This is a picture of my favorite place to sit and blog. Regular readers should notice something significant here that's new.
June 4, 2008
Notice anything?
This is a picture of my favorite place to sit and blog. Regular readers should notice something significant here that's new.
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114 comments:
The table?
Your dishwasher is broken and you are just letting your dirty mugs stack up on the sill?
You bought a second Kindle!
Ah ha, you've got an MacAir! You must be of Clan Apple! What's the clan tartan pattern?
Clean! Wish I could afford a maid.
April 26, 2005. It's the new rolling chair!!!
The sun is shining?
A new way to deal with your electric bill? Just don't open it?
double-paned windows?
The 3 things over by the window are flower pots, but they aren't what I'm referring to.
I've already blogged about the Air.
I don't have a maid.
That chair has been around for a long time. Just moved it there to be comfortable.
No one has noticed.
Clue: Think outside the box!
Think outside the box...hmm. OH!
You cast no reflection, therefore you're really Anne Rice!
You still haven't deadwooded the redbud.
My redbud trees are dying! It's a big problem!
But that's not it.
Is the profile picture new, or am I just unobservant?
Lack of fisheye?
It may not be the MacAir, but is that a wireless mouse lurking behind the MacAir? Have you gone all Bluetooth on us?
I go back and forth with bluetooth vs. wired mice. My fave wireless is the Kensington PilotMouse Mini Bluetooth, plus I have the Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse for when I'm feeling masochistic.
But cool as a wireless mouse is (without the giveaway low-rent USB dongle), Bluetooth mice are quirky. So when I have actual work to do, I use the Kensington Ci25m Notebook Optical Mouse. And, again, if I feel like a challenge, I use the Apple Mighty Mouse, a product that is in a tie with the old MacBook power supply for the Most Misbegotten Apple Product Ever.
The MacAir isn't for me, with my graphics and geeky needs, but for people like Althouse or my editor wife, who often has to work in places such as the kids' piano teacher's hallway, it's perfect.
Is that a new house across the street?
Or maybe something about the TT. Isn't that it outside the window...?
Sorry to get all geeky on you in that last one.
Another guess would be the painted secretary in the corner. Did Sippican make that?
"Or maybe something about the TT. Isn't that it outside the window...?"
Yes. She obviously crashed it into the house, right below the window. Probably totaled it.
A new car!
You don't have a maid?
How sad.
Holy Shit! You're right, Palladian. It's a silver Volkswagen updated bug, so it fooled us. Althouse drives a silver car, right? That couldn't be it. But it was! Good eye, Palladian.
I'm going to agree with meade and go with the TT outside.
It is so tragic you don't have a maid.
My tibetan cleaners are coming tomorrow. Only $200.00 for a 1400 square foot loft. I have them come weekly. The rare clumbers go to doggy daycare on the day they are here so the cleaners don't disturb their fabulousness.
The outdoor pool is now open at doggy daycare so the rare clumbers are really excited.
My first guess was also the suspiciously Sippicanish Escritoire in the corner -- but it's too cluttered to be new. I don't think it's the house across the street -- if I recall from my trips to the daughter's friend's house up the hill on the next block, the house improvements were at the corner.
I like the rug, btw.
Did you re-orient your table?
At least I think it's a Volkswagen neo-bug with that arched door line, but it is hard to tell.
You know, I really should go back to the clarinet repair I'm doing tonight. Why am I worrying about Althouse's swag?
Damn vortex.
No Theo, I think that's an Audi TT outside. Maybe it's a new one.
I am sorry but I am in shock you don't have a maid.
With your annual comp. you really need to. It's almost a requirement.
Titus would be the perfect house boy.
Guy in shorts lying dead in the street? You just snapped?
Tomorrow at doggy daycare they have a swimming class.
I am nervous about their report card tomorrow.
They are not great in water.
We (the dogs and I) are driving up to Ogunquit Maine tomorrow for the weekend. It is supposed to be 90. Woo hoo. I am ready. Ogunquit is not as competitive as Fire Island.
Why can't the green SUV belong to Ann?
I don't want a maid. I don't like the intrusion and the personal-not-personal relationship.
It's not the car.
The house across the street has been enlarged, but that's not is.
Closest answer so far is the one about the fisheye.
Richard Engel is on Charlie Rose.
Richard is way hot. I would do him.
The Titus act is getting as tiresome as the Maxine act.
Thanks for liking the rug MM. I got it at Sergenians.
You are a cleaner then.
That place is clean clean clean.
I can't see you with a vacuum cleaner and mop doing "chores".
It just doesn't fit.
On the off-chance that "Titus" isn't completely fictional, I hope Obama is elected and completely ruins the economy just so that Titus is forced to roast the clumbers in order to avoid starvation.
Is that a Trojanz wrapper in the corner?
There's NOTHING different in the photo! That's what's different!
The bitter Palady Malady act is very tired.
Bitter, angry, and a hefty hideaway shopper-sad.
jd--I was looking for feet under the table, too. No luck.
madawaskin--A green SUV? Oh nooo...
That's a lens on the table! Looks like a long focal-length lens of some sort. You're going to go all telephoto on us!
I am not fictional Palladian. My tibetan cleaners are coming tomorrow. They are married and both of their names are Tenzin-isn't that weird?
Also, the rare clumbers will be going to doggy daycare before the cleaners come. And yes, the daycare does have a pool.
As for me, I will be doing the workout thing for the day.
Believe me Palady Malady, my stock and 401k has been in the tank for the past year. I just checked them out on line-401K is 9% down year to date and my stock (not my sexual stock mind you) is down 18%.
I also did have a peddy/manny/facial/spray tan today too-true story.
I'm sure you get a 'facial' every day, titus.
Palladian is right that it's nothing IN the picture.
As for cleaning... I don't put much effort into cleaning. I stress not getting it dirty in the first place. Key: take off your shoes at the door. Don't bring any dirt in.
Not in the picture?
The fisheye lens got pinkeye.
Or stinkeye.
That or 'Obama grasps the nomination'.
The rare clumbers make that impossible. They shed like crazy and they have huge dirty paws. Rain, snow, dirt on their paws make the fabulous hardwood floors a mess.
As a result I have a maid.
I also like saying that I have a maid.
Palady Malady get over here so I can spank you. You need to be spanked.
The coffee mug doesn't have a late with a clever design in the foam?
There's no stack of papers or exams that need grading?
Wide angle lens?
So far, we've been through just about every visible object. My last thought was it might be that black upright cylindrical object on the table...lens case? But nooo...
The swag which is the swag is no swag. Outside the box. Hmmm...
It must be metaphysical or insubstantially spiritual. I know! Sir Archy paid you a visit, and you took his picture!
Ann Althouse said...
Palladian is right that it's nothing IN the picture.
A-Ha! It's the lack of wineglass rings and Cheeto crumbs on the table!
I notice an object (box?) in the lower right hand corner of the picture Palladian linked is no longer there.
Theo-
You're going to go all telephoto on us!
Ha!
Cripes I got so use to the fish eye that I didn't even notice the distortion sometimes.
I'd read the comments and then I'd have to go back to look at the picture-because in the comments they would be discussing-fish eye!
In fact one of Ann's last photos reminded me of Monet's clouds so much that it made me think he might have suffered from fish eye!
I think he did have some vison problems-or maybe that was Van Gogh?
When are you going on your road trip?
I am going to be in Madison from June 26-July 1 and want a special fabulous date at a really expensive restaurant.
July 1 I had to Ptown with the rare clumbers.
madawaskan--Actually, Monet had cataracts. He finally had the then-horrendously difficult operation, but when he was finally healed and fitted with the glasses to replace his removed lenses, he couldn't stand the bright, blue look of the world. So he got yellow lenses made to bring things back to cataract mode. The cataract vision explains a lot about the coloring and general feel of some of his later pictures.
Titus: I hate to break it to you, but you don't have a "maid" either. If they come in once a week, they're a cleaning lady/man; if they come in daily, they're housekeepers; if they live with you and the rare clumbers, they're maids.
That last comment could stand some editing, but I'll leave it to Sir Archy to do if he's in the picture.
Chandelier is different?
Bluebooks are absent?
Students are gone for the summer?
Where's the New York Times?
Glenn Reynolds bought the same fisheye lens you did, and indicated that he also acquired a program or utility to remove the fisheye effect; is that it?
OH COME ON ALREADY AND TELL US!
A few final guesses:
There's a new overhead lamp in the dining room.
You changed your blogging area to the dining room.
You're using a 24 mm lens.
Someone in Madison is actually flying an American flag.
You've started trimming your fingernails.
No, bob, the fisheye lens is a 10.5 mm lens, this is shot at 24 mm.
Okay, we've been through it all. Some of us have foolishly seen things, such as a new car, that wasn't there. It's not IN the picture.
The convergence of the window frames and the lines of the room point to a short focal-length lens, but you're using your Nikon, not a point-and-shoot which would usually show similar distortion. It doesn't look like a fisheye to me, but I may be wrong. How about an AF-S Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF DX VR? I hear it's a good all-purpose lens for web-based photography, and some sample photos I've seen look similar to that room
Hot damn, 66 comments already. What is it!?!
(Thank God it's not a new car. I wouldn't like to be accused of being a copy-cat, as I pick up my new car on Saturday. Dealer "prep" is a beeotch)
Okay, so we're told to think outside the box, and indeed, told it's not IN the photo itself.
Professor, I don't know.
Is it the angle of the chair, cosy proximity of the mug, that fresh green ride outside -- and this is your way of announcing a new man in your life?
Seriously, can't imagine what else it is now.
Cheers,
Victoria
I should really look at the photo properties before speculating about lenses. It couldn't be the one I suggested. Like Palladian, I give up.
Where's Hercule Poirot when we need him?
1. It's new
2. It's significant
3. It's "here" and noticeable.
4. It's not IN the picture.
Ann got rid of her curtains.
Or, Ann has a new boyfriend.
Where's Hercule Poirot when we need him?
Scratching his head that our collective leetle grey cells couldn't figure Anne's question out?
AJ just mentioned that this blog has some serious brainpower. He's right. It does.
But this is not our collective finest hour, I fear. We should hang our heads in shame. I know I am, Theo.
FLS, I called first on her new boyfriend, if that's what it turns out to be. And I hope it is.
Woman cannot live by blogging alone.
Flickr lists the photo properties for all pictures.
Seems like for this picture there is a Lens Min/Max Focal Length of 240/10, and Min/Max Aperture of 28/10.
The old lens seemed to be a 105/10, 28/10.
I'm not sure how we would know this by looking at the picture...
By George, I think dmfoiemjsof's got it!
(Don't say that out loud. You'll burst a tonsil)
The only problem is that Nikon doesn't make a 10/240mm lens that I can find, so it may be another brand. I am not that much of an expert on zoom lenses to know off the top of my head where to start.
BTW, since we last spoke, I made $200. I did a repair on a nice Buffet Prestige clarinet that involved sinking four pins around the top trill. This is a very usual place for clarinets to crack, and an absolutely vanilla-flavored repair. I can do them in my sleep, but only on professional instruments, owned by players who can pay for and appreciate what I do. But mostly pay for. I do not fix Buffy's marching band flute. I do not do many repairs, as they keep me away from blogging. Looks like this one didn't put too big a dent in tonight.
The divine Ms. Althouse has been called a drunk before by those who resist the pull of the vortex...
It looks past 10 am...I'm gonna go with "No bottle of booze next to the laptop."
Was made with a 24mm lens...was the fish eye 24mm?
Last guess.
she got a filter that reduced glare and allows for reflections in glass and water.
I can't make out that oval thing through the window on the bottom right. it seems to have an oval reflective surface, and it appears to be outside. But it could be a reflection in the window of something behind the photographer. Did you buy that oval mirror? There also appears to be something that looks like a small seat in front of the unidentifiable object. It looks like a small squat flat white mushroom. Other than that I cannot tell if anything is missing because I never knew what was there to begin with.
I am officially tired of this guessing game, and have decided to move on.
In other news, I had a bizarre dream.
Theo-
Thanks for the explanation.
Wow now I am going to have to go back and look at his paintings with another perspective.
Irnically one of my favorite series of his is particularly blue-
Morning on the Seine...
I fell in love with one at the Getty and have been back twice to find it-no longer there.
Must have been on loan...
Ugh! Anyways I cannot resist one more guess-is it the glasses?
Tomorrow morning we will just have to fill in the blanks.
The green SUV belongs to Ann's new boy toy who wears kinda girlie glasses and is reading whatever book that happens to be-and he made her rip down her curtains for the light.
She met him at the Brooklyn law school and now he might move in-sorta -across the street.
Ann will let him visit but only if he takes his shoes off, and chases squirrels away.
Chip-
Sometimes a koala is only a koala.
They were hiding from the fox.
Damn-
Gotta take a second look...
Who's the fox?
Long time reader, possibly first time commenter.
Is it the camera?
is reading whatever book that happens to be-
I want to know what that book is too!
Well, two books. I spy with my little eye another below it. And nice tassle bookmarks.
Pretty, very pretty.
Cheers,
Victoria
Wait, yo. I got it. Is the answer there's no roof?
There is a light gray edge or frame around the photo
Easy. You're standing in the photo wearing the new Blogger Camo clothes your bought in NYC. They're very effective, and you look awesome!
The people across the street are flying the American flag upside down. Because they are commies.
Titusastarisborn said..."The rare clumbers make that impossible. They shed like crazy and they have huge dirty paws. Rain, snow, dirt on their paws make the fabulous hardwood floors a mess. As a result I have a maid."
Well, there's the main reason not to get a dog -- especially a dog that sheds. Then, you live in a dirty city, so there is more to track in. Think of what that dirt consists of! In NY, filth floats in through the windows too. I noticed grime building up every week on the windowsills. It made me worry about my lungs. Yeah, you have a problem that you have to deal with, but it's different here in Madison -- and dogless.
10:19 PM Ron said..."Wide angle lens?"
RON WINS.
Just as I went off line, the right answer comes in. After all those fisheye pictures, I decided I needed a distortion free wide angle -- especially because I'm going to go on an architectural tour this weekend.
Theo Boehm said..."So far, we've been through just about every visible object. My last thought was it might be that black upright cylindrical object on the table...lens case? But nooo..."
Yes, that was a clue. I'd just got the new lens, and I took the big one off the camera so I could put on the new one. Happened to leave it in view.
Cedarford said..."A-Ha! It's the lack of wineglass rings and Cheeto crumbs on the table!"
Ha ha. That sounds like a nice dinner, but I'd probably have that in front of the TV.
Titusastarisborn said..."I am going to be in Madison from June 26-July 1 and want a special fabulous date at a really expensive restaurant."
Email me.
Bob said..."Glenn Reynolds bought the same fisheye lens you did, and indicated that he also acquired a program or utility to remove the fisheye effect; is that it?"
That was a good guess, but remember I objected to that software, so it would be hypocritical of me to take this route. It's a new lens.
Palladian said..."OH COME ON ALREADY AND TELL US!"
Sorry, I fell asleep. I was up at 5 a.m.
"You're using a 24 mm lens."
YES. Exactly. I got a nice 24 mm lens.
"You've started trimming your fingernails."
Ack. That shouldn't be there. And I didn't put it there.
Theo Boehm said..."The convergence of the window frames and the lines of the room point to a short focal-length lens, but you're using your Nikon, not a point-and-shoot which would usually show similar distortion. It doesn't look like a fisheye to me, but I may be wrong. How about an AF-S Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF DX VR? I hear it's a good all-purpose lens for web-based photography, and some sample photos I've seen look similar to that room."
Well, I'm hoping for better results. This is a prime lens.
vbspurs said..."Is it the angle of the chair, cosy proximity of the mug, that fresh green ride outside -- and this is your way of announcing a new man in your life?"
Ha ha. Didn't you know? My tablescape photos are full of clues of sexual adventures!
Oddly enough I, too, was up at 5 AM...and am only now getting around to making coffee! My messy table indicates...a mess. Without sexual adventure. Other parts of the house, however...
If I may be so bold: What do I win?
What's not in the picture is Glenn Reynolds peering in through the window.
Ron said...
"If I may be so bold: What do I win?"
Whatever it is, it should be something adventurous, something sexual, something outside the box. Or whatever.
The new lens is the dog that did not bark.
I was up at 5 a.m.
I'm guessing you were awake long before that. What a lot of wonderful thunder last night!
I meant I was up at 5 am the previous day, which is why I fell asleep at around 10. But I was back up before 5 today, because of that storm. There was one bolt of lightning that seemed as if it was in my backyard.
My second guess:
After numerous requests for an au natural blogginheads, Ann has agreed.
Hence the glass table top.
That 24-mm lens is equivalent to a 36-mm lens on a full-frame 35mm film camera. That gives it only a modest wide angle view.
For me, the biggest drawback of my digital SLR (a Nikon D40) is that my preferred "normal" lens is a 28-mm wide angle. Translating that into Nikon's DX format (= dividing by 1.5), that means I need an 18 or 19 mm lens.
The basic kit lens (18 to 55 mm zoom) gets there on the lower end -- but then you're stuck with this big zoom lens.
What I want Nikon to come out with an 18mm prime lens that (1) is rectilinear, and (2) doesn't cost $500.....
Robert, thanks. I agree that it's not that wide, but I'm looking for something that would be best for photographing rooms and building exteriors. I have the 18-55 mm lens, but I like the challenge of not having a zoom, and I'm hoping to get something out of a prime lens. I have a 105 mm lens that I'm trying to learn how to use well and I have a great time limiting myself to the fisheye.
Are you going on the Wright & Like 2008 On The Road Again tour? I got an email about that it sounds great. I will be out of town but I hope you put your photos on the blog and blog about the tour.
It's crazy perhaps and counter-intuitive, but using the Nikon D40 has gotten me back using regular 35mm as well, despite the ongoing expenses (film, processing).
I've been having fun lately with a 30-year-old Olympus OM-1. It's heavier than today's DSLRs, no question. But it's wonderfully compact.
And you're right on target about the challenge of prime lenses. Using the zoom feature to frame a shot feels vaguely sinful and lazy.
New rug?
Wow! This topic certainly is hot and steamy! If I carefully edit out all the 'code words' and just leave the basic dialogue, well....just see for yourselves!
Just moved it there to be comfortable.
It just doesn't fit.
Think outside the box.
You still haven't deadwooded the redbud.
I go back and forth..
..mice are quirky.
Sorry to get..the kids' piano teacher..and..the painted secretary in the corner.
Holy Shit! Good...Good...
My tibetan cleaners are coming..I have them come weekly.
I recall from my trips to the daughter's friend's house up the hill...
Titus would be the perfect house boy..
Thanks for liking the rug....
Richard is way hot. I would do him.
I'm sure you get a 'facial' every day,...
I've been having fun lately with a 30-year-old...despite the ongoing expenses..a shot feels vaguely sinful and lazy.
Theo Boehm- would you please contact me back channel- got a question for you about clarinet s and repairs.
-Danny in Ann Arbor
What's up with the three pint of Guinness on the windowsill?
Congrats, Ron!!
In reality, I think we all secretly really liked this thread despite the faux-exasperation because it made us think.
Ha ha. Didn't you know? My tablescape photos are full of clues of sexual adventures!
Ooh, kink. I love it!
Cheers,
Victoria
Danny--Your profile doesn't have an Email, so if you wish, you can contact me at Theo dot Boehm at gmail dot com.
As I say, I don't do too many repairs, as I spend my days making piccolos and wooden Boehm flutes at an unnamed Famous Flute Company in the Boston area, and so I do not want to see another woodwind instrument at the end of the day. But I'll be happy to answer any questions I can.
Along with Trooper York's food and drink advice, another benefit of reading Althouse is the all the weird expertise floating around the place. Just don't ask Pogo to second guess your proctologist.
What's up with the three pints of Guinness on the windowsill?
They're the avant version of Nancy's 3 rocks.*
*(3 rocks explained: scroll down to "Why Nancy?")
P.S. Beware the proctologist who takes a running start.
I know, a joke I've already used, but hey.
Thanks Vic! I still want my prize, whatever that is... :0
Your bottle of Jack Daniels isn't in its usual place beside your coffee cup.
I have this lens, a 12-24mm and I'm very happy with it. A tad on the pricey side, but I love it.
froggyprager said...
"Are you going on the Wright & Like 2008 On The Road Again tour? I got an email about that it sounds great. I will be out of town but I hope you put your photos on the blog and blog about the tour."
Yes, and I'll also be a docent in one of the houses for 2 hours. So go on the tour and you might see me. You will see some Frank Lloyd Wright houses.
I should do more puzzle photo posts!
Not if you fall asleep ...please!
Ah, but it adds to the anticipation! It's like falling asleep over that Agatha Christie mystery. You wake up the next morning and can't wait to get back to the exciting ending.
And yes, please do more puzzle photos! Given your visual sensibilities and intelligence, they're bound to be a challenge and great entertainment.
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