Photo Contest Update….

I’m back from having my brain scanned for science. (Pictures forthcoming). And yesterday, I’d played with little Oot and unpacked my bag, I took a look at my planner.

And it was strange. There was nothing on it. Nothing but a vast blankness stretching out in front of me.

It was a glorious sight, and it means that for the next two months, I don’t have hardly any trips planned at all. (Or I’ve forgotten to write them down.)

This is something of a relief. While I’ve enjoyed traveling around and meeting y’all, I’m kinda exhausted. The other day I did the math and realized that since February 28th, I’ve only spent 20 days at home.

This is hard if you have hermitish tendencies like I do. I’m a homebody at heart, and I’m looking forward to relaxing, getting back into my normal routine, and spending more time with my baby.

While I was catching up on my e-mail, I found about five or six messages asking if they could please have more time to get ready for the photo contest. Some people complained that they only heard about contest until recently. While others pleaded that midterms, rocky relationships, or hectic job schedules had ruined their plans.

Here’s the one that got my attention the most.

Dear Pat,

Without divulging all of our information because we would like it to be a surprise.  FAA regulations are delaying our plans.  It is unlikely that we will be allowed to launch prior to the end of the contest date.

Is it possible to get an extension?

If April 30th is a hard deadline, then we will try to work around the FAA.

[Name Withheld]

Now at first I had the FAA confused with the FFA (Future Farmers of America) and I was thinking, “No big deal. They can work around some farmer’s regulations….”

Then I realized that these folks were talking about the Federal Aviation Administration. And I got worried.

Let me say this emphatically. Do not attempt to “Work Around” the FAA or any other federal agency in order to take a picture for this contest.

Edit: Just to prove that I am right: (And I’m always right, statistically speaking.) Here’s a relevant comment from below.

I occasionally fly in a helicopter for my job and the topic of FAA regulations since 9/11 has come up. It is my understanding that it is quite possible that those who attempt to “work around FAA regs” may find themselves having to work around a sidewinder missile fired from an intercepting fighter jet. Just something to consider.

Seriously. If you missed the whole “Don’t do anything dangerous or illegal” rule, maybe you want to check out the contest guidelines again, reading a little more slowly this time.

To put it plainly. If you’re doing anything dangerous or illegal in the photo, I simply won’t use it. I won’t even post it up as an example of cool photos that aren’t eligible for winning. It pains me to say that, but I have to stick to it.

As far as the deadline goes, I don’t see why we shouldn’t extend things a bit. It isn’t like this is a term paper or anything. It’s supposed to be fun. So if y’all want more time, you can have more time.

  • The new contest deadline will be May 15th at midnight.

Also, I feel like I should mention that you don’t need to go to extraordinary lengths for your photos. Some of the best photos I’ve seen so far aren’t big-budget productions that require filing a flight plan.

For example:

(Now I’ve got the Dawn of Man music stuck in my head…)

You see? A little cleverness goes a long way. (Though having a decent camera doesn’t hurt, either. Grainy cell-phone pics aren’t impressive.)

If you have any questions about the contest, you should head over and read the rules.

Then, if you have any more questions, you can ask them in the comments below.

Later all, I’m off to bed.

pat

This entry was posted in fan coolness, Photo Contest 2011By Pat44 Responses

44 Comments

  1. Schwartz the Younger
    Posted April 25, 2011 at 6:37 AM | Permalink

    By the way they worded their letter it almost sounds like they’re going to take a picture in space.

  2. wirelessrobin
    Posted April 25, 2011 at 6:40 AM | Permalink

    Yay for the extension…I had almost forgotten about it…. It’s been a busy vacation filled with procrastination and last minute research papers written last night. I hope I can come up with something cool :)

    • echo
      Posted August 17, 2011 at 6:17 AM | Permalink

      Isn’t Demetri Martin the greatest?? Excepting Pat o’ course. ;)

      Well that was random, but I’ve definitely said randomer things. Like dolphins taking over the world and such. ~Sigh~

      ******************************************************************
      Me: “It’s ok, I’m an artist, I got this!”
      My Friend: “We’re doomed…”

      • echo
        Posted August 17, 2011 at 6:23 AM | Permalink

        Even though Demetri is actually a comedian… :D

        #############################################
        Don’t be RACIST, be a PANDA. They’re black, white, AND Asian. Yet not Mexican… Be a panda with a taco!

        Will not take credit for making that up^
        ;D

        • echo
          Posted August 17, 2011 at 6:25 AM | Permalink

          Coz I didn’t make it up is why. ;D

  3. Widow Of Sirius
    Posted April 25, 2011 at 6:44 AM | Permalink

    I now want to see this picture.

  4. jdcb
    Posted April 25, 2011 at 6:47 AM | Permalink

    I totally got hit with the 2001: A Space Odyssey thing there…

  5. Oatmeal
    Posted April 25, 2011 at 6:49 AM | Permalink

    OOH! I just got a camera! I think it’s time to plan something epic.
    Also “work around FAA regulations” cracked me up. I hope those people aren’t serious.
    And, since you’ve been so busy, I thought I’d let you know (in case you missed it) that the season premiere of Doctor Who came out on the 23rd. I haven’t watched it yet, but I hear it was great.

    • Posted April 25, 2011 at 10:43 PM | Permalink

      It *was* great. Though it contains some (more) serious nightmare fuel. I love Steven Moffet’s writing- it’s usually awesome – but dude, some of his creatures are scary!!

      • Oatmeal
        Posted April 26, 2011 at 3:32 AM | Permalink

        Wow, just wow. I just watched it, and MAN, those creatures are S-C-A-R-Y!!!
        Can’t wait for next week.
        Also, I saw the ads for Battlestar Gallactica, does anyone know if that’s just the American SyFy channel one being aired on BBCA? Or did they re-do it with British actors, the same way we re-did Being Human and stuff? If it’s new I might just watch it, but if it’s the SyFy one, well I really disliked that show.
        I have to say, I’m disappointed with the American version of Being Human. It seems to have lost the subtlety that I loved so much about the British one.
        And also, *sad face* Sarah Jane (Elizabeth Sladen) is dead. I had no idea until I saw the dedication to her at the end of Doctor Who. That’s made me want to cry a little, and I didn’t even watch her old episodes, or her new show. But I did love her as a character. I think at some point the Doctor should find out she’s gone and have some kind of episode showing how he deals with the death of a loved one.

  6. Blue Iris
    Posted April 25, 2011 at 6:51 AM | Permalink

    Thankful for the extension. I admit I want to be a part of this and have only managed to take one halfhearted picture. But when you are in the last month of school, with finals looming…you know how it gets.

    • Posted April 26, 2011 at 8:31 PM | Permalink

      Yeah. I’ve been there….

      • Zacchaeus
        Posted April 28, 2011 at 5:49 PM | Permalink

        Hey Pat, was just planning a trip to Atlanta to go to Dragon Con this year. As I was going over the things I wanted to do while I was there, and the people I would like to meet, I suddenly had a question pop in my head. “Will Patrick Rothfuss be there!?!?” So I went to the computer and pulled up the guest list and do you know what I found? Well, a crap ton of people I could care less to meet. Do you know what I didn’t find? YOUR NAME! So, like, come to Dragon Con? It would totally make my trip so much more enjoyable. Think it over! A trip to the southeast, in September, could be just what you need! Watching hot chicks in revealing cos play outfits, make some extra spending money, get drunk and pass out on some chick you don’t… Well, we can keep that between me and you.

  7. D.G.
    Posted April 25, 2011 at 10:08 AM | Permalink

    I missed the first one so I can’t wait for this. Do we get to vote too?

    • Posted April 26, 2011 at 8:32 PM | Permalink

      Nope. I’m the sole arbiter of cool on this one. With a little help from Sarah and Valerie, of course.

  8. lykashii
    Posted April 25, 2011 at 10:28 AM | Permalink

    So glad there is an extension! I ordered another copy of the book to take pictures of, and it hasn’t arrived after a week! Needless to say I was panicking as my other copy is currently at my student house.
    So excited!

  9. Posted April 25, 2011 at 11:01 AM | Permalink

    What do you suppose will be different about FAA regs two weeks later? Its a curiosity that warrants a moments attention.

    • jdcb
      Posted April 25, 2011 at 11:39 AM | Permalink

      could be anything depending on what they’re trying to do. Could be application processing time, they’re could be a standard wait between acceptance and execution is permitted. If they’re doing what I think they’re going to do, then air traffic may need to be routed around a certain area, which takes more than 3 hours notice to do…

  10. Posted April 25, 2011 at 12:00 PM | Permalink

    Welp, I AM currently trying to work around some FFA regulations. Farmers are notorious sticklers about rules. This extension will help me tremendously. I was too scared to ask.

  11. Nepsis
    Posted April 25, 2011 at 12:10 PM | Permalink

    When I heard FAA my mind went directly to skydiving for some reason. Now I want to find out what the terminal velocity of the book would be.

    • Mickey
      Posted April 25, 2011 at 1:14 PM | Permalink

      Earth shattering.

    • Posted April 25, 2011 at 1:44 PM | Permalink

      It would be about 22-23 m/s, if they drop it from 1500 meters (5000 feet).
      That’s 81 km/h or 50 mph.

      From 3000 meters (10000 feet), it would be 24-25 m/s.
      That’s 88 km/h or 55 mph.

      From 4500 meters (15000 feet), it would be 26-27 m/s.
      That’s 95k km/h or 60 mph.

      The relative incertitude is +/- 15 km/h (10 mph).

      This is in no way a precise result, there are a lot of variables that could change influence it.

      For example, would the book stay on its flat side, or would it present the smallest surface area to the ground ?

      Also, its exact drag coefficient is unknown. I used only an approximation in my calculations.

      I hope this answers your question !

    • kdculb
      Posted April 25, 2011 at 1:56 PM | Permalink

      They would not need anything from the FAA for skydiving. But if the book has the same terminal velocity of a person, it would reach about 120 mph.

      • Little My
        Posted April 25, 2011 at 3:25 PM | Permalink

        I imagine people would have to fall faster. Books are fluffier. Even WMF. And more ruffle-able. (Although I’ve known some people who were very easily ruffled.)

    • Lucid Moments
      Posted April 25, 2011 at 3:39 PM | Permalink

      I was actually thinking model rocketry.

      • jdcb
        Posted April 26, 2011 at 5:43 AM | Permalink

        I thought model rocketry. I was actually thinking a weather balloon and send the book to the edge of space…

  12. heavyjeffd
    Posted April 25, 2011 at 2:20 PM | Permalink

    I love that picture, great composition. ;)

  13. Not Cooperative
    Posted April 25, 2011 at 4:27 PM | Permalink

    I have a question. I apologize if this was asked already and I missed it. I understand that “Pictures should be jpgs no larger than 4 megs each,” however, does that mean that we should send one photo per email, or send all of the photos in a single email? If we are sending in more than one, I mean.

    • Posted April 26, 2011 at 8:34 PM | Permalink

      You can send multiple photos in the e-mail….

  14. rads2009
    Posted April 25, 2011 at 8:25 PM | Permalink

    I tend to skim, and your post initially to me read like this,

    “I’m back from having my brain scanned for science. ..And it was strange. There was nothing on it. Nothing but a vast blankness …”

    needless to say, I did a double take, and re-read it… a bit more carefully…

  15. Infinite_Day
    Posted April 26, 2011 at 4:41 AM | Permalink

    I occasionally fly in a helicopter for my job and the topic of FAA regulations since 9/11 has come up. It is my understanding that it is quite possible that those who attempt to “work around FAA regs” may find themselves having to work around a sidewinder missile fired from an intercepting fighter jet. Just something to consider.

    • spoonyspork
      Posted April 27, 2011 at 9:59 AM | Permalink

      I actually interpreted “work around FAA Regulations” to mean “Do something that doesn’t involve the FAA going ‘WTF? No!'” … I like to think people who read this blog would be a bit more intelligent than to break the law in an ‘this is going to kill me’ way XD

      In other news, I wish I could come up with a single good idea for a photo :(

      • Rob
        Posted April 27, 2011 at 9:12 PM | Permalink

        I’m not sure I’d make that assumption. Unless you’ve been taught that all airspace above 18000 feet is controlled, it’s just not something that occurs to you. Sending up a balloon with a book or a camera attached might just seem like “a good idea at the time”.

      • Posted April 28, 2011 at 6:28 PM | Permalink

        Add me to the crowd that read “work around the FAA” to mean “change our plans to make a slightly less cool photo that wouldn’t require as much paperwork”. These folks are obviously tuned in to the relevant regulations, given that they’ve already delayed their plans to deal with the regulations.

        That said, it’s definitely worth repeating the “Don’t do anything dangerous or illegal” rule, just on general principles.

    • Rob
      Posted April 27, 2011 at 9:00 PM | Permalink

      I occasionally fly a helicopter also, and I’m forced to agree. While the photo of the sidewinder missile detonating the book may be cool, being on the receiving end of that investigation, once it shows up at your door would be positively miserable. And if those guys ever wanted a pilot’s license, they could kiss that goodbye.

  16. John
    Posted April 27, 2011 at 7:30 AM | Permalink

    I misread that sentence in the first paragraph, and thought it said “I played while little Oot unpacked my bag.” I was ready to give you a standing ovation and promote you to the rank of Master Parent.

    I hope to put something together by the 15th, but like some others here, I’m extremely busy right now, so I don’t know for sure whether I’ll get a chance to submit anything decent. Regardless, I’m eager to see what everyone else comes up with!

  17. Spooky
    Posted April 27, 2011 at 1:27 PM | Permalink

    The Avengers started filming today.

  18. Dryft
    Posted April 27, 2011 at 3:03 PM | Permalink

    Am I really the first to say this?!

    “Golly Mr. Rothfuss, that’s a lot of free time opening up on your calendar – how much work on the third book do you think you’ll get done?”

    I’m picturing a towheaded child with grass-stains on his knees, a scab on his elbow, and a t-shirt with the chemical composition of Sour Patch Kids on it.

  19. ktsmom
    Posted April 27, 2011 at 9:17 PM | Permalink

    Gee, maybe it’s just that the person is an ASTRONAUT and is waiting for the all clear to “launch” into space????

    • Sokol
      Posted April 28, 2011 at 8:51 AM | Permalink

      I believe there is a shuttle lauch scheduled for tomorrow. Hmmm…

      Great. Now I have the voice of the narrator for “The Muppet Show” saying “Kvothe in Space”.

      Later days.

  20. PHXDale
    Posted May 12, 2011 at 11:21 AM | Permalink

    Three days until judgement begins. Whom shall prove worthy before the discerning, Rothful gaze?

    Countless scores of acolytes gather before the blog throne, a terabyte sea of shimmering images proffered for the Master Scribe’s fancy and favor.

    Who amongst the horde will rise to infamy? Who will sup deeply from victory’s sweet cup? Who will weep the bitter tears of inadequacy with a therapist at $150 an hour?

    Alas, my pixel-present may prove an unworthy offering – but I honestly can’t wait to see the ones that do!

  21. Posted May 12, 2011 at 4:51 PM | Permalink

    How many photos are people entering? Me & my friend have taken loads, and are trying to whittle the numbers down to a manageable amount, and were just wondering roughly how many photos other people had sent? We don’t want to cut our favourites out if we don’t have to!
    ~Ailsa

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