水自流

“哎呀，冇睇到天气预报。” — 阿公

星期一晚上从Donna和Alvin手中接过Pentax K200D没有什么太多的感觉，因为是菜鸟还没有入门，因此跟我任何型号的也区别不出各自的功能。当时连要拍出第一张照片都困难，这个状况维持到当天睡觉。于是第二天就开始读手册，然后就知道那个转盘是做什么用的，光圈对焦感光度快门等等才有比较基础的认识，囧。所以就有了前两天的“先见楼梯响”。刚拿到的相机快门在8300+，不算新也不算旧的相机，据来自菲律宾的D和A说，是在家乡买的，不到一年的时间。随机没有什么附送，所谓随机附送的一排区区600mAh的电池还给一起来的充电器给充坏了，无语中。机身还是有些灰尘，看来并没有很好的保存。连手册和光盘也没有，给了个三脚架，而保修卡是“不知道塞到哪里去了，房间很乱”的情况，找到后会给我。所以550新币的价钱还是贵了一点点，但仍算合理，除了今天清理镜头是发现似乎上面有个点，怎么弄都不掉，还好有个UV镜，要不然在他俩的手上不敢想象。网上看了一通，发现三洋的eneloop 2000mAh充电器口爆碑不错，得，再要花几乎90新币才弄了个充电器和八个电池，比国内贵了一倍吧。

下面是清单：

- Pentax K200D
- Pentax K200D Kit Lens 18-55mm
- Pentax remote control
- Kengo UV filter
- Pentax Neck Strap
- Kingston 2GB SDHC
- USB Cable to PC + Cable to TV
- Pentax Bag
- Tripod
- 1 x Battery + Battery charger

选择宾得没有什么理由，自己不是哪一个牌子的死忠，差点买了Seb的Nikon D60，他说新手不妨试试宾得的K10D，所以才转到宾得，发现二手的价钱比较低，所以才淘到这款K200D。机子来的时候一开机就是有振动，询问过Farish后才知道这是自己除尘功能，他建议要默认开着，要不然到时候送去清理机身更加破费。遇到的这两位“机友”都不错，虽然没有见面。那句“要他破产，就让他玩单反”确实印证在我身上，现在在寻找18-200+的镜头，估计要等下个月粮出了才真正有点入手的可能性。现在水平的认知就是希望弄个“全焦段”的镜头和一个适合拍人像的定焦大光圈镜头，比如说小痰盂。

English Corner at James & Carole’s

Aug 28, 2009
Bruce and the Spider

A long time ago there lived a King of Scotland named Robert Bruce. He was a greatly troubled man because his country was at war with England and the English were winning. In battle after battle they drove back the Scottish army until at last the King himself had to retreat to the mountains to save his life.

Wandering desperately through the mountain forests, could and hungry and exhausted, at last the King found a miserable little wooden hut empty and deserted. Glad of any kind of shelter, he lay down on the floor of the hut in deep despair.

‘There is no use in going on,’ he thought. ‘The enemy has thrown back our armies six times. We can never repulse them. I have failed my people. I might as well give up.’

At that moment the King noticed a little gay spider spinning a long thread from one of the rafters. The spider swung along on the thread in an effort to attach the other end to another rafter so he could start spinning his web. But the thread broke and the spider fell to the floor of the hut.

A little dazed perhaps, but with no hesitation at all, the spider climbed up the wall and began spinning again. He kept patiently at it until the thread was long enough. Then he again swung himself to the end of it and tried once more to attach it to the rafter across the corner. But again the spider fell to the floor.

And once more he climbed up and began again.

Six times the spider’s thread broke. Six times he fell to the ground. Six times he began. Six times he failed.

Robert Bruce, the King of Scotland, watched in fascination. He became so absorbed in the little spider’s efforts that for a time he forgot his own troubles.

The spider did not give up even when he failed for the sixth time. He just tried again, and this time, on the seventh try, he was successful. The end of the thread held! The spider attached it to the far rafter and began spinning this web.

Robert Bruce arose and bowed low to the tiny gray creature. ‘O little spider!’ he cried.

‘You have taught me a wonderful lesson in patience and persistence. You were not ready to give up, as I was. No matter how often you failed, you were always willing to try again. Perhaps I too shall win if I keep on trying.’

And so, though he was still cold and hungry and weary, he was no longer disheartened. Watching the spider had given him new strength and courage. He buckled on his sword, gathered together his scattered armies and, with the example of the courageous spider to inspire him, King Robert Bruce led his men, on the seventh try, to victory.

For discussion:
1. Can any worthwhile goal ever be achieved without patience? Give an example of a goal that obviously needs patience to achieve.
2. Give an example of patient & impatient behavior in the following situations: waiting for the bus, dealing with a difficult customer, teaching a student who is a slow learner.
3. Think of some of the advantages of being patient. What are some disadvantages to being impatient?
4. Can you think of a situation where you showed patience and your patience was rewarded? Now try to think of a situation where impatience led you to trouble or difficulty.
5. Think about how patience is helpful in the following areas of life: schooling, raising children, working at your job. Give examples.
6. Would you rather be friends with a patient or an impatient person?

Beyond – 海阔天空