Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80

So, today, in the afternoon, i got the money from selling my house. I thought about it for a couple of minutes. I paid some bills. And i put on my shoes and my coat and went out. To buy myself a new camera. I walked to Foka and talked with the person who helped me yesterday and said i was there to buy. To spend money. A Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80. A mirrorless interchangable lens camera. I had read the Buying Guide: Best cameras for video and this camera was the budget recommendation. Cost me quite a bit of money, but it is still below 1500 euros.

So good! A big sigh, sure. So many things to learn. I only got around to charging up the camera. I made a few photos of Mouse asleep in front of the heating. But i didn’t get how to connect the camera to my computer. In the instructions they talk about the smartphone connection. Hmm.

I also bought a bag and a tripod for shooting video. Not terribly expansive, but still ok. And i did get an insurance for three years. Since i take the camera out a lot, i think it needs it.

I have bought two lenses. One a 14-140, the equivalent of a 28-280 for a full frame DSLR camera. The other a 60 mm macro lens for portraits and close ups. That one i get in a few days, it wasn’t in the shop.

The next days i will be reading the instructions, use the camera out and about. Use all the different buttons. Get to know it. Thoroughly.

Yay!

PS. I was lying in bed and it suddenly dawned on me. The cable i used to charge up the battery had an USB side. So that was the way to connect it to my computer. I got out and presto! So at the end is a photo i made. Large. Not raw, but a jpg. It is fine for now.

PPS. The names of this camera are different in different parts of the world. It is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80, GX85 or GX7II in Europe, US and Japan respectively.

Published on January 24, 2018 at 6:00 by
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Selling my house

Today i will sell my house. At 11.15 i have an appointment at the solicitor.

This is a mixed bag of emotions. One part of me is sad. I will loose ownership of the house i have lived in for the past twenty two years with pleasure. I can remain living here for the next two years, but after that i do need to move out and find another place to live. Two years is nice, but it’s not that long really.

Another part of me is happy. Over the years i have accumulated a decent amount of overvalue. I will get this money at my disposal. I can use this money to live of for the next four to five years.

I will treat myself a bit over the next weeks. My computers are getting old. The newest one is my laptop from 2011. I will upgrade my iPad, my iMac, my iPhone. I will also buy myself a decent camera. I will show you once i get them, together with my thoughts on why these specific items. It will bring new content to ellenpronk.com.

I am fully trusting myself in this. Yes, there is hurt. But also freedom. To make my life my own. To make this place work. To make myself work. More.

Salute!

Published on January 22, 2018 at 6:00 by
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My story

In a week’s time i will sell my house. I admit, i feel sad about it. I will remain here for the next two years, so that does soften the blow a bit. I will get some money, from which i can live for the next four or five years.

It is a mixed bag. For now, i feel happy. I will get some new computer stuff. I will keep on working. And two years does feel like a awful long time. I am hoping things will change in that time for me. I will work hard for that.

For now, i will keep on posting as long as i have internet at home. It could be i’m out of it the next few days. Next week it’ll be back on. I do feel tired. But be sure, i will not give up.

Bye bye!

With love, Ellen

Published on January 16, 2018 at 6:00 by
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Parsnip cake

A sunny day. This evening we will be looking at the stars and the planets. Maybe the moon as well. I don’t know if it is visible here. We’ll see!

This morning i baked a parsnip cake for Daniël. Yesterday i made pumpkin soup for this evening. A bit spicy, with a large winter carrot, a parsnip, onions, garlic, ginger, three hot peppers. I hope it is nice. Spicy.

Ingredients

  • 160g whole flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 3 tsp cinnamon or mixed spice
  • 1 tsp cardamom
  • 150ml vegetable oil
  • 200g light soft brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • half an orange juice
  • 200g finely grated parsnips
  • 80g raisins or sultanas

How to

  1. Place the flour in a bowl and stir in the cinnamon, cardamom and the baking soda, put to one side.
  2. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large loaf tin with parchment.
  3. Beat the sugar with the oil with a hand held or in a standing mixer. Add the eggs and the orange zest and beat in well. Stir in the grated parsnips followed by the flour and mix it in. Stir in the raisins.
  4. Bake for around 50 minutes.

I discovered some old Wire gig footage on youtube this weekend. Here is one for you.

Published on January 15, 2018 at 6:00 by
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