Longtime readers know that The Mojo gets bored very easily and has numerous interests. No, I do not have Attention Deficit Disorder! When Wonderwife viewed the requested birthday/Christmas list she looked back and said I need to play with the toys I already have. There goes my hopes for a Ninetendo Wii or X-Box 360. She is right, as usual. I have a lot of new gadgets/toys to play with and I haven’t mastered any of them to truly enjoy effectively. How can I say I am a photographer if I haven’t honed the skills needed to produce quality work? I have at least 50% of my Nikon D50 worked out but know I need to learn more. How much more do I need to learn when my D200 arrives?
I have 2 speed lights for my cameras, a Nikon SB-400 and SB-800. Sure, I can add batteries to them, turn them on and watch the pretty light paint the room but what do all those numbers and abbreviations mean?
My Holga 120mm film camera which I had seen and craved has been used briefly and now collects dust.
Fisheye and Lensbabies lenses were asked for and acquired but used scarcely.
I received a small, one person kayak 3 years ago for Christmas that hasn’t tasted water yet, including the paddle, life jacket, etc.
I asked for and was given a disc golf set that hasn’t smelled fresh air since I stored them away.
Mom knew I wanted a handheld GPS unit for my hikes and geocaching but it has been used sparingly. Then again, hiking has been non-existent due to the heat/drought this year. Valid excuse? I’ll give myself a pass on this one, however, I don’t understand the GPS unit like I should/want.
For 2 years an Ion USB turntable has been waiting like a pet-store puppy in my Amazon wish list and was brought home to me as a surprise thanks to Wonderwife. It has been neglected after I realized it would take time to configure the Audacity software to my Vista machine when the instructions were designed for XP.
I purchased a Camelback water supply backpack for the hiking trips that is dying from non-use and no water.
Using the excuse that we would need one for watching the newborn grow up and document, we plopped down some coin for a Sony digital video camera. I can work out the basics, but again, how much better quality can the videos be? I won’t mention the Adobe Premiere software I bought to help with this and isn’t used. Wait, I just did.
Speaking of Adobe products, we’ve upgraded from the original Creative Suite to just Photoshop CS3 and the new Lightroom. Wonderwife can work them both better than I ever could. Of course, she is highly intelligent and I am not. How much more creative can my photos be if I applied myself? The books I bought to help learn have stiff pages and a strong back because of my disregard, whereas Wonderwife applies that knowledge. I have subscribed to video podcasts on the various subjects of interest but they frankly bore me since I don’t apply it.
Ahh, now there is a gift that keeps on giving. Three years ago I was surprised by WW with a 30GB video iPod that is used daily for music, podcasts, photos and more. I will be sad the day it decides to crap out. Have I mastered the accompanying iTunes software? Not so much. Heck, I have software/hardware to create super-amateur podcasts and the desire but no time.
What the hell is wrong with me that I can’t use and appreciate what I have? I could blame my new daughter for lack of time, but she is only three months old. I’ve had plenty of time to go/do/explore/play! So again, WW is correct. I need to value what I have before I get so frustrated with myself and it all gets listed on eBay, Craigslist or donated to a local charity.
So the next time you are on the hiking trail and you see a guy looking for geocaches with a Nikon camera in one hand, a digicam in the other, a GPS unit around his neck and carrying a camelback behind him and asks if you want to go kayaking or play disc golf all while listening to tunes ripped from vinyl records and transferred to his ipod, just shake your head and smile.
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