Canon 85mm f/1.2 L – First day test shots

So normally I don’t really post up shots that aren’t my ‘best’ work, or shots that are unedited for the most part.  Well, since I picked up this glorious new lens yesterday, I had to go out and test it.  I was only able to spend a few minutes at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, but the sunset was perfect and the lens was even better.

So just three quick pictures here, all shot at f/1.2, and all straight out of the camera(but converted to jpg in Lightroom).  I just can’t believe how silky smooth this bokeh is.  There will be more to come in a few days, but enjoy these for now.

-DPollitt

Review – Mint.com

If you aren’t familiar with it yet, Mint.com is an online finance management tool. It is similar to what people have used in the past such as Quicken desktop software or Quicken online. It could also be used as a replacement for balancing a checkbook, or using software like Microsoft Money.
The great thing about Mint is that it allows you to connect to your all of your financial accounts in one place. If you are like me and a bit obsessive about money management, you end up checking nearly 10 accounts every day or two for updated balances and transaction information. What Mint allows you to do, is go to one place to view all of this information in a combined and useful way.
Some people are afraid of is giving out this financial login information to Mint, and the possibility of it getting out to someone else. The way that Mint claims this is a safe bet, is by giving us bank quality encryption, meaning your data is safe while in transmission back and forth. Also, Mint does not ask for a users name, SSN, or addresses. Mint also only allows you to download bank information, you cannot process a movement of money or otherwise manipulate your finances. It simply allows you a view to your money.

It really only takes a few minutes to sign up for mint.  But trust me, once you sign up and add event two accounts, you will be hooked.  The amount of data you can pull from linking multiple accounts is amazing.  I like to break down my entire months food bill, showing me where I spend the money – Restaurants, fast food, gas stations, grocery stores, etc.  It really makes it easy to see where your money is going towards.

Mint.com really gets my full endorsement, I have been an obsessive user of the site for nearly a year now, and would be pretty lost without it as a resource.

-DPollitt

Review: Dick’s Sports Barber – Eden Prairie

Taking a bit of a sidetrack from my regular posts here on this website, I’m going to take some time to do a few reviews.  Hopefully people will find this content via Google since not much of it exists out there already.

Dick’s Sports Barber in Eden Prairie is a very well run barbershop that caters to just the type of guy I am.  Well, not just my type since I am not a huge sports fan, but it isn’t a requirement to have a great time at this place.  The location is great, right across the street from Eden Prairie mall, in a strip mall right next door to Applebee’s if you are familiar with the area.  The shop itself is very large, includes somewhere around eight chairs, plenty of seating, and tons of other fun stuff I’ll explain.  When I stepped inside I thought the shop was brand new, since it was very clean, and everything looked perfectly in order and in line.  Later I was informed that the shop is actually a few years old, which I was surprised about, but nevertheless it was in great shape.

Now on to the real treat.  This shop is filled with an enormous putting green, complete with 5 holes to test your skills.  It even has varying slopes on some of the holes to give a bit of variety.  If golf isn’t your thing, they also have an air hockey table, and an XBox with an MLB game ready to go.  This is all fun if you are waiting in line for your chair, but if you are already seated, there are also plenty of TV’s with Sportscenter or whatever game is on nestled right above the mirrors.

So the real reason I was interested in this shop was the fact that they do good old fashioned hot shaves.  This is the real shave, done with a straight edge razor and hot shaving cream straight from the managers personal machine.  The shave is the closest you will ever have, and it feels pretty good too.  First they start off with a hot towel wrap, and the hole process is made enjoyable.

For my wedding day, I invited my groomsmen and dad’s to spend the morning in this shop.  It was a great event and I would recommend anyone interested in a similar event talk to Josh at (952)943-2475.

Oh, and by the way, they do give you a great regular haircut.  So if you are living in Eden Prairie or nearby, be sure to give this place a try.  It is loads better then heading over to your nearest family discount haircut shop.  Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a nice putting green while you wait?

Dicks Sports Barber

8423 Joiner Way

Eden Prairie, MN 55344

All photos taken by CM-Photographics

-DPollitt