12/09/06 Cruise Continued ~ Pirating Bananas DIS Geekorama Part 2 Part 4

[DSharpe]

On the cruise food thing.... DH and DD are both really skinny and don't like food, so they really don't order much of anything. I however, have ordered soup and salad and more than one entree. I don't every night, just when I can't decide. Have you all heard that poem about jack sprat and his wife? that would be us....

Kim

Hey Kim - Jack sprat! I've called us that, too!! I have and will order any and everything that looks good to me! Why choose if I don't have to??? Heck, them meals are my favorite part of the cruise!! LOL

 

[brack]

Did you Dr. tell you to use heat? I always used heat on my back but then they told me that heat was not good and to use ice. It did not feel as good at first but I think it has helped me over time.

He did say that it would help but I think too long is bad. I had it on for about fours yesterday and I think it was worse when I got up. So today I left it off.

 

[brack]

How bad is the tv schedule today? I just watched "200 Motels" a 1971 movie by Frank Zappa and the Mother's of Invention!

 

[lbgraves]

Uh - juice for camp this week. Water, bread. Fluff - do you guys have Fluff for fluff-n-nutter sandwiches? I left Brack to answer camera questions - I take notes from him.

We have a jar of fluff here. Now how do yours get done. Here you cut off the crust and then half & thirds so you have 6 pieces.

 

[pjpoohbear]

PJ > WAY TO GO GIRL!!!!! Do you play bingo often?? Your luck was great this week.

Normally once a month, but we were on a streak this weekend.

I bought the camera (Canon S3 IS), it was on sale, $450 US$! And they had a returned SD ultra II 1GB card for $55 US$. I am all set for the cruise. Basically the camera cost me my bingo stake of $35, woo hoo!

 

[becka]

Becka.. Have you been reading the main post about airfare from KC? The Ding thing? $122.10 round trip?

Kim

Thanks for letting me know. The DING rate was through the end of Sept. so no good for us. They have only released their schedule through Dec 10 right now so until they release the next set of dates I am probably out of luck anyway. I got so spoiled years ago with our flight costs and now I just want to pitch a fit because I would have to pay so much. Of course I used to just pay for 2 seats rather than 4 too!

 

[pjpoohbear]

Ok, Fluff up here is only in the ice cream topping section. I guess Canucks use it on ice cream, is that weird? I have never had it, but love PB and Raspberry jam on whole wheat, yum!

Penny

 

[becka]

Right now the cheapest non-stop is $249/person from KC. That would be $999.40 for all 4 of us!!! There is a Delta flight for $231/person but it has long layovers which I really would want to avoid at all costs.

We can drive for much less!!!

 

[87Heel]

I bought the camera (Canon S3 IS), it was on sale, $450 US$! And they had a returned SD ultra II 1GB card for $55 US$. I am all set for the cruise. Basically the camera cost me my bingo stake of $35, woo hoo!

Way to go! Did you buy it from a regular store so that it's in your hands now? And are you taking it out for a test drive?

 

[pjpoohbear]

I actually purchased at Sears, as they were having a two day blow out sale!

Gee, there is a lot to learn. I was doing really good with my A70, but was annoyed by the limited optical zoom, now I have zoom!


Pj

 

[lbgraves]

Before I go finally put clothes into the dryer - Who used to freeze Charleston Chews before eating them? Charleston Chews

I haven't seen one of those since elementary school.

 

[goofyforlife]

He did say that it would help but I think too long is bad. I had it on for about fours yesterday and I think it was worse when I got up. So today I left it off.

I would get a cheap bag of frozen vegetables to use as ice pack....

(it can be reused over and over; just make sure Annette doesn't accidently use it for dinner one night)

I've been nursing a herniated disk/pinched nerve thingie for the last couple years and the cold really helps sometimes.

 

[Jhalkias]

Let me turn to all my new Canon camera geek friends for some thoughts/advice. (yeah, I know, I'm analyzing this purchase to death!). Yes, I will be getting the Rebel XT. My existing lenses (from the film EOS) are:
1) Sigma 28-80 macro (sigma can upgrade this; just mailed it on friday)
2) Canon 70-210

The XT kit lens seems to get mixed reviews. So I'm thinking body only, but then I think I need a wide angle lens. Also, the Canon 50mm f1.8 gets a lot of praise as a quality lens at a bargain price. And for yet another thought, DH would like a macro to take some photos during surgery (but has to stay far enough away to not contaminate anything!)

So what lens would you get to start: the kit, the 50, a wide angle to cover that end? And what macro would you suggest for DH? Thanks!

Wish I could help Marielle, but I have not been in the market for lenses yet. When I am, I will analyze it to death - I'm just not there yet. I bought mine with the lens that came with the kit, and while I have read reviews that were less than spectacular about that particular lens, it has worked fine for me. Since you already have some lenses, I would look for a wide angle zoom that you like.

A bit confused though about your DH's needs . . . a Macro lens by definition is a lens that can focus when extremely close to the subject (such as taking close up photos of natural subjects). If he cannot get close to the subject, I am not sure he needs a macro lens - not sure what kind of lens you would use in that application. What are other surgeons using???

John1

 

[87Heel]

A bit confused though about your DH's needs . . . a Macro lens by definition is a lens that can focus when extremely close to the subject (such as taking close up photos of natural subjects). If he cannot get close to the subject, I am not sure he needs a macro lens - not sure what kind of lens you would use in that application. What are other surgeons using???

John1

The 100mm macros (or similar sizes) allow you stay a bit farther away (as in 12 inches away instead of 6 inches away). The nature photographers like it to stay out of the spiderweb or not frighten the butterfly, yet still get the shot. I think it would work for him, but I'm not sure if 90mm macro would work or if I'd have to go to the 180 macro ($$$$).

 

[Jhalkias]

So since I am thinking about dinner I went to look at the cruise menus again. How much does everyone typically order a night? Do most people order two entrees or two apps, etc? Do most people order an app, soup/salad, entree and dessert? Just kind of wondering what the typical cruise meal is for everyone.

I just order one of each - too self conscious to order more . . . If I was on this cruise as a teenager though . . . .

John1

 

[Jhalkias]

At what point does posting to yourself cross over from fun and silly to just plain pathetic?

John1 - When did you cross that line?

Cross the line? Me cross the line????





John1

 

[87Heel]

I'm busy overanalyzing everything too. All my info is all from every site/forum I can find. But I come back here for the opinions of the DIS geek friends!

 

[Jhalkias]

While the 50mm lens is very good for the price it is a limited use lens. Great for portrait type shots. The two that you mentioned give you a good range but I don't know about the Sigma's quality.

If money is an issue then do get the kit. If it's not don't get it. I have rarely used the lens that came in the kit with Rebel.

Brack,

What lens do you find yourself using most often? Maybe now I'll start looking at lenses . . . shhhhhhhhhhhh - don't tell Amy!

John1

 

[Jhalkias]

He likes to shop? DH would rather pull his fingernails out than shop! I LOVE to shop on cruise ships, but I don't like to shop at most other places... I do a lot of online shopping. I don't mind specialty shops and Nordstroms, but Wal Mart makes me CRAZY There are too many people, not enough space in the isle (sp?), and it is too noisy! I swear the lighting is sucking my very lifeforce.... But LOVE cruise shopping!

Kim

Well, I hate Walmart too - but it is because of quite a vested interest with me . . . While the atmosphere does seem to "suck my lifeforce out" they have become a competitor that is savaging our business. Last week was an awful week for me because I had to lay off 18 full-time employees - some of whom had been with us for almost 10 years. They earned decent wages, and had good benefits. But, since 4 WalMart SuperCenters opened in our area, all selling groceries, paying low wages, and minimal to no benefits, it is harder and harder to compete. The company I work for has been here for 73 years, and this was our FIRST layoff of FT employees EVER. It was really hard, as I had hired most of these people, and they all have families.

Hate WM.

John1

 

[klineyqueen]

Hi Gang! We are back from our nice camping weekend. Last night we were around the camp fire watching shooting stars during the meteor shower. The friends who were camping with us are also Disney freaks! Our wheels were turning all weekend while we were discussing upcoming trips!