21.1 Mega-pixel Full-frame CMOS sensor, 14-bit A/D conversion (16,384 colors/each of 3 primary color), wide range ISO setting of 100-6400 (expandable L: 50, H1: 12800 and H2: 25600).

Full HD Video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution for up to 4GB per clip with HDMI output for HD viewing of stills and video.

Next generation DIGIC 4 Image Processor for faster processing of fine detail and color reproduction as well as reduced image noise.

High performance with 3.9 fps continuous shooting, new shutter with a durability of 150,000 cycles and improved weather-resistant body.

Live View Function for stills (Quick, Live and Face Detection AF modes) and video.

3.0-inch Clear View LCD (920,000 dots/VGA) monitor with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings for improved viewing and smudge protection.

Updated EOS Integrated Cleaning System specifically designed to work with a full-frame sensor.

Compatible with over 60 Canon EF/EF-S lenses and most EOS System accessories.

Definitely go to their website and read up more on the features.  Also they have a new lens, the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 L II.  Can’t wait until I get my hands on both these babies, but until then, take care.

Man, the Canon people are such teasers… stop it already, I am pleading.  From reading Northlight’s post this camera might revealed on a full moon which is this coming Monday, September 15th, the date also coincides with the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival in Asian cultures or Tuesday, October 14th, which is the 287th day of the year (288th, Leap Year), not so interesting.   Anyhow, I will be keeping my eye on Canon’s website and September 15th to see if anything happens.

Oh by the way, there also seems to be a new lens that might be out soon…wonder what that could be. Anyhow, take care.

Even though it is a possible category 2 here, my sister and I decided to go grocery shopping to prepare for some friends and family who might take shelter here instead of the Texas coast.  Hey, it is better to be prepared and ready, which reminds me I need to get some more batteries for my flashlight.  Anyhow, I am hoping it won’t affect Austin too much…or at all.  I hope Hurricane Yikes…I mean Ike loses its strength like some of the other hurricanes this season and not affect too many people on the coast.  Keep safe everyone and take care.

image from www.nnvl.noaa.gov

I already said in one of my post that I will not let my blog collect cyber-dust on the internet (like the dust that is on my computer screen), but the dust has been settling lately and so I am brushing it off with and starting again. Anyhow, I will get back into the swing of things, get blogging and not to fall into the scenario below. Take care and have a nice long Labor Day weekend.

image from www.coxandforkum.com

If you read my last post about lucky no. 8, Michael Phelps is most definitely the luckiest man at the Olympics right now.  Equaling Mark Spitz’s 7 gold medals and now winning 8 gold medals at the 2008 Olympics that began on 08.08.08.  Wow, is the only word needed to be said about this guy. Congratulations.

images from The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games

If listening to those superstitions weren’t enough, growing up in the Asian culture I would hear even more: ‘do not let a pregnant woman be the first person you see on New Years, you will have a years worth of misfortune,’ ‘if you build a house don’t let the main staircase face the front door, all your money will flow away from you,’ ‘red is a lucky wedding color, white is a very bad color‘ ‘being born on August 8th, 2008 will bring you a lifetime of luck’…. Ok, so the last one I made up, but I know that if someone in my family had someone born on this day, he or she will be the talk of the town.

I consider myself a selective-don’t-believe-in-all-but-plays-along-superstitious person. Every once in a while I will catch myself throwing salt over my shoulder or making sure I don’t see a pregnant woman on New Years. I think some of the superstitions are hilarious but at the same time I am fascinated with their origins. When I ask my mom or any of my aunts and uncles how a superstition came to be, the explanations are interesting to say the least.

So here is what I found on why today’s date and the number 8 is so special or lucky.  In Chinese the word for ‘eight’ sounds similar with the word ‘prosper’ and  therefore is considered the luckiest of the numbers (2, 3, 6 and 9 are also lucky, but they don’t have cool similar sounding words).   The number 4 is considered a bad number because it sounds similar to the word ‘death’, not a good thing to be throwing around.  That is why you might hear  that the 4th and 14th floors are sometimes skipped in China, similar to western culture where skipping the 13th floor is known.  Anyhow, the more 8′s you see the better, that is main the reason why China wanted to host the Olympics today, why so many people are trying to get married and why some people are inducing themselves into labor to have a baby today,…it is  considered a really lucky day.  Superstitious or not, today is not like every other day  People might think it is cool to  have some type of memory relating to today’s date.  I had a friend last year get married on 07.07.07 and I am sure someone out there right now is getting proposed to or getting married and you will see next year, on 09.09.09, people doing the same thing.  Today, I will celebrate by buying 8 lottery tickets for fun.  WISH ME LUCK!

So if you hear a superstition from someone, take it with a grain of salt and throw it over your shoulder (hah, get it?! Lame joke, I know). You don’t have to believe in it, but try to understand where it comes from and you will appreciate the superstition more. Take care.

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