Sunday, September 27, 2009

Encylopedia Brown and the Case of the Missing Camera

I fucked up.

I got my camera stolen and it is pretty much all my fault. Yesterday we went to a horror/scifi convention and today should have been filled with pictures of all the awesome celebrities we met as well as the regular pictures of the day. But it isn't to be.

While perusing the vendors yesterday, I must have set down my camera and for some CRAZY reason beyond me, walked away with it still there. How you forget something that expensive is way beyond me, but that is what I did. I noticed last night, drove back to the place only to see nobody had turned it in. I went back this morning to give it one more chance, but nothing. My camera is gone. I am eventually going to get a new camera, but never has buying a new piece of electronic equipment felt so empty. I don't deserve one. Yes, it was an accident, but a dumb one.

So, what would have been a fun post is in turn a very sad one. However, I don't want this picture of the day project to have this empty whole in it. So, for the next few days until I get a new camera (Wednesday?), I am going to post an unpublished photo from our Disneyland trip in each day's place. I guess it is cheating as the photo didn't really come from that day, but it is not like I am slacking; it is just not really possible.

So, until then... here is what we are technically calling day 121 and 122.

I hope you know where this is...

September 26, 2009 - Day 121

Boiler Room

September 27, 2009 - Day 122

10 comments:

Miss Sassy Pants said...

My sweet husband... You are beating yourself up so much over an accident. It was a stupid and expensive accident, sure, but not entirely your fault - whoever found it could have been a decent human being and turned it in... What's done is done and this too shall pass. In the mean time, I look forward to reliving our trip and seeing some of the amazing pictures you took.

Mom said...

I love your title. It reminds me of when you used to read the Encyclopedia Brown stories. Anyway, I know it's hard to not blame yourself but expensive item or not, the end result is that it was stolen from you and you most definitely deserve a new one. You wanted a new one anyway and now you can get it and give us more of your awesome photographs.

I was hoping we weren't going to have any "holes" in your photo album and I'm happy to see the Disneyland pics. Both pictures are so different. The black and white of the pirates is absolutely awesome and the blue tint in the Terror Boiler Room is great. I know we don't have the pictures from yesterday but I'm glad you are sharing these pitures with us anyway. They deserve to be seen.

Glad your sister is lending you her camera until you get a new one. Love ya and don't think about the loss anymore. That person is going to get what they deserve.

Nani said...

Manuel dear, I am so sorry you lost your camera. Shit happens. Get over it and get on with your life. It's not like it was an irreplaceable item. The pictures yes, the camera no. You will love your new camera. It will be the silver lining in this dark cloud. I look forward to your first picture with the new one. I love you. Hugs, Nani

Kelly said...

I have a few Encyclopedia Brown books in my classroom library, and I ALWAYS think of you when I see them.

Losing the camera sucks, I agree. Chin up - the new one will be even cooler! :)

laura b. said...

You made a mistake, but the person who didn't do the right thing made one too...and what goes around, comes around. I tend to believe that. Treat yourself to that new camera and do it with pleasure. You totally deserve it and I promise that you will NEVER put it down somewhere and walk away.

By the way...love those pics.

Tara said...

Please don't blame yourself, Manuel. Things happen - it was a horror/sci fi convention, lots of distractions. Blame the insensitive, nasty criminal who stole something that didn't belong to them.

I am so sorry, though, I would be heartbroken.

Jose said...

It is what is the camera is gone and it won't help you beat yourself on the head. For whatever it's worth just think of all those great images it gave you and think of what you'll be getting next and work towards it. And for the fool that did not turn it in may he get nothing but blurry images the SOB. Although I am sure he/she is going "Score".

Churlita said...

What a drag. We all do that stuff. So, I'm sure it sucks, but you can't help being human. I love your replacement pics too.

Sal said...

I've been through this before, and my reaction is always the same: Beat myself up. Always. In fact, the bit about not deserving a new camera hits close to home, as I've said that exact same thing more than once when I've lost something or had something stolen as a result of my own carelessness. In hindsight, beating myself up has never solved anything.

I said this on Facebook but it bears repeating: The loss of your camera isn't a reflection of you as a person. These things happen to all of us. Some people lose their wallets or purses. Some people lose their house keys or, more alarmingly, keys to property that doesn't belong to them. Some people lose laptop computers full of personal data, either their own or work laptops full of clients' personal data.

It's disappointing that whoever found it failed to do the right thing with it, but I hope you won't dwell on them. Get yourself a new camera! Until then, I'm glad you've got (a) a nice backlog of photos from your Disneyland trip and (b) your sister's camera to take new ones.

Day 121 nicely captures one of my favorite parts of one of my favorite theme park rides. The jail cell scene has always been a source of great amusement for me, ever since I was a child. The black and white makes it look like a photograph out of some 1960s-era "behind the scenes" type of book.

Sebastien Millon said...

What a bummer. Losing something valuable usually happens when you are having lots of fun.