photo.net Home Page and Recent Digital Camera Reviews

photo.net Home Page and Recent Digital Camera Reviews

Like a smart kid on a fatty!

I had such a fun night (even though I was stuck at work until 10:40). I sat with "the girls" tonight, which is a rare event due to limited seating, and well, there are so few of us girls, and what a hoot! Between Jenn's zanny-ness and Bethany's "Daig Diag" (SimSpeak for bye) I couldn't stop laughing. It was just fun!

Shabolay, SHABOLAY!

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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
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"A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same."
-Elbert Hubbard

Free - Microsoft Education - Security Posters

Microsoft Education - Security Posters

So good, must share!

World of Warcraft Beta Signups This Week!
At 6:00 pm PST on Wednesday, January 28th, the signup period for the World of Warcraft Beta Test will officially begin. We will provide a link to the beta-test application right here in the news section at that time. Testers are not going to be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis, so you will be able to submit an application and receive equal consideration anytime during the signup period, which will end on Wednesday, February 4th at 6:00 pm PST. Please note that multiple submissions from the same household will result in complete disqualification.

For this initial phase of the World of Warcraft beta test, we will only be able to accept applications from Canada, Korea, and the US. The test for Europe and other countries around the world will happen later this year. Please do not contact us for further information regarding the beta test; we will be posting a FAQ in the days ahead.



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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
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"In creating, the only hard thing is to begin: a grass blade's no easier to make than an oak."
-James Russell Lowell

Tom's Hardware Guide Peripherals & Consumer Electronics: Canon's EOS 300D SLR Digital Camera Breaks $1000 Barrier

Tom's Hardware Guide - Canon's EOS 300D SLR Digital Camera Breaks $1000 Barrier - an interesting article.

I love Tom's Hardware Guide

The music is still inside me

Since the X and I broke up, one of the small luxuries I have enjoyed almost daily is music. Listening to whatever I want, almost constantly has helped my heart heal. Be it Evanescence, Corey Hart, or Amanda Marshall I have not stopped listening to music. It has helped drive me. I had forgotten how good music feels. And then yesterday... I went and visited Hank to help him hook up his PC to MIDI, and to test his settings to make sure he can score with it... What I stumbled upon was odd. I started playing the keyboard just to test the outs and ins, and the music just flowed from me. It just came out!

I need to play music again!

So once I have my camera business settled, my debts paid off, and my trip to Disneyland taken.... I have my sites set here.

Photography, writing, music.

Apparently my soul is crying out to be creative... To sing.


It will have its song.

Canon, you made my day!

Just when I thought I had it all figured out... My camera was picked, my budget was set... Then I find Canon's "Digital Rebel". I have wanted an SLR (single-lens-reflex) camera for years, but I didn't want a film one, nor was I willing to pay the crazy costs associated with digital SLR's. Although there has been a film Rebel for years, Canon just recently released the digital version of it... And I think I nearly fainted when I found out, because this meant an affordable digital SLR... I was finally going to break in the SLR work, and for a reasonable price! At $1,469.88 CAN the Canon EOS Digital Rebel zoom kit (the KIT part is most important because it comes with the $199.99 Canon 18-55mm Digital zoom lens - as opposed to just the Rebel body that runs $1,269.99) brings digital SLR to the masses! And its glowing reviews form places like Digital Camera Resource Page (best digicam review site IMHO that there is), Steve's Digicams, Image Resource, and DP Review there is no reason for me not to spent the extra $500 and get the camera I want! It's not what I really want (no, those run $5000+) but it is an excellent stepping stone! To quote The Digital Camera Resource page (my bible to digital photography): The Canon Digital Rebel is a breakthrough product, bringing the digital SLR to the masses. I must confess that my level interest in the Minolta A1 and Sony DSC-F828 dropped immediately after the announcement of the Rebel. Many will ask, "why spend $1199 on a fixed lens camera when I get a D-SLR and choose from scores of lenses and accessories for $899?" That will be a tough decision for many people over the holiday shopping season! So I am budgeting, and should have this in 5 - 6 months! And just look at these pictures: Canon EOS Digital Rebel Samples

Now comes the hard part...

Waiting.

But, the way I look at it, I've been waiting for years, what is a couple more months!

***Canon EOS Digital Rebel Brochure***


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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
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"Patience, n. A minor form of dispair, disguised as a virtue."
-Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, 1911

I have such tales to tell.

Over the last few weeks, I have had so many things to blog. Good, bad, ugly. But I have not been able to. I have even had stories in the fiction since I wanted to write, stories of pirates, vampires, slayers, romance, adventure, whimsy. But every time I sit down the tales fail me. I have even started writing poems/songs but I cannot put them to paper. My mind is just a whirl... And I think the problem is that I am trying to figure out where I belong.

That question has been nagging at me for some time now...

Where do I belong?

I have been seeking where I belong in many forms, from seeking familiarity (in the good and bad way) to seeking solitude, to seeking education.

I have sought familiarity in old friends (good) and sought it in hanging out while everyone (myself included) indulged in a little weed, because that's what the X did everyday (bad), I have locked myself in my apartment, no knowing why, and I have researched how to because a shark researcher (which seems futile at my age), to looking up courses in photography and writing (which I might actually do).

And then my friend Ted gave me a Christmas present. He made a wood carving, with 6 little works on it, that made me realize I was spinning in the wrong direction:




So the question because who am I, so I can be true to myself?

I don't know.

But I need to find out.

I'm tired of being hollow, lonely, and uninspired.

Where is my fire?

So for now I sit and listen to Evanescence, read, and think about where to find my passion, to find what is the fuel that lights my fire within me.

I don't want to be hollow anymore.

I'm hoping that maybe getting into my photography may do it... I think it should.

Maybe my writing will, if I can ever get any of it down.

I just don't want to be lost anymore.

I need to find who I am, so I can be true to myself.

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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
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"This above all; to thine own self be true."
-William Shakespeare

I do enjoy quizilla!

I love quizilla internet quizes... they are so much fun... Want some fun and silly quizes, check em out. Here is one I did today:


SELENE: You are selene!
Beautiful, vivacious,
fierce and seductive, Selene vowed she would
destroy Lycans after her family was murdered by
the werewolves. So ruthless is she that selene
is a member of the Death Dealers. This elite
Vampire warrior class's mission is to make the
Lycans extinct.
Ever wish you could be a
vampire?





Which UNDERWORLD character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla



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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
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"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however."
-Richard Bach

"My Immortal" -Evanescence

"My Immortal"

I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

[CHORUS:]
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have
All of me

You used to captivate me
By your resonating light
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts
My once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away
All the sanity in me

These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus]

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along

[Chorus]

"Going Under" - Evanescence

"Going Under"

Now I will tell you what I've done for you
50 thousand tears I've cried
Screaming Deceiving and Bleeding for you
And you still won't hear me
Don't want your hand this time I'll save myself
Maybe I'll wake up for once
Not tormented daily defeated by you
Just when I thought I'd reached the bottom
I'm dying again

I'm going under
Drowning in you
I'm falling forever
I've got to break through
I'm going under

Blurring and Stirring the truth and the lies
So I don't know what's real and what's not
Always confusing the thoughts in my head
So I can't trust myself anymore
I'm dying again

I'm going under
Drowing in you
I'm falling forever
I've got to break through

So go on and scream
Scream at me I'm so far away
I won't be broken again
I've got to breathe I can't keep going under

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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
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"They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel."
-Carl W. Buechner

Fantastic day!

What a long few weeks.

With my brother being home, there has not been a lot I have been able to do... Well not so much that I have not been able to do it, but more that I wanted to spend every possible moment I could with my brother, before he headed back to Rome.

But, he is gone now.

Now I have to get back into the routine of working, and back to my life of making time for me, making time for others and working. It's a hard hard juggling act, especially when your friends are doing the same thing too.

But yesterday Diane and I managed to make time to hang out. It has really been a long long time since we had the time to do such things... Simple, important things.

I met Diane at her new place, got to see it, and want a great place it is. From there we went to see her Fiance Sean at his work. We had a nice walk there, where we chatted about everything. We then puttered off to find wedding dresses. And if you can believe it, first time out: Success! We, well Diane, found her dress. It is BEAUTIFUL! We talked about bridesmaid dresses, the hall where she is getting married (where we tried to put a deposit down, but the person wasn't there), and the wedding in general. Sounds like it is going to be beautiful. We had lunch at McD's, ran around to fine me a day-timer, and then went and watched her niece figure skate. And WOW is she good! Puts me all to shame, and only six, yikes, I cant believe it. We then toddled off to the mall where I checked out, in person (for the first time), the camera I want: Nikon Coolpix 5700, and I think that IS the camera. Short of going SLR (which I wont because I cant afford the lenses and I don't own any) is one of the best Digi cams. We then ran into some friends of mine from where, and we chatted for a while. Then we went to see The Last Samurai What an amazing movie!

[From the official site]: Captain Nathan Algren (TOM CRUISE) is a man adrift. The battles he once fought now seem distant and futile. Once he risked his life for honor and country, but, in the years since the Civil War, the world has changed. Pragmatism has replaced courage, self-interest has taken the place of sacrifice and honor is nowhere to be found - especially out West where his role in the Indian Campaigns ended in disillusionment and sorrow.

Somewhere on the unforgiving plains near the banks of the Washita River, Algren lost his soul.

A universe away, another soldier sees his way of life about to disintegrate. He is Katsumoto (KEN WATANABE), the last leader of an ancient line of warriors, the venerated Samurai, who dedicated their lives to serving emperor and country. Just as the modern way encroached upon the American West, cornering and condemning the Native American, it also engulfed traditional Japan. The telegraph lines and railroads that brought progress now threaten those values and codes by which the Samurai have lived and died for centuries.

But Katsumoto will not go without a fight.

The paths of these two warriors converge when the young Emperor of Japan, wooed by American interests who covet the growing Japanese market, hires Algren to train Japan's first modern, conscript army. But as the Emperor's advisors attempt to eradicate the Samurai in preparation for a more Westernized and trade-friendly government, Algren finds himself unexpectedly impressed and influenced by his encounters with the Samurai. Their powerful convictions remind him of the man he once was.

Thrust now into harsh and unfamiliar territory, with his life and perhaps more important, his soul, in the balance, the troubled American soldier finds himself at the center of a violent and epic struggle between two eras and two worlds, with only his sense of honor to guide him.

I was so skeptical about this movie, but when Sean and Diane said I needed to go, I went. We met Sean at the theatre, grabed some Za, popcorn and drinks, and then enjoyed an amazing movie.

If you want a good movie, this is one to see.

Then I came home.

But I had so much fun. It is so amazing to me the fun you can have when you spend time with good people.

I am lucky to have such great friends!

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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
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"The road to a friend's house is never long."
-Danish proverb

Old friends

It is amazing how much of a smile can be put on your face by a simple phone call. I had such a smile yesterday.

My friend Julie, who I haven't seen in years, called my up out of the blue to say "hi", and I cant tell you how happy that made me.

I met Julie years ago at SCUBA collage: the PADI CDC in Vancouver, where we became awesome friends. We hung out pretty much every night, drank to much, went diving a lot, and general had an amazing time. With memory's of a sleeping with a felt,pitchers of china whites, and trips to Whistler amongst others (of course he got to see the sharks *sigh*) we were instantly great friends.

After school was done, we went out separate ways: I went back to Victoria, Julie went back to Whistler. But we kept in touch always... She would come to Victoria and stay for a while, I would goto Whistler (and NO, I have NEVER Skied Whister). I think there was one night when Julie came to Victoria where we freaked out my roommate by how much we drank.

Ahhh those were the days.

Julie even is to blame for my love of the Show Buffy The Vampire Slayer / Angel, although my fascination for Vampires is my own. And of course there was SCUBA, the most amazing thing in the world.

Then of course, as with all my friends over the last few years, I kinda lost touch. Not that I wanted to, I just did. Partially shame, partially fear, partially knowing, as with all my friends, if I showed what was going on, she would come over and kick my ass.

Of course now, again as with all my friends, I see what I was doing, and I felt terrible. Then I found out, she was going through a similar situation as I was, and I felt bad for not being there.

Then yesterday, she surprised me and called. We chatted for a long time, not as long as I wanted mind you, but my brother came over, and well he's heading back to Rome tomorrow, so I wanted to spend the time I could with him. We talked about the old days, the last few years, and the last few months, and how far we both had come. I was an inspirational conversation. Talking with her, finding out how she has been, what she has been up to and what she has overcome, and is doing now was just amazing.

I am so proud of her.

It is amazing how one good friend can make you smile, and feel better about everything.

Thanks Jules.

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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
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"Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them."
-Ann Landers

Please Blogger....

Please Blogger, fix your site, becuse even though others can seem to get to my blog... I can't

Blogger.com and Blogspot.com are not addressable for lots of people because of a DNS snafu. (DNS are the computers that tell your computer what number to go to when you put in a name.) The fix has been pushed, but it could take a while to refresh everywhere. Meanwhile, if you're geeky, you can change your host file to get to Blogger (point new.blogger.com to 66.102.15.100).

Please hurry!

Thanks.

The UPS man has chains

Well it is beautiful and snowy out, and I am so excited about a day curled up watching DVD's. I had curled up to look for Easter eggs, found an excellent one in the ring: if you find the egg, what will play is the 2 minute Ring video, which you can't pause, and after the two minute segment, it returns to the main menu (a faux main menu) and you hear a telephone ring (from the video, not your house). Somewhat of a humorous twist that the makers put in. Now it was excellent to see the full Ring video, full off the subliminal that keeps my jumpy and makes me happy I bought it, but what was funny (ok it made me jump) was that the UPS man rang as it ended... Just part of the subliminal that made me jump outta my seat.

Fantastic that movie.

Anyway, I'm gonna curl up, and watch Buffy Season 5, and Pirates of the Caribbean. I'll sit with a warm cup of coffee, maybe make some hot pea soup for lunch, and enjoy the falling snow!


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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
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"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
-Frank Herbert, Dune, "Litany Against Fear", 1965

Sharks, Terrors of the Deep

Sharks, Terrors of the Deep

My favorite screensaver now with SHARKS! I could just die!


Life is good!

Mind a jumble

I had so much I wanted to say here the last few days.... I wanted to start a new year with writing everyday, not just here, but start a second blog (don't worry I will link to it) with random writings: fiction or non-fiction, start saving for that camera I wanted, switch shifts so I can go to some of the local photo clubs. So far I have done none of it.

On the up side, I have gotten to spend some amazing time with my brother these past couple weeks. He leaves in 3 days, back to Rome, which makes me sad, but I am making the most of the time I have.

At the same time, I sit here, mind a jumble, thinking about how for the past 3 weeks all I have done is make excuses not to go out. I have told friends at work I'm busy, friends at home I'm busy, non friends that I have better things to do. Truth is, I don't. Why am I shutting myself down from these people? I have some amazing friends in my life, both old and new, and yet I'm shutting myself away again.

And I don't know why.

And my mind is a jumble.

It is going a mile a minute with thoughts of longing to go out, and reasoning why to stay in. Thinking about what has been, what could be, what never will be.

It's like I am back sliding.

I keep listening to Gloria Estefan's song:

Always Tomorrow

I've been alone inside myself, far too long
Never really wanted it that way, but I let it happen
If I could do it all again, my life would be infinitely better than before
I wouldn't waste a moment
Make time for laughing with my friends
Make love, make music, make amends
Try to make a difference, try to love, try to understand
Instead of just giving up, I'd use the power at my command

(chorus)
That's why there's always tomorrow, to start over again
Things will never stay the same, the only one sure thing is change.
That's why there's always tomorrow

I guess it took a little time, for me to see
The reason I was born into this world,
And what I'd have to go through
For I've finally realized, that I could be infinitely better than before, definitely stronger
I'll face whatever comes my way, savor each moment of the day,
Love as many people as I can along the way
Help someone who's given up, if it's just to raise my eyes and pray

(chorus)
That's why there's always tomorrow, to start over again
Things will never stay the same, the only one sure thing is change.
That's why there's always tomorrow

(bridge)

Before your last setting sun
And everything your heart has longed for
Has yet to be (one)
Yes there's always tomorrow though people come and they go
But if you,ve brought some love to their lives
Then you've got something to show

I listen to that thinking, yeah I've finally realized, that I could be infinitely better than before, definitely stronger, but then someone will ask me to come over, and I'll make some excuse not to go. Granted sometimes they are viable reasons (like tonight, between being messed up and my bad night vision, which is extra bad in rain/snow I aint going no where... Especially until I sort this out), but usually they aren't. So I sit around thinking: Ok, I will write a little... Then I don't. I am hiding from myself, I am hiding from others. I sulk away from myself, I cower from others. I'm hiding in videos, and books, seeking solace, not here, but in the shelter of my couch with a book or remote.

And now my mind is reeling, wondering why... Why do I hide.

My mind is a jumble.

I keep hearing (from Sunflower - Corey Hart):

I'm a little tired
Pretty messed up tonight
I don't know where to begin
This aint no delusion
Looking out from within
Some place that I've never been
But I know that I let you down
I know that I let you down

I have let myself down.

I just sit here wanting to go out, but afraid to, afraid of disappointment, afraid of not being accepted, afraid of letting go, of letting in.

Is it just fear?

Or is it the disappointment?

Of all I could have been, could have done? Thing things I did not do?

Or is it more simple than that?

Is it just the fear of being hurt again?

Could it just be that simple? I am afraid to go out, to hang out with my friends, old and new because I am afraid of being hurt, of having my heart trampled on again.

I keep thinking, no, not thinking, longing. Longing to be with my friends, to hang out like I used to, with no fear, no pain, no loss. But that time is gone. My time of innocence. Now I fear being alone so I force myself to be alone so I wont be alone when its not my choice.

That doesn't make much since to me, but that is how I feel.

My brain is a jumble.

I cannot see why I isolate myself.

I cannot see why I am frustrated.

I cannot see why I am angry.

But I am.

I just want my mind to slow down. Let me take it all in.

And yet I have the good moments to. The moments where I can see how I have grown, and how I can laugh at work with all my friends, and how I can come home and pick up the phone and chat with more friends. How I have so lucky to have family and friends like I do, that love me.

Still my mind whirls.

Today is a fog.

Please let it clear....

Let me see what is going on.

Let me see why.

Let me go.


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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
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"Feelings are not supposed to be logical. Dangerous is the man who has rationalized his emotions."
-David Bornstein, January 28, 2000

Is it just me....

I wonder....

What is it that happened between Dumbledore and Hagrid that has made their trust in each other so deep? They both would trust each other with each others lives... What happened to cause that?

Just wondering

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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
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"It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
-Dumbledore

Welcome to 2004

Happy new year!

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INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY
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"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living."
-Gail Sheehy