interesting times (Art Sites)

The weather today was spectacular, lots of sun but not too hot, a nice cool breeze blowing and just about perfect for getting out an about, which is what Tom, Koko and I did.

We piled into the car and went for a drive today along the sea from Aji (lots of rocks) to Shido (lots of fish). We stopped a few times to watch boats cruise by and just generally take it all in. It is said that the Seto inland sea has a resemblance to the islands of Greece, and that is something I can easily believe.

Unfortunately, the poor camera didn't want to join in the fun so we got no pictures. I can't say I blame it really, it has taken close to 10,000 photos in the 6+ years we have had it, it's been to America once and Australia 3 times, all over Japan and it still works most of the time.

But 10,000 pictures and 6 years is a long, hard life for a camera. Especially one that was made when you could still buy film cameras marketed right along side the digital cameras. (I can't remember the last new film camera I saw for sale.)

The camera is an Olympus point and shoot model, and at the time it was relatively compact. Nowadays, you can't buy a still camera the same size, they are all much smaller or full size. It also takes standard batteries which is a nice feature, but it was made before the camera boffins worked out how to conserve batteries. Sure, the batteries are easy to find and not expensive, but it chews through them at a phenomenal rate too.

It still takes a good picture (when it works at all) so it won't be going to the landfill just yet.

But I would like to get another still camera soon. I am just not so sure where and how to get it.

New electronic products here are fairly inexpensive, and the choice is large. When you buy new there are all manner of enticements to convince you to part with your money such as point cards, extended warranties, extras and whatever to push you towards parting with your money.

Used electronic products are becoming more and more common too with the emphasis on recycling, i.e; buying and using a perfectly functional product that is not new at a reduced price.

Regrettably the 'reduced' price isn't always as attractive as it might be, possibly because recycled products are still a fairly 'new' thing. They have always been available as far as I know, but never quite as mainstream as they are these days.

Myself, I don't have any qualms about buying used items. This computer I am typing on is not new, even though I only bought it a month or so ago and it has not missed a beat.

(Actually, it has not been all smooth sailing, but a lot of it was user error mainly because everything about this computer is new to me and I didn't know any better.)

With any luck, the poor camera will be in a better mood the next time we get out and I can take some more pictures. While I am not really the camera taking type, it is better to have one on hand and not need it than to not have one and miss out on recording the sights.

Until next time...

Stu.