Thursday, June 26, 2008

Rest In Peace, Dear Digital Camera

My camera is dead and I'm plumb sick about it.

I don't think I've mentioned it here on the blog, but back in April I was fortunate enough to find a good deal on a new digital camera at Wal*mart. I'd received a small installment payment on my back pay from my disability and just happened to have the money to buy the camera, which is a rare thing for me. Usually if I luck up on a good deal I don't have any money, and the reverse is usually also true.

Anyway, my last camera was given to me by my brother in law Johnny and my sister DONNA. It was a Ko*dak Easy*share and it made really good pictures. I'm not the best photographer in the world by any stretch of the imagination, but even I managed to take some pretty good shots with it and I was more than satisfied with it.

But that first camera was several years old and was beginning to have some issues, not the least of which was that the shutter over the lens would stick half-closed and I wouldn't notice it until I'd already taken several pictures. Bummer. So I was in the market for a new camera although I didn't think I'd find one I could afford any time soon.

But as I said, back in April I got a good deal on a new Ko*dak Easy*share and I bought one just like the one in the picture above. I knew I liked the old camera and the new one was a step up in quality. The new one had 12 megapixels compared to the old one's 5 megapixels, and the new one had a 5x zoom lens compared to the old one's 2x zoom.

The buttons and menu operated pretty much the same as the old camera's although it did have a few new bells and whistles that the old one didn't feature. It took a little bit of adjusting before the new camera and I could dance well together, but once we did, boy, did we tango!

I'm sure nobody ever noticed the difference between pics from my old camera and when I started using pics from my new camera, but I did. It was also a little smaller and lighter and didn't take up as much space in my purse which is an added bonus.

And so. Now we arrive at the "rest in peace" portion of this post.

This past Tuesday JESSICA, Emmy, Sue and CECIL were here for the afternoon. Cecil bought Emmy a little wading pool to play in and Jessica filled it up with water so Emmy could splash around and cool off, it being approximately 110ยบ or thereabouts that afternoon.

I decided I'd make Emmy some homemade bubbles to play with since she was outside getting wet anyway. I mixed up some dishwashing liquid and water, which didn't blow bubbles too well, so I added some shampoo and some liquid hand soap to the mix, which still ended up being pretty much a dud.

I took my camera outside with me to capture some pictures and video of the fun and actually got some pretty good pictures, some of which I fully intended to post here on the blog.

As we were coming back inside, I had the cup full of failed bubble liquid in my right hand: the same hand by which my camera was hanging by the strap on my right wrist. I decided (why, oh WHY did I decide to DO that???) to just dash the liquid out on the ground as I was coming inside. Just as I tossed the liquid out of the cup, a gust of wind caught the liquid and dashed it over my hand, wrist and camera.

I had that awful sickening feeling you have when you know you've just done something that's going to result in tragic consequences, but it's too late to reverse the action.

I'm not kidding one bit, I immediately got sick to my stomach. I KNEW that my camera was ruined. I took it inside and dried it off the best I could, even taking out the batteries and opening the USB compartment to let it dry out, but I just knew it was RURNT. There just ain't no other word for it. I knew if it had been plain ol' water it might have had a fighting chance after it dried out, but with the soap I had a feeling it would never completely dry out. There are times I really hate it when I'm right.

After several hours I put the batteries back in and turned the camera on. It did come on, but I could tell that the LCD display was messed up. It looked like there was water (naturally!) over the screen, and was darker in blotches across the screen, but it did start downloading the pictures, so I thought it might be okay after it dried out a little more.

But alas, it wasn't to be. It made it about halfway through downloading the pictures and stopped. It threw up a window saying my camera had malfunctioned and needed to be disconnected and serviced.

That was Tuesday. It's now early Friday and my camera still won't download the rest of the pictures, and my computer still won't recognize the camera when I plug it in to download the pics. On one positive note, the camera still seems to take pictures and stores them on the camera, but I have no idea if the pictures are actually any good because I can't download them to see! How's that for a catch 22? And what use is the camera if I can never download the pictures?

I removed the camera program and reinstalled it on the off chance that the camera might resume working after I reloaded the program. Nope. Nada. Zilch. Zip. I'm just up a creek without a camera, and I'm telling you, I feel incomplete without a working camera.

I take so many pictures of Emmy and things for the blog that I'm already having withdrawals just knowing that I can't take pictures and post them if I should take a notion.

The camera is still under the manufacturer's warranty, but last time I checked, pouring dish soap in your camera qualifies as owner induced damage, which strictly nullifies the warranty. I could probably mail it to Ko*dak to repair it, but by the time I pay shipping and repair costs I'd probably be better off buying a new camera, and anyway it would never be the same after being water damaged I'm sure.

And in case you're wondering, "So what happened to the other camera, the one you got from your BIL and Donna?"

When I got my new camera I gave the old one to my sister Ducky. She didn't have a camera at all so I gifted her with my old one. We like to pay it forward in my family and if there's any use left at all in anything we pass it on either to family, friends or anyone who can get some use from it.

I'm scheduled to get another small installment on my disability back pay in October so I suppose I'll get another decent camera then. In the meantime I'll be on the lookout for a cheap digital camera to use until then.Other than feeling sick about my ruined camera, I'm feeling better regarding my health. I'm still feeling kind of listless and wrung out, but that could be because it's a good excuse not to get motivated about some things I need to be doing around the house. Just keepin' it real here. Sooner or later I'll just set my chin and do it, but right now I just don't feel like it.

Thanks to everyone who's been concerned about me and praying for me. I do appreciate it and I'm so blessed to have friends who care.Lord willing, I'll be back either tonight or on my Sunday Dinner post. I have some of those pictures from Tuesday that I managed to download before my camera died that I want to share and maybe a few more from another day.

And who knows what else I may find to write about? I'll try to bring you more of the same exciting drivel you've come to expect here at Diane's Place. I aim to ramble and keep it random, never fear.Y'all have a great Friday, and Happy Weekend!

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

i had a digital camera that I really liked. Small, easy to use, easy to download pictures. Then one day, the camera would start turning itself off every time I turned it on. Then it started turning on and off by itself. I could never catch it in the "on" phase to use it.

I got a new Sony Cybershot camera and love it. Hopefully this one will last a lot longer! I've gotten so used to having a camera with me all the time.

BDG-admin said...

great pics.
slaw on bbq is the best with a squirt of mustard... ummm ummm

do you serve a big slab of onion with the pintos?

L&H

Gib

BDG-admin said...

ok... erase that Diane...
my machine messed up... lol.

Unknown said...

Ohhh Diane, my heart is sick for you about the camera mishap. I know it has to feel as if your left arm has been cut off.

So glad that you are feeling better.

I am looking forward to the pictures of Emmy.

Anonymous said...

Well, rats!

HUG

Mim said...

Diane
Oh my goodness... what a terrible ending for your camera. You must be upset with yourself. Here is hoping you can still blog without your camera!
Mim

Scott said...

I am so sorry about your camera - sounds a bit like what I do to my cooking on a regular basis. Can I ask what "rurnt" means? Does that mean broken? I am Canadain so is that something Americans say?

Grace

Greeneyes said...

OH say it aint so !!! sorry to hear about your camera woes DIANE , it must be awful , I love taking pics too and I feel for you !
Does your computer have a port for your memory card to plug into direct to see your pics ?,some printers have them as well , wish I could help , hope it corrects itself when totally dried out , you never know !:)

And your pesky bubbles if you ever make them again :)LOL you need to add just a peck of corn syrup (CLEAR sweet KIND) and mix it well , that is what the store bought kind have and we use to make it all the time ,works great !well that is if you ever make it again!

I hope your feeling better and it is not Diabetes , Mine is and it is a different wake up call :(
you need to check yourself or DR visit ,it is important as it does such damage quietly PLEASE get CHECKED! Do you know anyone with a meter that could do it for you ??You can get them free most places if you get the strips etc .

Hope you feel better , get some rest .
love you SiSteR!:)

Greeneyes

nancy said...

What a terrible thing. I'd be lost. A few months ago, I sent my camera in for repairs and they ended up sending me a brand new, wa-a-ay higher quality one than I sent them. It's worth a try to go online and communicate with them about this. Tell your whole story. This is your second one and you love it! You can't afford to replace it. We are walking in God's favor and He loves to get others to bless us. Give it a try, please? That's how I did it. I went online and got to their contact info. They got back to me right away. Mine was a Canon.
Love,
Nancy

Dick said...

Like Greeneyes said, most cameras actually store the images on a little solid state memory card that you can remove from the camera. If your computer doesn't have a card reader slot built into it, you can buy a reader for about $20 that will plug into your USB port. And, some printers do also have them.

Try what Mam said- it can't hurt.

Lib said...

Sorry to hear about your camera.
Hope you have a great wk.end.
Love,Hugs,Blessins',Lib

Jess said...

I was hoping that it would be fine after it dried out. Well I guess you could try to tell them what happened....who knows. See you later this afternoon. Love you

Our Home Schooler and Jen said...

oh Im so sori
Id be gutted
HUGS

http://www.geocities.com/toddlermoms/index.html
has a few bubble recipes and some other great stuff
enjoy Emmy

Jen

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

Oh, Diane, I'm SO sorry. I hate it when I do stuff like that.

Two things come to mind though. My printer has a card reader. I've been able to download photos from my printer to my computer that way. I don't know how expensive a card reader is, but I'd guess it's cheaper than a new camera. It might tide you over until you could replace yours.

Do you have a film camera? If so, you can use that and just have a photo cd made when you develop your prints.

Oh, glycerin added to detergent/water makes GREAT bubbles!

I'm so sorry about your camera. I feel sick for you.

Jeanette said...

Ohh Dianne , So sorry about your camera. but all might not be lost Take your Memory card to your nearest camera shop or anywhere that develops photos where they could put it to disc for you.. I have a canon a700 I never downloaded program just use memory card through the printer then save all to computer and only print those I want to show off,
Hope all goes well for you

Barb said...

Oh, Diane. I'm so sorry this happened. I can't tell you how many times I've thought, if my digital camera dies, I have no idea how I'll post anything because I honestly can't imagine posting my drivel without photos to liven it up.

Luckily for you, what you write is interesting, whether you post photos or not. Me? Not so much.

I worry all the time, about the computer, or the printer, or the photo printer and worse of all, the camera, dying, because to replace any one of those things would be like saying, OK - we're on a diet - no food for a month.

I'm serious. All our cyber equipment is quality, but four years old and I'm completely convinced they're programmed to die at a certain point so you have no choice but to buy new. And I simply couldn't.

I tell you, if I could, I would go and buy you a brand new camera and send it to you, because I know how lost you feel without it.

I'm just so sorry.

And don't beat yourself up about it - we all do stuff like this. Right now, my own mother is in terrible knee-and-leg-pain hell because she simply tried to plant a rose bush.

I so hope something will happen for you before October. That's too long to go without a camera. I'm going to pray my heart out about this because I truly know how upsetting this is for you.

xoxoo

Brenda said...

awwww, Diane, if I had an extra camera laying around I'd pop it in the mail in a heartbeat. I'm so sorry that happened. Maybe something nice will turn up before October.
I have a Kodak easyshare and I just love it.
Have a great weekend.
Brenda

Susie said...

Hi Diane,
I'm so sorry to hear about your poor camera. I know I'd be lost without mine (which is also an EasyShare), so I know how you feel.
I was going to suggest putting your camera card into your computer tower or printer, but I see that' been suggested a few times. If you know someone with an Easy Share camera you can put your card in their camera and download it to their computer too.
C&I have done that a few times and we have different model Easy Shares.
Good luck!
xo

Betty said...

Diane, I sure hate it about your camera. That was bad luck for you. Gosh, a brand new camera ruined.

I have a Kodak Easy Share camera and love it. This is my second Kodakkkk Easy Share. It makes good pictures.

I hope you have a good weekend, Karen.

Aunt Jenny said...

Aw dang..I hate that you had that happen to your camera. It is just the sort of thing I would do..I am amazed mine is still working..I have been pretty hard on it. I hope something wonderful happens and you are able to get a new one soon.
Have a great weekend!!

auntpearl said...

Dear Diane,
I am so sorry about your camera. I have experienced that same sick feeling when I lost my cell phone at a shopping mall. I made myself a nervous wreck...You just feel like if you could turn back one instant you could make things all better.
Hope you are able to get a new one very soon...That little girl is such a cute subject...I will miss her seeing her smile.

Hugs,

Lucy Stern said...

Oh Diane, I know that sickening feeling. It's like leaving your keys on the car seat and watching the car door shut before you can stop it.........

I have a Canon power shot and I love it. If you can scrape together about $ 150.00, you can get a decent camera. Good luck...

Dawn said...

I know the feeling well! I got it when I was sliding into the ocean on that slick-as-snot volcano rock last December - my camera was on my wrist, too, and I wasn't worried about my knee, ankle, hip, wrist, or anything but my camera! I held it up and yelled at DC - but alas, it was too late. Salt water is just as destructive as soapy water. I never even came back on! Fortunately, I had a memory card that survived.

I am so so sorry!! I also know that feeling of lostness when I even forget my camera and come along a Kodak and blog-sharing moment!

I had a wonderful day yesterday, both at work and at the party thrown by DC and the rest of my family. I"ll share a couple of things soon.

Monday morning - no 5:00 alarm!!

Sam said...

Diane,

I am SO sorry about your camera! What bad luck! I have definitely made mistakes just like that and I know just how you feel! I'll pray that a new camera shows up for you, somehow.

I'm glad to hear you're feeling better. I haven't "seen" you around bloggy world for a while, so I was wondering if you've been feeling okay. It was SO nice to chat with you last week. It was very sweet of Jessica to think of calling me, and I just love that I got a chance to speak with you. Since I've read your blog for so long, it felt like I was talking to a famous person! :-)

We're all moved into the new house, surrounded by boxes and unplaced furniture. We've really got our work cut out for us for the next week!

Take care, my friend.

Sammy

Anonymous said...

I had a Ko*dak Easy*share once too and it was great (at that time).

Whatever: good to know you had a great time with Emmy: your such a great Grandma!

Wish you and your family a great end to your week too :-)

Anonymous said...

Ohh yea: I love your summer edition - wild flowers are the best ;-)

Toia said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your camera. I pray that you will come along another one you liked as much as that one before October.

PS - You granddaughter is such a cutie. She reminds me of one my preschoolers.

Despite all, have a bless and great weekend!!

Girl Raised in the South said...

sorry, sorry to hear that. You had to be so frustrated! Maybe God will turn a new one up in a way you'd never imagine. I'll pray for him to do so.

Nancy said...

Hi Diane!

I cam just imagine how you feel about your camera as I would literally die without mine! Just knowing it's there, even if you don't use it all the time, makes me feel good. If I need it, then I have it! I would have gotten sick to my stomach like you did, had that happened to mine. Maybe you can borrow the one you gave away???

My son gave me mine for Christmas one year...it's an HP. and I love it! I got my daughter one at Wal-Mart for $119 or $128...can't remember exactly now. It's got the larger viewing screen. Really nice! Let's hope the company will replace yours for you...they do stuff like that sometimes. I was told they don't even look at the ones they receive for repair as it's cheaper for them just to send you a new one. It's worth a try, anyhow.

Wish I lived closer, as I love meatloaf!!!

(((HUGS)))

Toia said...

I really love the pics. I see why you can't live without your camera. You have so many more memories to capture.

PS - Can't wait for Sunday Dinner next week.

Mountain Mama said...

DIane when I read about your camera's bubble bath I got that awful heavy feeling too. I'm so sorry that happened. I must say I am really glad you posted this experience because it will help all of us to be more careful with our camera's. I noticed on SUnday evening when I was at my great grandson's birthday party tht I am getting a bit careless, so I really needed a wake up call!
Now I hope and pray your camera can be salvaged.
Your pictures are priceless. I especially like the one of the adults in the pool. We have had some very hot days, and I can relate.
Love, hugs & Prayers