Some misadventures

I went to Chicago this weekend. I had some misadventures. It started when, shortly after arriving, I realized that I had screwed up a bunch of plans I had made for the weekend. Mostly with overbooking Saturday. Little did I know then, but my mix-ups had only just begun.

I flew in Thursday night to go to a Josh Ritter concert with friends (excellent as always - his enthusiasm and smiles do a soul good). Friday I had plans to spend the morning with my friend Sharon. I originally had emailed her I would meet her at 11am. A few days later I had changed the time to 10 am (not realizing I was changing the time) and then showed up at her apartment building at 9:15, apologizing for being 15 minutes late. Right, because who doesn't love guests who are 45 minutes early? I got a cappuchino, she took a shower, and eventually we convened to discuss cameras before heading out for the day.

Now I'm kind of embarassed to describe what exactly went down after this. If you were here, I'd tell you in person, complete with sound effects and hand motions, but to write it out makes it seem so very stupid (plus it seems longer). It was stupid. And accidental. But it still makes me blush and wish it hadn't happened.

Let's just say that through the course of events that morning, a camera lens fell into the river. It was entirely my fault and I still can't believe it happened, although I can still picture the lens tumbling down and plopping in the river. It's very, very embarassing. Please do not think I am that terrible to other people's things. Later I misfed film into the Pentax, and then ripped off the eyepiece to my Polaroid Spectra. Apparently when I'm on a ridiculous roll, I should really sit out the day.

Actually, I'm glad I didn't sit out the day. Sharon and I had a great day in Chicago, talking and laughing. (I don't think it's possible to be truly caught up with that woman. We could talk for days and never get there.) We went to see the fantastic Vivian Maier exhibit at the Cultural Center. Seeing her photos big and in person is the way to do it.

Here are some polaroids I took that day, all after my accident. Hopefully some photos will turn out from my Pentax.

Comments

[mpg]

these are awesome! and i totally can't wait to see Vivian Maier exhibit, 1st thing on my list for next chicago trip :)

[Jessica]

Oh gosh, a lens in the river!? I'm so sorry. Are you OK? Is the lens OK or lost forever? No matter what happened, I hope you don't feel too down on yourself.

My sister dropped a camera in the Snake River when we were kids, and a stranger—a boy about her age—saw it and went in after it! That portion of the snake is about 48 degrees (fahrenheit) year-round, so... kinda chilly. He fished it out, too! Terribly sweet of him, and the memory always makes me smile. So maybe one day, even with all the mishaps, you'll look back on this fondly... maybe in an "aw shucks" kind of way. ;)

[Claire Helene]

Mo! You need to tell me when you are planning to go Chicago!

Jessica, it totally got lost. No one was hurt. The camera was not hurt. Just the lens... There was no getting it. I love that story of yours though!

[Sharon]

Claire I love the pictures--especially the Deli one as it brings memories of the toy camera exhibit we saw when we checked out the Maier exhibit.

Everyone, Claire is not the only guilty party in the camera lens incident. I had planned to review the camera controls and have everything ready for her when she arrived. It's still a newish enough very old camera that I don't know it's operations by heart. I did not have things ready. We tried to wing the operations and it just didn't work. But we're smart and enthusiastic. We tried.

Then the moment came. We both watched the lens become airborne and tumble into the Chicago River. Claire felt horrible. I felt badly for her as I knew she'd think she was totally at fault. I just felt like, "Wow, that was weird to watch." But hey, it was outside of our control. No humans were hurt in the drowning of the lens. That'w what's important. It was worth it to visit and see my young friend!

Love ya!