Saturday, August 30, 2014

Laetrile- Pure Quackery (Right?)

That's certainly what we've been told since the... seventies- when I last heard the word. But what if, what if... there really is something to it (and it's just too cheap to make an outrageous profit from)?




UPDATE: Interesting rebuttal...  (via Minnesotastan @ TYWKIWDBI)

The absolute vitriol in the rebuttal above could alone kill the most virulent of cancer cells! 

I'm not the biggest fan of Big Pharma for sure, but I don't have a particular dog in this fight. Laetrile could be complete quackery, or there could be something there. And it's also very interesting, that the major study this rebuttal quotes (the only one done on humans), was on advanced stage cancer patients- exactly what even Laetrile proponents say it is ineffective against (save for those south of the border anxious to make an American $).

I'm always particularly amused when the scientific establishment (ie- government) attempts to put down, ridicule and disavow anything "alternative" not by producing conclusive scientific evidence (the very hallmark of their existence), but by in turn putting out their own focused, emotional and anecdotal appeals and conjecture based solely on their reputation and beliefs (eg- nothing like dismissing UFO's with... swamp gas).

Friday, August 29, 2014

F-I-N-A-L-L-Y!!!

Wet_Trails_JMN
Photo by Jim Norris courtesy of Scripps Oceanography

Year after bloody year I'd yell at someone (anyone)- why the hell hasn't someone bothered filming this; it's not like they have no idea where they are. All that was ever freakin' needed was a coupla cameras with the necessary technology, and a wee bit of patience...

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Radioactive!

For the past several years I've felt very safe going on the occasional flight with film safely wrapped in my heavy duty, double laminated lead film bag designed to protect film up to ISO 1600. I was invincible, invulnerable, very much on the order of an aging analog demigod. But I recently read that all security has to do is ramp up their X-ray machines until they can see inside that sucker. Who knew!?!? Now, I really don't know what to think. Have they been double dosing their radiation all along to peek inside- or have they just quietly been giving me the pass? I have no clue... Actually, my film did go through a scanner unprotected when I visited the WTC memorial a couple of years back (the cops weren't making any exceptions). I somehow managed to keep both mouth and emotion in check- fortunately, no dire results; but no one wants to have their film X-rayed, voluntarily or otherwise- and sweat to see what does or doesn't happen...

Current wisdom says to just put the film naked in a transparent plastic bag and kindly ask security to hand inspect. For good measure, it's also said one should throw in a roll or two of 1600 ISO film, since 400 ISO is officially touted as the magic cut off point of the scanner safety limit- the high ISO presence would hopefully provide the needed incentive for them to grudgingly acquiesce and hand inspect.

So the question remains... this Sept. when I'm off visiting the folks in NYC, do I continue with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach, or do I dispense with the supposed facade of (non)protection altogether, and accept the possibility that I've just been flying lucky all along???

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Super Hero Identities Exposed And Revealed!


Photo: © S. Banos

 A fellow photographer calls 'em my "dick pictures," guess I can't argue much there. They say you are what you photograph, so... I... errrr... Yeah, really don't know where to go with that either...


Photo: © S. Banos



Photo: © S. Banos


For the judgemental, at least ya know what ya get with these guys, unlike all the closeted, "straight laced," Gay bashing Republicans. These photos are taken at predominantly Gay, S&M "street fairs" in San Francisco that occur twice a year, in a closed off section of town ($10 entry). And since I'm neither Gay, nor into S&M, I suppose I am operating strictly in the capacity of voyeur, telling myself I'm a photographer who must document for posterity and understanding- not to mention the inherent humor of it all. Perhaps, the fact these images challenge us to more closely examine ourselves as a species is validation enough.

What I definitely can say is that they are nice enough to let me do my thing, while they do theirs...


Photo: © S. Banos

Friday, August 22, 2014

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Photography At Its Most Essential



Sure, photography can make some awfully pretty pictures- it can even make that most elusive of creatures called art. But it is always at its most profound when it exclaims the simple wonder of its very existence- to give life to what was, and hope to what may be.

Monday, August 18, 2014

An Abbreviated Vacation

Bring the step ladder, bring the step ladder, bring the freakin' step ladder! That's the mantra I've kept telling myself over and over since our last road trip years ago. Road trips are when you can bring everything plus the kitchen sink, since ya don't have to carry it all with ya. And from previous trips, I've found that what I've really needed much more than a tripod was a step ladder for those scenics and architectural shots where one doesn't have view camera controls for the necessary height and perspective control. So needless to say what particular item I yet again forgot to pack...

Anyway, Uncle Amex could only afford us a rental for three nights/four days last weekend; the plan was to head south and hit Sequoia National Park (always wanted to see those big mothers since I saw the HUMONGOUS cross section of one displayed in The Museum of Natural History since I was but a wee lad) and then swing back home via Death Valley. We arrived at the former around five late afternoon, and it was not quite what we expected. It wasn't a magical forest of unbelievably huge and majestic grand Sequoias, rather a large forest with what appeared to be a few sprinkling of said trees. To get to General Sherman (the BIGGEST tree in the world), we would have to park the car, stand on line, then jump on a bus to see him. Considering the time, we forgoed that option since we still had to secure a motel somewhere in the general vicinity; we would return the following day. Winding our way out of the park, it took what seemed forever going up and down endlessly curving mountain roads that increasingly devolved from scenic opportunities to repetitive stress related syndrome. Halfway outta the park we realized we would not have the time to return the next day, and seriously wondered if it was worth the effort even if we did. Redwood National Park is a truly magical place with its own wondrous aura, Sequoia National Park on the other hand... to be honest we didn't give it a fair shake, but...

Outside the Mad Greek's Cafe @ Baker, CA- "Gateway To Death Valley;"  Photo: © S. Banos

So on we went to Death Valley where we had made a night's reservation at the "world famous" Amargosa Opera House and Hotel. The aforementioned has quite the fascinating history, having been purchased by NYC ballerina Marta Becket in 1968, where she continued to live and give solo performances (she just celebrated her 90th birthday there) in the middle of the desert. It is also said to be haunted. Love the place: stark, desolate, dilapidated- literally in the middle of nowhere. A place I really feel at home in...

Next day, we formally entered Death Valley National Park, first stop was Zabriskie Point, where if it wasn't for the locale, one would swear was somewhere mid Europe- the only languages heard: German, French and a smattering of Italian. While there, we were treated to a mid morning summer storm- complete with lightning, thunder, dramatic skies and flash flooding... Quite the once in a lifetime treat, but try as I might (and I most certainly did), could not get the requisite lightning enhanced landscape shot. Didn't need the step ladder either...

Barstow, CA;  Photo: © S. Banos

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Calvary



Mighty Benbulben lurks in many a shot throughout the background of this film- imposing, menacing, and as is so much of the Irish countryside- hauntingly beautiful, a metaphor for the tragedy and survival that is Irish history. The Catholic priest scandal is but a side note in Calvary, the courier for the larger message- humanity is hell bent on doing itself in, in every way imaginable. We refuse to learn, and yet refuse to give up. The characters in Calvary are very much caricatures of human vice and frailty, each excelling in their own chosen path to misery and hell. And they all find themselves within convenient drinking distance, a small rural community of emotional vampires in the most scenic of countrysides. 

Brendan Gleeson's Father James must somehow deal with the whole lot, all the while knowing that one is going to kill him. More philosopher than priest, he has plenty going for him, including his own veiled darkness. The story has plot flaws aplenty, yes; and the metaphors in people's clothing come on a tad too strong and obvious- but they grab hold of you nonetheless, just as life's many ugly little side plots drag us in despite our protest. And as is often the case, there's just no way of telling who'll win.

Friday, August 15, 2014

And Never The Twain Shall Meet...

Preaching to the choir is, well... just that, so I'll often go beyond my comfort zone to (FWIW) post my views, insights, etc. in more unrestricted waters. Unfortunately, instead of shedding light or being in turn enlightened, the only guarantee is that one will get catch an ample earful of grief. Recently, I went on Petapixel to cast my 2 cents on the shooting at Ferguson. The wingnuts were out a'plenty and I sometimes just like to engage 'em to sharpen my debating skills and hopefully help forestall my inevitable slide into dementia. After several hostile encounters, one particular commenter made a rather sincere inquiry as to what was the "logic" in people rioting and looting as a response to an injustice; I replied:


Who said it was "logical?" It's illogical, emotional, counterproductive. It's taking things out on the closest opportunity available. Kicking the societal dog. When you feel powerless, when your schools are third rate, when there are no jobs but the drug trade and minimum wage jobs that can't pay rent, when you can't afford higher ed even if you make the grades, when you have a well over 90% White police force that doesn't live in your hood oppressing you daily, calling you animals, stopping and abusing you whenever they want- believe it or not... you can do irrational things!

NO--- I'm not excusing it; I'm not condoning it. Understanding something doesn't mean you condone things. That's what Conservatives can't fathom- they can't hold two conflicting thoughts in their simple, little heads at once. Repeat: understanding DOES NOT EQUAL your blessing and support. It's simple science- the more you understand something, the more prepared you are to deal with it and apply a truly effective solution by addressing what causes such episodic violence. But Conservatives like the present scenario of keeping all minorities in ghettos that have next to nothing, so they can continue to play the blame game- they're all animals, it's all their fault!

How many Whites in thousand dollar suits that bankrupted our country did a perp walk? How many Whites in suits went to jail for starting The King Mother of All Riots in Iraq? And yet, people will call me a "racist" for pointing that out.

If you're White and never lived in the inner city, isolated from the rest of society- I don't expect you to understand. But Conservatives will tell you everything about anything and anyone with no direct knowledge whatsoever!


Yeah, I could've definitely been more diplomatic in my language towards Conservatives; unfortunately, diplomacy is often either ignored or taken for weakness in these open air internet forums, making one a target for even more abuse. And here was the predictable Wingnut (not the same commenter) response:

BS. You smug condescending progressive democrat party douche.  
(UpDate: Some of the snarkier comments have since been deleted).

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Platon On Snowden; Snowden on NSA


Edward Snowden, Photo: Platon

“They still haven’t fixed their problems. They still have negligent auditing, they still have things going for a walk, and they have no idea where they’re coming from and they have no idea where they’re going,” Snowden said. “And if that’s the case, how can we as the public trust the NSA with all of our information, with all of our private records, the permanent record of our lives?” 


The Most Wanted Man in the World: Behind the Scenes with Edward Snowden from WIRED on Vimeo.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Friday, August 8, 2014

More Please!



 
This is exactly what is needed- serious investigation, scientific investigation of whatever the supposed evidence or data... be it film, video, radar, radiation readings, flight recordings, etc- and let the chips fall where they may. How can a US astronaut, one of the original Right Stuff astronauts no less, claim outright that a UFO landed in a lake bed where he was working, that it was filmed and then given to the Air Force, only to never be seen again- how can he say that without investigation of his "allegation," or... his sanity???

Yeah, the above video's a sham; there are fakes a plenty out there, crazies a plenty too- No freakin' doubt! But if only .001% of all the evidence presented is of extraterrestrial or interdimensional origin- there goes the whole ball of denial right down the tubes. I'll take those odds anytime!

Monday, August 4, 2014

Extra! Extra! Old Man Gets Thrown A Bone!


Brooklyn- Photo: © S. Banos
 
Well, I entered a good half dozen competitions this year- some I damn well knew I didn't have the proverbial snowball's chance in hell, others, I thought...

Not a one panned out; nothing, nada, zip- until late last month when one photo was accepted into Rayko's Travel Exhibit premiering this Aug 6. Take note kids- forty, long, tempestuous years of vitamins and exercise in the absolute indignity of complete and utter obscurity... And now I get to bask in my longer than overdue just rewards of fabulous and never ending fame and fortune! That's right- every penny, every sacrifice finally paid off, and it's all mine for the taking! No longer will I have to use film, write a blog or lower myself to the masses. Everything changes this moment forward (y'all just lucky I didn't make it into the promo)!

If you're in the neighborhood, drop on by and I may even acknowledge your presence- although admittedly, I'll be too busy planning the retrospective to give you the time of day...

Sunday, August 3, 2014

5 Israeli Talking Points- BUSTED...


via TYWKIWDBI

I find it ever curious how we the public are somehow supposed to actually equate "the terror" of possibly being hit by a missile (in Israel), with the reality of so many Palestinians who have actually been blown apart in Gaza.

Meanwhile, these myths get repeated in corporate media, over and over and over again- so they must be, gotta be, true...