Thursday, January 12, 2012
Picture This
The halls were still cheerfully decked with the last vestiges of Christmas and we stopped to savor the view of Main Street, snapping a couple of pictures together overlooking the giant tree and the snow-covered Sleeping Beauty Castle.
From there, we visited Tomorrowland, where Erin got to enjoy her first experience with the all-new Star Tours before I went and kicked her butt on the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. I kept my camera in hand while roaming, just in case there was an unexpected photo opportunity, but distinctly remember shoving it into my bag just before the lap bar came down on my head.
By the time we got done with Buzz Lightyear, starvation was setting in and we went off in search of nourishment.
There were exactly two attractions my sister wanted to see that day. Everything else was just an added bonus. The first was It's a Small World, which is BEAUTIFUL at holiday time. So, after lunch, we made our way to Fantasyland and got in line.
We were near the front of the line when I reached into my bag to retrieve my camera, knowing there were a couple of photos I really wanted to snap inside the ride.
The camera wasn't there.
Erin was sure I'd just missed it, so I checked again.
Nothing.
I tried not to cry.
Our boat arrived and we climbed in and she asked if I wanted her to check in case there was some cranny the camera had slipped into that my panic-stricken self had missed. I flopped the bag onto her lap and insisted the camera was gone.
And then I tried my best to enjoy my one and only visit to It's a Small World for the 2011 holiday season.
It wasn't exactly a merry voyage.
Mentally retracing my steps and trying to think if I had just left the camera somewhere, I knew in my heart that it was gone. You see, just that morning when I was sticking it in my bag before we left the house, a voice whispered that if I took it with me, I'd never see it again.
I know that sounds crazy, but I swear it's true.
And while we were in line for the Astro Blasters, I inexplicably found myself thinking about those pictures people leave on their digital cameras where they're holding up signs that say things like, "Thank you for finding my camera. Feel free to keep it, but will you PLEASE send me back the memory card?"
The thought came to my head from nowhere, and I just kept thinking that I really needed to do one of those pictures.
And then my camera was gone.
I was devastated.
But also had an unexpected thought that brought a reluctant smile to my face.
Now I can get the camera I wanted.
You see, that Sony Cybershot I had was a gift. A gift from someone in my past. It wasn't the camera I chose. It was the camera he thought I should have.
And it was a great camera. I have practically zero complaints about that lovely pink Cybershot that had 800+ images on the memory card (most of which are backed up on my computer), all of which are in the hands of some stranger that I desperately hope was a teenage girl who promptly erased the whole thing instead of a creepy perv who is enjoying those pictures of my gorgeous sister.
But the camera I would have bought myself was the Nikon Coolpix.
A year ago, I was given two Amazon gift cards, totaling $65. And the other day, I earned another $40 to Amazon for a sponsored post I wrote.
I had grand plans for all that Amazon cash. And almost spent it at least a dozen times over the past twelve months. But something always stopped me. Every single time.
The Nikon Coolpix is on sale. It's temporarily out of stock, but it's on sale. And I've ordered it. And because of that great sale, I still have some of those beautiful Amazon dollars left.
I'm mad that someone has my camera. That no one saw fit to turn it in at Lost and Found. I've never been one to believe in that notion of "finders keepers" unless a thing truly cannot be returned to its rightful owner.
But at least I can console myself with the camera I wanted in the first place.
You are awesome. And if you share this post, you'll be even awesomer!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
At least you're getting a new one for free! Nikons are good cameras.
ReplyDeleteThat pisses me off for you! Especially when you lose something such as a camera at Disneyland, of all places. It's supposed to be the happiest place on earth and someone can't turn the darn thing in to Lost and Found??
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, you'll love the Nikon! I have the Coolpix S8000 and it's amazing!!!
Wow. I can't believe you had those thoughts and promptings. That is pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got your new camera. One less thing to remind you of "P". I'm assuming that's who bought it for you. ;)
Yay! I'm glad you finally spent your gift cards!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your camera, but yay for the new one that you really wanted. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm happy and annoyed for you. But mostly happy. That camera seems perfect.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it so bittersweet when someone gives you something you want, but it's something you would really have rather picked out for yourself?
I would have cried if I lost my camera. I can't function without a camera....but I'm glad you will get the one you wanted and it'll feel like you're not really buying it...which is the best! Enjoy the new camera and TAKE PICTURES this year!
ReplyDeleteOh man, that stinks to have lost your camera. I hope nobody creepy found it, too! But, now get to have the camera you really want. My camera just died this past week, and it's horrible to be without it!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Nikon Coolpix are great cameras! I'm sorry your other one is gone, but you'll love this one.
ReplyDeleteSuch a bummer about your camera! My husband lost his hat and sunglasses on a ride. (Idiot! Always put them in the backpack!!!) We filled out a form, but thought it was useless since his sunglasses were pretty expensive. But about six weeks later we got a package in the mail and there it all was! If you haven’t yet contacted Disney lost and found, try that and you may just get it back...eventually. I’d like to think people were friendly and honest at least at the most magical place on Earth!
ReplyDeleteI lost my wallet AGAIN today. This is the third time I've done this, in as many months. And all three times, someone has turned it in. My luck WILL run out.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great camera!
God works in mysterious ways...even if it is just a camera. lol!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it worked itself out in the end! I hope you love your new camera!
ReplyDeleteI lost my camera a few weeks ago, but I knew it was in the house somewhere at least. I found it in the craziest place, waaaaay in the back of a drawer in the living room. I have NO idea how it got there. Sucks that you lost yours, but I'm glad you are getting the one you really wanted now!
ReplyDeleteUgh, that's so annoying! But thank goodness for a silver lining! I hope everything works out.
ReplyDeleteNikons are goooood. I take it as a great opportunity to upgrade. Hope you like your new camera (though it's sad that the memory card of yours is still MIA).
ReplyDeleteSorry you lost the camera, and double-sorry you have no photos of Disneyland to post here.
ReplyDeleteI used to love and live at Disneyland. Haven't been there since 1994 and probably will never be inside the gates of The Magic Kingdom ever again.
The next time you're going to go, please let me know in advance and I'll tell you where I scratched my friend's initials (K.R.A. - Kelly Rey Anderson) in 1986, the year he killed himself.
You can tell me if his initials are still there... if you will look and report back for me.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Nothing worse than losing a camera full of photos. So glad most were uploaded to your computer. I have a Nikon coolpix (red, too!) and love it. Though I let my college age daughter take it because it's smaller and portable than her Panasonic Lumix, which I also love. Enjoy your new camera!
ReplyDeletePS Same daughter lost a cellphone at DisneyWorld and we never saw it again. I felt the same way you do about the "Happiest Place on Earth"...
d.land is my fave place in the world, no joke. that sucks about your camera!! i had that happen to me but was luckier. at least you're looking on the brightside.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry to hear about your camera :( And you're right... it's never about the camera itself; it's the memories you have on that card that matter the most. I had a camera stolen once in Italy, but it was on my first day of the trip. I was so upset at the time, but consider myself lucky in hindsight. If I had lost all my pictures, I would have been devastated.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear you can finally get the camera of your dreams now! And it sure is a beauty :)
Good for you on looking at the positive. Now you make me want to go get a new camera.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen - haven't peeked at your world for a while now, and it seems you've had a few - intersting - weeks. Dont give up hope. There are honest people around. And for the times when relying on others' honesty lets you down - insurance.
ReplyDeleteKeep smiling, girl.
BTW - never having been to Disneyland myself, I didn't know that adults visited it. Oh, and hopefully I didn't insult you by calling you an adult.
What a bummer. It's always the photos you miss, isn't it? A couple of years ago I did a race in New Orleans where everyone, including boys, including me and my male friends, all wore a red dress and walked 3 miles through the streets of the city. I took A TON of photos. The next day, I went to the zoo, where I took a ton of photos. That evening my boyfriend left my camera in the car. I was SOOOO bummed. I felt like my memories were gone. BUT, he felt bad and bought me a much more updated camera. So I guess it was good in the end! But darn it, I STILL want those pictures back!
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of that Nationwide commercial where the guy totals his car but "all in all it's a pretty good day" because the Nationwide nerd saved his coffee.
ReplyDeleteOnly this is much better! Yay for a new camera!