August 31, 2007

Camera Porn!

UPDATE

Thanks to a really helpful company that I found on the net - Retro Photographic I now have two (out of date) films for my Kodak Duaflex. Even if the films are a little out of date and the photo's don't turn out at least I've got the spools now so I can use 120 film in it in the future. What's more I've just had another look at their website and noticed that they've just started stocking Black and White 127 film so it looks like the Brownies going to get a go after all. I've just finished the first film on the Duaflex so I'm looking forward to seeing what comes back when it's developed.





So, my latest acquisition from freecycle was a load of old. really cool cameras. I was really looking forward to running a film off on each but it would appear that's not as easy as I first thought!

The Agfa Isolette II, which is by far the most complicated of the three is the only one I've managed to get a film for, all I need to do now is work out how to load it, use it and unload it! the Brownie 127 would appear to be a lost cause as no one makes the film anymore and even Tony the nice man at Longworth Photographic in Farnborough (who by the way has THE coolest collection of old cameras in his shop) couldn't suggest a soloution for. But the Kodak Duaflex is usable it might just need a bit of work/expense because even though no one makes 620 film anymore 120 film will work, I just need to spool it in a dark room/bag.

I've had lots of helpful suggestions to alternatives to a dark bag including trousers and a hoodie but I might just blow £20 on a bag and make life easier (although I have advertised wanting one on freecycle - you never know!)

Either way I still love them, there's something really nice about the nostalgia of old camera's. Each one of these is probably over 50 years old and have obviously been lovingly cared for. And no matter how advanced we get with the digital age the smell of bromide still tales me back to school days, and there's still more skill needed to get a good pic out of these. Am I up to it? Who knows? Watch this space :)

August 23, 2007

Saw - Extra Squeamish Edition

More Bunnies

Not for the faint hearted :)

August 19, 2007

M.I.A

Update

Well he's back! He wandered through the cat flap at about 11.30pm on the tenth day since we saw him last, we really have no idea where he could have been. One things for sure he hasn't gone ten days without food and water and apart from a scratch on his head he seems no worse for wear. Either someones been feeding him or he's been on a mammoth hunting spree!

We've had problems with what we think is a stray male cat, still intact if you get my drift who has not only been bullying Smodge but is hanging around our neighbours flat showing more than a passing interest in their two female kittens who are currently on heat. After a bloody encounter tonight (please note the blood was all mine) I have officially declared war on him. I am determined to catch the little s*@t and take him to the vets to check for a microchip. If he's chipped and we can trace an owner he'll be taken home with a strong recommendation that he be neutered. If not there's a very nice lady called Shirley in Basingstoke who will take in waifs and strays and find them a loving new home. The new kid has got to go, he's making all the local cat's lives miserable!

As for Smodge and his adventures there's only one thing left to do and that's to take a leaf out of Mr Lee's book and treat him (?) to a cat cam. Assuming we can find a Smodge proof collar. I'm determined to find out where he goes, and it works for Mr Lee :)




So we’ve pounded the streets, called his name till we’re hoarse, called the vet, called identichip, even called environmental health (the worse call to ever make – they pick up the pieces, if you know what I mean) and plastered the local area with missing posters but Smodge still seems to have managed to disappear. I really don’t know what to do next.

It’s been ten days now since we last saw him, and I feel awful, not just because I’m worried sick about him and what might have happened to him but because the last time I saw him was at 4.30 in the morning when I unceremoniously removed him from our bedroom door where he was scratching and howling to come in. I shut the door to the bedrooms so that his only option was to sleep in the living room or go out – he chose the latter and we haven’t seen him since, and do I feel bad or what!

I’m clinging to the hope that somewhere in our tiny little village someone else has decided that he must be a stray and have decided to keep him and he’s being fed and looked after but just not let out for now because I’m certain that no matter how pissed off he was about not being able to sleep on our bed he would have come home if he could, the alternatives don’t really bear thinking about and I refuse to give up hope – yet! Although he’s clearly not a stray and he’s micro chipped so it’s not hard to find out if he has a home or not, and little old lady or not if I ever find out that someone has been feeding him and trying to keep him they better be prepared for some serious grief. Anyone who’s ever shared their home with a cat knows not to feed someone else’s cat, they’re fickle at best and given the choice of someone who let’s them sleep on the bed and feeds them nicer food and someone who feeds them healthy food and relegates them to the spare room at night (he’s got his own room for god’s sake, he’s hardly deprived!) they’ll go where they get the best treats.

We’ve had a few phone calls in response to the posters I’ve put up, unsurprisingly there seems to be an abundance of black and white cats in the area, (no surprise there) but so far none of them have been our boy so we’re no nearer to knowing where he’s gone. I’m going to start knocking on doors tomorrow, even if I have to knock on every door in the village, I can’t believe that someone doesn’t know where he is. Although the thought that he may have got himself locked in somewhere isn’t good, if so he’s had nine days without food or water and I’d rather not think about that right now.

He disappeared for three days a while ago and came back like he’d never been away and so many people keep telling me tales of how they have lost cats for weeks, months even and then had them return there’s still a bit of hope so all we can do is keep our fingers crossed that he comes back safe and sound.

August 12, 2007

New Toys!

I have discovered a dangerous new addiction – Freecycling! The idea is very simple you put stuff up for grabs that you don’t want anymore and if it’s any use to anyone else they come and take it away from you – for free! It's a worldwide concept and there are local groups just about everywhere just go to the website to find yours.

So far I’ve managed to find a good home for my ancient and much travelled Sinclair ZX Spectrum that has been sitting in various cupboards, garages and even had a brief stint in Wimbledon Police Station for over 20 years and I’ve offered all my old cassette tapes and videos and a few more things that I’m loathed to throw away just in case someone somewhere has a use for them.

Of course the danger is that while trying to rehome your own junk you invariably come across things that other people are getting rid of that might just come in handy.


Ironic maybe that the first thing that I’ve gained via freecycle is a free cycle! An exercise bike to be precise, in pretty good nick with onboard computer and everything, just the thought of using it brings me out in a sweat, although I suspect I may actually have to get on it to see any real benefit.

We’ve also got a pine coffee table and some dumbbells lined up to collect and no doubt I’ll come across a whole host of stuff that might just come in handy.

Good job I cleared the garage out last week.

August 01, 2007

What's In A Name

I was sent this by a friend, I checked and they really are legitimate web addresses, surely they must have realised how their URL appeared!

"Who Represents" is where you can find the names of agents
representing celebrities. Their Web site is www.whorepresents.com

Experts Exchange is a knowledge base where programmers can exchange
advice and views at www.expertsexchange.com

Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at www.penisland.net

Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at www.therapistfinder.com

There's the Italian Power Generator company, www.powergenitalia.com

And don't forget the Mole Station Native Nursery in New South Wales
www.molestationnursery.com

If you're looking for IP computer software, there's always
www.ipanywhere.com

The First Cumming Methodist Church Web site is www.cummingfirst.com

And the designers at Speed of Art await you at their Web site,
www.speedofart.com

:)

Sunshine Whenever You Want It :)