I received a zoom lens for my birthday, and let me tell you, it is unbelievable.  I spent a day wandering the town where I work and taking photos with the lens to get a handle on how it works.

Here is the top of a flag pole. It’s regular size and I’m standing on the ground.

The college where I work is building a new, state-of-the-art music hall. This is the construction at the lowest setting (which I can’t remember but think may be at 300)

Here it is at the highest zoom (700). That’s the same guy in the previous photo.

Here is grass. From a fully standing position. Did I mention I love this lens?

Finally, just a lucky shot I got in passing and probably one of my favorites of all time.

I brough the lens with me to San Francisco and will post those in the next few weeks. I had a 4GB card and went crazy with photos. I’m still going through the first day of photos which I think is around 1GB all on its own.

It’s been, what, six months since my last update? It’s not that nothing has gone on, it’s just that I was busy doing other things–like knitting and sleeping and watching TV. You would be extremely surprised at how much time all that takes. However, I will try to write more often even if that means I will start writing fictional accounts of my life. Maybe I will write about my last trip to the moon or my tour as a circus performer.

Anyway.

A month ago, we held a bridal shower for Sarah and of course I took copious photos. You will be stunned and amazed by the fun and food. Well, maybe not the food because the whole table shot didn’t come out, but trust me, there was a ton of food and it was all good.

View the entire gallery.

The Husband has begun playing Everquest again which means I can work on entries and photos and not feel guilty for abandoning him. He’s in the same room so we are bonding, with our backs to each other. I decided to spend tonight compiling the few Rhinebeck photos I had.

Every year my knitting group drives down to the Rhinebeck Wool and Sheep Festival to fondle yarn and look at smelly sheep. Mixed in among the yarn vendors is a rock and mineral show and food.

I think I may have been sick at Rhinebeck. I was tired and cranky, but attributed it to the early start and having to drive. Three days later I was diagnosed with Strep so it’s really up for debate. However, we left at the plumber’s crack of dawn so we could make it for the 9:00 am opening. I’d curse the idiot who decided that we leave at 7am so I had to wake up at 5:30 but, um, I’m the idiot. So sue me.

We wandered for hours until we couldn’t walk any longer. I spent way too much on yarn but it really was for a good cause. I can now make 6 pairs of socks and an entire sweater! You can’t put a price on that.

Next year, maybe I can avoid being sick.

(all photos are here.)

I think the next couple weeks will be busy so I don’t know how long it will take to get Halloween photos up but I thought I would share the two I finished so far.

Up first, the most awesome cake ever. The Husband took my idea for a tall ghost of some sort and came up with a kid under a sheet. I made all 7 layers and then constructed and iced the entire thing. The Sister made the fondant and decorated the whole thing.

And then, the costume. The Husband is getting ready to tie me to the train tracks.