World Press Photo Award Winners - The Interviews

Our CEO mentioned the Press Photo Awards to me and I was absolutely entranced watching the photographers discuss their award-winning images.

Stunning photos, amazing stories. I can’t wait to hear them all.

Listening to the photographer Platon discussing his Time photo shoot of President Vladimir Putin was emotionally moving. From how he finds photography to be so intertwined with psychology to the exhausting week that built up to him finally getting approval (with less than 10 minutes to take the shot) - his story changed the way I view the image.

Anyway, go, listen. Platon’s story is just one of a series of incredible tales.

The World Press Photo Award Interviews

“Digg”ing TinEye’s Mona Lisa Widget!!

Yes! Our awesome Mona Lisa widget has popped up on Digg! Check it out and Digg us!

What’s all the fuss about? Find out from the good folks at Digg and visit us on the idee blog for more on the widget and some awesome TinEye cool searches too.

The politics of Obama versus McCain using Wordle

Wordle is neat. Very neat.

Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text (keep this in mind).

I heard about it this morning and have played around with it just a bit during lunch today. Then it hit me - I wonder what would happen if I put in all of Obama’s June speeches and all of McCain’s June speeches (as posted on their websites)?

The results are *quite* interesting!

Obama:

McCain:

Hmph. What do you think?

Culling the Herd

So I’m moving the blog to my name domain (heatherwilliams.ca) hopefully this weekend but perhaps in the next week or two at some point before I’m dead.

I’ve removed a lot of the previous posts (sorry if you came by and the post you were looking for is no longer here!).

(And how are you today anyway by the way? Good? Yes? Great!)

It’s a little odd to take these moments in time, my random snippets of thought and just *click* them into oblivion, but no regrets here.

Clean, new and fresh - it’s time to start again.

Photo of the Day

I’m lucky. Our house has the most beautiful flowers, all planted by the previous owner!

Photo of the Day

Snapped in our front garden on Sunday, April 13th.

My Twitter Cloud

What am I talking about on twitter? Check out my Twitter Cloud!

Photo of the Day…

Taken on the drive from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam… *grin* Love the sign.

Photo of the Day…

Ben entered a photo contest and the theme for this month is ice.  Ever the creative fellow, he thought up a neat idea, a hamburger made of ice! Check out his blog for more and to share your thoughts!

Photo of the Day…

Late evening, an hour long snow storm was over and everything was covered in a perfect layer of white snow. It’s so great to be at the cottage when it’s snowed, everything is so quiet and clean and fresh.

I need to learn how to take photos at dusk, this is too dark and needs more definition.

Photo of the Day…

While visiting with my brother and his family I figured I would snap a few photos of some of the kids toys they had around the house. This one made me shake my head a bit, it’s kinda creepy, no?

If I was a little kid I wouldn’t want to wake up in the middle of the night and see this fellow sitting on my toy shelf!

I think I needed a bit more light for this photo, it was shot in the basement with no flash. I should have taken a bit more time and switched up the exposure perhaps.

Photo of the Day…

Firstly, yes, it’s a bad photo - technically. However, I had to share it because it’s just so damn cute!

The dog, a lovely old labrador, was a bit excited and was jumping up and barking a bit and his owner told him to sit down. Like a good dog he did just as he was asked, completely ignoring the fact that Alana was already laying on the floor right behind him. Did he care? Did he move at all? Nope! He just plunked himself down right on top of her and sat there with a smug look on his face, as if to say “aren’t I a good dog?”.

Too cute.

Photo of the Day…

I call this one “Something Fishy”.

I came across this ‘thing’ while on a day trip to the Kincardine area with Ben. I have no idea what it used to be (maybe a catfish?) but it made for a startling discovery on the beach. I wish I’d taken a photo of it with something to show scale, it’s actually quite big, more than a foot long. If you have any thoughts on what it might be, do share.

A couple of boys and their parents were walking along the beach towards me as I was finishing up shooting the skeleton, I didn’t get to see their expressions when they finally reached it as I’d already moved on, but I bet they thought it was ’super cool’.

I know it’s a little washed out… I just wasn’t thinking about the lighting or final result of the photos, I was too fascinated by the subject matter!

This photo was taken mid-day in late fall ‘07, with a Canon 30D.

Photo of the Day…

Comments, tips, thoughts appreciated.  Taken in Kinkardine, Ontario.  Late fall.  Canon 30D.

Photo of the Day…

Skyward.

Taken at the home of my grandparents in Minden, Ontario. My grandfather built the home with the help of friends and family and I’ve always loved it. Something about this photo seemed almost church-like to me. I just like it. It could use some tweaks, but I like it. Thoughts appreciated.

Photo of the Day…

Thoughts, advice, tips and comments welcome. How do I improve on my photo of the sunset? Would you try to do more at the time the photo was taken or would you tweak via photoshop? I think it’s a bit dark and I suppose I should straighten it so the horizon isn’t on a bit of an angle.

This was in the winter, it was freezing and I was shooting without a tripod with a Canon 30D and Sigma 18-50 mm 1:2.8 EX Macro lens.

I’m just learning and am eager to hear your thoughts!

Photo of the Day…

Emma Lou (who’s no more than two) backing up her lovely kiddy car. So cute.

I wish Rick Mercer used Twitter.

Photo of the Day…

My nephew wonders what’s happening…he’s so cute. I love the cookie he’s still holding onto.

This was during some work on the septic system at the cottage so we had trucks and workers over. Evan was very curious but also a little worried.

I wish there weren’t legs in behind him - that would have made this pic so much better.  I could photoshop…but that’s such a hassle.

Photo of the Day.

Sunset in Kinkardine.

Photo of the Day

Taken with a Canon 30D at dusk, in Kinkardine, Ontario.

Live in or around Toronto and want to give something back to your neighbourhood? Check out Little Geeks!

Ben has a great post about Little Geeks, an organization dedicated to putting internet-connected computers into the homes of disadvantaged kids.

When I heard about what Andy Walker and his team were doing I was happy to ask around to find out if anyone I knew could donate anything to their cause. So far I have two complete systems sitting in my office ready to go, and several other possible donations in the queue. I also asked a friend of mine about furniture donations for the Little Geeks office (she works for Grand & Toy) and inquired with a colleague about office space (he’s in real estate).

Sure, they might not pan out - but at least I asked. I think that’s the biggest thing each of us can do. If we believe in a cause but can’t donate something or provide a service ourselves we can still take action and spread the word to friends, family and coworkers. You never know. The power of networking and passing ideas along is huge and each of us can make a call, or send an email and make an effort.

I’m sure that right now, as you sit there reading this, you can think of at least one person who might be able to donate a computer (or even parts!) or who might know someone else who could. It’s that simple. Are you emailing them right now? Come on, get at it!

From the Little Geeks website:

Little Geeks is a philanthropic organization that collects, refurbishes and re-distributes donated home computers to children in need. These computers are given free of charge, and are coupled with an Internet connection at the child’s home. It is our sincere hope that these gifts will inspire, create, and allow these children a future which they may not previously have dreamed of. The program is currently only available in the Greater Toronto Area. It is our goal to expand this program throughout Canada, the United States, and internationally. The Mission of Little Geeks is to provide free computing technology and education to children and families who cannot afford this resource on their own.

Interested in joining an Ontario Government Agency as a Board Member?

My friend Alex directed me to a great site that provides you with notification of available positions on government boards, councils and agencies. You can learn more about each organization, the type of work they do, what time commitment is involved, if they offer a per diem and even apply online!

Do you have some time and expertise you want to share? Check out the Public Appointments Secretariat website, you might just find a position that’s right for you!

Angelina Jolie plays Mariane Pearl, angering black campaign groups.

I was surprised by the number of posts commenting on the anger from black activists about Jolie being cast as Daniel Pearl’s wife in ‘A Mighty Heart‘, currently in production.

Interestingly, this frustration comes at the same time that Halle Berry was cast as white teacher Tierney Cahill in another upcoming movie.

I did a search and haven’t come across any complaints at all about the casting of Berry in this role. How is it a positive thing that bi-racial Berry can play a white woman in a film, but a negative that Jolie is portraying a woman of colour? (Pearl is dutch/afro-cuban it has been reported)

Adding to the story, Mariane herself was quoted saying “I’m delighted Angelina Jolie will be playing my role. I deeply admire her work.“

It’s frustrating that in 2006 we still can’t get past the ‘race issue’, even in what is supposed to be ‘just entertainment’. Why can’t it be that any actor can play any role that the director thinks they are suited to? Producers for Halle’s new movie were quoted saying they “felt it was more important to find the right actress to play the role rather than the right white actress.” Sounds good to me.

I am sure Ms. Berry will do a fantastic job as Cahill, and I will not be deterred in the least from going to see the movie due to her ethnicity. Just as I wouldn’t have, and still don’t, care if Angelina plays Pearl.

Tags: Angelina Jolie, Racism, Current Events, Mariane Pearl, Controversy, Halle Berry

Drinks with Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton enjoys stopping in for drinks at 2 Cats lounge at 569 King Street E. here in Toronto. I know this because he bought me a couple of vodka sodas (with a splash of cranberry, of course) just last Thursday. Through a curious set of circumstances I ended up heading out on the town with my friend Jen Mohan (MCI) and her friend Sarah (soon to become the object of Mr. Keaton’s attention).

After a lovely dinner at Brassaii we were heading out of the restaurant when we ran into Michael at the bar, along with an associate of his (who turned out to be from the hotel he was staying at and appeared to be some sort of ‘tour guide’ - poor Michael didn’t have any chums in the city to hang with it appears). At some point we invited him to come out with us for the evening but he said he couldn’t (oh the disappointment!). However, his interest in the lovely Sarah seemed to prompt him to say more - he mentioned that he had a prior arrangment to head over to 2 Cats and then asked if we would like to join him (ah, the elation!). So there we are, walking down the street with Michael Keaton, grabbing some drinks, and hanging out just chit chatting.

Weird.

He’s shorter than I thought, and his hair is gray, and he’s looking a bit rough around the edges these days. This man was Batman, THE Batman as far as many are concerned, and I’m thinking he looks like he could stand to head home and have a good nap. *sigh* Oh Batman, say it isn’t so!

Who’s glad they aren’t Brian Hunter?

[Updated October 07: So much for Solengo? Hunter moves to Peak Ridge? Also, an interesting article on Mr. Hunter, he's one tough cookie to get a hold of.]

[Updated April 07: Where's Brian Hunter now?]

Six billion dollars.

Somewhere close to six billion dollars down the drain on some natural gas investments, and all of it on the shoulders of has-been golden boy Brian Hunter, infamous at the age of 32. Looking back on the rise of Hunter in the hedge world, it seemed like he had everything going for him, at his young age he was already ranked 29th in the world for best-paid traders in 2005.

Amaranth hired the risk-taker in 2004, after a turbulent exit from his previous place of employment, Deutsche Bank (apparently there are still lawsuits pending). He quickly asserted himself at Amaranth and the dollars rolled in - until he misjudged the market (an understatement if ever there was one) and put the majority of Amaranth’s wealth on the line in one huge gamble on gas.

As someone with little formal education in this area, but who has worked for a private equity placement firm for the last two years, I can’t quite get my head around how it is that Amaranth didn’t see red flags popping up all over the place when Hunter initiated this process with his sole focus on hedging in the gas market. I can only imagine his horror as he watched gas prices take a dive, most notably in futures contracts for delivery of gas for the coming winter. How long could they wait for prices to rebound? Not long enough, and they knew it. Once the firm admitted that its value was dropping by the day they began the massive sell off of the majority of their portfolio - with huge losses for the firm and it’s investors. Wasn’t someone at Amaranth responsible for ensuring that all the proverbial eggs weren’t in one bucket? Was Mr. Hunter such a whiz that he felt he no longer had to concern himself with risk control or the ever present volatility in the natural resources market. What went wrong?

My company recently branched it’s hedge fund business off, it’s no longer under the umbrella of the main organization and now will have to show profits of it’s own and provide for itself. I wonder how a story like the Amaranth failure will affect a small Canadian hedge business such as ours, as well as other new ventures in the hedge space. Time will tell.

Unfortunately for the now unemployed Mr. Hunter and the investors in Amaranth, time isn’t always on your side.

Hedgefund.blogspot.com has another article on Amaranth that you might also enjoy reading.

You can read my latest Amaranth update here.

Tags: Brian Hunter, Amaranth, Current Events, Finance, News and Noteworthy