Camera Obsession

We've decided to buy a new camera. Woohoo! As usual, by "we" I really mean "me." C.R. has signed off on the decision and the budget, but I'm the one researching cameras for hours every evening after Sunshine goes to bed.

C.R. calls it my tendency toward obsessing, and it may well be the one thing I do best.

Hey, we all have our strengths, right? My husband is good at science, math, music, working with people, managing projects, organizing, fixing cars, athletic activities, camping, baking, winning games, remembering important stuff, skipping rocks, whistling with a blade of grass...(um, need I go on?)

While I'm good at obsessing.

Technically, we don't need a new camera. Our old standby - a Kodak Easyshare - is indestructible. (Ah, dang.) Still, I'd like to have a camera that doesn't automatically use the flash in every condition, including full sun.

What can I say? I'm picky like that.

So we've (I've) decided to shell out the big-ish bucks for a digital SLR camera. After weeks of research, we've (I've) settled on this camera, a Nikon D5000:

Isn't it beautiful? I think I'm in love.

C.R. is making me wait to order this baby until he gets paid on Friday so the money will come out of our monthly budget instead of savings. I appreciate his financial nerd-ery, but waiting is taking every stinking ounce of self-control in my body.

Trust me when I say that isn't much.

The only (sort-of) downside is that the D5000 is loaded with features, including in-camera image editing, a flip-and-twist LCD screen, and HD video capture.

This camera is totally going to kick iShirley's butt, and probably mine too. But at least I have a secret weapon:

Obsessing about learning to use it.