g a r y w o n g . o r g

It’s almost birthday time and, though I would normally never openly beg for a gift, I really really want something specific this year.

I recently purchased a Canon Rebel XT digital SLR camera. The 18-55mm kit lens takes decent enough pictures but they’re only mediocre. It’s allowed me to further explore photography as a hobby and, while I could continue to use the kit lens, I’d never be totally satisfied with the pictures I’d take with that lens.

This is the lens I’d like to get.

There’s only one problem - it costs over $400. Sure I’d already plunked down a bunch of money on the camera but I can’t bring myself to purchase the lens so soon. I also certainly could never ask for any one, two, three, etc. people to buy me this for my birthday.

Thus, I’ve set up a PayPal account to help me out in purchasing the lens. If you planned on buying me something for my birthday - and if you weren’t, please don’t feel obligated to do so - please consider contributing to this fund instead. If you feel wonky or weird about giving cash as a gift, just write a thoughtful message to go with it - ultimately, that’s worth more than the money (but maybe not more than the lens!).

If you choose to donate, please make it obvious in your donation that you did so I can properly thank you - testimonial, photo portrait, or just plain, old booze. I’ll be updating this page with totals and donors.

Thanks and much love to you all!

PS - Once the total needed is raised, the purchase will be made at Amazon.com. If, by some miracle, the total goes over what’s needed, that money goes towards a drink tab for y’all:)

Update 10.08.2006 - This is the email sent to several people:

Subject: How much do y’all love me?

If your answer is “not very much”, you can ignore the rest of this email.

If your answer is otherwise, I’m gonna do something I would never normally do - I’m gonna beg for a specific birthday gift.

Information here -> http://blog.garywong.org/?page_id=27

Update 17.08.2006 - The fund is currently sitting at $260 but I went ahead and bought the lens. Thanks guys!

Update 13.10.2006 - It’s up to $310 now - almost there!