tank03

I've recently made the switch from a 35MM SLR camera to a digital SLR (Canon Xsi). Aside from having to buy new lenses/filters/and flashes, I now need to find a decent photo editing software that's relatively cheap, the software that came with the camera isn't that good. I know Photoshop is "The Best" out there but it's more money than I wanted to spend. I recall a thread about photography a while back and was curious if anyone had any suggestions as to what they use.

My previous camera was a Minolta Maxxum. I've got a handful of lenses (28-80, 70-300, 50 prime) that won't fit anything but a minolta. I also have a bunch of screw on filters (UV, Cir-PL, crosshatch, red, green, yellow, ND) and Cokin squares that are now obsolete because of the magic of digital processing. I still use the Cir-PL, and ND filters from time to time, but all the other stuff can be done on a computer. The first thing that I instantly loved about going digital is that it's free to take pictures. When I used to have to pay for film and processing I sometimes got stingy about whether a shot was worth it or not. Now I can take hundreds for free. I am leaning towards Elements, if only because I didn't know of anything else. When you shoot, do you shoot in JPEG or RAW format? I understand the advantages of RAW, but it takes up so much more space on the card.

I'm a huge "No Reservations" fan. There used to be a show on PBS called "World Class Cooks" or something like that where they just filmed a chef making a meal with a voiced-over narrator. I used to love that show. I was also a big fan of Graham Kerr, it's amazing to look back at his recipes now in light of all the low-fat fads and see him using TONS of real butter and cream and lard.

It's sad when 11-5 gets you a spot on the golf course instead of the field. Thinking about next season already: I say we hold on to Cassell, who we can keep for half the cost of Brady and is improving dramatically, deal Brady away (he's screwed up his rehab- will never be the same) and invest in some youth in the defense. P.S. and dump that piece of crap Matt Light.

Cool doesn't cover it; that is awesome!

I've only been to Vegas once, but I was more taken with the landscape than with the casinos. We spent a days hiking in the "Valley of Fire" and "Red Rocks" areas and it was spectacular; so much different than the tree-studded hills I'm used to here in NH. As for living in England; I have a friend who lives and London who always complains about the cost of living (and he makes good money) but life is short and none of us are getting any younger. One of the best experiences of my life was backpacking across Europe when I was younger and living on a few dollars a day. If you are truly dedicated, you'll find a way. Good luck.

Not to hijack this thread, but I had to comment on the photo. It looks just like a town near where I lived when I grew up in Massachusetts. I can't help but think of that line from the movie "European Vacation" in which Chevy Chase tells the kids that England looks like Massachusetts because that's where the English settled (idiotic logic). It is beautiful though. I have a friend in London who is always telling me that when we visit we have to get out of the city and see the real UK. Sorry for hijacking the thread.

I work less than a mile from Boire Field and one of my co-workers commented on seeing a military jet going in for a landing. I told him he was mistaken, there is no way an F-18 would be in Nashua. Boy was I wrong! Great pics, wish I had seen it myself.

To take it even further: Financial disaster calls for something local (easier to acquire). In these parts I'm going with either Redhook or Sam Adams. A blizzard calls for something tropical to take your mind off the mountains of snow you'll be digging soon. I'm going with either El Negro or Red Stripe. International incidents can always be handled with a good pint of an import; I'm going with Bass. Of course, any crisis can be handled by drinking Guinness, the swiss army knife of beers.

This just goes to show that no matter the crisis, drinking beer is always a good idea!

The Dallas/Zona game was painful to watch. So many turnovers/mistakes/penalties by each side that I was exhausted after just watching it. It was supposed to be Dallas' year, but I don't see it happening with the way they played today.

Every time I try to go to the Airport Diner, the line is always out the door. Breakfast to me is a grilled bagel with cream cheese and bacon. It has to be grilled (with the grease from the grille and little bits of bacon, etc. adding all sorts of great greasy goodness) not just toasted.

When I was in London in June I tried the "Cadbury Dairy Milk with Caramel" for the first time. In the two weeks I was there I ended up eating two bags of the things and brought home two bags. I completely understand your addiction.

When I was a kid my mother used to make this dish with shredded pork simmered in a spicy gravy that was served over mashed potatoes. It was super simple to make but it always seemed better the next day as left-overs. To this day when I make it (about once a year) I always make it a day ahead to give it time to "mature" in the gravy.

I've never been able to get a handle on how to use KMD, so I've been using "Le Missioneur" for the last several years. If you haven't tried it yet you may want to give it a look. I found it much easier and intuitive to use compared to KMD. It's available at Check6, and has an English language setting.

Could it be a flight stick calibration issue?

I've done a search of CA to see if others had this problem and check the KB, but so far I haven't found an answer. I'm using an updated version of LM to create a 1982 strike mission in WOI. The problem is that when I click on the waypoint to set it as the objective point (in this case I'm going after the Comm Building in Beirut) Beirut isn't always listed as a target area in the waypoint drop down menus. Sometimes it's there, and other times when I go to select a differnet target within Beirut it gone. In fact there are a bunch of target areas that aren't listed. Anyone else have this problem/ know a solution? I'm assuming it's something stupid that I'm doing wrong but I've been using LM for years and thought I had it figured out. Any help is appreciated.

I've never seen it actually work. Since it's still there I always hoped TK would eventually do something with that option.

Anyone else besides me feel that life is worth living again now the the football season has started? The NYG moved the ball a lot last night but didn't put up many points, and against the Redskins no less. Looked like they made the same mistakes they've been known for, however, it seems clear that once they are firing on all cylinders they are going to be quite a force. Looking forward to the Pats game on Sunday.

Black 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. Guzzles gas but rides like a dream.

My wife and I recently got back from our first trip to London and had a great time (finally managed to get there after several aborted tries over the years). We stayed with a friend who lives in London and didn't really leave London, but we found EVERY Londoner that we interacted with was polite, helpful, and friendly. Despite being obvious American tourists, we were always made to feel welcome and the hospitality was very much appreciated! Trip highlights: Two nights of music in Hyde park at the Hard Rock Calling fest. The Imperial War Museum (my wife went to Wimbledon, and I went here. Easily spent 4 hours touring the place.) The Tower of London Key ceremony (our friend knows a Yeoman Warder and got us into the after hours tour/ceremony. It was great to see the Tower without the crowds of tourists) Beer at the MANY pubs we visited. Even though we try, here in the US we still don't have anything that's comprable to an English pub. And we're still a bit puritanical about alcohol. Trip lowlights: Maame Tussaud's was overpriced and overcrowded. No worth it to see fake celebrities. Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace- WAY too many people meant I got to see nothing but the backs of heads. Hats off to the Brits for being great hosts!

One of the benefits of our having stayed with a "native" was that, barring the Buckingham fiasco, he was able to give some hints on how to enjoy London with a locals knowledge. He did mention St. James's to us for the guard change but we wnated to see the "big show" at Buckingham. Learned our lesson; always listen to the local advice.

I've been away from the news for a while and just found out about how serious Gustav has become. Good luck and God bless to those who will have to weather the storm.

Actually, when we were there we only had two days of rain. The rest of the time it was sunny and pleasant (70F). Turns out to have been the best weather of our summer; when we got back home we endured the 7th rainiest summer on record here in New Hampshire. I went to the IWM in London, didn't get a chance to get out to Duxford, but we have plans for a return trip next year.

Happy B-day! Cheers.