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Monday, June 15, 2009

I ALMOST DIED THE OTHER DAY

Last summer I came out to Atlanta for a week before heading up to NY, for my annual "If I don't go somewhere I'm going to lose my mind" travels. I hadn't been here for a while and had all kinds of shit stored down in my moms basement. Records, shoes, clothes, toys, books, photos, drawings, other stuff I should have junked before shipping cross country. I had been without these things for so long I was only interested in cashing out some of my collectibles and grabbing some clothes. Since I moved back to SF while on vacation and was feeling my new minimalistic zen lifestyle. As they say out of sight, out of mind. I didn't need that stuff I had done fine without. One thing that was on my mind was my photography binder of negatives. I had negatives from film I shot back in 96 to 99. I had been thinking about them for over a year. I couldn't remember what was on them, just that I needed them. I thought I shipped them back in the box of slides, video tapes and who knows what.

So this time the folder of negative was on the top of my list. The first chance I had, I tore into the basement closet and inspected each box. Nothing. Well there was something, but it wasn't what I was looking for. Some shoes, hats, old papers and books. I'm sure I sounded like I was going to cry when I told my mom that I couldn't find it. She told me to try out side under the deck. That sounded like a recipe for disaster, even if it was covered. The humidity in the south is thick. I was scared the negative might be stuck to the plastic sheets or even worse not there at all. I went down there and found a box of toys, a box of clothes, and 4 or 5 boxes of shoes. Not shoe boxes, but boxes of shoes without boxes. Probably 8 to 10 pairs each. That was a little surprising. Like I said out of sight, out of mind. Who cares about that though, I needed those negatives. Luckily they were in the box with the toys (Tupac doll, Mac Dre bobble head, tiny sneakers, airsoft uzi). I even had this old large format Kodak my brother bought of a crack head. I don't know if I can use it, but it will look good with the collection.

I can't wait to print some of these out. Its crazy. We were just babies. Skating, drinking, and just hanging out. I just regret not taking more photos.

Friday, June 5, 2009

CAMERA CRAZE

I, I, I.... I got the Internet going nuts. Yeah right. I do have a problem with collecting cameras right now, but only for the low. I've been on the hunt, cruising swap meets, haggling deals, and sniping auctions. Point and shoots for all occasions. Hanni put me up on game of whats said to be more "epic" than the T4. We shall see. Just in case I got 2 for a good price. I love the Olympus XA series. Little batteries, hand wound, removable flash, can't beat it. All I need is the XA4 to complete the set, but the prices are to craze for me. Came up on a couple macro camera for getting all up in your grill and being in focus. More for taking photos of the baby and getting all up in his grill. Can't wait to see how my test shots came out. Ando gave me a Polariod land camera I can't wait to get some instant film for. Last but not least, a Canon sure shot ACE with a top view finder for only 2 bucks. The Goodwill in SLO was quite the come up. Can't wait for my next round of processing.


This is not the full group shot, a few are in various backpacks and diaper bags so I'm always ready for war.