yesterday marked the end of an era for me.

“hemo” and i have had a lot of adventures together. he got me through college and those volatile post-college years of upheaval and transition. an elder stateman, he was reliable. he knew how to embrace the road and was very responsive to all of my needs. he knew when i wanted to go fast (which was often), and when i needed to slow down. he accommodated my every whim, and taught me a lot about myself: my need for speed, my lack of patience, my love for driving, a desire for lifelong prelude ownership, and an appreciation for the privilege of freedom – to up and go where i want, when i want.

this passionate relationship took a tragic turn a few weeks ago as i was flying down 101 with my sis. before i know it, he slowed to a crawl and no amount of pedal to the metal would snap him out of his paralyzing malaise. shortly after, we’re stranded on the side of the freeway and the CHP is pushing us away from the offramp. i later find out he suffered a snapped timing belt and bent valves. prognosis: grim.

yesterday, in the parking lot of my auto shop, i signed some donation papers and said goodbye to this dear trusty friend of mine.

who knows, maybe some scrappy young kid will have a chance at reviving him into a rice rocket or something.

* obviously these aren’t my photos. i couldn’t find pix of my car. but this is it, minus the sexy hubs, annoying spoiler, and glossy paint job. also, picture this with sedimentary layers of bird crap and oxidation.

i hate how stupid, impatient, and compulsive i can be. i’m a fucking IDIOT!

out of desperation and deep longing for a working camera, i basically broke down and tried to fix my camera myself. in a semi-rage. i was taunted by all the photographable things coming up in the near future, how much i missed having it on me, the countless moments i whined “i wish i had my camera,” and of course, my impending trip to the motherland.

not only did i exacerbate an already bleak problem…i basically put it on its death bed. it’s a hopeless prognosis.

is there a gregory house of cameras in the house?…

…hello?

i like this picture, courtesy of evan.