University of Texas’ College of Natural Sciences reached out to have me document their exceptional interactive and educational dining experience last month. “Mad scientist” Dr. David Laude, dean of the College of Natural Sciences, and “culinary wizard” Josh Watkins, executive chef of The Carillon Restaurant, team up to provide culinary delights and chemical reactions.

I’m not going to quit until I absolutely have to.

The prolific writer and public intellectual Christopher Hitchens made his first public appearance in months, as he’s been battling esophageal cancer, at the Texas Freethought Convention. Richard Dawkins awarded him with the Freethinker of the Year Award. Hitchens spoke and answered questions for about an hour with an emotional and humbled audience. The Houston Chronicle has a nice account of the evening. One of the questions came from eight-year-old Mason Crumpacker who asked what books she should read. Hitchens asked to see her after the talk, and he did indeed spend the final moments of the evening with her family as a crowd gathered, writing down a list of books for Mason.

Update: Mason’s wonderful thank you note:

Dear Mr. Hitchens,

Thank you for your kindness to me and all of the wonderful books you recommended to help me think for myself. Thank you also for taking my question very seriously. When I was talking to you I felt important because you treated me like a grown up. I feel very fortunate to have met you. I think more children should read books. I also think that all adults should be honest to children like you to me. For the rest of my life I will remember and cherish our meeting and will try to continue to ask questions.

Sincerely,
Mason

P.S. I would like to start with “The Myths” by Robert Graves.

More about the list of books and Mason’s story from Jerry Coyne.
Text of Richard Dawkin’s speech
Video 

Two years ago, Miles was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disorder that prevents his pancreas from creating enough insulin.
He needs the right amount of insulin delivered to his body everyday, for the rest of his life, and still faces many risks.
There are promising prevention therapies and better technologies for treatment being developed by medical science.
Miles and his family and friends will be walking to support research for type 1 diabetes on October 30, 2011.
Please consider donating and joining Miles’ team.
Canon 5D Mark II
Zeiss Distagon T 35mm 1.4
Canon L 50mm 1.2
Canon L 16-35mm 2.8

Six images photographed across Japan in 2005 with a Leica M3 are now available for print sales.
100% of the print proceeds from this gallery will go to the Red Cross. Open edition.

Or donate directly to the Red Cross here.

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/1.7  1/60

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/2.0  1/60

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/2.0  1/750

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/2.4  1/180

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/1.7  1/180

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/1.7  1/60

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/2.8  1/250

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/2.0  1/30

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/1.4  1/12

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/9.5  1/500

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/1.7  1/60

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/1.7  1/15

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/2.0  1/30

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/6.7  1/90

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/2.0  1/30

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/4.0  1/8

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/2.8  1/30

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/2.8  1/30

Leica M9, Summilux 35mm ASPH;  f/2.0  1/30

My ongoing series of unfocused light from firework displays expands to motion.
Enjoy this video and take a look at the new additions to the Luminary print series.

All images are still limited to a total of 100 prints each.
15% of the proceeds go to loans on kiva.org, empowering entrepreneurs in the developing world to lift themselves out of poverty.
And you’ll also be supporting past and future independent photographic pursuits, including the latest Beyond The Reach: Death in the FLDS and a search for answers

Problems viewing video? Watch it on Youtube.

And below are some of the new prints available