Happy New Year! OH, Where are my Cameras?

I hope that everybody had a happy safe and fun New Years Eve Party. I’m sure by now most of your hangovers have either dissipated or at least thinned out, at least a little bit.

Maybe your still going?

As I sit here writing this in the wake of last nights misfortunate event. The intense feelings are still washing over me as I am still very upset. I’m sure I’ll be over it in another day or two.

I’m Very Cautious

First let me say that I am very experienced in traveling with gear and expensive stuff, passports, wallets, etc. Even when it is just to shoot an event, such as the Sydney New Years Eve Fireworks.

Perhaps I maybe even be over cautious and even a little OCD about my stuff, where it goes, checking up on it, who’s around and just in general being alert about my surroundings, where my gear is at and keeping good guard of it.

Well, sadly last night, after a run of 11 years – they finally got me.

I got worked by a 4 or 5 professionals. They managed to open my backpack while I was standing around and ripped my camera bag from right out of my backpack.

I felt a tug when it happened and turned around right away to see what was going on. When I turned around the dude was just standing there, looking at me. I didn’t see anything of mine in his hands. I’m certain he handed my camera bag off to one of his buddies who was probably standing behind them where I couldn’t see what was happening.

I didn’t even realize until about 2 or 3 minutes later when I noticed that my bag didn’t feel as heavy.

My heart sunk.

I swung my backpack around and my heart sunk even more when I saw that both pockets were unzipped and wide open.

“NO!”

I looked inside and my backpack was empty.

My camera bag was gone.

I got jacked.

This happened only about 15 or 20 minutes before midnight when Sydney Harbor was set ablaze with one of the best Firework displays, ever.

Which I didn’t see.

I was so sad after this happens that I didn’t even want to shoot the fireworks.

Speaking of which, luckily I still have my Canon 30D, which was not in my bag, but in my right hand because I had been shooting for hours leading up to this.

My wife and I turned around and walked back up George St, caught the train and headed back for the long ride home.

It sucked.

And, it still does.

There is nothing quite like that sting when you have something valuable stolen from you and something that means so much to you.

There is a similar story about when I was at Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 2000. I just got worked and there was nothing I could do about it.

So, What’d they Get?

My GoPros!

My fricken GoPros man. If you’ve been following this blog for sometime you, might have picked up how fond I am of my GoPros. They are awesome little cameras and are tons of fun. I really do love them.

I use them primarily for Skydiving but do take them with me wherever I go either locally, domestically or overseas. I use them for snorkeling, panoramic shots and just all around documenting our travels and daily lives.

What really makes me sad is I use them to make videos with my the best puppy in the world. My dog.

They’re just as much his cameras as they are mind.

I know it sounds cheesy but I really enjoy doing it and we get some great footage. Beside that, it’s a lot of fun.

What’s even worse is I just got the GoPro Hero 2 only about a month ago. I have barely got to use it, and now they got it.

I’m just so devastated right now. More heart broken then anything. Video and photography is one my biggest passions and to have the tools ripped away from you.

It hurts.

They also took a boat load of CF Cards that I use with my Canon – I only have 1 CF Card left, the one that was in my Canon when it happen. I also had two, 4 GB SD Cards that were in the GoPros.

They also got $50 USD and $5 AUD and my keys.

The money I don’t really care about, not having keys to the car and the house sucks. The CF Cards suck losing but that sting is mild when compared to losing my GoPros. Especially since my GoPro Hero 2 was so new.

January 1, 2012

Today was spent going through everything that I lost and trying to keep a positive attitude. It was also spent at the local Police Station reporting the crime and getting everything ready for making my insurance claim.

The Good News

The Good News is Yes, I do have insurance.

The Bad News

The Bad News is Not Everything is Insured.

My GoPros are not Insured.

Moving On

I hate to dwell on things and I will be buying new GoPros which will replace my old ones. But it sucks. Especially when you are as cautious to theft and your surroundings as much as I am.

It’s just such a hard way to end 2011 which was just an awesome year. It’s even harder to start 2012 off on such an ugly and hurtful foot.

Happy New Year!

So, stay safe out there guys on all your adventures, events and travels. If you don’t have it already, get Travel Insurance and insure all of your gear.

Please, don’t forget – Always watch your Back!

All the best in 2012 and beyond.

Cheers.