OutdoorType

NASA Live Tweetup Event with International Space Station (200910210002HQ), originally uploaded by nasa hq photo.

Today and tomorrow I’ll be here at Cape Canaveral, Fl at the first ever KSC hosted NASA Tweetup. I’ve already been to two out of three of the NASA HQ events (it’s helpful to live just across the river from DC) and am very excited about watching Space Shuttle mission STS-129 launch tomorrow.

You can play along from home if you like!

The UStream link for today’s broadcast of the Tweetup is:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tweetup

(You will hear a tone and see color bars until the broadcast)

Remember, the Tweetup will be broadcast from 8-10 a.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 15.

And the weekend’s schedules are:

Sunday, Nov. 15/L-1: Day 1

• 8 a.m. — Program begins with welcome by John Yembrick (@NASA), NASA public affairs officer
• 8:10 a.m. — Jon Cowart, Ares I-X deputy mission manager
• 8:40 a.m. — Wayne Hale, strategic program planning manager
• 9 a.m. — Mike Massimino (@Astro_Mike), astronaut, STS-109 & 125
• 9:30 a.m. — Veronica McGregor (@veronicamcg), public affairs, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• 9:40 a.m. — Miles O’Brien (@milesobrien), veteran space reporter, former CNN anchor
• 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. — Free time at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (Shuttle Launch Experience, gift shop, lunch on your own, etc.)
• 12:30 p.m. — Buses depart for tour of Kennedy Space Center. For the tour, you must wear long pants and closed, low-heeled shoes. Tank tops are not permitted.
• ~3:30 p.m. — Return to Visitor Center parking lot

Nov. 16/Launch: Day 2

• 8:30 a.m. — Meet at KARS Park 1, located on the south portion of Kennedy Space Center on East Hall Road, off State Road 3, to clear security and board buses
• 9:30 a.m. — Depart KARS Park enroute to the Launch Complex 39 press site at Kennedy Space Center via buses. No personal vehicles will be allowed onto Kennedy Space Center on launch day.
• 10 a.m. — Arrive at Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 Press Site
• 2:28 p.m. — Launch of STS-129
• 3:30 p.m. — Post-launch news conference on NASA TV (you’ll be able to watch/listen to some of this from the tent before boarding the buses)
• ~4 p.m. — Board buses (the schedule could change in the event of a contingency)
• ~4:15 p.m. — Buses depart Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 Press Site to return attendees to KARS Park

My toast from last night’s rehearsal dinner…

Good evening. For those of you whom I have forgotten to introduce myself to, I am Brian, brother of Shawn, and best man (and not, as you might think, the official photographer). I’d like to thank our parents Bill & Susie and Leah’s parent’s Wink and Dorthea for making this weekend possible, for shepherding into this world two really great people.

In college I majored in history and as a result I am always trying to draw connections between past and present. When Shawn and Leah chose April 25th for their wedding I decided to try and find an event that might tie into their day tomorrow and maybe even serve as a metaphor for their new life that begins together.

After setting aside various bits of military trivia such as the 1862 capture of New Orleans by David “Damn the torpedoes” Farragut, or the declaration of war on Spain made by the US Congress in 1898, or the impending fall of Saigon in 1975, I found an interesting footnote, and it read: “1990, the Hubble Telescope is deployed into orbit from the Space Shuttle Discovery.”

Just in case you need a reminder (looking at Shawn), the Hubble is the first major optical telescope to be placed in space. Its unobstructed view of the universe has allowed scientists to observe not only the planets in our solar system, but the most distant stars and galaxies. It had the most precisely ground mirrors ever created by man and its launching 19 years ago marks the most significant advance in astronomy since Galileo’s telescope. Our view of the universe and our place within it has never been the same.

Now, I knew I was on to something with the whole Hubble/Marriage thing, but I wasn’t 100% sure how to proceed, so I did what anyone would do in this situation, I turned to Twitter.

In less than 140 characters I typed: “The Hubble Telescope as a metaphor for marriage. Discuss.” I clicked update and flung my request into the ether.

A near immediate reply appeared on my screen:

“Too easy! Initial perfection of mirrors, need for unexpected adjustments, revelation of cosmic beauty.”

And so I say to Shawn and Leah… I hope that tomorrow is the start of a journey that, while requiring a few minor adjustments from time to time, is one that leads to a beautiful life together.

Cheers!

Womens_Half_Marathon_10192008_043, originally uploaded by Brian Knight Photography.

Well, it’s that time of year again… Time to start break out the running gear (and camera gear) and get out for some runs and races.

I’m still working on the big picture calendar, but I’ve already got the following events lined up to cover. All of these are brought to you by the good people at Pacers:

• Pacers Fun Run, TODAY!! 6:45pm in Clarendon, VA
• Earth Day 5K, April 18, Silver Spring, MD
• Pacers Running Festival, May 10
• Run as One 5K, June 27, evening race
• Independence 5000, July 4
• Crystal Run Twilighter, July 25, evening race

Maybe I’ll see some familiar faces in the crowd!

So this is bigger news for both Heather and Kyle, but I got to play a small part too so here’s the scoop…

Check out today’s Washington Examiner (PDF) for Heather’s column about Kyle’s awesome photo of Michael Stipe. After you read all about it you may proceed down to Adams Morgan and see the photo with your very eyes!

The lastest Ten Miles Square show, I’m With the Band, opened last Thursday at Dahlak. Go see it to “view the work of three talented, DC photographers who combine their passions for music and photography to capture the spirit and energy of local artists and headliners alike:”

Kyle Gustafson
Martin Locraft
Nestor Diaz

Dahlak
1771 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(On the corner between Florida Ave and 17th Street)

Kyle Gustafson has been used in several major publications including the Washington Post, Toronto Star, the Sun (UK), Heat Magazine, Twist Magazine, as well as DCist.com, NME.com, Rollingstone.com, Pitchforkmedia.com, and Huffingtonpost.com

Martin Locraft has been featured in DC Magazine, and his work has been seen on DCist.com, OnTap, the Onion, the GW Hatchet, and Arlington Connection

Nestor Diaz has had images in SPIN.com, Rollingstone.com, RVA magazine, Pitchfork.com and DCist.com

Oh right, and so where I come in to play is the byline photo of Heather that was used in today’s article. This is a photograph that we took right after hanging DCist Exposed 2009. Flashpoint had this couch like thing in the middle of the gallery and Heather humored me when I asked that she stand up on it while I snapped a few shots. The ones from the ground up weren’t coming out like I’d imagined so I grabbed a wobbly chair, stood up on it, and grabbed a few more shots. This was one of the very last taken and worked out a lot better.

DCist Exposed
February 20 – March 7, 2009
Opening reception: Friday, February 20, 5 – 9 p.m.

DCist, a popular local blog, presents an annual juried photography show, DCist Exposed, designed to encourage the work of professional and amateur photographers. The exhibition showcases new talent as the artists reveal the city through the eyes of the people who live and work in the DC area. The show is community-based and works are affordably priced to develop the next generation of arts patrons. Exhibition Press Release [PDF, 104 KB]

Emerging collectors are invited to join us for Emerge Exposed, March 3, 7 – 9 p.m. featuring a panel of experts sharing tips and ideas on how to begin collecting art. Co-hosted by DCist, Flashpoint and the Pink Line Project.

Gallery Hours 

Tuesday – Saturday, 12 – 6 p.m.
OR BY APPOINTMENT

I’m pretty psyched to be participating in this show for the third year in a row. I hope everyone can come and and see all of the fantastic photos!
Read the rest of this entry →

Got a date for Valentine’s weekend? Spend it with the ones you know you REALLY love: Artomatic.

From Feb. 13-15, Artomatic and Pink Line Project will be presenting three hot dates of art and music in Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Riverfront neighborhood — and you won’t even have to take us out to dinner first. (Candy and flowers optional).

Start your night at the tent on Half Street, between L and K Streets, S.E., near the Navy Yard Metro (take the Half Street exit at the Metro station). Follow your luck to the events at Velocity Condominium, Axiom at Capitol Yards and Onyx on First.

Be sure to stop by the photography exhibit curated by Ten Miles Square:
Erin Antognoli, Amber Baum, James Calder, Chris Chen, Jason Colston, Max Cook, Brett Davis, Angela Kleis, Brian Knight, Marie Kwak, Amber Wiley, Pat Padua, Barry Schmetter, Alexandra Silverthorne, Matt Smith, Paivi Salonen, Steve Strawn, Sanjay Suchak, John Ulaszek, Brandon Wu, Josh Yospyn.

Hours
Friday, Feb. 13: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 15: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Here’s some more details to get you in the mood. Hope to see you there!

Happy Thanksgiving! After the parts where Sam talks about exploring space, this might be my next favourite dialogue (Condensed a bit… Had to remove the also funny exchange between CJ and Toby about the Jamestown Mayflower Daughters of the American Revolution Preservation Soceity):

SAM
Well over three and a half centuries ago, strengthened by faith and bound by a common desire for liberty, a small band of pilgrims sought out a place in the New World where they could worship according to their own beliefs… and solve crimes.

TOBY
Sam…

SAM
It’d be good.

TOBY
Read the thing.

SAM
By day, they churn butter and worship according to their own beliefs and by night, they solve crimes.

TOBY
Read the thing.

SAM
Pilgrim detectives.

TOBY
Do you see me laughing?

SAM
I think you’re laughing on the inside.

TOBY
Okay.

SAM
With the big hats.

TOBY
We are writing a very important Thanksgiving proclamation.

SAM
And possibly a new action-adventure series.

This scene sets up a later, rather more poignant scene, between the President and Charlie…

MRS. LANDINGHAM
How’d it go?

CHARLIE
I think I’ve got it this time.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
Well I wouldn’t get your hopes up, dear.

CHARLIE
Nope, this is a very good knife.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
He’s very particular.

CHARLIE
That’s one word for it.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
I heard that!

Charlie enters THE OVAL OFFICE.

Read the rest of this entry →

You kinda need the visual for this one and the ability to believe that though a highly educated woman and the White House Press Secretary CJ has never, ever seen a news piece about the President and his turkey pardons…

C.J.
Well, I’m gonna see what’s next for me in this week of unendurable Thanksgiving nonsense.

JOSH
Okay.

CAROL
Hey C.J.

C.J.
Hey Carol.

C.J. walks into her OFFICE, not noticing the turkey on her couch and the turkey on her desk. She’s looking over some papers and starts taking her coat off when she notices the birds.

CAROL
Oh yeah, the turkeys came.

Donna runs up from down the hall.

DONNA
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait… I’m coming! [enters] I didn’t know you were here yet.

C.J.
I am.

DONNA
The turkeys came.

C.J.
So Carol said.

Read the rest of this entry →

Leading up to the Big Day on Thursday I bring to you some of my favourite scenes from pretty much my favourite TV show, West Wing. Here’s a great bit between President Bartlet and his personal aid:

BARTLET
This time of the year there should be a hotline you can call with questions about cooking turkey. A special 800 number where the phones are staffed by experts.

CHARLIE
There is.

BARTLET
What do you mean?

CHARLIE
The Butterball hotline.

BARTLET
[pause, takes off his glasses and stares at Charlie]

Butterball has a hotline?

CHARLIE
Yeah. It’s an 800 number, the phones are staffed by experts.

BARTLET
Are you kidding me?

CHARLIE
No.

BARTLET
God, I’m sorry, I love my country.