Jeremy Brooks

Four Of Matt’s, originally uploaded by Jeremy Brooks.

I met Matt Roe on a photowalk a few months ago. He’s got a great eye for photography, and produces some great work. I also maintain the web site for 3rd Street Grill in San Francisco. The 3rd Street Grill does an art exhibit every few months, and I suggested that Matt get in touch with the owner, Vicki. Well, things worked out, and Matt just opened his first show ever. Did I mention that Matt is still in high school?

A local painter and substitute teacher, Matt Berman, displayed his paintings as well. There was a good turnout for the opening, and we all enjoyed great food and beverages provided by Vicki and the people at 3rd Street Grill.

Check out the set on flickr for the rest of the photos from the opening.

Congratulations, Matt!

Back around 2000 or so, I started playing StarCraft on a PC. I spent many, many hours with that game. I played all the races until I memorized the technology trees. I played through the single player game multiple times. I spent hours in one-on-one battles with first one AI, then two, then three. I spent a lot of time in, er, Team Building Exercises with some of my coworkers. One of the applications I was lead engineer on was named after one of the Zerg units in the game.

I slowly moved away from PC’s, both at work and at home, and as a result I really don’t game much anymore. Although, about a year ago, I threw together a PC from some old parts so that I could fire up StarCraft again.

And now StarCraft II is coming.

And it will release on Mac and PC at the same time.

My productivity is about to take a dive….

The Clean Glow Of Morning, originally uploaded by Jeremy Brooks.

The tunnel from BART to my office building, shot early in the morning before it was full of people.

Cory, originally uploaded by Jeremy Brooks.

This past Wednesday night I attended a reading in San Francisco. One of my favorite authors, Cory Doctorow, was reading a chapter from his upcoming novel, Little Brother. In addition, Rudy Rucker read one of his short stories. I am really looking forward to Little Brother. The chapter that was read was amazing. It was set in San Francisco, which was especially appropriate since the reading was right here in San Francisco.

There was a nice variety in the crowd: young, old, male, female, all sorts of people. After the readings, there was a panel discussion and question and answer. It was interesting that a lot of the discussion centered on media and the future of media, not just writing. The authors were also available afterwards to chat and sign books, and they were very accommodating to everyone.
If you would like to hear the event, there is a podcast available. Check out the entry at craphound.com for the link.

The venue was really great as well. It was right around the corner from my office, but I had no idea it was there. It’s a small theatre, owned by Variety Children’s Charity. There is a monthly fantasy/horror/sci-fi film screening there sponsored by Borderlands Books. Check out their web site for the schedule.

If you ever get a chance to hear Cory speak, I would recommend it. If you are at all interested in Sci-Fi or electronic freedom issues, it’s worth your time.

270, originally uploaded by Jeremy Brooks.

From a vintage contraption used to determine your eyeglass prescription.

A week from tonight is the artist’s reception for 3rd Street Grill’s latest art show. This time around they are featuring Bay Area photographer Matt Roe. Matt is a high school student in Orinda, but don’t let his age fool you. He’s got a great eye for photography, and produces consistently interesting and captivating images.
The reception is on May 17th from 5:30-8:30pm, at 695 3rd Street in San Francisco. You can meet the artist, enjoy some great food and drinks, and listen to live jazz. This is also Bike to Work day, and there will be free art for anyone who rides their bike to the reception. For all the details, check out the 3rd Street Grill’s event page

Cory Doctorow will be speaking in San Francisco on May 16th at 7PM. If you’re going to be in the city, this will be well worth your time. I’ve blogged about Cory’s work before. He’s an amazing storyteller, with a really interesting take on where current technology is leading us.

Smilin’ Jim, originally uploaded by Jeremy Brooks.

The other night, I went to Crockett to shoot. The C&H factory is there, as well as a bar that I knew had a great neon sign that I wanted to shoot. While I was shooting the bar sign, this gentlemen came across the street and asked me if I use filters on my lens. “I have a UV filter on this lens”, I replied. “Come on, I’ve got a filter for you.”
Well, the bouncer at the bar must have seen the look in my eye, and he reassured me that Jim was harmless. Ok.
So I followed Jim down the block and up the stairs to his place. This guy is definitely a pack rat. There was stuff everywhere. He proceeded to open drawers, rummaging around looking for a filter for my lens. “It’s in here somewhere….” followed by “I am drunk as a skunk!” At least that was obvious.
After a while, he gave up, and we went back downstairs. On the way, he posed for a few shots in the hallway of his building. You meet some interesting characters at night!

One Block In Oakland, originally uploaded by Jeremy Brooks.

This was a small aperture, long exposure shot. I held the camera in front of me while walking until it was exposed.