The Next Chapter

To see what Vince Hemingson is up to nest, go to:

http://vince-hemingson.blogspot.com/

The End is Nigh

Well, Boston or Bust has reached it's conclusion, at least as a Blog, albeit with more of a whimper than a bang. Such is life. It was fun while it lasted, but the ride, or the run, has come to an end. I should have reached this conclusion a couple of years ago, but I do hate change and I hated to let go of a favorite pair of boots, regardless of wear.

Over six hundred and fifty Blogs over five years about trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon, or going 'Bust' in the attempt. January, 2005 seems like a half a lifetime ago...

I loved Blogging, and I loathed Blogging, cursed the time it took, and blessed it in the knowledge that it made me a better marathoner, and was ultimately thankful that the Blog was an enormous source of inspiration and motivation when I often needed it most. It was like a rainy day running buddy. My Blog was always there for me, even when expecting a post.

I managed to qualify for Boston in the Fall of 2005 with a 3:29:39, still my personal best. Hell, this year, I'm actually moving up a category! Or down, depending on how you look at it.

That's right, in August of 2010, I'll be turning fifty, the half century.

I ran Boston twice and to this day consider my first Boston Marathon race in 2006 the best marathon I have ever run. My 3:30:38 is my best marathon performance to date on race day.

Having achieved my goal, the ostensible reasons for continuing to write the Blog were a little difficult to come up with.

I still run, and in fact, plan to run my tenth Vancouver Marathon this spring. That will be my twenty-eighth marathon.

But, I am about to start another Blog, one that will continue to reference my love of running, but one that will quite literally focus on the newest passion in my life. I am really excited about it, and the idea for the new Blog is even more of a challenge than Boston or Bust!

Thanks to everyone who followed Boston or Bust. I truly loved connecting with so many people who took the time to follow my Blogs, and even better yet, take the time to comment.

When I launch the new Blog on January 1, 2010 I'll post a direct Link.

Again, thank you for reading.


Go to:


http://vince-hemingson.blogspot.com/


Thanks again, Vince Hemingson

The October Harvest Moon

The Harvest Moon usually comes at the end of September, but this year it snuck into October before it became a full moon. The Harvest Moon is named because it casts so much light that farmers could gather their crops in by its light. The next full moon is often called a Blood or Hunter's Moon because it coincides with large migrations of birds and animals that would be hunted in the Fall in preparation for Winter, and even by the light of the full moon.

Vancouver has been experiencing some stellar clear days this autumn and the atmospheric conditions have been wonderful for astrophotography. I shot this image with a Nikon D700 and a Nikon 600mm f4 with the Nikon 2x teleconverter. I had to manual focus, but was very impressed with the image quality and overall sharpness considering the use of the teleconverter. f13 at 1/40 and 200 ISO. Wonderful to have tripod mode in VR (vibration reduction).

Nikon Nikkor 28mm f1.4 Lens Shots of Vancouver

Nikon D700 with the Nikkor 28mm f1.4 lens. What a combination. ISO 3200. Hand-held, wide-open at f1.4, hand held at 1/8. One eighth of a second.

Hand-held shot of the stars. One-eighth of a second, wide open at f1.4. Stars are - I hate to indulge in the oldest cliche in the book - sharp as a tack, pin-point, edge of a knife, you call it. I was simply amazed. This is the full frame. A little colour drop off in the corners, but no change in sharpness, edge to edge.

More Nikon Nikkor 28mm f1.4 Lens Shots

Shot with a Nikon D700, ISO 1600, f1.4, 1/30. Love the colours of the neon against the sky.

I was impressed with how the D700 and the 28mm f1.4 picked up on the neon lighting up the tree leaves. This camera and lens combination was picking up details I couldn't see with my own eye. I'd look at the LCD and either shake my head in disbelief or giggle like an eight-year old girl... I bow down to the Nikon optical engineers.

Nikon Nikkor 28mm f1.4 Lens

Unbelievably crisp, wonderful contrast and colour rendition. Shot with a Nikon D700, ISO 1600, wide open at f1.4, 1/15.

I am in awe of how this lens handled the reflections on the water.

Fireworks, Symphony of Fire