Photo/Video Toys

Posted on May 15, 2009

I need more disposabile income.  Wait, I won’t strike that, but I will and have given up most of the toys for the opportunities that a mom can have with her children every day.  No regrets.  I do like toys tho:) 

My latest mild obsession is with HD video content.  The in-laws gave us a Sony miniDV cam for our graduation present (I think) 7 years ago now.  It still shoots good video.  It isn’t nearly HD and that has been ok so far.  So I have two related passions- photography and HD video.  As our little family takes the next step, I’ve been intrigued and happily surprised that the two forms are merging into DSLRs that shoot full HD video- Woot!

I fancy myself an artsie person, although I no longer have the true evidence -my wife threw away all my abstract oil paintings.  I guess for the past few years I’ve been more of a spectator when it comes to the finer points here.  I can’t really participate because my equipment and skill level are both very limited.  Julia and I have both talked about taking some photography courses because we both enjoy it so much.  I really love my wife.  We don’t have many hobbies that we share, but I think we could both get into this.  Currently I am the only sponsor so our means are more limited than I’d like if we’re being honest.  God provides in abundance, unfortunately it truly takes an abundance it seems lately. 

Man I ramble.  Ok so we have a little one that I love photographing (when she’s cooperating).  Occasionally I get some great pictures.  Well, I’m partial. 

Ok, so Not bad, but it could be better. Currently I’m using a Canon EOS 350D/RebelXT. Eight megapixels- it was pretty cool a few years ago. For a couple years I used the kit lens- sad little 18-55. And just before my big trip to Europe I got the EF-S 17-85 f/4-5.6 IS USM. That was a HUGE improvement.  I think it matches the body very nicely.  It wasn’t too expensive and I’ve been happy. 

What’s next you ask.  I’ve had a serious obsession with a lens.  It is a lens that is perfect for lots of applications- you’ve seen it at weddings for sure.  If you’ve not guessed already, the 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM *Angels sing* Amazing. Fast. Low light wootness!  Downside- the cheapest I’ve seen it is $1500 bucks.  Shudder… or lame pun Shutter.  The next purchase will probably be that lens- I’m about 80% sure.  Recently I’ve been looking at the 28-300 f/3.5-5.6L because I’ve read it is amazing for the Canon 5D Mark II for versatile 1080P video.  *Edit STINK! The 28-300 is even MORE expensive @ $2345 on BHPhot.com. /sigh. *  Mmmm, yummy.  I’ll try to stop there, the best part of the big bulky DSLR cameras is the options you have in lenses. 

This becomes even more amazing when you throw in video- you can’t just swap out lenses on the HD Handycams or the like.  What a new world- true telephoto, macro, fish eye, lens babies?!  Woot!  The possibilities became crazy. 

So this is my “need” for more disposable income.  I haven’t figured out a way to justify HD video integration for my company just yet.  I’m working on it! 

Switch7 on My Macbook

Posted on May 15, 2009

Most of you probably wouldn’t get the reference here, maybe a better title would’ve been Bootcamping Windows 7 on my Macbook.  Still no?  OK, I put the beta Windows version 7 (rumored to be out this holiday season) on my macbook that also runs OSX Leopard.  If you’re still unclear- that is ok, just /cheer for me and we’ll move on. 

The bootcamping went pretty well- I had some real issues with the 64 bit version so I bailed to the normal 32 bit.  I certainly didn’t think the difference on a little black macbook would’ve been worth the headache.  I already burned two of the 64 bit isos on to dvd.  The first time, was a fail.  I got the dreaded “Select CD-Rom type” message.  UGH.  Followed Sergio’s guide and got a super annoying “Your processor does not support 64 bit instructions.”  Whatever- I’d spent a couple hours by this time and then threw in my origional 32bit dvd.  Worked like a charm. 

 I’m only a day into using Windows 7, but so far I REALLY like it.  It isn’t nearly the resource hog Vista was and with the XP mode I’ll be making the switch when it comes out this Holiday season- on my main machine.  SO excited. 

I’m typically not one to post about tech related things on my blog but the next few posts will be.  Why have I kept things separate?  Well for one, I don’t want to be a reviewer or blogger with a narrow audience.  Most of my friends have no idea what I’m talking about most of the time.  Yes it gets lonely /cry.  Not really, because I don’t like to hang out with geeks/dorks/techies/trekkies/hobbits/etc.  Don’t get me wrong- I don’t have an innate feeling of superiority or distaste for what they enjoy.  My issue is the same regardless of the obsession.  Example:  I like watching club racing with my father in law- I like seeing cars zip around a track and the time and energy they put into their passion.  What I HATE is their obsession- you get together with them in a more social settings and they’re still only talking about their cars.  They’re just things- same with tech items.  Sure they’re cool, but they don’t define me.  What does define me?  My faith, for one, but a close second is my growing family. 

I wouldn’t have ever guessed that it would turn out this way.  Sure, in theory, of course it should.  The reality is much like getting married.  You’re single you have no idea what that involves- how could you?  Then you find that person that truly is your compliment.  Julia is that for me- no question no hesitation.  She excells where I fail.  Need to know what I was doing on any day in the past 7 years? Ask her- she’ll tell you what I wore.  We running joke is how her mind is full of useless information that is quite literally trapped and cannot escape.  Man, I appreciate that.  Mostly because I have no use for it 90% of the time- but that 10%, she’s better than a Blackberry (voice regognition, referenced information, and she looks good too:)).

I officially turned this post around from getting pretty geeky to warm fuzzies.  Julia, you *hand signals* complete me!:):)

1 year.

Posted on May 11, 2009

Before I get to the big party I had to bring many projects much closer to completion.  That was stressful.  I about killed myself getting things to look finished.  In 24 hour period, I cased out three doors, finished the bathroom flooring including quarter round, took out and reseated the toilet (with Doc A’s help), and other stuff.  The other stuff is what kills you- the thresholds measuring and remeasuruing, running up and down stairs- whatever.  It was all worth it for the party.

We had 19 people including ourselves and it was a lot of fun.  Simple, but fun.  Julia did a great job on making things look nice but not going to extremes.  She was an excellent hostess.  We couldn’t have done it all without her parents- they helped distract the rug rat while we ran around like crazy.

Seth and his wife were in town for the weekend so they dropped by- that was great.  I think we all had a really nice time- the mix of people was super.  I wondered around with the little monkey and had some good talks with everyone.  So neat seeing the kids at different stages even though they’re pretty close in age.  Abby still isn’t saying Mamma- maybe soon though.  Oh! maybe Julia needs to wear a Hello, my name is tag.  I’ll bring that up at dinner.

Hard to believe our life includes a little walker- we are certainly better for it.  I thank the Lord for the opportunity and pray that I’ll continue to grow as a husband and father.

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