ktnxbi

I hate money. We are such slaves to it.

It looked like this year I was going to get audit for my income tax. It was more of a pain than anything. Today I received the letter and opened it with a deep breath. As with all things in life the opposite of what I expected greeted me. It was my return and there will be no audit. I was over the moon. It basically got a huge load off my shoulders. I can also forget my concerns about ho I’m going to pay for my Europe trip later this year. The return was most generous.

There was a second letter today. I could have thrown it away and nearly did. It’s from the bank and it’s usually some crap they want to sell. Again, things are the opposite of what I expected. It wasn’t junk mail at all but rather a notification that my mortgage interest rate is to go up a quarter of a percent due to ‘increased financial costs’. I read that as ‘bend over tax’. This isn’t even a normal interest rate increase in line with our RBA! They’re to meet in a fortnight and the talk is the interest rates will go up again. That’s the third increase in about 5 months from them. All up that’s going to be a 1% increase in less then half a year. 1% doesn’t sound like a lot but it makes a massive difference. I’m well off in some ways and can absorb these added costs. I pitty the countless families that are suffering and the many that will lose their home.

I really do hate money.

I’ve had mixed feelings about this announcement but at the end of the day I’m really glad they’ve released a new entry level DSLR body. Initially I was upset because it’s going to drive the price of my camera (400D) down considerably. After some thought I’m really glad there’s a new body in my range. The new features are enticing enough for me to sell my current body plus the kit lenses to get the XSi. Some really nice features as well.

• Digic III
• 14 bit RAW
• Spot metering
• 3″ screen with the new Live Preview
• 12.2 MP
• 9 point cross type f/2.8 AF
• etc

Personally I like the idea of the Live Preview but I don’t see that as the selling point. Digic III, 14 bit RAW and spot metering. So tempting.

Read more about the 450D at DPReview and Canon.

Quiet possibly an ameature thing everyone goes through or maybe a personal trait. I know I’m fussy about other aspects of my life and like to get things perfect, or at the least just right, so why not with photography. I’m talking about hesitation in posting images that I think are less than perfect.

My skill as a photographer is only a notch above your average P&S dad or tourist. As such most of my images suck in my opinion. As a result I tend not to post even those that are borderline good. Herein lies the problem.

In order to get good you need to share and receive feedback. If you’re doing something wrong and no one points it out to you how will you know? With this philosphy I will endeavour to post as many photos as I can and hopefully with some honest feedback I will get technically better. That’s the plan anyway…

I don’t watch that much TV and certainly not a lot of reality shows. This one however grabbed my attention because it has to do with photography. It’s called The Shot and it’s by the producers of America’s Next Top Model so it’s sure to be cheap. Even so, I did have to get my hands on it.

I’ve watched the first 5 episodes so far and I have to say I’ve enjoyed it. Not because it has any great photography or the quality of the drama/relaity. It just shows a somewhat small glimpse into the fashion shoot world and it’s interesting to me as an ameature photographer.

I can’t see them showing more than one season but to be honest it’s their fault if the first season hasn’t caught on. They’ve chosen absolutely shocking photographers. Only one of them stands out as having any chance of making it and she’s a darling as well. I’m speaking of Maria of course. As I write this she might be already eliminated because the show is up to episode 8 and I’m only at 5 but I am rooting for her.

The Shot imdb

My God some people are so stupid! I started visiting a new hairdresser’s near my home because my old regular one is a bit far away now that we’ve moved. This place has about 3 to 4 people working and they are all good. Except for the village idiot. He looks and talks like an import. Fresh off the boat off some little country far off where a hair cut was a special treat once in a year. I’m not sure this guy is qualified to be holding a butter knife let alone scissors next to my head.

So there’s this silly thing when you’re getting your hair cut even if it’s horrible you smile and agree and pay them their money. Even Seinfeld used this for one of his episodes so it must be true. They could be butchering your hair and all the while you are staring at the mirror with a smile on and fuming inside. It must be something in the air at these places. Maybe some chemical found in hair spray that immobilises all common sense. Anyway, this chemical has prevented me from saying no to getting a hair cut from this fucking idiot. With 3 people working there it’s luck of the draw as to who you get and I’ve drawn him 4 times now. The first time he cut my hair so short I think I froze to death that winter. Had cold ears for a couple fo weeks at least then. I promised I would speak to him more clearly next time. So I did. And so he did. And so I had no hair left after again. You can guess the third time was the same. Today I specifically looked at his face and repeated it like I was speaking to a child. Do NOT cut my hair short. Just a small trim please. I obviosuly left the place with very little hair.

You would think a person would just stop going there right. Well it’s not so easy when a beautiful girl works there and it’s close to home plus the price is right. I just have to find a cure to the chamicals they use to subdue us and say no to his hair cuts. I’m actually looking forward to the next time I draw him. It will be my pleasure to say no.

/rant over