What I've Been Up To

Wow it's been a while since I posted in here. Actually I did write a few days ago, not a very interesting entry, and it got eaten when I clicked post. No loss though.

I've been doing a lot of cool things - venturing outside with my camera is one of them. I'm a real hermit, and tend to stay inside by myself. So it takes quite a bit to get me out the door. Now that the weather is occasionally spring-like, it's a bit more tempting. I have beautiful surroundings. Five minutes down the hill from my apartment building is the river. There is a small woodland just before the water, with paths criss crossing through the trees. The shoreline is home for a little duck couple who have, so far, evaded my camera. The minute I arrive, and get my settings in order, they move out into the river until the current takes them swiftly away. They always cackle at me as they disappear out of sight. A little further up the path, the river spills into the sea. It's calm as glass - Baynes Sound is very sheltered.

One morning, a couple of weeks ago, I was hit by a sudden craving to wander through these woods with my camera. In a few minutes I was out the door and hurrying down the hill. I took shots of trees and their shadows - so different from the shadows they make when the trees are covered in leaves. I photographed tiny spring flowers, and startled a baby snake that attacked me with a stink bomb and rushed away before I could capture it on camera. I found a small pile of discarded household junk, including a rusty metal bedframe. The springs were twisted, casting wonderful shadows. There was an old stove, and some sort of metal box with the front peeled away to reveal a metal grill. There were rolls of chicken wire.... I spent half an hour at this junk pile, taking macro shots. I had the time of my life.

I left the woods and moved gradually up a little back street. I took shots of small junky houses, and falling down garages. I came to 'The Old House' - a beautiful rustic house converted into a pizza restaurant. Its grounds are wonderful, with ancient trees and arbours and vines. I got my first outdoor macro flower shots that came out so well I almost can't believe they were taken by me. When I remember days like this, I have to wonder what possesses me to stay inside so much!

My camera club is great. We have monthly assignments where we take photographs along a set theme. On the day, we all bring one or two of our shots and set them out along a table for everyone to look at. Then we all vote first, second and third, and hand in our ballots. So far I've won third place, and second.

Today I spent the entire day listening to Hamlet on C.D. I've recently "discovered" Shakespear. I never really got into it before, but my great friend suggested I try Romeo and Juliet, and I fell in love with this style of writing. It takes a bit of effort at first, to understand what is going on, but once it clicks, a whole world opens up. My friend sent me Hamlet on three C.D.'s that arrived in my mail today. I spent hours on end, listening to the entire thing. I had goosebumps. It was a wonderful day, the actors on these C.D's really bring the story to life. I followed along with my book that I borrowed from the library. He tells me he will send me more C.D.'s of Shakespear's writings, I can't wait.