Shoes!

[greatbear]

The truck got it's new shoes tires today. B.F. Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO, 33-12.50 16.5 Load Range D. Same as I have been getting for years. They last a long time, great traction regardless of conditions, and relatively quiet during the first half of threadwear or so. The blowout notwithstanding, I have never had any issues with these tires. Had an appointment at 6 pm to get them mounted, and turning the key in the ignition got me absolutely nothing. Despite the fact I installed a huge Optima deep cycle battery in it a couple months ago, having the truck sit totally unused since the blowout with the power inverter switched on (I use this to run a refrigerator during travel time. 4 cubic feet of refrigerated goodness. Ice cream even!) meant it was beyond dead. Two booster packs and a 100 amp charger later, I was on my way. One task of many taken care of. And I am a bit over eight hunnert bux poorer for my efforts.

Speaking of living in the poorhouse, I should be getting my new camera soon. Having missed the use of my SLR for so many years, I waited until the digital versions kept getting better and cheaper. I settled on a Canon EOS 30D body and a Canon EF 17-55mm f4.0 lens to start with. If (my) history is any indication, I should budget for a couple more lenses, a flash, and lots of accessories and trinkets. Camera shy friends of mine, beware.

I have been dealing almost daily with various issues and tasks, big and small, with the aftermath of Mom's death. Medical bills, estate stuff, legal nonsense, etc. It's a lot for one person to deal with who has never been through it before, but I (think I) am managing okay so far. Common sense is the key here, as well as looking for information beforehand. Still, I anticipate future issues and drama for years to come. Wrote my (ex?) father a while back telling him of the news and stopping the alimony checks. I got no reply, nor was I anticipating one, really. Would have been nice, but I guess he's just as spineless now as he was when he left back when I was 5 years old. Still, I think I am a much better man because of it. AM I bitter? No, but I am disappointed in some ways.

Comments

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

The 30D, eh? For a bit extra, you could grab the 5D. It has a full 35mm imaging sensor, and if I didn't get my 20D a year and change ago, I would pick it up. Did you consider it?

Grab a 28mm lens. Canon makes a 28mm ƒ1.8 that's brilliant. With the APS sensor in the 30D, it will be a 48 lens, which is a perfect "everyday" focal length.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I thought about it, yes. The 5D was a bit over twice what the 30D body ended up being. I decided to get the 30D since it generally garnered a lot of good reviews, though many believe that the camera should have been called the "20D Mk II" since it was really just a refreshing of the current 20D (an excellent camera) and not a step up to, say, 10-ish MP a la the new Nikon D80.

I'll consider a full-frame sensor camera one day if I find myself shooting a lot of pics and wanting a step up. By then, the 5D equivalent should really rock.

I plan on getting that particular fixed lens. On my old Canon A1, my favorite was a 50mm ƒ1.4 Canon FD lens. Super bright, sharp and versatile. I want a 'modern' equivalent.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they make an EF ƒ1.4 50mm.. I have it as well, but with the 1.6x crop it's the equiv. of an 80mm, and that's often too much for what I do.

[jrjarrett.livejournal.com]

OMG Tires!

These tires rock!

*hug*

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

LOL, yes they do.

A 3+ ton, leaf sprung, solid axle 4wd should not handle like this thing does, but I have suprised the hell out of some people trying to evade the big snarling diesel truck in their rearview through the turns and traffic circles. It's tenacious!

[devcubber.livejournal.com]

I just got new tires too! The previous tires we had begun to call "racing slicks", and that was almost right on!

Much better traction now, glad you are enjoying the same!

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

I the Bridgestone Turanzas on my Civic. ;)

[liftinmoose.livejournal.com]

*big hugs... again :)

By the by, you selling your old one?

[hungcub.livejournal.com]

The 30D is awesome. A friend of mine has it and he loves it.

*big hug*

[baeritone.livejournal.com]

*runs screaming from the camera*