Ice Cream & Puppies

Today didn't start off well. But it got better. Mostly thanks to ice cream & puppies (and a couple of wonderful friends).
These are our friend Michelle & Jeff's puppies. Over spring break we went for brunch and a walk with them around Queen Elizabeth park. The puppies had just been neutered and had to wear cones, but they faired quite well, still enjoyed the walk and even managed to pose for a photo. Though I did learn that puppy cones create serious light reflectors (oops!).
Today, just as I was feeling discouraged, they came running into my classroom and it literally made my day (along with the chocolate ice cream Michelle & I indulged in at lunchtime).
Proof that puppies and ice cream can cure all your problems.

Chopper

Friday - aka white fluffy light reflector!

P.S. Our internet has been down for a few days so I am a little backed up on posts. I will catch up as I can. I am also going to hound Jeffrey to post some of his wonderful photos. I have to say, it is good to be back :)

Finch's

Have you ever been to Finch's on West Pender downtown? If not, you need to go! They serve the most amazingly delicious baguette sandwiches wrapped in brown paper and tied with raffia. My favourite is the pear, blue brie and prosciutto. The cafe itself is also incredibly endearing with mismatched tables and chairs, rustic exposed beam walls, a chalkboard menu and "grandma-like" knick-knacks and books cluttering the old shelves. The space is cozy and inviting. It does get quite busy at lunch time, so try to go on off hours.
Over spring break I got the chance to meet my friend Mandy there on her lunch break. Since it was packed, we took our sandwiches to-go and ate them by the water, but while we were waiting I couldn't resist snapping a few shots with my Olympus Pen F.
~ M

Damn it, now I have a craving.

Kitty!

I grew up as a dog person. I never really understood the point of cats; they didn't really seem to do much and you couldn't really play with them - I just didn't get it. Until I got a cat when I was in university. Now I understand and appreciate the personality, companionship, and just sheer amusement that comes with a cat.
A few years ago, I had to give my cat away and it absolutely broke my heart. Luckily, I was able to give him to my grandparents who live in the Kootneys. I tell you, that was the best thing I could have done for my Bobby Kitty and for my grandparents! He is so incredibly spoiled and well taken care of now (he gets way more attention than I ever could have given him), and my grandma just loves to dote over him. Not to say that I don't miss him all the time (cause I really do), but I appreciate how happy they all are together.
I took these photos of him while I was back visiting over Spring Break. And I don't care what anyone says about cats and long term memory... he totally remembered me!
All photos taken with my Pentax K1000 and expired film. (Sorry again about the quality on some of the shots)
~ M

P.S. Isn't he a darn handsome cat? He has such a good face and profile. So regal.
And yes, he is hanging out in the laundry basket in that last shot. Cute, right?

Je t'aime!

3 years ago today, I took a chance on a stranger who I met online.
We met for coffee, which turned into dinner, which turned into a second date, which turned into an inseparable couple.
1 year ago today, that man got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
Today he is my best friend, my love and the most amazing man I have ever met.
Today I count my blessings that I could be so lucky as to spend my life with that amazing stranger who I met 3 years ago today.

WAW #5 - Self Portrait

This week has been a little crazy which means that I am a little behind on posting my weekly assignment (bad teacher!). This week's assignment was "Self Portraits". I had all good intentions to do something other than a reflection shot, since I have done several reflection shots with my film cameras, and I wanted to push myself to try something new. I had all sorts of big plans, but then got sucked in by one of my silver necklaces and earrings lying on the table... I just couldn't resist the reflection! Well it turns out, I actually learned a whole lot about the different settings on my Canon Rebel XS DSLR in the process... and learning about my digital camera is one of the main reasons that I am doing the weekly assignments. So, mission accomplished!
Here is what I learned.
1) My Camera has different flash settings for different light sources (i.e. fluorescent, natural, etc.). I will need to remember this in the future when I actually need it.
2) That the ISO setting on my digital camera is my friend (and I need to get to know it much better!) This lesson learned is simply demonstrated by an example.

Taken with flash - ISO 100

Taken with flash - ISO 1600

Taken without flash - ISO 100

Taken without a flash - ISO 1600

A higher ISO can mean sacrificing quality of grain (or noise level) or colour, which you can see in the clarity of table in the photos with flash. The lower ISO has less noise. However, I couldn't get a self portrait with the flash on and didn't have enough light to get a clear shot at the lower ISO. In the photos with a flash, the higher ISO was definitely a better choice.

Jeffrey has also been participating in the weekly assignments intermittently. These are his Self-Portrait shots that he did with the automatic timer on the DSLR. I was his assistant and we had fun playing with the ISO and flash settings.

Auto-timed Self Portrait - With flash ISO 100

Auto-timed Self Portrait - Without flash ISO 100

~ M & JR

Sunday afternoon coffee

There is something so satisfying about sitting in a cafe by yourself, enjoying the bustle of the world around you, while sipping a delicious vanilla latte, and nibbling on a pastry treat.
~ M

These photos were taken with my Pentax K1000, but I stole Jeffrey's smaller lens which has a macro function. I kind of really like it.

Boo!

Welcome one and all to our world... a place where wonderment and imperfection are essential to living. A place where we explore the world through the lenses of our old and new cameras alike. A place where we can muck about and share our musings with you. Thank you for indulging us.

~ Melanie & Jeffrey Roy

Melanie & Jeffrey (aka MelRoy) - Pentax K1000