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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> The Mystery of the Vanishing Power Shot
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03/09/2007 03:57:38 PM · #1
Any sleuths want to take a stab at this one?

Here are the facts of the case:
My husband (AJ) and I live in a 36' fifth wheel.
We live in an RV park owned by a couple our age ("Becky" and "David").
We have become friends with the couple and take turns hosting dinner once a month, when they come into town.
They are honest, hard working people with values that match our own.
On Thursday AJ and David went fishing. (Becky was not in town.)
AJ took pictures of the fish and the three of us viewed them on the TV.
We all had some beer or wine, but no one was intoxicated.
The last time anyone remembers seeing the camera it was laying next to it's case, in front of the TV.
At no time was David left alone with the camera.
When David went home he was carrying a beer cooler and a pan of butter.
I walked with him to help carry some cans of paint.
Yesterday (Friday) we went to download the pictures and realized that the camera and it's case were missing.
We locked the door before bed and it was still locked in the morning. It is a deadbolt that can only be locked from the inside or with a key.
We have scoured the entire place many times over, inside and out.
Neither AJ nor I recall having moved the camera.
The camera belongs in a storage cabinet, and I habitually put it away when it is left out for more than a day or two.
Sometimes AJ leaves things on the shelf below the cabinet.
Never before have we lost or misplaced anything that we weren't able to find within five minutes. It is extremely rare that we misplace anything at all.
There are limited places to lose things in the RV and we have literally searched every square inch, including the trash, refrigerator, microwave, inside and behind sofas etc.
We briefly suspected that David may have accidentally picked it up, since he also has a camera with a black case.
David is certain that he does not have it.
He has little to gain and much to lose by stealing our camera; and we have absolutely no suspicion of him having done so.
I have an ancient Anasazi grinding stone that I found in New Mexico.
It sits on the shelf below the camera storage spot.
It bothers me that AJ sometimes places things (like the camera) on it instead of putting them in the cabinet.
Last night, right after I dozed off to sleep (exhausted from searching for the camera) I awoke abruptly with my eyes wide open.
Right beside my bed was the distinct image of a man with a painted face, which looked something like a cross between a clown and an Indian.
I blinked hard about five or six times and the image remained.
On the last blink it disappeared instantly, without fading.
I was wide awake and immediately got up to use the bathroom.
It took me a long time to get back to sleep.
I have never before awakened to such a hallucination.

If the mystery is ever solved, I'll comment on 100% of the portfolio of the first person who guesses the correct answer.

Here are the possibilities we have entertained:

A. One of us was sleepwalking and took it far away outside, then locked the door when we returned.
B. David accidentally took it home and misplaced it.
C. David is the fastest, most trustworthy and reckless thief we have ever met.
D. Someone entered our RV during the night, stole the camera and case and re-locked the deadbolt, from the outside, when they left.
E. The previous owner of the grinding stone is angry and now haunting us.
F. The camera fell through a hole in the time-space continuum.

In the meantime, I am very upset at having lost my trustworthy P&S and my only way of filming videos:(

Message edited by author 2007-03-09 16:39:33.
03/09/2007 04:03:35 PM · #2
I'm going with (F), the hole in the space-time continuum. ;-)

In all seriousness, that's a very odd series of events, especially the part about the man you saw standing by your bed. Someone posted on here not long ago that their camera went missing under similar circumstances, and he strongly suspected his known haunt to have taken it. Not sure what a ghost would want with a camera, but...

I suppose you could leave an offering on your grinding stone in hopes of "trading" back for your camera. Maybe some corn or something?

I myself find that sometimes it's better to give things a day or two and then look again with a fresh mind. It's easy to overlook the obvious when you get into the "gotta' find it" groove. Be sure to check all the unlikely and unusual places, too. I do hope it works out for you! Be sure to let us know.
03/09/2007 04:03:37 PM · #3
I don't know but I want some af that beer and wive you guys were drinking! ;-)

Try looking in the beer cooler, the pan of butter, and/or the paint cans.
03/09/2007 04:14:44 PM · #4
Originally posted by OdysseyF22:



I suppose you could leave an offering on your grinding stone in hopes of "trading" back for your camera. Maybe some corn or something?

I myself find that sometimes it's better to give things a day or two and then look again with a fresh mind. It's easy to overlook the obvious when you get into the "gotta' find it" groove. Be sure to check all the unlikely and unusual places, too. I do hope it works out for you! Be sure to let us know.


Funny you should suggest that. Even before this happened, I had been planning to move the stone so that it would not get things set on it; and have often considered placing some corn on it, just for old-time's sake. Ironically, David brought corn on the cob that night for dinner. Since the vision, I have considered a cleansing ritual. Perhaps the corn is the way to go. Thanks.

I also agree with the wait and see attitude. This is what I told my husband; who is even more upset than I am. We are pretty confounded, though since there are very few hiding places in this 400SF abode.

Message edited by author 2007-03-09 16:15:08.
03/09/2007 04:14:52 PM · #5
Anyway, if David was going to steal something he would have gone for the 20D, surely?

I'd say check coat pockets. And ask David to check the beer cooler. Also, when you were throwing out cans and bottles you might have thrown out the camera as well.

Either that or it's the man with the painted face.
03/09/2007 04:18:26 PM · #6
Originally posted by greatandsmall:

When David went home he was carrying a beer cooler and a pan of butter.
I walked with him to help carry some cans of paint.


Where was your significant other while you were gone?

Did anyone leave the RV unguarded at any time?

My guess is someone came in and picked it up. Keep your eyes on the neighbors.

:)

03/09/2007 04:20:26 PM · #7
Originally posted by jhonan:

Anyway, if David was going to steal something he would have gone for the 20D, surely?


Exactly, and it was also in plain sight.

Originally posted by jhonan:

I'd say check coat pockets. And ask David to check the beer cooler. Also, when you were throwing out cans and bottles you might have thrown out the camera as well.


Coat pockets? Have you ever been to South Central Florida in March? J/K. Actually, we had light jackets on and did check all pockets. The jacket David was wearing was very thin and the bulky camera would have been visible.

We checked all coolers, the recycling bin and even tore open all of the trash bags, including those from before the incident.
03/09/2007 04:21:45 PM · #8
I don't know about what happened to your camera but here is my wierd missing camera story:
The Facts:
We had a big snowfall before Christmas and I went out with my trusty little PS Nikon L4
I walked half way down our 400 foot driveway and stopped to take a picture on the side of the driveway
I walked 10 steps and because there was a big tree branch hanging over the driveway, with my gloved hand I slipped my little trusty(power on) into my coat pocket
I shook the branch and it popped up out of the heavy snow and i put my hand in my pocket to retrieve the camera and it was not there.
I suspected that I had not put the camera into my pocket but it had slipped into the snow
Since I had only moved ten steps I searched the entire area very carefully, then swept the area
Then thought it had somehow popped up with the branch and searched, no luck
The snow melted in a few days and still no camera
Nobody that we don't know comes down our driveway so it is unlikely that a stranger found it.

Months later, snow gone and still no camera.

I've decided it is aliens, but why do they want cameras?

Any other ideas?

03/09/2007 04:23:15 PM · #9
Have you checked for holes in your coat pockets?? Perhaps one that goes into the liner?? :)

ETA: Other than that, I would agree that it is aliens.

Message edited by author 2007-03-09 16:23:44.
03/09/2007 04:24:25 PM · #10
Originally posted by TCGuru:

Originally posted by greatandsmall:

When David went home he was carrying a beer cooler and a pan of butter.
I walked with him to help carry some cans of paint.


Where was your significant other while you were gone?

Did anyone leave the RV unguarded at any time?

My guess is someone came in and picked it up. Keep your eyes on the neighbors.

:)


David's cottage is about 15 yards away, and the RV is in direct sight. It was unattended for no more than 30 seconds while we walked David home; and the door was never out of our view.

Other than that, I was inside the remainder of the time until it was discovered to be missing.
03/09/2007 04:24:48 PM · #11
David probably has it. He took it thinking it was his, in fact when you ask does he have it he honestly believes he does not because his is so similar that when he sees yours in his RV he just assumes it is his. He won't realize it is yours until he sees both in his RV at the same time.
03/09/2007 04:26:26 PM · #12
yup, checked pockets and linings, somewhat obsessively
geee
03/09/2007 04:30:11 PM · #13
Nope, no holes in coat pockets.

Geee, I have also considered the alien thing, but I thought the painted face man might already be pushing the limits of my credibility:)
That's an interesting story about the snow. When I was a kid I stepped into a drift and lost a boot. My brother and I dug for a long time and couldn't find it. We went back right after the melt, but it was gone for good. Maybe there is a snowdrift in Heaven with a boot and a camera.

Message edited by author 2007-03-09 16:31:01.
03/09/2007 04:38:22 PM · #14
Originally posted by greatandsmall:

David's cottage is about 15 yards away, and the RV is in direct sight. It was unattended for no more than 30 seconds while we walked David home; and the door was never out of our view.

When the burglar was snooping around downstairs in my house last year I'd say it was only about 30 seconds before I ran downstairs and frightened him off. But he still managed to grab some stuff even in that short time.
03/09/2007 05:05:47 PM · #15
Here's the view of his place from my patio. The X is where I turned around.


Here's the view of my place from the X.


There are streetlights and all of our outside lights were on.
We had been standing outside and walking around in the yard before he left. Anyone hiding in the bushes would have been at least 5 seconds away.
Having just measured the distance, I can say that I was really gone for about 1 minute. However the amount of time my back was turned on the RV was only about 15 seconds. It takes most people that long just to figure out how to open our screen door latch.
There is little chance that someone could have gotten in, found the camera and escaped unseen in the short amount of time my back was turned.

edit: If there was a burglar, his loss for not getting the laptop and the 20D:)

Message edited by author 2007-03-09 17:13:35.
03/09/2007 05:09:05 PM · #16
It is E

You have removed an item from an earlier time, so an item from your time has replaced it.

Message edited by author 2007-03-09 17:09:16.
03/09/2007 05:13:38 PM · #17
I found the camera; it was under the seat cushions of the settee.
03/09/2007 05:39:18 PM · #18
I chose D.

D. Someone entered our RV during the night, stole the camera and case and re-locked the deadbolt, from the outside, when they left.
Even with a dead bolt some camper trailers are easy targets for thieves. Some times the frame of a travel trailer can be warped and the door popped open, even with the dead bolt shot. You should be able to see marks and bending of metal if you closely examine the metal of the door jamb and door itself. Would the camera and case be the closest thing to the door? Did they get the charger and accys? Do you have the serial number? You really should report this incident to the police. They may be aware of a thief in the area with the same MO.

Indian spirits seldom interact with our physical reality.

A is certainly possible, but you didn't mention any previous incidents of sleep walking.

B and C would seem to be unlikely even though he would be the obvious suspect. If you've know David longer than a few months I'd find it even more unlikely. "IF" it were him I'd expect a change of behavior in the next few days or weeks.

But more than likely the answer is X. Something you didn't describe or have forgotten.

Hope you get it back.

Don't keep us in suspense.

Oh, yeah, would this be in the Breezway Trailer park?
03/09/2007 05:40:56 PM · #19
Originally posted by ElGordo:

I found the camera; it was under the seat cushions of the settee.


Remote viewing is pretty cool isn't it. I forgot to look under the cushions.
03/09/2007 06:25:38 PM · #20
Wow ... what a trip ... and no hallucinogens were even harmed in the reading of this thread ...
03/09/2007 06:57:48 PM · #21
Originally posted by formerlee:

It is E
You have removed an item from an earlier time, so an item from your time has replaced it.

I hope they get some great shots before the batteries run down.

Originally posted by ElGordo:

I found the camera; it was under the seat cushions of the settee.

LOL. You must mean your settee because I’ve torn mine apart four times. Please send it back and I’ll get busy making comments.

Originally posted by fir3bird:

I chose D.

D. Someone entered our RV during the night, stole the camera and case and re-locked the deadbolt, from the outside, when they left.
Even with a dead bolt some camper trailers are easy targets for thieves. Some times the frame of a travel trailer can be warped and the door popped open, even with the dead bolt shot. You should be able to see marks and bending of metal if you closely examine the metal of the door jamb and door itself. Would the camera and case be the closest thing to the door? Did they get the charger and accys? Do you have the serial number? You really should report this incident to the police. They may be aware of a thief in the area with the same MO.


Yeah, those RV locks are pretty flimsy. We have a house style E-Z lock deadbolt, and there is no damage to the frame, door or weather-stripping. I had considered Lock Bumping but the slightest vibration is very noticable in the RV. I usually wake up when my husband gets up to go to the bathroom.

There is nothing missing but the Power Shot, and a burglar would have walked past my computer, the 20D, and a laptop to get it. The burglar scenario is so unlikely that I hadn’t considered it. I think I will find a police report. Thanks for the advice.

Originally posted by fir3bird:

B and C would seem to be unlikely even though he would be the obvious suspect. If you've know David longer than a few months I'd find it even more unlikely. "IF" it were him I'd expect a change of behavior in the next few days or weeks.

I’ve known him for two years and trust him implicitly. He has never shown anything but absolute honesty and integrity, and his behavior has not changed at all. When we asked him about it, his reaction was what I’d expect from someone who is completely innocent. I would suspect aliens long before I’d suspect him.

Originally posted by fir3bird:

Hope you get it back.

Thanks! Me too!

Originally posted by fir3bird:

Oh, yeah, would this be in the Breezway Trailer park?

Ummm, yes. How did you know? Are you my neighbor? That would be pretty cool.

Notice: Now that everyone in the world knows what I look like, where I live and what I own, it would be a good time to mention that I might have a gun, lots of mean dogs and know enough just enough jiu jitsu to drop a person.

Message edited by author 2007-03-09 19:07:51.
03/16/2007 11:22:31 AM · #22
Mystery Solved!

Thanks to everyone for participating in this thread. I haven't had any more hallucinations, but I did hear a voice in my head and it helped me locate the camera. Here's the rest of the story:

I moved the grinding stone to a nicer place and asked that the energy block be removed. I am still looking for some corn. (All you can get around here is a 50lb bag!) Then I relaxed and waited for a day. The next morning, as I was washing dishes, a voice in my head said "Look in the cabinet again." Sure enough, it had been there all the time.

Turns out my husband had gone into the cabinet, the morning it vanished, and had been digging around in a stack of old checkbook boxes. He had inadvertently knocked the camera down inside one of the boxes where it became obscured inside the box and back in the corner of the cabinet. It happened in such a way that the stack of boxes appeared undisturbed; threfore we didn't think to inspect them more closely. Needless to say, we both feel quite silly for looking right at it and not seeing it.

Although no one guessed the exact solution, there was some very helpful advice. Therefore, I am working on spreading my comment energy out over everyone who posted in the thread. This will take a while because I've been extremely busy.

Cheers!
Roxanne
03/16/2007 12:21:01 PM · #23
I hate to inform you, but it was no accident.

It was the ghostie. Ask me how I know...

Happened to me. I lost my camera for a couple of weeks. I found it in the bottom of a milk crate under a helmet and my hiking boots. I know for damn sure I didn't put it there. Our apartment is haunted.
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