Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Holidays in 35mm

Sometime in November my camera developed a fault; more specifically an issue with the anti-shake system referred to in the forums as "the death rattle". Cost to fix, $289 plus postage both ways, which seemed too much; but Rachel smiled and said I should get myself a new one for Christmas instead. In the meantime, I reverted back to 35mm film, in the form of my trusty Konica Auto S2 rangefinder (1965) and my point-and-shoot Olympus mju-II. No zoom, no autofocus, no instant feedback and about 35 cents per exposure for the film, development and a low-res scan of the negative. I've only had a digital camera for a few years, yet it felt like stepping back into the Napoleonic era.

Above right, the lovely Aunt Julie, our hostess for the festivities, carves the Thanksgiving turkey. Yes, it really was that black on the outside, some issue with the glaze, apparently. Still, jolly nice it was.

The cold snap continued, in a quite un-Portland-like manner. Snow continued to settle. The roads, unsalted and ungritted, were largely empty. You couldn't drive without chains or traction tyres, and we didn't have any. The buses continued to run, so I was able to get to the office, which was blissfully quiet, if chilly. Ethan enjoyed the snow - up to a point - that point usually being the most inconvenient moment possible, far from home and loaded with shopping. But the alternative was cabin fever. For myself, I enjoyed the quiet and the lack of movement, hunkering down with a bottle or two of Amontillado.

On the 23rd we were rescued by my father-in-law in his bimmer and chauffeured to the lake. There we further relaxed for nearly a week, twixt the wii and the wine cellar, while the children made the most of the fun to be had at grandma's house.

Then the snow melted and normal life resumed, save a hiatus at New Year when I was sick as a dog, for all the wrong reasons.








Ethan pulls his makeshift sled (Rachel Industries Inc), while the lead engineer builds snowballs.


Rachel demonstrates her sledding prowess.


A very wintry Hawthorne Boulevard. Could be a while for a bus, then.