Posted on 06/29/2007 7:12:24 PM PDT by kinganil
free dixie SMOOCH,sw
Busy day ahead. Have to unpack from the trip, re-arrange the shelving in the garage to accomodate new additions to the gear (the old big tent), and then "document" the camp online (write-up and pictures).
Pictures... As I think I'd noted, my 2.5-year-old Nikon D70 broke down during the trip down. We stopped in at a camera store to figure out what could be done, and learned that the new Nikon dSLR bodies will not accept my older lenses. So...the D70 will just have to go into the shop (and the battery exchanged per a recall notice I saw in the process), and I just have to hope it won't cost too much to fix.
Walked out with a fairly sophisticated (medium-range $$$) Canon digital S#, not an SLR (sigh), that carried me through the event. What I required was manual control of aperture and shutter speed, and "instant" response from the shutter. What I got turned out to have some really nice features such as automatic stabilization, periodic shooting ("take 50 shots at 1-minute intervals"), pre-shoot scene brightness histograms, and a raft of odd features I haven't learned how to use yet such as movies and stereo sound recording.
If Canon doesn't have Nikon's "pre-planned obsolescence" lens policies, I may (horrors) go over to the dark side -- if&when the budget allows me another digital SLR. Going to have to talk with the Canon owners at the camera club at work...
So how are things there? I guess you're probably well into monsoon season now?
Had to go put on some coffee for LoM when she awakes. Looked at the thermometer — 9:30 AM and it’s a pleasant 59F outside. I love the PNW! In Lassen it would already be blistering “hide from the sun” hot (though the Californians would be just starting to shed their parkas).
I’m glad you’re back, with nothing more serious than a camera breakdown. (WHAT amd I SAYING?)
Yes, we’re into the monsoons. It’s supposed to be raining all week, but of course, it doesn’t rain here like it does there. If they say “rain is forecast for the next week,” it means only that some parts of the county will get wet, and other parts will just be humid.
I’m looking forward to seeing some of the photos. :o]
You're right about the camera breakdown -- if that's the most serious, it's not too bad. Not the first time for me; I used to have great old(er than me) Kodak 35mm. But it met its end on our Grand Tour of the West when the drag it put on the film, always a problem, tore up the roll that had Old Faithful in the snow.
I'll send you the link when I have the slideshow up. Not sure I'll succeed today.
So many other things to do too -- have to start planning the additional campboxes, one for the kitchen and another general campstuff (flashlights, tools, which broom, tent spares, line, etc.), listing other needed things (new camp chairs). Think we're going to start camping again. *\;-) There's even the occasional campground that offers free WiFi, now! *\:-?
Free WiFi? At campgrounds? Next thing you know, they’ll be offering showers and toilets and a small over-priced grocery store!
I miss camping. I love being in the mountains. WHen I go for my class reunion, I’ll be in the same valley I grew up in. The one that has mountains rising right off the valley floor so that any direction you go in, you will most likely have to drive a canyon.
Wally World has those camp chairs with their own carry bags. Some are pretty elaborate, having cup holders and a plce to attach an umbrella.
We went for a hike at Burney Falls but one of our group, a Microsoftie, had to stay behind. He reported the WiFi news to me. I resisted the temptation to check my work e-mail (still no news on the job).
LOL. Showers? A short way down the road from us was a place that had showers - $4 for 6 min! No sale.
What's the humidity there?
Yah, when we were doing a lot of camping (before we got our travel trailer) we invested in a “camp shower.” It’s a 5-gallon bag (usually black plastic) that you hang in the sun to heat the water. Then you set up metal fence posts, wrap a tarp around them and there you are...
Of course, when we got the trailer, there was a shower in it. And a lot more privacy! LOL!
Some of the campgrounds we were in had showers, but I was pretty leery about them. I’d rather stop at a truck stop these days, if I really need a shower when I’m on the road.
The humidity when I got up was 65%. Right now, it’s 56% and 85 degrees. Overcast. *ugh*
59? Ptui. What kind of summer is that?
I know, huh? That would be almost winter, here.
Hi, Monkey Face! How are ya?
Hey! Good to see you!
Are you on this side of the Atlantic, now?
And more important ~~ are you staying out of trouble? *snort*
Why do a thing like that? *\;-)
The humidity when I got up was 65%. Right now, it’s 56% and 85 degrees. Overcast. *ugh*
Ugh, indeed! Sounds awful.
Seattle. Bright sun and now 61F -- beautiful! Opened more windows.
Well, I suspect the tarp was to prevent voyeurs....
As for the humidity, I’m indoors, trying to figure out if I can buy enough tubs to keep the rain out of my things for good. The rain was from the south last night, and some of my boxes got wet. It’s a good thing I have tubs on the bottom of each stack, or I’d be really crying, now. (At least I have insurance.)
A friend of mine from college both lost a lot of expensive computer and video equipment when the basement flooded 2 years ago. I don’t know if I’ve ever been angrier than that.
I don’t want to pay storage fees again, so I optend for the tubs. When I get more, I’ll just do an inventory, and set aside what has been damaged and take the photos to my agent. I don’t know if I’ll get replacement cost, but at least I can get something.
The stuff seems to be safer here than it was in a locked storage unit. I lost my big TV that time. It still makes me angry to think about it.
No...I'm still in the lovely Mesopotamian capital. And it is SCORCHING hot this time of year.
And more important ~~ are you staying out of trouble? *snort*
Aw, heck no. ;-)
And you?
Ugh. One of the jobs I have today is to make a place for this heavy almost-canvas tent in the garage shelves. It would not survive long on the concrete floor once the rains return.
I’ll trade you weather: You can have the monsoons, and I’ll take the dry heat! LOL!
How have you been? It’s been a long time since you’ve posted, and I’ve kinda missed you!
Do you have leave coming up soon? Any plans?
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