Five Things for the Week
1. Photography
I bought and then returned a Fujifilm XE-3. I thought that the rangefinder-style layout combined with the ability to change lenses, would make for a great everyday carry camera. But, soon after opening the box and setting it up, I realized that wasn't the case. It's a great camera, and one that I wouldn't mind having in my collection. But it's not on that I want to carry all the time. I prefer the SLR-style cameras, like the Fujifilm XT-1 (that I currently have) and the recently released X-T30, which is smaller and somewhat inviting to me because of the smaller factor.
For now, I am going to stick with the XT-1 as my main and make some further investments into the lens ranges that I want. This will give me more time to just get used to carrying a proper camera around with me; perhaps even force me out to go photograph something specifically (not by happenstance).
2. Houseplants
Right now my success rate, for my indoor plants, is "average". I think I'm losing my orchid due to watering (either too much or not enough, I'm still trying to figure that out). I over-pruned my AeroGarden tomatoes (will post picture update soon) but, they seem to be recovering perfectly fine. Another leafy houseplant is doing okay though, I still worry about the amount of light it's (not) getting.
I hesitate to get more for now but, i also understand that since I'm new to this, it's all really a learning experience. The lemon tree (outside) is doing well. It was full of blossoms a few weeks ago but the wind knocked most of them off over this past week.
3. Read
Science's Newest Miracle Drug is Free - This article points to a very big "duh" and something that we should all take more seriously. Just being outside, in my backyard, improves my mood. We're not meant to be cooped up.
The rise of fear-based social media like Nextdoor, Citizen, and now Amazon’s Neighbors - Fear begets fear. If all you read is bad, you start to believe all is bad. There are some really cool things in my Nextdoor feed, from food drives to students getting tutoring from each other. But the bad posts (complaining about really dumb stuff, posting of fake car break ins and burglaries, etc) always have me second guessing why I use that app.
Olivia Laing: ‘I was hooked and my drug was Twitter’ - I recently realized, and admitted out loud, that checking Twitter puts me in a bad mood. I divided my timeline into two accounts, one public and one private. The public one so that I could follow a wide variety of people and feeds to respond, the private one being more "intimate" with people I really wanted to keep up with. It helped but, I still hate opening the app and started reducing my use there.
4. Watched
Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta - I stumbled on this series (forgot how) and was drawn in with some of the stories he is telling abut the people in the places that he visits. I don't want to oversimplify any of it (it's all really good food for thought) but, it seems that humans, no matter where they are and what circumstances they're in, find ways to evolve both physically and mentally to achieve happiness and health.
The United Shades of America - I like W. Kamau Bell's perspective on the topic he brings out, and I like that the topics themselves are both topical but not always at the forefront of our news cycles. This week I caught up on Season 4's episodes, with great appreciation for his most recent on the Hmong Americans.
Game of Thrones, s.8, ep.5 - Clegane Bowl, good. Rest, meh. I know they're trying to wrap up as much as they can before the end of the season/series but, everything is far too rushed, with too many character arcs being cut short and/or not making any sense. A very disappointing season.
Wine Country - Argh! I wish this was better than it was. Especially with the acting talent that they had. There were definitely moments when I thought it would break wide open and become really funny and really good but, this was so subdued and bland. Disappointing but, I want this group to keep making content.
5. Listened
Nothing significant to report here. This week, when I had time, was filled with my usual news podcasts and Apple Music playlists.