Warning: This post is photo heavy . . . explanation to follow. You have been warned!
The girls left yesterday for Ocean Grove, New Jersey; they have been going on an annual shore trip with their friend and her mother for about five years now. Looking back on my annual trips when I was 16, I can only think of one . . . it involved fluoride and a good lecture about flossing. Any way,I hope the weather holds out for them. After their mammoth trip around Germany and all points Germanic in the rain and the cold, a little relaxation in the sun would be nice. If you live on the East Coast, you know that isn't likely. Sorry girls . . . your father is enjoying St. Augustine, just in case you're interested.
So, the camera is with Betty and Veronica in Ocean Grove . . . what to do, what to do? I know! Buy a new camera! I admit to having photo envy these days. So many blogs have these lush, lovely photos and I am stuck with crappy pictures "artfully" arranged and it leaves me thinking, "Time to bite the bullet and upgrade to a different camera." Actually, it's all Lola's fault. "You're coming to visit in one week so that leaves you six days to buy the Nikon. Get cracking!" Yes, ma'am . . . I'll do it.
Never mind that I was on the toe for the final Monkey. Never mind that I was planning on a trip to Purl (stupid weather conspiracy). Never mind - oh, fuck it, never mind my ass and buy the camera. It took all of my restraint to finish the Monkey while the battery charged and then have some fun. I haven't read the manual all the way, and granted, it took me an hour to figure out how to zoom (years of hitting a button will suck the twisting feature right out of a girl), but I love this camera. It's like Dyson love all over again.
I'm waiting for the sock blockers to do a full on post about the Monkeys, but you can see the finished product for yourself. I tried for one of the "Let's focus on the sock in the distance and have the foreground fuzz out" shot and kind of liked the result. Let me know what you think!
In true knitting news, I cast on for the second Embossed Leaf sock and forgot that when I did the other pair, I didn't know how to purl at the beginning of the rows with Magic Loop, and I can't remember if I used an Addi 1 or 2 since the pattern calls for a 2 (2.75) and the Addi is a 2 (3.0). I think I used an Addi 2, but I can't remember. I do remember that I hated this pattern so much, but now I can't remember why. Maybe I should get rid of all the aluminum pans, Lola. Think that will solve it? Anyway, the socks are going to my mother (who still doesn't know about the blog, thank you very much) on top of a pile of material and a pattern for Amy Butler's Weekender Bag. I am smart enough to admit defeat and know that our mother can sew circles around any other person. Sorry, that is just a simple fact . . . she is amazing!
Ava
Ah crap! Couldn't you have taken some shitty photos just to make me happy? After a $200 medical bill, that camera isn't looking pretty. Who am I kidding?
Posted by: lola | July 19, 2007 at 10:33 AM
LMAO. I use a fairly cheap ($150?) digital to do my dirty work - I just take a BAZILLION pictures to find one or two that look decent & 'arty' enough to actually post.
I used to just take a pic however or whenever or wherever and shove it on up my blog, then I was (un)lucky enough to find Brooklyntweed's blog and oh me oh my but my heart was lost to stunning knitting skills and even better photography! So now I actually try. I don't always do nearly as good a job as he does (amazing how having training, a beautiful apartment, and a wee bit more time/energy/motivation will really make that much more of a difference in the photos you produce! SNORT) but I at least try!
Love the monkeys. Love the yarn shades. Love.
Wendy (of Wendy Knits) scored some sweet sock yarn in a 'passionfruit' colourway that made me almost want to lick the monitor. Only because I have an office-mate who thinks I'm whack enough as it is did I restrain myself. Your Monkeys remind me of that stuff a bit...
Posted by: SecretSockPal | July 19, 2007 at 01:07 PM
Great photos -- cameras are such fun toys!
Posted by: Sarah | July 19, 2007 at 02:07 PM
I'm a Canon girl myself, but congrats on the new camera anyway. ;-)
Posted by: Cara | July 19, 2007 at 03:16 PM
You bitch.
I was just talking with my stepdad about cameras today, thinking it's going to be my 30th b-day pressie for myself. He and my mom each have a 200 (they are big time photographers), and although I'm scared to take the leap, I think it's inevitable.
Congrats, though, seriously.
Posted by: Cathi | July 19, 2007 at 09:46 PM