As part of my “doing the work of three people” adventure today, I decided to give myself the lunch hour of three people. Like my forefathers before me, I hunted and gathered at the Peter Street Deli, dragging General Chicken back to the cave of the Snail office where JVL set upon and devoured it.
I’m looking to perform some “ergonomic improvements” at the Snail office: it could use some shelving, more lights, and a slight decrease in the ridiculous number of boxes crammed into every inch of space.
JVL’s previously-mentioned work-related “to-do” list was daunting, so I offered to take on the task of hunting down companies that could remove the massive 33″x47″ iron radiator. It probably weighs about 400lbs, and has become a traffic hazard. A professional waste removal company came by today and said that not only is the bloody behemoth to big to budge, they may have to break the fucker to get it down the stairs. And breaking it could harm the structural integrity of the building.
Where’s Lou Ferrigno when you need him?
The other project for the store is getting a better camera set-up to take toy product photos for the website. I’m thinking of a 3.2MPS camera with a tripod, two 50W halogen table lamps and a light-diffusing cocoon to take the glare off the plastic packaging that most toys are in.
On an unrelated note: I know I shouldn’t laugh at the misfortune of others, but I get the weekly crime report for my neighborhood emailed to me by the district police, and this week the last incident on the report made me laugh out loud.
At the intersection of John Street & Weston Road – a Neighbourhood Watch Area in Old Weston, and very close to our house – a lady got her cell phone stolen. But not in the usual manner. The victim was standing at the street corner waiting for the light to change and had her cell phone in her hand. The suspect was in the passenger seat of a motor vehicle driving by and he reached out and grabbed the cell phone from the victim’s hand. The suspect vehicle then left the scene and drove south on Weston Rd.
JVL rightly pointed out that this barely qualifies as a “robbery”: it was more like “passing the cell baton in the cell phone decathalon”.
How do you get the police report thingy? I want one! Though, you know, not so much for Weston.
JVL rightly pointed out that this barely qualifies as a “robbery”: it was more like “passing the cell baton in the cell phone decathalon”.
Best. Thing. Today. That’s like, a grass roots mafia hit on that woman’s ability to communicate with others — maybe it was like, the government trying to prevent her from doing something! It’s so silly & ingenious that no one would suspect it was real!
(Yes, I’m having a random day where I play with color & look at half-naked chicks for ads while I wait for lunch. Why do you ask?)
Nevah mind — I found it, although they don’t offer my actual home division. :p
Man. I’m totally picturing that on an episode of MI-5 or Alias now. In the midst of a frantic effort to somehow techncologically impair some terrorist’s ability to send a text message or a voice mail, somebody goes “Hey, why don’t we just nick it?”
Shakes hands like a girl. He’d be of no help. Instead, I recommend enraging Justin until a startling metamorphosis occurs, and then getting him to move the radiator.
JVL SMASH!
That is either the funniest or the saddest image ever concocted.
It’ll take me awhile to determine which.
😉
I’m confuseled…
Is it Lou Ferrigno shaking hands like a girl that is the the funniest and/or saddest image ever concocted?
Or Justin transforming in rage into the Hulk?
I wasn’t asked specifically, but you know I love to stick my nose into every technological question. 😉
I myself have long been a Canon Powershot A-series advocate, for their really broad range of features, and quality processing chips. What I like best about the Canon As are the number of different ways they let you shoot – from full auto, full manual or a program mode that splits the difference.
Regardless of which camera you buy, you need something that’s very flexible, and will let you shoot all over a cramped space. These are things you need to look out for:
–Good Macro Mode – Take a look as the nearest distance the camera can shoot from the subject in Macro mode. For those smaller fiddly bits it’ll come in handy.
–Swiveling LCD screen – In a tight space, or up close, sometimes you could make the shot if it only wasn’t for your damn body being in the way. Getting a swiveling lcd that can face in any direction means you can place the camera where it needs to be, regardless of where you need to be to take the shot. It also means you can get close to low subjects without putting your face at their level. This is invaluable.
–Custom White Balance – Digital Cameras are especially sensitive to light sources, and having a Custom White Balance setting means you can choose the best setting for the room you’re in, rather than being stuck with presets that might not work. The custom feature works by picking the whitest thing in the spot area, and balancing off of that. As you’re shooting in front of a white backdrop, this will be a piece of cake.
–2 second self timer and tripod – Many digital camera’s auto-focus has difficulty in mixed and indoor lighting, and may choose a longer exposure to compensate – having a tripod helps prevent the shakes, but having a short timer with that tripod (or a remote release) is even better. Both will guarantee that the camera is stable when you take the shot, and save you hassle.
–AA batteries – There is definitely room for personal preference here, but I prefer AA NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries. They have a lot of power, and can be quickly charged (many in about an hour) but are also cheap and easily replaceable, unlike custom lithium batteries. If there’s a must-shoot order that comes in and your rechargebles are dead, you can always use alkalines AAs from the corner store. Another option is getting a camera that can plug into the wall, so power isn’t a problem.
–Good Camera Features – Beyond that, you want the best you can get of everything else – lots of options for aperture, shutter and exposure control (manual and auto); light-metering, auto-focus, flash and easy access shooting modes. Movie modes could be fun for specific products.
For me, the best camera was the Canon Powershot A80. I’ve had it for two years, and have been thrilled with it. The A80 has been discontinued, so the current replacement is the Powershot A95.
Staples actually has the A80 at a very good price ($349 – it was $599 when I bought it), and I can get you a $30/off coupon, if you get it delivered. I would recommend you buy from Staples, Futureshop or any other place that has a no-questions asked return policy, and no restocking fee. You want a few weeks to play with the new camera, and return it if it’s not for you.
I have an A80, so if you’d like to see it, let me know. If you don’t go with it or the A95, I would suggest finding another camera that at least matches their features.