January 8, 2012
8:365We've been getting good moving boxes for free off Craig's List. Today, I picked up a box to take it into the bedroom to pack and heard a noise. Upon inspection I discovered a few lonely puzzle pieces at the bottom. They were hiding under the flaps at the bottom of the box. They are going to seriously piss off someone who tries to complete the puzzle some day, but today they made me laugh.
January 8, 2012
M started taking down the lights today. We stood outside last night for 15 minutes before they went off, just watching. We have done this for years, but last night had special significance since it's the last year in this house. Like a lot of experiences these days it was bittersweet.
January 8, 2012
7:365We pack pack pack. Then we pack some more. Basement and darkroom are nearly done. Library and dining room completely done. We are tired.
January 7, 2012
6:365Work bought me a new Canon 5D Mark II. I recommended it because Nikon doesn't have a single body even remotely comparable right now. And partially because I was curious to try The Other Side and could now do so without spending my own hard-earned cash. I feel guilty. Like I'm cheating. On Nikon. Yes, I realize that Nikon is a big, faceless mega-company that couldn't give a flying f*ck about what system I use. But still. When I was a kid, just dreaming about becoming a photographer, I lusted after Nikons. And that was way back in the film days. My first film body was a Minolta. It did a pretty decent job, although looking back our saleswoman was an idiot and over-sold us with a bells & whistles camera a high school student didn't need. When I started shooting again after years of dormancy (aka college, then engagement, then newlyweddedness) and found the Minolta busted, I realized my dream and got myself my first Nikon. She's a beautiful little N80 that feels great in my hands and has a shutter that is music to my ears. After a few years, digital increased in quality and I converted to a Nikon D100. It was heavier and thicker, but the shutter sang and I was completely smitten with digital. By this point I had acquired quite a few lenses. Which is what really ties a photographer to a brand. You can't just wake up one day and decide to go Pentax because that would render your entire camera bag obsolete.The D100 was trusty and true, never failing. It simply became a relic like all other seven-year-old DSLRs. M bought me a gorgeous D300, which has been by my side more than any other camera since that Minolta in high school. It's a fantastic body. Reliable, sturdy, comfortable. But then…The crop sensor on the D300 started bugging me. Not that it is failing…just that my NAS kicks into high gear every so often and I start hankering for something new. Better. Bigger. Like…a full-frame sensor. Drool. So I started looking at them. And was appalled to find that my beloved Nikon doesn't have shit in the way of a 21MP full-frame sensor DSLR that also shoots 1080p hi-def video. But Canon does. I feel like a noob all over again because I can't intuitively shoot any more. Things are backwards and I'm anything but graceful just trying to fire off a few snaps. I'll get there, but right now I'm struggling. I'm also struggling because there are things about the Canon that are simply done better than my Nikon. Yeah, my Nikon is 3 years old now, but there isn't even a current Nikon to which I can compare this Canon. So with every click of the Canon I feel a little guilty. The shutter sounds different, and I feel guilty that I don't hate it. The focusing screen is strange, and I feel guilty that I don't mind it. M is having a heart attack that I might seriously want to switch. I'm not there yet. I have the work Canon to keep me amused for awhile. But you're on notice Nikon. Step it up dudes. And get rid of that idiot Kutcher you have shilling for the consumer stuff on tv. Take the money you're paying him and put it towards much-needed R&D. Or I just might drop the guilt and just go for better gear.
January 6, 2012
5:365Good to be back. Would be even better if the damn parking shuttle would get here.
January 4, 2012
4:365Up at 4 this morning. 6:25 a.m. flight that got me to KC with barely enough time to drive a rental car to Lenexa for a 9 a.m. meeting with one of my three bosses. Given that I didn't go to sleep until after midnight (M finished packing the library while I de-ornamented and then disassembled the Xmas tree), I'm tired. Good day though. I do have a team dinner tonight, before which I hope my second wind kicks in. Good food with good people, can't ask for much more on a business trip. Except maybe some sleep. Yawn. About today's image: I enjoyed the benefit of being A-List for the first time today, when this nice gentleman fast-tracked me through a huge crowd of people waiting to get through security. They all looked about as awake as I was, and then grumpy to boot when I scooted right through. Doesn't make up for having to leave my family, but it's a nice little perk that gave me enough time to grab some breakfast before boarding.
January 4, 2012
3:365Every morning I watch the lines creep across the wall of my office while I work. I don't know why, but I find it comforting. Maybe it's the gentle reminder that no matter what chaos is happening in my life the world keeps turning and my issues are pretty inconsequential. It's a lovely little grounding that helps me keep things in perspective.
January 2, 2012
2:365Dramatic clouds today. I love how much the Midwest sky changes. I think my company is the only one in the US that gave Friday as the New Years holiday and not today. Made for an easy drive into work this morning, and quiet phones. I'm not complaining…it's nice to dig out of a huge email backlog with little interruption!
January 2, 2012
1:365
December 22, 2011
This morning on the way into work I listened to a news story about education in the state of Texas. It seems that they’ve doubled what they spend per student over the last decade or so, and essentially have nothing to show for it. The state, seeing the same hard times as the rest of us, is now slashing funding for education.