The ABC's of Trip Reporting- PLEASE JOIN US ON THE NEW THREAD!

[MAGICFOR2]

Hey Liesa! Look how good you are at networking! You recommend Ty's TR and we showed up! "When All7OfUs talks, people listen!"

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi all had a nice day in San Diego will try to get 2 responses later 2night

 

[All7OfUs]

All caught up. U had some great updates!! Hurray, you are almost on the road to Disney!!

Thanks, Mary!! Fun to write them, as always. And yep, next up, we'll take you flying out, on the heels of hurrican something or rather.

 

[All7OfUs]

Aren't we the busy bee? I thought you had a busy weekend and you have been updating like crazy. Once again, I skimmed but I had to use the links to catch up. FYI your W wicked fun dis meet link is broken. Although I have already read that update....

I've been called worse. And I did have a busy weekend, and an even busier week. I've been in So Cal since day before yesterday for my grandfather's funeral. Spend the day in San Diego, visiting my aunt- hard stuff all the way around. (She is the one with terminal ALS)

Ok, fixing the W. Reminds me of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

What great pictures from DC... free museums? OH YEA! I am ashamed to say that I have never made it to DC....

Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?!!! Never- and you live on the East coast?? Nah-uh. Go. You won't be sorry!

I love the picture of 'Jordan' on the subway.... That is TOO funny! PEEP!

This guy was WAY too close to not be creepy. Not that J is creepy, but seriously, this guy was a spitting image. Hmmm.. that sounds bad too. This guy was not spitting, oh never mind...

I forgot you had a second meet planned for the evening... Sounds like you guys picked a great restaurant!

It was a Meet-o-rama! The food was soooooooooooooo guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuud!!!!

The necessary?

Is it just me, or is it pretty danged necessary every day. Seems like a redudancy thing to me.

I wonder if you secretly wished your camera wouldn't be found so you could go out and buy a nice shiny one?

Well, shhhhh... kinda. But I didn't expect it now, while we are unemployed, and hoping to buy a house.

DISNEY, HERE WE COME!

Finally, eh.

 

[All7OfUs]

Liesa, here's their logo - its the exact opposite of North Face. And funnily enough, when you turn the North face logo upside down, it does sort of resemble an abstract... butte

Really good point Magdalene. Liesa, you ought to go to a good camera store and chat up the sales people. They are usually pretty knowledgeable. (Then go buy it online cheaper, of course!)

That logo is really funny! North Face was really stretching to sue on that one!

I also remember the great LGMH caper! I had forgotten all about that - Too funny![/QUOTE]


I'm not sure you really have to turn it upside down to see the derrier.

Yes, that was a good point, big isn't always better, especially when you're talking arm flab... or unless you're talking choco cake.


It was so funny when J started that rumor about them (the LGMHs) being discontinued, and everyone going out of theft expeditions.

So sorry for creating more confusion! I think it really depends how much you want to be able to play with different settings etc. Even some of the better small cameras give you a certain freedom to change settings. And some come with really good zoom lenses as well. My ex-BF got one with a wonderful 10x optical zoom. And many have great night time settings as well. Here in Germany many magazines publish test reports on cameras and articles on what is important to look out in cameras. When I got my new one I spent some time researching what I really want and need and what prize I was willing to pay. And even with a small camera it makes sense to actually learn how to use it and play around with the settings.

My camera is from the Sony T-series - my most important feature was that it would be small. Also at that time it was one with the best shutter speed (some digital cameras take ages to finally take that picture) and I like it that the lens does not come out of the camera since my previous camera died when the lens hit a railing and then would no longer move in or out.

The one my ex-BF got was a Panasonic Lumix and I really liked that camera as well, mainly for its zoom ability and for all the different settings it had.



That's another 110 pages!!

ok, I guess j/k means just kidding... what a relief! But then, I guess by the time for the start of the third alphabet we will be in Part 2...

That was actually very helpful. And you're right, it just really depends on what you want to use it for. And I had the same thing happen to this camera. Before it actually REALLY, really died, it accidently opened in my pocket a couple times- well, it tried to, but my rock hard buns prevented it from doing so- and it gave a lens error. Since then it kind of made a grinding sound when you opened the lens. But the thing that ultimately killed it was a spill off of Bek's lap after she tried to take a picture of a Christmas light display someone put up that I wanted to post. Someone had put a Santa up on their roof, with a "stream" of lights off to the ground, ending in a puddle.

Anyway, I just need to evaluate what I really want to do with it, and go from there.

 

[brookelizabeth]

The South Butt(e) talk has me rolling!!!! And the POC camera in the necessity! Oh man, too funny!!! How ironically appropriate.

Love all the DIS meet updates. I soooooooooo wish I could have been there. Stinkin' money. The DC pictures are beautiful. I look forward to visiting someday - hopefully sooner than later considering how close we are.

And yes!! I got an NetBook! An cute little Acer jobbie that will surf and post just great!! I'm so stinkin' stoked!! But that's not all... Mike also got us hooked up with a Verizon plan, an antennae, wireless router, and a USB modem. I'll be connected even in my car!! It's not exactly the iPhone I wanted, but it's a start to being ready to move in- first things first.

That is AWESOME! My Mom has one of those and really likes it! It would be so handy for DISing, small and light, yet has a full keyboard. DISing on the iPhone STINKS! Oh my word, it's awful. I try to avoid it...but it can be handy to pass time.

Looking forward to the alphabet repeating!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Woohoo! It's Disney time!

Glad you got the camera back.

That would have been catastrophic.

It is, it is, my golden, but never flaky friend. Almost. I gotta get back "home" (wherever THAT is these days) and study up. Those notes are going to come in most handy, since in my old age I cannot remember waht I ate for breakfast most days.

Me too! Although is was so temporal. Why can't they make a camera that a Samsonite gorilla can handle? Catastrophic would have been if I hadn't had enough money after buying a new one to do my shop around the world!!!

Hey Liesa! Look how good you are at networking! You recommend Ty's TR and we showed up! "When All7OfUs talks, people listen!"

Just spreadin' the luuuuuv.

 

[All7OfUs]

The South Butt(e) talk has me rolling!!!! And the POC camera in the necessity! Oh man, too funny!!! How ironically appropriate.

Love all the DIS meet updates. I soooooooooo wish I could have been there. Stinkin' money. The DC pictures are beautiful. I look forward to visiting someday - hopefully sooner than later considering how close we are.

That is AWESOME! My Mom has one of those and really likes it! It would be so handy for DISing, small and light, yet has a full keyboard. DISing on the iPhone STINKS! Oh my word, it's awful. I try to avoid it...but it can be handy to pass time.

Looking forward to the alphabet repeating!!

Good Evening, Lil' Missy Ninja Poster! Late over in your neck of the city!!

I agree- there's been a lot of funny over here lately!! Reminds me of the good old days last summer! When all of us seemed to have more time to hang out. You know who else I miss? Winkers! Cynthia, have you talked to her lately?

Anyway, YES, Brook- you need to get to DC sooner than later. Although, I'd now recommend spring while the cherry trees are in blossom. Absolutely stunning!! that would make the trip worth it alone.

That post earlier tonight was from my dad's iPhone. what a pita!!!! I could NOT do that for regular posting. This was a perfect solution for my addic- er... pastime.

A is for AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaand she's off...

 

[Flossbolna]

DISing on the iPhone STINKS! Oh my word, it's awful. I try to avoid it...but it can be handy to pass time.

Ideed, I agree!

But Katharina showed me how it can be improved: use the "Mobile Discreet" setting (can be changed at the very bottom of the page in a drop down menu on the left). Much easier to navigate because less clutter. Of course you don't see signatures and such, but that also saves on data volume.

 

[MEK]

you

left

the

POC

camera

in

the

NECESSITY?

OMG

You made my night

I agree - seriously. That was so freak'in funny. But the next time I got to Mt Vernon (and I hope its soon), I am having one of the mint juleps. That sounds like my kind of spirit!

Glad you had such a great time in DC. Now I can't wait to hear all about your Disney trip!

 

[pooh'smate]

I am all caught up. Just want to say I am sorry about your grandfather. I can't wait until I can go to DC, someday.

 

[glennbo123]

Getting caught back up Liesa. I did take a peek at your posts when you put them up, but didn't have time to comment.

Hey, that's great that you got internet connectivity as a Christmas gift.

The train was just as much DISFun as anything else we did that day! Look, we even had a Jordan sighting! I totally forgot the PTP (Peep Tongue Pose), mostly because I was so shocked that he showed up!

You forgot the PTP, but I was completely oblivious that a Peep was there. Duh.

Successully having navigated our way through the catacombs of the DC Underworld, thanks to the astute map reading skills of our intrepid group

Oh yes, we look like we know what we're doing. We even helped other patrons use the ticketing machines. (ahem Rosie. )

We were spit out in the heart of the glory and grandeur of our nation’s capitol. I think most of us were shocked a bit that we were so close to where we wanted to be, and literally right in the middle of The Mall!

That is the most amazing thing, your first-time arriving there.

I was sucked in pretty hard because every time I turned around I was the only one left in the room. I can’t even count how many times the group ditched me as I ogled at the gowns of the first ladies, the quilts, and other first rate curios.

I felt bad that that we may have been rushing you, and it seemed like I was the one who hung-back most of the time to make sure we didn't lose you.

The most awesome sight was the Star Spangled Banner. I was not ready for the awe I would feel in that silent room as I stood before the actual flag that inspired our National Anthem.

After that it was time for Glenn and Judy to take off to deal with first day of school “stuff”, and the rest of our group decided to take in the WWII Memorial.

We really hated to go...but had to. We were having a blast with you guys and would have liked to have had dinner with you also. Oh well, we were thankful for the time we got to spend with you and that I was able to meet some of my DISfriends in the flesh. And now Judy knows they're not imaginary people...but in fact real people, who are looking for her in every picture on the DIS.

 

[glennbo123]

So, that's one vote FOR a DSLR, and one vote for "their too much of a PITA". I love the idea of being able to capture better night shots, better action shots, and crisper nature content.

I vote with the Captain -- DSLR.

Maybe one question to help you decide is: are you willing to learn how to use the various settings? It's not hard, but takes some time and practice. If that's not "you", then maybe a high-end point-and-shoot is a better choice.

 

[All7OfUs]

Ideed, I agree!

But Katharina showed me how it can be improved: use the "Mobile Discreet" setting (can be changed at the very bottom of the page in a drop down menu on the left). Much easier to navigate because less clutter. Of course you don't see signatures and such, but that also saves on data volume.

I need to switch back to that mode on this since I only have 5 gigs. The only thing is that I might miss a link to a new TR or PTR. Either way, I hope everyone will PM as soon as they start one anytime.

 

[All7OfUs]

I agree - seriously. That was so freak'in funny. But the next time I got to Mt Vernon (and I hope its soon), I am having one of the mint juleps. That sounds like my kind of spirit!

Glad you had such a great time in DC. Now I can't wait to hear all about your Disney trip!

They were so tasty. And I loved pretending that I was a southern belle ahead of moving to POR. Remember, that was one of my wishes for my trip. Did I have another???

I am all caught up. Just want to say I am sorry about your grandfather. I can't wait until I can go to DC, someday.

Thanks so much. I am so glad I came down here to be with my family for this.

DC was really a lot of fun- everything we did there.

 

[All7OfUs]

Getting caught back up Liesa. I did take a peek at your posts when you put them up, but didn't have time to comment.

I understand completely. Links have been my best friend lately.

Hey, that's great that you got internet connectivity as a Christmas gift.

It the best gift he could have given this year!

You forgot the PTP, but I was completely oblivious that a Peep was there. Duh.

I was, and still am, totally amazed at how identical he looked like Jordan!!

Oh yes, we look like we know what we're doing. We even helped other patrons use the ticketing machines. (ahem Rosie. )

It was funny to stand back and watch ya'll work hard at navigating the system. Ironically, all your hard work paid off for me a couple of days later when I went to lunch with a friend in a different part of DC. Remember, that was the day that that kook tried to blow up one of the cable TV channel buildings.

That is the most amazing thing, your first-time arriving there.

I think, well at least me, that I thought we'd come out on a side street or some other non-descript place.

I felt bad that that we may have been rushing you, and it seemed like I was the one who hung-back most of the time to make sure we didn't lose you.

In the end it was a good thing- I would have spent all day in there and made us all late for dinner.

The most awesome sight was the Star Spangled Banner. I was not ready for the awe I would feel in that silent room as I stood before the actual flag that inspired our National Anthem.

That particular room did have an atmosphere of reverence in it that the others did not. They really did a good job with that display!

We really hated to go...but had to. We were having a blast with you guys and would have liked to have had dinner with you also. Oh well, we were thankful for the time we got to spend with you and that I was able to meet some of my DISfriends in the flesh. And now Judy knows they're not imaginary people...but in fact real people, who are looking for her in every picture on the DIS.

I hope she doesn't think we are all completely insane morons.

I vote with the Captain -- DSLR.

Maybe one question to help you decide is: are you willing to learn how to use the various settings? It's not hard, but takes some time and practice. If that's not "you", then maybe a high-end point-and-shoot is a better choice.

I am; I spend months before that Disney trip learning waht all the modes in "scene" do, and changed them a lot during the time in Disney. It was actually kind of fun to slow down, and spend up to a while minute or two lining up a shot. But even with those setting changes, I realized that the POC had such a limited capability- no matter how still you stood, or how high the ISO setting was, night time shots were refuse.

 

[disneyaddicted]

Liesa, it was so great meeting you and everyone else, I felt privelleged to be invited to that Dismeet. I would have loved to have met up with ya'll in D.C. (Work stunk that day) your tour of it sounded amazing. I have only visited once and I did the bus loop tour.

My adventure to Mon Ami Gabi went as follows.

All I had as far as directions to the restaurant was what they had posted on their website, I figured Kent being the directional savant he claimed to be, finding Mon Ami Gabi would be effortless. Well, I should have known better, I have lived with Kent long enough to know that when ever we travel somewhere for the first time, we always get lost.

The directions I had didn't really make much sense either, so I called my brother Matt in Texas and gave him the address to the restaurant, he map quested it for me and I wrote down the directions. Easy enough? No, not really. We found Bethesda no problem, and we found the road that Mon Ami Gabi was supposed to be on, and we drove that road back and forth for 40 minutes. We could not find this place. I was so frustrated I was ready to cry. I tried calling Liesa's phone, but it went to voice mail. why I didn't call the restaurant I will never know. But all of a sudden there it was, sitting on a corner, we had passed it several times, I had seen the outside seating area and even remarked, "why can't that be it? if it were, we would be there now."

But hidden from me, in plane sight was the sign. Mon Ami Gabi. It was a crazy woman laugh that came out of me. "Really? Really?" I kept repeating.

Alright, we found it, now where do we park? We found a little parking lot around the corner and quickly left my car and footed it back to the restaurant. I think I might have been a little late. I went up to the podium and told the host I was meeting a group of people there.

"Ok, he smiled, and your parties name?"

"Ummmm....Liesa? I think it would be under her name."

"what's her last name?"

"I don't know, I've never met her, or any of the others to be honest."

He then figured out that I was with the big group of people. Kent and I followed him back to the room, I was nervous, I was meeting strangers, yet they weren't strangers. But still, what if it's awkward? what if there are those moments where nobody talks and we all reach for that last roll of bread at the same time and just do that wierd smile and nod thing when you're not sure what else to do?

I was crazy to even have thought it would be awkward. I walked in the room and never felt more welcome by a bunch of people that I had never met before.

I really only "Knew" Liesa from following her PTR. But quickly found out that I also knew of Rosie and Rob, when they mentioned his screen name I felt like I was then in the presence of a celebrity, and he was a PA. neighbor. Hershey is only 45 minutes West of me. I kept leaning over and whispering in Kents ear about people. "Remember I told you about Trouncy, Bouncy and Flouncy, the triplets? Rob is their Dad, remember I told you I loved his PTR?"

I also met Tracy for the first time, she was a sweetheart and easy to talk to.
Rosie is just a dear woman, all smiles all the time.
And Liesa, she's is just as funny and quick witted in person as she is on the DISboards.
I thought that Kent would feel out of place being the only non DISer there, but he did just fine.

The food was so good, the company was even better. Dinner was over far too soon. Liesa, Tracy and Rosie walked with Kent and I back to our car and we then drove them to the parking garage where their car was parked. We walked them down to their car where we said our goodbyes. Liesa gave me a gift bag. There was a chocolate bar in there, foreign chocolate, but it translates well. there was something else in there too but I still haven't opened it because I don't know what it is. but my favorite thing was a rock, yes a rock, it was from the country she had just come from, it was part of the earth from over there. I loved it and it sits next to my favorite knick knacks in my den.

Kent and walked back to our car and I felt like crying, I didn't have enough time I told him.

I put on my star shaped framed sunglasses that were also included in the gift bag from Liesa, they came in really handy, I couldn't see a thing as we got lost on our drive home. Kent's driving scares me.

All in all it was a great Dismeet, I had the time of my life and I am proud to say I have met you all in person.

Thank you Liesa for letting me share my story here.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

What a sweet story, Ty! You are so funny - I'm glad you got to meet some of the peeps! You and Kent were diligent to drive back and forth for 40 min. I think Jim would have given up.

 

[Flossbolna]

I am; I spend months before that Disney trip learning waht all the modes in "scene" do, and changed them a lot during the time in Disney. It was actually kind of fun to slow down, and spend up to a while minute or two lining up a shot. But even with those setting changes, I realized that the POC had such a limited capability- no matter how still you stood, or how high the ISO setting was, night time shots were refuse.

I really think both types of cameras have great advantages and really working with a DSLR camera can be a wonderful hobby!

However, I still think there are huge differences between different non-DSLRs and since it is the night time shots you are interested in, I put together a collection of my best night time pictures in this Photobucket album. You might need the password nighttime to access it. However, the one thing that my camera was never good at is fireworks. But I think for those you really need a tripod...

I did some looking around and one camera I found which I think looks pretty good is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10 (appears to be called DMC-ZS7 in the US), which gives you quite some freedom to set shutter speed and aperture and it has quite an impressive 12x optical zoom. It isn't the fastest and seems to have a rather short battery life, so I would not fully recommend it, but that's the type of camera I think I would love to have (even though I still love the one I have at the moment...) in order to be able to play around with manual settings. There are more cameras of that type around now... I am really looking forward to being in the market for a new one in about two years time or so...

 

[Poolrat]

All caught up again.

On the camera talk, I had the same problem with what is now my "old" camera. My last trip it was going all wonky and just not focusing right. Still now completely sure it was not operator error but in the end I wanted a better zoom.
I researched but kept coming back to a Canon Powershot XS30 IS. It is a point and shoot for the most part but has an impressive 35X zoom! I have to post some pictures of the zoom capability.
It has all the scene - sports- continuous shoot and manual as welll as many I still need to learn to use.
It has some real good reviews too. I am happy with it and now I can take pictures of the gorilla's eyelash if I want.