This is a great idea.

Very little continues to happen in my life since I'm devoting all my spare time to watching Shield DVDs. That statement does not even feel sad or pathetic. That's how good this show is.

This means season 5 has been concluded:


A similar pile showed up on my coffee table after a scene in an early season 6 episode. I will only say this: box of books. Cry with me now, fellow Shield fans.

Okay, that's enough of that. I want to share with you something my Dad sent me that was printed in the New York Times. (Happy Birthday, Dad!) This is a great idea for us traveling photographers. I'm heading to NYC soon, and I think I'll follow this advice.

Dear Diary:

On the way to the subway after work in late February, I found a digital camera in the snow. I brought it home and checked to see that it worked. There were tourist pictures of New York City on the camera: a gentleman smiling at Times Square, Lincoln Center, the Empire State Building, etc. And, there was a photo of the Novotel hotel sign.

On a whim, I called the Novotel and explained to a somewhat perplexed front desk employee that I might possibly have the camera of one of their guests. I persuaded them to take my telephone number in case anyone should inquire.

At 1 a.m. I got a call from a Frenchwoman, apologizing for calling at such an hour, explaining that she had lost her camera and hoped that I had it.

The next day, a grateful couple came by and retrieved their camera on the way to the airport. They were heading home to Paris. They gave me some pate de fruits from Fauchon.

Lesson learned: Take a picture of your hotel on your digital camera.