I bought the NOMATIC 3-7 day Travel Pack bag in 2017.
Love it.
Looks like I’ll be buying another — this time their dedicated V2 camera bag.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Category: product endorsements
Switching to Shoppers Drug Mart
Shoppers Drug Mart is Canada’s largest pharmacy chain with over 1000 stores.
As I hope to become — yet again — a traveller, I’m thinking it might be better (in future) to have in-person access to all these stores.
Since I went on blood pressure medications a few years ago, I’ve been dealing with local, independent pharmacies. Good service, but they rarely have what I need in stock.
So … I’ve made a second trip back in person to pick up my DRUGS.
That’s been a hassle a few times over the years, as I travel so much.
The independents and Shoppers both now ship for free — but I have more faith in the big company.
Actually, I would have gone with Amazon Canada Pharmacy — but they haven’t launched that service yet.
My 1st SERIOUS Tripod
The MeFOTO RoadTrip Air. Weight 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg)
It get’s well deserved GREAT REVIEWS.
I got the RoadTrip rather than the Backpacker — even though it’s a half pound heavier — mainly for the superior ballhead.
I’ll use this day-to-day at home. And on bikepacking trips.
Won’t likely carry it on long hikes because of weight, though the detachable selfie stick is an option.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Looks great. But — in reality — I use my Fotopro uFO 2 tripod 90% of the time.
I like it better than the GorillaPods I’ve used. You can attach to things more reliably.
And it’s only .5 lbs (227 gm)
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
My ONLINE doctor – Babylon by TELUS
Babylon by TELUS Health lets you see a doctor* or mental health counsellor from your phone, where and when it’s convenient for you.
Works well. Covered by Alberta Health Care.
TELUS Canada partnered with the UK-based company Babylon
I downloaded the IOS app. Got an appointment quickly. No hassle. Very efficient use of my time.
Video conferenced with two different doctors via my phone. Both excellent.
In my case I merely needed to renew prescriptions. But if it had been something more complicated they’d refer me to a real life specialist.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Editing PHOTOS with Pixelmator Pro
Kraig recommended this software. And I’m going to buy it. CAD $55.
Pixelmator Pro is Mac only. It supports the new (2020) M1-chip and macOS Big Sur.
Below is a Pixelmator edit of an iPhone X 4K original. I followed the official tutorials.
What you see below is a smaller version for web. But if you click on it — you’ll be able to see the full size original.
I’d long wanted to quit free Apple Photos software that comes with every Mac. Never liked it. Unfortunately Apple keeps you locked into the ecosystem. Happily, Pixelmator Pro works hand in hand with the Photos app. No conflict.
I’m also tested the Sony Imaging Edge software (horrible) and Capture One 20 Express (free). But Capture One 20 non-Express is too expensive – at least $10 / month.
I have Gimp (free) but find it pretty complicated.
This video show the fantastic interface of Pixelmator Pro.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I subscribed to Envato Elements
Of many competing services offering online digital assets, Story Blocks is most famous. And advertises the most.
But I was convinced to join instead less expensive Envato Elements US $198 / year. Both work with Final Cut Pro, my software.
They provide licensed images, audio, videos, graphics, plugins, fonts, logos, tutorials, 3D, graphic & video templates, presentation templates, infographics and much more. I’ll be including those in my videos, websites and presentations.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
One of the main things I like about using their digital resources is the simplicity of licensing. I’m much less worried that YouTube — sometime in future — might take down my YouTube due to copyright complaint.
Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.
Space Heaters
Winter is coming …
Rob and Yvonne gave me their old Lasko 758000 space heater. Works well. I keep it beside my desk.
Wirecutter is my favourite product review website.
On their recommendation, in addition, I got the Vornado VH5 Personal Vortex Space Heater for only CAD $46.11.
Works very well. I keep it close to the bed.
As of August 2020 here are the Wirecutter picks for best space heaters.
The Vornado VH200 (similar to the VH5) surpassed almost every other space heater in speed and total power, delivering an immediate temperature increase that built steadily and evenly across the room over the course of an hour.
The VH200 is also quieter than most other ceramic heaters we’ve tried, emitting only a soft, fan-like whir, and it’s compact enough to tuck away in a corner.
It’s also one of the safest heaters we tested, featuring overheating and tip-over protection, and a plastic exterior that stays relatively cool to the touch—so you can warm yourself without having to worry.
The VH200 does get mixed reviews from some owners—those who find it slow to heat a particularly cold space or who have problems with the airflow from the fan—but Vornado tends to respond to critical reviews more reliably than other manufacturers do.
WordPress.com Block Editor
38% of the web is built on WordPress.
More bloggers, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies use WordPress than all other options combined.
All my sites are hosted on WordPress.com and I wouldn’t go anywhere else.
As a long time user, I’ve been reluctant to switch to the BLOCK EDITOR when writing these post. I stuck with the Classic Editor, as did many others.
In this post I’m again testing the BLOCK EDITOR based on a recent WordPress.TV tutorial.
Column 1
Column 2
Column 3
Making rows like those above are much easier. Choosing colours easier, as well.
That line above is easy to add, as well.
One thing I like about the Block Editor is being able to more easily make a photo gallery. These images are all provided free through the Block Editor.
With the old editor I didn’t have much control over images.
Using the Block Editor I can more easily edit this image, for example.
That said — many of us feel forced by the host company to use something called the Block Editor to write posts like this rather than the Classic Editor we used in the past.
UBeesize 54-inch Selfie Stick Tripod
For hiking I’m not often going to be carrying a full tripod. Too big. Too heavy.
But for cycling, I’ll often bring this one along.
I’ve spent hundreds of hours videotaping from tripods. But — until now — have never used one as an extended selfie stick.
Of many similar options, I got the Selfie Stick Tripod, UBeesize 51″ Extendable Tripod Stand with Bluetooth Remote for iPhone & Android Phone. I won’t be using the Bluetooth Remote.
- CAD $33
- 610 Grams
- suggested max weight is about 2.2 lbs/1Kg.
- 1/4” screw thread (fits my GoPro, Sony camera, OM 4 gimbal)
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch some of my tests on YouTube.
A review of my new Sony ZV-1
#CovidGoals
I wanna be a 📸 PHOTOGRAPHER.
I have tens of thousands of photos posted online, yet knew almost nothing about photography.
What’s an F-Stop?
Unable to travel as much as in the past, I decided to buy a real camera and — finally — learn how they work. I have plenty of time.
I decided on the Sony ZV-1, their much hyped new vlogging camera.
So far, I’m liking it.
At 10.4 oz (294 g) without the handle remote, it’s small enough to carry on my hip wherever I go. Fires up quickly. Point and shoot. Ideal for travel.
In fact, this is primarily a video camera. But I’m happy with the photos, as well.
You can take a photo while the camera is videotaping. Damn. You cannot. One big weakness of this camera.
Biggest problem for me is lack of much optical zoom.
The alternative is to shoot a photo with up to 20 Megapixels — then crop.
Here are three I shot at 5472 × 3648 pixels.
Note: software running this site takes the original and reduces size and quality to display online. Click for larger versions.
New to me is the options of blurring out the background. I do like it, once in a while. Especially on closeups.
It’s good in low light — Gymnastics clubs, for example. Much better than phones.
Made for vloggers, the ZV-1 works portrait or landscape equally well.
Base price is about CAD $1000. Adding the Vlogger Kit, extra batteries, 128 GB memory card, tax, etc … I paid something close to CAD $1500.
I really like the bluetooth wireless remote handle. It works from up to 45m away if you have the camera on a tripod.
As a selfie stick, most vloggers find it too short. I’ll use a lightweight tripod, instead, starting and stopping with the Sony remote.
Getting started as a Dummy was not easy. There’s too much information on the internet.
Best for me was the too detailed Sony Help Guide online.
I’ve watched many hours of YouTube videos, as well.
Click PLAY or watch a skeptical review on YouTube.
Is it truly better than your phone or GoPro?
Click PLAY or see the Wireless Remote on YouTube. It’s worth getting.
