cloudy days
Though it was, by all accounts, cold, overcast and sometimes windy, a couple of hours were taken out of my working week yesterday when friends drove some two hundred and fifty [thousand] miles over to Cambridge to have a barbecue with me. In some respects, I feel guilty for taking time away from the work I have to do for my thesis, but then overdoing it is a very real possibility, and everyone is entitled to relax every here and there. Especially when four or five people are taking time out their day to do it with you. Hot coals, delectable munchies and a troop of hungry loved ones does plenty to dispel all sorts of grey.
On the camera front, I was asked yesterday (via email) how a student could afford the hefty price tag of Canon's EOS 10D (originally £1275 ex. VAT). There's only one answer: eBay!
In July 2004, I learned that the model was to be superseded by the most luscious EOS 20D come August; I figured that some professionals would be selling off their "outdated equipment" (it's so sinful), so I sold an ancient SLR body to raise capital, ate cornflakes and endured scurvy for two months, taught some extra developmental biology classes to undergraduates, and then sat at my computer waiting for something to happen.
Within two weeks of the 20D coming out, there were dozens of 10D bodies on eBay at shocking prices; I got mine for less than the more recent, non-professional EOS 300D (itself superseded by the new entry level 350D - mrrow!) still sells for on eBay when second-hand, despite its being a more rugged camera (magnesium alloy versus aluminium-plastic body), if functionally similar. Savings: greater than £725, and the seller threw in extra parts when he discovered I was a student - I finally came to understand the true value of market research and cutting-edge professionals with a heart.
Damn you for pointing that out. The absurd expense of your camera was the only thing keeping me from getting very jealous. And then you tell us it wasn't.
Of course I'm now looking at things I can't afford, and thinking of how much I would be saving.
And they are some tenacious friends you have there.
Oh, that wasn't my intention at all; if it helps, the camera is intrinsically absurdly expensive all the same; I just got it at an opportune moment. If you're on the lookout for a particular model, I can keep an extra eye (it's freakish to look at) open for you, though I appreciate the concerns of damaging expense; where I am now, a camera is the last thing I'd invest in even if I didn't have one to experiment with, but this came along during better times.
Aye, they are tenacious indeed, but only at the right moments.
Stop apologising - it was half in jest (although I've yet to decide which half).
As for your freakish third eye, I'm not likely to buy anything (or more precisely, be able to) for a while yet, so don't worry about it.
And I'm glad you have your friends so well trained.
I'm so happy - for your sake - that you originally referred to it as your 'extra' eye rather than your 'third' eye, as you certainly don't want to be describing anything down there as being 'freakish'! ;-)
you definitely have to take SOME time away from your thesis. It can be such a pain sometimes to really put it away for long enough without feeling guilty about it. hopefuly when you pick it back up your will be twice as insightful and productive.
Was the time spent with loved ones fun at least?
hope you have a great week
~Brian
Well you have certainly made an excellent choice as that really is a stunning piece of kit.
Thanks, guys, though Keith, I have to say that a good camera doesn't make it that much easier to take a nice photo; I produce plenty of duds, though I think that even they're improving - I guess that's the best part of having a DSLR - the turnaround is faster and you can adjust settings immediately.
David, as far as I'm aware, the third eye refers to extra-sensory perception in any case! Tsk, always lowering the tone ;)
'Tis a God-given talent, and not to be wasted! :-) Accuracy? Irrelevant when it comes to smut! Hey, I'm planning to drop by Londinium some time this summer for a few drinks before heading off. Get thee there (long essay-writing permitting) and get thy smut-shields at the ready! ;-)
Your next purchase should be some high-end trinoculars to really utilize your third eye.
They're in the mail; best idea in 200 years.