Armed with my new Canon Digital Rebel XSi, I headed out the other night to check out the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights. (To Chicagoland readers, note that today, Sunday, January 4th is the last day to see them this season.)

For now I just have the lens that comes with the camera, the EFS 18-55. I had a lot of fun trying out some of the settings on the camera on this outing. Given that it was night time and I didn’t have a tripod, most of these shots would have been hard-to-impossible to achieve with my point-and-shoot.

Overall, I think this is my favorite:

The blur was not intentional, in fact, I managed several other shots later that were not blurry, but I like this one that group the most.

Regarding the various lights, this was one of my favorite pieces:

Finally, the most fun unintended result:

Fun times ahead with my new camera!

• List of online polling services
  (Digital Inspiration)
  (tags: reference polling tools)
• Flag Identifier
  search for a flag based on color and shape information
  (tags: tools search-engines geographcy)
• Zamzar
  free online file conversion
  (tags: tools conversion)
• Pixel-Peeper
  super helpful resource for comparing camera lenses
  (tags: photography resource reference canon)
• "J'ai appris à dessiner!"
  (Le Temps) interview with Titeuf creator Philippe Chappuis
  (tags: article interview titeuf)
• Titeuf storms French comic world
  (BBC) from 2004, a helpful little piece about Titeuf's success (my favorite cartoon)
  (tags: article titeuf cartoon)

I never make New Year’s resolutions. If I want to do something then I’ll just start doing it. (This explains why I started recording my steps with a pedometer on April 4, 2007 and why I started photo Project 365 on October 24, 2006.) If I’m not really committed to doing something then it certainly won’t make a difference to start it on January 1.

But yesterday, I got some resolutions handed to me nonetheless. I was at a New Year’s Eve party and everyone was asked to write down their resolutions and put them in a hat. Then we went around and drew resolutions.

Here is what I got:

Eat More Green things (and by green, I don’t mean moldy)
Make more stuff

I get the first one and I’m happy to give it a go. I’ve already had some edamame today to comply.

But what does the second one mean? Does writing a book count as making stuff? Or should I be setting up shop at Etsy?

I’m curious, those of you who make New Year’s resolutions, what’s the longest you’ve managed to stay on track? Anyone go a whole year? Any interesting attempts this time around?

• Photo-related New Year's resolutions
  (Photojojo)
  (tags: photography)
• Warren's inauguration prayer could draw more ire
  (Yahoo! News)
  (tags: article religion inauguration politics)