5 posts from 2007

I made the foolish mistake of venturing out today - I should just become a hermit until Christmas is over! ;D

The traffic was INSANE.  People were driving fast, erratically and were VERY short tempered.  Luckily I didn't get involved in any dumb road rage, though I'm sure I pissed off some impatient drivers because I was actually going the SPEED LIMIT.

He he, anyway.. I went to IKEA and picked up a few things, not much but I enjoy looking there anyway.  I got a cute green desk lamp that bends any which way, which will be a great help as the light in my office is quite crappy when actually reading (on paper)  and writing.  I got this model: http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/40120741

Cute huh??

I also got some cute Christmas lights from there that were discounted (I love a deal!).  They are strings of lights, made up of little red stars that light up.  I love them!  They really emit a nice glow and look very pretty.

It's also overwhelming to think this is the last weekend before Christmas! WOW!

With Christmas so close, everyone is so franticly racing around, especially in major shopping areas.  The traffic is crazy!

What usually takes about 15 minutes to get from home to the shopping centre took 40 minutes, it's a zoo out there!  So much more volume on the road than usual, with people getting last minute Christmas gifts and preparations.  I'm really going to try and lay low these next few days and avoid the major shopping parts, It's bound to get even crazier as it gets really down to the wire! Oh well, at least I've finished almost all of my Christmas shopping, both gifts and food.  That sure is a nice feeling, ha ha.

Despite the stress and madness, I am really looking forward to seeing all of the family, exchanging gifts and eating some really yummy (and really fattening!) food.  There's always the New Year to care ;)!

The weather has been pretty mild, a bit chilly but no more snow.  The stuff we got last week has really melted!

Happy Holidays everyone

Well, the snow has finally begun!

I looked out the window at around 10 AM this morning to see snow steadily falling with a generous amount already accumulating on the ground!  It snowed steadily for the rest of the day.

I must admit it looked very pretty and peaceful, though it is annoying to shovel the stuff!

I've been doing some Christmas baking... shortbread, spice cookies and some other treats!  They all smell and look so delicious but I've saved the majority for Christmas day.  Ah, to resist indulging in order to indulge on Christmas Day!

Well, the forecast calls for some flurries tomorrow!  It's been snowing quite frequently for weeks now but we've yet to have any major snowstorm, we'll see if this time is the one!

Today I gathered some songs to compile a Christmas music playlist!  I really love the jazzy, retro Christmas songs so I've got a great collection to listen to now for the holiday both on itunes, ipod and I burnt it to CD for the car.  The artists include Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Kay Starr and some others.  All really amazing singers and fun songs!  Christmas doesn't seem to be Christmas without the classics.

As my activities online.. browsing around hopelessly drooling at various electronics, clothes, shoes and accessories I'd love to find magically in my stocking! (haha).  I also really enjoy looking at flick and the beautiful photographs such talented people share with the world everyday.  In ways I really feel lucky to be able to see these beautiful photos, without the internet I really would be much more in the dark.  If you aren't familiar with flickr it's a photo sharing website made by Yahoo.  As well as the basic snapshots it's got LOTS of more creative photographs as it boasts many wonderful amateur and experienced photographers.  And of course you can share your own masterpieces!  I really recommend you check it out if you haven't already: Flickr

It's getting late so I should be getting to bed, I'll keep my eye on the weather tomorrow!

P.S.  Can you believe.. only 17 days until Christmas! Where has the time gone?

Recently I've noticed various dSLR cameras heavily marketed toward a more mainstream audience - especially with the coming holidays.  I could probably count atleast 4 cycling commercials on television and various billboards, posters and internet ads all concerning a dSLR.  The commercials on television are, appropriately, visually pleasing.  The scenes are filled with warm, vibrant colours and smiling people shooting expertly with their entry-level dSLR.  The paper flyers I receive in the mail for electronics consumer big box stores are consistently plastered with deals on dSLRs.

It's no doubt dSLRs are not reserved for the professionals anymore.  No longer does the average person have to be plagued with a small, compact point and shoot that are conveniently sized but not so focused on image quality or maybe anything other then snapshots documenting social scenes.  While a point and shoot does have its advantages, and is certainly more than enough for some, more and more people are springing for a dSLR as amateur photography rises in popularity.  I think it's wonderful people are getting involved in photography.  It is no doubt a hugely satisfying hobby.  It's only natural there is going to be a greater demand for a more capable camera such as a dSLR.

While prices of dSLRs have substancially dropped, making it more accessible to a mainstream audience, they are still pricey for the most of us.  In a range of about $600-950 for entry level dSLRs, they are not to be bought on a whim.  Many research endlessly, and while reading both expert and user reviews, these questions continually are asked:

What brand is the best?
What model gives the most value for money?
What model has the best image quality?
The best low light performance?
The fastest shooting speeds?
How many megapixels do I realistically need?

The list is really endless.  But it all comes down to personal preferences, the nature of which you are shooting and budget.  I must admit with dSLRs being so mainstream today it is extremely tempting.  What are your thoughts on dSLRs?