I don’t shoot black and white very often, but I think I should experiment with it more.

This is huge!

There is no getting around the fact that Mr Obama’s résumé is thin for the world’s biggest job. But the exceptionally assured way in which he has run his campaign is a considerable comfort. It is not just that he has more than held his own against Mr McCain in the debates. A man who started with no money and few supporters has out-thought, out-organised and outfought the two mightiest machines in American politics—the Clintons and the conservative right.

Political fire, far from rattling Mr Obama, seems to bring out the best in him: the furore about his (admittedly ghastly) preacher prompted one of the most thoughtful speeches of the campaign. On the financial crisis his performance has been as assured as Mr McCain’s has been febrile. He seems a quick learner and has built up an impressive team of advisers, drawing in seasoned hands like Paul Volcker, Robert Rubin and Larry Summers. Of course, Mr Obama will make mistakes; but this is a man who listens, learns and manages well.

It is hard too nowadays to depict him as soft when it comes to dealing with America’s enemies. Part of Mr Obama’s original appeal to the Democratic left was his keenness to get American troops out of Iraq; but since the primaries he has moved to the centre, pragmatically saying the troops will leave only when the conditions are right. His determination to focus American power on Afghanistan, Pakistan and proliferation was prescient. He is keener to talk to Iran than Mr McCain is— but that makes sense, providing certain conditions are met.

Oh, San Francisco.

According to Flickr, this is currently my most popular photo on the website (based on views, bookmarks and comments).

It was taken on January 6th, 2007 – about a month after I moved into this apartment.

My apartment should NOT be this cold.

[Via Obey Giant]

Has anyone else noticed all the “boo birds” at McCain speeches lately?

I spent a few hours editing together some footage from some of McCain’s speeches the last few months. Check it out.

Remember when MTV used to actually play music, back in the days before it became EmptyV?

They just released a great MTV music video archive site, allowing you to browse through their collection of great music videos.

And you can even embed them!

Oh man, this is going to bring back memories from junior high and high school.

Taken on the roof of our apartment this evening.

Hah, my sister just sent me this. It’s similar to the “unknown write-in candidate” video I posted earlier.