I've always admired Dvorak keyboards from afar. But after writing professionally for 15+ years, I know all too well that the speed limit to my writing is in my mind, not my fingers. Still, it must be a good exercise to keep the mind pliable and young. Best of luck.

I would not be surprised. I've heard reports that powersports sales (motorcycles, side-by-side ATVs, personal watercraft, etc...) are booming. Likewise with RVs. It seems that this pandemic is hitting socio-economic classes asymmetrically, and there are brackets that are spending money on toys instead big vacations that they were forced to cancel this year. What does surprise me is the fundamental trust in the economy, that many think they'll get through this pandemic more or less unscathed. Personally, I'm less sanguine, but perhaps that says more about me than anything else...

You forgot to add lenses.

...and the most amazing thing is that in 30 years time, the way we shoot, process, share and experience photos in 2019 will seem positively primordial. I'm trying to eat better so that I can experience that future.

Thanks in part to you, Mike, I'm hooked on watching snooker videos on YouTube. I watch just the highlights, mind you, not full matches (not enough time in the day), which gives me this distorted perception that these pros make nearly every shot. On the rare occasion that I've watched a full match, I've gotten a fuller picture of the game and appreciate now that even the best of the best can flub a shot. That said, Ronnie's a generational talent, with a pace and panache that few seem to have. He's a joy to watch.

They drive their "Pro Grade" GMC trucks to their photo assignment where they use "Pro Grade" equipment. Then they go home and cook dinner on their Viking stove. Me, I confess to taking an odd, perverse joy when my small sensor, consumer level camera (mid-level consumer circa 2016 no less! And sometimes with a kit zoom!) produces a magazine cover or a two-page spread. I usually celebrate with a Guinness and a pizza.

Yes.

I always considered the turbocharged Lotus Esprit a "four cylinder Ferarri". I loved the brutally angular shape from the 70s; the mid-80s refresh softened the edges, much to my chagrin.

Another vote for Timbuk2. I've had their Snoop Messenger bag with a padded camera insert for 10+ years. They are water resistant and discreet. They are narrow - the better to squeeze through crowds with - but because of that they don't stand up on their own. The bag material is tough and stiff at first but softens up nicely through the years. I have the medium, which will hold the G9 + the two F2.8 zooms with some space and depth left over for a water bottle and snacks. A small might be better just for your kit.

I agree with those that think OCOLOY (makes a nice acronym, methinks) is a a good exercise for newer photographers. But for more experienced photographers, it's akin to saying, "I'm going to write songs using this one note." Instead, I endeavor to work on projects where I pick a subject or topic and make that the focus of my intentional photography for a period of time. These projects give me an excuse to get out there and photograph, give me time to study a subject in more depth, and at the end give me a collection of images that are tied together. I have not selected a subject for this year yet, but I've got some ideas that I'm working on...

My best camera of 2018 were the cameras I bought in 2016 - a pair of Lumix GX85s. They were workhorses this year and landed me a magazine cover as well as some nice two-page spreads. As the old aphorism goes, "The best camera is the one whose cost you have already amortized."

Mine just arrived today and I'm looking outside longingly at the low, golden, winter light while unfortunately screwed to my desk... [I resemble that remark! --Mike]

When I went from SF to NYC on a Zero DSR electric motorcycle in 2016, I spent a total of $42.73 in charging fees to travel 3,682 miles. That's $.0116 per mile. My Honda S2000 is likely the last gas-powered car that I will own.

UPDATE: I caved. G9 + 8-18 ordered with the link. It only took me $1800 to "save" $1000! Thanks, Mike!

I just recently discussed Solo: A Star Was Story with a sci-fi friend of mine and noted that writing prequels must be an odd writing assignment; you know the end-point and have to write the backstory to get there. Perhaps if you wrote your stories in reverse?

I am trying really hard to resist the siren call of the heavily discounted G9. You are not helping, Mike. Rest assured though, that if I do cave, I'll use your link...

I disagree, kind of. Photography is such a big tent that Comdico's comment applies to different genres in different measures. Sports and action most definitely benefit from improvements in AF, low-light performance, and camera speed. Likewise, wildlife, astrophotography, and macrophotography benefit from technology. I'd consider those genres more dependent upon craft and technology than other genres. In other genres - art, portraiture, street, etc... - the power of the subconscious separates the good from the truly great and those pursuing technology to it's own end are not seeing the forest for the trees. In these genres, I agree with Comdico wholeheartedly.

I'm actually more interested in hearing about the new DJI Mavic Pro 2 drone with 1" Hasselblad-branded sensor tomorrow than I am about the new Nikons...

FWIW, the original Pentax Q had a 1/2.3" sensor, as did the second iteration. But the Q7 and Q-S1 have a larger 1/1.7" sensor and a proportional increase in image quality. https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmflores/albums/72157693114784030 It's a shame (but understandable) that the Q lineup is all but dead. It's a fun piece of kit with a good lens lineup; a modern day Auto 110. I'm hoping for a zombie-like revival.

A couple of years ago I was at the holiday party of a friend, a professional photog. The place was crawling with other pros (and motorcyclists*) and later in the evening a fresh-faced college-age kid walked in and said that they wanted to become a photographer. The room took a deep breathe as we each considered whether to be encouraging or to tell the truth. * In my social circles there's a high correlation between photography and motorcycles.

Pentax K-1 + FA43 + a fistful of old Takumars and M-Primes

The only dinosaur that I want to be is a bird, thus the affinity for increasingly anachronistic motorcycles.

Timely post, Mike. I was big computer gamer as a kid but gave them up because I had no self-control. But every once in a while I fall into one. I just fell into a smartphone game as a way of connecting with my godson. I'm part of his "clan" and we play a bit together and text each other about it. But I play it way more than I'd like to admit. "Just one more game" is an oft-repeated thought. I tell myself that I should spend my time on more tangible things like running, writing, and photography but when I'm feeling existential, I wonder if more tangible activities are in fact "better." My adult niece and nephew play another game and have teammates from around the world. They have, in effect, a virtual community, which is kind of cool. Where am I going with this? I don't know, but now I gotta go and play that game. Just one more game.

The one thing that I like about SUVs is that I can use my favorite word when discussing them - avoirdupois.

This is a common problem, taking a corporate design language, applying it obsessively throughout the lineup and finding out that the design doesn't scale well. The "flame surface" BMWs of the Chris Bangle era works great on the 5 Series but the tension in the surfaces did not hold up in the larger 7 series and the style fell flat. Likewise, the grill on that Lexus is actually nice on the smaller sedans but you can't just put in a photocopier and paste it onto a hulking SUV. And the Acura beak? It didn't look good at any size, and this is coming from a Honda guy. Thankfully, the design has evolved and matured.