Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/12/31
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]USA TEXAS VICTORIA 01 January 2011 Dear LUG family-- ??? Two stories--both unfinished. ??? In 1984 I was the feature editor for the Estes Park Trail Gazette, adjacent to Rocky Mountain Nation Park in Colorado. In late December, just at dusk, the snows brought the mountain sheep down from the high country. I took a picture >similar< to this one, of a female sheep with her head slightly?turned >because she was trying to figure out what that reflection was she was seeing in my 500mm f8 mirror lens. ??? She stood full frame in the falling snow. We waited to run until January 1, 1985 with the headline: ??? HAPPY EWE NEAR ??? The paper kept the best negatives. So all I can offer is one of the shots I managed to keep: ??? http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Bill1941/Happy+Ewe+Near.jpg.html ??? In the 1990s the family that owned the paper sold it to the Denver Post. One of the first decisions the new dorkwad of a publisher made was to announce from now on the paper was to be running only color photographs. And, he said, he needed storage. So, he ordered five decades of black-and-white negatives thrown into the dumptster, along with all the back copies of the paper dating back to 1914. ??? This stupid example of inhumanity was fired because of public outrage. But by then, of course, it was too late. ??? The second story:??Earlier this month, my wife lost her job and, on December 28th, the editor of the Victoria Advocate fired me. He has been on a long campaign to rid himself of those he inherited when he took over the paper. Last month, it was my turn. ??? Being nearly 70, I find the options limited but refuse to believe my only choice is at which Walmart would I like to be a greeter. ??? The good news--I now have time to finally, finally, start working on that promised book of Texas Panhandle photos. Stay tuned. ??? I have no idea what 2011 holds. But two truths are evident: It's got to be better than 2010 and I am NOT going to sell the Leicas. ??? My best wishes to all for a Happy New Year. --Bill