We’re back home after a great week in my hometown – Chicago. I think the girls had a great time – we pretty much completed everything on our list – and maybe a little more… It’s good to be home.

Somebody help me!

When she was old enough to ride a tricycle, she just didn’t take to it. I tried a few trikes – no luck. She tried a small bike with training wheels – nope. Then, we were in a store where they had small scooters – the kind with two larger wheels in the front and a small one in the back, for better balance. She liked it. Now, she rides it everywhere. And – it was only recently she decided wearing a helmet was a good thing (with lot of persuasion from me). I realize she needs a little larger scooter – AND – she says she wants a bike. We’ll see how that goes.

I’ll get back to shooting film soon. Today, it’s gloomy and rainy out. Mae held a tea party in her room. I knocked on her door to see what was going on – she opened the door and told me I had to wear fancy clothes if I wanted to join in on the party. (Fancy means – the nice shirt I wore recently to her teacher’s Victoria Day party)… Girls…

I’m enjoying the Fuji X100s – it’s really nice. At the same time, the more I shoot with it the more I miss film. I love the convenience of the X100s (and the almost film-like look) — but I love the real depth and beauty of film I shoot. I’m beginning to understand I have to embrace both. And – I will.

I wish I could put a wire on them – just so I could hear what they’re saying — I’m sure it’s something about how to get dad to buy more ice cream….

My lovely wife gave me my Father’s Day gift a little early — a nice Fuji X100s — it’s digital, and I have to say that after shooting just 100 frames I LOVE it! It’s going to take a little getting use to — but here’s the thing — We have two digital SLR’s in our house — both 5D’s — one of the first model – and the other one is the Mark II, I think — both wonderful cameras — both make great images – BUT – I hate using them. I’m a rangefinder kind of guy – or something like a Rolleiflex — I just like something easy to shoot with. The X100s is like that — very easy to shoot with – and I like the images the camera produces — maybe not as nice as what I get from the 5D’s — but right now I’m just shooting jpeg’s — and I’m loving what I’m seeing. I think this image was shot at ISO 6400 or 3200 — crazy good for a jpeg — (sorry for the techno mumbo jumbo — but I know some people read this who are trying to figure out a simpler way to keep a running photo history of their family – choosing the right camera in this day and age can be overwhelming)…

Anyway — I love this image of Mae. The guys showed up to re-roof the garage — we were running late — it’s about 38F outside — it’s snowing just north of us — and Mae wants to have a discussion around her birthday party coming up in November… That’s so Mae — it’s all about HER world…