Today was the first day in about 3 weeks in which I didn't feel like my head was going to explode. Between EVERYTHING being in bloom, the wind, and this past week's fires, my allergies have been in overdrive. Although from the neck down I felt completely fine, not being able to breathe through the nose kind of wiped me out, and these have been three of my least productive weeks probably ever.
Speaking of fires, I heard this week that "Fire Season" was 70 days longer this past year. With 7 days of temperatures over 100 so far this spring and 9 wildfires raging in San Diego this week alone, we're probably in for another record breaking year.
Last night the power went out for about 3 hours. Even though I already had an inkling, during that period of time I realized how addicted to reliant I am on my wifi and electrical devices. I couldn't even read the book I'm in the middle of because the battery on the iPad died and I couldn't charge it. I ended up reading a two month old issue of Vanity Fair sitting on the coffee table until it got too dark to read. I still subscribe to a couple of magazines, but never take the time to read them anymore. Once the sun went down, I fretted a bit about what I would do. Thankfully after just a few minutes of fretting, everything kicked back on (including the air conditioning - did I mention it was over a hundred degrees this week?) which put me out of my "what it was like in 1850" misery.
I saw this video today and it made me laugh. They sure are sleepy...
Ohhh, poor you. I don't know what to say. Being a man I go into problem solving mode, but while I see solutions they involve moving. It's such a shame to live in such a spot and not enjoy it to the fullest.
I can't remember the last time I had allergies like this. I was able to take the dog for a walk this morning for the first time in a week. That's always good for the mood. :)
I'm still not entirely convinced about the oils but I do admit that I've felt better each day since beginning it last Thursday. It has helped me sleep I think a better as I haven't had to wake up and blow my nose every hour on the hour since last week too. :).
:) I'm well, thanks. It rained a bit last night which seemed to have dampened the allergens some. Glad to be among the living again. Now counting the days until the 3 day Memorial Day weekend and the weeks until THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL. I've been consumed over the last week or so with camera research. My head is spinning a little bit...as I know you are familiar with. ;) And you?
I was thinking about your camera dilemma afterwards. I still think the Nikon d3200 is a good camera. But if you have access to a full frame 'Pro' type camera at a price less than $1000. Even one from 10 years ago. Even at low mpix it will render better for you haven't the fuss of the smaller sensor. So the 50mm lense is a 50 not a 50*1.5=75mm. This isn't an issue except you'd need to step a pace back to frame a head shot of the same size. But in your quest don't forget the mirrorless, they allow the versatility of interchangeable lenses while being 1/4 the size and weight. And on tour you'll not be as visibly 'tourist'.
Yah, I've been going round and round with what to do. I first started comparing the Canon Rebel T-5 with the Nikon D3200. They are almost identical in features with the Nikon taking a tiny edge with more MPs. While my mom was here we went and looked at them and I held them both. But they are both heavy...not as heavy as those big guys, but bigger than I'm used to. I did look at mirrorless, but I didn't like their shape and that the view finder is kind of wonky (if they even have one). I don't like shooting using the screen. Anyhow, the local camera store showed me the new Canon SL1. http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_rebel_sl1_18_55mm_is_stm_lens_kit It's teeny for an SLR..perfect for me. :) After tons of fretting over what to do and then deciding and then fretting over what to buy and where to buy it FINALLY I purchased it just a few minutes ago...found it online with the basic lens AND a telephoto 55-250 for a good price. SOLD! I can't wait to get it now! Going to DC in June for work, so that'll be its first trip. :) Thanks for all the info. I seriously considered the Nikon, much to my mom's chagrin. ;) But I think I'll be happier with a smaller version of that.
Oh, that's a very good setup too. Especially, since you have the second lens. The kit lens will a allow you to stand under the Lincoln monument and get it all in. And it sold allow you to take shots in museums without them screaming No Flash, and get good, really good ones with out the flash.
Yep, a very good setup, truly. I had a look at the 55-250mm just now. And that's sweet too. It might be useful in museum and gallery context if the ISO is decent. And the reviews says it's quite good. I'd take it to a darkish gallery to test it out before going on the trip. Something with a van Dyke or a Velasquez, you know the sorta black on mud painting. That way you'll know the settings ,'ishy', when you're away. And you won't be flogging yourself into a vertical learning slope. You are lucky, they don't do those portmanteau offerings here. I see them on E-Bay but they are in the USA only.
Oh good, I'm glad you think so. :). I think it'll be good for me. There's definitely a learning curve with all its features and using the various lenses is new for me. Yes, the kits are nice. I wonder why they're just here?!?! They're all online packages, so you've gotta wait for it to arrive. However, since most of the online stores are out of state for me, I don't have to pay sales tax which is almost 10%. So with free shipping and no tax it saves me about $70+ beyond the kit savings. I'd have liked to play with it over this long weekend, but it should arrive by next week.
Ohhh, poor you. I don't know what to say. Being a man I go into problem solving mode, but while I see solutions they involve moving.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a shame to live in such a spot and not enjoy it to the fullest.
I can't remember the last time I had allergies like this. I was able to take the dog for a walk this morning for the first time in a week. That's always good for the mood. :)
DeleteIt was the oils! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm still not entirely convinced about the oils but I do admit that I've felt better each day since beginning it last Thursday. It has helped me sleep I think a better as I haven't had to wake up and blow my nose every hour on the hour since last week too. :).
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the allergies!
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note...top dog has it made on that chair :) He just hopped up, lay back and passed out!
Right?!?! Even the other two seemed quite comfy once they rearranged. We've all been there. :) They're so cute.
DeleteHow are things ?.
ReplyDelete:) I'm well, thanks. It rained a bit last night which seemed to have dampened the allergens some. Glad to be among the living again. Now counting the days until the 3 day Memorial Day weekend and the weeks until THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL.
ReplyDeleteI've been consumed over the last week or so with camera research. My head is spinning a little bit...as I know you are familiar with. ;)
And you?
I was thinking about your camera dilemma afterwards. I still think the Nikon d3200 is a good camera. But if you have access to a full frame 'Pro' type camera at a price less than $1000. Even one from 10 years ago. Even at low mpix it will render better for you haven't the fuss of the smaller sensor. So the 50mm lense is a 50 not a 50*1.5=75mm. This isn't an issue except you'd need to step a pace back to frame a head shot of the same size.
DeleteBut in your quest don't forget the mirrorless, they allow the versatility of interchangeable lenses while being 1/4 the size and weight. And on tour you'll not be as visibly 'tourist'.
Yah, I've been going round and round with what to do. I first started comparing the Canon Rebel T-5 with the Nikon D3200. They are almost identical in features with the Nikon taking a tiny edge with more MPs. While my mom was here we went and looked at them and I held them both. But they are both heavy...not as heavy as those big guys, but bigger than I'm used to. I did look at mirrorless, but I didn't like their shape and that the view finder is kind of wonky (if they even have one). I don't like shooting using the screen. Anyhow, the local camera store showed me the new Canon SL1. http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_rebel_sl1_18_55mm_is_stm_lens_kit
DeleteIt's teeny for an SLR..perfect for me. :)
After tons of fretting over what to do and then deciding and then fretting over what to buy and where to buy it FINALLY I purchased it just a few minutes ago...found it online with the basic lens AND a telephoto 55-250 for a good price. SOLD!
I can't wait to get it now! Going to DC in June for work, so that'll be its first trip. :)
Thanks for all the info. I seriously considered the Nikon, much to my mom's chagrin. ;) But I think I'll be happier with a smaller version of that.
Oh, that's a very good setup too. Especially, since you have the second lens. The kit lens will a allow you to stand under the Lincoln monument and get it all in. And it sold allow you to take shots in museums without them screaming No Flash, and get good, really good ones with out the flash.
ReplyDeleteYep, a very good setup, truly.
DeleteI had a look at the 55-250mm just now. And that's sweet too. It might be useful in museum and gallery context if the ISO is decent. And the reviews says it's quite good.
I'd take it to a darkish gallery to test it out before going on the trip. Something with a van Dyke or a Velasquez, you know the sorta black on mud painting. That way you'll know the settings ,'ishy', when you're away. And you won't be flogging yourself into a vertical learning slope.
You are lucky, they don't do those portmanteau offerings here. I see them on E-Bay but they are in the USA only.
Oh good, I'm glad you think so. :). I think it'll be good for me. There's definitely a learning curve with all its features and using the various lenses is new for me.
DeleteYes, the kits are nice. I wonder why they're just here?!?! They're all online packages, so you've gotta wait for it to arrive. However, since most of the online stores are out of state for me, I don't have to pay sales tax which is almost 10%. So with free shipping and no tax it saves me about $70+ beyond the kit savings. I'd have liked to play with it over this long weekend, but it should arrive by next week.