Suspension Branches

Race practice today was pretty good. I was glad to see the course has not changed much since the last time I raced it. My first run down was horrible though. My suspension was not set correctly, and my tire pressure was way too high. This combination lead to a very choppy run. Fixing those two things made for a much nicer experience, and way more fun for the rest of my runs.

Race run will have to be at the max if I want to place well though. This is a very fast course with some big jumps. Challenging for me, but fun for most (it seems). Hopefully I can pull together a good race run like I did for the Victoria DH.

No crashes today. I really hope I can say the same for tomorrow.

One sad note: I scratched my new goggles. Damn. I caught a few branches today so it must have been one of them. Now I regret not getting some tearaway strips as lens protection. Grrr.

Hammerfest Jumps

This weekend is Hammerfest weekend. Much like previous years I am really looking forward to the race. I hope the course hasn’t changed too much from previous years, but I hope there are a few changes.

Each year the course is different due to new logging, and since I missed last year’s race, I am expecting more than a few changes. 2 years ago was a fun race though. New, and big, table top jumps. Large open sections of no trees to hit (done that a few times during this race). Less uphill than previous years.

Plus, for the first race ever, I will be wearing a decent pair of goggles. New Oakley MX O Frames. Sweet. No more way too dark and scratched to hell ex ski goggles from the 70’s for me. 🙂

Tracing Debit

2 nights ago I realized my debit card was missing. Recently I have accidentally put it in the wrong spot in my wallet, but this time was different. It was not in my wallet at all.

I tried tracing back my steps and wanted to check my account online, but without my debit card number I couldn’t get into my account.

I had used my card at the mall, so I checked there. Nope. I may have lost it at Costco or somewhere in between, but I just could not remember the last time I had used it.

With a bit of trepadation I went to the bank expecting a hassle. I was very wrong. No line up. I got to walk right up to the teller. I told the guy that I lost my debit card. He asked for id and asked if I wanted a new card. In a matter of less than 5 minutes he had a new one hooked up to my account.

On my way out of the bank I used their handy dandy pin changer et voila, fresh debit card. I love it when the bank exceeds my expectations for customer service. Seems to rarely happen.

Beer Dreams

“Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed – Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn’t drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, ‘It is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.'”
-Deep Thought, Jack Handy

Dentists Freezing

I hate dentists. I always dread heading to my next appointment. I always wonder what they are going to find next. Today was my latest appointment and I dreaded it just like the rest of my visits.

The biggest difference was that they found a cavity that will need to be filled. Ugh. It’s not necessarily the sound of the drill I hate, but rather the vibration in my head, and the smell.

I also detest the freezing they have to use. For whatever reason the dentists have to use extra freezing to get the effect they need, so it lasts a really long time, and the unfreezing process always weirds me out.

Blech. I really hope that Sprout gets Sox’s good teeth.

Save Hatley Park

This is an appeal to photographers in Victoria. As I wrote about previously Royal Roads University wants to put Hatley park behind a fence.

Some people I know are organizing efforts to stop this fencing. Please visit
savehatleypark.com and sign the petition and get involved if you can. As of this writing work on the fence has been halted pending a review by a federal heritage agency. It is important that we stop this fence.

From the pictures on a recent canada.com article, and savehatleypark.com this fence should be abolished. When I read a fence was going to be erected, I was thinking stone fence a wood fence or maybe some other nicety. Apparently a chain link fence looks good these days.

If I wasn’t against fencing Hatley Park before, I am definitely against it now. This is truly an abomination, and I just can’t imagine what the Royal Roads committee was thinking when they gave the green light to a chain link fence (regardless of it following historical fence lines). Royal Roads is a university, and really should not be in the tourist business. The gardens on the site cannot stand the traffic of tour busses. How disruptive to schooling will it be to have tour busses driving in and out of the grounds, and large crowds flowing across the grounds?

I just wonder why Royal Roads feels it necessary to embark on this? Before taking over the grounds they should have done their research and know what would be involved in the upkeep of the gardens. The gardens that are so beautiful and rich obviously cannot be kept in good order for free. Even I know that.

Please get involved if you can.

Photoclub School

Gorgeous sunny day for the photoclub. Too bad I was the only one there. It was awesome to get out and enjoy the day. Sun, slight breeze, camera, and some tunes (listened to my iPod for a while). After shooting for a bit, one other person showed up, and I ended up taking a small break and talked with him for a bit. Had’t seen this particular person in over a year.

The location was Lampson Street School. Picture taking went well. The challenge wasn’t the location, but the sun. Harsh direct light, creating harsh shadows, cool blue textures, and dappled light from the abundant trees. Still it was great to get out for a bit and leave home stuff behind. Get out, enjoy the sun, breathe the clean air, relax, and think creatively.

Controlling the depth of field was hard sometimes since lowering too far would create an overexposed shot. Raising the f stop to get the correct exposure would not give the shot I wanted.

In the end I am not 100% thrilled with my shots, but I am a little rusty, and I am happy with the results. My biggest hangup with shooting is remembering to examine the scene through the viewfinder, and ensure that it is what I am aiming for.

This shot is an example of that. I should have moved the camera closed to the cement pillars to remove the green background. I love the depth of field being only the first pillar. I tried having more pillars in focus, but I didn’t like the results as much. I like this shot, but for me to love it, I would have to get rid of the green.

The rest of the pics are here.