Does the yard really shut down this early!? Maybe you're all out having a social life, or have jobs to go to in the morning, but I'm suprised that there's no one in here chatting it up... Anyone awake?

I am

I am, its 5:47pm here in Syd!

is there any subject you wish to chat about?

lol.. diceman's on wine bottle #2 !
it's only 10:55pm here on left coast..

Yeah, well I'm on wine bottle #2, as Tony said, and ready to chat about anything. there was just a lull in postings, so I thought I'd say something!

so my birthday is on Monday, but I figured that I'd better celebrate my 1/4 century over the weekend. Thats the excuse for my excessive wine drinking. Anyways, I'm glad that some people are still awake (but I would be impressed if Bigocean was still asleep, that would be a great slacker time for a nap!). Post away, brother Dogs!!

Hey Happy B-day diceman!
shoot man.. i WISH i was only 25 again!
(Fwiw.. you get an auto insurance discount @ 25 yrs.. LOL)

hell i'm gonna go grab some alcohol so i can at least properly make a toast.. BRB

well happy birthday a bit little early

Bailey's Irish Cream on the rocks..

CHEERS!

well.. i'd say Dog Father is a Great b-day present!

My b-day was back in Jan.. got myself the Street Scrapper 4.. but i like the Dog Father MUCH better!

Tony - believe it or not, my auto insurance revolves around this birthday. I got out of the Army not too long ago (I was in Korea for 3 years), and in order to save some $$ on insurance, I've just had my dad insure both mine and my wife's cars under his fleet insurance. So, next month, after my big discount birthday, I am changing the policy back over to my name!

Thanks for the happy birthday wish, both of you!

diceman.. got any kids?

I have 2.. man.. kids change EVerything!
and i thought Marriage was a life changer! talk about major shift in priorities!
you're right.. depending on time of month.. sometimes i gotta sneak my new knives in the back door too!

oh well.. 2nd shot.. Cheers!

Yeah, I've gotten multiple "birthday" presents. I got an Ontario RAT5 and 7 factory 2nds on a group buy, as an "early" birthday present, because it was a one time offer. Then I got a Ranger RD4 custom as a birthday present, because Justin is going back to Iraq as a contractor real soon. Then, when I saw the DF was coming up for grabs, I HAD to get one of those! Biggest birthday I've ever had.

Tony, you're killing me man - crazy coincidences. I also have a wife and two kids, both boys, ages 1.5 and 3.5. The Dogfather arrived 100% incognito in order to avoid the big fight.

Cheers brother, glad to hear that I'm not drinking alone!

I am still up. Happy 25th. You need to buy yourself the 15th anniversary SH from Busse. I was smokin a cigar and choppin up a hostile piece of timber as you can see below.

And yes, kids do change everthing. I've been able to finagle some extra funds through my tuition assistance (I'm back in college) and my renlistment bonus w/ the National Guard - thats how I'm able to buy my steel!

sweet man.. sounds like it was a Good 25th then!

1st couple years of marriage was the Toughest! so was 3rd thru 4th!
but now goin on year 8 now (wow that just hit me).. wife and I seem to be more Relaxed about things.. take things more in stride.. stopped breaking things Years ago.. LOL

But men are from mars.. women are from venus.. that's for sure.
she (usually) doesn't nag me about my knife, gun, car stuff (that) much any more.. oh well.. that's what the alchohol's for i guess!

chEERs! shot # 3 goin down..

Got you both beat! Married with three kids: girl 8, girl 3 & boy 1.5. The DF came in today & the wife hid it from me and tried to black mail me into vacuuming before she would give it to me. She won! But the poor 3.5 x 5.5 posted above did not!

Zero: Nice work brother. I'm a cigar afficianado of sorts myself. I'm always up for a good Arturo Fuenta or Partagas, and have had a few Romeo Y Juliettas and Cohibas myself! One of my buddies and I did a night w/ some Partagas 150's and Single barrel Jack! Glad you took care of that hostile timber!

Its usually dishes w/ me, but I know how blackmale goes!

diceman,
well you're 1.5 bottles ahead of me.. but i'm a fast drunk.. so it'll even up..


ZeroNine,
oh yeah.. cigar would sound Great right now.. i quit smoking ..oh. 5 yrs ago.. but still LOVE the smell of Camel cigarettes and good cigars!

Yeah the Busse anniversary knive is comin up! oh CRAP!! Steel Heart!?
[censored].. dunno where the Hell the money's gonna come from to get it.. but that's a MUST have for Sure! dammit!

Since the second kid I started smoking cheap cigars and Maker's Mark. The single barrel Jack is excellent. Maybe you are like me I can not acquire the taste for scotch (which is good save $$$). I like fine American whiskeys instead and micro brews.

When I got my re-enlistment bonus they staggered it and I only got a percentage per year. It was taxed to hell and then the wife spent the rest. 6 months later they offered Jump School as a bonus. Should have held out for that.

ZeroNine,
shooot! a little vaccuming for the knife? That's not bad!!
i usually get the guilt trip thing too.. "How much did you spend on that _____??" ..then wife angles for the attack.. "well then *I'M* gonna buy a $200 wachamacallit then!!"

um.. sure thing dear.. just use the Other credit card please..

I have a 9 yr old son & 4 yr old daughter.
I do dishes real good too.. so she can't get me on That front! lol

oops.. runnin dry here.. gotta get refill on the Bailye's.. brb..

MORIMOTOM I think said the SH anniversary may be in the $700-800 range!!!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

I quit chewing Cope about 2yrs ago, was about the toughest thing I ever did. Congrats on quitting smoking. I believe Eric Clapton said it was harder for him to quit smoking than it was heroin. Now you have more money for steel.

I've got ONE more glass to go on my 2nd bottle. Howz the shots coming Tony?

err.. i mean Bailey's..
shot glasses too small.. coffee mug better..

yeah.. i'm hopin there will be a CG version of the Busse annivseray Steel Heart.. will make it a little less painful $ .

Yeah, I guess I'd go w/ either a Steel Heart or a Battle Mistress - since I'm going to Safe Queen whatever I get, it doesn't really matter!!! CG for sure though, cuz I'm broke!

I have earned everyone of my knives at least 3x. I work and get a paycheck for the money like everyone else. Then the wife mentally tortures me over this weird facination over knives and tries to embarass me in front of our relatives. Then she makes me do chores dishes, vacuuming etc to earn it again. She is scamming me big time as she is a stay at home mom/wife and I am doing her work. But I always win in the end!

You guys are making me want to drink. I think I will grab a Red Stripe. Hurray for beer!

I quit chewing too - not that I was addicted, but I liked chewing

I've been emailing back and forth w/ Morimotom for the past hour about Busses - he's a great guy huh?

$700-800?? oh boy.. oh boy..
i think i'll just keep drinkin then LOL..

i was hoping the SH's would be similar $ to the last Fusion Steel Hearts, $327+ on BadMojo.tv .. up to like ~$500 LE iirc.. or Heavy Ordance grade..
bah.. i forget..

shoot.. i better start scrou nging up the dough Soon then!

RED STRIPE!!! Beer from the Phillipines - a lot of my Army buddies have Philipina wives - and I've had sme Red Stripe - good call!

I"m really not wanting to spend more than $350 for a CG Busse - is that likely to happen?

yeah.. Mori's a straight shooter.. hehe literally.. LEO.

ZeroNine.. I Hear that bro! this working, paying the bills, keepin the wife happy thing is.. well.. job description was a Little bit different than on th3 Brochure! that's for sure! LOL!

oh well.. 2nd coffee mug 'o Baileys goin down.. ChEERS!

CHEERS!!!

Yeah, the Job Description. I've found that I'm lacking in the homecooked meals, and BJ department ever since we signed that little contract, er, Wedding Certificate. Oh well!

I do not know him, but I have asked him a couple of q's on BF. He told me the BATAC I have on order will not come until April. Red Stripe from Jamaica. I was hooked big time on chew.

I hope I was wrong about the SH. I am newb to high end knives and I read and research as much as I can from you gurus of the boards. MORIMOTOM must have more money than God to make so many Busse transactions. I thougt he was a cop? He must get crazy OT. Half of my platoon in the Reserves were cops and they were poorer than dirt.

beer is good.. cold, cheap, keeps the buzz going.. my kinda drink.
MGD on tap in tall cold glasses.. mmm.. sounds good.

well diceman.. Busse's sellin Badger Attack TAC's starting at $227 as we speak.. 5" blade i think?
so yeah.. it's *possible*..

Zero: Where exactly IS the "Old Dominion," just curious!

OOOOH, and I KNEW that!!! My bad - I got my group of friends confused. My buddies a number of years back came back from Jamaica w/ stories of giant weed buds and Red Stripe. I do'nt know what I'm confusing it with... let me figure it out...

I'm sleeping and having a great dream about knives

San Miguel - not even close, and I don't know how I got them confused. Too much wine I guess. I'm almost done w/ my 2nd bottle - this one is Barefoot Merlot - good stuff for the $$

Once they say I do, they don't. I am fortunate with my wife. She's Italian. She cooks in the kitchen and bedroom, but she don't like the alfredo sauce if you kniw what I mean. She kick [censored] except she does not get the knife addiction at all.

My wife is Russian - also doesn't get the knife addiction

WHATS UP TED!!!! Can't wait for that RD4 sheath from Leatherface DAve to get done - my RD4 is waiting patiently for some PANTS!!!
AND, How are you typing in your sleep!?!?

well.. if one doesn't have kids and/or wife.. that would free up a LOT of Fundage!!

every 2 yrs i have to take bullshit "safety class" for my CCW.. and ALL the sheriff's start talkin about pay, etc.. kinda funny.. then they get Hella jealous talking about the Fire Fighters' pay.. how they get all the cool toys, trucks, boats, etc..

Busse's are expensive that's for sure.. i suppose there could be worse hobbies though..

::mm.. low on thought here.. so i'll just drink::

Getting into the choppers has been therapueatic for me though.. good Stress relief! pounding on poor pieces of wood!

This has really turned in to a great conversation thread, thanks to all of you!

Being a firefighter is my "other" option for full time employment. I'm currently back in college after an Army stint, and have about 3 years under my belt as a Reserve Police officer.

We don't have any training requirements for CCW's here in Montana, which is probably why we only have reciprocity in like 1/2 of the CCW offering states. Oh well.

I have a BATAC on order, looks like a great short blade and the price was right at $241.95, I have the invoice right here. I will then be deflowered and no longer an INFI virgin.

The Old Dominion is Virginia. Its 0244 here and I just cracked my first beer. Who needs sleep. Its good to have some buds to hang with. Once you start having kids you don't have time for friends I have found.

I'm pretty new to "quality" knives, and agree that Chopping is very theraputic. I'm absolutely in love w/ my DF, and can't wait to get a Busse. Did anyone mention as to whether or not it is likely to get a CG Busse for around $350 from the company store? I'm on my last glass of the 2nd bottle, so I'm kinda hazy.

Hi Ted! ..sweet Dreams! dreamin about Busse anniversary knife?

hehe.. i'm drinkin Baileys here.. helpin diceman celebrate a birthday.. Cheers!

yep.. :: hmm.. drinks ::.

Zero: YOU ARE CORRECT!!! My only LOCAL friend is my neighbor, who is a great guy (he's on a wildland fire helecopter crew) - wife and kids cut down on social time, but online friends are GREAT for conversation!!! You guys ROCK!

Thanks again Tony for having a drink with me - this is my first birthday party to ever be held on a forum, but its going well!!

kinda hazy? lol.. i'm my keyboard looks lik has more keys now! lol..
dunno about the anniversary knife price.. speculation at this piont.

ZeroNine,
yeah i ordered a BATAC tan/tan , the morning they become available.. lots of folks rip on the TAC handle.. but i really Like the HRLM from Swamp.. hoping the BATAC will be same.. if not.. they're easy to get money back on..

i'm pretty new to Infi as well.. SS4 is my first/only Infi right now.
the DF is FANTAstic! oh man it chops soooo well!
this afternoon i did a 15" HI BAS Khukuri vs Dog Father.. will prlly post pics tomorrow bout that.. [censored] Fun!

It did turn out to be a good chat. You guys are both LEOs? I thought of going that route, but the long term money is not there. I finished my BS while in the reserves and am working on an MBA and Masters in Gov Contracing. Its a boring field, but pays well and is in demand field. I am 37 btw.

I just finished out my time in the Marine Reserves, got 12 in and that was enough!

I really want a Hell Razor what is fair price to pay for one?, that is not an LE or any other fancy crap. I want to use it.

LOL!!! That is sort of pathetic, but I am here for you Happy F-ing B-day, holding my beer up to toast you DICEMAN!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Zero: You should look in to Fed jobs if LE interests you - but as you said, the money isn't really all there. I'm looking at going to Law School (will take the LSAT and apply this summer) - and it may be tough to turn down Attourney money in order to be a cop, but I think its in my blood. I'm looking Federal, but haven't made up my mind... 36 Y/o used to be the cutoff for a lot of places, but has since been challenged through age discrimination suits - you may still be able to get in to the field if you want to!

yep... after kids.. friends all move to different states.. no more hanging out.. it's different all right. less money spent drinking/going out i guess, hehe.
focus a Lot more on family, kids, wife, school.

oh well.. maturity too.. i've cleaned out my gun cabinet.. sold like 25 firearms.. kept 3 for carry.. favorite rifle.. that's it!
also made me more choosy about gear.. trying to stay away from the junky stuff (all at the bottom of my drawer).. that's how i found Busse/Swamp/Scrapyard.. these knives are different.. the quality.. it's pretty amazing stuff.

I order the black blade / tan micarta. Sweet!!! I can't wait to see your pics. I love the pics almost best about these forum.

Diceman I am jealous that I do not live someplace cool like Montana! I am 15 min away from DC. Too city, too much traffic, too many damned people!

I also stack my knives in the "knife drawer" with the highest quality stuff on top! I bought this [email]dumb@ss[/email] SOG Jungle Fusion blade right before I got on the forums and got into RAT/Ranger/Scrap - It almost needs a drawer of its own, its such a Mall Ninja POS.

Yeah, my online birthday is pretty pathetic, but I thank you all for sharing it w/ me! Cheers!

I've been to DC once - it was great seeing all of that realy "American" stuff - fantastic vacation place - don't know if I'd want to live there though! There's a lot of LEO opportunities around DC though, I'm sure, but it would be hard to support yourself in that area for hte $$. In this part of the country, the money goes a longer way...

Uh-oh, Dumb)#$U%#@)$$ is underlined above, did I violate a rule of some kind?

ZeroNine,
i'm 36 yrs old here.. not LEO.. got kicked out of engineering school Years ago.. work for the local school district now. Pay's decent, kinda boring.. oh well.
::takes a drink.. to forget::

hmm.. Hell Razor.. that similar to the Satin Jack?
i gotta refer to the acronym list.. not enuogh sobriety here.. lol

I saw a HellRazor pic the other day, can't remember exactly waht it looks like but thought it was really nice looking... got a swedge or sharpened top edge right?

I'm 10 years behind you guys, LOL... I'm so far from having my $hizzle together though, I need the extra time...!

I am kidding Diceman. I got you a present, it was short notice. I hope the mods don't get mad. It should be PG-13

LOL.. Underlined! hehe.. oh noes! watch out the black helicopters have been deployed for That!

(it thinks you typed in a URL link)

yeah.. i've had enough of cheap knives.. hehe remember the "rambo knives" of the 80's ? hehe mall ninja stuff.. funny.. so many Less worries though

:: bailey's getting me dizzy now::

re: PG13 present

ah.. Cobalt's avatar girl.. very Bouncy! that!

Is that Christan Model? Cobalt's Avatar!!! I just went through her website, WHAT A GIRL NEXT DOOR!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I guess we all start out w/ Mall Ninja Cr2P!!!

We must have posted at the same time~!

Thanks for the present Zero!

Is she famous, or is this some cobalt inspired bandwagon? I mean, I'm hooked, but I don't know how she slipped past me! I just found out who she was last night, because RatFink posted her name in a thread on BF.

I am in DC because of the jobs. All the cool Fed LEO stuff is here. Around my parts the LEOs give out speeding tickets only because the crime is so low. Too many rich people. The pay is good but not commenserate to the cost of living.

When I was 25 I was still in a bar somewhere :-)

meh.. "shizzle together"..
it's all relative.. just trying to keep the peace around the homestead here.. try to enjoy some hobbies.. let the wife get her stuff done..

things will happen when they happen.
You have youth on your side.. can't buy that.
so.. enjoy!
cheerS!

Hehe, that's the kinda pictures I take.(Well, every once in awhile)

re: When I was 25 I was still in a bar somewhere :-)

LOL.. ZeroNine.. honestly.. don't have CLUE where i was when i was 25!
was kind of a blackout period for me i guess! LOL

Yeah, I guess I'm still pretty young in the whole scheme of things - but since I have hit that 1/4 century mark, I'm officially out of my "youth." Still not sure what I'm going to to career wise, but I do have this accomplishment: 2 Bottles of Merlot TANKED!!!! Gonna grab a glass of cooking wine - and I think it relates to a parable, only backwards... something about how most people serve the good wine first, but you've saved the best for last - relating to the Jesus turning water to wine mirace - but I, am DEFINATELY serving the best wine first, and then switching to COOKING WINE!!!!

hehe Ted..
i htink i've seen some of your "going to work" thread/s.. must be Nice!
Cheers to that!

I hope Dave gets the sheaths done pretty quick. I really like the RD-4.

LOL.. switching to cooking Wine!~

well.. at least the taste buds won't notice any more!
so cheers to That!

Ted, I've seen your pix - and you've got some HOT ones! The guy and girl in bed, the B&W, is a GREAT pic!!!

Well, I got a 7am shoot tomorrow and it's raining so I have to pack the lights and studio gear up too. See you guys later.

Yeah, the RD4 is badass, as is your Rd9 recurve! Goodnight Ted!

Thanks, she was a friend of mine and wanted a cool shot with her bf. It's kinda become my trademark shot.

Yea its ChristinaModel. She is all over the internet. She is smokin, I knew of her way before I knew of Cobalt. Google / Images and she is all over the place.

I have couple Mall Ninja items from when I was a kid. I picked up a box a while back from my mothers house and it had several throwing stars in it.

I agree with Tony as I get older I only want good high quality stuff. On BF the wanna be military guys always ask what do the real military people carry and I always laugh because I have come across almost all branches and from multiple countries (except Green Berets) and they all carry crapola knives. Including myself and my Marines.

later Ted..

ahh.. Sat & Sun off ain't so bad.. i get to sleep in late!

Ha, I only work two days a week and make more than I did for Apple working 6 days. Sad, very sad.

Yeah, I carried Cold Steel in the ARmy - had I only known better!

See ya Ted.

Crap, I can't stop and go to bed. You guys are addicting. grrr

Must go to sleep, must go to sleep,.......

Nite guys <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

Glad to hear you're liking the new job Ted - your photos are great, you do nice work.

Ted and I are getting Ranger RD4 sheaths made by Leatherface, and Ted was kind enough to let me have a sheath made off of his knife - thats what the RD4 sheath banter was about! Thanks again Ted.

Hey thanks you all, I made it to LAPDOG!!!

ZeroNine,
yep.. crappola.. seems to be the norm these days.. unfortenately.. everything from cars, comptuers, to 99% of the crap sold at walmart.

it's getting increasingly harder to find "quality" these days.. harder still to find Quality + made in USA.

hehe.. yep i had all the ninja stars, flipping knives, rambo knives.. ahhh.. those were the Fun days! Everything broke! but was sure Hella Fun!
actually my ninja stars never broke.. they were Tough! LOL

Nice portfolio Ted. You are living the dream, working on your terms.

Well, the cooking wine is OK. I notice the difference, but the tastebuds are difnately... desensitized!?!

Are you all talking about the guy and girl in the white thong? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Uh, yeah, spectacular Azz. I don't know how photographers keep everything "down" on some of those shoots!

err.. it's 12:26 here now..
my 9-yr old sons' still playing video games!
gonna go raz him & make him turn off the PS3 already!

then i'll prolly hit the sack too..

tomorrow will be back to post up those Dog Father vs Khukuri pics..

anyways guys.. good drinking with ya..
Happy B-Day diceman!
don worry man.. it's all good!

Back in the good old days I was about 10-13yrs old and they would sell me throwing stars, nun chauks, pos knives with out batting an eye, in the local mall.

We used to think ninjas were so cool. I think I saw about 400 different Ninja movies.

Cheers Tony, PS3. We were the sh1t with an Atari 2600. Look forward to the pix.

LOL.. Atari? hell my 1st system was Pong console from Sears!

anyways.. g'night fellas.
Take care.


holy crap.. this thread made 2 pages?! LOL Hilarious!

Later Tony, looking forward to the pix - thanks for the impromptu birthday party - you guys are great!

G'night Zero - the cooking wine did me in. I'm sure that everone reading this tomorrow will get a good laugh in. Well, later today I guess. Over 100 posts, incredible!

You know what? Shortly after posting I did went for a nap... It is now 10:37PM Sydney Time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Still awake? heck I'm usually in bed by 9:00ish eastern standard time which is 6:00 oclock on the left coast, and don't even ask me what that converts to in canadien time.

Well, I'm a student as well as a waiter. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> My sleeping hours are usually irregular!

Boy, I've got a lot of catch up reading on this thread to do! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Big Ocean, glad to hear that you operate on slacker time and are still a productive citizen.

bigocean,bigocean,
No man don't read this crap.. nobody was sober at the time!

When Dan finds this thread.. he'll see all the empty wine bottles, cigar butts, half chopped wood.. and he'll say "What The Hell?? Who's been drinkin, smoking in Here??"
LOL

I never thought of using a Dog Father as a cigar holder. Great idea, I'll have to try that

Thanks
Dan

I’m usually on here late, but I was tired and went to bed early. I’m usually up until 3-4 am or so.


Happy Birthday! My birthday is this Friday. I’ll be 27.

Well, Happy Early Birthday! I'll be on the road Friday going to my monthly National Guard drill, or I'd be up having a drink with ya! I'm generally up until at least 1AM on any given night, and a little later on weekends.

It is MOnday now...So HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

And I look forward to holding a cigar with the DF!!! When I get it!

Thanks Gravelface - have a good night brother!

Happy VD!!!!!!!! Oops I mean BD!!!!!!!!!! Diceman. I'll Have a drink for each and every one of us to celebrate. Hope you have a great and memorable 1/4 century marker.

Thanks brother!

Happy Birthday fellow canine! I saw your cake post's on the Ranger forum. You say that Justin is going back to the sandbox soon? Where did you hear this?

He eluded to it in a thread somewhere I think, anyways, I ended up asking him about it in an email, and he said that he was going back as a contractor. When I ordered my last knife from him, I asked about it again, and he said that he was supposed to have been leaving (shortly) but that they pushed the date back. So, from what he's said, he'll be going eventually/soon, but he's probably not going to make a "public" post about it until he's sure about when he's leaving.

And, thanks by the way - no turning back, I'm getting old now!

Well, since this has become the late night posting thread, I just (soberly) ordered my first INFI - a CGFBM w/ black/blue G10 grips. Not something that I planned on doing, but couldn't pass it up. Its going to be a safe queen for sure, cuz I'm BROKE and want to make sure that I can get my money out of it if needed... here's the thread that I bought it from though. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=457246

Man, that is one great looking blade. Congrats on your first piece of INFI!! I really like those Black and Blue G10 grips with the black blade. Post some pics when you get it!

Also, thanks for the info. I was hoping Justin would be around for awhile. I have a custom order I would like to put in soon. We are blessed to have him over there however. He is one of the good guys.

Justin is an awesome guy, thats for sure. I want to get him, Mike from Ontario RAT, and Dan and Jerry together and have a drunken Barbecue. Thats would be a blast! I got that custom RD4 from Justin for like $115 - a steal IMO. I'm loving it, but waiting for leatherface to make a sheath so that I can EDC it.

I'm really excited about that FBM - although I can't afford it. I'm just loading up the credit card and waiting for my re-enlistment bonus w/ the National Guard to pay it off!

By the way, wasn't that an awesome cake!?! My wife was pretty cool to have done that. Here's a post if anyone is interested in seeing my Ranger Cake that I got today...: http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/789606/

Happy Birthday!!

Thanks Ted. How goes the photo taking?