irondad: Film cameras have F-stops and ISO selectors too you know. I guess I spoke (wrote) hastily about my digital angst. Writing now with my hand on my heart I do love the digital workflow. I would not attempt professional work in any other way.

HOWEVER, there is an elegance or process in film and a richness in silver prints that I really enjoy. For much of my non-Vespa personal work I still am drawn to it. But it does take a toll on time and money and patience. And digital hangs there with its tongue out taunting my Leica and Mamiya cameras. And I feel like giving in and sending them to eBay at times.

Like right now. I should be processing film but instead Kim and I are going to watch an Inspector Linley Mystery….

Your pictures are noticeably sharper and better composed by the way. That training is paying off. I’ve got my eye on you.

Bryce: I certainly have plenty of excuses for not shooting or working in the darkroom. But truth be told it does not take long before I miss it. Inertia is my problem and hard to overcome. Once I’m moving though it’s smooth sailing.

State College has five free motorcycle parking areas that I know of. It’s nice, they are spread all over town, and there is always a convenient FREE place to park. It’s one of the only times the Vespa gets to hang out with real motorcycles….

The State Inspection is a once a year affair. Not sure how they work the motorcycles but my car and truck are on the same schedule as my vehicle registration. On the Vespa there is a 3 month difference.

I got off cheap with the truck this year —$212. Only $60 were related to the inspection, the rest was an oil change and unfreezing the spare tire system underneath the bed. It was rusted up and I lost the locking key. Never knew I needed one. A good slide hammer removed it and now I am lock free should anyone want to steal my spare tire.

Looks like you’re the only one of the three who knows which end of a bike goes into a parking spot first.

For what it’s worth, our 20 year old cat passed away last week. I find myself still looking outside for her.

However a cool basement darkroom (in my case) processing film, hanging in the drying cabinet, then later doing the enlarger bit; that is the way to spend the warm summer days or evenings.

So where in town (assume State College) is the motorcycles only parking. And your State Inspection is it by your birth date or the
delivery date of the truck? Yearly
or every two years?

At $2800 it might be cheaper to repair than replace.

My rule of thumb, if the vehicle costs more to keep alive beyond normal oil and filter by 35 percent of the original retail cost, its time to look for something different. So far with the ten year old Honda Civic, nothing anywhere close, more like 12 percent, timing belt and water pump last year.