makumaro.net

Getting Momentum

Some bright flowers the neighbours just added recently to the courtyard just outside my apartment. Heh, short of shooting subjects of late as I haven’t had much chance to bring the camera for a spin. Do want to experience shooting photos to the point of revulsion from too much of it. It might not be anytime soon though.

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The prep to put stuff on eBay is coming closer. Heh, sometimes there are too many variables and you’d like to get the best return for the stuff you want to sell. It’s like getting your feet wet with investing in shares or other stuff. There really isn’t the ideal time to do it. I’ve asked a few questions here and there of a friend who has sold stuff before and there’s really nothing much to it. I’ve also grown attached to some of my old equipment, but it’s just the case of not needing it anymore, so I really need to get rid of it.

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Bought some passes to go swimming at the local City Baths. Heh, Vyanne has started her swimming again and I did promise to join her so we’d motivate each other to get some exercise. As with listing stuff on eBay to get things sold, I’ve started the ball rolling by just buying up the passes first. Now all I need are some swimming trunks and a pair of goggles. Heh, I recall going for swimming lessons when I was in highschool and I do recall how to swim, although I can’t say I’m very fond of the activity, eventhough I know it’s a good form of exercise as you use most of your muscle groups. Will try to source out the missing stuff this weekend and hopefully, get a good swim soon.

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Life seems to be a lot of stop starting for me these days. Lots I want to do but never quite getting the push to do it. So many things I’d like to fiddle with, yet so little time. There are many books and other literature out there that I’d like to read, yet I can’t sit still and concentrate on it. Sometimes I wonder if the always on Internet world we currently live in is affecting my senses. You lose track of things as you can hop from one area of interest to another area so effortlessly.

Okay, need to set aside the computer and do some other things now.

Winter to Spring

It’s been raining a lot of late, and it’s still quite chilly on occasion. Some flowers are already blossoming even in this weather. The roses here are slightly brown, slightly wilted, giving off the feeling of winter yet there is a bit of the bright yellow of spring in the petals that are waiting to open.

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Started running again, although I lose interest a third of the way into the run these days. Physically not quite there yet and it’s been rather cold, so the muscles and stamina are taking a little time to adjust. Finished my tax returns, and finally getting started putting stuff on eBay for sale. Heh, have a whole bunch of camera equipment I’d like to cash in on, just so that I can buy more camera equipment later next year. Right now, only really want the new version of the Nikon 70-200mm and some gadgets to remote control my flash unit.

It’s been a slower week at work, with budgets sorted out and I’m sort of idling at the moment. I know I have to be proactive in looking for things to do, but sometimes I feel that there is not much I can influence in the organisation I’m at now. Will try and pick up on other things to do and see how it goes. Heh, it’s almost a year since I started and I’m just looking for something new to learn and contribute.

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Other things of note are the state of the economy. The stock markets have rallied roughly 50% since the low of March, and I haven’t been following markets long enough to see this occurrence. Good for my smallish long term portfolio and as long as the dividends come in, at least the investment is generating some kind of return while I wait for it to grow.

Heh, nothing much on my mind now other than wanting to spout facts of what’s been happening of late. Watched almost in its entirety the AFL Grand Final between Geelong and St Kilda, and while I still prefer soccer, can see the appeal of the game.

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A new release of Ubuntu comes out next month and I’d be testing that and the Haiku OS on my Eee PC. Heh, I don’t mind being a tech geek, at least it still excites me to tinker with computers every now and then. Heh, should be spending less time blogging and more time doing stuff. Just waiting for the weather to warm up a bit.

The Hectic Weekend Over

This was the only shot I got from my cousin’s wedding yesterday and as the ring bearer, I had about 10 minutes of free time with it before I had to get going to the wedding. Took out my very dusty tripod (had to clear the dust off my suit a few times as it clung on like a magnet) and stuck the 105mm macro on my D300 (which is also collecting dust as I haven’t used it in ages). Did a few adjustments, and this is probably the first time I’ve used f/32 on a shot.

Like the photo but would have adjusted the heart to face downwards as that seems as a more natural position, but it’s been tied down to that position. Best I could do in 10 minutes.

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Can finally heave a sigh of relief as my cousin’s wedding is over and so are my duties as best man. Heh, had to make sure I didn’t lose the rings, or getting the rings stuck as I pulled it off the pillow, and I managed to pull off my speech. I got the audience to laugh at a few jokes, so I hope they forgive me for my robotic delivery. Heh, I’m okay at writing speeches, I just need a little more practice with the delivery.

Realised that there is more that one as best man could do, but my cousin’s husband prepared most of the arrangements. Heh, I was only good for arranging the odd bits and ends. I knew I was a bit tensed during the lunch reception, as I could feel a slight ache in my shoulder (my shoulder aches when I’m stressed). At one point I thought I lost my speech! Luckily I had left it in my suit pocket, as I kept it in my wallet prior to that.

It was a beautiful wedding and a perfect day. The sun was bright and the sky was blue, and we were worried it might rain the week before as you know how unpredictable Melbourne weather can be. My only disappointment of the day was that I could not bring my camera with me to photograph the occasion. Not when I had best man duties to perform. Could only bring my Ixus compact to catch a snapshot here and there. Haven’t charged the battery for a few months and I relied heavily on flash for a few shots. Heh, the Ixus is rather slow for taking successive shots, but given it’s a compact, I won’t complain too much. Can’t tell if the shots I took are any good, as I left the camera in the suit pocket that was rented and the suit has been returned. As I was rushing out of the apartment, I just chucked everything together. Heh, called Jun Kit (cousin’s hubby) and he spoke to the storekeeper so I should get my camera back tomorrow.

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As a random side comment, finally made meatballs. Prepared some bread crumbs by carving up a slice of bread into little bits and putting it in the toaster to dry it out. Got some pork and lamb mince, mixed it up with chopped garlic, onions, coriander, lots and lots of cumin, plus salt and pepper. Tested one in the frying pan and seasoned it more to get the taste right.

Meatballs done, let it stand so that the meat can settle. Serve on cos lettuce and tomato, with some parmesan cheese grated on top and a dollop of yoghurt for the sourness to cut through the fattiness of the meat.