Qphacs

Looks like my photography is going to be on hold for quite some time now.
My camera and lens was stolen out of my checked luggage while on a business trip. It was not a TSA screening, because there was no card. My bag was totally ransacked, my clothes thrown on the ground. (as evidenced by grass and dirt on my otherwise clean shirts).
No care was placed in putting my things back inside my bag. Stuff was just thrown back in.
Not happy in the slightest.

--------------UPDATE 3/12/2013----------------------------
So, I heard back from the airline. What follows is what they sent me:

On behalf of {the Airline}, please accept our sincere apologies for the mishandling of your luggage and the resulting inconvenience.

I need to respectfully explain that Airline Tariffs (including those which govern luggage handling and claims at {the airline}), exclude liability for any jewelry, electronics, or cash if a passenger chooses to pack that type of property inside a piece of baggage. As much as we regret this situation, we are unable to offer a payment to you for the loss. You may review this information in relation to the above at: {website}

As a tangible expression of our regret for your experience, I've issued you an Electronic Credit Voucher (ECV), in the amount of $250.00 which may be used toward future {the airline} travel. Transportation Credit Vouchers are valid for one year from the date of issue. Once a voucher or other document has expired, it has no further value and cannot be refunded, extended, or exchanged. ETCV's may be redeemed at: {website}, {the airline} Reservations or at any {airline} city or airport ticket office. Redemptions at: {website} will not incur a transaction fee. Fees will apply if the voucher is redeemed through any other {airline} location. Please allow forty-eight (48) hours to receive the e-credit via e-mail along with the terms and conditions of use.

We are sincerely sorry for this incident, as well as for the position we must take in this matter.


Sincerely,
{Name}
Claims Manager


--I am NOT pleased with this.... their 'voucher' is less than half of the loss amount claimed!!
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Greetings All,
Looks like I have yet again been neglecting any sort of journal entry.... my last journal here was titled "Half past 2011" and we are now three-quarters through 2012. Whoops....
In all that time, I find myself wondering if my photography is worth it. I have seen a lot of the folks I watch here on dA go through these phases, and I suppose it must be my turn. My time, lately, has been so consumed with life events and things that require my attention that there just has not been time for photography. I still take the odd photo here and there, but its nothing worthy of posting here. I also recently joined a group on here to try and get some feedback on my nature photography. Feedback is precisely what I got. What I thought was one of my best photos was dismissed from the group outright. No explanation given. Unfortunate. Is my photography really THAT bad? I realize that I am a complete novice here, but I am not one of the children that just clicks away frames and posts whatever comes out of the camera either. The group was, on the surface, a professional looking group, that seemed to be populated with adults that I could have used as a resource to better my photography. But, instead, I was dismissed out of hand with not even a comment about my work. Again, Unfortunate. I won't name the group here, I have mixed feelings about it. I still watch the group because I enjoy the photos that are posted there, but on the other hand.... it doesn't seem like the group I was thinking it was.
All this being said, it leaves me to wonder; should I just put down the camera? The answer is no. I won't do that because it is something that I enjoy doing. The photos that I produce are, at the very least, enjoyed by me.
The downside to the whole thing is time, or my lack of it, to be involved with my hobby. The way I see it, the only way to improve it to keep plugging away at it.
In short, I hope to be able to post some more photos here. I do have some filed away that may be worthwhile. I didn't make it to a single classic car show, or air show this year, and probably won't because the season is rapidly changing already.

As always, any thoughts are appreciated.