Canon Rebel XTi Digital Camera

This is the camera I use, and I'm very fond of it. It's expensive (about $700), but you have much more control than you have with a standard digital camera (over focus, exposure, etc.). I think it's also much better than more expensive models, because it is relatively lightweight.

The only drawback that novice users might be uncomfortable with is that you have to look through the viewfinder to shoot--since it is a "real" SLR camera. (No preview on the screen like in standard digital cameras.)

I also use my BlackBerry cellphone camera for on-the-fly shots where my Canon is too intrusive.

I don't use any filters. I figure that anything that can be done with a filter can be done in Photoshop (actually Corel Paintshop Pro). Filters also tend to muddy the scene.

A do-it-yourself neck pillow for airline flights

On long flights (especially international ones), airlines usually give you a pillow and blanket. The pillow is next to useless, since it won't stay in place where you want it to be. One of those wrap-around neck pillows can sometimes be handy, but if you don't have one, you can fashion one out of the airline blanket. Just put it around your neck like a scarf, then tie it around your neck with a big double knot. The knot serves as a pillow that stays snug against your neck. You can turn it in whatever direction that works and it will never fall off. (Hopefully, you can find another blanket to use as a blanket.)

Seat Belts on Airplanes

When the safety briefing on an airline flight tells you to "fasten your seatbelt low and tight around your waist," don't bother with the "low and tight" part. Make it as loose as you can, and you'll be more comfortable. Flight attendants don't check the tightness, only that it's buckled.

Compared to a car, the safety value of an airplane seatbelt is negligible. The likelihood of you needing it is extremely thin. Air travel is all about safety overkill.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

I've been here twice: two days ago and about 20 years ago. Nothing has changed in the meantime. The best way to see the tower is to take the STAIRS to the 1st and 2nd level, at the bargain price of €4. (Honestly, I would do it just for the exercise.) Two days ago, there were no lines and no waiting to take the stairs but a HUGE line to take the elevators. (You could climb the stairs twice in the time people must have waited for the elevator.) At the 1st or 2nd level, you can buy a supplemental ticket to take you to the top, probably saving a little money overall. (I think the supplement was about €8.) It's 328 steps to the first level and about 500 to the second (total).

Once you're at the 1st or 2nd level, you can take the elevator down for free.

See my photos at http://www.roamingphotos.com/album?eiffel

BTW: Here are the rules to follow at the Eiffel Tower (a nice little language exercise, photographed by me at the base of the tower, then corrected in Photoshop).

Prince Edward Island, Canada

While passing over this island on a flight from Europe, I was reminded how relatively uninteresting it is. I visited P.E.I. over 20 years ago, and it's one of those places that looks a lot more interesting on the map than on the ground. It's flat farmland mostly. There was a village of miniature buildings I remember; the rest of the island is mostly a blank to me, although I spent two days there.

Welcome to this Blog

This experimental blog is intended to record my review, rants and clever ideas regarding products, services and places in the real world.