[Leica] R8 MIA returns home!:)

[Ted Grant <tedgrant@islandnet.com>]

R8 MIA returns home after 14 months missing in action!
======================================================

Well folks there truly is a Santa Claus or some other great person who
looks after returning a photographers' gear.

In the event you have no idea what I'm talking about, here it is once again.

During the 1998 Commonwealth Games held in Kuala Lumper, Malaysia an
unfortunate incident of my R8 being lifted occurred. I was to say the least
devastated, twice.

Once at it's being taken and two when I discovered it wasn't insured due
to..."Assuming the other person had!"  My assistant and I each assumed the
other had called the insurance agent insuring the equipment, neither had
due to the assumption.  Therefore it was a double whammy, loss of gear and
to replace it meant buying new.:(

Along comes the "other great person" who saved my butt. Actually two of
them, both LUGNUTS!  James Khor and MC Lau of Malaysia who kept an ear to
the ground on the possibility the camera may surface at some time.

It did! A few weeks ago I received e-mail that the camera may have surfaced
because a photographer was offered one for sale at a ridiculously low
price.  James and MC got on it right away and during the past week or two
e-mails flying back and forth from Canada to Malaysia confirmed it was
indeed the "MIA R8."

To shorten this...It was recovered quickly through negotiations and as of
late yesterday I have it back in my hands. Surprise of surprises.....it's
just like it was the last time I saw it, basically in perfect order and
looking as good as new. Wonders never cease!:)

If it were not for these two LUGNUTS and the family it creates along with
the LEG, this wonderful ending would never have happened, period!

We, all of us, take this wonderful electronic communication vehicle too
much for granted when we get "off topic" so's to speak, when actually we
should guard it with our lives, simply because what it has given us......a
connection with people on the other side of the world.

In any event this is a great day for me and I trust for many of you in
sharing my very good fortune for the "good guys on the other side of the
world" who made it happen!:)

Here's to MC and James for their efforts in making the R8 MIA return a
success!  We should all be so lucky to have friends like this every where.
Thanks guys.

kindest regards,

ted











Ted Grant
This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant