Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
I think that would be the best photo of a meteor falling from space. Actually compared to the last time I tried shooting them, this was a huge success. I actually caught some bright ones. It was a cold night up the 5 freeway at around 4000 feet up. We didn't get to Mt Pinos, which is 8000 feet up. I'll have to try that, the time time. There was some wind, but overall it was just freezing cold. Of course I used a tripod, and long exposures on the camera. Usually it was 25 seconds and all the way open at 3200. The meteors originate near the Gemini stars, and it wasn't hard to figure out where that was. I've read that this was one of the best examples of meteor showers in a while, and it was pretty good. I'm partial to the Perseids in the summer. Here's my blog from that outing. See the meteor near the top middle? Part of shooting these meteors is getting a frame of reference. Mountain, trees etc, without them, it's just a random photo of stars.
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I stayed on River Street. There's a river across the way, that's cemented and running through town. North Adams is spread out, since they at one time were something like 30k people and bustling with industry. A train actually runs through town which is their link to the rest of the world, especially when it comes to commerce. But after the mills closed down, a bunch of folks left and now there's 14,000 people, and I have no idea what they do. Mass Moca has to be the largest industry there but there's no way they can employ a huge portion of the city. I walked in the rain just to see the town. How can you not walk around when you can see interesting things in your eye sight just down the road.
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I like handmade things, and quilts are amazing when done well. I saw one of these quilts at the antique shop in North Adams. Both sides, hand embroidered, with imagery that looked like pure folk decoration, and not that pricey for something that's getting towards 100 years old. I pictured the person being an artist. If anyone made work that looked like this today, they'd be a hero. The date said 1928 at the top. But after folding it open, there it was! It said KKK.
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Jack's founded in 1918. Amazing hot dogs. Well, pretty good, and only .95 each. The chili dogs 1.60. The place is old school, has about 12 seats, and they steam their buns. It's a great sight and good feeling to be in such an old school establishment. It has the feel of a place that's local, but also welcoming. I saw an older couple both eating two burgers each. They're small, and the food is meant to be eaten in quantity. I like the fact that they don't have either lettuce or tomatoes. If you go there, you'll see their system of work, and it's down to a science. They have contests and last month someone ate 26. The second place, a mere 13. See the website, the old photos are charming. They grill them right in front of the window and they make burgers too, which are just as low priced.
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