And cool image!

I think this is a good, sharp lens with good color. There's an intangible, a feel with this lens.

And that is a sweet image.

Do you know if it comes in a Nikon mount, or does it need an adapter of some kind?

My favorite is the Sears 50mm 2.0 in the PK mount.

Here's an example:

I like it.

It looks like a Jimmy.

I like the color you got. Definite pop.

That's what I liked. You will see more of this lens come spring.

It only took 3 weeks from the Ukraine. Much faster postage than I expected. The packaging looked messed up, but the lens was undamaged.

So Oscar is his name.

I guess I could take my camera with me when I get radiation, and If I feel good enough I will do a photowalk.

BTW, how did you carry your water? I was thinking of a Sigg bottle in a belt, or going full geek with a camelback.

Fashion reasons.

I used the bottles the water came in mostly. I couldn't tolerate tap water, and was advised against it anyway by my oncologist. Even with a filter, tap water was a no-no.

It was easiest for me to carry a couple of bottles in my pack, and I also kept several in my car, as well as the bottles at home.

I couldn't tolerate cold water, and still don't drink cold drinks of any kind.

Could you tolerate mint teas, or other such things?

I don't like ice water that much, so I guess 5 gal bottles of spring water will be the way to go. I have a friend that owns a bottled water company.

I just bought a small glass spray bottle for biotene.

Just found that a good lefty friend had a heart attack. He's ok, got a stint and a lot of grief for his poor diet. I told him if he cleans up his diet he can fondle my feeding tube. He doesn't know about my cancer. I will let him have his day in the sun before I tell him of my affliction. Until then I will let him try to figure out what I was talking about. He has a dirty mind, so he will think of something and say something rude back at me.

This guy went to prison for refusing to go to war. Amnesty International helped him get set free.

Biotene comes in spray form, as well as rinses. I do sometimes take the rinse along in a small spray bottle though. It's stronger, and can have a bite, depending how your tongue feels that day.

I hope your friend is around to say rude things back to you for a long time.

I stopped using ice when I lived in Germany. Never took the habit back up.

I got around to enjoying hot teas again. Took me about a year to try coffee again, but I could taste tea a few months after I got out of the hospital. Well, it tasted like tea to me then.

Mideastern groceries have the best prices fr bulk teas. One pound for eight dollars is a steal.

My doctor told me it can take up to 2 years for taste buds to get back to normal, but there's the chance that they never will.

In August will be 2 years since my last treatment and mine still aren't.

Drink your tea.

BTW, that's a great movie. Highly recommended.

I guess I will have some curries, some Thai, Mexican, and some Arab foods before my radiation.

prior to treatment, usually is that much worse once the radiation begins, and for some time after. The timeline my doctor gave me for my taste buds to heal was 6-24 months. My tongue is better than it was, just not back to my old tongue. I've a new normal now, but I think even that will improve. More and more, food is tasting like it should.

You'll get a list of foods and drinks to avoid. Anything hot and spicy is on the list. You don't want to aggravate an already sore throat and tongue.

I was on soft foods for a long while. Not bland, just soft. Lightly seasoned. As time went by I increased the seasoning

The thing is, because the taste buds do die, once your tongue can tolerate it, you will need to spice up your food to taste it. You just have to find the balance you can tolerate.

Everyone is different. You'll find your way.

I did eat some of my favorite dishes prior to surgery and treatment.

Thanks for the movie suggestion!

Tampopo - a comedy with some very memorable scenes
Babette's Feast - a wonderful story. This and the next are my favorites.
The Scent of Green Papaya - a quiet movie that tells the story through visuals. Beautiful
Like Water For Chocolate - steamy
Chocolat - just a wonderful story of a woman's creations wins hearts.

BTW, what will happen to my already sparse hair? I've sported a beard since Aug 22, 1969.

Thanks!

Radiation can thin the hair. On the right side, where the radiation was concentrated, I saw some thinning. They also got my left side a couple of times near the end of treatments. No thinning, though. My hair has since bounced back.

Don't know about beards, though. If it can thin hair, and it does, I would think beards would also be in danger.

You might even have to shave it to fit the mask. I don't recall any of the men (patients) sporting facial hair at the Cancer Center.

The mask has to make a very close fit to the skin. It's aligned to direct the radiation where it needs to go. The tech uses it as a guide. They'll mark it and those marks will change as they move about to surrounding areas.

They saved my throat area for last. Very delicate there. They don't want to damage your thyroid or your cervical spine. Both can happen.

The beam is directed and precise, but we are talking radiation. I was told nearly half of all patients who get neck/head/throat radiation develop thyroid issues.

So far, I've tested negative for hypothyroidism. I need to get retested next month. My primary doctor and I have settled on a twice a year testing plan, to get ahead and stay ahead. Unless symptoms arise, then well...I'll take a pill once a day for the rest of my life.