Photography, writing, technology, wildlife, fitness, running, cycling, cars (I drive a Volvo to spite myself), five-minute flash games. I wanted to be a football player or a rock star growing up, but I'm here to tell you kids, if it's not in your DNA, you can't do whatever you put your mind to. When I was in the sixth grade, I was recruited by the CIA to leave school and work at their cryptography division--my dad would have none of it (thanks, dad). I can't smell. Regarding figuring out what to do for a living, a friend once told me, "Just keep throwing it up against the wall and see what sticks." Fortunately, I do have words, and the focus to put them down, and that seems to be an unusual talent. I'm unable to suspend disbelief or accept fantasy, but I'm trying. I won the Sexiest Geek Alive contest in 2001. I think the inside joke is the best form of humour, and the pinnacle is making yourself laugh when nobody in the room knows why. Sometimes I open my own MySpace page just to listen to the music.
Here's some of my travel photography. You can see the rest at northrup.org. Note that I don't usually take pictures of people, because I can't sell them without a model release.
Music
My playlist on this page is an 80s-style mix tape that I made just for you. Looking at the collection of songs I put together, I'd have to write "Melancholy and irony" in black felt-tip marker across the label. Mostly I listen to pop, rock, and rap. I have the musical tastes of a 16-year-old. I love the one-hit-wonders that come and go, as well as bands like the Foo Fighters and Maroon 5. Amy Winehouse is perfect, so please don't try and fix her. I hate blowhards, so I won't be having any Kanye or Timberlake. I mean really, you think MTV playing more videos would make the world a better place, Justin? Way to pick a cause. You're the next Bono.
Movies
Maybe I'm ADD, but I think movies are just too long. Also, I can't seem to find a new comedy that doesn't try to be meaningful (I'm talking to you, Click). I appreciate great writing though. Off the top of my head, my favorite movies are Something About Mary, Mean Girls, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Fargo, Happy Gilmore (is to movies what Kraft Mac & Cheese is to food), The Green Mile, A Few Good Men, Slums of Beverly Hills, Silence of the Lambs, Pulp Fiction, True Romance, Happiness (the best movie nobody has seen), Fargo. Notice the lack of fantasy and science fiction--I'm the only nerd I know who hates those genres.
Television
The Office, 30 Rock (I have a huge crush on Tina Fey), Curb Your Enthusiasm (seems weak this season, though). Inside Brookhaven Obesity Clinic, Big Medicine, 30 Days, and of course, MythBusters. I watch The Daily Show every night to drown out the demons in my head while I try and fall asleep. I watch lots of non-fiction stuff on the Discovery, History, and Military channels. Nobody reads large blocks of text, so I could write anything here. I support terrorism and cancer. I love it when people repeat a catch phrase from a movie and then chuckle at themselves like they said something clever. I think Dana Carvey is brilliant. I'll continue babbling about television now. I'm FINALLY watching Sopranos--I'm on the Season 2 DVD. I hate, hate, hate Lost, but I'm still watching it--I just get mad every time I see it.
Books
I've written like 20 books in the last decade, and I've read about three. Maybe it's too much like work. Plus, TV is is under-rated, especially for those of us into non-fiction. I think books are considered intellectual compared to TV mostly because the reader can pick-and-choose the book they want to read, thus skipping all the awful TV and sitting through waste-of-time commercials. Now that we have 200 channels and DVRs, though, TV offers many of the benefits that used to be exclusive to books. Wait, why am I putting down books?
Heroes
Tina Fey (smart, funny chicks are hot, and SHE WROTE "MEAN GIRLS"), Sarah Silverman (so random), Radia Perlman (my inspiration for writing about technology), and every wildlife photographer who has spent more than a year in the field studying a single species. I guess I'm pulling for McCain, even though I'm liberal about social issues. He's not so bad, and he's more fiscally conservative. Why isn't there a candidate who supports gay marriage and stem cell research, but is fiscally conservative? Oh yeah, because they'd lose. UPDATE: the answer to my rhetorical question is Ron Paul. Thanks, Tracy.
I'm a technology author and wildlife photographer in Massachusetts. If you like my writing or my pictures, send me a friend invite or message.
I've written around 20 books about computers and technology. I'm also a nature nut, and I'm fascinated by wildlife and biodiversity. Here's some of my animal pictures. You can find the rest of them at northrup.org.
Mostly I write about computer stuff, and I'm writing a lot about Windows Vista right now. You can get my books at any bookstore with a decent computer section (like Barnes & Noble) or just search for "Tony Northrup" or "Anthony Northrup" at amazon.com. Here's are some of my books:
As a photographer I focus on wildlife, but I like to do travel photography when I'm on the road. You can see and buy my pictures at www.northrup.org, or at various stock photo agencies.
Who I'd like to meet: The guy who invented credit card swipe machines so I could snap his ear on a cold windy day. WHY DON'T YOU MAKE IT SO I CAN PUT THE CARD IN ANY WAY I WANT?! Your dumb drawing of a credit card doesn't make any sense and I always put the card in backwards anyway. JUST PUT FOUR STRIP READERS IN SO I CAN STICK MY CARD IN HOWEVER I WANT! Seriously, it would cost like an extra $10 to not make everyone feel stupid for putting their card in wrong. Jerk.
Just stopping by to say "Hi" and a reminder the website is frequently updated, has printable posters right from the site- much legislative info for many areas and species. http://www. rexano. org/ Visit often to learn more and know what is happening that may affect your rights or others
Sylvana is wrong. The weather is not fine. It is 110 degrees here this week. I was going to ask you if you could put a tank top on and take a picture for your myspace because it looks like you have a sweater on and it's too hot for that. Please update for the seasons Tony!
Cops Who Arrested Man For Attempting To Re-Enter His Own Home Praised
Cops who arrested a man at gunpoint for attempting to re-enter his flood-wrecked home in Cedar Rapids Iowa will not be disciplined and were in fact praised for acting "appropriately" as the man they apprehended was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and faces five years behind bars.
Hi Tony! What up? Natasha and I are working onMustang /madam, she told me how MUCH you helped her in the beginning, lots of feedback right now so we are both happy!! Yae Mustang Madam!! You should come visit and celebrate, the weather's fine!
Tony, you need to change your status line. Everytime I sign on I check your page cuz you write about cool things and have neat pics. I wish you could have had a camera here last week. The wren in the garden attempted to scare off the chipmunks with repeated stabbing from his beak. Hilarious!!
Government "Strike Teams" Invade Homes, Harass Flood Victims
Shocking footage out of Cedar Rapids Iowa shows cops and government employee "strike teams" breaking into houses of flood victims and threatening anyone who questions their actions in complete violation of the 4th amendment right that protects against unlawful search and seizure.
It is a soft shell turtle and she was beautiful, she came up from the pond in my back yard and stared to dig a hole to lay eggs. I took the pictures from inside my laundry room and when I stepped away and came back she was gone I think something spooked her so...no eggs. =( She must of weighed at least 30lbs.
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