A trip up One Tree Hill to see the lambs proved to be a bit of failure with the Olympus E500 this weekend. I think the combination of fast running lambs, overcast light and long zoom tested the old DSLR beyond its comfort zone. Upon opening at home, the majority were blurry. Never mind, perhaps I’ll try the Nex one weekend soon!
For today, ‘Under the Tree’, shot on the E500 and converted to B&W in Gimp.
To finish off yesterdays story, todays shot (a photo of a photo from my pre digital era) is of my finished rebuild of JW7998.
Its funny, and great how looking at old images re-accesses memories buried deep in ones head. Looking at my old Mini wheels, I now recall the effort I went to hand sanding and polishing them back, before adding the golden centre paint. Searching a local wreckers yard for months before I found the “just right” side mirrors (which were bonnet mirrors). Locating and fitting the mk1 grille. Ah memories!
Best I stop reflecting for now, or I’ll end up on our local buy/sell site looking for a new project!
Roughly now 15 years ago was the first time I met JW7998. I was working at one of the local servos (petrol station) one day when JW7998 came rolling in. By rolling in, I mean literally rolling in. The owner,a man probably around my current age had run out of petrol and had coasted down the road before jolting to a stop outside the front.
We got talking and by the conclusion of our discussion I was handing him $50, and he was handing me the pink slip (well, actually, just keys – we don’t do pink slips here) to his car. Two minutes later he ran back inside asking if it was ok if he took his boys seat (toddler was with him) and petrol can. I said sure.
At the end of my shift I pushed it by the bins, raced home in my usual ride and came back with a friend to both drop me off and see that I make it home. As in todays photo, IW7998 was short one eye. It was dark. To avoid possible legal trouble I took the back way home. The back way was part gravel. After a fun and slightly cautious drive, I made it home in one piece. JW7998 made it home in the same shape it rolled in on, which is possibly better than could be expected!
JW7998 was not my first project car, but it was my first major project car. Within weeks I had stripped it down to a bare shell. I welded up holes, repaired panels, designed and welded up a new bodykit. I then rebuilt the engine, reupholstered the seats and interior, made a new wiring loom, added central locking. Back outside I modified the suspension – more welding. Finally a long prep and paint in an almost fluro yellow.
Even now, after many other projects, I reflect on JW7998 as my favourite completed project. Every now and then I kick myself that I didn’t keep it longer (Mini sale prices have gone up tenfold since I sold it).
I drove it around for something like a year, maybe a year and a half, and was once again bitten by the car building bug – so it was time to say goodbye. I sold it to a young lad, his first car! – he must have been stoked.
Writing this up today I did a quick plate check on JW7998 (whom received a different, new plate when I had completed my build). I was happy to see that for many years after my ownership JW7998 was still on the road (so many of the old 70’s cars are long gone now). I was then surprised even more to see it had since been shipped off overseas to live elsewhere.
Who knows. Maybe JW7998 and I will cross paths again one day…
Not my only, but by far my most used and favourite workhorse of my camera bunch is my Ricoh GRD IV. Ive written about it before in passing, so forgive me for repeating or rehashing anything.
Now superseded by the similar looking, but very different beast the ‘GR’, the GRD IV, in my opinion, is one of the more ‘professional’ of the compact camera selection out there. Offering almost as full control as a larger DSLR (only lacking in manual focus – although it does have the famous GR series ‘snap’ mode), but in the size that fits in any pocket. with a 1/1.7″ CCD sensor, its large for the typical pocket held camera’s (and small compared to many mirrorless). As with the GRD, and now GR line, the menu system is amazingly customisable, and the fit in ones hand is pretty darn good.
Mine has travelled with me since its release, about two years ago now, and has never faltered. Prior to purchase I was jumping from camera to camera (both compact and DSLR). I do own a Sony Nex 5N also, but the fact the GRD remains, and is my holiday camera of choice really does make a statement. Im also impressed with Ricoh’s after sales service, with only two weeks ago Ricoh offering a firmware (likely its last) update both with small fixes and new additions – not many camera firms can match that!
With a fixed 28mm lens its not for everyone, but then again in our mobile phone camera day and age, perhaps it is not as limiting as one may initially think.
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
(As sung by Tom Jones – performed with Cerys Matthews)
I really can’t stay
But baby, it’s cold outside
I’ve got to go away
Ah, baby, it’s cold outside
This evening has been
Been hoping that you’d drop in
So very nice
I’ll hold your hands, they’re just like ice
My mother will start to worry
Beautiful, what’s your hurry
My father will be pacing the floor
Listen to that fireplace roar
So really I’d better scurry
Oh beautiful, please don’t hurry
Maybe just a half a drink more
Why don’t you put some records on while I pour
The neighbours might think
Oh baby, it’s bad out there
Say, what’s in this drink
There’s no cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how
Your eyes are like starlight now
To break this spell
I’ll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir
Mind if I move a little closer
At least I’m gonna say that I tried
What’s the sense of hurting my pride
I really can’t stay
Baby don’t hold out
Ahh, but it’s cold outside
I simply must go
Oh, baby, it’s cold outside
The answer is no
You know it’s cold outside
This welcome has been
I’m lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm
Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious
Oh, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door
Like waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt’s mind is vicious
Eww, your lips are delicious
Well maybe just a cigarette more
Never such a blizzard before
I’ve got to go home
Ah, baby, you would freeze out there
Say, lend me a comb
You know it’s up to your knees out there
You’ve really been grand
I thrill when you touch my hand
But don’t you see
How can you do this thing to me
There’s bound to be talk tomorrow
Making my life long sorrow
At least there will plenty implied
If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can’t stay
Get over that old out
Ah but it’s cold outside
MikeHawkey.com 