[Leica] A Pilgrim LUGger's Progress

[CAMRALUGGR@aol.com]

As a devoted LUGger, an eternal student of photojournalism, and a great 
admirer of many whose opinions are posted herein, I've read every single 
digest for the last three and a half years. During that time, I have surfed 
the various waves of topics on every conceivable subject which have been 
discussed, argued, pontificated on and/or otherwise never left to die without 
someone trying to get the "final word."  What a mirror of our human condition 
it reflects when viewed as a whole!  Thank goodness we consider each other as 
"family members," although we individually reserve the right to assign the 
role of "pain in the ass brother-in-law" to whomever we so designate!

Like most families, we give credence to wisdom, mostly willingly, sometimes 
grudgingly.  And the core values that we share--love of photography, use of 
Leicas to capture a moment (decisive or otherwise)--bind us to one another, 
whether or not we collectively, or separately, agree or disagree.  And, like 
most families, we know that strident opinions sometimes result in discourse 
which permanently harms feelings towards one another.  "Can't we all just get 
along...?!" is starting to become the LUG mantra!

Ted Grant and Jim Brick recently posted on the value of getting together in 
person.  As one of the MALUG organizers, I have to second the notion.  I so 
enjoyed meeting the wonderful LUGgers who came to D.C. last February for a 
great weekend of just being what we love being most: Leica-LUGging 
photographers eager to apply our respective skills, perception and vision to 
a photographic interpretation of the world around us.  Can you ask for any 
more, or expect any less, from your colleagues the LUG?  Is it really worth 
getting into an argument at the drop of a hat over the most inane subjects?  
With more LUG "reunions," perhaps the frequency of such "shoving matches" 
will correspondingly decrease.

We've had MALUG, BALUG, PHALUG, and LUG-CHUG--apologies to our micro-brew 
consumers!  If we are destined to always be a minority among the rest of the 
C***N, N***N, et al users, let's at least be a visible minority!  Support 
your local LUG constituency, and don't forget LHSA!  It's okay to lurk, but 
don't miss an opportunity to have a face to face with another LUGger.  The 
face you save may be your own!

Mike Crist
Camraluggr@aol.com