New Digital Camera

I got it! I finally got it! I got the Canon EOS Digital Rebel. After coming home from Brad’s house I went out to Tysons to The Apple Store. I went right over to the digital cameras and asked if they had what I wanted in stock. The newbie sales guy said he’d check. He came back with no camera in hand. But I wasn’t disappointed. I went across the mall to Ritz Camera. I had seen their ad this morning advertising the camera I wanted for the same price as The Apple Store. I knew instantly that they had them in stock because I could see several boxes on the shelf. I quickly told the man behind the counter that I wanted one. He got the box out and told me I’d need to buy a Compact Flash card. I said I was aware of that. I went ahead and got a 512meg card. I was so excited. I pulled out the credit card, he ran it through, I signed the slip and was out the door. Of course I got it home and charged up the battery…which took 90 minutes. Then I started snapping away, figuring out all the settings. I took several photos. I really love the quality. I decided to post 3 of them on my photo page. I know I’m going to enjoy having this new camera and can’t wait to go somewhere to take some great photos!

Harpers Ferry West Virginia

For Valentines Day, Brad decided to take me to Harpers Ferry West Virginia for lunch and some sight seeing. Brad picked me up at 11:30 and drove to Harpers Ferry. When we got into Harpers Ferry, we drove up a steep hill to the HillTop Hotel. From the parking lot we had some amazing views of the Potomac River and the Shenandoah River. The scenery was spectacular. Even the dining room in the hotel had some wonderful views. The service was kind of slow but we enjoyed our lunch and the views. We also enjoyed some nice conversation. I will say it again, Brad and I never seem to be at a loss for words. We have no problem talking about all kinds of things and keeping the conversation going. It’s one thing I really enjoy about Brad. He both listens and talks, unlike some people who talk all the time and rarely listen. After lunch we walked around a little enjoying the views. I took a few pictures but I was wishing I had my new camera. We then drove down to the town center and had ice cream at a quaint little shop. We were both feeling cold so we decided we would head on home. I made Brad promise he would bring me back when the weather is warmer and we can see more details of Harpers Ferry. We had a nice drive home. We talked so much that the time just flew by. It was a wonderful day spent with a wonderful guy.

The Opera

Tonight Brad and I went to the opera. We went to the Eldbrooke Artist Series production of Die Fledermaus at the Eldbrooke United Methodist Church in Tenleytown. Brad knows one of the women in the chorus. We took the metro and that was an experience for me since I haven’t used the metro in years. It was comical. Brad had to remind me how to get my ticket and where to put it to get on the train, etc. I felt so stupid. It was fun though. So we got to the church and decided to sit in the balcony. The seats were away from other people but it was cold up there. I was worried that I wouldn’t understand the opera or be able to follow it. The lights dimmed and the orchestra started and I instantly loved the music. I thought I would at least enjoy hearing the orchestra. It sounded amazing up in the balcony. Then the singing began and just as I had anticipated, I was unable to follow the singing. It was difficult to understand the words. Luckily there was dialog as well as singing so I was able to follow the story. At the intermission, Brad and I discussed it and it turns out, he felt the same way, that he was unable to understand the songs but was able to follow the story line. Two acts later, the opera ended. I enjoyed it but wished I could have understood the singing. Brad enjoyed as well I think. Here are some pictures of Brad at and on the metro.

The Washington Post

I’ve gotten into the habit of checking my horoscope every morning as part of my web surfing before I go to work. I don’t get the paper everyday so I’ve found it much easier to go to The Washington Post website and just check out my horoscope. So this morning I hit my bookmark for the horoscope and a registration page pops up! I was furious. I now have to register to use their website? That royally pissed me off. Granted, registration is free, but I don’t want yet another website having my information. And it’s not that I NEED my horoscope everyday. I just find it interesting. I guess I’ll go back to the old fashion way of reading it in the newspaper at work. That sucks.

On a different note, I got my Virginia State Tax refund today! yeah! I use TurboTax and it was so easy to file my taxes. I electronically filed them just last Friday and the refund was directly deposited into my account today. I can’t believe how fast that was. I should get my Federal refund by early next week. It’s always nice to have a little extra cash in the checking account. Of course I’ll be smart and use most of it to pay some bills. I plan on splurging on a new digital camera soon…if The Apple Store would ever get them in stock! I want the new Canon EOS Digital Rebel.