New Camera for Christmas

 My DH gave me a new Nikon J1 camera kit for Christmas.  It came with two lenses and a camera case, too.  I am just beginning to figure out how it all works, but thought I would post a some of my first photos with the new set-up.  It's light weight (compared especially to my D80!) and compact.  I think this two lens camera set up will make a great travel system.

Thank you, sweetie.  I love my gift!  (And you.)

Nonie and I spent two nights in Las Vegas right after Christmas.  I tried taking photos I knew would test the new camera to the max, and it came through brilliantly with each and every try.  The above photo shows some of the conservatory floral decorations at the Bellagio, where we stayed.

Nonie

We had some stunning sunsets while we were there.  I took these shots from the window of our room on the 29th floor.  We had a beautiful view over town toward the mountains.

These two shots are of the famous Chihuly ceiling at the Bellagio.  It truly is beautiful.

These two photos were taken at sunrise, again from our room on the 29th floor, facing the Cosmopolitan.  I love the blue streaks!

And here is an early morning reflection.  It was a fun trip, and while only two nights, just enough time for me to spend in Vegas.  We saw O and ate at some great restaurants, did a tiny bit of shopping (really, we did only a tiny bit....not being into bling!) and walked and walked and walked.

Now I will get back to editing my India photos for the next posting.....

Now I will get back to editing my India photos for the next posting.....

Vegas!

Nonie and I had a fast, two night trip to Las Vegas last week. The highlight was seeing two performances of Cirque du Soleil. We saw both Mystere and O, and both were spectacular. I always just sit, slack jawed (but grinning----not an easy look to pull off, but I somehow manage it every time!) and utterly gobsmacked by the spectacular and amazing things happening in front of me. If you ever have a chance to go see a Cirque du Soleil performance, I urge you to run, not walk! It's about the best entertainment money I have ever spent.

Other highlights were seeing all the fancy casinos and the fine dining we did. We had dinner at Michael Mina one night and we opted for the tasting menu. It was wonderful! We were served a Dungeness crab soup that was out of this world. We had a great lunch at Olives, a Todd English restaurant and the panzanella salad I had was fantastic. Real tomatoes....sigh. A real tomato is so rare these days, one that tastes like it grew outdoors in sunlight and was fully ripe, oozing flavor and juiciness when it was plucked. We just don't get them any more.

Our suite at the Bellaigo was all you could ask for----and more! 33rd floor with a stunning view of the mountains, three bathrooms, plasma TV and all the bells and whistles these country girls could ask for....and it was very nicely decorated, not over-the-top Vegas glitz. I felt very pampered and very comfortable.

To be really honest, I do not like Vegas. Don't get me wrong, I had a good time and Nonie was lots of fun to roam The Strip with, but I just don't like it there. I do not gamble and did not see anyone who was gambling who looked to be having a good time. I don't drink much and so I wasn't interested in the bar scene, either. (Besides, the cigar smokers drove us out the one night we did stop to have a Pisco sour at one of the Belliago's bars.) It's just not my sort of town. I'm glad I went but glad I don't have to go back, either!Man, was it hot! About 100 degrees each day. And, no, the fact that it was a dry heat did not make it any more comfortable!