Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Senor Bill's Raided in Jasper Texas

New Details From Senor Bill's Raid,

Police Say Fed Ex Driver Involve

08/20/08


by
Steve W Stewart

















Over 7 pounds of marijuana, and over $40,000 dollars in cash were
seized by Jasper Police in Tuesday's raid. Photo by Steve W Stewart.


New
details are emerging after Jasper police conducted a drug raid at the
popular roadside barbeque stand, Senor Bill's shortly after 4:00 on
Tuesday afternoon.


Police
now say that they recovered a total of 7.23 pounds of marijuana, along
with $41,100 dollars in cash, and the case may qualify to go federal.

Detective
Mike Poindexter said that in addition to the marijuana and cash, they
also discovered explosive devices. An agent with the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms out of Beaumont responded to assess the
explosives. Captain Gerald Hall said the agent deemed the devices to be
military practice grenades. The agent said that although the grenades
did not contain shrapnel, they were still considered dangerous.

Poindexter
said on Wednesday that this all began when police received a tip that a
driver for Federal Express had been buying marijuana at the business on
a routine basis. Poindexter said Sergeant Garrett Foster observed the
Fed Ex driver


Police
say the driver if this Federal Express delivery truck was arrested
after buying marijuana at Senor Bill's. Photo by Steve W Stewart.
at the business during the noon hour, and conducted a traffic stop on the Fed Ex delivery truck after it left Senor Bills.


According
to a report filed by Foster, he and Officer Keith Billingsley
discovered a bag of marijuana hidden inside the truck, and later found
a sealed Fed Ex package that contained marijuana.


Police
arrested the Fed Ex driver, later identified as 45 year old Gary Neal
Roccaforte of Port Arthur. The report said that Roccaforte cooperated
with police and implicated Senor Bill's as the location where he bought
his marijuana.

Roccaforte was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Ronnie Billingsley on Wednesday
morning. Roccaforte was charged with possession of marijuana, his bond
was set at $10,000 dollars, and he was released from the Jasper County
Jail at about 9:30 Wednesday morning after posting bond.

Meanwhile, the owners of Senor Bill's, whose names have not yet been released
pending formal charges and arraignment, remained in the Jasper City
Jail on Wednesday, awaiting transfer to the Jasper County Jail. Police
say they expect the couple to be moved to the county jail, and possibly
arraigned later Wednesday afternoon.












Police Raid Senor Bill's,

Drugs, Explosives

Discovered




08/20/08
By
Steve Stewart









Officers
of the Jasper Police Dept continued to pile up bags and containers of
marijuana and other paraphenalia for several minutes.
Photo by Michael Love


Jasper police conducted a raid at Senor Bill's, a roadside restaurant on North
Wheeler Street. Officers arrived at the business shortly after 4:00 on
Tuesday afternoon.

Detective Mike Poindexter said that in addition to a very large amount of
marijuana and paraphernalia, they also discovered explosive devices.
Police also say they discovered approximately $40,000 dollars in cash.

An agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms out of Beaumont
responded to assess the explosives. Captain Gerald Hall said the agent
deemed the devices to be military practice grenades. The agent said
that although the grenades did not contain shrapnel, they were still
considered dangerous.

Police have confirmed that two people, the owners of Senor Bill's, were taken
into custody at the scene. Their identities have not been released
pending formal charges and arraignment.











Captain Gerald Hall inspects a suspicious item which was later determined to be a military explosive device. Photo by Michael Love









The
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives out of Beaumont was
called in to handle the military practice grenades and other
explosives.
Photo by Michael Love
















DSC09037


DSC09037, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

I was over by the Post Office today and had my camera. i saw these wonderful blooms and parked my truck and got out to take a few photos. I love the deep, dark tones of this flower. I have a very shallow DOF on this photo bu using a low f/stop.

Exposure: 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 210 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Night Lights...


Night Lights..., originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Just a little fun last night! I thought that it was a neat photo. It was very dark and i was using BULB mode for the photo.

Exposure: 0.1 sec (1/10)
Aperture: f/4
Focal Length: 90 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Korn - Evolution

This is a great video for this track. Just watch it and wonder if what they are saying is true???

MINISTRY--Everyday Is Like Halloween (12 inch mix)

I am not sure that this is an official video. Does anyone have an idea about this one?

Thrill Kill Kult - And This is What the Devil Does

WOW!! I first saw this video on Much Music out of Canada when i was in High school. We had a big old C-Band satellite and got Much Music long time ago in the late 1980s. I got to see them in concert some years later in Beaumont Texas.

The Bollock Brothers - Harley David

I never knew that their was a video for this track!! It reminds me of Starz in Louisiana back in the late 80s.

WOW What a BLAST FROM THE PAST!!

Moby - New Dawn Fades(Live)

This is an incredible cover of the Joy Division song. He also did a version of this track for the movie Heat.

New Order - True Faith

Perhaps one of the most instrumental music videos in my life. 1987 is when this came out.

My musical transformation came about when i went to Florida with my grandparents in 1983 and my cousin that lived in Houston came with us. She listened to music that i fell in love with.

The 80's Music mad a bid impact in my life and changed me forever...

Pop Musik - M (HQ Audio)

Essential 80s Music!!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Sequence 1.1


Sequence 1.1, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

T- 3 seconds and counting: Starting to come out!

Sequence 1.2


Sequence 1.2, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Up and Away!

Sequence 1.3


Sequence 1.3, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Got to hold it a bit longer!

Sequence 1.4


Sequence 1.4, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

About to Land!!

Sequence 1.5


Sequence 1.5, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Out of pit and landed!

Skater 1.8


Skater 1.8, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Using the arm for the assist!!

Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1600)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO Speed: 200

White on Blur...


White on Blur..., originally uploaded by RMStringer.

I think this photo is a good example of Bokeh. Everything is out of focus except the flower. The Depth of Field is shallow and i shot it this way on purpose.

Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 200

Clouds...

Taken with my LGVX8600 1.3Megapixel phone.
From RMStringer

Sunflower 1.4


Sunflower 1.4, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

I love how the center flower is in focus and all the rest are out of focus. The sun was hitting the center flower and it really brings out the color.

Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 135 mm
ISO Speed: 200

Skater 1.1


Skater 1.1, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Up from the bottom and off the edge!

Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Skater 1.2


Skater 1.2, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

In the AIR!! Nice sunny day for this!

Exposure: 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 28 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Marigold 1.1


Marigold 1.1, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Located at a local park i drove by today. You can see the beetle on the flower which is strange being on a Marigold. They usually do not attract bugs or insects of any kind. I think that the Bokeh is fine on this photo.

Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 200

Monday, August 18, 2008

Mountain Biking Wednesday

For any of you that live in the St Louis area, we are going to SIUE to ride Wednesday evening at 6pm

If you live in the area, a good site to check out is GORC

Type: Multiple Loops

Description:
This trail system is made up of nearly 8 miles of tight, twisty, all-dirt singletrack in 4 separate trails, with a 5th trail in the works. Modest elevation gain, thick forest, and smooth hardpack make for rides which will satisfy every rider from beginner to advanced. The trails were designed in such a way that they would be a place not only for beginners to try out mountain biking, but also to allow more advanced riders an opportunity to test their bike handling skills by riding the narrow trails at a more rapid pace.

They are built partially on the site of an old outdoor amphitheater from the 1970’s, better known as the "Mississippi River Festival." The trails are easily accessible from the numerous bike paths that intertwine the Metro-East, so if you live in the area, driving to the trails is not necessarily required. While all the trails are designed to IMBA standards, because of the all-dirt surface, it is recommended that you not ride these trails immediately following rain.

Please download a map and take it with you, so you will be able to find all the loops, as they are spread out among numerous cross-country running trails.

Directions:
Take hwy 255 North past Interstate 270, to New Poag Road. Turn Right or East at the end of the exit ramp. Stay on New Poag Road until the first intersection with a 4 way stop sign. This will be University Drive. Turn Right onto University Drive. The road will immediately bend to the left, at the end of the bend on your right is a gravel road, turn onto the gravel road. Follow the rock road past the hedgerow on the left, the road will make a 90 Degree turn to the right and then back to the left, then it will dead end. The Northernmost Trailhead is located at the 90 degree corner of the woods near that dead end.

View High Res Map in Adobe Acrobat PDF Format

SIUE Trail System Map



What is your opinion?
Blogroll Me!

Sitting 1.7


Sitting 1.7, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

I love her reflection in the glass I used the "Back Flash" for this photo as well. i like to use it in most of my photography. The contrast between her and the wall is very good and i love her white paws on the window ledge.

Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 90 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Flash: Flash fired

Landed - by Sediam


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2738624083_1034fa71be_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sediama/

What is your opinion?
Blogroll Me!

gleeheartwinktongue

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Turn Them Christmas Ornemants to a 360 Fisheye Lens

As viewed on the website

















xmas_ball.jpgChristmas it coming. It is a wonderful opportunity to get them shiny tree ornaments out of the storage and decorate your tree.



Have you given any thought to the day after Christmas? Under the tree
there are tons of presents, everyone is opening the presents. Let me
add a DIYP present to the heap. (Click the image to see a larger view)



Reader Simon*B has a great use for the tree ornaments for the day after the sock is empty.



This is a fun and fast project, at the end of which, you'll be able to
take 360 images with your digital camera. (There is a "slight" fish eye
effect that will make Rudolf's nose like a button compared to yours but
that's part of the fun).



Materials needed:

- 1 Digital camera

- 1 Silvery shiny Xmas ball

- 1 Iron wire

- 1 Tripod shoe (not a must)



xmas_ball_02.jpg


Here's how to make the ball in 3 simple steps:


1. Connect the tripod shoe to the camera. Don't fasten it all the
way through. Just make it kinda loose. Loose enough to wrap a wire
between the camera and the shoe. Another option it to wrap the wire on
the lens (watch that lens, though).


2. Place the ball on the other end of the wire using some tape. The
wire should be long enough to enable focus so make sure it is longer
then your lens's minimal focus lens. If you are using a point and
shoot, you are in luck - switch to macro mode.



3. Focus the camera on the christmasball - you are good to go!



Here are some samples by Simon, Watch his entire collection here:



xmas_ball_03.jpg xmas_ball_04.jpgxmas_ball_05.jpg



Some shootin' tips:



- You don't need to look through the view finder, you can hold the camera a bit further from your head.



- There is absolutely no way to avoid being in the picture.

Painting With Light

As viewed on the website

















painting with lightPainting
with light is a fun technique that gives great results. It is called
painting with light because this is what you are actually doing while
taking the shot - painting with light.



You don't need much to experiment with this kind of shot, just make sure you have the following items:


1. A camera capable of long exposures - film cameras will work OK,
but if you really want to get the most out of the shooting session, use
a digital camera. You will be able to see the results in "real time"
and make corrections as you go.


2. A nice tripod. Since you will be doing some long exposures you
want to make sure your camera sits still. If you don't have a tripod
you can make one in a few minutes (see this article or this one).



3. A flash light - and by flash light I do not mean flash as in a
speedlight, but the flash light or what our British will call a torch.


4. A dark location. This one is tricky. If you are going to shot at
home - a dark room will be OK. If you are going to shoot outside - make
sure that you are not doing this under a street light, or where a car
can come by and "paint its headlight" all over your shot.



Here is how it's done:


Set your camera on the tripod and take a sample shot with flash /
lights on. This will help you verify that your composition is OK.


Set the exposure to a relatively long value. Stop down the aperture
as much as you need. If you are outside do nothing. If you are inside -
this is the time to turn off the lights.


Make the click. Once the shutter is open use your flashlight to
light the stuff that you want to "paint". You can use the flashlight as
a brash, and "smear" the light, just like you would have done with
brush and paper. Or, you can use the light as a pen, and do precise
work. Areas where you go slowly will be more lit then others. Be
careful not to linger to much over the same stop - you will burn it.
(The machos amongst you will correctly identify this as the "I forgot
the iron on the shirt" phenomena).



Once the shutter closes, you are a free person again. Inspect your image and make corrections.



Here are some great ideas to use this technique with:



Product like shot - In a closed (dark) room place your
product on a table and paint it's contour. You can use several colors
to make a strong effect or to draw different (even imaginary) parts of
your object.



painting_with_light_glass

Image by Rodrigo da Cunha



Location shot - find a location with some ambient
light. Find an object that is less "hit" by that light. now you can use
the ambient light to capture the background, while painting the object
with light. You will get a nice effect - with some surreal foreground
and a "normal" background. Also the white balance will be different on
ambient and painted - another cool side affect.



painting with light car

Image by hyper7pro



Environmental Graffiti - If you are shooting a wall
(or even on thin air...), you can scribe on the wall. Make funny
graffiti; Write huge love notes; Make a political statement - there
will be no trace left other then the one on your memory card.



painting with ligt graffiti

Image by Aitor

DIY - Create your own Bokeh

As viewed on the website:

















create your own BokehBokeh
is an adaptation from a a Japanese word meaning blur. In photography
this term is used to describe the quality of the areas in the picture
which are not in focus.



When referring to Bokeh, we can distinguish some of it characteristics:



- Is the light/dark gradient smooth or sharp?



- What shape will a small dot of light take what it is in the Bokeh area? (mirror lenses for example, create a bagel like Bokeh)



We can play with those two variants to create a special Bokeh.



You will need :




1. Cut and shape the sheet to make a fake lens hood. The Diameter is made so that it snugly fits on the lens.



DIY Bokeh 01


2. In the middle of the filter the wanted bokeh shape is cut out -
in out example a heart is used. I’m not sure how big a hole the shape
can be. But you can check it right away by just looking through the
viewfinder. On the 50mm lens @ F1.8 a 15mm heart gives a metering value
equal to F3.2, so it can probably be a little bigger (you can use a puncher or cut it by hand).


3. Set your camera to its lowest aperture value (completely open).



Here are two shots to demonstrate this technique - one with a bare lens and the other with the hearted hood. see more shots here and here (I leave it as an exercise to tell which is which :)



heart bokehregular bokeh



Here are the parameters for the example shown above:


  • Lens - Canon 50mm F1.8
  • "Lens hood" Diameter: 70mm (2.75 inch)
  • Hole diameter: 15mm (0.6inch)


Here are two more great examples for this technique from RottieLover (note - there only one "real" heart in each picture):



heart shape Bokeh 01



heart shape Bokeh 02

This is an eye opener!

 

 

Just One State


This is only one State....

If this doesn't open your eyes nothing will!

 

From the L. A. Times
1. 40%of all workers in L. A. County ( L. A. County has 10.2 million people)are working for cash and not paying taxes. This is because they are predominantly illegal immigrants working without a green card.
2. 95%of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.
3. 75%of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens.
4. Over 2/3of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal , whose births were paid for by taxpayers.
5. Nearly 35%of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally
6. Over 300,000 illegal aliensin Los Angeles County are living in garage s.
7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.
8. Nearly 60%of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.
9. 21 radio stations in L. A. are Spanish speaking.
10. In L. A. County 5.1 million people speak English, 3.9 million speak Spanish.
(There are 10.2 million people in L. A. County . )

(All 10 of the above are from the Los Angeles Times)


Less than 2% of illegal aliens are picking our crops, but 29% are on welfare. Over 70% of the United States ' annual population growth (and over 90% of California , Florida , and New York ) results from immigration. 29% of inmates in federal prisons are illegal aliens.

We are a bunch of fools for letting this continue

HOW CAN YOU HELP ?

Send copies of this letter to at least two other people. 100 w ould be even better.


This is only one State...............

If this doesn't open your eyes nothing will !

A
nd you wonder why Nancy Pelosi wants them to become voters!

 

Five in the air...


Five in the air..., originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Five soldiers floating to the ground. The green is a stark contrast to the blue sky and the clouds between them. I was using my 70-300mm lens for most of these photos. I thought about going to my 18-70mm but i wanted to be able to get in really close when they were coming out of the C130 aircraft.

Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture: f/9
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 100

Praying Mantis 1.1


Praying Mantis 1.1, originally uploaded by RMStringer.

Another photo of the Praying Mantis. I found him on the trunk of an Aspen Tree that is located in our yard.

Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 400