Photography (1)

[kmsmith8]

Thomas,

Sorry about the pictures; at least it worked out in the end. My sister went through a similiar experience. She volunteered in Latin America (she is is medical school.) The airport made her put her film through the scanner; this, of course, ruined her film. Luckily, she was able to get pictures from friends as well. She hasn't converted to a digital camera yet, but I think she will after she gets out of school.

Graemek,

I'm not really sure if Lake Michigan freezes or not; I have never lived close enough to it to notice (I was about an hour away during high school and I am now almost 3 hours away). I don't remember it being frozen last time I was in Chicago during the winter, but I can't say the same for the rest of the city. Luckily, being at least a little south makes the winters here a bit milder (by a few degrees, which can make a big difference.)

[Caitlin]

graemek said:

Thanks Caite, yes I was surprised because if i'd planned to include her (the bee) in the shot there would have been empty space.

Now that I have your attention Caite I want to ask you something:
Why do you always sign yourself <3 Caite??
It mystifys me. Not the Caite part but the <3.
To me <3 means 'less than 3' ie. 1 or 2.
Graemek

Hi Graemek! (and anyone else who's confused)

It's funny, just in the past day or so I've had many inquiries as to why I always sign "<3 Caite" I guess people really are confused! It doesn't mean "less than 3". If you look at it sideways (though you don't have to once you know what it means) it looks like a heart. So in essence, I'm signing "love Caite" only it's "<3 Caite"

And to your question about the freezing of Lake Michigan. It generally doesn't freeze over in its entirety. The shallower water freezes over (and there are some really neat pictures of when storms have come and the waves have piled on top of each other and then frozen).

<3 Caite

[postscript]

Hi Graeme.

Thanks for that lovely picture of plum blossom, which, had you not said I would have assumed were cherry blossom!

It is also good to hear your season detail. I had thought Hayley was going out in winter. To be greeted by spring should not be too great a temperature shock and be somewhat more cheery than had it been winter. But if I recall correctly, Hayley likes the cold and frosty mornings which doubtless is why she was always complaining (wrong word--observing) how hot she found it here!

We are really looking to you guys to keep us as well posted as we hope we kept you posted on Hayley. Okay, she's on holiday so on the 'home front' we understand and expect silence, but as regards what is going on around her and the sort of weather she is enjoying is a helpful\ background note, if you guys would, please. Gaining better understanding of NZ lends a sense of Hayley.

Peter S.

[postscript]

Sorry to hear about your lost photographs from your Grand Canyon trip, Thomas. I recently lost the first part of my Wales tour due to clearing the flashcard I had not yet downloaded--new technology to me. Nowhere near as as bad as your tragedy. I did lose an entire film of a Canadian trip due to the processing shop having a machine failure during processing!

So, what ever you do: digital or film, until it' THERE, there ion your hands, there is no guaranteeing you've got it!

Glad you managed to gain some compensation from friends sharing but no one quite catches the angle you had or necessarily shot the same things that interested you!

Peter S.

[postscript]

Hi ksmith8, Thomas, Graemek. Is it not amazing how a 'side' subject suddenly raises a wealth of similar experiences?

Perhaps in your sister's case, Thomas, the scanner belt was moving too slowly or perhaps, because of the new security measures, the scan is more intense or slower for that reason. I have many times taken 400 film canisters though without problems. However, i was advised that 800 would fog. in the very early days of my traveling experiences (forty years ago!) they did let you pass the film canisters round the scanner. They would not allow that now, of course!

If your sister goes digital, fine. However, if she doesn't shoot enough film to write-off a 'good' film camera, she can always process in situ before travelling. A nuisance in terms of extra baggage, but that is always a possibility?

Peter S.

[postscript]

Hi Caite. A lovely explanation of your <3 sign off but amazing that yet again a 'side' issue suddenly arouses interest en mass.

Peter S.

[graemek]

caite said:

graemek said:

Now that I have your attention Caite I want to ask you something:
Why do you always sign yourself <3 Caite??
It mystifys me. Not the Caite part but the <3.
To me <3 means 'less than 3' ie. 1 or 2.
Graemek

Hi Graemek! (and anyone else who's confused)

It's funny, just in the past day or so I've had many inquiries as to why I always sign "<3 Caite" I guess people really are confused! It doesn't mean "less than 3". If you look at it sideways (though you don't have to once you know what it means) it looks like a heart. So in essence, I'm signing "love Caite" only it's "<3 Caite"

And to your question about the freezing of Lake Michigan. It generally doesn't freeze over in its entirety. The shallower water freezes over (and there are some really neat pictures of when storms have come and the waves have piled on top of each other and then frozen).

<3 Caite

OK Caite, but what if you were to put <3 Caite L90 then the
whole shebang would be the right way up & you wouldn't have
to write explanations any more.
Graemek

[kmsmith8]

Peter,

I'm not sure what happened with my sister's film. She didn't really have the option to get it developed before she left because she was literally in the middle of nowhere. Oh well, better luck to her next time.

Caite,

Thanks for you explanation on Lake Michigan. Until now I hadn't really even thought about whether it freezes over.

[thomas]

postscript said:

Perhaps in your sister's case, Thomas, the scanner belt was moving too slowly or perhaps, because of the new security measures, the scan is more intense or slower for that reason. I have many times taken 400 film canisters though without problems. However, i was advised that 800 would fog. in the very early days of my traveling experiences (forty years ago!) they did let you pass the film canisters round the scanner. They would not allow that now, of course!

Oh yes, it happened to Katie's sister, not to mine. Although my sister also takes pictures with a film camera.

Thomas

[postscript]

thomas said:

postscript said:

Perhaps in your sister's case, Thomas, the scanner belt was moving too slowly or perhaps, because of the new security measures, the scan is more intense or slower for that reason. I have many times taken 400 film canisters though without problems. However, i was advised that 800 would fog. in the very early days of my traveling experiences (forty years ago!) they did let you pass the film canisters round the scanner. They would not allow that now, of course!

Oh yes, it happened to Katie's sister, not to mine. Although my sister also takes pictures with a film camera.

Thomas

Apologies Katie and Thomas for muddling your sisters! Another of my doollally moments!
Peter

[Caitlin]

Hi everyone!

I thought I'd try something a little different for everyone's enjoyment. Today my dad, exchange student (who I call my sister) Chi and another exchange student (who's our friend) and I all went to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. The day started nicely: it wasn't too hot and it wasn't too cold.


(Chi, Jiani, Me)

After we entered the "Kingdom" we were welcomed straight away by some buskers. I swear this is a busker's paradise, but only if you can play the right music! We then went to the start of the Grande March where we would meet the "King" and "Queen" and the people of the land. Such great entertainment it was!









We then walked around and came across these great masks!


And that's where the good weather ended, and where I shall end this post. I'll begin in another shortly!

[Caitlin]

We had enough time to play a few games of "Dunk the Wench" and also tried to hit a man with tomatoes (not as easy as it looks!). While we were doing this it began to sprinkle, and then with a big clap of thunder it began to pour. We ran for cover, and found some under a candle stand where I took this next shot.



After about 15 minutes the rain let up for the most part (it was still sprinkling) and we realized it was time to go to see the Jousting! As usual, the jousting was loads of fun.




(guess who lost...)

And what's a jousting tournament without some good fighting?


By this time the wind had picked up and it was cold! Well, Chi, Jiani and my dad were all okay but I had forgotten to bring a jacket or sweater. Whoops. I went and got some soup to warm me up (chicken and wild rice, num!). It did warm me up for a while, but as soon as I finished the rain picked up again. Oh well!


So on our way out we walked past a pub that had live music. I walked in so I could at least dry off a little bit. I recognized what they were playing (and singing) as 'Tell My Ma' so I started singing along. One of the members of the group that was playing noticed and before I knew it I was up singing with them! One of the group members leaned down and asked me if I knew 'Scarlet Ribbons' and I told him I did, so we sang that next. We also sang two other songs (I forgot their names) together before I told them I had to leave. What a surprise for me! But it was fun.

And the last thing we saw was some dancing. This group was quite funny, and had a hard time keeping to the music but it made it fun to watch.



And finally, Jiani, Chi and I after our fun-filled, but rainy day at the Renaissance Festival. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

<3 Caite

[Joe]

Hi Caite

Wow, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival looked really nice. So much detail went into the "village" and the characters' costumes.

The sing-song at that pub sounded fun. I love "Scarlet Ribbons". It's on The Cottars' first album and the duet with Fiona MacGillivray and John McDermott is just wonderful.

Thanks for the pictures as well...I'm glad that many of the events of the festival went on despite the weather!

I'm also glad that you weren't the only one having a good time in the rain...my church had a trip to see the New York Yankees play the Minnestota Twins. And that game was played in the rain. Pictures coming soon!

Thanks Caite

Joe

[Richard]

Thanks for sharing those fabulous photographs, Caite!

Looking at the pictures of the jousting, there is a tower that reminds me of the keep at Warwick Castle here in England. Hayley sang there with Il Divo a few weeks ago.

It certainly looks as though you all had a great day in spite of the rain. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best Wishes,

Richard

[drew]

caite said:

We had enough time to play a few games of "https://i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifunk the Wench" and also tried to hit a man with tomatoes (not as easy as it looks!).

Now that would certainly give Jonathan Ross an idea if he were to invite Charlotte Church back on his programme, and Charlotte Church an idea for her next show.

Lovely pictures.

Many Happy Returns Caite. I shall raise a toast to you on Wednesday.