a milestone
I’ve crossed a site milestone of sorts.
At some point today, I passed the 100,000 visitor mark on my photography site. That’s 100,000 visitors since Jan 2006.
It’s a meaningless number in the grand scheme of things, but exciting nonetheless.
Books in 2007
I read a total of 29 books during 2007.
The first was The Hard Way, by Lee Child, completed on January 7, 2007.
The last was Mind Over Matter by Ranulph Fiennes, finished on 6 December 2007.
21 books were fiction, and 8 were non-fiction—far from my goal ratio of 10/15.
photo goodness
Spidey
I’ve been rereading the early issues of Spiderman. I’d forgotten what sheer brilliance they were, funny and heartwarming. A couple of things have struck me as I’ve been reading.
First of all, damned if Steve Ditko’s art wasn’t absolutely terrific. He captures such amazing weight to his figures with such clean and simple line work. This panel from the Amazing Spiderman #2 (1963) is a perfect example of that, capturing a tired and satisfied Peter Parker.
The last panel from that story is another great example of Ditko’s craftsmanship, simple lines delineating muscle and shadow and weight, while the Vulture literally glares at Spidey/Peter in the inset, effortlessly foreshadowing the conflict to come.
Another component of Steve Ditko’s work, one that I believe was critical to the success of the character, is the movement his figures are infused with.
This panel (from issue 13) again shows Ditko’s skill at capturing figures in motion with tremendous simplicity.
Look at how simple the line work is, and how magnificently the reader “feels” the falling figure.
The second thing that strikes me is the sheer volume of creativity on display in the first issues. For instance, the line up from the first 12 issues: Dr. Octopus appears in three issues (#3, #11, #12), the Vulture in two (#2, #7), plus four other major villains from the series are introduced: the Chameleon (#1), the Sandman (#4), the Lizard (#6), and Electro (#9). The Fantastic Four appear in two issues (#1,#5) (three if you count #8 with the Human Torch), and Dr. Doom appears in one (#5).
What a phenomenal first year, arguably—in my opinion—the finest run in the history of comics.
Rest in peace, Daisy
Daisy Duke, my lovely goofy disaster of a girl, was lost on 5/25/2007. For some unknown reason her kidneys ceased to function and there was no other viable option but to let her go. We all said our goodbyes, and her departure was peaceful and fast, with my hands stroking her head and telling her what a good girl she was.
I miss her, of course.
more scientific art goodness
This image is a heavily cropped version of a poster that won first prize in information graphics in the fourth annual Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge in September 2006.
Don’t miss the slide show.
Random items
A few tidbits.
I’ve long argued for the incorrect pronunciation, it seems. The GIF Pronunciation Page.
The gorgeous scenic photography of Hamad Darwish.
Books~~Illustrations~~Science~~History~~Visual Materia Obscura~~Eclectic Bookart. BibliOdyssey
Books in 2006
I read a total of 16 books during 2006, missing my goal by nine.
The first was The Messianic Legacy by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, & Henry Lincoln, completed on January 20, 2006.
The last was The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks, which I finished on December 24, 2006 (and have read before—I liked it this time too).
Ten books were fiction, and six were non-fiction, a decent ratio.
the art of science
check out the winning photography and illustrations from the Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge.
best.spam.sender.ever
I did a complete double-take when I saw this—I happen to love Raymond Scott’s music.
“Being introduced to the music of Raymond Scott was like being given the name of a composer I feel I have heard my whole life, who until now was nameless. Clearly he is a major American composer.”—David Harrington, Kronos Quartet
