They sent the posse out for me, LOL!

The high school that my son goes to has a brick exterior with the name
mounted in big letters offset from the wall. The way it's lit at night
is very intriging, with the shadows, and such, and I've always wanted
to do some night experimenting with it.

Well, tonight I go out about 10:30 pm and have my tripod and a couple
bodies, one for color slides and one for black & white. After awhile
one of the custodians comes out and gives me the "Can I help you?"
line. I politely answer, he seems satisfied.

About 15 minutes later the same guy comes out with 3 of his cronies and
they all start asking questions... why I'm doing it (as if it's any of
their business, but I told them just for fun, which is true), do I know
there are cameras watching everything I do (I laughed at that one, I
guess I was supposed to recoil in horror at the realization and run
away, or something), and my name (which I gave them). Then, I
mentioned that my son goes there and they got all happy and went away
and left me alone.

Geez. I know it's a small town and people are overly paranoid and
cautious, and I guess they feel better for having thwarted a potential
terror threat. It was both annoying and amusing at the same time.

 

Everyone has an opinion--whether or not they can justify one with knowledge,
information or experience. You were dealing with people who MAY have
graduated from high school...and folks most likely interested in finding
some form of importance in an otherwise uninspiring job.

These are the very people who so often fall prey to fear-mongering. They
didn't get that job because of highly developed thinking patterns or from
vast amounts of critical thinking skills. No offense to the often-fine
people who work as custodians, but let's face it: These aren't usually the
cream of the intellectual crop.

That's a cue to all you defensive lefties to tell me how uncaring and mean I
am...
Some things just tend to be true (note the "tend to be" as opposed to
"always")...whether or not it's particularly "nice" to speak about.

 

Did this happen in the land of the free and the home of the brave?

 

I think they were Nikon and Leica users jealous of my obviously
superior Canon equipment. Seems to be a worldwide phenomenon.

 

I understand what you're saying. Obviously, I don't know what they
were saying to each other while still in the building, but it is common
for groups to get themselves worked up into an unecessary frenzy easier
than for one person. It wouldn't surprise me if they talked for
several minutes and had themselves convinced that this little high
school in the midwest was the next terror target. Yes, I'm
exaggerating for effect, but the point is I'm sure they bandied about
what they thought my evil intentions may have been, and my intentions
kept getting more and more sinister as their conversation went on.

I'm thinking about printing up some business cards that say...

"The Dave (real name, of course)
Not mental... not a terrorist... no sinister intentions...just a guy
taking some pictures."

....then I'll hand them out when custodians and security guards with
large flashlights "need" to know.

 

Now **THAT** is the best idea I've heard in a LONG time!

Really! That could very well have the EXACT effect you/we all
need--basically letting them know that their fears were a little on the
silly side. It could give a light-hearted "out" for them, too. Humor
always helps diffuse situations like that.
VERY good idea. I don't know if you are serious, but I just may do that
very thing.

-Mark

 

That will work until they search your house and find all those pictures of
naked young boys.....:^)

 

Ah.
Hopefully not speaking for yourself...
-For that I have zero sympathy.
Anyone engaging in that sort of crap deserves all the
prison...um..."beatings" they receive.

 

As if...

 

Denial only works to a point, Dallas.

 

So are you agreeing that his Canon equipment is superior?

See what I mean? You Canon folks all hold the opinion that your gear is
better than Nikon gear, but this cannot be proved.

I demand an apology!

 

I just show them my military ID and tell 'em they'er "not on the need to
know list". ;-D

 

What's the point if your GEAR is "better" if you aren't?

It don' matter what sooper-dooper whiz-bang gimcrack dohickies you got,
it don't make you Ansel Adams.

You got to do that inside your head.

 

Absolutely 100% correct.

Which is why I use Nikon. And Leica. Because Canon fucks with my ability
to remain objective!

 

Canon, nor any other company, will ever be to blame for your inability to be
objective.

 

Thanks. I think I'm really going to do it. I was kicking around the
idea of putting my phone number on there, but nah, that's priviledged
information that I don't give out to just anybody.

 

Canon "stole" my money. They used me as a guineau pig for technology
that they knew was dodgy to begin with. How should I feel towards that
company? Forgiveness?

 

Canon "stole" my money. They used me as a guineau pig for technology
that they knew was dodgy to begin with. How should I feel towards that
company? Forgiveness?

Microsoft has been doing that to me for over 20 years.....