I've been noticing over the past months that dA just isn't high on my list anymore. I haven't been taking many pictures and when I do, dA isn't where I've been showing them. As much as it pains me to say it, I'm going to officially leave dA now. It's been a good couple of years, but it's time for me to move on. College is around the corner, and I'm going to use what I've learned here.

So long, y'all. I love you.

I bought a nearly-new Canon 30D yesterday, 28-135mm lens, several filters, and all the trimmings. I got to use it this morning as we received about 6" of snow last night. However, I'm not happy with the composition of most (camera isn't the problem, it's me) and so I'm not sure those pictures will ever see dA. Regardless, I'm very happy, and I can't wait for spring now.

Edit: the 30D has a name now. It has been christened "Darcy" in honor of the best book of all time, Pride and Prejudice.

After 5 months of relative inactivity, I've got some new shots up. They aren't good, stunning, or anything special, but it's the first time in months that I've been bitten by the creative bug when it comes to photography. After all semester, NaNoWriMo (4th win!), and finals this Monday and Tuesday with class through Thursday night, it was time for some new stuff. I probably won't be active again for awhile, unless I go crazy posting pictures from Florida in January (2 weeks worth from Tallahassee to the Everglades to South Carolina, oh my). In any case, enjoy what little there is, and I hope to see you all on the other side of 2008.

Well...not yet. But I've met her. So here I am to tell you about Siena Avalon - my new white sparkling MacBook.

Yes, I caved and got a Mac. I'm buying Parallel soon for Windows. I'm not a full convert.

Siena Avalon. I named her that because 1) Siena is an amazing city in Italy, 2) it means "red" and I want an orange or red case for her, and 3) because Avalon means apple. Yes, it's corny, but I love it. So there.

I haven't been taking that many pictures lately, but I am going through the past two years for the upcoming fair, so maybe I'll get around to uploading good ones I haven't put up here yet. Eventually.

So I need a new computer. I ordered a Dell on 7/11. It was delayed. I waited. Was supposed to ship 8/1. Yeah, yesterday. Got another email, delayed until 8/28.

....o: School start 8/27. See a problem?

So I started looking elsewhere. Narrowed it down to two options: a Toshiba Satellite U200-0UJ02R (running Windows XP, down with Vista!) and a white MacBook. The difference is about $200, with the Mac being more expensive.

I've always been anti-Mac. I don't know why. I grew up on a black and white Mac before I knew the meaning of a PC. I refuse to buy an iPod of any time. Irony being, there's an offer for a free iPod after rebate when you buy a Mac laptop. But I digress.

I went to the Apple store nearby today, and honestly got a little frustrated with it. It wasn't seamless, to say the least. I didn't expect it to be, but I didn't expect to start tearing up on the way home either.

Having a laptop die twice in six months is not my idea of fun. Neither is finding something you love, only to realize it's not going to work out. The pressure of having to find a new laptop (along with parents pressuring for a Mac) just was too much tonight, and I'm tired of it. I just want to cry, but it's a COMPUTER for crying out loud!

I'm going to bed soon. I'll worry about a computer in the morning. In the meantime, feedback/opinions/thoughts on Toshiba or Mac would be appreciated.