Chicago Parking Dibs: Better with Ice Cream!

Photo details: Nikon D7000 with 16-85mm lens, 1/1000sec at f8, ISO200

If you're not from Chicago, let me introduce you to a tradition we call "dibs"-- it's the system by which people "reserve" shoveled out parking spots by placing chairs, tables, or other random household objects in the street.  My favorite is children's toys.  This usually happens in the dead of winter after a large snowstorm such as Chicago's snowpocalypse.  Of course, there's no legal precedent for this and no reason why anyone should honor someone else's dibs, yet surprisingly, most people do.

It's a tradition that draws a heated debate every winter, and there's even an advocacy group against it, called Chair Free Chicago.  I've always just found it amusing.

This winter I decided to increase my Dibs amusement by adding a tasty ice cream snack to one of my neighbors parking spots.  Reserved parking has never been more delicious!


Photo details: Nikon D7000 with 16-85mm lens, 1/800sec at f8, ISO200

A note to Edy's: please contact me to explore this amazing cross marketing opportunity.  I'd be happy to, shall we say... crunch... through some ideas with you.

Lego Printer Uses Felt-Tipped Pens, Tiny Workers

That's one seriously geeky printer.  I'm in awe that someone spent the time to build this, with a working print driver and everything.  Oh, sure, you say, it doesn't print photographs or handle small text all that well, but just think of all the money you'd save on inkjet cartridges!

Via Wired.

Concrete, indisputable statistical proof that Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States

Have you had enough?  We'll fear not, because I'm here to tell you that Barack Obama will be elected today the 44th president of the United States.  I know this because for the last few days I've done an exhaustive, thoroughly indisputable statistical study to predict the results.  Namely, I've found all the election themed, flash based games available on the internet... and I've won every single one of them for Barack Obama!  Quite handily, in fact.  Here are two of my favorites, and a screenshot:



Of course, it will probably help if everyone still votes.  You know, just to be on the safe side.  Those living in Chicago can find their polling place here:

www.chicagoelections.com

Photo details: Nikon D90 with 18-105mm lens, 1/125sec at f6.3, ISO200.
This was in the South Loop area.

Foreigner Inspired Photography

One of my flickr contacts has commented that this photo makes him think of the Foreigner song, Urgent.  Now, for the record, let me just state that this was not my intention.  However, I do think it's rather funny:



Nikon D90 with 18-105mm lens, ISO400, 1/100sec at f5.

UPDATE: This photo was featured on Gapers Block, in the Rearview Section, 10/15/08.