life as a dog…

Not too much to report from this weekend. Friday I didn’t get out of work until 8pm. Saturday, I had to work at 11am. From there, I went to the National Arboretum. Of course, there was a complete cloud cover when I was there (which disappeared after I had left). I drove around DC – the Zoo was closing early, so that was nixed. Stopped at the mall, and then over at the Iwo Jima Memorial (they were prepping for the Marine Corps Marathon).

Today, since the marathon was going on, I decided to drive west, hoping maybe the leaves were good. They weren’t. I think next weekend is the time to go. I drove out 50 to go to the state arboretum. No good. Drove down to Front Royal, thinking maybe Shenandoah would be good. There was a long line of cars, so I skipped that. I ended up at Shenandoah River State Park. Not bad there – but again, next weekend should be better (watch it rain…).

Strange thing, songs. There are certain songs that will, no matter where I am, remind me of specific people. Billy Joel’s “Tell Her About It” will always remind me of J. OMD’s “Secret” will always remind me of K. Sade’s “Sweetest Taboo” – C. The Bangles “Eternal Flame” – T. Cat Stevens’ “Wild World” – J (different J). Which brings me to “More Than Words”… has anyone heard the remake? OK, there are several remakes, but this is an R&B style. It is PATHETIC. Granted, the original wasn’t a *great* song, but I must admit…it will always remind me of one person. I thought I had found “the one.” Obviously, I was wrong.

Is coming up. We have two simultaneous jobs next week. And they’re going to be boring as all get out. Then there is some definite/potential travelling coming up: New York, Nevada, San Jose and Charlotte. (Actually, I think the Nevada is the only potential…all the others are pretty certain…maybe not for me, but for someone here at work.)

I really need to get new sticks. Mine isn’t holding up very well – the tension on one leg is just about gone. I’ve got my eyes on a Manfrotto (Gitzo is just too expensive). But I may also get a bean bag support. Manfrotto (Bogen) has a new one called, appropriately enough, The Pod. Pretty simple, but it has a screw mount built in, which is nice. And only $15. That’s perfect for down in DC where they don’t want you to have a tripod.

I’m hoping this weekend is nice, so I can go out and really work my new lens.

Friday, we went to the Air & Space Museum at Dulles. Saturday, went to the Spy Museum (too many people, but climbing through the duct work with your mom is pretty funny), then to see Shear Madness at Kennedy Center. Shear Madness – funny, funny, funny! (Especially since they keep it up to date – jokes at the expense of Bush, Cheney, FEMA, Delay, and others). Today, we went by the WWII Memorial. Friday and Saturday were crummy out, but today was gorgeous. I didn’t take my camera along, but should have. At least I have my new lens to look forward to tomorrow.

Looks like Apple is going after Adobe Photoshop.

Introducing Aperture

It looks like it’s pretty cool. I’d like to see it in action.

So I keep whining about how I need a wide angle lens. So what did I do today? Bought a lens. A telephoto zoom! Go figure. A Nikon 75-300mm. But I got a good deal on it, and it has a pretty glowing review from Ken Rockwell. It should be here either Friday or Monday (depending on how good UPS is these days). At least I won’t have to deal with that crappy Quantary I have right now. Now, next thing I DEFINITELY should get is the wide angle. I’m still looking at the Tokina 12-24mm. It supposed to be nearly as good as the Nikon 12-24, but half the cost. Maybe I should rent the Nikon first – I know Penn Camera rents it. Sigma also makes one in that range, and their’s can be used on film cameras as well. Actually, I think the Tokina and Nikon models can, but you can’t adjust your f-stop on the lens (why they are getting rid of that is beyond me).