Yup! I took the plunge!

Bought a new digital SLR camera to play around with…. try to get a little more professional with my photography. I decided on the Canon EOS 40D.

There’s not really much I can say about it right now, since I’ve just barely opened the box, but from several reviews on the web it seems to be among one of the top notch prosumer level cameras out there. 10 megapixel, 6 frames/sec, and a host of other cool features. I’m sure I’ll be posting some new pics here and on my Flickr account soon!

Until then, here’s more specs:

Canon EOS 40D Kit W/ EF 28-135mm IS

The Spirit of Photography.

• Superb image quality: 10.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, extensive noise reduction technology, and 14-bit conversion for outstanding color tones and gradations.
• Outstanding performance: 6.5 fps, burst rate up to 75 consecutive JPEGs or 17 RAW images and DIGIC III Image Processor.
• Strong, rugged build quality: magnesium-alloy exterior, shutter durability-tested to 100,000 cycles, top speed 1/8000, top x-sync speed 1/250.
• New AF system with 9 cross-type sensors, and world’s first diagonal high-precision cross-type AF at center point with f/2.8 and faster lenses.
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Picture Style settings, Spot metering, and Highlight Tone Priority for advanced in-camera image control.
• Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor and advanced Live View Function with new options for reduced shutter time lag and quiet operation.
• Wide range of accessories, including interchangeable focusing screens, extensive remote control options, and new battery grip BG-E2N.

Welcome to the next generation of digital SLR photography-the Canon EOS 40D. The EOS 40D combines Canon’s tremendous know-how in both the digital and photographic worlds, creating a camera that not only does everything one would expect of a traditional digital SLR, but one that incorporates staggering leaps forward in technological innovation. With new features like Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Live View Function, a more powerful DIGIC III Image Processor, plus a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, a 3.0-inch LCD monitor and more, the EOS 40D elevates digital photography to new heights, enhancing the shooting experience, and delivering images one could only expect from a Canon. (http://www.camerax.com/show_item.php?140-19017@1794)

For the past several years I’ve found it VERY important to keep a good credit score. Not only for the obvious of being able to buy something on credit, but I’ve found that potential employers might look at that information too, as well as other establishment, housing, etc. With identity theft so rampant these days, and your credit score being so important for more aspects of our lives than most people know… I do highly recommend you keep tabs on it on a regular basis. I am set up with a site that allows me access to my score and report at any time.

This month, it looks like this:

Your Current Equifax Score is: 777

Over time, your score has changed as shown:

738   743   746   777   Apr ‘07 Jul ‘07 Oct ‘07 Jan ‘08

Well, I’ve decided it’s probably best to start meeting new people again, and trying to spend a little time hanging out with old friends I haven’t seen in a while.  So, I met up with someone new last night.  Totally out of the blue, after exchanging a couple flirty emails, a brief phone call, and before we knew it… off to… uh.. where.. let’s see.. it’s already 10pm!  We decide on IHOP.  I thought that if she flaked out, or turned out to be someone totally different than her profile, at least I could eat some dinner.  But no.  She turned out to be very fun and interesting and cute.  We just chatted for a bit, and then decided it probably best not to be sitting around and went outside to walk around some nearby shops.  Of course I HAD to tease her about a little thing here and there, and she played right along.  After a couple hours (it was already midnight!?!) I decided it best we continue on another day.  Yeah, not a whole lot of details here, but that’s not my style. The bottom line is that it felt good to get out, have fun playing around, being flirty and have them flirt back, being spontaneous, etc.  We are planning our next get together for Sunday. :)