We took our new pop-up camper out for its maiden voyage this weekend and camped with all the kids at Katfish Katy’s in Huntsdale. It was lots of fun, though a bit chilly. We had a chance to inspect the camper and we were quick to determine that we paid far too much for the shabby old thing, but oh well! We will just make the most of it.

I took some pictures but not nearly enough since my OM2 locked up on me and I’m not sure why. I need to look into that more now that I’m home. It was awfully disappointing since we awoke to a beautiful morning mist on the Missouri River.

I’m really not taking very many pictures these days. Our camping plans keep getting shelved, and not much else is happening. I have taken some photos, but it’s gonna be a while before I finish a roll of film. That’s the biggest drawback to shooting film, for me at least. However, I am quite enamored with this new high speed film I’m using because I can shoot in a lot of places that I never could before without a flash.

I’m STILL not skating because of my stupid lump. I’m finally going to see a doctor about it tomorrow morning. I injured myself a month ago now and I’m annoyed that it’s still there. I’m dubious that she’ll have any useful advice for me, but I’m desperate. The lump must GO!

DJDD is playing their next bout in Arkansas, and I’m planning to tag along and help out. Hopefully Steve will come too. We’re gonna be serious derby groupies, right up until I’m out there skating with pack! God, I love derby:) It sucked missing out on the last trip, so we’ll make sure that doesn’t happen again.

The Derby Dames are off to Bloomington, IN for the Banshee Brawl. Steve and I fantasized for a while about making the trip, but it’s just not possible so we’re missing out on all the fun. I’ll get my chance eventually, though, so I won’t sweat it.

Sorry I haven’t been posting much lately but I’ve been too busy with life, and life has been especially good lately, so take what you can get;)

Instead of camping this weekend, I ended up flying to NH for my grandfather’s funeral. He was 95 years old and it was time. It was nice to be with family, many of whom I hadn’t seen in over 15 years, and reminisce together. He was my paternal grandfather, Grampa Maxwell, and he was a remarkable person. He will be dearly missed.

The Maxwell clan is a truly pleasant and easy-going crowd to hang with, if I do say so myself. It made me a little sad to be so far away from that whole side of my family. I don’t see them nearly enough.

We bought a camper last night! It’s a little pop-up trailer and the price was right so we jumped on it. We’ll be taking it on out on it’s maiden voyage this weekend. Weeeee!

The Missouri Massacre derby bout on Saturday was truly a wild night. I feel sorry for everyone who was watching Mizzou football because there was way more action on the rink that night.

There’s a vicious monkey on the loose, folks. Hide your children!

“One of the things we have found out through all this is there are a lot more monkeys than we thought in the area.”

And that’s just one more reason to love this town. Here’s another good line:

“He said of monkey owners, in general: ‘They’re a wary bunch.’”

As a matter of fact, this is not the first time a monkey has eluded authorities in Columbia MO. See for yourself (You gotta scroll down to see the monkey stories).

[That's Steve and the 6 boys we brought to the Arts Festival last weekend]

I’ve got some catching up to do for my Camera Gallery. I’ve acquired a few old cameras recently and I’ve been getting them cleaned up so I can photograph them for the gallery. I found one called the Lavec that looks like the 35mm version of the Holga, and since it was only 50 cents I figured I’d give it a try. I ran a roll of film through it and it came out blank. It’s the junkiest camera I’ve ever used. It’s all creaky and twangy springs and low-grade plastic. Makes the Holga look like a Hassy! Sheesh!

But I also picked up a Polaroid Land Camera that I can’t wait to play around with. Unfortunately the cost of the battery and film packs is a bit prohibitive at the moment, so I’ll have to wait whether I like it or not. And Steve brought home a filthy old Yashica Electro 35 GS the other day and I was thrilled. However, it’s going to take some minor surgery to get it in working order, and I’m pretty intimidated by DIY camera repairs. But hell, I’ve got nothing to lose since it was a freebie, and I’d love to be able to use that one.

[Find this photo on the Flickr map]

Behind the bar at the Rocheport General Store. Steve’s new band, The Sand Fleas, made their debut appearance there a few weeks back. It’s a fun spot and whenever he plays a gig there I always come along. The locals are a great bunch and they don’t mind if I shake my ass when the groove grabs me;)

I survived another roller derby practice on Saturday! It was a struggle, though, because I went to the public skate first to get warmed up and as luck would have it I pulled a muscle in my thigh while practicing my mohawk turns. Doh! But I toughed it out and managed pretty well, considering. I’m already looking forward to getting back on my skates on Wednesday. I’m determined to make it to public skate that night. I know I really just need to spend more time on my skates, so pretty soon maneuvering on 8 wheels will feel as natural as breathing. That’s my goal. I’ve got a ways to go yet!

There were some girls taking their skills test Saturday so I had a chance to see what’s expected of me. It looks pretty manageable, but there’s lots of stuff I need to work on. The part where they were hopping over short little cones looked the most challenging to me. If I were to attempt that now I’d end up on my ass HARD.

[Find this photo on the Flickr map]

This is an old roll I just finished from Kansas in the XA. This roll also suffered a drop, so part of it was ruined when the back popped open. The XA seems to be okay overall - the shutter’s working fine and that’s the important thing. But the latch on the camera back is a little loose and I noticed that I really need to replace the foam around the edges.

That’s a project that’ll have to wait. I’m getting ready to send out a roll of 127 film that was in the Brownie Starflash I picked up at a yard sale recently. I shot 2 or 3 frames to finish it off, but I’m curious to see what was on the rest of the roll. Found film is fun:)

[ See this photo on the Flickr Map ]

Also seen in Kansas. I’m planning hoping to get a polarizer filter soon, which would have improved this shot a great deal. Although it will just be for the OM2, not the XA. I’m also hoping to get a flash, which will significantly expand my opportunities. I’m very excited:D

Taken at the same location as the previous photo.

What’s left of a vacant restaurant building, recently razed.

This shed and the house that went with it were razed the same day I took this photo. I’ve noticed that several abandoned homes nearby have been demolished lately. I’ve photographed many of them, and now I’m glad I did.

Guess what I got for Mother’s Day? A new vintage camera! I’ve already read the manual and loaded it with film. My father-in-law bought this camera in 1955 while he was stationed in Germany in the military. It’s well used but very functional. I’m so tickled! And I feel quite honored that they passed it on to me. I have the BEST in-laws:)

This is Tiger Country.