A few years back, the arrival of a package at my doorstep or in my campus mailbox would have meant that I just got my latest shipment of books.  Or maybe some graphic novels.  Or more than likely, a DVD complilation that I had to have and could not live without.  Unless of course it was electronics.

There’s a moment of excitement that exists in between the discovery of the package and the revelation of its contents.  For some people it’s the uncertainty that drives the excitement.  The package represents potential.  The potential of a dream realized, a wish fulfilled, yet which wish?  Which dream?   And how could it possibly fit in such a small envelope?

For me the moment is a little different.  Ninety-nine percent of the time, I know exactly what’s in the package.   I was the one who tracked down the item, weighed and measured its worth against the amount of money in  my wallet, against the other things that I want.  I found it worthy.  I placed the order.  I tracked its movement from warehouse to doorstep.  And finally here it is.  Still a wish.  Still a dream.  But one whose dimensions have been measured with exacting precision.

In this particular case, my shopping habits deviated from their norm.  This was no DVD or book or electronic gizmo.  This was a Tamrac MX5383 M.A.S. Flash Accessory Pocket.  A little cloth pocket that attached to my existing camera bag to hold the flash I had bought along with my camera.

Still, I was nearly giddy with excitement as  I took it out of the box.   I don’t know if i’m turning this camera into my new hobby or if I was just that sick of trying to find a place in my luggage to hold the flash such that I didn’t forget where it was later, but I was genuinely excited to have this little tiny accessory.  It’s literally just a glorified pocket.  But still….giddy.

I guess we all have to grow up sometime or another.