Author Archive for Sojourn Chronicles

What a day, there is new hope. It’s two wheels.

Published
by
Sojourn Chronicles
on March 16, 2008
in Scribblings
. 2 Comments

This has been a day to reckon with. It has gone something like this.

  1. Coffee with friends. Got to see Ian after his heart by-pass surgery.
  2. Discovered a Trojan software on my computer.
  3. Fixed brunch while trying to remove Trojan.
  4. Brunch was great: spinach and sun-dried tomato omelet and bacon.
  5. Tried to isolate the software problem by restoring system.
  6. System cannot restore to a previous time. Trojan has control.
  7. Identified Trojan as WinReanimator, which tried to make you think it is really a spyware software removal program that really only wants you to contribute $49.99 to a business in the Ukraine.
  8. A whole bunch of spyware removal programs say this is not dangerous, just a nuisance, but “they can fix it for …$xxx.xx.
  9. Tried several programs. Nothing has worked.
  10. Decided to take a picture of new toy.
  11. It was also time for something to drink … a glass of wine to help.

New_V-Strom_at_home-001

Day’s activities continued:

  1. Time for supper. Started Black beans & rice. Fired up the grill, and prepared my world famous Cajun catfish on the Weber grill.
  2. Monitored the poor spyware removal of the new software I just bought.
  3. Ate supper with the Lovely Lin. She was happy with the catfish.
  4. The neighbor needed help installing new DSL. Fixed it relatively quickly. She was happy.
  5. Back at the Galactic Headquarters of Sojourn Chronicles, I discovered that the new spyware removal software identified the pest again. Hit the “Remove” key, and rebooted the computer.
  6. Pest still on the computer. E-mailed support center of new software purchase about my $29.99 purchase of software that doesn’t do the job.
  7. Decided to create this post.

I hope Monday goes better. The Lovely Lin and I are going to the new Ikea store in West Chester. I’m hoping for an early trip to take in a 99-cent breakfast consisting of Swedish Pancakes.

Stay tuned.–DBrent

14 inches of snow is now starting to melt

Published
by
Sojourn Chronicles
on March 10, 2008
in Scribblings
. 2 Comments

I would be remiss if I did not write about the blizzard of 2008.

The snow started to fly on Friday while I was attending a business luncheon near downtown Cincinnati. Attendance was low because of the impending storm. By the time I was out of there at 1 p.m., businesses and schools were dismissing early which compounded the problem–dense traffic congestion. It took me two and a half hours to drive about 25 miles to home.

So, what does a photographer do when the blizzard is blowing? Set up the camera and watch the neighborhood! I ain’t going out in that. I’m shooting from inside–at least for most of it.

March-blizzard_8Mar08_017

Wind blowing snow off top of neighbor’s house.

March-blizzard_8Mar08_012

Blow-back on the snow blower makes for a snow-covered operator.

By Saturday afternoon, the snow had nearly stopped, and the overcast was changing to a lighter cover. The sun was popping through by late in the afternoon. There was very little traffic on Zoar Road, mostly snow plows trying to make roads passable.

Sunday brought sunshine and the start of the big melt. Since I just received my Canon EOS 3 back from Canon for service, I popped in a roll of Ilford XP black and white film for a little B&W drama. Of course, the best image is one of hope after the blizzard.–DBrent

March-blizzard_8Mar08_BW-001

Patio covered in snow, planter pot waiting for flowers and Spring.

Photo tip: If you are going to use B&W film, like Ilford XP that is processed in color chemicals, make sure you test the processing. While I am awaiting some fresh Ilford HP5+ film, I used the XP and took the film up to the local one-hour lab. They developed the film, and I scanned it with the Epson V500. Notice the speckles in the image. That’s a bad process, perhaps chemical residue or water spots from improper drying. Results like this is why I like to develop my own film. Always test the film and process before counting on a very important photo shoot. You don’t want to be disappointed with the results.

Riding season ahead; cleaning up the bike

Published
by
Sojourn Chronicles
on March 1, 2008
in Scribblings
. 0 Comments

It was an optimistic and a sad moment.

The weather has been poor, certainly not riding weather. My new bike is still sitting at the dealership, safe, sound and warm. The older bike it replaces is still sitting here in my garage waiting for a new owner … somewhere out there wondering where they can find a nice used motorcycle.

I needed new photos of the Shadow, photos I can share with others who are interested in a reliable steed. I love this bike. It is bullet proof, and a joy to ride. But, I have already decided to replace it with a V-Strom 650, which will accommodate the type of riding I really want to do: long-distance adventure. And, before you say “why don’t you keep both?’ One can only ride one bike at a time, and I’m one of those riders who only wants one bike at a time. So my ride has to be a do-all bike. That’s why I bought the Suzuki V-Strom DL650.

Dragging out the hose, filling up the bucket with soapy water, I washed the Shadow, and then gave it a blow-dry with the air compressor. Wiped it down and applied a little Turtle Wax to give it just that little shine it needs. It’s like a beautiful woman that doesn’t need much make up, natural beauty.

2004 Honda Shadow Spirit VT1100C.

More photos are available here.–DBrent

Is it art? Or, is it a machine?

Published
by
Sojourn Chronicles
on February 26, 2008
in Fine Art Photography
. 4 Comments

I’d like to have your thoughts on this image:

Dealer_Expo_16Feb2008_030

Title: TBD

The symmetry of the engine and belts creates a mystery. I think the viewer can tell it is an engine, but from what? And, for those of us who are fascinated by mechanics, there is a piece of art lurking here.–DBrent

Comments? Comment please. Oh, and here is what it sits in:

Dealer_Expo_16Feb2008_028

Sunrise after the storms in SW Ohio

Published
by
Sojourn Chronicles
on February 24, 2008
in Words & Images
. 2 Comments

Sunrise after the storms in SW Ohio

The snow fell covering the ground, followed by rain and freezing rain.
Schools closed. The avalanche of event closings scrolled across the bottom of
  TV screens, while weather people dramatized the event with extra coverage.
Interstates became parking lots with vehicles stopped
  while emergency vehicles cleared accidents. Many were late to work.

The next day starts with a blazing red ball rising above the horizon
Peeking through the clouds like a giant fireball that can’t be hidden
A fresh, new day bringing hope symbolized by a rising sun.

DBrent