The passing of a true friend

[paul_poropat]

If I may share a few moments with my Olympus community.

 

I lost a very trusted friend, XA, yesterday while sea kayaking off the coast of

Madiera Beach. The wind, the surf, the cold wet hands, I don't know... Little

XA lost his grip and tumbled overboard. I made a frantic grab, but as I watched

him tumble end over end slowly into the murky depths, the little bubbles

ceased, and I knew I would never see XA again. I suddenly felt so cold and

tired and alone, I just said a sad farewell and cried.

XA was lost doing the things he loved best, adventure trips and photography.

From patrols in the stormy North Atlantic and the balmy Carribean to the

Appalacian trail XA loved the outdoors. The love of adventure and action lured

XA and me to war. XA was my companion in some of the hottest battles. The roar

of musketry, the pounding of artilery, the smoke, the confusion, through it all

little XA was solid and unflinching. Atlanta, Horse Landing, Nashville, Hog

Town, Manassas, and Gettysburg, XA was at my side and in my hand.

Good bye old friend, I miss you.

 

XA is survived by his mate A11 ( I feel so sorry for her, nestled in thier

fitted case, next to the empty space).

XA's brothers and sisters, OM-1, OM-2, OM-3, OM-4 are all feeling the loss.

Even the normally stolid Germans miss the perky little camera. The Vito

brothers are quite sad as they got along especially well with XA. What do I

tell the little ones...Minox, Vitorett and Rollei A, How do I tell them that XA

will not be coming home. I can't look at them without getting teary.

Well...I know my friends and acquaintences can sympathize.

Thank You

Paul

[William Kahn]

Truly, a moving eulogy! Sincerest condolences for your loss. I'll set off a flash at sunset in his memory.....

[doug grosjean]

Well, shoot...!

 

I understand the loss. An XA was my first real camera, purchased by me with my own money just out of high school. I still have it, it still works great. Been on many motorcycle trips (including up to the NWT above the Arctic Circle), Appalaschian whitewater kayak trips, bicycling, day hikes, and Jeep trails.

 

Darned good camera. Never been dropped, though it has been on motorcycles that were crashed and destroyed. I never got around to buying the flash, and wish that I had.

 

Finally, I bought a Stylus to take over the "always with me" position that the XA had held for so many years. But aside from flash photography and being water-resistant, I still think the XA was / is the better product.

 

Gonna replace it? There's some colored models on Ebay....

[ronald_moravec1]

Floating cases for such things? Boaters use a large bobber on the boat keys, at least those

that know what they are doing.

[GerrySiegel]

When you lose an old companion like that,they say it gives solace to go buy a new "puppy," perhaps a Stylus like Doug, RICOH GRD. How about the Hexar auto, I have one in the back... Maybe a clean used Rollei 35?

[Matt Laur]

... or, maybe even get a nice OpTech camera strap? I know, this is a sensitive time, and I shouldn't be a smart-ass. But, you know... an ounce of prevention, etc. It's what your XA would <i>want</i> you to do.

[machts gut]

Cry (if you want to)

by: Holly Cole

 

Cry if you want

I wont tell you not to

I won?t try to cheer you up

Ill just be here if you want me

 

It?s no use in keeping a stiff upper lip

You can weep you can sleep you can loosen your grip

You can frown you can drown and go down with the ship

You cry if you want to

Don?t ever apologize venting your pain

Its something to me you don?t need to explain

I don?t need to know why

I don?t think it?s insane

You can cry if you want to

 

The windows are closed

The neighbors aren?t home

If it?s better with me than to do it alone

Ills draw all the curtains and unplug the phone

You can cry if you want

 

You can stare at the ceiling and tear at your hair

Swallow your feelings and stager and swear

You could show things and throw things and I wouldn?t care

You can cry if you want to

 

I won?t make fun of you

I won?t tell any one

I won?t analyze what you do or you should have done

I won?t advise you to go and have fun

You can cry if you want to

 

Well it?s empty and ugly and terribly sad

I can?t feel what you feel but I no it feel bad

I no that its real and it makes you so mad

You could cry

 

Cry if you want to I won?t tell you not to

I won?t try and cheer you up

Ill just be here if you want me; to be

Near you

 

 

 

I can feel your sorrow. Stefan

[GerrySiegel]

Perhaps the Kubler Ross five grief stages are at work. "Oops, no it can' t be falling in the drink,"and so on...Camera grief counseling offered right here by the staff at no charge with an annual membership. Feeling depressed? E-mail Bob Atkins before the holidays...Bob would likely suggest a rugged l'il Canon G-9 as a comfort object, (:-)). The pain will go away..gs

[paul_poropat]

Thanks to all who responded.

All of my PENs have been very consolling.

[shadowfox]

Very touching, Paul!

 

That one has had a full-life, can't hope for a better camera companion.

 

There are other XAs who are waiting to go adventuring with you ;)

 

Go get'em.