<sniff> I love you all, man. But you can't have my OM Lite!
And yes, this echoes my sentiments about the folks on this list as well.
Mike V. <><
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken N" <image66@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 7:08 PM
Subject: [OM] OMs and glue
> No, this message isn't about safe adhesives to use on your
> leatherette. It's about the "glue" or the common threads that
> hold some of us together.
>
> I originally joined this list a number of years ago, probably
> not too long after its inception. In those days I travelled
> quite extensively and got to travel to many of the cities and
> countries that other list members lived in. We were a much
> smaller group back then, probably in the 100-150 member range.
> I struck up friendships with several listmembers who are no
> longer part of this list because of their converting over to
> N*kon, Contax, and medium format equipment. These individuals
> shared many common interests and experiences. They too, were
> professional photographers caught in the confines of working in
> the IT world. Good incomes have a tendency to trap us in
> mismatched career choices.
>
> Some members I've met, others I've talked with over the phone
> and others have become friends. I've bought and sold equipment
> from and to list members and never have had a bad experience.
> Somehow, this particular community has had a flavour unlike that
> of many other photographic communities. Sure, we have our
> bruhahas, and other whacky moments, but as a whole, we've been a
> friendly, helpful bunch with exceptional senses of humour (or is
> it sense of humours?).
>
> It never ceases to amaze me the giving attitude among members.
> One well known individual regularily sends equipment on a "try
> it out and pay me when you can" attitude (at least with me),
> which is unheard of in most communities. This could be one
> reason why he is nearly as successful buying and selling OMs as
> he is in his primary mode of income. Another list member is
> sending me a 600/6.5 lens to use for awhile. Why? Out of
> friendship, helpfulness and trust.
>
> Certain individuals were a tremendous encouragement to me while
> I was struggling financially and again (and simultaneously) when
> my wife was battling cancer. You've shared in my difficulties
> and in the joys of fatherhood. I've tried to pass encouragement
> and prayer support (please excuse the religion statement) to
> others who have struggled.
>
> What, then, is the glue that holds us together? OMs? Or is it
> a relatively common mode of thinking that brings together
> artistry, appreciation of engineering genius, and a humble pride
> of hanging in there while the world attempts to pass us by?
>
> We are no longer as closenit as we used to be, but that came out
> of time (people moved on) and expansion (many more people now
> than back then). Still there are pockets of friendships that
> will last many years and there is a core group of people that
> have actively participated in the discussions both on-list and
> off. Looking back through the digests and seeing where the list
> has been in years past, we see certain people who have become
> (through time and consistancy) reliable, trustworthy and worthy
> to be called friends.
>
> Will the OM list live forever? No. Eventually, there will be
> an end. I think it's very premature to think it's here now. I'd
> say that there is plenty of fight left in many people to take
> the list private before it is disolved. The list IS alive and
> well. The same tenacity that allows us to continue to invest in
> our OMs and Zuikos applies to our approach to the list. When
> the going gets tough, we tend to dig in and pull all the harder.
>
> I've uns*bscr*bed from the regular list and am back in digest
> mode again. It actually is faster for me to go through a digest
> than go through each email--even with filters. I'll probably
> even back my contributions down a bit too, as I'm getting time
> limited again. Doesn't mean I'm DEAD, just needing to balance
> OM life with regular life.
>
> This is a good list and a good group of people. I'm proud to be
> an Olympus owner because of the quality of other owners as much
> as the quality of the cameras and lenses. The list lives on.
> Time often tells who the quality people are. Recent events
> pointed that out.
>
> We've joked about my silvernose lenses and my "stance" on them.
> We've harranged my ugly OM-2S. We've even had tripod and film
> battles. But, under NO circumstances should anybody criticize
> my driving an SUV, nor the fact I voted for Ralph Nador! I draw
> the line there. (talk about contradictions!)
>
> After being severely limited by early parenthood, my
> professional photographic efforts are starting to pick up again.
> It's all for a reason. I may become unemployed again (and this
> time from the deathly telecom industry), and this time I want to
> be prepared to cut the ties and be ready to sink or swim as a
> full-time professional photographer. At my current rate, I'll
> be doing enough photography this year to more than offset any
> George Bush tax cut by kicking me up a tax bracket. The stock
> photography business is also picking up and I'm getting enough
> sales in that now to justify an investment in that marketing
> effort.
>
> It is so important that we use our cameras and not just talk
> about them. These ADITL and TOPE events have been wonderful.
> I've learned more photographic techniques from the likes of John
> Lind and Joel Wilcox than I have from most books. It is also
> quite evident that most of us have purchased John Shaw's books!
>
> I know this is a long message and I hope people trim it if
> responding, but I wanted to pass these notes of thanks and
> encouragment on to the list.
>
> Ken N.
>
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