WHEW! It’s HOT In Here!

For the record, I’m not one of those folks that doesn’t believe that fire burns until I stick my hand in the flames. Nope. Not me. It’s not that I have issues with taking risks, I simply have issues with taking unnecessary risks. Unnecessary risk is simply stupid. This is not to say that I’ve never done anything stupid. I’m just picky about my opportunities to be stupid.

I am pickiest when it comes to spending money. In a word, I’m CHEAP. Yadda, yadda, yadda….I know, I picked the wrong hobby in which to be a cheapskate. Just let me explain. I don’t purchase cheap gear, I simply don’t like to part with my money. I do however, after much bellyaching, purchase quality goods. Sheesh!

Ted, over at Nikon-Digital posted a REALLY great tip recently. He mentioned that he purchases backdrops from Home Depot. Go figure, eh? I thought that this was the best idea EVER! I ran down the street to my local Home Depot and picked up a 9×12 drop cloth. It cost me a paltry $20, WOO HOO! I also picked up some 3/4 PVC piping, two elbow connectors and a couple of t-connectors and VOILA! Instant backdrop and stand. The whole setup cost roughly $32 (and I’m a happy gal).

I also picked up a couple of clamp lights (cost: $6 each). I’ve got a roll of aluminum foil to make a reflector, some construction paper to make a snoot and a few other things.

Ok, so I’m sure you’re wondering where this is all going, right? Well, if you haven’t figured it out, you’ve got more problems than I could ever hope to never have. This is not my permanent setup (well, I’m sure I’ll never trash the backdrops). I’m in learning mode and don’t want to waste money on stuff I don’t understand.

The future of ‘strobiliciousness’ for me may be a little snuggle time with Alien Bees (an idea I got from Mike Hodgson). Of course, I haven’t ruled out speedlights just yet. Hugh at CameraCard just sent me some REALLY great photos that have got my brain-wheels a-spinning. Stay tuned folks, it’s about to get HOT in here!

Walmart? Really?

Ok, so this is my first post of 2010. Where has the time gone, and can you believe that I’ve been hanging out ’round these parts for a year? Go figure, eh? And no, the ‘eh’ is not an import from Canada. I’ve always used that word. Ok, well… maybe it’s not a word, but I think you get my drift.

Christmas was nice. Uber-hubby got me what I wanted, a new tripod. Yeppers, I’m the proud owner of Bogen’s Manfrotto 190XB tripod with 486RC2 Ball head. Ooooh YEAH BABY! Me likey and love it long time! This was exactly what I wanted. Nothing like being married to a man that can follow instructions! Woot!

The next gift that he got was completely unexpected, as I only wanted a respectable tripod. This gift was in a huge box and too heavy for me to lift. Upon opening it, I discovered a huge angular item covered in packing foam. My immediate thought was, “This foam-crap is gonna get in my hair, choke the dog and take forever to clean off the carpet.” Perhaps my thought was a bit ungrateful, but considering the fact that I am tasked with keeping my house clean and my hair brushed, it was warranted. At some point, the dog needs to be smart enough to stop eating every darn thing he sees.

In the box was a printer. Initially, I simply looked at it and wondered what the hell my husband was thinking. Yeah, In know you’re thinking that I should be happy, but we’re talking about a man who once gave me a sewing machine for Christmas and all of his suit pants to hem.

The printer didn’t have a manual and I had to do some searching to find out whether or not it would be safe to operate and not set the house on fire. And it went a little something like this:

Me: Hi I need to get some information on this printer.

Kodak: Sure, ma’ame. What model is it?

Me: It’s a 6850.

Kodak: Ok Ma’me. Which store are you calling from, Walmart?

Me: Are you trying to be funny?

Kodak: No ma’ame. Are you calling from a kiosk?

Me: Why are you asking me that? Why can’t you simply tell me where I can order a manual or something.

Kodak: Ma’ame, your employer should have a manual.

Ok, I’ll spare you the rest of the details. Yes, my husband purchased a printer like the one they have in Walmart. Yes, really. I asked Kodak’s rep how many pictures I’d be able to produce and he said, “Oh, thousands.”

At some point over the years, I must have had the “Why can’t you get me what I asked for,” conversation with my husband one too many times, and as men do, he misunderstood and THOUGHT THAT I MEANT, “Honey, please purchase everything that I say I like,” to save his own ass.

I recall at some point in the year saying how kewl it must be to have a sub-dye printer. I NEVER said, “HONEY WILL YOU BUY THE PRINTER THEY HAVE IN WALMART?”

I’m not being ungrateful. I’m rather proud of my new acquisition. I just have to be mindful that I married the kind of man that will do anything to put a smile on face. Ok, but in all seriousness…. how many of my friends are gonna stop printing at Walmart and come to my house? I reckon it would make for great conversation during scrapbook parties.

Thanks, Babe!