December 19, 2007
Our camera has not aged gracefully. For years, and even as early as the beginning of the trip, it shot quickly and produced sharp images. But lately it has turned on reluctantly, making a sort of sigh noise as the lens pushes out. It has also tired of uploading pictures. It has days when it stubbornly refuses and just spends a lonely day in it's case--usually, working it's way to the bottom of the bag. It took a turn for the worse during the monsoon, here in Malaysia. When news came that many trekking trails were closed, its pictures were cloudy and had a careless quality to them. Two days ago, during a rain storm I noticed a drop of water running down from the electronic sensor. Yesterday, pictures even in full sun has a blurred quality to them. Is the camera experimenting with a Manet style? Minimalism? Abstraction? No, sadly I must face facts: the camera is bored with the trip and must be sent home. I can't change it's decision. Hopefully, it's replacement will be made of tougher stuff.
