VCom Blog|The life of a simple mind in a simple digital world.

SL and RL don’t mix? Think again. I just returned from an experience I will never forget. What happened? I’ll tell…

The Invitation

A few months ago, my GF (wife in SL) asked me to come over to the UK. Ok, it’s not new for me to go on holiday alone, but I’ve never been to that country before. I was a bit hesitant at first, but the idea of going to a place that was new and seeing Nickie again won me over.

Preparation

What do you take with you to a country that has usually anything, except good weather? Warm clothes and plenty of it. Multi-purpose clothes (like seperable pants that double as shorts as well as full length ones), fleeces, and plenty of quick-drying stuff, underwear and t-shirts. My colleagues at work were so kind to give me a full-stuffed and ready-to-go shower bag with aftershave, deodorant, etc. So all that was set. Of course I couldn’t leave without my trusted laptop and camera.

Ow, wait, Camera? Shoot, that old (Nikon CoolPix 2200) thing is broken. Damn. I have only 3 weeks left before I leave, so I’d better get on it. So I ordered the new camera (Fuji Finepix S9600) on a website that said it had it on stock. One week later I found out it wasn’t on stock, but they expected the camera to be due within a week. This was acceptable to me, so I waited another week. Still no camera. Tired of calling and e-mailing them, I decided to order the camera through a website I had previously good experiences with; Bol.com.

The camera arrived just in time, actually, it arrived the morning of the day I was going to the UK, so I really had not much time to dive into the manual to familiarize myself with it, but better a bit then none at all.

Setting Off

Click to see the picture full size.

Destination: Leeds Bradford International Airport; Yorkshire County, United Kingdom.

Why they call it International, I have no idea, they have only 1 runway, and the terminal complex is smaller then a soccer stadium. Ok, they fly out to international destinations, but isn’t that kinda obvious? The main reason to fly is to make international trips, isn’t it? Aw well, I Arrived at Schiphol (Amsterdam Airport) 4 hours in advance.

4 Hours I hear you think? Yes, I’d like to build in a safety margin, just in case something unexpected happens. I always say, If you’re 5 minutes early you’re on time, if you’re on time, you’re too late.

And good thing I did arrive a bit early, It gave me time to check in early and get a reasonable window-seat (08A). I had a quick lunch at the airport and went through passport control. Since I was still early, passport control was a breeze. I had time to explore the gates and look for a few locations to get a few pictures. So I did. Before I finally boarded the plane I had a quick drink of cappuccino in one of the airport lounges.

Click to see the picture full size.

The flight took off perfectly on time, but that was about to change. Short after we left the Dutch coast behind us, all of a sudden the “Fasten Seat belt” signs went back on. The only thing that went through my mind was a short “Uh-oh”. Yes, a minor turbulence hit the plane about halfway over the sea. Ok, I agree it was only a little tremor and a few humps and bumps, but it wasn’t perfect.

Then the landing, well just before landing that is; Just before we touched down, I could see the plane behind us through the window… We were at an almost 90º angle with the runway. And believe me, even if you’re used to flying, that can be a pretty frightening sight. Fortunately the landing itself was a lot better, and smooth.

Touchdown

Click to see the picture full size.

Just before I got out of the plane, I had a chance to see the Cockpit, by baldly addressing the captain of the flight. The man was so friendly to even let me sit in his chair for a moment whilst he was talking to another passenger. The Co-pilot was so kind to show me around a bit and show me a few things in the cockpit. A quite extraordinary experience, which I’m not likely to forget any time soon.

After going into the Airport Arrivals Hall, my GF was there waiting for me. You can say anything to me now, but SL and RL do mix…

To be continued…

Fujifilm Finepix S9600
Fujifilm

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

2 Weeks ago, I ordered my new camera, a Fuji Finepix S9600… I’ve read the reviews, my father owns the S9500, it’s predecessor, so I know what I’ll get.

Yet somehow Lady Fortune isn’t ruling in my favor. Today I got a phone-call from the shop where I initially ordered the cam. They couldn’t promise the camera would be delivered this nor next week. PANIC!!! I’ll be shipping myself next week to England in a pressurized metal tube, and I’m NOT, I repeat, NOT leaving without a working camera around my neck.

In a flash of total panic, I cancelled the current order, and went looking for a shop that has them in stock. I was determined not to let myself down on this venture. Finally, after a staggering 15 minutes (yes, you read it well, 15 f*in minutes of total panic last a f**king lifetime), I found one… Well, that’s what I thought. It was friggin TWICE (well, not precise, but in panic you exaggerate a bit) the price of the camera I ordered. Time to hunt for another one. Almost an hour later I found one, and in a place I would not have expected. bol.com, I thought that was a book & musicstore. Well, guess again. They have one, in stock, and 10% cheaper then my original purchase. Delivery? I hope tomorrow or monday, but my experience with bol.com is such that they WILL deliver (bought some books and CD/DVD’s there earlier).

Finally I can settle in for the weekend with a heartbeat below 150… Let us hope it stays this way