Doghead, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Taking advantage of a 55 degree mid-December morning.

Onion ring thief, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

We got your number bub.

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Chapter 11, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

I can't imagine why Circuit City is doing so poorly.

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Final - FINAL design, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

I realized that the previous version, ( www.flickr.com/photos/bnorthern/3026061143/ ), wasn't at the correct scale, nor was the outline accurate to the design already on my arm. So, some rework needed to be done. Overall, I'm happier with the updated design.

Sunrise on the first day of December, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

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Repair work on a vacation weekend, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

It just wouldn't be a vacation without a leaky Dishwasher. Gotta love
the cat hair too.

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Amerks score!, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Sweet.

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Galaga, 50 cents?! Seriously?, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

I guess times are tough.

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Final Design, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

This is the final design for my next tattoo. Hopefully most of this can be rendered accurately. Sketches for the other elements can be seen on my flickr stash - just click the pic and follow the trail.

Angel Statue - final, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Final stage of the Angel Statue that will be in the tattoo design. I drew over my sketch in Illustrator, and then added some final touches in Photoshop.

Here is the sketch...
www.flickr.com/photos/bnorthern/2977907353/

Here is the angel in context to the tattoo design..
www.flickr.com/photos/bnorthern/2977831821/

Here is the reference photo I took...
www.flickr.com/photos/bnorthern/2977770277/

Best CChip cookie ever., originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Made by Christy

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Ah. The Nector of the Gods, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Beer at Jimmy Macs. Go figure.

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Too much, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

In

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I'm really drik, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Yeh fie good!

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1 last bonfire, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Summer has gone, and fall has taken it's place. We got 1 last bonfire
with our friends. One of these friends is going psycho thinking she
lost some hair to the fire. Alchohol is a wonderful thing. Plus she's
blond.

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DrawR - it's official, it's live!, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Joe & I finally got our app through Apple's approval process and are officially on the app store. If you have an iPhone, or Touch please check it out! It's free!

linky (will open iTunes): phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?i...

Big Me, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Shadow man lurks in my butt.

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On The Road Again, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

Seems like I as down this road not so long ago. Buffalo to Baltimore
to D.C.. I'm becoming a pro.

-b

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Heath Ledger as Joker, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

I don't know what to really say about this film that already hasn't. I admit, I got caught up in the media frenzy, and the Hedger frenzy. I tried to resist. I wanted to walk into the film with a clear mind. But, that's almost as tricky as being a Juror for an O.J. trial. Christopher Nolan really weaves a web balancing action with a complex story. He really pulls out profound performances from the cast.

With this film there's an 800 pound gorilla sitting behind you from the get go. It wouldn't be fair to just talk about Ledger - he was the main attraction, no doubt about it. I stress though that all the main actors did a great job. Bale, again was a tense and cocky Bruce Wayne. Aaron Eckhart evolves convincingly into his darker side. Maggie Gyllenhaal had a sincere charm to her, and genuinely filled that pivotal tie for Bruce to his humanity. Michael Caine's portrayal of the always grounded Alfred showed just enough emotion to show why Bruce needs him, and is his only friend. Gary Oldman played a decent Gordon....he adds as much dimension as possible to a situational character at best. Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox as Morgan Freeman. No stretch there. The only weak spot is Eric Roberts. He plays more of a caricature of an Italian mobster. He plays himself, with a crappy Italian accent. I found him annoying actually - I really have a hard time taking him seriously at all. I think it's his fucking hair... always the same in every movie.

Then there's that 800 pound gorilla. The main attraction. Heath.

His interpretation is so unique, so disturbing, so chillingly evil I actually found myself engulfed in his dementia. His voice, very un-Heath like and at times courts an ode to James Cagney. His character twitches, and had nuances. Folks, Ledger becomes the Joker. You forget that the guy who crapped his way through "A Knight's Tale" is under that sloppy, maniacal make up.

The one main though that kept intruding throughout my 2 viewings. Joker doesn't die, how can Nolan write him out of the third film? Joker is the quintessential villain. A villain without remorse, and does it just to do it. Not having him in the third - - I almost rather not have a third.

Batman villains have a nasty trait of being over the top, and frankly - ridiculous. I feel right now that any other villian will pale, and that's not fair really. If Hedger hadn't died, would the buzz be what it was. Obviously not. But, his acting, and the quality of the film stands on it's own, and hands down the best Comic Book adaption to date.

-B

Roberts Today Cover Spring 2001, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

I was digging through some archives and found the source art for this illustration. I was asked to do a cover for Roberts Today in 2001. The basis for the concept was about taking a closer look at politics. So, I came up with this microscope idea. Kind of taking it literally - not very imaginative in hindsight. I wasn't completely impressed with my efforts - the rendering is sloppy and without Photoshop's help, this probably would have been a disaster. But it was a learning experience, and looked cool printed with the magazine copy.

Christy showing her school pride, originally uploaded by Ben Northern.

This beanie is actually her uncle's from his freshman year at Roberts
Weslyan College. Ah the old days.

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30" tall. Fuckin sweet. $50 though! Ouch.

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Undefeated? Just lazy? Yeah, that's probably more like
it. I have this running personal joke (on me) with the Tim Horton's in
Brockport. I hit the drive through at least 1-2 times a week.
I usually order the B.E.L.T. combo. For those that don't know, that
stands for "bacon egg lettuce tomoato" sandwhich. It's a good
sandwhich, especially when it's done my way (is that someone else's
slogan?)

I always request what has become an insermountable obsticle by asking
to replace the bacon for sausage. EVERY single time, they fuck it up
and give me the default setup (bacon). People, this isn't a few times, we're
well into the double digits here. At least 20 times. To fuck up a
simple order 20 consective times? That's shameful.

It used to 'amuse' me. It's become maddening. I don't check at the
drive through lane before I pull out mainly out of respect to the line
behind me. But this little personal joke is just showing that not a
single person is making a personal effort for basic and simple
customer service. I assume the sandwhichs are made and sitting in a
bin. Open one up, pull out the shitty bacon and put in a piece of
sausage. Wrap it up. Hand it to me. Easy.

Now I'm going to have to be 'that guy' that repeats the order and
then make the cashier repeat the order. Then I'll have stop the flow
and open my order to check before pulling out. That's how it has to be.

About an hour ago it happened again. For the 21st and 22nd time.

When your above the clouds, the sun always shines. Even in Buffalo. It
helps if it's during the day too. Duh.

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It's really hard to capture lightning with a normal camera. With this
it's damn near impossible. After a few dozen late clicks this was the
best I could do. Shot through the bedroom screen door. Of course you
realize that as I type this, like a hundred sweet bolts tease me.

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So we got invited to a kegger at Joe and Nic's place out in Mendon. More pics from the event, and mark you, it was an event after the jump. I also put together a lil video from the pics.

So a buddy sends me a scientifically facinating PPT (Power Point Presentation). As I was examining a particular slide I thought, "What happens if I try to save a pic?" (like you can since the iPhone 2.0 update). What I've found is that an ‘Action’ pop up appears. But what is the action? I had an action in mind, but alas, poor iPhone did 'nought.

Yep. iPhone's black screen of death. This time after confusing the
shit out of it whilst using the AP app and daring to inspect the
settings. I'm supeised I was able to get a screen grab.

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Ugh. I use a lot of slang when I write. In most cases the iPhones
spell checking is very helpful. But not when you slanging. Especially
when you get on a roll with your thumbs and you look up to read what
you wrote and you have this;

“duck den slutty test punchers "
Or
“eat some of my lovely oak nuggets" Well I guess that one kind of
works out.

Well then, have at this one;

“ fry met grin cub losely based in man titty sweat monkey balls. "

Check and mate. Apple please add custom dictionary tools, or at least
an American slang dictionary.

Duck you, do both.

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As if the crashed weren't enough, how about the typing lag that seems
to haunt web forms. One min. it's fine, then bam it's like delay city.
One thing I've found is That you can type through it, all you
characters get captured bug you just have to not watch the keypad.

Pain in the ass.

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Stability, where art thou? I get a lot of random home crashes on this
phone. Which must mean I need to do a soft reset again. Note, AGAIN.
I'm using mobile safari for fuck's sake. A Native app. I expect
crashes when I'm using Pandora or HaHaHa (and boy am I not
disapponted) but c'mon.

Chicago Apple store. Neat. People in line for iPhones. Su

Mmmnnvettnugga

Where am I?

And booze.

Like you expected any different.

Destination Chicago. Should be a good time.

Getting ready. More pics on the Flickr site.

Landed in buffalo @ 3 am. Awesome.

Awesome. I guess rainstorms are bad for planes or something. Whatev.
So I drink more.

They smell like pee.

Good to see that there's a haven in the nation's Capitol.

Just wow. Spanish bar "Cafe Citron" in D.C. Rockin mojitos and then
some...

Word MoFo.

It's so fun I have to keep doing it. Little did these people know that
I was twisting their world. I think they all died as a result.

Amtrak station in Baltimore. This pic actually makes it look
interesting.

DSC_3561.NEF

All done for now!