Photo of the Week
May 27TH, 2008

Had a good Memorial Day weekend. We visited some nice parks, did some geocaching, had a cook out, watched lots of car racing, and generally had a good time. I've got a lot of neat new Infrared photos to share, and some regular photos too. Here's one that I like, that I applied the lomography effect to.

Jaguar Lomo

I also addded a panoramic photo I took of the High Falls area in Rochester to the Panoramic Gallery Page.

ScaredyCat Minicity Still Growing Strong
May 16TH, 2008

Our Scaredycat minicity is still doing well at myminicity's page. The current population is 350 people. We have the ability to add population, industry, transportation, and security. Keep up the good work loyal citizens.

Use the following to increase stats:

Increase Population: http://scaredycat.myminicity.com

Increase Industry: http://scaredycat.myminicity.com/ind

Improve Transportation: http://scaredycat.myminicity.com/tra

Improve Security: http://scaredycat.myminicity.com/sec

ScaredyCat Mini City, Population: 352

Goodbye ducks, we hardly knew ye. The family of ducks that was living by our front porch has hatched and left. As described on multiple internet sites, they seemed to hatch and be gone within a day. All that was left was a few egg shells. I think they made it safetly across the street to the retaining pond in our subdivision, and are living happily ever after. Update: We heard from the neighbors that they saw them go across the street early in the morning, around 10 of them. They are happy at the end of the retaining pond across the street.

Kind Words for Harlem Rocker
May 13TH, 2008

ESPN has a pretty good article with some quotes about Harlem Rocker not running the Preakness. Expect big things from him in the future!

"Harlem Rocker's defection may have made Big Brown's task a little easier. Harlem Rocker was coming off a victory in the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, and worked sharply on Sunday morning on Belmont Park's training track. But Frank Stronach, who bred and owns Harlem Rocker - and whose Magna Entertainment owns Pimlico - decided not to run after conferring by telephone from his native Austria with Harlem Rocker's trainer, Todd Pletcher. "He felt like it's early in this horse's career, [and] it's a long year," Pletcher said in his Belmont Park barn office Monday morning. "He wants to play it conservative for now."

and from Pletcher...

"So, rather than run in the Preakness, Harlem Rocker's goal is now the Queen's Plate at Woodbine on June 22, a race that is restricted to Canadian-breds. Pletcher wanted to go to the Preakness, in which Big Brown will be racing on just two weeks' rest for the first time in his career. "The horse is doing well," Pletcher said. "He had a very good breeze. You could make the case now might be the right time to catch Big Brown. But there are a lot of important races down the road."

and from Dutrow...

"Richard Dutrow Jr., who trains Big Brown, had said last week that the Preakness rival he would fear most was Harlem Rocker. When informed on Monday that Harlem Rocker was passing the race, Dutrow said, "I'm happy he's out. How could I not be happy about it?" "Plus," Dutrow added, laughing, "I don't like beating Stronach in big races."

Harlem Rocker Not Preakness Bound
May 12TH, 2008

We got an update from Dave W. about the plans for Harlem Rocker.

"Mr. Stronach has decided not to send Harlem Rocker to the Preakness. He will continue to train for the Queen's Plate and that will be his immediate goal."

So that's it, he will not be headed to the Preakness. Harlem Rocker worked 5 furlongs in 1:00:10 Sunday morning, and an article at NTRA had this to say: "If Harlem Rocker runs in the Preakness, he would most likely be the second betting choice behind Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown. If Harlem Rocker doesn’t run, Behindatthebar could become the second choice."

From Pletcher: "That was the best I’ve ever seen the gray horse work," Pletcher said of Harlem Rocker. "He’s not traditionally a real willing horse, he was very willing this morning."

The latest from NTRA.com on Harlem Rocker passing on the Preakness:

"Big Brown’s task just got a little – or a lot – easier with the decision of Harlem Rocker’s owner Frank Stronach to bypass Saturday’s Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and await the $1-million Queen’s Plate at Woodbine June 22."

“We really believe the horse has a bright future, and (Mr. Stronach) decided to take a step back right now,” Adena Springs Farm managaer Dan Hall said. “Our next main objective will be the Queen’s Plate. Todd (Pletcher) is very high on the horse and wanted to run him in the Preakness, but we almost always take the conservative approach, so we’re going to be patient and stick to our program.”

I think Giant Moon has a good shot at the Preakness. But with an admittedly weak Kentucky Derby field, and no horses from that field challenging Big Brown, how strong could the Preakness field really be? I don't believe horse racing needs a triple crown winner like indy car needed Danica Patrick. Do we really want someone with as many drug suspensions as Dutrow to be the poster boy of thoroughbred racing?

I am really hoping that Harlem Rocker makes it to Saratoga this summer, for the Jim Dandy, or my favorite, The Travers in August.

Withers Photos and Preakness News
May 8TH, 2008

First off, here is a neat article about the Preakness with a great quote from Dutrow about Harlem Rocker:

"...and Dutrow already is sizing up the prospective opposition for the 1 3/16-mile race. He said "Pletcher's white horse" - Harlem Rocker, the Withers Stakes winner trained by Todd Pletcher - is the only one that concerns him, but otherwise, a horse to upset Big Brown "is going to have to be a really good one." "

Full Article From ESPN Here: Dutrow has it all figured out

I love that quote!

Also, here's the official Withers Photos. Here is the contact information for ordering:

Adam Coglianese
NYRA / Official Track Photographer
718-659-2292

As a side note of fun, here's a little indirect shout-out from Jen' Thoroughbred's Blog:

"HARLEM ROCKER is 80% owned by Stronach Stables and 20% by Adena Racing Venture II, the 2nd of 3 syndicate packages of 6 horses offered by Adena Springs. According to Adena, there are no Canadian owners in the 20% but there sure a lot of fellow bloggers out there who have little pieces of the grey colt."

Her website offers an intersting look at what's going on in thoroughbred racing, and a wide variety of information on the Queensplate and other Canadian races.

Harlem Rocker to the Preakness?
May 6TH, 2008

Well the word is floating around... Preakness. Will Harlem Rocker go there or not? Word from Dave W is that the Stronach family is deciding soon, with consultation with Pletcher as to what to do. The latest update from Dave W:

"Harlem Rocker is scheduled to workout this Saturday. Depending on how he comes out of the work, Pletcher will determine if he should go on to the Preakness or head to the Plate Trial. At this point Mr. Stronach has decided to aim for the Preakness, but only after getting the "A-OK" from Pletcher.We should know which way we are headed late this weekend or early next week."

Harlem Rocker has gotten some mentions in articles about to who will face Big Brown in the Preakness. Here are a couple articles:

From ESPN: Rivals want no part of Big Brown in Preakness

From Blood Horse: Dutrow After Derby: 'The Horse is Good'

I remember a race in April, where everyone thought the favorite would win, and very few horses entered. It was the G3 Withers, and J Be K was so favored he "scared" everyone away, and there was a field of 4. Well, Harlem Rocker won that race. So here we are, Big Brown, a big favorite heading into the Preakness, will Harlem Rocker be there to unseat him?

Some Withers Stats on Harlem Rocker
May 6TH, 2008

Dave W sent us some stats on the best Beyer numbers for 3 year olds this year. Harlem Rocker is in some good company with the 106 number he put up at the Withers. From Dave W: "Harlem Rocker earned a 106 Beyer number for his win yesterday in the Withers. That ties us with Big Brown from a Beyer standpoint....Here is a list of the best Beyer numbers by 3 year old colts this year:"

Also A Picture of Harlem Rocker after he passed J Be K in the stretch (Courtesy of Equisport Photos):

Watch Out For Ducklings!
May 6TH, 2008

Early on in April, Tracy and I started noticing a duck walking around in our yard. "I hope it doesn't build a nest" Tracy said, as that might be tough to deal with, depending on where it made a nest. Well, two weeks later I found that nest, right by our front door. I counted 12 eggs that day, and then 13 the next day when I showed Tracy.

Well, now its the begining of May. The internet says allow around a month until the ducklings hatch. I don't think the duck has been disturbed, so we have high hopes for a bunch of ducklings. Again, the internet says the babies should leave the nest with their mother pretty soon after birth. We hope we get to see them.

These photos were taken after I found the nest, and scared away the mother while taken down our Christmas lights.

Harlem Rocker Still Pointed Towards Canada?
April 27TH, 2008

This article from the Daily Racing Form mentions that Harlem Rocker may still be pointed towards the Queen's Plate and the Queen's Plate Trial at the start of the month of June. There's also a shout out to the Adena Racing Venture, that we are a small part of. From DRF:

Harlem Rocker remains perfect in Withers
By DAVID GRENING
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Todd Pletcher's recent assault on North America's 3-year-old graded stakes continued Saturday at Aqueduct when Harlem Rocker blew past odds-on favorite J Be K inside the eighth pole to win the Grade 3, $150,000 Withers Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths.

J Be K, who set all the early fractions under Garrett Gomez, finished second by 7 3/4 lengths over Double or Nothing. Face the Cat was last.

The victory was the third from as many starts for Harlem Rocker, a Canadian-bred son of Macho Uno owned and bred by Frank Stronach. Harlem Rocker is part of the Adena Springs Racing Venture, a package of six Stronach-bred colts that Stronach owns with other partners.

For Pletcher, the Withers victory comes two weeks after Monba and Cowboy Cal ran one-two in the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland and one week after Behindatthebar won the Grade 2 Lexington Stakes, also at Keeneland.

While the Withers did produce 2006 Preakness winner Bernardini, Harlem Rocker is most likely going to target the $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes at Woodbine on June 1 and then the $1 million Queen's Plate on June 22.

Under Eibar Coa, Harlem Rocker settled into fourth position while J Be K set fractions of 23.91 seconds, 46.41, and 1:09.53 being chased by Double or Nothing.

Harlem Rocker moved into third after a half-mile, came four wide into the stretch, went past J Be K inside the eighth pole, and drew clear while lugging in somewhat late. Harlem Rocker ($6.60) covered the mile in 1:34.50.

"I was a little bit concerned that he was a little bit too close today, but he took me there himself so I kind of let him be,'' said Coa, who has ridden Harlem Rocker in all three starts. "At the five-sixteenths pole I thought if Garrett and J Be K are just good enough they're going to draw off and beat me, but I knew he was going to finish. At the end he started playing around just because he's still green, but he showed he can compete against these horses.''

Harlem Rocker Wins GIII Withers
April 26TH, 2008

I was able to watch the race on TVG, and the analysts liked J Be K. "Simon" made him his sole pick in his Pick 4 for the day. I hoped Harlem Rocker would prove him wrong. Harlem Rocker was clean out of the gate, J Be K to the front, followed by Double or Nothing, HRock and Face the Cat. They stayed this way down the back stretch with J Be K taking the lead and Harlem Rocker hanging Back in third with the Cat. On the corner to the front stretch, Harlem Rocker made his move, and Face the Cat started to fade. Harlem Rocker powered down the stretch, passing J Be K who could not rally, and both of them left Double or Nothing in the dust. Here's the results:

Withers 2008 Results - PDF File

Results Publications:

Thoroughbred Times - A Convincing Win

Blood Horse - A Comfortable Win - With Race Video

Read More in the Adena Ventures Page

Harlem Rocker Pointed to Queens Plate
April 6TH, 2008

Word has filtered through from Dave W that Harlem Rocker will be pointed towards the Queens Plate, Canadas version of the triple crown. It is run at Woodbine outside of Toronto on June 22nd. So you know where I'll be in June.

Powerful Storm ran an "uninspiring" race on Saturday April 5th and finished in 10th. He never really showed much interest in the race.

More details on the Horse Ventures Page.

Winning Horse Owners... Again!
March 31ST, 2008

Harlem Rocker did it again. Winning his second race, a $42,500 allowance race from Gulfstream Park, on Sunday March 30th.

Don't know yet when he will race next. Hopefully some class of stakes race. Hopefully a race he will win. A quick search of google.com on Harlem Rocker shows he is nominated for the Queens Plate at Woodbine in Toronto June 22nd. It's Canada's version of the Triple Crown. Since we live in Rochester, a quick trip up to Toronto is definitely not out of the question.

More details on the Horse Ventures Page.

Race Audio Added
February 23RD, 2008

I added MP3 Audio for Harlem Rocker's win at Gulfstream on February 14th and Powerful Storm's come from behind second place finish at Turfway on February 16th.

• Audio From 02-14-2008 Harlem Rocker finishes 1st at Gulfstream 2.3MB MP3
• Audio From 02-16-2008 Powerful Storm Finishes 2nd at Turfway 2.6MB MP3

Winning Horse Owners
February 17TH, 2008

Because of a VERY small share we purchased in a horse racing venture, we can now be considered winning horse owners! One of our horses, Harlem Rocker won its maiden race on Thursday.

It was a great race. Harlem Rocker had a terrible start and dropped into the trialing pack. Back by over 7 lengths at one point. On the turn he started making up ground, and by the final corner he went three wide and made for the lead. He seemed to race down the stretch with little effort and won by 1 3/4 lengths.

Read all the details here, on our Horse Racing Venture Page.

Infrared Digicam Modifications Update - Kodak DC280
February 5TH, 2008

I added some pictures and instructions of how to modify a Kodak DC280 2.1 Megapixel camera to be an Infrared Camera. Instructions are available from the Digicam Mods Page. Or directly from here.

I added some pictures of an Olympus Camedia D-390 that I did not modify to be an Infrared Camera because it was just too complex inside. Hopefully the pictures I have taken will be of use to someone who is curious what their camera looks inside. Pictures are available from the Digicam Mods Page. Or directly from here.

So Far, So Good
January 29TH, 2008

Things are going well at scaredycat minicity. We are able to add industry and improve transportation. Only one click per PC per day though. Population is up to 109!

Increase Population: http://scaredycat.myminicity.com

Increase Industry: http://scaredycat.myminicity.com/ind

Improve Transportation: http://scaredycat.myminicity.com/tra

Want Red Sox Tickets? Get In Line...
January 29TH, 2008

Or get in the "Virtual Waiting Room" more likely. Saturday January 26th was the day single game tickets went on sale for the Boston Red Sox home games. I had 3 PCs running with 22 windows split between them. Online from 9:45am to 5pm and never even got the chance to order tickets. Never made it out of the waiting room. You know the scalpers got them though...

Go See Cloverfield!
January 23RD, 2008

I went to see the monster movie Cloverfield last night, and it was fantastic. I am still thinking about it. Just a really great movie, and I highly recommend you see it in a theater, as some of its awesome-ness will no doubt be lost on a smaller screen. Everything about the movie was well done. A few nitpicks here and there, but nothing major. Its the best movie I've seen in a looong time. I love the quote I read from some dude on Youtube:

"okay, a lot of people said the movie sucked. You know why they thought the movie sucked? Because the ending made you think,the entire movie made you think. And people dont like that now a days, they wanna be told what happens, cause noone has an imagination anymore."

Wasting Time On The Internet
January 23RD, 2008

Ran across this fun site that will let you know how likely it is for you to have cannibal tendencies! Here's my percentage:

44%

Phun With Photoshop
January 20TH, 2008

I've been having a little fun recently with Adobe Photoshop Tutorials that I've been finding online. There's a lot of neat effects that you can add to your photographs to make them look really unique. I first ran across some of these neat photoshop features after reading about Lomography on a photography blog. Seems that the trademark color saturation and blurriness can similarly be applied to any photograph using some common photoshop effects.

I also ran across some neat tutorials for making photographs look like the style from the 300 hundred movie, and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, which had a very unique blurry/sepia toning to it. I also have tried out an effect that makes pictures look like miniature models. I think it came out really good for some San Francisco pictures I took several years ago. I am going to try and add some photographs I have touched up to my portfolio.

Lomography Example	Sepia Blur Effect	Model Effect

Do It Yourself Infrared Camera
January 13TH, 2008

I have added instructions for how I modified a Samsung Digimax 200 camera to take Infrared Photographs.

There are step by step instructions with photographs, and some sample shots too.

Happy Time...
January 13TH, 2008

Everything's going pretty good at myminicity. Population is up, 43 people as of Jan 13th.

Visit my minicity and help it grow just by clicking this link: http://scaredycat.myminicity.com/

ScaredyCat Mini City, Population: 43

Moving Right Along...
January 6TH, 2008

Everything's going pretty good at myminicity. Population is up, 20 people as of Jan 6th.

Visit my minicity and help it grow just by clicking this link: http://scaredycat.myminicity.com/

ScaredyCat Mini City, Population: 20

Infrared Gallery
December 30TH, 2007

I just uploaded a gallery of images I captured with Home Made Digital Infrared Cameras.

Visit the Infrared Gallery.

Selection of Images:

Rocky Run Trail, Middletown Twnshp, PA Photographed: 12-25-07 Camera: Canon A200	View of State College, PA Photographed: 11-23-07 Camera: Canon A200	Rocky Run Trail, Middletown Twnshp, PA Photographed: 12-25-07 Camera: Canon A200

I thought it was an interesting time to get this gallery up, as Kodak has just announced it plans to discontinue production of its HIE-135 infrared film. I believe that photographers can get close to the same quality of images using digital cameras now, making the film obsolete. Read the whole article here.

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