This Saturday is a so-called “tax relief” day in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Goods purchased by individuals for personal use are exempt from sales tax for the day. There is a threshold ($1000 for some items, $2500 for others … I’m not certain on the details) so it doesn’t apply to automobiles and such. I’ve convinced myself to take advantage of tax relief, as well as a grand opening sale at a new camera store in Kenmore Square, to purchase a new digital camera. My Canon Powershot S10 is now over 4 years old, has a handful of dead pixels, and the batteries (original Canons and replacement off-brands) barely hold a charge. Plus I’ve been itching for a digital SLR. I had been leaning toward the Canon D10, but I think I’ve changed my mind (and will save a few hundred bucks) by purchasing the Canon EOS 300D (aka the Digital Rebel). We just got one of these cameras a work recently, and I finally got my hands on it today and I’m impressed. I especially like the photo of the firepokers in the new photo gallery I posted this evening. And maybe — just maybe — with a new camera, the photo pages here on the blog will see a little more action. One can never have too much action.
In other news, my hectic schedule prevented me from blogging about the end of the DNC, so I’ll try to keep it short and sweet. Kerry’s acceptance speech was one of the best I’ve seen him deliver, but that’s not saying a lot. He was on message, but he’s not big in the charisma department. The fact the convention didn’t produce a so-called “bounce” in the polls is not all that surprising given how few undecided voters remain for such an early point in an election season. I still think Kerry’s best chance to land a decisive blow in this campaign will be the debates. That is, IF they have any debates. Wouldn’t it be convenient for Bush and the Republicans if a terror(!!) threat forced the cancellation of a debate (or all of them, for that matter). I wouldn’t be surprised. Now the Democrats go back into silent mode while the Olympics will dominate the headlines and the Republicans host their coronation for the emperor. I have a feeling the Republic National Convention in New York City is going to be ugly.
