Anime Autumn Week 3
Oct. 22nd, 2017 06:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lovelyangel Miyake Girls’ High School Broadcasting Club Two Car, Episode 3 |
Week 3 is when the watchlist usually stabilizes. There are a couple of shows on the fence, but for the most part I’m sticking with these 15 24-minute shows (plus one 3-minute show). Here are the shows from this season that I watched last week…
Wake Up, Girls! Shin Shou (Wake Up, Girls! New Chapter): Episode 2
The show is still a bit too cutesy, and I’m being tolerant. There’s nothing else to watch on a Monday anyway. I didn’t care for this week’s story, but we’re past it now.
Black Clover: Episode 3
Naruto and Sasuke undertook a long journey to finally arrive at the Chūnin Exams… no… wait… it’s Asta and Yuno heading off to the Magic Knights Entrance Exams. And Asta is back to YELLING every line. Sigh. This was a transition episode; the exams start next week. Maybe.
Jūni Taisen: Zodiac War: Episode 3
Big focus on Chicken’s (Rooster’s) backstory… and that’s not a good sign in this series. The stories are interesting, though. However, character development is going to be limited in a show like this. I’m content to watch these characters meet their ends.
Mahoujin Guru Guru: Episode 15
Demon Kukuri is a big challenge… and then she disappeared. Seems like a typical, crazy quest.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations: Episode 29
A fairly typical combat situation for the Naruto franchise… the heroes are on the ropes… outnumbered and overpowered. I can’t believe Boruto had even a plan to triumph with these odds… he seems… well… naive. Only by luck will he get help from his investigating classmates. Typical for a Naruto show, things are going to be very dark before they get better.
Konohana Kitan: Episode 3
Two sweet slice-of-life stories… a very mellow way to spend 20 minutes. We got to learn more about Ren and Natsume. Kiri and Okami made nice showings also. This is the way slice-of-life is supposed to work.
Taisho Mebiusline Chicchaisan: Episode 3
We got a flashback to how the military side got chibified… and… we’re back to where we started last week. Can barely fit a flashback in three minutes!
Net-juu no Susume (Recovery of an MMO Junkie): Episode 3
I was glad to find out that Yuuta works at the same company that Moriko did. I think that makes it easier for the two of them to ultimately connect. And so far neither the real-life nor the MMO relationship has hit a roadblock, so the romantic in me is happy. I sure hope this all comes together!
Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World – The Animated Series: Episode 3
I wasn’t crazy about this week’s country. I wonder if they couldn’t just go around in a big circle. Seems like they should at least pay for repair and loss for the countries they pass through. The artwork continues to be just OK. Lerche is doing a decent job – but there’s no mystery atmosphere. This is the problem when you try to follow a classic – the comparisons are daunting. The feel of this show is off.
Garo: Vanishing Line: Episode 3
I like Gina! She feels kind of like a throwback to the action heroines of the 80s (see: Dirty Pair, Cat’s Eye). Loads of action in this one-off episode away from the longer story. Works for me!
Code:Realize – Sousei no Himegimi (Code:Realize – Guardian of Rebirth): Episode 3
There should be a Cardia drinking game – take a drink any time Cardia repeats a word or phrase that has just been spoken to her. I think she was approaching double digits this week. And if she is going to be learning martial arts and how to run, shouldn’t she get out of that darn frilly skirt already? I have too much anime on my plate, and I was all ready to drop this show. But somehow I think I’ll give it one more week.
Two Car: Episode 3
We were treated to a heartwarming story. I loved seeing Chiyuki and Misaki come together! The subtle support of Yuri and Megumi was cool, also. This series surprises me. The premise is simple, but the teams are great fun to watch.
Sangatsu no Lion: Episode 24
On the surface… a simple story around the shogi community watching and studying the championship match between Souya and Kumakura… but underneath… metaphors, complicated relationships, and emotions. There was a lot to absorb. The episode was excellent and engrossing. Thumbs up!
Blend S: Episode 3
I’m totally enjoying the Working! feel of this series! Still makes me smile a lot!
Mahō Tsukai no Yome (The Ancient Magus’s Bride): Episode 3
This was a simply beautiful episode, proving that extensive animation is not required to present a powerful, emotional story. Nice pacing and direction. I hope the rest of the season is as this thoughtful.
Anime-Gataris: Episode 3
Minoa remains the straight man in this comedy of anime nerddom. She’s maybe a little too starry-eyed. But the other characters have her back, pushing their own niches. I loved the meta-reference to the three-episode rule – plus the Puella Magi Madoka Magica reference. The series remains corny, over-the-top – but humorous and endearing.
 Anime-Gataris, Episode 3 |
Note: Due to Kumoricon next weekend, next week’s anime summary post will be delayed several days.
Restless legs
Oct. 22nd, 2017 02:12 pmdesperanceI may be showing the first signs of cabin fever. After a fortnight basically withindoors, I suppose that ain't bad, but it is deuced inconvenient, especially coming today of all the days we've had so far.
If I twitch back the blinds on the full-length picture window at my back, I have a view of a car park, a tower block, the London Eye (well, actually it's the Star of Puebla, but you know what I mean), and Popacatepetl. And really I just want to be out there. I could shop - there are things Karen will need, tomorrow if not tonight - but mostly I just want to walk. It's how I experience any new city, foreign or domestic; I am the original flaneur. I like to walk unknown streets, peer into unknown windows, watch the behaviour of strangers on the street. Sit in parks, eat street food I cannot name, read signs in languages I cannot understand. Full immersive protocols. I'm good at this.
I'm here as Karen's helpmeet and caregiver, though, and it's very much part of the contract that I not wander off and leave her stranded. Today especially, when she's too sick to leave her bedroom and might want anything at any time.
I've tended people on their sickbeds before this, of course - in a sheerly practical sense, I'm rather good at it, tho' I remain the world's worst hospital visitor, because I can never think of anything to say - but never this intensively for this long on my own. When Quin was dying, it took a year and was kind of like a war - moments of high drama, interspersed with long periods of dull calm - including the whole army thing. There was a team of us, a dozen or so standing shifts, with all the back-up we could want or dream. Here, there's pretty much me. Lots of doctors and nurses on the other end of a phone, of course - but you know how I am with phones.
When I said I might need respite care when we get home, I may not have been kidding. Or I might just be difficult to deal with, or y'all might need to be extra-nice to me for a while, or... I just have no clue. You might find you have two patients in recovery.
If I twitch back the blinds on the full-length picture window at my back, I have a view of a car park, a tower block, the London Eye (well, actually it's the Star of Puebla, but you know what I mean), and Popacatepetl. And really I just want to be out there. I could shop - there are things Karen will need, tomorrow if not tonight - but mostly I just want to walk. It's how I experience any new city, foreign or domestic; I am the original flaneur. I like to walk unknown streets, peer into unknown windows, watch the behaviour of strangers on the street. Sit in parks, eat street food I cannot name, read signs in languages I cannot understand. Full immersive protocols. I'm good at this.
I'm here as Karen's helpmeet and caregiver, though, and it's very much part of the contract that I not wander off and leave her stranded. Today especially, when she's too sick to leave her bedroom and might want anything at any time.
I've tended people on their sickbeds before this, of course - in a sheerly practical sense, I'm rather good at it, tho' I remain the world's worst hospital visitor, because I can never think of anything to say - but never this intensively for this long on my own. When Quin was dying, it took a year and was kind of like a war - moments of high drama, interspersed with long periods of dull calm - including the whole army thing. There was a team of us, a dozen or so standing shifts, with all the back-up we could want or dream. Here, there's pretty much me. Lots of doctors and nurses on the other end of a phone, of course - but you know how I am with phones.
When I said I might need respite care when we get home, I may not have been kidding. Or I might just be difficult to deal with, or y'all might need to be extra-nice to me for a while, or... I just have no clue. You might find you have two patients in recovery.
Sunday foliage report
Oct. 22nd, 2017 02:39 pmjhetleyMore leaves down, more rusty colors. A few asters have resumed blooming, and saw an incongruous patch of daisies in the middle of a lawn. Autumn advances.
Roadkill limited to gray squirrels.
Temperature got up to about 55 F with light wind, so I added the ski top to my bike gear and headed out. Did not die.
May be the last ride of the year, depending on weather. Put me at 1200 miles for the season.
20.73 miles, 1:44:31
(no subject)
Oct. 22nd, 2017 11:12 ammartianmooncrabSunday paper was fetched, along with some groceries for the next few days. One downside was there was an obit from a person I went to High School with. She was four months younger than me. Taking that bit of the paper with me today since I am meeting my friend T from Mac, who was in the same class. They had a lot of history together at school since they were in the same music programs. T is getting around to my birthday lunch, her life and mine had been complicated enough we couldnt meet up.
I didnt do much else yesterday, but I did bring in my bins from the street and put them away on the side of the garage. I was very satisfied in how they fit in the new configuration. I emptied the dishwasher, and tossed a few things away out of the fridge. I am thinking I just need to toss everything and start over at some point. That and the pantry.
Have to remember to fill up the tank on the Van today too.
I didnt do much else yesterday, but I did bring in my bins from the street and put them away on the side of the garage. I was very satisfied in how they fit in the new configuration. I emptied the dishwasher, and tossed a few things away out of the fridge. I am thinking I just need to toss everything and start over at some point. That and the pantry.
Have to remember to fill up the tank on the Van today too.
What do you do, on the first day of the rest of your life?
Oct. 22nd, 2017 10:59 amdesperanceDay Plus One, and we are largely hanging around the apartment trying to do nothing and not quite succeeding.
Last night I had a magnificent pharmaceutical accident: for we have a few old tablets of Lorazepam with us, and after the night before I felt that I was due a proper night's sleep. Experience has proved that I can cut one of these tablets into four and feel the benefit with a mere quarter: so there I was with one of those and our magnificent little pill-splitter device, and I rather cackhandedly dropped the pill into the sink. Which was damp.
By the time I'd fished the pill out again, it was already starting to dissolve around the edges, so I performed my famous "what the hell" shrug and swallowed the whole damn thing. Last time I took a whole one, I famously slept not only through Karen's rising and showering and dressing and going off to Grand Jury, but also through the boys' breakfast time - I'm sorry, that should be I SLEPT THROUGH THE BOYS' BREAKFAST TIME! - and woke at ten with two anxious furry faces wondering if I was edible yet, or if they had to wait a little longer.
This time I slept like a delicious contented log till seven-thirty, when Karen needed me. Lord knows how long I'd have slept else. Sleep is good, y'all.
Karen's not feeling too good today. I have made one emergency dash to the pharmacy, and am poised for another as and when. Otherwise I read and poke about obscure corners of the internet and occasionally think I ought to be seizing this chance to work but. I got nuthin'.
Last night I had a magnificent pharmaceutical accident: for we have a few old tablets of Lorazepam with us, and after the night before I felt that I was due a proper night's sleep. Experience has proved that I can cut one of these tablets into four and feel the benefit with a mere quarter: so there I was with one of those and our magnificent little pill-splitter device, and I rather cackhandedly dropped the pill into the sink. Which was damp.
By the time I'd fished the pill out again, it was already starting to dissolve around the edges, so I performed my famous "what the hell" shrug and swallowed the whole damn thing. Last time I took a whole one, I famously slept not only through Karen's rising and showering and dressing and going off to Grand Jury, but also through the boys' breakfast time - I'm sorry, that should be I SLEPT THROUGH THE BOYS' BREAKFAST TIME! - and woke at ten with two anxious furry faces wondering if I was edible yet, or if they had to wait a little longer.
This time I slept like a delicious contented log till seven-thirty, when Karen needed me. Lord knows how long I'd have slept else. Sleep is good, y'all.
Karen's not feeling too good today. I have made one emergency dash to the pharmacy, and am poised for another as and when. Otherwise I read and poke about obscure corners of the internet and occasionally think I ought to be seizing this chance to work but. I got nuthin'.
We're still here!
Oct. 22nd, 2017 08:16 amfiberaddictWow, it's been a month....let me fill you in on our doings:
No, wait - it's too much. Let me sum up:
1. Himself is.....well, Himself. He's started social skills training, and has had 1 meeting with the therapist assigned to him. That.....didn't go to well; he doesn't like her. She - get this! - has NEVER SEEN STAR WARS. This is an issue........:sigh: He starts with the medical side on it Tuesday.
2. Herself is OK. Stressed over her brother, of course. I'm trying to get her into the same program.
3. Me. Hanging in there. Over-booked, but it's for the kids, so I'm OK. I've made 10 batches of soap - so far. I finished my "Skywalker" socks (Mark Hamill breathed on them! :squee!: /fangirl ), started and finished a pair of Firefly-themed socks, and am halfway thru a pair of Shakespeare-themed ones. Why Shakespeare? Because....
3a. This weekend is Dallas Fan Days. Matt Smith (the 11th Doctor) was supposed to headline; Yawn. I was going, but not to see him - he and the Ponds RUINED Dr. Who for me. :shrug: However, he cancelled, and they brought in 10. David Tennant. Oh My GOSH! David-freaking-Tennant! Mr. Scottish Shakespearean actor!!!!!!!
3b. I ponied up extra $$$ to get a "Gold" pass for this con - after the Mark Hamill fiasco (HOURS in line!), I swore never-again. The Gold pass gets you in all 3 days (we only went 1x, so that was a waste), PLUS 5 line jumps. Meaning - NO long waits!
We got there yesterday at 9:30; the doors opened at 10. *I* could have gone on in, but wanted to wait with SG and Herself (we could honestly only afford 1 gold pass.) We went straight to the autograph floor, and found Tennant's line. Since we had a gold pass, we went straight to the front (along with about 50 of our newest best friends. :lol:) He was supposed to start signing at 10:30; at 10:20 he arrived to a loud, long, cheer and started signing.
By 10:40, we were done. He is a VERY lovely person - he was friendly, actually *looked* at each person in front of him, and made small talk with ALL of us. Herself made a "Tiny 10" for him - he was gobsmacked. Asked if it was Fimo (well, yes/no - it's actually Sculpey, but that's basically the same thing), then asked if it was really FOR him, to actually TAKE home (yup!), then said his kid(s) would LOVE it. :squee!: It was great! (and, honestly - worth every penny we paid!)
We spent a few more hours there, shopping and talking with folks. Himself stayed home (he was pre-alpha testing a game), but he had tentatively requested a light saber - IF I could find either Kylo Ren's or Vader's, and ONLY IF it wasn't "too expensive". "It's just going to, you know, sit on my shelf, so I don't want you to spend too much. I really don't want you to spend...anything...but.....I.....I wouldkindaliketohaveacoollightsaber. If that's OK....."
My baby (who never asks for anything, and refuses to let me spend money on him) actually ASKING for something? You KNOW Mama's going to do whatever she can to fulfill THAT wish, right? Right. He now has an Ultra Saber "Chosen One". :snerk: In a nickel-plated finish (because SG insisted, and paid for half of the saber, so....Sure!) He was totally thrilled when we got home - he actually LEFT his game to admire his new saber! (That's BIG. Really, really BIG.)
4. Slowly working on getting the house in order. The kitchen is DONE, the family room is almost done, the dining room is...well, done, but I need to get the donate pile out of there and to the donation center. The Game Room is a DISASTER, but that's not my problem - that is SG's room. He said HE was in charge of it....so *I* am leaving it alone.
5. I need to find a new calendar/schedule app. Preferably one I can have color-code appointments so I know at a glance WHO I am hauling someplace. Bonus points if it lets me also schedule chores. DOUBLE bonus points if it is "cross platform" - meaning I only need to buy it once, but can run it on my iPad, iPhone and, maybe, my MacBook. Off to the App Store I go!
Sorry it took a month.....but seriously, life is packed right now.
No, wait - it's too much. Let me sum up:
1. Himself is.....well, Himself. He's started social skills training, and has had 1 meeting with the therapist assigned to him. That.....didn't go to well; he doesn't like her. She - get this! - has NEVER SEEN STAR WARS. This is an issue........:sigh: He starts with the medical side on it Tuesday.
2. Herself is OK. Stressed over her brother, of course. I'm trying to get her into the same program.
3. Me. Hanging in there. Over-booked, but it's for the kids, so I'm OK. I've made 10 batches of soap - so far. I finished my "Skywalker" socks (Mark Hamill breathed on them! :squee!: /fangirl ), started and finished a pair of Firefly-themed socks, and am halfway thru a pair of Shakespeare-themed ones. Why Shakespeare? Because....
3a. This weekend is Dallas Fan Days. Matt Smith (the 11th Doctor) was supposed to headline; Yawn. I was going, but not to see him - he and the Ponds RUINED Dr. Who for me. :shrug: However, he cancelled, and they brought in 10. David Tennant. Oh My GOSH! David-freaking-Tennant! Mr. Scottish Shakespearean actor!!!!!!!
3b. I ponied up extra $$$ to get a "Gold" pass for this con - after the Mark Hamill fiasco (HOURS in line!), I swore never-again. The Gold pass gets you in all 3 days (we only went 1x, so that was a waste), PLUS 5 line jumps. Meaning - NO long waits!
We got there yesterday at 9:30; the doors opened at 10. *I* could have gone on in, but wanted to wait with SG and Herself (we could honestly only afford 1 gold pass.) We went straight to the autograph floor, and found Tennant's line. Since we had a gold pass, we went straight to the front (along with about 50 of our newest best friends. :lol:) He was supposed to start signing at 10:30; at 10:20 he arrived to a loud, long, cheer and started signing.
By 10:40, we were done. He is a VERY lovely person - he was friendly, actually *looked* at each person in front of him, and made small talk with ALL of us. Herself made a "Tiny 10" for him - he was gobsmacked. Asked if it was Fimo (well, yes/no - it's actually Sculpey, but that's basically the same thing), then asked if it was really FOR him, to actually TAKE home (yup!), then said his kid(s) would LOVE it. :squee!: It was great! (and, honestly - worth every penny we paid!)
We spent a few more hours there, shopping and talking with folks. Himself stayed home (he was pre-alpha testing a game), but he had tentatively requested a light saber - IF I could find either Kylo Ren's or Vader's, and ONLY IF it wasn't "too expensive". "It's just going to, you know, sit on my shelf, so I don't want you to spend too much. I really don't want you to spend...anything...but.....I.....I wouldkindaliketohaveacoollightsaber. If that's OK....."
My baby (who never asks for anything, and refuses to let me spend money on him) actually ASKING for something? You KNOW Mama's going to do whatever she can to fulfill THAT wish, right? Right. He now has an Ultra Saber "Chosen One". :snerk: In a nickel-plated finish (because SG insisted, and paid for half of the saber, so....Sure!) He was totally thrilled when we got home - he actually LEFT his game to admire his new saber! (That's BIG. Really, really BIG.)
4. Slowly working on getting the house in order. The kitchen is DONE, the family room is almost done, the dining room is...well, done, but I need to get the donate pile out of there and to the donation center. The Game Room is a DISASTER, but that's not my problem - that is SG's room. He said HE was in charge of it....so *I* am leaving it alone.
5. I need to find a new calendar/schedule app. Preferably one I can have color-code appointments so I know at a glance WHO I am hauling someplace. Bonus points if it lets me also schedule chores. DOUBLE bonus points if it is "cross platform" - meaning I only need to buy it once, but can run it on my iPad, iPhone and, maybe, my MacBook. Off to the App Store I go!
Sorry it took a month.....but seriously, life is packed right now.
Yankees out
Oct. 22nd, 2017 08:00 amjhetleyAir temperature 46 F, dew point 35, broken clouds, wind north about 8 mph. Bike ride may be on schedule.
Redo
Oct. 21st, 2017 06:21 pmlovelyangelWhile I am what people would call an intense planner, I don’t hold myself hostage to my schedule. Sometimes acting impulsively or instinctively is called for. Thursday was one of those times. I was reading about OSU’s Wednesday Night Win and saw that the second match of the week would be Friday. Normally I attend just one volleyball game a year, but I was not happy with anything I did two weeks ago – screwups all around – and a makeup session could make me feel better. Even though my schedule is simply horrid right now, On Thursday I made the decision to undertake another trip to Corvallis.
One significant adjustment I made was that I went back to the lens I used last year – my cherished AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D – instead of the new AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E. I struggled with focus and field of view with the 105mm lens, and I had great success with the 85mm in previous years. I reviewed some of the photos from 2016 and noted how I failed earlier this month.
I’m still trying to get to where I can reset the filename prefix on D810/302, and with only 36 pictures to go, there wasn’t enough headroom to photograph an event. So I brought D810/306.
The game on Friday started at 6 pm instead of the 7 pm start two weeks ago. I added a little extra time because I wanted to stop at the OSU Beaver Store before the game. That meant I needed to leave my home at 2:30 pm. I planned to leave the office at 2:10 pm – and I was pretty close to that. My target arrival time for Corvallis was 4:30 pm – and I hit that on the nose. Traffic was surprisingly free on Hwy 217 south, but it did bog down at I-5 – near the 217 interchange – and also near Wilsonville. Google Maps said it would take 1:54 from my house to Corvallis, and since I didn’t leave until 2:35 pm, the numbers were right on.
I had a quick, light dinner at McDonalds… then went to the OSU Beaver Store. The clothing was pretty much what the online catalog had, so there wasn’t anything I wanted to add to my wardrobe. I did look at all the fan items – but saw nothing really interesting. It was about 5:10 pm when I walked across the street to Gill Coliseum. I learned that I qualified (just barely) for the Senior price for general admission tickets ($7 instead of $9). Sure, I’ll take that.
I stationed myself lower (row 2; row 1 is reserved) and farther away from the net. When the team came out for warm up drills, they were wearing Pink DAM Cancer T-shirts. The band and the cheerleaders and many people in the stands were wearing the same t-shirts. It turned out this was the annual DAM Cancer match for the volleyball team. A portion of the proceeds from the t-shirts goes to cancer research. Also, the t-shirt gets you free admission to the DAM Cancer events (volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, swimming).
What really surprised me when the team returned to the court at game time was that their playing jerseys were also pink! Way cool! I had been hoping for white jerseys, but this was even better!
The first set was suspenseful… back and forth… back and forth. We lost 27-29. I was more tense than I am usually, and this was not a good sign. I ended up being tense the entire evening as each set was a see-saw. Thankfully, we won the match 3-1! Yay!
As always Mary-Kate Marshall was a powerhouse. I love watching her in action. But I was also super pleased with the play from two Oregonian freshmen – Haylie Bennett and Grace Massey. These two will be great in coming years.
One thing I did differently was that I switched locations after each set. I’ve switched locations before, but I had stayed on the same side of the court. That meant that some shots had the Beavers facing to my right, and other shots had the Beavers facing to my left. What I decided was I should cross over diagonally to the opposite side of the court. That way all the photos had the same perspective. We played four sets, so I spent two sets on the southeast portion of the court and two sets on the northwest portion of the court. When I was on the southeast side, I actually roamed away from the seat and along the court floor. I couldn’t do that on the northwest corner.
The AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D lens performed superbly with the D810 in Group Focus mode. I had almost no focus misses. (The few misses were because I couldn’t get the focus area on the target fast enough with some players in the way.) Plus the 85mm field of view was pretty much ideal for what I was trying to do within my limited access to the court area. I shot at f/2 at ISO 1600; this has been consistent for the past couple of years. I was pleased with how the pictures turned out – they were much, much better than two weeks ago!
The match ended around 8:20 pm. On the way out of town I stopped at McDonalds for my traditional soft serve cone – but the place was again a mess with a long drive-thru line and a long line at the order register. I decided to bail. As I drove on the bridge across the Willamette, I thought about alternatives. A milkshake at Burgerville in Albany? That seemed like too much of a detour. Maybe another McDonalds? I didn’t know where they were in Salem, but I knew there was one at the Woodburn interchange.
Then I realized that there was a Dairy Queen in Corvallis on 3rd St. D’Oh! I should have gone there. McDonald’s has been kinda terrible recently, and I think I’m just going to switch over to DQ – next time I’m in Corvallis for a volleyball match.
I did get a cone at the Woodburn McDonald’s… so that added about 15 minutes to my travel time – I got home at 10:15 pm instead of 10:00 pm. Drive time was 90 minutes.
A 2-minute Recap of the Match is on YouTube. And… OSU’s Press Release.
And the pictures did come out better. The combined set of all volleyball pictures from October is posted in Zenfolio: OSU Volleyball 2017.10
One significant adjustment I made was that I went back to the lens I used last year – my cherished AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D – instead of the new AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E. I struggled with focus and field of view with the 105mm lens, and I had great success with the 85mm in previous years. I reviewed some of the photos from 2016 and noted how I failed earlier this month.
I’m still trying to get to where I can reset the filename prefix on D810/302, and with only 36 pictures to go, there wasn’t enough headroom to photograph an event. So I brought D810/306.
The game on Friday started at 6 pm instead of the 7 pm start two weeks ago. I added a little extra time because I wanted to stop at the OSU Beaver Store before the game. That meant I needed to leave my home at 2:30 pm. I planned to leave the office at 2:10 pm – and I was pretty close to that. My target arrival time for Corvallis was 4:30 pm – and I hit that on the nose. Traffic was surprisingly free on Hwy 217 south, but it did bog down at I-5 – near the 217 interchange – and also near Wilsonville. Google Maps said it would take 1:54 from my house to Corvallis, and since I didn’t leave until 2:35 pm, the numbers were right on.
I had a quick, light dinner at McDonalds… then went to the OSU Beaver Store. The clothing was pretty much what the online catalog had, so there wasn’t anything I wanted to add to my wardrobe. I did look at all the fan items – but saw nothing really interesting. It was about 5:10 pm when I walked across the street to Gill Coliseum. I learned that I qualified (just barely) for the Senior price for general admission tickets ($7 instead of $9). Sure, I’ll take that.
I stationed myself lower (row 2; row 1 is reserved) and farther away from the net. When the team came out for warm up drills, they were wearing Pink DAM Cancer T-shirts. The band and the cheerleaders and many people in the stands were wearing the same t-shirts. It turned out this was the annual DAM Cancer match for the volleyball team. A portion of the proceeds from the t-shirts goes to cancer research. Also, the t-shirt gets you free admission to the DAM Cancer events (volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, swimming).
What really surprised me when the team returned to the court at game time was that their playing jerseys were also pink! Way cool! I had been hoping for white jerseys, but this was even better!
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The first set was suspenseful… back and forth… back and forth. We lost 27-29. I was more tense than I am usually, and this was not a good sign. I ended up being tense the entire evening as each set was a see-saw. Thankfully, we won the match 3-1! Yay!
As always Mary-Kate Marshall was a powerhouse. I love watching her in action. But I was also super pleased with the play from two Oregonian freshmen – Haylie Bennett and Grace Massey. These two will be great in coming years.
One thing I did differently was that I switched locations after each set. I’ve switched locations before, but I had stayed on the same side of the court. That meant that some shots had the Beavers facing to my right, and other shots had the Beavers facing to my left. What I decided was I should cross over diagonally to the opposite side of the court. That way all the photos had the same perspective. We played four sets, so I spent two sets on the southeast portion of the court and two sets on the northwest portion of the court. When I was on the southeast side, I actually roamed away from the seat and along the court floor. I couldn’t do that on the northwest corner.
The AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D lens performed superbly with the D810 in Group Focus mode. I had almost no focus misses. (The few misses were because I couldn’t get the focus area on the target fast enough with some players in the way.) Plus the 85mm field of view was pretty much ideal for what I was trying to do within my limited access to the court area. I shot at f/2 at ISO 1600; this has been consistent for the past couple of years. I was pleased with how the pictures turned out – they were much, much better than two weeks ago!
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 DAM Cancer event • Gill Coliseum • Corvallis, Oregon October 20, 2017 |
The match ended around 8:20 pm. On the way out of town I stopped at McDonalds for my traditional soft serve cone – but the place was again a mess with a long drive-thru line and a long line at the order register. I decided to bail. As I drove on the bridge across the Willamette, I thought about alternatives. A milkshake at Burgerville in Albany? That seemed like too much of a detour. Maybe another McDonalds? I didn’t know where they were in Salem, but I knew there was one at the Woodburn interchange.
Then I realized that there was a Dairy Queen in Corvallis on 3rd St. D’Oh! I should have gone there. McDonald’s has been kinda terrible recently, and I think I’m just going to switch over to DQ – next time I’m in Corvallis for a volleyball match.
I did get a cone at the Woodburn McDonald’s… so that added about 15 minutes to my travel time – I got home at 10:15 pm instead of 10:00 pm. Drive time was 90 minutes.
A 2-minute Recap of the Match is on YouTube. And… OSU’s Press Release.
And the pictures did come out better. The combined set of all volleyball pictures from October is posted in Zenfolio: OSU Volleyball 2017.10
(no subject)
Oct. 21st, 2017 02:50 pmmartianmooncrabI got up early for me yesterday and drove up to the VAMC for my Dental appt. I was seen on time. The dentist poked and whacked on my tooth and declared that she couldnt do anything about it (this tooth was root canaled in 2012 and they couldnt find the last root do to calsification) so I was let loose. They are referring me to a civilian specialist through "Veterans Choice" and this will take at least another week. Meanwhile she gave me a weeks worth of antibiotocs.
I tried to pick up my medication refills, but most of them were at zero, so I had to deal with letting my primary care doc know, and to request an oxy script for the intermittant pain from the tooth.
I decided to go to the signing at Powells, so I went to Beaverton to hang out and wait. I had something to eat at Panda Express (already cut up and hardly any chewing) and then to the bookstore.
The signing was fun, saw the ususal suspects, and only bought one new book.
I took the antibiotics after I got home, no need to stir up the flora a fauna when out on the road. I slept for close to 11 hours last night, with several wakeups. But, I always went back to sleep.
Today, I should wake up, that would be good. I need to go and fetch my Sunday paper.
I tried to pick up my medication refills, but most of them were at zero, so I had to deal with letting my primary care doc know, and to request an oxy script for the intermittant pain from the tooth.
I decided to go to the signing at Powells, so I went to Beaverton to hang out and wait. I had something to eat at Panda Express (already cut up and hardly any chewing) and then to the bookstore.
The signing was fun, saw the ususal suspects, and only bought one new book.
I took the antibiotics after I got home, no need to stir up the flora a fauna when out on the road. I slept for close to 11 hours last night, with several wakeups. But, I always went back to sleep.
Today, I should wake up, that would be good. I need to go and fetch my Sunday paper.
Day Zero: nothing will come of nothing
Oct. 21st, 2017 02:43 pmdesperanceAfter a truly horrible very bad night, we went to the clinic this morning and Karen was immediately whisked off to a side-room for intravenous meds to get some kind of control over her nausea etc. They followed that with what we were really there for, the transfusion of her stem cells back into her body. I was sent from the room and didn't get to see that. Don't know why, as it was the pivot-point of this entire adventure and I cannot conceive any health risk in having me present, but there you go. There I went.
Afterwards they trotted out cupcakes and candles and sang "Happy Birthday", for this is the conceit, that all our group of patients has just been reborn. Karen-people, we are adding October 21st to her commonplace birthday of March 21st: it's not quite a half-birthday, but close enough and readily remembered.
Now we're back in the apartment, and Karen is resting in her room, sipping a ginger ale and nibbling a Ritz cracker or two. Me, I am drinking wine. We may be establishing a pattern here.
Afterwards they trotted out cupcakes and candles and sang "Happy Birthday", for this is the conceit, that all our group of patients has just been reborn. Karen-people, we are adding October 21st to her commonplace birthday of March 21st: it's not quite a half-birthday, but close enough and readily remembered.
Now we're back in the apartment, and Karen is resting in her room, sipping a ginger ale and nibbling a Ritz cracker or two. Me, I am drinking wine. We may be establishing a pattern here.
There and Back Again - Fargo, ND - Twin Falls ID
Oct. 21st, 2017 02:49 pmlsandersonFargo ND to Billings MT Slideshow
Billings MT to Twin Falls ID Slideshow
Twin Falls ID Slideshow/ Jackpot NV Slideshow
Twin Falls ID - Billings MT Slideshow
Billing MT to Fargo ND Slideshow
Most of the travel pictures were taken through a car window. We saw antelope several times, but I got no pictures. We did see some sheep. No bear or buffalo. We did see snow on trees (mostly) on the way back between Twin Falls ID and Billings MT. The default links go to thumbnails, the slideshow links go to full screen versions that walk you through.
Billings MT to Twin Falls ID Slideshow
Twin Falls ID Slideshow/ Jackpot NV Slideshow
Twin Falls ID - Billings MT Slideshow
Billing MT to Fargo ND Slideshow
Most of the travel pictures were taken through a car window. We saw antelope several times, but I got no pictures. We did see some sheep. No bear or buffalo. We did see snow on trees (mostly) on the way back between Twin Falls ID and Billings MT. The default links go to thumbnails, the slideshow links go to full screen versions that walk you through.
Past miseries bind us nothing to the future
Oct. 21st, 2017 09:37 amdesperanceSo, I shall elect to call that Night Minus One, as against Early Morning Day Zero: for, as anticipated, Karen had a horrid time of it. She's sick as a dog, and staying in bed until the last possible moment. I didn't sleep much either, despite having taken a lorazepam in hope; as you know, I have my own issues, and was out of bed frequently beside to fetch her things she couldn't achieve herself.
Still'n'all, we can hope that was the worst of it. Eleven o'clock this morning, she'll be transfused with a billion stem cells of her own making, and they will leap into action to restore her murdered immune system. This will be a process of months - boosted along the way by a repeat of all her childhood vaccinations, which weirdly delights me - but little by little, we can rebuild her. We have the technology. Etc.
Meanwhile, the tradition of Thursday dinners continues at our house in our absence, which delights me. Also I suspect the boys of being pampered rotten, which kinda delights me also. We have already seen photos of their new fluffy snuggly beds.
Still'n'all, we can hope that was the worst of it. Eleven o'clock this morning, she'll be transfused with a billion stem cells of her own making, and they will leap into action to restore her murdered immune system. This will be a process of months - boosted along the way by a repeat of all her childhood vaccinations, which weirdly delights me - but little by little, we can rebuild her. We have the technology. Etc.
Meanwhile, the tradition of Thursday dinners continues at our house in our absence, which delights me. Also I suspect the boys of being pampered rotten, which kinda delights me also. We have already seen photos of their new fluffy snuggly beds.
The fault lies not in our stars
Oct. 21st, 2017 08:35 amjhetleyBut in our planets. Two bright ones for the newspaper walk, I presume Venus and Mars. Air temperature 39 F, dew point 35, calm, scattered clouds.
The ravelled sleave of care
Oct. 20th, 2017 10:03 pmdesperanceDay Minus One: and all the worst is behind us, except for the actual feeling rotten. Hopefully.
We lead a temperate life, those of us who go down to Mexico in search of healing. Karen had her last round of chemo today (yay!) and we've just been quietly in the apartment since. She went to bed not long after nine o'clock; now it's barely an hour later and I am prone to follow. Not all the way, for we are obliged to occupy separate beds for the next couple of weeks, until she has at least the semblance of a normal immune system again; even my poor teddy bear has been exiled from her company, despite his sterling work in keeping her safe from demons of the night.
Karen ate most of a bowl of soup for dinner, but I'm not sure how much she's actually kept down. Tomorrow she gets all her billion stem cells back again, which is Day Zero and the start of her whole new life (hereinafter she gets to celebrate two birthdays a year, and who could deny her that?), but mostly she's just going to be feeling dreadful and not at all like partying.
Indeed, there's not going to be any partying for a while. She'll be in neutropenia, where she hasn't enough white blood cells to fight off infection; she stays in the apartment and eats astronaut food, wears a mask, doesn't get to kiss me. People say that Netflix is her friend, but tonight she was too tired to watch TV, and the fatigue is likely to get worse rather than the other thing. I have no idea; we'll find out. And my own prospects likewise: I don't know how I'll get through these next weeks, for it all depends on her. But at least the worst of the treatment days are behind us. I'm seeking comfort in that. And going to bed as soon as I finish this bottle. My doctor was rather shocked to be told that I drank half a bottle of wine a day; let nobody tell her that these days it's a bottle and a half at least. At least. It's easier to be accurate, when Karen's not drinking at all; but it's harder to be abstemious, when there really isn't that much else to do. Wine helps, y'know? Of course you know. Who do I imagine I'm talking to?
We lead a temperate life, those of us who go down to Mexico in search of healing. Karen had her last round of chemo today (yay!) and we've just been quietly in the apartment since. She went to bed not long after nine o'clock; now it's barely an hour later and I am prone to follow. Not all the way, for we are obliged to occupy separate beds for the next couple of weeks, until she has at least the semblance of a normal immune system again; even my poor teddy bear has been exiled from her company, despite his sterling work in keeping her safe from demons of the night.
Karen ate most of a bowl of soup for dinner, but I'm not sure how much she's actually kept down. Tomorrow she gets all her billion stem cells back again, which is Day Zero and the start of her whole new life (hereinafter she gets to celebrate two birthdays a year, and who could deny her that?), but mostly she's just going to be feeling dreadful and not at all like partying.
Indeed, there's not going to be any partying for a while. She'll be in neutropenia, where she hasn't enough white blood cells to fight off infection; she stays in the apartment and eats astronaut food, wears a mask, doesn't get to kiss me. People say that Netflix is her friend, but tonight she was too tired to watch TV, and the fatigue is likely to get worse rather than the other thing. I have no idea; we'll find out. And my own prospects likewise: I don't know how I'll get through these next weeks, for it all depends on her. But at least the worst of the treatment days are behind us. I'm seeking comfort in that. And going to bed as soon as I finish this bottle. My doctor was rather shocked to be told that I drank half a bottle of wine a day; let nobody tell her that these days it's a bottle and a half at least. At least. It's easier to be accurate, when Karen's not drinking at all; but it's harder to be abstemious, when there really isn't that much else to do. Wine helps, y'know? Of course you know. Who do I imagine I'm talking to?
Lyrics
Oct. 20th, 2017 01:42 pmfilkerdaveNo real name. This was an instafilk based on a FB post
TTTO "People" by Barbra Streisand
People
People who hate people
Are the horrib'lest people in the world,
They're children
Whiny, bratty children
And they're letting their trollish side
Make fun of and deride
Acting more like cavemen
Than children.
Haters are most annoying people,
They're the angriest people in the world
They're on Twitter
On Facebook and on Twitter
They're missing part of their soul
So they attack and they troll
They'll use ALL CAPS and swear
So there is a person
Who hates people
People who hate people
Are the angriest people
In the world
The original song, for comparison, is on Youtube
(no subject)
Oct. 20th, 2017 09:54 ammartianmooncrabI just read the latest from the Cheeto..
quote
The move came after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell this week rejected Trump's calls to punish players who kneel for the anthem to protest racism. Trump has said the protests are unpatriotic and disrespectful of military veterans.
unquote
I am a veteran, I do not think this disrespects me at all, in our oath of enlistment we swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, and that includes the Bill of Rights, which the First Amendment guarantees the Freedom of Expression.
I didnt get the right to play golf to relax while other service members were wounded and died, I showed up and did my job.
quote
The move came after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell this week rejected Trump's calls to punish players who kneel for the anthem to protest racism. Trump has said the protests are unpatriotic and disrespectful of military veterans.
unquote
I am a veteran, I do not think this disrespects me at all, in our oath of enlistment we swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, and that includes the Bill of Rights, which the First Amendment guarantees the Freedom of Expression.
I didnt get the right to play golf to relax while other service members were wounded and died, I showed up and did my job.
(no subject)
Oct. 20th, 2017 12:58 pmjhetleyNote to the flag fetishists (repeat):
A tattered, stained, and faded flag does not indicate respect.
(no subject)
Oct. 20th, 2017 09:46 ammartianmooncrabGoing up to the VAMC today, I have a 1pm at Dental. The pain comes and goes from the tooth, so one way or another this will be dealt with.
Stayed inside yesterday, other than getting the trash bins to the curb. Worked inside the house and got some of the mess reduced.. but not by much.
Need to pick up the key to the Focus from my sister on my way to the appt.
Stayed inside yesterday, other than getting the trash bins to the curb. Worked inside the house and got some of the mess reduced.. but not by much.
Need to pick up the key to the Focus from my sister on my way to the appt.