horror
Into every life, a little rain must fall. My life seems to be Hurricance Sandy, every day.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The shot above is the very last one which will ever be captured by the camera which has been utilized to record the startling truth of our times, as presented in graphic narrative at this – your Newtown Pentacle – for the last 4 years. The device has been, as those of you who know me, omnipresent. Normally, the thing is strapped to me and never leaves my hand. If it was to be put down, extreme care and attention to its resting place has always been exercised. Friends often chide a humble narrator as to why the camera got its own chair.
All that is over now, due to a single careless moment on the 4th of July.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The other day, shots captured from Williamsburg depicted the 4th of July fireworks. After the rooftop gathering attended to view the show, which a friend had graciously invited Our Lady of the Pentacle and myself to join in on, Our Lady insisted that we hire a taxi to cross the short distance from Williamsburg back to Astoria. While exiting the vehicle, the camera tumbled out of my hand and struck the street.
The lens, my “good lens,” shattered into multiple pieces.
The camera body seemed fine at first, but soon revealed itself as non functional after just two mirror flips. Massive self recrimination ensued, as one might imagine, but just as in the case with any kind of accident – what are you going to do? “Command Z, undo, undo” cried I.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Unfortunately, given my tremulous financial equilibrium, (hey, you think environmental activist – historian – blogger – photographer – tour guide – actually pays well?) a trip to BH Photo was demanded. One such as myself cannot be without a capture device, and replacement equipment was expensively acquired. The horror.
The good news is that I’m back in business. The bad news is that I’m out a big chunk of change. For those of you that feel my pain, I beg you to buy some tickets to one of the walking tours I’m doing this summer.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Upcoming Tours –
July 12th, 2015
Glittering Realms – Greenpoint, Brooklyn Walking Tour
with Newtown Creek Alliance, click here for details and tickets.
July 26th, 2015
Modern Corridor – LIC, Queens Walking Tour
with Brooklyn Brainery, click here for details and tickets.
The Newtown Pentacle 
If folks who’ve enjoyed your writings/images over the years wanted to contribute to the camera fund, what would be the best way to do so?
lucienve
July 10, 2015 at 12:14 pm
Y’know, I hadn’t even thought of that.
Mitch Waxman
July 10, 2015 at 12:19 pm
Just stick a paypal donate button on the front page. I’ll throw something too.
Joly MacFie
July 10, 2015 at 1:42 pm
Please follow up on this!
Deniz
July 10, 2015 at 1:53 pm
I’ve got a selfie-video no less-taken 7 years ago at the NY Botanical Garden. Camera up on a tripod,video being captured as one of the tripod legs collapses. Camera tilts forward, nose first, and smashes into the ground. Great video of smiling me, beautiful flora and then ground tilting up, approaching and boingo smashing into the ground. Lucky though, body OK but $450 for the lens repair. I am a schmuck.
georgetheatheist . . . Live and learn.
July 10, 2015 at 12:21 pm
Mistakes occur when one has been at it too long and is overconfident.
georgetheatheist . . . Live and learn.
July 10, 2015 at 12:23 pm
It humbles you.
georgetheatheist . . . Live and learn.
July 13, 2015 at 12:16 pm
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