Sunday, July 26, 2009

Lost and Found Department


(Click on the thumbnail for the bigger, better version)

For me, one of the small aggravations of moving was the number of items that were lost. Well, not really lost, but definitely misplaced. And let’s face it, misplaced means you can’t use the darn thing.

One of the casualties was my Canon G7. The camera, charger, and case had simply vanished. I knew it was here someplace, but for the life of me I couldn’t find it. Eventually, my greatest dread became finding it a couple of years from now ruined by an old and leaking battery.

Several days into my recent moving-in marathon, I opened a cabinet and discovered a tote-bag that was suspiciously heavy considering what I first saw was a small tablet, a magazine, a paper napkin (!), and some other odds and ends that I would have used on a road trip. Sure enough, at the bottom of the tote was the leather bag holding the G7. I was even more surprised to find that the battery was still charged and I was able to immediately take some test shots. Because the camera hadn’t been seen in at least eight months, my confidence in the G7 battery shot up a few notches.

I never used the pocket camera a great deal. When I bought it, I had been committed to shooting RAW files for a long time and had suspected that I might find it frustrating to once again shoot jpg’s. Besides, I found it difficult to give up my viewfinder. From the beginning, I carried my bigger camera, unless it was totally impractical. Still, there were times when it was most convenient to put the long strap on my shoulder, or the camera in a jacket pocket and be prepared for casual grab shots.

Friday night turned out to be one of those occasions when it seemed ideal to own such a camera. We were scheduled to go to the BVS Equestrian Center Lounge for a meeting of the Horseman’s Association to hear a talk delivered by a lady-historian whose work we know. Originally, I had been excited about the opportunity to hear the historian’s talk; but, I was still feeling the effects of my work marathon. My back was hurting and I hadn’t slept well the night before. I was close to bailing out, but didn’t.

By the time we got to the Center, I was noticing that the evening was beautiful and I was glad that, on a last minute whim, I had grabbed my handy-dandy pocket camera. It certainly wasn’t an occasion for lugging the 50D. The sight of the light on the building, trees, and grass immediately lifted my spirits and it was easy to make a snapshot.

A few minutes later, we sat mesmerized, while the delightful Gloria Hine Gossard told us tales about the earliest settlers of Bear Valley Springs. The Husband and I were already familiar with Ms. Gossard’s style and passion for history, since a friend had generously given us a copy of her book “Three Valleys of The Tehachapi-Bear, Brite, and Cummings”. Seeing Ms. Gossard in person and hearing stories in her voice brought all the characters even more to life. This lady has lived many decades, yet exudes a “joie de vivre” that would shame someone half her age. Her enthusiasm for her subject and depth of knowledge were inspirational. As the evening went on, I began looking forward to getting a picture of Ms. Gossard; but, she left the gathering while the meeting was in session. As her friend pushed her wheelchair from the room, my heart sank. Some things aren’t meant to be. Still, I wasn’t tired anymore. I had caught some of Gloria Gossard’s vitality.

The photo above was my first snapshot taken with the G7 in our new territory. (And, no, I didn’t boost those greens.) Who knows? I may carry my pocket camera more often now. After all, I may not have gotten a photo of our Bear Valley historian, but at least I got a picture that will remind me of my evening with her.

10 comments:

  1. Wonderful story to go with a wonderful photo. What grand light you captured with your "newly" found camera. Sometimes a reintroducing after an extended absence can almost be as good as a new purchase. The battery still being charged...who would of "thunk" it?

    Often I've thought I would like a good semi-pro pocket camera to carry along with me when a larger camera isn't practical, but I've yet to take any action in that regard.

    The more I hear of your new home and surrounding area the nicer it sounds.

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  2. Earl - You are so right about my pocket camera feeling almost like a new purchase. Opening that recycled case was almost as much fun as opening the box when the camera was new.

    I haven't kept up with the reviews of the latest Canon G series, but some rave reviews led me to the G7. Except for the lack of RAW capability, I am happy. Controls aren't nearly as convenient as those on a D-SLR, but there is quite a lot of flexibility and control available for such a small camera. Overall, I have to say I am glad I added the additional tool for certain types of situations. It works for me.

    There is a lot to like about Bear Valley Springs, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to enjoy living here.

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  3. Yes, a wonderful story of a lovely evening. Soemtimes it's good to not listen to your self to much. Lucky you finding that old compact in one of your boxes, I'd like to have one myself; I have no boxes to look through, though. :)

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  4. Ove - Your comment made me look at this in a different way. You reminded me that I was lucky to have that discovery waiting for me. I think I will enjoy that camera even more now.

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  5. Great story, Anita. It would be just like opening a new package! :-) Lovely light in that picture. Simply lovely. When I looked at the large version of it, I thought: "Cool! She has a Pepsi machine right next to her house!". LOL! Then I realized that it wasn't your house. :-) "Be socialable! Have a Pepsi!"

    Now, if you're wondering where that came from, I'm not quite old enough to remember that commercial, but I have Serius Satellite radio and like listening to old radio shows. On those shows they play a lot of the original commercials and this is one of them. What can I say? Film? Old radio shows? I'm just a walking anachronism!

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  6. Paul - It never occurred to me that at first glance the structure seems to be someone's house. What a nice chuckle.

    I certainly share your nostalgia for so many things, even though I don't feel a pull toward film. (That makes sense, because I have no history with film.) We always had the radio on when I was a kid—listening to music during the day and those wonderful old comedies and dramas in the evening. Accessibility to those old gems makes Serius Satellite sound a bit more appealing.

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  7. What a great find--I can relate, I can relate! I chuckled, because I recently went through this looking for some picnic-ware for an upcoming family gathering. I knew I had the stuff--I couldn't remember where I'd stored it. Frustrating! Glad you found your camera :)

    Sorry to hear you didn't get the photo you were hoping for. Never give up--as long as you have your pocket camera with you, you'll be ready if another opportunity arises.

    Thanks for the story, and I like the photo--impressive for a pocket. Mary Ann

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  8. Mary Ann - It's great to share a laugh with you. I had things in our last house that had been stored in the same place for as long as 15 years. And, I'm supposed to know where they are now? I don't think so.

    Toting this little camera could become a habit. It isn't compact enough for any pocket other than one on a jacket; but, it is sleek and lightweight. It's easy as pie to carry around.

    I am pleased that you like the photo.

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  9. Glad you found that lil cam! Great photo and enjoyed the story too.

    Have been toying with the idea of getting myself one of these too... they have the Canon G10 now. Very tempting!

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  10. Anil - The G10 sounds terrific. I don't think you could go wrong with it. It has RAW capability, the one thing I really miss with the G7. If you do decide to get it, I will be eager to hear how it works for you.

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Anita