The Lens Cap
7/9/2008 10:36 AM
I’m going to take a side bar here. My lens cap consumes my mind during these trips when I’m traveling I am either eating or worrying about if I have my lens cap or not. It is by definition obsessive/compulsive. I am constantly checking my camera or tapping my pocket to make sure it’s there…and when its not. There is a stress in my world you cannot fathom. Because then I begin thinking where I may have put it and the internal conversation is mostly this…

“Where the fuck is it? Dammit. I just saw it. Check all my pockets. No. Dammit. I’m so negligent. Why do I always do this?! I should just put it in the same place each time. That’s what I need “a process”. From now on I’m going to do this. Ok calm down. Take the picture; check the light and the settings. Compose the shot…maybe it’s in my jacket in the car. That must be it. Ok focus…the shot looks good. But I haven’t worn my jacket since yesterday. That makes no sense. I should just buy 3 or 4 extra caps that way I won’t worry about it. Fuck! I know it HAS to be around. I’m an idiot. Ok…just relax I can buy one when I get back; it’s not worth getting upset by it. Oh this is dumb…I’ve never lost a cap and now I lose this one. Oh wait here it is in my bag.

I take out my camera again in 10 minutes and start the whole twisted dance again. Norb will typically walk by at this point and see the conflict on my face like a news headline that reads “Moron Loses Lens Cap” and will ask “Problem.” I will always lie and say…”Ahhh no…”