New toy...
Trip Start
Feb 28, 2006
1
58
125
Trip End
Aug 20, 2008
Perth,
Australia
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
I'd been trying to decide between the Sony Alpha and the Canon 400D. Both fabulous cameras, 10 mega pixels and lots of fancy functions but advice from the various shops that I'd been to was that the Canon was the best option for someone starting out while still being more than suitable for a professional!
Sony Alpha Digital SLR website...
http://www.sony.net/Products/dslr/
Canon 400D Digital SLR website...
http://www.canon.com.au/eos400d/
Ok, I'll never be that but the fact that it has a fully automatic as well as manual modes pushed it for me (a camera that 'fixes' your mistakes? Excellent!) and the sale was made. First stop the next weekend was to Herdsman Reserve in Wembley. Nice and close to the house as well as being a beautiful wee spot. Most of the wildlife seemed quite keen to be snapped, especially since with the excellent zoom lens that came with the camera I didn't have to get close to them at all! In saying that there were two ducks who had no fear and spent the time trying to peck imaginary food out of my hands, and even my pockets!
Aussie ducks, eh? Heh, heh, heh...
So, that's me with a new toy to play with - fingers crossed I can spend quite a bit of time here as well as during my trip home to get some good photographs and add them to this website - compare them against the ones I've taken with my wee Sony Cybershot!
So... What else has been happening? Well I've been to see the comedian Adam Hills at UWA with Sophie - he's a great comedian and really involves the crowd - much to the delight (and sometimes dismay) of the people in the front few rows... We were very near the front, but luckily off to one side of the stage so he left us alone! :o)
There's been nights out (of course!) - one to wish Jason bon voyage as he headed off to Norway on a 3 - 4 month contract with Honeywell... Fingers crossed after all that he wants to come back (more to the point that they let him come back! Heh, heh, heh...)
We've had a BBQ, in the rain! Who'd have thought it would have rained on a BBQ day in Australia - extremely bad form! Luckily the balcony was covered over so no worries there! And there's been another Boot Camp night out - this time for the round up of the Touch Rugby season (team name Hit'n'Run... Subtle, eh?). Not the most successful (1 draw and no wins out of 9 games) but it being everyone (apart from me) taking part in their first season it was actually better than it sounds, everyone improved as we went along, and more importantly everyone enjoyed it.
I also got asked to play for another team called Moto and we were a bit more successful with myself and eventually a couple of others from Boot Camp helping them to 5th in the ladder and into the finals. We played the first finals game and won 8-3! Fingers crossed for a similar performance next week!
I even made it to a concert too... Yes, I thought I might be a bit old too but turns out some of this 'noise' that young people listen to these days is actually quite good! Heh, heh, heh...
Sophie and I went to watch 'Eskimo Joe' play at the Metro in Northbridge. Support acts were 'Little Birdy,' a local chic and her band who were not bad if a bit 'out there,' and another group called Sugar *something* who were simply terrible (these guys were playing as we arrived and I have to admit I was ready to turn and leave right there and then! :o(
Once the concert got going we enjoyed it all, and Eskimo Joe were excellent - local lads making good on the Australian scene and no doubt round the world too! We met up with Craig, Wendy, Jill and Donna there as well, so a good night was had by all!
Eskimo Joe website...
http://www.eskimojoe.net/
...and Little Birdy...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Birdy
A public holiday is coming up soon, and plans to go down South for a few days to get a break (and enjoy some alcohol!) sound good. Sure there'll be stories and photographs a-plenty for the site after that...
Then on the 7th of June I fly back to the UK to seem Mum and Dad. Just a short week long break but it'll be great to see them and spend some time catching up properly, and walking Spencer the dog!
On a side note, I came across the poem that was recited at the Anzac Day ceremony I attended in Brisbane. It's a simple but amazing work by a guy from Queensland as a vote of thanks to all those who have fought for 'peace' over the years (bit of an oxymoron there I know!)
It really got a lump in my throat when I heard it then, and reading it now still makes me choke up a little inside (every time... God!). Enjoy the poem, and the sentiment behind it!
Sir
Sir - would it help if I shed a tear
I swear it's the first time since this time last year
My spine is a tingle - my throat is all dry
As I stand to attention for all those who died
I watch the flag dancing half way down the pole
That damn bugle player sends chills to my soul
I feel the pride and the sorrow - there's nothing the same
As standing to attention on ANZAC Day
So Sir - on behalf of the young and the free
Will you take a message when you finally do leave
To your mates that are lying from Tobruk to the Somme
The legend of your bravery will always live on
I've welcomed Olympians back to our shore
I've cheered baggy green caps and watched Wallabies score
But when I watch you marching (Sir) in that parade
I know these are the memories that never will fade
So Sir - on behalf of the young and the free
Will you take a message when you finally do leave
It's the least we can do (Sir) to repay the debt
We'll always remember you - Lest We Forget
Damian (Dib) Morgan 1998.
Eskimo Joe Concert 1...
