An Insolent Southern Man

Maybe you live in some other country where gas is already way more expensive than it is here in the US. Maybe you live in another part of the US where it's more expensive than it is here. If you're in one of those places, then you've probably already seen this happening, and hopefully, you've taken necessary steps to help protect yourself. I live in the southeastern US, and gas is close to $4.00 a gallon now. In a place where unemployment is sky high, and money is ridiculously tight, gas theft is becoming more and more rampant.

Alright photographers, (That is - if there's any left reading my blog after the junk from a week or so ago...)

Let me ask you a question:

Have you ever seen a contest where a photographer uses other photographers' works to promote their own business?

After mistaking the neighbor's donkey for a Tusken Raider's war cry tonight, I came to the following conclusion:

Tusken Raiders would make terrible neighbors.

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Okay, so the last post got some people good and pissed at me. Am I an a$$hole? Maybe.Yeah...okay. I am. So what? I'm just laying it out as I see it. It's only an opinion - my point of view. And since it's my gear at stake, it's the one that matters at this particular time. Calling me an a$$hole over an e-mail or text message really isn't going to remedy the situation, or help you with your dilemma of needing gear that you don't have.

 Borrowing a cup of sugar, a shovel, even my lawnmower is one thing... Borrowing my camera is another.

Lately there's been a rash of folks asking to borrow photography gear from me. Now before I go off sounding like an a$$hole, let me be upfront - I will loan out gear to friends in need. Heck, I've borrowed a few items from other photographers myself. But here lately, it's been getting out of hand. Add in the fact that money is really, REALLY  tight in my house right now, and you've got me feeling a little on the stingy side. So, I'm sorry if I come across as a douche when you ask to borrow a list of my expensive camera equipment that I barely had the money to buy in the first place, and I tell you "no."

I used to have a plan. It was only a couple of years ago, but it seems like it was forever ago. Nonetheless, I had a plan.