The Greatest Loss of This Year (Thus Far)

I'm SO not into tempting fate. But I *desperately* hope that this is, indeed, the worst thing I lose all year.

Because this was indeed really awful for me.

I am not a photographer. I recognize that. But I love to take pictures with my camera, a Canon Rebel XTi. I have a good eye, I think, and I've learned a few tricks to help the image on the photo to match the one in my head. Every single blogging conference I've attended has had a photography session, and I've attended them and bugged the photographers incessantly. The yearly trips with my husband are also taken with professional photographers, and I pick their brains as well. I take notes. I have read the books. I've skulked around on Youtube and gotten to know my camera so well that I probably owe it dinner.

While I was at the Forward with Ford conference, I set it down at one of the race tracks, in order to pack it into my (very nice, gift from my husband) camera bag. It was raining, I was holding an umbrella and it was too hard to load it. So I crouched down and packed the camera into the bag, along with my very favorite lens ever, the macro lens. Someone spoke to me and I stood up to talk.

My girlfriend called over to me to tell me that it was our turn to get into a car and I bolted - it was the very last run on the all weather track with professional drivers, who were fishtailing in the rain and driving like mad - and I didn't want to miss it. Either I didn't grab the camera when I ran or I left it in the back of Mustang after the drive. I'm a little hazy on that detail.

I didn't realize it until I was on the plane, what with the crush of grabbing my luggage, getting to the airport - where the computers for Southwest were down and mass chaos ensued for a little while. When I realized it, I literally gasped, startling my seatmates, and then had to look out the window because I knew if I didn't, I'd cry. As soon as I got off my flight in Baltimore, I emailed/tweeted/texted/called literally everyone I could think of involved with the trip.

And then I cried. And called my husband.

That camera was a gift from him. He bought me an enormously expensive telephoto lens as well - I'd left that at home. He bought me a beautiful black bag with a pink lining, just for the camera. And I'd bought the Macro, which was my baby. We don't have a lot of extra money. Scratch that - we don't have extra money. It'll be hard to replace that camera. And my lens. And now I'm home with a telephoto for that camera - without that camera.

In that bag was also a pair of sunglasses. A lipstick. And a business card with my name and email address and phone number.

No one has seen it. Not one person. The entire thing was totally and completely 100% my fault and I am sick about it. I'm usually a VERY organized and responsible person - I don't just leave my stuff laying all around. I travel alone frequently and I'm used to watching after myself and I NEVER lose my stuff.

(Well, occasionally here at the house I lose stuff, but that's mostly because some other people move it.

It's gone. I know it's gone. I think someone got themselves a very nice camera and lens. And it's all my own fault. I've checked the websites, like camerafound - and seen nothing.

I'm still really upset. I've lost faith in people. If you'd found a camera - you'd have turned it in, right?

Comments

[kyooty]

I'm sorry that you lost your Camera. I can feel your disappointment in this post. I'd feel the same. And I feel like it was probably"walked off with" :(

[Tara]

Oh man, that is a hard loss to take. I feel so bad for you. I'll pray the camera finds its way back you very soon.

[MOM4everandever]

Yes I have found and searched out the owner- there is a sight online whee people post photos on cameras if there is no id...it is on my older computer which crashed otherwise I would get it but maybe if you tweet someone will know it. I put my prescription sunglasses on the little thing at the checkout while doing coupons and walked away- 5 minutes later I went back and the person behind me picked them up- no they did not turn them in- they walked out the store with with them and took off- pure theft..
dyes I have gone back in, yes the cashier saw the person put the glasses on her head and push them up and walk out- bold theft huh...you learn but have trust in people- everyone does not steal, or lie. I am hoping to win a pair or do a review cause its not in the funds -until then oh well blind old me will stick with cheap sunglasses.

Please ask around on twitter- I know there is a sight- a blog where people reconnect with lost cameras..I will be praying for you- one way or another- it will work out. Let me know if you reconnect.

[MOM4everandever]

i saw that link but there are a few more online

[Theresa]

We lost a camera several years ago as we were disembarking from a cruise. Too many bags, too many kids... We realized after we were home that it was gone. Somehow somebody found it and managed to track us down. Hopefully whoever found your camera will be just as honorable. There are still people with integrity out there. Prayers to you.

[Karin]

Have you checked Craig's List for te city you were in? Called pawn shops? A friend found and had to buy back her engagement and wedding rings after a housekeeper stole them.

[Lisa]

I am so sorry! You've talked to St. Anthony, right?? :)

[lissa]

Oh, I would die. :( I hope whoever finds/found it will get a hold of you.

[addy]

I am so sorry. I would be completely lost without my camera :( I sincerely hope someone does the right thing.

[Carolyn]

We had a camcorder "lifted" off our luggage cart 14 years ago at an airport. I was watching toddlers at the time. It had the only footage of some Scottish relatives who were visiting our mutual relatives. So bummed. I hate that sick feeling when you realize it's missing. I sure hope yours turns up.

[Sylvia]

Tony tony something's lost...I am so sad for you Carmen. I can imagine that this would be nothing short of devestating in my house. Last year I lost my little Kodak easy share, actually it was stolen out of the hotel room I was staying in, and I still haven't been able to afford to replace it. I know a little about cameras and know that yours with it's lens must have cost a small fortune. I cried when mine was stolen and I don't blame you for crying either. Hoping some nice person decided to have a change of heart and return it...

[Katherine]

Can't imagine finding something and not attempting to the find the owner. Pray to St. Anthony! I know you must be sick. Look out on ebay too...you never know...

[Karen]

Oh I know this pain! I had a new camera (The Rebel) and had it in my carry on bag and someone swiped my bag, took the camera out and then returned it to baggage claim. Sigh. SO so sorry!

[Lesli]

Here's to hoping it shows up in the mail soon...you never know!

[J from Ireland]

Oh Carmen, this i just awful for you. Please God it will be returned to you.

[Laura H]

Ugh! That is such a bummer for you Carmen! I'm so very sorry. I wish I'd been the one that found it, because there is no way I'd have kept it. I really, really hope whomever found it has an attack of conscience and gives it back. One of the above commenters had a good suggestion about keeping an eye on pawnshops and the like. Did you have any identifying marks on the camera? So that you could prove it's yours if the need arises?

[Brandy]

I hope someone honest will turn it in, but in this day and age? *sigh* Hugs Carmen.

[Karen]

I am SO sorry. I know defats sting that feels but don't give up there are honest people out there and hopefully it will fall into one of their hand. One year my husband and son went on a field trip and took my brand new camera. They went to sea world, San Diego old town, canoeing, and dinner on the warf. They came home withut my camera. I called every place they were and even every store in old town to no avail. Several people took my name and number but after a month I gave up hope. Then six months later a shop keeper called to tell me they had found it , it must have been on a shel and then got pushed behind it until they did a yearly cleaning. She sent it back to me non charge, although I did send her a reward. So think positive, if it had yr business card in it, perhaps it will find it's way home. Again I'm sorry.

[Sandra]

that totally and utterly stinks! i'm sorry. :-(

[Headless Mom]

I'm just sick about this. I hope it turns up!

[Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith]

I am sorry to hear aboutthis Carmen.
About one year ago, I went to a home schooling conference and lost my Mother's cross and gold chain she received when she was conformed. I was absolutely SICK about it. My Mom died when I was twelve, and this was the one pice of jewelry I have from her. My older sister has her wedding ring. Sunday, I came back from a retreat and was unpacking my bag, and there is was the cross and chain. My husband and I have both used this suitcase several times in the past year, but there it is my small piece of my Mom. I hope you find your camera too.

[stephanie]

is this covered under your homeowner's policy? we had an expensive wallet stolen and it was covered under our renter's policy.

hope this works out for you!

[Stephanie ODea]

oh I hate that this happened. I'm so so sorry.

[Genevieve Plante]

Have you tried this new site: http://www.stolencamerafinder.com

I read about it yesterday - you post one photo you took with your camera and since every camera has its own code (?) embedded in each photo. So if a photo taken with your camera was posted somewhere on the web (other than the ones you posted yourself), it's gonna trace the code and maybe help you find your camera - worth the try!!
Hope it works out!!