Jim,
I didn't have the heart to tell Mark the pure, unadulterated truth. For
instance, asking girls up to his place for "a cup of cocoa, and a look at
his OM collection". AND, when he does get a girl up to his place, breaking
out the Nestles and Zuikos (sigh). Or, discovering that fully 900f his
clothing budget has been spent buying "cute little leather outfits" from
Morgan Sparks for his collection of OM bodies. Or, the final indignity of
this illness, where he can recognize the sound of an OM shutter blindfolded
from a distance of 50 meters, but is unable to recognize the sweet sound of
his own mother's voice on the telephone.
No Jim, Mark's young. I just couldn't bring my self to crush the small hope
he has for a normal, decent life. I think the only hope for his redemption
is an "OM-exorcism". Our good friend Chris O'Neill is uniquely qualified to
perform this exotic rite, having suffered through the ravages of this
manifestation. The rest of us should light a candle, throw salt over our
shoulder, sacrifice a goat, avoid stepping on cracks, and face north towards
the province of Alberta, in a an expression of brotherly love and support
for our stricken brother, Mark.
Zuikolly yours,
Bill Stanke
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Sharp" <jsharp@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 7:45 PM
Subject: Re: [OM] Just got OM-1n back from John H :)
> This is a pretty good description of the onset of the disease, and where
> it ends up. Tell him the truth Bill - there is no known treatment that
> is effective, and the disease is progressive...
>
> A year and a half ago I owned a single OM-1 Body and three Zuiko lenses
> that I'd been happy with since the late 70's. I happened to look at e*ay
> and notice a black OM-2n body in nice condition. I bid $130 on it
> thinking I'd never get it. I did, and shortly thereafter discovered this
> list. The buying hasn't stopped since...
>
> Mark, don't let Bill try to fool you. No one on this list will help you
> kick this illness. Enablers, every last one of them.
>
> :-)
>
> --
> Jim
>
> Bill Stanke wrote:
> >
> > Mark,
> > Mark,
> >
> > The OM-1 has the strange and wonderful power to consume the soul of the
> > owner.
> >
> > It all happens very innocently, with one small purchase from evil bay.
> > "It's only one", you'll tell yourself, "I can handle it". Then you'll
> > feel the need to buy an OM-1n, because "well, they're better", and a
> > black one, "because they're prettier", and an early OM-1 without the
> > motor drive provision, because "it has historical significance".
> >
> > Pretty soon, you'll be cruising the seedy parts of town, haunting pawn
> > and second hand shops. You'll buy specimens with rotting foam, stuck
> > mirrors, missing self-timer levers and fungus on the shutter curtains.
> > "I just bought them for the parts" you'll tell yourself. I really
> > needed the rewind knob/focus screen/motor drive cover for one of my
> > OTHER OM-1s. Then you'll have to buy other OM-1s for the parts that you
> > stole off the last round of "parts" cameras.
> >
> > It's a sickness Mark, a terribly dehumanizing, degrading disease.
> > Fortunately, you're among friends here. Friends that will "be there"
> > for you Mark, until your mind and body are purged of this malady.
> >
> > Long-time list member Chris O'Neill has developed a comprehensive
> > program that is restorative, but only if you follow his guidance
> > exactly. First, you'll need to carefully wrap and send him both of your
> > 24 mm shift lenses. Better send him all of your OM bodies as well.
> > Chris will probably want to start you off with a Kodak disposable, but
> > this should be no problem for you, since you live in Rochester, after
> > all.
> >
> > Yes Mark, you're lucky to have stumbled into this caring (virtual)
> > community of committed brothers and sisters. With luck, commitment and
> > dedication, you can beat this thing, and go on to live a useful and
> > productive life. <EG>
> >
> > Bill Stanke
>
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