The period starts around the middle of May. A timetable of work with a few days away stretched out in front. One of the weddings had been planned for many months, another one has just popped up and exam marking season was about to begin. In the middle of this was holiday booked earlier. Not many people go away during the weeks of marking. Last year I told the board that I did not like the marking process and that I found it demeaning. Earlier this year I was twice offered a contract, but let each deadline date expire. Eventually came the phone call. How could I refuse if they were so desperate as to call on my services. However, I was not about to un-book our holiday and I could not break the wedding photography contract and so a decision was made to do as much marking as reasonably possible and not aim for completion; let alone the bonus for keeping up to schedule. I even thought that the £60 training fee might be sufficient. (£48 after tax).
The first recorded date I have is 18th May. The wedding couples having paid their balances and with money to come from marking, I thought this was a good time to buy a lens which would improve on the Nikon kit lens that came with the camera. I did a bit of research on the internet, but could not remember which type of lens I had seen month ago in a Nottingham shop. And, so on the 18th into Nottingham we did go. I had my camera and was able to try out the lens in the shop. I panicked a bit and did not get the best of results.
In the shop we had talked about 'image stabilization'. But, told the assistant that I generally use a tripod. He told me that it was necessary to switch off this function when the camera was on a tripod.
Back home I went to find the lens on the internet. The camera shop price seemed cheaper and so, next day, back to the shop I went. It was not the same assistant and after some time he discovered that the only lens available was the one in the case; so he found a box, cleaned up the lens and proceeded to check it. The price looked staggering. I thought this was due to VAT. However, I was being wrongly charged for the additional function. Phew! Purchase made and home to test it.
At this point in the history of the world I had equipped my locos with decoders and I thought that this was a good opportunity to photograph them and produce a card showing the code for each loco. (I still have to produce the card, but with another loco on the way, I will do it soon.)
On 25th there was still time for a brief trip. This being to the University gardens.
The rhododendrons were well passed their best.
On the 28th came the first wedding preparation. This one was with Alan and Irene at Basford registry office. The had a bit of a garden at the back and here I did a test photo.
Irene and Alan. (Mother and Father of the Groom)
On Sunday 29th came the beginning of exam marking qualifications.
Next blogg.
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