Oh Canada...there's "gnome" place like home
So tell me, what did you love best about Canada (whether you live here or not)?
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
7/1/11
Canada Day in Photos
So tell me, what did you love best about Canada (whether you live here or not)?
6/5/11
Marathon Training Kick Off
Today I welcomed the official start of marathon training with a laid back 10.5km run through the city. Coming back from somewhat of a running hiatus I wanted to ease back onto both distance and pace. On top of getting my stride back I also recognized my need to get acclimated to warmer temperatures again and made sure I felt good, had lots of water and stayed in the shade.
In sum: a great run to start of the training!! Not my best run but definitely not my worst either. A positive head space was one focus and it really worked! Now let's just hope all the future running I will need to do is a somewhat similar experience.
To be honest, despite the happy endorphins the greatest part of my day today was everything after the run. Waking up early to get solid run in early in the morning left the rest of the day to have fun!
First The Boyfriend and I headed out to run a few errands, but not without stopping for iced coffee first. Yum!
Among other things, the errands included a trip to the Running Room outlet for new sneakers. Ideally I wanted the exact same pair I'm currently sporting so guess how stoked I was to find them, in my size and for only $40?!?
In sum: a great run to start of the training!! Not my best run but definitely not my worst either. A positive head space was one focus and it really worked! Now let's just hope all the future running I will need to do is a somewhat similar experience.
To be honest, despite the happy endorphins the greatest part of my day today was everything after the run. Waking up early to get solid run in early in the morning left the rest of the day to have fun!
First The Boyfriend and I headed out to run a few errands, but not without stopping for iced coffee first. Yum!
Among other things, the errands included a trip to the Running Room outlet for new sneakers. Ideally I wanted the exact same pair I'm currently sporting so guess how stoked I was to find them, in my size and for only $40?!?
Needless to say I bought two pairs. Now that should hold me over until at least late Fall
After shopping we wanted to make the most of of the warm weather and bright sunshine so we hit up a patio for some ice cold beer and a quick lunch.
They say Canada has two seasons: Winter and Patio season. I tend to agree.
Once we finished up The Boyfriend suggested that we take a little drive to a park just outside the city. There was no way I could resist; It was just way to nice to go home!
I love spending time by the waterfront. The cool breeze off the lake feels amazing on a warm early summer day and you really can't help but feel relaxed.
What a great Sunday from top to bottom!
So tell me, what was your favorite part of the weekend?
Reminder: Toronto Blogger Meetup June 12
If you are interested in receiving details for the event pleae email me (health.happiness.skinnyjeans(at)gmail(dot)com) or send me a message on Twitter @SamSkinnyJeans
5/31/11
Wordless Weekday
When its 40C/104F...in May...in Toronto, Canada..there really are no words
And yes, that is Grey's Anatomy in the background. I'm addicted and I'm okay with that.
Happy last day of May!!!
So tell me, what are you looking forward to in June? Was it hot where you live today?
5/27/11
At Last...My Love (aka my DSLR) Has Come Along
After many failed attempts and a preview of some of the most unsatisfactory and down right embarrasing customer relations that I have ever seen the drama with my quest to purchase a DSLR finally came to an end today.
The good news is that the conclusion leaves me with a shiny new camera and a savings of $120. Perhaps the saying good things come to those who wait is true after all.
Love it!
A few people that have seen or know of my previous camera asked why I bothered to upgrade when, in their estimation, the Olympus took really good photos. The reality is that it takes great photos. In fact some of my favorite photos ever were captured with it:
The Olympus Pen e-pl1 is an excellent camera. The reason I changed is I am interested in photography as more then a means to capture memories. I want to learn the camera and embrace picture taking as a hobby in the future. I even plan to take classes to learn technical skills. Utlimately the DSLR is the tool with which I hope to accomplish another life goal with: Find Fulfilling Creative Outlets (blogging is another one of those)
So here's to a weekend of learning the basics (I'm admittedly a little overwhelmed) and hopefully snapping more future favorite photos!
So tell me, what are your favorite hobbies? What are your creative outlets?
The good news is that the conclusion leaves me with a shiny new camera and a savings of $120. Perhaps the saying good things come to those who wait is true after all.
Love it!
A few people that have seen or know of my previous camera asked why I bothered to upgrade when, in their estimation, the Olympus took really good photos. The reality is that it takes great photos. In fact some of my favorite photos ever were captured with it:
The Olympus Pen e-pl1 is an excellent camera. The reason I changed is I am interested in photography as more then a means to capture memories. I want to learn the camera and embrace picture taking as a hobby in the future. I even plan to take classes to learn technical skills. Utlimately the DSLR is the tool with which I hope to accomplish another life goal with: Find Fulfilling Creative Outlets (blogging is another one of those)
So here's to a weekend of learning the basics (I'm admittedly a little overwhelmed) and hopefully snapping more future favorite photos!
So tell me, what are your favorite hobbies? What are your creative outlets?
5/26/11
New Camera Fail....Again?
I threw it out on Twitter a few days ago that I knew deep down I would never be happy, at least as far of photography goes, until I was the owner of a shiny new DSLR. Anyone who knows me well knows I am very ridiculously particular about the quality of the photographs that I take and while I have had great experiences with the Olympus I owned I am ready to take this camera business to the next level.
Apparently the universe has other plans for me.
First it started with the camera I chose not being in stock even though the online inventory stated that the store had that model available. Customer service fail numero uno.
Today I called the store and after waiting on hold, being transferred and being hung up on I finally got through to a sales associate who physically went and checked the stock again and put the one camera they did have on hold for me.
Or so I thought.
When I arrived at the store I was told that there was no camera on hold, that they didn't know where it was and that someone else would help me. Ugh oh, not a good start to the second round at attempted camera purchasing.
When the sales associate that I had spoken to sheepishly ducked into a staff-only room behind the customer service desk with his manager I knew there was definitely something up.
Lesson number two about me; I am customer service drill sergeant. I expect a high standard because in every service oriented job I have ever had, that was expected of me. And the way I see it, if someone is going to spend their hard earned money you'd better show some appreciation through the service experience. Is that too much to ask? I don't happen to think so..
Things were not looking good for me or this store tonight.
The sales associate finally made his way out of the back but the look on his face spelled trouble. He looked nervous and that worried me.
"Umm...we have a problem"
Great! As it turned out the model that had been put on hold was the wrong one and the only available camera was an open box (as in it had been returned) He quickly explained that the camera was in perfect condition, that I would be fully covered by the warranty and return policy and that I would get an additional discount for all my trouble.
Hmm...maybe some running around was proving to be worth it??
Guess again.
After excitedly checking out the camera itself I paid for my new gadget and left with a smile. I now owned a DSLR and could continue my beloved hobby. All was right in the world again, or so I thought.
After running a few more errands I came home to play with my camera and discovered that while the box contained the camera and the lens, it did NOT contain anything else. No cables, no charger, no software.
Ahh!!!
And to make matters worse I had sold my Olympus on to a very friendly person from Craigslist. Other then my point and shoot I have been rendered camera-less and very, very, VERY annoyed!
Deep breath.
Customer service mistakes happen. I get that. But this many over the course of two days? That's just not right! The worst part is that I will unfortunately have to devote more of my time tomorrow to resolving this little debacle and but looking to the bright side I will hopefully be in possession of a DSLR for the weekend.
Wish me (and the store manager) luck!
It's time to watch an episode of Grey's Anatomy and then head to bed. Its been a long day and I'm wiped!
So tell me, how picky are you about customer service? Any stories you want to share?
 |
| Source |
Apparently the universe has other plans for me.
First it started with the camera I chose not being in stock even though the online inventory stated that the store had that model available. Customer service fail numero uno.
Today I called the store and after waiting on hold, being transferred and being hung up on I finally got through to a sales associate who physically went and checked the stock again and put the one camera they did have on hold for me.
Or so I thought.
When I arrived at the store I was told that there was no camera on hold, that they didn't know where it was and that someone else would help me. Ugh oh, not a good start to the second round at attempted camera purchasing.
When the sales associate that I had spoken to sheepishly ducked into a staff-only room behind the customer service desk with his manager I knew there was definitely something up.
Lesson number two about me; I am customer service drill sergeant. I expect a high standard because in every service oriented job I have ever had, that was expected of me. And the way I see it, if someone is going to spend their hard earned money you'd better show some appreciation through the service experience. Is that too much to ask? I don't happen to think so..
 |
| Source |
Things were not looking good for me or this store tonight.
The sales associate finally made his way out of the back but the look on his face spelled trouble. He looked nervous and that worried me.
"Umm...we have a problem"
Great! As it turned out the model that had been put on hold was the wrong one and the only available camera was an open box (as in it had been returned) He quickly explained that the camera was in perfect condition, that I would be fully covered by the warranty and return policy and that I would get an additional discount for all my trouble.
Hmm...maybe some running around was proving to be worth it??
Guess again.
After excitedly checking out the camera itself I paid for my new gadget and left with a smile. I now owned a DSLR and could continue my beloved hobby. All was right in the world again, or so I thought.
After running a few more errands I came home to play with my camera and discovered that while the box contained the camera and the lens, it did NOT contain anything else. No cables, no charger, no software.
 |
| Source |
Ahh!!!
And to make matters worse I had sold my Olympus on to a very friendly person from Craigslist. Other then my point and shoot I have been rendered camera-less and very, very, VERY annoyed!
Deep breath.
Customer service mistakes happen. I get that. But this many over the course of two days? That's just not right! The worst part is that I will unfortunately have to devote more of my time tomorrow to resolving this little debacle and but looking to the bright side I will hopefully be in possession of a DSLR for the weekend.
Wish me (and the store manager) luck!
It's time to watch an episode of Grey's Anatomy and then head to bed. Its been a long day and I'm wiped!
So tell me, how picky are you about customer service? Any stories you want to share?
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