all hail my camera fairy!
Remember when I told you that something not so good happened to my camera a few months ago?
Soon thereafter a fellow blogger with whom I’ve shared quite a few email exchanges started asking funny questions…”What kind of camera were you thinking of getting?” and the like.
Turns out that my truck-driving, photo-taking, toenail-painting blogging buddy Salena from The Daily Rant had just bought herself a new camera and had the “old” one just sitting on a shelf, hoping and pleading to go to a nice home.
And Salena thought that nice home could be mine. Can you believe it?
I couldn’t either, and yet my new toy arrived yesterday. Via the Italian postal service. And I didn’t even have to pay customs.
To be perfectly clear, the idea of her donating the camera to a good cause (me) came up on September 11. A couple weeks later, Salena mailed it to my mom in Pennsylvania, my mom then mailed it to me, and I was holding it yesterday, October 15…and just in time for my birthday (Thursday) to boot!
This may not mean a lot to those of you who haven’t dealt with Poste Italiane, but trust me–this is nothing short of a flipping shipping miracle. I don’t know what other fairies are on my side other than my Camery Fairy Salena, but I like them. I like them a lot.
And I *love* the camera. LOVE THE CAMERA.
It’s a Canon PowerShot S1 IS, and my Camera Fairy also threw in a special Macro lens (that I have yet to play with) and a 1 GB memory card.
I am so beside myself with glee, appreciation, and excitement, I thought I’d share some of the first photos I took with the new camera.
Here’s a morning shot from my balcony:
This is the opposite side of the village,
taken a few minutes later while on my morning walk with the dogs:
And here is proof that my roses are still blooming:
And finally, on Puppy Watch, Stella growled at me this morning when I went near her box, so I think we’re getting close! Can’t you see the concern in her eyes?
I didn’t do anything to touch up these photos so you’d be able to see what the camera does all on its own. I’ve already discovered that the zoom on this thing is amazing compared to my old camera–all the photos above except for the rose were taken on zoom. Incredible if you saw what my old camera used to do with a zoomed photo!
Now I implore you–go to The Daily Rant, check out Salena’s fabulous photos (doesn’t matter which camera she’s using, obviously, as they’re always wonderful), and read about her fascinating life on the road in an 18-wheeler with her boyfriend Eddie; also be sure to check out Due Amici Designs for gorgeous, unique custom made cards.
Please go show my Camera Fairy some blog love, and thank her again for me.
Grazie mille Salena!
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[tags]digital cameras, dogs, medieval villages, southern italy, calabria[/tags]
59 Beans of Wisdom to “all hail my camera fairy!”
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[...] Yesterday just as I was seriously wondering whether I’d have something interesting to make for Wha... bleedingespresso.com/2008/05/whats-cooking-wednesday-olive-oil-limoncello-cake.html
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[...] have a guest blogger today here at BE, none other than My Camera Fairy herself, Salena of The Daily Rant... bleedingespresso.com/2008/08/guest-blogger-salena-of-the-daily-rant.html
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
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What luck! It is so nice to hear stories about nice people doing nice things for other nice people! Did that sound confusing? Enjoy your new toy and happy birthday!
Auguri!
Cyn
What a nice thing to do. BUT. I’m jealous. There, I said it! lol
I just took a look at her blog. How interesting. She’s been to so many places. Lucky!
Tanti Auguri!!! Did you make cupcakes?! 🙂
How nice! Enjoy it and Tanti Auguri. Looks like you are going to have puppies any minute now….in bocca al lupo to Stella….
What a nice present for your Birthday!!!! Funny, I am considering buying the S2 IS from Canon! Looks like you’ll be able to take great pictures of the new puppies. I LOVE puppies 🙂
How incredibly kind! And the photos are gorgeous – what a beautiful morning walk that must be. Happy Birthday, you fabulous sognatrice!
Wow, a wonderful confirmation that there are nice people in the world doing nice things for people … 🙂 Superb! And the photos are great and in focus, which means the camera wasn’t bashed around during the transportation! 🙂
I love to hear stories like this. What a kind and generous friend you have there!
The pictures are great. I love the one that you took from your balcony with the pink sky and ocean in the background! GORGEOUS!
I’m so happy when I hear about nice people doing nice things. Enjoy!
What a beautiful gesture. She has been dutifully thanked by me on your behalf. Shoot away!
It’s amazing the things the Internet does for us these days, isn’t it? Enjoy your fabulous new camera.
Also, happy early birthday! Man, there are a lot of autumn birthdays in my blog neighborhood.
What a wonderful story of giving. I’m glad you’re having fun with your awesome new toy!!
I’m so glad that you got a new camera in such a wonderful way– especially now that the puppies are almost here. Good timing.
Lucky girl.
Where’s your mom from in PA? That’s where I grew up.
OK, that Thursday wasn’t in there the first time I commented, was it? Either way, birthday wishes are great before, during, and even after! 😉
Oh, and I forget to mention before that Stella has that “What did I get myself into?!” look on her face that all soon to be moms get right before giving birth. It’ll be any moment now, I think! 🙂
Happy birthday! You and my husband share the same b-day… I always knew I liked you.
Beautiful photos.
that’s SO nice!! 🙂
and happy birthday a little bit early…sounds like you’re getting some nice treats in for yourself.
great photos too, love the roses….mine are still in bloom (could be all the sun they get in the front) 🙂
A gift to us as well as we will be looking at these georgeous pictures.
Sharon
oh, that’s such a wonderful gift! i wish you all kinds of fabulous-ness *wink* on your birthday! and oh, maybe some photos for us here now that you have your new camera.
Cyn, thanks! Isn’t humanity great sometimes!
Giulia, don’t worry–I’m jealous and I have the camera! I’m making cupcakes, actually, as I type (they’re in the oven)…can you tell I do a several day celebration? Ah, and no, that “Thursday” wasn’t in there when you first read the post. Good eye 😉 Ah, and excellent observation on Stella’s eyes. I think you’re right (but no news yet).
Laurie, thanks, and Stella appreciates it!
Robin, well I know that Salena highly recommends the Canon products, and based on my limited experience, I’d say go for it!
Amanda, a lovely walk it is…especially with a camera! Yeah! Thanks for the bday wishes 🙂
Shameless, you make two very excellent points 🙂
Maryann, I know I’m so lucky, aren’t I?
Maria, glad you enjoyed; I’m sure you’ll be enjoying a similar view shortly….
Geggie, I agree, and thanks!
Nino, thanks for heading over there…Salena deserves all the blog love I can give her and more. And I’ll be shooting 🙂
Stefanie, truly amazing, and yeah, there *are* a lot of autumn bdays around here…I think it has something to do with the fact that Christmas and New Year’s fall conveniently 9-10 months before?
Jane, thanks 🙂
Ally, perfect timing is right! I’ve been asking Stella to hold off, if possible, until my birthday, so even more timing is going on. Maybe 😉
Janeywan, my mom is from Reading, but I am from about an hour and a half north of there in Anthracite Coal Region country (and that’s where my mom and the rest of my family live now).
Jennifer, wow, what a coincidence! I’d say I knew I liked your husband, but that sounds kind of weird 😉
Elena Jane, I’m very lucky to have many nice treats, and thanks 🙂
Sharon, a gift that keeps on giving! Yeah!
Odessa, thanks! I’m sure I’ll manage some photos of something, although there’s nothing exciting planned to celebrate. Still two days to figure it out, I suppose 😉
Wow, what a great birthday present! That was a really nice gesture and like everyone has said, its so nice to know that there are still people out there who like to do nice things, just to do nice things!
Enjoy the camera, I’m sure we’ll enjoy the photos, as I enjoyed these already!
That’s so great! Just what I’ve been waiting for myself… I guess it proves that little miracles do happen. But…
*sigh* I. Am. Jealous. LOL!
Enjoy it to the max! I know you will (and I know I would *grin*)
dtdtpwow. what an amazing thing for her to do! I love hearing stories like this.
That shot from your balcony is just beautiful
Happy “early” Birthday!!
That IS a (very gifted) fairy!
Your birthday good vibes must have helped it along 🙂
Like Sharon said, a gift for us as well, since you’ll share lotz more pics with us 🙂
That is a great story…I am so glad she got to give her camera a new home, and you’ve taken some awesome pics already! 🙂
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s there and it is FABULOUS!!!
I am so very excited that you have a camera in your very talented hands again.
The shots made me gasp and get SO excited.
Can’t wait for the puppies… or for Grace… ;o)
Very, very excited and delighted,
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Whelp, Stella, whelp! Whelp, whelp, whelp!
(I’m cheerleading her to motherhood.)
Meanwhile, thank you, Salena, for facilitating more beautiful pictures. 🙂
Okay that is just the nicest thing EVER!! And if I don’t get to say it on Thursday (as I will be running around being busy getting ready to go visit my blogging friend whom I’ve never met, yippee) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I hope your day is splendid, your year is blessed and that many good and wonderful things happen to you.
gorgeous photos.
I thank your camera fairy too.
OMG – I just read Grace’s story… IT IS SOOO GOOD!!
Way to go, very nicely written!
Introduced another character… added another curve to this thickly twisted plot… darker and darker!
OH! It’s so good. I’m so excited, so proud of the group- everyone has done so well!
Great job M, *big tight hugs* very well done!
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Wow, Salina sounds just fab. I have just been tagged by the passionate palate for a nice matters award. I know she tagged you too Sognatrice. We are supposed to tag 5 people ourselves so if you haven’t already I think one of my tags go to your gift sending friend. Nice sure does matter!
Beautiful pictures. We love our Canon Powershot too! Enjoy! 🙂
Congrats, and good luck with puppy watch!
What a lovely story – and what lovely photos! And yes, I will indeed show your camera fairy some bloggy love! And it looks like Stella is getting very ready!
That was such a sweet gift. Enjoy my dear – I can’t wait to see what you do with your new cam! xo
wow what a nice person. I just recently had something nice sent to me from a Blogger I didn’t know in Channel Islands, UK!
It gives me hope that there ARE nice people in this world! 😉
Happy birthday on Thursday!
My husband is in Florence and Milan as we speak (for work)…
Lovely photos!!
YAY for the camera fairy!!!
Those photos are fabulous!
Such beautiful pictures! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (slightly belated…)
Wow! I’m happy for you! And how kind of your friend. Such beautiful photos, too.
I am hoping the camera fairy or Santa or La Befana makes it to Napoli, since my $12 special often deletes my pix before I can download them. ;-P
Also: Tanti Auguri, Birthday Girl! 🙂
that is sooo nice! i love it when people share selflessly 🙂
and when everything falls into place (even the dodgy Italian postal service) to ensure a good deed is done 🙂
Vx
oh, i almost forgot: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
hope it’s a fab one.
Vx
Yay for blog friends! That was very nice of her, we are all going to love more photos from you 🙂
What a gift! Great pictures–she may bear the pups any day…
well skittley dee, that is a great camera, especially if it is free!
Hi! I stumbled across your blog today, and I have a question for you. I really, really want to move to Europe for six months beginning in January, as I have a break from grad school coming up. Can you give me some advice? I’ll have to make money somehow, obviously, but I also want to be mobile and see as much of Europe as I can. Is this just a pipe dream? Help!
That was tres terrific that your friend shipped you a camera! And who better to do that for too because your talents with cameras is too good to be sitting on your duff with no equipment to go out and get those lovely photos to share.
And – happy birthday too! Sorry I’m a day late (also a dollar short too, but that’s always.) Hope it was a good one for you -obviously the camera made the day though, didn’t it?
I’m checking daily now for puppy news! Can’t wait!
What a fabulous gift! I hope you have the most wonderful of birthdays! Tanti auguri!!
Oh Michelle…aren’t friends wonderful?!!! What a generous and much needed gift. The photos look glorious (love the colors of the sunrise), and indeed your dog’s eyes look scared. Poor girl. Have fun.
michelle,
what a great gift!!! such a generous thing to do. i have the S2 IS from Canon, and absolutely love it. happy birthday girl !!!
Belated Happy Birthday! Lovely pictures, especially Stella! ; )
Phew, with the lack of Internet yesterday, I’ve fallen completely behind on comments…and you all went crazy yesterday! Thanks for all of your good wishes, for thanking my Camera Fairy again, for compliments on the photos, and simply for visiting and stopping to let me know you were here 🙂
Courtney, it’s most certainly not a pipe dream…email me and we can talk some more:
bleedingespresso (dot) sognatrice (at) gmail (dot) com
Great pictures and a great story. Love to hear about nice people doing nice things for nice people.
Beautiful photos. Glad you got a new camera. Happy Birthday too.
Shan, aren’t these stories just the best? So glad I have one to share!
Sarala, thanks and thanks 🙂
happy belated birthday! and hail to the camera fairy! I love the two pix out your front door. Lovely.
The new puppies are sooo cute.
NYJLM, thank you, thank you, thank you 🙂