Picture Show

Fin.

Capitalizing on the Spirit of X-Mas

After looking on and off at Digital SLR cameras for over a year, and moreso since the dollar hit parity with the US, I couldn't pass up the deal on my new Digital Rebel XT.

For the most part I had done all the research comparing the entry level SLR models months ago, so it only took a little more reading, and an assuring e-mail from px about the performance of his, albeit higher end, but comparable camera.

Also impressive was that I got the camera in the mail one and a half business days after I confirmed purchase online, despite the number of units (1000 of my camera model alone) they must have been shipping out. Mark one in favour of the efficiency of a big box chain I suppose.

I've barely scratched the surface on its function use so far, and have been extremely impressed. I've expertly captured (lucked into) some nice shots already, but I'm sure there will be plenty more to come, so I'll hold those back for now, and wow you all with some outstanding birthday shots on my old camera.

Despite only a few of the people 'maybe attending' showing up, the birthday was a blast. Rounds of shots, with not a single prairie fire consumed, NTN trivia, a rumble in the streetside garden 5 feet from the bar, and a scarf not more than 6 hours old (a gift from the girlfriend no less) lost and presumably donated to a homeless man. The hangover didn't even really bring home the fact that I was another year older this time around.

X-mas around here was, as expected, a low key affair. But New Years is going to put an end to all the relaxing, a trip to a friend's cottage for a few days ironically is going to be the least relaxing part of my holidays. Though it should provide some great opportunities to play with my new toy. A lengthy photo post here should follow.

Happy New Year.

Financial Crisis Averted

After taking a look at some $1000 SLR camera options, I'm glad to have my old camera back. It turns out I really can't hold my liquor as well as in days passed, and I simply left my camera at the bar. Yes the camera has certainly seen better days, and it seems to take grainier shots every time I turn it on, but I can't really ask much more for all the times I've dropped it while pushing cars, or stumbling around bonfires.

I will have to sink some of the money saved in not having to buy a new camera into building up my tolerance again though; an insurance policy against leaving my camera, or any other valuables behind at the bar in the future.

Getting the camera back also allowed me to take some shots of my room before I begin the reconstruction. After disturbing at least one family of mice in my attic last week moving insulation aside to knock down the plaster ceiling, I found that there was already strapping in place for the drop-ceiling that was up. So I've decided that instead of moving around a bunch more insulation, and sweating my balls off in the 40+ degree attic, I'll just hang drywall from the strapping and be done with it.

Of course all that doesn't really interest you, but the pencil sketch of Adolf on the inside of the wall sheathing from the 1940's might? If not that, you can trace the history of colours in the room on the back side of the radiator.

Beer, the Cause of, and Solution to All Life's Problems

It would seem that some time between going out for some beer on Thursday night and now I lost my camera. While I remember having it on the patio, and taking pictures while up there, the point after that is somewhat of a blur. What confuses me is that I had less than a pitcher of beer, which is generally nowhere near enough to make me leave my camera on the patio table. Yet I still have barely any recollection of the night.

After this morning checking all the usual key and wallet drop locations around the house, where my camera also ends up getting emptied from my pocket, I have no other explanation though besides that I left it at the bar, or it fell out in the backseat of my buddy's car who is now gone to be A Ho at Boise State University for a few weeks.

While I'd love to take it all as a sign that I finally need to get myself the digital SLR I want, I simply don't have the money for those kinds of things at the moment. And so its off to do another sweep of the house.