To my friends, family & business associates (I think thats everybody): I do not know how to thank you all. When I first heard of a collective effort to right a wrong, I had very mixed emotions, ranging from Thank you but please dont, to a somewhat tearful OMG, I cant believe youre doing this!, to There are much better charities and families to give to!, to a final realization that you all dont want me to go away and hang it up! Last Friday was a nightmare! The first thought was What did I do with my stuff?. Was it left at the morning shoot, then where did it disappear from, to the final reality of what happened. I reached for my daytimer to make calls, then got sick to my stomach. It too had been taken! Very few people, if any, reading this have ever seen me angry. I got no help inside, I had none of my contacts, my cell had very few numbers stored. This was the third replacement phone in 3 months. I was left with only my memory and we all know how good that it is. When the police arrived, I was amazed by the care and thoroughness of the preliminary work. But it was a MAJOR theft, almost $24,000 total loss. But the nightmare was far from over. The big question was why did I have that much with me at one time! I was between shoot 1 and 2 of 4. The AM was a golf course for a magazine requiring extremely high quality images, #2 a Chamber grand opening requiring less quality images, #3 was a drive by with a super long telephoto lens and #4 was a Christmas event with 2 photographers and equipment, plus back up pieces in case something broke, quit or was accidently removed! So now we ALL know why, and though I love to talk, Im tired of that. Exhausted and depressed, I could not sleep. I had managed to piece together enough gear to complete Friday. Saturday I purchased just a few necessary items, mainly cards, batteries, a small multi-purpose lens and flash, $2000 worth! Saturday night I got by again doing studio photography and roving. Any time I had, I spent looking up serial numbers and filling out inventory lists for CPD and 3 insurance policies, in between well wishes and offers of assistance. Again, anger to tears. Monday the process began, Insurance contacts, adjusters, claims, while still working and being a business owner at the busiest time of the year. When the insurance adjusters (people paid to not pay claims) were done explaining several new addendums & requirements for sole proprietors, my net recovery is approximately $2100.00, and the damage to the truck is less than the deductible. The hue & cry was seemingly widespread. The offers of help pouring in, contributions, loans with no interest, equipment, etc. Closing down the business, filing BK was now on the table but for one element or that would have been the decision. Most who know me are aware that I am the most unlucky person you all know! However, that one thing, that thing that has held me together through financial depression, horrible economic struggle....well you know it all...That one thing is all of you! I did not really know you, my friends & family, cared this much. I know I do a lot of work around town with little or no compensation because these events need to be saved, and people need the photos, even if they cannot afford them. I was lucky enough to come to Corona through a random act of kindness. I have passed it on many times and will continue to do so. I have been in tougher financial situations and survived. I will survive this as well. I have a plan in place. The rest of the month will be tough, but I can and will manage. I decided that the contributed dollars will be used to cover materials, fuel, etc. for the work I do for the non-profits in town, and enable me to do a little extra. Those dollars will stay in Corona. The nightmare of 12/5/14 is one I cant seem to wake up from. But with friends like all of you, and my wife by my side, I will be OK. Thank you ALL from the bottom of heart for your charity and support! Jim
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 05:03:13 +0000
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