thinking about photographing gas stations for a while. Whenever I drive by them at night (I sometimes go to gym at 11pm), I am often lulled by their surreal look. They are usually deserted, yet so bright, so full of light. I sometimes wonder if they are harboring some unspeakable secret. Needless to say I think they are perfect locations for horror movies, just like in the film "High Tension".

P.S. This is when I regret getting a D3X instead of a D700. It will be much easier to shoot night scenes with D700's superior ISO capability (also the camera is lighter). However, you shoot with what you have, not what you don't have.

Mitty Invited Me for Another Morning Watch

I tried to ignore the "cat" alarm, but Mitty was unstoppable. She's just too smart. She jumped on the bed and walked all over me. After the cat massage, you realized you had to no choice but to yield. Sighed, I got up and followed Mitty to the kitchen. She still got food in her bowl. She just wanted me to see her eat!

After that, I was half awake. Yet another beautiful morning, I was more prepared. I even remembered to put on the polarizer this time.The light was getting harsh, but the clouds were so lovely. I could smell flowers. It's such a nice morning. Maybe I should get up early from now on. Hadn't I wanted to be an early bird since college year? What kind of morning would I find tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow?

Whale Cove Parking Lot

Every time I park at Whale Cove, I just want to stay here forever. (It's my favorite parking place at Point Lobos) The area is shaded in the afternoon. The air is full of the fragrance of wild flowers. I can sit on a rock, watching the waves come and go (they are so mesmerizing). So quiet, so peaceful. This is the Point Lobos that's dearest and nearest to my heart.

Floating on Water

A good camera won't make you a better photographer, but it will make you realize how bad you are, hence improve upon it.

My Ideal Lisbeth Salander

While searching for the film release date of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", I noticed there would be a U.S. version out in 2012, directed by David Finch. Knowing Finch's style (he directed "Seven"), I am confident the movie will be in good hand. But the more important questions is: who will play Lisbeth Salander?

I was shocked to see Carey Mulligan's name mentioned. No way! I like Mulligan since her "Bleak House" and "Pride and Prejudice" days but she is way too nice and sweet to be Salander. We need someone who is smart, edgy, and controversial . One name immediately pops in my head: LADY GAGA! She's about the same age as Lisbeth Salander, has similar physique (short, skinny, pale), bisexual, and just as controversial as you can get. Really, who else!

Now that I have my ideal Salander cast in my head, I start to wonder if the casting agent will think the same way. If so, that will be a very interesting movie to see (and I will seriously consider a career change).

Mitty's Morning Watch

A cloudy morning, the view now looks very different compared to last Friday.

Zeiss ZF.2 25mm Finally Released

Today Zeiss finally announced the release of the 25mm ZF.2. I had been interested in this lens for a while (it has such an amazing shortest focal distance, 18cm, almost a macro). With the Nikon 24mm 1.4G auto-focus not quite working (and price is $1000 more), the decision is easy. I will get both the 50mm macro and 25mm. For the price of the 24mm 1.4G, I can get 2 Zeiss primes. It's well worth the wait.

Unknown plant on the Marina Dune

I kept cropping photos from the 35mm. I think it's time to get the 50mm macro.

On the Beach (Inspired by Richard Misrach)

It's the first time I visited Marina State Beach and the sand dunes near Monterey. I immediately realized why you should put a filter in front of your lens. One minute on the beach my eye glasses were full of salt water droplets and I could feel sands blowing on my face. Needless to say, I didn't stay long.

Morning Light

As usual, Mitty woke me up at dawn. Breakfast time! Knowing I wouldn't be able to get any sleep unless I fed her, I forced myself out of bed and sleep-walked toward the kitchen, eyes half closed. Strange. The living room was too bright. Did I forget to turn off the light last night? Wait, the light was coming from the window. Wow, It's actually SUN RISE! What was the last time I saw a sunrise like this? Immediately I was more awake and rushed to grab my camera. The light was like liquid gold, so bright, I could hardly open my eyes (thus the bad focus). After taking a few shots indoor, I ventured out (in my pajama). The clouds were lovely. Sigh, if only I were in a more photogenic place...