Call Me Ed

Embedding a Google map into your website just got a lot easier. Previously, you had to have some coding skills to embed a Google map into a page.

Now, the option is part of the Google Maps application–much like YouTube does with videos.

Photographers who have HTML pages and studio might find this handy for providing customers with directions.

Here's a map of my new secret fishing spot.

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My Google Reader account has 4 main folders: photography, business, tech news, and christian stuff. Today, I unsubscribed from 3 blogs. They completely jumped the shark and their blogs had become nothing but useless, self-absorbed drivel.

If you're not going to inspire me with good photography, enlighten me about something, or at the very least make me laugh, I just don't have time for your blog. Sorry.

To all you bloggers out there, let this be a lesson. Provide good content (articles, pictures, musings, etc.) and you'll generate traffic. Stop doing that and you'll lose readers.

Yes, I blog about stupid stuff at times (see previous post), but my over-arching goal is to provide meaningful content at some frequency.

I stumbled upon this website today. I have no idea who Brook Pifer is and the term "Rockstar Photographer" is a bit ambiguous (especially today), but Brook takes some nice pictures and her Flash site is impressive.

What bothers me, however, is the bush league attempt at trying to gain search engine rankings by bombing the source code with numerous links to the same blog and a list of keywords a mile long.

The funny part is, the site doesn't validate and all the keywords are outside the body tag.

Ha. If you're going to cheat, at least do it right.

In Brook's defense, I'm guessing she didn't actually do this herself. Plus, this is just one example in a sea of poor attempts by photography sites to trick search engines.

I've started a new photography project this week. Portraits of Bend was born out of my desire to (a) meet new people in my new hometown, (b) take more pictures, and (c) get over my fear of photographing strangers. At least once a week, I'm going to meet someone new here in Bend, take their portrait, and post it here on my blog.

I've been in Bend for 2 weeks. As luck would have it, the first person I meet and photograph has only been here 2 days. Steve just arrived from Redmond and is looking for work. If he can't find any work here in Bend, he may move on to Ashland where his sister lives. Steve is currently homeless, but did not seem anxious about finding a place to live. "Summers are nice here," he told me, "its warm and you can sleep anywhere"

with no dryer ... no television ... and [gasp] no Internet

Well, that was our home for the last 10 days. But, I'm happy to report we survived the fiery trial and everything is back to normal.

It wasn't easy, I'll admit. We were forced to do things like read books and go for bike rides. All while wearing dirty clothes, might I add.

We arrived safely in Bend, Oregon last Sunday. After a brief run of bad luck, the dust is finally starting to settle (although we still don't have Internet in our home).

I thought it would be appropriate to list the things I will and will not miss most about California's Central Coast (affectionately known as "the 805"). After 30 years in the same place, you get to know it pretty well.

Today ... the things I wont miss. And, no, "earthquakes" is not on the list.

• Brisco Road and the 101
• Foggy Summer days at the beach
• Obnoxious lifted trucks from Fresno/Bakersfield
• The Strawberry Festival
• $570K median home price (national median is $212K, Bend is $350K)
• Nothing open past 9pm (except Denny's)
• People assuming that, because you ride your bike, you must have received too many DUIs
• The streets of Grover Beach
• A drug store every 3 blocks of Grand Avenue (why?)
• Cal Poly (over-rated ... over-rated ...)

Stay tuned for the things I will miss.