My Camera Set up

I have always had fleeting obsessions. When I was ten, I was infatuated with remote control airplanes. This obsession drove me to the local library where I read up on everything I could about model airplanes. Years earlier my interest in Ernest Thompson Seton books initiated my compulsion with bows and arrows, and nature. These obsessions change like the seasons.

One day, I decided it would be a good idea to have a camera. I scoured the internet reading all I could about Digital SLR's and eventually settled on a Canon XSI. After five months of using my XSI as much as I could, I felt it was time to upgrade to a full frame DLSR. Here is my set up and some photos that I like.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon 430EX II Speedlight Flash

Canon EF 24-105mm F/4.0 L with Canon EW-83H Lens Hood and Hoya 77mm UV Filter

Canon EF 85mm F/1.8 with Canon ET65II Lens Hood and B&W 58mm UV Filter

Trip to the Danner Factory Store

I have always heard that Japan gets all of the cool stuff, but never believed it. A recent visit to the Danner factory store, in Portland Oregon, confirmed what I had hitherto denied.

In search of a new pair of boots at a bargain price, I headed to the Factory Seconds part of the store. Nestled on the lowest self, I stumbled across these two pairs of Japanese only Mountain Light II Hiking boots.

Danner Japan boots come in varying leathers and sole options unavailable in other markets. For example, the Mountain Light II Hiking boot only comes with the a Vibram Kletterlift sole in American but the Japanese market can decide between the Kletterlift and Laramie slip resistant sole (like on the Red Wing 875).

According to the Danner saleswomen, Danner Japan shoes (abreveated to DJ) are so exclusive, that even Danner employes can't order them. In addition, these shoes are only made in sizes 6.5-10 US, well smaller than my foot. So sadly, I will never be able to get an official pare of Mountian Lights with a crepe sole in size 12...

However, For 90 dollars, Danner will rebuild a boot with the a Vibram sole of your choice. This means, that if some one is deadset on getting a Mountain Light with a crepe sole, they can buy the standard Mountain Light with the Kletterleft sole and then have it resoled with a Laramie crepe sole for 90 dollars. Maybe I will do that to mine some day...

The Mountain Light II in Black, Avaliable only in Japan 6.5 to 10 US

The Mountain Light II in Tan Suede, Avaliable only in Japan 6.5 to 10 US

O'Sullivan Heal Ads

I stumbled across these ads at Oregon Leather Co in Chinatown (Portland OR). In 1899, Irish immigrant, Humphrey O'Sullivan, unhappy with conventional leather heels, attached a rubber square to the heel of his shoe. Later that year, he patented his design and incorporated O'Sullivan Inc. A quick look on ebay reveals an interesting assortment of sales pitches, advertisements and of course America's Number 1 Heel. I have no idea when these ads are from but I imagen the thirties or forties.

What is the guy on home base staring at?

Jonny Quest

I have never really liked TV. I get too restless and feel like I am wasting time. However, I have a soft spot for Hanna-Barbera Production's The Adventures of Jonny Quest. Hanna-Barbera is an animated show power house, creating shows like, Birdman, Space Ghost, The Smurfs, Scooby Doo, The Flinstones and The Jetsons.

As I child I programed the X and Y coordinates of our cutting edge C-band satellite system on to Cartoon Network to watch Jonny Quest every week with my little brother. The show has gadgets, vehicles, villains and awesome locations. Think of a pubescent James Bond without the romantic element. Here are the opening and ending credits. The show only ran for one season, 1964-1965 and is available on Amazon.