Have you ever noticed how all the great come backs occur to you 10 hours after the argument? That’s the so-called Treppenwitz. It’s the joke or the clever argument that comes to you long after the incident. I agree the treppenwitz is a too little, too late in those aforementioned incidents but is it true in real life also? I am applying this term broadly to my past experiences and existential angst as I complete one year of my blog. The past year has been a roller coaster of a journey. The introspection, the catharsis, the pouring out of my (inner) thoughts, sometimes whimsical, I admit has been a kaleidoscope of revelations, regrets, self pity and boot strapping of spirit.
I cannot believe what started as a whim last December, has come this far and as I go into my second year of this blog, I want to start with an abozzo of actions that I want to undertake in the next year, albeit as an afterthought, i.e. treppenwitz. Though comebacks, after the fact are mostly pointless, I think it is not entirely true for the life decisions made in the past that you wish you can go back in time and have a do over. I am going to spend my holidays and upcoming trip to Spain in giving clarity to the abozzo that has been taking shape in my thoughts.
I was in Jacksonville, FL to visit my son in summer of this year. On that trip I chose not to take my zoom lens. As it happens, the Blue Angels were practicing close to where my son Abhi lives. These planes were flying so low, I could have had great shots if only I had a zoom lens. Instead, all I could get was this kind of shots.
It was a treppenwitz moment. I wish I had my zoom lens. I could have gotten something like this shot, that I had taken previously with my zoom.
The reason I did not carry my zoom (70-400f4/5.6) was its weight. That lens weighs 53oz (~1.5Kg) and is a heavy lens to carry. But that experience taught me one lesson. It is better to have that lens and not use it than not carry it and regret it. It is one thing, to not have a right lens, it is far worse to own the right lens and not have it WITH you. To compound the matter, I even have a jacket that I can wear to hold the lens to mitigate the problem of carrying a heavy lens.
On my recent trip to Joshua Tree National Park, I avoided the proverbial treppenwitz, by carrying a zoom lens, though the lens has not been used during the entire trip, but I had it with me with the body harness and all. Though the lens is a lighter zoom (70-200 f2.8), weighed only 44oz (1.3Kg) but since I was not carrying it in the back pack,and it was in its “harness” (thank you family for that considerate birthday gift) it was a breeze to carry it around.
As we come to the end of 2021 and usher in 2022, hopefully we will have a Omicron free year and fewer treppinwitz moments. Wishing you all a very happy holidays and a very happy new year.
