"I need to be productive", I sez to meself, "I need to pick a task off my DO TODAY list and get it done. "Ah", sez I, "Get V-day kit from closet and send to niece. That will be quick and something I can cross off. Fifteen minutes tops, and then I'll be off onto the next task."

Four hours later, I have the V-day making kit ready to slip into an envelope to mail (albeit a *large* envelope)... AND I've filled the recycle bin with old software boxes that I've been saving for twenty-some years.

No, I don't consider it "hoarding" if the stuff is tucked away somewhere in an organized fashion and this habit of keeping the box has actually saved me money (~$75, when once I needed the bar code off my Norton Utilities software to prove that I deserved the new version at a much lower cost since it was an upgrade). Also, silly me, I always figured that if I resold the software that it would be better/nicer if I could also provide its box and all the associated paperwork. So I saved it.

But with Mac going to the Intel chip and OS10.5, all that lovely backwards compatibility is gone, This knocks any thought of any one ever wanting any of this software completely off the table, so resale isn't an issue. And even if it were, all the resalers just throw the CDs in jewel boxes anyway...

So the boxes are history. I *think* I've checked to make sure that there aren't any other irreplaceable items, like serial numbers needed for installs and whatnot. It's been quite a big step, and made quite a big space in the storage closet. Which opens up a place to put some of the other stuff I have piled around the house ... remember, it's not hoarding if it's tucked away neatly someplace out of sight. ;)

But I still need to get something done off my list.

Well, I finally did it! I bought a new camera today, a Canon Powershot SX130 IS.

My old Canon Powershot A75 ran into problems about two years ago, and I've been making due w/D's SLR ever since. Better quality photos, yes, but no video capability, no autofocus, and much heavier.

After much waffling about getting the Canon G12 (effectively SLR quality w/o all the lens and weight), it dawned on me that what I really wanted was something that would zoom. I've been bugging The Boy to get the SX130 since Xmas, when it was on sale for 25% off. The sales went off last Saturday, or so I thought. I guess that Canon is just moving the instant rebate around the various vendors? Anyway, the Sunday adverts showed it still on sale for $200 at the various Office stores around. On a whim, I checked the Really Great Camera Repair shop we found this summer and HURRAY! they had the rebate as well. I'd much rather give them my business than one of the Big Box stores, so I hied myself over there and walked out 30 minutes later with their last SX130. FINALLY!

It was a gorgeous day, so I took advantage and stopped on the way home to make some test shots. While there are some things that I can improve, test shots are posted at Flickr.com/photos/rainycity1. Check out the maximum zoom compared to the regular view. I am a happy photog.

Oh, and yes, my last grade was posted today, so my masters program is formally done. I found out that my teaching certification will be in the mail tomorrow. So, yeah, there's that, too.