ON PHOTOS ~ True Love...

Last month I mentioned that my folks acted as spoilers announcing in advance that they planned to give me a new camera for Christmas. The above camera is what I asked for and is what they generously bought for me. But I didn't tell you why they were inspired to buy it for me.

Back in the fall, we gathered at their home in CT along with my brother and his wife to do a group celebration of various birthdays and anniversaries amongst us. During the weekend we decided to go visit a new Science Center Museum since the weather was crummy and didn't lend itself well to leaf peeping. As usual, I brought along my trusty camera to take photos of my family as well as to use for a potential future post for my job at the UpTake Attractions Blog. I took about 100 photos.

I had a great one of my mom and dad in their 3D glasses going into a cool film about the sun. I had funny ones of our Bumble throughout various exhibits. Andy made his usual appearances, posing on demand like the tolerant sweetheart that he is. I managed to snap one of my brother without his tongue sticking out. And my sister-in-law having fun in the gift shop feeling like a kid with the toys. I had beautiful ones of the architecture in the very cool space. And I had interesting ones showing how enjoyable the facility was for visitors of all ages. It was a grand success.

We went out to dinner and had a delicious meal, during which time I switched out my camera card for a fresh one. My camera was quite old and so the cards had a very small capacity. I took more photos of everyone enjoying their meal and a few of the restaurant in the event I could provide a guest post to the UpTake Restaurants Blog. As we were leaving we ducked out into the rain and turned the corner to retrieve our cars in the garage. I took out my camera one last time for a photo of the front of the restaurant and began to tuck it back into my camera bag while walking into the garage. And then, I slipped.

I lost my balance on a storm grate and my open camera bag draped over my shoulder flew in the air and my camera card fell out and right down into the drain. Not just any spare camera card. THE camera card. The one with those 100 photos of my family. The one with the images needed for the attractions post. All I was left with were a few pictures in my camera from our dinner.

I was beside myself. I was so upset, shocked, angry, flustered - that I didn't know what to do other than swear and sulk all the way home. It was then that I realized how important taking photos are to me. These weren't pictures from someone's wedding or a vacation. They were just random photos. But they were MY photos. They were MY memories. They were MY reflections. And I felt like a part of me had been destroyed down the wet drain along with them.

So my parents decided that I deserved a new camera. One with a large capacity card. One that didn't need batteries switched out constantly. One that could fit in a pocket instead of a case. Something to make me excited about my photos again.

I love my new camera. I'm still learning which settings work best when, and how to work all the bells and whistles. But I know that eventually it will be as comfortable and second nature to me as my last one. And I can keep sharing my view of things with all of you. Thanks mom & dad XOXOXOXOXO!

Tedy's not all that happy about it though...