Stuff doesn’t help
Buying stuff doesn't help. It doesn't make you better, happier, or more productive.
But the call to buy stuff is so damn powerful. I'm looking at the new Canon 5D and I want to buy it so bad I can taste it. This is the digital SLR I've been waiting for. This is what I wanted. A body the size of the Elan7 (or there abouts) with a full frame sensor a big, bright viewfinder, and low digital noise.
I know, I just know, that spending $3,300 on a DSLR will be worthless. It won't help my photography, it won't fill that void that I have.
I've become very discouraged with my photography as of late. Two wonderful days this week and I've not gone out and shot anything. These are days I was dreaming of when I was shooting in the 90 deg heat with the Holgaroid (or in the 30 deg cold with the Holgaroid this spring). I feel like I can't produce anything of value. I feel limited by the Stylus Epic I have in my bag because the composistions that come out of it are so crappy. I feel like my Holga work is a joke.
And I feel silly for navel gazing in this post. Even though it is my domain and my blog, I feel like a stereotype.
So, back on topic. Buying stuff doesn't help. Sometimes I try to fill the void with CDs or DVDs or computer hardware, but I always end up back at the same spot: Need more, need better, am not complete without.
Mean while, the rest of the world is living on $2-3 a day; I can't "survive' on a couple hundred a week.
*sigh*
Back in the saddle
Last Thursday (August 18th) I took delivery of a new bike. A Trek 7500 hybrid. It's half mountain bike (straight handle bars, front shocks) and half road bike (narrow tires, less rugged frame).
helloheather once asked if she thought I would lose "cred" by giving up on road bikes and I said, at the time, I didn't think so. But now I realize that those feelings were a larger part of my inability to decide on a bike than I originally had suspected.
There is something to be said for taking the "easy" route, whimping out, and going for comfort. I did say that I could never ride and up-right bike because I would feel like a wall trying to push against the wind. But times and bodies change, and I've reached a point where I would rather ride with more comfort than not ride at all. I've not riden a bike in over 2 years and it's been way way too long.
Last night helloheather and I went out for a 30 minute ride. It was nice. The weather was cool and I got to get used to my bike. I'm still not 100% I made the right purchase, but it did at least feel good to get out again. I hope to make it out a couple times a week before it gets too cold.
No photos of the bike yet, I've been too busy in the eveings, but the above link should provide a good feel for what it looks like.