Something to bore you... and the rest

I have been recently looking at different Camera/Camera Lenses online a bit much lately. I have been Eying the 20D, the 5D and the 1d Mark II (Of Course. These have only been the same cameras I've been looking at for a while now). I really can't decide if it's worth saving up the $2,000 more for the 5D or 1d Mark II (I know what your thinking..."Are you kidding?! $2,000 MORE than the original $1,200 for the 20D!?"). I know you would probably never purchase such an expensive camera, but you are not me... and I LOVE taking pictures much more than you!

Now after I stop thinking of what camera it is I want to get, there also will be something to think about when looking for the right lens to go with the body. Now, I would love to just throw a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L (Zoom. $1,100), the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS (Zoom $1,699) and the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS (Prime. $3,200) and head straight to the races. But this is very unlikely given the fact I will already have a hard time saving up the money to purchase the Canon Body alone.

I have been reading a lot of review's the past few day's about Sigma Lenses, particularly the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX and 24-70mm f/2.8 to be exact (Both of which are the counter parts that are made by Canon. Both of which cost about half the price as Canon and surprisingly have just about the same image quality too).

So, I guess if I were to go out and get a Body and a couple of lenses right now (If money was not a problem), I would get the 1d Mark II with all three Canon Lenses. But seeing as how money plays a huge roll in it, I would settle for the 20D and the Sigma lenses. A very nice package in the 20D and some very fast lenses make's it a great buy!

Sorry to bore you with my thoughts on my Camera toys, but I had to tell someone; Sarah is getting kind of sick of hearing about this kind of stuff.

Any who, Christmas was fun... we got a lot of movies (Which are my favorite), Cloths and Gift Cards (Another Favorite). We had family and a few friends over at our apartment for dinner the day after Christmas, which was a good time indeed.

About a week before the party I made a buffet table for Sarah to put the food and Drinks on during the party (My first real attempt at building something from scratch). I think I did OK; I am looking forward to building a lot more in the future (It's cheap and as I get better I will feel like more of a craftsman). Maybe this summer I will build that Poker Table I have wanted to build for a while now.

Well, that’s about it for now and… I know you don't want to hear that "I'm sorry for not posting in a while" shizzle... so I won't bother telling you that this time. I won't even try to tell you that "I will try and post more often" crap-o-la. I will just leave you with this...

Happy Holiday's

I hope that everyone is having a very Happy Holiday.

I got everything except the PS3 this Christmas! Jk.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

My wish list this year...

I thought since it was getting close to Christmas, I would share with you my all time no limitations never gonna happen (This Year) top 10 Christmas list... that I hope Santa will read... (I've been good, but not this good)

1) (Even before a Car or a boat) I would like the Canon 20D (See, not the more expensive 5D or 1Ds Mark II) with the Canon EF 70-200mm/f2.8L IS USM Lens and the Canon EF 24-70mm/f2.8L Usm Lens (All this counts a one gift. It's a kit).

2) BMW ACS 7 G-style or the Subaru STi, I'm not picky.

3) The IPod Nano from Apple.

4) The MJ-12® m7700a System notebook from Alienware

5) Klipsch speakers for the home theater.

6) The Samsung’s 80-inch 1080p Plasma TV for the home theater.

7) A Samsung HL-P5085W for the Bedroom.

8) A Playstation 3 (when it comes out).

9) A house to hold all of the stuff.

10) Oh, and Season Packers tickets (For life). This way I could make good use from the Camera.

Would you want the same as me? Take one away and tell me what you would put in its place.
If I get rich, I may want to get you a gift.

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There's only 5 more days till Christmas! Rejoyce! Hark! Jingle!

My favorite Christmas movie to watch this year is Love Actually (Don't laugh, its a good one).

My favorite Christmas music to listen to this year is Bing Crosby "Merry Chrismas".

My favorite Christmas line to say this year is "The nerve of those Whos. Inviting me down there - and on such short notice. Even if I wanted to go my schedule wouldn't allow it. Four o'clock, wallow in self pity; 4:30, stare into the abyss; 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one. 5:30, jazzercize. 6:30, dinner with me. I can't cancel that again. 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing; I'm booked. Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9 I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling and slip slowly into madness. But what would I wear?" (From the Grinch Who Stole Christmas).

My favorite Christmas time article of clothing is a nice comfy sweater.

Merry Christmas to all... and to all a good Weekend!!

Smoke Stack of Fire

Smoke Stack of Fire,
originally uploaded by Michael Shakes.

It's very hard not to stop and snap a few pictures... when an Erie morning sunrise transforms this simple smoke stack into a glorious "Smoke Stack of Fire".

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All done Christmas shopping (Done two weeks ago), an all time record for me (Packaged and wrapped too).

10 more days til’ Christmas!

First week of Playoffs (For me and my FF Team that is)…

I want to snowboard, but my knee's are telling me "NO"…

Still thinking of moving to Alaska next fall (About 70% sure we will). We will go up for Sarah's rotations (And if she gets an offer, who know how long). The only thing that would stop us from going is, if Sarah gets a job offer in Erie in the next 5 months or so (Tops or otherwise).

Hope everyone is having a wonderful December Christmas time! I will post more Christmas pics as soon as they present themselves.

Mike

Keep it Classy San Diego...

Sorry about the lack of Blogging lately...

For some reason, I haven't been in the blogging mood. I will try and get a few thoughts up sooner then later... as soon as they hit me, that is.

One good thing is, I am starting to feel better from the Erie Bloggers Turkey Bowl (I mean it, next year's Turkey bowl is going to be played on the Playstation 2... NFL 2k5 or Madden 2006). I knew I was out of shape... and I was getting old, but damn!

Not much else going on with me... Sarah is trying to overcome the cold virus and I am trying to avoid it if possible. It may be too late...

My fantasy team should make the playoffs (With only 4 teams going... I predict after getting into the playoffs, my team will come in third or possibly 2nd place). I don't foresee them winning the Fantasy Bowl this year, but watch out next year… I’ve got Shawn Alexander and Terrell Owens. And once T.O. gets on a team, we's gonna be non-stoppable Bay-BE!

Green Bay, Green Bay, Green Bay... What'a we gonna do wit you? Eh?

Kevin Bacon is a non-stop Meowing Machine! I have no Idea what his deal is... my guess is that he is too spoiled. It doesn't matter what time a day, "Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow... meow... meeeeeooooowwww..." Kevin, could you please cut us a break?!

We are thinking of going to Alaska for Sarah's rotation's next fall. We would have to be up there for half a year if she wanted to finish them all up there. We have a little while to decide, but the window for decision-making is getting smaller and smaller every week.

Gosh it's snowy outside... We are supposed to get 7 inch's today, 7 inch's over night and another 7 inch's tomorrow. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." (Cue the Reindeer). I will be getting ready for this years trip (Or first trip) to Peek-n-Peak Ski Resort to get my Snow Boarding on. There should be some sick powder (As they say).

Well, time to bid you adu...

Thanks for stopping by San Diego... but still, keep it classy.