Whistling in the Dark

I’m alive. Not doing good, but alive.

My friend Ed (Edythemighty pretty much everywhere) rode out the hurricane. This is a video he posted of the aftermath on Ustream.

Live Videos by Ustream

Over the last week whenever bored or can’t sleep I’ve been grabbing my camera and going for a walk (about 10 miles total this week). While it’s decent exercise and I’ve gotten a few good shots out of it I’ve come to a couple of conclusions.

First, I need a good pair of walking shoes. My sandals leave me with blisters and my boots (my normal day to day shoes) start to give my ankles hell around mile three. It’s just that decent shoes are stupid expensive.

Second, I need to always carry my GPS puck. Partly because it lets me know just how far I’ve walked but mainly because I like to know just where I’ve taken a photo. Sometimes I want to find the spot again to shoot later. It’s not like it’s big or heavy. I just need to get into the habit of attaching it to my camera bag.

I called the doctor today to re-up a perscription when I was told that because I haven’t been there in about a year I need to come in for a check up. I know why they want me to but it’s still a pain. I love being harangued because I drink coffee, eat meat, etc.

While it’s great to go somewhere to shoot sometimes you get get the best photos in your own back yard.

When I got my BlackBerry Curve (8320) for Christmas I became addicted to it. It’s the best phone I’ve ever owned and I’ve been telling everyone that will listen how much I love it. Well, my brother wanted to get his own cell phone (he’s been using his work phone) and he must have remembered me gushing over my Curve because he decided on a 8320 for himself. He’s loving it so far, other than the free Mac sync software, PocketMac, which frankly sucks. I’m going to hook him up with a copy of MissingSync.

Oh, and BlackBerry Messanger rocks. I know it’s just IM for BB snobs but I still like it.

The last week or so has been a bit of a bitch. First, my girlfriend is getting laid off. The serverence package is amazing so it’s not a complete fuck over but it’s still making life worrysome.

Then a good friend of mine is in real dire straights and is going to have to move out to the Midwest for a while. Today I gave him my old phone and hooked him up with a prepaid plan so he could sort out a job and place to live out there. I also went through his appt with him to see what he could sell to get cash to get out there.

Finally, today one of our dogs, Rufus, had the trots and started bleeding from his back end. We rushed him to the vet and, thankfully, it looks like he just has a bug and by going so much he burst a blood vessel back there. Still a stressful couple of hours

It has been an emotionally draining week.

It’s been in the high 90s with matching humidity all weekend and it’s not breaking until Tuesday night. I ain’t built for this shit.

When I got my MacBook a couple of years ago I got the white one because it was cheaper (the famous Apple black-tax). Big mistake. Not only does the white plastic scratch easily but unless you use it wearing a bunny suit in a clean room it gets dirty real quick. So I either have to clean it at least weekly or I look like a complete slob.

I wish Apple didn’t make you pay for the black finish but I’m definitely paying the premium next time.

Summer’s almost here and for anyone that doesn’t know the Mid-Atlantic region this means temperatures in the high 80s to 90s (Fahrenheit) with matching humidity. This Saturday is going to be 90 and sticky, as is most of next week. The worse part is this year we don’t have a car with AC so when it gets this hot the last thing we’re going to want to do is drive anywhere.