🎶 Hope you are having a great Thursday!
Mechanical
“Nikon F and Seiko SKX007” Cedar Park, 2017
こんばんは。
Today’s photo is of my Nikon F and Seiko SKX007. What they have in common is that they are both purely mechanical devices. They don’t have any electronics or need batteries.
We are so used to relying on a power source to keep our devices running, but there is a charm to precise machines that rely purely on craftsmanship and physical design. The Nikon F has an adjustable shutter speed just like modern digital cameras, but the speed is not controlled by circuitry. It’s all gears and calibrated springs. I think it’s amazing that you can choose between 1/1000 of a second up to 1 second, with half-stops in between.
Similarly, the mechanical watch is fascinating in that it can keep a “power reserve” in the form of a spring, which will power the movement of the watch to an accuracy of +/- just a few seconds per day. I can’t imagine the amount of design it must have taken to invent such an accurate timepiece. It boggles the mind. And did you know that these mechanical watches have precious gems as part of their inner workings? I guess most use synthetic rubies (commonly referred to as jewels in watch specs) at points where durability is most critical. But including gems as part of the mechanical design is pretty damn cool.
Thinking about it, all mechanical clocks are astounding. Clocktowers? Wow!
Anyways, I think that batteryless devices are so cool. It also feels good to use a device that won’t produce toxic waste in the form of spent batteries.
All this talk about non-electric things makes me want to light some candles and read a printed book. 😄
Have a good evening!
おやすみ
Dreaming of Falling
“危ない” Pedernales Falls, 2011OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
When I was younger, I used to have a recurring dream in which I would fall from a great height. This was usually preceded by a seemingly safe climb which quickly turned into a harrowing cliff-hanger. I could have been on a ladder, or a playscape, or on a mountain path.
Anyways, I’d find myself hanging on for dear life, dangling over the precipice, then I’d lose my grip and fall. My stomach would rise to my throat, just like what happens when riding a rollercoaster. But the strange thing was, I would always hit the ground, then get up, unhurt, and be on my way.
This dream happened so often that I soon got used to the falling and didn’t fear dying anymore. I knew I would “land” safely in a second or two. However, I still have the fear of getting that rollercoaster feeling.
And my brother also had similar dreams. Strange?
This post was prompted by The Daily Post from WordPress.
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The photo is of my kids having fun at a camping trip at Pedernales Falls back in 2011.
Cyclical
“Hop on Over” Cedar Park, 2017
こんばんは。How’s it going?
I was listening to a podcast the other day, and they were talking about how things come and go in cycles. For instance, hobbies and interests tend to wax and wane. I have a few hobbies, and I’ve lost interest in some, gained interest in others, and have kept a few relatively steady. It’s something I’d love to track, but I’m not sure the best way to do it. Perhaps some kind of charting diary where I can rate how active I am with my different hobbies is the way to go…
Anyways, right now, I’d say my photography hobby is mid-high (7), motorcycling is low (1), blogging/writing is mid-low (4), Japanese study is mid-low (3), and… hmmm what other activities can I add? I guess I should make a list. Will be fun to see if any interests have completely dropped off the map.
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Today’s photo is of an always-willing model, Fuchico.
またね～
Monday Monday
“Kitty on Drum Pad” Cedar Park, 2017
Yay, back to work! 😨 So busy… but life is good!
