Pack Walk

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No pack walk is complete without Shio's protesting... Photos taken with Leica M9, Summicron-M 35mm f/2. Processed with VSCO.

Photography Rant

The M9 is by far the best camera I have ever owned. I am not talking about technicals, because the D700 probably still, to this day, produces the best image file of any DSLR (excluding medium format, of course). The M9, however, is unique is 3 ways: 1) It is a camera, and nothing else. There is no video function, no autofocus, no matrix metering. It brings back the days when photography was a craft. 2) It is a rangefinder. I never thought it would make any difference to the way I see behind the lens prior to owning one. But it is different. 3) It packs a fullframe sensor into a very compact size -- one that you can carry practically all the time.

I have been using VSCO since it launched. I am happy to say that it is the best product out there. Not only does it bring a more natural, film-like quality to digital images, it is a huge time-saver. I cannot recommend it more to our shiba friends. I know one of them agrees with me. :)

Goo Goo vs. Toys + Food

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The most amusing part of fostering so far with Goo Goo is watching her try foods that are new to her. All these new flavors that she is just discovering are the same that Shio chows down with gusto. Watching Goo Goo playing with toys is hilarious too. She does not know how to play with it and only gets in a bite or two on a squeaky toy before Shio runs in and steals it from her. When we offer new foods to her, we also hold out a piece for Shio too. Before accepting her piece, she always sniffs Shio's first to see if he's eating the same thing. When she determines that it's edible, she takes it gingerly in her mouth and rolls it around on her tongue. Then drops it on the ground. Then picks it back up with her mouth and bites down with her teeth to break the surface of the treat. A little flavor comes out. She rolls it around in her mouth some more. Eventually after much experimentation and examination, she decides that it's palatable and chews the treat. All the meanwhile Shio stares at her waiting for her to drop or abandon her food on the ground. So far she's tried mango, apple, cottage cheese, marrow bone, pig's ear, blueberries, and bananas.

Goo Goo hasn't gotten the concept of toys yet. I don't think she had any toys in her previous home. She doesn't really know what to do with a stuffed squeaky toy or a ball. She always observes Shio chase down a thrown toy and carry it back to the living room rug for a squeak fest. She's starting to take initiative to finding toys on her own and experimenting with them. Experimentation includes chewing lightly on the toy. Her favorite toy right now is a squeaky beaver ball with tail.