WJC
Well-known member
Blasphemy! You doubt Zambuto's deity?|8.|
Nope! I’ve known the sucker since he was a puppy scurrying from one experienced ATM on Table Mountain to another trying to pick up any scrap of useful knowledge concerning mirror making he could. He learned well and very quickly. Because of him, I was fortunate ... twice. He sold me a 12.5-inch f/4. But working more than 40 hours a week for Captain’s, having an 80-mile daily commute in the nation’s 3rd or 4th worst traffic, and trying to see to familial/military responsibilities and publish a magazine in my so-called “spare time,” it was impossible for me to have the time to mount it. After sitting UN-OPENED in its box for a bit over 3 years, Carl was kind enough to buy the thing back.
Today, I am in the outback (with very dark skies) of southern Idaho, my dynasty of telescopes is gone, and, with my good salary long gone too, I will never be able to afford a Zambuto mirror, again. I have tried to spend my life helping others—frequently when they probably wished I wouldn’t—but sometimes I wish I could have been just a bit more selfish. All I have left is one 4-inch apo, a 6-inch of my design, optics for the 6-inch Houghton I wrote about in ATMJ #4, optical stuff I’m trying to get rid of, and the MEMORY of some great toys. Some were even, drum roll, please .......... “ALPHAS!” Others have shared their envy at what I HAVE enjoyed. But, on those tolerably warm winter’s nights, I am bitten by the bug of self-pity. And while having to remove at least one shoe to count beyond 10, I could never be great in the field I love, I can at least take solace in that many of the real greats send me cards at Christmas. :cat:
Bill
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