Camera life; life in general and the FrugalFilmProject updates

Mid-Summer catch-ups-July 31, 2019

So the eventful summer has happened yet again.  This year, there were no out-of-state trips planned as I was promoted at work and have been working on training myself and my newly hired co-workers.  It's been busy to say the least.  

So I started my frugal film project back in April (entering March photos--so I essentially started this in March) and I've tried as hard as possible to enter different scenes but the summer months are always about the beach, the things that happen at the beach and sandy beaches.  I can't help it--when it's not oppressively hot outside (June, July) I have to go. It's a yearning feeling to just go float in the cooler water or be by water of any type during the hottest summer months.  The hottest month used to be August by far, in my opinion, but over the past few years, it feels as if June and July have taken that title.  It also seems as if there is a little bit of a-might I say-"cool down" in late July?  At least recently in the early stages of August, there have been comfortable, lower humidity nights where we can get out and enjoy the beach.  As I write this on July 31, we've gone to the beach, either by motorcycle or minivan to ride bicycles, the past three nights in a row.  We go to the secluded Fort Pickens National Seashore by the campgrounds to enjoy the solitude, devoid of too many people that crowd the main beach during the summer months.  Here we take photos, fish, walk, ride the nature trails (every Sunday evening) and just enjoy the area that we, luckily can call home.  I've never loved my home so much as these months when we can just get out and take it all in.  

Like I said, we hadn't PLANNED on any long trips this summer.  Unfortunately, on June 27 we got the call from my dad up north that my 98 year old grandmother was going down hill after years with dementia and general old age.  We planned for the worst, then the worst came. We lost my paternal grandmother on July 1.  

I notified my new unit in advance that there would probably be a trip in my near future for a week up north. It just so happened it was on 4th of July week (when we usually travel). The kids made (what i consider a poor) decision to not go with us.  

Me, Jen and the minivan (Ivanka) made the 18 hour trip to the motherland--straight through to get up with family. 

Monica was the mother of my dad, and six other siblings, all who are alive and for the most part, healthy today. Considering my dad is almost 75 years old, I might have a pretty decent bloodline for longevity :)  

I got asked to do the eulogy a day before the funeral. I declined, as I didn't think I could prepare for it, nor did I want the responsibility during the hour-long Catholic service. 

As I thought about it though, I was a little bummed I didn't do one. Thoughts come to my head as to what I would have said hours before the actual event.  (usually this happens between the hours of 0200 and 0430--and also usually, i forget the words or the thoughts if I'm lucky enough to fall back asleep). 

I would have spoken about the family in general, how she birthed 7 beautiful people, helpers, creators, doctors, craftsmen, artists--how no one would be celebrating her life that day had she not been the person she was.  It turned out to be a beautiful day.  I had everything under control until my dad and my Aunt started singing the Rose by Bette Midler in harmonic beauty after all the words were said, and the final rose was put on the casket.  We all lost it pretty much right then. But it made me proud of who I was, and the family that with me on this day.  

Needless to say, we were there a week, and that was the hardest day.  We got out and got some pics taken on the rural roads using dad's Fujica for the frugal film project July submissions, and some other pics too.  Even had room in the minivan to bring home a Grizzly pro table saw, given to me by my uncle who can't use it anymore. Grizzly table saws are heavy, but my back a rope type pulley system and a 2x4 can get it up a flight of stairs with a little effort.  

Easily, the hidden gem of funerals, is that you get to gather with family you haven't seen in a while. In this case it's been at least three decades since the family reunion back in 1990. Everyone was younger then, but I met some cousins whom I've kept up with on Instagram and FB, but haven't seen in years. I even found one that has the same musical tastes as I do.  Hope to get together with him again sometime soon!

I was also able to find an old tenor sax in an antique store for $50.  A beautifully patina-ed old Selmer Bundy Tenor sax.  I've been looking for one of these for a while.  I didn't know mouthpieces were expensive though, so i'm still waiting on finding one for it. Will probably just order a beginner one from Amazon. 

The trip ended up being a fantastic getaway, considering the circumstances. I also finally pulled the trigger and got a c41 DIY kit from FilmPhotographyProject after seeing a video that you can develop "up to" 30 rolls of color film using the DIY method.  You just need to use longer developing times for the chemicals after about your first ten rolls (add a few minutes to dev time)

Me and cousin  Adam - Xa2 (expired Kodak 400) self developed

Developing color is amazingly easy. I'd almost say it's easier than developing black and white!  There will be more to come in this venture soon. I've attached a few pics taken with newer film from the area while we were in PA.  These were from the Eos A2 and are on Superia 200. 

for the frugal film project pics, check @wr_35mm_ on Instagram. I post monthly for the project, and the majority of the recent pics on this account are from that project. BW Fujica film pics.