Another new camera

I was having some problems with my new camera. (the big one) so took it back to see if BestBuy would exchange it for a working one and not be hurt. They were very nice about it and let me have cash back or exchange it. They didn't have the same one so I went crazy and got a "Pro" DSLR. It's what the "pros" use and I have been into photography long enough I think I will be able to understand it after a while. I cannot believe the quality of the pictures this thing takes. Once I learn to use it....I will be taking the best pictures of my life. I'm VERY excited. It's what I have wanted for 10 years.



All I ned now is some talent and artistic ability and I'm all set. Hopefully I have some of that in my 'genes" Anyway, this is an update of my digital camera adventure. This same thing happened last time. I got one, wasn't satisfied and took it back for a different one. This camera is the best you can get without spending BIG bucks, so this is it for me.

New camera!

I have been "into" photography for a long time. I set out to learn all about it, but found there is no end to the learning. It's an art. Like any other art, there is no end to the possibilities photography provides. In late 2006 early 2007 I got a new Canon G9. It was a "high end" camera with all the settings and options available. I loved that camera. I sold it last week and replaced it with a new one. The new one has some different options and newer technologies. The new camera is the Canon "SX20-is" (image stabilization) The new one is actually not quite as "high end" as my old one, but I can still do almost everything and a lot of different stuff. I can't wait to get shooting pictures.

I have "seller's remorse" because I spent so much time getting to know that camera. I know it sounds crazy, but I really am regretting selling that camera. haha I have spent two days experimenting with the SX20is and it seems to be a good replacement. It has a powerful zoom lens built in. With the old one I had to spend 10 minutes taking it apart to attach the zoom lens. The new one takes AA batteries. The old one needed batteries specially made for it and I could only charge them with an outlet at home. With AA batteries, I have already found rechargeable ones I can charge in my car or at home in 15 minutes. ANother really neat thing about the new one is the LCD screen rotates and you can point it in any direction. It should be very handy. It also shoots HD video.



This post is to document when I got this camera so I can look back on this day and see how it worked out. I can still be the "designated photographer" for Dad, Emily, and Mom when you guys need stuff done, in fact, I am looking for some test subjects.

The pictures you see are of my new camera. The Canon SX20 is.



I almost forgot, I picked up a little point and shoot too! This would be great for any of you reading this. It's a Canon SD780is. This one is the size of a credit card and shoots HD video too!

Family pictures from July 24th

I had almost forgotten about the family pictures mom made me take on July 24th 2009. It's a good thing we did them. They will be fun to look at in 10 years. There are also good ones of the different families and couples and me, Matt, Em, Rae, and Sar. Anyway, I'm glad we got them now. Maybe we can do it every 5 or 50 years.

Here is the link to the family one :

http://rapidshare.com/files/343583063/IMG_1871.JPG.html

First entry of 2010

Well, I thought it would be a good idea to make an entry into my little blog. 2009 is over and it was about like every other year. I really got going down the road to computer heaven this year. Last year about this time I decided to start saving for a new computer. I started to put $20 into an online account here and there. In May I had done so much research into the subject I had the knowledge to build one. (I thought) so I started ordering parts. Within about a month or two I had all the parts I needed and started building. It was one of the best experiences I have had. I cannot remember something I felt so passionate about.

On the other side of the spectrum, my work is about ready to move out of the office they have had for like 30 years in Murray. They don't even have a place for me yet. It sounds like I will be driving to North Salt Lake every day to an office they have there. I even heard talk of me having to work in a double-wide trailer. The thought of driving up there and back every day makes me want to puke. Hopefully it will go okay, I need to pay the bills and just as importantly have good health insurance.

That's what's going on with me these days. I also recently got a laptop and new router. A router takes your internet connection and splits it into many connections and also makes it wireless. I have been playing around with it quite a bit. I have also been into networking since I got my laptop. I got a new router and after only one day I flashed it with open source firmware. (just some guys code, written in his basement) In other words, I ruined it and fixed it and now it's not even the same router I got. It now can do things only a $1000 network appliance could do. Doing this stuff is not easy and it's not for the faint of heart. I spent hours doing it. Maybe I will use the knowledge some day.

By the way, now that it's 2010....please don't say it "two thousand and ten" just say "twenty ten" please....thanks.

Another "information age" entry

I have often thought how I don't feel like I belong in this time. I wish I had been born in the 1920s or before. I would have done well there. I am glad however that I was here to witness the information age. It amazes me every day how we can now find any information in seconds on the internet. 20 years ago (or even less) if someone wanted or needed to know something, most would probably ask someone. Maybe go to a library. I have to assume the majority of people would simply give up and never find out the information. We can now just grab a wireless phone, laptop, or sit down at a computer and find anything in seconds. I cannot believe we live in such times. I also cannot believe there is still a relatively high percentage of people (even in the U.S.) who don't see what a benefit this can be.

I am sitting here with two computers that I don't even use because they are too slow. I could give to one of these people who don't have the ability to use the amazing tool called the internet. I work with a man who is about 10 years older than me. He is a very thoughtful individual. He likes being able to find information at will and uses the internet for entertainment when he has a break at work. I have offered to give him a computer so he can access the internet at home. He refuses. He knows what a wonderful tool it can be but is still refuses. I don't know if he's afraid of change, or thinks he will spend too much time on the internet. It confuses me. Anyone under the age of about 50-60 will not be able to make it through the rest of their life without the help of the internet in one for or another. It may be a very small device like a "smart phone" or "net book" but one way or another we are all going to have "on-line lives" whether we want it or not.

I have embraced this reality and have tried to find out about the hardware and software that makes this all possible. I hope I never deny reality. I'm sure I do in a lot of different ways. People probably look at me and think the same types of things as I think about my friend at work. Maybe people think I am denying myself some of the best life has to offer by not having a family of my own or limiting myself in other ways.

I still remember the best thing I ever learned in school. I don't remember much about school, but I do remember one thing an English teacher said to me many times. "Be honest with yourself" is what she said. At first I didn't understand, but it didn't take long before I did understand what she meant. Most people (including me) are not honest with themselves. They may be the most honest people with everyone else, but not themselves. That's the most important lesson I learned in school. Everything else falls into place if you will do that one thing.

I'm not sure what that had to do with the information age but it seemed to fit at the time. That's my thought of the day.

The holiday season is almost here

The holiday season is coming fast. Halloween is almost here and Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we know it. It's astounding how time passes the older we get. I can't understand time. Anyway, the holidays are not so bad I guess. I used to really hate them. I could do without them, don't get me wrong. However I can tolerate them as I get older. This is just a reminder to turn the lights out October 31 because snot-nosed brats will be knocking on your door. (unless you have a sign like me)

How would it be

There is nothing I would rather do than quit my job and work for myself but when I consider the benefits I have at my current job, it is hard to imagine myself giving it up. Health insurance alone is worth hundreds each month and the 401K is also worth a lot too. It would take a lot of balls for someone like me to quit their job and start a business. I would be giving up a decent wage and all kinds of benefits. I can see how starting a business when you're young would be the best time to do it. The chances of your business failing are very high. You would most likely be begging for your job within weeks or months. I have seen it happen with some of the guys I manage at work. One guy has tried it twice. Once with a window washing business and another time with selling insurance or something.

I have done a few side jobs in the past two or three months and can't imagine replacing my job. It sure would be nice to work for yourself but I am under no illusions of how it would be. I would be working twice as hard for less money. I have a lot of respect for people who start their own business. It would have to be the right blend of luck, hard work and a damn good product or service. The type of business I would start would be a computer business (shocking I know) Almost everyone who has a computer needs work done but most just wait until their machine fails instead of doing maintenance over time to make it last. I could make a computer last for as long as possible. I have one now that is in better condition as when it was new in 2005. It's slow by today's standards but I could still be using it.

What's the first thing most people do after their computers fail? They go to Best Buy or RC Willey where they can get a sub par product and get it financed. What they should do is upgrade over time and do regular maintenance so they get everything they can out of it. This takes a lot of knowledge and time however. That's where I come in....I could provide this service (cleaning, upgrading, and maintaining) and it wouldn't cost too much. With the proper advertising, I think this type of service could succeed.

A small business could provide a better product and service but certainly could not provide financing and advertising would be the main problem. I guess it's back to work for me on Monday but how would it be to work for yourself. It might not be the best thing for me. My job keeps me out of trouble. It sure would have a lot of good points and be a lot of work.

That's my thought of the week/month

End of summer! Yahooooo!

I have been slacking lately. I've been very busy. These are fun to read months later.

I have been working and then working some more after work on building and upgrading computers. I have built one system for a guy at work and upgraded 4 others. I have been surprised how many people need work done. I have also been into cleaning viruses and malware. Some people are better off just saving their music and pictures and having me restore the computer to the state when they bought it new. Most need new ones but this helps and it's not expensive. Anyway, I have just finished building a computer for a rich guy. The picture is of some parts for that build. (Intel Corei7 - one of the fastest CPUs made and Mushkin RAM - some of the fstest RAM made) I am installing Windows right now so I'm almost done. I hope I can get a side business going. In plan to try.

I am at the point now where I can do just about anything hardware related. I still struggle with the software a little bit.

The statistics are amazing when you hear them.

The average life of a computer is 3.(something) years. If yours is more than 3-4 years old, it's at the end of life and you had better start looking.]

It all depends on what type of use you are however. If you just use a couple of programs and use e-mail and Internet, you can really stretch the life out a bit. A good rule of thumb is if your machine starts getting errors or can't do what you need....it's time. Always save your important pictures and music, documents, etc.

This has been my thought of the day/month.

Summer

Here's what comes to mind when I think of summer. Hell would be another thing that comes to mind. This HAS been the best summer in a long time however. It's nice to be able to move around a little without almost passing out. This loosing weight thing really has some good benefits. I hope all of you "Summer lovers" are enjoying the intense heat. About 8 weeks and it's fall.

Hooked on YouTube

Since I got a higher Internet connection speed I have been watching YouTube videos. Everything is right there on video. I spent nearly the whole day watching people put computers together and overclock CPUs and video cards. I don't think it healthy for a long period of time but for a Sunday I guess it's okay.

I am still working on my computer. Every week I think of some cable or connector I need to make thinks better so I am still working. I am not even using the new one full time yet. When Windows 7 ships on October 22nd I will be ready to slap it on and start using it full time if I can wait that long (witch I doubt)

That's my thought of the day. Have a good week.

Playing with my new computer

I have my new computer build running great and am now doing more advanced things like "overclocking" the CPU and RAM and GPU. These terms mean nothing to most but some of you know what I'm talking about. I didn't get the fastest CPU made so.....I am making it faster by changing certain settings in the BIOS. (among other methods) I have squeezed about 35% more speed out of my CPU (the brain of the computer) therefore getting more bang for my buck (so to speak) Plus, it's a lot of fun. There's a lot more to learn so I had better go read my motherboard manual and read overclocking guides on the internet. haha I somehow knew I would be like this some day (a nerd) but whatever floats your boat....

I built a computer!

I have been into computers for years. I love tinkering with them and using them in general. I have been ordering parts one or two at a time for a few months and reading about how to build and configure a computer. I have been interested in computers since my dad got an Apple IIc when I was about 10 years old. I remember sitting at that computer for hours typing in code! I'll bet he forgot about that. Anyway, I got my last parts last week and just finished building it. I am "stress testing" the CPU right now. It's a great feeling to build something I will use for years. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.

Summer is here

Before the punishing heat hits I got a few pictures of some flowers in moms yard. For some reason I like to take pictures of flowers. I want to say for the record "I am not gay" (not that there's anything wrong with that) I like to shoot pictures of flowers and I shoot AR-15 semi automatic rifles too so here are a couple of okay ones. That's my thought of the day.

Click for larger pics.

Deer in the headlights

I have said this before but people just are not right. A lot of people just seem like they have a mild case of autism. (not making fun of that affliction) They have a "deer in the headlights" look. I'm sure they are all just having bad days. We all have days that we walk around with a blank look in our eyes. Or do we? Maybe they didn't get enough sleep. Early to bed, early to rise. That's my thought of the day.

Dual monitors

I was forced to start using two monitors at work. It was about 18 months ago. They thought we would be "more productive". Turns out they were right. I love it and would never go back. If you have room....get a cheap monitor about the same size you have now and hook it up. It's easy and you'll love it.

Time - Gravity - Space

Have you ever thought..."this is the "modern" age. We know almost everything about the universe in which we live" I have....when I was younger. I thought this was a time where scientists knew almost everything and would surely know everything in my lifetime. However the more you look around you and look into space, the more you realize we know almost nothing. Most deep. important things taught today in schools are hypotheses. Even plate tectonics...let alone the nature of gravity, time, space and the relationship between them. This is a big deal. If we learn the truth of this relationship it would be the biggest discovery ever in history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacetime

Anyway, I just get thinking about this stuff on Sundays when my brain is not full of useless crap from the day to day horse shit that fills our lives. If more people thought about it, maybe we would figure it out. Think about it.

I happen to believe mankind knows more than we think possibly from reverse-engineering alien spacecraft and has probably explored our solar system and has advanced knowledge about space, time and gravity. I believe they (whoever they are) are suppressing the knowledge for reasons unknown.

This is my boring (for most of you) thought of the day #2.

Windows 7

I have been using Windows 7 for a few months now. I have switched a couple of friends over to it. Microsoft is letting us use it free for a year. I found a little 5 minute video that shows some of the changes you will see. There are a lot more changes but these are some of the ones you will notice first. (plus I am practicing putting videos in my blog)

So watch this little video if you want. It's pretty good if you want to know about the user interface changes you will find on your next computer. Anything you buy after about October of 2009 will probably come with Windows 7

How much of your life is on line?

I came across this little video and there is some truth to it. You never know what's going to happen and the last thing I want is to be a burden on my family if I got into a car accident or had a stroke. There are people thinking of this stuff.

Bank accounts , e-mail, Flickr, operating system are all examples of things you would want someone to have access upon your demise. It's interesting to think about it anyway.

Mom....don't say "you're freaking me out" I already know. Also HAPPY MOMS DAY!!!!

How do blind people dream?

I have never though about how a blind person might dream. Think about that. If you were born blind, would you "see" anything in your dreams. If you became blind during your life sometime I would imagine you would "see" in your dreams but how about the person who has been blind all their life? I am sure there is research about this but what an interesting question to contemplate. That's my thought of the day.

More about dreams. Have you ever heard this?

I have strange dreams as do most people. The range of subjects in dreams is astounding. I have had one 3 times now in which I see nothing. I wonder if I am dreaming because it "feels" like I am just lying there about to fall asleep or just waking up.

This dream is all audio. We would call it music I suppose but there are no words for this "sound". The closest sound I can come up with is a few thousand people (or beings) making unbelievable sounds that are all in harmony and make the most beautiful sound I have ever heard by far. It sounds like voices but not normal by any means.

I have thought that maybe I am hearing music from a radio station and somehow my mind is picking it up. This is not an option as this "music" is not like anything I have ever heard. Like a choir times a million.....I have also had "angels"(I know it's strange) pop into my mind.....has anybody heard this? I have had many strange experiences while sleeping and have learned that I am often not the only one having them. This is among the strangest. It just happened again about 3-4 days ago.

Leave a reply if you have heard anything like this, know what it is, or heard others talk about it. I have searched the internet and can't find anything. That's my though of the day.