I'm writing here about the Nikon Coolpix my parents got me for a couple reasons: one, I didn't ask for this. I knew my sister was getting one, so when I started to open a gift for me and saw the box peeking out from the tissue-stuffed bag, I immediately shoved it back in, thinking there had been a mistake. After a couple mouth-but-no-words transitions between my mom and I, we concluded that indeed, this was my present - my sister just got the same thing as I.


I have to admit, I think it's a pretty cool deal. The thing is all snazzy and sleek (mine is plum purple, unlike the blue one in the photo here, but I couldn't find a picture of the purple), and it's incredibly lightweight. So lightweight in fact, that I'm constantly afraid I'll break it, or at minimum scratch the huge display. I got a $2 case for it at Target yesterday.


But really now, it takes nice photos. It's 8 megapixel, which they tell me is amazing. And given that my last camera was bought circa 2001, had 2.1 megapixels for the same price (around $150), and did not have anywhere near the cool features that this one has (brilliant colour option, time lapse video, just to name a couple), it lives up to its snazzy looks. It's a bit like going to a Bob Dylan concert: sure, it's a name that looks great on a ticket stub, but he's so legendary, will he live up to his name? But then you realize, "Dude, it's Bob Dylan," and you sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride... and realize that the Nikon Coolpix is just a camera, and a great one at that, and you may as well play with it and enjoy it.


For me, the only disadvantages are its lightweight qualities. Most people consider that a good thing nowadays, but for me, I find it harder to deal with. The more lightweight things are, the easier they are to break. It's a simple formula. But easy to forgive. I won't dock it much.


FOUR POINT FIVE OUT OF FIVE ASHTON KUTCHER SMILES


(For Ashton is who advertised the damn thing. And for all the weirdness and Hollywoodness he represents, let's face it - he's that stupid jock in high school you wanted to hate but was too damn cute.) 