Obsolete (times two)

I was at work this afternoon and flipped over to Explorer only to catch a glimpse of Phaneuf as a breaking story at canoe.ca. My jaw dropped and I let out and audible gasp. I still can't believe the rumors came to fruition. Number 3 has taken a lot of heat from the fans and media lately...but I hadn't given up on him. Poor guy has to head to the Big Smoke? Maybe Elisha will like the move? I guess that's as close to the Canadian Hollywood as there is. I do hold her more than partially responsible for the notable decline in his play...

So, here's my now doubly obsolete jersey. Shortly after I bought it, this version of the third jersey was abandoned (I still like it much better than the current retina-scarring retro jersey). Now it's even more out of date because of the Phaneuf insignia. I think I'll refer to it as "vintage", though, rather than obsolete. Best of luck to you, Dion. I can't imagine today was easy.

Deets: f/1.4, 1/200, ISO800

Honey, I'm home!

Dave got back to Bermuda this afternoon...unfortunately I got stuck at work and wasn't home to greet him...but I understand the monsters did an adequate job in that department! Anyway, I did manage to take the afternoon off and spent some time in the yard with Dave, Lola & Roxy. Lola loves giving Dave "smooches", as evidenced here! There's supposed to be another storm rolling through tomorrow, so I guess there won't be any outdoor shots...

Deets: f/1.4, 1/1000, ISO100

2 for the price of 1

So, I revisited the pink flowers at lunch today but I didn't have much more luck than yesterday. Instead, I took some shots underneath the palms in our yard that I liked better, so I'll post one of those today...was focusing on getting the branch straight but it was pretty windy, so it was challenging.



I'm loving the ability to shoot with f1.4....here's a bonus shot I took of Lola in the house with no lights on...I love that I can see myself in her eyes! :P



Deets:
Palm - f/11, 1/250, ISO200
Lola - f/1.4, 1/160, ISO800

Disappointment

I have been coming home this week to let the dogs out at lunch....even though it's only 10 mins here from work, the hour goes by really fast but today I made an effort to take photos of these flowers that are outside the kitchen door. However, when I loaded them on the computer tonight they seem overexposed and the pink isn't as vibrant as it should be. Boo! I hate when photos look okay on the camera's screen but when I upload them they're disappointing. Unfortunately, it's dark way before I get home from work so there's no opportunity for do-overs...maybe tomorrow at lunch.

Deets: f4.0, 1/320, ISO200

Growing like a weed

The chives (and the basil) are growing so quickly! Now...what does a person make with chives?!

Not super happy with this photo but I'm so tired. No energy to take any more shots.

Deets: f1.4, 1/1000, ISO200

Dear CRA: Bite Me

I am lacking:
(a) light
(b) inspiration
(c) sleep.

However, I am not lacking:
(a) time in front of the monitor
(b) rage.

Deep breaths. Six months from now this will all be a distant memory. :P


Deets: f1.4, 1/250, ISO1600

Stock photo

It's two minutes to midnight and there has been no time for new photos today. The primary reason is that our house, commonly referred to by my parents as "Thompson Estate", is conditionally sold. Fingers crossed, closing is scheduled for the end of next month. Much of today has been spent on tax research and paperwork, which has officially confirmed that there is reason I'm not a tax accountant. Here's hoping the worst of it is behind us now. So, in lieu of a January 25, 2010 photo, here's a stock photo from my collection. :p

I took this shot in October last year, after turning on every possible light in the house. It was part of an assignment for the SAIT Low Light & Night Photography class.

Deets: f8.0, 30sec, 34mm

Hard day

I'm falling back into the trap of only taking photos of the dogs. I was at work most of the day and only when I had the dogs out running around in the yard did I think of my camera. Too late then...too much effort to wrangle them back inside (they're not trustworthy and we haven't doggie proofed the yard yet), get the camera and the get them back out. This was the first time they'd seen the main part of the yard and Roxy did a beeline to the pool and dived in, only then to realize that was a bad idea...however, it's been confirmed that she can swim! Anyway, here she is after a long day of sleeping and diving. (Excuse the nails...they are in bad shape but cutting them is a two person, minimum, job and I'm a man short!)

Deets: f2.8, 1/100, ISO1600

Reunited

2 one-way Air Canada Cargo tickets $700
Veterinarian certifcates of good health $350
Cargo arrival fee $45
Import duties $70
Weekend shipping surcharge (?!) $60
Being reunited with the monsters........priceless

Deets: f1.4, 1/200, ISO800

Friday Night

I only drink when I'm alone or with friends. :p Gale force winds and rain here tonight. I'm hunkered down with my frozen pizza and beer....and hoping the flight from the Big Smoke tomorrow doesn't get affected by the weather. Dave will be taking the monsters to the airport in a few hours....hopefully they're here tomorrow night and not in T.O.

Deets: f1.4, 1/160, ISO1600

I'm a sucker...

...for gadgets. Presenting the Aerogarden: herb version. It's been almost a week and the sprouts are really starting to pop up - soon it'll be time to take their "lids" off. Just a few more weeks and Chef Dave should be ready to harvest!

Deets: f1.8, 1/640, ISO200

Cooking for one

Dave is the chef in the family. I'm the baker (and occasional sous chef when there's lots of chopping to do). I'm subsisting on cereal, bought lunches and frozen dinners in the chef's absence...but at least they're "healthy" frozen dinners! I've been trying to think about what I "cooked" when I was single...I didn't buy frozen dinners but I can't really think of what I ate. Hmm...maybe that's why I used to weigh a lot less? :P

As a side note, this was the first time I've used my new 50mm f1.4. I love the speed but it's gonna take a while to get used to the fixed focal length. This is my first prime lens and I found myself groping the lens in search of the zoom ring!

Deets: f1.4, 1/250, ISO 1600 (probably could have taken it down a bit...but don't think I'll be printing this one off for framing anyway!)

Oops!

I bought a spare battery a few months ago, so the camera would never be unavailable. However, that's premised on actually re-charging the batteries when they die...oops. The battery is still charging, so I won't be able to take any photos today. The good news today, though, is that I got the import permits for the dogs this afternoon and they'll be here on Saturday. So, in honor of the monsters, here's a shot from over the holidays. Not the best composition...but the subjects were not very cooperative. Only seconds after this, the antlers were converted to chew toys!

Deets: f2.8, 1/25 (grr!), 40mm, ISO1600 (again!)

Is it bad...

....that this is already hard on day three? I had a hard time figuring out what to take a photo of today. I left for work around 8 and got home after 9:30 (long after dark). After I reheated dinner, I took a few shots of this vase. Not super happy with it...high ISO again and wonder if I should add a macro lens to my wish list? Off to bed now...this is gonna be a long week.

Deets: f5.6, 1/60, 70 mm, ISO1600 (...and clearly I broke the rule that shutter speed should not be slower than 1/focal length)

Pity Party in Progress

Today's picture isn't very inspired...but it's representative of my loneliness. The dogs aren't here yet (stupid Air Canada holiday pet embargo!) and now Dave's gone too. The house is very empty and quiet. With any luck, the monsters will be here this weekend...but Dave's return is still TBD. :(

I had to turn on all the lights and bump the ISO up to 1600 (i.e. max!) to get this shot...hmm, maybe I need a new camera body? Ha.

Deets: f2.8, 38mm, 1/50, ISO 1600

New blog, new wheels...

I got a new ride this week and we're busy settling into our new digs. The weather's been brutal (although still better than YYC!) but today was really nice, so I took the opportunity to get this 365 business started. Unfortunately, Dave left for the first of his return visits to Calgary this afternoon...so I'm on my own for a couple weeks. :(

Deets: f2.8, 28 mm, 1/200, ISO200

Taking The Plunge

I'm a little late to the Project 365 bandwagon but I forced myself to get started today, just a couple weeks late. Here's hoping this process helps me improve my skills!