I have been reading a book by a retired chef in England, who claims to have made Gordon Ramsey crack, Devil in the Kitchen by Marco White. An autobiography of a chef in search of Michelin stars. An interesting read, also a reminder of the driven 1990's, lots of people working 70 hour plus weeks in pursuit of perfection and money, a lot of people cracking under the pressure. It happened in a lot of workplaces, I sure am glad I survived and found a better balance in life.
I was reminded recently that we don't stop having fun because we get old, we get old when we stop having fun. Keep having fun.
The latest lens acquisition is a 35mm fixed focal length. All of the other lenses I own, most of the lenses made today, are variable focal length, or zoom lenses. I bought it because it was fast, it is also incredibly sharp. I recently watched a YouTube video about the discipline of using fixed focal length or prime lenses. I put it on last Saturday for my trip to the farmers market and walk and I immediately realized how lazy I have become. With a fixed focal length I am forced to think about composition, framing, camera placement. Maybe it is time to return the basics. One of my strengths in the past was finding the best angle, and that was all based on moving the camera to where it would get the best shot. With a zoom lens, I stand where I am fiddle with the lens rather than moving my butt.
John over at Going Gently, asked about role models. I had to think for a few minutes. My answer was an author whose books came into my life at turning point. I am going reread a couple of those books.
I am moving along on travel plans for New York in August - all I really need to do there is pick restaurants for a couple of lunches, and plans for a week in Nevada in October. Rental cars are in short supply and the prices are about double what they were two years ago. I have a couple of days work to do at the beginning of that week, then a few days to explore, Reno, Lake Tahoe, Carson City.
I have a large format, photo printer. It will print up to 11 by 17 inches. I have been having fun with it. I have had it for several years, and recently when my primary printer failed, I dusted it off, moved the stuff out of the way and fired it up. I have some amazing prints of owls and googly eyed cicadas. When I asked for it (it was a gift) I had a vision of being artistic with it, I am finally doing what it was intended for. For all to long it has sat here gathering dust. Remember to have fun, or well you know what happens.
So there is my themeless ramble for the week.
I never understood some chefs. I hope they are in it for more then in search of Michelin stars. And even that doesn't impress me much if they do.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the fussy food can be fun
DeleteI would enjoy playing with a large format photo printer. I, too, checked out car rentals. My hotel is discounted by about 60 percent, best deals on airfare I’ve had in... well, ever. The car rental prices floored me. Never mind. Great photos. I’d love to do a series on leg and, especially, calf tattoos.
ReplyDeleteThe rental car for Reno for a week, was almost $600 for a week. Hotels are not bad, NYC hotels are the cheapest I have seen. We are paying like $160 a night, 1/2 a block from Times Square.
DeleteI’m paying around $140 a night for what usually costs around $350. Rental car for 5 days in Portland, Oregon (my trip has grown) was going to be $760. I’m sure I could have done better, but when I saw that and 2 others similar, I said Forget it.
DeleteA Suburban in Reno was $1,995 a week. I was on a call with someone who bought a car, drove it for a week, and sold it, rather than rent.
DeleteI think photography is an artistic venture. My sister is really good at it and gets amazing shots, whereas I just take my iphone and point and click. I love your leg pics, I would have never thought to take those shots, but they work!
ReplyDeleteI am suttle about the runner shots, they are fun.
DeleteI've been planning my trip to New York too but it's still too early to make restaurant reservations. One of my lunches will be at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I love that dining room.
ReplyDeleteThat's an idea,
DeleteI think that the idea of getting old because you stopped having fun is why I do some crazy unexplainable shiz just for the giggles.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll keep doing it!!
Keep us laughing
DeleteNewsy and informative post! Yes, I've heard that rental cars are in short supply everywhere because companies dumped their fleets during the pandemic and now don't have enough cars for the resumed demand. OR (as I suspect) they're really just charging sky-high prices to make up for the lost year's revenue. Yes, I'm cynical that way.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting if they find this profitable and don't flood the market with new cars when they can get them.
DeleteEvery time I see Gordon Ramsey in a trailer for whatever show he has at any given moment, I just want to thrust a two pronged barbeque fork into his chest! I don't know why he stood out for me in this ramble, but there you go.
ReplyDeleteGordon has made a living out of being difficult.
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