Many happenings... welcome to fall!

This week has been busy. My daughter started school. I bought a domain for my photography biz (which I'll link once I have functional site up). I bought even more camera gear - most notably a good tripod. And for the first time, I applied for and won the lottery to drive through Denali Park. I have much planning to do. I'm allowed to take a car-load of people, so I think it will be my wife, daughter, mom and me. Since our little Kia Rio might not be up to the task of driving 80 miles of sometimes rough dirt and gravel road, we will be renting a small truck or jeep. My #1 choice would be a Ford Escape Hybrid. Denali Park is a couple hundred miles north. And the best photography is at the crack of dawn and at dusk, so I think we'll drive up the day before and motel-it just outside the park gates.

I've also discovered a network of photographers here in Anchorage, through Flickr. They meet every few weeks and I've been to two such functions already. The first one was in support of a Flickr artist, Jamie, having her first photography showing. The 2nd 'Flickr meetup' was scheduled to be at the scenic Hatcher's Pass, an hour north of Anchorage. But heavy rains and flooding had cancelled that venue. It was rescheduled for an Anchorage scenic spot, Point Woronzof, on Anchorage's extreme west side. The weather was still rainy, but I made an appearence. My first Flickr meetup was basically dinner at a nice cafe. This one was all business - a Flickrite photoshoot down at the 'beach'. I came away with a few new friends and some good shots. The next meetup is already on the calendar.

Aside from Flickr, I am also looking forward to attending a digital imaging group (club) that meets monthly to discuss photography and digital darkroom technique. They are currently on a summer break and the next meeting is in about a month. This group is an offshoot of the Alaskan Apple User's Group, of which I am a member.

I'm dreading the coming darkness of winter, so at least I have some good activities on tap.

And finally:

Tonight I had a moment of panic! I coudln't log into my Blogger account. Got it figured out. Whew!

So I took the time to bring every body up to speed in three quick posts! This one is the last for tonight I promise. Basically this is just tying up some loose ends.

First off, the new Canon 30D is doing well. I'm learning it's quirks; few they be. Also, I'm still happy with my 'starter' set of lenses. I've got all focal lengths covered from 17-300 from F4 on up. And one prime (fixed) 50mm lens at F1.8 for low-light and portrait shooting. The only real news is that I have discovered my first possible dust speck on the CMOS sensor! Grrrrrr! Looks like I'll have to develop a skill for cleaning it. A photog friend of mine who owns a 20D says it's no big deal.

And on my calendar for this weekend? Another Flickr meet-up. I'll keep you posted.

Bringing you up to speed...

Okay guys. This post is going to be pretty straight-forward.

This past week has been like this. Work has consisted of my normal job plus training a newbie. I like the teaching, so it's no hassle. My off hours have been consumed with all-things photographic. I've got my new cam and am trying to master it. To make it 'sing'. I've been staying up late (for me) and having some trouble getting up, and sometimes to work, on time. I'm usually real good about work punctuality and I think this is a phase that will pass. I've also been struggling with my diverticulitis. I've had two courses of very strong antibiotics for it this year and don't want to see a doctor a third time. My fix for now has been fasting (liquids only) or when I DO eat, trying to increase the fiber. 'Nuff said about that.

So back to the photog. When I made the initial purchase, I got the camera body plus two lenses. One really expensive one (wide angle zoom) and one really cheap but good one (fixed non-zoom plastic lens with good glass optics).

I thought I was happy with both until I ran into the professional photographer who recommended the model I ended up buying. I wanted to share with him that I took his advise about he camera choice, etc. Expecting praise, I instead got an earful about how I didn't choose the EXACT zoom lens he had recommended. The one, in fact, that he used. My choice was a higher quality and pricier lens. He said I got ripped off. That I was mislead by the salesperson and that the optical difference with his less-expensive lens was negligible.

So after the initial 'slap-in-the-face' shock wore off that night; I decided that I would at least go to the store and try his suggested lens. I did and found that he was right. Very little image quality difference even though his lens housing was made of PLASTIC and mine metal. I went through with the exchange and to the store's credit, they didn't give me any shit over it. I had enough change back to actually buy an inexpensive telephoto zoom lens too.

Well over the past week, I decided on my own that I wasn't happy with the telephoto's image quality. It was a piece of shit with a Canon label on it. I took it back today and decided to exchange it for an off brand (Tamron) and take a chance. I LOVE the Tamron lens. I may not tell that pro photographer about this one. Don't want to jinx it.

In other news, my wife and I went to a Flickr dinner meet-up at Anchorage's Noble's Diner. It was the first time we went to a Flickr function and as far as I know, the first time we went out with the intent of meeting new photographers for any reason. The dinner was good but a bit over-priced. The company was great, but we got there kind of late so we missed a few people.

In other other news, I had a possible opportunity to go up to the slope for the day today. Keyword: possible. It never happened. A coworker has some family BP connections and thought she might have had a lead on some 'VIP tour' tickets on a chartered employee shuttle flight. If she was able to get them, she was going to call last night. It never happened. No biggie. I was just going to (care to guess?) take lots of pix. The most northern point I have been to was Cheana Hot Springs. This is the 2nd time she mentioned tickets like this; so it may still happen in the future. Whatever.

By 10pm last night I knew that it wasn't going to happen. My daughter asked if I could play taxi service for her and a friend to go bowling across town. The alley closed at 2:30; so I spent a couple of waiting hours driving around Anchorage in the rain. Stopping at anything interesting and taking night photos. Test Test Test has been the name of the game lately.

So today I slept in. Dealt with upset stomach. Took photos. Did that last lens exchange and took MORE photos. Once again played taxi (this time not as late); and am finally home. Whew! lol.

In the lives of a couple close friends this week, one has been having a shitty week due to transpo problems. The other a great week as she is now officially a homeowner. Congrats Christine!! ;)

Hmm. It got dark early tonight. Fall is in the air (SORRY people! But it is... no point denying it). Maybe this means I'll step up the posts. I'll certainly try.

An intgeresting week...

I know that I've been neglecting you lately, and I'm sorry about that. It seems that the easiest times to blog are winter or when the chips are down. So this post falls under the 2nd category. Or at least, the status of my 'chips' is what got me writing. Like everyone, I've had ups and downs. What do you want first? ... the BAD news, you say? Okay.

A few months back (and I'm sure you could look this up on a prior post) my laptop's HD began to make this funny humming sound. At first I could barely here it; and it would only happen when the laptop was being moved. About a week ago, the HD sound began to happen when the laptop was still also. Shortly after that, the system began to slow down, and programs began to crash. See where I'm going with this? So I made arrangements to backup everything to an external HD and send the laptop back. It left today and I'm blogging from a 'vintage' late-90's iMac. The kind that looks like a TV with a keyboard in front of it. Speaking of backups, some of my data didn't make the trip. :( The laptop is covered yet, so at least it should be a free repair. I'm hoping to have it back by the weekend.

Now the good news. Remember that camera that got left on my car roof last December? I've finally replaced it. I was getting by on a borrowed cam for the past 6 months (thanks Mrs Adrift!). My flickr account has exploded. Now aproaching 1000 images. And I'm still hoping to start a business selling my work.

The rest of my summer has been about the same as last time I posted. I would like to get out camping some more before summer is over. It seems like every weekend something has to come up that needs to be done. Or the weather is crap. Work has been normal. Busy. I had some ups and downs the past few months with both teen problems (my daughter) and medical problems. My friends have really been there for me for both and I want to say a heartfelt thanks. You guys are the greatest!

Sorry that myspace has slid this summer. It's in good company though. I've also sluffed off on much of my podcast listening (except for a special few 'casts), blogspot blogging, and geocaching. Oh, and TV viewing is way down. So it's not all bad.