Idiot

OK, I'm not the best patient in the world.

I admit it. 

But yesterday, I did something that was stupid, even for me.  My right shoulder was finally starting to feel just a little better. The sling had become annoying beyond all description. So I loosened it a bit. Not too much. Just some.

For the first time in nearly a week, the world seem like an OK place.  I was almost comfortable. I was getting more work done. I could see light at the end of the tunnel.

As I got up from the couch to get something to drink, I extended my right arm just a bit outward.  I later found out that you're not supposed to do that with a dislocated shoulder.

In a flash, my arm was engulfed in fire. Again. 

"Oh no," I thought. "What did I do?" 

What I did was re-dislocate my shoulder.  Back to ER. Once again in x-ray... then the doctor working on me trying to get my arm back in the socket.

Everyone I talked to asked me what I did. 

"I'm an idiot," I answered. 

And today is the first day of my recovery, again. 

For future reference, when the doctor says, "Keep your arm in a sling until I tell you otherwise... "

Just do it.

 -Derrick

When to Buy a New Laptop?

I saw that Apple just refreshed their MacBook Air laptops.

I've been waiting to see the latest models because I have a heavy summer of travel ahead of me. Along with my iPad mini, I'll need a nimble laptop so I can use Aperture and Lightroom while on the road. 

It's always a hard decision with computers for me. When to upgrade?

I try to be logical. I even make a Pros and Cons list. Here are some of the factors I consider:

• Processor speed - Will I be able to do my work faster?
• Connectivity - Upgrading from USB 2.0 (existing) to Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 will allow me to use my new hard drives.
• Features - The new MacBook Airs have features that my 2010 model doesn't, such as a backlit keyboard.
• Price - Apple actually lowered the price $100 while improving their performance.
• Age - Generally speaking, I try to update my machines every 3 years.

In all honesty, a new laptop isn't sexy. It's just a tool I need. 

I've done my Pros and Cons list, and the results are overwhelming Pro.

And yet, I hesitate.

It's like investing in a new set of tires for the car.

Boring.

-Derrick

Donald Sterling Stay Home

I'll be at the Clippers vs Warriors game at Oracle Arena on Thursday, May 1.

Hopefully Donald Sterling won't. In fact, by Thursday he should be suspended by the NBA.

My team, the Golden State Warriors, are deadlocked in a playoff battle with their foes from Southern CA. There's no love between the Clippers and Warriors, but there certainly is respect. And that's more than we can say about our feelings for their owner.

So in the short term, we have a series winner to determine. Over the long haul, we have to deal with a person in power who doesn't respect his own team as much as its opponents do. 

There's something very wrong with that. It will be dealt with.

In the meantime, I hope that both teams will be able to put their best effort on the floor over the next couple games, and especially Thursday night at Oracle.

And yes, we have our own message for Donald Sterling: "Stay home."

We don't want you in our house.

-Derrick

Dislocated

I was just reminded of how things can change in the blink of an eye.

The first time this happened to me, I was in San Francisco on a beautiful January day. This was years ago when MacWorld took over the entire city for a week. I was in Union Square, and I decided to cross Post street to visit a hot dog stand.

I was in the crosswalk and had a green light. About halfway through, a taxicab decided to turn in my direction. In fact, he was coming right at me. He accelerated. I dove out of the way and landed on my left shoulder. I immediately knew something was very wrong. I later found out that I had broke my scapula.

That week changed in a San Francisco minute. I tied a belt around my left arm so I could secure it to my body. Otherwise, walking was unbearable. I found an urgent care center. Two hours later, a doctor saw me.

Believe it or not, I didn't leave the city after treatment. I stayed for the show, high as a kite on OxyContin. I don't remember much from those few days.

The other night I came home after speaking at a user group. I took off my shoes at the front door and headed to the kitchen in my stocking feet. I was thirsty and hungry.

The wood floor had just been waxed, and my socks were very slippery. When I stepped off the rug on to the kitchen floor, my feet went straight up in the air. It was like I was on ice. This time I landed squarely on my right shoulder.

"Here I go again."

The good news is, this time I had family to help me to the emergency room. The pain was just as intense, but I wasn't alone on a street in San Francisco.

The other good news… my right shoulder is dislocated, Not broken. I should be OK in a couple weeks.

Interestingly enough, both incidents were initiated by my desire for something to eat.

Of all the crazy things I do, it turns out that the quest for nutrition has been the most dangerous.

-Derrick

Back in Time: The Contax SL 300R T* Camera

I had three Contax film SLRs in 2004 and was excited about the release of their compact digital camera, the SL 300R T*.

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Contax SL 300R T* compact digital camera - 2004

For me, it was the epitome of craftsmanship. At 4" wide and 1/2" thick, the SL 300R was constructed of high tech metal alloy, encased in fine leather. It featured an f/2.8 Carl Zeiss zoom lens (38-115mm 35mm) with T* coating and a 1.5" LCD screen. Its resolution with a mere 3 megapixels.

Imagine the delight of a budding nimble photographer who could carry such a precision tool in his shirt pocket. Even though the maximum ISO was only 400, the relatively fast lens allowed me to shoot pictures in most lighting conditions.

Unfortunately, Contax did not survive the transition to digital imaging. They did release the 400R, but it wasn't a huge success. Not long after, they stopped making cameras all together.

To this day, I miss shooting with Contax. For me, they were the affordable luxury cars of photography. (Unlike Leica, which I've never owned.)

It wasn't until years later, with the release of the Olympus OM-D, that I felt that flutter again.

Note: You can see more pictures of the Contax SL 300R T* in the new History section.