Cameras and Football

Hi Guys

its been a week or TWO since I last posted anything worth mentioning (or more to the point ANYTHING at all).

I'll keep this particular posting short, very short. Just two items (and maybe a quick comment or two just to finish with)

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1: Cameras.

For 15-ish years I have taken pictures via my Nikon 401s.
And, in all that time it was my one and only Camera (and Auto Focus being the method of choice as I have to wear glasses and I just don't trust my own eyes)

Then, after a "cheap" Digital Camera that came with a computer, we really came into the digital age with the Fuji Film 2800 and , about 18mths ago, the Fujifilm S5000 (right).As I have mentioned before, the S5000 is a lovely little camera. SLR in style, and also, to some extent, in use. It is easy and straight forward to use - very nice.

But, again as I have said before, something was missing.

And, after a lot of soul searching. Pondering. Worrying.To some extent , it could be said that after all the thought and consideration, I pretty much went into "STUFF IT" mode (I was going to put a more "localised" comment - but I've kept it clean-      )

It has now turned back into a "proper" SLR. Or , to be accurate, a D-SLR. I have purchased a Nikon D70.

The reasons?

1. I like Nikon Kit - I have tried other Manufacturers and they didn't seem to suit me.
2. I suppose it is a case of "sticking to what I know"
3. I already have several good lens, and I didn't want to waste them

       Am I happy? Your bet your life I am.      

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2: Proud Dad.

All Parents know that, at certain times, their Kids drive them absolutely MADDDDDD. But, that said, you love them to your last breath, and wouldn't change them for the world. Well, last Friday was the Park Tigers Junior Football, U14's , Presentation night.
Normally, this is a family affair.
We all go.
All the Lads, their Families and the Club. Everyone has a laugh, a drink, and its generally a good night all round.

But not this year.

Liam was ill - very ill.  He tried to get ready for the "do", but he was just too sick.He had, to me at least, all the hallmarks of a Migraine Attack.

I do so hope that I’m wrong. I used to get them ALOT, and have to take medication to ward them off – 

So dad and Laura had to go alone.
Now all the lads that have played for the team in the last season get a "thank-you" (Liams' being shown above left).But then there are special trophy's - Like Supporters Player of the Year and Players Player of the year (Well Done to Naz and Ben)
The reason for Daddy's pride.

Even though Liam has been out for a week or three with his broken thumb. Also considering the fact that he was ill. Dad had the "HONOUR" (and it was an honour) to go and collect, on his behalf, Liam's SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR trophy.(pictured right)

Isn't it wonderful to be a parent?

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Told you there would be a couple of additional comments  - 
Today find me day off, waiting to take Liam out of School at lunch time to visit the local hospital. it has been a month now since he broke his thumb, and today is the day they take the first cast off to see how things have progressed.

  I really hope things are OK. Having the cast on is really cramping his style.   

We shall see!!!

I’m not looking forward to going back to work tomrrow.

The reason?

It is the yearly safety training. Don’t get me wrong Safety at Work is of A1 importance. But the training never has been the “dynamic”

Is History Cyclic?

Have you noticed how things, even when you think that you are renewing something, always seem to end up almost coming back to what you have previously done?

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I do know that there is a theory of history which basically falls into the "Cyclic" category. A common saying round this end of the world is "What goes about, comes about" in that things happen throughout history in a circular motion.Something will happen, several years will pass until someone will stand there and say "Hasn't that happened before?"

Well, to explain this blathering, two things have (or more accurately still)are occurring now to sort of support this theory.

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Item 1: Camera's

I have, in the past placed a posting about, what was then my new Camera.I had migrated from my film SLR to the new brave world of digital. And I was content.

But am I restless?

Am I greedy?

  My Fuji S5000 digital camera (pictured right) is a lovely, SLR Style Digital Camera. It has a good level of technology. It is easy and straight forward to use but......

And its a big BUT (or rather its a big But to me). I realised it had become a compromise.

Not that Compromise is wrong - life is full of compromise.

But I realised that what I really wanted was my old "full blown" SLR back. But, of course that wasn't it all. I wanted what was the modern equivalent of my old SLR. Something that wouldn't only just take pictures(Film or Digital), but I could then take pictures by changing my lens to the appropriate focal length.

Then, reading some Photo Magazine or other (and that's another thing I've started doing again - reading photo magazines - another Cyclic incident) there, being the Lab item contestant was a Nikon D70. A digital SLR with the ability to change lenses. Not only that, but it is supposed to be able to accept the Nikon Lens that I already have.

The problem?

The usual for most people - its costs a serious amount of money.

AH well   

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Item 2: Weblogs

I know that I keep going on about the various weblogs I have, and whether I have got too many (or too few - I WISH -  ).

But, there I was, sat in front of the computer the other day trying to decide whether I should be doing anything at all - considering my present arm problems.

I “Um’ed” and “ARR’ed”

I “wondered” and mubbled to myself.

Of course I would do something.

I decided that I was going to change the image of two of my "main" (or should I say oldest and best loved   ) weblogs - Smudgers Xanga and my “That's Life” Blogger Sites.And guess what - you got it.

They were "modified", but the style is somewhat similar to what they were before. All that said, the "plain-ish" Black and White "obvious" style is generally the one I like.
I tried "Flowery".
I tried "Colourful".
I even tried "Garish".
But it just wasn't ME. Please feel free to have a look and let me know what you think.

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Thats it for today

Hope you like what you read.

Cheers for Now

Dave

The Smudger