Dinner & 7D

Sawadee Khrap

Having a special dinner tonight at SoupaSteak – India style dishes – I think – but should be great – tell you about it later with photos.

Looking forward to the food but more important to me  – I will be testing my new 7D.  So far it’s been great – taking images with my old Tamron zoom lens better than my old camera with the Canon L Series lenses.  And shooting at ISO 6400 – perfect.  Heavy damn thing but well worth it.  I am starting out using Large JPG output  – approx. 6.6 MB files at 17.9 MP – and using the RAW button (25.1 MB) only when it is an important shot – saving space.  They recommend using at least 4GB to 8GB CF cards – I only have 2 GB cards from my old cameras – have to do – no money left after this.

Tonight I’ll use the Canon 17-40 L lens – f4.0 ( I could not afford the 16-35 f2.8 – $1535 – Wow expensive)  But still amazing what this will do in low-light – Camera max ISO 12,800 – but noise at 6,400 ( little but noticeable.) so I probably won’t try to push it over 3200 to 6400.   Should still be fast enough.

Tonight dinner at SoupaSteak – tomorrow Mohamed’s birthday (He is at Fang Lagoon HomeStay tonight – back tomorrow, with update)  – first dinner at Gianni de Burchio’s then the show at Adam’s – featuring underwear ????   not sure what that means – photos will tell, I will try to take as many as possible without shooting when they are nude.

Ciao

Cm Camera Club up and running

Sawadee Khrap

The Chiang Mai Camera Club is up and running

Great start with last night’s meeting at Sangdee Gallery  – John gave a excellent discussion on lighting.  Brian brought his studio light setup and also had his Canon 5D tethered to a laptop – We could see each shot and discuss the results as we modified the lighting – great way to learn.  I think there were about 11 members there.

Next meeting is on Feb 1st, Tuesday 7PM – Sangdee Gallery on Soi 5 Sirimankhalajarn Rd. just off Nimmanhemin Rd.    Topic "’Travel photos’    Bring one of your shots to show us.  (print or file, OK)

Here are several links for Sangdee Gallery:

SangdeeIcon

www.Sangdee.org        Facebook Page 

  NorthernThailand write up

 

Remember meeting are on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at Sangdee Gallery at 7 PM        Plan to be there.

Ciao

Scam Warning

Sawadee Khrap

I Just got scammed out of $25.

Bought Tiger Woods’ DVD entitled "My Favorite 18 Holes."

Turns out it’s about golf.  Absolute waste of money.

Pass this on, so others don’t get burned!

Ciao

Pfizer Announcement

Sawadee Khrap        Did you hear about this one ?

Mount-Do-CanPFIZER Corp. announced today that Viagra will soon be available in a liquid form, and will be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer.

It will now be possible for a man to literally pour himself a ‘stiff one’.

Obviously we can no longer call this a soft drink, and it gives new meaning to the names of  ‘cocktails’, ‘highballs’ and just a good old-fashioned ‘stiff drink’ will now make sense.

This should be close to how Pepsi is going to market it.  Keep an eye on your local suppliers and be the first one up to try it out.

 

Ciao.

Walking – They say it’s good for you

Sawadee Khrap

Well Thursday night, the little Mira just gave out – threw the timing chain.  Bang, I could hear the fragments flying as it fell apart. Coasted to the side of the road and turned on the emergency lights – at 10 PM on the Super Highway – nothing else to do.

I started to call friends for help, several were suffering from the same flu I just got over, several out of town or out on the town (not answering phones), and finally Ton came to my rescue.  He drove down and pushed my car off to the side of the roadway to a safe spot where it could sit all night (with my bad back I can not push –that would really fuck it up) – never enough thanks for this young man.

Yesterday morning I took a red-cab down and called my mechanic to come and get it – in the shop now,.  I understand valves stems were bent, chain gone, not sure of how much other damage done – report today – I expect a large bill – major damage.  Thank GOD it didn’t happen on one of my trips to Chiang Rai, Fang or Nanoi – that would leave me out in nowhere – and in a lot of places where the mobile won’t work.  Hope to have it repaired over the weekend.

Definitely going to get a roadside service number to call.

Ciao

Why Parents Drink

Sawadee Khrap

I just had to post this latest one from Kevin:

 

A father passing by his son’s bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then he saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to ‘Dad.’

 
With the worst premonition he opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.

Dear Dad:
It is with great regret and sorrow that I’m writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mum and you.
I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice. But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercing, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am. But it’ s not only the passion, …Dad, she’s pregnant.
Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a caravan in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children. Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn’t really hurt anyone. We’ll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy.
In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better. She deserves it.
Don’t worry Dad. I’m 15 and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I’m sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.
Your Son John

 
PS. Dad, none of the above is true. I’m over at Tommy’s house.
I Just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than a Report card.  It’s in my desk drawer.
I love you.    Call me when it’s safe to come home.

Ciao

Starting new year – bad/Good start ??

Sawadee Khrap

Well it’s not been a great start this year – I have been sick from Christmas, several friends are now in the hospital with similar symptoms.

Ton – has a terrific cold and sore throat too – damn it’s getting everyone.  And this is on top of the great news that he and Ana are going to be parents. Congratulations, you two.  All my prayers are with you.  Ton has also started a small commercial garden growing peppers for sale – but he tells me that his illness is really making it hard to take proper care of the plants and they have been suffering from lack of water.  But what I admire in him most is his determination to succeed and I am sure the garden as well as his family will be a great success.

Everything is ready for Mohamed’s visit in a couple of weeks – can’t wait to get my new camera.  Dana left and apparently had a great time here, he should be in BKK now and heading for Ho Chi Min later in the week.

May, from Fang Lagoon just stopped by and picked up a spare gas range I had from my old apartment – that should help in meal preparation at the Homestay.  Hopefully when the new camera gets here  we can set up a photo shoot with his escort boys so he has some great photos to show clients.  Should be fun too.

Anyway, just an update – life in paradise goes on.

Ciao

Every year–back again

Sawadee Khrap

Strep Throat – and a deep cold.  In bed taking antibiotics.  It started Christmas Eve, sitting in front of a fan at The Metro.  And now 2 weeks later I am heavily congested with a terrific sore throat.  Went to the hospital yesterday and got some medicine and it really feels like it’s working finally. 

Dana arrived from San Francisco and we meet for dinner but I had to leave and let the medicine do it’s work – up all night with coughing and draining sinus,  won’t be able to see him today, going to stay in bed and get rid of this once and for all.   Wit showed up to have dinner with us and he and Dana went out to some shows last night.

Ordered my new camera, Canon 7D, Mohamed will bring it when he comes later this month and then I hope to be able to get some great shots of the boys.  Studio flash units have been repaired and studio ready.  Several sessions planned -  Now all I have to do is to get rid of this infection.

Ciao