063 PHOTOGRAPHIC PET PEEVES

As a photographer I love taking photos.  I have literally been doing it since I was 5 or 6 when my parents gave me my first camera.  It was a little Kodak Brownie.  I even still have it buried in a box somewhere.  One day when I get my office straightened out, I will have all my camera gear on display.  It’s amazing the technological advances in camera gear over the years.

I graduated from the Brownie, to a little camera called an Instamatic, which took cartridges of 110 mm film.  I took that camera to Grand Cayman when I visited my cousin and when I took a side trip to Cape Kennedy.  I got some nice memory photos, but nothing too Earth shattering.  It was convenient to be able to drop a cartridge of film in and take photos, but they were expensive to buy and more expensive to process and print.  One tended to be very careful about the number of photos taken.

Then you would trundle the cartridge off to the camera store and wait up to 2 weeks to get back the results of your work.  By the time you got them back, you had forgotten what you had shot and in most cases were disappointed in the results.

I graduated, as it were, to a 35 mm camera when I started Graphic Arts in Grade 7 at my high school.  They gave us loaner cameras and it was, gasp! A Canon.  Not that I knew anything about camera brands back then.  We would run around the school taking photos of anything and everything, all in black and white.  Occasionally we would sneak away from the school at lunch and blast down to the Pacific Coliseum where the Canucks or their opponents were practicing.

I watched and photographed players such as Orland Kurtenbach, Pat Quinn, Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe, Jean Beliveau and Guy LaFleur to name a few.  This was just practice, so of course they did not wear their games jerseys, but you knew who they were.  This was when all NHL practices were open to the public.

A few years later when I joined the police department and was making pretty good money, I bought my very own, first 35 mm camera.  An Asahi Pentax.  I started with just a base 50 mm lens and then added a few telephoto zoom lenses.  I stayed with Pentax for several years and had several different camera bodies.  It was such a technological jump when they came out with “auto-exposure”.

Eventually I grew restless with Pentax and decided to make the jump to a more “pro” level camera and I made the switch to Nikon and have stayed true ever since.  It’s funny though, what really put the bug in my ear about Nikon was the Paul Simon song, “Kodachrome”.  In it he sings, “I got a Nikon camera, love to take the photographs…”.  That single line is directly responsible for me switching to Nikon.

This is all preamble to the point of this whole article.  If there is one statement that I and numerous other photographers hear that drives us crazy.  When people see my Pro model Nikon D4s with a very long 600 mm telephoto, they will point to it and say things like “I bet that camera takes some nice pictures”.  Yes, it does, but truly, I have a hand in it.  No matter how good the camera and lens, it can’t take photos without some sort of human intervention.

The other thing that is said that is equally annoying, is when people see a photo you have taken and know of your equipment, they will say things like “that camera sure takes good photos”.  Literally it is like telling a chef that his incredible recipe is because of his stove or a musician that it’s because he or she plays a grand piano or whatever instrument.

Don’t get me wrong, top of the line equipment in any endeavor certainly helps, but it is the person using it which is responsible.  You can give a top notch photographer an entry level camera and they will still produce great photos.  The same as a master chef can produce great food over a campfire.  It all comes down to experience and learned technique.

Even when you get pretty good at it, you can still be improved by suggestions from people with more experience when it comes to making better photos.  The biggest key to it all though is that “the absolute best camera you can own, is the one you have with you at the right time”.  There is some luck involved with being in the right place at the right time.  But experience can make you better at being in that spot at that time.

The other thing to remember is that, you are the only one that needs to be pleased with your work.  Take suggestions from people who may be able to help you get better, but when it comes right down to it, to hell with what anyone else thinks, as long as you like it, nobody else’s opinion matters at all.  This of course does not apply if you are making money at the hobby.  Then you have to shoot what pleases your client.

062 FIRST SIGNS OF FALL

After just writing about the dog days of summer here I am now writing about the first signs of fall.  The PNE has been on now for just under a week and surprisingly has not been rained on. It has been sunny and hot, well at least out here.  It’s been 30C out here and the weather reports in Vancouver are calling 23C hot.  I could use that kind of hot out here.

But I digress, while the PNE is a sign of the rapidly advancing fall, I have noticed a lot more signs along the way.  Despite the heat during the day, there is now a distinct chill in the air overnight and into the early morning.  It makes it pleasant to do the morning walk and makes it a lot easier on Toby.

Some of the trees, mostly alder and cottonwood are starting to shed their leaves.  There is a nice crunch from the dry leaves as we walk down the two trails.  There is even a blush of colour starting to appear on some of the other leaves.  Mostly yellows but there is a hint of red in some of the maple trees along the way.

PRIMARY TRAIL

There have been flocks of birds starting to gather for the long flight south.  I heard a flock of, I think, geese fly over, but I could not see them.  I have been somewhat remiss in not carrying my camera lately, but I’ve been trying it to see if it helps my back along the healing path.  So far so good.

SECONDARY TRAIL

Which provides me a segue way into my next sign of fall and that is my physio treatments have now ended.  I started back in March with my wrist fracture and it has now been confirmed that I didn’t have pseudo-gout.  The wrist healed nicely, but has become somewhat arthritic and flares up just a little.  It’s also a little stiff in the morning, but loosens up in the shower.  The wrist worked itself into spinal decompression which I have carried on all summer.

It caused me to miss time at the lake this year, but it sounds like the weather was not that great anyway.  I just know I did the right thing though, as my back feels better than it has in several years.  I have no pain in my lower back and my range of motion has improved from being able to touch my knees to being able to touch the floor.  I can turn my head fully side to side now as well.

Hopefully this will improve my hockey this season, which is another distinct sign of fall.  The World Cup of Hockey starts soon, but I’m not sure if I want to watch Bettman’s Boondoggle or not.  More importantly is that I just got notification of the start of Kerrisdale Over 50 hockey starting September 14^th which will be my 4^th season with them.  Sunday hockey starts on September 25 and that will be the start of my 45^th season with them.

It started in the 1971-1972 season at what was then 4 Rinks and we were one of their first groups.  We had the god awful start time of 5:00 AM.  We played on the yellow rink.  The changes though.  When we started, you came out of the dressing room and had to go down one step to ice level.  Now when you leave the dressing room you go up three stairs to get to ice level.

We now play at a quite agreeable hour of 8:00 AM in what is now called 8 Rinks, and we step down three steps to the ice on the “new” side of the building.  8 Rinks is a bit of a misnomer as one rink is dedicated specifically for Figure Skating while another has been converted to indoor soccer.

I am the only original member of the group left and when I started I was 16 years old.  Three years before I became a policeman and in fact I was still in high school.  I got into this group because a friend of mine, Mike Kennedy was a goalie and his Dad was one of the organizers.  He said that he didn’t want to be the only 16-year-old player, so they allowed him to invite some friends.  I happened to be one of them.  Here it is the start of the 2016-2017 season and I have not missed a lot of Sundays in all those years.

I missed 4 games after knee surgery at the end of one season.  The most I ever missed was a couple of years ago when I fractured my wrist and then developed pneumonia.  That cost me a full 8 Sundays plus 2 during Christmas break, which doesn’t really count as there was no hockey anyway.

I’m looking forward to getting back on the ice, but I’m also looking forward to what it will look like around here once the fall colour comes out fully.  I’m already imagining Halloween with all the kids who are already in the complex.  It will be fun to decorate and give out candy.  Mostly though I am anticipating winter.  Maple Ridge gets a lot more snow than Vancouver did.  I love snow.  The fact that I don’t have to shovel it, makes it that much better.

061 EXPLORATION DAY

Onwards and upwards, tally-ho and off we go exploring.  We decided to go out and explore the surrounding area a little more and headed up to see a couple of lakes and a landmark area listed on Google maps.  Our first destination was Loon Lake.  We headed off in the truck and up the mountain where we were greeted by a chain link fence, a steel gate and a rather unpleasant lady.  The whole thing looked like a top secret military installation, but in fact, this was the UBC Experimental Forest.  How is a forest experimental?

The woman very curtly told us it was private property and that we couldn’t go in without an invitation or as part of a group.  There was also a very large sign saying NO DOGS ALLOWED.  So we turned around and headed off down the road.  Thinking like a couple of spies, we went down the road and made a different turn, thinking that a lake is public property and we would find a way around.

We went up, down and sideways through a maze of roads and ended up back at the same gate.  The rude woman was no longer there, but there was a rather geeky looking guy, dressed up like he was in a role playing game as a military guard.  He had a combat vest and boots on and I swear a fake radio in the shoulder pocket.

He was much more pleasant than the woman, and explained that yes the lake was public property but we could not drive in and under no circumstances were we allowed to take Toby, so that ended that trip.  Besides, maybe it is a secret military base and if we went in, maybe we would never be heard from again.

Our second destination was a landmark on Google maps called Webster’s Corners.  So off we went down Dewdney Trunk Road until we got there.  It’s a major disappointment as on one side of the road is Webster’s Corners High School and other is an old fashioned looking store which is basically a strip mall.  I’m sure there is some sort of history to it, but didn’t stop to find out.

We reset our goal and headed for Rolley Lake.  I camped here with my family in 1967 when I was only 12 years old.  The only thing I remember about it was playing catch with my Dad on the gravel road.  We did a lot of throwing as I was scheduled to play in the Sunrise Little League All-Star game in two weeks, with a trip to the Provincial Finals on the line.

The other thing I remember is getting eaten alive by mosquitoes.  I ended up with a bit on my left kneecap, which of course I scratched until it was raw.  When swimming in the lake itself, the bottom was just muck and if you put your feet down, you would sink.  I know this because I did and I sank.  The mud got into the raw patch on my knee and I ended up with a severe infection.  Bad enough that the Doctor was going to hospitalize me.

The infection spread up my leg and into the lymph nodes in my groin making it damn near impossible to walk.  I made it into uniform and made it to the game but could not play.  I stayed in the dugout and cheered my team on.  We lost and I had to be carried to the car afterwards.  So that is my only memory of Rolley Lake.

It is quite improved with a very pleasant picnic area and beach and a trail that goes all the way around the lake on a boardwalk.  We started to trek around, but when we ran into the “Danger Cougar in Area” signs, we decided it would be better to turn back to where there were more people around.  Unfortunately, there were more signs saying “No Dogs Allowed” so we couldn’t get down to the water.

Back to the truck and off we went.  There was some thought of trying Stave Lake, but that is basically owned by BC Hydro and because of the Ruskin Dam, you can’t get in without a key.  So it was off to Whonnock Lake.  I thought it was in the States and the place where Caitlin and Trevor go, but that is Whatcom Lake.

We arrived at Whonnock Lake and again got the “No Dogs Allowed” sign, but there was an area away from the beach where he could go, so we went down to the water and Toby wandered right in to have a drink.  This was right near the beach where the bottom was sandy, but 10 feet to the left was a sign saying “Danger Swamp Conditions”.

As we went back to the truck we saw that the parking area was full and saw a bunch of young people in suits and evening dresses and discovered we were right in the middle of a wedding reception at the Whonnock Lake Centre where this is apparently a regular occurrence.  So on that note, it was back to the truck and back home, concluding our adventure for the day.

***UPDATE***

In a strange coincidence that fits into the category, small world, isn’t it?  I just discovered that the wedding reception that we saw at Whonnock Lake was attended by a friend of mine, who I play hockey with every Sunday morning and occasionally on Wednesdays as well.  Who knew?  I only found out yesterday, when someone posted photos of the wedding on Facebook and tagged Eric in them.  It would have been fun to walk up and say hello, without disrupting the wedding of course.  Me in my black shorts  and fluorescent orange T-shirt and he in a suit.

060 DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Here we are into the so called “dog days of summer” and we actually have summer.  Just in time for the PNE when it traditionally rains.  This year it does not appear to be the case as Friday and Saturday have been sunny and hot as hell.  Well, at least out here in Maple Ridge.  The weather report was showing a very pleasant 23 degrees in Vancouver, while it was 34 degrees out here.  Combined with 42% humidity and to quote the Wicked Witch of the West, “I’m melting…”

I’ll admit it, while I do like a sunny day, I prefer them to be just warm enough to wear shorts and a T-shirt, not hot enough to buckle steel.  I do not tolerate heat well, I never have.  I have a lot of extra insulation on my body, and if I thought all this heat was melting some away, then ok, but it isn’t.  I don’t like feeling sticky, persistent headaches and exhaustion.  Before you say it, I am well hydrated as I average about 3 liters of mostly water every day.  In fact, I go through one of those big jugs of water in my water cooler once a week.

Which way to take the blog?  That’s the big question facing me right now.  I have hit a period where it is hard to think of things to write about.  It was easy when I was getting ready to move, doing the move, getting organized and settling into my new area of my new city and just getting comfortable.

Everything in the house is more or less organized or set up now.  Yes, there are some spots still to do.  One being my office.  But being upstairs, this is where the heat comes in.  It’s really difficult to even be on the computer when I am dripping sweat over everything.  The same holds true for the guest bedroom.  Then there’s the garage.  Again the heat plays a factor, but not as much.  There it is just the sheer overwhelming scale of the project that deters.  They will all get done one day.

Things in the overall living area are well set up I think.  We have had several different “parties” over the last several months.  Then there are several more to come.  It is so much nicer, having a space that I can actually have people over and have places for them to sit.  It was virtually impossible in my old basement suite unless the weather cooperated and we could sit at the picnic tables in the yard.

Now, it is not weather dependent.  We can have a BBQ and sit outside on the deck and if the weather doesn’t cooperate, there’s room inside for everyone as well.  Once the clubhouse is built, I could have a really big party if necessary.

Yesterday we had our friend Caroline over for brunch.  We did our morning walk around the neighbourhood had our breakfast and then Renee and Caroline took a longer walk down by the Rainbow Bridge.  I am quite capable of doing the second walk, especially with how great my back is now feeling, but the heat is way too much for Toby at 10.5 years.

When we were sitting around later having homemade cheesecake, Caroline suggested that I could take the blog in the direction of cooking and baking.  I suppose it is an option, although I am reluctant to give away some of my Top Secret recipes.  I’ll have to think about that one.  Caroline made a good case though, I could get my recipes out there for people to enjoy and since I’m not in the position to make any money off them, what’s the worry?

The other thing is that I’m not a professional chef or baker, I just enjoy the creative process.  So far I haven’t created anything that people haven’t loved, so maybe I have something.  My Mom taught me a lot about cooking and baking and I have learned things along the way.  Some of my recipes have been in the family for many years, and I have added my own touch to them and in some cases made them even better.  Or at least, I like to think so.

We shall see what happens.  It’s my blog and it started out to be about the “big move” at 60 but there are no rules about where I can or can’t take the blog.  Now that I am 61 and all moved in, who knows?  We shall see where it leads me and for any of you who are faithful readers.  As they say on TV, “stay tuned for more exciting developments”.

059 CH-CH-CHANGES

Change is a constant, especially with the weather this year (sunny and hot one day, cloudy the next) but even more so with our whole complex.  Every day the changes are obvious as more new units are started and others are nearing completion.  They are certainly working fast.  There will be a retaining wall being started when we do a morning walk and the next day it is completed and the next one started.

Along with the changes are the departures.  A couple of weeks ago, the final unit sold and the sales center across the street from me closed for good.  I mentioned before that this meant that Ken and Jennifer the sales reps would leave as well.  It is strangely sad to see them go, but now walking past to see the sales center office completely demolished inside and ready to be turned into the garage for the unit above.

I saw new neighbours moving into the display suite that I walked through several times and which sealed the deal for me purchasing my unit.  The display suite on the corner has also sold, but I have not seen any action as yet as far as people moving in.

We have met two people who bought interior units in the center of the complex who have turned around and purchased units on the edge and abutting the green belt.  They are now selling their initial units before they have moved in, before construction is even complete for that matter.

We are even having a neighbour, who just got moved in two months ago, selling their unit and moving on.  She re-enlisted in the Canadian Military and immediately got orders transferring her out of the area.  Probably because there is no military bases within commuting distance after the closure of the Chilliwack base.  This is the couple that I bought the “Spitfire” painting from.

Talk about a rapid changeover though.  Yes, ok, we knew about the move a few weeks back, but yesterday I looked out the window at 11:00 AM and they were loading up some final items into their car.  When I went out on the deck for lunch at noon, a moving van pulled up and the new people started moving in.

They are a really cool couple and we were only just starting to get to know them and now they are gone and the process of getting to know the new neighbour begins anew.  There will be lots of new neighbours soon enough as construction continues at this frantic pace.

Another big change is that the construction office which is just across the street beside me is also moving.  They pulled the First-Aid trailer out of there yesterday and they are preparing to move the construction office itself shortly.  Both of the shipping containers have been re-packed and the area around them cleaned up.

Before I know it, they will start digging up the area to begin construction on the final building.  It will take away the sales center parking lot and some of my view out into the bush area, but when checking the map it looks like there will be a gap between the buildings to look through and a couple of more visitor parking stalls as well.  That will give us two beside and two behind.

Another big change is that I finally cleared the are in front of my cooking island and added in three pretty funky bar stools that Jennifer gave me.  These are custom made steel stools and are very heavy and very solid.  They are also very red, but they really work to give the place a real splash of colour.  Not to mention that they are very comfortable and were very popular at our recent family BBQ.

So as David Bowie sang about in his song Changes, things continually change.  This is neither bad nor good, it just IS.  Life is made up of changes.  The change of selling the family house, the change of buying this one and moving to Maple Ridge.  Life moves onward to a chorus of change and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.