Out walking

Continuing on the theme of self improvement, I have managed to do quite a bit today.

I decided that since I was still a bit sore I wouldn't go to yoga at all, instead I went for a long yoga-motivated walk. I walked to Burrard and went over the Burrard brige to 3rd Avenue where Halfmoon is based, and got myself a new yoga mat and a bag. The mat is twice as thick as my old mat which should make some of the sitting postures more comfortable, and it's rasberry red. The new bag I needed to replace my old big bag - I used to have this very handy big yoga back from Yogamatters I've been using for years, but some weeks ago I decided to give it a wash. As a result the bag shrank and doesn't fit two bags comfortably anymore. The new bag is better anyway, I can wear it on my back which makes it nicer to carry.

Weather was just perfect for a long walk - in Kitsilano the temperature showed 22 C although that was probably just in the sun. I stood for a long time on the Burrard brige looking at loons diving for fish and cormorants basking in the sun.

I added some of the photos I took to the West End gallery - the photo on the right is actually the 2000th photo I've taken with my camera. So far I've been very happy with the little Ixus 500 - I've only got two issues with it. Firstly, the display is a tad on the small side - I'd really prefer a bigger one as it's not always obvious from the display if photo is blurry or not. Secondly, there is no proper battery warning - it gives a little blinking red battery when the battery is practically run out and you've got maybe five photos left. That's the reason I always carry a spare battery with me, you never know when it's going to run out. Otherwise, very nice little camera: good photos in many different conditions, although more difficult conditions will need you to adjust some settings yourself. The flash is pretty much useless but that's what you can expect from a pocket camera like this - often if I can't take photos without flash I don't take them at all.

In the evening I went back to my optometrist to check my contact lenses after a week of use. They look fine, the fit is "perfect" and there are no protein deposits on the eye, so I'm good to go. I ordered six months supply, but I've still got three weeks left with these lenses I'm now wearing. I've been very happy with the lenses so far, and after getting used to feeling naughty when I go to bed with them, I've pretty much forgotten about them rest of the time - which means of course that it's as perfect as it gets.

When I walked home in the dark the strong smell of flowers lingered everywhere - almost like in the tropics. Only the temperatures are not tropical, it still gets very cold and close to zero during the night.