Randwick cemetery 1994, gravesite of the original Jonathan Croft in Australia, being observed by Jonathan Croft, my Dad.
The original Sydney Hospital where Major Jonathan Croft Esq. worked, now preserved as a museum. Talking to the curator in 1994. I don't know what his rank was, but Army Medical Staff ... ? Maybe he was a Major or a Captain.
Olympus OM-D E-M1, 150-600mm at 600mm, hand held.
First results from my new Olympus 150-600mm (e) lens. Very nice to use although the zoom ring is a bit stiff. Image stabilisation in the camera makes it absolutely possible to handhold this at full zoom. Back in the 80s I had a Minolta 250mm lens which was small enough that it seemed hand-holdable. It wasn’t. Rarely did I get sharp images from it. No stabilisation in those days.
Here’s a comparison of the Panasonic FZ70 at 1200mm and the Oly at 600mm. Obviously not the same conditions, but the Oly is far sharper, as it should be.
Olympus E-M1, 150-600mm at 600mm, hand held.
Panasonic FZ70 at 1200mm hand held.
Much smaller sensor (<1/4 the size of the Olympus).
_______________________________________________
I took the first step on the road to gastric bypass today by getting the referral. I just have to pick up the phone and make the appointment. I’m scared of it, but the benefits are so great and clear cut (hah!) that I think I look forward to it. I’m sure feeling the drag of high blood sugar at the moment. Not to mention the two bags of cement I constantly carry.
______________________________________________
I’ve been told to do water-walking/hydrotherapy for years, and discovered that the physio practice just across the road offers it. I visualised just strolling across a few times a week. Ideal.
But no, not in these rooms. They only refer patients to pools in other areas. They tell me there’s a gym at Quinns which has a pool. It’s only 5Km so I suppose that’s possible. Or there’s a big pool at Joondalup Arena, but that’s at least 15Km.
_________________________________________________
While browsing the web I saw that there’s a new shop complex just 1Km north of me, cnr Marmion Ave and Butler Boulevard. I wasn’t aware of it. It’s still being built but will be finished mid-year. Bunnings mainly, but I like that. I could walk it. And then carry all my heavy purchases back. I don’t think so.
As well, the new Butler train station opens late this year, only 1.35Km as the crow flies, and there are going to be a Masters hardware, a Woolies supermarket and a BigW next to it. Opening mid year, I think. Neat. Lots going on around here.
See what my new Super-Dooper State of the Art Digital Camera can doo? Capture a shot of ET! Well, goll-lee, Sarr-geant.
Ain’t I cute?
____________________________________________________
No seriously, this Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera is a game changer. I’ve also bought an Olympus Zuiko 75-300mm (150-600mm equiv.) lens. I already had a Sigma 120-400mm (180-600mm equiv.) for Pentax, but it weighs 1.7Kg (yeah, just the lens, body extra), as much as a laptop, so it doesn’t get used very often, and only on a tripod. This new lens only weighs 450g for the same focal length range. Guess which is going to get the most use.
I hate to abandon Pentax. It’s a lovely system, easy to use and fantastic quality, but it’s heavy. Not as good at carrying as I used to be. I’m not abandoning them, but … time will tell.
____________________________________________________
Feeling the effects of diabetes type II and high blood pressure recently. Guess what’s brought it on. Anger, red hot, burning coal anger about what was done to me in September, and prior to that in 2012 and early 2013. Have I got a lightning rod over my head??!! Dog save me from family members wanting to “help” me. GO AWAY! You have done more harm than good. The simple reason is that they don’t talk to me before acting. This is the story of my life. All my troubles from high school onwards stem from lack of communication, acting first, talking with me later. I’m sick to death of it, almost literally.
The prospects are losing feet, then legs, or both, going on to insulin, with all its dangers and rigmarole, heart attack, stroke, blindness and so on. I’d rather go quickly and painlessly.
I’ve got the gastric band, of course, but I can’t maintain the discipline of following a baby-food diet. I tried, but I got regurgitation and terrible gastric reflux, in fact burning of the oesophagous.
I’ve known about gastric bypass all along, but it’s scary and not reversible. I was thoroughly put off it by stories from the GP I used to see in the city. However, I’ve spoken to someone who’s had it done and she said, “No problems. Lost 30Kg, a handful of food is enough, eat anything, it’s easy.”
I’m scared of it, but which is scarier, losing legs or eyes? Or an irreversible procedure which:
I would have no option but to use the baby food diet, i.e. yoghurts, soups, mashed veges, etc etc. The point is, with the band, there is an option – give up and revert, which is what I’ve done. With the bypass, that option is taken away.
I’m scared of it, but I’m more scared of losing my legs or going blind.
Sorry to be so melancholy.
____________________________________
PS: due to my leg problems recently, I brought my Circulation Booster (look it up) out of its box in the garage and fired it up again. Clear cut result – warm feet, less burning skin, better feel overall. It’s masochistic to use (Ooooh, I love the pain), but it feels good.
That was quick. I ordered that new Olympus camera on Monday at about 10am and it arrived at my door Tuesday at midday.
Phwooaaar. It’s like a jewel. Even opening the box is a sensual experience. It’s all black, black packaging, black cloth bag for the camera, tiny add-on flash in a black velvet pouch. All so beautifully made. Manufacturing has reached such a pinnacle that you wonder how it can get any better. Flawless! PS: it’s been named Camera of the Year by three of the most respected web sites. Didn’t influence me, of course …
So I went out and took some pictures in the afternoon. I have the Olympus 14-150mm (28-300mm in familiar terms), so I only need to carry that one lens. But at last I can adapt my Zeiss Contax G lenses with their legendary image quality to this superior camera. The Contax G film cameras were so damned frustrating to use that I never got any decent results. Here we are 13 years later and the lenses are out of their pouches again, ready to be used properly. I nearly sold them off – glad I didn’t.
Samples from yesterday:
Always carry a camera if you want to get shots. These are at a local supermarket.
__________________________________________
More from past years:
Isle of Skye
Isle of Skye, Cuillin Mts
Isle of Skye, near Portree
Stromeferry, near Dornie
Eilaen Donan Castle, Dornie
Eilean Donan Castle
Loch
_____________________________________
The books arrived dead on 9am this morning. Heavy and luxurious. Very pleased.
Bull's Roar 