The day after St Patty's, Father Shea, nursing a headache, rushes to open the rectory door, anxious to stop the loud pounding. As he pulls back the door, one of his parishioners Mrs Flynn pushes past him, crying and screaming, "He's dead Father, he's dead I tell ye." The priest ask who it is that has died and Mrs Flynn answer, "Me blessed, loving husband, Liam himself is who Father. May the Good Laird have mercy on him." The priest is almost in shock, "Aahh, Sweet Mother Jesus, I can't believe it! I've known Liam all me life. We were more than mates, we were brothers and we had a few pints together just last night. Now he's gone. Tell me, did he say anything before he passed on, any final words?" Mrs Flynn, somewhat under control says, "Aye, that he did Father. His last words to me were, "For God's sake Maureen, put down the gun."

I taught photography as a grad assistant at Colorado University. At age 80, still clicking away. We used black and white film, 4x5 in Graflex cameras. Tough work, especially sports because you were lucky to get in 2 snaps at any given "news" moment. (I worked at the Denver Post for a time and rubbed shoulders with Lowell Georgia, I even had the pleasure to teach him how to later push Tri-X to the max) Then, as now, the gifts (talent, whatever you want to call it) determined the outcome... not the equipment or the darkroom. There's no point in being competitive, because gifts are gifts and you can't take personal credit for what you were given. Let's all just have fun and enjoy it as one of life's better joys. Also, I love the no-profanity clause, because profanity is the last refuge of the inarticulate. You don't want to hear from then anyway. Sorry to see some violating the guideline. But really enjoy looking at all your comments and glad I found this site.

All the best,

Ron

I wonder if I am the only one who makes camera and lens purchases based, at least partly, on impressing others.
I live in the woods, on a lake, and when no one can see what I am using, which is most of the time, I could very well get superb pictures with my old Minolta X570 with my 45mm f 2 lens. But, when I am in public, or with my photo friends I sort of want to impress them, and feed my ego, by carrying my high end digital Nikon with super lenses. Again, am I the only Hog with this kind of ego?