Seeking Suggestions

Procrastination seems to be my middle name (actually, those who really know me won't be surprised by that).

Case in point: When I lived in DeKalb, our church had a library. One of the ladies in our writer's group happened to serve as the librarian. How embarrassing to have to note that I had failed to return a book to the library which had been due for many months. The title of the book was something like "Cure Your Procrastination in One Month" - sadly, I put off reading the book, until I finally just returned it, unread. For some of us, there may be no hope.

After dashing off a note to the Olympus camera help site, asking if there is any way to retrieve my son's birthday photos and videos from off the camera (which will not open due to the sand), I heard absolutely nothing. Yes, Olympus, you TOO have a problem with procrastination and I'm willing to tell the world! Instead of calling Olympus, which I contemplated many times, I have sat here doing nothing. I have thought of calling Walmart, just to ask if they could at least print the photos, if I bring in the memory card. Alas, I have merely sat here pining the loss of my camera.

This week, of course, I'm going to want a camera to take pictures of my boys in their costumes (although, I do have plenty of costume photos of MS - who is, actually, getting out of that phase now). At this point, I don't even know what they will be. I figure, with two boxes full of costumes, they could pick anything at the last minute. I would love to see MS wear the red Teletubby costume which my mother-in-law made for ES back when he was 3, but MS has never shown the slightest interest in the rotund costume complete with circular head gear. I don't really blame him. Hmm - Teletubby or Spiderman? Teletubby or Batman? Teletubby or Superman? Who'd want to be a teletubby, I ask?

My hubby would like me to purchase a new camcorder, since our other one is an older model (there's another blog post). I think he wants to combine the camera/camcorder purchase and he wants it to be something ES can use to upload videos to YouTube (because he is so eager to share his Rock Band and Guitar Hero prowess with the multitudes). I don't really know much about cameras or camcorders. My last camera, an Olympus FE-170 was only purchased two years ago, but didn't offer sound with the video option. I'm wondering if I should just get another Olympus (which offers the video option with sound now) or if any of you readers have a great camera you wish to recommend.

My son's friends have a Flip camcorder, which allows easy transfer of videos to You Tube. Perhaps, I should just get a separate camera and Flip. Obviously, money is a question (otherwise, I would throw caution to the wind and merely go out and buy the best camera with video capabilities that money can buy). For a great laugh, watch this SNL sketch promoting this novel idea, "Don't Buy What You Can't Afford."

I don't want to repeat my first digital camera experience. I bought a digital camera through a rebate offer for $20. That was $20 more than I should have spent. Our present camcorder still works, but is the old kind where you end up with tapes you have to play back on your television (perhaps hubby is realizing if the camcorder also gets trashed - not out of the question in a house full of boys - we will be unable to view any of those tapes).

Even from this discussion, I'm sure you can tell that I am in the dark ages when it comes to technology. Sorry, I'm just not a Gadget Girl. I don't have an MP-3 player. I even bought a cheap $5 cassette player recently because I miss listening to some of my old cassettes. I worry that our present computer will crash - not so much because I will lose everything on here (although, that could be a concern) - but mostly, because I would have to adapt to the change of learning how to get around on a new upgraded computer.

So, if you have a camera or camcorder that you love or swear by, let me know. If you know how to retrieve photos or videos from a memory card when the camera is no longer functioning, let me know. If you just want to comment to tell me what a loser I am - no comment necessary, duly noted without your input. You didn't really think a person whose middle name is Procrastinator, would have up-to-date photography skills, did you? Heck, I don't even have up-to-date stationery (go ahead and snort, Cardiogirl!).