So I am breaking my own rules and jumping out of order with my letters, and while I wait for the sky to fall in, I'll tell you why. Yes, this is a lens. In fact, if you are also the proud owner of the entry level Canon 1.8 50mm prime lens, this is what the inside looks like. With any luck, you will never see this view in person. Yesterday {and this is where I also plead for a free pass to reclaim one of my days off because of extenuating circumstances} I broke my camera. Actually, first, I broke this lens. In a mishap, in which gravity caused the camera to practically bounce off the floorboards, the lens, which took the brunt of the impact, snapped in half. Sadly, it is a write-off. Thankfully, it is the cheapest lens in my kit. The camera's computer still worked and it allowed me to upload the photos on the card. I couldn't, however, get the lens off the camera. I took the camera in to my lab, where they got the lens off but it was discovered it now had a shooting error. The gut-wrenching part: has to be sent away for diagnosis and repair, we could see where one of the lens contact points had been pushed in so thought it would an easy enough fix, but {and it's a big BUT}, it was a four-week turnaround. Right. So four weeks without my camera. Gotta do what you gotta do. On the upside, didn't have to shell out for a new lens straight away. I managed to hold it together until I got home ~ when I turned into an hysterical, hyperventilating {completely irrational} sobbing wreck. To cut a long story a little bit shorter, while I was composing my resignation from SFS in my head {yess I have an iPhone and the kids have p&s but I can't actually take a decent photo with any of them!}, my camera guy rang. "We've fixed your camera and it's working. You can come back and get it." I was there within the hour, picked up camera, bought new lens, was late to work. Priorities! Sorry to bore you with another detailed story behind the photo. But a word of advice, hold your cameras tight!

Selena local 584 Tulsa, uses the impact wrench, was told she was "too little" to work in the trade.... picture from 2008 Ironworker Women Calendar which can be bought at www.ironworkergear.com