Well hacking seems to have crossed into another area of my life. This time it’s astronomy. I have a nice telescope that I haven’t gotten out for a while and it was calling to me. However, I didn’t answer it’s call. Nope, instead, I got my tripod and my digital cameras and turned them skyward to see what they could see. I was amazed! I’m sure other people have done this but it was so quick and easy to take these pix that it got my old stargazing juices flowing again. This pic is actually of the constellation Orion. Don’t worry, he’s there. You can go to my Flickr stream and see the big photos. Make sure to zoom in to see all the little stars in the belt and sword! There’ s one of Mars too that’s pretty cool. The detail is mostly a lens effect so don’t get too excited. Next full moon, I’ll be taken some more pix! Enjoy and keep looking up!

Archive for January, 2006
Astrophotography Redux!
Friday, January 27th, 2006Movie Review: Underworld: Evolution
Tuesday, January 24th, 2006Starring Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman, this sequel does the original one better by
adding more action and back story to this tale of werewolves and vampires meets Romeo and Juliet. It does what most sequels fail at, truly expanding the universe the original created without destroying it or corrupting it *cough MATRIX RELOADED * cough REVOLUTIONS cough, hack *. I really enjoyed this film and I will have to admit that part of that is simply because I’m a guy. Kate Beckinsale looks incredible throughout this film. Period. This movie shares a certain quality with Sin City where both films are great with fine acting, sets, story and… and made.. well better looking by the eye candy that is brought in by the truck loads. In all honesty the T&A in this movie got distracting at times. There’s a whole five minutes of film that I believe was made for all the fanboys out there and well they’re turning out in droves to see this film. Now, all this coming from a fan of Kate Beckinsale from way back in the “Much Ado About Nothing” days of her career. The mo
vie, whose plot I don’t need to go into (if you liked the original you’ll like this one or if you like werewolf and vampire movies and come on.. who doesn’t?), does a great job of entertaining, telling a good yarn and leaving just enough open for more movies or even a TV show without leaving you hanging (please bring back Firefly first, then Underworld. Buffy left a void or so I’m told.).
Now I happen to love this genre, as many of you know, and I have been waiting for this particular movie for some time. If you’re like me and are wanting something sooner than next Underworld sequel, then there is a whole trilogy of films all ready slowly making there way to a theater near you, that you and I both need go check out. From Russia comes the Nightwatch series of movies. Check the trailer out. This looks like one scary, action packed, whatthehelluvaride movie.
Sunset Over Lake Michigan
Monday, January 23rd, 2006Career Day
Wednesday, January 18th, 2006My son Thomas and I recently spent some quality time together. I was working on some presentations at home and spent the better part of a late afternoon helping him create his first video project. Oh, sure, my son has been an actor for years in such elementary hits as “Oh Deer!” and “The Nutcracker” but this is his first foray behind the scenes. He directed and helped in the production of this VERY small video. It’s the first part of an entire “fake” news cast starring nonother than himself and THE BATMAN. Really, I didn’t have that much to do with the subject matter. My influence on him has firmly taken root. Enjoy, after the link.
GNN Breaking NEWS
For those playing along at home: I used Adobe Premiere Elements and used the Chromakey filter along with three yards of neon green cotton fabric from JoAnn Fabrics. I used my Canon Digital video camera and did some basic chopping and titles with Microsoft Movie Maker. (see previous post for Adobe bashing).
Cheers
Production, Day 1
Monday, January 16th, 2006
Mr. Monopoly Remodeling
Saturday, January 14th, 2006I’m just about done with my Monopoly Bathroom project. I’ve decided for the time being to NOT purchase the Official Monopoly Shower curtain. Instead, I’m going for solid curtains, rugs and some orginal “ART”. These pictures are from the master bathroom and I’ll be ordering some furniture for it soon. It’s theme? The World of Tomorrow, circa 1939.
University of Chicago Visit
Friday, January 13th, 2006
, originally uploaded by johnmknight.
My annual trip to the University of Chicago went without incident. It rained (as usual).
Special Project Announced
Wednesday, January 11th, 2006I have a special creative project that I will post a little more about as things start to solidify. I’m starting to enlist volunteers as this will be a non for anyone elses profit type project. I’ve currently gotten people from three states to volunteer for various roles and raw materials. For those willing to go out on a limb and have some fun this summer, contact me and I’ll tell ya a little more.
Lights, Camera, Action…
More from CES… later
Wednesday, January 11th, 2006Ok, I’ve been working on a post with some more info from CES. I’m simply not going to write another post. I’m going to vblog it! That’s right. I’m getting lazy and instead of typing with the perfectly good two hands that God gave me I’m going to talk into my Canon Digial Cam and bore you all to tears. I ran into some technical difficulties with the new software I was using so, it didn’t get posted. It’s probably a good thing too as I seriously needed to shave before putting my mug back on the internet. Rembers… with out pix or video on the internet, no one knows if you need a shave.
Teller and Me
Wednesday, January 11th, 2006Teller of Penn and Teller after their show. The show was great and a few kind fans were good enough to snap a couple of photos with me and the guys.


