I’m antsy in a way I haven’t been since I believed in Santa Claus. This year for my birthday my family members pooled their money to allow me to purchase my first ever big-girl camera. Well, the first I’ve owned since the ancient Minolta I perma-borrowed from my parents when I was on my high school newspaper staff, then handed over to my brother when I graduated and no longer had daily darkroom access.
I ordered my new toy over a week ago, and it’s still in transit, which means that I’ve been checking shipping information every three hours, just in case the package mysteriously traveled from Secaucus, NJ to my corner of the southwestern U.S. in less time than it would take for me to watch Anne of Green Gables for the seventy-eighth time. (<– An estimation. Probably a low one.) I’m actually squirming with impatience.
Too bad, since according to UPS, which is now employing an especially slow breed of Peruvian snail to deliver all its packages, my camera should arrive Monday evening. That’s a whole weekend and several full week days from now. The good news is that the filters I ordered to go with it have already arrived, so I can fondle them and dream of pictures to come whenever I’m tempted to check the tracking information yet again.
Out of the two filters I ordered, the one below is my preference, not because of its spectacular performance — it’s still sealed in its case — but because of the packaging. And what, ladies and gentlemen, do you think this amazing filter might do? Go ahead. Take a guess.
Yes, that’s right! This special filter adds a hat!
Oh, wait. No it doesn’t. It has something to do with UV rays. Um. Yeah. That’s right. Too bad, since that blue hat is pretty snazzy, I must say.
As much as that amuses me (and, oh, does it ever) I have plans to do more than gaze adoringly at my filters and check the UPS website for the quadrillionth time. My mother has informed my father (who also has a June birthday) and me that we are to be spirited away to a mysterious location tomorrow evening. I’ve been given strict instructions on when to show up and what to wear, but no other clues as to the occasion. I’m up for about anything as long as it’s not skydiving; I draw the line when a flimsy piece of fabric is all that stands between me and the pull of gravity from a great distance. With most mothers this would not be a concern, but this is the woman who took me hot air ballooning for one birthday and requested a canyoneering trip, complete with two rappels over 100 feet each, for Mother’s Day a few years ago. Nothing is beyond her, which I admit is kind of fun.
My other big plan for the weekend involves skidding into Monday morning’s SoCNoC deadline with an unimpressive number of words written for the month. So far I’ve managed just over half of the 50,000 required, so unless I develop an unprecedented amount of discipline and creativity and an unhealthy reliance on caffeine, I’m not going to make the official word count. Which is fine, since I’d rather take my time now than untangle a hurried manuscript later. Anyway, I did warn everyone that I’m writing at my own pace, even if said pace currently feels slower than the slothful snails who’ve been holding my brand new Nikon hostage.
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Cynthia said,
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I feel your pain. UPS here is so slow I think the pony express would be faster and certainly more entertaining I mean come on, who wouldn’t want a pony? I also find that the tracking usually upsets me more than it should, especially when the package goes 200 miles out of it’s way after practically driving by the house first.
Oh and the filter, it doesn’t just add a hat it seems to improve the mood of your model.
Have fun with your new toys and good luck with SocNoc (you’re doing better than I am).
heidikins said,
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Gasp! I am so excited for you!!! I want a Big Girl camera SO badly…too bad my birthday isn’t until February. Grrr.
I can’t wait to see what pictures you take and how many of them add hats…I mean, don’t have UV rays. (?)
xox
emily said,
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 6:23 pm
brand new Nikon?! wowsers, i do hope you’ll tell us more about this!
Caryn said,
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Cynthia, when I was little I threw a holy temper tantrum because I wanted a pony, and no amount of logic on my parents’ part would convince me that I should not, could not have a horse. So I agree — it *would* be nice. Still. And I had to laugh, because I noticed her uplifted mood, too. I didn’t know that filters could make people so happy.
Heidi, time to start lobbying! Or you could ask for it for Christmas.
Emily, I’m certain you’ll see tons of pictures from it very soon. I can’t wait to take it for a test run…uh, walk.
Kyle said,
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I’ve always wanted one of those really professional cameras! JEALOUS! Be sure to get lots of good use out of it…!!!
Don’t worry about the word count. As long as you felt you did your best, and produced quality work instead of just throwing stuff together to make the number, then that’s all that matters! Good for you!
Have fun on your surprise birthday adventure!
Katie said,
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I think the second picture (which that AMAZING filter added the cute cap to) is over-exposed. I think you should send it back immediately, and ask them to replace it with one that adds a pope’s hat (mitre?) instead.
Really though…Yea, Caryn! Can’t wait until it gets here, so we can go for a photographic (testing) expedition!
Amy said,
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I’m obsessive about those “track packages” things! Obsessive.
LOL on the lens that adds a hat. Sometimes the packing for stuff really cracks me up.
I, too am going to slide into SoCNoC’s deadline with a less than impressive showing. BUT I’m happy with what I’ve written so far. Unlike my NaNo book, which is still a muddly mess.
Cannot WAIT to hear what the birthday adventure is!
Caryn said,
Friday, June 27, 2008 at 9:45 am
Kyle, I’ve been drooling over DSLRs ever since I knew they existed, and I think my family knows it! And thanks for the good thoughts on the word count and the birthday adventure.
Katie, I’m up for it. As soon as my camera arrives and I get that battery charged, I’m out the door with it and ready to take it for a test run. I’ll even take a picture of you with the special filter so that you, too, can have a hat like that.
Amy, I am, too, even if it’s something I’m not as excited about. As for your SoCNoC showing, at least you got a lot more written than you originally had, so that’s something. I did it for the motivation, and it did help. Good luck with your WIP!
Larramie said,
Friday, June 27, 2008 at 10:20 am
CONFESSION: I find the UPS Tracking system most entertaining and incredibly accurate. How do they do it?!
virginia said,
Friday, June 27, 2008 at 12:36 pm
i love new toys! when i got a new camera earlier this year i used it non-stop for days.
have a great weekend!
Mary said,
Friday, June 27, 2008 at 3:23 pm
That special filter also improves the subject’s mood and pose. It’s the Happy Filter!
Enjoy your mystery celebration!
Pam said,
Friday, June 27, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Ooh–that is one pretty camera. Is one of your other filters one that adds a beard to everybody? That’d be cool.
Yes, please–need a post on the birthday celebration. That is, unless we’ve already seen it on TMZ.com or America’s Most Outrageous Moments.
Caryn said,
Friday, June 27, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Larramie, I agree. I only wish they could do what they do a little faster, is all. Especially when I’m excited about what’s coming.
Virgina, that’s probably what I’ll do, too. You have a good weekend as well!
No kidding, Mary! Isn’t it great? I’m so glad I have one that can do such a thing. A Happy Filter of my very own. How nice.
LOL, Pam. I should see. Adding beards could be fun. And, yes, I’ll have to fill everyone in on the celebration. I leave for it in 14 minutes.
Barrie Summy said,
Friday, June 27, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I am dying to see some pics taken by your new toy! And what a creative mom you have! Happy June Birthday!
bookmom said,
Friday, June 27, 2008 at 5:50 pm
UPS needs to figure out how to do molecular transfers so that we can get out packages NOW. *G* Good luck with the mystery trip and waiting for your camera. *G*
Robin said,
Friday, June 27, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Can’t wait to see the pictures you’re going to take! And do fill us in on your surprise this evening! Your mom sounds as adventuresome as your hubby. You’re surrounded!
Mizzz_K said,
Friday, June 27, 2008 at 9:11 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Even if I am a little late.
Dru said,
Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 5:37 am
That’s one of the things I like is waiting around for the delivery status to show up and then waiting around for the UPS guy to show up.
Dru said,
Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 5:37 am
oh, Happy Belated Birthday!
Susan Hatler said,
Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 9:20 am
Caffeine is my friend today as well. I’ll send good thoughts to the snails to get a move with that precious package. Sometimes you just need overnight delivery, you know? Happy b-day!
alyson noel said,
Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 9:33 am
Happy B-day!! Enjoy your camera! I bought my husband a “big, er, boy” camera for xmas- he loves it!
Caryn said,
Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Believe me, Barry, I’m dying to share them! And, yes, I do love her creativity.
An excellent idea, Bookmom. Maybe you should figure it out, then sell the idea to UPS and make a fortune. Sounds like a good plan.
Robin, I’ll fill people in on my next post, if not sooner.
Thanks, Mizzz_K! And, no, you’re not too late. It’s still June, after all.
So true. Which reminds me — I haven’t checked the tracking info yet today. Oh, and thanks for the birthday wishes!
Thanks, Susan! And you can’t imagine how tempted I was to get overnight delivery, just so I could get it a few days faster, despite the cost. Of course, today I’m wishing that I had.
Thanks, Alyson! Glad to hear your husband loves his new camera, too. I bet he’s gotten some wonderful photos with it.
Soleil Noir said,
Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 5:19 pm
That is one sexy Camera. Too bad about the filters, I’m sure the hat would have looked snazzy.
Ilana said,
Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 6:12 am
bookmom – A transporter would be such an awesome thing. Imagine how it would change travel and commuting!
Happy Birthday Caryn!
Lainey Bancroft said,
Monday, June 30, 2008 at 7:20 am
Awe. What a cool mommy you have!
Happy birthday to yooouuu!
Kath Calarco said,
Monday, June 30, 2008 at 8:16 am
Happy belated birthday!
Great comparison – slow UPS/not making your writing goal. No matter when the camera gets to you or how many words you manage, the end product is going to be well worth the slow journey.
Dru said,
Monday, June 30, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Did you get your camera today?
Caryn said,
Monday, June 30, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I totally agree, Soleil. I’m half in love with it already.
Thanks, Ilana!
Lainey, I agree! And thanks for the birthday wishes.
I do hope you’re right, Kath. I’ve certainly put enough into both to get *something* out of them!
I did, Dru! I’ll post some info tomorrow, most likely.
Merry said,
Friday, July 4, 2008 at 10:14 pm
There’s no Santa???