The AH Coffee Shop and Reading Room 02: A Comma (is a Restful Pause)

[TxRad]

I learned to be very wary of walking around European antique stores with a credit card. Do you have any idea how tempting a cased set of cap lock dueling pistols with all the accessories can be? And it was just sitting there in the shop window! I figured that since it didn't have a price tag I couldn't afford it and walked away . . . reluctantly!

A Bear with dueling pistols. I'm not sure the PNW has been a good influence on you.

Airport boredom strikes. Got an hour to kill before we board. Transit stops, gotta love em. But I get to catch up on my reading at least. Coffee and a good book. Just wish the seats were more comfortable.

And now, signing off.. z Happy Christmas everybody

Today, flying is boring in general. You're too high to see the scenery and jammed in a tube like sardines. Why not knock everyone out, wrap them in bubble wrap, put on a face mask with some nice happy gas and stack them like cord wood.

It would double the passenger load. No one would be awake to terrorize so we could do away with TSA. Everyone would arrive well rested, no jet lag and no boredom.

I wonder who I need to talk too about this?

 

[TxRad]

*dropping off a tray of assorted holiday cookies to go with the coffee and making sure there is eggnog available*

*look around, spy a place to park my butt. plop down, put feet on coffee table, and snuggle in with eyes closed.*

*Cookies!!!* I, uh, mean, *Kimbalee!!!*

We need to see you more often.

 

[Hypoxia]

Hmm, tonight's low is 27F. I should have hibernated instead of going to Europe.

Tonight's low here is also 27F and Europe was never an option, nor Guatemala, which is usually warmer.

Odd but predictable pre-holiday frenzies around here. Help relatives prep for fun festivities at their homes because ours hasn't the capacity. Dash downhill to gather vital last-minute stuff. Our rural realm and its tiny town core are foaming anthills now. Only grooming parlors for pets and their humans, and the local musical instrument store, are having slow days. Don't even think of getting an oil change, tattoo, or takeout BBQ. The WalMart parking lot is a free-fire zone.

Okay kids, it Saturnalia today! Dance naked around the burning tree! Drink sacred coffee first. (Holy coffee: dip a carved deity into it.)

 

[Handley_Page]

A Bear with dueling pistols. I'm not sure the PNW has been a good influence on you.

Hasn't that got something to do with the "Right to Arm Bears" ?

Tonight's low here is also 27F and Europe was never an option, nor Guatemala, which is usually warmer.

The WalMart parking lot is a free-fire zone.

Okay kids, it Saturnalia today! Dance naked around the burning tree! Drink sacred coffee first. (Holy coffee: dip a carved deity into it.)

I must remember to take my camera out this evening, in case I see and Saturnalian dances taking place.

 

[Hypoxia]

Hasn't that got something to do with the "Right to Arm Bears" ?

The bears in my neighborhood carry Bowie knives. Those are the only armaments they need.

I must remember to take my camera out this evening, in case I see and Saturnalian dances taking place.

Better set the ASA to 3200 or 9600. You don't want to miss details.

 

[TxRad]

Morning all,

No Bears, Bowie Knives, or Dancers around here this morning or expected later. Bright sunshine we got with the temp supposedly topping out in the mid 70's. All that changes tomorrow as the cold from the PNW gets here. Tomorrow night expected to be in the 30's.

I guess I need to make a trip up that way and nail that damned screen door shut.

Okay now for the good news. There is coffee. There are donuts. Housemate will be home tomorrow evening, just in time for cuddles.

 

[Handley_Page]

Morning all,

No Bears, Bowie Knives, or Dancers around here this morning or expected later. Bright sunshine we got with the temp supposedly topping out in the mid 70's. All that changes tomorrow as the cold from the PNW gets here. Tomorrow night expected to be in the 30's.

I guess I need to make a trip up that way and nail that damned screen door shut.

Okay now for the good news. There is coffee. There are donuts. Housemate will be home tomorrow evening, just in time for cuddles.

Do I assume PNW is Pacific North West ?
All the same that is a long range of temperature. . . . [Good LUck with it].

Ah - the coffee; thank you.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Writers group and Christmas party then out to the bar. I was already tired. Last night I actually started leaking from the eyes because I couldn't find a couple presents I bought. Munchkin stood ready with tissues and hugs. Is Christmas over yet?

 

[ElectricBlue]

AToday, flying is boring in general. You're too high to see the scenery and jammed in a tube like sardines.

Stephen Fry has commented (or one of his QI pals) that he was on-board a QANTAS flight waiting for push-back, when the dry as dry Oz pilot comes on the intercom:

"Right, you lot, it's your pilot speaking. It's about time we started 'er up and got some scenery rolling past the windows..."

 

[_Lynn_]

As long as you don't get a wild attack of 'gotta get this tidy' while you are recovering, Madam.

Yeah.

Hmm, tonight's low is 27F. I should have hibernated instead of going to Europe.

We've had a ton of days where it didn't even get that high.

*dropping off a tray of assorted holiday cookies to go with the coffee and making sure there is eggnog available*

*look around, spy a place to park my butt. plop down, put feet on coffee table, and snuggle in with eyes closed.*

 

[Handley_Page]

Writers group and Christmas party then out to the bar. I was already tired. Last night I actually started leaking from the eyes because I couldn't find a couple presents I bought. Munchkin stood ready with tissues and hugs. Is Christmas over yet?

Well, me dear, if it is, I must have blinked too quickly.

Yeah.

Fat chance !

 

[Hypoxia]

Activity on the forums I infest seemed slow a few hours ago -- right about the time of the Solstice. I hope many were out festing with fleshy Saturnalian fervor. Meself, not. Ambient temperature is a skip below freezing. 17% of a waxing moon *might* show itself but for the clouds, so the night is dark and dreary. And if we burnt a tree to dance around, the fire crew would be most unfriendly. So it's a dull night.

I may busy myself with a brief project I've neglected. I spent five bucks on a junkish violin body awhile back with the intent of finding a cheap 'ukulele, removing the necks of both instruments, and splicing the 'uke neck onto the fiddle. Result: 'ukadiddle. Or fil'uke. A frankenaxe suitable for terrorizing aesthetes. And they call me mad. {cackle}

 

[TxRad]

If my tree is burning, I'm headed for the doctors office at a dead run.

Morning all, it is Friday and you know what that means. No, not the end of the work week. Housemate will be home today. Houseguest tomorrow.

So it is time to celebrate, which means there will be coffee very shortly. And donuts, yes, fresh donuts.

Today is going to be the last warm day until after the New Year, so I'm spending so time outside.Then I can join Bear in hibernation.

 

[Handley_Page]

The bears in my neighborhood carry Bowie knives. Those are the only armaments they need.

Better set the ASA to 3200 or 9600. You don't want to miss details.

Make sure you use the right software; you don't want to get a load of noise on the image, do you. or do you ?

 

[Hypoxia]

Make sure you use the right software; you don't want to get a load of noise on the image, do you. or do you ?

If it was film I'd soup Tri-X with a brew of Dektol for clarity, plus Acufine for speed, plus Kodalith for detail and contrast. If digital, hey, more that a few newer digicams hit ASA 1 zillion now... although my old K20D is only good to about ASA 2400. Solution: bigger honking flashes. Or burn a taller tree.

Solstice has come and gone. The sun is returning. Those ritual dances worked. Whew. The sun won't disappear into the void. I hate when that happens.

More espresso...

 

[Handley_Page]

If my tree is burning, I'm headed for the doctors office at a dead run.

Morning all, it is Friday and you know what that means. No, not the end of the work week. Housemate will be home today. Houseguest tomorrow.

So it is time to celebrate, which means there will be coffee very shortly. And donuts, yes, fresh donuts.

Today is going to be the last warm day until after the New Year, so I'm spending so time outside. Then I can join Bear in hibernation.

Ah, fresh coffee; just the job on a gloomy, wintry morn.
I'd have thought you'd hibernate with the House-personel, not the Bear. <snigger>

If it was film I'd soup Tri-X with a brew of Dektol for clarity, plus Acufine for speed, plus Kodalith for detail and contrast. If digital, hey, more that a few newer digicams hit ASA 1 zillion now... although my old K20D is only good to about ASA 2400. Solution: bigger honking flashes. Or burn a taller tree.

Solstice has come and gone. The sun is returning. Those ritual dances worked. Whew. The sun won't disappear into the void. I hate when that happens.

More espresso...

K20? A nice machine, I'm told.
I have an EOS 40D and sometimes it's more like flying a jet fighter than taking photos.
For me it was Ilford HP4 & Accutol.
Is it possible to get flash powder and suitable hardware ?

 

[Hypoxia]

Ah, fresh coffee; just the job on a gloomy, wintry morn.

No snow here yet, just the threat of a nasty winter, and the quadruple espresso in the morning should forestall it a bit more, right?

K20? A nice machine, I'm told.

It's a professional machine, like its MF stablemates, the 645 series. Nikon and Canon are weak sauce in comparison.

I have an EOS 40D and sometimes it's more like flying a jet fighter than taking photos.
For me it was Ilford HP4 & Accutol.
Is it possible to get flash powder and suitable hardware ?

I think I've seen powder technology stuff on eBay. Not that it would be difficult to craft-up -- a quick hardware store visit should supply most needs. If flash powder is restricted, buy and gut illegal fireworks.

I like replicating old technologies. The first photo emulsions saw only 'actinic' (UV-violet-blue) light. Set your cam to monochrome, add a blue-ish filter, and you'll see what all toggers before 1880 captured. And ditch your modern lenses. Old slide projector lenses can be mounted for a 'period' optics feel.

 

[TxRad]

A cold north wind is moaning around the eaves. I'm awake. Why I'm not sure except I got rode hard and put to bed early. Not that I'm complaining in the least.

The coffee is brewing and I'm thinking pancakes later.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Good morning, Tx, and all.

Pumpkin praline bread pudding is in the oven and I'm making omelet with horseradish cheddar cheese.

 

[TxRad]

The pancake idea got sidetracked by me ending up back in bed.

Omelets sound good although I'm not much for horseradish. I ended up making blueberry waffles and bacon.

Definitely a change in the weather. 41 this morning, 71 yesterday morning at this time.

The most posh Christmas gift I've heard of this year. A left handed pickle warmer.

 

[Handley_Page]

.
I like replicating old technologies. The first photo emulsions saw only 'actinic' (UV-violet-blue) light. Set your cam to monochrome, add a blue-ish filter, and you'll see what all toggers before 1880 captured. And ditch your modern lenses. Old slide projector lenses can be mounted for a 'period' optics feel.

How does one mount a projector lens ?
I have one taken from a digital projector (I have a job for the light path).

Good morning, Tx, and all.

Pumpkin praline bread pudding is in the oven and I'm making omelet with horseradish cheddar cheese.

Omelet? Yes please but not the horse-radish.

 

[Hypoxia]

How does one mount a projector lens ?
I have one taken from a digital projector (I have a job for the light path).

Depends on the focal length. Projector and enlarger lenses (ultra-sharp!) below 75mm *can* be mounted on a half- or full-frame (D)SLR with a focusing helicoid but the focus range may be limited. Those 90mm or longer (and many are around 130mm) can go into a macro bellows and focus from up-close to infinity. I've a couple of 127/3.5 anastigmats that, with a 47B (blue-violet) or 87C (light blue) filter, give a very Matthew Brady look. Shoot wide-open for moody, thin depth-of-field.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Family visiting, cave is fully decorated (and finished!), for those of you who love fresh bread but think it's too much work, go to the King Arthur Flour website and buy a bag of their sourdough flavoring mix. They have recipe on the bag that is the easiest wonderful bread I've ever baked. And easy? Man!

 

[Handley_Page]

Family visiting, cave is fully decorated (and finished!), for those of you who love fresh bread but think it's too much work, go to the King Arthur Flour website and buy a bag of their sourdough flavoring mix. They have recipe on the bag that is the easiest wonderful bread I've ever baked. And easy? Man!

I ent to see my local baker, and his rolls are delicious.
The Cakes ain't bad, either !

 

[TxRad]

I never thought of movies as a place to learn about writing. I was wrong in at least one case. "Finding William Forester" is that exception. I was impressed with the characterizations and the depth of the characters, first off. The fact that it didn't use typical stereotypes was another thing. That it let you make your own assumptions until the story needs for you to know the real truth of the matter.

The layers upon layers, both ethnically and generational, made it a writers dream. One old white, one shot, author and a young black man too smart for where he was makes for two unlikely friends but.... The but is always the best part. That and the question of what drives writers to write or not to write for that matter.

I was impressed, to say the least.

Okay, there is now coffee for the evening crowd. I think I'll write something.