My most recent toy

For years and years I was also the photo guy. People would always ask me "hey Goo where's your Camera" and I never knew how to reply. Should I have made some silly statements like "I'm here to have a good time", or "camera WHO?:-)". Maybe I should have said the real reason "I'm sick of taking photographs"? Well that has changed in a pretty major way with the advent of good and (relatively) cheap D-SLR's. I'll tell you, I looked for about a year and was deciding between an all in one camera like a Fuji finepix 5200
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Fujifilm/fuji_finepixs5200z.asp and a proper Digital SLR . What I found out was that while I loved the "all in oneness" of this camera, good megapixels, great zoom range, and even a great price. I found out that they didn't offer the expandability OR the picture quality of a proper Digital SLR.

This is the great camera I ended up with http://nikon.ca/products/d50/

I would have liked to have told you how I ended up with a Minolta 5d digital SLR instead of the Nikon, but it wasn't much before I got serious about my intentions that Konica/Minolta decided to stop making digital cameras and have pretty much pulled out of Canada.

I really wish I could have remained a "Minolta man"!!

Now if I played my cards right I would have waited a few more weeks. WHY? Sony introduced a camera based largely on the 5D, including Minolta's antishake, and antidust technology, and using a 10 megapixel sensor ... mine only has 6. the abundant availability of good quality Minolta glass(lens) was also a plus

Sony's new camera is the the A100 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Sony/sony_dslra100.asp

So why did I end up with the D50 over a new/used D70-70s or another camera? It's pretty simple, with digital technology moving ahead at a breakneck pace it didn't make sense to buy a more expensive unit that I've end up replacing in 2 years. Also the D50 has "out of the box" better image quality that either the d70/d70s. Sure, you lose a couple of features(depth of feild preview, a little better flash capabilties, a few more dedicated buttons, and a couple extra accessories, but you gain a better handling camera, with less digital noise, and you save $200+...Remember, put you money towards lenses ..... something you won't need to replace in a year.

As for why I didn't pick something like a Pentax ist or a Canon digital Rebel? Well that was pretty simple really. Firstly, the Pentax cameras have very little support among avid photographers and aren't reviewed anywhere as well as their Nikon counterpart. They also lack in "keeping up" with technology like Nikon does. As for the Digital Rebel, well that was a little tougher. The Rebel has a resolution advantage(10 vs 6 megapixels), and some of the best lens on the market. The real problem I had was the Rebel felt really cheap when I held it, that and the fact that I could never afford Canon's top glass kept me from buying the Rebel.

So,was it expensive?? Well I guess that's all relative. I was lucky enough to get a NEW U.s. version shipped to me door for about $620 everything included, and before you ask NO, the lens was included for that price. I knew the weak point of the D50 "kit" was the lens, so I hunted around and bought a used 18-70 from a Nikon d70 kit for $230.

Add a memory card or 2, and a UV filter and you're off to the races.

I did find 1 problem, and that came when I went to the Durham highland games. I really could have used a longer lens for a few of the band shots. I guess that's my next purchase and it looks like I'll be trying a cheaper alternative to Nikon glass, a Sigma 70-300 APO DG f4.5-5.6. Most consumer level digital SLR's use a smaller image sensor that multiplies a lens focal length, my D50 has a multiplication factor of 1.5. So my 18-70 is actually a 27-105mm, while the 70-300 becomes a 105-450. That should be enough reach for now, that is unless I go for a higher quality lens, but they start at $1000+ OUCH

Do I love my camera .... you bet.... see the unedited picture below.


It's a start, but I really need to figure out Photoshop!

Diet/change in eating habits UPDATE

Well, things have improved, I eat fruit everyday and routinely cook some veggies with dinner. I also found that chocolate doesn't rule mylife

Things aren't perfect though, I found a substitute for chocolate, kinda half way between good and bad. They are called "Real Fruit", sure they are made using real fruit puries, and that's the good part, the bad part is the added sugar. I'll keep working on that part.

During the real hot days I caught myself having an ice-cream cone. NowI love ice-cream, but if somebody could find me lime sherbet I think I'd be able to ..... lick.....this bad habit. Sherbet is MUCH more healthy, look it up:)

I'vealso found that Swiss Chalet makes for a very easy dinner. I know the killer part is the fries and I need to work on ordering something else as my side ..... baked potatatatoe OK?

I also need to work on the time I eat, I still eat in the morning when I come home even if I'm heading to bed shortly. I may be hungry, but eating an hour before I go to bed can't be good for me.

That's it for now ........... OH wait, I also need to drink more water ......any water!

MOVIES ...yep, Superman and Click

Click .......71%

Adam Sandler
Kate Beckinsale
Christopher Walken

Good little story about a man with a beautiful wife and his stressful life.

Don't go into this movie thinking you'll get the story you see in the previews, you won't. You see, this is a movie about a man, looking for a remote to make his life just a LITTLE bit easier. What he gets is a remote that rules his life. In the beginning it's great, but the remote starts to control his life involuntarily, and that's when the real movie shows up.

Adam Sandler is one of those guys that bonds quickly with his audience, a poorman's Jim Carey. Don't expect me to say I love either of them, I'm really sick of Jim Carey's "over the top" comedic acting, but when he plays a serious role like he did in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, or in the case of Adam Sandler in Punch Drunk Love, I can't help but follow each word like it is of the greatest importance. I guess I'm amazed that these two comedians are more than the sum of their parts. So when you see Adam Sandler act like, well, Adam Sandler, early in the movie don't be too worried, he gets better, as does the movie.

Kate Beckinsale is strong and beautiful, she could stand there and improve any movie, but she seems just a little androgynous to me.Maybe it's because she isn't sexed up in this flick, she a good looking housewife that's it! Maybe that's the problem, the thought of a woman with kids being attractive seems like an oddity to me. Hey, being married seems a little odd to me:-)

Christopher Walken is fun to watch, he usually is, but I fear he's getting used as a throw away character in more movies. An oddly cast character actor, you either love him or hate him. I used to love him, but his delivery is getting old QUICK.

The David Hasslehoff bit is kinda funny, but who cares.

Overall this flick is worth watching for the last 45 minutes, but go in expecting a comedy, and you'll end up leaving in tears. Hey, I teared up near the end!

Brent

Superman ......78%

Brandon Routh
Kate Bosworth

HHmmm So close to perfection!

I found out after trying to watch the "old" Superman flicks that I'm really not a big fan of them Mr Reeves was charasmatic in the role of Superman, and Gene Hackman playing Lex Luthor was a lot of fun, but the movies were really bad. Sure I may have loved them when I was little(er), but I don't enjoy them anymore.

With that said, I really enjoyed this movie on the whole. Brandon Routh is a great Superman, being strong when he needs to be, and striking the right pose when called upon. I wasn't as big a fan of Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane, she was awfully bland, and looked to be mildly emaciated. Nothing like how she looked in Blue Crush, and she looked great in that movie. Kevin Spacey was called upon to play the eccentric, slightly crazy Lex Luthor, and he almost nails it. In this important role I feel Gene Hackman was a little stronger. But really, I was hoping they'd edge a little more towards the Smallville Lex Luthor ... a little more dark and sinister.

The sound and effects were top rate, I'll admit to a rush of adrenaline the first time I saw him fly again, but too many off the cool bits are given away in the trailers.

Overall, this is one of those flicks you'd label a blockbuster, something you should really see on the big screen, it also rates high on the rewatchability scale!

Brent

More silliness within our Country

Did I miss something, or is our government more worried about revenue from traffic tickets than getting paid for "services rendered"?

Seems like a strange question doesn't it? Not really, the revenue from traffic tickets is HUGE, but why are we so easily forgiving debtors from other countries? I've routinely read stories about "out-of-Province tourists" getting tickets, but with no chance of collecting the revenue. All the province gets is a record of the offence, and that's used mostly for insurance purposes.

What's really funny is a story I read just today about our wonderful healthcare system. This little blurb is from today's Toronto Sun

"Vancouver-Taxpayers in B.C. are footing $10 million in unpaid bills that have been racked up by foreigners who have obtained hosptial care, Health Minister George Abbot said in a recent report.
Canadian hospitals do not refuse patients who can't afford to pay, leaving many hospitals to front the burden. "

Do I have a problem with this?? sure I do, and I wonder if the same thing happens in other Provinces. Kind of turns my stomach actually. You see I have no problem with charity or goodwill, and child from a third world country that needs an operation, and Sick Kids in Toronto is the best choice, then GREAT bring them here. What I wouldn't be suprised about would be foreigners coming to this country JUST for "free" healthcare.

You need health care while travelling here?? OK, do you have health insurance? no? Collateral ?, NO, sorry, we'll stabilize you and ship you across the border, you'll get the bill for the work we did, THANK YOU!

I actually wonder how thay just walk out of the hospital? Are no questions asked about how they'll pay?? Seems kind of silly to me!

Yes I understand this is a story from Vancouver, but who's to say it doesn't happen here on a regular basis?

Brent

PERFECT ..... the deportation of illegal immigrants

I love to hear people say things like "this family is minding there own business, just earning a living and contributing to society". Sure, but that like saying "This guy is just minding his own business, why put him in jail for killing somebody ten years ago?"

Sure, the comparison isn't exactly the same, but BOTH of these things are illegal, and repaying society for your mistakes is all part and parcel to being a responsible member of society.

With that said. I am very happy to here the Lizano-Sossa family was kicked out of the country. I almost laugh when I hear things like " NDP MP Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina) said it's "un-Canadian" to remove the family on Canada Day and it contradicts the country's compassionate and humanitarian values. " What I think is that this Country is already WAY to lax on immigration and needs to tighten the rules. What's to stop everybody from coming in and saying "please, we are good people" WAH WAH WAH!

Regardless of the fact that these are good people, they overstayed there status and are here illegally .... goodbye!

OH, I just read today about a Group of Asian people also here under false pretenses, living in the underground .... wonderfull isn't it!


Brent



The family came to Canada on visitor visas in 2001 and filed a refugee claim, which was rejected. When they failed to show up for a deportation flight in February, a warrant was issued.

Interesting weekend

Did you have a great weekend??? well goody goody for you!

ME? I was stuck working the weekend and trying to, perhaps, have a little fun mixed in. Did it work you wonder? Kind of, and I'll tell you why.

Being stuck working Friday-Saturday-Sunday meant that I was forced to cram some fun into Monday. Luckily I was able to do just that. It's been a long time since I spent most of the day at Fred and Michelle's, and it almost made the weekend enjoyable. My best memory of the weekend was the water fight between Fred and Michelle. Of course they tried to get me involved, but I just ended up using Dylan as a human shield so I could stay dry. I will say that Dylan doesn't offer much protection from a squirt gun, ESP from a guy my size, but it made for a great laugh..

It looks like a few other things happened too.

HAPPY CANADA DAY ....... to the greatest Country on this planet! Sure it has problems, just like every Country, but there is no place I would ever want to live.

Congratulations to Greg and Michelle on the birth of their first child .... Ella Rose .... I just wish they'd have used Googoo for a middle name, think about it Ella Googoo ______ quite the ring if I do say so myself:-)

Now I need to figure out when I'm taking my week off, and I'll be damned if they think I'm working the next long weekend. Remember that September 3rd will be the day at Mosport for the "The Labour Day Weekend Grand Prix of Mosport" , looks like I be camping that weekend, but I'll be going to Mosport all day Sunday, wouldn't want to miss it.

Brent